"Manager Manny Acta had a 2-1 lead after six innings Wednesday night. Ubaldo Jimenez was pitching like the No. 1 starter he was supposed to be when the Indians acquired him on July 31 from the Rockies.

Acta decided to ask Jimenez for one more inning. A front-of-the-rotation starter should be able to do that, right? It didn't happen.

Jimenez gave up three runs in the seventh as Chicago beat the Indians, 8-4, at Progressive Field. If the race for second place in the American League Central Division still matters to you, the Indians hold a half-game lead over the White Sox with the season series ending tonight.

"I tried to stretch him a little like a top-of-the-rotation guy with the situation our bullpen is in," Acta said. "They've had one day off in the last month.

"It just backfired on us."

Indians reliever Rafael Perez entered Wednesday's game ranked second in the AL with 68 appearances. Relievers Joe Smith and Tony Sipp were tied for fourth with 67. Along with Vinnie Pestano and closer Chris Perez, that's the upper crust of the Tribe's pen. Acta is trying to keep them healthy and sound for next season. "