Tribe’s Fausto Carmona battered by Kansas City

By Paul Hoynes

The Cleveland Plain Dealer

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Manager Manny Acta says Fausto Carmona isn’t in a slump, but if it walks like a slump and talks like a slump, it could be a slump.

Not only did Carmona lose for the fourth time in his last five starts, but he did not look happy with himself or his teammates. TV cameras showed him yelling in the dugout Wednesday night during the Indians’ ugly 9-7 loss to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

The Indians entered this series tied for last place with the Royals in the AL Central. This was their chance to elevate themselves, but instead trail Kansas City by two games after losing the first two games of the series.

The Tribe has lost five straight to the Royals this year. Kansas City leads the season series, 5-2.

Carmona is 1-4 with a 7.07 ERA in his last five starts. He’s allowed 22 earned runs and 46 hits in 28 innings. He gave up seven runs and nine hits in five innings Wednesday. When he left, the Royals held a 7-2 lead.

Before the game, Acta said there was nothing wrong with Carmona (11-11, 4.14). He felt he was having a tremendous year compared to last year. No argument there.

“Fausto has given us a chance to win every five days,” said Acta.

Based on Wednesday night’s showing, that statement was open for debate.

Carmona seemed especially frustrated in the fourth when Yuniesky Betancourt’s two-out single darted past Andy Marte at third to score two runs and give the Royals a 5-1 lead. Carmona hit the next batter before retiring Gregor Blanco at first by taking a flip from Matt LaPorta.

It took Carmona forever to walk off the field with his head down. TV cameras showed him apparently yelling at himself or someone else in the dugout after that inning.

The Indians made it 5-2 in the fifth on Asdrubal Cabrera’s double off Bruce Chen, but the Royals came right back with another two-run inning in the fifth.