Bees cause short delay in Giants-D-backs game

PHOENIX -- A swarm of bees in center field halted Thursday's game between the D-backs and Giants one batter into the first inning at Chase Field.

Giants leadoff hitter Angel Pagan lifted a fly ball toward the swarm on the warning track that was hauled down by D-backs center fielder A.J. Pollock, who high-tailed it back to the middle of the outfield after backtracking to make the catch.

Pollock swatted away the bees as he one-handed the ball.

"Now that's focus and concentration right there," D-backs analyst Bob Brenly said while describing the play on the team's telecast.

With Gregor Blanco at bat, plate umpire Pat Hoberg stopped the game as D-backs manager Kirk Gibson came out of the dugout to speak to the group of umpires, including crew chief Tom Hallion, who came in from first base.

Hallion went out to short center where the D-backs' three outfielders had gathered to impart some wisdom to Pollock, and the game resumed. The Giants eventually won, 8-5, behind a five-run eighth inning.

"I could see Pollack was uncomfortable," Gibson said. "You could see the bees moving over. In fact, the fly ball Pagan hit was basically right into the bees. I think the last thing you want do with the bees is disrupt them, get them ticked off. They seem to be OK if you let them settle. We've seen a lot of them between here and Salt River [Fields]. We just wanted to wait until they move out a little bit. So [the umpires] were fine with that."

During the several-minute delay, the D-backs played the songs "Let It Be," and "Don't Worry, Be Happy" over the public-address system.