The Cleveland Indians suffered yet another brutal loss on Friday, July 20, this time at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles by the score of 10-2. Cleveland scored on a pair of solo home runs by Asdrubal Cabrera and Jack Hannahan but the display of power was simply not enough.
Starter Derek Lowe was pounded for nine runs on seven hits including two home runs and five walks in just three innings pitched. It is hard to win when starting pitching continues to disappoint in each outing.
The Tribe will send the young Zach McAllister to the hill to face off against Chris Tillman. The fact the best arm currently in the rotation is McAllister is a mild concern if the team is to be considered a playoff contender. Luckily there is still time to turn the team around and potentially make improvements before the trade deadline.
The matchup:
The Cleveland Indians will take on the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field located in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 7:05 p.m. EDT.
Zach McAllister (4-1, 3.17 ERA) will take the mound for the Indians facing off against the Orioles' Chris Tillman (1-1, 1.00 ERA).
The standings:
Cleveland enters the game with a 47-46 record and in third place in the American League Central. They are 24-22 when playing at home and have won four of their last 10 games.
Baltimore comes into the matchup with a 49-44 record and in second place in the American League East. They are 26-22 when playing on the road and have won four of their last 10 games.
The series:
The season series is currently stands at 3-2 in favor of the Indians.
Where to watch or listen:
In Cleveland: Television- STO, Radio- WTAM, Indians Radio Network.
Nationwide: Television and Radio via MLB.TV (Television blackouts apply in Cleveland market).
The batting statistic leaders:
Cleveland: Shin-Soo Choo- .297 batting average, Asdrubal Cabrera- 12 home runs, Jason Kipnis- 53 runs batted in.
Baltimore: Adam Jones- .294 batting average, Adam Jones- 22 home runs, Adam Jones- 50 runs batted in.
More Cleveland Indians Commentary from Paul Rados:
Baltimore Orioles at Cleveland Indians, July 20, 2012: Fan Preview
Should the Cleveland Indians be sellers at the trade deadline? Fan View
Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Rays, July 19, 2012: Fan Preview
Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Rays, July 18, 2012: Fan Preview
Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Rays, July 17, 2012: Fan Preview
Sources:
All statistics provided by MLB.com
Paul Rados is an avid Cleveland Indians fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.
