HOUSTON–We had a scary moment in the fourth inning here at Minute Maid Park tonight, as Houston catcher Chris Wallace was hit in the face by an errant Barret Loux fastball. Wallace lay writhing on the ground for several minutes as the crowd hushed, and he was taken off the field on a cart.

We have gotten word that Wallace is at the hospital receiving stitches under his eye, and he is scheduled to have an MRI. He is currently coherent and awake. Obviously, our thoughts are with Wallace and his family, and we will hope for the best.

It almost seems trivial to say it right now, but Wallace is a good-looking player, and I heard one American League area scout say he likes Wallace as a prospect. Wallace has a sturdy catcher’s build and has done very sound work behind the plate. He also blasted two opposite-field home runs in Houston’s first game of the weekend against Baylor.