The Indians have had a revolving door in left field all season. It was a primary issue that went unsolved over the offseason and Cleveland has paid a price, cycling through a variety of players in search of an answer.
The one that got away came back to bite the Tribe on Wednesday night.
Twins slugger Josh Willingham belted a home run, churned out four hits and knocked in four runs, helping send the Indians to a 6-4 loss at Progressive Field. The defeat — the ninth in 11 games for the reeling Indians — dropped Cleveland below Minnesota and into fifth place in the American League Central.
“He’s a good hitter,” Indians manager Manny Acta said of Willingham. “He’s been a good productive hitter for years now.”
The Indians had not been in last place this late in a season since Sept. 24, 2010. The fall to fifth has been swift and steady for the Tribe, which has gone 11-39 over its past 50 games. Cleveland was in third and sat 3 1/2 games out of first place prior to that stretch. Now, the Indians are 20 1/2 back of the AL Central-leading White Sox.
That Willingham played the role of villain — on this night and plenty of others throughout this season — seemed fitting. The Indians (61-88) pursued the left fielder over the winter, but were only interested in a two-year contract. Minnesota came calling with a three-year offer worth $21 million, convincing Willingham to head to the Twin Cities.
“He’s really been a bright spot this season,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s been out there pretty much every day and has driven the ball for us, gotten big RBIs. Kind of what we hoped for when we signed him.”
Willingham’s 4-for-5 showing on Wednesday night gave him 35 home runs and 110 RBIs on the year. Against the Indians, the left fielder has pounded out four homers with 19 RBIs. Willingham joins Harmon Killebrew (1966) as the only Twins hitter in their history to have at least 25 doubles, 35 homers and 110 RBIs in a single season.
Willingham’s 35 long balls are the most for a Minnesota hitter since Killebrew clubbed 41 in 1970.
“Being in that kind of company is kind of cool,” Willingham said.
Cleveland has rotated 10 players in left field this season, and that group has combined to hit .213 with 10 home runs, 19 doubles and 48 RBIs. The list includes Shelley Duncan, Johnny Damon, Ezequiel Carrera, Aaron Cunningham, Jason Donald, Russ Canzler, Brent Lillibridge, Thomas Neal, Vinny Rottino and Carlos Santana.
Santana — Cleveland’s regular catcher — made an emergency appearance. Duncan, Damon and Cunningham were each designated for assignment at various points in the second half. Donald and Lillibridge are infielders by trade. Carrera, Canzler, Neal and Rottino spent the bulk of the season in the Minors.
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