INDIANS NOTEBOOK From Jacobs Field

Betancourt sparkles: Rafael Betancourt provided a little extra fireworks out of the bullpen Sunday. The rookie reliever earned his first save by retiring all four Anaheim Angels he faced -- and not even blinking at a premature fireworks display. The right-hander appeared to have pinch-hitter Jeff Davanon struck out to save the 3-1 victory, but catcher Tim Laker couldn't hold the foul tip. The fireworks operator didn't see the dropped ball and fired a victory salute. Betancourt eventually did get the strikeout, setting off a second blast. In 12 outings, covering 111/3 innings, he is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA.
Hot and cold: Outfielder Matt Lawton, on the disabled list since July 11 with a dislocated right middle finger, walked around the clubhouse with his right hand in a cup of ice. "That's what I have to do in order to swing a bat," Lawton said. "First I put it on ice, then I heat it up. Then I can take batting practice. Sounds weird, but that's about the only thing that seems to help." Lawton will continue the regimen when he accompanies the Indians on a four-game trip to Minnesota this week. "I'll go and hit against Bob Wickman and get my work in that way," Lawton said. "After that, maybe I can be activated or go on a rehab assignment in the minors. I would like to be playing in Cleveland, though. Not playing is driving me nuts." Wickman, who had right elbow surgery in December, will pitch in simulated game conditions against "Team Lawton." If all goes well, the reliever is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Akron on Aug. 15.
One up, one down: Both left-hander Jason Stanford and right-hander David Cortes were surprised in the Indians' clubhouse. Stanford didn't expect to be sent to Triple-A Buffalo. Cortes was startled to be back in the major leagues. The Indians purchased the contract of the 29-year-old Cortes from Buffalo, where he had pitched four innings after signing a minor-league contract Aug. 1. Infielder Ricky Gutierrez was transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL to make room for Cortes on the 40-man roster. Stanford, 26, went 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA in eight games, including three starts, for Cleveland.
-- Associated Press