Indians suddenly riddled with injuries

Things were looking up for the Cleveland Indians heading into this past weekend, as the club was coming off a sweep of the Detroit Tigers. But the Tribe were swept themselves in Chicago, and the club was without its power 3-4-5 combination in the lineup.

The Indians couldn't have had much more of a disastrous weekend in Chicago. Fresh off a three-game sweep of the Tigers in their last home series, the Indians went to Chicago and got mauled three consecutive games, including a 12-6 blowout loss on Sunday.

In addition to losing three games, the Indians also lost four players over the weekend due to injuries. They played virtually the entire Chicago series without the 3-4-5 hitters in their lineup.

Designated hitter Travis Hafner did not play at all. He stayed in Cleveland to get treatment on a sore right knee. An MRI on the knee revealed some meniscus damage. A trip to the disabled list -- and perhaps even surgery -- have not been ruled out.

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left Friday's game with a strained left hamstring and did not play in the last two games of the Chicago series.

Catcher Carlos Santana left Friday's game with a mild concussion and was placed on the seven-day disabled list Saturday. Catcher Lou Marson left Sunday's game in the fourth inning after getting hit in the mouth with a pitch.

The Indians also played two of the three games without their regular third baseman, Jack Hannahan, who is being eased back into action after missing 10 days with soreness in his lower back.

Cabrera, Hafner and Santana are the Indians' 3-4-5 hitters. It's difficult for any team to win with those three pieces missing from the lineup. It became even harder for the Indians because, in addition to missing three of their key hitters, they also saw their three starting pitchers in the series get roughed up. Jeanmar Gomez, Derek Lowe and Ubaldo Jimenez were a combined 0-3 with a 15.75 ERA. They gave up 21 earned runs on 23 hits in just 12 innings.

The Indians went into Chicago leading the division by 3 1/2 games over the White Sox. After getting outscored 35-16, the Indians left with their lead down to half a game.

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Indians Notes & Quotes

RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, who is winless on the road this year, had another ugly road start Sunday in Chicago. Jimenez gave up seven runs in four innings, his shortest outing of the season.

"He didn't throw enough strikes and had a tough time putting hitters away," manager Manny Acta said. In five road starts, Jimenez's ERA is 9.00. In five home starts, it is 3.38. In four of Jimenez's 10 starts, he has pitched five innings or less.

DH Travis Hafner missed all three games of the weekend series in Chicago due to some meniscus damage in his right knee. Hafner will test the knee Monday, and a decision will be made on whether he will need to be placed on the disabled list.

C Lou Marson left Sunday's game after getting hit in the mouth with a pitch. Starting C Carlos Santana is already on the disabled list with a mild concussion so the Indians finished Sunday's game with just one catcher, Luke Carlin, who was called up from Class AAA Columbus on Saturday.

"Lou's OK. He got a big gash on his lip, but they stitched him up," manager Manny Acta said.

SS Asdrubal Cabrera did not play Saturday or Sunday, due to a strained left hamstring suffered in Friday's game. Cabrera is listed as day-to-day.

C Carlos Santana was placed on the seven-day disabled list Saturday with a mild concussion, suffered when he was hit in the mask by a foul ball Friday.

INF Juan Diaz had two singles Sunday, his first two major league hits. Diaz was recalled from Class AA Akron on Saturday to replace SS Asdrubal Cabrera, who has a strained left hamstring.

RHP Josh Tomlin will be activated off the disabled list Monday and will start against Kansas City. Tomlin has been on the disabled list since May 8 with inflammation in his right wrist.

By the Numbers: 3-5 – The Indians' record on Fridays, the only day of the week in which they have a losing record.

Quote to Note: "I did a lot of backing up bases." -- RHP Derek Lowe, after giving up 8 runs on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings in a 14-7 loss to the White Sox on May 26.