Anderson, ‘pen impress despite walk-off loss

HOUSTON — It’s not often you hear the losing pitcher’s night described as “outstanding,” especially when he was on the mound as the other team walked it off.

That was Cody Anderson’s fate in Wednesday’s 5-3, 16-inning loss to the Astros, as the starter-turned-last-resort reliever shut Houston down for three innings before Marwin Gonzalez took him deep to end the game.

“You always set out to win the game and you get that deep into a game and it hurts when you lose, but he threw the ball really well,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “You get into an extra-inning game on the road, you’re a pitch away from going home and that hurts. But I’m really pleased with the way he attacked with his pitches.”

Anderson’s valiant effort in an unusual role was just one amongst a slew of impressive relief innings. It bordered on absurd by the four-hour mark of the game. Cleveland utilized all eight bullpen arms and two starters over the course of the 16 innings, and even combined no-hit Houston for 8 2/3 frames.

But Anderson was at the center of it and also the last straw. The team had already decided on Tuesday it was moving Anderson’s …

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