Indians’ losing streak hits six

Associated Press

SEATTLE

Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta is working hard to find positives during his team’s horrendous slump.

“It’s not easy. No one likes to lose,” said Acta after Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Mariners.

The Tribe are losers of six straight and 18 of their last 22.

“When things are going bad, they’re going bad,” Acta said. “That’s the way things are going right now and we’re just going to have to show up again tomorrow and continue to battle.

“Even though [starter] Ubaldo [Jimenez] did great, it’s a team effort. We win as a team and lose as a team.”

It was almost a one-man effort for the Mariners, who got a pair of two-run homers from Michael Saunders.

Saunders also hit a two-run homer on Sunday and has a career high 13. He has eight hits in his last 16 at-bats, including three home runs, after going 1 for 35 over his previous eight games.

Eric Thames also had a solo shot for the Mariners in the sixth as well as a triple in the eighth.

The Mariners have won 13 of their last 14 games at Safeco Field. It’s the best home stretch over 14 games in club history. They are 23-13 since the All-Star Break.

The Indians are 10-27 since the All-Star break, the worst record in the league.

“We have to play better in all aspects of the game,” said Jason Kipnis, who had a pair of RBIs. “We’ve got to play better baseball, offense, defense, pitching.”