Peralta has endured a two-game benching in early May each of the past two seasons. He experienced a long-term benefit last year and has gotten an instant boost this year.

In 2008, Peralta was batting .216 through May 9 when manager Eric Wedge gave him multiple days to recalibrate. He returned to go hitless in his first eight at-bats, but had seven hits in the next five games and finished the season at .276.

Peralta, who could see time at third base on the upcoming 10-game trip, was batting .210 through last Thursday before taking a seat. He returned to notch three hits in back-to-back games and is 8-for-17 in four games. He went 1-for-4 Wednesday, albeit an infield single, in the Indians' 4-0 victory over the White Sox and is hitting .246.

In Peralta's mind, he also was benched in late April 2007 - even though it only lasted one game, which could be categorized as nothing worse than a standard-issue day off for a struggling player. After a 2-for-31 slide dropped his average to .196 through April 23, he watched from the dugout, returned to get six hits in five games and finished with a .270 average.

"I don't know why this keeps happening," Peralta said. "If I knew, it wouldn't happen. Nobody wants to get benched. I want to play every day and be consistent all season. But I've made sure to work really hard when I do get taken out of the lineup."

Benching a rookie is one thing. Benching an established player multiple times can be dicey if not handled properly. Peralta, who entered this season with a .268 average and 330 RBI in 681 major-league games, appreciates Wedge's line of communication.

"He's been positive and given me confidence," Peralta said. "He hasn't made me feel bad about it. He's explained everything, and I know he just wants me to get better."

Peralta spent hours in the cage and in the video room late last week. It became obvious he was trying to pull everything.

"I was hitting a lot of grounders to the left side," he said. "I'm a good opposite-field hitter, so there's no reason for me to pull an outside pitch."

Peralta hit 21 homers in 2007 and 23 last year. He has one in 122 at-bats this season.

"My problems this year have not come from trying too hard to hit homers," he said. "I don't worry about homers. They'll come when you put together good at-bats."

No carryover: Cliff Lee vs. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski was drama-free Wednesday. Pierzynski went 0-for-3 against him without a whimper.

On Sept. 1 last season, Lee pitched a five-hitter to beat the White Sox, 5-0, and improve to 20-2.

During the game, Lee and Pierzynski exchanged glares, the most noteworthy coming after the final out.

Pierzynski said the tension commenced when Lee said something to him after an early popout. Lee said Pierzynski stared him down after the popout. Lee also said Pierzynski "chirped" from the dugout.

They were supposed to meet again Sept. 28 in Chicago, but Lee was scratched because of a stiff neck.

Pronk ready for minors: Travis Hafner will begin a rehabilitation assignment in Class AAA Columbus on Friday. He has been on the disabled list since April 29 because of a sore right shoulder.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com; 216-999-4664