Cleveland Indians starters, relievers follow leader with Shane Bieber


CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians pitched well enough in their first series of the season over the weekend that they could have swept the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field.

They went 2-1 and may have designed a sweep were it not for a quirk of this season delayed by coronavirus, the rule that places a runner at second base in each inning half of each additional inning game. Along with going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and striking out 15 times, that was enough to cost the Indians the middle game of the series on Saturday.

But that had nothing to do with pitchers.

Starters Shane Bieber, Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco did well. They were 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA (four runs won in 19 innings). Manager Terry Francona’s first three headlines struck out 30, walked two and allowed 12 hits.

The bullpen also had reason to celebrate. The nine-man feather did not allow a race won in the series. They struck out 10, walked three and allowed three hits in nine innings.

The 40 strikeouts combined were the most Indians in the first three games of a season from April 11 to April 16, 1966 when they struck out 42 in 31 innings.

“As I said before, we have a good rotation,” said Carrasco. “We know we can hit a lot of people. I also like to hit people, that’s what happened today (Sunday). “

Bieber set a franchise record with 14 strikeouts on opening day on Friday. Clevinger struck out six of every seven innings Saturday. Carrasco, in his first major league start since May 30, 2019, struck out 10 in big innings. It was the 26th time in his career that he struck out 10 or more hitters.

This was Carrasco’s first start since he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia last year. He missed three months of the season while receiving treatment. When he returned to the mound on September 1, it was like a pain reliever.

It was Sunday more than another statistic for Carrasco and his teammates. If you like statistics, it was the 172nd start of his career.

“He was a huge Cookie fan since he was in the minors,” said Franmil Reyes, who started Sunday in left field for the Indians. “I had a chance to be there when he came back (last year in Tampa on September 1). I was very excited to see Cookie’s return.

“Seeing him today and doing the great job he did today made me feel happy for him. Especially when he returned from a difficult year last year. “

Bieber was six innings in the season opener. He was on 97 pitches when manager Terry Francona went to the bullpen. It is unknown how many tickets Clevinger and Carrasco would give to Francona.

Clevinger had not had a great start to the league since last September. He underwent left knee surgery in February and didn’t pitch in games until Spring Training II began on July 3. Carrasco, of course, was returning from the trauma and treatment he received last year. In his last intrasquad on Tuesday it was four innings.

Both pitchers were more than ready for the first real start of 2020.

Clevinger, who allowed consecutive home runs in the first inning on Saturday, had seven innings. He withdrew 10 of the last 14 Royals he faced.

Carrasco started the game with 10 consecutive outs. He hit the side in order in the sixth and went out for the seventh, but left after Maikel Franco’s double. The first twist in the rotation continues this week when Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac face the White Sox on Monday and Tuesday night, respectively, at Progressive Field.

Francona used seven of his nine relievers in the series. Coach Nick Wittgren was the only one who had to pitch more than once. He pitched scoreless innings on Friday and Saturday.

Adam Cimber, closer Brad Hand, James Karinchak, Oliver Pérez, Dominic Leone and Cam Hill were also able to start their seasons.

Karinchak pitched two innings on Saturday but took the loss when the Royals scored an unearned run in the tenth for a 3-2 victory. Hill made his major league debut with a goalless ninth inning on Sunday. Then there was Pérez, who replaced Carrasco in the seventh.

Perez, 38, retired all three in a row to start his season 18 in the big leagues. It made him the oldest Mexican player in MLB history. For perspective: While Hill, 26, made his first major league appearance on Sunday, Perez made his 671st.

This story has been updated to correct the number of consecutive hitters that Clevinger retired before leaving the game on Saturday.

Cleveland Indians face masks

Fanatics has released facial masks for the Cleveland Indians, with sales benefiting two charities. See details and product links below.

New Indian face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed facial liners for coronavirus protection, including a mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charities.

More Indian coverage

Shane Bieber strikes out 14 in opening day win for Cleveland Indians

Tyler Naquin has a broken finger and other notes from the Cleveland Indians

Indians wear T-shirts that say Cleveland instead of Indians for the start of the season

MLB, Indians to honor Black Lives Matter, social justice on opening night

Playing to win, sign of the times, let’s talk Tribe: Terry Pluto

Indian owner Paul Dolan talks about possible name change

How many games will Indians win in 2020: Paul Hoynes

Indians name 30-man roster for 2020 season

Indians win final set-up against Pittsburgh ahead of Friday season opener

Does Brad Hand need the bright lights and 4 other things about the Indians?

Rise of Bradley Zimmer, scrambled bullpen: Terry Pluto’s doodles

Prediction of alignments of Indians vs. Left and right handed, Hello Hoynsie

Carlos Carrasco finally finds the right tempo for the regular season

Indian players meet owner Paul Dolan to discuss name change

The Indians establish the initial rotation; Plutko will open in the bulllpen

Mound Sermon: When the Plesac family talks pitching, people should listen

Note to readers: If you buy something through one of our affiliate links, we can earn a commission.