The Los Angeles Angels' offensive drought mixed with lackluster pitching performances Sunday resulted in a 6-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians and a series sweep.
The Halos have now lost eight of their last 10 games.
Jaime Barria (4-5) struggled on the mound while pitching with a blister on his right big toe and suffered his fifth loss of the season.
The Indians started the game dinging Barria up early and often. Cleveland hit three home runs in the first four innings to take a 3-1 lead and force Ausmus to change pitchers.
Luke Bard came in to get the Angels out of a jam in the fourth inning with two runners on and two outs. In the fifth inning Bard was struck in the arm by a line drive and subsequently taken out of the game in what could be yet another injury for the Halos.
"I think I'm all right," Bard told Angels.com after the game. "It hit that nerve and [the pain] kind of shot down my hand. It's kind of swollen and stuff, but I think I'm all right."
Bard's tricep contusion is just the latest in a seemingly never-ending slew of injuries for the Angels.
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Before the game it was announced that starting pitcher Felix Pena (8-3) will be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL after suffering the injury in Saturday's matchup against the Indians. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons (left ankle bone bruise and sprain) was scratched hours before the first pitch and will join right handed pitcher Griffin Canning (right elbow inflammation) and Pena on the injured list.
"You've got to keep plugging away," Angels manager Brad Ausmus told Angels.com before the game regarding the injuries to the roster. "It's not how we would have scripted this season for sure. But we have to find ways to win games, regardless."
J.C. Ramirez replaced Bard on the mound and pitched three innings, but the fifth inning was when the momentum started to swing. Jason Kipnis hit a single that drove in two runs and gave the Indians a 5-1 lead.
Kole Calhoun responded in the seventh inning with his 25th home run of the season to cut the lead to 5-2.
The Indians added another run for good measure in the bottom of the eighth off of a sacrifice fly by Francisco Lindor to earn the 6-2 win.
All-Star game MVP Shane Bieber (11-4) had an impressive showing on Sunday, pitching a complete game and striking out eight batters in the process. This marked the third time this year that Bieber has thrown a complete game.
UP NEXT:
Angels: Mission Viejo alum Patrick Sandoval is scheduled to make his first MLB start against the Cincinnati Reds after being called up from the Salt Lake Bees on Saturday.
Luis Castillo (10-4) will make his first start against the Angels for the Reds. Castillo ranks top 10 in the National League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts.
