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Indians Indians Archive Game 160 Recap: Indians Manage Two Hits in Loss
Written by Adam Burke

Adam Burke

wfny bagWith a chance to keep the White Sox from the playoffs, the Indians had, arguably, their worst offensive performance of the season. Managing just one hit and one walk, to go along with 10 strikeouts, against starter Hector Santiago, who was making just his fourth start of the season, the Indians were embarrassed at home by the White Sox 11-0. In the meantime, the Tigers lead the Royals 6-2 when this was posted and look poised to win the American League Central Division title. It was still a disappointing, lifeless effort from the Indians, something we haven't really seen since the calendar hit September.

Hector Santiago had never gone more than five innings in a game before. Against the Indians on Monday night, he pitched the game of his life, allowing just a third inning single to Shin-Soo Choo and a second inning walk to Michael Brantley. Asdrubal Cabrera reached the hard way in the fourth, getting hit by a pitch, but he was immediately erased on a double play. The Indians did not have a runner reach second base safely in the game until the ninth inning.

As for the White Sox, all of the pressure they had been putting on themselves seemed to melt away in the sixth. It was a 0-0 until that inning when Corey Kluber got into trouble with two outs. Dewayne Wise reached on a bunt single with one out and stole second with two outs. Adam Dunn singled to center on a 3-2 pitch to put the White Sox ahead 1-0. After Paul Konerko walked to extend the inning, Alex Rios smashed a RBI single off the left field wall to make it 2-0. Joe Smith entered the game for Kluber and gave up back-to-back RBI singles before ending the inning. In all, Kluber went 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Kluber pitched much better than his line would indicate.

With the White Sox watching the left center field scoreboard for updates, they let their frustration out on the Indians bullpen. In the eighth, Cody Allen got into trouble, again, with two outs. AJ Pierzynski singled on a hanging breaking ball and Allen walked Dayan Viciedo, who has walked just 27 times in 144 games. Alexei Ramirez singled home Pierzynski to make it a 5-0 game.

The White Sox put it out of reach in the ninth. Three straight singles, a passed ball, and another single plated two runs off of Esmil Rogers. Rogers left the game, replaced by Scott Maine, who gave up a grand slam to Viciedo later in the inning. The six-spot made it an 11-0 game and that's how it ended.

With the win, the White Sox improved to 84-76, but will not be playing baseball after Wednesday. The Indians dropped their 93rd game of the season, falling to 67-93. Hector Santiago was the winner, moving to 4-1. Corey Kluber was the loser, dropping to 2-5.

Stat of the Night: The Indians are now 6-10 against the White Sox this season and have been outscored by 40 runs.

Player of the Game: Scott Barnes. He came in and struck out Adam Dunn in a lefty-lefty matchup. With Rafael Perez's shoulder issues and Tony Sipp's ineffectiveness, Barnes may be a part of this bullpen next season.

Tomorrow's Game: With neither team playing for anything anymore, Jake Peavy will square off against Justin Masterson at 7:05.

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