Franklin out 4-5 days with stitches in knee
Mariners rookie injured sliding through block of A's catcher Norris
OAKLAND -- Nick Franklin left Tuesday night's 7-4 win over the A's in the eighth inning after sustaining a lacerated left knee.
Seattle's second baseman scored the fourth run of the five-run frame by sliding through the block of A's catcher Derek Norris which resulted in the removal of both players from the game. Franklin received five stitches to repair the gash, but not before he had gone 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
Acting manager Robby Thompson said the Mariners hope Franklin will be able to return to the lineup either Friday or Saturday when the club returns to Seattle to play the Angels. Franklin said that the team doctor told him he would be out four or five days.
"Looks like he caught a spike on his left knee," Thompson said. "He wanted to stay in, just wanted a new pair of pants. But no, it was necessary for him to come out of the game. They needed to take care of that right away."