Three strikes and an X-ray for umpire in Phoenix

PHOENIX // The baseball umpire Marty Foster was struck by three foul balls on Wednesday and was taken for X-rays on his swollen and bruised left arm after San Francisco's 5-2 victory over Arizona. Foster was hit twice on the arm and once in the mask, but he never left the game. He said X-rays were negative, but added he was to be seen again by a doctor later Wednesday night for further evaluation on a stiff neck.

Foster said he cancelled his early Friday morning flight out of Phoenix but was hoping to work his next game on Friday in Chicago. "The first one was the hardest I have ever been hit," the 10-year major-league veteran said. * AP