Game 30 Open Thread: Indians vs. Twins

Exactly one week ago in this space, I optimistically wished that the Tribe’s comeback win would ignite the team’s first winning streak of 2015. Things didn’t turn out that way. In fact, the Indians continued in the opposite direction, going 1-4 for the week. All games were against division rivals, so the losses added to the deepening quagmire of the standings where the Tribe stands 10-19, 8.5 games out of first place. And it’s only May 10th.

Then again, it’s only May 10th. But c’mon, boys. Make your mamas proud on this Mother’s Day. You can’t lose any more ground and still hope to hang around.

Danny Salazar (3-1) takes the mound today against Trevor May (2-2). You’d think it would be May’s month. But Salazar is having a little better season so far by comparison (3.81 ERA/1.08 WHIP vs. 4.15 ERA/1.35 WHIP). Both hurlers have shown excellent control (each is averaging 1.7BB/9) but Salazar is much more of a punchout pitcher (12.8K/9 vs. 6.9K/9).

Punchout pitching matters less when you have a punchless offense. Other than scoring 10 runs in the Tribe’s sole win last week, the team plated only 3 or 4 runs in the other games, being outscored 31-24 in the past five games despite putting up that 10 spot.

In yesterday’s starting lineup, the Indians’ 6 through 9 hitters were ALL under the Mendoza line. Nick Swisher, however, went 4 for 4 and Michael Bourn went 2 for 4 to at least raise their averages above the total embarrassment mark.

Terry Francona continues to tinker with the lineup and batting order trying to conjure up some magic, moving Lonnie Chisenhall to the cleanup spot today and giving the struggling Jose Ramirez a breather by starting Zach Walters at shortstop.