CLEVELAND -- Melky Cabrera stood between first base and the pitcher’s mound almost in disbelief. Adam Eaton was low to the ground at second base and tried not to look toward the mound.
The way Cleveland Indians starter Carlos Carrasco hit the ground on Tuesday night, Cabrera was sure his line drive had been a direct hit to the pitcher’s head. Hours later, the White Sox outfielder was relieved to hear that Carrasco came out of the first-inning incident with perhaps the best outcome possible.
Carrasco, who left the game on a cart after spending several minutes on the mound, is showing no signs of a concussion or a head injury, Indians officials said. The right-hander also had X-rays that were negative and is said to only be suffering from a jaw contusion to his left side as the ball first glanced off his glove.
“At first I thought that ball hit him directly in his face but then I realized it was on the side and I heard he’s OK and it’s a relief,” Cabrera said through an interpreter. “I was very concerned.”
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Carrasco immediately exited the game and the White Sox scored two runs en route to a 4-1 victory. It was until after the game the White Sox learned that Carrasco was better than expected.
“That’s beyond the baseball stuff,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “You just want to make sure that kid’s all right. Any time a guy gets hit like that, it’s always scary.”