Astros player Yordan Alvarez leaves the team early due to a bruised knee

HOUSTON – Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez left Sunday's 9-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels with a bruised right knee after sliding to second base following a double in the third inning.

Alvarez slid to second base, stood up, bent over, and after a few steps put his hands on his knees in pain. The Astros training staff and manager Joe Espada went out to check on him.

Alvarez tried to overcome the pain by walking, but after just a few steps he put his hands on his knees and head in pain. He underwent an MRI after the game, manager Joe Espada said.

Mauricio Dubon replaced Alvarez in the lineup.

When he left the game, Alvarez had completed 2 for 2 with a single and a double. This came a day after Alvarez completed 4 for 4 with a home run in the Astros' 10-4 victory over the Angels on Saturday.

Alvarez entered Sunday with a .305 batting average, 35 home runs and 86 RBIs, leading the Astros in all three categories.

In other news: Astros outfielder Chas McCormick, who has been on the injured list since Sept. 11 with a fractured right hand, will swing the bat Monday. Outfielder Ben Gamel (left fibula fracture), however, will likely miss the rest of the season, general manager Dana Brown said.

Houston (85-71) begins a three-game series with Seattle (80-76) on Monday and has a chance to win the AL West with a win in that series.