Erik Bedard (4-11, 4.60) vs Corey Kluber (9-5, 3.62)
Cleveland - you're welcome. The Astros are ending their 2013 season in free fall, and while they may not be making any of their own fans very happy in the process, they at least spent the last week boosting the playoff hopes of baseball fans all over Ohio. Houston's season-high losing streak is now at nine, as the Indians complete the four-game sweep by a 9-2 score today. The Astros head to Arlington for their final road series at 51-105 - two losses shy of their 2012 total with six games left to play.
On the Mound:
*Many are surprised that Erik Bedard has lasted this long with the Astros, but the lefty this season has been serviceable if not spectacular. Today he unravelled after three good innings, however, and ended up being pulled in the 6th with a 5 IP / 8 H / 6 R / 6 ER / 2 BB / 8 K line.
*Philip Humber allowed 2 R on 4 H and a BB in 2 IP, including a triple by Michael Bourn that charged the final two runs to Bedard's ledger.
*Jorge De Leon could not escape unscathed, either, allowing a solo HR to Carlos Santana in the 8th.
*Philip Humber allowed 2 R on 4 H and a BB in 2 IP, including a triple by Michael Bourn that charged the final two runs to Bedard's ledger.
*Jorge De Leon could not escape unscathed, either, allowing a solo HR to Carlos Santana in the 8th.
At the Plate:
*Chris Carter, at least, was a bright spot in Cleveland, as he went deep for the second straight day (#29 of the year), finishing 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 K, and Houston's lone RBI.
*Marc Krauss doubled twice and scored the other Astros run, finishing 2 for 4 with a K.
*L.J. Hoes' hitting streak continues to match Houston's losing streak, as both are now at 9 games. Hoes went 1 for 3 with a walk and a K today.
*Matt Dominguez singled twice and went 2 for 4.
*Jose Altuve shook off back-to-back 0-fers and went 1 for 4.
*Jonathan Villar and Carlos Corporan each went 1 for 4 with 2 K apiece.
*Marc Krauss doubled twice and scored the other Astros run, finishing 2 for 4 with a K.
*L.J. Hoes' hitting streak continues to match Houston's losing streak, as both are now at 9 games. Hoes went 1 for 3 with a walk and a K today.
*Matt Dominguez singled twice and went 2 for 4.
*Jose Altuve shook off back-to-back 0-fers and went 1 for 4.
*Jonathan Villar and Carlos Corporan each went 1 for 4 with 2 K apiece.
Turning Point:
The Astros took a 1-0 lead into the 4th inning and loaded the bases with no outs. A double play on Trevor Crowe made it 2-0 Houston, but Hoes followed with a K to end the inning with minimal damage for Cleveland. Then the Indians didn't stay down for long, as the bottom of the 4th went single, double, ground out, walk, strike out, single, single, to put Cleveland ahead for good at 3-2.
Man of the Match:
cHRis Carter, again. Now one home run away from becoming Houston's first 30 HR guy since Lance Berkman (34) and Carlos Lee (32) both did it back in 2007.
Goat of the Game:
Erik Bedard. Though Humber and De Leon really weren't any better, either.
