Finally!

With a strong start from Aaron Laffey, accompanied by an offensive explosion, the Indians finally snapped their losing streak last night. The 13-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays (it still seems weird not to call them Devil) ended the skid at 10 games, the Tribe's longest losing streak since 1979.

When the Indians beat the Reds on June 27, they were a semi-respectable 37-43. Their pitching staff included not only CC Sabathia, but Joe Borowski and Rick Bauer.

Since then: Two losses to Cincinnati (5-0 and 9-5), three losses to the White Sox (9-7, 3-2 and 6-5 -- all games the Indians could have won), three to the Twins (12-3, 9-6 and 4-3) and two to the Tigers (9-2 and 8-6). The 10th of those losses was the worst of all, as the Tribe got out to a 6-0 lead before the bullpen blew it.

This is obviously a lost season for the Indians. Everybody knows that. They're now 15 games behind the White Sox, and have been in last place for a while. But at least now we know they won't finish 37-125.

By the way, the last time the Indians lost 11 straight games? You've got to go all the way back to 1931. My parents hadn't even been born yet.

This was also the first time since 1992 that the team with the best record in baseball lost to a team that came in with at least a 10-game winning streak. We are a font of useless knowledge here at Of Fair Hooker.

Speaking of Sabathia, The Hardball Times did a very interesting report looking at who got the better of that trade. The prognosis? It's pretty much even. But as a Tribe fan, I know we came out ahead because we got more than a stupid draft pick for him.