Buster Posey forced to leave Giants’ game

San Francisco catcher Buster Posey was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the fourth inning of the Giants’ 8-7 loss to Colorado on Sunday after taking a foul tip to the face mask in the top of the inning.

Posey, a former National League MVP batting .271 this season, was visited by the team trainer and Manager Bruce Bochy after being struck in the face mask. He stayed in the game for the rest of the half-inning but then was replaced by Hector Sanchez, who hit a home run.

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Pittsburgh rookie Gregory Polanco, who is batting .387 after a week in the big leagues, had two hits Sunday and joined some exclusive company, becoming the first Pirates player to get a hit in each of his first six games since Roberto Clemente in 1955.

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Giants outfielder Angel Pagan was scratched from the lineup Sunday because of tightness in his lower back.

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The St. Louis Cardinals said reliever Carlos Martinez will make his second career start Monday against the New York Mets in place of ace Adam Wainwright, who is skipping a start because of elbow tendinitis.