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SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was carried off on a stretcher after being struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Royals catcher Salvador Perez, creating a terrifying moment in the sixth inning on Wednesday night.
Chapman entered the game vs. Kansas City to begin the bottom of the sixth with Cincinnati trailing by a 5-3 score and was struggling through the inning. With two outs and four walks issued, Perez crushed a 99 mph 0-2 pitch up the middle. The ball struck Chapman in the front of his head, and he immediately went down. A run scored on a Perez single.
Trainers from both clubs immediately rushed to aid Chapman, who was laying face down on the mound while the Surprise Stadium crowd fell completely silent. Players from both teams took a knee near the mound. Chapman's father, who was in the stands, also rushed onto the field.
Chapman was immobilized and placed on a stretcher and carried off by a medical cart. Moments later, it was decided that the game would not continue. The Royals won by a 6-3 score.
mlb.com
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