CLEVELAND – Though the squeeze play worked wonders for his team in a 2-1 victory over the Blue Jays on Monday, Indians manager Manny Acta would prefer not to employ the strategy on a regular basis.
“I would rather have nine guys hit .340 with a .540 on-base percentage,” Acta said. “On-base percentage and slugging percentage, that kills quicker. If you’re loaded with that, you can put (the squeeze) play on the back burner.”
Oddly enough, Acta did just that during his tenure in Washington, claiming that he never called a squeeze play in his two-plus seasons as manager of the Nationals despite playing in the bunt-laden National League. He’s called three already in his first year in Cleveland, two of them successful endeavors, the other a foul ball that nixed the play.
“Baseball revolves so much these days around power, especially in the American League,” Acta said. “Plus, it’s a risky play. It’s very exciting but it’s risky. When it doesn’t work, there’s about 15 different ways you can second-guess it.”
No one was second-guessing Acta on Monday, when the manager called for Jayson Nix to lay down a bunt with Travis Hafner on third and one out in the sixth inning. Nix got the bunt down and Hafner scored easily with the game-winning run.
Not only did the play lead to Cleveland’s second straight win, it also provided the Indians with their first win of the season when scoring two runs or fewer – the last big league club to accomplish as much this year.
Prior to Monday, the Indians were 0-20 when they scored two runs or fewer this season and had not won a game of that caliber since Aug. 6 of last year, going 0-38 since then.
Two for one
Renowned hand specialist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Graham, will be in Cleveland today for a routine check-up of Asdrubal Cabrera’s fractured left forearm. Cabrera took ground balls and made throws to first prior to Tuesday’s game. According to Acta, Graham will determine when Cabrera can begin swinging a bat.
Graham will also examine infielder Jason Donald, who missed his fourth straight game with a jammed left wrist. Donald took pregame fielding and batting practice.
“We’re just being cautious with him,” Acta said. “We just want to make sure the kid’s OK.”
Rest and relaxation
Slumping outfielder Austin Kearns — .170 (9-for-53) last 14 games — got the night off.
“We’ve rode Kearns pretty hard so far,” Acta said of the outfielder, who has started 60 of Cleveland’s 76 games this season. “Last year, he didn’t have many at-bats with all those injuries.”
A thumb injury limited Kearns to just 80 games (174 at-bats) last year for the Nationals.
Financial assistance
The Indians and Browns have teamed up to offer a discount ticket package.
Fans can purchase two tickets to Indians games on July 27 (Yankees) and Aug. 14 (Mariners), and two tickets to Browns games on Sept. 19 (home opener vs. Chiefs) and Nov. 28 (Panthers), for a total of $90.
Beginning Friday, the Indians will offer a “Choo Crew Combo” for the remainder of their home games, which includes a Shin-Soo Choo t-shirt and lower reserved ticket for $30. On student ID nights, the price drops to $15.
Minor detail
Triple-A Columbus right-hander Josh Tomlin continued his hot streak since joining the Clippers’ rotation from the bullpen, allowing two runs on six hits over eight innings of a 4-3 loss to Gwinnett on Monday. Tomlin, a 19th-round draft pick in 2006, is 6-1 with a 2.39 ERA in his last 12 starts. … Double-A Akron outfielder Jerad Head was named Eastern League Player of the Week after hitting .563 (9-for-16) with a home run and four RBIs over a five-game span. Both Head and Tomlin and Akron’s Beau Mills were recently charged with felonious assault, stemming from a bar fight in Akron earlier this month.
Roundin’ third
The Indians have been losing lots but have taken it well, entering Tuesday as the only team in the majors without an ejection. … Cleveland entered Tuesday turning a major league-high 93 double plays. … Mitch Talbot’s 2.39 ERA on the road ranked third among AL pitchers through Monday. The right-hander’s ERA at home is 5.64. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM. Aaron Laffey (0-2, 6.37) vs. Jesse Litsch (0-2, 8.78).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
