Written by Jonathan Knight

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BEST OF THE BEST: In their last three series, the Indians have faced the pitching staffs with the lowest cumulative ERAs in the American League (Oakland is first at 2.75, with Tampa Bay second at 3.25 Los Angeles third at 3.28). The Indians are fourth at 3.50. Things don’t get a whole lot better this weekend with Seattle (sixth), but should lighten up next week with Kansas City (10th) and Chicago (ninth).

ALL-TIME TOTALS: The Indians’ all-time record against the Angels dropped to 286-309, while their mark against Tampa Bay dropped to 68-40.

POWER OUTAGE, PART I: Facing tremendous pitching throughout, in the first four games of the west coast trip, the Indians managed to score only 10 runs in 41 innings - an average of 2.2 runs per nine innings - and hit just .221 as a team (33 for 149). Adding insult to injury, in those four games the Indians only managed three extra-base hits, none of which were home runs. Things got a little better in the final two games in L.A., but overall for the trip, the Indians hit just (.240) 53 for 221 and had eight extra-base hits in the six games with only one homer.

HALO HELL: In their four losses against the Angels this season, the Indians scored a total of nine runs in 41 innings (an average of 1.9 runs per nine innings) and hit just .157 as a team (22 for 140).

POWER OUTAGE, PART II: On the western swing, the Indians extended their string to six consecutive games - 72 innings - without hitting a home run. Grady Sizemore ended the string with his solo shot on Sunday.

NAILBITERS: The Indians are now 7-6 in one-run games and 3-2 in extra innings.

MELTING IN THE CLUTCH: In the opener against Tampa, for the first time all season the Indians were truly atrocious with runners in scoring position, going a woeful 1 for 14 and stranding 13 runners. Things didn’t get much better Wednesday and Thursday, with the Indians finishing 4 for 28 for the series.

ON THE OTHER HAND: Indians’ batters drew a season-high 11 walks in the opener with Tampa, but only one walk in each of the next two games.

BEASTS OF THE EAST: The Tribe is now 7-2 against the AL East.

THE MAGIC CONTINUES: Tuesday night’s win marked the Indians’ eighth triumph in their final at-bat on the season and their fourth straight at home. It was their third walk-off triumph of 2011.

GOOD NEWS AT THE GATE: Tuesday’s attendance of 13,551 was the Tribe’s best weeknight draw of the season, topped by Wednesday night’s 17,741. Most impressive was Thursday’s matinee crowd of 18,107.

LETDOWN: While the Indians’ bats failed them on the road trip, the pitching slumped back home against Tampa Bay. Overall, the Indians posted a 6.33 ERA against the Rays, as both the starters (6.48) and relievers (6.10) struggled.

MASTERING JUSTIN: Thursday’s loss was Justin Masterson’s first in his last 10 starts. His last defeat came last season, Aug. 20 in Detroit.

A RAY OF LIGHT: The Rays may have turned a corner at Progressive Field. After sloshing to a 12-38 record in Cleveland in their first 12 years of existence, they’ve won four of their last six here over the past two seasons.

FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH: Tampa Bay has played a league-low eight games against teams with records of .500 or better and a whopping 29 games against teams that are now under .500. By contrast, the Indians have played 22 games against teams better than .500 (with a record of 13-9 in those games) and 14 against teams under .500 (with a record of 10-4).

PROGRESS REPORT: The Indians are averaging 4.9 runs per game and allowing 3.8. Their team batting average is .265 and team ERA is 3.50.

A YEAR AGO: After 36 games in 2010, the Indians stood at 15-21, third place in the AL Central, eight games back of the first-place Twins.

 

LOS ANGELES SERIES BY THE NUMBERS:

The Angels outscored the Indians, 11-10 - three of the Angels’ runs scored in the series were unearned.

Overall Hitting

Cleveland 23 for 106 (.217), 8 walks

Los Angeles 34 for 108 (.315), 3 walks

With Runners in Scoring Position

Cleveland 6 for 18 (.333), 20 left on base

Los Angeles 8 for 26 (.308), 21 left on base

Extra-Base Hits

Cleveland 6 (1 HR)

Los Angeles 6 (1 HR)

Overall Pitching

Cleveland 27 IP, 34 H, 3 BB, 25 SO, 8 ER, 2.67 ERA

Los Angeles 29 IP, 23 H, 8 BB, 23 SO, 10 ER, 3.10 ERA

Starting Pitchers

Cleveland 1-0; 20 IP, 24 H, 3 BB, 18 SO, 4 ER, 1.80 ERA

Los Angeles 0-1; 20.2 IP, 15 H, 8 BB, 15 SO, 7 ER, 3.05 ERA

Relief Pitchers

Cleveland 0-2, 1 save; 7 IP, 10 H, 0 BB, 7 SO, 4 ER, 5.14 ERA

Los Angeles 2-0, 1 save; 8.1 IP, 8 H, 0 BB, 8 SO, 3 ER, 3.24 ERA

 

TAMPA BAY SERIES BY THE NUMBERS:

The Rays outscored the Indians, 19-11 - one of the Indians’ runs was unearned.

Overall Hitting

Tampa Bay 30 for 108 (.278), 13 walks

Cleveland 25 for 98 (.255), 13 walks

With Runners in Scoring Position

Tampa Bay 9 for 38 (.237), 24 left on base

Cleveland 4 for 28 (.143), 22 left on base

Extra-Base Hits

Tampa Bay 12 (4 HR)

Cleveland 10 (3 HR)

Overall Pitching

Tampa Bay 26.1 IP, 25 H, 13 BB, 21 SO, 10 ER, 3.42 ERA

Cleveland 27 IP, 30 H, 13 BB, 17 SO, 19 ER, 6.33 ERA

Starting Pitchers

Tampa Bay 2-0; 18.1 IP, 16 H, 6 BB, 16 SO, 6 ER, 2.95 ERA

Cleveland 0-2; 16.2 IP, 20 H, 8 BB, 11 SO, 12 ER, 6.48 ERA

Relief Pitchers

Tampa Bay 0-1; 13 IP, 13 H, 8 BB, 10 SO, 4 ER, 2.77 ERA

Cleveland 1-0; 10.1 IP, 10 H, 5 BB, 6 SO, 7 ER, 6.10 ERA

 

UP NEXT:

Seattle Mariners [16-21]

(Friday 7:05 p.m.; Saturday 1:05 p.m., Sunday, 1:05 p.m.)

Probable Starters:

White (1-0, 3.75 ERA); Carmona (3-3, 3.83 ERA); Tomlin (4-1, 2.70 ERA)

Last year: Mariners won series, 4-3

This year: Indians lead series, 3-0

 

at Kansas City Royals [19-17]

(Monday 8:10 p.m.; Tuesday 8:10 p.m.)

Probable Starters:

Carrasco (1-2, 5.29 ERA); Masterson (5-1, 2.73 ERA)

Last year: Indians won series, 10-8

This year: Indians lead series, 5-2

 

at Chicago White Sox [15-23]

(Wednesday 8:10 p.m.; Thursday, 8:10 p.m.)

Probable Starters:

White (1-0, 3.75 ERA), Carmona (3-3, 3.83 ERA)

Last year: Series tied, 9-9

This year: White Sox lead series, 2-1