The Indians looked like a team in need of a few days off, as they have dropped three of four to the Yankees.

From the start, today’s game just a feeling that it was going to be a bit of a weird one. Shoddy Tribe defense and a questionable strike zone by rookie umpire Ramon DeJesus (who gifted Jacoby Ellsbury with an extra strike that he promptly deposited into the right-center seats in front of the bullpen; after complaining that the pitch before was not a strike and how he should’ve been on first with a walk) and a spectacularly bad middle-relief effort by TJ House, who has seemingly turned into a guy who is every bit the definition of a flash in the pan.

Carlos Carrasco (3.2 INN/5 H/5 R (1 ER)/4 SO/2 BB) didn’t his usual quality stuff and start that we have grown accustomed to, but the defense sure played a part in his ugly line, and only four of the Yankees’ 11 runs were earned. Masahiro Tananka (4.2 INN/10 H/7 R (3 ER)/5 SO/2 BB) actually may have been worse considering the run support given. Former starter turned long-man Nate Eovaldi saved the tired New York bullpen as he proceeded to keep the Indians at bay for the final 4.1 innings.

Both teams traded 6-run innings in a excruciatingly long fifth inning, which was somehow the last of the scoring. I am now 87 years young.

The good news of today is that Detroit, Chicago and Kansas City all lost, so the Indians hold steady in maintaining their 6.5 game lead on the rest of the division.

Now, the Bad News; which may not be a big thing at all, but it still a ping of concern.

Danny Salazar will not pitch in the All Star Game at Petco Park in San Diego, as he is feeling mild elbow discomfort, according to Indians.com’s Jordan Bastian. There doesn’t appear to be any serious cause for alarm and there doesn’t appear to be a DL stay coming, but Royals manager Ned Yost will be doing his rivals a solid by shelving him. White Sox lefty Jose Quintana will be added to the AL roster as his replacement.

The Tribe now has until Friday to heal up and take care of their honey-do lists. You could see a weary team today, but there’s much to be proud of at this point. See ya in Minneapolis.

W: Nate Eovaldi (7-6); L: Carlos Carrasco (5-3)

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