The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)

Gonzalez, Bregman lift Astros

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HOUSTON — Marwin Gonzalez hit a go-ahead, two-run double, Alex Bregman homered for the second straight day and the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Indians 3-1 Saturday to take a 2-0 AL Division Series lead.

Gerrit Cole struck out 12 and walked none, combining with two relievers on Houston’s second straight three-hitter. He allowed Francisco Lindor’s thirdinnin­g homer.

Gonzalez put the Astros ahead in the sixth with the third of his four hits, an opposite-field double to right off usually reliable reliever Andrew Miller.

Bregman homered against Trevor Bauer in the seventh, and the World Series champions moved within a win of a second straight trip to the AL Championsh­ip Series.

Dallas Keuchel starts for the Astros when the series resumes Monday in Cleveland. Mike Clevinger is scheduled to pitch for the Indians.

Cole followed Monday’s solid start from Justin Verlander by allowing one run and three hits in seven innings, joining Tom Seaver (1973) as the only pitchers to strike out at least 12 batters without a walk in a postseason game.

Ryan Pressly got two outs, and Roberto Osuna walked one in a four-out save.

Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco allowed two runs and six hits in 5 1⁄3 innings.

The AL Central champion Indians have three runs in the two games and are batting .100 (6 for 60). Jose Ramirez, Edwin ncarnacion and Josh Donaldson have combined to go 1 for 22.

Jose Altuve singled leading off the sixth but slipped as he left the batter’s box and was limping after reaching first base. Manager AJ Hinch and a trainer came out to check on Altuve, who remained in the game.

Bregman walked and one out later, Cleveland brought in Miller, the dominating left-hander who was MVP of the 2016 AL Championsh­ip Series but has been slowed by injuries this year.

The switch-hitting Gonzalez turned around and hit right-handed. He fouled off a slider, then doubled on a fastball.

Miller had allowed just one previous inherited runner to score in the postseason, on a sacrifice fly by Boston’s David Ortiz in Game 3 of the 2016 AL Division Series.

 ?? Associated Press ?? From left, Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, outfielder George Springer, outfielder Jake Marisnick and Myles Straw celebrate Saturday’s win.
Associated Press From left, Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, outfielder George Springer, outfielder Jake Marisnick and Myles Straw celebrate Saturday’s win.

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