Indians 9, Astros 2
Indians 9, Astros 2: Michael Bourn ripped a two-run triple and Michael Brantley had a pair of RBI singles among his three hits as host Cleveland completed a four-game sweep of lowly Houston.
Mike Aviles also collected a pair of run-scoring singles and Jason Kipnis registered a three-hit performance. Carlos Santana homered and joined Asdrubal Cabrera by scoring twice for the Indians, who have won 14 of 19 to remain a half-game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the race for the wild card in the American League.
The offense was more than enough for Corey Kluber (10-5), who extended his undefeated streak to 11 starts after allowing two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
After Houston jumped out to a 2-0 lead, Cleveland got its offense in gear in the fourth inning. Santana's RBI trimmed the deficit before Brantley and Aviles delivered two-out singles against Erik Bedard (4-12). Brantley increased the lead with his second RBI single before Bourn plated two with a triple off Philip Humber and came around to score on Nick Swisher's sacrifice fly.
Chris Carter homered for the second straight day for the Astros, who have dropped a season-high nine straight games.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Indians became the first team since the 1961 New York Yankees to record six four-game sweeps in a season. ... Bedard permitted six runs on eight hits in five innings. ... Cleveland visits the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday to open an abbreviated two-game series. Houston wraps up a seven-game road trip by beginning a three-game series versus Texas on Monday.