Twins' Blackburn hit in nose by Abreu's line drive

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Nick Blackburn was hit in the face by Bobby
Abreu's line drive, knocking the Minnesota Twins' starter out of
today's game against the New York Yankees.
Blackburn had a bloody nose. But the impact was lessened because
Blackburn bent backward to try to dodge the ball. It grazed off his
glove before hitting his nose.
The Twins say Blackburn didn't lose consciousness or any teeth.
The rookie right-hander flopped on the mound for a few seconds
before getting up and being escorted off by a trainer, with a
bloody towel pressed against his face.
Abreu winced as soon as he broke from the batter's box, putting
his hands to the sides of his helmet as he ran to first for an
infield single. He looked shaken while standing on the bag as Brian
Bass warmed up, and again in the dugout after the inning.
Blackburn threw 71 pitches and left with a 3-1 lead in the fifth
inning.

Cuddyer leads Twins past Yankees, Blackburn hurt
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Michael Cuddyer drove in three runs and
Minnesota's bullpen came through with scoreless relief Sunday after
starter Nick Blackburn was hit in the nose by a line drive during
the Twins' 5-1 victory over the New York Yankees.