Gonzalez lifts Astros past Indians
CLEVELAND -- Marwin Gonzalez's three-run home run off Corey Kluber in the second inning was the difference as the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3 Tuesday night at Progressive Field.
Kluber (15-9) suffered his first loss since July 3. In 10 starts between losses he was 7-0 with a 1.94 ERA. Houston did all of its scoring in the second and third innings, but Kluber was otherwise very effective. He retired the last 10 men he faced.
In seven innings Kluber struck out nine, walked three and allowed four runs on four hits -- none of them singles. The home run by Gonzalez and an RBI triple by Alex Bregman accounted for all of the Astros' runs.
Reliever James Hoyt (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up his first major league win. 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.
Peacock pitched 3 2/3 innings, and was followed by five relievers who limited Cleveland to just two runs for the second consecutive game. Ken Giles pitched the ninth to earn his ninth save.
Trailing 4-1, the Indians scored their second run in the eighth inning. Luke Gregerson came on to start the inning, and Carlos Santana hit Gregerson's second pitch into the right-field seats for his 29th home run.
In the ninth, Jose Ramirez led off with a single off Giles. Ramirez moved to second on a passed ball, and to third on a wild pitch. Lonnie Chisenhall struck out for the first out.
Coco Crisp walked and stole second. When catcher Evan Gattis' throw to second sailed into center field, Ramirez scored from third to make it 4-3. But Giles retired Tyler Naquin on a fly out to left and got pinch hitter Brandon Guyer on a groundout to end the game.
Kluber sailed through the first inning, retiring the side in order on nine pitches, eight of them strikes. But that was Kluber's only stress-free inning. With two outs and nobody on base in the second inning, Kluber lost the strike zone and issued walks to consecutive hitters, Gattis and Colby Rasmus.
Kluber then threw his worst pitch of the game -- an 0-2 hanging changeup to Gonzalez, who belted it into the seats in right field for his 12th home run to give the Astros a 3-0 lead.
The Indians got a run back in the second inning off Peacock. Chisenhall led off with a double and went to third on a fly out to deep right by Crisp. Chisenhall scored when Naquin grounded out to first.
Houston countered with a run in the top of the third. George Springer doubled down the right field line, and scored on a triple into the right field corner by Bregman, giving the Astros a 4-1 lead.
Peacock was removed from the game after giving up a two-out single to Naquin in the fourth inning. Peacock allowed one run on five hits, with two strikeouts and one walk.
NOTES: The Astros recalled RHP Brad Peacock and RHP David Paulino from Triple-A Fresno. Peacock started Tuesday in place of injured LHP Dallas Keuchel and Paulino makes his major league debut Thursday against the Indians. ... Astros RHP Joe Musgrove, who was scheduled to start Thursday in Cleveland, had his start pushed back to Friday's home game against the Cubs. ... Astros manager A.J. Hinch said C Jason Castro will start the last two contests of the Cleveland series, Wednesday and Thursday. Castro missed two games with a bruised knee. ... The Indians recalled RHP Shawn Armstrong from Class-A Lake County. ... Indians C Yan Gomes (separated shoulder) will serve as a designated hitter for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday. He will be behind the plate for the first time on his minor league rehab Thursday or Friday.