Cleveland's Season Ends As Astros Sweep Tribe 3-0

CLEVELAND — For six innings it seemed like the Tribe had regained their form and would make the American League Division Series a real match-up. Then the 7th inning happened and Trevor Bauer threw Cleveland's World Series aspirations away.

Heading into the top of the 7th, the Indians were leading 2-1, with Bauer on the mound. With runners on, Jose Altuve grounded into a fielder's choice, though, and sent Astros designated hitter Tony Kemp home in the process. The game was knotted at two runs apiece.

Then Bauer loaded the bases and gave up two more runs on a double to Marwin Gonzalez, letting Houston take the lead 4-2. Indians Manager Terry Francona pulled Bauer from the game but the damage was done. The series was lost and the wheels came off.

Houston scored seven (yes, seven) more runs to make the final score of the decisive Game 3 of the ALDS 11-3.

It's an ugly way for a good season to end, but only one team gets be named champion, and all others have to settle for also-ran status. For Clevelanders, it was another disappointment in an unpolished string of disappointments. Northeast Ohioans have had to endure a lot of very good seasons being squandered in the post-season, but the anguish of watching a beloved team stumble never gets easier.

Fans were raw in the moments after the game. Some called for the team to be gutted. Others wanted Francona fired. A few made jokes.

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Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images