According to a Major League Baseball official on site, Perez sustained a left knee injury and has been referred for further diagnostic testing. Venezuela manager Omar Vizquel said Rodriguez has a pulled groin and Perez is headed for X-rays. The pitcher said it was a cramp.
This much is certain: It was one of the strangest plays of the tournament.
With two outs and runners at first and second, Gavin Cecchini tied the game with a line-drive single to center, scoring pinch-runner Drew Maggi. Perez was in position to tag out Italy's Drew Butera at home, but he appeared to injure his leg in the collision with his Royals backup backstop.