(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH -- Carlos Carrasco made history today, becoming the first Indians pitcher since at least 1908 to strike out 12 batters over five innings, as he led the tribe over the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2. When asked about his overpowering performance against the Jays, Carrasco smiled, saying "I love to strike out people, twelve strikeouts in five innings is good."
Carrasco struggled in his first outing of the season, allowing six runs in just 4 1/3rd innings against the Minnesota Twins. The tribe right-hander bounced back in a big way, completing his 23rd double figure strikeout game, going 5 full innings giving up 2 earned runs on 6 hits. Carlos Santana's bat remained hot today, as he got the tribe on the board early with an RBI single in the first inning. In the 3rd inning of a 1-0 game, Hanley Ramirez worked himself back from a 1-2 count to force a walk with the bases loaded to bring in the tribe's second run. Jake Bauers followed Ramirez up with a 2-out 2-run single, driving in both Jose Ramirez and Jordan Luplow.
Things got a little shaky in Carrasco's final inning of work, as Freddy Galvis went deep to break the shutout, and Randal Grichuk hit an RBI double to cut the tribe lead to two runs. The Indians bullpen came out in the 6th inning, and they were firing on all cylinders. The tribe bullpen went a combined 4.0 innings, giving up only 4 hits and 0 earned runs, as they closed out the game for the Indians' first official win streak of the season.
The Cleveland Indians will look to finish off the 4-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, April 7th. Mike Clevinger will get the nod for the tribe, and the Blue Jays will give the ball to their ace, Marcus Stroman. First pitch is set for 1:10 PM ET at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.