New York ? Detroit designated hitter Gary Sheffield and San Diego catcher Josh Bard were suspended for three games each by the commissioner’s office Friday for confrontations with umpires the previous night.

Both players filed appeals, meaning they cannot be penalized until after hearings and decisions on the appeals.

Sheffield was penalized for “aggressive actions directed at umpire Greg Gibson” at Cleveland, according to Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president for discipline. Gibson ejected Sheffield in the fifth inning after the slugger argued a strike call, then broke his bat on a groundout and threw away the piece of wood still in his hands.

Bard was suspended for “aggressive actions, including making contact with umpire Ed Rapuano” at Pittsburgh.

Bard hit an 11th-inning drive that appeared to reach the right-field seats for his second homer of the game. Bard took his home run trot and put his catching gear back on, only to have Joe West’s umpiring crew reverse the call.