Player of the Game
In recent weeks it seems that Corey Kluber has been the only reason to watch the Indians and Kluber put on another show today. Despite not having very good control (he threw more pitches in five innings than he did in nine against Seattle), Kluber kept a shut out through six while striking out ten. Kluber was perfect going into the third when he hit Francisco Cervelli with two outs. He gave up a double and a walk the following inning, and just two more hits for the rest of the game, allowing six base runners in all. This is Kluber’s 12th Player of the Game of 2014, good for second on the team behind Michael Brantley. He has won in each of his last five starts and seven of his last eight.
Feathers Up
Jose Ramirez hit his first career home run in the second inning today, a two run shot that gave the Indians a 2-0 lead. The hit off Yankees starter, Brandon McCarthy went out to right, aided by the short porch at new Yankees Stadium. The two RBI doubled his total for the season as he raised his batting average to .186.
KKKKKKKKKKluber Watch: Corey Kluber came into today’s game tied with Sam McDowell’s 1964 season for 38th all time with 177 strike outs in a single season. After ten Yankees went down via the K today, Kluber has jumped to 31st, tied with Len Barker in 1980 and 1982. Based on his current pace, Kluber will likely finish the season somewhere between sixth and sixteenth place in Indians history.
Michael Brantley set career highs in home runs, runs scored, RBI and steals in 2013 and he is looking to break them all again this season. He has already surpassed his home run and runs scored totals and with his solo shot today, knocked in his 74th RBI of the season, a new career high. He is now just six doubles, four steals and 19 hits away from personal highs in all those stats as well.
Outside from a phantom hit batter, the Indians bullpen was fantastic, throwing three scoreless innings as Scott Atchison and Bryan Shaw earned holds and Cody Allen took the save. Shaw struck out three and allowed the only hit, a double by Brett Gardner, after which Allen struck out two in a perfect ninth. The 15 total strike outs by Indians pitching was the most against the Yankees all season.
Feathers Down
The Indians did win, breaking their four game losing streak and getting to within a game of .500, so there isn’t too much negative, but the problem seems to be winning when Corey Kluber isn’t on the mound. Going back to July 6th, the Indians are 6-1 in Kluber’s starts, but just 8-14 in the rest of their games. While that adds up to .500, which is how the Indians have played all season, the record in Kluber’s starts shows that the Indians could be much better if they had even one more dependable starter.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 3 – New York Yankees 0
On Deck: The Indians will restart the experiment with Carlos Carrasco slated to start against the Yankees at 1:05 PM in New York. Hiroki Kuroda will pitch for New York.
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