Smoke signals

• Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall churned out a career-high four hits in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Tigers. Entering Friday, Chisenhall was batting .522 (12-for-23) on the young season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Chisenhall is one of just four Indians hitters since 1935 to post at least a .500 average through their first seven games (minimum 20 at-bats). That short list also includes Sandy Alomar Jr. (.581 in 1997), Bill Glynn (.522 in 1954) and Lou Boudreau (.517 in 1948).

"I do think Lonnie has gone about his business in a really professional way," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "And I think he's got a little bit more calm in the batter's box. There's not as much panic maybe, when things aren't going right. And I do think, because of that, you're going to see more success."

• Entering Friday's game against the Blue Jays, the Indians bullpen had posted a 3.04 ERA (17 earned runs in 50 1/3 innings) with a .215 opponents' batting average (both figures ranked fifth in the American League). The Tribe's relief corps led the Major League by stranding 95 percent (20-for-21) of inherited runners.

• Indians outfield prospect Clint Frazier (taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft) made his season debut with Class A (low) Lake County on Thursday. In the Captains' 6-3 win over Burlington, the 19-year-old Frazier went 1-for-5 with an RBI single and one run scored. Frazier's debut was delayed due to a hamstring issue.