CLEVELAND – Michael Brantley returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing four games with a sprained left ankle. He is expected to finish the year as the Indians’ starting center fielder and leadoff hitter, with his spot in the batting order potentially carrying over to next season.
“I have confidence that he should be able to do that down the road,” Acta said of Brantley batting first. “He’s a guy who takes pitches and can handle lefties and righties. That along with speed, he’s suited for that kind of job.”
Brantley, who is filling in for an injured Grady Sizemore in center, didn’t even look as though he was suited for the big league level during his first two stints with the Indians this year.
But in his latest spell in Cleveland, which began Aug. 7, Brantley has been a different player, at least at the plate – .327 (16-for-49) with 12 runs, two home runs and seven RBIs in 12 games through Tuesday.
“He’s flying high right now in confidence,” Acta said. “He has swung the bat really well this time around. At the beginning of the year it was more about whether he was here to stay and whether he belonged. That probably played a little bit into his head. I think now he knows he’s here to stay.
“The confidence is there. He’s made some adjustments with his swing and the results are there so far.”
Brantley has been a solid defender in all three of his stints with the Indians, which is why Acta has given some thought to moving Sizemore, a two-time Gold Glove award winner, to left field, if he is limited at the start of next season by surgery to his left knee.
“I like him (defensively),” Acta said of Brantley, who entered Wednesday with one error in 38 games for the Indians. “He’s a very good athlete and he’s effortless out there. He’s got a good enough arm for a center fielder. He’s fundamentally sound.”
Laffey’s line
Aaron Laffey’s rehab stint has lasted longer than expected, with left shoulder fatigue still plaguing the left-hander. He made his fourth rehab appearance Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings of Triple-A Columbus’ 7-3 loss to Toledo.
In the four rehab outings, Laffey has allowed three runs on seven hits over
4 1/3 innings.
“He’s not 100 percent yet,” Acta said. “Aaron himself doesn’t feel physically ready to compete and get major league hitters out. When he feels ready, we’ll make a decision.”
Oakland dominant
Practically every American League team has had its way with the Indians this year, but the A’s have been especially tough on the Central Division cellar dwellers.
Entering Wednesday, Cleveland was 2-5 against Oakland, with four of the losses coming via shut outs. In those seven games, the Indians managed just 12 runs (1.7 average), while batting .211 with one homer.
A’s pitchers have posted a 1.55 ERA over the span, with Tuesday’s starting pitcher, Gio Gonzalez, posting three wins in three starts against the Indians, while shutting them out over 20 2/3 innings.
Minor details
Columbus first baseman Wes Hodges went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the Clippers’ 7-3 loss to Toledo on Tuesday. Hodges, a second-round draft pick in 2006, entered Wednesday batting .339 (19-for-56) with two homers and five RBIs over his last 14 games – .275 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs on the season.
• Double-A Akron third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall hit his 16th homer in a 6-3 victory over Bowie in the second game of a doubleheader Tuesday. Chisenhall, Cleveland’s first-round draft pick (29th overall) in 2008, entered Wednesday hitting .429 (15-for-35) with two homers and 15 RBIs over his last 10 games – .276 with 75 RBIs on the season.
Roundin’ third
The Indians have only four wins in their last 18 games.
• Shelley Duncan’s six pinch-hit homers were tied with Minnesota’s Jim Thome for the most in the American League through Tuesday.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
