Indians 4, Astros 2
CLEVELAND -- David Murphy's two-run double in the eighth inning broke at 2-2 tie and lifted the Cleveland Indians to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.
With one out in the bottom of the eighth, shortstop Francisco Lindor doubled off left-hander Joe Thatcher (1-3). Left fielder Michael Brantley drew a walk.
Designated hitter Murphy then ripped a line drive over the head of right fielder Preston Tucker. The ball bounced off the wall for a double, driving in both runners and giving Cleveland a 4-2 lead.
Right-hander Trevor Bauer (8-5) gave up two runs on six hits, with nine strikeouts and no walks to get the win. Right-hander Cody Allen pitched the ninth inning to pick up his 17th save.
Bauer gave up two runs in the first inning, but then held Houston scoreless on four hits over the next seven innings. The closest Houston came to scoring in that stretch was the third inning. Center fielder Jake Marisnick singled and went to third on a one-out single by Tucker.
With runners at first and third with one out, Bauer struck out the Astros Nos. 3 and 4 hitters, shortstop Carlos Correa and designated hitter Evan Gattis, to end the inning.
Houston took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when right-hander Trevor Bauer struck out the side but also gave up a two-run homer.
Second baseman Jose Altuve led off the game with a single to left field and went to second on a wild pitch. Bauer struck out the next two batters -- right fielder Preston Tucker and shortstop Carlos Correa.
Designated hitter Evan Gattis then pounded an 0-1 pitch over the left field wall for his 15th home run of the season that gave the Astros a 2-0 lead.
The Indians countered with a run in the bottom of the first. Second baseman Jason Kipnis led off with a triple to left field off right-hander Dan Straily. Kipnis scored on a groundout by shortstop Francisco Lindor to cut the Houston lead to 2-1.
Cleveland tied it with a run in the fourth. Left fielder Michael Brantley led off with a single and went to third on a double by Murphy. Brantley scored the tying run on a groundout by first baseman Carlos Santana.
NOTES: Astros RHP Vince Velasquez, optioned to Double-A Corpus Christi after his start Tuesday in Cleveland, is expected to be recalled to rejoin the major league rotation after the All-Star break. ... Houston LHP Brett Oberholtzer will be recalled from Triple-A Fresno to start Thursday's game in Cleveland. RHP Collin McHugh, who was the scheduled starter for Thursday, will start Friday at Tampa Bay instead. ... Indians LHP Nick Hagadone was placed on the disabled list with a strained lower back. LHP Kyle Crockett was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to replace Hagadone on the roster.