Oneil Cruz fractures ankle on collision that sparks benches to clear

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz left Sunday’s recreation with a left leg damage that was identified as a fractured ankle after he crashed into White Sox catcher Seby Zavala, a collision that resulted within the benches clearing within the sixth inning of the Pirates’ 1-0 victory at PNC Park.

Cruz tried to attain from third base within the backside of the sixth on Ke’Bryan Hayes’ weakly hit grounder to 3rd base. Zavala acquired Yoán Moncada’s throw as Cruz sprinted towards the plate and started his slide solely a few ft from residence. Cruz’s late slide try induced him to crash into Zavala, together with his left leg bending awkwardly as he fell to the bottom. Cruz gave the impression to be in ache immediately, rolling round on the grime and unable to maneuver his left leg.

Zavala appeared to yell at Cruz following the collision, prompting Carlos Santana, in response, to have phrases for the White Sox catcher. Pushing and shoving ensued, ensuing within the benches clearing. Because the Pirates and White Sox sprinted onto the sector, assistant athletic coach Tony Leo tended to Cruz, who remained on the bottom for the whole lot of the scuffle. No gamers had been ejected.

After laying on the bottom for a number of minutes, Cruz departed from the sector alongside bench coach Don Kelly and bodily therapist Seth Steinhauer. Cruz appeared to have issue placing any weight on his left leg.