A Bad Time For A Slump

 

The Cleveland Indians have picked a bad time to have their first three game losing steak since the middle of August, as they have dropped consecutive one run decisions to two of the worst teams in the American League, Kansas City and Tampa Bay.  The one positive thing that has happened to the Tribe is the Red Sox have been losing so the Indians are still tied for the AL Wild Card lead.

 

As was the theme early in the season, the hitting has let the team down over the last three games.  In Sunday’s loss to the Royals, Victor Martinez hit a three run homer in the first, but the bats did little after that in a 5-4 loss.  Tuesday, the Devil Rays’ Scott Kazmir baffled Tribe hitters for seven innings allowing just one run in another 5-4 setback.

 

Last night was the most appalling performance.  Seth McClung, who had been lit up like a Christmas tree in his last three starts, shutout the Indians for eight innings in a 1-0 game.  Cliff Lee pitched very well in the defeat, holding Tampa scoreless until the top of the eighth.  The Indians didn’t even mount a threat until the bottom of the eighth when Ben Broussard lead off with a double, and stayed there as Aaron Boone couldn’t get a bunt down and grounded out weakly to third, as did Casey Blake.  Grady Sizemore hit a blooper to third to end the inning.

 

So, where does this leave the Tribe?  With a must win game tonight against the Devil Rays at Jacobs Field.  Cleveland has lost all five of its games against Tampa Bay this year.  C.C. Sabathia is the man who must stop the bleeding, but the bats must relax and get better pitches to hit.  They seem to be not as selective as they have been in their hot streak, and need to work the count better.

 

If Cleveland can win three of their last four games, the worst that can happen is a playoff game on Monday to get into the Division Series.  With the Red Sox and Yankees playing over the weekend, one of those teams will lose at least two games.  If the Tribe bats can get it straightened out, they still will be playing a week from today in the American League playoffs.  The playoffs really start tonight for the Cleveland Indians.

 

MW