Alcides Escobar leaves game after being hit in the face with a pitch

Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar left Wednesday’s game after being hit in the face with a pitch. 

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The sequence took place in the fifth inning, with Danny Salazar on the mound. On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Salazar threw a 96 mph fastball that hit Escobar in the face.

Escobar fell to the ground, and was immediately tended to by trainers. After some time, he was able to sit up, and seemed to be responding to questions. Escobar was able to walk off the field under his own power, and was pulled from the game.

Following the hit by pitch, Salazar appeared to be visibly shaken. He could be seen crouching with his mitt against his face as Escobar was receiving treatment. 

To make matters even more interesting, the Royals starter for the game was Yordano Ventura. Ventura has caused a significant amount of controversy this season, and was ejected from his past two starts. Following Escobar’s hit by pitch, there was some question as to whether Ventura would respond.

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He did not. Ventura pitched a clean fifth inning before departing in the sixth. Escobar getting hit was clearly unintentional, and it appears all sides realized that. 

Escobar will continue to be evaluated by team trainers. The club should provide an update on his status shortly. 

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik