Buster Posey Takes Shot Off Mask, Pulled From Game Two Innings Later

PHOENIX -- A bad night turned potentially disastrous in the third inning Friday at Chase Field. 

Buster Posey was removed from the game while standing on first, possibly as a reaction to a foul tip that smoked his mask in the first inning. Posey had singled for the second time, but as Patrick Corbin pitched to Evan Longoria, trainer Dave Groeschner ran out to first and immediately pulled Posey from the game.

Posey went back to the clubhouse with Groeschner. 

Posey took a direct shot off the mask late in a five-run first inning. It already had to be an uncomfortable night for the catcher, who was in the squat as Chris Stratton imploded. Stratton threw 40 pitches in the bottom of the first.