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 Indians second baseman Mike Aviles delivered a sacrifice fly in
the top of the 13th inning, lifting Cleveland to a 2-1 win over the
Houston Astros on Thursday night and a series victory at Minute Maid
Park.
Shortstop Jose Ramirez scored both Cleveland runs, including the
game-winner after stroking a one-out double to left field off Astros
right-hander Sam Deduno (2-6) in the 13th.
Three batters later and with the bases loaded, Aviles smacked a line
drive that Astros right fielder Jake Marisnick fielded on the run
before making a hurried throw that pulled catcher Jason Castro off
home plate.
"It was definitely a little tough for us to score some runs," Aviles
said. "In that situation -- bases loaded and one out -- I was trying
not to do too much. Trying not to hit the ball on the ground. Trying
to hit at least a bloop, something in the air, something in the
outfield.
"With Ramirez on third, I knew there was a good chance that wherever
it goes, he's going to score because he's fast."
Seven relievers combined to work 5 2/3 scoreless innings for the
Indians (79-73), including right-hander Cody Allen, who earned his
22nd save.
"Seemed like every ball we hit was right at somebody," Astros
interim manager Tom Lawless said. "You go through streaks like that.
When you're making good swings, you're making contact, (but some
nights) it seems like you hit it right at them. Other nights those
balls fall in."
Left-hander Kyle Crockett (4-0) earned the victory for the Indians,
who claimed the final three games of the four-game series by a total
of five runs.
Cleveland (79-73) trails the first-place Detroit Tigers (84-68) by
five games in the American League Central. The Indians sit four
games behind the Oakland Athletics (83-69) in the race for the
second AL wild card.
"I think we say every day that we need to be one run better,"
Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We're sort of taking that to
the extreme, but we won. And when you win a game like that, it
doesn't matter how hard it was when it's over. Everybody out in that
room feels good, and instead of being tired and dragging, we're
going to be tired and happy and ready to play tomorrow."
Astros right-hander Scott Feldman carried a shutout into the ninth
inning. However, a leadoff double by Indians center fielder Michael
Bourn, on a play initially ruled an inside-the-park home run prior
to an umpire replay reversal, spelled the end for Feldman after 99
pitches.
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Charged with protecting a one-run lead, the Astros' bullpen failed.
Left-hander Tony Sipp allowed an infield single to Ramirez, putting
runners at the corners, but Bourn was thrown out at the plate on
Michael Brantley's grounder. Ramirez scored from second base when
first baseman Carlos Santana greeted Astros closer Chad Qualls with
a single to right-center field, pulling the Indians even at 1-1.
Feldman retired 15 consecutive batters following a two-out walk to
Bourn in the third inning. He was charged with one run on four hits
and one walk with two strikeouts over eight innings.
Marisnick delivered a two-out single in the fourth inning that
scored center fielder Dexter Fowler and lifted the Astros (67-86) to
a 1-0 lead.
"He was good tonight," Marisnick said of Salazar. "He was hitting
his spots, and I was trying to get a pitch up and get a good pitch
to hit. He gave me one there, and I was able to hit it up the
middle."
Cleveland right-hander Danny Salazar allowed one run on five hits
over 7 1/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked one.
NOTES: Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis exited in the eighth inning due to
a sore right hamstring. ... The Astros announced the signing of a
two-year player development contract with the Triple-A Fresno
Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League. Fresno becomes the ninth
Triple-A affiliate in franchise history and follows Oklahoma City
(2011-14), which will serve as the top affiliate for the Los Angeles
Dodgers starting next season. The Grizzlies served as an affiliate
of the San Francisco Giants for 17 years. ... Indians RF J.B. Shuck
made just his third start with the club after his acquisition from
the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 5. He went 0-for-3. ... Indians LHP
T.J. House will start Saturday at Minnesota after having his turn in
the rotation skipped earlier this week.
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