The Cleveland Indians have fallen out of contention after an 11-game losing streak during which they allowed at least five runs in all 11 games and their pitchers gave up a total of 95 runs. That's an average of nearly nine runs per game.
So whose fault was that? Why, of course, it must be the pitching coach!
Indians have hired Ruben Niebla as their new pitching coach. Scott Radinsky dismissed. More soon on Indians.com.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 9, 2012
The latest run of runs allowed by Tribe pitchers has them dead last in the American League in runs allowed; in 2011 they ranked 10th. Radinsky was in his third year on the Indians' coaching staff, but his first as pitching coach. He served as bullpen coach in 2010 and 2011.
Ruben Niebla had spent the 2012 season as the pitching coach for Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. This is likely an interim solution; the Tribe will probably seek a full-time pitching coach in the offseason.
For more on the Indians, please visit Let's Go Tribe and SB Nation Cleveland.