Pirates' Mercer carted off field following violent take-out slide
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer was carted off the field Sunday following a violent take-out slide in the second inning by Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez.
Gomez slid into the left leg of Mercer while trying to break up a double play well in front of second base, forcing Mercer's knee to buckle.
Cool move, Carlos Gomez. Really cool. Looks like a bad injury for Jordy Mercer, too. pic.twitter.com/4LLjHf4tm1
— Matthew Pouliot (@matthewpouliot) July 19, 2015
The 28-year-old laid on the ground in pain, holding onto his left leg for several minutes before being assisted off the field. Gomez walked off the field unharmed.
"That's pretty much how you're taught to try and get out of that situation or keep a double play from happening," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told reporters. "I think if he's on your team, you think it's an aggressive slide. He was straight into the base path. Sideways slide. Misfortunate."
The Pirates described the injury as to his lower left leg, and Mercer is headed back to Pittsburgh to be examined by the team doctor.
Mercer, who was replaced by Sean Rodriguez, entered the game hitting .242/.289/.315 with two home runs, 14 doubles, and 19 RBIs.