Corey Kluber, Indians blank Astros 2

Kluber shut down Houston for 6 2-3 innings and got his first win since May 28, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 2-0 victory over the Astros on Tuesday night.

CLEVELAND (AP) – Vincent Velasquez couldn’t stay zero and zero forever.

Dozier lined a 2-1 pitch from Tommy Hunter (2-2) into the left field seats for his 17th home run of the season.

Carrasco, who had a ideal game through 7 1-3 innings and struck out a career-high 13 against the Rays, gave up 10 hits and struck out five. Keuchel leads the American League with 11 wins, is second in ERA (2.14), and tops the Major Leagues in innings pitched. He gave up 10 total hits in his shortest outing since April 14. Sometimes when I made my pitches, they hit them, too.

Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco (10-7), who came within one out of pitching a no-hitter in his last start July 1 in Tampa Bay, only lasted four innings in this one.

“He went away from the things that make him good”, manager Terry Francona said.

“I’d like to, but it’s nothing I’m going to fret over”, Keuchel said.

Johnson launched a two-run homer to right field in the first off Kyle Lohse.

NOTES: Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis was selected to the AL All-Star team for the second time in the past three years. With Tucker at second base and shortstop Carlos Correa at first, designated hitter Evan Gattis lined a single to center field, scoring Tucker with the first run of the game.

“Kipnis has been as good as anybody at any position this year”, Astros manager A.J.

Keuchel becomes the first Astros pitcher to make the All-Star Team since Roy Oswalt did so in 2007.

Francona agreed, saying, “Jason hasn’t taken his foot off the gas this season, ever”.

Catcher Yan Gomes added a pair of doubles for Cleveland, while right fielder Brandon Moss had two hits and two RBIs.

The Astros starter was left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who before the game was named to the American League All-Star team and would seem to have a good chance to start that game.

With the loss, the Indians are 15-24 at Progressive Field, the worst home record in the American League.

“I was struggling the whole night”, Keuchel said.

While the starting pitcher for the All-Star Game is yet to be determined, Keuchel has pitched himself into the conversation. They want to see the best players. “I think I’ll be refreshed for the second half”. That allowed Santana to score from first and Moss to reach third, cutting the Astros lead to 5-2.

Astros: RHP Chad Qualls (pinched nerve in neck) will begin a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday with Double A-Corpus Christi. Qualls has been on the disabled list since June 25.

Indians: DH Nick Swisher (left knee soreness) is on the 15-day DL, while RHP Josh Tomlin (right shoulder surgery) and RHP Gavin Floyd (right elbow surgery) are on the 60-day DL.

If he starts the game, he will be the first ex- Hog to start an All-Star game on the mound since left handed pitcher Cliff Lee started the 2008 All-Star game while a member of the Cleveland Indians. He’s 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two career appearances versus the Astros.