CLEVELAND — The 2020 season will be unique for many reasons.
But Shane Bieber picked up right where he left off.
Coming off a breakthrough season in which earned All-Star Game MVP honors, the Cleveland Indians' new ace put together a season debut for the ages. Recording 14 strikeouts, Bieber set a new franchise record for Opening Day strikeouts, combining with an Indians fifth-inning rally to give Cleveland a 2-0 victory.
Of course, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Indians' Opening Day win at Progressive Field was played without fans. Nevertheless, Cleveland got off to a 1-0 start to a 60-game season in which every game will matter more than any season before.
Bieber earned the win while Royals starter Danny Duffy took the loss. Indians closer Brad Hand tallied his first save of the season.
What follows is a running blog of the Indians' Opening Day victory:
End of game: Indians 2, Royals 0
Brad Hand in for the Indians and he hits Alex Gordon to put a runner on base to start the inning. Ryan McBroom flies out to center for the first out and Maikel Franco strikes out for the second. Hand strikes out Erick Mejia to end the game.
End of eighth: Indians 2, Royals 0
Carlos Santana walks, but Franmil Reyes grounds into a double play. Jordan Luplow grounds out and the Indians head to the top of the ninth up 2.
Middle of eighth: Indians 2, Royals 0
Nick Wittgren in for the Indians. He forces a Whit Merrifield fly out, Adalberto Mondesei fly out. Jorge Soler reaches base on a hit by pitch but Wittgren strikes out Alex Gordon to escape the eighth.
End of seventh: Indians 2, Royals 0
Cesar Hernandez and Jose Ramirez ground out and Francisco Lindor lines out as we head to the eighth.
Middle of seventh: Indians 2, Royals 0
Adam Cimber comes in for Bieber and forces a Ryan McBroom pop out and Maikel Franco ground out before walking Nicky Lopez. Cimber forces as a Franchy Cordero ground out as we head to the 7th inning stretch.
End of sixth: Indians 2, Royals 0
Franmil Reyes flies out and Jordan Luplow grounds out before a Domingo Santana 2-out walk. Bradley Zimmer pinch runs for Santana and advances to second on a Roberto Perez walk, but Oscar Mercado grounds into a force out to end the inning.
Middle of sixth: Indians 2, Royals 0
Jorge Soler flies out and Shane Bieber punches out Salvador Perez and Shane Bieber to set a new Indians Opening Day record with 14 strikeouts.
End of fifth: Indians 2, Royals 0
The Royals pull Duffy after Jordan Luplow reaches on a hit by pitch and Roberto Perez singles. Oscar Mercado drives in the game's first run and Cesar Hernandez follows with an RBI of his own. After Jose Ramirez gets hit by a pitch to load the bases, Francisco Lindor strikes out and Carlos Santana grounds into a force out to end the inning.
Middle of fifth: Indians 0, Royals 0
Bieber strikes out Maikel Franco and Nicky Lopez singles to center. After Bubba Starling strikes out looking, Merrifield knocks Lopez to third with a single to right. Merrifield steals second but Bieber strikes out Adalberto Mondesi for his 12th strikeout of the night, tying an Indians Opening Day record.
End of fourth: Indians 0, Royals 0
Francisco Lindor pops out, Carlos Santana grounds out to short and Franmil Reyes pops out to end the inning. Nine straight retired by Royals pitcher Danny Duffy.
Middle of fourth: Indians 0, Royals 0
Bieber strikes out Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon reaches first on a 2-out single. Bieber strikes out Ryan McBroom for his ninth K of the night to end the inning.
End of third: Indians 0, Royals 0
Oscar Mercado pops out, Cesar Hernandez grounds out and Jose Ramirez strikes out to end the inning.
Middle of third: Indians 0, Royals 0
Bieber sandwiches two more strikeouts around a Whit Merrifield flyout and heads to the fourth unscathed.
End of second: Indians 0, Royals 0
Franmil Reyes reaches base on a leadoff double. Jordan Luplow flies out to left and Domingo Santana pops out on the first pitch he sees. Roberto Perez ground into a force out to end the inning.
Middle of second: Indians 0, Royals 0
Shane Bieber strikes out the side (Ryan McBroom, Maikel Franco and Nicky Lopez) and has now struck out the last four batters he's faced.
End of first: Indians 0, Royals 0
Following a Cesar Hernandez line out, Jose Ramirez doubles. Francisco Lindor pops out to shortstop and Carlos Santana strikes out to end the inning.
Middle of first: Indians 0, Royals 0
Shane Bieber hits Whit Merrifield, who gets forced out at second and Adalberto Mondesi gets caught stealing. Jorge Soler reaches first on a two-out single but Alex Gordon strikes out to end the inning.
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