CLEVELAND _ Corey Kluber offered a rare smile, a shrug and only one word. The question had to be asked, but the answer was already known.
Kluber delivered another strong outing but received little run support in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox. In 72/3 innings, he allowed two runs on four hits and struck out 12. It was the 15th time in his last 16 starts he eclipsed eight strikeouts.
It also pushed him over 200 strikeouts for the season, marking the fourth consecutive season he's reached that plateau. Only two other active pitchers have such a streak _ Boston's Chris Sale and Washington's Max Scherzer _ and only two pitchers in Indians history have ever accomplished that feat _ Bob Feller and Sam McDowell.
It's a significant mark for any pitcher to reach. In the past, Kluber has maintained he doesn't give much thought to numbers or achievements like that. Indians manager Terry Francona and his teammates have basically had to do all the bragging for him. And, plenty of it has been warranted.
So, after Tuesday's game, Kluber was asked how much weight the accomplishment carried. It was also qualified that his history is known, and the fact that it was coming just after a loss. He smiled and gave a one-word response.
"None."
The aspect that's been most impressive to Francona hasn't been the level Kluber has reached. It's that he's been able to stay there for four seasons.
"What I think the biggest thing is that when you back up the consistency of being good, that's one of the biggest compliments I think you can give to a player," Francona said. "I remember when he won the Cy Young, I kept saying the only thing he hasn't done is (be at that level) from year to year to year, which wasn't his fault because he hadn't played.
" ... And what makes it so special is because it's come from hard work. He's made himself into one of the best pitchers in the game. He didn't just show up and it was there. He got after it and he continues to get after it, and that's very reassuring for us."
