Seen and Heard

SEEN AND HEARD YESTERDAY AT RFK STADIUM

Considering the balls that fly around in batting practice, it’s amazing players don’t get hit in the head more often.

But Ronnie Belliard, the Nationals’ veteran infielder, did. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, standing in foul territory near the batting cage. Belliard never saw the wayward, 100-foot throw from rookie catcher Jesus Flores that was intended for Brian Schneider. It was several feet off the mark and caught Belliard flush on the left temple He immediately fell to the ground.

Manager Manny Acta yelled out, “Trainer! Trainer!” and all eyes turned toward Belliard, fearing something serious had happened. Fortunately, he was all right. Woozy, but all right.

QUOTABLE

“I asked him how it was to miss us for one day, and I said, ’You know what? You’re probably lucky you weren’t here for that one day.’ ”

— General manager Jim Bowden on Kory Casto, who was sent to Class AAA Columbus on Saturday, missed the Nationals’ Opening Day loss Monday and then was called back up yesterday

TODAY’S GAME

Nationals LHP Matt Chico (major league debut) vs. Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez (10-3, 2.83 ERA in 2006), 1:05 p.m., MASN, AM-1500, FM-107.7

— Mark Zuckerman

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