CLEVELAND -- Corey Kluber is the American League Player of the Week after going 2-0 with 28 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched.
Last Tuesday at Houston, Kluber went seven innings and allowed just one run on seven hits with a pair of walks and 14 strikeouts in a 4-2 win. Kluber, who struck out two each inning, became just the second pitcher in the majors since 2008 to have at least seven multi-strikeout innings in the same appearance since Detroit's Anibal Sanches did it last April against Atlanta.
On Sunday, Kluber again had 14 strikeouts as he held the Twins to two runs on seven hits with a walk in eight innings. It was the first time since Arizona's Randy Johnson did it in 2001 that a pitcher had consecutive starts with at least 14 strikeouts. Sam McDowell was the only other Indian to do that as he accomplished it twice in 1968.
Kluber is 17-9 on the season, which is the most wins by an Indians hurler since Cliff Lee went 22-3 en route to winning the Cy Young Award in 2008. It is the most by a Tribe right-hander since Roberto Hernandez was 19-8 in 2007.
"I just think, again I'm going to fall back on I told you so. He wasn't tired and everyone wanted to jump on and nag about it. He's worked too hard," manager Terry Francona said. "It's amazing how crisp he is and he commands his pitches so well. He's so good and you put the intangibles with his stuff and he is becoming one of the better pitchers in the game and that's very exciting."
With 258 strikeouts on the season, Kluber leads the majors and it is the 10th best in Indians' history. Since losing three straight, he has won his past four, allowing only five earned runs in 32 1/3 innings with 43 strikeouts against three walks.
Kluber is the fourth Cleveland player this season to be honored as Al Player of the Week, joining Michael Brantley (June 16), Jason Kipnis (July 21) and Carlos Santana (July 28).
