Twins lefty Diamond drops appeal of suspension

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Twins left-hander Scott Diamond has dropped his appeal of a six-game suspension for throwing behind Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton.

The Twins announced Diamond's decision Wednesday, one day after he allowed five runs in seven innings of a loss to the Seattle Mariners. He started serving his suspension on Wednesday and will miss one turn in the rotation.

Diamond was suspended after being ejected in a game against the Rangers last week. He threw behind Hamilton in retaliation after Twins star Joe Mauer was hit in the back by Roy Oswalt.

In a disastrous year for the Twins rotation, Diamond has been the lone bright spot. He is 10-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 21 starts this season, the only Twins starter with an ERA under 4.20.

Updated August 29, 2012