Jeff McNeil leaves game after crashing into wall

Jeff McNeil left this afternoon’s game against the Nationals after crashing into the left-field wall in the bottom of the first inning. McNeil made an impressive catch to save a couple of runs, but crashed hard into the wall, crumpling to the ground with the ball in hand. It appeared that McNeil hit his left knee into the wall, and had to be carted off the field when he was having trouble putting weight on his left leg. It was unclear whether he hit his head or suffered any sort of whiplash when he collided with the wall.

Billy Hamilton replaced McNeil in left field, batting third.

This was McNeil’s sixth game playing left field this season. J.D. Davis has established himself as the every day third baseman, at least for now, and so McNeil has been getting more consistent playing time in left.

David Peterson had loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, but escaped with only one run, due in no small part to McNeil’s incredible catch.