er, J.J. McCleskey, played 78 games as a defensive back for

CLEVELAND -- The offense goes on two-week vacations, and Clevelands defense sometimes springs leaks. The starting rotation has been inconsistent, and until recently the bullpens had issues.Over the past two months, though, the Indians have been able to count on one thing: Corey Kluber has been almost flawless.Kluber struck out a season-high 11 and notched his seventh straight win, leading the Indians to an 8-4 victory on Wednesday night over the Minnesota Twins, whose losing streak has reached 13 games -- one shy of tying the club record.Unbeaten since July 3, Kluber (15-8) allowed three runs and six hits in eight solid innings. The right-hander is 7-0 with a 1.94 ERA in his last 10 starts, a stretch in which the Indians have seized control of the AL Central.Yeah, hes pretty good, Indians manager Terry Francona said. Thats a nice feeling knowing that every five days, and its not like we dont have other guys, but hes so consistent at a high level that its really nice.Carlos Santana and Roberto Perez homered off Pat Dean (1-5), and Jose Ramirez hit a two-run double during a five-run fifth as the AL Central-leading Indians swept the three-game series and extended the Twins sorry slide.Minnesota is winless since Aug. 17, and the Twins skid -- the lengthiest in the majors this season -- is also the second-longest in team history. They also lost 13 in a row in 1961 and 1982, when they dropped 14 in a row.Its been a long week, manager Paul Molitor said. We need to try to find a way to win a game at some point to just lighten the load. Its getting heavy. Guys are getting on the edge a little bit. You can feel it. Its building.Brian Dozier hit his 32nd homer and Max Kepler connected for his 16th for the Twins, who loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth off rookie Perci Garner, making his major league debut. Bryan Shaw came on and threw a wild pitch before striking out Dozier for his first save.For seven-plus innings, Kluber had little trouble against the ALs worst team. The 2014 Cy Young Award winner, who followed up an 18-win season by losing 16 last year, struck out four of the first six batters and carried a 7-1 lead into the eighth, when Dozier tagged him for a two-run homer.Clevelands offense, almost non-existent for nearly two weeks, helped Kluber by collecting 12 hits. It was only the third time in 10 games the Indians scored more than one run.In typical fashion, the stoic Kluber downplayed his performance, which took some pressure off a tired bullpen.Yeah, obviously in hindsight I gave them a break but that wasnt my goal going into today to give them a break, he said. Every time I pitch Im trying to go as deep into the game as I can. I think Tito (Francona) was joking around with me yesterday saying my pitch count would be around 140 so he took me out a little early.It was good to get out there and get some quick innings early and get ahead of them and pounded the zone and was able to go pretty deep.Santana gave Kluber and the Indians a 2-1 lead in the fourth with his 28th homer, a laser shot into the left-field stands. Santanas 28 homers -- only four have been right-handed -- are the most in franchise history by a switch-hitter.TROUBLED TOMLINThe Indians will skip Josh Tomlins next start while trying to figure out what to do next with the struggling right-hander.Tomlin is 0-5 with an 11.48 ERA in his last six starts, and he lasted a career-low 1 2/3 innings on Tuesday. Francona has remained in Tomlins corner, but with the Indians eyeing October, they cant afford any more bad performances from the 31-year-old.Were going to put our heads together, Francona said. How to get him back the best way, we need to figure that out.TRAINERS ROOMIndians: C Yan Gomes, out since July 17 with a separated right shoulder, is expected to begin a rehab assignment in the next week. The club made a procedural move with him, putting him on the 60-day disabled list. Hes eligible to be activated on Sept. 16.UP NEXTTwins: Ervin Santana, the subject of trade rumors in recent days, will open a four-game series at home against the Chicago White Sox.Indians: Following an off day, the Indians will open a three-game series against the Miami Marlins with Carlos Carrasco facing Andrew Cashner. Discount Jordan Shoes Wholesale . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Cheap Jordan Shoes Free Shipping . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. http://www.airjordanoutletcheap.com/ . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Real Jordan Shoes Cheap . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Air Joran Outlet Cheap . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. STILLWATER, Okla. -- Jalen McCleskey is making the most of coverage schemes focused on James Washington. And its paying off in a big way for Oklahoma State.Kansas used double coverage to limit Washington to one reception for 9 yards on Saturday, but McCleskey responded with six catches for a career-high 129 yards to help the Cowboys to a 44-20 victory.The sophomore receiver has turned into a potent target for Mason Rudolph and Oklahoma State (5-2, 3-1 Big 12), totaling 38 receptions -- one more than Washington -- for 536 yards and four touchdowns.Teams lately have been taking away James, said McCleskey, who is listed at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds. Just going into the game knowing that if they take away James, that me and (fellow receivers Chris Lacy and Jhajuan Seales), were going to have to make plays, because were going to most likely be in single coverage. When they call our number, we just have to make the play.McCleskey already has exceeded his numbers from his freshman year, when he had 29 receptions for 253 yards and three touchdowns. He gets another opportunity to step into the spotlight when Oklahoma State hosts No. 10 West Virginia (6-0, 3-0) on Saturday.Hes got really good instincts, hes got tremendous hands, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. Hes a well-rounded receiver. Now, hes got to do some things in the blocking game better, but at the same time, hes really not built for blocking too much. But hes got great speed, hes got great change-of-direction, his hands are tremendous. Hell continue to improve, and hes a very heady player.The Cowboys relatively new rushing ability also has been a key part of overcoming the attention being paid to Washington. Freshman Justice Hill gained 162 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries against Kansas and ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 565 yards.Its a simple game, its math -- if theyre going to defend (the pass), then you have to be able to run the ball, Oklahoma State coach Mike Guundy said.dddddddddddd If you cant run the ball, it makes for a long day. Inside receiver and running game is what opens up in most cases, if youre going to get over-the-top coverage on a certain receiver.For his part, McCleskey relishes the challenge of being a go-to receiver.I always want to see James and all the other receivers play well, too, he said. But if they take away one player, then somebody else has to step up and be that next guy up, so being able to do that really helps the team win.Gundy credits some of McCleskeys football intelligence and attention to detail to his upbringing. His father, J.J. McCleskey, played 78 games as a defensive back for the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals from 1993-2000.Just the gym rat concept environment that hes raised in, Gundy said of the benefits of having an NFL alumnus as his dad. Obviously, hes gifted genetically. Hes worked on his speed and hands throughout his career. Im guessing that his dad had probably shared things with him that helped prepare him to play at a high level like he is right now. And hes a very intelligent young man. He gets it, and all the big picture around him doesnt really affect him too much.McCleskey has learned to use his undersized body as an asset and has never viewed being smaller as a detriment, even though he routinely puts himself in harms way against much bigger defenders.Thats mental toughness, just knowing that youre going to get hit, but you got to go out there, said McCleskey, who also has gained 64 yards on seven punt returns this year. Most definitely (there are benefits to being smaller). My speed, being able to get through the defense, being able to make people miss while running through the middle, things like that. If you just go out there and play fast, most likely youre not going to get hit as much. ' ' '