The Cleveland Indians will send veteran Derek Lowe to the mound Sunday at Minute Maid Park as the Tribe try to pad a slim American League Central lead.
Cleveland needs a return to early-season form from Lowe (7-5, 4.30 ERA), who’s given up seven earned runs in two of his past three starts. In 12 career starts against Houston, though, Lowe boasts a 3.58 ERA.
J.A. Happ (5-7, 5.15 ERA) earns the start for Houston. The lefty has been at his best at home, with seven of his nine quality starts on the season coming at Minute Maid. After allowing eight earned runs June 13 at San Francisco, Happ held the Royals to two runs and four hits over six innings June 18 to earn his fifth win.
The Indians’ lead in the AL Central over the Chicago White Sox dropped to just half a game after Chicago rallied for an 8-6 win over Milwaukee Saturday night.
Cleveland outfielder Johnny Damon appears to be getting back on track: he’s 6-for-15 with a home run and two doubles in his past five games with three RBIs during that span.
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