Salazar’s hard work paying off in strides for Tribe

CLEVELAND — Danny Salazar watched fellow Indians starter Corey Kluber pitch his way to the American League Cy Young Award two seasons ago. Last year, Salazar saw Carlos Carrasco emerge as one of the league’s top arms in a breakout campaign of his own.

Following another gem in a 13-1 rout over the Reds on Tuesday night, Salazar said he wants to have a turn for Cleveland. The hard-throwing right-hander wants this year to be the one in which he takes that gigantic step forward, missing bats and opening eyes along the way.

“This one,” said Salazar, who then grinned. “And the next one. And the next one after that.”

So far, Salazar has built a foundation for that kind of year for the Tribe.

It would be easy to overlook Salazar’s performance against the Reds, seeing as the Indians’ lineup spotted him a seven-run lead by the third and a dozen-run lead buy the sixth. His effort, however, should not be ignored.

Salazar struck out eight, marking the fourth straight outing he has tallied at least that many. He logged 7 1/3 innings, scattered five hits (a season high) and his lone run allowed came via a sacrifice fly in the seventh. After Brandon Phillips drew a walk and Jay Bruce singled to open the second, …

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