CLEVELAND — This was supposed to be a breakout year for Franklin Gutierrez.
After establishing himself as the starting right fielder over veteran Trot Nixon during the second half of last season, Gutierrez was expected to provide a lift for the Indians’ offense.
Instead, the 25-year-old Venezuelan has been one of the club’s biggest disappointments, entering Thursday with a .234 batting average, seven home runs and 31 RBIs in 103 games.
He has struggled to adjust to a full season of big league pitching, showing a vulnerability to breaking balls.
“Whenever you’re going bad there’s usually something you’re doing wrong, with mechanics or not being patient,” Gutierrez said. “It’s been a tough season for me, but the season’s not over yet.”
Gutierrez’s is holding out hope that he can finish strong and re-establish himself as an everyday player for the Indians. He has taken steps in that direction, entering the series finale with Kansas City batting .346 (18-for-52) with three homers and 10 RBIs over his last 15 games.
In an 8-5 victory over the Royals on Wednesday, Gutierrez hit a game-winning, three-run homer and made a diving catch for the final out. “(Wednesday) was a special day,” he said.
One that Gutierrez hopes leads to better things.

Rehab roundup

Travis Hafner went 1-for-2 with a two-run double in his second rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, while Josh Barfield was 1-for-3.
Victor Martinez was off Wednesday but was expected to catch for the second time with the Bisons tonight.

Fun fact

The Indians’ first four hits Wednesday were home runs from Kelly Shoppach (2), Jhonny Peralta and Gutierrez.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time Cleveland accomplished as much was June 24, 1989, when all six of its hits in a win at Texas were homers (from Joe Carter (3), Pete O’Brien, Cory Synder and Andy Allanson).

Next up

The Indians will hit the road for six games, beginning with a three-game series at Texas tonight at 8:05.
Fausto Carmona (5-5, 4.71) opens the set for Cleveland, opposing LHP Matt Harrison (5-2, 5.77).
Jeremy Sowers (2-6, 5.46) will go Saturday (8:05) against RHP Brandon McCarthy (first start), with Anthony Reyes (4-2, 3.66) scheduled to start the series finale for the Indians on Sunday night (8:05), while the Rangers counter with RHP Vicente Padilla (12-7, 4.96).
It is the last meeting of the season between the teams, with Texas winning four of the first even.

Roundin’ third

Cleveland entered Thursday batting .286 and averaging 5.7 runs over its last 36 games, posting the AL’s fifth-best record (21-14) since July 10.
• The Indians’ home game against Seattle on Aug. 30, previously scheduled to air on Channel 8, will not be televised and will be broadcast locally on radio only (WTAM 1100-AM / WEOL
930-AM).
• Double-A Akron first baseman Stephen Head hit three homers in a 9-6 win over Connecticut on Wednesday.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

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