A hard-charging Labrador retriever pup, Honest, and a dynamic young English pointer, Big Boy, were judged the top performers among 150 dogs competing in the 47th annual Invitational Winner's Trial at the Wayne Coon Hunters Association fields.

WOOSTER – A hard-charging Labrador retriever pup, Honest, and a dynamic young English pointer, Big Boy, were judged the top performers among 150 dogs competing in the 47th annual Invitational Winner’s Trial at the Wayne Coon Hunters Association fields here on a cool, windy Saturday.

The trial is the championship event of the All-Breed Hunter’s Trial circuit in northeast Ohio.

Judge Ron Giachetti of Brooklyn had a difficult time picking between a rugged veteran and the precocious puppy as the day’s best flushing dog. Giachetti gave the nod in the top-level All-Age Flushing Class to an English cocker spaniel, Bob, handled by Terry Reckart. He also picked Joe May’s youngster, Honest, as the best of the bunch in the Puppy Flushing Class, and the Flushing Dog of the Day.

“Reckart’s cocker spaniels are just amazing, little rockets in the bird fields,” said Giachetti. “This cocker spaniel just flew through the fields to find and flush birds like a real machine.

“Honest is a very aggressive Labrador retriever with great scenting ability, almost over-running birds with a hard-charging style in the field,” he said. “He just runs so hard on his retrieves he almost ran past the birds. I was really impressed, especially since Honest is such a young dog.”

In the other flushing events, Sam Stazzone’s English springer spaniel, Bean, won the Derby Flushing Class; Will Collins and Colt, a Lab, captured the Gun Dog Flushing Class; and Shawn McCraw and English springer spaniel won the Senior Flushing Class.

Derby Pointing Class winner Big Boy, a youngster trained by Larry Kontokanis, was Pointing Dog of the Day in what turned out to be a tough day of hunting, said Judge Rich Kamp of Brimfield. Brimfield selected Gary Thozeski’s German shorthaired pointer as winner of the tough All-Age Pointing Class.

“The swirling winds were difficult for all of the pointing dogs, but Big Boy stood above the rest,” said Kamp. “He’s a fast, snappy dog, covered ground very well and his points were well off the birds. Big Boy was very stylish on point, sealing the win.”

Nattie, a German shorthaired pointer owned by Bob Morris, was tops in Puppy Pointing Class field; Bill Keplar’s English pointer, Jazz, took the Gun Dog Pointing Class; and John Zutavern’s wirehaired pointing griffon was rated best in the Senior Pointing Class.

The All-Breed Hunter’s Trials are held from fall through spring at the Wooster club, the Columbia Game, Crooked Creek Conservation Club, Cuyahoga Coon Hunter’s Club, Fin Feather and Fur Outfitters, Pine Crest Shooting Preserve, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen’s Club and R & G Ventures.

Here are the complete results for the 47th annual Invitational Winner's Trial at the Wayne Coon Hunters Association in Wooster on Saturday.

47th annual Invitational Winner’s Trial

Wayne Coon Hunters Association, Wooster

Dogs of the Day – Pointing: Larry Kontokanis, English pointer, Big Boy. Flushing: Joe May, Labrador retriever, Honest.

All-Age – Pointing: John Harbert, German shorthaired pointer (GSP), Meadow; Dennnis Meinke, GSP, Calli; Bill Keplar, English pointer (EP), Huck; Gary Thozeski, Brittany, Chili. Flushing: Terry Reckart, English cocker spaniel (ECS), Bob; Shawn McCraw, English springer spaniel (ESS), Dolly; John Kelley, ESS, Titan; Terry Reckart, ECS, Hammer.

Gun Dog – Pointing: Bill Keplar, EP, Jazz; Larry Kontokanis, EP, Duke; John Basic, Visla, Bailey; Brent Close, EP, Max. Flushing: Will Collins, Labrador retriever (Lab), Colt; John Kelley, Lab, Duke; Joe Curiale, golden retriever (GR), Luke; Dave White, Lab, Joules.

Derby – Pointing: Larry Kontokanis, EP, Big Boy; Rod Howard, GSP, Zeke; Bob Vibonese Sr., GSP, Macy; Cheryl Knight, GSP, Kelly. Flushing: Sam Stazzone, ESS, Bean; Dan Rogge, ESS, IC; Dwight Gregory, GR, Bullit; Garry Killiany, ESS, Lucy.

Puppy – Pointing: Bob Morris, GSP, Nattie; Sherry Lovaglio, GSP, Reba; Bill Keplar, EP, Si; Dennis Barbish, EP, Josie. Flushing: Joe May, Lab, Honest; Dan Tuttle, ESS, Stewart; Adam O’Neil, GR, Zoey; Dan Steingraber, Lab, June.

Senior – Pointing: John Zutavern, wirehaired pointing griffon, Mocha; Joe Kusmierczyk, EP, Mack; John Costanzo, GSP, Haley; Dennis Barbish, EP, Boss. Flushing: Shawn McCraw, ESS, Kimba; Howard Shanklin, Lab, Jack; John Denczak, ESS, Pearl; Eddie Karban, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Zeus.

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Brecksville-Broadview Heights softball team improved to 3-0 on Saturday after defeating Cuyahoga Falls at home, 10-0. Nikki Geringer led the Bees scoring a homerun and earning four RBI's going 2-3 from the plate. Morgan Fadel chipped in going 3-3 from the plate and scoring three runs.

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Brecksville-Broadview Heights softball team improved to 3-0 on Saturday after defeating Cuyahoga Falls at home, 10-0.

Nikki Geringer led the Bees scoring a homerun and earning four RBI's going 2-3 from the plate. Morgan Fadel chipped in going 3-3 from the plate and scoring three runs.

Nicole Best was the winning pitcher earning six strikeouts for the Bees.

MASSILLON, Ohio -- Nordonia's softball team defeated Massillon Washington, 8-3, in the first game of their doubleheader at Massillon (1-2) on Saturday.  Pitcher Hannah Stroe (3-0) led the Knights (3-0), pitching all seven innings and striking out 12 batters. Teammate Holly Groff went 1-for-2, while also scoring a run and getting a stolen base.

MASSILLON, Ohio -- Nordonia's softball team defeated Massillon Washington, 8-3, in the first game of their doubleheader at Massillon (1-2) on Saturday. 

Pitcher Hannah Stroe (3-0) led the Knights (3-0), pitching all seven innings and striking out 12 batters. Teammate Holly Groff went 1-for-2, while also scoring a run and getting a stolen base.

MASSILLON, Ohio -- Nordonia's softball team went 2-0 on the day, shutting out Massillon Washington, 10-0, on the road on Saturday in the second game of their doubleheader. Nordonia (4-0) pitcher Pam Vickers was at the mound the entire game and threw seven strickouts. Vickers is 1-0.

MASSILLON, Ohio -- Nordonia's softball team went 2-0 on the day, shutting out Massillon Washington, 10-0, on the road on Saturday in the second game of their doubleheader.

Nordonia (4-0) pitcher Pam Vickers was at the mound the entire game and threw seven strickouts. Vickers is 1-0.

Knights' freshman Madi Filakoski hit a double and had two RBIs in her first varsity game.

Nordonia defeated Massillon (1-3), 8-3, in the first game. 

"(My past) definitely opened my eyes," Baugh said. "I am out of chances and I have to do this ... I (feared I wouldn't be on the team) after my second incident. I thought I was gone. But now I am learning the offense and trying to go hard."

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Marcus Baugh caught two touchdown passes and racked up more than 100 receiving yards as Ohio State scrimmaged during Student Appreciation Day on Saturday.

"I'm just trying to get the coaches to trust me with the ball," he said.

That's not the only trust he's trying to earn. 

Baugh is still working to prove to Urban Meyer and the rest of the coaching staff that he can be a positive member of the team after being busted for underage drinking for a second time in January. 

Though only a redshirt freshman, Baugh thought his Ohio State career was over after the second incident. He's still on the team, but he knows his coaches don't completely trust him. 

"I felt like I earned all the trust back, then I lost it all again after the second incident," Baugh said. "I'm just doing what they want me to do. I am just trying to show that I am not a bad person." 

The first step? Baugh said he doesn't go out anymore. 

The second step? Keep having practices like the one he had Saturday. 

A 6-foot-4, 240-pounder, Baugh caught 68 passes for nearly 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final two prep seasons in Riverside, Calif., on his way to becoming a four-star prospect. He was the first pass-catching tight end Meyer recruited to Ohio State. 

And now he's starting to look the part. 

After what he said was the most productive practice of his career, Baugh said working out and practicing with his teammates are his refuge from a troubled past. But on his current trajectory, there's a chance he could be a big-time playmaker for Ohio State in the future. 

"(My past) definitely opened my eyes," Baugh said. "I am out of chances and I have to do this ... I (feared I wouldn't be on the team) after my second incident. I thought I was gone. But now I am learning the offense and trying to go hard." 

Baugh likely won't be part of Ohio State's offensive plans this year with senior Jeff Heuerman and junior Nick Vannett in front of him on the depth chart. But Heuerman is out for the remainder of spring with a foot injury, and Baugh is trying to capitalize on the extra reps.

So instead of worrying about his status with the team, Baugh has focused on his growth as a blocker and understanding Ohio State's offensive approach. 

And during next Saturday's spring game, Baugh will have the opportunity to introduce himself to Ohio State fans for reasons other than off-the-field incidents. 

"It feels good," he said. "I am not going to waste this last chance." 

Unlike last April, Brutus was not tackled to the ground by an OSU linebacker. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio - This was a better day for Brutus Buckeye, at the very least.

A year ago, the highlight of Ohio State's Student Appreciation Day was the Buckeyes' mascot absorbing a crushing tackle from linebacker David Perkins.

A year later, Brutus was back. Perkins was not - he  transferred to Illinois State.

So Brutus won that battle in the end and he seemed to have a fine time Saturday, with the nut's attempt to block a field goal his most physical moment of the day. (You can catch that attempt and other scenes from the day in the video above.)

Ohio State estimated the attendance at this Student Appreciation Day at 2,500, with OSU students invited to attend the event. Because of some colder temperatures and wind, the two-hour scrimmage was held on the indoor field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center instead of on the outdoor fields like last year.

Urban Meyer invited the students to crowd around the team at the end of practice again, as the offense and defense went at each other down by the goalline. Then Meyer had some guests try field goals in the midst of the crowd, including his daughter, Nicki.

The atmosphere wasn't exactly electric all day (though the circle drill got some people riled up, as usual) and the food trucks outside weren't as busy as they might have been on a warmer day. But it was a little more energetic than a normal day of practice for the players.

"It's a great experience to be out here and show love back to the fans," sophomore safety Cam Burrows said.

After the scrimmage, there was a student flag football game held on the same field, followed by five 40-yard dash heats with students racing some OSU players. The fastest of those students will race the fastest Buckeyes - Devin Smith and Dontre Wilson - after the spring game in Ohio Stadium next Saturday.

After those races, players and coaches then mingled with the students and signed autographs for nearly half an hour. It was the 11th practice of the spring for the Buckeyes, who have three more next week before concluding with the spring game at 1:30 on Saturday in Ohio Stadium.

LOUISVILLE, Ohio -- St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team won game one of a doubleheader against Salem on Saturday defeating the visitors, 8-3. Anthony Moeglin had two doubles for Aquinas. Frank DiMarzio and Sam Pusateri followed for the Aquinas offense adding two hits each.

LOUISVILLE, Ohio -- St. Thomas Aquinas baseball team won game one of a doubleheader against Salem on Saturday defeating the visitors, 8-3.

Anthony Moeglin had two doubles for Aquinas. Frank DiMarzio and Sam Pusateri followed for the Aquinas offense adding two hits each.

LOUISVILLE, Ohio -- St. Thomas Aquinas' baseball team shutout Salem, 10-0, at home on Saturday. St. Thomas Aquinas' (4-1) Frank DiMarzio and Robby Kostiuk combined to throw a no-hitter. DiMarzio also added a double, a home run and five RBIs on the day. 

LOUISVILLE, Ohio -- St. Thomas Aquinas' baseball team shutout Salem, 10-0, at home on Saturday.

St. Thomas Aquinas' (4-1) Frank DiMarzio and Robby Kostiuk combined to throw a no-hitter. DiMarzio also added a double, a home run and five RBIs on the day. 

Salem is now 0-4.

St. Thomas won the first game of the doubleheader, 8-3.

Irving issued a series of Tweets late Friday responding to a report that he wants out of Cleveland, calling it "nonsense."

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A day after Kyrie Irving took to Twitter to respond to a blog report that the Cavaliers point guard wants out of Cleveland, can't play with teammate Dion Waiters and has drifted away from once-good friend LeBron James, Irving called the report "nonsense" and "frustrating."

"I've been getting it all season," Irving said before Saturday's game against Charlotte. "I just feel like I definitely don't deserve it. It was just one of those things where you have to deal with it, but at a certain point, it got to be too much. It's been like that the whole entire season."

The tipping point for Irving was a post on www.cavstheblog.com that featured a Q and A with former Plain Dealer Cavaliers reporter and current ESPN writer Brian Windhorst.

Among other things, Windhorst said: "The truth is [Kyrie's] camp has been putting out there for years – years – that he doesn't want to be in Cleveland. That they don't want him in Cleveland. He doesn't like Mike Brown. He didn't like Chris Grant. He doesn't like Dion Waiters. He's already gotten a general manager fired. He might get Mike Brown fired. This is the last time – once he signs he loses all of his leverage – so this is the last time he gets to enact leverage."

Irving posted four Tweets (@KyrieIrving) after the Cavaliers' 117-98 loss in Atlanta, saying, "There's no such source as 'Kyrie's camp.'"

Irving had just played in his second game since sitting 10 games with a strained left biceps.

"I'm coming back and they're writing reports, 'Is he staying or is he going?'" Irving said Saturday. "And I mean, that's the last of my worries right now. And it's portraying me in a light and bringing negativity to the team that I don't want. Our focus right now, and my focus right now is winning and trying to finish out this season strong. That's where my focus has been and where it's going to stay."

Windhorst added in the report that Irving and teammate Waiters often appear to be working against each other.

"In my opinion, Kyrie is an immature 21. And Dion is an immature 22. I'm really disappointed at how little growth Kyrie has shown emotionally," Windhorst said. "The thing about Kyrie: his talent is amazing, but he's so defeatist. He gets defeated way too easily. You'll see something bad happen to him and his head just goes down. And Dion has this thing where he sees himself in competition with Kyrie."

Irving is eligible to sign a contract extension in the off-season, but season-long speculation from media and fans on whether he would turn down a maximum offer has worn on him, Irving said.

"In terms of all the rumors and accusations of what goes on in our locker room -- it's been going on all season, to a certain extent," Irving said. It's all nonsense to me, now. It's part of the business, I get it. It's part of the job, but to go out and kind of portray my character as something it's not ... I'm not an attention seeker, I don't go out and put all these reports or all these rumors out. But people feel like it's a good thing to continue to put my name in headlines just to get reads. That's your job, but at a certain point, it's gotta stop."

Asked one last time how he feels about his team, coach and teammates, Irving shook his head.

"See, it's questions like that. You're trying to put me in a weird position because I can't say it enough: I love the city of Cleveland, I love my teammates and my focus is on winning, right now," Irving said.

The Twins scored three runs in the first inning and then cruised past the Indians on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The old folk in Cleveland call a day like Saturday a "fooler."

Look outside the living room window and the day looks warm and bright. There's sunshine everywhere. Walk out the front door and it feels like the frozen tundra of Alaska.

Maybe that's what happened to Carlos Carrasco as he gave up three runs in the first inning in the Indians' 7-3 loss to the Twins at Progressive Field. It makes sense, right?

It was 36 degrees at game time. A 24 mph wind whipped its way around the ballpark. The wind chill was 24 degrees.

But Carrasco, ever the riddle, said, "The cold had nothing to do with it. I just started slow."

Manager Terry Francona confirmed Carrasco's assessment about the weather. He asked pitching coach Mickey Callaway if Carrasco was bothered by the frigid conditions.

"Mickey said he warmed up nice and crisp in the bullpen," said Francona.

The warmth and crispness didn't last long. Brian Dozier turned Carrasco's second pitch into a home run. It barely cleared the 19-foot wall in left field, clanking off the black metal railing, but that was because it was hit into a gale.

After that, the slow-starting Carrasco stomped too hard on the accelerator.

"I sped up after the homer," he said.

That didn't work out so well either. The Twins added two more runs, both coming with two out, for a 3-0 lead. Jason Kubel, who finished last season with the Tribe, singled home the second run, while Josmil Pinto knocked in the third.

"The first hitter hit one out and to hit it out to left field in these conditions, you had to really hit it," said Francona. "It really got everybody's attention, but you say, "OK, you give up a solo home run, well, we're going to have to score anyway.'

"But they were able to keep stringing their at bats together and that really hurt us. It got to be 5-1 pretty quick."

The Indians have been outscored, 8-0, in the first inning in their first five games this season. Their starting pitchers have put them in a first-inning hole in four games.

The Twins made it 5-0 in the third. Trevor Plouffe doubled home a run and then came around two score on two passed balls by Yan Gomes. Last year Gomes had four passed balls in 85 games.

The Indians made it 5-1 in their half of the third when Lonnie Chisenhall doubled and scored on a wild pitch by Kyle Gibson (1-0, 1.80). That was it for the offense until the Indians added two runs in the ninth.

Carrasco (0-1, 6.35) allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

After he'd allowed five runs, six hits, two walks and hit a batter in the first three innings, Carrasco started pitching. He retired eight of the last 10 batters he faced, four of them going down on strikeouts.

"He settled down, pitched pretty well, but the damage had been done," said Francona.

If there is ever a eulogy delivered on Carrasco stay in Cleveland, now in its sixth season, Francona's words fit the bill.

"These are the things were trying to break through with him," said Francona, "because it's there and we know it's there. There's a lot to like, but we got to get them out."

Carrasco said he started using his breaking ball more as he pulled away from the damage in the first three innings. Francona said it looked like he finally found the right gear.

"He must have felt more confident because he was getting the ball and working quick as opposed to every pitch being an event," said Francona.

Gibson walked four and threw only 55 percent (53-for-97) of his pitches for strikes, but the Indians couldn't do anything with him. He was gone after five.

The victory was the 1,000^th of manager Ron Gardenhire's career in a Twins uniform. He is just the 10^th manager to win his first 1,000 games with the same team. Tom Kelly, with 1,140 victories, is the only other Twins manager to win 1,000 games.

There are only five active managers with at least 1,000 victories – Francona, Gardenhire, Bruce Bochy, Mike Scioscia and Buck Showalter.

"Gardy has been doing this for a long time," said Francona, the last active manager to win 1,000 games. "I wish it would have come in the next series. He's been good at way he does for a long time. That number indicates he's getting old."

When told he was in that group as well, Francona said, "I'm old. That's why I didn't say too many nice things about it."

The Twins made it 7-1 with two runs off Vinnie Pestano in the ninth. Pestano has allowed three runs on five hits in two innings since opening day.

Some jobs will be on the line in the spring game at Ohio Stadium next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Ari and Doug talk about the guys they want to see. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There's a lot Ohio State won't have for the Buckeyes' spring game at Ohio Stadium next Saturday.

Quarterback Braxton Miller has been out all spring after shoulder surgery.

Tight end Jeff Heuerman went down with a foot injury that required surgery.

Safety Vonn Bell hurt his knee during the first practice of spring and has been out.

Redshirt freshman H-back Jalin Marshall is out with a knee injury.

But there's also plenty that should interest fans when Ohio State takes the field at 1:30 p.m. in Ohio Stadium on April 12.

Ari and I each gave out two players to watch next weekend in our video after Saturday's scrimmage and student appreciation day. And there were plenty of standouts that we witnessed - from Eli Apple to Curtis Samuel to Darron Lee - that will bear watching when they take the field in front of thousands of fans for the first time next Saturday.

Saturday was about the scrimmage and the scene, about the players on the field and the 2.500 students or so who were taking it all in. Ari and I covered it all and dropped eight stories/videos on you Saturday and two more Sunday morning. We gathered much more that we'll include in our coverage this week building up to the spring game.

But here's everything we wrote about Saturday and Sunday And don't forget the video at the top of this post explaining why guys like Ezekiel Elliott have earned our attention.

On the scene

The Buckeyes go at it in the circle drill. Great video of the collisions.

Students raced the Buckeyes, and even Kerry Coombs decided to run

Brutus didn't get tackled, but he did try to block a field goal

Players dance for fans at the end of practice

On the scrimmage

Cornerback Eli Apple is a real Buckeye now after making two picks

Freshman running back Curtis Samuel flashed in a big way

TE Marcus Baugh caught some big passes while trying to earn back trust

Cardale Jones making the most of chance to be like Kenny Guiton

Offensive quick hits

Defensive quick hits

Get live updates from Progressive Field as the Indians take on the Twins on Sunday.

Cleveland, Ohio -- Get scoring updates and analysis from the Indians-Twins game and join our reporters in the comments section.

Read our game recap here.

1st inning: Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham reached base, but Chris Colabello grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the threat. The Indians got a hit from Nick Swisher in the bottom half, but left him stranded. » Indians 0, Twins 0.

2nd inning: Kurt Suzuki hit an RBI double and another run scored on a double play ball hit by Aaron Hicks. The Indians answered with a 2-run blast from Yan Gomes. » Indians 2, Twins 2.

3rd inning: Brian Dozier scored on a throwing error by Yan Gomes and Joe Mauer scored on an RBI single from Trevor Plouffe. Jason Kubel added an RBI single a batter later. Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana reached for the Indians but Michael Brantley struck out and Lonnie Chisenhall flew out to center. » Twins 5, Indians 2.

4th inning: Justin Masterson was pulled with two outs in the inning after giving up an RBI single to Chris Colabello. Scott Atchison relieved and retired the side. The Indians responded with a 3-run double by Jason Kipnis. » Twins 6, Indians 5.

5th inning: The Twins went 1-2-3. Anthony Swarzak relieved Ricky Nolasco for the Twins. David Murphy hit an RBI double for the Indians to tie up the game. » Indians 6, Twins 6.

6th inning: Chris Colabello hit a 3-run double off Blake Wood. Mark Rzepczynski relieved with 2 outs and recorded the third out. The Indians chased Anthony Swarzak with three straight singles, the last an RBI single by Michael Brantley. The Indians loaded the bases, but Yan Gomes grounded into a double play to end the threat. » Twins 9, Indians 7.

7th inning: A double play erased a leadoff walk and the Twins went quietly. The Indians got two on but failed to score. » Twins 9, Indians 7.

8th inning: Bryan Shaw relieved Mark Rzepczynski. He gave up a double to Joe Mauer but didn't allow a run. The Indians got back-to-back singles to start their half of the inning, but Ryan Raburn hit into a double play. » Twins 9, Indians 7.

9th inning: The Indians fall to the Twins. » Twins 10, Indians 7.

More coverage:

• Vinnie Pestano: "I'm pitching for my life right now."

• Meisel's observations: How will the Indians make room for Michael Bourn?

• Notes: Lonnie Chisenhall seeking heat at Progressive Field

The Indians and Twins will square off at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday. Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians and Twins will square off at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday. Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup.

Starting pitchers: Justin Masterson (CLE) vs. Ricky Nolasco (MIN)

Lineups:

Indians

CF Nyjer Morgan

1B Nick Swisher

2B Jason Kipnis

3B Carlos Santana

LF Michael Brantley

DH Lonnie Chisenhall

C Yan Gomes

RF David Murphy

SS Mike Aviles

Twins

Dozier 2B

Mauer 1B

Willingham LF

Colabello DH

Plouffe 3B

Kubel RF

Suzuki C

Hicks CF

Florimon SS

The right-hander is hanging on every pitch, dwelling on every outing and searching every nook and cranny for the antidote to his woes on the mound.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Maybe it's hyperbole. Or, maybe it's just an illustration of how desperate Vinnie Pestano is to recapture his old form.

For now, the right-hander is hanging on every pitch, dwelling on every outing and searching every nook and cranny for the antidote to his woes on the mound.

"I'm out there pitching for my life right now," Pestano said.

Maybe it's dramatizing his situation. Or, maybe Pestano sees the writing on the wall. The Indians might not carry an eight-man bullpen forever. No pitcher is guaranteed tomorrow.

Pestano is attempting to place his arm injury, his demotion and his velocity concerns in the rearview. He endured a nightmarish 2013 campaign and he admitted to feeling frustrated about not contributing to his team's surge to the postseason.

He began this year with a clean slate, with optimism that he was on the path toward demonstrating the effectiveness that made him one of baseball's best step men in 2011-12. The slate wasn't spotless, though. Manager Terry Francona didn't automatically award him the eighth-inning role.

Pestano has toed the rubber twice this season and the results have him a bit flustered. He allowed one run on a pair of doubles on Wednesday in Oakland. On Saturday, he yielded two runs on three hits against the Twins, though he contended after the affair that he "felt the best [he's] felt in quite some time."

Maybe the numbers don't depict the way he's throwing the baseball. Or, maybe Pestano is too far removed from his peak to recall what it feels like to be at the top of his game.

"I felt really good [Saturday], which is probably the most discouraging thing," Pestano said, "because it's one of those things where you feel the best you've felt in a while and the results aren't there, but you have to keep hammering away."

Pestano has diverted his attention away from the radar gun. He didn't check any charts or statistics after his outing on Wednesday. Three days after his appearance, he still had no idea how hard he threw.

"That's not really what I'm worried about," he said.

He averaged 88.3 mph on 16 fastballs against the Athletics. Last season, his typical heater traveled 91.1 mph. In 2012, he averaged 91.7 mph.

"It's obviously something people are watching," Pestano said. "I want it to be there just as much as everybody. When you try and get strong and create velocity, you're actually hindering yourself."

Pestano's velocity has decreased each season since he entered the big leagues in 2010. The annual decline factored into his arbitration hearing, which Pestano lost.

"If I go out there and I put up a scoreless inning and I'm throwing whatever I'm throwing," Pestano said, "and I go out there and I give up two runs and I'm throwing two miles per hour harder, then it didn't really do me any good. It's not really something I look at or worry about. I just worry about how effective I am."

Pestano threw harder against the Twins on Saturday. He averaged 90.1 mph on 10 fastballs. Last April, though, he averaged 92.8 mph on his heater. Pitching coach Mickey Callaway wonders if the 29-year-old needs to adjust his style of attack and discover a new approach to inducing outs.

"Everybody, as they get more into their career, their velocity starts to decline at some point," Callaway said. "I don't think you really know until you get a little ways into the season whether it's actually the fastball declining or not. The bottom line is everybody goes through a transition where they need to start pitching. Ubaldo [Jimenez] started pitching last year. He used to throw 100; now he's throwing 93.

"Guys just have to learn how to pitch and I think maybe Vinnie is right in that transition where he has to locate the ball a little more and make pitches when he needs to a little more than he had to in the past."

A few extra ticks on a fastball never hurt anybody, but for Pestano, command and deception mean more than velocity. Two of the pitches he heaved hardest in Oakland landed in the outfield grass. Jed Lowrie and Brandon Moss each socked an 89-mph fastball for a double because Pestano left the ball over the plate.

"I'm still making strides," Pestano said. "It wasn't going to be a quick fix. I'm comfortable. The mistakes I am making are ones that are correctable. It's not like last year, when I was always searching for stuff."

Callaway has seen progress since Pestano first took the hill in Arizona this spring.

"Through spring training to now, he's much improved over last year and is getting back to the old Vinnie," Callaway said. "Especially how the action on his pitches is. I think we're encouraged by that."

Maybe Pestano will snap his fingers one day and revert to form. Maybe he'll gradually improve and ultimately earn Francona's trust in the middle and late innings of a close contest. Or, maybe Pestano is what he is and is searching for something that no longer exists.

With each sprint from the bullpen to the mound, Pestano appears to be nearing a conclusion.

"These opportunities right now are almost more pressure on me than trying to get a hold in the eighth or seventh inning," Pestano said. "I'm pitching for my livelihood right now."

Will the Browns draft Derek Carr ahead of Johnny Manziel? Did they really go hard after DeSean Jackson?

CLEVELAND, Ohio  -- Hey Mary Kay!

Hey Mary Kay: Do you think the Browns would draft Derek Carr ahead of Johnny Manziel?

-- Bill Y., Chicago, Illinois

Hey Bill: At this point, I do think the Browns would draft Carr ahead of Manziel if both were available at No. 4, but the Browns haven't conducted their private workout with Manziel yet. That will happen in a couple of weeks. I think coaches have some durability concerns about Manziel because of his 5-11 height, but maybe he can blow them away in his private session. He's already won over NFL Network's Mike Mayock, who catapulted Johnny Football to the top of his quarterback list following his superb pro day. I think the Browns like Carr's big arm, and the fact he has experience in both a spread and pro style offense.

Hey Mary Kay: Do you think the Browns really went hard after DeSean Jackson?

-- Doug G., Berea, Ohio

Hey Doug: I believe the Browns liked Jackson as a player and did their homework on him. In the end, I don't believe they pursued him as aggressively as a report on NBC Washington made it seem. I think they ultimately determined that they could find a quality receiver in this deep wideout class and that Jackson might be too much of a distraction.

Hey, Mary Kay: Hello. What do you think about the Browns taking Sammy Watkins with the No. 4 pick and the top ranked defensive back or Carlos Hyde with the 26th pick, and with their first pick of the second round pick Zach Mettenberger?

- Howard Campbell, Mcdonough, Ga.

Hey Howard: You definitely covered all of the Browns' biggest needs. They didn't address receiver, cornerback or quarterback in free agency and will have get potential starters in the draft at those spots. And even though they signed running back Ben Tate in free agency, they still need a quality back who can carry the load in the event Tate gets injured. Your plan is very sound, but Watkins could be gone at No. 4, and if the Browns like a quarterback such as Derek Carr enough, they might have to take him there. If not, they might be able to get a potential starting quarterback such as Eastern Illinois' Jimmy Garappolo at No. 26. That's why the Browns are conducting private workouts with quarterbacks projected to go anywhere from the top five through the third or fourth round. As for Hyde, I doubt he'll still be around at No. 26, but I'm sure he'd be on the radar there if so. 

Hey, Mary Kay:  If the Browns drafted Khalil Mack at No. 4, could he play inside this year and then move out to OLB when Quentin Groves and Jabaal Sheard are free agents next year?  Do you believe the coaching staff would consider a move such as this?

- Joshua  D, Uniontown, Ohio

Hey Joshua: Mack is versatile to wreak havoc anywhere along the front seven, but I don't think coach Mike Pettine would use him primarily inside with all of that natural pass-rush ability. He'd be an edge-rusher either from the outside linebacker position or up on the line at times. Although linebacker is already a position of strength for the Browns, one can't have too many good pass-rushers, especially these days.

Hey, Mary Kay:  Hey Mary Kay, Do you see ANY scenario where the Browns wait on a quarterback until the top of second round and get AJ McCarron, as I think he's extremely underrated. Also, would you be averse to the Browns taking a flier on Kenny Guiton in the sixth or seventh round? Just asking'.

- Daniel Gettell, Valley Village, Calif.

 Hey Daniel: I do think it's possible the Browns will wait until the top of the second round to draft a quarterback, and that the second group of QBs will be in play there. That's why they're conducting private workouts with the Tom Savages (Pitt) and Keith Wennings (Ball State). I still think they'll draft one in the first round, but that's just what I'd do. I'm not sure general manager Ray Farmer agrees with me. Maybe he'll come around by May 8. Farmer has said he'll consider drafting two quarterbacks, so any of those late-rounders will still be in play.

Hey, Mary Kay:  The Houston Texans have made it known they are willing to trade out of the #1 spot. What is a fair price for the Browns to move up and get our QBOTF (quarterback of the future). I would be fine with both of our first-rounder rounders.

- Bob Mercer, Toledo, Ohio

Hey Bob: Actually, it would take more than that if Texans stick by the NFL Draft Value Chart, which utilizes a point system. The No. 1 overall pick is worth 3,000 points. The Browns No. 4 is worth 1,800, their No. 26 is worth 700 and their 35 is worth 550. So, if the Texans were going to be picky, they'd want all three. I doubt the Browns would do it, but you never know.

Hey, Mary Kay: I just can't comprehend by the Browns don't attend Pro Days.  How does this approach make any sense? 

- Kevin Gareau, North Royalton, Ohio

Hey Kevin: They feel good about the homework they've done on all of their coveted prospects, and they put more stock in their own information and private workouts than a scripted pro day. On Jadeveon Clowney's pro day last week, the Browns were at the Central Florida working out quarterback Blake Bortles, which they felt was a much better use of their time. They'll rely more on the film, interviews and private workouts than pro days. However, I do think they should've attended the pro days of the top quarterbacks such as Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel to pick up nuances of the player and clues as to what other teams might do.

The Browns have made various offers to Alex Mack where he'd be the game highest-paid center.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Alex Mack to Jacksonville?

I understood why Mack was shopping for another team besides the Browns.

In five years, he has played for three different head coaches, four different offensive coordinators and three versions of the front office.

If he stays with the Browns, you can add another coaching staff and front office to the list.

In five years, he has never missed a snap and been a role model on the line.

In five years, the team was either 4-12 or 5-11.

So when Mack became a restricted free agent and there were rumors that Baltimore was interested -- that made some sense.

Browns fans hate to admit it, but the Ravens (actually the old Browns) are everything that fans here long to watch. It's a stable organization that consistently makes the playoffs and has even won two Super Bowls. All that under former Browns great Ozzie Newsome, who runs the football operation.

If you're Mack, that has to be appealing.

But the Ravens don't have the salary cap room to spend huge for a center -- and hope the Browns won't match.

So far, the only team that may bid on Mack is Jacksonville.

Is this an upgrade, especially given Jacksonville's fan support problems?

In the five years that Mack has been in the NFL, the Browns are 23-57.

Jacksonville is 27-53.

The Jags also have had three coaches in that span.

Both franchises need a quarterback. Both are coming off 4-12 seasons. Both have lots of salary cap room -- Browns have about $30 million, Jacksonville is at $25 million.

No matter where he signs, he will be the NFL's highest-paid center.

After failing to sign Mack to a long-term deal, the Browns put a transition tag on him for slightly more than $10 million. That gave them the right to match any offer that he receives.

In retrospect, they probably should have slapped the franchise tag on Mack. His salary would have been $11.6 million. Any other team wanting to sign him would have had to trade two first-rounders.

No one does that for a center, especially when you'd need to pay the guy more than $10 million annually. Skipping the franchise tag for Mack could be a very costly mistake for the new front office.

The NFL's highest-paid center in 2013 was Carolina's Ryan Kalil ($7.3 million).

The Eagles signed center Jason Kelce to a $38 million deal, with $13 million guaranteed. Combining his $6 million signing bonus and $1.4 million first year salary -- he'll make $7.4 million in 2014.

No matter where he plays, Mack will set a new pay standard for centers.

Jacksonville may offer $30 million for three years, with more than $20 million guaranteed.

The Browns can match it.

But should they spend that much on a center, especially one who really does seem to want out? Joe Haden, Jordan Cameron, Josh Gordon and some others are worthy of contract extensions -- and that takes lots of salary-cap cash.

Mack's desire to leave has been evident since rejecting different offers from the Browns. Owner Jimmy Haslem led a group of six front office people and coaches to court Mack last month.

If Mack signs a lucrative offer with Jacksonville, the Browns should think twice about matching it.

Do you pay $10 million a year to a center who seems willing to change teams just to change teams, even if it's not a better football situation?

Would the Browns be better off either moving John Greco to center and drafting another guard? Or perhaps drafting a center? These may be the better alternatives for the Browns.

If the past month is any indication, Monday's championship showdown should be one wild ride.

Aaron's role now? The guy who gets the rock when the game is on the line -- and in the final minutes, it's always on the line, it seems, with this reborn Kentucky team. (These Wildcats are the first team ever to win four consecutive games by five points or fewer in a single NCAA tournament.)

He's surrounded by a crew of players who've suppressed their inner protagonists to encourage one of their own to step forward and play a solo that's turned a raggedy band into a symphony.

Kentucky guard Aaron Harrison (2) makes a three-point basket in the final seconds over Wisconsin guard Josh Gasser (21) to win the game 74-73 during their NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball semifinal game Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Randle's good for three, four, five or six plays per game that clearly demonstrate he's playing at a level that's just not fair. He's ready for the NBA. And behind him, or through him -- he's basically acted as an engine -- Kentucky's in a spot to win its second title in three years. 

Harrison deserves the fame and glory, but Randle is just as responsible for Saturday night's outcome.

Saint Joseph's essentially ran out of players in overtime.

Villanova was done in by another lousy shooting night.

Iowa State didn't have its offensive lynchpin, Georges Niang.

Michigan State was just off, maybe tired from a slugfest win against Virginia two nights before. And Florida didn't really play as well as it normally does.

That is one way to view Connecticut's steps toward its improbable appearance in the national championship game. 

Here's another way, a more accurate way: The Huskies are really good.

Florida ganged up on Napier and did everything at its disposal to limit his influence, but when the game was being decided he came up with that steal just inside the 7-minute mark and then a second, as well as an assist across the top of Florida's 1-3-1 zone defense that put the Huskies ahead 10 with 6:20 to play. Napier scored only 12 points, but passed for six assists, allowed sharpshooter Michael Frazier a single 3-pointer to start the game and guided the team through a difficult early period.

And so we have the national title game that no one would have guessed three weeks ago: No. 8 seed Kentucky and its suddenly mature freshmen against No. 7 seed UConn and its experienced, tenacious crew.

The teams come here after two polar opposite journeys -- Kentucky after a season of overhype, overanalysis and underachievement, UConn after a couple years in 

which the entire future of its program seemed up in the air.

But I fully expect an overtime game, or a buzzer-beater, or an unexpected hero -- the type of crazy ending this crazy tournament deserves.

Since 1985, at least a No. 1, 2 or 3 seed has been in every single final. Before this year, the highest combined total of seeds in a final was 11 in 2011: UConn (3) vs. Butler (8).

And when the champion is crowned Monday night, no more than 0.7 percent of Yahoo Sports users will have picked the correct winner.

But this tournament has been an amusement park and fun house rolled into one, what with three No. 12s advancing, Duke being humbled by 14th-seeded Mercer and only one No. 1 seed making the Final Four. We should have known the wild ride was going to continue right up to the end.

Did it ever.

Sunday's defeat marked the Indians' first loss despite 15 or more hits since Aug. 5, 2012, against Detroit.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Seen and heard around Progressive Field on Sunday.

Clubhouse confidential: Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire notched his 1,000th win as a big league manager when the Twins topped the Indians on Saturday. In the clubhouse after the game, Twins players donned T-shirts that read "1,000 wins … 67 ejections" on the front and "And Still Counting" on the back.

Francona has logged 1,124 wins in his managerial career. He said he doesn't remember his 1,000th victory, which he captured in his final season in Boston in 2011.

"I just remember the next day somebody gave me a plaque, so I remember that," Francona said. "When I wake up in the morning, it's not something I really know about or care about much. I thought it was nice that somebody took the time to make a plaque, but other than that, I just get caught up in trying to win today."

Francona said he doesn't know where the plaque is.

Bourn ultimatum: Michael Bourn wants to hurry back into the shuffle, but he knows returning to the fold before his strained left hamstring is 100 percent wouldn't be wise.

"It's easier said than done," Bourn said. "That's just how it is. When you're used to playing all the time, sitting down, it's hard watching the team from the dugout or on the TV. In your head, you have to tell yourself to be patient. Patience is a virtue. You just try to use it as best you can."

Stat of the day: The Indians are batting just .191 (13-for-68) with runners in scoring position this season.

Stat of the day, II: Sunday's defeat marked the Indians' first loss despite 15 or more hits since Aug. 5, 2012, against Detroit.

David Murphy talks about his performance in Sunday's loss.

The Indians fell to the Twins on Sunday, 10-7, but outfielder David Murphy had his best game as a member of the team. Murphy went 4-5 with two doubles and an RBI.

After the game, Murphy talked about having a good game individually. You can watch video of Murphy's comments above.

Justin Masterson got the start for the Indians and struggled. You can watch video of Masterson talking about his game here. You can also watch our postgame show here.

Get complete coverage of the Indians all season long at cleveland.com/tribe and follow our @IndiansInsider account on Twitter.