Hafner finally solves Santana

It's interesting to note that while the Yankees have struggled mightily since their improbable sweep of the Indians last week, the team they beat has moved on from a devastating defeat quite well.

The Indians won again on Tuesday with Travis Hafner helping power them to a victory against Johan Santana and the Twins. Hafner, who is called "Pronk" by teammates and friends, is the hottest hitter in baseball right now and not even Santana, who has dominated him in the past, was able to stop him. Hafner's homer helped the Indians to their fourth victory in their last five games as Cleveland has shown it will be a force capable of contending with the Twins, White Sox and Tigers in a wide-open American League Central race.

TRAVIS HAFNER
Lowest career batting average vs. pitchers entering Tuesday (minimum: 20 plate appearances)
Johan Santana	.130	3-for-23
Mike Maroth	.143	3-for-21
Jose Contreras	.158	3-for-19
Nate Robertson	.158	3-for-19

But, the eventual result is ...

YOU GOTTA 'HAF' IT
Last eight games
Batting average	.567
Hits	17
HR	4*
RBI	9*
* 1-for-4, HR, RBI vs. Twins on Tuesday

In 2004 at the age of 19, B.J. Upton was called up from the minor leagues by the Devil Rays to be a shortstop because he had incredible power and potential. Looking back, there were a lot of people at the time who thought that was a mistake and that probably set him back, particularly as far as defense was concerned because he wasn't ready. But I do remember seeing Upton in the Futures Game and you could see his ability; he had such great quickness in his hands and legs.

Right now he looks a lot more comfortable. Devil Rays third-base coach Tom Foley has helped him develop a lot in his new position at second base. Eventually he could make the move back to shortstop -- but the Rays already rushed him before and that didn't work -- but there is no reason at this point not to leave him at second base.

Upton shot through the Devil Rays' farm system. He was 14 months out of high school, and he was already playing in Double-A and the Futures Game. Those 45 games he played in 2004, I don't know what the purpose was for it. He spent all of 2005 in Triple-A, and didn't get called up in 2006 until Aug. 1 -- that should have been his first call-up. Credit Upton right now because he got through all of that and he looks comfortable, and he's hitting really well with runners in scoring position.

Potential is such a dangerous word, but Upton has that potential to do some of the things that the Mets' Jose Reyes does. What Reyes has figured out is the importance of putting the ball in play. When you look at Upton's numbers right now, when he doesn't strike out, he's usually getting a hit. He's not making a lot of outs when he puts the ball in play.

This is an exciting time for the fans in Tampa. I was at the Rays' game last Sunday against the Indians at Tropicana Field, and even though it got away from them in the end -- they're going to lose a lot of games late because of their poor bullpen -- the fans should enjoy themselves watching the Devil Rays' young talent play the game.

• Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 564th career home run on Tuesday, giving him sole possession of 10th place on the all-time home run list, and knocking Reggie Jackson out of the top 10 for the first time since June 17, 1985.

• Complete Elias Says

• RHP Kelvim Escobar (shoulder irritation) was activated from the disabled list and started for the Angels on Tuesday against the Tigers. OF Tommy Murphy was optioned to the Angels' Triple-A Salt Lake club to make room for Escobar.