CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie right-hander Cody Anderson pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning, his latest splendid performance for Cleveland as the Indians defeated the Houston Astros 3-1 on Thursday night.

Making his fourth major league start, Anderson (2-1) allowed Hank Conger’s leadoff homer in the third but little else. He struck out one and walked two in 6 2-3 innings.

Anderson has given up three earned runs in 30 1-3 innings for a 0.89 ERA since being called up from Triple-A Columbus on June 21.

Houston starter Brett Oberholtzer (2-2) took a shutout into the sixth before Cleveland scored three times. Touted rookie Francisco Lindor tied the game with a leadoff homer. Ryan Raburn’s RBI double put the Indians ahead, and Carlos Santana’s triple made it 3-1.

Cody Allen allowed a single and a walk in the ninth, but retired Evan Gattis on a popup for his 18th save.

The Indians took three of four from the AL West leaders. The Astros started the season 18-7 but are 31-32 since May 3. Houston is 2-5 on its 10-game road trip that continues Friday at Tampa Bay.

Anderson has given Cleveland’s rotation an unexpected boost from the No. 5 spot. He became the first pitcher to throw at least 7 2-3 innings in each of his first three starts since Pittsburgh’s Tim Wakefield in 1992.

Anderson pitched 7 2-3 shutout innings and got a no-decision in his big league debut against Tampa Bay. Eight days later, he took a perfect game into the seventh against the Rays that was broken up by Grady Sizemore’s home run. He went eight innings and earned the win. Anderson also held Pittsburgh to one run in eight innings Saturday, but lost 1-0.

Oberholtzer, recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday, allowed three runs in five-plus innings.

Lindor’s second career homer barely cleared the 19-foot wall in left field. Michael Brantley doubled and scored on Raburn’s double. Santana’s drive to deep center caromed off the wall and rolled away, allowing Santana to reach third as Raburn scored.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: RHP Chad Qualls (pinched nerve in neck) allowed one run and threw 14 pitches in two-thirds of an inning at Double-A Corpus Christi on a rehab assignment.

Indians: RHP Josh Tomlin, who had shoulder surgery in March, will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Akron on Friday. He’s scheduled to pitch three innings.

UP NEXT

Astros: RHP Collin McHugh goes for his 10th win of the season Friday. He originally was scheduled to start Thursday, but was pushed back a day.

Indians: RHP Danny Salazar makes his first career start against Oakland on Friday at Progressive Field. He is 3-1 in six home starts this season.