CLEVELAND — Travis Hafner was out of the lineup Sunday for the first time this year. His bat has been gone since the start of the season.

Though Hafner has produced a positive vibe by remaining healthy through the first 12 games, he has been far from the offensive force he once was, batting just .231 with two extra-base hits and three RBIs in 11 games. He has struck out 11 times in 39 at-bats.

Hafner was the only Cleveland player to reach base safely in the first 10 games of the season, but he finished the recent six-game homestand with just three hits in 16 at-bats.

Veteran utility man Mark Grudzielanek replaced Hafner at designated hitter for the series finale with Chicago. Third baseman Jhonny Peralta filled the cleanup spot in the batting order.

The Indians are optimistic that Hafner can return to the form he displayed when he batted no less than .305, while averaging 34.3 homers and 111.3 RBIs per season from 2004-06.

He has shown no signs of that thus far.

Still going

Russell Branyan was scheduled to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Akron on Sunday.

Branyan has played in five rehab games for Triple-A Columbus and Akron (5-for-18, double, RBI), but has yet to play on consecutive days, which manager Manny Acta said he wants to see before the slugger is activated from the disabled list.

Next up

The Indians are off today and on the road for the next nine games, starting with a three-game series against the division-leading Twins that begins Tuesday night at 8:10.

Justin Masterson (0-1, 2.45 ERA) opens the set against RHP Kevin Slowey (1-1, 3.48), while David Huff (1-1, 1.80) and LHP Francisco Liriano (1-0, 2.08) square off in Game 2 on Wednesday (8:10 p.m.).
Mitch Talbot (1-1, 3.21) goes in the series finale Thursday (1:10 p.m.), while the Twins counter with RHP Scott Baker (2-1, 3.38).

It will be Cleveland’s first visit to the Twins’ new ballpark, Target Field.

Name game

When Jake Westbrook and Jake Peavy squared off Saturday at Progressive Field, it was the first time in major league history that two pitchers named Jake started against each other.

Making it more ironic is that it took place in a park that was once nicknamed “The Jake.”

Minor details

Right-hander Johan Pino and Triple-A Columbus outdueled Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman and the Louisville Bats (Cincinnati) on Saturday, winning a 3-1 decision. Pino, acquired from the Twins for Carl Pavano last year, worked seven scoreless innings and allowed four hits while striking out six. Chapman allowed a run on just a hit through five innings, but walked four. Pino has won both of his starts, allowing just two earned runs.

Roundin’ third

• Cleveland’s starting pitchers entered Sunday with a 2.84 ERA over the last 10 games, and ranked fourth in the American League with a 3.31 ERA for the season.
• Sunday was the Indians’ first non-comeback win of the season.
• Omar Vizquel’s double in the fifth inning was his 2,706th career hit, moving him past Doc Cramer and into sole possession of 60th place on the all-time hits list.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.