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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 16, 2009

Dodgers pitcher hit in head by line drive


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda is carted off the field after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of Arizona's Rusty Ryal in the sixth inning.

ROSS D. FRANKLIN | Associated Press

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PHOENIX — A scary injury to pitcher Hiroki Kuroda put a tough loss in perspective for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Los Angeles was leading by three when Kuroda was hit in the head by a line drive in the sixth inning, and the stunned Dodgers watched the Arizona Diamondbacks rally for a 4-3 victory in 10 innings on Gerardo Parra's bases-loaded single.

Tests revealed Kuroda suffered a concussion but no fractures or internal bleeding. He remained in St. Joseph's Hospital overnight for observation.

"It was just shocking," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "It certainly caught everybody off guard."

The Dodgers built a 3-0 lead as Kuroda cruised through five innings, allowing only two hits. But pinch-hitter Rusty Ryal lined a 2-2 delivery off the right side of Kuroda's head leading off the sixth.

The 34-year-old Kuroda crumpled to the mound, clutching his head, as the ball deflected into the seats behind first base, then back onto the field. Ryal was awarded a ground-rule double when play resumed.

"You get that sick feeling in your stomach," said Ryal, playing in his fifth major league game. "I was just scared. I'm sure everyone else in the stadium, probably even his teammates, have got to be feeling pretty gut-wrenching about it."

The Diamondbacks tied it at 3-3 in the ninth against Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton on consecutive solo homers by Mark Reynolds and Miguel Montero.

In the 10th with the bases loaded and one out, Parra lined the first pitch from Ramon Troncoso (4-2) to the warning track in center field.

Giants 5, Mets 4: Bengie Molina homered in the 10th inning off Francisco Rodriguez (2-4) for host San Francisco long after Matt Cain beaned Mets slugger David Wright. In the fourth, Cain nailed Wright in the head with a 94 mph fastball. Wright was taken to the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said a CT scan was negative and Wright had a concussion.

Nationals 10, Reds 6: Adam Dunn hit his first homer against his former team and visiting Washington beat Cincinnati. Dunn made his major league debut with Cincinnati in 2001 and was traded to Arizona last August. He signed with Washington in the offseason.

Braves 4, Phillies 3: Omar Infante's bases-loaded single off Brad Lidge capped a ninth-inning rally and lifted host Atlanta to victory. Lidge (0-5) picked up his eighth blown save, aiding Atlanta's two-run ninth with two errors on the same play following Garret Anderson's leadoff single.

Cubs 3, Pirates 1: Tom Gorzelanny pitched five effective innings against his former team and Jeff Baker homered to lead host Chicago to victory. Gorzelanny (5-2), who grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago, allowed one run and three hits, struck out eight and walked three.

Cardinals 7, Padres 4: Matt Holliday hit a two-run homer, and Joel Pineiro extended his winning streak to five as host St. Louis beat San Diego. Pineiro (11-9) pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.

Brewers 6, Astros 2: Craig Counsell drove in three runs and Mike Burns pitched seven solid innings for host Milwaukee. Burns (3-4) gave up two runs and four hits, struck out seven and walked three in his seventh big league start.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

White Sox 8, Athletics 1: Jayson Nix homered and drove in three runs, and Gavin Floyd pitched seven strong innings for visiting Chicago. Floyd (10-7) gave the White Sox bullpen a rest after it pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings Friday. Scott Linebrink and Randy Williams worked an inning apiece to finish up.

Indians 7, Twins 3: Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore hit early homers to lead visiting Cleveland over Minnesota. Choo started the second with a drive that ended Cleveland's homerless streak at 38 innings. Sizemore led off the third with a homer.

Rangers 7, Red Sox 2: Julio Borbon had four hits and four of host Texas' eight stolen bases, and Derek Holland pitched into the seventh. Elvis Andrus swiped three bags and Ian Kinsler added another to break the team record. Holland (6-7) allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Angels 5, Orioles 1: John Lackey allowed one run in seven innings as visiting Los Angeles moved to 20-8 since the All-Star break. Lackey (8-5), who is 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA over his last seven starts, yielded seven hits and struck out six.

Rays 8, Blue Jays 3: Carl Crawford hit a two-run double during a four-run third, and Scott Kazmir pitched well enough to help host Tampa Bay end a five-game skid. Kazmir (7-7) gave up three runs and five hits with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Tigers 10, Royals 3: Carlos Guillen homered and drove in four runs, and Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run shot and finished with four hits to lead host Detroit to its third straight win. Ramon Santiago and Alex Avila also homered for Detroit.

Yankees 5, Mariners 2: Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer in visiting New York's four-run second inning. Derek Jeter drove in two runs for New York, going deep in the ninth.