Astros 6, Indians 2: Bregman’s blast lifts Houston

There is nothing like a series in Arlington to take the wind of the sails for the Astros. But Houston found their winning ways again in the opening game against the AL Central-leading Indians on Labor Day with a 6-2 win.

Alex Bregman gave the Astros a comfortable 3-0 lead with a two-run home run in the third inning and the Houston bullpen held the Indians scoreless over the final four innings to secure the victory.

Bregman also scored the Astros first run of the game, touching home in the first inning on a Jose Altuve double.

Francisco Lindor avoided the tag at second from Jose Altuve in the third inning and later scored on a Jose Ramirez. Mike Napoli blasted a Mike Fiers pitch into the stratosphere to make the score 3-2 Astros after four innings.

But Houston would put the game away in the seventh as George Springer reached on a deflected infield single and moved to third on an Altuve single. A Carlos Correa single loaded the bases. Yulieski Gurriel hit a short fly ball to center allowing Springer to score. Springer slid past the close throw from center fielder Rajai Davis. An error and an infield single from Colby Rasmus allowed two more runs to score.

Fiers allowed two earned runs on seven hits over five innings.

Houston is once again two games back of the Orioles and Tigers for the second spot in the AL Wild Card.