Pitcher hurts teammate and rival with same throw

A baseball pitcher injured his shortstop and a batter with the same throw after the ball struck his rival and then ricocheted onto the fingers of his teammate in a bizarre double strike.

Boston Red Sox slinger Tommy Layne was pitching in the sixth inning when he fired a fast ball into New York batter Mark Teixeira, hitting the Yankees slugger on the right wrist.

In a classic two strikes with the one blow, the ball then deflected back onto the exposed right hand of Red Sox catcher Ryan Hanigan, sending both players dancing about in pain.

Teixeira escaped with only bruising, but Hanigan was not so fortunate with the blow forcing him from the field with a broken finger that will require surgery.

The injury proved a sour blow on a disappointing night for Boston, who were beaten 3-2, while Hanigan faces an extended stint on the sidelines.