Phillies' Ranger Suarez hit by liner, exits with bruised hand

PHILADELPHIA --Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez left Saturday's 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals with a left hand contusion after he was hit by a 106.1 mph line drive off the bat off Alec Burleson in the second inning.

X-rays on the hand were negative. Suarez said the ball hit him on the part of the thumb that is more muscle than bone. There is inflammation, and he said he would know in a couple of days whether he will be able to make his next scheduled start.

"Everything is good," Suarez said through an interpreter. "Have to thank God on this one."

Suarez, who entered the game tied for the major league lead with nine wins, picked up the ball and threw to first to get the final out of the frame and then immediately winced. He put his face in his glove, walked to the dugout and then headed back to the clubhouse after retiring all six batters he faced, striking out two.

"As soon as the ball hit me, I knew I wasn't going to be able to continue," he said, before joking, "I need to improve my pitches so that doesn't happen again."

Suárez has been pitching well. He began play Saturday second in the NL in ERA (1.75), first in opponents' batting average (.171), first in WHIP (0.82) and sixth in strikeouts (77).

"Ranger's been our horse," Phillies starBryce Harpersaid.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.