Guardians 1 - 3 Astros
Final
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Tribe try to keep faint playoff hopes alive against Astros

Sep 15, 2014 - 2:38 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - An ill-timed sweep and a meeting with a red-hot pitcher are the latest playoff obstacles for the Cleveland Indians.

Cleveland has lost three straight games as it heads to Minute Maid Park to open a four-game series with the Houston Astros -- who've won four straight at home -- on Monday night.

The Indians had crept within 3 1/2 games of the second American League wild card position when it opened a weekend series with Detroit, but the three losses have pushed them five off the wild card pace now set by Kansas City and 6 1/2 games behind the Tigers, who now lead the AL's Central Division.

"Now we're going to have to get real hot real fast," outfielder Michael Bourn said.

Cleveland has struggled offensively in its last 10 games, averaging 3.3 runs per game, and it hasn't lost four in a row since early August.

The Indians scored seven runs in three games, winning twice, against Houston in a series in Cleveland later in August.

The Astros send Collin McHugh to the mound with a chance for him to stay unbeaten since the start of last month.

He's 5-0 with a 1.69 earned run average in that stretch and allowed one run on two hits on Tuesday while tossing eight innings in a defeat of Seattle.

On Aug. 23 against the Indians, McHugh got a no-decision after allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings.

For Cleveland, Zach McAllister returns to a starting role for the first time since late July.

He was 0-6 with a 7.89 ERA in 10 previous starts, and gets a spot role because the Indians are trying to reshuffle after a Thursday doubleheader.

He allowed one run in five innings in a 2-1 defeat of Houston last September -- his only career start against the Astros.

On Sunday in Detroit, Ian Kinsler hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning and the Tigers held on to beat the Indians, 6-4, and complete a three- game sweep.

Carlos Santana hit an RBI double for the Indians in the ninth inning and they had runners at first and second with no outs, but Joe Nathan escaped the jam mostly due to a double play and earned his 32nd save.

In Anaheim, Dallas Keuchel carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and the Astros ended the Los Angeles Angels' 10-game winning streak with a 6-1 victory.

Keuchel (11-9) was perfect through five innings and allowed just one run on three hits with a walk and four strikeouts over seven-plus innings to win his first game since July 30.

Gregorio Petit hit a three-run homer and Robbie Grossman hit a two-run single for Houston.






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