Game 70: Astros 8, Indians 1

This might be the start that gives Zach McAllister a spot in the rotation.

Jeanmar Gomez seemed to be doing well through the first several inning; he didn't allow a base runner until the fifth inning, but after Brian Bogusevic doubled to lead off the fifth, Gomez's start imploded. Chris Johnson drove in Bogusevic with a double, and after Jason Castro fly out, he allowed first a two-run homer, then a solo shot. From a perfect game to losing a quality start in five batters.

If you're making the decision on Gomez, do you give him credit for pitching four perfect innings, or do you just chalk that up to the hitters not having faced him before? I think they should make the move now, as including today, it's been six straight starts without him going at least six innings, and in five out of the last six starts he's given up at least five earned runs. With the Indians bullpen as currently constituted, and with the offense not having nearly the firepower to consistently keep in high-scoring games, those types of starts are almost automatic team losses.

The offense was shut down by Dallas Keuchel, who was making his second major-league start. The Houston southpaw went the full nine innings, throwing only 108 pitches to complete the game. The 24-year-old didn't break 90 mph on any of his pitches and only struck out three, but he was still very effective, with the only blemish on the day an Asdrubal Cabrera solo home run in the fourth inning. That he was left-handed probably contributed greatly to the length of effectiveness of his outing.

The tradition of front-end relief blowups continued, with Jeremy Accardo giving up three runs in the eighth inning, putting the game totally out of reach. Accardo gave up four extra-base hits in the single inning of work, including the third Astro homer on the day.

Source: FanGraphs