Herrera to appeal 5-game suspension for throwing at Lawrie
Ventura fined for throwing at same Oakland batter on Saturday
KANSAS CITY -- Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera received the brunt of Major League Baseball's discipline for a heated and intense series last weekend against Oakland, receiving a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine.
Herrera, who would not comment, is appealing the suspension, however, according to Royals officials. Herrera was deemed to have intentionally thrown at A's third baseman Brett Lawrie's head in the eighth inning on Sunday.
Right-handed starter Yordano Ventura was fined, but he did not get a suspension for allegedly throwing at Lawrie on Saturday. Ventura said he did not know yet how much the fine would be.
Video: OAK@KC: Ventura ejected after plunking Lawrie
"I thought that MLB did a good job of taking care of it," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "Now we can move forward."
Herrera and Ventura were on the receiving end of two of six ejections of the Royals over the weekend. The A's received no ejections and subsequently no fines or suspensions.
The hostilities between the two teams started when Lawrie slid hard into Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar on Friday night, injuring Escobar and forcing him to miss two games.
Video: OAK@KC: Out call at second stands in 7th
Tensions mounted throughout the rest of the weekend and reached a boiling point on Sunday as Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland, Yost, bench coach Don Wakamatsu, Herrera and Escobar (from the bench) all were ejected.
"I was glad that Ventura didn't get anything," Yost said. "I was glad that Wak and Dave didn't get anything."
Ventura, too, seemed relieved he didn't get a suspension.
Through interpreter Christian Colon, Ventura said, "I am happy that I didn't get any games. The thing that got me in this trouble is trying to protect my [teammates]."
Ventura was careful not to suggest he would engage in any similar activities in the future, though he also would like his teammates to know he has their back.
"That's not what I'm looking for," he said. "I'm just sticking up for my team. But I'm not looking to do this again."
The Royals were not sure how long the appeal process would take, though Yost was thinking it might be 7-10 days. The Royals are hoping that a decision on the appeal might come after Greg Holland comes off the disabled list. The closer went on the DL on Saturday due to a pectoral strain.