July 29 (Bloomberg) -- New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek were each suspended four games by Major League Baseball for starting a bench-clearing brawl and fighting during Saturday's game at Fenway Park.

Boston outfielders Gabe Kapler and Trot Nixon and New York pitcher Tanyon Sturtze received three-game suspensions for fighting during the Red Sox's 11-10 victory.

The incident began in the top of the third inning when Rodriguez, who had the game-winning hit against Boston on Friday, was hit by a pitch from Boston starter Bronson Arroyo. As Rodriguez started to first base, he stared out at Arroyo.

Varitek stepped in front of Rodriguez and spoke to him as home-plate umpire Bruce Froemming got between the two. Varitek then pushed Rodriguez in the face and the two started scuffling as both benches and bullpens emptied.

Sturtze pulled Kapler from the pile and they fell to the ground as Boston designated hitter David Ortiz and Nixon joined in. Sturtze pitched the bottom of the third inning, then left the game because of an injured finger on his right hand.

After order was restored, the four umpires met and Froemming ejected Rodriguez and Varitek.

Ortiz, Boston pitcher Curt Schilling and New York outfielder Kenny Lofton of the Yankees were fined, as were the five suspended players, Major League Baseball vice president Bob Watson said in a press release.

All suspensions and fines can be appealed, and none would be enforced until the appeal process is completed. The suspensions of Varitek, Rodriguez and Sturtze are scheduled to begin tomorrow, while Kapler's is supposed to start Tuesday and Nixon's will begin as soon as he's activated off the 15-day disabled list.

Ortiz is already facing a five-game suspension for arguing with an umpire July 16. He appealed the ban, enabling him to play in the weekend series against New York.

The Yankees (63-37) are eight games ahead of the Red Sox (55- 45) in the American League's Eastern Division going into today's games.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dan Bollerman in Princeton at dbollerman@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: July 29, 2004 16:59 EDT