Cleveland Indians waste Zach Plesac’s gem in 4-0 loss to Chicago White Sox

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Zach Plesac in his first start of the season had no choice but to follow the lead of those who pitched before him. That’s exactly what he did Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

Plesac became the sixth straight Indians starter since opening day to pitch at least six innings, while allowing two or fewer runs. In doing that he matched what Shane Bieber, Mike Clevinger, Carlos Carrasco, Aaron Civale and Adam Plutko did before him.

The one thing that was lacking in the game was offense. It didn’t arrive until the ninth inning, which is a testament to how well Plesac and Chicago’s Lucas Giolito and his bullpen pitched. When it did, the White Sox piled on Brad Hand for a 4-0 win.

Hand (0-1) started the ninth and allowed four runs on one hit in 1/3 of an inning. He allowed a leadoff double to Tim Anderson, walked Yoan Moncada and hit Jose Abreu to start the inning. Yasmani Grandal made it 1-0 with a sacrifice fly. Adam Cimber relieved and allowed a sacrifice fly to Eloy Jimenez and a two-run single to Luis Robert.

The last time the Indians had a six starters open the season with six or more innings and two or fewer runs allowed was in 1905. That was 115 years ago and the pitchers were named Otto Hess (twice), Addie Joss, Earl Moore and Bob Rhoads. It has not been done in the big leagues since the 1993 Atlanta Braves.

Plesac threw eight scoreless innings, striking out a career-high 11. He allowed three hits and didn’t walk a batter in 98 pitches.

The Indians rotation is 4-0 with a 1.85 ERA in six games. They have struck out 53 batters and walked three in 39 innings.

Plesac and Lucas Giolito were the focal point of the game until the ninth.

Giolito, ripped by the Twins in his first start of the season, threw six scoreless innings. He struck out six and walked two in lower his ERA from 17.18 to 6.52.

Like all good starters the were at their best when it meant the most.

The White Sox put runners on first and third with two outs in the third thanks to singles by Leury Garcia and Anderson. Garcia should have been out as he tried to go from first to third on Anderson’s soft single to right, but Bradley Zimmer threw a changeup to third and Jose Ramirez couldn’t handle it. Zimmer was charged with his second error in two days.

Plesac ended the inning by getting Moncada to pop up to Ramirez.

He retired the next seven batters before Adam Engel started the sixth with a double. Plesac, mixing speeds wells, struck out Anderson, retired Moncada on a liner to second and retired Jose Abreu on a grounder to short. Anderson was so upset about striking out on an off-speed pitch that he slammed his bat on the ground, shattering it from handle to barrel.

Giolito was just as good.

Cesar Hernandez walked and Ramirez singled him to third to start the fourth. Giolito struck out Francisco Lindor and induced Carlos Santana to hit into a 3-6-3 double play.

The Indians loaded the bases with two out in the sixth. Hernandez singled, Ramirez doubled him to third and Lindor walked. Carlos Santana flied out to center.

In Tuesday’s doubleheader sweep of the White Sox, the Indians were out-hit, 19-15, but won with great pitching. The great pitching showed up again Wednesday, but it’s hard to win if you don’t score.

The Indians finished with six hits, three by Ramirez. Aaron Bummer (1-0) was the winner with a scoreless eighth.

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