PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies fans can breathe a sigh of relief.
Left pitcher Ranger Suárez left Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals after being hit by a line drive in the second inning, but X-rays of the injury came back negative.
“Everything is good,” Suárez said afterwards through an interpreter Phillies’ 6-1 win. “I have to thank God for this.”
Suárez, who entered the game tied for the Major League lead with nine wins, left with a bruised left hand after being drilled by a 107.1 mph line drive off the bat of Alec Burleson in the second inning. The left-hander picked up the ball and threw to first base to end the inning, immediately wincing in pain.
He put his face in his glove, walked to the dugout and then walked back to the clubhouse.
“As soon as the ball hit me, I knew I couldn’t go any further,” he said before joking. “I have to improve my pitches so that doesn’t happen again.”
Suárez said the ball hit him on the part of the thumb that is more muscle than bone. There is talk of inflammation, but Suárez said he would know within a few days whether he could make his next scheduled start.
“Glad to see he’s doing well and I hope he gets better soon,” said Bryce Harper, who homered in the win.
Suárez retired all six batters he faced and struckout two. He entered play Saturday ranked second in the NL in ERA (1.75), first in opponent batting average (.171), first in WHIP (0.82) and sixth in strikeouts (77).
Spencer Turnbull struck out six in three scoreless innings after bringing in Suárez and the Phillies won their eighth consecutive game at home.
