St. Louis Cardinals: Cardinals’ hearts go out to Robbie Ray

The St. Louis Cardinals know well the fear of a pitcher being hit by a come-backer and thus send our hearts and prayers for a quick recovery of Arizona’s pitcher.

The St. Louis Cardinals went head-to-head with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night after dropping the first game of the four-game set on Thursday night. The one-run game was scary for more than just the absent offense.

Arizona pitcher, Robbie Ray, was hit by a come-backer off the bat of Luke Voit, the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman on the night. This horrible incident happened in the bottom of the second inning and ended Ray’s night.

Voit, known for his power, smashed a line drive that exited his bat at 108.1 MPH. Ray had thrown his fastball which regularly hits in the mid-90s. The pitch was measured at 94MPH and St. Louis Cardinals fans know that Voit is fond of fastballs.

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What usually goes as extra-base hits for Voit (his success against fastballs) ended up as a 108.1 MPH bullet right back at Ray. The shot ricocheted off of Robbie Ray’s head and into foul territory at third base where Diamondbacks (and former Cardinal) third baseman on the night Daniel Descalso managed to snag the newly popped ball recording the out.

By the time that Descalso caught the ball, Ray was rolling around on the ground. Once on his back, Ray grabbed his head in massive pain. Voit and the remainder of the Diamondback infielders crowded the mound.

Medical staff from both teams rushed the mound and, after being able to sit up, Ray was removed from the field via a cart. The game continued but it could have been much worse.

The St. Louis Cardinals organization knows well the fear and terror of a come-backer making contact with a pitcher. Fans need only look back a few months when prospect Daniel Poncedeleon was hit in the temple by a batted ball right back at him.

Poncedeleon spent a great deal of time in the ICU and even underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure from a hematoma that had formed. Weeks later, Poncedeleon recovered and returned home and is now recovering. He has yet to return to baseball activities.

Related Story: Poncedeleon update

Back to Ray, the news was released a few hours after the incident that he was doing okay. This was a much better prognosis than Poncedeleon received when he hit the hospital.

After stitches and a CT scan, Ray was able to return to the ballpark on his own abilities. He will now participate in concussion protocols to see if or when he can return to the mound.

This terrible situation, the worst-case scenario for a pitcher, could have ended much worse than it did. All of Cardinals Nation, the St. Louis Cardinals team, and all of us here at Redbird Rants wish the best for Robbie Ray and his recovery; may it be quick and effective.

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What were your thoughts when you saw the terrible incident? Do you remember any other incidents that are similar? Let me know on Twitter and thanks for reading!