Orioles rookie Colton Cowser hit on hand, leaves game

BALTIMORE -- Orioles rookie outfielder Colton Cowser exited Game 2 of Wednesday's American League wild-card series against the visiting Kansas City Royals with left hand pain.

Cowser was hit on the hand as he struck out swinging on 97 mph fastball from Royals left-hander Angel Zerpa with the bases loaded for the second out of the fifth inning.

Cowser stayed in left field for the top of the sixth inning but did not come out for the seventh. He was replaced by Heston Kjerstad.

The favorite for AL Rookie of the Year, Cowser, 24, batted .242 with 24 home runs and 69 RBIs over 153 regular-season games for Baltimore.

Cowser struck out in all three at-bats Wednesday and is 1-for-7 to start the postseason.

--Tanner Malinowski, Field Level Media