Nationals' Flores leaves game versus Phillies
Sports Network | September 02, 2008
Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Washington Nationals catcher Jesus Flores left Tuesday's game against the Phillies after Chase Utley, while trying to score from third after a pickoff attempt to first base in the third inning, drove his elbow to Flores' knee, leaving the catcher wincing on the ground before he was carted off on a stretcher. Utley bolted from third base when starting pitcher John Lannan tossed a pickoff attempt with Jayson Werth on first base. First baseman Ronnie Belliard alterly threw home, where Utley's elbow greeted Flores' knee. The catcher held on to end the inning, but stayed on the ground before a stretcher and ambulance were brought to home plate. The Phillies held a 2-0 edge at the time of the injury. Flores, who has been a steady presence behind the plate this season, is batting .257 with eight homers and a team-best 59 runs batted in. Wil Nieves was brought in to replace Flores in the lineup.
