ATLANTA — Veteran umpire Jerry Crawford left tonight's game between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers with a sore back.

It was the third time this season Crawford has been unable to finish a game.

Crawford was umpiring first base when he walked off the field toward the Braves dugout early in the third inning. He conferred with a member of the Braves training staff and did not return to the field.

There was no delay, and the game continued with a three-man crew.

There was no immediate word on why Crawford left the game.

The 60-year-old Crawford left the April 30 Brewers-Cubs game in Chicago when he had a bad reaction to medicine and was forced to spend a night in a hospital.

Crawford also left the May 25 Phillies-Astros game in Houston when he was hit on the head by Carlos Lee's bat. He was taken to a hospital for tests but didn't need stitches and was back at the ballpark before the game ended.