Trevor Bauer, with Progressive Field undergoing a makeover for a concert Friday, found a fence to throw against Monday as part of his preparation for Friday's start against the Tigers.

DETROIT, Mich. – The next time you walk by a park and see someone throwing a baseball against a fence, take a second look because it just might be Indians' right-hander Trevor Bauer.

After pitching six innings Friday night to earn his first big-league road victory in the Indians' 9-3 win over Detroit at Comerica Park, Bauer told reporters how he spent his All-Star break.

"I stayed in Cleveland so I could stay in line for my start," said Bauer, who took the Indians into the All-Star break with a quality start against Chicago and brought them out of it with another one against the Tigers.

Bauer tried to go to Progressive Field on Monday to throw, but he couldn't get on the field.

"They were having a (Jason Aldean) concert there on Friday," said Bauer.

His solution?

"I found a fence," he said. "I took four baseballs and threw them into a fence. Walked over and picked them up. That's what I did all through high school. I had a bucket of balls."

There was one positive this time around.

"I didn't have some tennis instructor trying to steal my baseballs and get me arrested," said Bauer, recalling an incident from his past.

On Wednesday, Bauer tried Progressive Field again so he could throw a bullpen session.

"They wouldn't let me step on the field so I had to warm up in the bullpen," he said.

Turns out there were no permanent scars. Bauer was trailing 3-0 after six innings Friday night, but the Indians rallied for seven runs in the seventh to make him a winner. He allowed three runs on six hits and threw 101 pitches.

As for winning his first game on the road, Bauer said, "Cool. Hopefully there are many more."

A couple of more fences wouldn't hurt either.

Jason Kipnis hits his first two homers since April 21 in the Indians' 9-3 victory over Detroit on Friday night.

DETROIT, Mich. – The JK Construction Company took the night off Friday. Nothing was dented except Al Alburquerque's feelings as Jason Kipnis homered twice in the Indians' 9-3 victory over Detroit.

Before the All-Star break Kipnis and his teammates found orange T-shirts in their lockers. They carried the name of the JK (as in Jason Kipnis) Construction Company. On the back there was a message: "I break it. You Fix It."

It referred to Kipnis doing damage to whatever got in his way as he dealt with a prolonged slump in the first half.

"That happens down below where the cameras can't go," said Kipnis. "I usually break anything I can lift. So I've got a nice little tab going on downstairs.

"Somebody might say we need a new fan or some new AC (unit), and I go 0-for-3 or something like that, well, I'm a team player. I'll help them out and knock it out of the wall and we'll have a new one there the next day."

As for who made and distributed the shirts, Kipnis said, "Where they always come from. The secret guy being everything . . .Corey Kluber. Anytime you don't think it's him, it's him."

Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera hit consecutive homers in the seventh inning off Alburquerque as the Indians scored seven runs to erase a 3-0 deficit. Kipnis hit another homer in the ninth to give him five for the season.

The homer in the seventh was his first since April 21. At the end of April, Kipnis strained his right oblique muscle and missed a month. He hasn't generated much power since then until Friday.

"It was nice," said Kipnis, referring to his homers. "I haven't even done it in BP in what feels like three months. People were telling me, "You were sprinting around the bases.' I said I forgot what it feels like."

Regarding the oblique, Kipnis said, "That's neither here nor there. It's two pitches that I didn't need my oblique too much. I didn't have to get extended. They were both low an inside and I just dropped my hands on."

Keep up with Saturday's third round of the British Open with a live leaderboard, pictures and videos.

HOYLAKE, England – Get live updates, pictures and videos from Saturday's third round of the British Open all day from Royal Liverpool.

Track leader Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods and all your favorite golfers in a live leaderboard below.

See tee times here (due to inclement weather forecasted, golfers will tee off on both sides for the first time in Open history). Tee times run from 4-6:01 a.m. Eastern time.

Also check the box below for live Twitter updates from Royal Liverpool, including pictures and videos from the PGA Tour's official Twitter account and other notable Twitter feeds. Below the box is the live leaderboard.

Check cleveland.com for a similar update post Sunday.

Here's a brief look at Friday's second round:

LEADING: McIlroy with a 6-under 66 and was at 12-under 132.

TRAILING: Johnson, with a tournament-best 65, was four shots behind.

STILL PLAYING: Woods made his only birdie on the last hole for a 77 to make the cut on the number at 2-over 146.

GOING HOME: Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Ernie Els and Ian Poulter were among those missing the cut. Also gone is 2003 champion and Kent resident Ben Curtis.

ROYAL LIVERPOOL REPEAT: McIlroy's 36-hole score of 132 was the same as Woods when he won at Royal Liverpool in 2006. Woods had a one-shot lead over Els in 2006. McIlroy had a four-shot lead over Johnson.

SATURDAY FORECAST: Because of the severe weather in the forecast, the third round will start on both tees. It's the first two-tee start in Open history.

ROUND OF THE DAY: Johnson had seven birdies in his round of 65.

SHOT OF THE DAY: Sergio Garcia holed out with a 6-iron on the second hole for eagle. Garcia holed out with a 9-iron in the third round at Royal Liverpool in 2006.

CAPTAIN TOM: Tom Watson broke his own record as the oldest player (64) to make the cut.

NOTEWORTHY: McIlroy has made only one bogey in 36 holes.

TELEVISION: Saturday, 5 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., ESPN.

What's the point in hitting Lonnie Chisenhall and Yan Gomes in the lower part of the Indians' lineup?

Hey, Hoynsie: I understand lefty/righty matchups and pitcher/batter history have an effect on a batting order. However, how can Lonnie Chisenhall and Yan Gomes spend half a season in the bottom of the order with averages much higher than everyone but Michael Brantley? Why wouldn't your three hottest hitters serve as the top of the order most nights? – Scott Wyles, Lakewood.

Hey, Scott: When manager Terry Francona is asked that question, he points out that balance in a lineup is important. He said that since the Indians don't have a 30-homer, 100-RBI guy in the middle of the lineup, they need contributions from all nine hitters.

He doesn't want to give pitchers two or three innings off during the course of a game by having a weak spot in the lineup. At least that's how it's supposed to work in theory.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think with LeBron James returning that the Dolans will finally make winning baseball priority No. 1? Might we see some front office personnel finally replaced? – Hank Schrader, Albuquerque, N.M.

Hey, Hank: I'm not sure I get the correlation between the two, King James comes home, Indians fire front office. How do you get from Point A to Point B in that scenario?

Hey, Hoynsie: Long-time baseball fan, new to the area. Question...I've never heard a pro team's play-by-play voices be so excitable as here in the Cleveland market. Is it a Cleveland thing, is it something the Indians demand their play-by-play guys do? – Ted Newman, Strongsville.

Hey, Ted: I think it's more style driven than organization driven.

I cover the Indians on the road, but I don't get to listen to all the play-by-play announcers around the league. I do watch the highlight shows and it seems like every announcer's voice climbs a few decibels at a critical time in the game.

Hey, Hoynsie: When will LeBron James be throwing out first pitch at an Indians game? – Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland.

Hey, Angelo: You're going to have to be more specific. Is that with or without his Yankee cap?

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think the Indians would be interested in re-acquiring Drew Pomeranz? Do you think he would be available considering all the pitching Oakland appears to have? -- Ron Moening, Toledo.

Hey, Ron: Only if he promise to keeps punching chairs with his right hand instead of his left hand.

OK, I got that out of my system. I'm sure they'd consider it. They drafted him with the fifth pick in the first round in 2010 for a reason, but I don't think Oakland is going to trade too much starting pitching at this point of the season when they have a division to win.

Hey, Hoynsie: With LeBron's return and Johnny Football warming up, how does the Tribe keep the attendance decline from getting worse -- Fifty Cent Franks? – Steve Cornelius, Rocky River.

Hey, Steve: How about something old fashioned like winning the division. I know Cleveland is not the best baseball town, but I think that would get people's attention.

Denzel Ward is entering his senior year as wide receiver for the Nordonia football team and is bound for Ohio State in the fall. Read about his tight-knit family and his goals for college and beyond.

MACEDONIA, Ohio -- It was a sad day for Denzel Ward when a small piece of the cross pennant he wears around his neck every time he takes the football field for Nordonia broke during a home game in the snow.

That didn't stop the wide receiver from wearing it through the remainder of the season. 

When the snow thawed in the spring, one of his teammates found the missing piece and returned it to Ward. 

This was incredibly fortunate considering how small the broken piece was. 

His talents earned him a scholarship offer from Ohio State, which he accepted. 

"My greatest accomplishment as an athlete, so far, is making it to the next level, going to Ohio State," said Ward, who will begin his senior season in the fall.

It is the kind of opportunity Ward's father, Paul Ward Jr., was never able to take advantage of but said he is happy and blessed to see his son receive.

Every day in July, check out a profile featuring one of the many standout football players in Northeast Ohio as part of the 31 in 31 series.  

Paul played high school basketball at Cleveland Heights and had a chance to play at Mount Union but his family couldn't afford the tuition. 

Denzel's mother, Nicole, ran track through junior high. 

In the spring, Denzel follows in his mother's footsteps, competing in the 100-meter-dash, 200, long jump and the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. 

Nicole said Denzel has always been quick on his feet. In fact, his nickname when he played youth football in the Twinsburg-Nordonia league was "Sweet Feet." 

Denzel looks up to players like the Kansas City Chiefs' De'Anthony Thomas and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Dri Archer. 

"I admire their speed and explosiveness and how they can make a play at will," Denzel said. 

Denzel hopes to one day play in the NFL. His favorite team is the Steelers.

The Ward family is a tight-knit group with an affinity for travel. Denzel, his mother, his father, his brother Paul III, his uncle Van and his cousin Taj travel together every year to different locations. They've gone as far as Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico and Jamaica, where the Ward family flew to again this summer. 

Denzel also enjoys many family cookouts each summer, as well as fishing and listening to music, mainly hip-hop. 

He considers himself a laid back person and listening to music before every game helps him stay relaxed and in a solid mindset to compete. He also says a prayer with his teammates prior to taking the field, where he is always a scoring threat, even on defense. 

More about Ward:

Height: 5-11

Weight: 170 pounds.

Position: WR/DB

Grade: Senior

2013 stats: Receiving: 36 catches, 641 yards, 17.8 yards per catch, 9 TDs. Rushing: 1 TD. Defense: 3 TDs, 1 blocked kick, 5 interceptions, 5 pass break-ups, 18 tackles. Kick/punt Rreturns: 21.2 yards per return on kickoffs, 30.3 yards per return on 3 punts. 

College: Ohio State commit.

Awards/honors:2013 Division II All-Ohio, second team all-defense, Nordonia Defensive Player of the Year 2013, Suburban League All-Conference. 

A look back at Bruce Gradkowski's short tenure with the Cleveland Browns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Blink and you may have missed Bruce Gradkowski's time with the Cleveland Browns.

Signed in December of 2008 and waived two months later, Gradkowski still found a way to make a start for the Browns in his short stint in Cleveland.

Gradkowski is No. 13 on our list as we look back at all the Browns' starting quarterbacks since 1999. Here's a look at his career highlights and lowlights, and what he's done since his days in Cleveland.

Bruce Gradkowski, 2008

0-1 as a Browns starter

Before the Browns

Gradkowski, a Pittsburgh native, had a record-setting college career at Toledo, leading the Rockets to a win against UTEP in the GMAC Bowl in 2005.

"We knew Bruce was something special because of his personality," former Toledo coach Tom Amstutz said. "He inspired all the players around him."

He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, and was named the starter in Week 5 of his rookie season after an injury to Chris Simms.

After an up-and-down two years in Tampa, Gradkowski was signed and waived in the summer of 2008 by the St. Louis Rams. He signed with the Browns in December of 2008 after Derek Anderson was placed on injured reserve.

Browns highlights

Depletions to the Browns quarterback corps allowed Gradkowski to play two games for the Browns in 2008. He made his only start in the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Though his career in Cleveland was short-lived, the highlight for Gradkowski was being able to return to the state in which he played his college football.

"It was fun, he really enjoyed playing against the Steelers," Amstutz said. "He liked being in Ohio. His wife is from Ohio. It allowed some of his supporters here to go watch him play."

Browns lowlights

The high of starting against his hometown team was quickly replaced by the low of a 31-0 Steelers win. Gradkowski completed 5 of 16 passes for just 18 yards in the loss.

In two career games with the Browns, Gradkowski completed 7 of 21 passes for 26 yards and three interceptions.

How he left the Browns

Gradkowski was waived by the Browns on Feb. 9, 2009, and claimed by the Oakland Raiders the next day.

He has since played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Steelers.

What he's doing now

Gradkowski signed with his hometown Steelers in March of 2013, where he's served as a backup to Ben Roethlisberger since.

"To grow up as a kid and think one day I would be playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers is a dream come true," Gradkowski told the Steelers website on the day he signed.

He's never made a start for the Steelers, but has carved out a niche as a reliable backup.

"What Bruce gives you is not just the veteran leadership, but he's the ultimate professional," Steelers quarterback coach Randy Fichtner said in an email to cleveland.com. "He comes to work every day with energy. It bleeds into everybody else."

The Buckeyes have a lot to replace when it comes to running the ball, but Braxton Miller's speed and ability to make defenders miss remains.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Part two of comparing Ohio State and Michigan State, the two best teams in the Big Ten, addresses the run game. That's not just the running backs, because when it comes to Ohio State especially, the run game is far more than just that position.

Here's my breakdown of the Buckeyes, while Mike Griffith at Mlive.com takes a look at the Spartans.

Run game

This begins with quarterback Braxton Miller, who ran for 1,068 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Only three quarterbacks in the country gained more yards on the ground.

Combined with running back Carlos Hyde, who gained 1,521 yards with a 7.3 yard average, and a veteran offensive line, the run game carried the Buckeyes when they needed it in several wins. A year ago, this part of the game was a 10.

It's not that way this year.

Sophomore Ezekiel Elliott, at 6-feet and 225 pounds, was a big-time recruit with size and speed. He flashed in blowouts last season, with an 8.7 yard average on 30 carries. He's primed to step in for Hyde, a second-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers, with backups Rod Smith, Bri'onte Dunn and Warren Ball behind him. Then there's Curtis Samuel, a freshman who enrolled early for spring ball and opened the eyes of coaches with his big-play ability. He should have the ball in his hands at least a bit, and more maybe more than that as the year progresses.

But the line, replacing four starters, is an obvious question mark, and as much as people are excited about Elliott, Hyde was as good as any back in the nation last season. So there will be a step back.

Strengths: Miller is a dynamic run threat with experience in the offense who keeps defenses on their heels. His running ability and broken-play creativity makes every offensive line and running back better.

Weaknesses: The veteran line and Hyde were so cohesive and reliable last season, there's no way this season can be as good.

Keep an eye on: How much the Buckeyes use the H-back in the run game. A year ago, Dontre Wilson had 31 carries for an 8.1 yard average, but the offense may be ready to incorporate him more often this season.

Rating: 8.5 -- Based just on the running backs and offensive line, the rating wouldn't be this high. But Miller is a game-changer with his feet, Elliott does have upside and Samuel and Wilson could be threats to go whenever they touch the ball. 

Ohio State vs. Michigan State, The Breakdown

Introduction: Ohio State -- Michigan State

Quarterbacks: OSU's Braxton Miller (9.2) -- MSU's Connor Cook (8.9)

Run game: Ohio State (8.5) -- Michigan State (8.7)

Coming Sunday: Comparing the pass games

Soccer's penalty kicks and baseball's extra innings -- what the National Pastime can learn (and probably abhor.)

CLEVELAND Ohio – I make this confession freely and of my own volition.

I miss the World Cup. Maybe it was the nationalism, the flag-waving, the U-S-A! U-S-A! chants. (Or, as they would say in Italy in the top-flight Serie Ah -- er A --  U-S-Ah! U-S-Ah!).

Anyway, I'm in withdrawal. I'll watch a World Cup match between any teams. I'll watch any USA qualifier. I'll watch CONCACAF, the dumbest acronym (the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) since the oxymoronic GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) entered sports terminology.

I'm even working on watching Major League Soccer. It's on my to-do list. Someday soon. Maybe.

Of course what I like best are the goals. They're so rare, they're actually called Gooooooooooals!

And that, my friends, leads me to my deepest and darkest secret: I like penalty kicks.

No, I don't advocate playing Putt-Putt to decide the Masters. A sudden-death playoff is perfectly fine. It's the archaic, anticlimactic 18-hole U.S. Open playoff that's a drag.

The criticism is that no thinking person likes the cheesy penalty kick tiebreaker, which is based loosely on extra innings in baseball. After 90 minutes of regulation time and a 30-minute overtime, which goes the whoooole half-hour whether an early goal is on the board or not, the teams alternate five different penalty kick takers from a spot 12 yards from the goal.

About 85 percent of PKs are converted, but guys tend to choke more when it's net it or go home. The format leads to worse flops than on a faked foul.

Rather than making PKs a symbol of our instant gratification lifestyle, I'll say it simply provides a quick, dramatic ending that still captures the very basis of the game –- goalie play and ball striking.

That was one of the arguments in favor of PKs advanced by ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd.

There is no comparison in soccer to playing sudden-death overtimes in the NHL on much smaller playing surfaces. Penalty kicks keep the quality of play from deteriorating like Joan Rivers' sense of decency. A soccer team can make only three substitutions and once you're out, as in baseball, you're out and can't re-enter the game. The playing field is bigger than in the NFL. The ball is almost continuously in play. Players are run ragged.

By the way, I also liked the penalty shots that decided the Olympic hockey game between the United States and Russia. ("T.J. Oshie! T.J.Oshie!")

Penalty kicks provide high drama. They get fans in and out in under three hours. Nobody leaves his seat during PKs.

It might not be "real" soccer, but  college football's overtime format, is not "real" football either. Teams get the ball at the 25-yard line and exchange possessions until there is a winner, also in the manner of baseball innings.

College overtime leaves out punting and field-position, which were such big parts of Tressel Ball at Ohio State. But it retains everything else in the game of football – blocking, tackling, passing, running and placekicking. The rules are clearer than the revised NFL OT format. The drama is enhanced.

If I were king of the sports world -- and who knows, if LeBron James is King in Cleveland again, anything is possible -- I'd tweak baseball along the lines of  the college football format.

The 10^th inning begins with a man on second, who is the last man to make an out in the previous inning or his substitute. This was the extra-innings format in Olympic softball.

The runner on second also can start in the 13^th inning, if desired, with the first three extra innings equaling one-third of a regulation game, just as the 30-minute OT did in soccer.

This way, we've got an RISP (Runner In Scoring Position) as the seamheads say. We've got a duck on a pond. Move him up to third base, and we've got a chance for one of the  riskiest plays in the game, the suicide squeeze.

I know the objections, starting with every base should be hard-earned. Oh, really, as it was during the rampant cheating in the steroid era?

At least the game might not eat up quite so much of the bullpen. At least it might end before the wee small hours of the morning that Frank Sinatra sang about. Such extra-inning games are guaranteed to make sleep reach the vanishing point, along with, if you have to operate heavy equipment the next day at work, possibly a finger or two.

Those of us who like penalty kicks are used to the blow-back that comes from taking the road less traveled. And, hey! I heard that!

The "psychopath," indeed.

Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera hit consecutive homers to lead Indians to victory over Tigers. They're 5-4 against Detroit this season.

DETROIT, Mich. -- Jason Kipnis didn't do it once, he did it twice.

Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera keyed a seven-run seventh inning Friday night with consecutive homers as the Indians beat Detroit, 9-3, to open the figurative second half of the season in style at Comerica Park.

Kipnis, homerless since April 21, added another homer in the ninth. Trevor Bauer, looking at a hard-luck loss through six innings, came away with the victory thanks to the seventh-inning rally and his gritty pitching that kept the game close.  

What it means

The Indians chopped Detroit's lead over them in the AL Central to 6½ games. It also gave them a chance to move into a second-place tie with Kansas City. The Royals played Boston on Friday night.

The Tribe climbed to a game over .500 at 48-47. The Tigers fell to 53-39. The Indians lead the season series, 5-4. That's one more game than they won all last season when the Tigers ruled the series, 15-4.

The victory gave the Indians a 9-4 record in July following a 13-13 showing in June. They are 6-10 on Fridays.

Long time coming

Kipnis' three-run homer in the seventh was his first homer since April 21 when he went deep against Kansas City's Jeremy Guthrie. Kipnis strained an oblique muscle at the end of April and his swing hasn't looked the same since.

Perhaps that swing is changing for the better.

When Kipnis homered in the ninth, it was just the second time he's homered twice in one game in his career. The other came against the White Sox on May 26, 2012.

Consecutive long balls

Kipnis and Cabrera went deep against reliever Al Alburquerque. Kipnis hit a 1-2 pitch into the right field seats. Cabrera hit a first-pitch homer in the same direction. Kipnis has five homers and Cabrera nine for the season.

It's the second time the Indians have hit consecutive homers this season. This first time was April 12 against the White Sox when Kipnis and Nick Swisher homered.

Seventh inning: seven runs on seven hits

Sanchez (6-4, 3.22) outclassed the Indians through six innings. Yan Gomes, Michael Brantley and Carlos Santana had three harmless singles, but when Brantley started the seventh with a single and stole second something changed.

After walking Santana, Lonnie Chisenhall singled to right to load the bases. Nick Swisher, who entered the game hitting .227 with runners in scoring position, singled to center to score Brantley and Santana and cut the Tigers' lead to 3-2.

Sanchez's night was over as Ian Krol relieved. Former Tiger Ryan Raburn pinch hit for David Murphy as the Comerica Park crowd greeted him with boos. Raburn made the boos sting as he hit a RBI double to right to make it 3-3.

Alburquerque relieved and struck out Yan Gomes and Chris Dickerson, but he could not get past Kipnis and Cabrera.

Bauer's night

Bauer (4-4, 3.89) allowed three runs on six hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked one. He threw 101 pitches, 67 for strikes. Bauer is 2-0 in three starts against Detroit this season.

Just perfect

Brantley is 11-for-11 in steals this season.

What's coming

The Indians and Tigers play a day-night doubleheader Saturday. Corey Kluber (9-6, 3.01) will face Drew VerHagen, who is making his first big league start. In the second game, Zach McAllister (3-5, 5.63) will face Max Scherzer (11-3, 3.35).

McAllister will be added to the roster as the 26^th man, which teams are allowed to do for doubleheaders. He will be optioned to Class AAA Columbus after the game, but is expected to rejoin the rotation next week.

Bud Selig talks about his biggest accomplishment as MLB commissioner.

DETROIT, Mich. – Commissioner Bud Selig, Tony Clark, new executive director of the players association, Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, Angels outfielder Mike Trout and AL manager John Farrell were very much at the center of the All-Star Game Tuesday. Here's how they handled five questions thrown their way.

Q. Selig (retiring after this season): What has been your best achievement as commissioner?

A. "I've thought about it a lot. But I guess when all is said and done, the economic reformation of the sport because there are so many manifestations of that. You know I really belong in the theory of hope and faith. You hear me talk about that a lot. There is hope and faith in many places. I looked at the standings (Tuesday) and we have the best competitive balance we've ever had."

Q. Clark: Will the players association, in the wake of the death of Tony Gwynn, ever ban the use of smokeless tobacco by its members?

A. "We believe the numbers suggest the usage has declined significantly. It's declined in the minor leagues and the major leagues. Our hope is that we can continue to educate guys on the damage that dipping can do and they will continue to decide to not dip or chew.

"We give the players the opportunity to make the decision they're going to make against the backdrop of it being legal. At the end of the day, we don't condone it and they know we don't condone it.

Q. Jeter (retiring at the end of the season): You just went 2-for-2 at the All-Star Game. Are you sure you can't play a few more years?

A. "I told you guys before, I'm not retiring at the end of the year because I don't think I can play; It's just the right time . . . I still feel I can play."

Q. Farrell (who led the AL to a 5-3 victory): Do you think home-field advantage for the World Series should be decided by the All-Star Game?

A. "In my personal opinion, I think the overall interleague record is probably more reflective of the American and National league's ability to stack up against each other. That's my personal opinion. I am certainly not going to change it (the current rule), but that's my view."

Q. Trout (named All-Star MVP): Do you feel you've been burdened by expectations when people say that the torch is being passed from Derek Jeter to you as the face of the game?

A. "No, when I was growing up and watching him play on TV, I set one of my goals that if I ever made it to the big leagues that's how I wanted to play. . . . He's always hustling. It doesn't matter what the score is. If they are down by 10 runs, he is always running the ball out. That's how I want to play."

Lonnie Chisenhall wants to make a friendly wager with teammate Michael Brantley over who will finish with the highest batting average this season. Right now they're both in the American League's top 10.

DETROIT, Mich. – Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall wants to make a bet with Michael Brantley about who will finish with the highest batting average this season. If the wager goes down, the winner just might be crowned the AL batting champion.

After the Indians beat the Tigers, 6-2, Saturday in the first game of a day-night doubleheader at Comerica Park, Chisenhall was fourth in the league at .332 (89-for-268) and Brantley was fifth at .327 (118-for-361).

"We're in July, that's what I think about it," said Chisenhall, when asked about the batting race. "(You know) the cliché about taking it one at-bat a time. Let's see what I'm hitting in October, hopefully."

Chisenhall was a little more talkative about sharing a top 10 spot in the AL with his teammate Brantley.

"I may have to put a little wager on it and see who comes out on top at the end of the year," said Chisenhall.

What would the bet entail?

"I don't know, something friendly," said Chisenhall. "I'll let him take me to dinner or something.

"We both want to hit as well as we can. May the better man win."

Chisenhall became eligible for the batting title on July 9. After making the team as an extra player, Chisenhall hit his way into full-time duty at third base. It took him a while, however, to gain enough plate appearances to be eligible for the championship.

"I wasn't thinking about it too much," said Chisenhall. "I know there was a big hoopla about it, but you get at-bats when you get at-bats.

"It's a funny system. You have to get out ahead of it and stay ahead of it."

Chisenhall said he didn't know exactly when he qualified, but added, "I've got some friends who texted me when it happened. They stay on me pretty good."

He added, "It's not easy to qualify. It takes almost 500 at-bats to be in the race. That's good. You want to make sure the guy plays a whole year and plays consistently to win the batting title."

Chisenhall went 2-for-3 in the first game. He also stopped a potential rally with a diving stop against Ian Kinsler to end the fifth after the Tigers cut the Tribe's lead to 3-1.

Yan Gomes celebrates his 27th birthday by going 3-for-4 against the Tigers on Saturday. Manager Terry Francona wishes him, "Happy 40th."

DETROIT, Mich. – Yan Gomes knows how to celebrate a birthday.

The Indians' catcher turned 27 Saturday and went 3-for-4 with three runs and a double in a 6-2 victory over Detroit in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

"I didn't know it was his birthday," said manager Terry Francona. "Good for him. Happy 40^th."

Gomes, who didn't catch the second game, is hitting .269 (79-for-294) with 13 doubles, one triple, 12 homers and 36 RBI.

"I think Gomes has been consistent all year," said Francona. "He's never going to be a high walk guy and that's OK. He can hover down near the bottom of the order. He's got some pop. He gets big hits.

"He really knows how to play the game."

Kluber update: Corey Kluber, who won Saturday's first game, has four games this season in which he's struck out 10 or more batters with one or fewer walks. He's tied with Felix Hernandez for second in the AL. David Price leads with seven.

According to baseball-reference.com, Kluber is just the second Tribe pitcher to do that since 1914. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley did it in 1976.

Pitchers don't wear out, they rust out: Some wondered why Francona used his two top late-inning relievers, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen, in Friday's 9-3 victory.

"Those guys need to pitch," said Francona. "That's the fine line you walk with them. "

Shaw and Allen have told Francona they don't like to go more than two days without pitching and they were just coming off the All-Star break.

"This was coming up on their fifth day without pitching," said Francona. "They needed to pitch."

Heating up: Nick Swisher went into the second game of Saturday's doubleheader hitting .296 (16-for-54) with three homers and 15 RBI in July. He was hitting .212 overall at the start of the second game.

"When he's getting a pitch over the middle, he's hitting it instead of fouling it back," said Francona. "I think he's taking more good swings and he's had more takes on balls he was swinging at before – especially the off speed stuff.

"He's not locked in, but he's getting closer."

Cleveland essentially locked up the win in the first 12 minutes of the third quarter, extending its 35-20 halftime lead to 48-20.

MIKE PETICCA

Special to The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- How rare is it for an Arena Football League team to shut out an opponent for a full half?

Consider this. The Cleveland Gladiators now rank second-best in the fast-paced AFL in scoring defense, allowing 43.1 points per game.

That's after Saturday night's brilliant defensive performance, when the Gladiators blanked the Jacksonville Sharks (6-11) in the second half of their 62-20 victory before 13,064 fans at Quicken Loans Arena.

"The defense was crazy," lineman Willie McGinnis said after the Gladiators upped their record to 16-1, tying the AFL record for wins in a season. "It's probably one of our biggest defensive stands. It's near the end of the season and we're picking up on defense and getting ready for the playoffs."

Cleveland quarterback Shane Austin completed 24 of 34 passes for 345 yards and six touchdowns, with Dominick Goodman catching nine of his throws for 113 yards and three touchdowns.

The Gladiators finish regular-season play when they visit the Tampa Bay Storm next Saturday. They have won seven straight games since their lone loss, 48-34, to the Power in Pittsburgh on May 31. Cleveland has clinched the top seed in the American Conference and the East Division championship, and will host a conference semifinal playoff game on Aug. 2.

Cleveland essentially locked up the win in the first 12 minutes of the third quarter, extending its 35-20 halftime lead to 48-20. Joe Phinisee -- who also recovered a fumble -- intercepted an R.J. Archer pass off the net in the Cleveland end zone. Austin completed three passes to Goodman for 40 yards before 6-4, 340-pound offensive lineman Jason Jones bulldozed for a 4-yard touchdown run.

Then, Gladiators' back Marrio Norman grabbed his 12th interception of the season at the Cleveland 10. Five plays later, Thyron Lewis scored on a 1-yard end-around for the Gladiators' four-touchdown bulge.

Cleveland continued to pour it on, as Norman recovered a fumble at the Gladiators' 3 on the Sharks' next possession. Austin and Lewis connected on a 38-yard completion before Austin's 9-yard touchdown throw to Jones -- eligible as a receiver on the play. Chris Dieker's 4-yard touchdown run closed the Gladiators' scoring.

"We were hitting on all cylinders," Phinisee said of the defense. "I didn't realize they didn't score in the second half until the end of the game."

Austin and Goodman connected on a 33-yard touchdown on the final play of the first half. Goodman pulled in the pass in the clear at the Jacksonville 20, then was hit a yard from the goal line but tumbled into the end zone. That gave Austin five touchdown passes in the half, the first four on a 3-yarder to Collin Taylor, 5- and 9-yarders to Goodman, and a 20-yarder to Royce Pollard, who made a brilliant leaping grab against the boards in the back right of the end zone.

Austin has 94 touchdown passes this season, but he emphasized that the passing attack can get even better.

"I'd like the interception back," he said of his one pick. "A couple plays. But as long as we're striving for perfection, that's what matters."

Ohio Sires Stakes races for two- and three-year-old colts crowded the Northfield Park program on Saturday night, and there weren't too many surprises as the favorites dominated the action.

NORTHFIELD, Ohio – Ohio Sires Stakes races for two- and three-year-old colts crowded the Northfield Park program on Saturday night, all with $40,000 purses, and there weren't too many surprises as the favorites dominated the action.

The featured $150,000 Battle of Lake Erie for older pacers was later on the race card.

The two-year-old colt trotters started the OSS parade. Cooter Dunn ($4.40) won the first division with Louis Bauslaugh in the sulky, trotting a surprisingly fast 1:58.4 mile to win by 13 lengths. It was Cooter Dunn's third win in four starts. Neely's Messenger ($4.60) posted his first career pari-mutuel win in the second division, a 3/4-length victory with Marty Wollam in the sulky in 2:02.3.

Kick A Lot ($2.40) won the third division for freshman trotters guided by Kurt Sugg. The heavily-favored youngster trotted a 2:00.2 mile for an 8 ½-length win.

Big Bossman ($3.80) and reinsman Greg Grismore took the first division for three-year-old colt pacers with a hot 1:54.4 mile. Big Bossman led all the way but had to hang on to win by just a head. Friskie Adam ($3.40) was driven by Kyle Ater to a brisk 1:53.4 mile in the second division and rolled to a five-length victory.

Nobles Finesse ($6.80) had been making waves among the two-year-old colt pacers, and Saturday night took advantage of Cornerback, the 4-5 favorite, going off stride early. Dan Noble reined Nobles Finesse, a youngster trained by Noble's father, Chip Noble, who died on Jan. 13. Nobles Finesse ($6.80) cruised to a 3 ½-length win in 1:56.4.

In the second OSS division for freshman pacers heavily favored Gray Camo ($2.10) easily won his third straight career outing with Chris Page in the sulky. The roan colt from the Burke Racing Stable is a full brother to pacing star Pink Camo, also campaigned by trainer Ron Burke.

The three-year-old trotting colts were last up in the OSS action, and Star Chip ($13) and Wollam put it all together in the stretch to beat Master Mighty to the wire by half a length for Star Chip's second win in a row. Star Chip trotted the mile in 1:59.

True To Mach ($8.40) won the $12,500 George Verban Memorial Pace honoring the former harness racing writer for The Plain Dealer. The five-year-old paced a 1:51.4 mile with Keith Kash Jr. in the sulky, slipping past early leader Artist Night in the stretch for a two-length victory.

The first three games in Detroit help the Tribe climb back into the Central Division race.

DETROIT, Michigan -- Scribbles in my Tribe notebook after the first three games (and victories) in Detroit:

1. If the Indians do have a season that keeps fans interested, you can say it began this weekend in Detroit. They have won three in a row against the Tigers, cutting Detroit's lead to 4 1/2 games in the Central. The Indians are 50-47, the first time they have been three games over .500 this season. And they are playing like a team that remembers it won 92 games last season.

2. Michael Brantley is batting .416 against the Tigers this season with 11 RBI in 11 games. So you can't blame Detroit Manager Brad Asmus for walking Brantley to load the bases with two out in the ninth inning of the second game. But Carlos Santana delivered a double to drive in three runs in what became of a 5-2 victory -- and a Saturday sweep for the Tribe.

3. In the three games, the Indians have scored 15 runs in the final three innings as the Tigers continue to have major bullpen problems. Closer Joe Nathan has a 6.23 ERA. That could help the Tribe in the long run.

4. After the Tribe's 6-2 victory in the first game Saturday, Manager Terry Francona began talking about Corey Kluber -- and ended up talking about Brantley: "Both are just so rock solid." He talked about their work routines, their approach to the game -- and their consistency.

5. Just as Kluber (33 walks in 21 starts) consistently throws strikes, Brantley consistently takes good swings. Both are almost stoic in their approach to the game. Both are about the same age: Kluber is 28, Brantley is 27. Both had to work and wait and make several trips to the minors before establishing themselves in the Majors.

Corey Kluber is 21-11 since opening day of 2013.Chuck Crow / The Plain Dealer 

6. Kluber is 10-6 with a 2.95 ERA this season, Brantley is batting .329 (.901 OPS) with 15 homers and 63 RBI. Do read my column about Kluber here.

7. Think about this: Kluber is the only member of the starting rotation that opened the season to make every start. The other members were Justin Masterson, Carlos Carrasco, Zach McAllister and Danny Salazar. Right now, Salazar is in Class AAA, Masterson is on the disabled list and Carrasco is in the bullpen.

8. Carrasco threw a scoreless eighth inning in Game 2, picking up the victory. His fastball hit 98 mph on the radar gun. Carrasco has a 1.53 ERA since moving to the bullpen.

9. The Tribe's hope for the final three months of the season was on display in the first three games in Detroit -- strong starting pitching. Trevor Bauer, Kluber and McAllister combined to hold the Tigers to six runs in 20 1/3 innings (2.30 ERA).

10. In his last three starts before going on disabled list with a sore back, McAllister was shelled for 17 earned runs in 7 2/3 innings. After a few weeks of rest, he was 5-0 with a 2.23 ERA at Class AAA. Since returning, McAllister has allowed four earned runs in 12 1/3 innings. Several of his fastballs were 95 mph, quicker than usual for McAllister. 

11. McAllister was 3-0 with a 2.28 ERA in four starts to open the season. Then he began to struggle. Then came the back problem. Now, he's healthy again -- and the Tribe has another legitimate starting pitcher. Last season, he was 9-9 with a 3.75 ERA.

12. Justin Masterson starts for the Tribe's Class AAA team today. The Indians are very curious about how he'll pitch. He believes the tendinitis in his knee has calmed down. But will his control improve? He's walking 5.1 batters per nine innings, the highest rate of his career. He also is having his worst season -- 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA.

13. Here's the big IF: If Masterson can pull himself together after the All-Star break, the Indians may have a strong shot at a wildcard spot in the playoffs.

Chris Dickerson was able to go into his home run trot twice in Detroit. AP 

14. The Little Things: The Indians had a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh of the second game. With one out, Alex Avila walked. Then Eugenio Suarez hit what should have been an inning-ending double play grounder to Asdrubal Cabrera. The Tribe shortstop did a nice job gloving it and throwing the ball to Jason Kipnis -- but the Tribe's second baseman had trouble getting the ball out of his glove. The result was a force out.  No error was charged. Then Austin Jackson followed with a triple to drive in a run from first base.

15. Max Scherzer allowed only two runs in 5 2/3 innings. But he left the game after throwing a season-high 118 pitches. The Indians left seven runners on base against the Cy Young Award winner. Scherzer entered the game with an 11-3 record and 3.35 ERA.

16. You can't make this stuff up: Tribe outfielder Chris Dickerson entered Saturday's game 0-of-9 against Scherzer. And seven of those were strikeouts. So what happens? Dickerson draws a walk and hammers two homers off the Tiger star.

17. Cody Allen is 13-of-14 in saves, as he picked up another one in Game 2. Boy, would the Tigers love to have this guy -- and having a terrific bullpen gives the Tribe a shot at a playoff spot.
   

Brett Miller returned to his old stomping grounds on Saturday night, dazzling the crowd with a spectacular drive behind Clear Vision to win the $150,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park.

NORTHFIELD, Ohio – Brett Miller returned to his old stomping grounds on Saturday night, dazzling the crowd with a spectacular drive behind Clear Vision to win the $150,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park for older pacers.

"When Bolt The Duer broke stride in the first turn, that changed the whole race," said Miller, a popular driver at Northfield Park until moving to Pennsylvania's The Meadows and Pocono Downs about five years ago. "I figured Bolt The Duer would cut the pace, and I'd have to catch him."

The 7-5 favorite, Bolt The Duer had to pull up and head to the outside to get back on pacing stride and never recovered. Miller kept Clear Vision on the outside, constantly challenging leader Night Pro and Indiana reinsman Peter Wrenn, uncle of Northfield driving star Ronnie Wrenn Jr.

In the final turn, Miller got Clear Vision to kick it into overdrive, and while Clear Vision and Night Pro dueled down the stretch, Miller was so confident he posed for the crowd at the finish line, whip in the air and hands raised in victory.

The 1:49.3 mile was a Northfield track record for pacers five years old and up. Clear Vision posted a two-length victory, his third in 16 starts this year. It pushed his career winning to almost $2 million.

"This horse likes to race on a half-mile track, and when it comes to going head-to-head with another horse, Clear Vision is dead game," said Miller. "I knew in the last turn he was the winner. I drove him a lot last year, I had a pretty good idea of what he can do on the race track."

Clear Vision played second fiddle to his stable mate on the tote board, with the 10-year-old Foiled Again the 5-2 second choice in the field of eight while Clear Vision went off at 5-1. Foiled Again is the richest horse in harness racing, with $6.3 million in winnings. Both horses are trained by Ron Burke of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and owned by the Burke Racing Stable.

Clear Vision paid $10.80, 5.20, 3.40. Night Pro was second, $4.60, 3.80, with Foiled Again third, $3.20. Night Pro was chasing his seventh straight win and 10^th victory in a dozen starts.

Ohio Sires Stakes races for two- and three-year-old colts crowded the Northfield Park program on Saturday night, all with $40,000 purses, and there weren't too many surprises as the favorites dominated the action.

The two-year-old colt trotters started the OSS parade, as Cooter Dunn ($4.40) trotted a surprisingly fast 1:58.4 mile to win by 13 lengths and Neely's Messenger ($4.60) posted his first career pari-mutuel win in the second division. Kick A Lot ($2.40) won the third division by 8 lengths in 2:00.2.

Big Bossman ($3.80) took the first division for three-year-old colt pacers with a hot 1:54.4 mile. Friskie Adam ($3.40) was driven by Kyle Ater to a brisk 1:53.4 mile in the second division for a five-length victory.

Nobles Finesse ($6.80) won the first two-year-old colt and heavily favored Gray Camo ($2.10) easily won his third straight career outing in the second division. The three-year-old trotting colts were last up in the OSS action, and Star Chip ($13) put it all together in the stretch for his second win in a row in 1:59.

Indians new outfielder Chris Dickerson was 0-9 with seven strikeouts against Detroit's Cy Young winner Max Scherzer before hitting two homers off him Saturday night at Comerica Park.

DETROIT, Mich. – Chris Dickerson tried everything else against Max Scherzer. So on Friday night he did the sensible thing before facing the reigning AL Cy Young winner on Saturday in the second game of a day-night doubleheader.

"I got some extra sleep," said Dickerson.

The Indians did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express, but the benefits of a good night's sleep were evident as Dickerson hit two homers off Scherzer in a 5-2 victory that completed a doubleheader sweep of the Tigers. They won the opener, 6-2.

How has Dickerson done in the past against Scherzer?

"He owns me," said Dickerson with a laugh.

Owns is a good description. Dickerson went into Saturday's game 0-9 with seven strikeouts against Scherzer.

"He's done everything against me," said Dickerson. "When he pitched for Arizona, he was 95 to 97 mph on the corners, sliders and change ups. Last year I took the hat trick here (three strikeouts with Baltimore) with change ups and 97 on the black.

"Whenever I bring up the best pitchers in the game, the guys I struggle with, Max is at the top. Everytime I face him, he's on."

Dickerson drove Scherzer's 0-1 slider into the right field seats to start the third inning and make the score, 1-1. In the sixth, he drove a 2-2 change up to almost the exact same spot with two out for a 2-1 lead.

"I did have a little smirk on my face after the second one because I couldn't believe it," said Dickerson.

The Indians acquired Dickerson from Pittsburgh's Class AAA Indianapolis team on July 7 when Michael Bourn went on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Dickerson is hitting .435 (10-for-23) and has played in seven games since the trade.

"You don't ever want to lose anyone, but when somebody comes in and they're hot, it takes the sting away," said manager Terry Francona. "With Jason Kipnis hitting first and Dickerson at the bottom of the order, it's really been good."

Carlos Santana wasn't angry that the Tigers intentionally walked Michael Brantley to load the bases so they could face him with two out in the ninth Saturday night. "I love to hit in that situation," said Santana.

DETROIT, Mich. – Carlos Santana wasn't mad because the Tigers intentionally walked All-Star Michael Brantley to load the bases with two out in the ninth inning Saturday night in the second game of a day-night doubleheader.

He didn't go to the plate squeezing the bat into sawdust or muttering dark oaths against the Motor City Kitties.

"I was happy, happy, happy," said Santana. "I love to hit in that situation."

Santana, facing closer Joe Nathan, worked the count to 2-1 before lining a bases-clearing double off the right field wall at Comerica Park to give the Indians a 5-2 victory and a doubleheader sweep. The Indians won the first game, 6-2.

It was the Tribe's first doubleheader sweep in Detroit since 1966.

It's would be hard to be more excited than Santana, but Jason Kipnis and Chris Dickerson were.

In the seventh, with the Tribe clinging to a 2-1 lead, Eugenio Suarez sent an inning-ending double play grounder to Mike Aviles at short. Aviles made the throw to Kipnis at second to force Alex Avila, but the ball got caught in the webbing of his glove and Suarez was safe at first.

Austin Jackson followed with a triple to right center to tie the score.

"No one was happier about Santana's hit than me," said Kipnis.

Dickerson may argue that point.

Through eight innings, he accounted for the Tribe's only runs with homers in the third and sixth innings against the Max Scherzer. He came to the plate in the ninth after rookie catcher Roberto Perez hit a leadoff double.

Dickerson got the sign from manager Terry Francona to move Perez to third. He tried to bunt the whole at bat, eventually working the count to 3-2, before taking a called third strike from Nathan.

"Even when it was 3-1, I was still thinking about getting him over," said Dickerson. "I think those pitches were down. You're spread out in your bunt stance and I still would have had to reach for that ball."

After the strikeout, Dickerson sat down on the bench and said to himself, "Who cares if I hit two homers tonight. We had a chance to win it right there and I couldn't get a bunt down. Los (Santana) saved my life tonight."

The Indians are 7-4 against the Tigers after going 4-15 against them last season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians played the Detroit Tigers in the second game of a day-night doubleheader Saturday. Here is a capsule look from The Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff:

Game: 97.

Opponent: Tigers.

Location: Comerica Park, Detroit.

Time of day: Night.

Time elapsed: 3 hours, 40 minutes.

Attendance: 42,044.

Result: Indians 5, Tigers 2.

Records: Indians 50-47, Tigers 53-41.

Nick Camino Scoreboard Watch: The Indians pulled within 4.5 games of first-place Detroit in the AL Central. They have gained four games in the past three days in which MLB regular-season games have been played (last Sunday, Friday, Saturday).

Coming out of the All-Star break, the Tigers had an opportunity to bury the Tribe where the division is concerned. Instead, the Tribe is very much alive after winning the first three of a four-game series (9-3, 6-2, 5-2).

Who says the Indians can't perform in front of large crowds? They have won the first three at Comerica in front of a total of 122,408 paid.

Reversal of fortune: The Indians are 7-4 against the Tigers, including 4-1 in Detroit. Last season, they went 4-15.

Oddity: The Tigers, for as good as they can be, are 25-25 at home.

Bringing heat: The Indians are 11-4 in July.

Starring roles: Three players owned the night for Cleveland: right-hander Zach McAllister (5 1/3 IP, R), left fielder Chris Dickerson (2-for-3, 2 HR) and designated hitter Carlos Santana (3-R 2B in 9th).

Z-Mac dialed in: McAllister allowed three hits, walked three and struck out six. He threw 61 of 97 pitches for strikes.

A start of 5 1/3 innings often means something went wrong, not right. But McAllister has every reason to feel good, especially given what happened since the previous time he faced the Tigers.    

On May 21 in Cleveland, McAllister allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in two-plus innings. The only solace for him was that the Indians won, 11-10, in 13 innings.

At that point, McAllister was reeling (3-4, 5.89 ERA). He essentially had become a one-pitch pitcher, and he struggled to locate even that one pitch, the fastball.

The Indians had seen enough. They shelved him because of back issues and did not call on him again until July 12. He gave up three earned runs on four hits in seven innings of a 6-2 loss to the White Sox.

McAllister was credited with a quality start against the White Sox. Against the Tigers, he did not meet the QS criteria (six or more innings, three or fewer earned) -- but he might as well have. To take on the Tigers and their potent offense, in their house, and hold them to one run in 5 1/3 innings is impressive.

Through no fault of his own, McAllister had the unenviable task of following righty Corey Kluber and his nastiness. Kluber struck out 10 in 8 2/3 innings in the afternoon victory. Most pitchers asked to follow Kluber within hours would seem vulnerable.

McAllister still relied heavily on his mid-90s heater -- it is his best pitch, after all -- but at least he got important strikes and outs with his slurve and changeup. Perhaps the most impressive secondary pitch thrown was an 0-2 change piece to Victor Martinez in the third. Martinez, an elite hitter who doesn't strike out much, swung and missed.

Second-inning thrill ride: The game could have gone sideways for McAllister in the second. Check that: It did go sideways. He faced seven batters and threw 34 pitches but allowed just the one run.

With one out, Torii Hunter singled. Hunter advanced to second on a wild pitch.

With two outs, McAllister walked Alex Avila (five pitches), No. 9 Eugenio Suarez (seven pitches) and Austin Jackson (four pitches). Jackson's walk gave Detroit a 1-0 lead.

McAllister threw a ball to dangerous Ian Kinsler -- Z-Mac's 13th ball in 16 pitches. After a called strike, Kinsler popped foul to third.

Hard to believe, but true:  McAllister settled down enough that, from the last batter of the third to the third batter of the fourth, he threw 16 straight strikes.

Nothing doing: McAllister and his bullpen held Detroit's Nos. 2-3-4-5 hitters to a combined 1-for-16 with six strikeouts. The hit was a leadoff double by Miguel Cabrera in the sixth.

McAllister fell behind Victor Martinez, 3-0, but got him to pop a 3-1 pitch to third. John Axford relieved and wild-pitched Cabrera to third. Axford, one of the night's underrated performers, bowed his neck and struck out J.D. Martinez swinging at a breaking pitch and caught Hunter looking at a full-count fastball. Hunter squawked, but plate umpire Mike Everitt had gotten the call correct.

Hammer time: Dickerson, lurking in the nine-hole, hit both off the homers against reigning Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

Not bad for a journeyman acquired from Pittsburgh earlier this month for depth when Michael Bourn was sidelined because of injury.

Dickerson led off the third by blasting an 0-1 curveball (75 mph) into the right-field seats to tie the score, 1-1. With two outs and none on in the sixth, he smacked a 2-2 changeup (86) into the right-field seats to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead.

Scherzer told reporters that Dickerson is the first player to hit a homer off his curveball in the majors.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Dickerson became the fifth player to hit two homers in one game against Scherzer. The previous four players had combined for 1,052 homers before their games against Scherzer; Dickerson entered with 15.

Dickerson entered Saturday at 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts against Scherzer.

Dickerson rebounded nicely from his previous start, during which he was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts Friday.

Bobbing and weaving: Dickerson salvaged something from what was ultimately a frustrating night for Tribe bats against Scherzer. The Indians pressured Scherzer and helped force him to throw a season-high 118 pitches in 5 2/3 innings, but they managed two runs. Scherzer, dealing with neck spasms, gave up six hits, walked four and struck out four.

Play not made: The Tigers tied the score, 2-2, against Scott Atchison in the seventh. With a runner on first and one out, Atchison got Suarez to ground to short for what should have been a double play. However, second baseman Jason Kipnis, having received the throw from Mike Aviles and his calves, could not extract the ball from his glove quickly enough and his relay missed retiring Suarez by a half-step. Jackson punished Cleveland for the non-error error by tripling to right-center. Kinsler grounded to short for the final out.

El Oso growls: Santana made McAllister's and Dickerson's contributions count in the standings when he hit a two-out, three run triple in the ninth to account for the final margin.

All of the runs in the ninth were charged to Tigers closer Joe Nathan (4-3, 6.23 ERA).

With runners on first and second, two outs and Michael Brantley at the plate, Nathan threw a first-pitch ball that catcher Alex Avila should have at least knocked down. Instead, it went to the backstop and the runners advanced to second and third, respectively.

Avila's mistake had a ripple effect because it prompted the Tigers to intentionally walk Brantley, who has been wearing out the league, in general, and Detroit, specifically.

Santana stepped into the box at 0-for-4. After Nathan fell behind, 2-1, Avila spoke with him. They opted for a fastball, and Santana was ready. The pitch came in at 92, straight and over the plate. It went out in a flash, banging off the wall in right-center. In most ballparks, Santana would have hit a grand slam, but he settled for the double.

Tribe closer Cody Allen worked the ninth for his 13th save in 14 opportunities.

The Indians went into the All-Star break with a .500 record. Several players admit they were lucky to be that good. Now is the time to be better..

DETROIT, Mich. – Several Indians, as they prepared to begin play following the All-Star break, said they were lucky to be a .500 team.

Corey Kluber said it. So did Ryan Raburn and Michael Brantley.

They were right. The Indians went into the break at 47-47. Ho-hum, middle of the road stuff, but it took some doing just to get there. They dealt with the worst defense in the big leagues, a starting rotation that continually changed arms and inconsistent, if not downright poor play, from their big-money offensive players.

Now the question is how do they get better? If anything can be drawn from the first two games since the break it's this – good starting pitching and a top-to-bottom approach on offense goes a long way in winning games. The combination of Trevor Bauer, even if he had to play catch with a fence over the break, and Kluber couldn't have been much better Friday and in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Offensively, Jason Kipnis and Nick Swisher are improving. Add them to the breakout seasons of Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall and the consistency of Yan Gomes and Asdrubal Cabrera and that's several bats that can do some damage.

The next few turns in the rotation will be important. When does Justin Masterson return? Will Zach McAllister or Danny Salazar find regular work there? And with Kipnis coming around in the leadoff spot, what do you with Michael Bourn when he returns?

The Indians didn't help themselves in the first 94 games, but they didn't ruin themselves either. They still have a chance.