ST. LOUIS -- Reds first baseman Joey Votto's third hit of Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals came with a painful price. Votto exited the game after being struck in the face by a throw in the eighth inning.
Votto had lofted an opposite field double to left and was struck on the chin by Tommy Pham's throw as he slid feet-first into second base. He could be seen bleeding as Reds trainers looked him over.
After a few moments, Votto left the field under his own power and was replaced by pinch-runner Tyler Holt.
"He has a big cut and a gash and I think took seven stitches to close on his chin," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He really wanted to stay in and there was just no way to close the injury on the field. So he had to come out."
In the clubhouse after the game, Votto was sporting a bandage over his chin.
"I feel fine," Votto said. "I always want to stay in the game."
Votto finished the game 3-for-4 and is batting .324 for the season with 28 home runs and 92 RBIs. He's batting .410 since the All-Star break as he tries to become the first Major Leaguer to bat .400 in the second half since Ichiro Suzuki in 2004.