Limiting Naquin’s exposure to lefties paying off

CLEVELAND — Tyler Naquin has been one of the Indians’ best hitters, especially since returning from Triple-A Columbus at the start of June. As has become standard, though, the rookie outfielder’s name was absent from the lineup card with a lefty on the mound for the A’s on Saturday.

Indians manager Terry Francona has limited Naquin’s exposure to left-handed pitching and the center fielder has thrived offensively in the process. Francona said he has tried to balance Naquin’s development with the fact that the first-place Indians are in the middle of a postseason chase.

“There are a lot of variables,” Francona said. “One, who else is on your roster? Where you are in the standings? Things like that. If you’re 20 games out, let him go. But, you’re trying to balance winning and right now, normally it’s Rajai [Davis] to play center [against lefties]. That’s a nice guy to have playing against a left-hander. Normally, when we have a lead, [we] let [Naquin] hit.

“I guess what I’m saying is, I recognize what you’re asking, and we’re trying to accomplish all of it and maybe give him some rope, because I don’t think a guy that’s hitting as well as Naquin is just going to hit against right-handers. But, I do think he’ll grow into [being an everyday player].”

Entering Saturday’s game against Oakland, Naquin was …

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