Indians get pounded in 10th consecutive loss
The Cleveland Indians' losing streak reached 10 games Monday night with a 14-3 defeat against the Minnesota Twins.
Cleveland hasn't won a game since July 26, going 0-9 on a road trip that concluded Sunday, and then began a seven-game homestand Monday with loss No. 10 in a row. The skid matches the third-longest losing streak in Indians history.
The streak is not a fluke. The Indians have had total breakdowns in all three areas: pitching, hitting and defense. The pitchers have given up 10 or more runs in five of the 10 games, and the hitters have been unable to keep up, with Cleveland getting outscored 88-28.
Of particular concern is the total collapse of the rotation. During the streak, Cleveland starting pitchers have a combined 11.66 ERA, and they have averaged just four innings.
"Somebody needs to go out and give us something close to a quality start," manager Manny Acta said.
The rotation is in shambles, and it currently includes three pitchers who weren't on the Opening Day roster: Monday's starter, Zach McAllister; Tuesday's starter, Corey Kluber; and Chris Seddon.
The one common theme during the streak is that the Indians have been blown out early in most of the games. Monday was another example of that. Minnesota scored 10 runs in the second inning to take a 10-1 lead.
Prior to Monday's game, general manager Chris Antonetti gave Acta a vote of confidence, saying the manager "is part of the solution, not part of the problem." But the longer the streak continues, the more speculation will grow about what the front office might do to shake the team out of its malaise.
