Astros ace Roy Oswalt leaves start with numbness in fingers

Oswalt leaves game with numbness in fingers

HOUSTON — Astros ace Roy Oswalt left in the seventh inning of Friday night’s game against Washington with numbness in two fingers on his pitching hand.

Houston led 4-1 before Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham opened the inning with consecutive doubles. Pitching coach Dewey Robinson then trotted out to check on Oswalt and called for a trainer.

Astros manager Cecil Cooper jogged to the mound and, after a brief discussion, Oswalt left the game. Chris Sampson relieved and Washington scored three more runs to take a 5-4 lead.

Oswalt was seeking his third straight victory. The right-hander also left a start against the Nationals on May 5 after hurting his right index finger while batting.