This Week In Indians Baseball: Week 5

It was a rough week for the Indians, who went 3-5 overall, splitting a series with the Chicago White Sox and dropping a four-game set with the Boston Red Sox. Poor pitching performances from the starters and a lack of clutch hitting proved to be poison for the Tribe. Despite their struggles, the Tribe finished the week a game ahead of Detroit for first place.

Game 27: Indians 8, White Sox 6

W: Zach McAllister L: Philip Humber

Cleveland opened up their day-night doubleheader against the White Sox with a great offensive showing on Monday. Travis Hafner led the way at the plate with a home run and a triple. Overall though, it was a combined effort and ensured a Tribe victory, easing the burden on the pitching staff. McAllister, who got the call-up for the day, gave the Indians what they needed by going six innings to give the bullpen a break. (full recap here)

Game 28: Indians 3, White Sox 2

W: Joe Smith, L: Matt Thornton

The Indians earned their second victory of the day Monday night. With rain threatening in the fifth, the White Sox got on the board in the top half of the inning. The Tribe answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half with a pair of clutch singles from Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis. Play was interrupted with rain in the top of eighth with two runners on base for the White Sox. When play resumed, Smith surrendered a run, tying the game at two. In the bottom half of the inning, Shelley Duncan came through with a double, scoring Asdrubal Cabrera and giving the Tribe the lead. With a depleted pitching staff, Tony Sipp came on for the save. (full recap here)

Game 29: White Sox 5, Indians 3

W: Hector Santiago, L: Chris Perez

The White Sox jumped ahead to an early lead against starter Justin Masterson, scoring two runs in the first inning. But Masterson limited the damage and kept the Sox to six hits while issuing five free passes over six innings. The Tribe’s bats were silent through most of the game and were unable to plate a run through the first seven innings. In the eighth and a three-run deficit, the Indians’ bats came alive, plating three runs of their own, two on a Carlos Santana single. It wasn’t enough though, as Cleveland fell in ten innings after the White Sox scored two unanswered runs off Chris Perez. (full recap here)

Game 30: White Sox 8, Indians 1

W: Jake Peavy, L: Jeanmar Gomez

The White Sox hit their way to victory on Wednesday to split the series with the Indians. Jeanmar Gomex struggled on the mound, surrendering eight runs on nine hits and four walks over 6.2 innings. The offense also struggled during the loss. The lone run came in the seventh inning when Jason Donald grounded into a force out at second with Carlos Santana scoring on the play. (full recap here)

Game 31: Indians 8, Red Sox 3

W: Derek Lowe, L: Josh Beckett

The Indians forced Beckett to an early exit in a big win Thursday night. The second and third innings were big for the Tribe. With the 1-0 advantage in the second, Hannahan connected for his third home run of the season, scoring Michael Brantley. Jason Kipnis opened up the third with a home run of his own, and it didn’t end there—the Tribe plated three more runs in the inning. Derek Lowe limited the Red Sox to two runs on nine hits and one walk over six innings. (full recap here)

Game 32: Red Sox 7, Indians 5

W: Clay Buchholz, L: Ublado Jimenez

Jimenez’s struggles continued on Friday night as the Red Sox roughed him up for seven runs in 4.1 innings. The Tribe struck first but then were silent until the eighth when scored three runs, but ultimately they faced a deficit too great to overcome. (full recap here)

Game 33: Red Sox 4, Indians 1

W: Felix Doubront, L: Zach McAllister

McAllister got the spot start on Saturday, but he was unable to hold the Red Sox’ bats at bay. The Tribe’s only offensive noise came in the sixth inning, when Lou Marson doubled to lead off the inning and came home on a single from Jason Kipnis. (full recap here)

Game 34: Red Sox 12, Indians 1

W: Daniel Bard, L: Justin Masterson

The Indians took a beating on Sunday, dropping their third straight game at the hands of the Red Sox. Continuing with his trend this season, Masterson struggled to get outs in the first inning. Over six innings, Masterson surrendered six runs on seven hits and one walk. The offense was unable to capitalize on opportunities with men on base, stranding eight runners over the course of the game and going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. (full recap here)