Blue Jays 11 - 4 Guardians
Final
  for this game

Kluber faces Blue Jays again aiming to find win column

May 2, 2015 - 1:01 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber hopes the Cleveland Indians can swing a hot bat again on Saturday afternoon. The hurler goes again for his first victory of the season in the third contest of a four- game set with the Toronto Blue Jays.

While bad luck was partially to blame for his 0-1 record through three starts as he pitched to a 2.49 earned run average, Kluber has struggled in back-to- back losses to Chicago and Kansas City. He was lit up for six runs over six innings by the White Sox on April 22, then yielded six runs -- four earned -- over 6 1/3 frames on Monday against the Royals.

The 29-year-old righty allowed 23 hits over the two setbacks and has an ERA of 4.24 on the season. The Indians also have plated two or more runs just once in his five starts.

Kluber has split two career meetings with the Blue Jays, logging a 3.95 ERA.

While Kluber aims for his first win, the Indians also have a chance at logging just their second winning streak of the season. They haven't won two in a row since April 8-9 and are coming off last night's 9-4 victory in which Brett Hayes, Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis all homered.

Brandon Moss knocked in two runs for the Indians, who rebounded from a 5-1 loss in the opener of this four-game set on Thursday to win for just the second time in seven games. Carlos Carrasco allowed four runs on six hits while striking out six and walking three over six innings.

"We can beat a lefty," Kipnis said. "It has been done before. It will be done again. Guys have been taking good swings and having good at-bats. We even out- hit them in the first game. We just couldn't come up with the big hit with runners in scoring position.

"Today it was contagious and guys were feeling good and there was a loose environment in the dugout. I can't tell you how much a different calendar month does for a baseball player's psyche. When you say it turns a page, it really does."

Josh Donaldson hit a solo homer and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who fell to 2-6 on a 10-game road trip. Kevin Pillar drove in two runs.

Toronto starter Mark Buehrle gave up eight runs on 11 hits over 4 1/3 innings. The veteran left-hander fell to 16-18 lifetime against Cleveland.

Young right-hander Aaron Sanchez will try to keep a grip on a rotation spot this afternoon for the Blue Jays.

Sanchez posted a 1.09 ERA, a 2-2 mark and three saves in 24 relief appearances last season, but has gone just 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA through four starts in 2015. He has yet to make it out of the sixth inning in any outing, though he came close on Monday in Boston.

Sanchez logged a season-high 5 2/3 innings, touched for four runs -- three earned -- on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. He did not get a decision in Toronto's 6-5 loss.

The 22-year-old has never faced Cleveland.

The Indians went 2-4 against the Blue Jays last season.






Related News