As we discussed on Monday afternoon, the Cleveland Indians used an odd approach to the first game of their four-game series with the Houston Astros on Monday night at Progressive Field.
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Hinch said all players feel some soreness this time of year and that Keuchel had been especially good at battling through it, but not this time.
Houston started Brad Peacock, who was recalled from Triple-A Fresno to make the start in place of Dallas Keuchel, who was scratched from the start and is out indefinitely with an inflamed left shoulder.
“If you ask me about every pitcher, we’ll be here all night”, Francona deadpanned.
“I thought the guys did a pretty good job”, manager Terry Francona said of his relievers.
Indians: Kluber logged his shortest start of the season against the Astros, allowing five runs in 2 2/3 innings in a 7-1 loss on May 9 in Cleveland.
He is 9-12 with a 4.55 ERA this season for the Astros, who are in the thick of the AL Wild Card race. The Indians scored an unearned run in the ninth and got the tying run to second before Ken Giles, Houston’s fifth reliever, recorded his ninth save.
In an attempt to give struggling No. 5 starting pitcher Josh Tomlin some time off and to align the rotation a little more in their favor for the stretch run against divisional opponents, the Indians on Monday attempted to piece together the game using only the bullpen, something that was largely possible due to roster expansion.
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.
“It’s been fun because we’ve been winning”, he said. Perci Garner, Joe Colon, Dan Otero, Bryan Shaw and Cody Anderson also pitched for Cleveland.
Tomlin worked the ninth inning, allowing an infield single and adding a strikeout.
Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the third inning at Minute Maid Park.
Keuchel’s injury means he won’t face Cleveland right-hander Corey Kluber, who won the AL Cy Young victor in 2014, on Tuesday.
Keuchel, the reigning American League Cy Young victor, has been dealing with pain since after his most recent start on August 27 and does not have a timetable for return.
Astros: C Jason Castro (bruised knee) was unavailable for the second straight game after being struck by a foul tip Saturday at Texas.
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With Naquin at the plate, Crisp stole second, and Gattis’ throw sailed into center field, allowing Ramirez to score. He has made five relief appearances for Houston this year, posting a 3.86 ERA over seven innings. It ended Kluber’s streak of 10 consecutive quality starts (three or fewer runs allowed in at least six innings), which had been the second-longest such streak in the majors, behind only Detroit’sJustin Verlander. The right-hander hasn’t lost since July 3 against Toronto. Fister has dropped two in a row and three of his last four while permitting 21 runs on 35 hits in his last five outings (26 innings).
