The Sports Xchange
MLB Team Report – Cleveland Indians – INSIDE PITCH
The Indians are mired in their worst stretch of the season, and it could get worse before it gets better. Tuesday night in Cincinnati the Indians were routed by the Reds 8-2. The loss capped a 1-5 road trip to Boston and Cincinnati.
After winning the first game in Boston 12-3, the Indians lost the next three games in Boston and both games of a two-game series in Cincinnati. The Indians were outscored 33-14 in the five losses.
It has been a total breakdown during the losing streak. The hitting has been inconsistent, the starting pitching inconsistent and the relief pitching horrendous. The Indians also lost their closer during the streak; Chris Perez was placed on the disabled list May 27 with tendinitis in his right shoulder.
The five-game losing streak matches the Indians’ longest of the season. They also have lost seven of their last nine games, their record falling from 26-17 to 27-24 during the streak.
The timing of this slump couldn’t be worse for the Indians. They now return to Cleveland and will play two more games with the NL Central-leading Reds and a three-game weekend series with Tampa Bay. After that they hit the road again and will play nine consecutive games against three teams either in first place or second place in their divisions: the Yankees, Detroit and Texas.
For the Indians to pull out of this free fall, they are going to need better starting pitching, particularly with their bullpen in disarray. Perez is on the disabled list, eighth-inning setup man Vinnie Pestano is just off the disabled list and hasn’t pitched well since his return, and most of the other relievers have struggled.
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MLB Team Report – Cleveland Indians – NOTES, QUOTES
RECORD: 27-24
STREAK: Lost five
PAST 10 GAMES: 3-7
NEXT: Reds (Bronson Arroyo, 5-4, 3.39) at Indians (Justin Masterson, 7-3, 3.20).
PLAYER NOTES:
–RHP Chris Perez received encouraging news when an MRI performed Monday revealed just minor tendinitis in his right rotator cuff and no structural damage. Perez is expected to begin a throwing program within 5-7 days. Barring any setbacks, he could be on the fast track to returning to the bullpen, manager Terry Francona said.
–INF Jason Giambi hit a monstrous solo home run Monday to tie the score in the eighth. The 467-foot homer off Reds RHP Mike Leake was Giambi’s ninth career pinch-hit home run, and the Indians’ dugout erupted when his blast left the park. “It’s a blessing to have him,” manager Terry Francona said of the 18-year veteran. “He does so much for everyone else here. I have to remind him why he’s here. We appreciate what he does.”
–RHP Ubaldo Jimenez allowed a leadoff homer to Shin-Soo Choo on Monday but recovered to allow just two runs on four hits through seven innings. Manager Terry Francona said the outing was a sign that Jimenez has moved past his 17-loss season in 2012. “I’m proud of him,” Francona said. Jimenez is 3-3 with a 5.57 ERA in 10 starts.
–3B Mark Reynolds continues to struggle at the plate, and his strikeouts are piling up. Reynolds went 0 for 3 on Tuesday night, including his 53rd strikeout, which ranks second on the team behind Drew Stubbs. Reynolds gives the Indians a formidable power threat in the middle of the order, but they need him to produce.
–RHP Justin Masterson lost his last start on May 24 at Boston, ending a personal three-game winning streak. He is 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA in four starts in which he has allowed 10 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings. Overall, Masterson is 4-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 21 interleague starts.
–RHP Brett Myers had a scheduled minor league rehab start Monday scratched due to continued soreness in his elbow. Myers has been shut down for five to seven days and will then be re-evaluated. He has been on the disabled list since April 20 with a mild ligament sprain in his right elbow.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s a blessing to have him. He does so much for everyone else here. I have to remind him why he’s here. We appreciate what he does.” — Manager Terry Francona, on INF Jason Giambi.
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MLB Team Report – Cleveland Indians – ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
–RHP Chris Perez (sore right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list May 27. An MRI performed May 27 revealed just minor tendinitis in his right rotator cuff. Perez is expected to begin a throwing program within 5-7 days.
–C Lou Marson (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 25. He had been activated April 24 from a prior DL stint. He was cleared to begin throwing program May 9.
–RHP Brett Myers (right elbow inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 20. He made rehab starts for Double-A Akron on May 17 and May 22. His scheduled rehab start for Triple-A Columbus on May 27 was scratched due to continued soreness in his elbow. Myers has been shut down for five to seven days and will then be re-evaluated.
–RHP Blake Wood (Tommy John surgery in May 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list March 11. He began a rehab assignment with Double-A Akron on May 4, then moved to Class A Lake County on May 15. He rejoined Akron on May 18.
–RHP Josh Tomlin (Tommy John surgery in August 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list Feb. 15. He is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season as he continues his rehab.
–RHP Frank Herrmann (Tommy John surgery in March 2013) went on the 15-day disabled list March 31, and he was transferred to the 60-day disabled list April 3. He will miss the entire season.
ROTATION:
RHP Justin Masterson
RHP Ubaldo Jimenez
RHP Zach McAllister
LHP Scott Kazmir
RHP Corey Kluber
BULLPEN:
RHP Vinnie Pestano (closer)
RHP Joe Smith
RHP Cody Allen
LHP Rich Hill
RHP Matt Albers
RHP Bryan Shaw
LHP Scott Barnes
LHP Nick Hagadone
CATCHERS:
Carlos Santana
Yan Gomes
INFIELDERS:
1B Nick Swisher
2B Jason Kipnis
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
3B Mark Reynolds
INF Jason Giambi
INF Mike Aviles
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Michael Brantley
CF Michael Bourn
RF Drew Stubbs
OF Ryan Raburn
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