If it’s not one thing, it is another right now for the Indians.
On Monday night, Cleveland continued its recent run of decent pitching, but the offense lagged and sent the Tribe to a 3-0 loss to the A’s in front of a sparse audience at Progressive Field. Oakland starter Brett Anderson assumed the role of villain, the latest in a line of lefties to shut down the Indians this season.
It was the kind of game, and the type of crowd, that signaled how far the Indians have fallen in such a short period of time.
“This is frustrating,” Indians third baseman Jason Donald said. “It’s not enjoyable losing ballgames like this, especially when you feel like you have chances to win it. It just seems like it keeps piling on right now.”
It was one month ago that Cleveland (55-73) began its rapid descent in the American League Central standings. First came an 11-game losing streak. Later, a nine-game skid. Somewhere between, the Tribe enjoyed two wins in a row, something the team has achieved just twice in the past 46 games.
That is how a team can go from 3 1/2 games out of first place — with its playoff hopes alive and optimism spreading from the clubhouse to the bleacher seats — to 17 games back in a matter of one calendar month. Monday’s loss was the 11th in the past 12 games and the 24th in the past 29 for the reeling Indians.
“When I got up here, it was in the middle of the bad stuff,” said lefty Chris Seddon, who was called up from Triple-A on Aug. 5, in the midst of the 11-game losing streak. “I definitely think that we have the guys who can make the timely hitting and the pitching that can keep us in games.
“I think it’s just a matter of a couple knocks going our way, a couple of quick innings, and we’ll get back to winning.”
It is a situation that has left the Tribe searching for any positives.
Well, Monday night’s silver lining was Seddon, who pitched admirably in relief of Indians starter Roberto Hernandez. The sinkerballer exited with one out in the third inning due to a sprained right ankle and is considered day to day. Indians manager Manny Acta said the injury is not considered serious at this point.
Following Hernandez’s departure, Seddon, with his 4 2/3 shutout innings, and rookie Cody Allen did well in holding Oakland at bay.
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