Written by Jonathan Knight

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BACK ON TRACK?: Is the Tribe’s June slump now a thing of the past? In the first six games of July, the Indians hit .250, averaged 4.8 runs per game, and hit .233 with runners in scoring position. Compare that to June, when the Indians hit .217 overall for the month, averaged 3.4 runs per game, and hit .202 with runners in scoring position.

ALL-TIME TOTALS: The Indians’ all-time record against Cincinnati improved to 39-36, while their mark against the Yankees improved to 849-1,075.

SNAPPING A SOUR STRING, PART 1:  With five wins in six tries, the Indians won a season series over the Reds for the first time since 2005, while also snapping a string of three consecutive season series defeats to Cincinnati. This was the most wins the Indians have ever collected against the Reds in one season, besting the previous mark of four in both 2004 and 2005.

SNAPPING A SOUR STRING, PART 2: The weekend in Cincy also clinched an 11-7 Cleveland record against National League teams for 2011, the Tribe’s first winning record in interleague play since 2005. The Tribe won more games against NL teams in 2011 than in 2010 and 2009 combined.

THE LESS FAUSTO, THE BETTER: Fausto Carmona has earned a decision in 14 of his 18 starts this season, winning four and losing 10. In the four games he didn’t earn a decision, the Indians won three.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT: The last time the Indians were in first place at the All-Star break was 1999. In 2007, they were a game back of the Tigers at the break and in 2001 were five back of the Twins.

A BREAK FROM THE GAUNTLET: The Indians have played 12 straight games against teams that currently have a winning record and 22 of their last 25. Right now, their next 13 games are against teams that currently have a losing record.

FINALLY: After 11 starts, six losses, and two months, Justin Masterson finally won a game on Friday night - his first since April 26. It was the third time since then he’d pitched eight innings in a game and has now pitched at least five innings in each of his 17 starts this season.

SEVEN UP: Masterson’s victory on Wednesday gave him seven for the season - a new career high. He’d won six in 2008 and 2010. Over his last six starts, Masterson has an ERA of 1.50, and his season ERA has dipped to a delicious 2.66.

21 FOR 20: By picking up the save on Monday, Chris Perez clinched the 21st time an Indian has collected at least 20 saves in a season. With 23 last year, Perez became the 13th Indian to accomplish the feat. He’s now the sixth Indian to reach 20 saves in a season at least twice, joining Jose Mesa, Doug Jones (three times), Bob Wickman (three times), Mike Jackson, and Ernie Camacho.

AN OFF NIGHT: After five consecutive gems, Carlos Carrasco finally returned to Earth on Tuesday. It was his shortest outing of the season (excluding the start in Minnesota when he left after three innings due to injury) and the second-most earned runs he’d allowed. Excluding that Minnesota start, this was the first time Carrasco hadn’t gone at least five innings in a start since Oct. 1, 2009 - covering 23 straight outings.

SWEETNESS: The Indians hadn’t taken a series from New York since May 6-8, 2008 when they won two of three in Yankee Stadium. This was the first time they’d won a series from the Yankees in Cleveland since August of 2005.

PROGRESS REPORT: The Indians are averaging 4.3 runs per game and allowing 4.2. Their team batting average is .249 (10th in the AL) and team ERA is 3.86 (seventh in the AL).

A YEAR AGO: After 85 games in 2010, the Indians stood at 33-52, last place in the AL Central, 14 games back of the first-place Tigers.

 

CINCINNATI SERIES BY THE NUMBERS:

The Indians outscored the Reds, 16-10 - one of the Indians’ runs was unearned. Each team committed one error.

Overall Hitting

Cleveland 27 for 107 (.252), 3 walks

Cincinnati 25 for 106 (.236), 6 walks

 

With Runners in Scoring Position

Cleveland 6 for 17 (.353), 13 left on base

Cincinnati 5 for 19 (.263), 20 left on base

 

Extra-Base Hits

Cleveland 8 (5 HR)

Cincinnati 6 (5 HR)

 

Overall Pitching

Cleveland 26 IP, 25 H, 6 BB, 20 SO, 10 ER, 3.46 ERA

Cincinnati 27 IP, 27 H, 3 BB, 28 SO, 15 ER, 5.00 ERA

 

Starting Pitchers

Cleveland 1-1; 14 IP, 16 H, 2 BB, 9 SO, 7 ER, 4.50 ERA

Cincinnati 1-2; 17.2 IP, 21 H, 3 BB, 17 SO, 14 ER, 7.13 ERA

 

Relief Pitchers

Cleveland 1-0, 1 save; 12 IP, 9 H, 4 BB, 11 SO, 3 ER, 2.25 ERA

Cincinnati 1 save; 9.1 IP, 6 H, 0 BB, 11 SO, 1 ER, 0.97 ERA

 

NEW YORK SERIES BY THE NUMBERS:

The Yankees outscored the Indians, 15-13. The Indians committed two errors and the Yankees committed one.

Overall Hitting

New York 27 for 109 (.248), 6 walks

Cleveland 23 for 93 (.247), 13 walks

 

With Runners in Scoring Position

New York 6 for 27 (.222), 20 left on base

Cleveland 4 for 26 (.154), 25 left on base

 

Extra-Base Hits

New York 9 (2 HR)

Cleveland 6 (3 HR)

 

Overall Pitching

New York 25 IP, 23 H, 13 BB, 22 SO, 13 ER, 4.68 ERA

Cleveland 27 IP, 27 H, 6 BB, 19 SO, 15 ER, 5.00 ERA

 

Starting Pitchers

New York 1-2, 19 IP, 15 H, 8 BB, 19 SO, 6 ER, 2.84 ERA

Cleveland 2-1, 24 IP, 16 H, 6 BB, 14 SO, 8 ER, 3.00 ERA

 

Relief Pitchers

New York 6 IP, 8 H, 5 BB, 3 SO, 7 ER, 10.50 ERA

Cleveland 2 saves; 8 IP, 11 H, 0 BB, 5 SO, 7 ER, 7.88 ERA

 

UP NEXT:

Toronto Blue Jays [42-46]

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

Probable Starters:

McAllister (0-0, 0.00 ERA); Talbot (2-5, 5.60 ERA); Tomlin (10-4, 3.78 ERA); Carrasco (8-5, 3.95)

Last year: Indians won series, 6-4

This year: Indians lead series, 2-1