MIAMI — Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura hurt his left knee when he was hit trying to turn a double play Sunday and was carted off the field.

The game was delayed six minutes while trainers tended to Iwamura. He left sitting up in the cart, and the Rays said he would go back to St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sunday night and have an MRI exam.

With runners at first and second and one out in the eighth inning, Florida's Wes Helms hit a one-hopper to pitcher Dan Wheeler, who spun and threw to second. Iwamura took the throw for a forceout, and was ready to throw to first with his left foot planted when Chris Coghlan slid into him.

The collision sent Iwamura tumbling to the turf. Shortstop Jason Bartlett took the ball from Iwamura and threw home, where Dioner Navarro tagged out John Baker trying to score.

Iwamura pounded the grass in pain as teammates gathered around him, but after several minutes he sat up. Several Marlins also gathered around the second baseman, including Coghlan.