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Sliding Indians drop eighth straight game
Photo
Cleveland Indians’ Shin-Soo Choo dives safely back to first base on a pick-off attempt in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Mariners in Seattle.
Associated Press
SEATTLE
The Cleveland Indians’ latest slide could be a costly one for manager Manny Acta, and he knows it.
Zach McAllister pitched six effective innings, but Vinnie Pestano yielded a tiebreaking two-run double to Eric Thames in the eighth and Cleveland fell 3-1 at Seattle for its eighth consecutive loss.
The Indians’ slide comes on the heels of an 11-game skid from July 27 to Aug. 7. Cleveland has lost 21 of its last 25 and is 10-29 since the All-Star break. The last time the Indians dropped 21 of 25 was Aug. 28 to Sept. 24, 2009.
“It’s never been done in the history of the game where 25 guys are released,” Acta said. “They should relax. If one guy is going to go, it’s going to be me, not them.”
Seattle has won eight in a row for its longest winning streak since it won eight straight from June 23 to July 1, 2007. The Mariners have won 15 of their last 16 home games.
Kyle Seager set up Thames’ big hit with a one-out drive to right-center off Pestano (3-1) that he stretched into a double.
“The ball got there a little bit before and he put the tag down,” Seager said. “[I] felt like if I tried to alter the slide and get my left hand around there, that would be my best chance.”
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera argued the call by second base umpire Ed Hickox, and Acta came out to dispute it. The manager was eventually ejected for the second time this season.
“From where I was, I felt he tagged him and the guy was out,” Acta said. “Ed was right. I watched the replay and the guy was safe.”
John Jaso was intentionally walked, Jesus Montero struck out and Thames doubled to right.
Stephen Pryor (3-0) got two outs to get the win, and Tom Wilhelmsen threw a hitless ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances.
Seattle won despite getting outhit 8-5. Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma allowed one run and six hits in 52/3 innings.
McAllister gave up one run and three hits, struck out four and walked three.
“McAllister did a very good job,” Acta said. “I just feel these guys are playing too tense.”
Michael Saunders hit his 14th homer in the first inning to give Seattle the lead. Saunders has four homers in his last four games.
“I didn’t want to walk him,” McAllister said. “It’s early in the game and I wanted him to try and beat me.”
The Indians went 1-8 on their nine-game road trip and are 4-17 in August.