Clevinger, bullpen fi re one-hitter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Offense was not the name of the game Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.
Pitching and defense ruled as the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 1-0 on a combined one-hitter by Mike Clevinger and four relievers.
The Indians’ run was supplied by Carlos Santana, who singled home Yan Gomes with one out in the fifth inning. Gomes hit a leadoff double off left-hander Danny Duffy (2-3) and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Abraham Almonte. Santana delivered him with his fourth straight hit.
Santana started the streak with his tiebreaking homer on Saturday in the ninth inning of the Tribe’s 3-1 come-from-behind victory. He hit it off closer Kelvin Herrera and followed it with a double and two singles in his first three at-bats Sunday. He came into the game hitting 9 for 22 against Duffy.
“I was 0 for 14 against Herrera and that homer really increased my energy for this game,” said Santana.
The Indians activated Clevinger from the triple-A Clippers to take Corey Kluber’s spot in the rotation. Kluber was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with a strain of the lower back.
Clevinger said he worked hard in Columbus to correct a flaw in his delivery that had him throwing too much across his body. Whatever he did seemed to work.
Clevinger (1-0), with his shoulder-length hair flapping in the breeze, threw 5 scoreless innings. He allowed the one hit and four walks, while striking out five.
Clevinger labored in only one inning. He walked Eric Hosmer with one out in the fourth. Salvador Perez doubled him to third, but Clevinger struck out Jorge Soler and Jorge Bonifacio to end the inning.
“I thought Clevinger’s stuff was good,” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “You could tell he’s made some adjustments in his delivery.”
Boone Logan relieved Clevinger (1-0) with two out in the sixth. He walked Hosmer and was replaced by Bryan Shaw, who struck out four straight in 1 innings.
Andrew Miller retired the Royals in order in the eighth, and Cody Allen earned his ninth straight save in the ninth.