Walker left the game after being hit in the head in the ninth inning of Houston’s 6-3 win over the Red Sox, and said he’ll be ready to go on Sunday.
HOUSTON — The Astros came away with a win against the Red Sox in Boston Saturday, but it came with a scary moment for first baseman Christian Walker.
In the ninth inning with Houston leading, 6-3, Boston pitcher Tyler Samaniego drilled Walker in the head with a 93 mph four-seam fastball. In video, you can Walker’s batting helmet fly off his head before he backed out of the batter’s box and eventually left the game.
Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart posted video of Walker talking about it after the game.
“The ball hit the helmet, knocked the helmet off, and then bounced off my head, but I think I’m pretty sure it got the helmet first,” he said.
The Astros and Red Sox go at it again on Sunday in the series finale. When they do, Walker said he’ll be ready to go.
“As long as I don’t wake up with, you know, some crazy neck stiffness or something like that, I plan on being in there,” he said.
“Scary,” said manager Joe Espada. “When he kind of moved his head, the helmet kind of came loose and the ball kind of got some of the forehead area, but no blood.”
Before the ninth inning scare, Walker had himself a day at the plate. He was 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.
Houston native Brice Matthews also provided a spark Saturday, hitting a three-run home run and making a spectacular catch in the outfield with two Red Sox on base.
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