Ex-Yank Miller grinds through 2 more scoreless innings
CLEVELAND — Efficient? No. Untouchable? Hardly. Successful? Absolutely. Andrew Miller remains unscored on in this magical postseason, although he sure pushed his luck in his World Series debut. The former Yankee survived multiple threats in the Indians’ 6-0 blanking of the Cubs in Tuesday night’s Game 1 at Progressive Field, and his 46 pitches put his Game 2 availability in question.
“It was a grind,” said Miller, who has thrown 13 2/3 scoreless innings this postseason with four walks and 24 strikeouts. “I think I can do better than that. I’d like to be sharper than I was. I can be sharper.’’
We’ve all seen it this fall, as has his manager Terry Fran- cona, who lifted dominant ace Corey Kluber after just 88 pitches in the seventh inning with the thought Kluber might be needed to start Games 4 and 7. Miller almost made Francona look bad. He ultimately didn’t, though.
With Ben Zobrist on first base and none out, Miller walked the returning Kyle Schwarber and gave up a single to Javier Baez, giving the Cubs the bases loaded and in prime position to do some damage. And when Miller retired pinch-hitter Wilson Contreras on a pop out to center fielder Rajai Davis and the Indians failed to double up Schwarber — who had inexplicably wandered far from second — it looked like the Cubs caught a big break.
Instead, Miller broke the Cubs, striking out Addison Russell and David Ross.
In the eighth, Miller issued a one-out walk to Kris Bryant and then gave up a twoout base hit to Zobrist, only to fan Schwarber to end the threat. When Indians catcher Roberto Perez slammed a three-run homer in the eighth, doubling the Indians’ lead from 3-0 to 6-0, Miller’s work seemed all the more important.
“We got it done,” Miller said. “That’s all that matters.”
The more Miller can pitch each game, the more likely the Indians will get it done for good. It’s unclear how much the lanky lefty can provide for Game 2.
“This was kind of reminiscent of the first Boston game [in the ALDS] where he threw [40] and he was ready to come back and pitch the next night,” Francona said.
“It’s the World Series,” Miller said, “I’ll be ready [Wednesday]. No question.’’