SAN FRANCISCO–AT&T Park endured a rare quiet moment Friday night when Brandon Belt was hit in the helmet by an Anthony Banda pitch in the sixth inning.
The pitch, a 79-mile per hour curveball, hit Belt in the back of the helmet. He dropped to the ground immediately.
Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy addressed his first baseman’s health after the Giants’ 2-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, saying that concussion symptoms were present.
“He’s got concussion symptoms so he’ll come in tomorrow,” Bochy said. “We’ll evaluate him. We haven’t done anything yet, but he is showing symptoms so that’s where we’re at with him,” Bochy said. “It was a curveball that caught him flush and he’s been through this before so obviously there’s some concern there.”
Belt, whose history with concussions includes one that ended his season in 2015, was helped off the field by trainer Dave Groeschner and Bochy and exited the game. Belt has suffered through two others — one in 2014 when he was struck by a throw from Marco Scutaro during batting practice and one in 2009 with the University of Texas.
“Tomorrow I think we’ll have a better idea. I’m sure this is probably scaring him a little bit because he’s been through this,” Bochy added. “It’s not a lot of fun to go through one, and now he’s going through another one so I’m sure he has some concern himself, as we do for him. Our hope is this thing’s going to be a lot better tomorrow and we’ll wait and check him out then.”
”It seemed loud, I think it’s just where it hit him,” said Buster Posey who was in the on-deck circle when Belt was hit. “Something with your head, you have to be very cautious with that.”
Banda appeared visibly upset after the pitch and joined Diamondbacks’ catcher Chris Iannetta near home plate.
Should Belt be sidelined upon evaluation, Bochy indicated that Ryder Jones may see some time at first.
“We’ll make the call tomorrow,” he said. “You saw what we did tonight. Jones has played some first base so that could open things up.”
