Indians are fifth team since Dead Ball Era to have one hit in back-to-back games

Sunday afternoon the Indians were dominated by Felix Hernandez, who allowed only one hit (a 5th-inning single by Lonnie Chisenhall) in 8 innings, before Fernando Rodney came in for a 1-2-3 9th inning to finish things off. Then, Monday night in Los Angeles, it was Dan Haren's turn to shut the Tribe offense down. He tossed 7 innings, allowing only a 3rd-inning Michael Bourn single (which was initially ruled an out, before replay overturned the call). Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen then each threw a perfect inning to wrap that game up.

Yep, the Indians were just held to only one hit in back-to-back games.

Since the end of the Dead Ball Era (usually seen as having ended in 1919, when Babe Ruth set a new record with 29 home runs) that's only happened to a team five times:

• The 1965 Mets (who went 50-112) had it happen to them on September 10th and 11th of that season. Both games were against the Braves. In the first game the Mets' only hit was a 5th-inning home run by Jim Hickman, so while they were held to one hit, they were not shut out. The next day their only hit was a 5th-inning single by Cleon Jones.

• The 1996 Tigers (who went 53-109) had it happen to them on May 3rd and 4th of that season. Both games were against the Rangers. In the first game the Tigers' only hit was a 1st-inning single by Bobby Higginson. The next day their only hit was a 5th-inning home run by Mark Lewis, so at least they weren't shut out in that one.

• The 2008 Astros (who went 86-75) had it happen to them on September 14th and 15th of that season. Both games were against the Cubs. In the first game the Astros didn't have any hits., as Carlos Zambrano threw a no-hitter. The next day their only hit was a 7th-inning single by Mark Loretta. They did manage to score a run in the 8th though, on two walks, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly.

• The 2013 Reds (who went 90-72) had it happen to them on April 25th and 26th of that season. Both games were against the Nationals. In the first games the Reds' only hit was a 4th-inning home run by Joey Votto. The next day their only hit was a 3rd-inning single by Xavier Paul.

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So, the Indians are the first team in the Live Ball Era to be held to only one hit in back-to-back games with the two games being played against two different teams. That's neat, but it gets better. If you were paying close attention you may have noticed that in all four of the previous instances, the team still managed to score a run in one of the two games.

The Indians just became the only team since the Dead Ball Era to be shut out and held to no more than one hit in back-to-back games.

That's the team we're trying our best to root for, folks. They don't make it easy.

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