Fan stretchered off after scary fall over outfield wall during Cubs vs. Pirates

A fan left Wednesday’s game between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates on a stretcher after an apparent fall in the bottom of the seventh inning. Play stopped during a pitching change and players from both teams looked visibly concerned.

The incident occurred as the Pirates re-took the lead over the Cubs on a ground ball to shortstop. Dansby Swanson deflected it into short right field, and two Pittsburgh runs scored to make it a 4-3 ballgame. Shortly after, managers from both teams came onto the field, and players expressed concern about what had just happened.

The Cubs broadcast feed did not show the fan or what happened, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Colin Beazley said the person was motionless after the fall over the Clemente Wall at PNC Park. However, play-by-play announcer Alex Cohen said the fan was in right-center field and later left via a stretcher.

“Right now, a fan in right-center field has been put on a stretcher,” Cohen said amid the delay. “They are taking the fan off the field. Emergency personnel quick to the scene.”

The Pirates later announced the fan was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation for his injuries. Pittsburgh won the game, 4-3, to tie the series at 1-1 and set up a rubber match on Thursday. Paul Skenes will get the start for Pittsburgh while Colin Rea will be on the mound for Chicago.

The Cubs won the first game of the series on Tuesday, 9-0, thanks to huge days at the plate from catcher Carson Kelly and designated hitter Seiya Suzuki. Kelly had a two-run home run in the effort as part of a three-RBI day, while Suzuki added a two-run homer of his own. Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong also went yard to lead the charge.

Wednesday night, thought, the Cubs’ bats were quiet. Chicago scored three runs, all of which came in the fifth inning, on nine hits. The defense was also a factor as Jon Berti committed an error at third base and Swanson kicked the ball into right field on the eventual two-run play in the seventh inning that made the difference.

That set the table for Thursday’s final game of the three-game set. First pitch between the Cubs and Pirates is set for 12:35 p.m. ET at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.