Coming off a 10-9 extra-innings home win over the Guardians, the Houston Astros came back to play Cleveland for game two of the three-game series. The Astros tied the game at two late in the ball game but the Guardians scored in extra innings to win 3-2 and drop Houston’s record to 10-20 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Justin Verlander got the call to start in Wednesday night’s matchup for the Astros and gave up just one hit to Guardians leadoff hitter Steven Kwan as he hit a single on the second pitch of the game.
It was a common theme in the second and third innings as well for Verlander, allowing a hit in each of them but not surrendering a run as David Fry and Brayan Rocchio recorded singles. In the third, Rocchio got caught stealing second base to end the inning.
It was quick three-up-three-down innings for the Astros in the first and second as Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman struck out while Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Jeremy Pena, and Jon Singleton all made contact but ended up flying out.
Joey Loperfido was making his second major league start and recorded Houston’s first hit with a single into center field. Mauricio Dubon reached first on a fielder’s choice by Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie but McKenzie overthrew second base as Loperfido reached second and was in scoring position. Altuve hit into a double play to end the inning and kept the game scoreless.
Verlander walked Andres Gimenez and Jose Ramirez but Josh Naylor lined out in center field and Fry hit into a double play to send it to the top of the fourth.
After another quick inning by Houston, the Guardians put up the game’s first couple of runs. Will Brennan on a 2-0 count went yard for the solo home run over the right-center field wall. Then, Rocchio walked with two outs and Kwan hit the RBI double to give Cleveland the two-run lead.
Houston cut into the Guardian lead at the bottom of the sixth. Dubon doubled into left field then Altuve hit a single deep into center field to make it a 2-1 game in favor of Cleveland. Tucker then led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo shot into right-center field that went 422 feet to tie the ball game.
Rafael Montero made an appearance on the mound to begin the eighth inning and ended Verlander’s night. The 41-year-old right-handed pitcher’s final stats were six hits and two runs allowed in seven innings of work. Verlander also struck out two and walked three on the night. Montero allowed a single to Gimenez but kept the game tied as we headed to the bottom of the eighth.
Scott Barlow came in at the bottom of the frame and gave up a lead-off double to Dubon that went down the third base line. Altuve hit to third base and got out at first but advanced Dubon to third. Bregman hit an infield flyout that kept Dubon stationary but manager Stephen Vogt brought in left-handed relief pitcher Tim Herrin to face Alvarez with a runner in scoring position. Alvarez made contact but lined out into right field to end the inning and strand Dubon.
Ryan Pressly closed out for Houston on the mound and allowed a hit to Brennan but retired Fry, Estevan Florial, and Bo Naylor to send it to the bottom of the ninth.
With one out in the ninth, Herrin gave up a single to Pena and was replaced by Cade Smith. Yainer Diaz pinch-hit for Singleton and reached first after Pena got out at second but the throw to first base misfired and Diaz advanced to second. Victor Caratini lined out in right field and sent it to extra innings.
Shawn Dubin was on the mound for Houston at the top of the 10th and walked Rocchio to put runners on first and second. Kwan then hit the RBI double to give Cleveland the one-run lead. Gimenez walked to load the bases but Dubin struck out Ramirez and Naylor hit into a double play as Houston headed to the plate.
Emmanuel Clase struck out Loperfido and Dubon lined out into a double play as Caratini didn’t tag up after the catch. That play secured the 3-2 win for Cleveland and dropped Houston’s record to 10-20.
BIG NUMBER: 2
For two nights in a row, it took extra innings to decide a winner between the Astros and the Guardians. Joey Loperfido also made his second career major league start on Wednesday night.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Steven Kwan
The leadoff man for the Guardians had a good night as he recorded three hits and two RBI on five at-bats as Cleveland got the 3-2 extra innings win on Wednesday.
UP NEXT: The Houston Astros and Cleveland Guardians will play game three on Thursday, May 2nd. First pitch at Minute Maid Ballpark is scheduled for 7:10 and you can listen to the action on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.