Right-hander Yu Darvish took a line drive off his backside Friday in the sixth inning of the Cubs’ 6-3 series-opening victory against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.
It had to hurt. It certainly looked like it as he walked off the mound and to the dugout after the inning, rubbing the affected area and grimacing.
Oh, well. That was as bad as it got for the oft-put-upon Darvish on what was a truly excellent night for him. Even the ball that hit him, off the bat of Kevin Newman, caromed to shortstop Javy Baez, who threw to first base for the out.