Clevinger and the Pen Carve Up the Royals in Indians 1-0 Win; Three Takeaways From the Win

The Indians haven't been doing much on offense in the month of May to this point, but thanks to starting pitching and the pen, today the did something that's

The Indians haven't been doing much on offense in the month of May to this point, but thanks to starting pitching and the pen, today the did something that's very hard to do, make one run hold up.

The team was able to scratch out a run and then starter Mike Clevinger and the pen did the rest, as the Indians wrapped up a series in Kansas City winning two of three with a 1-0 victory.

Clevinger, making his first start of the season, was as good as could be, not allowing a run in 5.2 innings, and while he walked four he also struck out five.

The Tribe is now 3-3 on what was at first a 10-game trip down to nine due to a rain out in Detroit. The club now will jump to Toronto to wrap up the trip with a three-game series with the Jays.

Here's three takeaways from Sunday's big 1-0 win over the Royals to push their mark to 17-13 on the year.

1. Crafty Clevinger

He didn't dominate by any means, but Mike Clevinger was good enough on Sunday, going 5.2 innings and not allowing a Royal to cross the plate.

Clevinger was very good at keeping the ball down, and while he walked four batters, he was able to strikeout five to get out of any jams.

He didn't allow a hit (the only one the Royals had on the day) until the fourth when he walked Eric Hosmer and then Salvador Perez doubled.

The Indians pitcher was able to get back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat, and the following the inning the Indians got the only run of the day.

It's nice to be able to turn the ball over to a guy who can come in and get a big win like Clevinger did on Sunday. Now we will see how he is if he gets another start, which he should based on his outing Sunday.

2. Pen Perfect

Once again Cody Allen made it interesting ninth allowing two runners on, but this bullpen continues to dominate, and they did it again Sunday not allowing a hit in the 1-0 win.

Bryan Shaw, who hasn't been talked about much, was great in relief, coming in to face four batters, and striking out all four.

Easy, breezy 1.1 innings for Bryan Shaw today, with four strikeouts.

Opposing hitters now batting .196 against him early on. pic.twitter.com/8Z6YTvhUam

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 7, 2017

Andrew Miller, per usual, was sick with a super quick 8th inning throwing nine pitches to get out of the inning with a strikeout.

Allen hit the first batter he faced, but after a couple outs and a walk, he got one-time Indian Brandon Moss on a lazy flyout to center to end the game and seal the win.

3. Making the Most of the Weekend

It wasn't a very pretty week at the plate for the Indians, scoring 11 runs in six games, but they did enough to be able to scrap out three wins in six games.

The club got some key hits at key times, and the pitching staff was able to step up and keep the team in games, doing enough to get out of jams when games were on the line.

The team showed the fight while trying to work out their issues at the plate, and while everyone seems to still feel that the offense will in time be just fine - it's important to see this team win games when scoring just one or two runs.

Now at 3-3 on the road trip the team will look to wrap up the trip on a high note as they head to take on the team they knocked out of the postseason last season in the Jays.