Rich Hill gets hit in throat by pitch, stays in game

Zach Pereles

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill took a pitch directly to the throat Friday night while trying to lay down a bunt. After falling to the ground in pain and remaining there for several minutes, though, he was able to take his base. He later returned to the mound for the top of the fifth inning.

With a runner on first and no outs, San Diego Padres southpaw Clayton Richard’s pitch ran inside on his pitching counterpart.

It appears Hill, who is 8-4 with a 3.44 ERA this year, will be OK. According to manager Dave Roberts, Hill was taken to the hospital after the game for precautionary tests. X-rays taken were negative, the team announced.

Hill pitched two more innings after the incident, keeping the Padres at just the two runs. The Dodgers wound up losing the game 4-3, but their record of 81-34 remains the best in baseball.

Somehow, Rich Hill was OK after taking a pitch to the throat. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Somehow, Rich Hill was OK after taking a pitch to the throat. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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