MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -Nick Blackburn was hit in the face by Bobby Abreu’s line drive, knocking the Minnesota Twins’ starter out of Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees with blood dripping from his nose.
The impact was lessened because Blackburn, after throwing the fifth-inning pitch, bent backward to try to dodge the ball. It grazed off his glove before hitting his nose, and the Twins said Blackburn – who was taken for X-rays – did not lose consciousness or any teeth.
The rookie right-hander flopped on the mound for a few seconds before getting up and being escorted off by a trainer, with a bloody towel pressed against his face.
Abreu winced as soon as he broke from the batter’s box, putting his hands to the sides of his helmet as he ran to first for an infield single. He looked shaken while standing on the bag as Brian Bass warmed up, and again in the dugout after the inning.
After using all seven relievers in a 12-inning loss on Saturday night, the Twins were hoping for a long outing from Blackburn. He threw 71 pitches and left with a 3-1 lead. Bass got the last two outs of the inning.
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