Astros’ Springer Is Suspended

Houston Astros pitcher Russ Springer was suspended for four games Friday after throwing several times at Barry Bonds and eventually hitting the San Francisco star this week.

Astros Manager Phil Garner was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball.

The strange sequence Tuesday began when Bonds led off the fifth inning of the Giants’ 14-3 win. Springer’s first pitch went behind Bonds’ back, drawing a warning from plate umpire Joe West.

The next three pitches all came inside, including one that hit Bonds’ bat handle for strike one. On the fifth pitch of the at-bat, Springer hit Bonds in the right shoulder. Springer and Garner were then ejected, and Bonds took his base without incident.

*

Third baseman Melvin Mora signed a three-year, $25-million extension with the Baltimore Orioles that includes a no-trade clause. The deal concluded four months of negotiations.

Mora originally asked for $9 million a season over three years but brought the price down to get the no-trade clause. The Orioles balked at the suggestion before conceding.

*

New York Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano will need surgery for a bone chip above his right elbow, and there is no timetable for his return. Pavano has been on the disabled list since the start of the season after bruising his buttocks in spring training. He left a rehabilitation start for double-A Trenton after only nine pitches Wednesday because of arm soreness. Pavano is in the second year of a four-year, $39.9-million contract.... The New York Mets designated pitcher Jose Lima for assignment. Lima, 33, is 0-3 with an 8.79 earned-run average in three starts.