MLB teams
ESPN.com news services 9y

Alcides Escobar hurts knee on Brett Lawrie's slide at second base

MLB, Kansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar was helped off the field without putting weight on his left leg in Friday night's 6-4 win after Oakland's Brett Lawrie slid into him in a play at second base.

Josh Reddick had lined a pitch off pitcher Kelvin Herrera with one out in the seventh inning, and it bounced toward third baseman Mike Moustakas. He shoveled the ball to Escobar at second, and Lawrie slid late, crossing over the bag and crunching into Escobar's leg.

Moustakas immediately signaled for the Royals' training staff, and angry Kansas City players flooded the field. Lawrie was escorted to the dugout by his teammates.

"It's a tie game. No one is trying to hurt anyone there,'' Lawrie said. "That's just playing the game hard."

The Royals said Escobar had a sprained knee along with bruising, and likely will be sidelined for a few days. He was replaced by Christian Colon in the lineup.

Manager Ned Yost said that he was worried that Escobar may have "torn up his knee,'' but he was reassured by trainer Nick Kenney that the injury is not considered serious.

"It looks like it's going to be a bruise more than anything," Yost said.

When asked about the play, Yost said "I can't judge intent," but later acknowledged he didn't think Lawrie was trying to hurt Escobar when he slid over the bag.

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer echoed his manager's sentiment.

"It was a weird play,'' said Hosmer, who had a good view of the play. "It was obviously late, but I don't think he meant anything by it."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

^ Back to Top ^