Giants lose J.D. Davis, Mitch Haniger to injury in third inning against Cardinals

Finally back to some semblance of health, the Giants lost two starting players moments apart Tuesday night on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The most significant was a fractured right forearm by left fielder Mitch Haniger when he was hit by a pitch from St. Louis starter Jack Flaherty.

That injury occurred on the first pitch after third baseman J.D. Davis sprained his right ankle going from first to third on a run-scoring hit to left center by Michael Conforto.

The Giants updated the condition of both players in the seventh inning, by which time they had a 9-2 lead.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Giants removed both outfielder Luis Matos and infielder David Villar from the Sacramento River Cats’ Triple-A game in Texas against Sugar Land and both could be making their way to St. Louis for Wednesday’s series finale.

Matos, one of the most highly regarded hitters in the Giants’ farm system, hit his sixth home run in six games before being removed.

Davis was checked out by trainer Dave Groeschner, during which time St. Louis challenged the ruling that Davis was safe and was rewarded by having the call overturned.

Haniger appeared to be in considerable pain after being hit.

Davis went in to the game hitting .284 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. Haniger began Tuesday hitting 231 with four homers and 22 RBIs.

Casey Schmitt went in to run for Haniger and stayed in the game at third base, with Blake Sabol assuming Haniger’s position in left field.

Tempers were short following the fourth inning, when LaMonte Wade, who had doubled, got into a jawing match with Flaherty with the benches emptying briefly with no punches being thrown.