Well, the Indians on Tuesday had one of the ugliest first innings you’re likely to see in a major league game. The game was ugly from the front and from the back. See that photo of Carlos Carrasco pitching below this paragraph? See how Carlos Correa of the Astros is on base? Multiply that image of an Astro baserunner about 19 times.

The Indians have a problem winning at home this season. They have the 5th-best road record at 23-20 (.535), but are just 15-23 (.395) at Progressive Field this season. That’s the second-lowest home winning percentage in the majors (thank heavens for the Brewers). As I noted in the Game Thread, going into tonight’s game, the Indians were 26-8 when scoring first and 12-35 when their opponent scores first. The visitor bats first at Progressive Field. And when the visitor has the second-best record in the American League, they’re going to score first. And boy did they.

Carlos Carrasco gave up 4 runs in the 1st inning on 39 pitches. By contrast, it took Dallas Keuchel just 12 pitches to put away the Tribe in their half of the first. Things just sort of went along like that for the rest of the night.

The Astros hit at will, with a total of 16 hits, 3 walks, and 2 home runs. Sure they struck out 12 times. That didn’t slow them down. They were 6-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The Indians had 10 hits–9 of which came off of starter Dallas Keuchel. Apparently that’s the most hits he’s given up in one game all year. So bully for us. However, when  your team goes 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position, all those hits don’t mean much. Final score, Astros 9, Indians 4. Another frustrating loss.

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