CLEVELAND — Though the Indians have been pushing shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to represent them in the All-Star Game (July 12 in Arizona), manager Manny Acta thinks there is another worthy player on the roster.
“Can you pitch any better in the closer role?” Acta said of right-hander Chris Perez, who entered Wednesday with a 2-3 record and 2.63 ERA in 30 games, while converting 17 of his 18 save opportunities. “He’s been fantastic. I know a lot of our guys don’t have names, but if you look at his numbers, he can help the American League club.”
Perez took the loss Tuesday night, allowing his first home run since June 27 of last year — a span of 62 games and 60 1/3 innings without surrendering a long ball — but has been the picture of consistency since assuming the closer role on a fulltime basis last season.
Boston’s Matt Albers (69 1/3) and San Diego’s Heath Bell (66 1/3) are the only two pitchers in the majors that worked more innings without allowing a homer over the span.
Through Tuesday, Perez’s 17 saves ranked third in the American League behind Seattle’s Brandon League (20) and New York’s Mariano Rivera (18).
Big League Choo
Season-long slumper Shin-Soo Choo entered Wednesday batting .375 (9-for-24) with five RBIs over his last seven games.
Acta thinks it is a sign that Choo is beginning to break out of his extended funk.
“He’s coming,” Acta said. “He’s had some good at-bats over the last week or so and he’s pulling the ball with authority. He looks more relaxed to me.”
Acta believes Choo has put his DUI arrest behind him, something that the right fielder admitted was taxing him mentally.
“It doesn’t go away overnight. It takes time,” Acta said. “I think he’s had good support from his teammates, and I think it’s going away.”
Marson’s moment
According to Acta, Lou Marson will be behind the plate on a regular basis during the Indians’ upcoming interleague road swing, while Carlos Santana plays first base.
The Indians won’t miss anything defensively, but Marson is still struggling to find his way offensively, batting .235 with seven RBIs in 26 games.
“This is a good opportunity to play Lou more,” Acta said. “This is a guy we see as an every day catcher. We don’t see Lou as just a backup.
“At the end of the day, we all know that Lou has to develop as a hitter to be an every day catcher in the American League.”
Next up
The Indians begin a stretch of nine consecutive interleague games on the road with a three-game series against defending world champion San Francisco that begins Friday at 10:15 p.m.
Carlos Carrasco (7-3, 3.87 ERA) opens the set, opposing LHP Jonathan Sanchez (4-5, 3.71), while Justin Masterson (5-5, 3.18) goes for Cleveland on Saturday (4:11 p.m.) against RHP Matt Cain (6-4, 3.44).
Fausto Carmona (4-9, 6.17) starts the series finale Sunday (8:09 p.m.), while the Giants counter with LHP Madison Baumgarner (3-8, 3.21).
Minor details
Triple-A Columbus third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall was activated from the disabled list after a bout with concussion symptoms. Cleveland’s top prospect was in the lineup Wednesday, entering the day batting .250 with five homers and 30 RBIs in 60 games. … Clippers RHP Zach McAllister became the second pitcher in the International League to record his eighth win Tuesday, allowing one earned run on two hits, while striking out six over seven innings of a 4-3 victory over Toledo. McAllister (8-2, 2.82 ERA), acquired from the Yankees for Austin Kearns last year, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his 13 starts.
Roundin’ third
Travis Hafner had reached base safely in 21 straight games through Tuesday, hitting safely in eight straight and driving in at least a run in six of his last seven games. … Reliever Joe Smith entered Wednesday without allowing an earned run over his last 16 appearances (16 innings).
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.
