"The return of Travis Hafner to the Indians' lineup didn't prompt manager Manny Acta to ask the City of Cleveland to hold a parade in his honor — the Fourth of July taking precedence — but Acta probably thinks such a gesture would be appropriate.

"It was painful to have him out of the lineup for nine games, especially the way he was swinging the bat,'' he said Monday.

Hafner continued to swing the bat, but only in batting practice. He was not permitted to be in the Tribe's lineup for the three-game series in San Francisco, Arizona and Cincinnati because he is a designated hitter, a class of players who are barred from American League lineups in National League ballparks.

Hafner came off the disabled list June 17 and in his next five games batted .294 (5-for-17) with two home runs, one double and seven RBI.

Then came the nine games against the Giants, Diamondbacks and Reds. Hafner was replaced by the pitcher. He came the plate six times as a pinch hitter, walking once, getting hit by a pitch and delivering two singles in four official at-bats.

Acta has griped about playing nine consecutive games with a lineup that is missing its best hitter.

"I'll continue to whine and complain,'' he said. "We've had to do this for two years in a row; I don't think they can do it to us for three. Two is enough.''

Acta likes National League-style baseball, with pitchers hitting. But he knows it's unfair for an American League team to play by those rules.

"If it was up to me, there would be a DH in every game,'' he said. "What is the downside for a National League team? Not to have their pitcher bat? When Colorado played here, they had Jason Giambi at DH.

"I'm a purist, but an American League team doesn't get anything out of this. We have to put a pitcher out there who hasn't hit in years. Of course, I'm sure they'll change it after I say this.''

Acta doesn't have to worry about it for another year. In the meantime, he has Hafner, who will bat third."