Indians Fall Back to .500 at 31-31 Following 6-4 Loss to Dodgers; Three Takeaways From the Loss

CLEVELAND - No matter how you cut it, the 2017 season thus far for the Cleveland Indians has been frustrating in every way possible. From inconsistent play, to

CLEVELAND - No matter how you cut it, the 2017 season thus far for the Cleveland Indians has been frustrating in every way possible.

From inconsistent play, to injuries, to a lack of focus, this team has played well below what just about every baseball 'expert' as well as fan felt they would.

Following Wednesday's 6-4 loss at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Tribe sits now right at .500 at 31-31, and thanks to a bad division, the team is still fine in terms of challenging the Minnesota Twins for the top spot in the division.

Corey Kluber only allowed two runs, but again it was the shocking display of the pen, most notably Andrew Miller, that cost the Indians the game.

Here's our three takeaways from the latest round with the Dodgers as the two teams get set for the finale at 12:10pm on Thursday.

1. The Miller Mystery

Tuesday night Andrew Miller gave up a stunning solo homer to Cody Bellinger that sent him to his first loss in 2017.

Wednesday night it was even worse.

The Tribe superstar reliever again gave up a solo homer, this time to Kike Hernandez of the Dodgers to break a 2-2 tie in the same spot - the 8th inning.

It was the first time since September of 2011 that Miller allowed homers in back-to-back games, and the first time since May of 2014 he's lost back-to-back games.

Tuesday Miller said he had little control over his two main pitches, and it looked like it was even worse Wednesday, as he walked two, allowed four hits, and was responsible for two runs in a game the Indians lost by two.

There's no question that just like other players on the team, his confidence may have taken a hit the last two nights, but he's still a big part of this bullpen and the team won't shy away from giving him the ball in a tight situation again soon.

2. Too Little Too Late for the Offense

The Indians offense was handcuffed by Dodgers starter Brandon McCarthy, as he allowed one hit in the first five innings, but finally the Tribe got to him for a run in the 6th to drive him out of the game.

They tied it in the 7th on a Jose Ramirez solo blast, and then after the Dodgers struck for four in the 8th, they didn't quit, putting up two runs in the bottom of the frame.

They had a shot, with runners on second and third with two outs, but Lonnie Chisenhall flew out to short left to end the last serious threat of the night.

Just like the defense and pen, the offense also has been way too inconsistent for this team to go on a long winning streak.

Until 4-5 players in the starting nine start to hit, it's likely going to stay that way unless the starting rotation really gets going in a big way.

1. Defensive Blunder Costly

The Indians were almost out of the fateful 8th inning having allowed just one run, but a brutally huge error by Erik Gonzalez, playing for the injured Jason Kipnis, opened the door for three more runs.

With one out and the bases loaded, a perfect double play grounder was hit to short. Gonzalez took the relay, but whiffed on stepping on second base while turning what should have been an easy twin killing.

What ensued was a replay reversal after it was at first called an out, and the Dodgers made the Indians pay in a big way.

First off a run scored on what should have been the double play, and then Chris Taylor poked a two-run single to center to make it a 6-2 affair, sending a lot of Indians fans to the exits.

Call it a lack of focus or just being lazy on the part of Gonzalez, but by not touching second base and thus getting out of the inning, it killed just about any chance of the Tribe rallying for what was a much needed win that didn't happen.