Smoke signals

• Cleveland relievers Cody Allen (six strikeouts), Nick Hagadone (three), Rich Hill (two) and Bryan Shaw (four) combined for 15 strikeouts in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Red Sox. That marked the most strikeouts by a Cleveland bullpen in a single game (regardless of innings) in team history. The previous record of 13 strikeouts by an Indians bullpen was previously set on June 12, 1943, vs. the St. Louis Browns and matched on May 15, 1957, at Baltimore and May 10, 1964, vs. the Yankees.

"I think what that shows is their pure stuff," Francona said of the strikeout record. "We brought in Cody, Hagadone, Rich and Bryan Shaw, and they were all throwing mid-90s [mph] with a breaking ball. I just think it showed what kind of stuff they have."

• Kazmir, who is on the 15-day disabled list recovering from a right rib cage strain, remains on schedule to be activated in time for a start against the Astros on Saturday. Kazmir made a rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Monday and threw off a mound in a bullpen session Wednesday.

"He's good," Francona said. "He had normal soreness from not throwing, which was good."

• Indians backup catcher Lou Marson (neck strain) has his scheduled rehab game with Triple-A Columbus rained out on Tuesday. Marson was back with the Tribe on Wednesday and plans on joining Triple-A Columbus on Thursday for a rehab assignment at Toledo.

• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Red Sox and Indians combined for 40 plate appearances without a ball put in play during Tuesday's 7-2 loss for Cleveland. It marked the first nine-inning game in the modern era (since 1900) in which the teams combined for at least 15 walks and at least 25 strikeouts.