Long 3-run blast by Chirinos lifts Astros over Indians, 4-1

HOUSTON (AP) — Robinson Chirinos hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in a four-run seventh inning to give the Houston Astros a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday night.

The Astros were unable to do much against Carlos Carrasco (2-3) early and had just one hit when former Indian Michael Brantley singled with one out in the seventh. Yuli Gurriel then hit a two-out, two-strike RBI double to end a streak of 17 scoreless innings for Carrasco.

The Indians intentionally walked Josh Reddick before Chirinos sent the next pitch over the train tracks atop the wall in left field and out of the stadium on a night the retractable roof was open.

The Astros won the final two games to earn a split of the four-game set with Cleveland, a rematch of last year’s AL Division Series in which Houston earned a three-game sweep. Houston also moved into first place in the AL West.

Wade Miley yielded six hits and one run in 5 2/3 innings to extend his streak of consecutive starts with three or fewer earned runs to 22. The left-hander struck out three and walked two.

Framber Valdez (1-1) yielded one hit in two scoreless innings. Ryan Pressly allowed one hit and no runs in the ninth for his second save.

Carlos Santana put the Indians ahead in the fourth with his 200th career homer, but the Indians had trouble stringing hits together. They went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

Cleveland had a chance in the fifth when Roberto Perez and Jake Bauers hit consecutive singles with no outs before a two-out single by Jose Ramirez loaded the bases. Miley got Santana to ground out to end the inning.

Carrasco sailed through the first five innings, retiring 15 of the first 16 batters he faced with seven strikeouts. Houston’s only baserunner through five came on a single by Carlos Correa in the second.

Carrasco had set down 11 straight when Chirinos walked with no outs in the sixth. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tony Kemp and took third on a groundout by George Springer. Carrasco left Chirinos stranded when Jose Altuve hit a fly ball out to left field.

Carrasco allowed six hits and four runs, striking out eight, in 6 2/3 innings.

UP NEXT

Indians: The Indians are off on Monday before Trevor Bauer (3-1, 1.99 ERA) is scheduled to pitch in the opener of a two-game series at Miami.

Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (4-0, 2.61) will pitch for Houston on Monday when it opens a six-game trip with the first of four games against the Twins. After that, the Astros travel to Monterrey, Mexico, for a two-game series with the Angels.