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What once was a hot start for the Indians is starting to cool off. The Tribe lost their second straight to the Royals by a score of 5-1 Sunday afternoon. The Indians have now dropped four of five and eight of their last twelve. Jeremy Affeldt became the first Royals starter to get a win this season as he allowed only one run in 5 1/3 innings. Ronnie Belliard accounted for the only Indians run when he hit a home run in the second. Jason Johnson took the loss for the Tribe, surrendering four runs in 6 innings.

“I didn’t feel real good pretty much the whole game,” Johnson said. “All my pitches were up. A sinker doesn’t do much when it is up. I just tried to battle through it. If I’m not in there in the seventh inning, I didn’t do my job.”

With all the young, inexperienced arms we now have in the bullpen because of injuries to Miller, Betancourt, and Cabrera, it is critical for our starters to pitch well and take us deep into games. For the last several games that hasn’t been the case and is really becoming a problem for the Tribe. Perhaps some home cooking will do us good.

Paul Byrd got off to a rocky start and it didn’t get much better as the Indians lost to the Royals 11-5 Saturday night. A four-run first inning set the tone for Kansas City, which ended its 11-game losing streak. Byrd gave up seven runs in three innings, raising his ERA to 9.15 on the season. Things got a little heated in the sixth as reliever Jeremy Guthrie was ejected for hitting a batter. Eric Wedge was also ousted when he came out to argue.

“This shows a complete lack of feel for the ballgame,” Wedge said of the umpires. “They were saying we were trying to hit the guy on purpose because he stole a base with a seven-run lead. That’s ridiculous. I don’t know how you can umpire that long and have such a lack of understanding for the game.”

Overall not a very good night for the Tribe. Byrd continues to struggle with his command and is having a rough start to the season.

The Indians got back on the winning track, edging the Kansas City Royals 6-5 Friday night. Jhonny Peralta delivered the big hit in the seventh when he doubled home three Indians to make it 6-3. Bob Wickman entered in the ninth and got his fourth save of the season. Victor Martinez’s 15-game hitting streak ended as he went 0 for4. Cliff Lee went 5 2/3 innings and gave up three runs, while Danny Graves got the win for the Tribe. Eric Wedge didn’t downplay Peralta’s clutch performance.

“Peralta stepped up big time,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s comfortable in those situations. He likes being up in those situations. He’s had a great deal of success with runners in scoring position, as well as late in the game.”

When you need a win who better to face than the hapless Royals. Peralta came through with the huge hit and the pen finally was able to hold a lead.