CLEVELAND — The Indians will play their first interleague series of the season in Cincinnati this weekend. Don’t count manager Eric Wedge among those who will celebrate.
Like the majority of American League managers, Wedge isn’t fond of head-to-head matchups against the NL.
“You lose a hitter when you go there and they gain one when they come to your place,” Wedge said. “It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that it’s a disadvantage for the American League. But that’s all right. That’s all part of it.”
Cleveland pitchers have begun taking bunting and batting practice in preparation for the three-game set against the Reds.
“You try to keep the volume down, but I want us to be as prepared as you can be,” Wedge said.
His pitchers risking injury in the batter’s box is yet another reason Wedge dislikes playing the National League.
“It’s part of this beautiful interleague thing,” Wedge said sarcastically. “It’s somewhat the norm. It’s been happening for a while.”
Not surprisingly, his pitchers don’t feel the same, including ace C.C. Sabathia, who has never masked his love for hitting, and has done it well, batting .297 (11-for-37) with a home run and six RBIs in his career.
“Everybody loves to hit,” Wedge said. “It’s always been that way.”

Recovery road

Disabled closer Joe Borowski (strained triceps) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Friday in Cincinnati, with the next step a rehab assignment. He is expected to return to the bullpen at the end of the month.
Borowski hasn’t pitched since April 14 and is growing tired of the rehab routine.
“I wish someone had a blueprint for how to get through this,” he said. “It’s truly a day-by-day thing. You doubt yourself all the time. It’s human nature.
“I’ve gone through this before and I’m going to persevere. I have no doubts I’m going to come through this fine.”
Wedge has said repeatedly that if Borowski is healthy he would be back in the closer role that’s being occupied by Rafael Betancourt.

Pronk’s progress

Slumping designated hitter Travis Hafner had one of his few good nights at the plate Tuesday, driving in a run and going 2-for-4 for just his fourth multihit game since April 14.
“He needs to work off that,” Wedge said. “He needs to work off certain at-bats and certain pitches.”
Wedge said the plan was to try to play Hafner at first base during the interleague series in Cincinnati, but that it would depend on how Hafner’s problematic right elbow feels. He has been taking infield practice at first.

Hats for bats

The Indians entered Wednesday with the worst batting average in the American League (.236), and one of the league’s lowest home run totals (28). Clean-up hitter Victor Martinez, who has averaged more than 20 homers the last four seasons, did not go deep once in the first 39 games.
First baseman Ryan Garko, who hit his first homer in about a month Tuesday night, thinks the drought is because of Cleveland’s weather.
“They’re going to come,” Garko said. “When the weather warms up, I think you’ll see them come from everyone.”

Roundin’ third

Sabathia entered Wednesday with the third-most wins (102) in the majors since 2001 behind Chicago’s Mark Buehrle (104) and the Yankees’ Mike Mussina (108).
• The Indians came in turning 46 double-plays, the second-most in the American League behind Texas’ 50.
• Shortstop Jhonny Peralta snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a double down the left-field line in his first at-bat in the opening inning.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. 

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