Max Scherzer’s night came to a quick end on Monday.
The Rangers starter threw just three innings before he exited due to back tightness, according to Fox reporter Ken Rosenthal.
Scherzer had given up two hits and struck out one batter while throwing 36 pitches before his time in Game 3 ended, with the Rangers leading the Diamondbacks, 3-0.
Scherzer had walked up the steps of the Rangers’ dugout and appeared in a bit of pain as he was going to throw his warmup pitches for the fourth inning.
Video aired on the Fox broadcast showed the former Mets co-ace grimacing in pain as he threw a warmup pitch.
Bruce Bochy and an athletic trainer went to check on Scherzer and took the ball from him.
Rosenthal reported Scherzer “looked almost near tears” as he walked into the clubhouse and added, “he was clearly frustrated with what happened.
”Earlier in the game, Scherzer had been struck in the back by the ball.
Alek Thomas had hit a ball back toward the mound that bounced off Scherzer and over to Rangers’ third baseman Josh Jung, who was able to get the ball to first in time to end the inning.
Scherzer came back out for the third inning and didn’t appear to show any signs of injury and the team wasn’t sure if the incident had anything to do with the ace having to come out.
The righty had missed more than a month due to a shoulder injury and came back ahead of schedule and was able to make two starts in the American League Championship Series.
Ironically, Bochy had told Rosenthal before the game that he was going to give Scherzer a “longer leash.”
“I think where he’s at, he’s in a good place,” Bochy said on the Fox broadcast. “Now I did go out early and get him in the seventh game, but that’s when all hands are on deck. But you know he’ll have a longer leash today. Stuff is good, strength and stamina is up there, so we look for him to give us a great effort today.”
The Rangers and Diamondbacks are currently tied at one game apiece in the World Series.
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