Astros Star Outfielder Exits Early With Injury

The Houston Astros fell to the Seattle Mariners 6-2 on Tuesday night in their second game of an important away series that has major playoff implications.

After their victory on Monday, the Astros entered Tuesday's contest one-and-a-half games clear of their division rival Mariners for the final AL Wild Card spot.

That lead is now cut down to a half-game with the rubber match set to be played on Wednesday.

That wasn't the only loss Houston suffered during the game though.

Their star outfielder Chas McCormick left in the ninth inning after getting hit in the back by a 99 mph pitch. He was helped off the field by trainers and was subsequently replaced by a pinch runner after being unable to continue.

McCormick has been a breakout player for the Astros this season.

Across 112 games, he has a slash line of .279/.359/.501 with 22 home runs and 70 RBI, all career best numbers.

The 28-year-old also became a huge part of Houston's outfield this year as Michael Brantley was still out with an injury and Yordan Alvarez was primarily used in the designated hitter role.

It's too early to know what the result of that hit-by-pitch will bring for McCormick, but if he's out for an extended period of time for any reason, it will be a huge loss for the Astros.

He might not miss any time at all and this was just a case of exiting the game early during the final inning of a game where the team was trailing by multiple runs.

More information will be known going forward as he gets examined by the medical staff.