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Pirates' Vogelsong Hit In Head By Pitch, Leaves Game

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - Pirates pitcher Ryan Vogelsong was hit in the head by a pitch in the second inning and left the game against the Rockies.

A pitch by Colorado starter Jordan Lyles struck Vogelsong, who was taken off the field on a cart and attended to by Pirates' staff.

Officials say Vogelsong was hit in the left eye. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he was admitted and will spend the night. The team says they hope to know more about his injury on Tuesday.

"The eye itself, which includes the orbital bone," said Pirates head trainer Todd Tomczyk. "He has a great support staff, his wife Nicole and his family, and the doctors and nurses in the trauma team over there."

Fans watching in the crowd say they initially thought the ball hit Vogelsong's helmet.

"Initially, we thought, we hoped, it hit his helmet because it was such a loud crack,:" said fan Greg Barchetti, of Ellwood City. "Because we were so low to the field, we were really frightened by it because you could actually see that he was bleeding already."

Vogelsong (1-1) was making his second start of the season, filling in because of a rainout between the Pirates and Rockies on Sunday.

"In the dugout, it was just one of those things where we all felt for 'Vogey,'" said Pirates infielder Josh Harrison. "We were like, "Let's just finish this game strong and keep him in our prayers.'"

The play scored the first run of the game for the Pirates. Lyles had loaded the bases by walking Sean Rodriguez.

Jeff Locke pinch ran for Vogelsong and Wilfredo Boscan replaced him on the mound.

Vogelsong allowed two hits and struck out two on 34 pitches.

"It's particularly difficult to see anyone in that situation," said Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole. "It's unfortunate; he was throwing the ball well, and he was excited to pitch today."

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(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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