A-Rod Drive Puts Indian Pitcher in the Dirt — Literally

Alex Rodriguez's line drive whacked Indians pitcher David Huff above the left ear Saturday afternoon. The impact knocked him to the ground and he had to be carted off the field.

The Indians said Huff was taken to a hospital and never lost consciousness or experience memory loss. The extent of his injuries was not yet known.

Huff immediately fell to the ground and lay motionless on his stomach after Rodriguez's drive — on Huff's 50th pitch — hit him and ricocheted into right field for a run-scoring double with one out in the third inning.

Trainers from both teams and players on the field ran to the mound. Rodriguez took a knee behind the mound and slammed his helmet. He remained there with his head bowed for a minute before going into the dugout.

After 6 minutes, trainers helped Huff onto his back and put him on a board with a neck brace. He gave a thumbs up and raised a hand to a huge ovation while being carted off the field.

Aaron Laffey relieved with runners on second and third after a delay of about 9 minutes and gave up a sacrifice fly to Robinson Cano.

Huff gave up three runs and five hits in 2 1-3 innings.

The Indians responded with three runs to tie it 3-all in the top of the fourth, with help from a ball that hit off CC Sabathia's right foot and rolled between first and second to the grass in right field for a single.

Sabathia raised his hands in disbelief, shook his foot and went back to work but appeared to have been spooked by Austin Kearns' hit so soon after Huff's injury.

Kearns advanced on a wild pitch and Jhonny Peralta walked before Sabathia struck out Shelley Duncan. Mark Gruduzielanek singled in a run then Matt LaPorta, batting .210 coming in, hit a two-run double to the wall in left-center.