Vladimir Guerrero left the Angels’ game in the first inning Monday night after being hit in the left side of his head by a pitch from Mariners starter Ryan Franklin.
Franklin’s 0-2 delivery drilled Guerrero, who went down in a heap and lay sprawled at the plate for a few minutes. The right fielder moved his arm and talked to those standing over him before walking off the field with the help of the Anaheim staff.
Guerrero never lost consciousness and precautionary X-rays taken at a hospital were normal. He later returned to Angel Stadium.
The game was delayed for more than five minutes while Seattle manager Bob Melvin and Angels manager Mike Scioscia talked to the umpires.
The situation escalated when Scioscia yelled and gestured toward Franklin from near the Anaheim dugout. Scioscia was ejected for the fourth time this season.
Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy left the game after spraining his right knee in the fifth on a fielding play.
`What can I do?’
Omar Vizquel’s days with the Indians could be dwindling. And although free agency beckons for the Gold Glove shortstop, he can’t imagine playing for any other team.
Vizquel, who has played 11 seasons in Cleveland, may not get a 12th if the Indians decline to pick up the $5 million option on his contract for 2005.
“Regardless of what happens I’ll play somewhere next season,” Vizquel said. “I’ll be sad if I have to leave Cleveland, but what can I do? That’s how baseball operates.”
Cabrera on leave
Red Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera is expected to miss two games to be with his wife, who will have surgery in Colombia. The team gave no details about the surgery.
MONDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Baltimore 9 at Boston 6
W: Grimsley (5-6)
L: Wakefield (11-10)
S: Julio (22)
B.J. Surhoff hit grand slam and Orioles capitalized on 3rd straight poor start by Red Sox pitcher. Tim Wakefield lost control after 3 1/3 innings in which he struck out 6, and fell to 0-3 in last 4 starts.
Cleveland 1 at Detroit 3
W: Maroth (11-11)
L: Elarton (3-5)
S: Yan (5)
Mike Maroth pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing 6 hits and striking out 3, and Dmitri Young and Brandon Inge hit HRs for Tigers. Esteban Yan got last 4 outs for 5th save in 14 chances.
Toronto 6 at N.Y. Yankees 3
W: Chacin (1-0)
L: Vazquez (14-10)
S: Batista (2)
Gustavo Chacin became 1st LH starter to win ML debut vs. Yankees in Joe Torre era, holding AL East leaders to 4 hits before leaving in 8th inning. Loss was just New York’s 4th in 15 games.
Kansas City 6 at Tampa Bay 3
W: Anderson (5-11)
L: Sosa (4-5)
S: Affeldt (12)
Calvin Pickering hit tie-breaking 2-run HR in eighth inning as Royals handed Devil Rays 17th loss in 21 games. Brian Anderson allowed 3 runs and 7 hits in 7 2/3 innings to win 3rd straight decision.
Seattle 2 at Anaheim 5
W: Lackey (13-12)
L: Franklin (4-16)
S: Percival (29)
Dallas McPherson had 3 hits, RBI in 1st big-league start. Angels 2 1/2 games beheind Oakland in AL West and 4 1/2 of Boston in wild-card chase. Ichiro Suzuki went 2-for-4, giving him 238 hits.
