Chicago White Sox's Paul Konerko Hit in Face with Pitch Against Chicago Cubs

The Chicago White Sox series against the Chicago Cubs took an ugly twist on Friday afternoon. After Paul Konerko blasted a home run off Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija, Samardzija threw a slider that got away and drilled Konerko in the face.

Konerko fell to the ground in obvious pain and appeared to have a cut and swelling around his left eye. Konerko left the field holding a towel to his eye and was sent to undergo further tests, according to a tweet by CSNChicago.com's David Kaplan:

"

Paul Konerko has a laceration above his left eye. There is swelling and he is undergoing further tests.

— David Kaplan (@thekapman) May 18, 2012"

Although Konerko hit a home run in his first at-bat of the afternoon, this did not appear to be an intentional act by Samardzija. It was a slider that slipped out of his hand and happened to collide with Konerko in a very bad location.

Samardzija walked toward the plate after Konerko went to the ground, showing obvious concern for Konerko's well-being.

It might not have been intentional, but the White Sox felt the need to respond by throwing at the Cubs' Bryan LaHair later on. Both teams were warned, setting up a very interesting weekend in Chicago.

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