Fister seems fine after line drive off head

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit right-hander Doug Fister pitched remarkably in Game 2 of the World Series, taking a shutout bid into the seventh inning after being hit in the head by a line drive in the second.

Although he showed few ill effects from that scary moment, the Tigers were still keeping an eye on him.

"He will be checked out," manager Jim Leyland said Friday. "We will take care of everything."

A team spokesman later said trainer Kevin Rand had pronounced Fister fine. Leyland felt comfortable enough about Fister's prognosis that he joked a bit about flying back to Detroit with the pitcher.

"He was sitting right behind his folks and I had a nice conversation with him," Leyland said. "I'm a little worried about him because this morning he didn't remember our conversation — no, I'm just kidding."

San Francisco finally scored in the seventh inning and went on to win 2-0 on Thursday night. The Giants lead the series by that same count.

Although Fister was unable to protect himself very well from Gregor Blanco's line drive, it may have dealt enough of a glancing blow that he avoided a major injury. The ball struck Fister just above the right ear and ricocheted into short center field for a single.

"I think he's fine because I did talk to him," Leyland said. "I'm serious now. I did talk to him on the plane last night, and he seemed fine. He's a little sore, but there didn't appear to be anything that looked alarming like loss of memory. He looked fine, his eyes looked fine, and the trainers have checked him out, so I think he's fine."

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WEATHER WORRIES?: After picture-perfect conditions in San Francisco, the World Series moves to Detroit, where it was already a bit chilly on the field Friday afternoon.