--RHP Joe Borowski was designated for assignment. Borowski was 1-3 with a 7.56 ERA in 18 appearances and had four blown saves in 10 save opportunities.

--RHP Masa Kobayashi is the Indians' new unofficial closer. After the Indians designated for assignment RHP Joe Borowski, manager Eric Wedge said Kobayashi would get the bulk of the save opportunities, but Wedge said he was reserving the right to use other relievers in save situations as well.

--RHP Paul Byrd's record fell to 3-10 as he gave up six runs, including two home runs, in 5 1/3 innings during a 12-3 loss to Minnesota. The two home runs raises Byrd's league-leading total for home runs allowed to 23, four shy of his total for all of last season.

--C Kelly Shoppach has hit two home runs in his last three games. Shoppach, filling in for injured C Victor Martinez, has played in 50 games this season, nine shy of his career high set last year.

--SS Jhonny Peralta is hitting .377 in his last 12 games, with 10 RBIs and 10 doubles.

BY THE NUMBERS
36 -- Years since Indians starting pitchers had struck out 10 or more batters in consecutive games before LHP Cliff Lee and LHP C.C. Sabathia did it on June 27-28. The last time it had been done by Indians pitchers was by Gaylord Perry and Dick Tidrow in July 1972.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"You've got to look at the games behind, not where you are in the standings." -- Manager Eric Wedge, after the Indians fell into last place in the AL Central.

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