CLEVELAND — A longtime proponent of interleague play, Indians manager Manny Acta sounds as though he’s changing his tune a bit.
“I am a purist but I think (the American League’s) the only one that doesn’t get anything out of it,” Acta said. “We lose a guy (designated hitter) in our lineup and also put a pitcher out there that doesn’t hit all year.
“What’s the downside for the National League (at American League parks), they don’t have a pitcher hit?”
Acta was especially displeased with Major League Baseball schedule-maker, who has his club play nine straight games on the road at National League parks, which kept one of its hottest hitters — DH Travis Hafner — out of the lineup. It is the second straight season the Indians have endured such a trip.
“Other than continue to whine, there’s not much you can do about it,” Acta said. “But I don’t think we can take it for three years in a row. I don’t think they can do that. They have to do something.”
Hafner was back in a starting role Monday, bringing his team-leading .341 batting average, seven home runs and 30 RBIs. He went 2-for-5 with a walk and an RBI during the interleague road swing — all as a pinch hitter.
“It was painful going through nine games without him in the lineup, especially with the way he was swinging the bat,” Acta said. “He’s a big part of our lineup. We’re very happy to have him back.”
After being swept by the Giants on the first leg of the NL road trip, Cleveland won four of the next six games to finish the year 11-7 in interleague play. The Indians won just five of 18 games against NL opponents in 2010.
Wounded Wahoos
Acta said Carmona underwent an MRI on his injured right leg, with results available after the game. The right-hander, who sustained the injury during an awkward fall while running to first base Saturday, is scheduled to start Thursday.
(bullet) First baseman Matt LaPorta (right ankle sprain) ran the bases for the first time Monday, also taking batting practice and participating in fielding drills.
Acta said LaPorta would go through another workout today before the Indians make a decision on whether he needs a minor league rehab assignment.
Star struck
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and closer Chris Perez met with reporters a day after being selected to the All-Star Game for the first time via the player vote.
Despite much better numbers, Cabrera lost out on a starting job, finishing behind New York’s Derek Jeter in fan voting.
“He’s very good,” Cabrera said of Jeter. “I respect him. I’m just happy to be going.”
Perez received the news after arriving back from Florida, where he attended the funeral of his grandmother — a big baseball fan.
“Obviously, when I started playing, she followed me,” Perez said. “She watched every game, knew everybody on the team and their stats. She was a big time fan.”
Mr. Professional
Speaking of Jeter, the Yankees shortstop was activated from the disabled list and was in the lineup for the series opener Monday, continuing his quest for 3,000 hits in Cleveland. He entered Monday with 2,994 hits.
“I can’t wait for him to get it done,” Acta said. “Has anybody represented this game better than that guy? He’s one of the true few legends that’s still playing.
“If Major League Baseball opens a school on how to play the game, he and guys like Tom Glavine should be teaching.”
Jeter might not play in all three games but he has flourished against the Indians throughout his 15-year career. In 124 games against Cleveland entering Monday, Jeter was batting .343 (168-for-490) with 10 homers and 66 RBIs.
Minor details
Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez improved to 9-2 with a 2.46 ERA for Triple-A Columbus, allowing two runs on five hits over eight innings of a 4-2 victory over Louisville on Sunday. … Clippers outfielder Ezequiel Carrera stole his 30th base Sunday. He had been caught stealing just four times through Sunday.
Incoming
A day after signing 16-year-old Dominican shortstop Dorssys Paulino, the Indians agreed to terms with four more Latino players — OF Francisco Miguel (Dominican Republic), LHP Edgar Pineda (Venezuela), OF Omar Sanchez (Venezuela) and OF Anthony Santander (Dominican Republic).
All four players are 16.
Roundin’ third
The Indians entered Monday having been in first place or tied for first in 82 of the last 88 days since April 7. … Entering Monday, Cleveland’s pitching staff owned a 2.92 ERA over the last 19 games. … Tonight, 7:05, STO/WTAM 1100-AM/WEOL 930-AM. Carrasco (8-4, 3.54) vs. Sabathia (11-4, 3.05).
