Starting pitcher Corey Kluber (left) and catcher Roberto Perez were the two biggest stars for the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the World Series. (Associated Press photo)

The Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 in Game 1 of the World Series, getting four runs on two homers by former Lake County Captains catcher Roberto Perez to back up ex-Fort Wayne Wizards pitcher Corey Kluber’s six shutout innings.

The win improved Indians manager Terry Francona’s World Series record to 9-0, with the first eight victories happening when Francona was the Boston Red Sox’s skipper. (Francona managed the 1992 South Bend White Sox, which I wrote about here.)

Perez hit a solo homer in the 4th inning and a three-run homer in the 8th inning to become the first catcher to hit two home runs in a World Series game since Gary Carter in Game 4 of the 1986 series.

Perez played 17 games with the Captains in 2009, Lake County’s last year in the South Atlantic League. He played the entire 2010 season with the Captains (who were now part of the Midwest League), batting .217 with 6 HR and 38 RBI in 118 games. He also made one rehab appearance with the Captains this year, going 0-for-2 with a walk.

Kluber allowed only four hits while striking out nine and walking none in six innings. He struck out eight batters in the first three innings, becoming the first pitcher to do that in a World Series game. He is 3-1 with a 0.74 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 24.1 innings this postseason.

Kluber pitched for Fort Wayne in 2008, going 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 56 innings.