N&N: Mike Clevinger strikes out 10, leaves early with back tightness

Here’s to a great week!

Indians 3, Blue Jays 1

Box Score | LGT Recap

Mike Clevinger was excellent and Tyler Naquin went 3-3 (raising his average to .304). With the win, the Tribe is 6-3, which is the best start for the club since Terry Francona took over the club.

Tribe News

Clevinger K’s 10: Why exit after just 5 innings | indians.com

From Mandy Bell:

Because the rotation is so crucial to Cleveland’s success, fans held their breath as Mike Clevinger was pulled after just 75 pitches Sunday afternoon.

Clevinger struck out 10 through five innings in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays, recording his seventh career double-digit-strikeout game. But he did not return to the mound to start the sixth due to upper back tightness. Despite the scare, Clevinger said he will be able to make his next start.

“The hope is that it’s an overreaction on our part,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “We’re going to get him worked up tomorrow, just because when a guy’s got a bunch of adrenaline going and when he wakes up tomorrow morning, we just don’t want to guess. … I think there’s some real positive signs. He tested out really well.”

Indians starting pitchers compete for King of the Hill crown | cleveland.com

The starters vote after every series on who should get the crown. Trevor Bauer won for the Toronto series. This, by the way, is infinitely better than the owners arbitration belt.

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