Zach Plesac‘s return has been just what he wanted, and exactly what the Indians needed.
Plesac won his second straight start since returning to Cleveland’s rotation after a demotion for breaking team COVID-19 protocols, leading the Indians to a 5-2 victory over Kansas City on Monday night that extended the Royals’ losing streak to a season-high seven straight.
Plesac (3-1) gave up a hit in each of the first seven innings, including Adalberto Mondesi‘s 458-foot homer in the seventh, but came up with big pitches over seven innings.
In 13 innings over two starts since coming back, Plesac has allowed just two runs and not given up a walk with 10 strikeouts.
“Two wins, that’s all you can ask for,” said Plesac, who improved to 5-0 in six career starts against Kansas City.
Plesac was being counted on by the Indians before his off-field misstep, and interim manager Sandy Alomar Jar. said the 25-year-old has come back just as focused.
“He’s the same guy,” Alomar said. “Same kid with more discipline. He’s the same pitcher. He’s always been a motivated kid. He goes to the mound to win and to compete. I didn’t see any change prior or after. He seemed to me like the same pitcher.”
Indians closer Brad Hand struck out the side in the ninth for his major league-leading 12th save in as many tries.
Tyler Naquin had two RBI for the Indians against Brad Keller (3-2), who hung around until the seventh and had some unlucky breaks on some grounders that found holes for Cleveland.