Allen gets three hits in return to Clippers

Top Cleveland Indians prospects don’t usually head back to Columbus until manager Terry Francona gives them a number of things to think about and work on in order to come back a more polished product.

Center fielder Greg Allen left knowing he had to touch all the bases in his game.

Allen had three sharp singles in four at-bats in the Clippers’ 11-2 loss to Louisville before a season-high 11,777 on Monday night at Huntington Park.

Columbus (37-38) fell behind 9-0 when starter Mike Peoples gave up six runs on six hits in the fourth inning.

It was the first multi-hit game for Allen in 13 games playing for the Clippers, but that was nitpicking. He has a .392 on-base percentage.

“He has had a great attitude — come down and just play,” manager Chris Tremie said of Allen. “He had some great at-bats tonight. On the road, he made some fantastic catches. He is preparing himself for the next opportunity when it comes. He’s a triple-A rookie, but has played in more major league games than triple-A.”

Allen, 25, has played in 34 games for Cleveland and 28 for the Clippers in 2018.

Cleveland is platooning 37-year-old Rajai Davis and Tyler Naquin in center, but it’s obvious Allen will be given every opportunity to elbow his way back.

“Really, it’s working at getting better, working on improving my game in all facets, base running, hitting and defense,” Allen said. “I have to work on any part of the game where I can affect the game. You have to stay in the moment whether it’s in triple-A or the big leagues. You simplify the moment and take it one stretch at the time and put the best foot forward.”

The Indians called up Allen last September. He got 35 at-bats in 25 games, batting .229. This season, he was the 26th man during Cleveland’s series against Minnesota in Puerto Rico. He went up again on May 6 when Bradley Zimmer went on the disabled list with a bruised chest.

Allen had extreme highs and lows. His high-water mark was a seven-game hitting streak that raised his average to .286. Included was a walk-off home run in extra innings against Houston. But he was 1 for 33 (.030) in his final 12 games. In 34 games, he batted .204 with one home run and three RBI.

“Having that experience up there — a month and a half — you just try to soak it up as much as you can,” Allen said. “They do such a phenomenal job making sure guys are prepared. You take those things and utilize them. You try to find that consistency and work on them every day.”