Cody Allen headed out of the Indians’ clubhouse, rolling a suitcase behind him. The setup man enjoyed his Thursday afternoon at the ballpark, a day that included sitting out in the bullpen and watching starter Corey Kluber cruise through his first career complete game.
Not once did a reliever even begin to get loose.
“We all should’ve stayed home,” Allen quipped. “That was nice.”
Kluber worked with robotic precision at Progressive Field, overpowering and confounding the Royals in a 5-1 victory that wrapped up a 4-3 homestand for the Tribe. The pitcher barely flinched throughout his performance, which went down statistically as one of the best outings in franchise history.
On the day, Kluber induced a dozen outs via ground ball, established a career best with 11 strikeouts, scattered four hits and issued no walks. The right-hander became the first Indians pitcher (and seventh since at least 1914) to have at least 11 strikeouts with no earned runs or walks in a complete game since Len Barker did so on May 15, 1981.
Indians fans might remember that outing by Barker. It was the last perfect game or no-hitter for the franchise.
“It was nice,” Kluber said. “I really wasn’t trying to make a bigger deal out of it than going out there and trying to get three more outs. Maybe that’s why it worked out.”
That quote sums up the pitcher’s personality. Kluber is calm and composed to the point that a running joke in the clubhouse is that Kluber does not smile. As the ‘Klubot’ stood surrounded by media on Thursday, Indians starter Justin Masterson leaned back in his chair at a neighboring locker.
Between questions, Masterson chimed in.
“Did you smile after the game?” Masterson asked to chuckles from reporters.
Kluber allowed the slightest smirk.
“I did,” Kluber said. “Only when I saw you.”
The 27-year-old Kluber has quietly developed into one of the club’s most reliable arms.
The Indians acquired him from the Padres in a three-team trade that involved Jake Westbrook prior to the July 31 Trade Deadline in 2010. Kluber had unsuccessful stints with the Tribe in ’11 and ’12 before developing a consistent two-seam sinker that played a big role for him last season. In 26 games a year ago, Kluber won 11 and posted a 3.85 ERA with 136 strikeouts in 147 1/3 innings.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
