Sabathia-led Indians get seventh shutout

CLEVELAND -- Manager Eric Wedge is certain he has never before seen what his Cleveland Indians’ starters are accomplishing.

C.C. Sabathia pitched a five-hitter and struck out 11 in the Indians’ major league-leading seventh shutout, a 2-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.

Cleveland starters have pitched 43 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings since Friday.

“It’s pretty special stuff what they’re putting together right now,” Wedge said. “They’re going well beyond the call of duty right now. We just want them to give us a chance to win.”

The consecutive scoreless streak is the longest by an Indians starting staff since they tossed 47 scoreless innings in August 1948. Cleveland became the first team to pitch five shutouts in an eight-game span since Oakland’s run July 12-19, 2002, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“It feels really good,” Sabathia said. “Everyone is working hard. Everyone wants to be that guy each night.”

Sabathia (3-5) tied his season high for strikeouts, walked two and won consecutive starts for the first time this season. He has a 1.49 earned-run average over his past five starts.

Grady Sizemore and Ryan Garko homered off Joe Blanton (2-6).