Cleveland Indians Lose 7-4 to Nationals, Split Series

The Cleveland Indians fell to the Wahington Nationals Wednesday evening by a score of 7-4 as the two clubs split the brief two-game series. The loss dropped the Indians to 63-48 on the season as they went 2-3 on the short five-game road trip. They maintained their 3.5 game lead in the American League Central, however, as the Detroit Tigers also lost late last night. The Nationals moved to 67-46 with the victory and increased their lead in the National League East to 7.5 games over the Miami Marlins. The Tribe and Nationals split their four-game season series as well with each picking up a pair of wins.

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Josh Tomlin struggled once again for the Cleveland Indians allowing seven runs (all earned) on eight hits in just four innings of work. He walked just one and struck out four as he fell to 11-5 on the season after taking the loss. The defense did not help out Tomlin though as right fielder Abraham Almonte misplayed a couple balls in right field (though on well-struck balls) that did not go as “errors” but turned out very costly. The first happened in the first inning and lead to the Nationals first run as they took a 1-0 lead thanks to a RBI single by Wilson Ramos, scoring Jayson Werth who doubled on a ball Almonte probably should have caught.

Werth later delivered of the game with his 15th home run of the season, a three-run shot in the 2nd inning giving the Nationals a 4-1 lead. Tomlin was then knocked out of the game in the 5th inning after the first three batters he faced reached, with Almonte again failing to help his starter out. Reliever Dan Otero came in and couldn’t help out Tomlin, allowing a big two-run double to Anthony Rendon to make it 7-4 after Daniel Murphy doubled home a run earlier in the inning. After that hit though the bullpen settled down as Otero worked two scoreless innings before giving way to Zach McAllister who also looked solid in his two innings of work, allowing just two hits while striking out three.

The Tribe’s offense was able to get to Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez early but wasn’t able to overcome Tomlin’s struggles. Gonzalez went just five innings allowing four runs but picked up his eighth win of the season. Almonte atoned for one of his defensive mistakes in the 2nd inning with his eighth double of the season, tying the game at one as Brandon Guyer scored. The Tribe re-tied the game at four in the 3rd inning with three runs thanks to a two-run home run by Francisco Lindor (his 14th of the year) and a RBI double by Jose Ramirez who continues to hit with men on base. Unfortunately, that was all the offense could muster as the Nationals’ bullpen worked four scoreless innings to secure the win with newly acquired closer Mark Melancon picking up his 32nd save of the season.

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The Indians return home to begin their longest homestand of the season tonight. Thanks to Monday’s makeup game against the Red Sox the Tribe will have 11 games at Progressive Field over the next week and a half with the first four coming against the Los Angels Angels of Anaheim. The Indians are 31-20 at home this year (.608 win pct) and hope to continue that trend as the push to win their first division title since 2007.