Indians 2, Astros 0
CLEVELAND -- Michael Brantley had three hits, including a home run, and Corey Kluber pitched into the seventh inning to earn his first win in more than a month as the Cleveland Indians beat the Houston Astros 2-0 Tuesday night at Progressive Field.
Kluber (4-9) pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out seven. The win was his first since May 28. In six starts since then, he was 0-4 with a 3.86 ERA prior to Tuesday, with the Indians scoring a total of six runs in the four defeats.
Cleveland led 2-0 when Brantley hit a solo home run into the seats in right field leading off the sixth inning against right-hander Vince Velasquez (0-1). It was the designated hitter's fifth home run of the season, his first since May 14. He went 180 at-bats between home runs.
Kluber was removed from the game in the seventh inning when a balk, a passed ball and a walk put runners at first and third with two outs. Kluber was at 119 pitches, so manager Terry Francona called for right-hander Zach McAllister from the bullpen.
McAllister struck out second baseman Jose Altuve to end the inning, then pitched a scoreless eighth.
Right-hander Bryan Shaw pitched the ninth inning to pick up his second save.
First baseman Carlos Santana and left fielder David Murphy each had two hits for Cleveland. Second baseman Jason Kipnis went 0-for-3 with a walk, which snapped his 29-game home hitting streak.
Houston got two hits each from right fielder Preston Tucker and designated hitter Evan Gattis.
Cleveland took an early lead after Velasquez retired the first two batters in the bottom of the first inning. Brantley singled to right field. Left fielder David Murphy followed with a double to right field, scoring Brantley and giving Cleveland a 1-0 lead.
Velasquez allowed two runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
NOTES: Indians 1B Carlos Santana, hitting just .207, was dropped to the No. 7 spot in the order, the lowest he has hit in the lineup this season. Santana came into the game batting .118 (2-for-17) in July, but he went 2-for-3. ... Indians 2B Jason Kipnis took a 29-game home hitting streak into Tuesday night, the second longest home hitting streak in Indians history. Hal Trosky hit in 31 consecutive home games in 1936. ... LHP Dallas Keuchel is the first Astros pitcher selected to the All-Star team since Roy Oswalt in 2007. ... Astros RHP Dan Straily will make his first major league start Wednesday. He was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on July 3.