Expos’ Guerrero Breaks Left Pinky

Montreal Expo outfielder Vladimir Guerrero sustained a hairline fracture in the small finger on his left hand Friday night and will be sidelined for at least three weeks.

Guerrero was hit by a pitch from Stan Belinda in the ninth inning of a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Home plate umpire Ed Rapuano called it a foul ball, ruling it had hit the bat, and Expo Manager Felipe Alou was ejected for arguing the call.

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The city planning commission has given final approval to the San Francisco Giants’ ballpark--and the project has been granted one of the most lenient conditional use permits for a major project in years.

In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved provisions relating to the stadium’s architecture, imposing restrictions on lighting and billboards.

Absent were any conditions relating to noise levels, rock concert use, sub-leases, sewer improvements, parking or traffic controls--all restrictions neighbors in the South Beach-China Basin area have demanded.

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Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Al Martin, who signed a three-year contract extension worth $7.7 million last fall, signed up for an additional season and maybe two more.

The contract commits Martin to the Pirates through the 2000 season and, possibly, until 2002. Only the 2000 season is guaranteed, but the Pirates have options for the next two years.

“I was here through some tough years and I want to be here when the Pirates get good again,” Martin said.