The Cleveland Indians lost their fourth straight game Wednesday night, falling 8-4 to the Oakland A's. The Oakland win dropped Cleveland to 20 games under .500 on the season. Travis Blackley earned the win. Corey Kluber picked up the loss.
Cleveland finally broke a two-game scoreless streak when Jason Donald hit a solo home run to right field in the third inning, giving the Indians an early lead. Later in the inning, Ezequiel Carrera scored on a fielders choice to give the Indians a 2-0 lead. The advantage was short-lived, however, as Oakland third baseman Josh Donaldson blasted a three-run homer to left in the top of the fourth. Oakland added a run in the sixth and two in the seventh. A Brent Lillibridge sacrifice fly brought home Shin-Shoo Choo in the eighth, and a fielders choice scored Lou Marson later in the inning. Oakland added two insurance runs in the ninth.
Despite the loss, Kluber provided Cleveland with a quality start, going six innings, conceding just three earned runs on eight hits and striking out seven. The Indians bullpen struggled, however, giving up four runs in three innings of relief. To add insult to injury, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was thrown out for arguing balls and strikes in the first inning.
Cleveland and Oakland finish their four-game series tomorrow at 12:05 ET.
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