(My Sportsbook) - The Indians have a Royal pain in their back sides and it is Kansas City. This lack luster group of Indians were just swept by the Royals at Jacobs Field. In the finale yesterday, the Tribe managed only one run for the third straight game and because of it they have now dropped seven straight. Cleveland has lost eight of nine games against the Royals this season and in each game there has been a recurring problem for the Indians, no offense.

The Indians bats have been horrid against the Royals staff. In this recent series the Tribe could only produce 20 hits and three runs. This has been the problem for the Indians against Kansas City. In the eight losses to the Royals the Indians have combined for a total of 11 runs. That kind of run support will equal a lot of losses, especially for a team with a mediocre pitching staff.

"Make no mistake about it, we've got to do a better job offensively," manager Eric Wedge told the Beacon Journal. "You talk about our younger players -- but we have no excuses. It's unacceptable what we're doing."

Against other division teams, the Indians have played well offensively, scoring 49 runs against the White Sox in 10 games while batting .275. Against the Tigers, the Tribe is also batting .275 with 61 runs in 10 games. However, against Kansas City the Indians are only batting .224, while scoring only 17 runs in nine games. The Royals have also had success against the Indians staff scoring 37 runs and posting a .290 batting average.

Against the Royals last season the Tribe batted .260 and held Kansas City to only .242 at the plate. The Indians also scored 89 runs in the 19 games last year. Also in 2001, the Indians batted .283 with 114 runs in 19 games, holding the Royals to a .256 average with 86 runs.

With the current struggles it is hard to say that this young offense is getting better as the year continues, but statistically they are. The Indians have improved their batting average monthly. In the month of April the Tribe batted just .241, moving up to .244 in the month of May and this month the Tribe is batting .255.

"Hitting with men in scoring position, that's a hurdle we've got to get over," Wedge told the Lorain Morning Journal. "We've got young players, but that's no excuse. We've got to do a better job overall with our approach than what we're doing."

However, with the steady upward movement of their average the Indians still rank at the bottom in every major offensive category. The Indians are second to last in runs with 313 and rank 12th out of 14 American League teams, in Home runs (63), Hits (642), and batting average (.246).

WHO'S HOT

Indians third baseman Casey Blake is currently on a nine-game hitting streak. During this span Blake has 10 runs, two home runs, four doubles and five RBI.

Starting Pitcher C.C. Sabathia is 3-0 in his last three outings.

WHO'S NOT

Ricardo Rodriguez, who came off the 15-day disabled list, to pitch Thursday was defeated for the third time in as many outings. Dating back to April 23rd the young pitcher has lost seven of his last eight games.

UP NEXT

The battle for Ohio begins tonight as the Indians square off against the Cincinnati Reds for a Three-game set. After the interleague/interstate series the Indians will travel to Kauffman Stadium to face the Royals for four game then to the Metrodome to face the Twins for four contests.