Tribe has scored four runs in last five games (all losses), with Choo 8-for-19; everyone else, 19-for-142.
Shin-Soo Choo has been trying to carry the Indians' offense.Cleveland, Ohio -- Maybe it's just a brief, team hitting slump, or maybe American League pitchers have a better book on how to pitch some of the Cleveland Indians' young hitters and career journeymen.
Not that the Indians' lineup was reminding anyone of the 1927 Yankees, but at least it made pitchers work a little -- especially during a month-long stretch when the Indians played .500 baseball against some of the American League's best teams.
Five games generally mean very little during a 162-game season, and we certainly consider that. Yet, the Indians' five-game losing streak/offensive collapse is somewhat notable.
In that stretch, during which the Indians have scored four runs, Tribe right fielder Shin Soo-Choo has eight hits in 19 at bats (.421), while the Indians' other hitters are 19-of-142 (.134).
The Indians conclude their three-game series against the Oakland Athletics tonight at Progressive Field. MLB.com previews the game.
Plain Dealer and cleveland.com/tribe coverage of the Indians includes video of assistant general manager/soon to be GM Chris Antonetti discussing the Indians; Dennis Manoloff's Indians briefing; a report on pitching prospect Hector Rondon having reconstructive elbow surgery; Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes' podcast.
Holes in bats
The Indians' hitting woes are detailed by Jim Ingraham for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal:
The Indians this season have been shut out 11 times, tying them with Seattle for the most in the American League. The Indians are on pace to get shut out 14 times, which would be the most times they've been held scoreless since they were shut out 18 times in their 105-loss 1991 season.
They are on pace to hit 125 home runs, which would be their fewest in a season since they hit 75 in 1991.
They are on pace for 1,336 hits, which would be their lowest season total since 1972.
They are on pace to score 641 runs, which would be their fewest in a season since they scored 576 in 1991.
Dugout talk
Tribe notes by Chris Assenheimer for the Elyria Chroniclle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.
Joe Stiglich writes about Wednesday night's Athletics-Indians game for the Oakland Tribune.
An Indians notebook and a Wednesday game story, both by Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Joe Sheehan, on Sports Illustrated's SI.com, mentions the Indians in his column critical of baseball's revenue-sharing structure.
Where the Indians place in SI.com's new power rankings.