PITTSBURGH -- Home-plate umpire and crew chief Jeff Nelson had to leave Monday's Rockies-Pirates game at PNC Park in the third inning.
With one out and runners on the corners in the third inning, Sean Rodriguez hit a ground ball to the left side of the infield. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado fielded the chopper and threw the ball home to catcher Tony Wolters as Francisco Cervelli broke from third base toward the plate.
Cervelli slid home, Wolters swiped his glove and tagged out Cervelli. It appeared that the play at the plate kicked up a clump of dirt, which struck Nelson in the left eye.
Pirates assistant athletic trainer Ben Potenziano ran out to check on Nelson. After tending to his eye for several minutes, Nelson left the field and did not return, leaving a three-man crew to officiate the game.
First-base umpire Ben May took over behind the plate, and third-base umpire Doug Eddings became the acting crew chief.