Smoke signals

• With two outs, a runner on second and the Indians holding a 6-5 lead in the sixth inning on Tuesday, Michael Bourn delivered an RBI single to left. On the play, Bourn intentionally ran too far beyond first base, forcing the Twins to cut off the throw from left field. That gave Tyler Holt ample time to score a key insurance run before Bourn was tagged out in a rundown.

"We'll take a trade-off there," Francona said. "We don't want to give away outs indiscriminately, but right there, any time the play is going to be bang-bang at the plate, we're going to take the run. That was the right play."

• Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall received a scheduled day off from starting for Wednesday's game against the Twins. Heading into the day, Chisenhall had posted a .176 average in August and was batting just .196 over his past 53 games, dating back to when his average stood at .393 on June 11.

"There have been times when Lonnie has looked tired lately," Francona said. "It will give us some balance off the bench. ... Lonnie has played a lot in the second half."

• Class A Short Season Mahoning Valley outfielder Bradley Zimmer was named the New York-Penn League's player of the week for the period of Aug. 11-17. Zimmer, who was Cleveland's top pick in the First-Year Player Draft in June, hit .524 (11-for-21) with one homer, two doubles and five RBIs in six games during that span.

• Class A Advanced Carolina left-hander Ryan Merritt allowed just one run over seven innings against Frederick on Tuesday to improve to 13-3 with a 2.49 ERA this season. Merritt is only the fourth Mudcats pitcher to record at least 13 wins in a season, and the first to do so since Robert Averette accomplished the feat in 2000.