Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon stays in game after 105-mph line drive hits him in head [Video]

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon had a great game Tuesday night against Milwaukee — unless you count that 105-mph line drive he took off the head in the second inning.

It was a frightening moment, but Taillon didn’t see it as a big deal. The rookie pitcher was checked out by the medical staff, then stayed in the game for almost four more innings after being struck by the ball hit by the Brewers’ Hernan Perez.

“To be honest, I was waiting for it to hurt when I was down,” Taillon said after the Pirates rallied in the ninth for a 3-2 win. “I really felt good the whole way through.”

Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said his staff followed the proper protocol with Taillon before allowing him to continue pitching.

“This is one area that I’m not really comfortable with,” Hurdle said. “I have to trust our people. They do know what they’re doing, how to follow protocol to test the player and the things to do.”

Taillon struck out one batter and allowed two hits before the incident and gave up four more hits and one run with two more strikeouts and no walks before being removed after six innings and 65 pitches.

The 24 year old returned to baseball this season after two years away dealing with an elbow issue that led to Tommy John surgery and an inguinal hernia. Plus, Tuesday’s game was his first since coming off the disabled list for shoulder fatigue.

“Coming off the DL and having been hurt the last couple years, I wasn’t going to let something like that keep me down,” Taillon said.