Dodgers hold breath: Matt Kemp leaves game after wall collision [Updated]

Matt Kemp is scaring the hell out of the Dodgers.

For the second consecutive game, Kemp crashed hard into the center-field wall. Only this time it forced him out of the game.

[Update at 7:33 p.m.: The Dodgers said Kemp left the game with a right knee contusion and was taken for precautionary X-rays on his jaw. They said he was not suffering from any concussion-like symptons.]

Kemp was running full speed in an attempt to chase down a triple by Josh Rutledge in the first inning Tuesday at Coors Field when he ran hard into the wall. The wall was padded about up to his chest, flattening him while his arm and face hit a chain-link fence above it.

Kemp fell straight to the warning-track dirt and rolled around in pain. He was attended to by head trainer Sue Falsone, who appeared to examine his right knee, while assistant trainer Greg Harrel tended to a bloodied chin.

After several minutes, he sat up. Then he stood up, asked for his cap and took some water from reliever Jamey Wright, who had come over from the bullpen.

Then he smiled, and rather remarkably, remained in the game.

But the very next batter, Jordan Pacheco, blooped a hit into shallow right-center. Kemp sprinted in and actually dove for the ball. He came up short, the drive landing for a run-scoring double, but the consecutive body slams were apparently too much.

After Wilin Rosario singled, Kemp apparently gave into his aches and pains and walked off the field with a slight limp. Juan Rivera went to left field while Shane Victorino moved over to center. There was no immediate word from the Dodgers on his condition.

Here’s a link to video from Major League Baseball of Kemp crashing into the wall.

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