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Houston Astros veteran Jake Odorizzi exits start on stretcher with lower left leg discomfort

BOSTON -- Houston Astros right-hander Jake Odorizzi fell running to cover first base in the fifth inning of Monday night's 6-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox and was taken off the Fenway Park field on a stretcher.

The Astros said he had "left lower leg discomfort,'' and manager Dusty Baker said Odorizzi would get an MRI. The pitcher was on crutches, in a boot and in good spirits after the game, Baker said.

"He's probably doing better than it looked like on the mound,'' Baker said.

Odorizzi, who entered the game with a 15⅔ inning shutout streak, appeared to twist his left leg awkwardly on the delivery to Kike Hernandez. When he turned to cover first base, he took a step and then sprawled out, face down, on the grass.

He remained there after the out was recorded, and Astros staff rushed to tend to him. He was loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled off to an outfield exit. Astros teammates hovered around the infield as the stretcher arrived.

The 32-year-old veteran entered the game with a 3-2 record this season to go along with a 3.38 ERA and 17 strikeouts. The Red Sox led 2-1 when he left. The game was tied at 2-2 in the sixth inning when it was delayed by rain.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.