For the first time in 3 months, the Cleveland Guardians find themselves below .500 (57-58) after a 6-5 loss in 10 innings to the lowly New York Mets. Cleveland has lost 11 of the last 14 games, and the team can't seem to shake the same problems that have plagued them for most of the season........stranding too many runners, making critical errors, shaky outings by the bullpen, and losing series at Progressive Field.

Cleveland was active at the trade deadline, acquiring RHP Craig Yoho and OF Blake Perkins from Milwaukee, OF Jo Adell from the Angels, 1B Nathaniel Lowe from the Reds, and LHP Foster Griffin from the Nationals. The Guardians sent Kyle Manzardo and David Fry to Columbus to make room for the acquisitions.

Currently, despite the problems that won't go away, the Guardians are only 3 games out of 1st place because the White Sox haven't taken advantage of Cleveland's poor play. After the All-Star break, the Guardians were supposed to have MLB's easiest schedule, but they have made it difficult on themselves.

One bright spot occurred last night, as rookie INF Angel Genoa became the 1st player in Cleveland baseball history to record 4 hits in his MLB debut. Genoa replaced Gabriel Arias on the roster, as Arias was DFA'd.

Cleveland finishes up today with the Mets, then travels to Chicago this weekend for a 3 game series, followed by 3 games with Detroit, who traded their top starting pitchers, Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize.

I'm hoping that hope doesn't leave town soon.......but with only 47 games left, habitual mistakes that continue will cost them a 3rd straight Central Division title and a playoff berth.