Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) – The Cleveland Indians came within two outs
of throwing a combined no-hitter in a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros on
Thursday.
Their bid for the franchise’s first no-no in 34 years ended when Jed Lowrie
homered off Cleveland’s fourth pitcher, Nick Hagadone, in the ninth inning.
Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer (1-0) was taken out after throwing 111 pitches
in six innings. He struck out a career-high 11 batters and walked five.
Kyle Crockett pitched the seventh inning for Cleveland, giving up a walk, and
Scott Atchison also walked one in the eighth but kept the no-hitter intact.
Roberto Perez homered and knocked in two runs for the Indians, who won two
straight after dropping Monday’s season opener. Jose Ramirez hit a solo home
run, stole two bases and scored twice.
Asher Wojciechowski (0-1) gave up four runs on eight hits and walked two over
four-plus innings in his major league debut for Houston.
Michael Bourn drove Wojciechowski’s second pitch of the game off the left-
field wall for a leadoff double, moved to third base on Ramirez’s bunt single
and scored when Jason Kipnis flied out to the warning track in left.
Cleveland started the second inning the same way, with Yan Gomes hitting a
leadoff double. Wojciechowski retired the next two batters before Perez
singled to right field. George Springer’s throw to the plate arrived in plenty
of time get Gomes, but Hank Conger failed to apply the tag.
Perez made it 3-0 with a two-out blast to left-center field in the fourth and
Ramirez led off the fifth with a drive to right.
Ramirez worked a leadoff walk in the seventh, stole second and advanced to
third on a groundout before scoring on a fielder’s choice. Carlos Santana hit
a chopper to first baseman Chris Carter, but Ramirez beat the throw home.
Game Notes
Len Barker threw the Indians’ last no-hitter on May 15, 1981, a 3-0 win over
Toronto … Cleveland outfielder Michael Brantley missed his second straight
game because of lower back stiffness … Houston designated hitter Evan Gattis
was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts for the second consecutive game.
