ST. LOUIS -- Corey Kluber had never been better than he was three years ago when he dismantled the Cardinals en route to matching the Indians' single-game strikeout record. That was the best start of his career. Tuesday would be his worst.
Facing the Cardinals for the first time since that 18-strikeout gem, Kluber found himself ambushed by Matt Carpenter and the Cardinals' homer-happy offense. Carpenter provided the jolt with his five-hit, two-homer night, and Jose Martinez contributed the dagger that chased Kluber in what would become an 11-2 rout of the Indians at Busch Stadium.
Jose Martinez's 3-run homer Carpenter, one of three Cardinals to face Kluber in that last matchup, ensured things would transpire differently this time around when he opened the night with his third leadoff homer in eight days.