Written by Jonathan Knight

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WINNING THE CLOSE ONES: The Indians are now 5-0 in one-run games.

CHOKING IN THE CLUTCH: Against Kansas City, the Indians hit a woeful .143 (4 for 28) with runners in scoring position. Ironically, for the season, they’re actually hitting better with runners in scoring position (.248) than overall (.237).

ALL-TIME TOTALS: The Indians crept closer to Oakland in their all-time series, 222-251, while the Royals narrowed the Tribe’s series lead to 299-280.

POWER OUTAGE: The Indians haven’t hit a home run in their last eight games. Even worse, in three games against Kansas City, the Tribe collected only three extra-base hits.

TOUGH DRAW: In eight games at Progressive Field, the Indians have drawn 120,013 - an average of 15,002 per game. Take away opening day and they’re averaging 10,975 per game.

HOME WOES: The Indians are 2-6 at home and 7-2 on the road.

TURNAROUND: In their previous meeting in Kansas City, the Royals’ relief pitchers posted an ERA of 5.71 in 17.1 innings. This time around, they didn’t allow a run in 10 innings. Conversely, in K.C., the Indians hit .333 as a team and scored 32 runs. In Cleveland they hit .207 and scored eight runs.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: The Indians had the bases loaded with nobody out three times in the Kansas City series and scored a grand total of one run.

PRONK LOCKED IN: Travis Hafner was in the zone in Oakland, reaching base in 10 of his 13 plate appearances (four hits, six walks).

NOT-SO-MIGHTY CASEY: Since going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored in Kansas City on April 15, Casey Kotchman has gone 1 for 25 with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.

ON A ROLL IN OAKLAND: This marked the first time the Indians won back-to-back series in Oakland since 2001-2002.

CAPTAIN KIPNIS: Jason Kipnis’ sterling performance Saturday night in Oakland (4 for 5, 2 R, 3 RBI) brought back memories of his 5-for-5 with 4 runs scored and 3 RBI against Detroit last August. Going into Saturday’s game, he’d only tallied eight hits for the season.

STREAKS: When Chris Perez locked down the victory in Oakland Saturday night, it marked the first time in his career he saved games on three consecutive days. When he allowed a run Tuesday night, it snapped a string of 6.2 scoreless innings.

MISERABLE MASTERSON: In Justin Masterson’s three starts since opening day, he has an ERA of 9.88, allowing 21 hits and 11 walks in 13.2 innings. After collecting 10 strikeouts in eight innings in the opener, he’s only struck out five since.

A RAGIN’ APRIL: Now with seven saves, Chris Perez has collected the most in the month of April by an Indians’ closer since Joe Borowski tallied nine in 2007.

A YEAR AGO: After 17 games in 2011, the Indians stood at 12-5, best record in the American League and first place in the AL Central, a game ahead of Kansas City.

 

PROGRESS REPORT:

The Indians are averaging 4.82 runs per game and allowing 5.12. 

Batting average: .237 (13th in AL)

Slugging percentage: .376 (10th in AL)

On-base percentage: .340 (3rd in AL)

Walks: 93 (1st in AL)

Strikeouts: 125 (12th in AL)

With runners in scoring position: .248 (39 for 157)

 

Team ERA: 4.56 (12th in AL)

Walks allowed: 63 (9th in AL)

Strikeouts: 107 (13th in AL)

Opponents with runners in scoring position: .288 (53 for 184)

Errors: 9 (9th in AL)

 

STARTING PITCHERS:

7-6, 4.47 ERA

(94.2 IP, 47 ER)

 

RELIEF PITCHERS:

2-2, 7 saves, 1 blown save, 4.68 ERA

(67.1 IP, 35 ER)

 

INDIANS’ OVERALL RECORD IN GAMES STARTED BY:

Lowe 3-1 (3 quality starts)

Jimenez 2-2 (2 quality starts)

Gomez 2-0

Tomlin 1-2 (1 quality start)

Masterson 1-3 (1 quality start)

 

INDIANS’ RECORD BY UNIFORM:

White Script “Indians”: 0-4

Blue Script “Indians”: 4-1

Gray Block “Cleveland”: 4-1

Creamy white home alternative: 1-2

 

INDIANS’ RECORD BY CAP:

Chief Wahoo Cap: 4-5

Block C Blue Cap: 4-1

Block C Red Cap: 1-2

 

OAKLAND SERIES BY THE NUMBERS:

The Indians outscored the Athletics, 10-9. Each team committed an error. All of the runs scored in the series were earned.

 

Overall Hitting

Cleveland 25 for 96 (.260), 19 walks (.383 on-base percentage)

Oakland 26 for 101 (.257), 14 walks (.348 on-base percentage)

 

With Runners in Scoring Position

Cleveland 7 for 32 (.219), 28 left on base

Oakland 5 for 28 (.179), 29 left on base

 

Extra-Base Hits

Cleveland 9 (0 HR)

Oakland 9 (2 HR)

 

Overall Pitching

Cleveland 26 IP, 26 H, 14 BB, 18 SO, 9 ER, 3.12 ERA

Oakland 27 IP, 25 H, 19 BB, 15 SO, 10 ER, 3.33 ERA

 

Starting Pitchers

Cleveland 2-1; 16.1 IP, 16 H, 12 BB, 8 SO, 7 ER, 3.86 ERA

Oakland 1-2; 18.2 IP, 17 H, 13 BB, 11 SO, 7 ER, 3.37 ERA

 

Relief Pitchers

Cleveland 2 saves; 9.2 IP, 10 H, 2 BB, 10 SO, 2 ER, 1.86 ERA 

Oakland 1 save; 8.1 IP, 8 H, 6 BB, 4 SO, 3 ER, 3.24 ERA

 

KANSAS CITY SERIES BY THE NUMBERS:

The Royals outscored the Indians, 15-8. The Royals committed one error. All of the runs scored in the series were earned.

 

Overall Hitting

Kansas City 33 for 111 (.297), 10 walks (.355 on-base percentage)

Cleveland 19 for 92 (.207), 17 walks (.330 on-base percentage)

 

With Runners in Scoring Position

Kansas City 10 for 35 (.286), 26 left on base

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

 

Extra-Base Hits

Kansas City 11 (4 HR)

Cleveland 3 (0 HR)

 

Overall Pitching

Kansas City 26 IP, 19 H, 17 BB, 21 SO, 8 ER, 2.77 ERA

Cleveland 27 IP, 33 H, 10 BB, 12 SO, 15 ER, 5.00 ERA

 

Starting Pitchers

Kansas City 2-1; 15.1 IP, 12 H, 12 BB, 12 SO, 8 ER, 4.70 ERA

Cleveland 1-2; 16.2 IP, 22 H, 6 BB, 8 SO, 9 ER, 4.86 ERA

 

Relief Pitchers

Kansas City 1 save; 10 IP, 7 H, 5 BB, 9 SO, 0 ER, 0.00 ERA 

Cleveland 1 save; 10.1 IP, 11 H, 4 BB, 4 SO, 6 ER, 5.23 ERA

 

UP NEXT: 

Los Angels Angels [6-13]

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

Last year: Angels won season series, 6-3

 

at Chicago White Sox [10-9]

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

Last year: White Sox won season series, 11-7

This year: White Sox lead, 2-0

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