Astros Fall Just Short of the Sweep. Indians Take One 5-4

The Astros fell just short of sweeping the Indians tonight, despite another big night from Jose Altuve, and despite coming from behind twice in the game.

The Indians took their first lead of the series in the third inning on an off the end-of-the-bat RBI double by Cesar Hernandez.

But last night’s hero, Jose Altuve added his third solo homer of the series in the fourth inning to tie the score.

Kyle Tucker gave the Astros a 2-1 lead with his second homer in two nights.

Lance McCullers pitched admirably for five innings, allowing only one run on four hits, but he ran into trouble in the sixth. The Indians were able to load the bases with two singles and a walk with no outs, chasing McCullers from the game.

I’d like to tell you the story of how one of our under-rated, Cinderella relief pitchers saved the game for the Astros. It was almost true.

Bryan Abreu looked unhittable striking out the first two batters he faced on eight pitches total, looking sharp while slinging darting breaking balls.

It looked that the Astros would escape the jam.

Then Ernie Clement hit a double that scored three runs, all charged to McCullers.

Oh, how I’d love to talk about how Abreu held the Indians by striking out the side. Perhaps another day.

But the Indian three-run sixth wasn’t the end of things. In the bottom of the sixth, the Astros tied the game back up with two runs of their own on a Martin Maldonado lead-off double, an Altuve RBI double that bounced high off the left-field wall, and a Yuli Gurriel RBI single.

But the Tribe would put the game away in the seventh with a solo homer by Cesar Hernandez against the latest addition to the Houston bullpen, Austin Pruitt.

Despite last night’s double, Carlos Correa remains cold, going 0-4 with a strikeout.

Guess who leads the team in homers and OPS?

You guessed it. JOSE ALTUVE!

Box score and videos HERE.