A controversial call in the third inning, followed by some clutch hits for Cleveland, helped the Indians pull off a 10-7 victory over the Astros on Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Tribe salvaged a split of the four-game series at Progressive Field.
The victory helped the American League Central-leading Indians increase their lead to six games over the second-place Tigers. Houston, meanwhile, slipped to 2 1/2 games back of the Orioles for the AL’s second Wild Card spot.
“We know every game is important, and there’s no letting down,” said Cleveland’s Mike Napoli. “Detroit has a good team. By no means are they out of this. I’ve seen leads shrink pretty quick. Our goal is to have the best record in the American League and try to have home-field advantage.”
Left fielder Abraham Almonte contributed a two-run triple, and first baseman Carlos Santana launched his 30th home run in the fifth, but it was a call by home-plate umpire Jim Joyce in the third that helped sway the momentum for Cleveland. What looked like a foul ball by Lonnie Chisenhall was deemed a wild pitch, allowing the runs to score and paving the way for a four-run outburst in the inning.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” Indians starter Trevor Bauer said. “That was a big inning for us. I’m glad it turned out that way. I still don’t really know what happened there, but I’m glad it worked out for us.”
All four runs in the third were charged to rookie righty David Paulino, who lasted only three innings in his Major League debut for the Astros. Yulieski Gurriel (solo shot in the fourth) and Colby Rasmus (two-run blast in the sixth) each connected for a home run off Bauer, but the damage had been done.
Almonte ended the afternoon with a double, triple and outfield assist. Shortstop Francisco Lindor added two hits and three RBIs for Cleveland, while rookie Alex Bregman knocked in three of Houston’s runs. Bregman doubled home a run in the first and later added an RBI triple in a two-run seventh.
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