News and Notes: Cleveland Indians offense struggles in crucial loss to Royals

Here's to a great week!

Royals 3, Indians 0

Box Score | LGT Recap (Kinsman) | Cleveland.com Recap (Hoynes) | Highlights

The Indians managed just one baserunner against soft tossing Royals starter Chris Young and lost more ground in the race for the second Wild Card in the American League.  Tribe starter Danny Salazar was just okay, giving up two earned runs over five and 1/3 innings.  He worked around some very spotty control and kept the Indians within range, but was far from dominant.

With the loss, the Indians fell to 77-77 on the year and currently sit four games back in the Wild Card race.

Tribe News

Move to 3rd-base side of rubber a success for Manship (Bastian)

Manship owns a 0.97 ERA through 30 games this year, a stark contrast from the 6.46 ERA he posted from 2009-2014 with the Minnesota Twins.  Was it the move on the rubber?  From Bastian:

The only change that Manship has been able to point to was an offseason decision to move to the third-base side of the pitching rubber. The result has been a different perspective both for the right-hander and the batter he is facing. He has found the strike zone with more regularity this year and batters have dealt with more deception and an uptick in velocity.

Lindor's owns up to baserunning mistake (Hoynes)

Francisco Lindor failed to tag up on a Lonnie Chisenhall line out, ending an Indians threat in the seventh inning.

Holt claimed by Reds (Fagerstrom)

Off to Cincinatti goes Tyler Holt, he of the super hustle.  Hope he does well . . .

Around the League

Papelbon and Harper scuffle in dugout (Ringo)

The dumpster fire in Washington seems to no have no end, as this time it's everybody's favorite closer, Jonathan Papelbon, pretty much instigating a fight with star outfielder Bryce Haper in the Nationals dugout.  Great job guys . . . on Fan Appreciation Day too!  Watching the video makes me feel better about the Tribe's loss.

Ryan Braun shutdown for rest of year (Silva)

Braun's back issues forced the Brewers to shut him down for the reminder of the season.  The 31-year-old finishes with a .285/.356/.498 slash line.

Blue Jays enjoying huge attendance boost (Teeter)

Good baseball means good attendance, at least in Toronto.  Enjoy it, Shapiro.