Michael Brantley didn't do much his first two times in Cleveland this year. He's been much better the third time around. Who knows, he might be here to stay.
Outfielder Michael Brantley didn't hit much in his first two trips to the big leagues this year, but in his third stint with the Tribe in 2010 Brantley is hitting .287 going into Friday's game.SEATTLE, Wash. — Michael Brantley hit .156 (5-for-32) in his first tour with the Indians this season. The second time around, he hit .157 (11-for-70). Say this for Brantley, he was consistent.
Brantley's third chance came Aug. 6.
Funny thing about third chances. Sometimes it can make all the difference. Sometimes it's just another chance to slam your fingers in the door.
Brantley's fingers, so far, are doing just fine. He's hitting .287 (25-for-87) with two homers and 11 RBI in 21 games since joining the Indians from Class AAA Columbus.
The numbers still aren't pretty when Brantley checks out the scoreboard during his at-bats -- .217 (48-for-189) with 27 runs, four doubles, one triple, three homers and 18 RBI -- but he's getting past that.
"The first two times I was trying to do too much too fast," said Brantley. "I wanted to make a great impression right off the bat and I didn't really need to."
Every time Brantley went back down to Columbus he hit well. His final stat line with the Clippers reads: .319 (87-for-273) with 54 runs, 13 doubles, two triples, four homers and 29 RBI in 67 games.
"Before the last time I got called up, I had a long talk with my father," said Brantley. "He just kept talking about trying to relax. I was able to do that and the results are coming out."
Brantley's father, Mickey, played and coached in the big leagues.
"We're very happy with the way Brantley has played since he was last called up," said manager Manny Acta. "He's made some adjustments with his swing and is setting the table very well for us.
"He's played solid defense in center field. We believe this guy is going to be a good player. We feel he can figure things out up here."
If Grady Sizemore is fully recovered from microfracture surgery on his left knee in time for next season, it will be interesting see who plays center field.
"We need to wait until Grady comes back from that surgery and is 100 percent," said Acta. "Then we'll do what's best for the team."
Stand and deliver: September could be a big month for right-hander Jensen Lewis.
September will be an important month for Tribe reliever Jensen Lewis. Manager Manny Acta says the right-hander needs to prove the team can rely on him in late-inning situations or Lewis likely will be with a different team next year.Lewis was recalled for the fifth time this season Sept. 1. Acta made it clear what he wants from Lewis.
"We need him to pick up some good innings out of the bullpen," he said. "These guys have worked very hard up here. We need him to pick up some important innings. He's a veteran guy. We need to trust him in some of those situations.
"We're in a little bind in the bullpen. We had a very stressful homestand with the pen. This month is very important for him. He spent the whole season going up and down. He needs to re-establish himself as one of the guys or this organization will probably go in another direction."
Lewis is 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 26 appearances for the Tribe this year.
Correction: In Thursday's Indians briefing on cleveland.com it was reported that Acta has entered September in last place in each of his three full years of managing. That is not the case.
In 2007, Acta's first year managing in the big leagues, he had the Nationals in fourth place in the NL East on Sept. 1. They finished the year in fourth place at 73-89.
He's back: Matt LaPorta started Friday's game at DH. It was his first time in the starting lineup since Sunday when he strained a muscle in his left hip. If he gets through Friday's game, he could be back at first base Saturday.
On hold: Class AAA Columbus clinched at least a wild card spot for the International League playoffs. The playoffs start Wednesday.
The Indians will wait until Columbus' playoff push runs its course before adding any players.
In control: The Indians had 10 strikeouts and no walks in Thursday's 6-3 victory over Seattle. It was the ninth time in 134 games that Indians pitchers have not walked a batter this season.
It was the first time the Indians have had 10 or more strikeouts with no walks in a game since Sept. 19, 2008, a 6-4 victory over Detroit. Fausto Carmona, Eddie Mujica, Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez combined to strike out 10 that day.