Cleveland Indians Stop Skid as Kluber Dominates

Corey Kluber strikes out a career high 14 on Tuesday. Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

An historic night in Houston on Tuesday ended in a 4-2 Tribe victory, as Corey Kluber struck out a career high 14 to keep Cleveland’s playoff hopes alive.

Kluber was nothing short of dominant.  Over 7.0 innings, the Indians’ ace scattered seven hits and two walks, allowing just one earned run.  That earned run came during a rough first inning in which Kluber allowed a walk and two hits, the latter of which was an RBI single to left by Chris Carter.

From that point on, Kluber mystified Houston hitters, becoming the first Tribe pitcher since Bartolo Colon on May 29, 1998 to strike out 14 in a game.

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The Indians managed seven hits against Houston pitchers, including two by catcher Yan Gomes.  Gomes’ two-run, line-drive rocket in the sixth inning just cleared the 19 foot fence in left field and gave the Tribe a 4-1 lead.  It was Yan’s 19^th home run on the season.

Carlos Santana brought home Cleveland’s first run with a single in the first, scoring Michael Bourn.  The second run was scored when Astro outfielder Robbie Grossman botched a play in left following a single by Yan Gomes, allowing Lonnie Chisenhall to score.

Sep 16, 2014; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) tips his helmet after collecting a club record 211th hit of the season during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park. Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The hometown crowd of 18,301, which included former Astro great Craig Biggio, had the opportunity to witness Jose Altuve set the franchise mark for hits in a season, breaking Biggio’s mark of 210 set in 1998.  Altuve’s second hit of the game came in the seventh off Corey Kluber, and it was his 211 of the season.

Cody Allen picked up a four out save, entering the game with two outs and two on in the eighth.  Bryan Shaw began the eighth for the Tribe, but after allowing two hits, one walk, and an earned run, Terry Francona elected to bring in his closer and nail down the win.

The Tribe looks to continue their winning ways Wednesday as Carlos Carrasco is set to toe the rubber for the Indians against the Astros and Brett Oberholtzer.