‘I obviously felt terrible’: Criswell apologetic after HBP to head

ATLANTA -- Even Whit Merrifield, angry as he was after being hit in the head by a pitch from Jeff Criswell on Tuesday night, acknowledged that the pitch wasn’t intentional. That didn’t make the situation any more pleasant for anyone involved.

Criswell and manager Bud Black both reiterated Wednesday that there was no intent behind the pitch; the rookie right-hander said that he reached out to Merrifield since Tuesday’s game.

“I sent a message over and just again tried to apologize -- reiterate that it was not intentional,” Criswell said. “At least try to get that message over to him.”

Merrifield avoided serious injury, though he was removed from the game. Afterward, he enumerated his frustration with pitchers in general throwing hard with “no remorse or regard for throwing up and in.” He did not target the bulk of his comments at Criswell specifically, though he did have some choice words for the righty while he was on the ground and as he left the field.

Criswell said it was hard to blame him for being upset.

“I have the utmost respect for Whit,” Criswell said. “He’s a veteran player, veteran guy, great guy playing this game, and has every right to be frustrated in that situation. I felt understanding in the moment. I obviously felt terrible. It looked like, off the bat, like he was OK so I was glad to see that and just tried to get on to the next batter.”