Astros band together, hold off rallying Indians

CLEVELAND — The cards were seemingly stacked against the Astros on Tuesday night. Last year’s American League Cy Young Award winner, Dallas Keuchel, was scratched from his scheduled start, forcing Houston to use a patchwork pitching staff opposite Tribe ace Corey Kluber.

The Astros made it work in a 4-3 win, in which Brad Peacock turned in an admirable effort — although abbreviated — while Marwin Gonzalez and Alex Bregman did the heavy lifting on offense. Kluber flinched only briefly on this night, but it was just enough to allow Houston to deal the ’14 AL Cy Young winner his first loss since July 3.

Kluber, who has been one of the game’s top arms again this season, was charged with four runs on four hits in his seven innings. The right-hander ended with nine strikeouts and three walks, including two that came just prior to a three-run homer by Gonzalez in the second. Bregman used a triple to bring one more run in for Houston in the third.

Carlos Santana belted his 29th home run in the eighth off Houston’s Luke Gregerson. The Indians added a run in the ninth against closer Ken Giles, but that was as far as their comeback bid went.

With the loss, Cleveland’s lead atop the AL Central was trimmed to four games, pending the result of Detroit’s game against the White Sox. The Astros, who are 13-4 in their last 17 games, remained two back for the AL’s second Wild Card spot.

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