Chirinos’ home run helps Astros split series with Tribe

Associated Press

HOUSTON

Robinson Chirinos hit a tie-breaking three-run homer in a four-run seventh inning to give the Houston Astros a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday night.

The Astros were unable to do much against Carlos Carrasco (2-3) early and had just one hit when former Indian Michael Brantley singled with one out in the seventh. Yuli Gurriel then hit a two-out, two-strike RBI double to end a streak of 17 scoreless innings for Carrasco.

The Indians intentionally walked Josh Reddick before Chirinos sent the next pitch over the train tracks atop the wall in left field and out of the stadium.

The Astros won the final two games to earn a split of the four-game set with Cleveland, a rematch of last year’s AL Division Series in which Houston earned a three-game sweep.

Houston also moved into first place in the AL West.

Wade Miley yielded six hits and one run in 52/3 innings. The lefty struck out three and walked two.

Framber Valdez (1-1) yielded one hit in two innings. Ryan Pressly allowed one hit and no runs in the ninth for his second save.

Carlos Santana put the Indians ahead in the fourth with his 200th career homer, but Cleveland had trouble stringing hits together. The Indians went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

Cleveland had a chance in the fifth when Roberto Perez and Jake Bauers hit consecutive singles with no outs before a two-out single by Jose Ramirez loaded the bases. But Miley got Santana to ground out.

Carrasco sailed through the first five innings, retiring 15 of the first 16 batters he faced with seven strikeouts.

Houston’s only baserunner through five came on a second-inning single by Carlos Correa.

Carrasco allowed six hits and four runs, striking out eight, in 62/3 innings.