Indians win ALDS Game 2 in walk-off fashion after erasing largest deficit in franchise Postseason history; three takeaways

3. Clobbered Kluber

The win seems even more unlikely when you think about what the Yankees did to Indians’ ace Corey Kluber, who had arguably his roughest start of the 2017 season. He lasted just two and two-thirds innings, and gave up seven hits, six earned runs, two homers and one walk. He also notched four strikeouts. He threw 76 total pitches, 38 of which came in the first inning.

It was Kluber’s shortest start of his Postseason career (his shortest playoff start prior to tonight came in Game 7 of last year’s World Series when he went four innings). Through his 163 career regular season starts, Kluber has gone for less than three innings just three times.

The six runs he gave up were equal to the number of runs he allowed in his last seven starts combined. Per T.J. Zuppe, it’s also just the second time he’s allowed four or more runs since coming off the disabled list on June 1.

After Game 1, the Yankees’ Chase Headley said that their goal in going against Kluber was to make him work for every out that he got. They managed to do that and then some.

But, the Indians’ bullpen managed to get the game back under control following a two-run homer that Mike Clevinger gave up.

“Brian Shaw came in and quieted it down, gave us a chance,” Francona said. “Cody [Allen] went two really tough, long innings. And Josh Tomlin came in — I mean, he’s — I don’t know how else to say it. He’s got major league balls. That’s just the best way I can say it.”

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