Rockies' Street hit by ball, hospitalized

DENVER, July 27 (UPI) -- Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street was hospitalized Tuesday after being hit by a line drive during batting practice at Coors Field in Denver.

Street was struck by a ball off the bat of teammate Ian Stewart before Tuesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB.com reported.

Witnesses said Street was playing catch in the ballpark's right field corner when he was hit. Head athletic trainer Keith Dugger said the pitcher fainted several times in the 15 minutes before an ambulance arrived.

"I think his body actually kind of went into shock, because he actually said he wasn't in much pain," Dugger told MLB.com. "The thing that was kind of alarming is that he said he had ringing in the ears. We don't know. Sometimes it's just a sign of shock."

"I saw the whole thing," added Stewart. "They're playing catch out there, and I knew the ball was heading their way. I was just hoping it wouldn't hit anybody."

Street had recently returned after missing the first 69 games of the season with shoulder tightness and a right groin injury. He was 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA since coming back.