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Brandon McCarthy Returns to Mound for First Time Since Taking Line Drive Off Head

by Associated Press on Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 7:42PM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Arizona’s Brandon McCarthy methodically struck out four in two innings in his first game since a horrific head injury, an impressive return that overshadowed all else in the Diamondbacks’ 14-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.

McCarthy, signed by the Diamondbacks as a free agent, gave up one run on three hits. He had not taken the mound in a game since Sept. 5 when he was struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of the Angels’ Erick Aybar while pitching for Oakland. McCarthy sustained an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture.

Reds ace Johnny Cueto, in his first start since he was injured early in last year’s playoffs, went two innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits with a strikeout and a walk.