| | Associated Press
CINCINNATI -- The San Diego Padres blame the artificial turf
at Cinergy Field for the injury to reliever Rodney Myers, who tore
the tendon below his left kneecap Thursday while fielding a bunt.
Myers ran toward the third baseline to field Pokey Reese's bunt
in the eighth inning of an 11-9 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. When
Myers planted his left foot, his cleats stuck and his momentum
caused the knee to bend awkwardly.
Myers crumbled to the turf and rolled around in pain. Catcher
Carlos Hernandez held his hand while trainers and Reds medical
director Dr. Timothy Kremchek examined him. He was taken off on a
cart.
"I've seen it before on turf," Padres manager Bruce Bochy
said. "This is the worst stuff in the world. It should be banned.
They lost their shortstop on it."
Reds shortstop Barry Larkin caught his glove on the turf while
diving to try to get to a ball on April 21. He tore the sheath
around the tendon at the base of his middle finger on the left
hand, requiring surgery.
Larkin still wears a brace on the hand and hasn't been allowed
to hold a bat or move the finger. He hopes to be back in a few
weeks.
San Diego already has sent 11 players, including six pitchers,
to the disabled list. Tony Gwynn, disabled by a sore knee, didn't
make the trip.
The Reds tried to get grass planted at Cinergy Field this
season, but Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown vetoed the idea.
The Bengals share control of Cinergy with the Reds.
The Bengals will move into a new stadium in August, but retain
veto power over changes at Cinergy until then. Brown was concerned
that the Bengals might have to play preseason games on a dirt
infield if Paul Brown Stadium falls behind schedule.
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