Cleveland Indians: Tribe's Offense Struggles, Fails to Support Strong Pitching

The Cleveland Indians are off to a difficult start to the 2012 season with a 1-3 record so far.

The Tribe has struggled offensively, and they have not been able to support some strong pitching performances from their starters.

Monday night, the Indians lost to the Chicago White Sox 4-2. Starting pitcher Josh Tomlin struggled in the first inning, giving up two home runs, but he was able to settle down and gave five strong innings. Unfortunately, the Indians were not able to overcome the two home runs that he gave up.

After giving up the first home run in the first inning, Asdrubal Cabrera missed a ground ball that bounced off of his glove, giving Adam Dunn an infield single. His error set the stage for A.J. Pierzynski, who hit a two-run home run off of Tomlin.

Chicago scored another run in the fifth inning that took Tomlin out of the game. He had seven strikeouts, gave up seven hits, one walk and four runs.

Although Tomlin struggled in the first inning, he pitched well throughout most of the five innings in which he appeared.

The Indians have not done much with run support for their starting pitchers. Since it is so early in the season, there is a perception that there is plenty of time for them to get back on track. Let's hope that they can figure it out quickly before they lose too much time.

It's easy to say that it's just one game, or that it's early in the season, so it's not a big deal. The end of the 2011 season proved that thought to be wrong. Numerous teams played the final game of the regular season as a playoff game, deciding whether or not they would make it into the postseason.

Teams must play each game with the understanding that every game is important. Losing one game in April could mean that they don't make it into the postseason in October.

The Indians need to figure that out now and give their starters better support.