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Luigi Rodriguez starts hot, Mike Papi heating up: Cleveland Indians Class A Report

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Indians first-round picks Clint Frazer, Bradley Zimmer and Mike Papi putting the squeeze on Luigi Rodriguez hasn't hurt his start with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Three Indians first-round draft picks crowding the Lynchburg Hillcats outfield are putting the squeeze on 22-year-old prospect Luigi Rodriguez. He is not shrinking from the challenge.

Rodriguez, an outfielder by trade, led the Class A Carolina League in batting average (.406), slugging percentage (.656) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.169) through the first 10 games. He carried an eight-game hitting streak into Friday.

He began the season 0-for-6, and is 13-for-26 since.

Rodriguez started six games at designated hitter, one in right and three in left while first-round picks Clint Frazier, Bradley Zimmer and Mike Papi occupied most of the outfield.

Rodriguez, listed at 5-11 and 160 pounds, once was named the "Fastest Baserunner" in the Indians' system by Baseball America. He has added some bulk this year and had his first two-homer game last Saturday.

He was signed in 2009 as a free agent out of Santiago, Dominican Republic.

Hard-luck pitcher: Right-hander Adam Plutko (0-1, 1.53) has allowed no more than one run in three starts this season. He struck out 13 and walked two in 17 2/3 innings.

Papi wakes up: After going 1-for-30 in Lynchburg's first nine games, Papi took a five-game hitting streak (5-for-19) into Friday.

Good trend: Lynchburg had a streak of 12 consecutive RBI with two outs. Entering Friday, 23 of 52 RBI were with two outs. Leading the team with three two-out RBI were Joe Sever, Eric Haase, Nellie Rodriguez, Luigi Rodriguez and Bradley Zimmer.

Bad trend: Lynchburg had been outscored, 25-4, in the ninth inning entering Friday, and all four of its runs came in the season opener. The Hillcats surrendered nine runs in the ninth last Friday and six on Saturday.

Lake County Captains

The Captains (6-9) return to Classic Park on Friday for a six-game homestand against Great Lakes and Lansing, with an off day Monday.

Jordan Milbrath (0-1, 7.04 ERA) will start for the Captains on Friday, followed by Sean Brady (1-1, 3.60) Saturday and Dace Kime (0-2. 2.60) Sunday.

Lake County has, by far, the worst offense in the Midwest League with a .180 team batting average and 34 runs in 15 games. Its top hitter, Taylor Murphy, is hitting .231.


Live updates and chat: Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers, Game 15

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Get live updates and chat with beat writers Paul Hoynes and Zack Meisel in the comments section below as the Indians and Tigers begin their three-game series from Motown. Cleveland's Danny Salazar will oppose Detroit's Shane Greene.

DETROIT, Mich. -- Get live updates and chat with beat writers Paul Hoynes and Zack Meisel in the comments section below as the Indians and Tigers begin their three-game series from Motown. Cleveland's Danny Salazar will oppose Detroit's Shane Greene.

Game 15: Indians (5-9) vs. Tigers (11-4)

First pitch: 7:08 p.m. ET at Comerica Park

TV/radio: STO; WMMS FM/100.7; WTAM 1100

LeBron James, Kia auctioning off $170K car for charity

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Proceeds of an auctioned Kia K900 luxury sedan endorsed by LeBron James will go to the LeBron James Family Foundation.

BOSTON -- LeBron James and Kia Motors are auctioning a K900 -- the luxury car James endorses for the company -- with the proceeds to benefit James' charitable organization.

Up until 3 p.m. on May 7, the car is available for bid on Charitybuzz.com. The cost of this particular K900, which includes a personalized King James Limited Edition Plaque and James-related icons in the headrests, is $168,463. The auction was announced in a press release from Kia.

Also according to the release, the car is customized with "Alcantara Suede interior and headliner, color-matched diamond contrast stitching," window tint and select audio system.

The benefactor of the charity is the LeBron James Family Foundation, which switched its core mission a few years ago to implementation of a program to keep at-risk youths from dropping out of school in the Akron Public Schools system.

In October, the Northeast Ohio Media Group reported that early results of the foundation's program showed more improvement on standardized reading tests for children in James' program than for children in the school system who were not in the program.

Also in October, Kia announced its partnership with James, the Cavaliers superstar who has his team up 3-0 in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against Boston. The K900 is the first car endorsement of James' 12-year career.

The picture of James with the K900 up for auction was taken in New York during the NBA's All-Star weekend, Kia said. The same weekend, James' foundation flew some Akron teenagers to New York to carry out charitable acts on James' behalf.

James' charitable organization also funds and operates a youth basketball program in greater Akron and donates to James' alma mater, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

This is not the first auction for James' foundation involving one of his marketing partners. Prior to the 2013-14 NBA season, James and Audemars Piguet auctioned off an engraved watch, dinner with James' long-time friend and business partner Maverick Carter, and tickets to a Miami Heat game.

NFL Draft by position: Should Cleveland Browns make a play for halfbacks Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon?

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Are the Browns satisfied with the production Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, who each finished among the top-5 in rookie rushers a year ago?

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns invested heavily in their running game a year ago with mixed results.

More willing than able, the club was among the NFL's best in rushing attempts and worse in yards per carry. They did, however, improve in many facets of the ground game after a miserable season trying to run the ball in 2013.

Are the Browns satisfied with the production Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, who each finished among the top-5 in rookie rushers a year ago? Or, does a coach and general manager who like to run the ball seek a major upgrade by drafting Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon in the first round?

On the roster

Terrance West, Isaiah Crowell, Shaun Draughn, Glenn Winston.

2014 NFL stats & rankings

Rushing yards per game: 108 (17th).

Rushing attempts: 477 (sixth).

Rushing yards per attempt: 3.6 (28th).

Rushing touchdowns: 17 (fourth).

2014 Overview

The run game was inconsistent, but could have been far worse given the circumstances. Veteran halfback Ben Tate, one of the club's prime free-agent acquisitions, was released at midseason after pouting about his playing time. The team also lost Pro Bowl center Alex Mack to a Week 5 broken leg.

Still, the running game had its moments behind the first-year tandem of West, a third-round pick, and Crowell. They became the first pair of rookie teammates to run for at least 600 yards each since Dick Post and Brad Hubbert did it for the Chargers in 1967.

West (673 yards, 4 TDs) spent much of the season running for either daylight or coach Mike Pettine's doghouse. He had a few dazzling performances, but his lack of maturity grated on the coaching staff. If he grows up, West could become a productive player. Crowell (607 yards, 8 TDs) was a more explosive runner, but he seemed to fade down the stretch. His eight rushing TDs ranked second among rookies.

The Browns didn't finish the season with a fullback on the roster, and will have to add one.

Free agency

The Browns added no running backs.

Top draft prospects

Todd Gurley (Georgia) 6-1, 222: The former Bulldog is rising up many mock drafts with the news he received a positive report from his medical rechecks at the combine. Gurley tore an ACL last season, but he could be ready for the NFL season openers. He's an all-around back who can run, block and catch the ball. In his only full season, Gurley rushed for 1,395 yards and 17 TDs. He's played just 16 games the past two seasons, however, and durability remains an issue.

Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) 6-1, 215: The Heisman Trophy runner-up enjoyed one of the best seasons in college football history, running for 2,587 yards and 29 TDs. Gordon possesses terrific quickness and vision and does much of his damage outside the tackles. He has been likened to Jamaal Charles.

Jay Ajayi (Boise State) 6-0, 221: He made strides as a player and person in his four years at Boise State. After nearly getting dismissed from the team, Ajayi grew up and became a solid back with good balance and a low center of gravity. He's most likely a second-round pick.

Dane Brugler's Day 3 Gem

Brugler, a senior NFL draft analyst for NFL DraftScout and CBS Sports, will supply a mid-round pick each day. The analysis below is from Brugler's annual draft guide.

David Johnson (Northern Iowa) 6-0, 224: "(Patterning) his game after Matt Forte, Johnson is at his best as a receiving option out of the backfield, torching linebackers and working the middle of the field. He projects to the NFL as a bigger, stiffer version of running back Charles Sims and is best suited as a third-down running back or hybrid H-back due to his versatility - top-100 option."

Browns draft likelihood

Gurley is a tantalizing option, but the Browns have more pressing needs in the first round. West and Crowell deserve another season to prove themselves. If the Browns take a running back it's more likely in the mid to later rounds. They need a back who can catch the ball and run with it - an element lacking from their attack last season. They also must add a fullback, perhaps an undrafted free agent. Chances of using a first-round pick on the position: 15 percent.

Coming Saturday

Receivers/tight ends

Hitters fighting through widespread offensive funk, but not making excuses: Cleveland Indians notes

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"We're trying to keep working," Francona said. "I think across the board, we're better than we're showing."

DETROIT -- The Indians' offensive well has run dry. They're hoping everything short of a rain dance will help them reverse course.

The club's .220 batting average ranks 25th among the league's 30 teams. Its .282 on-base percentage ranks 26th. Its .337 slugging percentage ranks 27th. Only seven teams have hit fewer home runs than the Tribe's 11, but all 11 have come on the road and have been solo shots.

It's an epidemic and no one is immune. Among regulars, Michael Brantley boasts the best batting average, at .226. Ryan Raburn and Jerry Sands have provided some knocks from the bench, but those in Terry Francona's typical batting order have scuffled through the season's first few weeks. For that reason, the team took an extra session of batting practice at Comerica Park early Friday afternoon.

"We're trying to keep working," Francona said. "I think across the board, we're better than we're showing."

Can the team point to injuries to Yan Gomes and Brantley as the catalyst for the widespread slump?

"You're not going to get better quicker by us complaining about it or feeling sorry [for ourselves]," Francona said. "Because Gomes is not playing doesn't mean we can't pick up a runner on third or something like that."

Gomes will be sidelined for at least another month. Brantley missed six games with a balky lower back. He entered Friday's tilt with a miserable .563 OPS and without a home run or stolen base.

"Even when he's not in midseason form, he's such a good hitter," Francona said. "Pitchers have to respect that. He makes so many adjustments. He'll still find ways to get hits."

Brandon Moss, on the other hand, has struggled at the plate, despite sound health. Moss returned from off-season hip surgery and immediately started swinging a hot bat in spring training. Through 12 regular season contests, he has compiled a .162 batting average with one home run and 17 strikeouts.

"This spring, his first week of at-bats were awesome," Francona said. "Now he has some at-bats under his belt and he's scuffling. If we could bottle it, we would, and would probably make a lot more money. Hitting is temperamental."

One area that has especially tormented Tribe hitters has been batting with runners in scoring position. In those situations, the club has logged a .186 average and a .500 OPS.

"Any time you hit with runners in scoring position, it's good," Francona said. "When you get those two-out hits, those are big, especially when you're not really knocking the cover off the ball."

Raburn's rebound: After a dreadful 2014 campaign, Raburn has started the new season in ideal form. Through 10 games, he has compiled a .364/.375/727 slash line and ranks second on the team with seven RBI. Hitting lefties has been his calling card, but in 2014, he batted only .195 against southpaws. So far this season, he has tallied eight hits in 21 at-bats against lefties (.381 average) with a .762 slugging percentage.

"When he goes up to the plate, he has to be fearless," Francona said. "It's a heck of a lot easier when you're getting some results to show for it."

Testing, testing: Nick Swisher was scheduled to make his season debut with Triple-A Columbus on Friday, as he continues to work his way back from double knee surgery, performed last August. He is slated to play in his second game with the Clippers on Sunday, before venturing to Cleveland to work out with the Indians on Monday. Then, he'll meet with the Tribe staff to determine a course of action for the following week or so.

Move it, move it: Zach Walters will continue to bounce around defensively at Triple-A Columbus. The 25-year-old was activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Columbus on Friday. He was already playing for the Clippers on a rehab assignment, as he rounds into shape following a stint on the shelf because of a strained right oblique.

In his first two games with Columbus, Walters played third base and left field. In spring training, he also moonlighted at shortstop and first base.

"He'll move around there," Francona said. "We don't quite know where he would play. Nobody has a crystal ball to know what's going to happen. But if he's swinging the bat and he has the ability to move around, it certainly can help."

Early bird special: First pitch between the Indians and Royals at Progressive Field on Monday will take place at 6:10 p.m. ET, an hour earlier than normal. The Indians are testing out the earlier start time "in an effort to avoid potential weather issues. Additionally, families and children who may be attending the games will arrive home an hour earlier," the team stated in a press release. The team will use the early start time on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, May 12 and May 13.

Legislation calls for federal coordinator to lead fight to stop Lake Erie pollution

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Bipartisan legislation by three Ohio congressmen would appoint a federal coordinator to lead the fight to stop Lake Erie pollution.

MAUMEE BAY, Ohio - Millions in state and federal funds are being allocated to save Lake Erie from phosphorus pollution and toxic algal blooms, and at long last there could be a general in charge to direct the wide range of troops.

Ohio representatives Marcy Kaptur of Toledo, David Joyce of Russell Township and Tim Ryan of Howland introduced bipartisan legislation this week to mandate the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency appoint a coordinator in the battle against Great Lakes' pollution and harmful algal blooms (HABs).

"This legislation reflects the kind of long-term strategic planning necessary to track and prevent algal blooms now and in the future," said Kaptur in a prepared statement.

It is also the strategy that was used after the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972. The U.S. EPA was put in charge, and a coordinator monitored the efforts for Lake Erie and the Great Lakes.

"A manager for the nutrient problem in Lake Erie is badly needed to coordinate all of the research, and be a portal for information," said Sandy Bihn, executive director of Lake Erie Waterkeeper Inc. "A coordinator could also provide accountability for nutrient reductions and money being spent."

Bihn said Lake Erie recovered in the 1970s because a coordinator directed federal and state pollution management.

"With millions being spent, it's mandatory that we have a federal coordinator to oversee federal and state agencies, universities and all of the various agencies involved," said Bihn. "There are many watersheds around the country doing far more to fight pollution and HABs, and they're getting results."

Phosphorus pollution is responsible for the green summertime slime around Western Lake Erie. The main contributors are runoff from farm fertilizer and manure, waste water plants, storm water and ailing septic systems.

"Right now, we don't know how much phosphorus is going to be reduced by the amount of money we're going to spend," said Bihn. "We need to get to the 40 percent reduction level that will make Lake Erie healthy again.

"Other watersheds are doing so much better, from Chesapeake Bay to the Mississippi River, Gulf Coast and Florida Everglades," Bihn said. "They have an annual report card. Lake Erie does not."

A key element in the battle, said Bihn, is knowing the total maximum daily load (TMDL) of phosphorus flowing into Lake Erie.

The U.S. EPA has a TMDL model for the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed. It identifies the necessary pollution reductions from major sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment across the District of Columbia and large sections of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

The pollution limits are further divided by jurisdiction and major river basins based on state-of-the-art modeling tools, extensive monitoring data, peer-reviewed science and close interaction among jurisdiction partners.

That model that needs to be duplicated for the Lake Erie watershed and the Great Lakes.

"Assigning a point person not only ensures EPA takes responsibility for our federal algal bloom response, it creates accountability," Kaptur told the Toledo Blade. "This is especially important as we move into another algal bloom season and ramp up investments in algal bloom research, tracking and prevention initiatives."

Bihn pointed out that researchers are making a mistake by focusing on the Western Basin of Lake Erie.

"We need to better manage all of Lake Erie," she said. "There is a dead zone in the middle of the Central Basin off Cleveland. All of the basins are dependent upon one another.

"When they cleaned up Lake Erie the last time, they did an assessment on the whole lake, with Pennsylvania and New York part of the action plan. The Western Basin may be the most problematic, but all of Lake Erie needs better management protection."

Cleveland's new gun laws halt visit by national firearms group

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The National Shooting Sports Foundation crossed Cleveland off its list of possible sites for an upcoming NSSF Industry Summit because of the city's new gun laws.

NSSF_Logo copy.jpg 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The National Shooting Sports Foundation canceled a trip to Cleveland on Wednesday to talk about holding an NSSF Industry Summit here, citing sweeping gun-control legislation passed by City Council on Monday night.

The Newtown, Connecticut-based organization promotes hunting, the shooting sports and firearm ownership. It hosts the annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Show in Las Vegas each year, the largest firearms trade show in country.

"I'd enjoyed my previous trip to Cleveland, and found it to be a vibrant, growing city we really felt would be a good site for the 2016 or 2017 NSSF Industry Summit," said Senior Vice-President Chris Dolnack, the group's chief marketing officer. "When Cleveland City Council passed its firearms regulations on Monday, I knew we'd have to look to another city."

The NSSF is holding its 2015 Industry Summit in Savannah, Georgia on June 1-3. The gatherings usually draw more than 200 people in the firearms industry, as well as state wildlife officers, sportsmen and media.

"I was really taken with Cleveland, and have nothing but praise for the new convention center, the great restaurants and entertainment venues and the help we'd received from Destination Cleveland," said Dolnack.

The new Cleveland gun laws prohibit using a gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, defacing a gun's serial number or allowing a minor to use a gun without supervision, as do state laws. Cleveland is also requiring gun offenders to register with the city's safety department within five days of either being released from prison or moving to Cleveland; report a lost or stolen gun to police; and require people selling or transfering a gun to report those transactions.

Dolnack said he expected the laws to be quickly challenged in court, and he was right. Ohioans for Concealed Carry have sought an injunction in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to stop the city from enforcing the new law.

LeBron James said 'we're not looking to blow anybody out,' but the series with Boston isn't that close

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LeBron James and the Cavs have had to make crucial plays late in games to beat the Celtics in this first-round series, but are enjoying a command few other James' teams have enjoyed in the playoffs.

BOSTON -- LeBron James wasn't sure if it was his block of Evan Turner's dunk, or his assist to Kevin Love for that dagger three-pointer, or maybe the charge he drew on Jae Crowder.

Each of those plays occurred in the waning moments of the fourth quarter in the Cavaliers' 103-95 victory in Game 3 against the Boston Celtics, and none involved James putting the ball in the hole.

They were "winning" plays nonetheless, the kind one makes in a tight, important game when every moment counts. James scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but his ample postseason experience lends him to making an extra impact with the kinds of plays that might not come to mind right away the next morning.

"I just try to do a little bit of everything," James said Thursday night. The Cavs, who lead the series 3-0 and can close out the Celtics on Sunday, did not practice Friday.

"I'm not just a scorer, I try to do everything defensively, some things that don't show up in the box score," James said. "Whatever it takes for my team to win, I want to be a part of it. Sacrificing myself, giving up my body. I'm all for it."

The Cavs were overwhelming favorites to beat the No. 7 seed Celtics, so it should come as no surprise that Cleveland is making "winning" plays. What might be a surprise to some is that the Cavs were in a position to have to make those plays in the first place.

The Celtics are indeed winless in this series, but they've been close in each fourth quarter. On Thursday, the Celtics trailed by just three with 2:13 left, before Love made the first of two huge treys.

Both of Love's treys down the stretch, including the one assisted by James with 26.7 seconds to go, were made possible by offensive rebounds from Tristan Thompson. Again, those are "winning" plays, the kind the Cs wish they were making.

"I'd much rather make big plays and be up 3-0 than not make plays at all and be down 0-3," James said.

The question remains whether the Cavs are beating Boston as handily as a team with James, Love, and Kyrie Irving should beat a Celtics team with no players of that caliber. History tells us that the answer is, basically, yes.

James has never lost a first-round series in nine previous tries. His team's average margin of victory for all 46 first-round games he's played is about 8.6 points. The Cavs' average margin of victory over the Celtics thus far is 9.7.

If that number holds in this series, then it would rank as the fourth-highest margin of victory in a first-round series for a James-led team. Last year the Heat beat Charlotte by 9.75 ppg, the year before Miami crushed Milwaukee by 14.75 ppg, and in 2009 the Cavs walloped the Pistons by 15.5 points per game.

Should Cleveland lose Sunday at TD Garden, that loss would represent somewhat of an anomaly on James' resume. He hasn't lost a first-round game since the Heat dropped Game 4 to the Knicks on May 6, 2012, a span now covering 12 games.

"We're playing a fine opponent, they're making it very difficult for us, they're challenging us, competing with us, and we're doing what we have (to) to win," Cavs coach David Blatt said. "But it's not coming easy. We're working very hard to be successful in this series, and I think that's a good thing because that makes you stronger, and that's what you want."

Blatt said a reason Cleveland is up 3-0 is the Cavs "have respected our opponent." It's an opponent that traded away its top two players in Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green and has less playoff experience on its roster than James brings by himself.

But, and it's been well documented, James' team has some playoff rookies, too. Notably, Love, Irving, and Thompson. So if there are more "winning" plays that need to be made Sunday, James would be fine with it.

"We're not looking to blow anybody out," James said. "We're not looking to make a statement. In the postseason you just want to win. That's all that matters is the wins in the postseason, no matter how you do it."


Five things to take away from Cleveland Indians' 13-1 victory over Detroit

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Feast or famine offenses rarely work, but it was good to see the Indians swing the bats, especially Brandon Moss, in Friday's night's win over the Tigers. Danny Salazar, meanwhile, had his second impressive start for the Indians.

DETROIT - Five things to take away from the Indians 13-1 victory over the Tigers on Friday night at Comerica Park.

No.1: Feast or famine offenses mean one thing - bad baseball. When an offense operates in such an extreme mode, famine always rules.

Just look at the Indians hitters this year, 14 games of half rations followed by Friday night's Thanksgiving Day dinner. But there was something promising to emerge from the cornucopia of runs at Comerica Park.

Brandon Moss finally looked like the run producer the Indians thought he'd be when they acquired him from Oakland in December. He doubled home two runs in the first inning. In the fifth, he broke the game open with a three-run homer. Then he closed the proceedings with a two-run homer in the ninth for a career-high seven RBI.

The double drove in just the second and third earned runs Tigers starter Shane Greene had allowed this season. Moss's fifth-inning homer was the first this season by an Indian with a runner on base. His blast in the ninth was the third such homer, following Lonnie Chisenhall's two-run shot in the eighth.

Moss likes hitting in the Motor City. He came in hitting .447 (17-for-38) with five homers and 15 RBI at Comerica Park. No one expects him to produce at Friday night's rate, but if the Indians are going to be a serious contender in the AL Central, he needs to be a consistent run producer.

No.2: Danny Salazar is growing as a pitcher.

With the bases loaded in the first inning, Salazar struck out J.D. Martinez on four fastballs at 95 mph, 97, 96 and 97.

In the sixth, he struck out catcher Alex Avila on three off-speed pitches at 78, 89 and 87 mph.

That, more than anything, is an indication that Salazar is starting to understand his craft. When the Indians demoted him to Class AAA Columbus in March, it looked like he was in need of serious repairs. He couldn't keep his fastball down and he was getting hit hard.

Well, whatever adjustments were made, they were made quickly.

Salazar made one start at Columbus before being recalled at the start of this trip. In two starts since his promotion, he's 2-0 and has allowed three runs with 21 strikeouts in 13 innings.

No. 3: Miguel Cabrera, in the first, singled to make him 12-for-15 against the Indians this season.

Cabrera's next at-bat came in the second with two out and runners on first and second. Salazar struck him out on a 97 mph fastball.

It's not true that the game was stopped and the Indians received an award for retiring Cabrera, but it should have been.

One more thing about Salazar; it was nice to see him move the feet of the Tigers batters. He did it to Victor Martinez and JD Martinez.

When the Tigers swept the Indians at Progressive Field, they owned the inside part of the plate with the exception of Corey Kluber's start. They didn't own it Friday night because Salazar made a point of working inside.

No. 4: The Indians haven't done a whole lot of things right in April, but when was the last time you heard someone complain about their defense?

They led the big leagues in errors last season and concentrated on playing better defense in spring training. Through 14 games they were tied for the second fewest errors in the league.

The Tribe's defense came to mind in the first and third innings Friday.

In the first, with the bases loaded and two out, Yoenis Cespedes scorched a ball to deep right center field. Center fielder Michael Bourn sprinted straight back before veering  deep into the gap to make the catch.

Moss stole a hit from Victor Martinez with a diving catch in right to start the inning. Jason Kipnis ended the inning as he grabbed a hot shot off the mound byCespedes and threw him out at first.

No. 5. The more you see of Jose Ramirez; the more you have to like him.

In the second, when it was still a game, Chisenhall doubled and catcher Roberto Perez bunted him to third. It seemed like an unusual move for Perez because the Indians were leading, 2-0, and he has more than enough power to drive Chisenhall home.

He also put the burden of delivering Chisenhall on the rookie Ramirez. Manager Terry Francona likes to say that Ramirez, while only 22, has played a lot of baseball and isn't easily overwhelmed.

Ramirez proved that again Friday when he sent a sacrifice fly to left against Greene for a 3-0 lead.

Cleveland Gladiators turn back Tampa Bay Storm, 62-54

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The Cleveland Gladiators defeat the Tampa Bay Storm to snap a two-game losing streak.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Collin Taylor, normally a wide receiver, made big plays on both offense and defense, and Shane Austin, Dominick Goodman and Donnie Fletcher came through in the final minute to help the Cleveland Gladiators to a dramatic 62-54 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in an Arena Football League game on Friday night.

Taylor helped keep Cleveland in the game at Quicken Loans Arena with three touchdown receptions from Austin and a 12-yard interception return for another score.

Austin drilled his sixth touchdown pass of the game, an 8-yarder to Goodman, to give the Gladiators a 55-48 lead with 52 seconds left. Fletcher then intercepted a Jason Boltus pass and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown, boosting the Cleveland lead to 62-48 with 34 seconds to go.

Boltus' 28-yard touchdown pass to T.T. Toliver with 16 seconds left capped the scoring.

"We made some big plays at the end," Cleveland coach Steve Thonn said. "Donnie Fletcher made a huge play. Collin is playing great right now. He's making big plays for us, which is what we need."

The picks by Taylor and Fletcher helped redeem a Cleveland defense that had allowed a combined 112 points in losing its previous two games, to the Arizona Rattlers and the Philadelphia Soul.

The Gladiators, who went 17-1 last season then won two American Conference playoff games before losing to Arizona in the ArenaBowl championship game, are 3-2.

Austin finished with 23 completions in 38 attempts for 285 yards, with Taylor catching 11 of his passes for 111 yards. Boltus completed 25 of 38 passes for 366 yards and seven touchdowns.

Taylor, who had played some on defense earlier this season, intercepted a Boltus pass and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown and a 42-35 Cleveland lead with 4:36 to go in the third quarter.

"Collin is actually a very good jack linebacker," Thonn said. "We don't play him there all the time because we need him for our offense. He does a great job reading the quarterback's eyes."

Taylor gave Cleveland the lead again, at 48-42 with 10:41 left in the game, when he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Austin on a fourth-and-goal play. Tampa, though, then blocked kicker Adrian Trevino's extra point try.

Boltus then scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, but the score remained tied, 48-48, when Tampa botched its extra point.

Cleveland's offense caught up with Tampa on the scoreboard several times, including twice in the third quarter for ties at 28 and 35, as Austin threw touchdown passes of 24 and 31 yards to Taylor and Amarri Jackson, respectively. Both receivers turned short tosses into scores as they sprinted around and past Storm defenders.

Boltus threw for four touchdowns in the first half, including scoring passes of 38 and 27 yards to Toliver, who ran open behind the Cleveland defense on both plays to build a 28-14 Storm lead. The Gladiators then closed to within 28-21 with 21.7 seconds left in the first half when Taylor made a superb 5-yard touchdown catch on an Austin pass thrown behind him in the end zone.

Jeramie Richardson had given the Gladiators their first touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. Richardson, on a seldom-used running play, broke a tackle just beyond the line of scrimmage and sped 23 yards along the right sideline boards. A 9-yard Austin to Goodman touchdown pass in the second quarter pulled the Gladiators into a 14-14 tie.

-- Mike Peticca, Special to The Plain Dealer

The training wheels are off for Danny Salazar and the Cleveland Indians want more of what they've seen lately

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"He's so important," Francona said. "I'm not sure who isn't important, but the way Danny throws the ball, if he can attain that level of consistency, he's going to be really special. That's why we stay on him so much."

DETROIT, Mich. -- Danny Salazar ventured to Goodyear, Ariz., in mid-January, about five weeks before the mandatory report date for Indians' pitchers and catchers.

He spent the extra time in the desert working on his fitness. He ran. He lifted weights. He did everything except place the necessary amount of focus on the one thing the Indians actually pay him to do.

That, of course, would be pitching, and Salazar's lack of progress on the mound during spring training cost him a spot in the Opening Day rotation. Injuries and poor performance from members of the staff earned him a swift promotion back to the big leagues. Now, he claims, he knows what he must accomplish to avoid another relapse.

"Once you're up here, you don't want to go back there again," Salazar said Friday after limiting Detroit's high-octane offense to one run across seven innings. "The way that you need to work to keep yourself here is really hard and consistent. That's what I'm doing now."

Through two starts -- admittedly a minuscule sample size -- he has pleased his coaching staff. Manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway were less than satisfied with Salazar's pitching routine and day-to-day regimen this spring. They wanted him to follow in the footsteps of Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, two hurlers who grasped the daily intricacies of their craft last season.

"Danny's always had maybe some of the best stuff on our staff," Francona said. "There's just some inconsistencies that we talked about. He had a really good week this week. Now, we'll challenge him again tomorrow, because we need him to have about another 30 [good starts]. That's the object. When you start doing that, with his stuff, that's when you have a chance to be really good."

The Indians have been especially careful with Salazar in the past. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010. Since, the organization has treated his right arm as if it is made of glass. On Friday, he tossed 115 pitches, the second-highest total of his career. Last September, in a complete-game shutout against Detroit, he heaved 118 pitches. In his 32 major league starts, he has topped the 100-pitch mark on only eight occasions. But Salazar said the reason he honed in on his conditioning all spring was to permit him to last deeper into each start.

Granted, he'll need to pitch effectively to do that, too. He did that on Friday, when he tallied a career-high 11 strikeouts. Through three starts -- one of them coming with Triple-A Columbus -- Salazar has yielded only three runs on 16 hits in 19 innings, with five walks and 28 strikeouts.

The Indians informed him at the start of spring training that he would need to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster. Salazar said his flawed offseason plan foiled his chances. Finally, it appears as though his pitching may have caught up to his conditioning.

"He's so important," Francona said. "I'm not sure who isn't important, but the way Danny throws the ball, if he can attain that level of consistency, he's going to be really special. That's why we stay on him so much."

Salazar says he's fine with that.

"I'm ready for it."

Danny Salazar, Brandon Moss power Cleveland Indians past Detroit Tigers: DMan's Report, Game 15

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The Indians erupted for 15 hits and 13 runs in a pasting of the Tigers on Friday night in Detroit.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Danny Salazar struck out a career-high 11 in seven innings and Brandon Moss had seven RBI as the Indians hammered the Tigers, 13-1, Friday night at Comerica Park in Detroit. Here is a capsule look at the game after a dvr review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:

On the board: The Indians won for the first time in six series openers this season.

Bit by bit: The Indians (6-9) have won two of three. It hardly qualifies as a hot stretch, but it is progress.

Slumping: The Tigers (11-6) have lost a season-high four straight -- all at home.

They opened the season 6-0, including a three-game sweep in Cleveland.

Taking out their frustration: The Indians snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Tigers dating to last season. Their previous victory was Sept. 3 in Cleveland; Salazar threw his first career shutout as the Indians rolled, 7-0.

That night, Salazar allowed eight hits, walked none and struck out nine. He threw 83 of 118 pitches for strikes.

Ten days later, Salazar faced the Tigers at Comerica and pitched decently (5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, BB, 7 K) in a no-decision of the Tribe's 5-4 loss.

Locked in: Salazar pitched superbly Friday, allowing the run on six hits in seven innings. He walked three and plunked one.

Salazar handled a fully loaded Detroit lineup that can be relentless and prolific. The run came on a homer by Nick Castellanos with one out in the second. Castellanos ambushed Salazar by driving a first-pitch fastball (97 mph) over the wall in right-center. Catcher Roberto Perez wanted the pitch away but it leaked over the plate. Even though the location was not ideal, Castellanos deserves credit for putting a good enough swing on a 97-mph pitch to drive it out the opposite way.

Detroit's other hits against Salazar were singles, including a bloop to right by Miguel Cabrera.

Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler went 2-for-2 with two walks against Salazar; the rest of the lineup was 4-for-25 (.160) with one walk, one HBP and the 11 strikeouts.

Plus, plus: Salazar relied on a nasty two-pitch mix -- mid-to-high-90s fastball and mid-to-high-80s changeup.

If a power pitcher is to have any chance of success against Detroit, he can't try to be someone he isn't. He must trust the fastball and be able to pepper the outer areas of the zone with it. Otherwise, the Tigers will take their walks or wait to pounce on hanging off-speed stuff -- when they aren't mashing fastball mistakes.

That part of the game plan is much easier said than done. Salazar executed it.

Salazar's fastball command was not pinpoint, but it did not need to be because the  velocity overpowered or caused other bad swings. Salazar and Perez moved the fastball around and got certain batters to chase it above the belt.

Any starting pitcher against most teams, and especially Detroit, needs something off-speed to keep batters honest. Salazar's changeup did the job -- and then some.   

The changeup was almost as good as in Salazar's season's debut with the Tribe. On April 18 in Minnesota, he allowed two runs on six hits and struck out 10 in six innings of a 4-2 victory.

Against the Twins, Salazar threw 67 of 105 pitches for strikes (63.8 percent). According to a DMan's Report charting of the start, Salazar threw 75 fastballs, 16 changeups and 14 sliders. All 10 of the strikeouts were swinging (six on changeups, four on fastballs.)

Against the Tigers, Salazar threw 74 of 115 pitches for strikes (64.3 percent). According to a DMan's Report charting of the start, Salazar threw 89 fastballs, 21 changeups, three curves and two sliders. All 11 of the strikeouts were swinging (eight on fastballs, three on changeups.)

Notable: Fox SportsTime Ohio reporter Andre Knott said Salazar has been working on his curve in side sessions. He broke it out for the first time this season after the Tribe's offense scored six in the fifth for a 9-1 lead.

The breeze in Comerica: Here is a list of Salazar's strikeouts against Detroit, with batter's name and pitch speed:

Anthony Gose 97; J.D. Martinez, 97; Alex Avila 98; Miggy 96; Avila 98; Gose 97; Yoenis Cespedes 96; Avila 87; Castellanos 97; Gose 88; and Miggy 87.

The 11th strikeout was the most impressive because Salazar made Miggy, the best hitter of his generation, look bad. Salazar opened with a fastball (96) on the outside corner at the knees for a called strike. Miggy fouled a fastball (96) than jammed him. Then Salazar fired a Bugs Bunny changeup that dived in the dirt as Miggy flailed. 

Fast fact: Salazar became the first Indian since Sam McDowell in 1970 to open his season with two straight starts of 10-plus strikeouts. McDowell's run was three starts.

Moss is Boss: Right fielder Moss led the Tribe's offensive outburst by going 3-for-5 with two homers and one double.

Moss likes to work counts, but he was in attack mode Friday. The lefty swung at the first pitch in three of his five at-bats. The result: seven RBI. He had a two-run double off righty Shane Greene in the first inning (fastball); a three-run homer off righty Alex Wilson in the fifth (cutter); and a two-run homer off Al Alburquerque in the ninth (fastball).

The three-run homer came on Wilson's first pitch after relieving Greene. Moss got a cookie and devoured it.

Moss entered the night batting .162 with one homer and two RBI this season. He was slugging .324.

Moss exited batting .214 and slugging .524.

That Moss would bust loose at Comerica should come as no surprise. In 11 career games at the venue, he is 20-for-43 (.465) with seven homers, six doubles, 22 RBI and 13 runs.

So much for that: Greene entered the night in a serious groove, having gone 3-0 with a 0.39 ERA (23 IP, ER) in three starts to open the season.

The Indians' pounding of Greene consisted of nine hits, two walks and eight runs in four-plus innings. After Wilson allowed the inherited runners to score in the fifth, Greene's ERA swelled to 3.00.

Brandon Moss goes from "auto-out' to seven RBI for Cleveland Indians against Detroit

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Brandon Moss, after two weeks of toil and trouble, hit two homers and drove in seven runs as the Indians beat Detroit, 13-1.

DETROIT -- If Friday night was a coming out party for Brandon Moss, well, let the good times roll and forget about last call. The Indians have ground to gain and teams to pass.

Moss hit two homers and drove in a career-high seven runs as the Indians beat Detroit, 13-1, at Comerica Park.

It was his biggest night as an Indian and to say people have been waiting to see something like it would be an understatement. Moss was hitting .162 (6-for-37) with 17 strikeouts before Friday.

Moss doesn't feel for the ball when he swings the bat. He tries to vaporize it.

"He swings it like he's mad at somebody," said manager Terry Francona during spring training.

Such aggressiveness leads to home runs -- Moss hit 76 in the last three years for Oakland -- and a lot of strikeouts (383).  Another by product is the eternal tug-of-war that goes on in a hitter's mind: when to swing, when not to swing; when to be aggressive and when to be patient.

Until Friday, Moss was losing the war.

Then he just deciding to swing the bat.

Moss hit a two-run double in the first inning, a three-run homer in the fifth and a two-run homer in the ninth. All three hits came on the first pitch. Shane Greene, who lost for the first time this season, threw the first pitch. Alex Wilson threw the second and Al Alburquerque threw the third.

"I'm trying to jump on anything I can that I think is a strike or I think I can drive," said Moss. "For the past couple of weeks I've been a little passive. I've been trying to work counts and have a good at bat because I've been in such a funk.

"I feel that through that procees, you lose your aggressiveness and try to be too fine. Sometimes you've just got to swing."

The Indians acquired Moss from Oakland to hit in the middle of the lineup. What he's done is take up space in the middle of the lineup, but until Friday he hadn't done much with a bat except swing and miss.

"The hope is that when he gets hot, some production comes with it," said Francona. "And tonight's a good example. He killed those balls and that's what he can do.

"Again, there's going to be some days when he strikes out. And I know the first two weeks haven't been what everybody was hoping for, especially Mossy. But tonight shows what he's capable of doing. When you get a guy that can hit like that, he can carry you for a little while."

Moss underwent right hip surgery in October, but he recovered quickly and hit five homers during spring training for the Indians. He said his problems in the regular season when he faced lefty Dallas Keuchel in the season opener in Houston.

"I had a hard time recognizing pitches from Keuchel," said Moss. "So I started taking more time to recognize pitches and all of a sudden I was watching pitches a little too long and you're not ready to react.

"It's tough to play this game when you're always down in the count 1-2 or 0-2."

The Indians entire offense struggled through the first 14 games of the season. They were averaging just over three runs a game and ranked 14th in the AL with a .186 average with runners in scoring position.

"You want to impress, you want to get off to a good start," said Moss. "But mainly when the offense is struggling you want to be a guy that sparks and ignites it. You don't want to be like I was for the first couple of weeks because you're almost an auto-out."

It would be hard for Moss to duplicate what he did Friday night. But the farther he gets from being an "auto-out' the better the Indians are going to be."

Who are these guys? Cleveland Indians' bats erupt in 13-1 walloping of Detroit Tigers

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For the first time since April 17, 2008, the Indians walloped the Tigers by 10 or more runs.

DETROIT -- Maybe it was the extra round of batting practice early Friday afternoon. Maybe it was the crisp, "Pure Michigan" air at Comerica Park. Maybe it was just time.

Whatever the reason, the Indians (6-9) erupted for a season-high 13 runs in their series opener against the Tigers. An offensive onslaught, a sixth-inning power display and a steady right arm from Danny Salazar resulted in a 13-1 victory.

With two outs in the first inning, Brandon Moss plated a pair of runs with a double. Tigers starter Shane Green entered the affair having yielded only one earned run in 23 innings. The Indians doubled that total in the opening frame and then tacked on a third run in the second on a Jose Ramirez sacrifice fly.

The levees broke in the sixth. The first six batters to approach the plate all eventually scored. After a Michael Brantley RBI single, Carlos Santana lined a breaking ball over the head of right fielder J.D. Martinez, who initially broke in on the ball. Santana's double scored two more for a 6-1 advantage. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus summoned Alex Wilson from the bullpen, and Moss greeted him with a three-run blast to right field on the first pitch.

Moss' home run -- the Indians' 12th of the season -- marked the club's first round-tripper that wasn't a solo shot. Lonnie Chisenhall later contributed a two-run homer that landed in the Tigers' bullpen in the right-field corner. Moss launched a first-pitch fastball into the right-field seats for a two-run shot in the ninth.

The Indians' previous season high for hits in a game was 11. On Friday, they racked up 15. Six Tribe batters collected multiple hits. The Indians' 13 runs nearly matched their total of 17 from the first six games of the roadtrip.

What it means

Well, Tribe pitchers no longer need to feel as though they have to twirl a complete-game shutout in order to earn a victory. The Indians topped the Tigers for the first time in four tries this season, as they handed Detroit its fourth consecutive defeat.

For the first time since April 17, 2008, the Indians walloped the Tigers by 10 or more runs. The Indians also earned their first victory in a series opener this season. They had been 0-5 until Friday.

The Czar

Salazar has submitted a pair of sterling starts since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus last week. He limited Detroit to one run on six hits and three walks over seven innings and he registered a career-high 11 strikeouts. He routinely touched 97 mph on the radar gun. Miguel Cabrera, who lifted his average this season against the Indians to .800 (12-for-15) with a first-inning single, whiffed in two of his last three at-bats against the Tribe right-hander.

Hip hip hooray

Moss entered the affair with one home run and two RBI this season. He exited with three home runs and nine RBI. Moss recorded a two-run double, a three-run homer and a two-run homer. It marked the seventh multi-homer game of Moss' career (not including his two-homer effort in last fall's American League Wild Card Game). He established a new career high with seven RBI.

Back at it

Prior to Friday's game, Tribe skipper Terry Francona lauded Brantley's ability to find ways to reach base, even when not in "midseason form." The left fielder tallied three singles in four trips to the plate on Friday. He raised his batting average to .286 from .226.

What's next

The teams will reconvene at Comerica Park for a 1:08 p.m. first pitch on Saturday. Cleveland's Trevor Bauer (2-0, 0.95 ERA) will oppose Detroit's Alfredo Simon (3-0, 1.74). Bauer tossed seven scoreless innings on Monday, but did not factor into the decision in the Tribe's 4-3 loss in Chicago. Simon earned the win against Cleveland on April 10, when he allowed three runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.

It's closing time for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers

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LeBron James said the Cavaliers aren't approaching Game 4 as though it's a "close-out game," but the circumstances of Sunday's date in Boston will put pressure on both sides.

BOSTON - With this being Red Sox country and David Blatt hailing from suburban Boston, the Cavaliers coach was quick to rattle off some names from Fenway's storied past to complete an analogy about "closing" time in basketball.

"If you've got the ability to put (Dennis) Eckersley on the mound at the end of the game, by the way he was a great starter too, for the Red Sox, or you can put Goose Gossage out there in the ninth inning, or you can give LeBron the ball to finish the game, you've got an advantage," Blatt said Saturday, prior to practice in preparation for Game 4 of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Celtics.

It is indeed closing time for Cleveland, which has jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead in this series. And, yes, the Cavs have a stopper in LeBron James. Sunday will be the 32nd close-out game of a postseason series in James' career. He'll enter with a 22-9 record in those games and averages of 27.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.

James also hasn't lost in the first round since May 6, 2012, when the Heat dropped a potential series-clinching Game 4 against the Knicks. Miami won Game 5.

The Cavs want to shut the door on Boston and move onto the Eastern Conference semifinals, though they have up to four chances to formally put the Celtics away and want no part of talking about what's next until this series is over.

James said the pressure is on Boston, which can in turn make Game 4 a little more difficult for the Cavs.

"I mean, it's a very important game," James said. "You know the type of pressure that the opposing team is under. It's win or go home for them, and they're going to bring everything in the tool box that they have to try and get this victory and compete in this game.

"We want to play well," James also said. "We have an opportunity to close it out, but it's not the end of the world for us. We're not approaching it that way."

James said the "opportunity" for this collection of Cavs - with a coach and three key players experiencing their first NBA playoffs - to close out its first series together is "pretty big." He said he's noticed and admired the team's ability thus far to fight through a little adversity, be it Boston's physical play, the hostile TD Garden crowd, or the sticky moments of each of the first three games when the score was tight.

James is averaging 27.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in this series. Kyrie Irving, in the first playoff series of his career, is averaging 23.0 points and 4.7 assists, and Kevin Love (also in postseason series numero uno) is averaging 18.3  and 9.0 boards.

Statistically, Boston's best players have been reserve guard Isaiah Thomas (16.3 ppg) and starting forward Evan Turner (13.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg), though Thomas struggled mightily in Game 3 and finished with just five points.

The Cavs' average margin of victory in the three games is 9.7 points, though their single biggest margin was just 13 points in Game 1. A Boston reporter suggested to Blatt, James, and Irving that there is a perception that the series hasn't been more lopsided (can it get more lopsided than 3-0?) is that the Celtics are playing harder, while the Cavs are getting by on talent.

All three Cleveland representatives scoffed, with Blatt calling the notion "unfair" and James arguing that the "perception doesn't matter."

"I mean, we do have some talented players, but we also know how to play hard," Irving said. "It's basketball. I mean, we put this team together, we're getting it done, we've tried to prove that throughout the regular season as we've finished it. Now coming into the playoffs I feel like we have to continually prove it to anyone and everyone that this team is, uh, we're a force to be reckoned with."


Check out this crazy LeBron James shot from Cavaliers practice

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LeBron James looks like he's ready for the NFL Draft with this quarterback-style heave that went through the hoop Saturday.

BOSTON -- We knew LeBron James plays really well at Boston's TD Garden.

But this is ridiculous.

Following Saturday's practice, a shirtless James canned a 94-footer, football style, on his way out of the gym. The footage is courtesy of James' personal trainer, Mike Mancias, who posted the video to his Vine account.

Way at the beginning of the season, James compared himself to Peyton Manning. Perhaps the comparison was literal.

The Cavaliers play the Boston Celtics here in Game 4 of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. The Cavs lead the series, 3-0. In 13 career postseason games at TD Garden, James is averaging 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.

James is 22-9 in series-clinching games.

When he throws one in like that, though, the rest of us can throw all the numbers out the window. James is just, well, really good.

Just checking, are the Browns looking for a quarterback? James' friend and business client, Johnny Manziel, should see this.

Who put chip on Kansas City Royals' shoulder? Paul Hoynes' rant of week

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Last postseason everyone was pulling for the underdog Royals. This year everyone wants to punch them in the nose. What happened?

DETROIT -- The Royals are really ticking people off.

Last postseason they were baseball's feel-good story; the long shot that reached Game 7 of the World Series after not being in the postseason since 1985. Now all anybody wants to do is punch them in the nose.

White Sox left-hander Chris Sale was so mad at the Royals after being ejected from Thursday's game following a bench-clearing scuffle that he pounded on their clubhouse door in search of a sparring partner. Alex Rios, a former teammate, answered and calmed things down.

The Royals have had bench-clearing incidents with Oakland, the Angels and the White Sox in the first month of the season. Manager Ned Yost said his guys are innocent and that the opposition is provoking them. Kansas City batters have been hit an AL-high 17 times by pitches, but so have the Texas Rangers. Yost might believe teams are trying to intimidate his players because they're in first place in the AL Central.

If that is true, why have the Rangers been hit just as many times when they're last in the AL West?

The common denominator in the three confrontations has been the Royals and their pitchers. Yordano Ventura has been ejected from his last two starts and was suspended Saturday for seven games for his part in the Chicago fracas.

Let's not forget right-hander Kelvin Herrera. He was suspended for five games earlier this month because he threw a 100 mph pitch behind the head of Brett Lawrie during a heated series with the A's. On Saturday, Herrera was suspended for two more games for his part in Thursday's fight with the White Sox.

Edinson Volquez, another starter, was suspended for five games.

The Royals come to Progressive Field on Monday for a three-game set. Whatever the outcome, the Indians should be advised to keep their hands up, their chin down and their jab pumping.

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James defends J.R. Smith while Smith defends Celtics: Bill Livingston (photos)

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith likes to shoot, but he's staying "engaged" in all facets of the game in the NBA Playoffs series against the Boston Celtics.

BOSTON -- LeBron James tried to un-slur J.R. Smith after Thursday's game, saying the guy the Cavaliers traded for is not the cad who was advertised.

Not a team guy; party guy, like Johnny Manziel after a growth spurt; takes bad shots -- the Cavs had heard it all.

"It was unfair to him," said James. "He works hard every day, plays defense at a high level, and is a great guy."

Unlike baseball, a sport in which hitters sometimes look at playing in the field as a time to reflect on their last at-bat, basketball players have to stay "engaged," in the current overused term, on defense too, at least to some extent.

When the importance of the Cavaliers' extra possessions became a point of emphasis after Thursday's game, the focus was on the team's rebounding on the offensive boards. But extra possessions can be gotten in other ways, too. Smith has a stunning seven steals in the series, five in the difficult second game in Cleveland. He also has three offensive rebounds in the series and only two turnovers.

That's a combined 10 takeaways and second-chance opportunities against only two giveaways. That's a seriously big advantage in possessions.

"It's more of a feel than anything. I've been watching lot of film of people I've been guarding," Smith said of his steals. "I try to keep my hands active, keep my hands up, and try not to gamble too much in the passing lanes."

Offensive opportunities are also certainly there for Smith. Boston coach Brad Stevens admitted the Big Three of James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love forces the Celtics to game-plan by cheating toward each of them. This obviously leaves someone open.

Smith was only three-for-15 on 3-pointers in the series before dropping three of eight in Game 3. It still is only 26.1 percent (6-of-23), significantly below the 33.3 percent efficiency line for the added-value shot. He made 39 percent of the long balls during the season and has shot 37.2 for his career.

If Smith finds his touch, well, there is no answer for a Big Four.

"We were having some fun in the locker room with the shot that J.R. made at the end of the clock, when he dribbled and backed up, and hit a turnaround from about 27 (feet)," said Cavs coach David Blatt. "We said, 'Damn good play. We drew that one up great, didn't we?'"

Who shot? J.R.

(It pains me to credit cleveland.com's Zack Meisel for that felicitous turn of phrase, but he Tweeted it during Game 3 when I was still trying to find some way to work in a reference to the old "Dallas" TV series.)

"Those are the shots I want that nobody else wants to take," said Smith. "I look at it as an opportunity to do something with them. A lot of people call them 911 shots or grenades. I like taking those shots on."

Some players, unless it's a win-or-lose shot at the end of the game, won't take a long heave at the end of a quarter. It hurts their shooting percentage.

Not Smith.

"They should give the ball to me. I'd shoot it. I run to the ball every chance I get. I don't care if there's only .2 seconds left on the clock," said Smith.

By NBA rule, any shot with 0.3 seconds left or less must be a tipped pass because time is too short for a catch-and-shoot. But, according to J.R., he might be the one to beat the clock even then.

Smith only has an unlimited view of his own possibilities in terms of shooting range and tic-quick and quicker releases. In everything else, he tries to stay within his comfort zone.

"I try to stay away from things I don't do as well, threes off the dribble, giving the ball up when it needs to (be), and hopefully I'll make the shots when the ball finds me," he said.

The point, however, is that he also finds the ball.

Urban Meyer, Ohio State join the satellite camp trend, to be on Florida Atlantic's campus June 17: Buckeyes recruiting

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And as long as Big Ten counterparts like Michigan's Jim Harbaugh and Penn State's James Franklin are doing them, Ohio State might as well join the game. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When asked what he thought about satellite camps, Urban Meyer said he felt like they should be outlawed. 

Could you imagine Ohio State's Urban Meyer or Alabama's Nick Saban speaking at a Michigan camp?

That doesn't mean Ohio State isn't going to participate in them. Anything within the rules that can give the Buckeyes a competitive advantage is something that cannot be ignored. 

And as long as Big Ten counterparts like Michigan's Jim Harbaugh and Penn State's James Franklin are doing them, Ohio State might as well join the game. 

The Buckeyes coaching staff is scheduled to team up with the Florida Atlantic coaching staff on the Owls' Boca Raton, Fla., campus on June 17. That makes sense because Florida Atlantic's athletic director, Patrick Chun, was hired away from the Buckeyes after spending 15 years employed in Ohio State's athletic department.

With a history at Florida, Meyer has already had great success pulling elite talent from the Sunshine State and bringing them to Ohio State. But getting more face time in Florida can only help the Buckeyes continue to forge relationships down south. 

It's also not only about Florida. Being in the South makes meeting Ohio State coaches a drivable distance for other prospects who couldn't otherwise make it up north. 

Though Meyer isn't crazy about the idea of satellite camps, he said as long as the Big Ten is permitting them, Ohio State can't help join the trend. 

"I think we're thinking about doing one," Meyer said Monday. "I can't tell you if it has been finalized. Am I a fan of that? Not really. A big lore to Ohio State is getting them here on campus.

"I think what happens is monkey see, monkey do, they did that so lets go do it. There are ways to evaluate how your camp went: Did you get anyone out of the camp? We're not going to do it only because other schools are trying it." 

That means Ohio State has found there are real benefits because, well, it is doing it. 

Nick Saban spoke out against the satellite camps, calling them "ridiculous." ACC commissioner John Swofford said his league would support a national rule prohibiting satellite camps.

"Right now we intend to keep our conference agreement [with the SEC] as is and push for a national rule that prohibits it," Swofford told ESPN.com on Thursday. "We just don't feel like it's a healthy part of the recruiting process in college football. We may have to ultimately reconsider it if the rules continue to allow it, because we're not going to put ourselves at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting if we were to feel like we were disadvantaged, but our primary purpose right now is to try to gain support for a national rule that prohibits it."

But for now, Ohio State is in the satellite camps game. 

Dan Shaughnessy, you're all wet about Cleveland, and Boston: Lee Wagner and Stuart Sparker (Opinion)

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Dan Shaughnessy's unprofessional cheap shots at Cleveland were wrong not just about Cleveland but about sports fans everywhere, including in his hometown Boston, write Lee Wagner and Stuart Sparker.

Let us join the long line of those expressing utter confusion at Boston Globe sports "writer" Dan Shaughnessy's new brand of trolling: Take cheap shots at a city based on that city's enthusiasm for its good team beating your lousy team. What this journalist's article lacked in class, it made up for in pretension and faux elitism. 

Shaughnessy would have Clevelanders believe that Bostonians possess no enthusiasm for this year's Celtics playoff team based on the fact that other Boston teams have been better in the past. Even if that were true, which it is not, does this make this Cavs team's success somehow hollow? The city's excitement somehow childish? The answer is no. Cleveland is a sports town -- so is Boston.  We love our teams. We support our teams. We live and die with the rise and fall of our teams. 

Shaughnessy mocked Cleveland's downtown as low-brow. His evidence? Three-dollar 16-oz. Pabst Blue Ribbons at Flannery's Pub. As if cheap beer is a bad thing? In his fairy-tale land of pompous sports "journalism," this is a knock on a city? In the real world, those owners should win the Nobel Prize for humanitarianism! Maybe next time you're in town, we can charge you the prices you pay in Boston in an attempt to increase our reputation in your opinion. How much? $7? $8? Give us a break. 

In response to the Cavs' Game 1 victory over the Celtics, Shaughnessy took cheap shots at the city of Cleveland, and its fan base, much the same way a jilted lover might attack the character of an ex's new love interest. "Who cares if the Cavs win; I don't even like their city." Oh Dan, your transparency is only surpassed by your hackery. Are you so out of touch with how sports fandom works that you can actually embrace a perceived mediocrity insofar as to use it as an insult to the team that beat you?  How does one even call that logic, let alone follow it? 

We're willing to bet there isn't a single Celtics fan who celebrates a sub-.500 record. Setting aside that this wholly discounts the strides that team made in the final stretch of the regular season, the vast improvements they've made on defense, and the promising young talent on their roster, and the nine (nine?!) first-round picks the Celtics have in the next five years, it misses the point of sports, entirely. Sports IS emotion. Sports IS "in-the-moment."  Sports is believing that anything can happen. Sports is never unaffected by poor performance, no matter how victorious a franchise's history may be. And perhaps most important, sports is Cleveland. 

Promise cannot be explained or defined by stats alone. Success is measured in championships, but fans do not treat success like slices of pizza at dinner. Fandom means staying hungry for the next one.

Shaughnessy neither understands sports, nor its fans. His classless article does not speak for the Celtics, its fans, or the residents of Boston. His unprovoked attack on a great American city rallying around its team and its local hero while it recovers from an economic gut punch is as cheap as it gets. Simply because our odds-on favorite to win the title Cleveland Cavaliers dropped confetti after beating your sub-.500 Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs? News flash, Dan: We have done that after every home win this year. 

Shame on you and The Boston Globe for printing that piece. That's not journalism. It is childish, and it appears as if you forgot about your deadline, had to come up with something quick, so you pulled out the old, tired, and patently false cliches. If Dan Shaughnessy wants to put ink to paper, he should stick to coloring placemats at Denny's. We don't care if you've written best-sellers; that article belonged in the National Enquirer.  

Cleveland is hungry for a championship. So is every other professional sports city. A fan base that is content is prepared for mediocrity, and deserves it. We may be more starved than some, but the hunger is what makes sports worth cheering for. In Cleveland, we cheer. We care. We support our teams. We like our teams on fire and our beer affordable. It's what makes us one of the greatest sports cities in America. We are not fair-weather fans. We are not pompous, arrogant or pretentious. We are blue-collar, and all are welcome. We have one focus; one goal; one heart-beat. We are ALL IN for Northeast Ohio. Together.

Lee Wagner recently returned from Afghanistan and is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan. Stuart Sparker, a native Clevelander, is a combat veteran and lifelong Cleveland sports fan.

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