After Adam Eaton left the game in the middle of the White Sox's loss to the Cardinals Wednesday afternoon, Gavin Sheets was removed from the field during the sixth inning of the Charlotte Knights' game against Norfolk.
While one might think Sheets' talents might be needed in Chicago, it's more that he flipped over a dugout railing while making a catch foul of first base, and appeared to land flat on his back on the hard floor. Here's was the broadcast angle in real time:
And here was the side angle replay:
While the injury looked potentially catastrophic early as Charlotte acting manager Chris Johnson and the training staff rushed to his aid, Sheets emerged from Norfolk's dugout under his own power, jogged to test his frame, then remained in the game.
At least for a little bit. Will Carter only retired one of the next five batters, necessitating a pitching change. While Kodi Medeiros took his warm-up tosses, Sheets stood to the third-base side of the mound, chatting with somebody out of view. As Medeiros wrapped up his warm-up, Johnson came out to replace Sheets with Tim Beckham.
Perhaps whatever he hurt started to stiffen up over next five-plus minutes, or maybe Johnson saw Norfolk extend its lead to 7-2 and didn't see a point in pushing Sheets further. I suppose we'll see over the next couple of days.
The good news is Adam Engel has generated some highlights in both of the first two games of his rehab stint, so even if Sheets needs to miss some time, he wouldn't be the first man up regardless.
Norfolk 9, Charlotte 2
- Adam Engel played center and went 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base.
- Luis González replaced Engel afterward and struck out his only time up.
- Blake Rutherford was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts.
- Jake Burger went 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Gavin Sheets went 1-for-2 with a walk before he was lifted.
- Brian Goodwin went 2-for-4 with a strikeout and a stolen base.
- Jimmy Lambert made it two in a row: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR'
Rocket City 1, Birmingham 0
- Ti'quan Forbes had half of the Barons' hits by going 1-for-4 with a double. He also struck out twice.
- Romy Gonzalez wore the collar and silver sombrero.
- Micker Adolfo also went 0-for-4, striking out twice.
- Carlos Pérez went 0-for-3.
- Kade McClure bounced back: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 1 HR
Winston-Salem 4, Hickory 3
- Yolbert Sanchez went 0-for-3 with a sac bunt.
- Lenyn Sosa was 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Luis Curbelo, 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Luis Mieses went 1-for-3 with a double and a strikeout.
- Duke Elils, 1-for-3 with a strikeout.
- Harvin Mendoza was 1-for-3.
- Davis Martin: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 1 HR
Carolina 11, Kannapolis 6
- Caberea Weaver went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.
- José Rodriguez was 1-for-3 with a double.
- Bryan Ramos went 1-for-4 with his first homer, a walk and two strikeouts.
- DJ Gladney struck out thrice during an 0-for-5 night.
- Lency Delgado homered, singled twice and struck out once.
- Benyamin Bailey went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- James Beard went 2-for-4 with a triple and a strikeout.
Highlights:
