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Indians player is showing improvement at plate
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008
It's not surprising that the Indians continue to give Franklin Gutierrez a chance to overcome his offensive problems.
He is an All-Star quality performer in the outfield, with speed, a strong and accurate arm plus an innate sense that enables him to take the shortest route to the ball.
Lately, he also has shown signs of upgrading his play at the plate, but there is no way to know if that is just a temporary spike in a long season or a more permanent change.
Gutierrez is batting .349 with two home runs and six RBI in his past 14 games, a hot streak he regards mostly as business as usual.
''I don't think I'm doing anything different,'' he said. ''I'm getting more playing time and concentrating on making adjustments. This whole year has not been real easy for me. I just think I'm getting to a good point right now.''
His numbers tell a lackluster story. He is batting only .231 with
19 doubles, six home runs and 27 RBI in 295 at-bats.
He has had an especially fitful time driving in runs, which is why going 3-for-3 with two RBI on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels was so gratifying.
''I have had a hard time getting RBI all season,'' he said.
As a right-handed batter, Gutierrez usually has been solid against left-handed pitchers, but he has struggled against right-handers. This year, he is batting .225 against righties but only .242 against lefties, far from his three-year average of .309.
Five of his homers have come in 95 at-bats against left-handers compared to one homer in 200 at-bats against right-handed pitchers.
''This is Franklin's second full year, and he is still in the process of figuring it out,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ''In the last couple of weeks, he's getting better against right-handers. His approach and balance are improving; he's seeing the ball better.''
Even with the team in a rehearsal mode for next year, Gutierrez has not received everyday playing time, having to share left and right fields with Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Francisco and, at times, David Dellucci.
But in the second half, Gutierrez has gotten more frequent at-bats, and this is going to be as good as it gets for him, unless he can demonstrate that his offense is on par with his defense.
Informed opinion
Backup catcher Sal Fasano has been around long enough to know what he's talking about. Here's what he says about Jensen Lewis, the Tribe's closer of the moment:
''He's fearless. He throws first-pitch strikes, and he's starting to execute pitches more consistently. He seems to thrive on being a closer and likes the competition. But this is a tough role for a guy his age (24).''
Next up
The Kansas City Royals engage the Tribe for three games, beginning tonight, in the battle for fourth place in the American League Central Division. . . . After a lengthy stay in last place, the Indians finally passed the Royals last Tuesday. . . . Kansas City is coming off 28 consecutive games against teams with plus-.500 records, having posted a 12-16 mark.
Other stuff
The Indians have won seven of their past 10 games and are 31/2 games behind the third-place Detroit Tigers. . . . In his past nine games, Ryan Garko is batting .394 with one home run and 11 RBI. . . . In his past six games, Ben Francisco is batting .462 with one homer and three RBI. . . . Grady Sizemore stole his 30th base of the season Sunday and has been thrown out only once in his past 24 attempts.
Farm facts
Beau Mills hit his 20th home run of the season, tripled and drove in two runs in Kinston's 10-5 loss to Frederick in Class A. . . . Dustin Realini had two doubles, a single and two RBI, as Lake County beat Rome 5-1 in Class A. . . . Lonnie Chisenhall and Tim Fedroff each had three hits in Mahoning Valley's 6-4 win over Jamestown in Class A. Chisenhall raised his average to .301.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
It's not surprising that the Indians continue to give Franklin Gutierrez a chance to overcome his offensive problems.
Get the full article here.
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