CLEVELAND -- Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is out of the starting lineup for the first time this season.
Manager Terry Francona decided to give Kipnis, who started Cleveland's first 58 games, Thursday off. Zach Walters is starting at second against Seattle.
Kipnis is second in the American League in hitting with a .333 average. He was named the AL Player of the Month for May, in which he batted .429 (51 for 119) with 15 doubles, four homers and 17 RBI.
Kipnis has hit safely in 20 consecutive home games, a Progressive Field record. He's batting .488 (39 for 80) in that stretch.
