'Direct shot' to hand forces Ellis' exit in ninth

4/22/15: Catcher A.J. Ellis is struck by a ball after it hits batter Justin Maxwell, leaving the game soon afterSAN FRANCISCO -- Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis suffered an injury scare in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Giants after a pitch hit his right hand. Ellis had to the leave the contest in a crucial sequence, but was relieved to find out that postgame X-rays were negative.

With the scored tied at 2 and a runner on, Dodgers reliever Chris Hatcher threw a ball that hit Giants outfielder Justin Maxwell before ricocheting off Ellis' faceguard to his right hand. The ball made contact above the top knuckle of Ellis' right index finger, and his whole hand was wrapped in ice…