Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was removed from Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning after being hit by a pitch from Atlanta Braves right-hander Julio Teheran.
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The Pirates had Neil Walker on base with McCutchen at the plate. With the count 1-1 and one out in the inning, McCutchen was hit by a 91 mile-per-hour two-seam fastball. The pitch hit his left elbow and he doubled over in pain. He was examined on the field by head trainer Todd Tomczyk. Manager Clint Hurdle also came out and the decision was made to pull McCutchen from the game.
The team stated that McCutchen was hit by a pitch in the left elbow and that X-rays were negative. He is currently being treated and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
“Everything’s structurally sound, just bruised,” McCutchen said.
Jung Ho Kang pinch ran for McCutchen and the team scored five runs in the first inning. Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton hit Andrelton Simmons in the top of the second inning and home plate umpire John Tumpane warned both benches. Simmons had words for catcher Francisco Cervelli and the Pirates dugout as he jogged to first base.
It was the second time in as many games that McCutchen was hit by a pitch.
In his postgame press conference McCutchen continued to express his frustrations over being hit by pitches or getting brushed back.
“I should really look into being a dodgeball; actually I shouldn’t, because I’m getting hit, so I’d get out pretty quick,” said McCutchen.
McCutchen was most notably hit by a pitch Aug. 3, 2014 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Randell Delgado threw the pitch and was then ejected. He was hit in the ribs and required a rectangular bandage on his back following the pitch. Diamondbacks hitter Paul Goldschmidt was lost for the season the day before when he was hit by a pitch in the hand.
“I hate getting hit, but worse than that, I guess pitchers don’t like to get their ERA ran up with a fastball over the middle,” McCutchen said.
McCutchen’s .295 batting average entering play which is second best among the team. His 44 RBI were also second best and nine home runs placed him third. McCutchen was hitting .403 in his last 128 home games and had hit safely in 20 of his last 24 games. In the month of June McCutchen is batting .337.
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Photo credit: JK Aller/Getty Images
