Bautista Hit In Face With Pitch

ATLANTA (AP) _ Atlanta Braves outfielder Danny Bautista had his nose broken when he was hit in the face by a pitch in the eighth inning of a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night.

Dr. David Watson, the team physician, said Bautista would remain in Piedmont Hospital overnight for observation.

``I think that’s going to require surgery,″ Watson said.

The doctor said additional tests and X-rays will be done to see if there is damage to Bautista’s left eye socket.

The pitch from St. Louis reliever Jeff Parrett appeared to hit Bautista just under his left eye. It knocked him to the ground and Bautista eventually got up, blood gushing from his nose. He left the field with a trainer holding a towel to his face and was immediately taken by ambulance to the hospital.

``He did not lose consciousness to the best of my knowledge,″ Watson said. ``He’s alert and seems to be able to see OK in that eye.″

Parrett said he felt bad about it.

``Except for his family, I’m tied for second (in feeling bad),″ he said.

Parrett said the pitch got up and Bautista ``didn’t make the move to get out of the way.″

Bautista, who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in a May 31 trade, had entered the game in the sixth inning. He replaced Ryan Klesko who had bruised his left elbow and shoulder in a collision at home plate as he tried to score from first on a double by Jeff Blauser.