Big HR, big ‘D’ keep Astros 2 games back

CLEVELAND — The Indians have one glaring weak spot in their rotation, and the Astros took advantage of it on Monday night. In a 6-2 victory over Cleveland, Houston rookie Alex Bregman launched a key home run and helped his offense capitalize on the Tribe’s bullpen day.

Without a clear fifth starter, the American League Central-leading Indians used an all-hands-on-deck approach for the opener of this four-game series. Cleveland gave reliever Mike Clevinger the start; he was one of eight Indians pitchers to appear in the loss, which shaved the Tribe’s division lead over Detroit to 4 1/2 games.

Houston remains two games back of the AL’s second Wild Card spot.

Bregman’s two-run blast in the third, combined with an RBI double from Jose Altuve in the first and a three-run outburst in the seventh, helped back an effective outing by Houston right-hander Mike Fiers. Fiers went five innings, in which he allowed two runs on seven hits. Jose Ramirez contributed an RBI single in the third and Mike Napoli belted his 30th home run of the season in the fifth.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDBregman’s tear continues: The rookie third baseman, who clobbered his seventh homer of the season in the third off reliever Jeff Manship, is slowly getting his numbers up after a 2-for-38 start to his career. He’s now hit safely in 25 of his last 28 games, batting .333 in that stretch. He has seven homers and 22 RBIs in his last 19 games.

Just keep swimming: …

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