Washington came into this weekend with their 3 best starting pitchers Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman, and today Stephen Strasburg. For the Indians it would take Corey Kluber to slam the door shut for a series win which slipped through their fingers last night. Kluber would dominate this game today getting the Indians back to .500 with a 2nd consecutive series win.
Stephen Strasburg was making his 1st start since returning from the disabled list. And he was being watched closely by Nationals manager Davey Johnson. He would be pulled after 5 innings of work, throwing only 82 pitches.
In the Bottom of the 4th inning Jason Kipnis drew a walk to reach base safely. He would then steal 2nd base, then score on a single by Carlos Santana giving the Tribe a 1-0 lead.
Strasburg’s line would read 5 innings pitched allowing 1 run on 1 hit, he would strike out 4 and walk 4. Corey Kluber would have 2 times in this game where Washington had runners on 1st and 3rd with no one out, but was able to escape with no runs allowed.
The turning point in the game was in the Top of the 7th inning, the bases were loaded with no one out. But after a quick double play and a routine ground ball to short, Kluber had done it again. Kluber would come out for the Top of the 8th to get one more inning, and he did just that, 1-2-3 inning. This was Kluber’s 2nd consecutive start in which he pitched 8 innings.
Kluber’s final stats read 8 innings pitched, allowing 0 runs on 7 hits. He would strike out 8 Washington hitters, and walk no one.
In the Bottom of the 8th, Michael Bourn would hit a lead off double. Mike Aviles would move him over on a sacrafice bunt, and Jason Kipnis who earlier extended his hitting streak to 10 games, hit a sac fly to deep right field. This easily scored Bourn from 3rd giving the Indians a 2-0 lead.
Vinnie Pestano came out for the Top of the 9th and got the save. 2-0 Ball Game.
Corey Kluber gets the win he is now 5-4 this season with a 3.58 ERA. Stephen Strasburg takes the loss, he is now 3-6 with a 2.50 ERA. Vinnie Pestano recorded his 1st save of the season.
Time of the game was 2 hours and 38 minutes. Game attendance was 21,845.
My Thoughts:
Corey Kluber has improved so much this season coming from last year. Whateer they are doing with him is clearly working. You have to keep him on this roster. I do not care if you signed Brett Myers, keep him off this team Kluber is progressing very well.
Coming Up Next:
A big 3-game series against AL Central opponent Kansas City Royals. The Royals are right behind the Indians in the standings.
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