Foul to mask knocks ump Danley from game

PHOENIX -- Home-plate umpire Kerwin Danley was forced to leave Tuesday night's Nationals vs. D-backs game in the bottom of the second inning after taking a foul tip squarely off the mask.

Danley was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital to be evaluated for a possible concussion. According to D-backs head athletic trainer Ken Crenshaw, Danley's CT scan was negative but he did have concussion symptoms. He will have follow-up tests Wednesday to determine if standard concussion protocol will be followed.

With one out, Nick Ahmed fouled a Stephen Strasburg pitch past catcher Wilson Ramos, and it struck Danley in the mask, knocking him backward and stumbling toward the backstop at Chase Field.

Danley remained on his feet, and Crenshaw tended to the umpire while second-base ump Gabe Morales dashed into the umpire's locker room to don the gear necessary to take over behind the plate.

Danley walked off the field under his own power, with Crenshaw by his side.

Play resumed after a delay of about 10 minutes, with three umpires on the field. Morales was behind home plate, with Joe West and Rob Drake covering the bases.