MLB suspends Royals Kelvin Herrera, fines Yordano Ventura

Kansas City Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera was suspended five games and starter Yordano Ventura was fined an undisclosed amount for their action in this weekend's series against Oakland, according to Joel Sherman.

No Athletics players will be fined for the incidents, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser:

No fines for any #Athletics players or coaches.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 21, 2015

The incident started Friday night, when Oakland infielder Brett Lawrie slid hard into Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar, knocking him out of the game. Escobar also missed the final two games of the series, but returned to the lineup Monday against Minnesota.

The Royals retaliated Saturday with Ventura hitting Lawrie with a pitch in the fourth inning of a 5-0 A's win which led to the benches clearing and Ventura being promptly ejected by home plate umpire Jim Joyce.

Things were, however, not done, as on Sunday A's starter Scott Kazmir hit Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain, the third batter he faced in the game, in the ankle with a pitch. No action was taken against Kazmir, which rankled the Kansas City dugout to the point that manager Ned Yost and pitching coach Dave Eiland were tossed by umpire Greg Gibson.

The final act came in the eighth inning Sunday, when Herrera threw a pitch shoulder-high behind Lawrie, causing the benches to clear for the second time in as many days. As Herrera left the field, he pointed to his head, a gesture that said, at least to Lawrie, that is where Herrera was aiming. Escobar and Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu were also ejected after the incident with Herrera.

The Royals make the return trip to Oakland June 26-28.

Update:

Herrera will appeal. #royals

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) April 21, 2015