“He’s really good at pitching through a lot of the irregularities that happen throughout the season, and this is just something he couldn’t do”. He struck out nine and retired the final 10 batters he faced before exiting the game in the seventh. Kluber allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Astros on May 9, his shortest start of the season. He is 5-0 with a 1.30 ERA over his past seven starts.
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“I think it was more so the walks than the curve”, Kluber said. Lindor raced for second, but the throw from right fielder Teoscar Hernandez beat Lindor to second base, and Lindor was called out.Francona challenged the call, and after a video review, the call was overturned and Lindor was ruled safe with a double.One out later, Jose Ramirez lined a single to left, scoring Lindor and cutting the Houston lead to 3-1.The Indians added another run in the fifth on a solo home run by Mike Napoli, his 30th home run of the season but his first since August 11, a span of 73 at-bats without a homer.NOTES: Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday night because of inflammation in his left shoulder.
Astros: RHP Doug Fister looks to bounce back after being tagged for seven runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings against Texas on September 2. Cleveland is also 5-2 in Carrasco’s last seven starts versus the American League West, and 10-4 in Carrasco’s last 14 Wednesday starts.
Chicago pitcher Chris Beck issued consecutive two-out walks before Upton crushed a fastball over right field. Lonnie Chisenhall struck out for the first out. Jose Ramirez singled, moved to second on a passed ball and third on a wild pitch.
A day after manager Terry Francona used eight total pitchers in what he had dubbed a “bullpen day”, Cleveland had to go back to the pen to keep the game close, and the trio of Zach McAllister, Kyle Crockett, and Shawn Armstrong did just that. When catcher Gattis’ throw to second sailed into center field, Ramirez scored from third to make it 4-3.
Giles then induced a deep fly ball out from Tyler Naquin before forcing a check swing ground out from Brandon Guyer to seal the victory.
The Indians cut Houston’s 3-0 lead to 3-1 on an RBI groundout by Naquin in the second inning. In the third, Bregman added a two-run home run off Manship to push it to 3-0.
“It wasn’t his best performance”, Francona said of Kluber.
David Paulino – one of the Astros’ top prospects – was recalled from Triple-A Fresno and will make his big league debut Thursday.
The left-hander was originally pushed back from Friday’s start and then scratched from Tuesday’s start against the Cleveland Indians.
Marwin Gonzalez hit a hanging curveball from Kluber for a three-run homer in the second inning and the Houston Astros handed Cleveland’s ace his first loss since July 3, 4-3 on Tuesday night. Castro missed two games with a bruised knee.
For the time being, the Astros will turn to Brad Peacock to take Keuchel’s spot in the rotation.
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Indians: C Yan Gomes (separated shoulder) is scheduled to be catching minor league games on his rehab assignment this weekend.
