TORONTO — Mark Buehrle isn’t expecting his scoreless streak of 14 2/3 innings against the Indians over two seasons to continue when he pitches Friday night at Progressive Field.
“I’m sure that will end because I don’t think I’ve fared well at their park,” said Buehrle, who has a lifetime 4.17 ERA in 18 appearances in Cleveland. “I think it’s one of those things facing teams so many times with teams in your division. They have to know what you’re throwing, which they do. You have to try to mix it up as much as you can but not get into a routine.”
Buehrle’s streak against the Indians includes seven innings April 5 in a 6-0 victory on Opening Day in which he surrendered only three hits and allowed only one runner to advance as far as second base.
Then Sunday against the Twins he allowed only one run in eight innings while retiring 10 of the final 11 batters he faced despite not possessing pinpoint control.
“Early on I felt like I was making some pitches, but they were getting hits,” Buehrle said. “And then it seemed like later on I was getting away throwing (pitches down the middle) on 2-0 fastballs, trying to make a good pitch and they were getting themselves out.
“That’s why I think a lot of this game is luck. You make a lot of quality pitches they shouldn’t get hits on and they get hits. And then you throw a (pitch down the middle) they should crush, but they don’t.”
