Corey Kluber Strikes Out 18 Over Eight Innings In Historic Performance (Video)

It’s not an overstatement to say Corey Kluber pitched one of the best games in recent baseball history Wednesday night.

The Cleveland Indians ace has struggled some to begin the season, but he reminded the St. Louis Cardinals and everyone else why he’s the reigning American League Cy Young winner Wednesday.

Kluber dominated the Cardinals, striking out 18 batters and allowing just one hit to pick up his first win of the season. Oh, and by the way: Those 18 strikeouts came in just eight innings.

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Kluber’s performance, as you might expect, set or tied all kinds of records. For instance:

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The only bummer, of course, is that the Indians pulled Kluber after eight innings, meaning he wouldn’t get a chance to tie or break the record for a nine-inning game of 20 strikeouts set by Roger Clemens (twice) and Kerry Wood.

Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images