This Week In Indians Baseball: Week 13

Returning home from a long road trip, the Indians were looking to make some noise this week while taking on the Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays. They ended up taking two of three from the Halos and then split a four-game series with the Rays. Overall, the Indians went 4-3 in the the final week of the first half.

• Game 79: Angels 3, Indians 0

W: Jered Weaver, L: Ubaldo Jimenez

Despite Ubaldo Jimenez’ best effort, the Indians dropped the first game of the homestand as the offense struggled to get going. With the bases loaded in the seventh inning with no outs, the Indians were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Jimenez lasted 7.2 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits and four walks, while striking out four. (full recap here)

Game 80: Indians 9, Angels 5

W: Zach McAllister, L: Dan Haren

The Indians took a 5-0 lead into the fifth inning, but Jack Hannahan‘s error threatened the Indians’ chances at a win. The Angels put up five runs in the inning, but the offense rebounded with up three runs of their own thanks to Shin-Soo Choo, Jose Lopez and Michael Brantley. Zach McAllister was charged with three earned runs over six innings. He allowed eight hits, struck out five and walked none. (full recap here)

• Game 81: Indians 12, Angels 3

W: Derek Lowe, L: Ervin Santana

The offense had an early explosion on the Fourth of July, backing a strong outing from Derek Lowe. The Indians forced Ervin Santana to an early exit, knocking him around for eight runs in just 1.1 innings. Michael Brantley and Casey Kotchman led the charge with three RBI apiece. Over the course of six innings on the mound, Lowe allowed three runs on eleven hits with one strikeout and no walks. (full recap here)

• Game 82: Indians 3, Rays 1

W: Josh Tomlin, L: Jeremy Hellickson

Home runs and strong pitching performances carried the Tribe to victory in the series opener against the Rays. Shin-Soo Choo set the trend in the bottom half of the first with a leadoff homer. Michael Brantley and Travis Hafner joined in on the fun in the second and eighth innings, respectively. Josh Tomlin pitched a gem, allowing just one run on two hits in seven innings. Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez came on for the final two innings, holding the Rays hitless. (full recap here)

• Game 83: Rays 10, Indians 3

W: Alex Cobb, L: Justin Masterson

The Rays didn’t waste time jumping all over Justin Masterson, who simply struggled to get outs. Tampa Bay got two runs in the top of the first, but the Indians answered with two of their own in the bottom half. The Rays weren’t done, though. Leading 4-2, Tampa Bay tacked on six runs in the fifth inning, putting the game out of reach. The Indians offense never got going at the plate and missed out on key opportunities. Masterson allowed eight runs on nine hits, two of which were home runs. He walked four and struck out seven over 4.1 innings. (full recap here)

Game 84: Indians 7, Rays 3

W: Ubaldo Jimenez, L: Matt Moore

The offense bounced back on Saturday night, with the bottom half of the lineup putting up strong numbers. Five of the seven RBI came from the last four batters in the lineup with Lou Marson, Jack Hannahan and Aaron Cunningham each collecting one and Shelley Duncan earning two. Jimenez was steady on the mound, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts. (full recap here)

• Game 85: Rays 7, Indians 6

W: Joel Peralta, L: Chris Perez

It looked like smooth sailing early for the Tribe as they took a 5-0 lead into the sixth inning, but an Asdrubal Cabrera error allowed the Rays to score four runs and closed the fence. Shin-Soo Choo blasted a ball over the center field wall for what seemed to be an insurance run in the eighth, but it was all for naught. Chris Perez struggled on the mound and lost the Tribe’s lead. Zach McAllister pitched well, but faced bad luck. He allowed four unearned runs, while allowing four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts over 5.2 innings. (full recap here)