Coming off a tough outing in Colorado his last time out, Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ had everything working on Sunday. The 33-year-old left-hander limited the Indians to a single run on four hits while striking out a season-high 11 batters, and he did not issue a walk over seven strong innings to pick up the win. Happ's lone run allowed was an RBI single to catcher Yan Gomes in the top of the seventh.
After winning four of his five starts in June and pitching two complete games, Corey Kluber struggled mightily in his first start of July. The 30-year-old right-hander pitched a season-low 3 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while walking four. The former Cy Young Award winner battled his command all afternoon, finishing with just 53 strikes on 95 pitches.
Including Sunday's outing, Indians relievers totaled 24 2/3 innings over the past three games, prompting manager Terry Francona to use catcher Chris Gimenez for the final two innings on Sunday. Gimenez -- who allowed four runs on four hits -- became the third position player to pitch in the series, after the Blue Jays used utility infielders Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney in Friday's 19-inning marathon.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Tulo's day: Toronto's star shortstop did not disappoint on Troy Tuowitzki Bobblehead Day at the park. Tulowitzki went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, launching a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth, and added a pair of singles along with a sacrifice fly. The veteran shortstop has hit .321 (17-for-53) in 13 games since coming off the disabled list and has reached base in all but one of those games.
Quick hook: Simply put, Kluber just didn't have it on Sunday. After a stellar June, during which he posted a 2.19 ERA with a 67-percent strike rate and 1.7 walks per nine innings, the right-hander issued four walks in 3 1/3 innings, allowed seven hits and logged 55.8 percent strikes (53 in 95 pitches). Francona pulled the plug in the fourth and gave the ball to reliever Joba Chamberlain.
Alykhan Ravjiani is a reporter for MLB.com based in Toronto.
Jordan Bastian has covered the Indians for MLB.com since 2011, and previously covered the Blue Jays from 2006-10. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, follow him on Twitter @MLBastian and listen to his podcast.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Blue Jays dominate Tribe in lopsided finale
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