CLEVELAND -- The Indians wanted to make certain Sunday night that nobody in Jacobs Field would forget Sept. 11, 2001.

Who could, though?

The date had long ago etched itself into the psyche of Americans. Most can still see the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City; they can still feel the hurt that the acts of terrorism exacted on their homeland.

There was a moment of silence to honor the victims of the attacks. Jeff Stanczyk, a member of the Cleveland Police Department, sang the national anthem.

The aim of the team's 9/11 remembrance -- and others like it around baseball -- was designed, in part, to ensure the event stayed fresh in people's minds, said Bob DiBiasio, Indians vice president of public relations.

"Tonight is a salute to the safety forces," DiBiasio said before the game's first pitch. "We wanted to show proper respect and honor to those who protect us on a daily basis -- our firefighters, our police, EMS. But, obviously, there will be a military color guard, too."

So the day at The Jake became a star-spangled affair -- a red, white and blue prelude to a baseball game between the Indians and the Twins.

"These are the types of events that tie communities together," DiBiasio said. "It's a wonderful reminder to everybody that we need to continue to thank those who put themselves in harm's way for us."

Here's the question: Remember the six assists Jake Westbrook picked up in his win Friday night over the Twins? Since 1962, what is the most assists an Indians pitcher has picked up in a game? (See answer below)

Quotable: "If baseball quits, it's like America quits" -- Former Indians pitcher Jerrod Riggan, talking about the decision to resume baseball after the 2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil

Did you know? Entering play Sunday, catcher Victor Martinez is hitting a Major League-best .374 (70-for-187) in the second half with nine homers and 35 RBIs in 51 games. Since June 17, Martinez has hit .355 (94-for-265) and raised his average from .209 to .291. His 68 RBIs lead all Major League catchers in that statistical category.

This and that: The top farm teams for the Indians organization are all alive in their league playoffs. At Triple-A Buffalo, right-hander Jason Davis was slated to start Game 5 of the Bisons' series with Indianapolis. At Double-A Akron, left-hander Tom Mastny will start for the Aeros. Both Akron and Buffalo are in deciding games of their respective series. Class A Kinston trails Frederick, 1-0, in the finals of the Carolina League championship. ... The Indians have bettered their win total of 80 from 2004. The team is on pace to win more than 90 games. A year ago at this time, the Indians were 70-72. ... The Indians own the second-most road wins in baseball with a record of 45-29 (.608). Only five times in club history has the Tribe posted a winning percentage on the road of .600 or more (1920, '48, 54, '95 and '99).

Tribe tidbits: Tribe fans can buy tickets to home games through the Internet at www.indians.com, at the Jacobs Field box office, at the seven Cleveland Indians Team Shops in Northeast Ohio and through the Ticketmaster.com phone center (1-866-48-TRIBE). ... An in-park auction Saturday night, an auction that consisted of items that came solely from the Twins and Indians organizations, raised more than $4,500 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund..

On this date: In 2002, the Indians remembered Sept. 11, 2001, in a pregame ceremony at Jacobs Field that featured 25 sixth graders from Rootstown Elementary School. The youngsters sang two songs, one of which was an original work of a classmate.

And the answer is: In 1972, right-hander Gaylord Perry, one of the "100 Greatest Indians," recorded nine assists.

On deck: Left-hander C.C. Sabathia (13-9, 4.35) will take his seven-game winning streak into the series opener Monday night against the Athletics. Sabathia will face A's right-hander Danny Haren (12-10, 4.04 ERA).