CLEVELAND: Prior to Sunday’s breakthrough, the Indians had been stuck in an offensive rut, with frustration building.
They were averaging just 2.45 runs per game in 11 games in May. They also had been limited to one run and six total hits in the first two games of their series against the Minnesota Twins.
Indians manager Terry Francona said the cumulative slump might have been leading to several hitters in the lineup trying to do “too much” at the plate, an occasional byproduct of a lengthy drought.
“We’re getting in that mode where everyone’s trying to do more, when we just need base runners and to go first-to-third,” Francona said before the game. “When guys start popping up, they’re trying to do more. … I think it’s human nature. It doesn’t help, though. … I think everybody’s a little frustrated. It’s stating the obvious.”
The Indians had scored three or fewer runs in nine of those 11 games. One of the two positive offensive nights during that stretch still resulted in an 8-7 loss. Shortstop Francisco Lindor chalked it up to situational hitting.
“It’s just timely hitting,” Lindor said. “We’re getting in a couple games where we push each other, get one hit here, one hit there and next thing we know, we [will] score five, six, seven runs. … It’s just a matter of continuing to play the game the right way and backing each other up. The bullpen is doing a great job. So is the pitching staff. It’s May. We have a long way to go.”
Francona was asked a few days ago if he had considered moving struggling cleanup hitter Edwin Encarnacion down in the order. Francona is not one to make changes in the lineup just to make a change, but he did make an adjustment before Sunday’s game.
Jason Kipnis moved into the leadoff spot, and Carlos Santana was inserted into the No. 5 spot behind Encarnacion, previously occupied by Kipnis. It’s unclear if that order will continue past Sunday, but it certainly got off to a good start. Kipnis provided immediate dividends, homering to lead off the first inning and finishing with four hits, including another home run, and four RBI.
“I just think with some of his energy, I think it’s got a chance to give him a jump-start,” Francona said before the game. “Nobody has a crystal ball, but I think it fits his personality a little bit. I think it’d be good for him. I know he’s not been hot, but he’s also got I think 75 at-bats under his belt. There’s hits coming.”
Santana moving down to No. 5 was in part about protecting Encarnacion.
“We can’t swing for him, I know that, but I don’t want to make it harder,” Francona said. “So you always want somebody behind him that you feel like they want to make sure they think about it. That was kind of the idea today. It’s been not a very good 10 days offensively. I just thought this made sense. We’ll see moving forward.”
Guyer to DL
The Indians placed outfielder Brandon Guyer on the 10-day disabled list on Sunday. An MRI revealed a sprained left wrist. He had dealt with the injury for about a week before it eventually worsened.
Guyer has struggled all season, playing a role in the Indians’ early issues against left-handed pitchers. He’s hitting just .182 this season.
In his place, the Indians purchased the contract of outfielder Daniel Robertson and promoted him to the majors. In a series of corresponding moves to get Robertson onto the 40-man roster, utility infielder Michael Martinez was designated for assignment. Erik Gonzalez was promoted to take his place on the active 25-man roster as the utility player off the bench.
At Triple-A Columbus, Gonzalez has played everywhere except center field and first base, giving the Indians a solid defensive option at several positions. The Indians are also nearing the point of needing to give Lindor, Jose Ramirez and others a day off, allowing Gonzalez to find his way into the lineup instead of sitting on the bench every day.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ.