CLEVELAND – Indians manager Manny Acta has been talking about the importance of limiting walks since the start of spring training.
His pitchers haven’t been listening.
Cleveland’s staff entered Thursday leading the American League with 526 walks for a whopping average of 3.6 per game.
“We started preaching it in spring training and into the season,” Acta said. “We’ve made some progress, but it’s going to take some time. You can preach all you want. Sometimes it takes time.
“That’s been a problem the last two years. Some of it is a lot of young pitchers getting their first crack at the major leagues. We have a few guys that are getting better at it, but it comes with experience. You have to trust your stuff.”
The top three starters in Cleveland’s rotation – Fausto Carmona (66 walks in 186 2/3 innings), Justin Masterson (73 in 173 innings) and Mitch Talbot (66 in 147 1/3 innings) – had contributed significantly to the walk total through Wednesday, but it’s been a glaring deficiency in the bullpen.
Tony Sipp (35 in 57 2/3 innings) had walked the most among relievers entering Thursday, followed by closer Chris Perez (27 in 58 2/3 innings), Joe Smith (23 in 33 2/3 innings), Rafael Perez (21 in 56 innings), Jensen Lewis (18 in 29 1/3 innings) and Hector Ambriz (17 in 48 1/3 innings).
Minnesota has set the bar in the department, walking 201 fewer batters than the Indians to lead the league.
“Our guys have to realize that the 200 walk difference between the Twins, that has to change,” Acta said.
Donald’s down
Acta said second baseman Jason Donald (bruised tendon right index finger) would not make the upcoming six-game road trip, but that he expected him to play again before the season is complete.
“That’s our hope,” Acta said. “I don’t see why not. They said 7-10 days originally, so we’ll see where he is after that.”
Brantley bit
The third time has definitely been the charm for outfielder Michael Brantley, who in his third stint with the Indians, looks like he belongs on the big league level.
Brantley entered Thursday batting .302 with two home runs, 12 RBIs and 19 runs in 32 games since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus. He was also riding a 15-game hitting streak, which accounts for the longest streak by an Indian this season.
Brantley, 22, hit just .157 with a homer and seven RBIs in 26 games over his first two terms in Cleveland.
“He’s getting more consistent at-bats,” Acta said. “He knows he’s going to be in there every day. Confidence helps. He also made some adjustments at Triple-A. He’s a baseball player. He figures things out.”
Next up
The Indians are off today, beginning three-game series at Kansas City on Friday (8:10 p.m.).
Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 2.18 ERA) opens the set for Cleveland, opposing RHP Kyle Davies (8-9, 4.95), while Masterson (6-12, 4.73) starts Saturday (7:10 p.m.) against RHP Sean O’Sullivan (1-5, 7.40).
Josh Tomlin (4-3, 4.17) goes for the Indians in the series finale Sunday (2:10 p.m.), KC countering with RHP Luke Hochevar (5-5, 4.81).
Minor details
Columbus took a 2-0 lead in its best-of-five Governors’ Cup Championship Series on Wednesday, turning back Durham 4-0 behind the pitching of Zach McAllister. McAllister, acquired in the Austin Kearns trade with the Yankees, tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits and striking out five. The Clippers went for the series sweep Thursday night. … Class A Lake County won the opener of the best-of-five Midwestern League Finals on Wednesday, beating Clinton, 9-6. Shortstop Casey Frawley went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, while closer Preston Guilmet struck out four over two innings to earn his fourth playoff save. The Captains played Game 2 at Clinton on Thursday night. … The Indians announced that they have extended their player development contracts with advanced Class A Kinston and rookie Class A Mahoning Valley through the 2012 seasons. Kinston has been Cleveland’s affiliate since 1987, accounting for the longest tenure in the Carolina League. Mahoning Valley became an affiliate in 1999.
Roundin’ third
Shin-Soo Choo entered Thursday with just three hits in his last 22 at-bats (six games), while Asdrubal Cabrera had just three hits in his last 25 at-bats (six games). … Slumping Matt LaPorta did not start. He is riding an 0-for-14 skid and has three hits in his last 32 at-bats.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
