Cubs: Mark Leiter miraculously stays in game after terrifying fall

Cubs pitcher Mark Leiter is staying in Wednesday’s game against the Pirates despite suffering a frightening fall in the seventh inning.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Leiter was the victim of his team’s error at first base, and he suffered what appeared to be a gruesome fall on his left hip.

In the seventh, a Pittsburgh Pirates slugger got off a low hit that bounced toward first base. Trey Mancini tried to catch it, bobbled it, and tossed it underhand to a waiting Leiter who leapt a little and missed the ball completely.

Leiter falls straight down on his left side, and his arm is also bent at an unnatural angle. In the meantime, the Pirates get all their men to home and cut the Cubs’ lead to 6-3.

Cubs’ Mark Leiter somehow survives scary fall, resumes pitching

Despite the awful optics of that fall, Leiter was able to finish the inning and resume pitching at the bottom of the seventh inning.

The 32-year-old pitcher replaced Kyle Hendricks with one out in the game and managed to preserve the Cubs’ lead. Entering Wednesday, Leiter holds a 2.64 ERA and has allowed 10 runs and three homers in 30 games.

The All-Star-caliber closer hasn’t been able to secure a long-term spot on a roster in the past few years, but hopefully his 2023 stint with Chicago goes better. Week after week, Leiter is proving his reliability in the bullpen as well as his resilience and ability to take a tough blow out on the field.

Leiter didn’t appear to suffer any major injuries from his fall but will likely be checked out after the game.