FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 7 -- Matt Riley's second appearance of spring training was cut extraordinarily short when the Baltimore Orioles' pitcher was struck on the left biceps by a scorching line drive from the first hitter he faced, Florida Marlins shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
After being struck, Riley turned toward the outfield looking for the ball. He turned again and finally saw the ball was in front of the mound. He grabbed the ball and threw it down the right field line, then fell to the ground face first, writhing in pain.
_____From The Post_____
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Sidney Ponson misses his scheduled start due to a visa problem.
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Notebook: Comebacker strikes starter Matt Riley, driving him from the game Monday.
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_____Spring Training_____
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Orioles to Watch: Sammy Sosa, pictured, is a new face in Baltimore, and he's one of several key players this season.
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Graphic: Projected Starters
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Graphic: Schedules
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Graphic: Fort Lauderdale Stadium
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Manager Lee Mazzilli and trainer Richie Bancells ran from the dugout to attend to Riley, who was able to get up and walk to the clubhouse. A left biceps contusion was diagnosed and he will be reevaluated today.
"I didn't know where I was," Riley said. "I was knocked silly. When I went to get the ball, my arm felt like jello."
Riley said he was lucky the ball didn't strike him directly on a bone.
"It hit me in a good spot if you're going to get hit," he said.
Riley, competing for a spot in the rotation, will likely miss at least a week.
"It's going to be sore for a while," Bancells said.
Last season, Riley was struck in a face by a ground ball up the middle in Toronto. He stayed in the game.
"I have to learn how to get out of the way," Riley said.
Baldwin Sharp
James Baldwin, who started in place of Sidney Ponson, pitched four scoreless innings in the Orioles' 5-0 victory over the Marlins. He has not allowed an earned run in six innings this spring.
"He's a veteran how knows how to pitch," Mazzilli said. "Those are things you can't teach."
Last season, Baldwin was in competition for a spot on the New York Mets' roster, but spent most of the season in the minors. Mazzilli said Baldwin, who was signed to a minor league contract, is in competition for the fifth spot in the rotation. . . .
Brian Roberts missed his second consecutive game with a strained right shoulder. He will likely miss a couple more days. Melvin Mora did not play because of a high fever, but is expected to return today.
