Pujols achieves homer record

NOTES

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals became the first player in major league history to hit 30 home runs in each of his first five seasons, connecting in the first inning off the Braves’ John Smoltz on Friday night.

Pujols has hit 190 homers since breaking in with the Cardinals in 2001, including a career-best 46 last season. With two outs in the first, he hit Smoltz’s first pitch over the left-field wall for a two-run shot that gave St. Louis a 2-0 lead.

Pujols hit 160 homers his first four seasons, second behind Ralph Kiner’s 168 from 1946-49.

Kiner’s 215 homers were the most by a player in his first five seasons. Pujols is tied with Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews for second.

Clark signs extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed first baseman Tony Clark to a two-year contract extension.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Clark, who signed as a free agent in January, is hitting .329, with 18 home runs and 55 runs batted in.

Pitchers suspended

Cleveland starter Kevin Millwood was suspended for five games and reliever David Riske for four games for intentionally hitting batters during a game against Seattle last week.

Indians manager Eric Wedge and bench coach Robby Thompson were each suspended one game because the beanings came after plate umpire Chris Guccione had issued warnings to both teams.

Mariners right-hander Shigetoshi Hasegawa was fined an undisclosed amount but was not suspended for intentionally hitting Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore earlier in the game.

•Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez was suspended for four games for arguing with the plate umpire during a game against Oakland last week. Rodriguez appealed the suspension.

•Mets bench coach Sandy Alomar was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount for being ejected from New York’s game last Sunday.