Cleveland Indians Fall in Opener to Houston Astros 7-1

Cleveland Indians Fall in Opener to the Houston Astros 7-1

The Cleveland Indians, behind an uncharacteristically poor outing by Corey Kluber, fell to the Houston Astros 7-1 in the series opener. Kluber picked up his fourth loss of the season, falling to 2-4 while Houston’s Mike Fiers picked up his third winning (3-1). 

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Kluber was lights out when the game started. He struck out the first three Astros’ hitters on just 12 pitches in the first inning.  After a 1-2-3 second inning as well, though, Kluber ran into major trouble in the bottom of the third. The inning started off with a leadoff single to former Indians’ infielder Luis Valbuena and while it seemed harmless at the time, started an avalanche against Kluber. The next five hitters also reached base, highlighted by two-run doubles by Jose Altuve and Colby Rasmus, making it a 4-0.

After getting a pair of unassisted groundouts, one of which drove in the Astro’s fifth run, Kluber’s day was done after just 2 2/3 innings, his shortest start since September 2014. Lefty Kyle Crockett relieved  him and got out of the third inning but the five runs the Astros put up proved to be more than enough for Houston on the day as the Tribe’s offense could not get anything going versus starter Mike Fiers.

Fiers, who had struggled in 2016, pitched seven innings allowing just one run on merely three hits. He also struck out four and walked two.  Those three hits a single by Carlos Santana and a pair of doubles by Jose Ramirez and Rajai Davis were the only hits the Indians had on the night. Even their lone RBI on the night was merely a groundout by Jason Kipnis in the sixth inning. The lone “bright” spot on the night for the Tribe offense came in the second inning then Ramirez doubled. While heading for second base, he lost his helmet (as he seemingly always does) but this time, nearly had it re-land on his head after kicking it in the air.

The Indians will look to put this loss behind them. Taking the hill for them tonight will be Trevor Bauer, who pitched six no-hit innings last time he was in Houston. He struck out 11 Astros’ hitters back on April 9th, 2015 when the Tribe nearly threw a combined no-hitter.  Bauer will be making his third start of 2016 after six relief appearances to begin the season. He’ll be opposed by right-hander Chris Devenski, who will also be making his third start of 2016 in addition to six relief appearances. First pitch tonight is at 8:10 pm EST at Houston’s Minute Maid Park.