CLEVELAND – The Indians didn’t make it back to the postseason this year, but pitcher Corey Kluber gave them a big reason to celebrate Wednesday.

Kluber, the stoic and ultra-consistent right-hander, was named the American League’s Cy Young Award winner, edging 2010 winner, Seattle’s Felix Hernandez, by 10 points in voting conducted by select members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

The 28-year-old Kluber, who went 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA in 34 starts (235 2/3 innings), received 17 first-place votes to 13 for Hernandez (15-6, 2.14 ERA in 34 starts).

There was no denying the results from a stellar season for Kluber, who finished among the top three in nearly every AL pitching category, leading the league in wins along with Los Angeles’ Jered Weaver and 2013 Cy Young winner, Detroit’s Max Scherzer, while finishing second to former Cy Young winner David Price with 269 strikeouts. Yet, it was still somewhat of a surprise that he got the nod over Hernandez.

Hernandez, 28, has built a sparkling reputation as a five–time All-Star, while Kluber, wasn’t even selected to the All-Star team in his first full season this year, losing out to Chicago’s Chris Sale in on-line fan voting for the AL’s final roster spot. Sale (12-4, 2.17 ERA in 26 starts) finished third in Cy Young voting.

Cleveland certainly got more than its money’s worth from Kluber, who earned $514,000 this season to Hernandez’s $22 million. Kluber notched three complete games and one shutout, while Hernandez had zero in both departments.

“It was pretty cool. I wasn’t expecting it,” said the soft-spoken Kluber, who joked with MLB Network’s selection show hosts that he would celebrate winning the award by doing something boring like giving his daughter a bath. “I definitely thought Felix was going to win. I guess I just assumed with who he is and what type of year he had that would get more votes.

“I’m very appreciative of it.”

The Indians were very appreciative of Kluber’s work. A pitcher who wasn’t even on the Opening Day roster in 2013 assumed the role of ace this year even before No. 1 starter Justin Masterson was traded during the season.

“I think Kluber took it to the next level,” said catcher Yan Gomes, who along with outfielder Michael Brantley, an MVP finalist, won Silver Slugger Awards last week. “I think he put it on himself to lead the staff. To me, it was his ability to make adjustments. It just showed his growth.

“It was unbelievable, man. He put in a lot of work this year. I’m really proud of him.”

Kluber was consistent all season, but he rose to the occasion down the stretch with the Indians in postseason contention and him gaining attention as a Cy Young candidate. Over his last 20 starts, Kluber allowed two runs or fewer in 16 of them and posted double-digit strikeout totals in eight of the outings, including each of his last three.

Kluber had the support of his teammates on Twitter.

Second baseman Jason Kipnis tweeted, “Call it like it is:@CKlubergot better when games got tighter! Most wins, most Ks, highest WAR of 3! Shaky defense behind him!#CyKluber.”

Nick Swisher tweeted, “Congrats to the Klubot! So well deserved! Proud of you bro!@CKluber#CyKluber#CyYoung.”

Cleveland has qualified for the postseason just twice in the past eight seasons, but Indians have won the league’s top pitcher award three times over the span, with Kluber joining CC Sabathia (2007) and Cliff Lee (2008).

In a meaningless but strange twist, Kluber and NL Cy Young recipient Clayton Kershaw are the first two winners with the same initials.

Kluber’s rise to stardom was far from predicted. A fourth-round draft pick of the Padres in 2007, he arrived in Cleveland via a three-team trade in 2010 that sent Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals. Kluber didn’t establish himself as a rotation staple until deep into the 2013 season. A year later, he is the AL’s best pitcher.

“I think 2013 was a big year for me from a confidence standpoint,” Kluber said. “Being successful and kind of proving that I had that capability. I kind of carried that into 2014. As the year goes on and you’re having good outings, the confidence keeps building.”

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or [email protected]. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on Twitter.