Ryan Shrugs Off Six-Stitch Liner To His Mouth

ARLINGTON, Texas - Nolan Ryan didn't know which hurt worse - getting hit in the mouth with a batted ball or pitching a three-hitter for seven innings and not getting win No. 303.

``Neither one was very pleasant,'' baseball's all-time strikeout and no-hit king said after the Texas Rangers edged the Kansas City Royals 2-1 last night on Rafael Palmeiro's run-scoring double in the bottom of the ninth.

``I've had line drives off my head. Pitch as long as I have and a lot of things happen to you,'' Ryan said. ``But I never got one square in the mouth, never had one cut me where I had to be stitched up.''

The injury occurred in the second inning when Bo Jackson's sharp one-hopper caromed off Ryan's glove and split his lower lip, which required six stitches after the game.

Despite the injury, he kept pitching, striking out eight. He was relieved by Kenny Rogers after walking Bill Pecota to start the eighth with a 1-0 lead.

Ryan said the injury ``wasn't really ever a factor'' in his coming out. ``It was so humid . . . that had more of a bearing. Whatever happens during the game, you have to put out of your mind. It did take me a couple of hitters to get my rhythm back.''

``It shook him up,'' Manager Bobby Valentine said. ``He was mad he didn't catch the ball. That was a 2-inch-wide cut.''

Julio Franco singled with one out in the ninth off Royal starter Kevin Appier (11-6), Franco's third hit and the third for the Rangers. Israel Sanchez came on to face Palmeiro, who spoiled the strategy with his double.

Valentine said Appier ``matched Nolan pitch for pitch, and even bettered him. He pitched a great game. Other than Julio (Franco), we didn't hit many balls solid off him.

Kansas City Manager John Wathan called the loss ``a shame. Appier pitched a heck of a game.''

The Rangers won their fourth in a row and the Royals dropped their sixth straight.

Rogers (7-5) was credited with the win despite blowing a save.