Still losing

The Indians' 3-1 loss to the Tigers last night was their ninth straight. The Tribe fell to 61-89 on the year, on the day the freaking Yankees clinched a freaking playoff spot. They have fallen past the Royals into last place in the AL Central, and are just a game and a half ahead of the Orioles, owners of the AL's worst record. Things can't get much worse, if only because there are just 12 games left in the season.

The Tribe bats couldn't get anything going against Detroit starter Edwin Jackson, who shut them out for seven innings. They had a couple of chances, though. Matt LaPorta got thrown out trying to score from second base on a Trevor Crowe single in the second inning, and the Indians had runners in scoring position at least two other times, but couldn't bring them home. And they had a shot at a big inning in the eighth against the Tiger bullpen. But Jamey Carroll's bases-loaded walk turned out to be the only run the Indians would score.

The offense wasted another strong effort by Aaron Laffey, whose only mistake in 6 2/3 was a solo home run to Ryan Raburn in the third. Chris Perez gave up two more runs in the top of the eighth. At 24 years old, Laffey has had a pretty good season, and has shown a great deal of potential.

The Indians have to finish at least 2-10 to avoid losing 100 games. The way they're playing right now, that's hardly a sure thing.