Ohlendorf avoids suspension after winning appeal

Ross Ohlendorf will not be suspended for hitting Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman David Freese with a pitch on May 11 after winning his appeal on Monday, the team announced.

The Cincinnati Reds reliever was initially handed a three-game suspension after picking up the fourth of the game's six hit-by-pitches on a 94-mph fastball in the ninth inning, but swore after the game that hitting Freese wasn't his intent.

"(The home plate umpire) warned me when I came in. He just made sure I knew," Ohlendorf said after the game. "Then it went completely out of my mind until after I hit him. I was not trying to hit him. It was an accident. It was unfortunate that it happened, and JC (Ramirez) had to come in, but he did a great job."

Reds skipper Bryan Price has already served his one-game suspension for his role in the incident.