Gomez hit in head, nothing important hurt

Gomez hit in head, leaves game

05/03/2008 1:17 AM ET
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/min/y2008/m05/.../c26292

MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez didn't remember much
about getting hit in the head by a throw from Tigers catcher Ivan
Rodriguez in the fifth inning of Friday night's 11-1 win over Detroit.
That is, except for one thing.

"All of a sudden everything went black," Gomez said. "And that's not
normal."

Gomez was doing much better after the game and seemed in good spirits.
A far cry from the sight fans saw when Gomez was sliding head-first
into second base on a steal attempt when he was struck directly in the
left side of his head, just above his ear, by Rodriguez's throw. It
left the speedy center fielder lying on the ground motionless for a
few minutes and caused quite a scare for his teammates and coaches.

"You definitely don't want to see a guy lose motion like that. He
wasn't moving," right fielder Michael Cuddyer said. "It's scary to see
that."

Gomez did not lose consciousness on the play and said that he was
going to try to move, but he was instructed by Tigers shortstop Edgar
Renteria to stay put.

"So I stay put," Gomez said.

Assistant trainer Dave Preumer ran out on the field to check on Gomez,
along with acting manager Scott Ullger. Two of the Twins physicians
also came out on the field to assist in helping Gomez.

But following a short time on the ground, the center fielder was able
to sit up with the assistance of some of the staff. He was taken off
the field on a cart, although he was able to sit in the front seat.

Gomez was awarded the stolen base, his 12th of the year, and was
replaced by pinch-runner Nick Punto.

The center fielder was evaluated in the clubhouse by the team's
medical staff. He was reported to be doing fine, and the decision was
made not to take Gomez anywhere for further tests.

The center fielder said after the game that he had a slight headache
and a bruise above his left ear. He didn't seem too concerned about
the injury, although he was cautious about his ability to play in
Saturday's game.

"I got hit in the head five times in my career, so it's no big deal,"
Gomez said. "I'll see how I feel tomorrow. I did hit my head, so it's
hard to tell if we play tomorrow or not."



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- Scott Smith: scott.smith.RemoveThis@iphouse.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/choppersmith

Well, he is fun to watch.

I wonder what clownish move he will make tonight?
Try to steal third with one out and Mauer at bat?
Throw to first base from the outfield?
Dive after a ball that is 10 feet from his reach?

He sure is exciting to watch.