NL's leading hitter hurt on play at plate

<p>Atlanta catcher Brian McCann, the National League's leading hitter, had to be helped from the field because of an ankle injury after a play at the plate against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.</p><p>X-rays were negative and the injury was diagnosed as a left lateral ankle sprain. He was listed as day to day, the Braves said.</p><p>The injury occurred in the fourth inning when Arizona's Eric Byrnes ran into him at home. McCann was blocking the plate and dropped the ball after he was hit. Byrnes scrambled to touch the plate as McCann hopped away and dropped to the ground in pain.</p><p>McCann had to be helped from the field, putting no weight on the injured leg.</p><p>Byrnes scored from first on the play on Chad Tracy's double. Right fielder Jeff Francoeur threw to second baseman Pete Orr, who relayed the throw to home.</p><p>McCann entered the game batting .353.</p><p>He was charged with an error on the play when Tracy took third. McCann was replaced Todd Pratt.</p>

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