Royals-Indians Preview

5/4/2008 11:29 AM

By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA
STATS Senior Writer

Shuffling his batting order hasn't helped manager Eric Wedge end the Cleveland Indians' slump. Facing one of the majors' worst pitching staffs hasn't helped, either.

After yet another poor game at the plate, the Indians look to take advantage of a matchup with struggling Kansas City Royals starter Gil Meche on Sunday when the teams conclude a rain-shortened two-game set.

Wedge has used 26 different lineups in 30 games this year, but Cleveland (14-16) has scored three runs or less in 16 of its contests. His latest batting order change put hot-hitting right fielder Franklin Gutierrez in the No. 2 spot Saturday night, but the Indians managed just four hits in a 4-2 loss to a Royals team that has a 4.54 ERA.

"There's not much you can say that hasn't been said," Wedge said. "Where the frustration lies with me is we don't have a bunch of rookies out there. We have guys who are deep enough in their careers that this shouldn't be happening."

Gutierrez went 0-for-4 after hitting .450 (9-for-20) in his previous five games. He had not hit higher than sixth in the order all season.

That change followed slugger Travis Hafner's drop to No. 6 in the order Thursday night in a 3-2, 11-inning win over Seattle. Hafner, perennially one of the majors' top power hitters, is batting .215.

One of the few bright spots at the plate for Cleveland continues to be catcher Victor Martinez, who has a 14-game hitting streak and is batting .352 on the season. Martinez, though, has yet to homer after going deep a career-best 25 times in 2007.

Now, the Indians will get a shot at Meche (1-4, 7.22 ERA). Cleveland had its best game at the plate this season against Meche at Kansas City on April 22, collecting 17 hits en route to a 15-1 win. Meche surrendered eight runs and nine hits in 3 1-3 innings.

The right-hander is 2-7 with a 6.10 ERA in 13 starts against the Indians.

Meche, though, is coming off one of his better starts, allowing three runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings as Kansas City (13-16) lost 5-2 to Toronto on Sunday.

While Meche and the rest of the Royals' rotation has struggled, Kansas City's bullpen continues to be a strength. Closer Joakim Soria has been particularly effective, converting all seven of his save opportunities while pitching 12 scoreless innings.

Cleveland, meanwhile, has gotten strong starting pitching, with the exception of reigning American League Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, who has a 7.51 ERA.

Aaron Laffey (0-1, 6.35) will make his second spot start for injured right-hander Jake Westbrook. Laffey was recalled Monday, and made his season debut that night against the New York Yankees. He gave up four runs and three hits in 5 2-3 innings as the Indians lost 5-2.

The 23-year-old left-hander opened this year at Triple-A Buffalo, where he was 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA. Laffey pitched in the majors for the first time last season, and went 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts against the Royals.

Cleveland and Kansas City were scheduled to play three games this weekend, but Friday night's contest was rained out. No makeup date has been announced.