CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Roberto Perez pumped his fist and tapped the dirt twice. Danny Salazar kissed his fingers and pointed to the sky.
It was his way, Salazar said, of thanking God. Salazar had struck out Yankees outfielder Chris Young with a changeup to strand runners at second and third and preserve the Tribe's 2-1 lead in the seventh. Strikeouts have been an Indians hurler's best friend. In 2014, the club established a record with 1,450 in a season (8.95 per game). This season, the club has averaged 8.90 strikeouts per contest.
Frankly, the Indians had been forced to rely upon strikeouts.