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 Kluber struck out a career-high 14 and Gomes delivered a decisive
two-run home run as the Cleveland Indians squared their four-game
series with the Houston Astros with a 4-2 victory at Minute Maid
Park.
Kluber (16-9) allowed one run on seven hits and two walks over seven
innings while recording his ninth double-digit strikeout game this
season. His strikeout total was the highest for an Indians pitcher
since Bartolo Colon also notched 14 against the Toronto Blue Jays on
May 28, 1998. Kluber ranks second in the American League with 244
strikeouts.
"Executing pitches at the right time (was key)," Kluber said. "I
didn't consistently execute throughout the entire game, but when I
needed to make big pitches, I was able to execute. Yan did a good
job back there leading me through the early part of the game when I
didn't quite have that good of stuff."
The Indians (77-73) ended a four-game skid in which they lost each
game after leading at some point.
The Astros (67-84) had their five-game home winning streak snapped
and now must win the final five games of their current homestand to
avoid posting a losing record at Minute Maid Park.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve went 2-for-5, recording his sixth
consecutive multi-hit game and surpassing Craig Biggio on the club
single-season hits chart. With his first-pitch single in the
seventh, Altuve upped his season total to 211 hits. Biggio tallied
210 hits in 1998.
"I think that's the best thing in my life," Altuve said. "When you
see your teammates supporting you that way that makes me feel
complete. God knows I play 100 percent to give them everything I
have to try to do everything to get the hits. When I get the hits
and they react like my teammates, the coaches, the fans, that makes
me feel complete and really happy."
Though he likely will finish no better than third behind Mariners
right-hander Felix Hernandez and White Sox left-hander Chris Sale,
Kluber continued to state his case as an American League Cy Young
Award candidate. After surrendering a two-out, RBI single to
shortstop Marwin Gonzalez in the first inning, Kluber bore down and
dominated.
Kluber struck out two batters in each of his seven innings of work.
He escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fourth by striking out
right fielder Alex Presley and third baseman Gregorio Petit. Kluber
closed his first five innings with strikeouts, the first three on
called strikes.
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Through the fifth, Kluber had to walk a tightrope while
protecting a one-run lead. But in the sixth the Indians provided
some run support, with Gomes blasting his 19th home run to left
field off left-hander Darin Downs to extend the lead to 4-1. Downs
was the first reliever out of the Houston bullpen in support of
right-hander Nick Tropeano.
"The home run was huge for us," Indians manager Terry Francona said.
"It seems like every game Kluber pitches for us is 2-1, 3-2, and it
wasn't like we broke it open. But to give him some breathing room
where if they do score it doesn't cost you the ballgame was huge,
especially with the way he was pitching."
Tropeano (1-1) surrendered a run-scoring groundout to first baseman
Carlos Santana in the first inning. Indians third baseman Lonnie
Chisenhall scored on an error by left fielder Robbie Grossman on
Gomes' single with two outs in the fourth to snap a 1-1 tie.
For the Astros, the loss took a back seat to the banner night for
Altuve.
"It's special for everybody, and special for me because I have known
Jose for a long time," Astros interim manager Tom Lawless said. "I
saw him start at the beginning, and for me to witness that tonight
is pretty special. I won't forget the night tonight, and I know he
won't forget tonight either."
NOTES: Astros OF George Springer was shut down for the remainder of
the season, bringing a premature close to his promising rookie
season. Springer was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 20 with
a left quad strain, and he suffered a setback during a subsequent
rehab assignment. Despite rest and rehab, the club opted to keep
Springer out. He hit .231 with a .336 on-base percentage, a .468
slugging percentage, 20 home runs and 51 RBIs in 78 games. ...
Indians INF Zach Walters has no significant intercostal damage,
according to an MRI on Tuesday. He departed in the sixth inning
Monday night with a strained side. Walters is day-to-day. ...
Indians OF Ryan Raburn returned to Cleveland to undergo an MRI on
his left knee, which was hyperextended at Detroit on Saturday.
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