Bucs’ Ohlendorf hit in head, OK

Associated Press

DENVER

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ross Ohlendorf was hit on the right side of his face by Troy Tulowitzki’s line drive, got checked at a hospital and was back at Coors Field before the game ended Wednesday night.

Ohlendorf left after being struck in the first inning. The ball ricocheted into right field for an RBI single, and Ohlendorf managed to stay on his feet.

As the Pirates gathered around Ohlendorf, a concerned Tulowitzki squatted at first base and watched.

Ohlendorf was taken to a Denver hospital, where a CT scan was negative and it was determined he had a bad contusion with an abrasion. He returned to the ballpark while the Pirates and Colorado Rockies played.

Ohlendorf gave up three hard-hit balls to start the game. Seth Smith led off with a single to right but was doubled off first when Jonathan Herrera lined out to second.

After Carlos Gonzalez singled up the middle, Tulowitzki lined Ohlendorf’s third pitch off Ohlendorf.

The game was not completed in time for today’s edition.

Zach Duke threw six solid innings to help the Pirates snap a four-game skid Tuesday night with a 4-2 win over the Rockies.

Duke (5-9) picked up the win for a second straight outing, something that hasn’t happened for the lefty since his first two starts of the season. He gave up three hits and struck out four in his third start since returning from the disabled list with a left elbow ailment.

“I wouldn’t say I’m stronger or better, I just feel like myself,” said Duke, who was on the disabled list for nearly a month. “It’s about executing pitches instead of worrying about trying to make a pitch better.”

The only bad frame for Duke came in the fifth when he surrendered back-to-back homers to Brad Hawpe and Clint Barmes.