Klubermania Continues in Rout of Reds

Aug 4, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) is congratulated after being taken out of the game during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Chisenhall and Gomes Homer to Back Another Kluber Mowdown

After coming back against the Rangers late in the game last night, the Indians wasted no time in getting on the board.  An RBI groundout by Michael Brantley gave the Tribe an early lead in the 1st inning that Kluber never relinquished.  Brantley’s 2 RBIs, along with a 3-run homer by Lonnie Chisenhall and a 2-run shot by Yan Gomes later in the game provided the Tribe’s offense.  It gave them a wide cushion on the scoreboard, but with Kluber on the mound, the Indians were never in any real danger of losing the first game of this year’s Ohio Cup.

The Positives

Kluber, Kluber, K is for Kluber.  Another day, another 7 1/3 innings pitched and another 7 strikeouts.  The only downside was that he put enough runners on base before he left for Nick Hagadone to blow the scoreless streak Kluber had been riding.  After 25 innings pitched without allowing an earned run, Kluber left the ballgame following a Devin Mesoraco single.  Hagadone wasted no time in leaving a meatball over the plate that Brayan Pena turned into a double.  Still, Kluber didn’t have his best stuff today and managed to battle through it.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him throw a no-hitter before the year comes to an end.  Also in the positives column are another great day for Yan Gomes and another homer from Lonnie Chisenhall.  Brantley, Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez each had two hits, and David Murphy continued his great August with a double and a walk.

The Negatives

Mike Aviles is mired in a deep slump, and has now gone 0-for-12 in the Tribe’s last 3 games.  He has only 4 hits in his last 34 at-bats.  Nick Hagadone has been so up and down it’s hard to keep track.  Sometimes he’ll come in and dominate for 2 innings or so, but sometimes he’ll walk or give up an extra-base hit to the only batter he faces.  We never know which Hagadone we’re going to see.

Check It Out
–Corey Kluber hasn’t lost since June 30th. Since then, he’s pitched 48 1/3 innings and struck out 50 batters while walking only 6.
-Kluber’s 2.55 ERA ranks 5th in the American League, while his 12 wins are tied for 3rd.
-Michael Brantley’s .324 batting average ranks 3rd in the American League, while his 4.4 WAR ranks 4th.
-Among catchers in baseball, Yan Gomes ranks 5th or higher in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, homers, hits, RBI, WAR, dWAR, caught-stealing percentage, range factor, putouts and assists. He’s under team control through 2020.