DENVER (AP) Colorado Rockies starter Kyle Freeland was forced to leave his start in the top of the first inning Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies because of an apparent left leg injury.
Freeland, who leads major league rookies with 11 wins this season, was facing his third batter of the game, Aaron Altherr, and had thrown his 11th pitch when he apparently suffered the injury. Manager Bud Black and team trainers came out to the mound to check on him and after some discussion and several warmup pitches from Freeland, the decision was made to take him out of the game.
There was no formal word from the Rockies yet on the nature of his injury.
Ten of the 11 pitches Freeland threw were for strikes. He allowed a hit to leadoff man Cesar Hernandez, struck out Freddy Galvis and had an 0-2 count on Altherr when he was forced to leave the game.
Chris Rusin replaced Freeland.
