Player of the Game
Corey Kluber did more than his share of work in trying for a sweep of the double header today, pitching 8.1 innings and allowing just two runs. The first run scored in the first inning on a double and a single, then Kluber allowed just one more hit over the next six innings. He did allow three hits in the ninth, pushing him from the game after retiring just one, but he still struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter in another marvelous performance.

Feathers Up
After scoring just 12 runs in Corey Kluber’s last six games, the Indians put up seven for the Tribe ace in the first three innings this afternoon. Carlos Santana opened up the scoring with a massive home run to the mezzanine section in right field, scoring Michael Brantley, who walked with two outs, in the first. Yan Gomes matched him with a home run to left in the next inning. The big inning for the Tribe was the third, however, when they scored four times. Michael Bourn, Jose Ramirez and Brantley all singled with no outs, followed by a Jason Kipnis walk to load the bases. Gomes brought home two more with a double off the wall in left, then Kipnis scored from third on a Lonnie Chisenhall sacrifice fly to end the scoring. This took a lot of pressure off Kluber, who has been fighting for every out while the team has averaged just two runs per game behind him.

A few notes about the Indians offensive performance today. The Tribe had base runners in each of the first six innings and didn’t strike out until the sixth. Each of the Indians first seven hitters in the lineup reached safely with a hit at some point, except Kipsni, who walked and scored. Only the number eight and nine hitters did not reach base. Four Indians had at least two hits and three had at least two RBI. The eight runs scored were the most since August 26th against the White Sox and the Indians have not scored more than eight since August first, when they put up 12 on the Rangers.

KKKKKKKluber Watch: Adding seven more strike outs today, Corey Kluber now has 230 on the season, good for 16th most in a single season by an Indians pitcher. This time, he surpassed Sam McDowell’s 1966 season, when he struck out 225 in just 194.1 innings. McDowell won just nine games that season, but posted a 2.84 ERA and struck out more than any other pitcher in Indians history with less than 200 innings pitched. Up next are two seasons by Gaylord Perry (1972 and 1973) and another McDowell (1967) between 234 and 238. Sam McDowell and Bob Feller account for ten of the Indians top 15 single season strike out totals.

In addition to his first inning home run that took the lead for the Tribe, Carlos Santana was fantastic on defense, making one full out diving play and another quick reaction stop later on. While he has committed his share of errors, Santana’s flashiness at first is a new addition to his value for the 2014 season and will likely keep Nick Swisher in a full time DH role in 2015.

Feathers Down
An 0-2 single by Brian Dozier started a one run rally for the Twins in the ninth that ultimately pushed Kluber from the game. Kennys Vargas and Trevor Plouffe also singled to bring home Dozier and knock out Kluber. Kyle Crockett was able to come in and get two quick outs to keep the Twins on the bases and off the board and help Kluber keep his well earned win.

Final Score: Cleveland Indians 8 – Minnesota Twins 2

Magic #: 14

On Deck: Stick around friends, we’ll be right back with game two, featuring T.J. House and Ricky Nolasco.