UPDATE: Pujols left the game with a left hamstring cramp, the Angels announced. I assume he'll be sent for tests just to make sure it's nothing more severe.

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The Angels have a chance to clinch a postseason berth on Monday night, and they jumped out to an early 5-0 lead over the Mariners (GameTracker). The first three runs came on one swing, an Albert Pujols bases clearing double.

Those runs may have come at a price, however. Pujols pulled up lame between first and second bases and was clearly favoring his hamstring. Here's the injury:

Pujols did some stretches and tried to walk it off, but ultimately he was pulled from the game. The Angels have a huge lead in the AL West and can afford to be careful with him, though this looks like it could be something more than a precautionary move.

In 147 games coming into Monday, the 34-year-old Pujols was hitting .273/.328/.467 (127 OPS+) with 26 home runs and 94 RBI.

The Angels have not yet released an update on Pujols' status.