Philadelphia Phillies’ Roy Oswalt injured, under doubt for next game – MLB News
The defending National League East champions Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Roy Oswalt received serious injury under his left ear during spring exhibition 4-1 loss outing against Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, March 23.
The 33-year-old veteran hurler came into way of liner hammered by Rays’ designated hitter Manny Ramirez in their Grapefruit outing at Charlotte Sports Park in Florida.
The impact was so intense that he fell straight to ground but within a minute to the Rays’ fortune, he rose to his feet and left the ground on foot under standing ovation in the fourth inning. However, manager Charlie Manuel and trainer had already reached
the mound to examine him.
Oswalt left the park for an X-Ray. Later, upon closer examination of these X-Rays, the team officials said that Oswalt would not leave the next games. Oswalt did not talk to reporters but Manuel confirmed that he was all right.
The hurler might have had some very serious trouble if Manny would have blistered it with full power, according to Manuel. "I knew it hit him on the side of the head, but Manny didn't really hit the ball hard," Manuel said. "He hit the ball OK, but he didn't
really crush it. It hit him flush, I guess. It didn't cut him or nothing, though."
Earlier incident, Oswalt was not in momentum for what he was selected in his fourth spring outing. He pitched three innings and allowed three runs on four hits. However, he succeeded in striking-out four batters.
Just before he had bruise under ear he received a homer off Evan Longoria’s bat, who made his sole hit in two at-bats. Ramirez, who added one run on two hits, was the next batter to join the plate. First baseman Johnny Damon and right-fielder Justin Ruggiano
scored one run each to post 4-0 lead in the eighth inning.
Phillies could add just one run in the ninth inning which came from Delwyn Young’s bat as he hammered Rays’ reliever Caser Cabral. The Rays’ starter James Shields was impressive in his seven innings scoreless spell as he struck-out four and took his record
to 1-0. Reliever Andy Sonnanstine did not consume any run over one inning.
After grabbing the game away from the Phillies, Rays’ manager Joe Maddon talked about the incident that happened in game.
"Fortunately it was not driven in a manner that could have really caused some damage,” Maddon said. “Our guys were very concerned up on the dugout. I liked the fact that our guys were applauding for him as he walked off the field, you never want to see that
happen."
Manuel said that the team officials would be taking good care of his recovery process to make his appearance sure in the next game. The Phillies will play their next game against Minnesota Twins with their scheduled hurler Nick Blackburn.
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