ANAHEIM, Calif. — As if an 11-game losing streak isn’t bad enough, the Rockies had to send two of their own to the hospital Wednesday.
First, manager Walt Weiss left Angel Stadium just prior to batting practice and was taken to the hospital for tests because of stomach pains before undergoing an appendectomy. He’ll be hospitalized until Thursday but it’s not clear when he’ll return to the dugout.
According to a Rockies spokesman, Weiss began feeling stomach discomfort after Tuesday night’s game.
Bench coach Tom Runnells has taken over the managerial duties until Weiss returns.
Then in the bottom of the first inning, Angels first baseman Albert Pujols hit a wicked line drive that hit Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles on the back of the hand. Lyles was initially diagnosed with a contusion before being sent for X-rays, which were negative.
“Par for the course,” Runnells said of the day’s events. “The way things are going right now, we kind of joked about it. You don’t like to joke about things like that but it’s going to be a tough road. But you know what, we’re really proud of the way the guys battled. If we play like we did tonight (a 2-1 loss in 11 innings) and battle like we did tonight, we’re going to be fine.”
Lyles missed two months last season because of a broken bone in his left hand, suffered when making a tag on a play at the plate.
Weiss is in his third year as Rockies manager, having compiled a record of 151-202.
Runnells, who has had an extensive coaching career at both the major and minor league level, managed the Montreal Expos in 1991-92, going 68-81. He also managed the Tigers replacement players in spring training during the 1994-95 players strike.