Kluber, Indians Roll to 3-0 Victory

Aug 9, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey luber (28) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Kluber Near Perfect As Indians Top Yankees

Corey Kluber is an ace. He is also the primary reason why the Indians still find themselves within striking distance of a playoff spot. Again on Saturday, Kluber proved why Justin Masterson was expendable, why he should have been named to the all-star team rather than placed in a farcical “final vote,” and why he is the best pitcher in baseball that nobody knows about.

All Corey Kluber did Saturday afternoon was throw six shutout innings in a 3-0 win over the New York Yankees. You could say it was just another typical day at the office.

Kluber wasn’t the only Indians to shine, however. Run support for the Tribe’s undisputed ace came from the unlikeliest of sources. In the top half of the second innings, struggling shortstop Jose Ramirez hit his first career home run. The two run shot that plated Lonnie Chisenhall, which was heavily aided by the short porch in right field, put the Indians up 2-0.  It would prove to be all the help Kluber would need.

Over the course of his six innings of work, Kluber held the Yankees struggling offense without a run. He surrendered only four hits and walked one while striking out 10 on the way to his 13th win of the season. Scott Atchison, Bryan Shaw, and Cody Allen worked a near perfect 7th, 8th, and 9th innings to secure the much needed victory for the Indians.

In the top half of the eighth, Michael Brantley added an insurance run when he hit his 17th home run of the year. The 347 foot shot to right proved to be more than enough nd continued the amazing all-star season for the young outfielder.

Also worth noting, Derek Jeter singled in the bottom half of the sixth inning to pass Honus Wagner for sixth on the career list with number 3,431. It is just the latest in the list of career accomplishments for the future first ballot hall of famer.

The Indians will look to win the series finale on Sunday when they send Carlos Carrasco to the mound against Hiroki Kuroda. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.