Rolen OK after being hit in head

Published 12:27 am Monday, August 3, 2009

CINCINNATI (AP) — Third baseman Scott Rolen was left with just a knot on his head but no other problems after leaving his second game with the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh inning when he was struck on his batting helmet by a pitch from Colorado’s Jason Marquis.

‘‘I’m pretty good,’’ Rolen said after Cincinnati’s 6-4, 11-inning loss. ‘‘I was a little dizzy. It stunned me, but I could still cuss. I’m working on my on-base percentage, but I still haven’t touched first base. I haven’t met (first base coach) Billy Hatcher yet.’’

The five-time All-Star is 0 for 6 since being acquired in a trade with Toronto on Friday.

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Rolen was at the plate with no one out and Brandon Phillips on first when he was hit by Marquis, a former teammate with St. Louis. He never lost consciousness and walked off the field after less than a minute, escorted by manager Dusty Baker and a trainer. Adam Rosales ran for Rolen.

‘‘It was just a stupid pitch that got away,’’ Marquis said. ‘‘I was upset.’’

As he walked off the field, Rolen signaled Marquis that everything was OK, but the pitcher still called over to the Reds clubhouse.

‘‘I just wanted to tell him I wasn’t dead,’’ Rolen said. ‘‘We talked. We go back a long way. Our families are friends.’’