Indians Confidential

All the talk about the lack of offense seems to be getting worse, as Thursday night in Chicago the Sox completed a sweep of the Indians, sending them home after an 0-6 road trip through Cincy and Chi-Town.  This latest 3-1 setback was like the classic Four Tops song “It’s the Same Old Song,” - one run, two hits, and another solid wasted starting performance by the very good Aaron Laffey, who allowed two runs on six hits in 7 innings.

The Indians bats were silenced by Sox starter Mark Burhrle and two Sox relievers.  Buehrle went seven innings, allowing one run on two hits, walking four and striking out two.  The only Indians run came in the 3rd when Grady Sizemore hit a double to deep left that scored Franklin Gutierrez.  Sizemore and Ben Francisco managed the only two Indians hits, other than that, it was another night of no hitting and just going up and taking wacks, walking away with nothing.

To make things worse, Victor Martinez, one player who at least was showing some signs of being able to hit, had to leave the game in the 4th inning with an index finger injury.  He popped out to start the fourth inning, then left the game and was replaced by Kelly Shoppach in the bottom of the inning.

Cleveland falls to 22-25, they scored 13 runs in the six road losses, averaging just 2.1 runs per game.  Their best game on offense came in a 6-4 loss Sunday in Cincy, in a game where Cliff Lee was battered around for the first time all season and they had to try and rally a few times to get back in the game.  Other than that, the team showed little life all week, making many fans wonder exactly where this team is headed.

They left Cleveland in first place in the AL Central, and now limp home 4.5 games back of the red-hot White Sox, who have own eight straight.  Friday night they will try and right the ship against the Texas Rangers, who come to Cleveland 24-25.  Fausto Carmona (4-1) goes for the Indians vs Kason Gabbard (1-1) at 7:05pm.