Injury Update: Phillies ‘lucky’ after Ranger Suarez exited last game early after taking a 106 mph line drive to pitching hand

Philadelphia Phillies ACE Ranger Suarez was forced to exit last night’s 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals early after getting struck by a 106.1 mph line drive from Cards’ outfielder Alec Burleson on his pitching hand.

Ranger Suarez takes 106 mph line drive to hand

Ranger Suarez is visibly in pain after being hit by a comebacker. pic.twitter.com/nPE5HUnxj3
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Phillies overcome Ranger Suarez injury scare, beat the Cardinals 6-1 >>

Suarez still managed to get the out at first to end the second inning, but left the game, visibly in pain.

Thankfully, Suarez suffered only a left hand contusion and the x-rays were negative.

Rob Thomson spoke with the media after the game and said the team was “lucky” to “dodge a bullet” with Suarez and that his ball club will wait to see if the swelling goes down before making a decision on his next start which as of now, is scheduled to be on Saturday from London.

With his scoreless two innings of work, Suarez lowered his ERA to an MLB-best 1.70 across 12 starts. The Cy Young frontrunner has allowed just 43 hits and 14 earned runs over 74.0 innings of work this season.

Suarez was undefeated with a 9-0 record through his first 10 games before taking his first loss during his previous start against the Colorado Rockies. Suarez allowed a season-high four earned runs in the 5-2 loss on May 26.

Even with Suarez’s early exit, the Phillies jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a 2 RBI double from Alec Bohm and an RBI single from Nick Castellanos.

Bryce Harper added a moonshot, two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win for the Phillies.

Watch Harper’s home run with just the crowd noise at Citizens Bank Park here >>

Up Next for the Phillies

The Phillies have the best record in Major League Baseball at 41-18 on the season. They are 6-4 over their last 10 games and have posted a dominant 24-8 record at Citizens Bank Park.