Umpire's head cut open by errant bat

Home plate umpire Paul Emmel was hit on the head with an errant bat Thursday in the ninth inning between the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics.

The scary incident occurred when pinch hitter Jefry Marte lost his grip on the bat during his follow-through.

Trainers from both dugouts rushed out to help the bloodied Emmel, who instantly fell to the ground after being struck.

"It sounded like someone hit a ball off the end of the bat," Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt told reporters. "You could hear the bat hitting his head. I turned around and he was down and I saw the blood. It was gushing pretty good."

Third base umpire Quinn Wolcott moved behind the plate for the game's final out, while Emmell was taken out of the game for examinations. ESPN reports Emmel will require stitches.

"It seems like he's going to be OK," Angels skipper Mike Scioscia said. "It's scary, no doubt. Those guys don't have a skull cap, that bat goes flying, and unfortunately, it got him tonight."