Astros' Jose Altuve exits after hit by pitch

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Astros' Jose Altuve exits vs. Angels after being hit by pitch

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/14/22

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve left Thursday night's game against the Angels after being hit by a pitch in the first inning.

Jose Altuve left the game. He was hit by a pitch on his front knee in the 1st. Was noticeably limping while running the bases.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) July 15, 2022

Altuve was hit in the left knee with the game's first pitch from Angels starter Reid Detmers. Altuve stayed in the game to run the bases but limped noticeably. He was eventually replaced in the bottom half of the inning by Mauricio Dubon.

In 71 games for the Astros this season, Altuve is batting .277/.371/.528 with 17 home runs and 33 RBI.

Altuve had been on a bit of a hot streak as of late. He entered Thursday having reached base safely in 11 straight games and had a 10-game hitting streak halted on Wednesday.

Over that 11-game stretch, Altuve batted .350/.471/.600 with two home runs, seven RBI, 10 walks, eight runs and three stolen bases.

The Astros own a commanding lead in the AL West and should be in good shape if Altuve were to miss any time. At 57-30, the Astros sit 11.0 games ahead of the second-place Seattle Mariners. However, the Mariners are catching fire, having won 10 in a row coming into Thursday's action.

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