Indians’ troubles continue

Associated Press

TORONTO

The Cleveland Indians have lost to plenty of tough pitchers in recent weeks. On Monday night they fell victim to a guy who hadn’t won in nearly three years.

Jo-Jo Reyes won for the first time in 29 starts by throwing his first career complete game and Jayson Nix hit a two-run home run to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to an 11-1 rout of the Indians.

“Whether we’ve been facing good pitchers or not, we’re struggling offensively,” Indians manager Manny Acta said.

Losers of five of six, Cleveland is averaging just two runs per game in that span, and has been shut out twice.

“You can’t hit .500 the whole year,” first baseman Matt LaPorta said. “Some weeks are better than others.”

Cleveland’s offense has suffered following injuries to Travis Hafner (right oblique) and Grady Sizemore, activated off the DL last week after missing two weeks with a sore right knee.

Shelley Duncan’s solo homer was the only offense for the Indians, whose seven other hits were singles.

“We’re scuffling this week,” Acta said.

The Indians have lost twice to Tampa Bay’s David Price this month, and once each to Rays righties Jeremy Hellickson and James Shields, Boston’s Josh Beckett and Jon Lester and Oakland’s Trevor Cahill.

Reyes (1-4) became the latest hurler to keep Cleveland’s bats in check, allowing one run and eight hits to win for the first time in almost three years. His previous victory came with Atlanta against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 13, 2008. The left-hander went 0-13 with a 6.59 ERA in his 28 starts between wins.

“It was just an awesome game,” a smiling Reyes said. “I guess this was the way to do it if I had to choose.”

Rajai Davis went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and scored three runs as Toronto won its fourth straight, but the end of Reyes’ streak was the talk of the clubhouse.

“To do it in this fashion is superb,” Davis said. “It’s awesome.”

The crowd of 12,902 stood and cheered “Jo-Jo, Jo-Jo” as Cleveland’s Jack Hannahan batted with two outs in the ninth. Catcher J.P. Arencibia embraced Reyes after Hannahan struck out, and the rest of Toronto’s pitchers streamed to the mound in celebration. One fan held up a sign reading “I believe in Jo-Jo.”

“The whole pitching staff is happy for him,” fellow left-hander Ricky Romero said. “I was one of the first guys (to reach the mound). He was kind of serious when I first went out there. I was like ’Hey man, you can smile now, it’s over.’ I gave him a big hug.”

Reyes avoided becoming the first pitcher to go winless in 29 starts. Oakland’s Matt Keough went 28 starts between wins in 1978 and 1979, matching the dubious mark first set by Boston’s Cliff Curtis in 1910 and 1911.

“This night belongs to Jo-Jo,” Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. “Just an outstanding game on his part.”