Mota

	Piazza

New York Mets star Mike Piazza and Los Angeles reliever Guillermo Mota each were suspended for five games and fined Monday for their roles in a bench-clearing brawl last week during an exhibition game.

The suspensions will start on Opening Day unless they are appealed. Piazza was fined $3,000 and Mota was docked $1,500, while Mets outfielder Jeromy Burnitz was fined $500 by baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson.

"Naturally I'm disappointed in the ruling," Piazza said in a statement. "I have seven days to weigh my options. I plan to use that time to decide what course of action I will take."

It seemed likely, however, that Piazza would appeal, which would allow him to play pending a hearing.

"We just heard the ruling from the commissioner's office and we plan to support Mike in whatever course of action he decides to take," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said.

Piazza and Mota got into trouble Wednesday night at Port St. Lucie, Fla., after the Mets' All-Star catcher was hit by a pitch. The problems continued when Piazza later went into the Dodgers' clubhouse looking for Mota, who had already left.

Watson vowed to get tough on players who tangled, especially after a spate of run-ins at spring training.

Earlier, he suspended Montreal outfielder Vladimir Guerrero for three games, Expos infielder Jose Macias for two games and Florida pitcher Brad Penny for five games for their roles in a fight.

Also last week in exhibition play, All-Stars Luis Gonzalez and Bret Boone were hit in a brushback duel between Arizona and Seattle, Houston's Shane Reynolds threw close to Pittsburgh's Brian Giles in a heated game and Philadelphia pitcher Jose Mesa threatened to "kill" former Cleveland teammate Omar Vizquel.

Piazza and Mota had a bad history between them -- last year in spring training, Piazza was fined $3,000 by Watson for grabbing Mota by the shirt after being hit by a pitch.

This time, Mota's first pitch to Piazza was inside. The next one hit Piazza behind the left shoulder, and he rushed the mound.

Mota threw his glove at Piazza, began backpedaling and ran away from him. Both dugouts emptied, Piazza was restrained on the mound by several Dodgers and the Mets made a wild charge to get Mota, with Burnitz getting tackled by Los Angeles reserve Mike Kinkade.

Mota said he would talk with his agent, Adam Katz, about whether he to appeal. The pitcher wouldn't say if he thought the suspension was fair.

"Like I said the other day, I have no control over that," he said.

Dodgers general manager Dan Evans, upset last week that Piazza was able to get into the Los Angeles clubhouse, had no more harsh words for him.

"I don't think it's my responsibility to critique or evaluate anyone from another team," he said. "The Mets will deal with their guy, I'll deal with Guillermo. I was only concerned about Mota, I can only be concerned about our players."

Said Dodgers manager Jim Tracy: "I said the other day and I haven't changed my stance. We will move forward and get beyond it."