Bourn consistently producing big hits, are stolen bases soon to follow?
CLEVELAND -- Michael Bourn is hitting .305 in May and has hits in 12 of his past 13 games. Even though he is hitting well, the one area of Bourn's game that still hasn't regained its form is stealing bases.
Going into Saturday's game against Colorado, Bourn has just four stolen bases, which is his lowest total in his first two months. The previous low was seven in 2007. At this point last season, Bourn had eight steals.
The reason for the decrease in steals remains the left hamstring. Besides the two injuries since September, Bourn tweaked it earlier in the month and missed a couple games. He still has it worked on for a half hour before games.
"I'm getting close to it," said Bourn about the hamstring and being more aggressive on the bases. "We continue to work on the leg and get at 100 percent. I have to listen to my body but tell myself whenever it says it is ready to go."
Bourn got his 1,000th career hit on Wednesday and is waiting to receive the ball once it is "dressed up."
Said Bourn of getting the hit: "I think that's an accomplishment I'd like to look on when I'm older. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I'm very thankful for it and hopefully can go to the next milestone."
DAY OFF: In his second game back since coming off the disabled list, Jason Kipnis went 2 for 4 and broke a slump where he was hitless in his last 15 at-bats. Kipnis though has the day off since Saturday is a day game after a night game.
"I think the guys who need the breaks are the ones who come back because their bodies aren't used to what they're doing. You can't simulate nine innings," Francona said.
SANTANA UPDATE: Carlos Santana was able to sit in the dugout for three innings Friday night and felt better as he continues to recover from a concussion he suffered last Sunday in Baltimore.
Francona said that Santana felt much improved but there still is a ways to go before he comes back. Santana hasn't resumed running or batting practice.
FARM REPORT: Danny Salazar dropped to 0-3 in Triple-A Columbus after going just 4 2/3 innings on Friday night in a 5-3 loss to Louisville.
Salazar threw 99 pitches (61 strikes) as he allowed three runs on 11 hits with two walks and five strikeouts. The right-hander also had three wild pitches. Salazar's ERA since being sent down is 7.11.
At Akron, Shawn Morimando's Double-A debut was successful as he pitched six innings of five-hit ball with a walk and six strikeouts. The RubberDucks beat Harrisburg 10-0.
