Umpire Muchlinski exits game in fifth inning

MINNEAPOLIS -- There was a slight delay in the fifth inning of Thursday's White Sox-Twins game at Target Field when home-plate umpire Mike Muchlinski left the contest.

Muchlinski took an Alexei Ramirez foul ball directly off the center of his mask with one out in the fourth and was staggered by the impact. After Minnesota trainer Dave Pruemer checked on him, Muchlinski stayed in the game. He was examined again before the start of the bottom of the fourth and eventually left after the inning was completed.

Crew chief Mark Wegner replaced Muchlinski, with Andy Fletcher and Chris Segal covering the bases one umpire short.