Eddie Rosario is making opponents pay for attempting to advance bases on his watch.

In only 81 games with the Twins, Rosario has amassed 10 outfield assists. That ties him for sixth-most in baseball. He had four assists in three games this past week. One of his best came on Friday when he threw out Cleveland's Lonnie Chisenhall as he tried to tag and score. Rosario was nearly flat-footed as he launched a throw from the left field foul line.

"[That] play, I thought I was not going to get the out," Rosario said. "I was too far. I was surprised."

Twins manager Paul Molitor said opponents will continue to take extra bases to put pressure on a defense to execute throws. But they will have to factor in Rosario's capabilities.

"People are learning that you have to be a little careful," Molitor said. "You have to consider the fact that this guy is showing strength and accuracy and release."

How long will it take before word spreads about Sherriff Rosario? General Manager Terry Ryan pointed out that teams don't take infield practice before games like they used to, which makes it hard for scouts to watch players as they work on their throwing.

"So we will keep it a secret," Ryan said.

Rosario also has held his own at the plate. His eight triples lead all big-league rookies. His .449 slugging percentage is third-best on the team, and his 29 extra-base hits, including a homer in Saturday'a 4-1 victory over Cleveland, are only two fewer than Joe Mauer despite having played in 33 fewer games.

Dozier tries to adjust

A power spree inevitably leads to opponents making adjustments, and Brian Dozier has seen a decrease in the number of fastballs thrown to him.

So now it's time for Dozier, who belted 19 home runs before the All-Star break, to adjust.

He entered Saturday batting .206 with five home runs and nine RBI since the break. He posted an .841 on base-plus-slugging percentage before the break, but it had been .686 since.

Back in the lineup Saturday after sitting out Friday, Dozier hit a two-run homer in the ninth.

Dozier has been pulling off some pitches and has been working to stay mechanically sound.

"I'm seeing more offspeed stuff and I'm trying to stay on it," he said. "I should be simplifying everything, staying square and getting the foot down. That's kind of where I'm at right now."

Another challenge

The Twins are supporting the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge again.

The activity became a sensation last year as supporters of the fight to end ALS dumped buckets of ice on their heads and filmed it to raise awareness about the disease as well as funds.

The Twins got involved last season and did it again on Saturday as they accepted a challenge by the San Francisco Giants. The entire team, Ryan and other club officials stood in the right field corner as buckets of ice water were dropped on them by club employees.

After accepting the challenge, the Twins challenged the Texas Rangers, the participants in the upcoming RBI World Series (an international tournament for inner city teams) and team owner Jim Pohlad.

Etc.

• After the game, the Twins activated lefthander Tommy Milone off the 15-day disabled list and sent righthander Michael Tonkin back to Class AAA Rochester. Tonkin had just been recalled by the Twins on Friday.

• Ryan said it's still too early to determine if the epidural righthander Phil Hughes received for his sore back has helped. Ryan remains hopeful Hughes will be ready to pitch when he is eligible to come off the DL Aug. 25.