For most of the season, Carlos Santana and Nick Swisher have been mentioned together. Both have struggled, were moved down in the order and had stints on the disabled list. Since both have come off the DL, they have gone in opposite directions -- Santana has rediscovered his offense while Swisher continues to languish.
That was very much in evidence this past week. Santana moved above the Mendoza Line for the first time since early April while Swisher has gone under it.
So far this month Santana is hitting .333 (19 of 57) with five home runs and 12 RBI. Three of those homers came last week as the Tribe went 2-4 on their homestand.
When Santana went on the seven-day DL with concussion-related symptoms on May 27 he was hitting .159. He has raised it 43 points since coming off. He was batting as low as .146 on May 21.
"Sometimes you get so beat down that it was a blessing in disguise," said Francona of Santana going on the DL. "He came back with a clearer mindset and hit the reset button. We have survived to the point when he was cold and him getting hot is really going to help us."
CLEVELAND INDIANS
Swisher hasn't experienced the same post-DL bounce. He is 5 for 37 this month and has struck out 18 times. During the Detroit series there was a run where he struck out in five straight at-bats and 7 of 8. Swisher's batting average has dropped 13 points since he returned to the lineup.
Of Swisher's five hits, all have been for extra bases including two home runs. His walk-off grand slam to beat the Angels in 10 innings on Thursday was the fourth walk-off homer of his career. Francona has talked about his faith that Swisher will turn things around but you have to wonder how much longer that patience can last.
After a good start to the week where they took two of three from the Angels, the Tribe was swept by the Tigers and is five games back. They embark on an eight-game road trip with visits this week to Arizona and Seattle.
GOOD WEEK
Yan Gomes went 7 for 17 and has a five-game hitting streak. Gomes also had a run where he caught stealing six of seven baserunners.
Justin Masterson, who pitched just two innings at Boston on June 13, went seven innings last Thursday against the Angels and allowed only one run.
Vinnie Pestano, who was sent down to Columbus on April 8, was called up on Friday and made two scoreless appearances against the Tigers.
BAD WEEK
Josh Tomlin allowed 10 earned runs and three home runs in losses to the Angels and Tigers.
Jason Kipnis was 3 for 26, including 1 of 13 against Detroit.
David Murphy was 1 for 19 and is 2 for his last 27.
Asdrubal Cabrera had two errors last week and has six in June. He leads American League shortstops in errors with 14.
NOT A GOOD TREND
Indians pitchers allowed six home runs over the weekend to the Tigers and have given up 49 in the past 35. They have allowed 74 on the season which is second-most in the American League and two behind the Yankees.
DIVISION MATTERS
The Indians next series against an AL Central foe is July 4-6 to the Royals. Cleveland has dropped eight straight to division foes and are 14-17 for the season.
LOOKING AHEAD
Indians at Diamondbacks
First pitch: 9:40 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday
Probables: Tuesday -- RH Justin Masterson (4-5, 4.75) vs. LH Wade Miley (3-6, 4.62); Wednesday -- RH Corey Kluber (6-5, 3.30) vs. RH Chase Anderson (5-2, 3.18)
Of note: Indians are 5-4 in interleague play this year while the Diamondbacks are 3-4. Cleveland leads the series 7-5 and have won five of the past six. ... Arizona outfielders have 22 assists this year, which are the most in the Majors.
Indians at Mariners
First pitch: 10:10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 4:10 p.m. Sunday
Of note: Indians were 5-2 against the Mariners last year and have either won or split the season series the past three years.
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