Shoemaker’s stranglehold on Tribe ends

CLEVELAND — Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker was just one out away from perhaps a whole different game script.

Instead, a few minor things didn’t go his way and the first inning got away from him, leading to a 5-1 loss to the Indians on Saturday at Progressive Field. The Halos have now dropped nine straight games, including all eight on this nine-game road trip. It is the worst losing skid as a franchise since dropping nine straight in 1999.

“I’m going out every game and fighting for this team, trying to get us a win,” Shoemaker said. “As I’ve said a lot, I’m trying to go out and put up zeros. If we put up a lot of zeros we are going to win games.”

Shoemaker had put up plenty of zeros against the Tribe. Entering Saturday, Shoemaker had held an 18-inning scoreless stretch against the Indians. He had allowed just two earned runs in 22 innings in three career starts against Cleveland.

For a brief moment it appeared his dominance would continue as he got the first two batters to roll into quick groundouts. Then, Tribe shortstop Francisco Lindor beat out an infield single to …

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