Clevinger earns 1st ‘storybook-esque’ Majors W

CLEVELAND — With headphones on and music serving as his distraction, Mike Clevinger was pacing back and forth in the Indians’ clubhouse on Saturday night. Rain was falling on Progressive Field, threatening to wash away the pitcher’s chance to show the Angels what they gave away.

Make no mistake, Clevinger was looking forward to this one. The young right-hander is intense by nature — he paced like a bull before his first live batting practice workout in Spring Training — but his blood was pumping a little more in the hours leading up to Cleveland’s 5-1 victory over Los Angeles.

“There was some anxiety building,” Clevinger said. “But I would say positive anxiety.”

After two years in the Indians’ organization, Clevinger was forced to wait a little more than two hours beyond the scheduled first pitch to face the Angels. It was worth the wait. The rookie right-hander carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, holding L.A. to an 0-for-17 showing before Andrelton Simmons chopped a pitch into the hole, off shortstop Francisco Lindor’s glove and into left field for a single.

After Simmons took his place at first base, the Progressive Field crowd rose to its feet and offered an ovation in appreciation of Clevinger’s effort. Indians manager Terry Francona then took the ball from the young righty, but the bullpen finished the job and Clevinger picked up his first Major League win.

The fact that his first one came against Los Angeles was special.

“Storybook-esque,” said Clevinger, who kept the lineup card and a few game-used baseballs as mementos. “It was everything I could imagine and more. It’s hard to describe right now.”

While discussing his upcoming start on Thursday, the 25-year-old …

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