SAN FRANCISCO – Giants reliever Joe Martinez was hit in the head by Mike Cameron’s line drive in the ninth inning, but Martinez was able to walk off the field Thursday in San Francisco’s 7-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Martinez was conscious and taken to a hospital for a CT scan and evaluation. His forehead was bloody and his right eye was swollen.
“He was bleeding quite a bit,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “That ball was smoked. He didn’t have a chance.”
Martinez, who made his major league debut Tuesday and was the winner in the Giants’ opener, was struck near the right temple by Cameron’s two-out liner. Martinez dropped to his knees, and players on both sides winced at the frightening scene.
Team trainers rushed to Martinez’s aid. After a few minutes, the 26-year-old pitcher was able to walk away with a cloth held to his nose.
Cameron, who was credited with a double, grimaced, looked away and slowed while running to first base.
Cameron knelt at second base with his head in his hands while Martinez was being treated.
Cameron stayed down even after Martinez left, and San Francisco players came up to console the Brewers veteran.
Brandon Medders came in to get the final out.
Matt Cain (1-0) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings. It’s the first time in his five-year major league career that he’s won his first start of the season.
Cardinals 2, Pirates 1: At St. Louis, Chris Carpenter took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and combined with two relievers on a one-hitter.
Reds 8, Mets 6: At Cincinnati, Joey Votto had a three-run homer and an RBI single off Oliver Perez.
Padres 4, Dodgers 3: At San Diego, Adrian Gonzalez’s solo homer started a three-run rally in the eighth inning that helped the Padres win.
AL: Rangers finish sweep
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers are 3-0 for the first time since 1996. Marlon Byrd and Canyon del Oro High School grad Ian Kinsler hit long home runs and the Rangers completed their season-opening series sweep, outslugging the Cleveland Indians 12-8 Thursday.
Yankees 11, Orioles 2: At Baltimore, A.J. Burnett won in his Yankees debut and fellow newcomers Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher homered as New York won.
Rays 4, Red Sox 3: At Boston, Matt Garza pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, and Tampa Bay hit three homers.
Royals 2, White Sox 1: At Chicago, Coco Crisp’s two-run homer in the ninth inning broke a scoreless tie.
Blue Jays 6, Tigers 2: At Toronto, Ricky Romero outpitched Rick Porcello in the matchup of former first-round draft picks.
Mariners 2, Twins 0: At Minneapolis, Jarrod Washburn gave up five hits in eight innings.