A.M. Wahoo’s: Indians Lose Series Opener in Texas

Taking a look at the news surrounding the Cleveland Indians and the rest of the MLB.

The Cleveland Indians are in the midst of a brutal stretch of baseball. After finishing off an 8-3 homestand, the Indians are 1-3 on the current road trip, scoring a total of three runs in four games.

The 9-0 shutout loss Thursday night leads to questions about whether Josh Tomlin should remain in the rotation, while similar questions still remain about Danny Salazar.

There is still plenty of baseball left to play, but the last four games are cause for some concern. While we await tonight’s game, let’s take a look at the news surrounding the Indians and the rest of the MLB in today’s edition of A.M. Wahoo’s.

Cleveland Indians news:

Cleveland Indians Travel to Texas for Clash of First Place Teams

"The Cleveland Indians head into Texas looking to put their most recent series behind them and start a new winning streak. This series is a battle of American League heavyweights, as the Rangers come in with the American League’s best record (74-53), while the Indians are right behind them (72-53)."

Cleveland Browns: Is Danny Salazar a Liability?

"The Cleveland Indians enter play Thursday with a 5.5 game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. With 37 games left to play, including seven against the Tigers, the Indians need everyone on the roster to be at peak performance during this final stretch of the season."

Columbus Clippers Clinch Third Straight Division Championship

"While the Cleveland Indians had a rough go of things out west against the Oakland Athletics, the club’s Triple-A affiliate was popping the champagne. The Columbus Clippers defeated Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon by a score of 3-1 to clinch the International League Western Division crown."

Patience Only Option for Salazar and Tomlin (Factory of Sadness)

"The Tribe was coasting along with possibily the best starting five-man rotation in the American League. Then came the All-Star Break. Oh that nemesis known as the Mid-Summer Classic. It can stop momentum if your team has it. On the flip side, you a struggling team can pick it up."

Rangers Play Home Run Derby Against Josh Tomlin (cleveland.com)

"A couple of days ago manager Terry Francona broached the subject of skipping Josh Tomlin in the rotation in September just to give him a chance to work on making the baseball go where he wanted it to go."

MLB news:

Dodgers Acquire Carlos Ruiz From Phillies for 3 Players (FanSided)

"The Los Angeles Dodgers have added some punch to their lineup by trading for Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz in exchange for three players, according to a report at philly.com. He is expected to share time behind the plate with Yasmani Grandal."

Nationals Add to Bullpen Again with Marc Rzepczynski (Call to the Pen)

"The Washington Nationals made their bullpen a priority at the trade deadline, and they have continued that approach in the month of August. Earlier today the Nats agreed to acquire veteran reliever Marc Rzepczynski and cash considerations from the Oakland Athletics in return for minor leaguer Max Schrock."

Matt Moore Falls One Out Short of No-Hitter (ESPN.com)

"San Francisco lefty Matt Moore lost his no-hit bid with two outs in the ninth inning on a soft, clean single by Corey Seager, and the Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 Thursday night."