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Unhappy Indians hit rough road
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo
Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, left, tags out Cleveland Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera in the second inning in a baseball game on Sunday in Cleveland. The Royals won 5-3.
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
Not even word that pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez had passed his physical could put a smile on Manny Acta’s face Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland’s manager had just watched his team lose 5-3 to Kansas City, which completed a 2-6 homestand and dropped the Indians 21/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central.
“To lose three series in a row in front of our own fans is very disappointing,” Acta said.
The fact Saturday’s blockbuster trade with Colorado was official, giving the Indians an ace pitcher at the top of their rotation, was the only good news Acta got all week.
Cleveland’s two wins on the homestand came on ninth-inning rallies. Rookie Jason Kipnis’ first major league hit drove in the winning run for a victory over Los Angeles on Monday and Matt LaPorta’s three-run homer capped a comeback in Saturday’s victory over Kansas City.
Other than that, the homestand was entirely forgettable. The Indians were no-hit by the Angels’ Ervin Santana and committed five errors on Wednesday. Cleveland suffered a 12-0 loss against the Royals on Friday.
The Indians were outscored 33-15, which doesn’t bode well considering they open a seven-game trip to Boston and Texas that begins tonight in Fenway Park.
“We didn’t swing the bats very well this homestand,” designated hitter Travis Hafner said. “We’re going to have to score more runs on this trip because we’re playing good offensive teams. We have to start playing better to help out confidence.”
Acta realizes the upcoming trip could be the defining moment of the season.
“We’ve got to go on the road and battle now,” he said. “We’re going to play two very good teams.”
Cleveland’s latest loss came at the hands of an emergency starter. Danny Duffy, starting for the injured Kyle Davis, pitched into the sixth inning and Jeff Francoeur and Alex Gordon homered for Kansas City, sending the Indians to their eighth loss in 10 games.
The last-place Royals have won eight of 12.
Fausto Carmona (5-11) allowed four runs in 71/3 innings. The right-hander has one win since June 15 and Acta was less than enthusiastic about the outing.
“He’s throwing well,” Acta said. “That’s all I’m going to say. I’ve seen him and a couple of our guys put together six or seven good ones and go back. I don’t want to swallow my words. Hopefully, he gives us a chance to win every five days.”
Duffy (3-4) allowed two runs in five innings, giving up eight hits and striking out six. He also picked two runners off first.
Davies was scratched about an hour before game time because of the sore right shoulder that’s bothered him for most of the season.