If this isn't rock bottom, the Indians can see it from here. They've lost five straight and nine of their past 10 games. To say nothing of their 4-11 record in interleague play.
View full sizeThe Phillies' Jayson Werth slides safely into home as Tribe catcher Carlos Santana misses the throw from third baseman Andy Marte. Santana's error cost the Indians two runs and the Tribe went on to lose Thursday, 12-3. PHILADELPHIA -- A short but violent thunderstorm, complete with high winds and lightning, hit Citizens Bank Park in the eighth inning Thursday afternoon. Even that act of nature couldn't save the Indians from absorbing every required out of a beating at the arms and bats of the Phillies.
After a 1-hour, 37-minute delay, the umpires made the Indians take the field and complete a 12-3 loss in which the Phillies had not one, but two five-run innings to complete a three-game sweep.
When it was over, all the wind and cleansing rain could not erase the fact that the Indians are a bad ballclub. At 26-45, they are a season-high 19 games below .500. They have lost nine of their past 10 games and are on pace to lose 103 for the season.
On this tour through three National League ballparks, where NL rules preside, every flaw on their roster has been magnified -- no speed, no defense and, with the exception of a mediocre starting rotation, no pitching. They are 1-5 with three games left against the Reds, starting tonight at Great American Ball Park.
"That's a very good team over there," Acta said of the Phillies. "We had our chances on Tuesday [a 2-1 loss] and Wednesday [a 7-6 loss]. We hung in there and didn't take advantage of our chances.
"Today they just blew us up. They hit us around and showed why they've been in the World Series in back-to-back years. That lineup doesn't allow mistakes to go by."
As for the mounting losses, Acta said: "I keep telling these kids they can't get caught up in the winning and losing. I'll wear that. That goes on my baseball card. What I want is for them to continue to work hard and get better."
Acta has worn it before. In 2008, his Washington Nationals lost 102 games. When he was fired last season, they were 26-61 and headed for 103 losses.
Fausto Carmona (6-6, 3.64 ERA) allowed a season-high seven runs in four innings. It was his shortest start of the season.
"I had trouble throwing my sinker and changeup," said Carmona.
The Phillies scored five runs against him in the second, but two were unearned because of catcher Carlos Santana's error. Santana couldn't catch Andy Marte's throw home from third base with the bases loaded as two runs scored.
"So we've found out Carlos Santana is human," Acta said of the hot-hitting rookie.
Later in the second, center fielder Trevor Crowe caught a sacrifice fly from Chase Utley for the second out. Crowe was slow throwing the ball back into the infield, and it appeared he thought the inning was over.
Acta said that wasn't so.
"He was 2,000 feet from home plate," said Act. "He just held the ball."
Hector Ambriz took the fall in the sixth. He allowed five runs on four hits.
Dane Sardinha started the onslaught with a leadoff homer. It was his first in the big leagues. Placido Polanco doubled home a run. Another scored on Jayson Werth's sacrifice fly to right. Ambriz left with the bases loaded after walking Raul Ibanez. Jensen Lewis, optioned to Class AAA Columbus after the game, relieved and gave up a two-run single to Wilson Valdez.
The win went to Joe Blanton (3-5, 6.53). He allowed three runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings. Blanton struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.
Former Phillie Jason Donald had three of the Tribe's six hits. He actually put them back in the game with a two-run homer in the fifth to make it 5-2. But Carmona gave up two in the fifth to make it 7-5, and Ambriz collapsed in the sixth.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected for the second time in the series against his old club. Unlike Tuesday's ejection, he did not predict this one.
When leadoff hitter Shane Victorino was called out at first for going out of the baseline to avoid Carmona's tag, Manuel argued and was ejected by umpire Greg Gibson.
The Indians scored their final run on Crowe's double in the eighth. Donald scored.
