Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa, right, is congratulated by Jose Altuve after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Eli Morgan during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa celebrates after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Eli Morgan in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi delivers in the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Indians’ Bobby Bradley slides into second for a double next to Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa (1) during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Eli Morgan (49) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Houston Astros’ Abraham Toro, right, is congratulated by teammate Garrett Stubbs after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Eli Morgan in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Indians’ Bobby Bradley, right, avoids colliding with Bradley Zimmer to catch a ball hit by Houston Astros’ Taylor Jons in the fourth inning of a baseball game,Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, right, congratulates Eddie Rosario after Rosario scored a run on a fielder’s choice hit into by Indians’ Bradley Zimmer in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
Houston Astros’ Robel Garcia (9) chases down Cleveland Indians’ Bradley Zimmer, front, in the fourth inning of a baseball game,Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Grinding through a rugged stretch of their schedule, the Astros came to town reeling and badly needing some rest.
Jake Odorizzi controlled Cleveland’s hitters for six innings, Carlos Correa homered and Houston didn’t miss a beat despite being down a couple stars in a 3-2 win on Saturday night over the banged-up Indians, who have lost a season-high five straight.
Odorizzi (3-3) allowed one earned run and four hits while pitching into the seventh. The right-hander, slowed by injuries the past two years, has only allowed two runs over 20 innings in his last four starts.
“It’s nice to get a little deeper into the game,” Odorizzi said. “I’m fully back.”
So, it seems, are the Astros.
They arrived in Cleveland in the wee hours Friday morning after being swept at home by Baltimore. But they’ve won three straight in this four-game series, and manager Dusty Baker has been able to sit some top players.
“I know they’re tired, but they’re digging deep,” said Baker, who rested second baseman José Altuve and is looking forward to a break in the schedule on Monday. “This was a big win for us.”
Houston’s bullpen, shaky for much of the season, came through. Ryne Stanek and Cristian Javier worked an inning apiece before Ryan Pressly pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 14th save in 15 chances.
