CLEVELAND – The wheels are wobbling. Are the Indians about to fall down?

Another game against the Rangers on Friday night brought another loss for Cleveland, which was pummeled 11-2 by the defending American League champions.

The Indians, who still own the best record in the majors at 33-22, have lost seven of their last 10 games, including four straight at home for the first time this season.

But despite the recent woes, Cleveland still sits atop the Central Division, owning a 4½-game lead. That’s good enough for manager Manny Acta, who put a positive spin on his team’s rough stretch.

“I feel good,” Acta said. “We won two out of the last four. That’s .500. That’s not bad. You see two out of seven or whatever it is, but I don’t look that far back.

“We’re going through a rough spot like everybody else. I’m still thankful we haven’t gone through those long (losing) stretches. Knock on wood that we don’t.”

On this night, the Indians were done in by a red-hot pitcher, Texas starter Alexi Ogando, who remained unbeaten at 6-0 with a 2.20 ERA in 11 starts, after allowing just a run on four hits and striking out six over eight innings.

The right-hander shut out Cleveland on two hits over the first five innings, allowing his only run when Shin-Soo Choo grounded into a double play in the sixth.

“Ogando overmatched us pretty much,” Acta said. “He was very tough. We couldn’t do much with him at all.”

“It’s the big leagues. There’s great pitching all around,” said Cleveland first baseman Matt LaPorta, who struck out in two of his three at-bats against Ogando. “We just have to go out and play our game, have quality at-bats and try to score some runs.”

Despite Ogando’s domination, the Indians stayed in the game through six innings, thanks to starting pitcher Justin Masterson, who allowed just two runs over the first six innings on eight hits.

The right-hander wound up allowing four runs while surrendering 10 hits and striking out seven over 61⁄3 innings.

“I feel like I pitched pretty well,” Masterson said. “You look at the line and it doesn’t necessarily show it. Really, they were just finding some holes. I’m pretty happy with what I gave. I’m not happy losing.”

Winning hasn’t been on the menu for Masterson as of late. After going 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in April, he hasn’t won since – amassing an 0-4 record over his last seven starts. He hasn’t won since April 26.

“That has nothing to do with Justin,” Acta said. “He can only pitch. We still have to score and catch the ball behind him.”

And for the bullpen to pick him up, which it didn’t Friday.

Left-hander Tony Sipp, who has been impenetrable for much of the season, entered the game for Masterson with two on and one out in the seventh, promptly allowing a three-run home run to Josh Hamilton. Prior to the at-bat, left-handed hitters had gone 1-for-28 off Sipp with one single.

Sipp got an out before allowing a double to Adrian Beltre, followed by another homer to Nelson Cruz that Texas up 7-1 and the game away.

“We need to go back to throwing strikes at the knees instead of the ones that are up and show up on the scoreboard,” Acta said.

Since May 3, the Indians have been a mediocre team, going 13-14. But the silver lining is that they have lost no ground in the division standings.

“We’ve had a couple tough ones, but I like where we’re at,” Masterson said.

The Indians played without third baseman Jack Hannahan, who was a late scratch with tightness in his left hamstring. Acta said Hannahan sustained the injury while fielding a groundball Thursday night.

“(Head trainer) Lonnie (Soloff) doesn’t feel it’s anything serious. It was precautionary,” Acta said.

TONIGHT

• WHO: Cleveland vs. Texas
• TIME: 7:05
• WHERE: Progressive Field
• PITCHERS: Carmona (3-6, 5.31 ERA) vs. Holland (4-1, 4.96)
• TV/RADIO: SportsTime Ohio; WEOL 930-AM, WTAM 1100-AM