Kluber steps up as the rock of Tribe’s rotation

MINNEAPOLIS — Through all the ebbs and flows of the season, there has been one constant source of consistency for Cleveland. Every five days, no matter the circumstances, Corey Kluber has clocked in, logged innings and been the rock the rotation needs.

On Sunday afternoon, Kluber was there again, slicing his way through the Twins’ lineup and barely flinching throughout a seven-inning performance. His stoic expression never cracked, but some of the Minnesota bats did in a 7-1 victory for the Indians at Target Field, marking the 10th win in 13 games for the American League Central’s pacesetters.

“Man, it’s a good feeling,” Indians catcher Roberto Perez said, “knowing that your ace is going to pick us up.”

Cleveland needed Kluber to do precisely that once again.

The Indians and Twins played a 12-inning marathon on Saturday night, when Cleveland matched a franchise record by using 10 pitchers in a single game. On the previous night, righty Danny Salazar left after four innings due to a right forearm injury, pressing the bullpen into work earlier than expected. The back end of the rotation is fraying. The bullpen is taxed.

Enter Kluber.

“He was really good,” Indians manager Terry Francona said, “on a day when he knew what happened last night.”

Kluber said he did not have the previous two games on his mind as he prepared for this outing against the …

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