A 95-mph sinker from Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo struck George Springer on his knee in the seventh inning of the Toronto Blue Jays’ 6-2 defeat in Game 5 of the ALCS on Friday. Springer suffered a right-knee contusion, according to Blue Jays manager John Schneider, though Schneider noted that the four-time All-Star’s X-rays were negative.
“George is about as tough as they come,” Schneider said. “I think he’ll have to really, really be hurting to not be in the lineup on Sunday. So we’ll see how he is.”
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Schneider then called out Mariners fans who booed after Springer rose to his feet and tried to stay in the game. Springer walked to first with a significant limp before Joey Loperfido ultimately replaced him as a pinch runner.
“I know this is an awesome atmosphere to play in. And it’s really, really cool to play here,” Schneider began before switching course.
“I think the fans that were booing him should take a look in the mirror and understand what kind of player he is. And I’ll stop there because when a guy gets hit in the knee and is in obvious pain, and you have 40,000 people cheering … not the right thing to do.”
Springer, who tied the game 1-1 with a double in the fifth inning, immediately fell to the ground after Woo’s pitch hit him in the seventh.
The ball drilled Springer in the kneecap and made a sound akin to a foul ball. The former Houston Astros outfielder rolled over in pain and grabbed at his right knee.
At the time, the Blue Jays were ahead 2-1. They seized the lead in the sixth inning, spoiling Woo’s return to the mound when Ernie Clement scored Alejandro Kirk on an RBI single. The All-Star hadn’t made an appearance since he left a Sept. 19 start against the Astros due to pectoral tightness.
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Toronto’s one-run advantage stood until the eighth inning. That’s when Cal Raleigh blasted his 64th homer of the year off left-handed reliever Brendon Little. Soon after, righty Seranthony DomÃnguez gave up a go-ahead grand slam to Eugenio Suárez.
The Mariners’ bats came to life, and Seattle won a pivotal Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead.
The Blue Jays will host Game 6 on Sunday. Schneider hopes he’ll have Springer available, this time in front of his home crowd.
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