Bieber strikes out 11 as streaking Indians shut out Pirates

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Unbeaten Shane Bieber racked up 11 more strikeouts and the Cleveland Indians blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Thursday night to complete a three-game sweep and extend their winning streak to a season-high six games.

The right-hander allowed six hits and walked none in six innings, throwing 99 pitches. Bieber (5-0) has struck out a major league-best 65 in 40 2/3 innings, an average of 14.4 per nine innings.

“You saw why he’s one of the best pitchers in the game,” Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings said. “He has five good pitches and command of them all. When you have stuff and command, you’re going to put up (strikeout) numbers like that.”

Oliver Perez, Nick Wittgren, James Karinchak and Brad Hand finished the shutout. Hand recorded his seventh save in as many opportunities.

The Indians finished their road trip 6-0. They also swept three games in Detroit last weekend.

The trip came right after two of their starting pitchers, Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac, were assigned to the alternate training site in Eastlake, Ohio. The right-handers violated COVID-19 protocols when left the hotel during a trip to Chicago earlier this month.

“It shows you the culture of the organization and the character the guys have,” said Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr., who is running the club while manager Terry Francona is sidelined by a gastrointestinal issue.

Cleveland has won 10 of its last 13. Pittsburgh lost for the 14 time in 16 games and has the worst record in the big leagues at 4-17.

Bieber has at least eight strikeouts in all six of his starts, the third-longest such streak to start a season in Indians history. Bob Feller did it in nine straight games in 1946 and Sam McDowell had a seven-game streak in 1966.

It was the 11th...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Bieber-strikes-out-11-as-streaking-Indians-shut-15502977.php