Royals pitcher suspended for intentionally hitting A’s infielder with fastball

Apr 6, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera (40) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 19, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics third basemen Brett Lawrie (15) reacts to a high and inside pitch from Kansas City Royals pitcher Kelvin Herrera (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. (Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 19, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Athletics third basemen Brett Lawrie (15) reacts to a high and inside pitch, as home plate umpire Greg Gibson (left) throws Kansas City Royals pitcher Kelvin Herrera (not pictured) out of the game for the pitch during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. (Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 19, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu (left) is ejected from the game by crew chief Jim Joyce (right) after pitcher Kelvin Herrera (not pictured) was also thrown out of the game against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. (Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 19, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu (left) argues with crew chief Jim Joyce (right) after pitcher Kelvin Herrera (not pictured) was ejected from the game against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. (Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 19, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Kelvin Herrera (40) looks on after getting thrown out of the game against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. (Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports)

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Kelvin Herrera was suspended five games by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for intentionally throwing a fastball behind Oakland Athletics infielder Brett Lawrie during a testy weekend series between the 2014 playoff opponents.

Herrera buzzed a pitch clocked at nearly 100 miles per hour behind Lawrie, purported retaliation for Lawrie’s hard slide at second base that injured Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar.

Lawrie said Herrera, who was ejected immediately after letting go of the eighth inning heater, left the field yelling next time “your head.”

“He needs to pay for that. That ain’t OK,” Lawrie said.

Herrera left the field pointing at his head. Manager Ned Yost said the Royals’ setup man was telling Lawrie to use his head, not making a threat.

Herrera can appeal the suspension, and if he does so, the suspension is held in abeyance. Strategically speaking, the Royals might prefer Herrera’s appeal with closer Greg Holland on the disabled list.

Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura was fined an undisclosed amount for beaning Lawrie in the fourth inning on Saturday.

The teams are next scheduled to play June 26-28 in Oakland.