The Houston Astros' big series with the Texas Rangers kicked off on Monday night with Texas winning 5-3 and reducing the Astros' AL West lead to just a half-game. As if that wasn't bad enough for the Astros, they also lost third baseman Jed Lowrie early after Lowrie was hit by a Cole Hamels offering in the first inning. After fouling an 0-1 offering that grazed the shin, the following pitch struck Lowrie in the foot, and he was removed from the game in the fifth inning as a precaution.
Official word had Lowrie suffering a 'shin contusion' that rendered his lower leg unplayable as the game progressed.
"The foul ball didn't feel good, but the hit by pitch in the foot, it just started getting real tight, and I really couldn't put any weight on it," Lowrie told MLB.com's Chandler Rome, adding, "All the swelling goes to that area, and I just couldn't really put much weight on it. Couldn't react the way that you need to to play third base."
The club is hopeful Lowrie will be able to get back in the lineup for Tuesday night's game against Derek Holland, but for now they're in 'wait-and-see' mode.
In 55 games for Houston this season, Lowrie is hitting .234/.327/.451 with nine home runs and 27 RBI.
