Source: Jim McIsaac / Getty
CLEVELAND — For just the third time in franchise history, the Cleveland Indians have won 100 games in a season.
Behind a standout performance from starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco and two-run home runs from center fielder Jason Kipnis and catcher Roberto Perez, the Indians (100-59) earned a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins (83-76) at Progressive Field Thursday.
The Indians won 100 games in 1995 and a franchise-record 111 in 1954. In both of those seasons, the Indians went on to win the American League pennant.
On the way to his 18th win of the season, which drew him into a tie with Corey Kluber for the team lead, Carrasco scattered six hits and one walk over 8.1 innings of work, and struck out a season-high 14 Twins hitters. It was Carrasco’s fifth double-digit strikeout performance of the season and 15th of his Major League career.
In the first inning, Carrasco allowed a two-out walk to shortstop Jorge Polanco, and despite letting the runner advance to second base on a wild pitch, he gathered himself and struck out first baseman Kennys Vargas swinging to end the frame.
After a leadoff single from right fielder Max Kepler in the top of the second inning, Carrasco got designated hitter Robbie Grossman to ground into a fielder’s choice, and then, registered back-to-back swinging strikeouts from catcher Jason Castro and left fielder Mitch Garver.
In the fifth inning, Carrasco worked around a leadoff single, and later, a two-out hit that put runners on the corners. Carrasco earned the three outs with swinging third strikes, which gave him a new single-season career best for strikeouts (226).
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Article Courtesy of WKYC Channel 3 News Cleveland
Picture Courtesy of Jim McIsaac and Getty Images
