Koji Uehara was hit hard for back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning Wednesday. But he was hit hardest by a line drive in the same inning.
Uehara was drilled in the chest by a Gary Matthews Jr. line drive and was pulled from the game as a result. X-rays were negative, and the injury was deemed a bruised sternum. After allowing homers to Torii Hunter and Kendry Morales, Uehara retired Howie Kendrick before Matthews, a former Oriole, took Uehara's breath away with his hit.
"No pain," Uehara said through an interpreter. "I'm more upset about giving up that home run."
The club's first Japanese-born player allowed seven hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings. Only four hits and one run came before that fateful seventh inning. Uehara (2-2) struck out five batters on 102 pitches.
ANGELS 3, ORIOLES 2: Koji Uehara surrendered back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning and was saddled with his second loss. Angels starter Shane Loux earned his first win since 2003, tossing six innings of one-run ball.
