Indians’ Bieber fans 15 in shutting out O’s

Indians pitcher fans

15 in dominant effort

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Shane Bieber was determined to finish what he started, even if it meant playing hide-and-seek with his pitching coach.

Bieber struck out a career-high 15 in his first major league complete game and the Cleveland Indians routed the Baltimore Orioles 10-0.

“It was one of those days where everything was working,” he said.

“Fortunately I was able to take advantage of it because they don’t come too often. A lot of guys will tell you that, just be able to take advantage of it.”

The 23-year-old Bieber gave up five hits, didn’t walk anyone and threw 107 pitches. He bounced back from allowing four home runs against the Chicago White Sox in his last start.

Bieber received a loud ovation from the crowd of 21,377 when he took the mound for the ninth inning. He struck out Dwight Smith Jr., retired Joey Rickard on a groundout and whiffed Chris Davis to end the game.

The right-hander admitted he tried to stay away from pitching coach Carl Willis in the late innings, concerned he might not be given the chance to finish.

“I avoided Carl once and he found me again,” Bieber said. “He said, ‘How much does it mean to you?’ I said ‘a lot.’ I was eyeing it the whole time.”

A day after being held to one hit, the Orioles were overmatched against Bieber (3-2).

Bieber’s strong outing came the day after Adam Plutko held Baltimore to one run in six innings.

The Indians are relying on the two young right-handers with Corey Kluber and Mike Clevinger out with injuries.

“We’re always encouraged with Biebs because we know how he prepares,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

“Nobody can forecast years down the road, but what we ask our guys to do, he does every bit of it.”

Carlos Santana hit an RBI single in the first, then led off the third with his seventh home run of the season.