Kluber bounches back, but Tribe pen blows Game 2

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Corey Kluber’s fastball had late movement. He had command, control and that unmistakable presence.

One game after a horrible start, Kluber looked much better — like, well, himself.

Kluber bounced back from one of his worst outings in recent years by working seven innings and Carlos Santana celebrated his U.S. citizenship with three hits, leading Cleveland over the Atlanta Braves 8-4 in the opener of a doubleheader on Saturday.

“I thought that was way closer to the Klubes that we’ve seen and really encouraging moving forward,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

The Indians took a 7-3 lead into the top of the ninth the second game, but Cleveland’s bullpen couldn’t close it out Atlanta rallied for an 8-7 victory and a split.

Trevor Bauer worked 61/3 strong innings, striking out 10 and allowing three hits and two earned runs.

Kluber (2-2) shook off a rough first inning and allowed four runs and five hits. The right-hander didn’t get out of the third in his previous start, when he walked a career-high five and gave up two homers in a no-decision against Kansas City.

Kluber credited some subtle changes to his mechanics in getting back on track.

“Not really any one thing, just kind of getting back to the way I feel,” said Kluber, who retired 11 straight before before giving up two homers in the seventh. “It’s hard to necessarily to put it in words, but I know what feels right and what feels wrong, so just trying to kind of get out of my own way a little bit and try to recreate what I know feels right and what allows me to make pitches I need to.”

Max Moroff homered and had two RBIs for Cleveland, which won its fourth straight.

Greg Allen hit a run-scoring double off starter Julio Teheran (2-2) and the Indians scored six runs in the fifth — all with two outs. Teheran fell to 6-13 in interleague games.

Brian McCann and Matt Joyce connected for back-to-back homers off Kluber in the seventh. The Braves, who have lost four in a row, had just six hits.

“Kluber was tough,” McCann said. “His ball was dancing all over the place and he was keeping us off balance.”

It was the first meeting between the teams since 2016, and the opener was pushed back a day because of rain.

Before the game, the Indians activated All-Star Francisco Lindor, who missed their first 18 games while recovering from a sprained ankle. Lindor was to start at shortstop in Game 2, but the Indians plan to use him as an occasional DH while easing him back.

Kluber settled in after a 28-pitch first and looked much more like the two-time Cy Young Award winner who has anchored Cleveland’s staff for years. He also benefited from the Indians’ biggest inning this season.

With the score tied 2-2 and two outs in the fifth, Teheran needed only to put away Allen, but the speedy center fielder, who came to the plate batting .033, pulled his double into the right-field corner. On his way to first, Allen excitedly pumped a fist before hitting bag and hustling into second as Santana scored.