Catchers not hitting, but still producing

When it comes to offense, the Indians aren’t getting much production from their regular catcher, Yan Gomes, and his backup Roberto Perez.

Going into the opener of a three-game series against Seattle on April 28 at Progressive Field, Gomes was batting .200 with one home run and two RBI in 16 games. Perez was in the nether regions, batting .115 with two RBI in eight games.

Their combined batting average was .169 with only 17 total bases and 17 strikeouts in 71 at-bats.

Despite the paltry batting totals for Gomes and Perez, Indians manager Terry Francona said he’s pleased with how his catchers have handled themselves behind the plate.

“They do such a good job shutting down the running game by the way they throw, it’s a huge part of the game,” Francona said.

Gomes had thrown out seven of 17 attempted base stealers, Perez two of four.

“Seattle comes in here and they’re really aggressive on the bases,” Francona said. “Having those two guys throw the way they do is so important.”

Francona said he has been encouraging Gomes to focus less on his batting average than his overall contribution.

“I reminded him last week there are so many ways for you to help us win beside hitting,” Francona said. “I think he’s done a really good job this week. It seems like he’s a little less hard on himself after an atbat. He is swinging the bat better, which helps.”

Francona said Indians pitchers have confidence in both catchers.

“The biggest situation you see is a runner on third (base) and a guy is able to bounce the breaking ball or (split-finger) knowing it’s not going to go to the backstop,” Francona said. “Our pitchers know the catchers get down, get square and keep it in front of them really good so they don’t take away one of their best pitches when they need to get a huge out.”

Gomes and Perez, both 29, are in their fifth and fourth seasons with the Indians, respectively.

The former is in the fourth year of a six-year, $23 million deal.

Perez, who filled in for the injured Gomes down the stretch last season and started all 15 playoff games, agreed to a four-year, $9 million contract extension April 2.

Brantley rests

After making three straight starts in left field and appearing in 18 of the first 21 games, Michael Brantley was out of the starting lineup in the series opener against Seattle left-hander Ariel Miranda.

The occasional day off for Brantley is part of the Indians’ plan to get the nine-year veteran safely back into the full flow after he missed all but 11 games last season with a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Brantley came into the Seattle series batting .300 with four home runs and 15 RBI.

“We’re just trying to be cognizant of him growing into playing more,” Francona said of Brantley, a lefthanded batter.

“In his case, it’s not because he can’t hit a lefty,” Francona said. “We love Brant batting against everybody. But I think our team is better situated now if he sits against a lefty. He understands that.”

Francona said Brantley will be eased into playing almost every game.

“He’s really good, but I want to do the right thing for the long haul,” Francona said. “He’s been through so much. He understands that even though he would like to be out there every single inning, every single day, at some point he will be.”

Postseason preview?

This homestand for the Indians opened with two victories in three games against the Astros, an upwardly mobile team many observers believe has legitimate postseason aspirations.

The Astros came to Cleveland with the best record in baseball and alone in first place in the American League Western Division.

“They’re gone now, but you’re going to hear from them again. They’re really good, better than people realize,” Francona said of the Astros.

Each team scored 13 runs in the series. The Indians lost the opener, 4-2, then posted a pair of onerun victories, 7-6 and 4-3.

Francona said the demeanors of the teams made for a tightly contested series.

“One of the things about our team I really like, it isn’t always pretty or the way you write it up, but they keep playing. They keep coming,” Francona said. “Houston did the exact same thing. That’s why the series was so fun.”

Welcome to Cleveland

Ceremonial first pitches on April 28 were thrown by the three players selected by the Browns in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft — defensive end Myles Garrett, safety Jabrill Peppers and tight end David Njoku.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Indians manager Terry Francona has been telling catcher Yan Gomes that he helps the team win by more ways than his hitting.