Plesac pitches four-hitter, Indians keep pace, beat Angels

This is the recap from the game Sept. 10. Visit News-Herald.com for the recap from Sept. 11.

ANAHEIM, CALIF. >> Corey Kluber is injured, Carlos Carrasco continues to work his way back from leukemia treatment and Trevor Bauer was traded, and still the Indians continue to get solid pitching.

Rookie Zach Plesac threw a four-hitter for his first complete game in the majors as the Indians kept pace in the AL playoff race, blanking the Angels, 8-0.

The right-hander is the fifth Cleveland pitcher to toss a shutout this season, which leads the majors. He struck out five and walked two while throwing 114 pitches.

Plesac became the first Indians rookie to throw a shutout since Jeremy Sowers did it twice in 2006.

“After the first inning I was able to settle in,” said Plesac, who had allowed 10 earned runs in last two starts. “We had a good game plan and rhythm going.”

Francisco Lindor and Jordan Luplow homered as the Indians stayed a half-game behind Oakland for the second AL wild-card spot. Cleveland trails wild-card leader Tampa Bay by two games.

“I think every win is important right now no matter if the other team wins or loses. If we have a good month, we will be in the playoffs,” Lindor said. “We’re on a mission. It’s going to be fun.”

The Indians, who have won four of five, also got four RBIs from Franmil Reyes. The Angels, again playing without superstar outfielder Mike Trout, have dropped three in a row — the loss ensured they will miss the postseason for the fifth straight year.

Plesac’s previous high in innings was seven on five occasions. It was the sixth time in 19 starts he has thrown over 100 pitches. The most pitches he threw was 20 in the first before he had five innings where he threw 11 or fewer.

“He got behind a couple hitters in the first but the rest of the game he worked ahead and got early outs,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said.

Francona thought about taking Plesac out after eight innings, but Plesac told him and pitching coach Carl Willis that he felt good and wanted to go out for the ninth.

Lindor hit his 30th homer, a solo drive off Trevor Cahill in the seventh. Luplow hit a two-run homer off José Suarez (2-6) in the second. He drew a bases-loaded walk in the third before Reyes hit a three-run double.

MARK J. TERRILL — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Roberto Perez, left, and starting pitcher Zach Plesac congratulate each other after the Angels’ Matt Thaiss struck out to end the game Sept. 10 in Anaheim, Calif.