Correa keys Astros' big inning in 6-3 win over Indians

CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Correa sparked Houston’s four-run third inning with an RBI double and the Astros beat the injury-riddled Cleveland Indians 6-3 for the second straight night on Friday.

Houston came to town having lost five of six, including a three-game sweep at home to Baltimore, but have looked like the team that won 11 in a row before hitting the rough patch.

“We scored early and we held on,” Houston manager Dusty Baker said. “That was a big game for us to win.”

The Indians, who have lost six of seven, added third baseman José Ramírez to their injury list that gets longer each day. He was scratched shortly before the game because of a sore left elbow that occurred diving for a ball Thursday. Ramírez returned after missing a game Wednesday when he fouled a ball off his left cheek.

“He has a pretty good bone bruise, so when he gets to extension in his swing, it was kind of grabbing at him a little bit,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He got treatment pretty much most of the night. We’ll see how he shows up tomorrow.”

Lance McCullers Jr. (6-1) won his fifth straight decision. The right-hander was charged with two runs in 5 2/3 innings. McCullers was pulled with two runners on in the sixth and César Hernández followed with a three-run homer off Brooks Raley.

The Indians loaded the bases against Blake Taylor with two outs in the eighth, but Harold Ramirez struck out. Ryan Presley allowed a leadoff single in the ninth, but recorded his 13th save in 14 chances.

“Those losses against Baltimore were not ideal but we’ve been playing good baseball and we’re back to winning ballgames,” McCullers said.

Designated hitter Franmil Reyes was activated Friday after being out since May 23 with a strained oblique and was 3 for 5. Óscar Mercado also had three hits but...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Correa-keys-Astros-big-inning-in-6-3-win-over-16291251.php