Initial tests show no concussion for Wong

ST. LOUIS -- After landing on his head during an eighth-inning tumble, Kolten Wong underwent a series of tests that ruled out a possible concussion.

Wong fell hard on his head after pursuing a popup to shallow right-center with the sun in his eyes. As the second baseman sprinted back, Wong lunged for the ball, which nicked off his glove, before falling on his back and flipping over his head. He remained on the grass for several minutes while being attended to by a pair of athletic trainers.

"As soon as I hit, I just knew I had to lay down because I felt a lot of pressure in my head, and [I was] a little dizzy," Wong said. "I didn't lose any consciousness, and I wasn't out of it at all. I just felt really dizzy. Not really any pain. No headache or anything."

While on the ground, Wong was asked a series of questions to test his recall. After getting up and walking off the field on his own, Wong met with a series of doctors, who continued the evaluation.

"He went through a bunch of tests already," manager Mike Matheny said after the Cardinals' 9-6 win over the Cubs. "The doctors got to him. There were no signs of concussion. We've had a couple different doctors look at him already. I'm sure tomorrow he'll be a little sore. We'll probably bring the doctors back in tomorrow and reevaluate. We got good news on the initial report."

Wong, whose solo homer had helped the Cardinals cut into the Cubs' lead earlier in the game, was replaced at second by Pete Kozma, who had been recalled from Triple-A before the game. Afterward, Wong said that while he'll likely be out of the lineup on Monday, he hopes it will be only a one-day absence.

"I've got to do some tests [Monday] to find out if I'm fine," Wong said. "If they need me, I'll be ready to pinch-hit."