The Houston Astros finally completed their long stretch of 20 games in 20 days in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon with a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in extra innings.
How It Happened;
It was a real pitcher’s duel in the early goings, but Chas McCormick broke the stalemate in the top of the fourth with a well-hit two-out single to center field that got Myles Straw across home plate.
However, the Indians responded in the bottom of the fifth with Roberto Perez’s sac bunt setting the stage for Bradley Zimmer grounding out to Zack Grienke and Bobby Bradley was able to reach home safely after the throw to first.
McCormick responded in a big way in the top of the sixth with a two-run blast to take a 3-1 lead. Eddie Rosario followed that up with a solo shot in the bottom frame to cut the lead to one run.
Cesar Hernandez followed that up with a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the eighth to even things up at three.
It remained knotted at three apiece and the fans at Progressive Field got free baseball and Yuli Gurriel quickly gave the Astros the lead one final time in the tenth, scoring off of a forceout by Jason Castro. The Indians window of opportunity slammed shut when Roberto Perez had a bunt pop-up that was caught by Brooks Raley then threw to Correa to also throw out Harold Ramirez at second. Raley then finished the afternoon off with a strikeout of Oscar Mercado to complete the series sweep.
Big Number: 15
The Houston Astros are coming out of their 20-game stretch smelling like a rose for the most part, going 15-5. There was a rough patch in between that saw Houston get swept by the Baltimore Orioles, but it was an impressive run for the franchise that put them into the driver’s seat in the AL West as they near the All-Star break.
Player of the Game: Chas McCormick
McCormick was the lone batter in the Astros lineup with a multi-hit game and his hits may have been the most important on July 4th, including a two-run blast in the sixth that gave them the lead back.
Next Up: Tuesday vs Oakland A’s; First Pitch at 7:10