Could there be anything more frustrating than watching the Indians try to hit with runners on base?
They remind me of small children flailing haplessly at piñatas. Whiff, whiff, whiff.
Twelve blows later, finally, a small crack opens up. But for the Tribe, no rush of candy emerges. All the treats remain stranded in scoring position.
In allowing the Kansas City Freaking Royals to snap their 12-game losing streak Saturday night, the Indians left a staggering 22 runners on base.
Royals starter Kyle Davies—he of the 6.16 career ERA, including an 0-3 lifetime mark against the Tribe—yielded only one run and continuously danced out of trouble.
Grady Sizemore left five runners on base. Victor Martinez left five runners on base. Shin Soo “Big League” Choo, in his season debut, looked to be in midseason form by going hitless and leaving four runners on. Even Travis Hafner, currently on the DL, managed to leave three runners on base.
The Tribe continues to rank last in the AL in hitting, at .234 (the next worst is Baltimore, all the way up at .246.) Only two teams have lower on-base and slugging percentages.
Miraculously, we’ve managed to score more runs this season than both Baltimore and Kansas City, so I can’t even imagine how putrid their offenses must be.
Give credit to Eric Wedge for trying, though. The Indians have the second most sacrifice hits in the league, and we’re in the middle of the pack in stolen bases. That's not bad, considering I could beat everyone except for Sizemore and Franklin Gutierrez in a footrace.
Martinez’s batting average has dropped over 60 points since the start of the month. He’s only had three multi-hit games in May (he had eight in April). Worse, he’s gone hitless in seven games this month, as opposed to just three in April.
Did I mention he’s leading the team in hitting?
Sizemore is second on the team—with a .254 average. He followed up a two-homer performance Friday with a giant 0-fer Saturday.
No one else on the team, besides Ben Francisco (.307 in 25 games), Martinez and Sizemore is hitting over .250. Yes, the Indians have only three regular players who average more than one hit every four at bats.
The big offseason acquisition to bolster the lineup, Jamey Carroll, is hitting .232. He plays the game the right way, is always hustling and giving his best effort, but he can’t be the answer to the offensive problems that started after last year’s All-Star break.
The Indians can’t hit at home (.238), can’t hit on the road (.229), can’t hit during the day (.232), can’t hit at night (.235), can’t hit on turf (.202), can’t hit on grass (.236). They can’t hit righties (.231), they can’t hit lefties (.243).
Sensing a trend here?
Perhaps instead of taking BP before today’s series finale in Kansas City, they can take turns swinging at a piñata. Then again, they’d probably only pop it up to short or hit a weak ground ball with it.
comments (12) write a comment »
write a new comment
4 months ago
It's pretty sad whern all of your splits are under .250
4 months ago
Twenty Two runners left on base? That seems impossible even for the indians. Do you think we should still keep Shelton now? This is a bad team going no where. It must be nice to have a job that you aren't held responsible for failing again and again. This team is an embarrasment!
from 4 months ago
12 as a team 22 with multiple guys failing in the same inning.
4 months ago
It has been downright putrid. Definitely one of the biggest underachieving teams in memory....or is it?
from 4 months ago
Thanks Dr. Jeff! 22 left on seemed high even for The Tribe.
4 months ago
The whole Indians hitting situation is a disaster. But what stands out a lot to me is the case of Travis Hafner. If he's hurt...fine. But if he's constantly on the bench...not only will his timing go to hell, but so will his confidence. Cleveland needs to make some changes...fast. The White Sox are playing a lot better than anyone thought they could. Clev. has no chance to catch up if they can't drive people in. Bottomline. Good article.
4 months ago
As I wrote in another article less than a month ago, the 'HITTING SLUMP' is not just for the 55 games that we had played this year.
It has not lasted for 148 games and yes, Shelton should be the first to be fired. His coaching must obviously be inept to have so many slumping, with no improvement in sight.
4 months ago
I believe the number was twelve runners on base, not twenty two.
from 4 months ago
Some box scores count only runners left on at the end of innings, others the total runners left on - so the Indians stranded 12 men with two outs, and 22 overall. Either way, it's downright terrible.
And Bob, yes, the Indians offense has been in an overall funk for quite some time. I checked my archives and wrote, err, rhymed about their struggles on August 13 last year. A sample:
Sizemore really whiffs a lot
Hafner’s tied up in a knot.
Victor’s struggled, but overall he’s great
Nixon barely hits his weight.
Travis, what happened to your swing?
You hit the ball with such a sting.
That's been missing all summer, all spring.
On you, our postseason hopes cling.
Peralta still can’t hit the curve
Heaven forbid they throw him the slurve.
All year, Blake’s been up and down,
At least we’re done with that Rouse clown.
Michaels already reached his peak.
Barfield’s starting to really reek.
Can’t believe we’ve gotten this meek
Batting average dropping as we speak.
And on and on it went...
4 months ago
Scott, not only a writer but a poet also. Great combination.
I did not know about this site last season so I missed your poem but it was very good and entertaining as well as accurate.
Thanks for sharing it again,
BOB
4 months ago
Eric Wedge could poop a better producing line-up right now, that's how sad it is.
4 months ago
Excellent baseball site. The Indians are turning failure into an art form these days. If The Royals didn't play such great defense everything would be ok.
write a new comment