Indians 3, White Sox 0: Kluber beats Quintana in return to form

Corey Kluber rediscovered his usual form. Jose Quintana isn’t quite there.

Quintana, who entered the game with a 6.75 ERA, showed better stuff than his last time out against Minnesota, especially with regard to his curveball, which looked livelier and more precise. A quality start against a good lineup should give him some footing, but he’s still got work to do.

What kind of work? His control remains lacking. He issued three walks, and missed bad on a cutter that led a run-scoring wild pitch in the third innning. He also grooved a fastball to Brandon Guyer for a two-run homer (which was preceded by a two-out walk) that practically put the game out of reach in the fourth.

Quintana struck out six and was able to execute his usual game plan for longer stretches, but he still had enough command lapses where you can’t say he’s back.

At least he received no support. That looks familiar.

Kluber, who entered the game with a 6.38 ERA, flirted with a Maddux tonight, but he ended up settling for a three-hitter. The Sox had to settle for three singles, and one of them didn’t even turn into a baserunner, as Melky Cabrera was thrown out in a comical attempt to stretch a wallball into a double.

Kluber also issued a walk to Jacob May of all people. May is still hitless after going 0-for-2, although some of his best contact of the year ended up in a 3-6 double play when Carlos Santana was able to smother the hot shot at first base.

If you wanted a positive, you’d have to look to the bullpen, or at least the right-handed portion of it. Anthony Swarzak and Nate Jones the four batters they faced apiece, racking up a combined five strikeouts. In between, Dan Jennings was less impressive.

Bullet points:

*Todd Frazier returned to the lineup and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He’s batting .100.

*Narvaez made a tremendous throw to thwart a Michael Brantley steal attempt, digging out a low pitch and firing a bullet that Yolmer Sanchez accepted on Brantley’s hip.

*The No. 3-7 part of the lineup went 0-for-15 with six strikeouts.

Record: 7-8 | Box score | Highlights