Here are three walk-off thoughts after two double-header losses to the Tampa Bay Rays – 8-1 and 4-0 – brought Cleveland’s record down to 42-42.
While Cleveland sat in the clubhouse waiting for the rain delay to end before the double header with the Detroit Tigers on June 30, Cleveland’s record was 42-33, nine games over .500. The first game would not start until 6:40 p.m. It has been a steep decline since that time.
In technically less than a full week – the second game against the Tampa Bay Rays ended before 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday – Cleveland dropped nine games during that time, including sweeps against the Houston Astros and the Rays on 42-42 and back to even .500. By the time the dust settled over a disastrous week, Cleveland’s deficit behind the Chicago White Sox in American League Central had grown from a manageable two games to a scary eight games.
Cleveland’s losing streak reached nine games, the longest since 2012
This was the beginning of the nightmare scenario for a team that lost the first three starting pitchers in the rotation, along with some key elements of the line-up. The mission ahead of them was to stay afloat long enough for the cavalry to arrive and the cadre to get closer to health. That had succeeded to a considerable extent, with Cleveland somehow remaining two games behind first place in the division despite the injury rate that would be a huge obstacle for any team in the league.
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That fight continues, but the road ahead has only gotten tougher after a streak of bad luck of nine games and the kind of slides Cleveland had avoided so far during that time. It’s no longer just about keeping the White Sox within striking distance. Cleveland now also has to dig its way out of a big hole. Cleveland has time to do so, taking advantage of a long, crunching 162 game season. But it’s going to be a hot stretch after the All-Star break. It didn’t help that Cleveland failed to score in the second game, a 4-0 defeat. However, it will not count as the third time Cleveland has failed to score this season – which would set a record – as no-hitters with seven innings are considered “notable achievements” in the MLB record book.
“It’s just one of those times of the year when things get a little difficult,” said outfielder Oscar Mercado on a Zoom call. “We know we have a good racket and everyone believes in each other, so it’s just about getting the first win out of the way and playing a small role. We understand that it’s not yet time to hit the panic button. But at the end of the day you know we know what we are capable of. The team’s record before this series was good and there was a reason. I think we’ll be fine. “
Bieber and Civale are still “weeks away”
Thursday’s nine-game losing streak was the longest in Terry Francona’s era. The rotation is still beaten up, though Zach Plesac’s return on Thursday helps. The line-up welcomed the return of Franmil Reyes on Saturday but then saw them Eddie Rosario leaveswho hit the 10-day casualty list with a right abdominal strain. The club thinks it’s a light burden, as Chris Antonetti said. And with the All-Star hiatus looming, it made sense to let him rest after leaving the game on Monday.
Aaron Civale only recently started throwing a ball from close range and Shane Bieber has not yet reached that point. Antonetti noted that it is safe to say that both are still “weeks away”. Cleveland is trying to find the kind of counterstrike to stop the skid and straighten the ship in the meantime.
“Well, the only thing I know is the way not to do it, to feel sorry for yourself, and woe to me,” Francona said on a Zoom call. “We certainly can’t do that. It is a difficult time for us. We will try to come out tomorrow with good energy. I know it’s hard to show energy if you just turn right like today. We have to try to stay positive. We are inexperienced in many areas. You don’t want to lose sight of what we are there for. Yes, we are here to develop, but we are here to win. So we just have to make sure that we continue to pull in the same direction. “
Sam Hentges adds a two-seam to the mix
Sam Hentges started the season with a three-pitch mix that relied on fastball, slider, and curveball. The slider was a focal point, and it has only recently reached a point where Hentges was more comfortable with it.
But getting through a constellation two or three times often requires mastering a more balanced arsenal of pitch. This presented Hentges with a specific hurdle in his long-term development. On Wednesday, in addition to his four-sailor, he threw more of a two-seam fastball, especially to upset right-handers.
“Yeah, it was just something we might have added about a month ago,” Hentges said on a Zoom call. “The usage has increased. Today there were a lot of two-seams away from right-handers. That was the game plan, so to speak. That was the reason for the increased use.”
With that, Hentges allowed four runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts on Wednesday, despite two of his inherited runners scoring after Nick Sandlin took the hill. With Cleveland looking for a reliable starting pitch, the other potential benefit of Hentges’ two-seams lies: some faster outs.
“It definitely helped in situations where I needed quick outs. It’s not a super developed playing field like you said. The command is spotty at times. But that’s just something you just have to keep throwing to get this playing field develop.” I started using it to get faster outs so I wouldn’t throw 5-6 pitches in the at-bat. “
Ryan Lewis can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Indians at www.beaconjournal.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.
