Hear what Justin Masterson had to say following the Indians' loss to Minnesota on Sunday.

The Indians fell to the Twins on Sunday, 10-7, and Justin Masterson struggled in his second start of the season.

After the game, Masterson talked about his lack of control and why he had a hard time getting outs against Minnesota. You can watch video of Masterson's comments above.

David Murphy had a big game for the Indians in the loss. You can watch video of Murphy 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.

Watch our postgame show as we break down the Indians' 10-7 loss to Minnesota.

The Indians fell to the Twins on Sunday, 10-7. Following the game, cleveland.com's Zack Meisel and Dan Labbe talked about the loss and looked ahead to the Padres.

Zack and Dan discussed the struggles of the pitching staff, including Justin Masterson on Sunday, and about David Murphy's best game as an Indian. They also talked about what to expect in the second turn through the rotation.

Watch video of Justin Masterson's postgame here. You can also watch video of David Murphy's postgame here.

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

Bourn played seven innings with the Triple-A Clippers on Saturday and plans to do the same on Monday. He could then play nine innings on Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When Michael Bourn walked into the Indians' clubhouse on Sunday morning, his teammates teased him about his scruffy, blotchy beard.

Oh, to be back in the company of friends. Bourn said he didn't have a razor handy in Columbus.

Soon, Bourn will permanently return to his residence in the Cleveland clubhouse. For now, though, he will continue to spend time with Triple-A Columbus as he completes his recovery from a strained left hamstring.

Bourn played seven innings with the Triple-A Clippers on Saturday and plans to do the same on Monday. He could then play nine innings on Tuesday.

"His game is not just standing there, trying to hit home runs," said manager Terry Francona. "He has to use his legs and he has to run balls down in center field. I would think he'd play a few more times [with Columbus]."

Bourn collected a single in three at-bats on Saturday. Rained washed away the Clippers' opener on Thursday and the team held Bourn out of Friday's affair because the field was too damp.

"I'm just trying to make sure I'm ready before I come back, that way I'm not trying to keep battling," Bourn said. "It's kind of hard to gauge, because it's a hamstring, and it's cold, but I felt pretty good [Saturday]. I had to go chase a few balls down and I got to them with no problem. I broke on everything."

In Bourn's absence, Nyjer Morgan has compiled a .500 on-base percentage.

"It takes the sting out of losing a guy like Bourn," Francona said, "when you have a guy getting on base so much."

Murphy's law: In a way, David Murphy called his own shot.

On Sunday morning, Murphy surmised he could break out of his early funk. He entered the contest with only two hits in 14 at-bats.

"I've notoriously been a slow starter in the past," Murphy said. "That doesn't mean I can't change that today."

He collected four hits in five trips to the plate on Sunday.

"I answered a prayer, honestly," Murphy said after the Indians' 10-7 loss. "I've been scuffling. It's one of those days where I stepped in the cage and the feel was there."

Murphy holds a career .226 average in March/April, a .264 average in May, a .272 average in June, a .275 average in July, a .298 average in August and a .302 average in September/October. He said he's well aware of those numbers.

"The ideal situation for any player is whatever your bottom line is, you want it to be consistent from day one to day 162," Murphy said. "In most cases, that's not going to happen, but you want to stay on as straight of a line as possible."

Minor trade: The Indians acquired right-hander Duke von Schamann from the Dodgers in exchange for southpaw Colt Hynes. The Dodgers' 15th-round draft choice in 2012, von Schamman posted an 11-7 record and 4.67 ERA in 27 outings (23 starts) between Class A and Double-A last season. In his first start of 2014 for Double-A Chattanooga, von Schamann, 22, limited the opposition to two hits over seven scoreless innings. Hynes, 28, surrendered seven runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings with the Tribe this spring.

Movin' on up: For the first time this season, Lonnie Chisenhall ascended up Francona's batting order. Chisenhall hit in the No. 6 spot on Sunday after spending his first three starts in the No. 9 hole.

He recorded his third double of the season as he went 1-for-3. His batting average stands at .455.

"I think he's swung the bat well," Francona said. "He's had about half the at-bats, but he's done a good job."

Finally: Francona said to expect plenty of Ryan Raburn in the next week, as the Indians are scheduled to face left-handed starters in five of their next six games. … Michael Brantley has at least one hit in all six games. … Murphy owns a career .365 batting average (31-for-85) at Progressive Field.

Former Cavalier Kevin Ollie was a leader when he was here, so former coaches and teammates are not surprised he has taken UConn to the NCAA title game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cavaliers coach Paul Silas had absolutely no idea former Cavs point guard Kevin Ollie wanted to be a coach.

Yet, when Silas turned on his television and saw Ollie coaching UConn to the NCAA championship game against Kentucky on Monday night, he was not the least bit surprised.

"He was a very good player,'' Silas said of Ollie, who spent the 2003-04 season with the Cavs. "He understood the game. He knew how to play. He really worked with other players all the time, telling them what they should do, what they shouldn't do. He was just a really good guy to have on your team, because normally when you have that player on your team, you do a lot better because players will listen to him and admire him, and that's exactly what happened.

"We just hit it off, he and I did, and I was just so happy to have him. I didn't realize that he was going to be a coach. But he understood the game, understood players, understood everything about the game and about the players that were playing the game. I understand now why he wanted to do that, but we didn't really talk about it.''

Silas said Ollie was the proverbial coach on the floor.

"That's exactly what he was,'' said Silas, now a Special Advisor to Bobcats chairman Michael Jordan. "I didn't have to call out a lot of plays when he was out there. He just knew what to do. He would look at who would get them done and go to him. In a timeout, he would grab all the players and they would huddle up and talk about what was going on. That was just the way he was. He was just terrific.

"Now to see him when his guys are playing, he's up. He's yelling at them and killing them and telling them what they should do. It's the same thing he did when we were together. The players respect him. They really love him.''

Ollie was 30 years old when he joined the Cavs. By the time he signed a five-year, $15 million with Cleveland, he'd played for nine teams in six years. It was the first multi-year contract he ever signed. Undrafted after playing four years at UConn, where he roomed with Ray Allen and helped the Huskies to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in his final two years, he was signed and waived during training camp with Golden State in 1995 and then kicked around the CBA before finally catching on with Dallas in 1997-98. That was the first of 11 teams he played for in his 13-year NBA career, 12 if you count Seattle and Oklahoma City separately.

Ira Newble arrived in Cleveland at the same time as Ollie.

"We were in the CBA playing against each other and on the same path,'' said Newble, who had been coaching in the NBA D-League with Canton and Austin before rupturing his Achilles and taking this season off. "Coming from the CBA, he was a much more humble person. Even though he did play collegiately at a high level, he had to take the long road and go through the CBA. It humbled him more.

"But when we got to Cleveland together, he was a leader. He was the point guard. I remember he would call and get guys together to congregate in his room. He's a religious man, so he would get guys together for prayer or fellowship. That was something he did. You could see the type of guy he was at that age -- trying to get a team together, organized and on a certain path.''

Zydrunas Ilgauskas agreed. Ilgauskas had been in Cleveland seven years when Ollie arrived, and the two became close friends.

"He's the only teammate I ended up being friends with that never had a beer with me,'' Ilgauskas said. "Kevin doesn't drink. But it wasn't a deal breaker.''

Like Newble, Ilgauskas was not at all surprised Ollie went into coaching -- and knew he'd be a success.

"I'm so happy for him,'' Ilgauskas said. "You could always tell -- his professionalism, the way he approached the game, never cut any corners, always on time, always doing extra work, always polite to the staff and everybody, a really good veteran and mentor to younger players.''

Ollie's arrival coincided with that of rookie LeBron James, and Ollie became a mentor to the young James, who tweeted his support last week: ''Wanna send a HUGE S/O to my former teammate Kevin Ollie and UCONN on advancing to the Elite 8. Keep it going K.O.''

Added Silas, "Not only LeBron but just about everybody we had on the ball club he took under his wing. When I had him, he'd been in the league for a while. He was a point guard from the start, but then I put LeBron as my point forward and he ran the ball club and Kevin would talk to him about what he should be doing. So that really helped LeBron out a lot, having him to talk to him about how he should become a point forward.''

Ilgauskas agreed that Ollie's mentorship was important to James -- and to a young team that hadn't had much success to that point. His impact went way beyond the 4.2 points and 2.8 assists he averaged in the 82 games he played.

"When he first got here, we didn't have real stable veteran leadership,'' Ilgauskas said. "We didn't have a winning culture. Having Kevin around helped us. He was part of what started that good run we had. It had to start somewhere, and he was there at the beginning.''

Now, former coaches and teammates are rooting for Ollie, in his second season as head coach after two as an assistant.

"I've got to give him a call and congratulate him -- whatever happens.'' Silas said. "I'm so hoping he'll win this thing. Wouldn't that be great?''

The Indians had plenty of offense but nowhere near enough pitching Sunday against the Twins. The Tribe lost, 10-7.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians played the Minnesota Twins in the finale of a three-game series Sunday at Progressive Field. Here is a capsule look from The Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, who filed from the DMan Cave in Northeast Ohio after watching the SportsTime Ohio telecast:

Game: 6

Opponent: Minnesota Twins.

Location: Progressive Field.

Time of day: Afternoon.

Result: Twins 10, Indians 7.

Records: Indians 3-3, Twins 3-3.

Quality performances: Twins -- DH Chris Colabello (2-for-5, 4 RBI, R), 1B Joe Mauer (3-for-4, BB, 2 R), 2B Brian Dozier (0-for-2, 3 BB, 3 R), RF Jason Kubel (2-for-4, RBI, R). Indians -- RF David Murphy (4-for-5, RBI), 2B Jason Kipnis (2-for-5, 3 RBI, R), LF Michael Brantley (3-for-5, RBI, R), 3B Carlos Santana (2-for-3, 2 BB), 1B Nick Swisher (2-for-4, BB, R).

Forgettable games: Indians -- RHP Justin Masterson (3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 6 R/5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K), RHP Blake Wood (2/3 IP, H, 3 R, 2 BB), SS Mike Aviles (0-for-5, R, 19 pitches). Twins -- SS Pedro Florimon (0-for-5, 19 pitches).

No Twinkies for you: The Indians fattened on the Twins last season, winning 13 of 19. The Twins are one-third of the way to their 2013 season-series victory total after winning two of three in the Tribe's house.

Tough to take: The Indians lost despite their offense having delivered seven runs on 15 hits and six walks, and their defense having turned three double plays. The Tribe was 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base.

Too many freebies: Seven of the Minnesota runners who scored had reached via walk or hit by pitch.

Fast fact: The teams combined to throw 390 pitches -- 196 by Cleveland, 194 by Minnesota.

Unhappy trails: The Indians played from behind for the fifth consecutive game.

The season opener in Oakland was scoreless until the ninth inning, when the Tribe scored twice in the ninth and won, 2-0. Since then:

• Game 2 @ Oakland: Trailed after one (1-0), two (3-0) and three (5-0). Lost, 6-1.

• Game 3 @ Oakland: Trailed after one (2-0). Won, 6-4.

• Game 4 vs. Minnesota: Trailed after one (2-0). Won, 7-2.

• Game 5 vs. Minnesota: Trailed after one (3-0) and after 2 1/2 (5-0). Lost, 7-3.

• Game 6 vs. Minnesota: Trailed after 1 1/2 (2-0) and after three (5-2). Lost, 10-7.

Non-starters: On Opening Day, Masterson gave up three hits in seven innings. The Tribe's next five starts -- by Corey Kluber, Zach McAllister, Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco and Masterson -- have produced a combined line of 22 1/3 innings, 35 hits, 21 runs, 19 earned runs. None of those five has reached the seventh inning.

Not masterful: In his second start, Masterson essentially was a one-pitch pitcher -- and he didn't even have his typical command of that one pitch, the sinker. His occasional four-seamers were ineffective, and he lacked a feel for the slider until the third inning. The changeup was a non-factor. He periodically struggled with his release point.

Masterson pitched poorly, no question, but his defense let him down on several occasions.

Numbers game: Masterson needed 97 pitches to get his 11 outs. He threw 44 balls. The next three Tribe pitchers, Scott Atchison, Wood and Marc Rzepczynski, needed 47 pitches to get the next seven outs. It meant that Tribe pitchers used 144 pitches (67 balls) in six innings.

The igniter: Leadoff man Dozier, a solid player, inflicted Rickey Henderson-type damage in the series.

On Friday, Dozier was 3-for-5 with a run. He led off the game with a double. On Saturday, he was 1-for-4. He led off the game with a homer. On Sunday, he didn't have a hit in the first or any inning but still disrupted.

Mixed bag: Gomes hit a two-run homer in the second, which kept him out of the forgettable-game column. Nonetheless, he would have liked to have this game back.

Gomes went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and, for the second straight day, was shaky behind the plate.

With Dozier on third, Mauer on first and one out in the third, Gomes was too eager to trigger a double play on Colabello's dribbler in front of the plate. Gomes pounced and threw the ball over vacated second base and into center field. Jason Kipnis and Mike Aviles, based on their depths, didn't have time to get to the bag.

Yes, such a play is easy to second-guess, especially after replays, but ... Gomes could have caught Dozier, who was too far down the line, with a straight throw or pump-fake. At worst for Cleveland, it would have been first and second with two outs. Instead, the Twins had a three-run inning.

Later in the game, Gomes missed an opportunity to throw out Dozier attempting to steal because the ball popped out of his glove on the transfer.

Bad-ball magic: Murphy has made a good living from converting pitches out of the zone into hits. He definitely did so twice, and a third instance was borderline.

In the second inning, Murphy ripped a down-and-in sinker from righty Ricky Nolasco into the right-field corner for a double. It featured Murphy's best swing mechanics of the season. Catcher Kurt Suzuki, set up away in a 1-1 count, had reached for a pitch that umpire Jerry Meals could have called a ball or strike.

In the fourth, Murphy essentially one-handed a 1-2 low changeup, fllcking it into right for a single. In the fifth, he reached for a 1-2 fastball down and away from righty Anthony Swarzak and dumped it near the left-field line for an RBI double. In the seventh, Murphy returned to the conventional against lefty Caleb Thielbar, staying on a fastball up and away and lining it to left for a single.

Murphy flied out in the ninth. The 4-for-5 raised his average from .143 to .316.

Return to comfort zone: Both of Kipnis's hits resulted from sending fastballs away hard to left field. The opposite-field stroke is what served Kipnis so well in his All-Star season of 2013.

With the bases loaded in the fourth, Kipnis ripped the first pitch off the left-field wall for a three-run double. Moments earlier, Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson had visited Nolasco. Pitchers almost always throw a fastball immediately after the pitching coach visits, regardless of situation, and Kipnis was sitting on it.

In the sixth, Kipnis lined a single to left off Swarzak.

Kipnis had been thoroughly frustrated in the third inning. With Swisher on first, Kipnis put a good swing on a 2-2 off-speed pitch and sent it high and deep to right. Kipnis thought he had homered to pull Cleveland within 5-4 -- and so, it seemed, did Nolasco -- but Kubel caught the ball on the track. A cool breeze blowing in helped keep it in the field of play.

Missed foul: With one out in the sixth and the score tied, 6-6, Wood threw a fastball up and in to Dozier, who spun out of the way. Umpire Jerry Meals called the pitch a ball, but replays conclusively showed the ball glanced off the barrel.

Who knows what might have happened if Wood had Dozier in a 1-2 count instead of 2-1. (Based on the way Dozier was handling the bat and Wood was pitching, Dozier might have reached, regardless.) What did happen was Dozier took a strike, then two balls for a walk.

The Twins, well aware that Wood is vulnerable to the running game, wasted no time. On the first pitch to Mauer, Dozier raced for second and beat a good throw by Gomes. Dozier eventually scored the first of three runs on a double by Colabello to make it 9-6.

Hungry pitchers: Meals did not have one of his better days, his zone floating for both teams. The fastball above the belt, in particular, gave Meals trouble: One inning, it was a strike; the next, a ball.

Curious decisions: The Indians struggled to defend against Mauer, a three-time A.L. batting champion. After Dozier's leadoff walk in the third, Mauer, on a hit-and-run, punched a single through a spot vacated when Aviles went to cover. For the shortstop to cover when a lefty bats is standard, but Mauer is no ordinary lefty. He loves to go to left and left-center, a task made that much easier because Masterson's sinker is going to tail away from him.

In the eighth, the Indians shifted against Mauer, Santana playing well off third. Mauer noticed and punched an inside pitch over third for a double.

Short-circuit: The game's shortstops, Aviles and Florimon, combined to go 0-for-10. They were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Memo to STO: Bring back the pitch-speed and K-box graphics.

The best hope for the Indians in 2014 is that a relentless offense makes up for relenting starting pitching. That was a too-tall order Sunday in a 10-7 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Not often does the singular challenge of a long baseball season reveal itself so early.

Some flaws stay in disguise until the All-Star break or longer.

This one? Exactly one week later, this new Indians’ season is as easily understood as the words Justin Masterson chose Sunday when – with his pitches darting and sweeping out of the strike zone – he lectured himself by saying, “Come on you big dummy.”

If it takes World Series’ revenue to sign Masterson -- as ownership suggested -- we can offer a few more caveats:

An All-Star season from Masterson is required for the Indians to reach the playoffs given the losses of Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir.

That’s the worst case and best case wrapped in one: That he pitches the Indians into the postseason and himself out of their price range. Make that further out of their price range.

The second guess is a broader one. The Indians’ offense will have to be relentless to account for relenting starting pitching.

Even that wasn’t enough Sunday when the Tribe erased deficits of 2-0, and 6-2 on Yan Gomes’ two-run homer and Jason Kipnis’ three-run double, respectively.

“The guys battled and gave us an opportunity to win,” Masterson said. “Unfortunately we didn’t give them much to work with.”

Masterson called the pitching after one spin through the rotation “a little discombobulated” and talked of a failure to make adjustments.

Sunday he allowed five earned runs and seven hits in 3.2 innings. He walked three and hit two batters while sacrificing velocity in an attempt to throw strikes.

“Trying to figure out what he could do just to get the ball over the plate,” Masterson put it. “It was like, 'Do something. Stop making a fool of yourself.'”

Masterson was very good on Opening Day in a no-decision in Oakland, and completely forgettable in another no-decision Sunday against Minnesota at Progressive Field.

Really, the game took so long with so many pitches thrown, batters walked and hit, that you almost forgot the role Masterson played in the early wreckage.

The difference in his two starts: the Indians lost this one, 10-7, despite outhitting the Twins 15-9.

In between those two starts, Corey Kluber, Zach McAllister, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar did not exactly shine.

Kluber didn’t get through the fourth inning. McAllister walked four in his four innings. Carrasco allowed four earned runs in 5.2 innings. Salazar wasn’t sharp but limited the damage in his first start. Masterson on Opening Day is the only start that went beyond six innings.

It was the kind of week that made Sunday even more disappointing for Masterson. No. 1 starters are counted on to reverse bad trends.

A week means little. But if early results support the reason why many see the Indians as a .500 team in 2014 it’s worth noting.

“I don’t think we get discouraged that easily,” Indians’ manager Terry Francona said Sunday. “I don’t think you start to give up on your players on April 6. That’s not to say we don’t want to get better.”

No one is suggesting the sample size is large enough to qualify as a major concern. It’s just a fact that after losing two starting pitchers who accounted for 23 wins, 340 innings and 356 strikeouts that two or three Indians’ starters will have to achieve beyond their career norms.

Two if Masterson is the pitcher his agent believes he is. Three if he’s the same guy whose won-loss record over the past two seasons is a mediocre 25-25.

Masterson’s 14 wins a year ago was a career-high. He’s yet to put together consecutive strong seasons.

If the Reds hadn’t given Homer Bailey a six-year, $105 million contract, no one would see Masterson as a $17 million a year value.

The Indians took a PR hit after Masterson’s willingness to accept a shorter contract didn’t result in a contract extension in spring training.

But they wouldn’t be the first American League team to make a splash in the lineup (Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, Kipnis, Gomes, Michael Brantley) and proceed cautiously in the deeper and more dangerous waters where the big-fish starting pitchers swim.

AL teams in smaller markets can’t ignore pitching, of course, even as the free agent market greatly inflates it. But it’s no wonder when fiscal constraints arise they choose to spend on their everyday lineup.

That’s been a philosophy here since John Hart.

The reason the Indians won 92 games a year ago was better-than-expected starting pitching. But don’t forget offensively they finished sixth in runs per game.

You still have to score in this league. And on days like Sunday when even the best of what the Indians offer in starting pitching fails to materialize, you can score a lot and still not have it be enough.

A year ago, Kazmir and Jimenez were surprises. In 2014, the Indians figure to need an instant replay.

Not to mention Masterson in a more convincing staff ace impersonation than we saw Sunday.

Masterson limited Oakland to three hits over seven scoreless frames on opening day. Since, the five Indians starters have combined for a 7.66 ERA over 22 1/3 innings. In that stretch, the group has surrendered 21 runs (19 earned) on 35 hits and 15 walks.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Following his outing on Sunday, Justin Masterson, in his typical light-hearted tone, referred to himself as a "big dummy" and a "fool."

Suffice it to say, the right-hander did not put an end to the Indians' starting pitching woes.

The Indians are hurting for quality starts. If Masterson can't provide them, which Tribe pitcher can?

Granted, the Indians are six tilts into a 162-game slate. But Masterson lasted only 3 2/3 innings on Sunday as Cleveland dropped the rubber match of its three-game set against the Twins, 10-7, at Progressive Field.

"I'm like, 'Let's do this, do this, make some athletic adjustments,'" Masterson said. "It didn't work. 'I'm still doing the same thing. Come on, you big dummy.'"

Masterson limited Oakland to three hits over seven scoreless frames on opening day. Since, the five Indians starters have combined for a 7.66 ERA over 22 1/3 innings. In that stretch, the group has surrendered 21 runs (19 earned) on 35 hits and 15 walks.

Minnesota tagged Masterson for six runs (five earned) on seven hits. The burly right-hander issued three free passes and plunked a pair of Twins hitters.

Masterson heaved 97 pitches before he exited in the fourth.

"That's an indication right there that it wasn't easy," said manager Terry Francona.

The Indians' offense clawed back throughout the chilly afternoon, but Chris Colabello broke a 6-6 tie with a three-run double off Blake Wood in the sixth. Cleveland couldn't recover.

Yan Gomes erased a 2-0 deficit with a two-run round-tripper into the left-field bleachers. Jason Kipnis delivered a three-run double off the green padding on the left-field wall to trim the Twins' lead to 6-5 in the sixth and David Murphy -- who tallied four hits in five at-bats -- knotted the game in the following inning with an RBI double.

"It was a good showing," Murphy said. "We know what we're capable of. That was more like it today. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for us, but it was a great showing and hopefully we can build some momentum from there."

Wood couldn't keep the contest in a deadlock. The hard-throwing righty loaded the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Colabello then roped a 95-mph fastball to left-center.

"Trying to get out of there with none and giving up multiple runs," Francona said, "that hurts, because we had just clawed back into it."

In an effort to better command his sinking fastball, Masterson said he took some velocity off his pitches. He also said the tactic didn't pan out.

The abbreviated outing marked the fifth consecutive game in which an Indians hurler failed to go six innings. In Oakland, Corey Kluber and Zach McAllister lasted only 3 1/3 and four innings, respectively. The Indians will turn to those two and Danny Salazar -- who held the Twins to two runs in 5 2/3 innings on Friday -- for a three-game series against the Padres that begins Monday.

In evaluating the rotation, Francona admitted the early returns haven't been ideal. Those returns, though, are, in fact, early.

"I don't think we get discouraged that easily," Francona said. "I think we're always trying to get better. That's for sure. This is Masty's second time pitching. The first time out, he was pretty good. He wasn't as good today.

"I don't think that you start to give up on your guys on April 6. I'm not saying we don't want to do better, regardless of when [it is] in the year, but I think you can rush to judgement and miss out on some really good players."

Have a question for Tribe manager Terry Francona? Ask away.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Want to know what Terry Francona thinks about his team's pitching struggles? Want to know when Michael Bourn might return? Want to know if Francona ever gets worn out by Nick Swisher's ceaseless energy?

The Indians' skipper meets with the media before every game. Submit a question in the comments section below. We'll choose at least one question to ask Francona and we'll return with his answer later in the day.

The Indians begin a three-game series with the Padres today before they head to Chicago and Detroit on a week-long road trip.

Indians righty Corey Kluber seeks to rebound from a rough start at Oakland when he faces the Padres at Progressive Field tonight.

Cleveland Indians: On deck

Game: 7

Where: Progressive Field.

Opponent: San Diego Padres.

Scheduled first pitch: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM/AM 1100, WMMS/FM 100.7.

Pitching matchup: Indians RHP Corey Kluber (0-1, 13.50 ERA) vs. Padres LHP Robbie Erlin (0-0, 0.00).

Season series: First meeting. Indians lead, 6-3, all time.

Indians update: They are 3-3 overall, 1-2 at home. … Won two of three in Oakland, then lost two of three at home to Minnesota. … RF David Murphy went 4-for-5 with two doubles in 10-7 loss Sunday. … LF Michael Brantley is hitting .375 with six RBI.

San Diego roots: Kluber was drafted in the fourth round by the Padres in 2007. He came to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade in July 2010.

Padres update: They are 2-4 overall, 1-2 on road. … Defeated Marlins, 4-2, Sunday in Miami. … Padres are hitting .189 with 12 runs this season. ... Erlin pitched out of bullpen Wednesday and will make first start of season.

Soft middle: San Diego's 3-4-5 hitters this season are 7-for-66 (.106) with three RBIs. Talented 3B Chase Headley is hitting .130.

Welcome back: Padres make their third visit to Progressive Field (2003, 2008). ... Manager Bud Black once pitched for the Indians.

Injuries: Indians – CF Michael Bourn (left hamstring) and DH Jason Giambi (right rib) are on disabled list. Padres – RHP Josh Johnson (forearm), RHP Casey Kelly (elbow), RHP Joe Wieland (elbow), LHP Cory Luebke (elbow), OF Cameron Maybin (left biceps) and OF Carlos Quentin (left knee) are on DL.

Next for Indians: Series resumed Tuesday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is a list of the spring sports cancelations and postponements for Monday, April 7, 2014. No rescheduled dates have made unless listed. BASEBALL

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is a list of the spring sports cancelations and postponements for Monday, April 7, 2014. No rescheduled dates have made unless listed.

BASEBALL

St. Vincent-St. Mary at Gilmour

West Geauga will instead travel to Chagrin Falls. Game is at 4:30

LACROSSE

Boys

Holy Name at West Geauga

SOFTBALL

St. Vincent-St. Mary at Gilmour

TENNIS

Boys

Beachwood at Avon (rescheduled to April 21)

Contact high school sports reporter Nathaniel Cline by email (ncline@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@nathanielcline). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Burrows was a major recruit at cornerback, but after a year there he's now a safety - one who still needs to play like a corner. "I'm a DB," Burrows said. "It doesn't matter to me."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Cam Burrows was a foundational piece for Urban Meyer, the first oral commitment in the Class of 2013, a huge grab from the Dayton area as the Buckeyes tried to cement even stronger relations in the southwest part of Ohio, and a tall, rangy cornerback who projected as a big-time player in the OSU secondary.

Burrows is still all those things but one. He's not a corner anymore.

Ranked as the No. 6 cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com in 2013, Burrows backed up at that position as the No. 4 corner at Ohio State as a true freshman, getting on the field and breaking up a few passes against Indiana last season when injuries hit the corner position.

He was moved to safety this spring and was mentioned by Meyer from the start as one of three safeties the coach really liked, along with starters Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell.

"I heard, I heard," Burrows said with a smile, admitting Meyer's praise had reached him.

Then Bell hurt his knee in the first practice of the spring, and Burrows has been running with the first team ever since.

As a safety. Right?

"I'm a DB," Burrows said after Saturday's scrimmage. "It doesn't matter to me."

It may not be a bad thing for Burrows to continue with something of a cornerback attitude.

The defense the Buckeyes are looking to employ under new secondary coach Chris Ash is a Cover 4, or quarters, defense that should put more direct coverage responsibilities on the safeties. The corners will play more aggressive press coverage, while the safeties should find themselves less often helping out in the middle of the field and more often locked up in coverage of their own with slot receivers.

Ross Fulton at ElevenWarriors.com has a very good breakdown of the scheme, but the basic idea is that a guy like Burrows is even more valuable at the safety spot, because more will be asked of the players there.

"It's more of a corner-type safety," Burrows said of his position.

At Saturday's spring game at Ohio Stadium, fans should get a good look at the defensive plan and exactly how a guy like Burrows fits into it. Once Bell went down, it became obvious why the Buckeyes moved him over.

GATES MILLS, Ohio -- In the wake of a widely-circulated petition to save Gilmour's boys prep hockey team, the school's Board of Trustees decided to overturn its decision to terminate the program.  The decision to reinstate it came three days after the board announced its original decision on Friday. 

GATES MILLS, Ohio -- In the wake of a widely-circulated petition to save Gilmour's boys prep hockey team, the school's Board of Trustees decided to overturn its decision to terminate the program. 

The decision to reinstate it came three days after the board announced its original decision on Friday. 

Supporters of the program started a petition on change.org, asking Brother Robert Lavelle and the Board of Trustees to reinstate the program. The petition had more than 900 signatures as of Monday afternoon. 

The school sent a letter to everyone involved with the program to inform them of the termination, Lavelle said. It stated funds could be better allocated to other areas aside from athletics, given how expensive the prep team is to maintain. 

"We see colleges that are putting more money toward athletics than other areas and we don't want to do that," Lavelle said.

The amount of parents and other donors who stepped forward to support the program and offer to provide financial resources to keep it going is an enormous reason for the team's reinstatement. 

Gilmour, subsequently, sent parents and other program supporters another letter notifying them of the team's reinstatement. 

The school's girls prep hockey team, which is the only one of its kind in Northeast Ohio, was not affected. 

Gilmour's prep teams are separate from its Varsity A and B squads, which compete mainly against other local varsity and junior varsity opponents. 

The prep teams play several games out of state and are not Ohio High School Athletic Association-recognized because they include some international and out-of-state players who board at Gilmour. 

The initial decision also would not have affected the boys varsity program, which is OHSAA-recognized and joined the newly-formed Great Lakes Hockey League this past season. 

Many supporters of the boys prep team, and some players, took to Twitter to share their angst at the initial decision to terminate the program and ask for additional support: 

I cant believe they are shutting down the prep hockey program at Gilmour. Words cant even describe what im feeling pic.twitter.com/PAEy6RUPN3

— Cody Osburn (@cozzycody20) April 7, 2014

Disappointing to see a terrific place like Gilmour Academy forced to cancel their hockey program. Great people, hope it can be saved.

— EndeavourSportsGroup (@EndeavourSG) April 7, 2014

I came to Gilmour to play prep hockey. That was just taken away from 40 other kids and I, who wanted to play. That team was Gilmour

— Tyler_Kallay2⃣8⃣ (@Tyler_Kallay2) April 5, 2014

We are only 238 signatures away! Please take a minute and sign this #saveGAprephttp://t.co/fAvTRRwq2b

— Cody Kyle (@ckyle_4) April 7, 2014

Gilmour Academy Hockey: Reconsider the immdiate termination of the Boys Prep Hockey Program http://t.co/RL0MDA9tDU via @Change

— Ian Socrates (@Ian_Socrates) April 6, 2014

they are looking to cut the prep hockey program at Gilmour. this could determine my bro's future. PLEASE HELP US OUT: http://t.co/8grbXghmSL

— McKenna Ritter (@DJ_MC_KENNA) April 6, 2014

Jackets lose a heart breaker....Gilmour Prep is no more. Sad day for hockey.

— Bill Hayes (@BHayes1912) April 5, 2014

AVON LAKE, Ohio — Former Avon Lake football coach Dave Dlugosz will be recommended for the Shoremen’s head football coaching vacancy at Tuesday’s board meeting, Avon Lake Superintendent Bob Scott confirmed to the Northeast Ohio Media Group on Monday. Dlugosz, who coached Avon Lake for 21 seasons before stepping down in 2012, will replace Larry Laird, who left to...

AVON LAKE, Ohio — Former Avon Lake football coach Dave Dlugosz will be recommended for the Shoremen’s head football coaching vacancy at Tuesday’s board meeting, Avon Lake Superintendent Bob Scott confirmed to the Northeast Ohio Media Group on Monday.

Dlugosz, who coached Avon Lake for 21 seasons before stepping down in 2012, will replace Larry Laird, who left to take the head coaching job at Strongsville after one season as Avon Lake’s head coach. Dlugosz served as an assistant to Laird last season.

Scott also confirmed former Midview head coach Bill Albright will be recommended for the offensive coordinator position at Tuesday’s meeting. Albright stepped down this year after serving as the Middies’ head coach for 28 seasons. He was replaced by defensive coordinator DJ Shaw.

“We’re happy to have Dave and Bob both,” Scott said. “They’ve done a great job and stepped up for our kids.”

Calls to Dlugosz, Albright and Avon Lake Athletic Director Tom Barone were not returned.

In 21 seasons as head coach at Avon Lake, Dlugosz compiled a 200-44 record and won a Division II state championship in 2003, capping off a 15-0 season. Avon Lake was state runner-up in 2004, finishing the year 14-1.

Dlugosz, a 1970 Avon Lake graduate, guided the Shoremen to 18 Southwestern Conference titles and 15 playoff appearances.

The Shoremen finished last season 8-3, losing to Highland in the Division II regional quarterfinals.

Check back with cleveland.com as more information becomes available.

Contact high school sports reporter Bill Landis by email (blandis@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@blandis25). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Softball players in Northeast Ohio have had to dodge the raindrops so far this season, but there have still been plenty of memorable performances in the early part of the season. Here's are some things you might have missed from last week's softball action:

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Softball players in Northeast Ohio have had to dodge the raindrops so far this season, but there have still been plenty of memorable performances in the early part of the season.

Here's are some things you might have missed from last week's softball action:

Keystone's Emily Cornish fires no-hitter

As usual, big things are expected of Keystone this season, and one of the main reasons is the team's strong pitching staff. That was on display last Wednesday, as senior Emily Cornish threw a no-hitter in her team's win over Oberlin.

"Emily threw the ball really well for us," said Keystone coach Jim Piazza. "It was just one of those days where Emily was on and there was good defense was behind her."

It's a good early season moment in what could be a tough regular season for Keystone. While the team is talented, it faces a loaded schedule. How Keystone responds to that schedule could determine how it does in the Division II tournament.

"We loaded up our non-conference schedule to face some quality teams," Piazza said. "If we lose, we need to learn from those mistakes."

Bats rolling early for Brecksville-Broadview Heights

The Bees had one of the bigger wins of the early season, as they knocked off conference rival, Amherst, 5-3, on Wednesday.

In the game, Alexis Mack was 4-for-4 and helped give her team a big win that has Brecksville-Broadview Heights off to a strong start, but there is still a lot to prove.

"I don’t want to say it makes a big statement because a lot happens in the course of a season," said Brecksville-Broadview Heights coach Rex Mack. "I’m cautiously optimistic. Amherst is very good, but there is still a lot of season left."

On Saturday, the Bees showed off their complete game, as they notched a 10-0 win over Cuyahoga Falls.

Cleveland Central Catholic has big offensive doubleheader

Cleveland Central Catholic posted 61 runs as it swept a doubleheader against St. Martin de Porres on Saturday. A performance like that helps build confidence.

"For us, it’s a good thing to occasionally have a game like that because it shows that they work hard, good things will happen," said Cleveland Central Catholic coach Rich Wojcik.

The performance also could serve as a sign of things to come for the team this season.

"We’re going to hit the ball a lot better than we did last year because we put a greater emphasis on it during the offseason," Wojcik said.

Stow pitchers combine for perfect game

On Wednesday, two Stow girls shared the spotlight, as Sadie Jones and Alyssa Ingram combined to throw a perfect game in a 10-0 win over Valley Forge.

Jones and Ingram combined to face just 15 batters in the shutout win for the Bulldogs.

Walsh Jesuit strikes out 17 batters in win

Taylor Rahach struck out 17 batters in a 5-3 win for Walsh Jesuit over Highland this past Tuesday. Only four other Highland outs were not strikeouts.

She also contributed at the plate, as she hit a triple in the victory.

Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

New utility man Torsten Boss will report to Class A Carolina.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians made their second trade in as many days Monday when they sent right-hander Preston Guilmet to Baltimore for utility man Torsten Boss.

On Sunday, they traded left-hander Colt Hynes to the Dodgers for right-hander Duke Von Schamann. Like Guilmet, Hynes was designated for assignment on March 30.

Boss, 23, opened the season at Class A Frederick for the Orioles. He was 1-for-3 and has been assigned to Class A Carolina. He hit .238 (92-for-386) with two triples, seven homers and 45 RBI in 106 games at Class A Delmarva last year.

He was the Orioles eighth round pick out of Michigan State in 2012.

Guilmet, 26, has 90 saves in the Tribe's minor league system. He made four appearances with the Indians last year. Guilmet was the Indians ninth round pick out of the University of Arizona in 2009.

The perfect draft. Every team hopes for it, but it's something very few accomplish. But there is a way the Browns can leave the draft with an 'A.'

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The perfect draft. Every team hopes for it, but it's something very few accomplish.

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. took his turn at drafting last week, playing GM for all 32 teams, with the goal of compiling a "Grade A" draft. For the Browns that meant Johnny Manziel, TCU cornerback Jason Verrett, offensive lineman Gabe Jackson from Mississippi State, Stanford safety Ed Reynolds and Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas in the first three rounds.

The five picks are interesting as Kiper addresses a number of needs. Making picks with the best interest of the team in mind, Kiper starts it off with the Browns most pressing need: Quarterback. But grabs the wrong one. Drafting Manziel with Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater on the board makes it hard for me to consider this the "perfect draft." Kiper also fails to capitalize on the talent and depth at wide receiver, which would bring the grade down even further.

With that in mind, I created my own "Grade A" draft for the Browns. Because the draft is filled with pressure-packed decisions and unpredictable results, I used Kiper's three round mock draft to determine which players were available at the time the Browns selected with no trades being allowed.

Drafting solely for need is a way that teams get in trouble. The key is matching need with value. After doing that, I believe the Browns would leave the first two days of the draft with a haul that pushes them in the right direction.

Top needs: QB, WR, CB, RT, ILB

Round 1 (Pick No. 4): QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville

Round 1 (26): CB Jason Verrett, TCU

Round 2 (35): WR Davante Adams, Fresno State

Round 3 (71): LB Christian Jones, Florida State

Round 3 (83): OT Billy Turner, North Dakota State

Some may argue that taking Bridgewater is a reach – he's not worthy of a Top Five pick they say. I disagree, and with QB being the Browns biggest need, they can't afford to pass. Bridgewater, the best QB available, has separated himself thanks to his pro-ready game, field vision, pocket presence and decision-making. He uses his football IQ to identify what the defense is going to do and often makes the right play for his team. 

According to ESPN Stats & Information, last season Bridgewater posted a 70.1 percent completion rate when the opposing team sent five or more pass rushers, which was second best in the nation. He also had an incredible 15-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in that situation. The NFL game is played in chaos and quarterbacks are often asked to flourish in adverse situations. These stats as well as the video clip below help show Bridgewater's ability to succeed when pressure is ramping up.

Rather than the Browns hoping and wishing a quarterback starts to plunge, or they find a gem late, it's best to not overthink. The Browns need a quarterback. Bridgewater is the best one. He's worth a Top 10 pick. And he's available at the time of the selection. It's a no-brainer.

I targeted a wide receiver with the 26^th pick, but five are selected before the Browns get put on the clock once again. The receiver spot is talented and deep so there is no reason to force an unworthy pass-catcher into the first round. Instead, I turn my attention to another huge need for the Browns: cornerback.

Joe Haden is an All-Pro, capable of handling one side of the field. The other side remained a problem last season with Buster Skrine often leaving Sunday covered in burn marks. Kyle Fuller from Virginia Tech and Ohio State's Bradley Roby were off the board so Verrett became an easy decision. He's tough, aggressive, and smart. With his attitude and style, he's a perfect for Mike Pettine's new-look defense.

View full sizeFresno State wide receiver Davante Adams would address a big need for the Browns.Associated Press

Finding a wide receiver to complement Josh Gordon is another huge need, especially with Nate Burleson getting just a one-year deal. Adams is smooth, with reliable hands, and while there was temptation to wait on the position and grab a different receiver in Round 3, many teams drafting at the back end of the second round have holes at receiver and there will likely be a run.

The two third-round picks fill needs and provide good value as well. Turner is a bully, bringing a nasty attitude to the line.

Overshadowed by Florida State's explosive offense and talented individual defenders, Jones' best asset is his versatility. He played strong side early in his career, and then switched to weak side before finishing his career in the middle of the FSU defense this past season. He's an athletic 'backer with the speed to run with tight ends and matchup with running backs out of the backfield. Pettine likes to switch up his defense and Jones would help. 

GATES MILLS, Ohio -- In the wake of a several team widely-circulated petition to save and funding offered by team supporters of Gilmour's boys prep hockey team, the school's Board of Trustees decided to overturn its decision to terminate the program.  The decision to reinstate it came three days after the board announced its original decision on Friday. 

GATES MILLS, Ohio -- In the wake of a several team widely-circulated petition to save and funding offered by team supporters of Gilmour's boys prep hockey team, the school's Board of Trustees decided to overturn its decision to terminate the program. 

The decision to reinstate it came three days after the board announced its original decision on Friday. 

Supporters of the program started a petition on change.org, asking Brother Robert Lavelle and the Board of Trustees to reinstate the program. The petition had more than 900 signatures as of Monday afternoon. 

The school sent a letter to everyone involved with the program to inform them of the termination, Lavelle said. It stated funds could be better allocated to other areas aside from athletics, given how expensive the prep team is to maintain. 

"We see colleges that are putting more money toward athletics than other areas and we don't want to do that," Lavelle said.

The amount of parents and other donors who stepped forward to support the program and offer to provide financial resources to keep it going is an enormous reason for the team's reinstatement, according to Lavelle. 

Gilmour, subsequently, sent parents and other program supporters another letter notifying them of the team's reinstatement. 

The school's girls prep hockey team, which is the only one of its kind in Northeast Ohio, was not affected. 

Gilmour's prep teams are separate from its Varsity A and B squads, which compete mainly against other local varsity and junior varsity opponents. 

The prep teams play several games out of state and are not Ohio High School Athletic Association-recognized because they include some international and out-of-state players who board at Gilmour. 

The initial decision also would not have affected the boys varsity program, which is OHSAA-recognized and joined the newly-formed Great Lakes Hockey League this past season. 

Many supporters of the boys prep team, and some players, took to Twitter to share their angst at the initial decision to terminate the program and ask for additional support: 

I cant believe they are shutting down the prep hockey program at Gilmour. Words cant even describe what im feeling pic.twitter.com/PAEy6RUPN3

— Cody Osburn (@cozzycody20) April 7, 2014

Disappointing to see a terrific place like Gilmour Academy forced to cancel their hockey program. Great people, hope it can be saved.

— EndeavourSportsGroup (@EndeavourSG) April 7, 2014

I came to Gilmour to play prep hockey. That was just taken away from 40 other kids and I, who wanted to play. That team was Gilmour

— Tyler_Kallay2⃣8⃣ (@Tyler_Kallay2) April 5, 2014

We are only 238 signatures away! Please take a minute and sign this #saveGAprephttp://t.co/fAvTRRwq2b

— Cody Kyle (@ckyle_4) April 7, 2014

Gilmour Academy Hockey: Reconsider the immdiate termination of the Boys Prep Hockey Program http://t.co/RL0MDA9tDU via @Change

— Ian Socrates (@Ian_Socrates) April 6, 2014

they are looking to cut the prep hockey program at Gilmour. this could determine my bro's future. PLEASE HELP US OUT: http://t.co/8grbXghmSL

— McKenna Ritter (@DJ_MC_KENNA) April 6, 2014

Jackets lose a heart breaker....Gilmour Prep is no more. Sad day for hockey.

— Bill Hayes (@BHayes1912) April 5, 2014

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here’s the first installment of Three-and-out, where Northeast Ohio Media Group reporter Bill Landis will answer three questions about high school football in Northeast Ohio. Have questions you want answered? Submit them in the comments section below to have them answered in a future post. Register here for an account if you don’t have one already....

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here’s the first installment of Three-and-out, where Northeast Ohio Media Group reporter Bill Landis will answer three questions about high school football in Northeast Ohio.

Have questions you want answered? Submit them in the comments section below to have them answered in a future post. Register here for an account if you don’t have one already.

From Twitter user @sean_w_spence: Who are the top QBs in the area for the Class of 2015?

Landis: We’re going to see some big numbers put up by a few area quarterbacks this season, but Hudson’s Mitch Guadagni and St. Edward’s Brett Kean are the two to keep an eye on.

Guadagni is a game-changer, and showed as much in his junior season by throwing for 2,029 yards and 22 touchdowns, and rushing for another 913 yards. Had he not been injured in the Explorers regional semifinal against St. Ignatius, we could be talking about a different outcome.

Kean is coming off a record-setting season for the Eagles, throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns. The Eagles have a lot of weapons in the passing game coming back. If a revamped offensive line can give Kean time, I expect him to put up comparable numbers and maybe even exceed last year’s output.

Other Class of 2015 QBs to look out for: Nordonia’s David Murray, Orange’s Stephen Borgman, Walsh Jesuit’s Pat Ford, Rocky River’s Matt Lowry and Villa Angela-St. Joseph’s Tre’Von Williams.

From commenter nordonia27: Do you think Nordonia can win a state title? They have a great team with five players already getting Division I offers.

Landis: Nordonia is loaded and is certainly at the top of my list of teams to look out for in 2014. Coach Jeff Fox has done a tremendous job turning this program around in a short period of time, and this looks like the year the Knights could make a run in the Division II playoffs. David Murray is back at quarterback, and he has his top two receiver targets returning in Denzel Ward and Alex Alders. Ward and Alders will anchor a strong defense back corps as well.

Defensive end Nyck Grayson and lineman Cameron Bell are other players with Division I offers. Nordonia will have to replace impact players in running back Jordan Nobles and First-Team All-Ohio linebacker Alex Wociehovich, but the talent is there to win a championship.

From commenter nordonia27: Who are the favorites to win the Division I state title?

Landis: Locally, St. Edward has to be the favorite to contend for a Division I state championship. The big question mark for the Eagles is on the offensive line where a talented group of five seniors has moved on. The Eagles are loaded at the skill positions and have some pieces back on defense that should make for a talented unit as well.

I think you could throw Hudson in that mix as well, and after that there some programs with big holes to fill — including Mentor — and it’s probably too early to tell if any of those could contend for a Division championship.

Contact high school sports reporter Bill Landis by email (blandis@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@blandis25). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Cavaliers guards Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters insist there is no rift between them, in spite of what Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon said in an ESPN interview on March 27.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Cavaliers Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters took the unusual step of addressing the media together on Monday in response to an ESPN interview in which Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon mentioned a rift in the Cavs locker room and the resultant fallout from that interview the past few days.

Gordon and Waiters are neighbors. In a March 27 interview on First Take, Gordon said, "I’m aware of the rift in the locker room. That’s just alpha males and supreme athletes trying to share the spotlight.''

Asked if Irving and Waiters might be better separated, Gordon said, "I'm not opposed to that. It might play out better.''

In an interview with the Akron Beacon Journal on Friday, Irving said, "Guys like Josh Gordon need to stay in his sport and mind his own business. Does he still play for the Browns? I’ll continue to root for the Browns, but in terms of this stuff here, what goes on in this locker room, he needs to stay out of it.”

In response, Gordon posted Irving's comments on his Instagram account and Tweeted: “smh. i touched a nerve lmao @dionwaiters3 #racetotheplayoffs?''

Waiters said he played pool at Gordon's house on Sunday and asked him about his comments, then put Gordon and Irving in touch.

"Everything's cool now,'' Waiters said.

Asked what he said to Gordon, Irving said, "I just let him know that the whole situation kind of got blown out of proportion, in terms of … There was no disrespect on my end to him or anything he does. I have the utmost respect for him. But what I was just trying to clearly say was what Dion has been reiterating -- what goes on with us, we want to keep it within us. We've had numerous occasions where we've been in the media about me and Dion's relationship. I think me and him are just tired of it. I just want to move past it and play basketball.''

How would Irving describe his relationship with Waiters?

"Honestly, off the court and on the court, we're the best of friends,'' he said. "So when we come on the court, we're just going to play basketball like we've been doing the past few games and our focus is on winning right now.''

Added Waiters, "On behalf of [Irving], myself, I just think we've been in so much media this year, and it's not fair to either of us.

"I just think, man, throughout this whole year with us two not liking each other, it's total BS. We've been friends before we even made the NBA, before any of this. I just think y'all saying we don't like playing with one another …

"Yeah, we still need to learn certain things. But I think at the end of the day, we're genuinely friends. I love him as a friend, teammate, everything. I just want everybody to know that. I don't hate this guy. I'm pretty sure he don't hate me. I know he don't hate me. I hope he don't hate me. Rome wasn't built in one day. We're still young. We're still planning to stay together. We're still working. As long as we've got great communication down, it's fine.''

Ryan Raburn is the DH and batting fifth for manager Terry Francona's Indians tonight against the Padres.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups for tonight's game -- weather permitting -- between the Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres at Progressive Field:

Indians (3-3)

1.Asdrubal Cabrera SS (3-for-19, .158)

2. Nick Swisher !B (6-for-26, .231)

3. Jason Kipnis 2B (5-for-22, .227)

4. Carlos Santana 3B (6-for-19, .316)

5. Ryan Raburn DH (2-for-13, .154)

6. Michael Brantley CF (9-for-24, .375)

7. Yan Gomes C (4-for-18, .222)

8. David Murphy RF (6-for-19, .316)

9. Mike Aviles LF (2-for-13, .154)

Corey Kluber RHP (0-1, 13.50 ERA)

Padres (2-4)

1. Everth Cabrera SS (6-for-23, .261)

2. Seth Smith LF (4-for-16, .250)

3. Chase Headley 3B (3-for-23, .130)

4. Yonder Alonso 1B (4-for-23, .174)

5. Yasmani Grandal DH (3-for-9, .333)

6. Will Venable RF (4-for-21, .190)

7. Jedd Gyorko 2B (2-for-21, .095)

8. Nick Hundley C (3-for-6, .500)

9. Alexi Amarista CF (1-for-7, .143)

Robbie Erlin LHP (0-0, 0.00)