CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Shane Bieber’s first opening day start was electric, and historic.
Once he got through the first inning, Bieber settled in and mowed the Kansas City Royals down with ease Friday night at Progressive Field.
The right hander fanned 14 Royals in six innings as the Indians won their long-awaited 2020 debut, 2-0.
“I was pumped,” Bieber said.
The 14 strikeouts were a franchise record in an opener, surpassing Gary Bell’s 12 strikeouts recorded in 10 1/3 innings in 1960 against the Tigers at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
“That’s a bunch,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.
Bieber is the fifth pitcher since 1900 to strike out 14 or more in an opener and the Indians staff 18 strikeouts combined were the most in a nine-inning game on opening day in MLB history. Hall of Famer Randy Johnson is the last pitcher to fan 14 on opening day. He did it against the White Sox on March 31, 1996. Camilo Pascual holds the record with 15 for the Senators in 1960.
After starting last season as the No. 5 starter, the 2019 All-Star game MVP has quickly established himself as No. 1 in the rotation and he’s not shying away from the pressure that comes with it.
“I’ve kind of been in that role and that spot a few times with other teams — back in college, back in high school and moving up the ranks with the Indians,” Bieber said. “It’s definitely something I embrace and look forward to.”
Bieber hit Royals right fielder Whit Merrifield to lead off the game. Shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, who would be caught stealing, hit into a fielder’s choice erasing Merrifield on the bases. Jorge Soler, Kansas City’s DH, walked before Salvador Perez singled with two outs. Bieber got out of the inning by picking up his first strikeout, one that got away from catcher Roberto Perez, who threw to first in time to end the inning.
“That first inning was a little bit shaky, but I was able to work through it,” Bieber said.
Other than allowing a pair of hits in the fifth inning, Bieber cruised.
“They made Shane work in his first inning and in the fifth,” Francona said. “But for him to get through the six with 97 pitches, that’s pretty good pitching.”
His final line: six innings, four hits, a walk, hit bater and the 14 Ks on 97 pitches, 62 strikes.
“When I say he makes the glass look half-full, that would be the biggest understatement,” Indians manager Francona said. “He’s really something.”
The Indians finally got to Royals starter Danny Duffy, who is 0-7 lifetime against Cleveland, in the fifth and sent him to the showers with one out in the inning.
Left fielder Jordan Luplow opened the inning by getting hit by a pitch. After Domingo Santana popped out to first, Roberto Perez singled to chase Duffy. Oscar Mercado drove home Luplow by greeting reliever Scott Barlow with another singe before Cesar Hernandez brought Perez home with a double for a 2-0 lead.
Adam Cimber and Nick Wittgren pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings respectively in relief of Bieber. Cimber walked one, Wittgren hit a batter but struck out two.
Brad Hand hit Royals left fielder Alex Gordon to lead off the top of the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate before Hand got a flyout to center and a pair of strikeouts to finish off Kansas City and pick up his first save of the season.
