CLEVELAND -- When he was called up in late May, T.J. House put together a string of starts that kept the Indians in the game. Over his last three starts though he was been pretty dominant.
The left-hander matched career highs on Thursday, going seven innings and striking out eight as the Indians beat the Twins 2-0 in the second game of a doubleheader.
House became the first Indians pitcher since 1914 to have three straight starts where he has worked at least seven innings, allowed one or fewer runs and walked none. He is also only the second pitcher in the Majors to accomplish that feat in the last 14 years. David Price did it last year with Tampa Bay.
"Probably about a month ago, I really started feeling comfortable around here," House said. "We've been working really hard in my bullpen sessions tracking my mechanics and making sure my ball is staying on a good plane. With that Kansas City start (on Aug. 31), I got on a roll and right now I'm just going with it and hoping that it stays."
House improved to 3-3 on the season but the Indians are 6-0 in games that he starts at Progressive Field. Bryan Shaw worked the eighth and Cody Allen got his 20th save in the ninth as the Indians recorded their 13th shutout of the season.
Said manager Terry Francona of House: "He's pitching with more confidence. And, as he gets into the game, his two-seamer, he stays down and throws that breaking ball, and he stays under their barrel. It's really exciting to watch his development. This is a kid that's doing it right in the midst of when we need to win every game."
Over the past 30 games, the Indians rotation has an MLB-low ERA of 2.14 and has gone 19-10 in that span (with the suspended game against the Royals pending). Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer will be the starters this weekend at Detroit.
