McCullers Shuts Down Indians as Astros Top Tribe 3-1; Three Takeaways From the Loss

The Indians and Astros played an entertaining finale in Houston in front of a National TV crowd on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, but the Tribe bats were sound

The Indians and Astros played an entertaining finale in Houston in front of a National TV crowd on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, but the Tribe bats were sound asleep for most of the night as Houston won the wrap up of the three-game set with a 3-1 win.

How quiet were the Indians bats Sunday night? They were held scoreless till the ninth, and managed just three hits, both of which came after Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. pitched five perfect innings.

Now at 22-23, the Indians will get on a plane and head to Chicago, as they will take on the Cubs for two games after a day off on Monday.

Here's three takeaways on Sunday's setback.

1. Hard Luck for Carrasco

Carlos Carrasco got no favors from the Indians offense, and deserved a better fate in the Tribe 3-0 loss on Sunday night.

He threw well despite giving up the two-run bomb to Brian McCann, and in 7.2 innings allowed three runs on eight hits with one walk and six K's.

Yes he did have to escape some jams early in the game, and Lance McCullers Jr. will get all the praise in this one, but Carrasco, who drops to 5-3 with the loss, didn't pitch badly at all in this setback.

2. About That 'O'

The Indians walked out of Houston after a solid effort on Saturday with a rough night at the plate on Sunday, scoring a single run in the final frame in the 3-1 loss.

They were held in check by Lance McCullers Jr., who breezed through the first five innings throwing a perfect game and looking like he might make history.

Then Jason Kipnis started the sixth breaking up the no-no, and then nine hitter Greg Allen also got a hit, and Michael Brantley doubled and eventually scored in the ninth - but other than that - the offense was nowhere to be found.

The top three in the Tribe order who have led the way the last few weeks, Lindor, Brantley and Ramirez, went a combined
1-for-13 with three strikeouts.

3. Melky's Debut

The Indians offense had a new player in the lineup on Sunday night, as Melky Cabrera played in right field, hitting in the sixth spot for the Tribe during the 3-1 loss.

As was most of the lineup, he was quiet, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

He did make the teams' best play on defense, throwing out Alex Bregman going from first to third on single to right by Jose Altuve in the first inning.

It's a small sample size, but with multiple injuries in the outfield, we will likely get to see what Cabrera can do over the next few weeks at the Major League level and if he can add some spark to the Tribe.