CLEVELAND — It's not how you start, but how you finish. That's something Zach Jackson will be keeping in mind this offseason.

Jackson, 25, a pitcher with the Cleveland Indians, saw his team use a second-half surge to wrap up the season with an 81-81 record.

The Seneca Valley graduate had his left hand in that, picking up victories in his final two outings against the playoff-bound Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.

His 4-3 win over the Red Sox Sept. 22 kept Boston from clinching a playoff spot for at least for one more day.

Then, his 12-6 triumph over Chicago Sept. 27 forced the White Sox to win Sept. 28, then a makeup game Sept. 29 and a one-game playoff against Minnesota last Tuesday to make the postseason.

The final week turned what could have been a difficult season into a more bearable one.

"It was my personal goal to finish strong," said Jackson, who finished with a 2-3 record and a 5.55 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 16 walks. "The hardest part was to stay positive. You don't like to get hit around the yard. There were a lot of bad breaks.

"I was happy with it. I'm thankful for the experience and very happy to get the results,"Jackson added.

In June, Jackson was acquired by the Indians from the Milwaukee Brewers, where he had pitched in two games out of the bullpen, including one in Pittsburgh May 22.

He was called up by the Indians in the middle of August and made nine starts, throwing at least five innings in each appearance.

Cleveland went 5-4 in his starts and won his final three. He allowed just two runs apiece in his final two games.

"I definitely learned a new part of myself as a pitcher," said Jackson. "It's almost a bullpen mentality. I don't take it for granted. You do what it takes to get zeroes.

"As a starter, sometimes you'll save a pitch for later in the game, but I learned you go at guys as a starter. You go after them in the first inning.

"You can't get to the sixth or seventh inning until you get past the first or second inning. ... If you throw the whole kitchen sink in the first inning, whatever pitch you throw in the first inning to get a strikeout, say a slider, maybe you'll use a fastball later in the third or fourth inning,"Jackson added.

Having pitched in both the American and National leagues had its benefits as well as disadvantages.

"In the National League, I enjoyed hitting, but sometimes I did not enjoy throwing to the pitcher," said Jackson.

"In the American League, you have to get everyone out. Throwing to a pitcher is a lose-lose situation. They say 'Oh, it's a guaranteed out', but if they get a walk or a hit, it's tough," Jackson added.

The Indians had been making a late-season push in the American League Central, but had put themselves in too big of a hole earlier in the season. Still, Jackson enjoyed the second-half wave the Tribe rode and looks forward to building on it next season.

"No one likes to look forward to next year, especially when there's this year to finish up," said Jackson. "The goal of everyone was to finish strong and keep playing good baseball.

"We thought, 'Hey, it's out of our hands ... but the next best thing is to beat someone and play spoiler,'" Jackson added.

His strong showing at the end will go a long way in helping Jackson get a serious look in spring training, but he knows that's not a given.

"I got a lot of positive feedback," said Jackson. "Again, they can't guarantee you a spot, but the opportunity for a No. 4 of 5 spot in the rotation is there. I also have some experience in the bullpen and might maybe even get a look as a long man out of the bullpen.

"Definitely, that opportunity is the biggest thing."