Smoke signals

• Cleveland has run into a tough string of starting pitchers over the past nine games, facing Jose Fernandez, Jacob Turner, Nathan Eovaldi, Anibal Sanchez, Justin Verlander, Doug Fister, Max Scherzer, Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson in that span. Dating back to Aug. 2, that group has combined to go 5-1 with a 2.03 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 63 strikeouts in 62 innings against Cleveland.

• Indians right-hander Corey Kluber, who is on the disabled list with a sprained middle finger on his throwing hand, will remain with the club throughout its upcoming nine-game road trip through Minnesota, Oakland and Anaheim. There is still no firm timetable for Kluber's return to throwing.

• With two hits in Saturday's loss, Gomes improved his average to .514 (18-for-35) over his past 11 games, entering Sunday. In that span, Gomes had two homers, six extra-base hits and eight RBIs, and raised his average to .310 from .256.

• The Indians entered this homestand with a 37-19 record at Progressive Field, having won four straight series in front of their local crowd. After six straight losses this week, Cleveland has now dropped consecutive series at home for the first time since last September.