Ohlendorf hit in head by liner; exits in first
Ross Ohlendorf exited Wednesday’s start against the Rockies after being struck on the right side of the head by Troy Tulowitzki’s line drive in the first.
With two outs and a runner on third, Tulowitzki lined a 1-1 fastball back up the middle. Ohlendorf attempted to duck out of the way, but the ball struck him squarely on the upper part of his head, ricocheting into right field.
Ohlendorf grabbed his head but never fell to the ground, instead turning to see where the ball had gone. After Lastings Milledge retrieved the ball, the entire Pirates infield, manager John Russell, pitching coach Joe Kerrigan and the Pirates’ medical staff rushed over to Ohlendorf.
The right-hander was examined for a few minutes before coming off the field on his own power. He was replaced by left-hander Sean Gallagher. Ohlendorf was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Wednesday’s incident marked the second time this season a Pirates starter has been struck in the head by a line drive. It happened to Chris Jakubauskas in the first inning of an April 24 game in Houston, and Jakubauskas has not returned to the Pirates since.
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