Orioles 1B Pearce leaves with abdominal strain

BALTIMORE (AP) First baseman Steve Pearce has left Baltimore's game against Minnesota with a right abdominal strain. The injury appeared to occur in the third

BALTIMORE (AP) First baseman Steve Pearce has left Baltimore's game against Minnesota with a right abdominal strain.

The injury appeared to occur in the third inning when Pearce went to his right to snare a grounder before throwing to pitcher Miguel Gonzalez.

Pearce did not return for the fourth.

Pearce came into the season as a utility player but eventually earned a starting role with the AL East leaders. He came into the game with a .290 batting average, 16 homers and 37 RBIs.

His career-high 11-game hitting streak ended Friday, as he grounded out in his only at-bat before leaving the game.

Earlier in the game, Pearce drifted near the stands in pursuit of a foul pop by Trevor Plouffe. He leaned into the front row, leaped to make the catch and ended up taking a seat on the concrete border.