Cleveland @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2012 ) Cleveland 2, Houston 0
The Cleveland Indians go for their fifth consecutive victory Saturday afternoon when they continue their three-game interleague series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Cleveland matched a season high with its fourth straight win Friday as Ubaldo Jimenez and three relievers combined on a four-hit shutout in the first meeting between the teams since July 17, 2001. The Indians, who were kicking off a 10-game road trip, moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
The Astros fell to 1-3 on their 10-game homestand despite an impressive performance by Lucas Harrell, who allowed a leadoff triple in the first inning and nothing else until Johnny Damon's one-out single in the seventh. Houston, which has lost six of its last seven games overall and five of six at home, has scored a total of one run over its last three contests.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Jeanmar Gomez (4-6, 4.95 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (0-0, 1.80 ERA)
Gomez has lost four of his last five starts, including a setback to Pittsburgh on Sunday in which he allowed eight runs - four earned - in just 4 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old Venezuelan has surrendered at least five runs in four of his last five outings. Gomez is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in six road starts this season.
Keuchel will be making his second career appearance. The 24-year-old was solid in his major-league debut Sunday at Texas, allowing one run and four hits over five innings, but settled for a no-decision. Keuchel went 5-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 13 outings with Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to joining the Astros.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland had collected at least 10 hits in four straight games before settling for four on Friday.
2. Indians OF Michael Brantley has recorded a hit in 27 of his last 28 contests.
3. The Astros have gone 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position over their last two games.