CLEVELAND -- Jason Giambi talked before Saturday's game about the Indians trying to get out of the Groundhog Day rut that has been plaguing them for most of the season. When it comes to the Tribe's fielding woes it was more of the same.
In what has been an exasperating display all year, Saturday's performance might have set new lows. For the third time this season, the Indians committed three errors in a game as they lost to Oakland 6-2.
In 43 games, the Indians lead the majors with 43 errors after they had 98 last season. At their current pace, this could be the first time since 1987 that they have had over 150 errors in a season.
"When you sit in my seat you concern yourself with everything. Certainly it makes it harder to win," said Terry Francona of the errors. "The thing that is kind of perplexing it is something different. We talk not only about errors but giving them extra opportunities and it is making it harder for us."
After the Tribe got within 3-2 in the sixth, they lost control of it again in the seventh as Oakland scored three times, most of them due to an error. With one out and a runner on first, Coco Crisp hit a grounder up the middle that looked to be a inning-ending double play. Mike Aviles fielded it and tossed it to Asdrubal Cabrera to get Nick Punto at second but when Cabrera fired it to first, which would have got Crisp out in plenty of time, Jesus Aguilar dropped the ball.
Aguilar, who was called up on Thursday, was in at first as Nick Swisher, who made his fifth error on Friday, was the designated hitter. Aguilar was the 15th Indians player to make an error this season.
Two batters later, and with runners on first and second, Josh Donaldson had a two-run triple to left-center to break the game open. Moss added another run with a double.
Of the 196 runs the Indians have allowed this season, 27 are unearned. For the past couple weeks, the Indians have been taking extra infield sessions but they haven't had the desired effect.
"You can't feel sorry for yourself. You try to go out and work the proper amount and just try to keep going out there showing energy," Francona said. "You can not point fingers and run away. We have to be strong enough to get better because there is no other alternative."
Only one of the Indians' regular players -- outfielder David Murphy -- has gone without an error so far. Four have five errors or more led by catcher Yan Gomes' nine. For most of the year, Carlos Santana appeared as if he had been doing well in the field but he's had three errors the past three games.
"It's just the luck of the draw right now for us. Unfortunately it is just happening to us," pitcher Mark Rzepczynski said.
With the loss, the Indians are 19-24 and 9 ½ games behind the Tigers. They are one game away from tying their low-water mark of six under .500.
