Texas Rangers pitcher Kason Gabbard is tackled by Seattle's Richie Sexson (44) after Gabbard threw a pitch close to Sexson in a May 8 contest in Seattle. Sexson was suspended six games for charging the mound and throwing his helmet at Gabbard. Sexson recently appealed the six-game suspension and had it reduced to five games.

Seattle ? Richie Sexson’s suspension for charging the mound in Seattle’s 5-0 loss to Texas on Thursday was reduced from six games to five.

Sexson began the suspension with Saturday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox. He will miss the final two games of the series against the White Sox, and all three games Monday through Wednesday against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

Sexson charged the mound and flung his helmet at Kason Gabbard after the left-hander threw an eye-high pitch to him that was more over the plate than inside in the fourth inning of Thursday night’s game.

Sexson appealed the suspension, and Major League Baseball and Mariners officials held a conference-call hearing Saturday.

“It’s acceptable for what happened,” Sexson said. “With the helmet, I’m happy with five. It could’ve been worse.”

Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline, had cited Sexson for “violent and aggressive actions.”

Seattle starting pitcher Felix Hernandez and Texas catcher Gerald Laird and pitcher Sidney Ponson also were fined.

Miguel Cairo started Saturday in place of Sexson, who is batting .202 with seven homers and 18 RBIs on the season.