If the Indians were going get their season turned around, it probably was going to have to happen on the 12-game stretch of games that ended Sunday. In those 12 games the Indians played four National League teams with losing records: the Rockies, Dodgers, Giants and Reds.
But the Indians didn't respond to the challenge, going 4-8 in 12 games. With their chances of climbing back into contention in the division race hanging in the balance, the Indians now play their next 12 games against much stronger competition. After an eight-game trip to Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit that begins Monday, the Indians return home for four games against Tampa Bay leading into the All-Star break.
With their offense continuing to sputter, and with their two best hitters, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner, both on the disabled list and still weeks away from returning, it's questionable whether the Indians can muster enough offense on a consistent basis in order climb back into contention.
Even if the Indians did start to hit more consistently, the bullpen remains a problem. In Sunday's loss, three Indians relievers combined to give up four runs in four innings.
REDS 9, INDIANS 5: OF Grady Sizemore's leadoff home run in the sixth inning snapped the Indians' streak of 16 consecutive innings without scoring a run. OF Ben Francisco added a two-run home run in the ninth, but the Indians were never in the game after starter LHP Aaron Laffey gave up five runs in the fifth inning.
