Parmelee leaves after being hit in helmet by pitch

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota Twins first baseman Chris Parmelee was hit in the helmet by a pitch from Boston's Justin Thomas in the sixth inning and had to leave the game.

The left-handed hitting Parmelee stood in with runners on second and third and one out Wednesday night. The pitch from Thomas came up and in and appeared to hit Parmelee on the brim of his helmet before he could get out of the way.

The ball made a loud crack sound as it hit his helmet and ricocheted near the Red Sox dugout. The stadium fell quiet as Parmelee lay motionless in the dirt and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and team trainers rushed to his side. After a few moments, Parmelee sat up and staggered to the dugout, receiving a loud ovation.