Offensive Erupts for 7 runs, Kluber strong through 6, Three Takeaways from Indians 7-3 Victory

CLEVELAND, Ohio- On Friday night, the Cleveland Indians began a three-game series with the last-place Chicago White Sox. Previously this week the Indians lost

CLEVELAND, Ohio- On Friday night, the Cleveland Indians began a three-game series with the last-place Chicago White Sox.

Previously this week the Indians lost both games they played against the Colorado Rockies and the White Sox won 1 of 3 games against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Going into Friday night's game the Indians sat at 29-28 and were 1.5 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins. The White Sox sat at 25-33 and were 6 games behind the Twins.

Following the Indians 7-3 victory over the White Sox, the Indians improved to 30-28 on the year. The White Sox fell to 25-34 on the season.

Here's our three takeaways from the Indians 7-3 victory.

1.) Kluber Is Back To Normal

For the second consecutive start, Corey Kluber threw for 6 innings and provided the Indians with a quality start. In Kluber's previous start (his first since coming off of the Disabled List) he threw 6 innings, gave up 2 hits, allowed 0 runs, allowed a walk, and struck out 10.

In Kluber's start tonight against the White Sox, Kluber threw another 6 innings, giving up 7 hits, allowed 3 earned runs, walked 2, and struck out 8 batters.

Kluber earned the victory and improved to 5-2 on the season. Kluber has won his last 13 of 14 decisions while pitching at Progressive Field dating back to June 5, 2016. Cleveland has also won each of the last 52 games in which Kluber receives 4 or more runs of support dating back to June 11, 2013. Kluber has received four or more runs of support in 60 career starts and posts a record of 47-1 in those games, and the Indians are 55-5 overall. Lastly, Kluber has struck out seven or more batters in nine consecutive home starts, and that is the second-longest streak for an Indians starter at home in franchise history. Sam McDowell holds the record with 11 starts from September 29,1965- July 6, 1966. 2.) Offensive wasn't Shying AwayEdwin Encarnacion had a strong night offensively, going 3-4 with 2 singles and a homer that gave the Indians the lead in the 5th inning. Encarnacion was taken out of the game when Daniel Robertson came on to pinch run in the bottom of the 8th. Jason Kipnis started things off though in the first inning with a double to start the game and later scored on a RBI single coming off of the bat of Michael Brantley. The White Sox kept things close throughout 7 innings, battling back and forth with the Indians for the lead but following a 3 run inning for the Indians in the 8th inning, it closed the door for the White Sox. Encarnacion started the inning, followed by a single by Jose Ramirez and a Lonnie Chisenhall double. With Chisenhall and Ramirez on, Yan Gomes drove in two with a 2 run single to left field, that gave the Indians a 7-3 lead.

3.) A & A Slam the Door

Following 6 strong innings by Indians starter Corey Kluber, the A & A Wrecking Crew came in to finish off the game. Andrew Miller came on in relief in the 7th inning and worked 2 innings, gave up 1 hit, hit one batter, and struck out 4 White Sox.

Following Miller's appearance, his ERA now stands at 0.30 on the 2017 season. Miller has only allowed 2 runs over 29.2 innings of work. Miller retired 6 of the 8 batters he faced and struck out 4 of the 8.

In the 9th inning when the Indians were up 7-3, Indians closer Cody Allen came on and gave up one hit, and earned his 15th save of the season.

The Indians will be sending Josh Tomlin to the hill tomorrow night and will be opposed by David Holmberg.
First pitch is expected to be at 7:15 PM EST.