Pirates notebook: Back-and-forth beanings ends with Mercer injury

Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer drops the ground after being hit in the rib cage by Brewers starter Mat Garza Sunday at PNC Park. Mercer left the game, but X-rays showed no broken bones.By Bill Brink / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jordy Mercer left the game Sunday after Milwaukee Brewers starter Matt Garza hit him in the left upper rib cage as he was squaring to bunt in the sixth inning.

“I couldn’t breathe, really,” Mercer said. “Couldn’t catch my breath. Just trying to catch my breath. That’s basically all I can remember.”

Mercer said X-rays showed no broken bones.

The hit batsman followed a game in which the Pirates retaliated after Andrew McCutchen was hit, though with Mercer squaring to bunt…