Carlos Carrasco's bad outing against the Detroit Tigers has put the Cleveland Indians' starting pitching in disarrary.

Will the demotion of Carlos Carrasco mean the return of strechmaster Trevor Bauer for a start Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays.Paul Beaty, Associated Press 

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Carlos Carrasco did himself and the Indians no favors with his performance Saturday against the Tigers.

Carrasco, recalled from Class AAA Columbus before the game, allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings in Detroit’s 9-4 victory at Progressive Field. The Indians wanted Carrasco to stay in the rotation for at least one more start before the All-Star break, but sent him packing Sunday morning because they were displeased with his performance and wanted an extra arm in the bullpen for the Tiger series.

In order to promote Class AAA closer Preston Guilmet, the Indians had to designate Carrasco for assignment with the purpose of optioning him to Class AAA Columbus. However, this wasn’t just a straight DFA move where a team has 10 days to trade, release or put a player through waivers because Carrasco still has an option left.

In the quick turnaround between Saturday and Sunday, Carrasco didn’t have time to clear optional waivers so the Indians had to designate him for assignment off the 25-man roster, but not the 40-man roster, to give him time to clear optional waivers, which should takes two days.

No player has ever been claimed on optional waivers and teams consider it largely a paper move. Last week the Orioles did the same thing with Jair Jurrjens. In reality, Carrasco has had to clear optional waivers the three times he’s bounced between Cleveland and Columbus this year.

In Carrasco’s absence, the Indians still don’t have a starter for Thursday’s game against Toronto.

“We’re working our way through that right now,” said manager Terry Francona. “We should know by Monday.”

Could it be that the Stretchmaster, Trevor Bauer, will get another start? Bauer surprised the Indians in a spot start on June 28 against the White Sox by scrapping his delivery and pitching out of the stretch. He lasted two-thirds of an inning.

New guy:Guilmet’s contract was purchased from Columbus. Catcher Lou Marson was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Guilmet. In 34 appearances, Guilmet went 2-4 with 16 saves and a 2.34 ERA for the Clippers.

Triple-A hitters hit .207 (34-for-164) against Guilmet and he’s averaging 10.55 strikeouts per nine innings. The Indians selected him in the ninth round in 2009.

“They told me Saturday night,” said Guilmet. “We had a doubleheader in Columbus. They told me during the second game so I was pretty excited.”

Guilmet has not pitched since Friday.

Drafted in 2009 out of the University of Arizona in 2009, Guilmet has spent much of his time closing.

“But my last couple of times out, I’ve pitched more in long relief,” said Guilmet. “I’ve gone two innings, two-plus innings. They’ve been stretching me out.”

Guilmet, who throws a fastball, slider and split, impressed the Indians this spring along with Matt Langwell as non-roster invitees. They were both scheduled to get sent to the minor early in camp, but pitched so well that they stuck around longer than expected.

Now they’ve both made it to the big leagues this season.

“Organizationally, it’s a nice day,” Francona. “He’s worked his way up all the way from rookie ball. He’s succeeded at every. He doesn’t overwhelm you with stuff, but he knows how to pitch.”

Finally: The Indians scored three more runs with two out in Sunday’s 9-6 victory over Detroit. They lead the AL with 176 two-out runs and 169 two-out RBI. .¤.¤. Detroit’s Torii Hunter and Miguel Cabrera each homered Sunday. Among visiting players, they are tied with Jermaine Dye for the most homers at Progressive Field with 17 each. 

The Columbus Clippers were shut out and Akron Aeros pitching was pounded in losses on Sunday.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, show here in spring training, pitched 7 2/3 innings for the Cilppers Sunday, giving up three earned runs. Mark Duncan, Associated Press 

Reineke held the Clippers to four hits over eight innings while

striking out six as Columbus lost at home. Clippers starter Daisuke

Matsuzaka (1-5, 4.83 ERA) gave up four runs, three earned, in 7  2/3

innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter. Blake Wood

pitched 1Ð scoreless innings, striking out two.

Class AA: Richmond 15, Akron 7: The host Flying Squirrels

dropped nine runs on Aeros starter Toru Murata in the first two

innings and never looked back. Murata (3-4, 4.11), who got the

hook after the second, gave up nine runs on 11 hits, including a

solo home run, with two walks and three strikeouts.

Class A Advanced: Carolina 7, Salem 3: RF Bo Greenwell (.253)

hit a solo home run in the second inning off Red Sox starter Kyle

Kraus and DH Paddy Matera (.343) hit a two-run shot off Kraus in

the fifth to pace the host Mudcats’ offense. Reliever Francisco

Valera (1-3, 5.34) earned the victory in pitching four innings,

giving up no runs on two hits.

Class A: Lake County 8, West Michigan 4: Captains starter

Robbie Aviles (3-3, 4.05) held the visiting Whitecaps to two runs,

one earned, on six hits in five innings to notch the win. Lake

County DH Jeremy Lucas (.289) went 2-for-3, scoring two runs

and driving in another.

Class A Short-season: State College 12, Mahoning Valley

3: Spikes hitters battered the visiting Scrappers’ pitchers for 14

hits in the rout. Mahoning Valley starter Luis Lugo (1-2, 2.14)

cruised through three innings and had been staked to a 3-0 lead,

but he gave up four runs in the next two innings before the call

went to the bullpen. Relievers Harold Guerrero (6.52) and

Manuel Carmona (7.04) fared no better, giving up five and three

runs, respectively.

Independent: Rockford 2, Lake Erie 1: Crushers starter Matt

Rein (4-4, 2.15) gave up two runs over six innings while striking

out two as Lake Erie lost at home to the Aviators. DH Andrew

Davis (.277) knocked in the Crushers’ run with a sacrifice fly in the

first inning.

Michael Brantley drove in five runs Sunday as the Indians ended a seven-game losing streak against the Tigers with a 9-6 victory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — It wasn’t the most popular trade when the Indians made it, and it still isn’t. Yet on the fifth anniversary of trading Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia to Milwaukee, Michael Brantley, the only viable player the Indians still possess from the trade, had a good day.

Brantley hit a two-run double in the first inning Sunday, a leadoff homer in the sixth and a game-winning, two-run homer in the eighth, as the Indians beat Detroit, 9-6, to end a four-game losing streak and move back to 2½ games behind the American League Central-leading Tigers.

The Indians received Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson and a player to be named for Sabathia on July 7, 2008. The player to be named was Brantley. LaPorta was supposed to be the key to the deal, but he’s stalled at Class AAA Columbus with a bad hip and a slow bat. Bryson has a big arm but has had trouble staying healthy. Jackson is pitching in Kansas City’s organization.

Brantley, meanwhile, is having his best season in the big leagues. He’s hitting .280 (86-for-307) with 12 doubles, seven homers and 45 RBI. He drove in a career-high five runs Sunday, hitting two homers in one game for the second time this season.

“I thought about the trade a lot during my first year here,” Brantley said. “After that, it’s over and done with. I’m glad to be over here playing for the Cleveland Indians.”

Asked if he felt as if he would be the last man standing in the deal from Cleveland’s perspective, Brantley said, “I always believed in my abilities, but at the same time, all those guys were great players and still are.

“They are all still like family because we came over together. I hope they all get up here soon.”

The Tigers pulled into a 6-6 tie in the eighth on Torii Hunter’s three-run homer off Vinnie Pestano. The 17th blown save by the Tribe’s bullpen cost Corey Kluber a win and silenced most of the crowd of 20,503 at Progressive Field. They did not stay quiet long.

Al Alburquerque (1-2) started the eighth for Detroit by walking Nick Swisher to bring Brantley to the plate. Brantley drove a 3-1 pitch deep into the right-field seats for an 8-6 lead. A sacrifice fly by Drew Stubbs made it 9-6 as the Indians ended a seven-game losing streak against the Tigers.

“It wasn’t a good feeling when they tied the game,” Brantley said. “But at the same time, you collect your thoughts and say, ‘We’ve got to score some more runs.’¤”

The Tigers worked their way back into the game against the Tribe’s besieged bullpen.

Joe Smith relieved Kluber in the seventh with a 6-1 lead. He gave up RBI singles to Hunter and Miguel Cabrera to make it 6-3.

Pestano started the eighth by walking Andy Dirks and mishandling an infield single by Alex Avila. Ramon Santiago hit into a force play and Austin Jackson struck out, but Hunter tied the score with his sixth homer of the season.

After Cabrera and Prince Fielder singled, Cody Allen (4-1) relieved and struck out Victor Martinez to end the inning and earn the victory. Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his ninth save.

“Detroit is never out of it,” said Tribe manager Terry Francona. “Fortunately, we kept playing. It would have been hard to go home after losing that one.”

Kluber tied a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed two runs in 6Ð innings. How critical was Sunday’s win? Without it, the Tigers would have been well-positioned for a four-game sweep because they have undefeated Max Scherzer (13-0) facing Scott Kazmir tonight.

In the first two games of the series, Detroit thumped the Tribe by a combined score of 16-4.

Kluber opened the game by giving up a towering homer to Cabrera in the first on an 96-mph fastball on the inside corner. It was the fifth homer Kluber has allowed in three starts against the Tigers this season and the third to Cabrera.

“Carlos [Santana] and I had talked about that before the game,” Kluber said. “It was big for us, during and after that first inning, to not shy away from being aggressive [inside] just because they came out swinging the bats very aggressively.”

The Indians responded with four runs in the first off Doug Fister. Jason Kipnis and Swisher started the rally with two-out walks. Brantley delivered them with a double for a 2-1 lead.

Santana followed Brantley with a two-run homer to make it 4-1. Lonnie Chisenhall made it 5-1 with a leadoff homer in the second. 

LeBron James' partnership with BSN Sports also includes branded scoreboards, backboards and sports equipment for St. Vincent-St. Mary.

AKRON, Ohio - Thanks to alum LeBron James, athletes from St. Vincent-St. Mary will have new uniforms to go along with their newly renovated gymnasium for the upcoming school year.

James, who recently donated $1 million toward renovating the gym, will be outfitting all SVSM athletes with new Nike team uniforms, it was announced Monday. 

James and his Akron-based LeBron James Family Foundation have partnered with BSN Sports, a distributor of team sports apparel and equipment.

There will be a special presentation later this summer as fall athletes receive their new uniforms. 

BSN Sports also will help with gym items, including branded scoreboards, backboards and sports equipment. The gym renovations are scheduled to be completed before basketball season begins.

BSN Sports will also create and distribute all foundation-branded apparel, in addition to providing students in the foundation's "Wheels of Education" program with new uniforms. The "Wheels of Education" initiative targets third graders and provides programs, support, and mentors to help them succeed in school.

"With BSN Sports, we are thrilled to have a partner that shares our core values and believes in team work as much as we do," Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, said in a statement. "They understand our vision and are willing to work hand-in-hand with us to create a product that we are happy to put on, and that ultimately sets us apart when we are out in the community.

"We wear our gear proudly because we believe in what it represents, and appreciate the time and attention that is put into the design and execution of every single piece."

Indians play at home against the Tigers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

BASEBALL

12:05 p.m. AKRON AEROS at Richmond, AM/1350

7 p.m. West Michigan at LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS, AM/1330

7 p.m. Washington at Philadelphia, ESPN

7:05 p.m. Detroit at CLEVELAND INDIANS, SportsTime Ohio; AM/1100, FM/100.7

Three years ago today, LeBron James told Jim Gray and the world he was taking his talents to South Beach. How do you feel about LeBron now? Would you welcome him back to Cleveland?

"Hopefully the fans will be respectful but at the same time I don't expect them to be," LeBron James said of Cavaliers fans after announcing his move to Miami. (David Petkiewicz, The Plain Dealer) 

The Indians will go for the series split with Scott Kazmir getting his first look at the Tigers since 2010 while with the Los Angeles Angels.

 

First pitch: 7:05 p.m. at Progressive Field.

TV/radio: TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WMMS FM/100.7, WTAM AM/ 1100

Starting pitchers: LHP Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.86 ERA) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (13-0, 3.09 ERA).

» Box score | MLB scoreboard

» Get updates from the pressbox here

» You can also follow Tweets about the game and post your comments below.

Tweets from @clevelanddotcom/indians

Reliever Vinnie Pestano won't be calling the eighth inning home until he gets his pitches and confidence back in line.

Manager Terry Francona has taken struggling reliever Vinnie Pestano out of the eighth inning.Mark Duncan, Associated Press 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Manager Terry Francona said he's taking set-up man Vinnie Pestano out of his eighth inning role to let him regain his confidence. Joe Smith, who usually pitches the seventh inning, will take Pestano's spot in the eighth to clear the way for closer Chris Perez.

In the eighth inning of Sunday's 9-6 victory over the Tigers, Pestano gave up a game-tying three-run homer to Torii Hunter. The Indians came back to win on Michael Brantley's two-run homer in their half of the eighth, but Francona feels Pestano needs to pitch earlier in the game in more favorable matchups to get his season turned around.

Pestano is 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA (15 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings) in 29 appearances this season. He replaced the injured Perez and went 6-for-6 in save situations from May 28 through June 27, but almost every meaningful appearance he's made has been an adventure.

Velocity and command have been an issue for Pestano since he came off the 15-day disabled list on May 16 after being shutdown with a sore right elbow. Pestano is 1-2 with a 5.66 ERA (13 earned runs in 20 2/3 innings) with 24 hits, 12 walks and 22 strikeouts since coming off the DL.

"We talked to Vinnie today," said Francona on Monday. "Since he came back from his down time with his arm, we've seen glimpses of the old Vinnie, but there have been some inconsistencies.

"I told him that in the immediate future, instead of just giving him the eighth inning every time, we'll try to pitch him in games that set up a little better for him. We want to get that confidence rolling. Once he gets back on a roll, we'll get him back in a designated role."

Last year Pestano was named Indians Man of the Year by Cleveland's chapter of the Baseball Writers Association for his relief work. This season the whole pen has struggled.

Francona feels Pestano is healthy, but doesn't have the same finish on his pitches that he did last year.

"He's dealing with getting hit around a little bit, which he never really has been," said Francona. "He admitted that he's perplexed a little."

Francona made clear that he wants Pestano back in the eighth.

"When he's pitching well in the eighth inning, that's our best team," said Francona. "But at the moment, we probably need to do something different."

Smith hasn't been sharp lately either, but unlike Pestano and Perez, he's been healthy all season. The right-hander sidearmer is 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA and one save in 36 appearances.

The opposition is hitting .212 against Smith, .207 (12-for-58) by lefties and .217 (13-for-60) by righties. Lefties have hit four homers against Smith.

Francona said rookie Cody Allen will see action in the eighth as well.

"There will be days where Cody will probably pitch in the eighth," said Francona. "I really like the idea of having a place to shoot for when you get to an end of the game (Smith pitching the eighth).

"There's less confusion. There will be games where you lose late, but when you do that with guys and that's their job, there's less confusion in the clubhouse."

Monday night's lineups:

Tigers (48-39): CF Jackson, RF Hunter, 3B Cabrera, 1B Fielder, DH Martinez, SS Peralta, LF Tuiasosopo, C Pena, 2B Santiago, P Scherzer (13-0, 3.09).

Indians (46-42): CF Bourn, DH Cabrera, 2B Kipnis, RF Swisher, LF Brantley, SS Aviles, 1B Reynolds, 3B Chisenhall, C Gomes, P Kazmir (4-4, 4.86).

Umpires: H Fletcher, 1B Drake, 2B West, 3B Holbrook.

Indians and Tigers, who play tonight, haven't battled each other for a pennant in the final days of a season since 1940. Scherzer, Detroit's starting pitcher tonight, would be 14-0 with a win. More Indians story links.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians tonight wrap up their four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers.

The second-place Tribe (46-42) trail the Tigers (48-39) by 2 1/2 games in the American League Central Division standings. A win for the Indians tonight, especially if the loss would be credited to Detroit starting pitcher Max Scherzer, would be quite notable. The right-handed Scherzer has a 13-0 record with a 3.09 ERA. He's struck out 139 batters in 116 2/3 innings.

Left-hander Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.86), who has had some impressive performances in a bid to regain his all-star form from a few years ago, starts for the Indians.

Check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for extensive Indians coverage.

The Indians have 74 games left going into tonight; the Tigers, 75.

That's a lot of baseball left. But John Lowe writes for the Detroit Free Press about the two-game swing tonight's outcome presents:

If the Tigers win tonight’s finale, they will have taken three of four in this series and will leave town with a 3½-game lead on the second-place Tribe.

If the Indians win, they will move back within 1½ games of the Tigers and will have re-submitted the notion that these two could go to the wire in a race for first place for the first time since the Tigers edged out the Indians on the final weekend of 1940.

From Baseball-Reference.com, breakdowns on the 1940 Indians and the 1940 Tigers.

Indians story links

Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer, with a win tonight against the Indians, would become the first pitcher to begin a season 14-0 since Roger Clemens did it for the Boston Red Sox in 1986. (FoxSportsOhio.com/Associated Press)

Starting pitcher Justin Masterson and his wife, Meryl, are teaming with the Christian organization Bright Hope and local Christian radio station WCRF/103.3-FM to help needy children in Kenya. (By Jordan Bastian, MLB.com)
 
Starter Corey Kluber pitches a fine game but gets no decision in the Indians' 9-6 win over the Tigers on Sunday. (By John Kampf, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

The Indians' starting pitching doesn't match up very well with Detroit's, in part because of trades the Tigers made the past couple seasons. (By Mike Brandyberry, Did The Tribe Win Last Night?)

Five years to the day after the Indians made a trade that would bring him to Cleveland, outfielder Michael Brantley slugs two home runs and a double for five RBI as the Indians defeat the Tigers, 9-6). (By Mark Emery, MLB.com)

Indians notes, beginning with pitcher Carlos Carrasco being sent back to the Columbus Clippers, the Indians' Class AAA team. (By Chris Assenheimer, Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette)

A review of the past week for the teams in the Indians' American League Central Division. (By Jason Lukehart, Let's Go Tribe)

Ronny Rodriguez made a change in his swing that has resulted in a hitting surge for the shortstop playing for the Akron Aeros, the Indians' Class AA team. (By Jim Piascik, Indians Baseball Insider)

An update on how some of the players in the Cleveland farm system are doing. (By Arthur Kinney, Indians Baseball Insider)

The Tigers' Victor Martinez, the former Indian, is starting to hit with authority after struggling for a couple months in his attempt to come back from the micro-fracture (left) knee surgery that sidelined him for all of last season. (By Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press)

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Shaker Heights hockey coach Mike Bartley has retired, ending one of the longest and most successful tenures of any coach in Ohio history. The venerable coach known for his quiet, calm demeanor during even the most intense hockey games, went out on top when Shaker Heights won its fourth state championship this winter.

Shaker Heights hockey coach Mike Bartley's 640 career victories ranks No. 1 in Ohio and No. 5 nationally. - (Allison Carey, The Plain Dealer)

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Shaker Heights hockey coach Mike Bartley has retired, ending one of the longest and most successful tenures of any coach in Ohio history.

The venerable coach known for his quiet, calm demeanor during even the most intense hockey games, went out on top when Shaker Heights won its fourth state championship this winter.

A career that began in 1976 at Shaker Heights ends with 640 career victories, which ranks No. 1 in Ohio and No. 5 nationally. Bartley coached his 1,000th game this season, and his career record stands at 640-346-36. His teams also won nine Baron Cups, more than any other coach.

Throughout his career, Bartley adapted to different generations of students and styles of play, winning state titles in four decades (1981, 1993, 2001 and 2013). The Raiders also were runners-up in 1979, 1998 and 2005.

"I'm 30 and he won a state championship before I was even born. It's crazy to think about,'' said his son, Matt Bartley, who played on the 2001 team and was a Shaker assistant coach this year. "I wish he'd keep doing it, but he said it was a combination of different reasons and it's a good time to move on and enjoy his family a little bit.''

Mike Bartley, 62, is a native of Sarnia, Ont. He was a record-setting forward at Bowling Green and had a short pro career. He could not be reached for comment.

Athletic director Don Readance said he was "mildly surprised" when Bartley first told him he was considering retirement late last month and made it official last week. Readance said Bartley did not give a specific reason, and indicated he will continue as an elementary physical education teacher.

"He didn't go into any details and said he thought this was the right time to retire from coaching,'' Readance said. "I have to defer to him. I'm sure he has valid reasons doing it when he did.''

Readance said a search for a replacement is underway. Matt Bartley, a former head coach at Hudson, said he will not apply. He has accepted a full-time teaching position at University School, where he will be an assistant hockey and lacrosse coach.

Gilmour Academy coach John Malloy, who has coached against Bartley for more than 30 years, said not seeing Bartley on the bench will be like living next to a pyramid "and one day you look out the window and don't see it.''

Little, who showed improvement the second half of last season, will be the most-tenured member of Browns' wide receivers unit. Cameron gets the chance to start at tight end. More Browns story links.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns’ front office has placed an emphasis this off-season on improving the wide receiver position.

They brought in Davone Bess and David Nelson to provide depth and production to one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL last season.
In 2012, Browns’ receivers accounted for just 11 touchdowns, which ranked 25th out of 32 teams in the NFL. To make matters worse, their leading receiver from last season, Josh Gordon, will miss the first two games of this year after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Along with Bess and Nelson, Greg Little and Travis Benjamin will be counted on to replace Gordon’s production in those first two games.

Although Little is only entering his third year in the league, he will be the most tenured member of the Browns’ receiving corps this fall.
Little has come under fire the last two seasons for his lack of focus. Little totaled 18 dropped passes in 2011 and 2012, though he seemed to turn a corner in the second half of last season. In the last 11 games, he only dropped two passes.

Little certainly has the physical build, at 6-2, 220, to be a top-flight NFL receiver. Mike Krupka highlighted that in an article he wrote for dawgsbynature.com:

Little is a gifted athlete. He can high point the ball and has great leaping ability. He shows his pedigree as a running back upon catching the ball: running hard, initiating contact and/or making players miss for YAC (Yards After Catch). He can definitely get separation from press coverage and has the size to beat cornerbacks consistently on the outside or linebackers over the middle.

The Cleveland Indians won two of three games in the season-opening series in Toronto.

Where: Progressive Field.

When: Tuesday through Thursday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; all games are on WTAM AM/1100; Tuesday's and Wednesday's games also will be on WMMS FM/100.7.

Pitching matchups: RHP Josh Johnson (1-3, 4.89) vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (6-4, 4.67) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; RHP Esmil Rogers (3-4, 3.84) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (10-7, 3.78) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. and LHP Mark Buehrle (5-5, 4.50) vs. undecided Thursday at 12:05 p.m.

Season series: The Indians lead the Jays, 2-1. The Blue Jays lead, 191-190, overall.

Jays update: They've lost four of their past seven games after going 17-9 in June. They're hitting .182 against the Indians this year, but J.P. Arencibia is hitting .364 (4-for-11) with two homers and two RBI. Buehrle, long-time Indians' opponent, has a no-decision against them this year.

Indians update: They took two out of three from the Jays to open the season in April. Michael Brantley .545 (6-for-11) and Carlos Santana .462 (6-for-13) hit well in that series. Masterson beat R.A. Dickey in the season opener.

Injuries: Indians -- RHP Zach McAllister (right middle finger), C Lou Marson (right shoulder), RHP Brett Myers (right elbow/forearm), RHP Josh Tomlin (right elbow), RHP Frank Herrmann (right elbow) and RHP Blake Wood (right elbow) are on the disabled list. Blue Jays -- OF Melky Cabrera (left knee), J.A. Happ (skull fracture, right knee), RHP Drew Hutchinson (right elbow), 3B Brett Lawrie (left ankle), RHP Brandon Morrow (right forearm), RHP Ramon Ortiz (right elbow), LHP Luis Perez (left elbow) and RHP Sergio Santos (right elbow) are on the disabled list.

Next for Tribe: The Royals arrive Friday for a three-game series at Progressive Field.

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona says learning to avoid becoming tentative is part of a young pitcher's learning curve.

Clubhouse confidential: Asked if recently demoted Carlos Carrasco would get tentative after giving up a big hit, Indians manager Terry Francona said: "That could be a word. Sometimes it's not tentative, but going with different pitches or falling in love with one pitch. There's different ways of saying it, but it has happened a time or two."

As an example of how a pitcher could combat the urge to become tentative, Francona pointed to Corey Kluber giving up a long home run to Miguel Cabrera in the first inning Sunday on an inside fastball, but continuing to pitch inside.

"We've seen Carrasco do the same thing very well at times, and at other times not so well," said Francona. "It's part of the learning curve."

He's back: The Indians traded Esmil Rogers to Toronto in November for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes. When they traded Rogers, he was a reliever, but he returns to Progressive Field as a starter.

Rogers will start against the Indians on Wednesday. After opening the year in the bullpen, Rogers has made starts in seven of his past eight appearances. He is 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA as a starter.

Stat of the day: Jason Kipnis ranks seventh in the American League, averaging an RBI every 5.5 at-bats.

The Cleveland Indians' right-handed starter threw every pitch but his curveball during a session in Progressive Field as he continues to rehab from a sprained finger.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The curveball is still in Zach McAllister's back pocket, but everything else is front and center.

McAllister threw a three-inning simulated game Monday afternoon at Progressive Field. Five Indians farmhands from nearby Class A Lake County were McAllister's opposition.

"It was nice to see some hitters again for the first time in about a month," said McAllister, who has been on the disabled list since June 8 with a sprained right middle finger. "They were definitely aggressive. It was nice of them to come here so I didn't have to go there, but I'm sure they had fun being on a big-league field."

McAllister said he threw all his pitches with the exception of the curveball, a pitch the Indians believe played a part in his injury.

"I was happy with everything," said McAllister, who is expected to rejoin the rotation after the All-Star break.

McAllister threw about 50 pitches. He sat down between innings to simulate game conditions. After one inning, he fielded grounders and worked on covering first base.

Depending on how McAllister feels Tuesday, he could throw another simulated game or make a rehab start before the break, which begins after Sunday's game against the Royals.

"He threw his fastball, cutter and change-up," said manager Terry Francona. "He's been throwing his curveball on flat ground (while playing catch). That will be the last thing that's introduced on this segment of his rehabilitation."

Pestano on move: Francona said he's taking set-up man Vinnie Pestano out of his eighth-inning role to let him regain his confidence. Joe Smith, who usually pitches the seventh inning, will take Pestano's spot in the eighth to clear the way for closer Chris Perez.

In the eighth inning of Sunday's 9-6 victory over the Tigers, Pestano gave up a game-tying three-run homer to Torii Hunter. The Indians came back to win on Michael Brantley's two-run homer in their half of the eighth, but Francona believes Pestano needs to pitch earlier in the game in more favorable matchups to help get his season turned around.

Pestano is 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA (15 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings) in 29 appearances this season. He replaced the injured Perez and went 6-for-6 in save situations from May 28 through June 27, but almost every meaningful appearance he's made has been an adventure.

Velocity and command have been an issue for Pestano since he came off the 15-day disabled list on May 16 after being shut down with a sore right elbow. Pestano is 1-2 with a 5.66 ERA (13 earned runs in 20 2/3 innings) with 24 hits, 12 walks and 22 strikeouts since coming off the DL.

"We talked to Vinnie today," said Francona on Monday. "Since he came back from his down time with his arm, we've seen glimpses of the old Vinnie, but there have been some inconsistencies.

"I told him that in the immediate future, instead of just giving him the eighth inning every time, we'll try to pitch him in games that set up a little better for him. We want to get that confidence rolling. Once he gets back on a roll, we'll get him back in a designated role."

Francona feels Pestano is healthy, but doesn't have the same finish on his pitches that he did last year.

Smith hasn't been sharp lately either, but unlike Pestano and Perez, he's been healthy all season. He's 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA and one save in 36 appearances.

The opposition is hitting .212 against Smith, .207 (12-for-58) by lefties and .217 (13-for-60) by righties. Lefties have hit four homers against Smith.

No word yet: The Indians still don't have a starter for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays. It could be Danny Salazar, who is pitching at Class AAA Columbus, but Francona wasn't ready to name names on Monday.

The shift: After Miguel Cabrera hit a moon-shot homer into the left-field bleachers in the first inning Sunday, Francona told left fielder Brantley they were going to start shifting against Cabrera.

"I told him we were going to start playing him five rows deep in the left-field bleachers," said Francona.

Finally: It was Omar Vizquel bobblehead night Monday. Vizquel threw out the first pitch to former teammate Sandy Alomar and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Hall of Fame center Gatski played in 11 championship games, 10 of them with the Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.

No. 20, FRANK GATSKI, center-linebacker, 1946-56

The Browns began play as a franchise in 1946 as part of the new All-America Football Conference.

Part of their roster was set. Coach Paul Brown had coached at Ohio State from 1941-43 and at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in 1944-45. Brown, a U.S. Navy lieutenant, trained recruits at Great Lakes and coached the football team, which played some top college teams. When Paul Brown was picked to guide the Browns, he persuaded some of the top players he coached and others he coached against to join the new team.

Frank Gatski wasn't afforded such an advantage. He had to try out for the Browns, not knowing whether he had much chance to stick. Not only did he make the Browns, he went on to a career that was capped by his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Gatski played three years at Marshall University before signing up with the United States Army Reserve in late 1942. His unit was later activated and he served in the infantry in Europe in 1944-45. Gatski enrolled at Auburn University soon after his return to the U.S. He played part of Auburn's 1945 football season and earned his degree.

Gatski played 11 seasons with the Browns. Cleveland won the AAFC championship all four years (1946-49) before the league folded. The Browns joined the National Football League and played in the championship game in each of their first six seasons (1950-55) in the league, winning the title in 1950, 1954 and 1955.

The Browns used Gatski as a backup center and linebacker in 1946 and 1947. He intercepted three passes, returning one 36 yards for a touchdown.

Gatski took over as the full-time center in 1948, working with legendary quarterback Otto Graham. Gatski, at 6-3 and around 230 pounds, was strong, fast and rangy. To sum up those traits, he was nicknamed "Gunner."

And, Gatski was durable as could be. He never missed a game. His reliability allowed the Browns to carry him as the lone center on the roster.

Graham retired after the Browns routed the Rams, 38-14, in the 1955 championship game.

The Browns went 5-7 in 1956 -- the only losing season in their first 28 years. Following the campaign, Cleveland traded Gatski to the Detroit Lions for a third-round pick in the 1958 draft.

The 1957 Lions made Gatski, then 35, their starting center. It was a new team for "Gunner," but much remained the same for him. The Lions went 8-4 to tie the 49ers for first place in the West Division then won the playoff game, 31-27, at San Francisco. Then, the Lions clouted the Browns, 59-14, in the championship game at Detroit, the final game of Gatski's career.

Gatski died at age 83 on Nov. 22, 2005.

(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)

Video: Much of the action (no audio) from the 1951 NFL championship game. Frank Gatski (52) is at center for the Browns, who lost, 24-17, to the Rams in Los Angeles:

"Thirteen and 0 is pretty good," said Indians manager Terry Francona of Detroit's Max Scherzer. But the Indians held him to a seven-inning no-decision in a game won by the Tigers, 4-2, in 10 innings.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Perfection comes with an expiration date, even in an untimed game.

There have been 23 perfect games in Major League Baseball history. Even with three last year, that is a paltry number.But nobody with as many decisions as Max Scherzer, 13-0 before facing the Indians Monday night at Progreessive Field, has ever gone unbeaten for a whole season.

Scherzer was not at his best, giving up a two-run, game-tying single in the second inning to Lonnie Chisenhall on his first pitch after a 20-minute rain delay. But the Detroit ace grew stronger in the rain-forest atmosphere, blanking the ndians in a steady drizzle for the remainder of his seven-inning no-decision.

Even though the 4-2 Detroit victory carried weight in the Tribe-Tigers scrum atop the Central Division, baseball is built on numbers. The chance for the Indians to face a man with a baker's dozen W's and no L's, to fight the unbeatable foe, gave the game a special feel.

Scherzer had a long way to go for the record books, however. Rube Marquard won 19 in a row (it would have been 20 under today's rules; one was in relief) in 1912, finishing 26-11 for the New York Giants.

Reliever Elroy Face, pitching only 93 1/3 innings for Pittsburgh in 1959, won his first 17 decisions. Face finished 18-1 with nine saves, but the Dodgers beat him, 5-4, on Sept. 11, scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth.

Johnny Allen with the 1937 Indians started 15-0, and lost just one game, his last start of the season, 1-0, to Detroit. It foreshadowed much of what was to come in Cleveland sports -- just missing brilliance in a close loss.

Dave McNally was 15-0 with Baltimore in 1969 and finished 20-7.

Roger Clemens started 14-0 in 1986 in Boston, finished 24-4, and won the Cy Young Award.

To some extent, wins are dependent on luck. A poor outing might be offset by immense run support. Scherzer had received 7.87 runs per game in his 17 starts, the best in the American League. That alone, no matter what is to come, probably keeps Scherzer from making the short list of the greatest pitching seasons ever.

Bob Gibson's season in 1968, the "Year of the Pitcher," featured a 1.12 ERA in 1968 with a 22-9 record. That was because no one was hitting, including his own St. Louis Cardinals.

The whole issue of the value of wins arose in all its sabermetric glory in 2010, when Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez of Seattle was 13-12, but dominated the new metrics, such as WAR (Wins Above Replacement). The concept is an attempt to determine how much better a player is than what a theoretical replacement player would manage.

Now, l try not to be the old fogey who decries BABIP (Batting Average on Balls In Play) and such, I really must ask, "WAR, what is it good for?" It is a subjective judgment, not a statistic.

I am absolutely fine with some metrics, such as those measuring the influence of a ballpark. Comerica Park in Detroit is much tougher on hitters than was vanished Tiger Stadium. That benefits Scherzer.

"I think 13 and 0 is pretty good," said Indians manager Terry Francona. "Some of the advanced metrics I'm familiar with. Some I'm more comfortable with than others. I think people would tell you that if you watch Scherzer pitch that's enough to know he's pretty good."

A good way to measure a pitcher's success is to look at his ERA compared to the league average ERA. Scherzer's 3.09 is almost a full run lower than the 4.08 of the AL, but he is only ninth overall and his Relative ERA is 0.757

Pedro Martinez's ERA for the 2000 Red Sox was 1.74, compared to 4.91 for the American League as a whole, in a season in which he went 18-6.

Even such a huge winner as Denny McLain (31-6 in 1968 for the Tigers) doesn't rate that well by this measurement. His ERA of 1.96 was spectacular, but his relative ERA of 0.658 doesn't come close to Martinez. McLain's only good enough for fourth place that year in the AL

What Francona saw in Scherzer is "a guy who, the last we faced him (a 5-1 loss on May21 here), he threw the eight innings and punched out the side, the last hitter on 97, 98, 98 (mph). So he's got that going for him. I called him Verlanderesque."

Justin Verlander used to be the Tigers' ace.

Now Mr. Perfect is.

"He's got a good change-up," said Francona. "When he was younger, facing left-handers, he had a little hard time pitching in (inside) and staying in. He'd pitch in, then he'd go back out. Now he can repeat it."

The last man Scherzer faced was Jason Kipnis. He punched him out with a 97 mph fastball on his 117th and last pitch.

In the rain, Scherzer rinsed and repeated.

The Tigers beat the Indians, 4-2, on Victor Martinez's two-run double in the 10th inning Monday night at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Undefeated Max Scherzer didn't beat the Indians on Monday night to improve to 14-0 on the season. No, the Indians played him to a standstill.

The man who beat the Indians was Victor Martinez, who hit a two-run double off the center field wall in the 10th inning to score Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder in Detroit's 4-2 victory at Progressive Field.

Matt Albers (2-1) started the 10th with two quick outs, but stopped attacking the strike zone as he walked Cabrera and Fielder, the Tigers two power hitters. Martinez sent a 0-1 pitch over center fielder Michael Bourn's head.

The Tigers, who won three of the four games in this series, improved to 9-3 against the Indians.  The loss dropped the Tribe to 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Tigers in the AL Central.

Indians-Tigers boxscore | Scoreboard | Standings

The Indians wasted a leadoff single by Mark Reynolds in the ninth. Tiger lefty Drew Smyly (4-0) relieved Bruce Rondon and retired the next three batters to ear the win. Joaquin Benoit pitched the 10th for his seventh save.

The Tribe tried to rally in the 10th. Nick Swisher singled and was headed home with two out on Michael Brantley's single, but slipped and fell going around third base. The ground was slick from a steady rain that fell for much of the game.

Mike Aviles struck out to end the game.

Scherzer was trying to become the first pitcher since Roger Clemens to begin the season by winning his first 14 decisions. Clemens did it in 1986 as a member of the Red Sox.

He didn't accomplish that feat, settling for a no decision as he allowed two runs on seven hits in seven innings. Scherzer beat the Indians in his two previous starts this season against them this season.

Matt Tuiasosopo pulled the Tigers into a 2-2 tie in the fourth with a homer to right. He connected on Scott Kazmir's 3-2 pitch.

Kazmir has allowed 14 homers this season, 13 to right-handed hitters just like Tuiasosopo. It was only his fourth homer of the season.

The score stayed that way through eight innings. Kazmir left with two out in the sixth following Jhonny Peralta's drive to the warning track in left for the second out. Bryan Shaw relieved to end the inning after allowing a single to pinch-hitter Andy Dirks.

It his first start against the Tigers since 2010 when he was with the Angels, Kazmir allowed two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked three in 87 pitches.

The Indians took a 2-1 lead in the second on Chisenhall's single to right.

Brantley set the inning in motion with a bunt single to the left side of the mound Scherzer fielded, but had no chance to make a play at first. Aviles followed with a single to right, but Scherzer struck out Reynolds.

With rain falling, and the grounds crew poised behind the tarp, Chisenhall battled Scherzer to a 2-2 count. During the at-bat, Brantley and Aviles worked a double steal to put runners on second and third. As the rain grew in intensity, Scherzer then walked behind the mound and said something to second base umpire Joe West, who called for the tarp.

After a 20-minute delay, play resumed. Chisenhall pulled Scherzer's first pitch into right field to score Brantley and Aviles.

The Indians continued to pressure Scherzer.

They loaded the bases with two out in the third as Jason Kipnis and Swisher singled and Brantley walked. Aviles bounced back to Scherzer for the third out.

Reynolds broke his 0-for-24 with a leadoff single in the fourth, but Scherzer retired the next three batters.

Asdrubal Cabrera drew a leadoff walk in the fifth and took second on a wild pitch. Kipnis followed with a liner to left that Tuiasosopo caught on the run right in front of the 19-foot wall.

 Bourn hit a leadoff single in the seventh, but slipped as he was breaking for second on a steal attempt and was tagged out in a 2-6-3-4-2-3 rundown. Scherzer struck out Cabrera and Kipnis to end the inning. Kipnis swung and missed on Scherzer's 117th and final pitch of the evening to end the inning. It crossed the plate at 97 mph.

The Tigers took a 1-0 in the second on consecutive doubles by former Indians' Martinez and Peralta. Martinez double to left with one out and Peralta, booed heavily when he came to the plate, doubled to the base of the wall in center.

Kazmir struck out Tuiasosopo, but Brayan Pena legged out an infield single. Aviles, playing short, made a nice stop, but Reynolds couldn't dig out his throw at first.

Clippers catcher Omir Santos pitches the 12th inning and gets shelled in loss to Indianapolis.

Class AAA: Indianapolis 8, Columbus 3 (12) The visiting Indians scored five times off catcher Omir Santos in the 12th to beat the host Clippers. Santos, who is hitting .268 with two homers and 16 RBI, has an ERA of 36.00 after his one inning of work Monday. (One of the runs he allowed was unearned.)

Trevor Bauer (4.06) started for Columbus and allowed three runs on 10 hits in 61/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Clippers 3B Juan Diaz (.233) doubled twice and knocked in a run.

Class AA: Akron 12, Richmond 5 Aeros SS Jose Ramirez (.271) had four hits and scored three runs, and 2B Matt Lawson (.233), C Chris Wallace (.333) and 3B Giovanny Urshela (.266) each homered to lead Akron past the host Flying Squirrels.

Matt Packer (8-5, 2.55) started for the Aeros and allowed two runs on six hits in five innings.

Class A Advanced: Carolina 6, Lynchburg 0 Michael Peoples (1-4, 5.27) and Owen Dew (4.38) combined on a seven-hit shutout of the host Hillcats. 2B Joe Wendle (.330) hit two home runs and drove in three runs. Wendle has 11 home runs and 40 RBI this season.

Class A: West Michigan 1, Lake County 0, susp. The Captains' game against the Whitecaps was suspended in the bottom of the first inning because of rain. Lake County's Logan Vick was at the plate with one on and one out when play was halted. The game will resume at West Michigan's home field in Comstock, Mich., during the teams' series Aug 24-26.

Class A Short-season: State College 4, Mahoning Valley 3 Scrappers C Ryan Battaglia (.241) hit a three-run homer in the loss to the host Spikes. Mahoning Valley CF Cody Ferrell went 3-for-4 to raise his batting average to .296.

Independent: Lake Erie The Crushers were off Monday.

The free-agent center with a history of knee problems also is being pursued by the Dallas Mavericks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Free agent center Andrew Bynum is in Cleveland today to meet with Cavaliers officials about signing with the team, a league source confirmed. ESPN first reported the story.

Neither Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant nor Bynum's agent responded to requests for confirmation.

Bynum, a 7-foot, 25-year-old, missed the entire 2012-13 season after he was traded to Philadelphia because of knee problems that ultimately required surgery. While playing for the Los Angeles Lakers the season before, he averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds.

The Dallas Mavericks also are in pursuit of the intriguing center, but a league source said interest hinges on what doctors find in examining Bynum's troublesome knees. His agent, David Lee, previously stated that his client would not work out for potential suitors this summer. Yahoo! Sports said Lee would provide Bynum's MRIs to teams, and that he expects his client to be available to play when training camp begins.

The Cavaliers, still about $20 million under the projected salary cap, are in a position to offer Bynum a lucrative one-year deal.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians. Featured today are Pro Football Talk, Did The Tribe Win Last Night? and Right Down Euclid.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.

Do the Browns deserve to be ranked No. 31 in the league? (Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer) 

"Strengths

It could be hard to remain consistent at one of the coordinator positions. Ray Horton, who now runs the defense, could vault himself to a head-coaching gig elsewhere if the Browns’ thrive in his 3-4 system. Norv Turner, who has coached three NFL teams (Redskins, Raiders, Chargers), likely has run out of chances to run a team, barring a Super Bowl run with the Browns or something close to it.

The new regime inherits a fairly talented corps of young players, including an underrated offensive line (anchored by left tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack), a potentially potent front seven on defense (led by former Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger), and a secondary that features Joe Haden, one of the best cover corners in the NFL."

Should the Indians learn from the Tigers? (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 

"Indians general manager Chris Antonetti could learn a thing or two from Detroit’s Dave Dombrowski. Two seasons ago the Tigers dealt for Fister from the Seattle Mariners. A year ago they landed Sanchez from the Miami Marlins. Each were signed long term, helping Detroit in their current pennant race, but in future seasons.

Antonetti needs to find a starting pitcher. In the larger picture, beyond 2013, he probably needs to find more than one. With a farm system that has talent, but not a plethora of depth, Antonetti needs to use his trade pieces wisely because he doesn’t have an abundance of them. If the Indians are going to trade their youth, it has to be for someone who can provide help to the rotation in the present and the future."

Is Greg Oden a better fit for the Cavs? (AP Photo/Colin E Braley) 

"Center

Under Contract: Anderson Varejao, Tyler Zeller

Best Fit: Greg Oden

Center, to me, is the position of most worry on the roster. If you think about it, the Cavaliers are a Varejao injury away from having Zeller starting at center and automatically having an issue at that position every night. Signing Oden isn’t exactly guaranteed depth, but it’s worth a shot if he comes to Cleveland instead of Miami or San Antonio. If he can play, he’d be an ideal compliment to Zeller. Oden provides the defense off the bench, while Zeller will play more on the outside and provide offense. Plus, there’s much more upside to signing Oden at little or no guaranteed money than Andrew Bynum with guaranteed money, even if both deals are for only for a year."