Horse racing experts Bill Murphy and Bob "Railbird" Roberts pick their top five thoroughbreds in the history of the King of Sports.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The heralded Triple Crown horse races launch Saturday with the Kentucky Derby. It is the beginning of an annual quest to determine which three-year-old in a crowd of talented thoroughbreds is the best in the business that year.

I'll reveal my Kentucky Derby picks in The Plain Dealer on Saturday morning, but the larger question might be which mighty four-legged warriors were the most talented Triple Crown horses of all time. I recruited two of the most astute horseplayers in the country at Monday's season opener at ThistleDown Racino to come up with an answer.

Bill Murphy of Bainbridge served as general manager of Thistledown and South Florida's Gulfstream Park and is presently the vice-president of player development for XpressBet. Bob "Railbird" Roberts has chronicled the Sport of Kings for most of his life, including a long stint at The Plain Dealer.

Serving as moderator for the two deep thinkers of thoroughbred racing, the top choice was obvious. Well, perhaps not everyone. Horse racing fans are encouraged to comment on their all-time favorites, as well.

Here are their picks for the greatest three-year-old thoroughbreds of all time:

Secretariat

Secretariat's record-setting Triple Crown season of 1973 was in a class by itself. Big Red set the speed marks for the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes that still stand. Burned into every horse player's memory, whether they were at Belmont Park or not, was Secretariat's stunning 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes. The 2:24 win cut two full seconds off the track record for the 11/2-mile race.

Secretariat was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Time and Newsweek the week before he won the Belmont Stakes. For the record, Secretariat didn't save the farm for owner Penny Chenery, as portrayed in the movie version of Secretariat's Triple Crown season. In 1972, Chenery won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes with Riva Ridge, a tremendous horse whose Triple Crown hopes were dashed on a sloppy track in the Preakness Stakes. At the same time, Secretariat was bringing home the bacon, winning the top two-year-old stakes.

Seattle Slew

The only horse to go undefeated on the road to the Triple Crown, every time Seattle Slew stepped on the track in 1977 he was the odds-on favorite and "Slewmania" broke out. The black colt won his three starts as a two-year-old and went six-for-six as a three-year-old, including the Triple Crown races.

Seattle Slew should not have lost another race. Murphy revealed that against the wishes of trainer Billy Turner, after the Belmont Stakes victory owners Karen and Mickey Taylor were lured into shipping Seattle Slew to California for the $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup. Seattle Slew ran out of gas and J.O. Tobin and jockey Billy Shoemaker ended his undefeated career.

Affirmed

The terrific duels between Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner, and rival Alydar in 1978 were the stuff of legends. Many experts are certain in almost any other year, Alydar would have swept the Triple Crown races.

Despite Affirmed's 4-2 margin in two-year-old matchups, three-year-old Alydar was the 6-5 favorite to 9-5 Affirmed in the Kentucky Derby. Alydar closed strong, but couldn't catch Affirmed.

The Belmont Stakes was a thriller as the colts battled neck and neck, pulling away from the field. Alydar managed to push his nose in front at mid-stretch, but teen jockey Steve Cauthen went to a left-handed whip for the first time and Affirmed responded for a scant nose victory.

Man o' War

Toss out the Kentucky Derby when considering Man o' War. The big colt wasn't in the Kentucky Derby because owner Samuel Riddle didn't like racing in Kentucky. Man o' War lost just once in 10 starts as a two-year-old, a time when there was no starting gate and the horses circled until the starting flag dropped. In 1920, Man o' War won all 11 of his three-year-old races.

The son of Fair Play was so powerful in the Preakness that after posting a track record of 1:38.3 for the mile, the chestnut colt was eased by jockey Clarence Kummer and posted a leisurely seven-length win. The Belmont Stakes was a shorter race than today at 1 3/8-mile, and Man o' War set an American record for the distance with a 20-length victory in 2:14.20.

Citation

Winner of the Triple Crown in 1948, the experts were most impressed with Citation making an astounding 20 starts as a three-year-old, winning 19. Citation's speed was evident in his two-year-old season when he broke the Arlington Park record over five furlongs in the second start of his career.

Citation won eight of nine as a two-year-old and beat older horses at the beginning of his three-year-old season, which would be an incredible feat today. When jockey Al Snider drowned while fishing in the Florida Keys, Hall of Famer Eddie Arcaro took Citation's reins and promptly lost to Saggy in the Chesapeake Trial Stakes. It was the last race Citation lost over almost two years, as Arcaro easily guided him to victories in the Triple Crown races.

The Cleveland Browns are scheduled to pick 12th and 19th in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Here's a look back at recent Nos. 12 and 19 picks, which include seven All-Pros over the last decade.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - History says future All-Pros are commonly found at the 12th spot of the first round, which is where the Cleveland Browns are slotted to make their first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft on Thursday.

Five of the last 10 No. 12 picks have gone on to achieve All-Pro status, as selected by the Associated Press. The Browns also have the No. 19 pick, which is where two All-Pros were selected over the last decade.

The stars picked 12th in recent drafts include five-time All-Pro defensive lineman Haloti Ngata (the 2006 choice by the Baltimore Ravens) and three-time All-Pro offensive tackle Ryan Clady (picked by the Denver Broncos in 2008).

The others picked 12th who went on to All-Pro status were 2005 draftee Shawne Merriman (two-time All-Pro), 2007 pick Marshawn Lynch (two-time All-Pro) and 2012 pick Fletcher Cox (one-time All-Pro).

As for No. 19 picks, 2006 draft choice Antonio Cromartie and 2007 pick Michael Griffin each were named to the All-Pro team once.

Below is a list of the recent players chosen 12th and 19th overall.

Source: cleveland.com/datacentral database of NFL Draft, 1936-2014.

Cleveland is waiting for the winner between the Chicago Bulls-Milwaukee Bucks first-round series, but the Eastern semifinals schedule is set.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Eastern Conference semifinals  schedule is set for the Cavaliers, but their opponent has yet to be determined.

Cleveland is waiting for the winner between the Chicago Bulls-Milwaukee Bucks first-round series. Chicago holds a 3-2 series lead going into Milwaukee on Thursday.

Game 1 and 2 will take place at The Q on May 4 and May 6. Games 3 and 4 will shift to Chicago or Milwaukee on May 8 and May 10 at United Center or the Bradley Center.

Game 1 - May 4: Chicago/Milwaukee at Cleveland, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 2 - May 6: Chicago/Milwaukee at Cleveland, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - May 8: Cleveland at Chicago/Milwaukee, TBD, ESPN
Game 4 - May 10: Cleveland at Chicago/Milwaukee, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 5 -- *May 12: Chicago/Milwaukee at Cleveland, TBD, TNT
Game 6 -- *May 14: Cleveland at Chicago/Milwaukee, TBD, ESPN
Game 7 -- *May 17: Chicago/Milwaukee at Cleveland, TBD, TNT

Trainer Bob Baffert has the top morning-line picks for Saturday's Kentucky Derby in American Pharoah and Dortmund.

Churchill Downs 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Trainer Bob Baffert's American Pharoah and Dortmund were selected the morning-line favorites for Saturday's 141^st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a talent-laden full field of 20 three-year-old thoroughbreds.

Baffert wasn't happy after 5-2 early choice American Pharoah was dealt No. 18 at Wednesday afternoon's draw for post positions. Dortmund, however, should be in great position with the No. 8 slot in the starting gate.

"I just didn't want (American Pharoah) to be stuck on the inside," said Baffert. "But he breaks well and we'll have to be aggressive with him."

Post positions No. 1 and 2 are considered the black hole of the Kentucky Derby. They are the most difficult for getting early racing position and the least likely post positions for producing a winner. While 50-1 Ocho Ocho Ocho is stuck with the rail position, 8-1 third choice Carpe Diem, one of four horses in the Kentucky Derby trained by Todd Pletcher, will have the No. 2 post.

"We'll need a clean getaway," said Pletcher, whose Materiality didn't do much better with the No. 3 post.

The local betting interest is War Story, who finished behind winner International Star in three stakes races at Fair Grounds Race Course. Despite being the top point-getter for entrance to the Kentucky Derby field, International Star is listed at 20-1 in the morning line.

Stow, Ohio horseman Ron Paolucci and the Loooch Racing Stable own War Story. The colt has the No. 16 post position for trainer Tom Amoss, and is one of the four long shots in the Kentucky Derby field listed at 50-1.

Field for Saturday's 141st Kentucky Derby:

Weights: 126 pounds. Distance: 11/4 miles. Purse: $2,203,800 if 20 start. First place: $1,443,800. Second place: $400,000. Third place: $200,000. Fourth place: $100,000. Fifth place: $60,000. Post time: 6:34 p.m. EDT

The Indians will have Danny Salazar on the mound Wednesday night as they try to end a four-game losing streak. They have lost two in this three-game set against the Royals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get live updates and chat with beat writers Paul Hoynes and Zack Meisel in the comments section below as the Indians and Royals end their three-games series Wednesday night at Progressive Field. Cleveland's Danny Salazar will face Kansas City's Yordano Ventura at 6:10.

Game 20: Indians (6-13) vs. Royals (43-6)

First pitch: 6:10 p.m. ET at Progressive Field

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

The Indians purchased the contract of right-hander Ryan Webb from Class AAA Columbus to help their bullpen. Jerry Sands was designated for assignment to make room.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians' bullpen is looking for helping hands and arms.

They allowed eight runs in three innings Tuesday night in an 11-5 loss to Kansas City. On Wednesday, they owned the highest ERA in the AL at 4.59. This is foreign territory to not only the AL's busiest bullpen over the last two years, but one of the best.

Help did arrive Wednesday in the form of right-hander Ryan Webb, who was promoted from Class AAA Columbus. The Indians signed Webb on April 13 after he refused an outright assignment by the Dodgers and became a free agent.

Webb, who has spent the last five years in the big leagues with the Padres, Marlins and Orioles, was 1-1 with 1.13 ERA in five games at Columbus. Outfielder Jerry Sands was designated for assignment to make room for Webb.

For the last two years the Indians have set the AL record in relief appearances. GM Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona felt maximizing the use of their bullpen gave them the best chance to win.

Last year the Tribe pen made 573 appearances. Scott Atchison, Cody Allen, Marc Rzepczynski and Bryan Shaw set an AL record by each making 70 or more appearances. In the last two years, Allen has made 153 and Shaw 150.

All four of those relievers have had their problems this season. Allen has a 13.50 ERA, while Atchison is at 5.63, Rzepczynski at 6.75 and Shaw at 5.06.

"We do care about volume," said Francona. "If that is the case, that's directly on me.

"We try to live by a couple of things: taking care of our guys because we care about them and winning. The last two years the bullpen has been a huge part of us, at points, winning or hanging in there.

"Is this a byproduct of them throwing a lot? If it is, I have to take responsibility for that. I don't know how you come up with a concrete answer, but it's something I think about."

Feeling good: The Indians have been trying to acquire Webb for several years.

"I know they've been interested in me," said Webb, who went to spring training with the Orioles. "I signed here so I could get some work in at Triple-A and come up here and help the team. "

Webb said no specific role has been discussed for him, but he didn't mind.

"It's just one of those things that whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do," said Webb. "I've been in a lot of different roles in my career."

Webb has made 317 relief appearances in the big leagues. He went 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 51 appearances last year for the Orioles.

Tough meeting: Francona said it was hard telling Sands he was designated for assignment.

"We just got to the point because of some early exits (by our starters) and some inconsistencies in our bullpen that we felt we needed another arm," said Francona. "We did not want to designate Jerry. He kind of grew on everybody.

"But the fact of the matter is we needed the arm and Swish (Nick Swisher) is on the horizon. I'm not talking about tomorrow, but sometime we need to look at the big picture when it comes to making decisions and we did.

"It was not a lot of fun telling Jerry that because he's such a good kid."

Sands hit .348 (8-for-23) with four RBI in nine games for the Tribe. He hit .389 (7-for-18) against lefties.

Finally: Swisher is hitting .500 (7-for-14) in three games at Class AAA Columbus during his rehab assignment. He was scheduled to start in right field Wednesday night when the Clippers played Rochester.

Tristan Thompson will have to step up with Kevin Love out.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - It's next man up for the Cavaliers as they prepare to patch the void of missing Kevin Love.

His scoring touch around the basket and outside shooting can't be emulated. However, the Cavaliers have a player who can fill in admirably: Tristan Thompson.

Thompson doesn't possess Love's offensive repertoire, but he's just as vicious on the boards. Most teams aren't fortunate to have two starting-quality power forwards. Of the Big 3, Love's position is the only spot where the team can make due without completely falling apart.

But it won't be easy as Thompson cautions.

"I guess it's maybe a luxury, but just because you have a good player coming off the bench, it doesn't mean it's going to make the transition smooth," Thompson told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

"Everyone still has to do more and has to get adjusted to whether they're starting or coming off the bench. We got to be able to still do our roles. We got to be ready for whatever coach throws at you and you have to be productive."

Thompson said it's too early to know if he'll get the start on Monday against either the Chicago Bulls or the Milwaukee Bucks. If so, it would leave the bench relatively thin.

During Wednesday's practice coach David Blatt tinkered with different lineups and experimented with rotation patterns to garner a feel for what works.

With J.R. Smith suspended for the next two games, Blatt has decisions to make. Does he insert Iman Shumpert into the starting five or keep him as a reserve? Does he dust off Shawn Marion and Mike Miller and feed them to the wolves to open the contest or introduce them gradually?

Does he trust Kendrick Perkins to play extended minutes? These are all questions the coaching staff is pondering. That's what this week of preparation is about.

"We know what we have and we know we got a pretty good idea of how we have to play," Blatt said.

It's not an ideal situation to be trying out new methods of attack. The Cavaliers will be faced with learning on the fly while continuing to play at an elite level.

Whether he's starting or not, Thompson says he's ready for the challenge ahead and add that his teammates will be, as well.

They're not getting anybody's sympathy. This is still one of the most talented teams in the field and as long as LeBron James is well and playing, the Cavaliers will be a target.

And they get that.

"I wouldn't even feel sorry for us if I was going against us," Thompson said. "I know teams are licking their chops. The Bulls or Milwaukee, they're excited. Even though somebody is hurt they're still excited because they feel like we're a man down and we might not be as strong, but we're confident here. We got the players to still make something special happen. Guys just have to step up as a unit."

Check out spring sports highlights from Wednesday action based on box scores reported to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are spring sports highlights from Wednesday action based on box scores reported to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

For more information on how to report box scores, please email High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis (kdavis@cleveland.com).

Avon Lake baseball tops Berea-Midpark

Garrett Kordish went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored as Avon Lake's baseball team defeated Berea-Midpark, 6-2, on Wednesday. 

Zac Sabol also had a pair of hits for the Shoremen and scored a run and Avon Lake pitcher Jeremiah Campo struck out nine and gave up one run in seven innings. 

The Shoremen sealed the victory with three runs in the sixth inning. 

Cleveland Heights softball scores 4 in eighth to beat Bedford

Bedford and Cleveland Heights' softball teams were tied at two until the Tigers scored four runs in the top of the eighth to win, 6-2, on Wednesday. 

Cleveland Heights pitcher Simone Sollisch struck out nine through eight innings while surrendering two hits and no earned runs. 

Patience Giboney drove in a pair of runs for the Tigers while Emily Vincson drove in one and scored three more. Jada James had two hits and crossed the plate twice. 

Columbia baseball defeats Fairview in seventh

Mike Fetchet went 2-for-2 with two RBIs to help Columbia's baseball team beat Fairview, 6-5, on Wednesday. 

The game was tied to start the seventh inning. The Warriors took a 1-run lead in the top half but the Raiders responded with two in the bottom to get the win. 

Emmy Drenkhan scores 4 as Bay girls lacrosse beats Westlake

Bay's girls lacrosse team earned a 10-4 victory against Westlake on Wednesday with the help of a four-goal performance by Emmy Drenkhan. 

Audrey Sullivan netted three scores for the Rockets and goalie Dakota Meisenburg recorded nine saves. 

Huge inning leads Midview softball to win against Rocky River

Midview's softball team scored 14 in the second inning and beat Rocky River, 18-1, on Wednesday. 

Hally Ivan homered and drove in five runs on three hits for the Middies while Cassie Haight homered and drove in three on two hits. 

Normandy baseball uses 4-run second inning to defeat Garfield Heights

Logan Stacho logged six strikeouts through 6.2 innings as Normandy's baseball team beat Garfield Heights, 7-2, on Wednesday. 

The Invaders' offense gave him a 4-0 lead in the second inning and he helped ensure it stood up. 

Stacho gave way to Jared Sewell in the seventh who got the final out and picked up the save. 

Twinsburg's Nicole Brown pitches shutout against Cuyahoga Falls

Nicole Brown held Cuyahoga Falls scoreless through seven innings as Twinsburg defeated the Black Tigers, 3-0, on Wednesday. 

Brooklyn Benkowski led Twinsburg on offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. 

Valley Forge's Brendan Santiago throws shutout against Parma

Kevin Russell went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored as Valley Forge baseball defeated Parma, 5-0, on Wednesday. 

Brendan Santiago struck out three through seven scoreless innings. 

West Geauga baseball rallies to beat Orange in seventh

West Geauga's baseball team scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning to comeback and beat Orange, 3-2, on Wednesday. 

Max Posner went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Lions. Ross Groedel went 1-3 and scored one run. 

The RubberDucks scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and send it into extra innings.

Second baseman Todd Hankins.Akron RubberDucks 

AKRON, Ohio -- The RubberDucks scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings, but fell in 10 innings to the Altoona Curve, 6-5, in a Class AA Eastern League game Tuesday at Canal Park.

Akron entered the ninth trailing, 5-2, but got three straight singles by designated hitter Yandy Diaz, outfielder Jordan Smith and catcher Jake Lowery, with Lowery's hit scoring Diaz.

RubberDucks first baseman Jeremy Lucas moved the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt, and Smith scored on a groundout by third baseman Yonathan Mendoza.

With two outs, second baseman Todd Hankins singled to bring in the tying run. However, Hankins was caught stealing to end the inning.

The Curve had runners on first and third with one out when a wild pitch by RubberDucks reliever Grant Sides allowed what proved to be the winning run. The RubberDucks had runners on first and second in the bottom of the 10th with two outs, but a groundout by Smith ended the game.

Hankins, shortstop Erik Gonzalez and outfielder Anthony Gallas each had two hits for the RubberDucks. Every batter in the Akron lineup had at least one hit.

Sides (0-2, 3.97 ERA) took the loss, giving up one run on one hit in one inning. Starter Ryan Merritt gave up five runs, three earned, on seven hits in six innings.

Curve reliever John Kuchno (1-2, 2.84) pitched four innings, giving up three runs on seven hits.

The RubberDucks (10-10) are off Thursday, then begin seven-game road trip with a three-game series against the Thunder at Trenton, N.J.

The bottom third of the Tribe order combined to go 6-for-11 with six runs in a 7-5 victory over the Royals on Wednesday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Roberto Perez went 3-for-3 with a homer, double and walk and Jason Kipnis was 1-for-4 with a three-run homer as the Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals, 7-5, Wednesday night at Progressive Field. Tribe right-hander Danny Salazar improved to 3-0.

Here is a capsule look at the game after a DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:

Back in business: The Indians (7-13) snapped a four-game losing streak.

They won for the second time in eight home games.

They wrapped a 17-game stretch against Central Division opponents at 5-12.

Slowed: The Royals (14-7) had won the first two games of the series. They entered with a season's run differential of +40.

Solid work: Salazar allowed four runs on six hits in six innings. He walked none, hit one and struck out seven. (The HBP was a 96-mph fastball to Alcides Escobar's left ear flap in the fifth. Escobar exited with a left-cheek contusion. The pitch clearly was an accident; thankfully, Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura and his teammates viewed it as such.)

Salazar opened the season in Class AAA Columbus. Since being promoted, he is 3-0 with a 3.32 ERA in three starts -- all against Central Division opponents.

On Wednesday, Salazar pitched better than the line indicated. The Royals are  sizzling offensively, and they made Salazar pay for several behind-in-the-count fastballs that caught too much of the plate. The two most glaring examples: Kendrys Morales hit a two-out, two-run single in the first (2-0 fastball) and Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer in the sixth (2-1 fastball).

Salazar, as was the case in his previous two starts, relied on a fastball/changeup combination. He mixed in some sliders and curves.

The changeup, thrown with a splitter grip, is as nasty as it has been for Salazar since he debuted in the majors in 2013. Of Salazar's 18 outs, 12 came via the changeup -- including all of the strikeouts. Periodically, the 12-to-6 drop was Bugs Bunny-esque.

Alex Gordon, a dangerous hitter, is allergic to Salazar's change piece. Gordon struck out all three times he faced Salazar to continue his unproductive ways against him. 

Ridiculous: All 28 of Salazar's strikeouts with the Tribe this season have been swinging. The streak is 36 dating to his final MLB start of 2014.

Lights-out: Tribe right-handed reliever Zach McAllister allowed one hit -- a bloop single -- and struck out three in two dominant innings. He worked the seventh and eighth in providing the all-important bridge to closer Cody Allen.

McAllister's fastball featured plenty of late movement.

McAllister struck out Paulo Orlando in three pitches for the second out of the seventh. The third strike was a fastball (97) that came back to shave the outside corner at the knees. Plate umpire Jerry Meals had no choice but to ring up Orlando.

The next batter, Christian Colon, fought off a fastball (96) and dumped it down the right-field line. Red-hot Mike Moustakas stepped in, his team trailing by two. Indians manager Terry Francona had Nick Hagadone ready for a left-on-left matchup but opted for the status quo. McAllister was throwing well and had held Moustakas to 2-for-14 -- albeit with two doubles -- in their careers.

McAllister missed with two fastballs clocked at 96 mph, setting up a moment of truth: McAllister needed to keep trusting his fastball against a batter who was going to be locked on it, with the zone narrowed considerably. McAllister did, indeed, throw a fastball, but it was anything but a get-me-over. He painted -- on the outside corner at the knees, directly into catcher Perez's glove -- at 95 mph. Moustakas wisely took it.

Still ahead in the count, Moustakas geared for a more hittable pitch. But McAllister got into the kitchen with a fastball (95), and the aggressive Moustakas popped to third.        

For the final two outs of the eighth, he overpowered lefties Hosmer and Morales with 96-mph fastballs that ran away and resulted in swings and misses.

Individual streak ends: Ventura gave up five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out one.

Ventura is capable of consistently throwing some of the fastest fastballs in the majors among starters. The fastball was ordinary Wednesday. The Indians did most of their damage against the heater, which was mid-90s instead of high-90s.  

Ventura did achieve a moral victory of sorts by remaining in the game until manager Ned Yost hooked him. Ventura had been ejected in his previous two starts.

Noise from below: The bottom three in the Cleveland order -- Lonnie Chisenhall, Perez, Michael Bourn -- combined to go 6-for-11 with one homer, three doubles, three RBI and six runs.

Entering the night, Chisenhall was batting .230, Perez, .162 and in an 0-for-18 skid; and Bourn, .181.

Chisenhall finished 1-for-4 with two strikeouts, but the hit, a double, proved enormous.

With one out in the sixth and the Indians trailing, 4-3, Chisenhall faced Ventura.  Chisenhall fouled a curve and took a changeup for a strike on the outside corner. Ventura then got too cute for his own good: He threw a curveball on the outer half and Chisenhall banged it off the left-field wall. Credit Chisenhall with staying on the pitch.

Two pitches later, the score was tied. Perez lined a 1-0 fastball (93) to left-center for a double.

Yost signaled for lefty Franklin Morales to face Bourn, but the Indians weren't worried for two reasons: Bourn had been swinging well in the series and was 4-for-9 career against Morales.

Morales, after throwing a first-pitch strike, fired a 93-mph fastball that rode high and tight. Bourn spun out of the way and fell to the ground.

It would have been understandable if Bourn let the front side leak a bit for at least the remainder of the at-bat. Instead, Bourn's base stayed firm and, when Morales came with an inside fastball (91), the mechanics were terrific. Bourn lined the pitch into the right-field corner for a double to make it 5-4.

With Kipnis batting, Bourn advanced to third on a wild pitch. Bourn scored on Kipnis's grounder.

The Tribe's three-run uprising felt like six because of when it occurred. In the top of the sixth, the Royals had taken the 4-3 lead on Hosmer's blast to left-center. A repeat of the previous two games seemed to be taking shape; in those games, the  Royals scored go-ahead runs in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively. And the Royals were oh-so-close to getting the series finale to several of their hammers in the back end of the bullpen.

Opposite-field muscle: Perez's homer, off Ryan Madson in the eighth, gave the Tribe a 7-4 lead. Perez sent a fastball (94) over the right-field wall for his third of the season.

Showing flashes: Bourn went 2-for-4 with two runs and the RBI. After a dreadful series in Detroit (0-for-12, one walk) dropped his season's average to .169 and knocked him out of the leadoff spot, he rebounded with numerous quality swings against the Royals. He was 4-for-11 with two doubles, three RBI, two runs, one walk and one steal.

Thunder at the top: Tribe leadoff batter Kipnis was a modest 1-for-4, but it came with teeth: He drove in four.

Kipnis's homer pushed the Indians ahead, 3-2, in the third.

Perez led off by lining a 3-1 fastball (94) to left for a single. Bourn jumped on a first-pitch fastball (94) and sent it to right for a single.

Kipnis showed bunt, then pulled back, on a first-pitch fastball (94) that missed.

Fox SportsTime Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "I'm thinking Kipnis has got to be doing this on his own. ... You're bunting over for a .186 hitter (Jose Ramirez) right now.''

Kipnis did not show bunt in taking a fastball (94) low. Now Kipnis could sit fastball, and Ventura provided a delectable one (95) on the inner half at the knees. Kipnis, using a compact swing, re-routed it an estimated 408 feet to right-center for his first homer since July 31, 2014.

Kevin Love has season-ending surgery Friday in New York, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Power forward Kevin Love underwent surgery in New York to repair a dislocated left shoulder, the Cavaliers announced late Wednesday night.

His operation took place at the Hospital for Special Surgery and Dr. David W. Altchek performed it. His recovery time is being projected at 4-6 months, which could halt his return to basketball up until training camp.

Love injured his shoulder in the Game 4 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday in which Kelly Olynyk tugged and twisted at his arm while the two chased down a loose rebound.

It is being viewed by many as a dirty play and Love called it "intentional" and "bush-league." Olynyk only received a one-game suspension. He'll serve it in the first game of the 2015-16 campaign.

This is a huge blow for the Cavaliers at this period in the season. No team has played better than Cleveland since mid-January and they were seen as the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

"It sucks," LeBron James said this week regarding Love's situation. "I mean for our team and for him, more than anything."

Love can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He has a player option for next year at $16.7 million. He told Northeast Ohio Media Group in January that he planned to opt in and enter free agency in the summer of 2016. Of course, things can change.

It has been one roller coaster of a season for Love, a season he labeled as "so-so" when asked to assess his productivity over the course of the year. He had finally found a rhythm in his first three postseason games.

The three-time All-Star averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds for the Cavaliers in 75 games. It was the first time since his rookie season that he did not average a double-double.

The Cavaliers are officially forced to move on without Love during this postseason run, but the organization's hope is that Love won't move on in July.

Browns general manager Ray Farmer denied that he's made the Titans an offer, but when Tennessee is on the clock, it wouldn't be surprising for the Browns to make a pitch.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On the eve of the NFL draft, Browns general manager Ray Farmer and coach Mike Pettine downplayed reports and rumors that they'll try to try trade up for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

It doesn't mean they won't, but in interview with NFL Network's Andrea Kremer, Farmer denied word that he's already offered the Browns No. 12 and No. 19 picks to the Titans at No. 2 to draft the Heisman Trophy winner.

At about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN.com's Pat McManamon reported that the Browns had offered No. 12 and No. 19 to the Titans at No. 2 to trade up for Mariota. But about 14 minutes later, ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky, who covers the Titans, reported that a Titans source told him no such offer had been made.

Farmer corroborated that in the interview Wednesday afternoon with Kremer, who's at the Browns facility in Berea this week covering the draft.

Farmer said he did talk to Titans general manager Ruston Webster at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, but that no substantive trade talks took place and no offer was made.  Farmer said he asked Webster, "What are you hearing in the draft?" 

Farmer re-iterated what he's been saying since the NFL combine in February -- that he's had conversations with all 31 teams up trading up or back. Farmer stated last week in his pre-draft press conference that he'd be open to moving in either direction.

He told Kremer, "Things remain fluid and you always have to listen, but when you get needy, you get desperate. We aren't either."

Pettine also sat down with Kremer and re-iterated that Johnny Manziel is still very much in the Browns plans, and that drafting Mariota would mean they've given up on him.

"Yes, I agree, that's what it would indicate," Pettine said.

He stressed that was far from the case.

"We still very much believe in Johnny Manziel,'' Pettine said. "We didn't draft him to sell jerseys or tickets but to be a top-notch quarterback. His career didn't start out the way we wanted. We had to hit the pause button and we have reset. I'm not ready to give up on him."

He repeated what he's a few times recently, that Manziel, who's fress of 10 weeks in rehab, showed "flashes of brilliance" in practice last season, which has led the Browns to believe he can get his career on track.

When Kremer asked how that would jive with the Browns drafting Mariota, he said, "You figure it out.''

If the Browns do try to trade up for Mariota, it could cost as much -- or almost  as much -- as what the Redskins paid to move up from No. 6 to No. 2 for Robert Griffin III in 2012: a total of three first-rounders and a second-rounder.

Therefore, it could take the Browns No. 12, No. 19 and next year's No. 1 -- a hefty sum they might not want to pay.

Besides, it seems the Titans are poised to draft Mariota themselves. 

"If you think a player is a franchise quarterback, then that supersedes everything else," Webster said in his pre-draft press conference Tuesday. "I think we like (Jameis Winston and Mariota) both. It is really not a factor what Tampa does. If we were to go that direction, what Tampa did would not affect what we did."

Webster acknowledged he's had conversations with multiple teams seeking to trade up to No. 2.

"There are calls, and there's activity. But there typically is at this time in the process," he said. "We are open to listening, but we like the No. 2 spot. We are real happy where we are."

If the Browns jump into the fray, they'll likely have competition. Eagles coach Chip Kelly might still want to take a crack at his former Oregon pupil, and the Chargers are reportedly in the mix, according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. If the Browns can't swing a deal for Mariota, they might make another run at Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford.

Some league insiders still believe that Kelly will deal Bradford despite the fact he's repeatedly said he won't, and others think that the Browns will pursue him despite reports that Bradford doesn't want to sign an extension the Browns.

The Browns could also try to trade for other quarterbacks such as Tampa Bay's Mike Glennon, who will be relegated to backup duty as soon as the Bucs draft Winston. A few months ago, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam had Glennon on his radar.

One league source said the Browns also have West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White in their sights if they don't land Mariota. But they'd probably have to trade up to get White, a likely top 10 pick, as well. Short of that, they might be able to stay at No. 12 and take Louisville receiver DeVante Parker or Washington nosetackle Danny Shelton.

Most draft experts, including NFL Network's Mike Mayock and Sports Illustrated's Peter King, predict the Browns will draft Shelton to help shore up their 32nd-ranked run defense. Mayock also has the Browns selecting Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon at No. 19, which would be a mild surprise considering what happened with Trent Richardson.

But Gordon rushed for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2014, and the Browns will continue to rely heavily on the run.

Overall, the Browns have 10 picks, including four in the first 77 picks, and will be open to wheeling and dealing.

Question is, how soon will they pick up the phone?

Jason Kipnis homered and drove in four runs Wednesday as the Indians beat Kansas City, 7-5. Perhaps Kipnis has rediscovered the swing that he lost last year after tearing his right oblique muscle.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's one thing to play mind games with yourself. To prod and poke and convince yourself internally that the thing that has always come easily to you is still there.

But it's much better to see it, feel it and celebrate it.

Jason Kipnis hit his first home run Wednesday night in 67 games and 265 at-bats. He did it on the one-year anniversary of the injury that turned his 2014 season into a long slow slog to the end of the year.

Kipnis, after trying to advance Roberto Perez and Michael Bourn with a bunt in the third inning, received permission to swing away on a 2-0 pitch from Kansas City's Yordano Ventura.

"I knew I was probably getting a fastball, so it was one you could attack there," he said. "I didn't miss it this time."

Yes, Kipnis watched the 392-foot drive clear the wall in right center field. It gave the Indians a 3-2 lead in a game they would eventually win, 7-5.

"It wasn't a weight off my shoulders," said Kipnis. "It was a nice feeling -- something I haven't felt in a while. There's going to be pressure on myself to do well no matter what. But, just to finally have it happen, to finally see it, is always refreshing.

"It's a good thing."

In the fourth inning on April 29, 2014 at Angel Stadium, Kipnis swung at a Jered Weaver pitch and hit into a double play. It felt like someone punched him in the right side as he ran half speed to first base.

He'd torn his right oblique muscle off a the bone in his rib cage. He recovered, but his swing never did.

Kipnis has been searching for the swing that took him to the All-Star game in 2013 ever since. He caught glimpses of it in spring training and Wednesday night counted as another sighting.

"I didn't know it was a year ago that I got hurt," said Kipnis.."What a difference a year can make. Hopefully, we'll put that even more int he past now."

Kipnis is hitting only .232 (19-for-82), but his four RBI on Wednesday doubled his total for the year. On Sunday he moved into the lead-off spot as manager Terry Francona dropped Michael Bourn to the bottom of the lineup.

"Kip can hit anywhere in the order," said Francona. "Fortunately, he will. He knew we were kind of trying to figure out something, a way to get us going. He just says, 'Hey, man, I'll do whatever.' He's got a good attitude about it."

The victory ended a four-game losing streak, but the Indians are still 7-13 with a dreadful offense, an inconsistent bullpen and a fragile defense. They do have some starting pitching, but so far that hasn't been enough.

Offensively, there were some encouraging signs Wednesday. The Indians finished with nine hits, five going for extra bases including homers by Kipnis and Perez.

"We know the kind of offense that we can have," said Kipnis. "Obviously, we didn't get out to a great start. And then to sit there and watch teams like Kansas City and Detroit, who had seven guys hitting over .350, it just made it a little more frustrating."

The frustration isn't going to end. Baseball is built on frustration and failure. There is only one antidote -- winning. So far the Indians have been doing far too little of that.

Jason Kipnis drove in four runs and Danny Salazar pitched six innings to earn the win as the Indians ended a four-game losing streak with a 7-5 win over Kansas City.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jason Kipnis dusted off his home-run swing and Danny Salazar won his third game in as many starts on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

Kipnis hit a three-run homer and Salazar pitched six innings as the Indians beat the Royals, 7-5, for just their second victory at home this season. They are 2-6 at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario this season.

The home run by Kipnis was his first since July 31 against Seattle. It ended a stretch of 67 games and 265 at-bats without a homer for the second baseman.

Roberto Perez and Michael Bourn started the third with singles off Yordano Ventura (2-2, 4.94), who appealed a seven-game suspension to make this start. Kipnis drove a 2-0 pitch from the Royals right-hander and drove it over the wall in right center.

Salazar (3-0, 3.32) allowed four runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. He has struck out 27 in 19 innings. 

It was a good night for Perez as well as Kipnis. Perez went 3-for-3 and reached base four times. In the eighth, he hit his third homer of the season.

What it means

The Indians (7-13) ended a four-game losing streak with the victory. They improved to 5-12 in the AL Central. The loss ended the Royals' (14-7) two-game winning streak. They are 9-6 in the Central.

Slam the door

Cody Allen, the Indians' struggling closer, pitched the ninth for his fourth save, but it was not without incident.

Alex Gordon started the inning with a double that eluded a diving Bourn in center field and skipped past right fielder Brandon Moss for an error as Gordon stopped at third. Omar Infante blooped a single into right to cut the Tribe's lead to 7-5 before Allen ended it.

It was Allen's first save since April 18.

It's not over until it's over

The Royals took a 2-0 lead in the first against Salazar and reclaimed the lead, 4-3, on a two-run homer by Eric Hosmer in the sixth.

Instead of folding, the Indians came back.

Lonnie Chisenhall and Perez hit consecutive doubles with one out in the sixth to tie the score, 4-4, and knock Ventura out of the game. Franklin Morales relieved and threw a pitch up and in to knock down Bourn.

There were no warnings issued, but the pitch could have been a response to Salazar hitting Alcides Escobar in the batting helmet in the fifth. Escobar left the game with a bruised left cheek.

Bourn bounced to his feet and doubled down the right-field line for a 5-4 lead. He took third on a wild pitch and scored on Kipnis' grounder.

It was the first four RBI night for Kipnis since July 18 against Detroit.

Mix it up

Salazar threw almost all fastballs in the first inning and the Royals feasted.

Escobar and Mike Moustakas hit consecutive singles to start. Lorenzo Cain advanced them with a groundout to third, but it looked like the Indians might escape when Kipnis snagged Hosmer's liner to second.

But Kendry Morales singled sharply to center for the 2-0 lead.

Salazar and Perez changed plans after the first inning. Salazar started throwing his split and curve early in the count and then delivered the heat. He held the Royals scoreless for four innings before Hosmer's long homer to center in the sixth.

The Royals hit .345 (40-for-116) in this three-game series. Moustakas hit .571 (8-for-14).  

Thanks for coming

A crowd of 10,284 watched on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

What's next

Left-hander T.J. House (0-3, 12.60) will face Toronto's Daniel Norris on Thursday night at 7:10 at Progressive Field. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM AM/1100 and WMMS FM/100.7 will carry the game.

This is the start of a four-game series between the Tribe and Toronto.

The Browns added two big men to help both lines in Cameron Erving and Danny Shelton.

BEREA, Ohio -- Adding Cameron Erving with the No. 19 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have indeed changed direction from the 2014 draft.

Erving played everything from left tackle to center at Florida State in the last three years. He even played a little defensive line as a freshman.

What the Browns did was pick two very good linemen in the first round.

I was hoping for a receiver somewhere in the first round, but I find it hard to second-guess either selection.

With right tackle Mitchell Schwartz heading to free agency after the 2015 ... and center Alex Mack having the right to become a free agent after 2015 ... the Browns needed another offensive linemen.

The Browns best pick from the 2014 draft was Joel Bitonio, who played left tackle at Nevada. They moved him to guard, and he may have been the best rookie offensive linemen in 2014.

Erving gives the Browns the option to play him anywhere on the offensive line -- Shelton can do the same on the defensive line.

Sexy picks?

No.

But solid selections make a lot of sense.

The Browns used their second pick in the first round to take Erving, an interior offensive lineman from Florida State. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - The Cleveland Browns took offensive lineman Cameron Erving from Florida State on Thursday night, 19th overall in the first round of NFL Draft 2015.

Erving, a Georgia native, is listed at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds. Earlier in the night, the Browns selected Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton 12th overall.

Here is his scouting report from The Associated Press:

Erving began his career at Florida State as a defensive tackle and was a huge force for a defense that allowed an average of 82.7 rushing yards his freshman season in 2011 for the nation's second-best mark. Despite that success, he moved to left tackle the following season and quickly developed into an elite offensive lineman by starting all 14 games there in 2012. The next season, his work on the blindside helped pave the way for Jameis Winston to win the Heisman Trophy as the Seminoles went 14-0 and captured the BCS championship.

That season began in strong fashion as Erving held Pittsburgh star defensive tackle Aaron Donald to two tackles in a 41-13 victory in the opener; Donald was named NFL defensive rookie of the year last season for the St. Louis Rams. Erving earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in each of his final two seasons as voted by ACC coaches. He was forced to move to center for his final five games as a senior and was part of a unit that helped Winston lead the conference with 3,907 passing yards and Dalvin Cook set a school freshman record with 1,008 rushing yards. Erving did nothing to hurt his stock at the NFL combine, finishing with 30 reps in the bench press to rank fifth among offensive linemen, a 112-inch broad jump to tie for fourth and a 7.48-second 3-cone drill that placed him third.

See spring sports highlights from Thursday, April 30, 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are spring sports highlights from Thursday's action based on box scores reported to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

For more information on how to report box scores, please email High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis (kdavis@cleveland.com).

Kenston baseball outlasts Kirtland

Kenston's Jimmy Artale scored two runs and had two hits, as well as an RBI in Thursday's 5-2 win against Kirtland. 

Matt Pecoraro struck out four in four innings and did not have an earned run. Kirtland scored one run in the sixth and seventh innings, but was unable to complete the comeback.

Holy Name softball tops Padua

Six Holy Name players scored at least one run in a 8-5 win against Padua on Thursday. Jenna Follina led the Green Wave with three runs in two at-bats and four players had two RBI, including Follina.

For Padua, Stephanie Kilijanczyk had one run, two RBI and a double in the loss.

Bay Village girls lacrosse outlasts Beaumont

Bay Village girls lacrosse defeated Beaumont, 12-11 on Thursday night. After a 5-5 tie at halftime, Bay scored one more goal than Beaumont in the second half to earn the win. 

For Bay, six players scored, highlighted by Audrey Sullivan's five goals. Beaumont had four girls score, highlighted by five goals from Rachel McDonald.

See all the scores. Click the respective sports to see all the scores from today's action in baseball, softball, boys tennis and girls lacrosse.

See what cleveland.com readers are saying about the pick of Washington defensive tackle, Danny Shelton.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns had two selections in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft, and got things started by taking Washington defensive tackle Danny Shelton with the No. 12 pick.

The Browns needed help against the run, as they allowed 2,265 rushing yards, which was the most in the NFL.

What do you think of the pick? You can get in the comments section below and talk about what you think of Danny Shelton.

Here are some highlights of what other reader's have said about the pick.

Reader potentdank welcomes Shelton to his new home:

"WELCOME TO CLEVELAND DANNY SHELTON!!!!!!"

BlueRose is a fan of the pick:

"Nice pic...Love it....an ACADEMIC as well....a man that has the BRAINS and size.  He will be a beast on the line and I love his work ethic and commitment.  Great pic! for a change!"

Brwns4ver agreed, and likes both of the Browns first rounders:

"The Browns will prove that "boring in the draft" will result in fun on Sunday! Outstanding 1st round .... Ray Farmer got this right."

NoschoolLikeOldSchool gives the pick an A+:

"A+ from me. These two picks mean we're in it for the long haul. You can't build a skyscraper without a good foundation."

Coachworthy thinks Danny Shelton will fit in well with the rest of the defensive line:

"Very happy with pick, with Hughes, Taylor (moving back strictly inside), Kitchen (solid if healthy imo) and Shelton we should have a great D Line. Dez Bryant will move strictly outside and Billy Wynn is sneaky quick with great hands. I really want to see Armonty Bryant this year because he was the best D Lineman for the first few games last season and should be able to replace Sheard standing up."

CLEVELAND 4EVER is sold on Ray Farmer's plan

"Farmer just proved to me that last year was a fluke going off of joe banners draft reports. good job big ray!"

bcubed likes Shelton, but he also likes his personality off the field:

"I also like what I see of Shelton off the field. He's going to be the new face of the Browns around town in no time. Fans are going to really love this guy."

Contact Mark Kern via Twitter (@Markkern11) or email (mkern@cleveland.com).

The Indians are 1-8 in games started by left-handers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians closed a brutal April with a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night at Progressive Field. Paid attendance on a miserable night for baseball (except for vampires, bats and Blue Jays): 9,798.

Nothing doing: The Indians (7-14 overall, 2-7 at home) have lost five of six. They are in last place in the AL Central. They enter May tied with the Texas Rangers for second-worst record in the majors; only the Milwaukee Brewers (5-17) are worse.

At 7.5 games out of first place, the Indians are tied with the AL West's Rangers for second-largest deficit in the majors; only the Brewers are farther behind (10.5).  

Bird chirps: The Blue Jays (11-12), last place in the AL East, had dropped five of six.

False starts: The Indians slipped to 1-7 in series openers.

Left out: The Indians are 1-8 in games started by lefties.

Low score, big trouble: The Tribe is 1-9 when scoring three or fewer.

Game that got away: The Tribe managed one run and lost despite:

• Toronto's starting pitcher, Daniel Norris, exiting after three innings and 78 pitches.
• Amassing double-digit hits (11) and two walks.
• Putting at least one runner in scoring position in the first, second, third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings.
• Playing good defense.

Difficult to win this way: The Tribe went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base.

No House party: Indians left-hander T.J. House allowed the five runs on four hits and walked three in three-plus innings.

House is 0-4 with a 13.15 ERA in four starts. He has allowed 19 runs on 21 hits and walked 12 in 13 innings.

House's outing against the Blue Jays unfolded in two distinct parts.

* Through three innings and 32 pitches, House held the Blue Jays hitless. The only  runners arrived courtesy of a two-out, four-pitch walk in the second and third inning, respectively.

Every out against House was on the ground: to the pitcher, third baseman, shortstop, third baseman, third baseman, shortstop, second baseman, third baseman and second baseman.

Blue Jays batters -- all right-handed -- were too aggressive, and too eager to pull, House's off-speed stuff.

Then those batters adjusted.

* In the fourth inning, House recorded zero outs in 19 pitches. The first five Blue Jays reached before Ryan Webb relieved.

Jose Bautista led off with a five-pitch walk.

Edwin Encarnacion punched the first pitch (87 mph) to right for a single.

It spoke volumes that Bautista and Encarnacion, who thoroughly enjoy swinging for the bleachers, settled for a walk and a single.

Danny Valencia, down in the count, 1-2, used an emergency hack to dump an RBI single into right. The 82-mph pitch was down and away, a quality pitch. Valencia made sure to put it in play and was rewarded.

Russell Martin, ahead in the count, 2-1, shot a fastball (88) to right for an RBI double.

Kevin Pillar fell behind, 0-2. After a foul and ball, he reached for a 79-mph pitch and hooked it to left for a two-run double.

The Blue Jays, copying a page from the Detroit and Kansas City hitting manuals  against Cleveland, didn't try to muscle up. They took what the pitcher gave them; if it meant going the other way, so be it.

Webb allowed the inherited runner to score, thereby closing the book on House, when Jonathan Diaz squeezed home Pillar with one out. Diaz bunted a high pitch.

The Blue Jays can mash, but they didn't need anything close to a homer to lead, 5-0.

Escape act: Somehow, Norris -- Toronto's top prospect entering 2015, according to Baseball America -- worked three scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and walked two.

The Indians surrounded Norris in the second. With one out, Ryan Raburn singled and Lonnie Chisenhall and Roberto Perez walked.

No. 9 batter Michael Bourn stepped in for what would turn out to be the at-bat of the game.

Norris fell behind, 3-0, meaning he was one ball from a 1-0 deficit with the bases still loaded and one out.

Bourn, as expected, took a strike. Norris came back with another fastball, which Bourn was unable to square and popped to second. It might as well have been a strikeout.

Jason Kipnis authored a good at-bat, going from a 1-2 count to full. But he flied to left.

Bourn entered the night batting .167 (5-for-30) against lefties; Kipnis, .132 (5-for-38). Kipnis, though, has hit into a degree of tough luck.

More headaches for Cleveland: Three of Toronto's four relievers Thursday were lefties -- Jeff Francis, Aaron Loup and Brett Cecil. The trio combined to work 4 1/3  innings.

Francis gave up the Tribe's run. Mike Aviles doubled and scored on Michael Brantley's single in the fifth.

The Indians entered with a .213 average and .623 OPS against all lefties.

"I tried to tell you guys,'' Farmer said to the media on Thursday night in Berea.

BEREA, Ohio - Browns general manager Ray Farmer said Thursday night that he never made an offer to the Titans to move up to to No. 2 in NFL Draft 2015 at any point.

"No, no, no,'' Farmer said. "Again, I've tried to tell people without telling them specifically, but the answer is no. There were no conversations of trading.''

Coach Mike Pettine chimed in, "I didn't either.''

So for all the speculation, reports and rumors that the Browns might move up to pursue Marcus Mariota, it proved to be much ado about nothing.

Farmer said the Browns had some cursory discussions about moving up and down, but nothing that came close.

"We were content to hold our water knowing what was going to come our way,'' said Farmer.

The Browns stayed at No. 12 and selected Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton to shore up their 32nd-ranked run defense. They sat tight at No. 19 and selected center/offensive lineman Cam Erving from Florida State.