Pitch to elbow forces Sandoval to exit game

PHOENIX -- Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval was removed from Sunday's 9-6 win over the D-backs in the bottom of the third inning after being hit by a pitch in the right elbow in his plate appearance in the top of the inning.
He was diagnosed with a right elbow contusion. X-rays were negative.
"I'm good," Sandoval said after the game. "My hand was numb. Nothing serious. A little scared, but it's fine."
Sandoval went to his haunches while walking toward first base after being hit and was attended to by athletic trainer Dave Groeschner as manager Bruce Bochy also went onto the field to check. Alen Hanson took over at third base in the bottom of the frame.
Sandoval, hitting .266, has been the primary third baseman since Evan Longoria went out with a fractured finger, starting 13 of the last 14 games.
He had four hits in 14 at-bats in the previous three games, including a two-run single in a 7-0 victory Saturday, and singled in the second inning in his first at-bat Sunday.
"He's amazing," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said before the game. "He has so much energy. I think he's been doing a really nice job defensively. He's been really good. That's why he's been out there."
Sandoval already was likely to get Monday off in Colorado, Bochy said before the game.