Notes

LITTLE ROCK — BRAVES

Venters, Cox suspended

NEW YORK - Atlanta Braves pitcher Jonny Venters was suspended for four games and fined by Major League Baseball on Monday for throwing consecutive pitches at Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder last weekend.

Baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline, Bob Watson, also said Braves Manager Bobby Cox has been suspended for one game.

Cox will serve the suspension during today’s game against San Diego. Venters will start his penalty today unless the players’ association appeals.

“I think it’s in everybody’s best interests that the physical well-being of the players should be foremost,” Brewers Manager Ken Macha said. “My point of view is that it behooves everybody that Prince is able to go out and play all 162 and not have a broken wrist or dislocated back.”

Venters and Cox were ejected for their actions Saturday. Cox’s ejection was his record 156th and third this season.

One inning after Fielder’s home run started a five-run inning for the Brewers in a 6-3 victory, Venters threw a pitch over his head. Plate umpire Angel Hernandez warned both benches and Venters hit Fielder in the back with the next pitch.

Cox earned an automatic ejection when he came out of the dugout to argue. Watson said he was suspended for Venters’ intentional actions after a warning had been issued.

PADRES

Manager gets extension

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres gave Manager Bud Black a three-year contract extension Monday through 2013, with club options for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

“There are a lot of challenging decisions that have to be made day to day; this was not a tough one,” co-owner Jeff Moorad said. “If there ever was an easy decision to extend the manager, this was it. Bud epitomizes what we’re doing with the club, both today as well as going forward.”

The Padres, who were off Monday before starting a series at NL East-leading Atlanta today, have a four-game lead over the Colorado Rockies in the NL West. Their 54-37 record is best in the NL and third-best overall, behind the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

San Diego took over first place in the NL West on April 20 and has been out of the lead only a total of three days since then.

Black was hired after Bruce Bochy left to manage the division rival San Francisco Giants following the 2006 season. Black is 281-297as the Padres’ skipper. The Padres were 89-74 in his first season, including an epic 13-inning loss at Colorado in the wild-card tiebreaker game.

San Diego skidded to a 63-99 finish in 2008. It was in last place most of 2009 before going on a 37-25 run to finish the season at 75-87, leapfrogging Arizona into fourth place.

TWINS

Morneau still recovering

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will likely miss at least another week’s worth of games while he recovers from a concussion.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Monday that Morneau will see a specialist today. The All-Star first baseman is on the disabled list and hasn’t played since taking a knee to the head July 7.

Morneau has been told to stay home and rest.

“He’s been waking up in the mornings and feeling good, and then as the day goes along not so good,” Gardenhire said. “So we’re still in about the same place with him. As I said before, we’re going to let him get well. So he won’t be coming to the park.”

ATHLETICS

Sweeney goes on DL

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland Athletics placed outfielder Ryan Sweeney on the 15-day disabled list Monday with an injured right knee.

Sweeney has right patella tendinitis and is eligible to come off the disabled list July 27. He is batting a team-leading .294 with 20 doubles and 36 RBI this season.

ANGELS

Kazmir, Izturis switch places

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Struggling left-hander Scott Kazmir was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Los Angeles Angels because of shoulder fatigue following Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Seattle.

The move is retroactive to July 11, the day after Kazmir surrendered 13 runs and 11 hits over five innings in a 9-7 loss at Oakland.

The 26-year-old Kazmir is 7-9 with a 6.92 ERA in 17 starts, and has lost his past four starts after winning his previous four. During the recent skid, the two-time All-Star has given up 30 runs, 7 home runs and 12 walks over 19 2 /3 innings.

Versatile infielder Maicer Izturis, who has been playing mostly at third base, was activated from the DL after missing 27 games with a left forearm strain. Backup first baseman Paul McAnulty was designated for assignment to make room.