Cleveland Indians beat Chicago Cubs 6-0 read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1413-cleveland-indians-beat-chicago-cubs-6-0

A superb pitching display from Corey Kluber helped the Cleveland Indians to an emphatic 6-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in the World Series opening game.

Kluber struck out eight of the first nine outs registered and Roberto Perez hit two home runs as the Cubs endured a miserable return to the season finale.

The Cleveland Indians, lifted by the pitching of Corey Kluber and slugging of Roberto Perez, spoiled the long-awaited return to the World Series by the Chicago Cubs with a 6-0 spanking in Tuesday's opening game.

Kluber became the first World Series pitcher to strike out eight of the first nine outs registered, as he outdueled Jon Lester, while catcher Perez blasted a pair of homers to drive in four runs as Cleveland claimed a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven.

Kluber gave up four hits in six-plus innings, striking out nine with no walks to become only the third hurler to strike out nine without giving up a run in a Fall Classic opener after Cardinals' Bob Gibson (1968) and Yankees' Allie Reynolds (1949).

"There's that extra level of excitement, anxiety but once you get out there and the game starts and you get in the flow it all disappears," said Kluber, who was pitching in his first World Series game.

"You kind of get in your comfort zone just playing the game."

With relievers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen following Kluber to the mound, Indians pitchers registered 15 strikeouts.

Hitting star Perez, who had only three homers in the regular season and said he felt comfortable at the plate, seemed even more enthused by Kluber's performance.

"It's fun, he (Kluber) just attacked hitters," Perez said. "We got ahead of hitters today. He's been doing that the whole year. He's our ace. Every time he steps on the mound I expect big things from him.

"He was awesome."

The Indians seized a lead they never relinquished with a two-out, two-run rally in the first inning on two hits, including an RBI squibbler, two walks and a run that crossed the plate thanks to a bases-loaded hit batsman by Lester.

Cleveland added another run the more conventional way on a line drive solo homer by Perez in the fourth, and a three-run blast in the eighth by the catcher finished off the Cubs, making their first appearance in the World Series in 71 years.

"I thought we came out ready to play. They pitched well," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon.

"The first inning, what hurt us was the walks, not even the dribbler or the hit batter. It was the walks prior to that really hurt us.