D-Backs’ Chris Iannetta hit in face by pitch

Diamondbacks catcher Chris Iannetta was taken to hospital after getting hit in the face by a pitch during Friday’s 11-4 win over the Pirates at Chase Field.

Iannetta was struck by a 93 mph fastball from Pirates right-hander Johnny Barbato in the seventh inning and immediately fell to the ground with home plate umpire Ed Hickox motioning for help.

“He split his top lip wide open,” said manager Torey Lovullo, who was among the team personnel who rushed onto the field after Iannetta was struck.

After getting looked at, Iannetta was able to walk off the field with a towel to his face. He went to hospital to get further evaluated.

“Anytime there’s head trauma, anytime there’s something that hits you in that area, you are never comfortable until a diagnosis has been made,” Lovullo said. “So we’re using every precaution possible to make sure he’s OK.”

Asked if Iannetta lost any teeth or broke his nose, Lovullo said, “I don’t know that, for sure.”

The injury cast a somber mood on a solid win for the Diamondbacks, who used a seven-run third inning to cruise by the Pirates.

“I don’t think any pitcher wants to do that,” left-hander Patrick Corbin said. “It’s just tough. Unfortunate. After this win, it just seemed like guys were a little bummed out and disappointed. It’s tough. (Iannetta) was walking around, so that was good. Hopefully we’ll hear tomorrow.”

Iannetta, who signed a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks in the offseason, was part of that offensive outburst in the third – belting a home run to center to start the hit parade in the inning.

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“We hope he’s OK,” second baseman Brandon Drury said. “I think he is, but it’s just not good anytime anybody gets hit in the face.”

Lovullo said he thought the pitch that hit Iannetta “just got away from their pitcher.”

These two teams do have a history of hitting each other; the beanball war began in 2014 when first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was hit and suffered a season-ending hand injury. The next day, Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was tagged in the back.

Last season, former Diamondback Jean Segura and shortstop Nick Ahmed were struck in the head in the same game. Tony La Russa, the team’s chief baseball officer at the time, entered the Pirates broadcast booth during that game, disputing on-air comments.

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In the ninth inning Friday, Diamondbacks reliever Tom Wilhelmsen clipped Pirates catcher Chris Stewart in the knee.

The Diamondbacks expected to learn more about Iannetta’s status in the ensuing hours and said they would provide an update as soon as possible Saturday when the series against the Pirates continues.

“Any time you see one of your family members go through something like that, it’s pretty traumatic,” Lovullo said. “It has a huge impact on our dugout. He is a veteran. He is well-liked. He’s a leader, and he went down and it hurts. It hurts. It’s part of the game I don’t enjoy whatsoever. Unfortunately, it’s part of the game.

“But the guys were there to support him and love him up, which is what he needed, and we’ll get him back on his feet, dust him off and get him back in there as soon as possible.”

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.

Saturday’s game

Pirates at Diamondbacks

When: 5:10 p.m.

Where: Chase Field (Roof hotline: 602-462-6262).

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (3-2, 3.83) vs. Pirates RHP Trevor Williams (1-2, 7.98).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Walker has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his first seven starts this season. He took the loss in his last start, a 5-2 loss at Colorado, despite allowing just one earned run over 5 2/3 innings. Walker has pitched past the sixth inning only once thus far, on April 27 against the Padres when he went eight innings in a 6-2 win. … Williams will be making his eighth appearance, but just his second start of the season for the Pirates. In his first start on Monday at the Dodgers, he allowed six earned runs in the first inning of a 12-1 loss. Acquired from the Marlins in 2015, Williams pitched a season-high four innings against the Cubs on April 24.

Coming up

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (2-3, 4.14) vs. Pirates RHP Ivan Nova (3-3, 2.23).

Monday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (1-0, 2.25) v. Mets RHP Zack Wheeler (2-2, 4.18).

Tuesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (4-2, 2.79) vs. Mets LHP Tommy Milone (1-0, 5.88).