Smoke signals
• Cleveland entered Sunday having advanced a runner from first to third base (or home) 82 times this season (tied with the Angels for first in the American League). The Indians ranked fourth in the AL with a 77-percent success rate on stolen bases and fifth in the league with an extra-base taken rate of 42 percent.
"I think we're one of the best baserunning teams in the league," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "It's hard to judge, I know, but going first to third, scoring, I think we're at the top of the league. I know we're near the top in stolen bases and we haven't been thrown out very much. I'm pleased.
"I don't want our guys running wild out there and running into outs. That doesn't help. But I think we've forced pitchers into mistakes because of our speed."
• During the ninth inning of Saturday's 7-1 win over the A's, left fielder Michael Brantley ducked before making a catch. During the play, a loud explosion -- the second of the night -- came from outside the Coliseum. Brantley saw fireworks going off above the upper deck as he tracked the baseball.
"It surprised me because I saw it," Brantley said. "I could see it from where I was, facing the ball. It was right over the stadium -- some fireworks. That's why it kind of scared me a little bit. It's something you're not expecting, to look up in the air and are looking at the ball and all of a sudden there's fireworks."
• The A's placed right-hander Bartolo Colon (left groin) on the disabled list on Sunday and changed their starting pitcher to lefty Tommy Milone. The switch allowed Francona the chance to put right-handed hitters Ryan Raburn (right field), Mike Aviles (third base) and Yan Gomes (catcher) in the lineup. Drew Stubbs moved from right to center field and center fielder Michael Bourn was given the day off.
• Raburn was in the starting lineup on Sunday after sitting out in seven of the past 10 games for the Indians. The utility man has been bothered lately by soreness in his right calf, though he said the problem has come and gone over the course of the past three months, and is not considered serious.