Indians even up series, down Astros 7-6

Wednesday night gave us a glimpse why any Indians/Astros game this season is going to be interesting. In a seesaw battle through nine innings with rallies from both teams, the Cleveland Indians defeated the Houston Astros 7-6. They even up the series with the AL West leaders, but it wasn't easy getting there. Let's take a look!

LF Michael Brantley

Calling Dr. Smooth!
There's an old saying, "You don't know what you have until it's gone." This is definitely true for the Indians lineup when it comes to Michael Brantley. The Tribe is a good team without him, but when he's in the lineup, they're dangerous! In Wednesday night's game, Brantley's RBI double started a three-run rally for the Tribe in the bottom of the first, allowing them to grab the early 3-0 lead. After the Astros scored a pair of runs to answer in the top of the 4th to make it 3-2, Dr. Smooth went back to work. Brantley gave the Tribe a little breathing room by smacking a two-run single down the right field line to give the Indians a 5-2 lead. Brantley was 2 for 4 on the night with 3 RBIs. So far, he's hitting .318 for the season.

LHP Andrew Miller

Dynamic Duo
This one definitely had its share of pressure-packed moments, but the Indians have two pitchers who thrive in high-pressure situations in Andrew Miller and Cody Allen. After Carlos Santana's error allowed the Astros to put a runner on first in the top of the seventh with one out, things seemed to snowball. (Editor's tangent: The Tribe has committed 10 errors in the last week! Not good, I can hear Hannah getting out the ice cream from the freezer). A walk and a hit batter later, Miller found himself in a bases-loaded jam with one out. But then the big lefty showed exactly why the Indians traded for him at the deadline last summer. He struck out a pair to leave the bases loaded heading to the bottom the seventh!

RHP Cody Allen

The bullpen ran into trouble again in the top of the eighth. Brian Shaw looked like he was going to have a scoreless inning, but after he allowed a two-run double to cut the lead to 7-6, Cody Allen came on for the rare four-out save. Allen got the Indians to the ninth unscathed and then shut the door for his fourth save of the season. He is 4-for-4 in save opportunities.

Next Up
The Indians look to go for the series win tomorrow night with their ace Corey Kluber on the mound, while the Astros counter by sending righty Mike Fiers to the hill. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. on SportsTime Ohio!

Fun Stat of the Night
With his most recent save, Cody Allen now has 14 four-out saves since 2014, the most in Major League Baseball.

Players of the Game: Andrew Miller and Cody Allen


WP: Trevor Bauer (2-2, 6.26 ERA)
LP: Lance McCullers (2-1, 4.34 ERA)
SV: Cody Allen (4)

Sources:
Cleveland Indians team website
SportsTime Ohio game broadcast