OAKLAND -- A man who allegedly threw a cup of beer on New York Yankees player Jason Giambi has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge.

Eric Anduri, 30, did not attend Monday's court hearing. His attorney, Michael Roman of Berkeley, entered the plea on his behalf in Alameda County Superior Court.

Giambi said after the May 14 incident at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland that he wasn't interested in pursuing charges against the man, but prosecutors went ahead with the case.

If convicted, Anduri could face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.

Giambi was allegedly doused with the beer by a yelling Anduri as he walked back to the Yankees dugout after flying out in the eighth inning of a game the Yankees won 15-6.

Giambi, the longtime A's slugger who won the 2000 AL Most Valuable Player award while playing for Oakland, has been booed loudly at the Coliseum ever since he signed a seven-year contract with the Yankees in December 2001.