Indians’ bullpen gets needed break in Game 2

CLEVELAND — Indians manager Terry Francona pulled his team’s strings expertly in a Game 1 win with 4 1/3 innings pitched by his bullpen — including 3 2/3 from his top two relievers. That decision was validated by Corey Kluber’s strong outing in Friday’s 6-0 win over Boston in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

Kluber, a candidate to win his second AL Cy Young Award, pitched seven-plus scoreless innings with three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts. By pitching so deep into the game, the Indians were able to take a commanding 2-0 series lead without using either of their heavily-taxed closers, Andrew Miller or Cody Allen.

After Kluber put the first two runners on to start the eighth, Francona turned to Dan Otero (1.53 ERA) instead of Miller (1.45) or Allen (2.51). Otero rewarded his skipper by retiring the top of the order on a strikeout, flyout and groundout.

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 6   CLE 5, BOS 4 Gm 2 Oct. 7   CLE 6, BOS 0 Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 6 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 6 or 8 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS …

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