Carlos Carrasco gets to heart of matter in Cleveland Indians' 2-0 win over Houston

HOUSTON -- Right-hander Carlos Carrasco, following his breakout season last year, underwent heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic on Oct. 8 for heart palpitations.

He told FoxSports.com that itplayed a part in him signing a four-year, $22 extension with the Indians, reportedly against the advice of his agents and the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Carrasco, however, wanted security for his family and Wednesday night he pitched like a man secure in the knowledge that he made the right decision as the Indians beat Houston, 2-0, at Minute Maid Park.

In 6 1/3 innings, Carrasco did not allow a run as he struck out 10 and walked three. In his last two starts against Houston, he's thrown 15 1/3 scoreless innings with 22 strikeouts, two walks and five hits.

Carrasco, in four career appearances against the Astros, has allowed one earned run in 22 1/3 innings. He's struck out 31 and walked three in those four games.

When asked about the heart procedure before Wednesday's game, manager Terry Francona said, "It's safe to say we were comfortable that he was getting the right medical treatment and that he would be fine."

The Indians said they did not announce that Carrasco had heart surgery because it wasn't a baseball-related procedure. In spring training, however, the symptoms returned and Carrasco had to resume taking medication.

The Indians' offense consisted of solo homers by Carlos Santana in the fourth and Mike Aviles in the eighth.

Nice sequence

In the sixth, with the tying run on second base, Carrasco struck out Luis Valbuena on a 82 mph curve for the second out.

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Carlos Carrasco gets to heart of matter in Cleveland Indians' 2-0 win over Houston