Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy had to be taken off the field after getting drilled in the head by a baseball. After McCarthy threw a pitch, Erick Aybar sent a liner straight back to him that got him in the back of the head. McCarthy went to the ground but did not lose consciousness.

McCarthy ended up sitting on the mound for a period of time until he was able to stand up and walk off the field under his own power. You can see McCarthy leaving the game by checking out the link to this photo below.

@bmccarthy32 leaving the game. twitter.com/newballpark/st…

— newballpark (@newballpark) September 5, 2012

McCarthy pitched three and two-thirds of an inning, giving up five hits and surrender three earned runs. He's enjoying a solid season at the mound, winning eight games in 17 starts while conceding an ERA of 3.10, a career low.

Travis Blackley has come in to relieve McCarthy, and got the A's out of the inning. The Athletics currently trail the Angels 3-1.

Talk about McCarthy with A's fans by heading on over to Athletics Nation. Talk about the game with Angels fans at Halos Haven.