Painful exit for Jax
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Griffin Jax had a painful and sudden end to his night on Saturday. The pitcher was forced to leave the game against the Philadelphia Phillies after throwing just three innings. He had to depart after being struck in the lower back by a hard line drive.
The scary incident happened with two outs in the inning and a Philadelphia runner sitting on second base. Phillies batter Trea Turner hit a rocket straight back at the mound. The line drive was measured at a blistering 104 mph when it struck Jax.
How the play ended
Even though Jax was struck hard by the ball, the play actually resulted in an out to end the frame. The ball ricocheted off the pitcher's back and went to shortstop Taylor Walls. Walls reacted quickly, gathered the ball, and threw Turner out at first base for the third out.
Immediately after the play, Jax grabbed at his lower back. He hunched over in visible pain before slowly walking off the mound. He did not return to the game for the fourth inning. At the time of his exit, the American League East champion Rays were leading 3-0. Steven Matz came on to pitch the fourth inning in relief of Jax.
Cash gives update on injury
Rays manager Kevin Cash gave a brief update on the pitcher's condition during a dugout interview. Cash confirmed that the ball hit Jax directly in the spine. "It's going to hurt a little bit," Cash said.
Jax finished his final outing of the night with one strikeout and two hits allowed over his three innings of work. With his season now effectively over, Jax will finish the year with an 8-10 record and a 3.53 ERA.
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