Indians Lose as Lead Falls to Four Games

The Cleveland Indians’ lead over Milwaukee in the American League Central was cut to four games as they were held to five hits and lost to the Oakland Athletics, 4-1, Sunday.

“Every game is big right now,” Cleveland first baseman Jim Thome said. “We have to go in there and bear down.”

The Indians visit Anaheim for two games beginning Tuesday.

Oakland’s Jimmy Haynes (2-3), pitching on three days’ rest, won for the second time in three starts, giving up two hits in five innings.

T.J. Mathews, Oakland’s fourth reliever, got four outs for his first save.

“For three days’ rest, he was outstanding,” Oakland Manager Art Howe said of Haynes.

After the Indians loaded the bases with two outs in the second, Haynes retired Brian Giles on a grounder to short and retired nine of the next 11.

“Looked to me like he was getting his breaking stuff over for strikes,” Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove said. “He was wild the first couple of innings and we didn’t take advantage. Then he settled down.”

As for his own team, Hargrove said, “We have to worry about ourselves. We just have to take care of ourselves.”

The Indians are 23-24 since the All-Star break.