PITTSBURGH, PA -- Houston Astros rookie Hunter Pence had to
leave today's game in Pittsburgh after spraining his right wrist
while batting in the fourth inning.

X-rays did not reveal any fractures, but Pence's return to the
lineup is uncertain.

Pence clutched his wrist in pain while running down the line
after popping up against Shane Youman. Pence is hitting
.330 with 12 homers and 45 R-B-Is, with at least one hit in 40 of
his last 50 games.

Pence was the first rookie in either league since 1957 to lead
his league in batting at the All-Star break. He has since dropped
out of the N-L batting lead but still ranks in the top ten.