CHICAGO (AP) — Cincinnati Reds right-handed closer Emilio Pagán crumpled to the ground, holding his left hamstring, and was carted off the field after throwing just his first pitch of the game in the ninth inning of a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Pagán, who has six saves this season, entered the game with the score tied at 2. As he followed through on the first pitch he delivered to Nico Hoerner, Pagán hopped off the mound in pain and then went to the ground, where he lay until Reds training and medical staff arrived.
When Pagán was helped back to his feet, he was unable to step on his left leg and was helped into a cart.
Reds righty Jose Franco replaced Pagán and walked Hoerner, but ultimately got out of the inning unscathed to send the game to the 10th.
Pagán has had a difficult start to this season, entering Tuesday’s game with a 6.43 ERA and three blown save chances in 14 innings pitched. He was unable to protect a one-run lead on Monday night, allowing two runs, including a game-winning solo home run to Michael Conforto in a 5-4 Cubs victory.
Last month, Pagán appeared to injure himself on the final pitch of the Reds 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants. The next day, he said it wasn’t as serious as he’d feared.
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