Paul Clemens (4-5, 5.54) vs Scott Kazmir (8-9, 4.34)
One year ago, Scott Kazmir was in Houston, struggling to a 5.34 ERA in 14 starts with the Sugar Land Skeeters. Back in April, the Astros lit him up for 6 runs in 3.1 IP, en route to a 19-6 laugher over the Indians. But tonight, he made it look all too easy. Astros fall to Cleveland again by a 4-1 score, extending their season-high losing streak to 8 games. They're now 51-104, 5.5 games up on the Marlins in the #RodonWatch, with 7 left to play.
On the Mound:
*Make that two good starts and two bad starts now for Paul Clemens. Cleveland jumped on (Not Roger) early, and the Astros could never recover. Line: 4.2 IP / 8 H / 4 R / 4 ER / 3 BB / 4 K.
*But credit where credit is due - Lucas Harrell looked pretty sharp tonight. He allowed only two singles and two walks in 3.1 IP out of the bullpen.
At the Plate:
*There was cHRis Carter, and then there was everybody else. It took until two outs in the 9th, but Carter kept the Astros from getting shut out again with his 28th home run of the season, capping a 3 for 4 night.
*L.J. Hoes extended his hitting streak to 8 games with a double in the 8th, finishing 1 for 2 with a walk and a K.
*Jonathan Villar had your only other Astros hit, going 1 for 4 with 2 K.
Turning Point:
Old friend Michael Bourn got the Indians started in the bottom of the 1st with a leadoff double. Nick Swisher followed with a single, then a sac fly by Jason Kipnis got Cleveland on the board. Clemens got Carlos Santana to fly out for out #2, but then Michael Brantley jumped on a 2-1 fastball for a two-run HR, putting Houston down 3-0 before the 1st inning was up.
Man of the Match:
cHRis Carter, with his first home run since September 3.
Goat of the Game:
Paul Clemens. The Astros didn't beat themselves tonight, at least. (Not Roger) was just plain out-pitched.
