"I don't think we want to lose patience that quickly," Francona said. "I think we're always trying to figure out ways to get better, but maybe more with trying to help our players get better as opposed to just getting rid of them. I don't think that makes a lot of sense."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jose Ramirez contends he isn't shaken by a miserable five weeks on the field. He plans to keep stirring.

"My confidence is good," Ramirez said, with pitcher Bruce Chen translating. "I know I'm going to be OK."

That hasn't kept his manager from being concerned, however. Ramirez has posted a .179 batting average, a .222 on-base percentage and a .238 slugging percentage, paltry numbers, even compared to those he registered a year ago for the Tribe. His defense has not been as sound, either. All of that has Terry Francona, admittedly, a bit uneasy.

"He used to walk around like he owned the field and the one thing we always talked about so much was his [internal] clock," Francona said. "Right now, I think he's definitely pressing a little bit and I understand it."

Ramirez snapped an 0-for-10 funk with a seventh-inning single on Tuesday. He entered the game in a 7-for-50 skid.

Against left-handed pitching, Ramirez has one hit in 24 at-bats, for a .042 average. He has no explanation for those dire struggles. Ramirez is batting .233 (14-for-60) against righties.

"I don't understand," he said. "I feel like both sides are good. I don't understand."

Is it time for a change? For how long can the Indians ride this out? Ramirez committed a critical defensive gaffe in the eighth inning on Tuesday, as he dropped a throw from Bryan Shaw in an attempt to start a potential double play. The Cardinals proceeded to score four times.

"I don't think we want to lose patience that quickly," Francona said. "I think we're always trying to figure out ways to get better, but maybe more with trying to help our players get better as opposed to just getting rid of them. I don't think that makes a lot of sense."

Francisco Lindor, ranked the No. 1 prospect in the organization and the No. 4 prospect in baseball by MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus, is batting .256 with one home run, 11 RBIs, 16 walks, 21 strikeouts, seven doubles, 12 RBIs and seven stolen bases at Triple-A Columbus.

Lindor has played in 69 games at Triple-A between last year and this year. Ramirez logged 60 games at Triple-A last season, his only stint at that level.

"Every time you're young, you can come up and you can have some success," said second baseman Jason Kipnis. "The game will always adjust to you and you need to make that first adjustment back. I think that's what he's going through right now. He's still a very talented player, and he's still a player that can help us win. He just might be pressing a little bit. He wants to do well. He's trying to do well. We all know that if you try to do too much and press a little bit, you're just digging your hole a little deeper. I think that's just happening to him. He'll get out of it."

Ramirez said he isn't pressing. Is Lindor's looming presence adding weight to Ramirez's shoulders?

"I really don't know," Francona said. "There's always going to be somebody there. You can always come up with a reason to feel pressure, whether it's in spring training to make the club -- so that's why you try to rely on working hard and playing the game right and things take care of themselves."

By waiting until June or July to promote Lindor, the Indians could prevent the youngster from qualifying for Super Two status, which would grant him an extra year of arbitration eligibility. Two weeks ago, general manager Chris Antonetti was asked what Lindor still needed to prove at Triple-A. He said Lindor needed to work on "a litany of things," but he wouldn't specify any further. 

Ramirez was struggling then and he's struggling now. How much longer of a leash will the Indians provide?

"It's a little bit of a bad streak that every baseball player has," Ramirez said, "but I'm working very hard to help the team win and I'm doing everything I can to help the team offensively and defensively."

St. Louis counters a late rally by the Indians with one of its own on the way to a 8-3 victory at Progressive Field. The Indians have lost 11 of their last 16 games.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- St. Louis continued the Indians' suffering Tuesday night with soft stuff early and hard stuff late at Progressive Field.

They took an early 3-0 lead on soft singles by Mark Reynolds and Matt Holliday. Then Jhonny Peralta, Matt Carpenter and Holliday finished the Indians, 8-3, with two line drives and a home run.

The Indians have lost 11 of their last 16 games.

Peralta lined a double to the right-field wall in the seventh for a 4-0 lead. First base was open with two out and Carpenter on second when the Indians decided to pitch to Peralta after a mound visit from pitching coach Mickey Callaway.

Peralta, the former Tribe shortstop, made Carlos Carrasco pay. Carrasco (4-3, 4.84) was done for the night. He struck out seven and didn't walk a batter. What he did do was allow four runs on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings.

After the Indians made it a 4-3 game, Carpenter stretched the St. Louis lead to 5-3 with a two-out, line-drive single off Nick Hagadone in the eighth. Scott Atchison relieved and allowed a three-run homer to Holliday to put the game away.

The inning spun out of control after shortstop Jose Ramirez dropped a potential inning-ending double play after Bryan Shaw fielded Peter Bourjos' bouncer to the mound and threw to second. It was the Indians' second error. 

The Indians rallied for three runs in the seventh after manager Mike Matheny lifted Lance Lynn (2-3, 3.27) and went to his bullpen. Ramirez started the rally with a single. Jason Kipnis doubled to the gap in left to make it 4-1. It was the second double of the night for Kipnis.

After Matt Belisle struck out Carlos Santana, lefty Randy Choate relieved to face Michael Brantley, who doubled to left to make it 4-2. When Ryan Raburn pinch-hit for Brandon Moss, Matheny replaced Choate with another lefty, Kevin Siegrist. Raburn doubled to left to make it 4-3, but Siegrest stranded Raburn by retiring Nick Swisher and David Murphy.

Reynolds, who played for the Tribe in 2013, gave St. Louis a 2-0 lead with a two-run bloop single to right in the the second. Holliday made it 3-0 with a two-out bloop to center in the fifth.

What it means

The Indians (11-20) were in position to win consecutive games, but failed to do so for the 10th time Tuesday night. They have won consecutive games just once this season -- April 8-9 against Houston.

St. Louis ended a brief two-game losing streak. The Cardinals (23-9), with the best record in the big leagues, have won 11 of their last 14.

Down early and often

When the Indians fell behind the Cardinals, 2-0, in the second inning, it meant they'd been outscored 40-21 in the first two innings this season. They've been outscored 27-10 in the first inning.

First impressions

The Indians fell to 1-10 in series openers. The one series opener the Indians won was against the Tigers on April 24 at Comerica Park.

Streaks

Brantley extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a first-inning single. It's the longest by an Indian since Brantley had a 15-game streak in September.

Ramirez broke an 0-for-10 slump with a single in the seventh.

Brantley entered the game with 53 doubles since the start of the 2014 season. He ranked third in the AL behind Miguel Cabrera with 58 and Jose Altuve with 55. He doubled in the seventh to give him 45.

Swing and a miss

Brantley came into Tuesday's game as the hardest player in the AL to strike out. He was averaging one for every 35 plate appearances, but in the fifth with the bases loaded and one out, Brantley struck out. Lance completed the escape act by striking out Moss.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Cardinals drew 12,616 to Progressive Field.

What's next?

RHP Corey Kluber will make his eighth start of the season Wednesday night when he faces the Cardinals for the first time in his career. Kluber (0-5, 5.04) will be looking for his first win. SportsTime Ohio and WTAM AM/1100 will carry the game.

Kluber is fifth in the AL with 46 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings.

St. Louis will start John Lackey (2-1, 3.20), who is no stranger to the Indians. He'll be making his 20th start against the Tribe. He's 8-8 with a 3.94 ERA.

Lackey's 20 starts against the Tribe rank eighth among active pitchers. 

Triple Crown fever will arrive on Saturday at Northfield Park and ThistleDown Racino, with both racetracks simulcasting the 140th Preakness Stakes

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Triple Crown fever will arrive on Saturday at Northfield Park and ThistleDown Racino, with both racetracks simulcasting the 140^th Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course.

For an inside look at the Preakness field and making a wager on the Run for the Black-eyed Susans, handicapper Bob "Railbird" Roberts and track announcer Ayers Ratliff are hosting a free handicapping seminar on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Northfield Park will offer only simulcast racing on Saturday, with Pimlico one of 40 tracks beamed in from North America and Australia. Post time for the first race on the powerhouse Pimlico card is 10:30 a.m., and there is early bird wagering for the Preakness.

Players Club members can enter the $2,000 Pimlico Handicapping contest at Northfield. There are free prize drawings throughout the day. Five food trucks will be parked on the trackside apron, with live music from noon-7 p.m. by The Michelle Romary Band and Unknown Reason.

ThistleDown Racino is featuring the $75,000 Michael F. Rowland Memorial Handicap on a live thoroughbred racing program that begins at 12:55 p.m. Only Boy and jockey Luis Gonzalez won the 6-furlong dash for three-year-olds and up, roaring to a hefty 5-length victory in 2014.

Northfield record falls: Lease Ness Monster and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. set a Northfield Park racing record last week, scorching the Northfield mile in 1:52.1. They captured the $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open on May 7, slicing a tenth of a second off the mark for four-year-old mares.

It was the third win in 11 starts this season for Lease Ness Monster ($5), owned by David Waltz of Clayton Michigan and trainer by Scott Bateson. She won by six lengths to boost her career bankroll to $65,368.

Merriman broadens lead: Northfield Park reinsman Aaron Merriman opened his national driving lead, and a familiar face is right behind. Merriman has 317 victories in 1,502 starts this season, mostly at Northfield and Pennsylvania's The Meadows. Fellow Northfield star Ronnie Wrenn Jr. bagged five winners on Monday's Northfield card to move up to second with 295 victories, followed by East Coast driver Corey Callahan (286), Bruce Aldrich Jr. (230) and Keystone star David Palone (191), who captured his 17,000^th career victory on Wednesday at The Meadows.

Ohio fair races get $3.5 million: Ohio county fair race tracks have become increasingly important to pari-mutuel harness racing in Ohio. It is the reason the Ohio State Racing Commission recently granted Ohio's 65 county fairs $3,581,000 in additional funding for 2015, an 83 percent increase, said OSRC Chairman Robert K. Schmitz.

Two new racetracks, Miami Valley Gaming in Lebanon and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, don't have barn areas, forcing many trainers to get their trotters and pacers ready at county fair tracks. Northfield Park still has 800 stalls on its backstretch; Scioto Downs in Columbus has been tearing down some of its barns. The 29 Ohio fairs that do not have harness racing will still receive $2,000 each for operating expenses.

Mr. Z back on track: Rather than enter Mr. Z in Saturday's 140^th Preakness Stakes after his 13^th place finish in the Kentucky Derby, the Zayat Stables sold him for an undisclosed amount to Calumet Farms, and he's back on the Preakness list.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas announced the sale, and told Pimlico officials that he had galloped Mr. Z on Wednesday morning and "he handled it really well.

"I don't know that I pushed the sale," said Lukas. "The sale just came through conversation and dialogue. Mr. Z is a pretty well-bred horse, He might be the best horse in the Preakness if you look at it real critically."

Corey Nakatani will ride Mr. Z in the Preakness.

American Pharoah was named 4-5 early pick to win the 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Pimlico Race Course 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Trainer Bob Baffert drew a 1-2 punch in a small field of eight three-year-olds at Wednesday afternoon's draw for post positions for Saturday's 140^th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Baffert's American Pharoah drew the rail, and stable mate Dortmund was handed the No. 2 post. American Pharoah was made the 4-5 morning line selection by Pimlico oddsmaker Keith Feustle, with Dortmund the 7-2 second choice.

After losing to American Pharoah by just a length in the Kentucky Derby, second-place Firing Line drew the No. 8 post and was established the 4-1 third choice. Other post positions and odds were: No. 3, Mr. Z, 12-1; No. 4, Danzig Moon, 12-1; No. 5, Tale of Verve, 30-1; No. 6, Bodhisattva, 20-1; No. 7, Divining Rod, 12-1.

"It will be easier to watch the race, with the 1-2 positions," said Bob Baffert. "With only eight horses, the race will have a different vibe. But we'll still have to break well (with American Pharoah and Dortmund)."

Firing Line had a strong performance in the Kentucky Derby to finish ahead of Dortmund in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Simon Callaghan felt the No. 8 post wouldn't hamper his front-running style, or an ability to come from behind.

"Firing Line is a horse with a great mind," said Callaghan. "And he shows up every time. From the No. 8 post we'll have a lot of options. Firing Line can come from behind or go to the lead."

Preakness Stakes (GI)

Post time: 6:18 p.m. Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Purse: $1.5 million. Distance: 1 3/16 miles. TV: WKYC Channel 3.

PP horse (weight) jockey/trainer odds

1. American Pharoah (126) Victor Espinoza/Bob Baffert 4-5

2. Dortmund (126) Martin Garcia/Bob Baffert 7-2

3. Mr. Z (126) Corey Nakatani/D. Wayne Lukas 20-1

4. Danzig Moon (126) Leparoux/Mark Casse 15-1

5. Tale of Verve (126) Joel Rosario/Dallas Stewart 30-1

6. Bodhisattva (126) Trevor McCarthy/Jose Corrales 20-1

7. Divining Rod (126) Javier Castellano/Arnaud Delcaour 12-1

8. Firing Line (126) Gary Stevens/Simon Callaghan 4-1

LeBron James' Game 5 against the Bulls was so good, it ranks up there with arguably his most memorable playoff performance in Game 5 of the 2007 conference finals against Detroit.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - LeBron James has scored more points, corralled more rebounds than those he accumulated in Game 5 against the Bulls Tuesday night.

James has connected on more crucial shots - that buzzer beater from Game 4, anyone? - and his teams have won bigger games. He's a two-time NBA champ and played in five Finals, after all.

And yet, the 38-point, 12-rebound performance James posted in the Cavaliers' 106-101 win over the Bulls ranks among the all-time great postseason performances in James' illustrious career.

A combination of the magnitude of Game 5 of an Eastern Conference semifinal, the Cavs playing injured and shorthanded, and James' statistical dominance pushes this one near the top.

Perhaps James' Game 5 against the Bulls wasn't quite as memorable as The Game 5 - when he scored 29 of Cleveland's last 30 points to beat Detroit in double-overtime of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals.

Maybe what he did Tuesday wasn't quite as dominant as his 45-point, 15-rebound effort with the Heat against Boston in Game 6 of the 2012 conference Finals.

But it's in the discussion.

"As far as a moment in time is concerned with all the basketball aficionados, that was a special game that he played, and great for him," Cavaliers coach David Blatt said Wednesday. "Great for us."

The Cavs did not practice Wednesday and flew to Chicago in the afternoon for Thursday's Game 6 at the United Center, so James was not available to speak to reporters.

Ranking James' best postseason games is kind of a cottage industry - there are any number of lists readily available on-line, numbering James' top performances in seven previous seasons with the Cavs, his four years with the Heat, or overall for his 12-year career.

The 48 points and nine rebounds he posted against the Pistons in 2007 almost always tops the list. Among the reasons - he scored the Cavs' last 25 points. Cleveland ended up going to its first and only Finals that year.

James' 2012 barnburner against the Celtics was in Boston and evened that series at three games apiece. The Heat went on to win the first of two titles that season. In 2013, James scored 37 points and grabbed 12 boards in a Game 7 Finals victory over San Antonio.

The factors that boosted the importance of what James did at The Q on Tuesday night are many. They begin with the absence of Kevin Love for the rest of the season, and continue with Kyrie Irving's aching legs (though they turned out to be less of a problem than first feared).

Had Cleveland lost, it would've been facing elimination on the road on Thursday. And James had struggled mightily all series to shoot the ball and with turnovers.

Not only did James contributed six assists, but he didn't turn the ball over the first time in a game all season. He also shot 14-of-24 from the field, and the three steals and three blocks he contributed completed a statistical monster of a game matched only twice before in NBA history.

James averaged six rebounds during the regular season and the most he grabbed in a game was 11. So far this postseason, James has topped 11 boards three times in nine games, and is averaging 10.3 rebounds in the playoffs.

"I don't know if there's a player anywhere that understands better what time it is," Blatt said. "He just knows what time it is."

One of James' best plays in Game 5 was a block of Derrick Rose late in the fourth quarter. The Bulls once trailed by 17 earlier in the period, but were down by two when Rose grabbed the rebound on Irving's missed three and took off.

James chased him down and swatted his shot out of bounds with 48.8 seconds remaining, preventing Rose from tying the game.

"Actually, once he shot it I knew I was gonna be able to get the block and I tried to tap it a little bit so I could get the ball but it didn't work out that way, just to save the possession," James said Tuesday night.

The Bulls kept the ball and Jimmy Butler missed a 27-footer that could've given Chicago the lead. Butler's miss helped James' performance maintain its place in history.

McGee won three state titles as a player and one as a coach with St. Vincent-St. Mary.

AKRON, Ohio -- Willie McGee, who won three state titles as a player with St. Vincent-St. Mary, is returning to Akron. The former Irish player and teammate of LeBron James has been hired as the boys basketball coach of Akron East.

McGee, who would have attended Akron East if he went to public high school, is thrilled to return to his roots.

"To start my own program and implement my game plan is something I'm definitely looking forward to," McGee said. "The opportunity come back to the area is very special for me."

Most recently, McGee was an assistant coach at Chowan University. Prior to that, he was an assistant at St. Vincent-St. Mary, where he won another state title, and a graduate assistant coach at the University of Akron.

Being a local product who already has ties to the community made him a strong candidate for Akron East to replace Joe Wojcik.

"His qualifications speak for themselves," said Akron East athletic director John McLean. "A lot of the local kids know him. He's just a good guy that will definitely be the right fit for us."

While McGee was coaching in the Akron area earlier in his career, he became heavily involved in the community through youth support organizations. He's planning on taking those philosophies and implementing them on his team.

"I'm trying to help the kids as much as I can -- first in the classroom and secondly on the court," McGee said.

McGee describes himself as a defensive-minded coach. He will put the focus on that area of the court and expects his teams to play hard for him.

Last year Akron East won just one game, and McGee believes the most important thing he can do to start a turnaround is to make sure that he connects with and supports his players.

"Players don't care how much you know, they care how much you care," McGee said. "I'm trying to come in and let them know I have their interests in mind. I'm trying to get kids the opportunity to get kids on to college."

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

The Indians could indeed replace struggling shortstop Jose Ramirez, but if they do, it won't be with prospect Francisco Lindor. It will be with Mike Aviles. The Indians are determined to keep Lindor in the minors before they feel he's ready to play and be successful in the big leagues.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - As poorly as Jose Ramirez has played, and as loud as the cry has been from some quarters to promote Francisco Lindor from Class AAA Columbus to Cleveland, it's not going to happen anytime soon.

As an organization, the Indians do not believe Lindor, 21, is ready to come to the big leagues and be successful. They want to see him force the issue, in other words they want to see him dominate offensively and defensively.

Apparently the Indians do not consider Lindor's current offensive production -- .256 (30-for-117), seven doubles, one homer and 11 RBI in 31 games - as dominating. Especially when he plays his home games at Huntington Park, a ballpark that promotes offense.

Defensively, Lindor has made only four errors at shortstop, but his lack of attention to detail tells the Indians that he still has much to learn.

One long-time Lindor observer said he looks like a player who knows he's going to get called up and is just biding his time until he does. Meanwhile, he isn't doing the little things necessary to improve his game.

He still makes breath-taking players on defense, but some fundamental mistakes are being made. Experience is the only cure for such mistakes and it appears the Indians are going to give Lindor every chance to gain that experience at Columbus.

GM Chris Antonetti said keeping Lindor at Columbus long enough so he can avoid becoming a Super Two player and be eligible for arbitration a year earlier than normal has nothing to do with the team's refusal to promote him.

That is a matter for debate, but the Indians are playing so poorly right now that it seems they would accept help from wherever it was offered.

"Our focus right now is putting (together) the best team we can up here and how do we win as many games as possible," said Antonetti.

The Brandon Phillips experience still haunts the Indians when it comes to rushing players to the big leagues. The Indians started the 2003 season with Phillips at second base and he flopped badly.

What followed was a two-year soap opera featuring Phillips complaining and the Indians keeping him in the minors. There was plenty of fault to go around and eventually Phillips was traded to Cincinnati where he became an All-Star second baseman.

It is an experience the Indians don't want to repeat with Lindor.

Ramirez made his 25^th start at shortstop Wednesday night when the Indians played St. Louis. He's hitting .179 (15-for-84) overall and is currently in an 11-for-67 skid.

While Lindor will not replace Ramirez anytime soon, Mike Aviles might.

Aviles is on the family medical emergency list after his 4-year-old daughter Adrianna was diagnosed with leukemia. His daughter is being treated at Cleveland Clinic and Aviles could be activated sometime this weekend.

If and when that happens, look for Aviles to become the Indians regular shortstop and Ramirez to be optioned to Columbus when he needs time to gather himself. Zach Walters, recently recalled from Columbus, could serve as Aviles' backup in that scenario.

"I'm encouraged by the way Jose continues to work, both offensively and defensively, to try to improve his performance," said Antonetti. "But it's been a struggle for him. He's a young player that's going through an extended struggle in the major leagues in an environment where there's high expectations for team success."

Manager Terry Francona and Antonetti feel Ramirez is pressing. Ramirez said after Tuesday's 8-3 loss that he still has confidence, but he does not appear to be the same player who sparked the Indians last year following the trade of Asdrubal Cabrera.

Antonetti said the thing that has stood out about Ramirez is how much fun he has playing the game.

"He's always had a great feel for game situations and awareness," said Antonetti. "We saw it in his first game in the big leagues (2013). If you guys remember when he came in to pinch run against Joaquin Benoit at first base and he was bouncing around, and Benoit ended up throwing the ball away and Jose ended up scoring a run.

"He was just playing the game with such joy and enthusiasm and carefree in some ways. I don't think we've seen that side of Jose as much, so maybe that's some signal that it is weighing on him a little bit."

Catcher Yan Gomes is scheduled to DH and left-hander TJ House will throw three innings Friday when they begin their rehab assigment Friday at Class A Lake County.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Manager Terry Francona says every team wants their starting catcher to become "irreplaceable."

Unfortunately, the way most teams find that out is when they lose that catcher to injury. The Indians have been on a daily voyage of discovery since losing Yan Gomes to a sprained MCL in his right knee on April 11.

"We've been fortunate to have Roberto Perez and Brett Hayes do a good job," said Francona.

On Wednesday, however, Francona said Gomes will begin his rehab assignment Friday at Class A Lake County. Gomes isn't ready to catch yet, but he will DH.

"I think it's a big lift for everybody," said Francona. "Look at his ascension in a short period of time. He was a guy that we didn't even know could catch and he ends up coming to your team, takes over for the everyday guy and now he's a huge leader on our team and he should be.

"The more guys look to him, the better we are. And when he's gone, you find out you miss him."

The Indians acquired Gomes and Mike Aviles from Toronto on Nov. 3, 2012 for Esmil Rogers.

House call: T.J. House will also begin his rehab assignment on Friday at Lake County. He's scheduled to pitch three innings.

House has been on the disabled list since May 1 with a sore left shoulder.

On Tuesday, House threw a two-inning bullpen session to test the shoulder. Then he waited to see how it would respond on Wednesday.

"I feel good," said House. "I'm getting antsy. I'm ready to go."

Rotating coaches: Charles Nagy will take over as the pitching coach at Class AAA Columbus for the rest of the month. Tim Belcher and Julio Rangel have already served as temporary coaches after Carl Willis left the Clippers to become Boston's big-league pitching coach.

GM Chris Antonetti doesn't know if he'll be able to sign a full-time coach for the Clippers since Willis left after the regular season began.

"A lot of that depends on the availability of different people and how they're able to manage their schedules," said Antonetti. "The only person who was planning on being the pitching coach in Columbus was Carl. So, for anyone else, it's an adjustment."

Antonetti, however, never gave a thought to refusing Boston permission to talk to Willis, who has been a big league pitching coach with the Indians and Mariners.

Another start: Bruce Chen will make his second start for the Tribe on Friday against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. The Indians could have started Shaun Marcum, who is at Columbus, but he started Wednesday morning for the Clippers.

Chen allowed six runs on 10 hits in four innings against the Twins on Saturday. The veteran lefty started the season at Columbus where he went 2-1 with a 1.74 ERA in five starts.

Finally: Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin has joined the Columbus rotation after signing a minor league deal with the Indians after being released by Colorado in spring training. He has been in Goodyear, Ariz., building arm strength . . Right-hander Carlos Marmol, who recently signed a minor league deal with the Tribe, is in Goodyear getting in shape.

The area includes the glove Feller used during his Opening Day no-hitter in 1940, the bat Babe Ruth leaned against in his farewell to fans at Yankee Stadium in 1948 and display cases full of artifacts and memorabilia from Feller's career.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Bob Feller removed his sports coat, leaned back into his windup and unleashed his patented fastball.

The baseball struck its target before the motorcycle -- whizzing past at about 85 mph -- reached an adjacent one. The legend of Feller grew.

Video of that spectacle plays in the new Feller exhibit, unveiled in the terrace club at Progressive Field on Wednesday. The area includes the glove Feller used during his Opening Day no-hitter in 1940, the bat Babe Ruth leaned against in his farewell to fans at Yankee Stadium in 1948 and display cases full of artifacts and memorabilia from Feller's career.

The keepsakes were hauled to Cleveland from the Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter, Iowa. That building is now the town's city hall building. The museum was no longer financially viable.

"I was concerned about it, yes," Anne Feller said. "But I knew that people here would not let anything happen [to all of the memorabilia].

"It's absolutely wonderful to have it here and have it beautifully arranged. People can know about his life and, particularly, know about his service on a battleship for four years during World War II. Those were some of the best moments of his life, being there and doing what he could on that battleship."

One display details Feller's four years spent in the United States Naval Academy.

"When they were at sea, he would go behind the deck and he would play catch, because he wanted to keep himself in shape," Anne Feller said.

Another has a collection of equipment and gear from his playing days. It includes the cover of TIME magazine which had Feller on the cover, one month before he graduated from Van Meter High School in 1937. Another case contains posters and programs and photos from his youth. It includes a copy of his original contract, written on the back of hotel stationary in 1935. Also on display are Feller's jersey, Hal Trosky's bat and a ball signed by Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

Anne Feller cut a red ribbon on Wednesday, which marked the grand opening of the exhibit.

"There are some things I haven't seen before," she said. "There's so much."

The Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, 106-101, against the Chicago Bulls.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, 106-101, against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. 

The game will likely be remembered for LeBron James' virtuoso performance, but it also marked the return to form for Kyrie Irving as he continues to be hobbled, and the Cavs got other important contributions throughout, showing the team is much more than just a two-man unit.

The momentum of the series, one that's been evenly matched with two high-quality teams, now shifts to the Cavs after taking a 3-2 series advantage. 

Here are the grades following Game 5:

Kyrie Irving

Stats: 39 minutes, 25 points, 9-16 FG, 3-6 3FG, 4-5 FT, two rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, three turnovers.

Analysis: Irving is doing his best to shed the "injury prone" label. At the wrong time of the year, following his most games played in the regular season, the talented point guard continues to fight through a strained right foot and left knee tendinitis. It clearly affected him in Games 3 and 4 in Chicago, but Irving returned to the level that has the Cavs dreaming big.

Much more than decoy, Irving complemented James, as he was able to complete some of his difficult finishes near the rim and attack the defense in a way that looked improbable earlier in the series.

Grade: A

Iman Shumpert

Stats: 42 minutes, 13 points, 6-10 FG, 1-5 3FG, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks.

Analysis: One game after going 1-of-8 from the field in his most disappointing offensive showing of the postseason, Shumpert rebounded nicely. Playing the second-most minutes on an injured groin, Shumpert knocked down outside shots while at the same time displaying his usual aggressiveness on defense, helping hold Derrick Rose to 2-of-17 shooting after Rose's blistering start.

Grade: B

LeBron James

Stats: 41 minutes, 38 points, 14-24 FG, 1-5 3FG, 9-12 FT, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals, three blocks.

Analysis: James delivered the kind of performance often expected in season-on-the-line games. After the Bulls got off to a quick start, Cavs head coach David Blatt called timeout and that's when James' approach became apparent. He went to the post and decisively bulled through defenders for layup. James hit 10 of his first 12 shots and set the tone for his team in one of his best playoff performances of his dazzling career.

Grade: A+

Tristan Thompson

Stats: 39 minutes, 12 points, 5-7 FG, 2-4 FT, 10 rebounds, two blocks, two turnovers.

Analysis: James gave Thompson an A+ when answering questions from reporters after the game. I won't be that generous, but Thompson's importance can't be measured with a stat line.

His non-stop hustle and effort makes Chicago use a few different bodies to keep him off the glass while it frees up Thompson's teammates to secure key rebounds -- just like the one in the final 20 seconds that bounced into the waiting arms of Shumpert.

Every title team needs an active and athletic big man to win a championship and the player with numerous nicknames has been Cleveland's X-factor.

Grade: A-

Timofey Mozgov

Stats: 23 minutes, one point, 0-7 FG, 1-2 FT, six rebounds, one block, three turnovers.

Analysis: What is the Russian term for "yikes?" Mozgov was sensational in the Game 4 win, protecting the rim and providing much-needed offense. But Game 5 was a nightmare.

He fumbled the ball away too much, missed a dunk and couldn't make a shot when left open. On defense, he didn't have the same impact on drives to the basket. Put in a bad spot, being asked to create offense early in the third quarter, Mozgov was yanked out of the game quickly and once again turned into a late-game spectator.

Grade: F

Cavs bench

Analysis: The second unit has turned into J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova, who combined for 17 points. When Blatt looks for defense, he tends to lean on Delly. When he needs scoring, floor spacing and shooting, Smith gets the call. The Cavs' bench outplayed Chicago's, but that's not that meaningful considering how poorly the its second unit has played in this series. 

Grade: C+

Derrick Rose

Stats: 43 minutes, 16 points, 7-24 FG, 0-4 3FG, 2-3 FT, nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals, one block, one turnover.

Analysis: At the beginning of the game, it looked like Rose was primed for a vintage performance. He was making shots and creating havoc. But then some stifling defense and another stinger to his right hand derailed Rose's momentum. The mark of a great player is contributing in other ways and Rose did that with rebounding, pushing the pace, defending and creating for teammates.

Grade: B

Jimmy Butler

Stats: 41 minutes, 29 points, 9-18 FG, 3-8 3FG, 8-8 FT, nine rebounds, three assists, one block, one turnover.

Analysis: Butler's fantastic regular season that was capped with his first All-Star appearance and the NBA's Most Improved Player Award has continued in this series.

With Rose struggling and Pau Gasol sidelined, the offense was placed on Butler's talented shoulders and he led the way with 29 points despite expending massive amounts of energy trying to harass James.

Butler's miss with under one minute, a bucket that would've given Chicago a one-point lead, was costly, but for him to lead the Bulls in scoring after playing 41 grueling minutes is one of the most impressive individual performances in this series.

Butler's second foul rendered him helpless on defense for much of the first half and it changed the momentum as the Cavs finished the first quarter on a 15-6 flurry. 

Grade: A

Mike Dunleavy

Stats: 37 minutes, 19 points, 5-8 FG, 2-4 3FG, 7-7 FT, four rebounds, four assists.

Analysis: For the first time in the series the Bulls lost a game with Dunleavy scoring in double figures. It wasn't for a lack of effort.

His role is to provide floor spacing and outside shooting and he did both. Dunleavy also exploited the smaller Irving in the post during the second half as the Bulls were searching for quality looks. In foul trouble for much of Game 4, which affected his rhythm, Dunleavy was a big part of Chicago's late comeback effort. He will lament his opportunity to grab the late rebound that ended up sealing the Cavs' victory after it tipped off his hand.

Grade: B+

Taj Gibson

Stats: 26 minutes, 10 points, 4-12 FG, 2-2 FT, five rebounds, one block, one turnover.

Analysis: Gibson started for injured Gasol once again, but had another uneven performance. Arguably Chicago's best rebounder and one of the better post defenders, Gibson did quality work in those areas.

However, he was inefficient on offense for the second straight game and ended up getting ejected following a fracas with Dellavedova. Gibson earned a flagrant 2, which gave Cleveland two points at the free throw line, a pretty big play given the benefit of hindsight.  

Grade: C-

Joakim Noah

Stats: 41 minutes, 10 points, 4-6 FG, 2-2 FT, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, four turnovers.

Analysis: Noah, booed every time he touched the ball, didn't look as lost on offense, recording double figures in scoring. He was also the primary help defender in trying to contain James. He provided usual energy and pesky defense, but the four turnovers and at least one late when it looked like Chicago had numbers in its advantage were costly, especially given the offensive lapses that the Bulls have become known for.

Grade: B-

Bulls bench

Analysis: As Nikola Mirotic continues to struggle with his shot, he found another way to contribute: getting to the free throw line. The versatile forward was 5-of-6 from the stripe en route to a 10-point night. Kirk Hinrich also popped off the bench and dished out three assists while also burying a corner three during the late-game surge. Hinrich earned 22 minutes and was the biggest beneficiary following Gibson's ejection as head coach Tom Thibodeau used a small-ball lineup.

Grade: D

Medina's boys and Mentor's girls teams won the final Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division championship track meet.

BRUNSWICK, Ohio — Medina's boys and Mentor's girls track teams won the final Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division championship meet on Wednesday.

Led by its success in the relay events, Medina's boys scored 142 points. The Bees won three of four relays, which all included Cwinn Febus and Jake Gargiulo, who each also won an individual event.

Febus won in the 300 hurdles (39.87 seconds) and Gargiulo won the 200-meter dash (22.33).

"We're just overall fast guys," Gargiulo said of his team's relays. "We have four fast guys that can pull together a relay that can get fast times."

Medina also got wins from Jake Wickey in the discus (170 feet, three inches) and Jason Blankenship in the 110 hurdles (15.64).

Aysha Muhammad helped lead the way for Mentor in the girls events with three wins, including winning both hurdles events. She also helped the Cardinals' 4x400-meter relay win.

"I know how I finished my season last year with my hurdle events," Muhammad said. "That just gives me the incentive to drive and push myself to be even better than I was last year."

Video coming shortly.

Mentor got wins in two of the field events after Maddy Marshall won the pole vault (10-6) and Melissa Brozier won the long jump (17-1).

Best event of the meet

Only 2.55 seconds separated first from fourth in the girls 1,600.

Brunswick's Rebecca Craddock won the race (5:13.62) with Solon's Louiza Wise finishing second (5:14.17). Peggy Magro of Mentor finished third (5:15.60) and Hailey Erkkila of Solon was fourth (5:16.17).

Who stood out

Danny Cohen, Solon: He had a strong day in the distance events, winning both the 800 (1:58.96) and the 1,600 (4:22.32). Febus: He helped his team to three event wins with his work in the 4x100, 4x200 and the 300 hurdles. He was the only runner in the 300 hurdles to break 40 seconds.

"I needed the 300 win," Febus said. "I've been kind of frustrated with them. So it helped to break 40 and set my PR for the year, so far."

Emmarie Foote, Twinsburg: Despite falling short against teammate Raquel Jones in the 100, Foote earned two wins in the meet including a strong run in the 200 (25.55). She also helped Twinsburg's 4x100 to a win (49.59).

Muhammad: She continued to build off of a tremendous junior season with wins in both hurdle events. Her 14.38 in the 100 hurdles broke her own NOC meet record from 2014.

Carolyn Wilder, Medina: The sophomore swept the throwing events for the Bees with a 39-11 throw in the shot put and a 145-8 throw in the discus.

Sound bites

Medina boys coach Tobin Stepsis on winning the NOC meet: "It shows how our team continues to work all year round. We set ourselves up to win the conference by performing in our dual meets. Then the performances today have been solid just like they've been all year."

Mentor girls track coach Brian Butler on Muhammad: "We joke about being a big dog. Now she's accepted that role just overall, not just as, 'I'm not just a good hurdler. I'm a good athlete. I'm a good track athlete.' I think all of a sudden, now running better in the other races, 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, has spread to help her in the hurdles so much as well."

BOYS TRACK

NORTHEAST OHIO CONFERENCE VALLEY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

At Brunswick

How they finished: 1. Medina 142; 2. Solon 127; 3. Mentor 115; 4. Twinsburg 57; 5. Brunswick 52; 6. Shaker Heights 30.

Shot put: Peterson (So) 63-5. Discus: Wickey (Med) 170-3. High jump: Daugherty (Men) 6-0. Long jump: Strotzier (T) 21-4.25. Pole vault: McNair (So) 13-3. 4x800: Solon (Shannon, Gross, Kapes, Cohen) 8:08.72. 110H: Blankenship (Med) 15.64. 100: Smith (T) 11.14. 4x200: Medina (Morrow, Febus, Scherer, Gargiulo) 1:29.71. 1,600: Cohen (So) 4:22.32. 4x100: Medina (Febus, Gargiulo, Scherer, Morrow) 43.58. 400: Walton (Men) 49.80. 300H: Febus (Med) 39.87. 800: Cohen (So) 1:58.96. 200: Gargiulo (Med) 22.33. 3,200: Kapes (So) 9:33.03. 4x400: Medina (Smith, Febus, Jordan, Gargiulo) 3:27.68.

GIRLS TRACK

NORTHEAST OHIO CONFERENCE VALLEY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

At Brunswick

How they finished: 1. Mentor 127; 2. Solon 111; 3. Brunswick 100.5; 4. Medina 74.5; 5. Twinsburg 74; 6. Shaker Heights 36.

Shot put: Wilder (Med) 39-11. Discus: Wilder (Med) 145-8. High jump: Graham (So) 5-2. Long jump: Brozier (Men) 17-1. Pole vault: Marshall (Men) 10-6. 4x800: Brunswick (Camper, Pavlick, Pasadyn, Scott) 9:37.89. 100H: Muhammad (Men) 14.38*. 100: Jones (T) 12.37. 4x200: Solon (Mitchell, Vason, Butler, McCoy) 1:43.11. 1,600: Craddock (B) 5:13.62. 4x100: Twinsburg (McKinley, Foote, B. Sanborn, Billingsley) 49.59. 400: Lane (Men) 58.32. 300H: Muhammad (Men) 44.71. 800: Mesiano (SH) 2:21.48. 200: Foote (T) 25.55. 3,200: Reimers (SH) 11:08.76. 4x400: Mentor (Lane, Meyer, Muhammad, Rozic) 4:03.93.

*-Meet record.

Corey Kluber struck out 18 in a victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday night. He joined Luis Tiant and Bob Feller as the only Indians to strike out 18+.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Corey Kluber struck out a career-high 18 and allowed one hit in eight innings as the Cleveland Indians defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 2-0, Wednesday night at Progressive Field. Former Indian Jhonny Peralta singled with two outs in the seventh.

Tribe closer Cody Allen worked a perfect ninth.

Kluber joined Luis Tiant and Bob Feller as the only Indians to strike out 18 or more. He tied a franchise record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game.

Kluber, who did not walk a batter, owns 15 career 10-strikeout performances.

Kluber struck out every Cardinals batter except Matt Holliday, who was plunked in the elbow by a first-inning fastball and had exited by the time his spot came up again. Pete Kozma replaced Holliday and struck out swinging twice.

Kluber and the Indians won for the first time in his eight starts. Kluber (1-5, 4.27 ERA) defeated the team with the best record in the majors (now 23-10).

Kluber threw 74 of 113 pitches for strikes. The Cardinals swung and missed 24 times.

According to a DMan's Report charting of the start from the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast, Kluber used 60 fastballs, 29 cutters, 21 curves and three changeups.

Kluber's fastball control (ability to throw strikes) and command (ability to throw strikes to certain areas) were superb. He was particularly adept at getting Cardinals to swing at fastballs at or above the belt.

Kluber's money pitch, the cutter, was as nasty as it has been this season. The curve featured good depth.

Catcher Roberto Perez obviously called a great game. Kluber rarely disagreed with Perez, which enabled them to work quickly and put the Cardinals on the defensive.

Here is a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of Kluber's start:    

FIRST INNING

(L) Kolten Wong  -- 92-mph fastball high; 93 fastball foul; 85 changeup outside (barely); 93 fastball foul; 94 fastball, swinging strikeout (away).

(L) Matt Carpenter -- 94 bunt foul; 93 fastball high and away; 94 fastball away; 91 cutter, fly to center.

(R) Matt Holliday -- 94 fastball, hit by pitch (left elbow).

(R) Jhonny Peralta -- 92 fastball low; 89 cutter swinging strike (down and away); 93 fastball called strike (outside corner at knees); 84 curve, swinging strikeout (down).

(14 pitches)

(10 fastballs, 2 cutters, 1 changeup, 1 curve)

SECOND INNING

(L) Jason Heyward -- 92 fastball up and in; 89 cutter swinging strike; 93 fastball high; 92 fastball foul; 94 fastball foul; 84 curve outside; 84 curve foul; 88 cutter, swinging strikeout (at letters).

(R) Yadier Molina -- 93 fastball foul; 92 fastball, pop to center (inside).

(L) Matt Adams -- 93 fastball up and away; 85 changeup called strike; 93 fastball up and away; 94 fastball, fly to left.

(14 pitches)

(9 fastballs, 2 curves, 2 cutters, 1 changeup) 

THIRD INNING

(R) Mark Reynolds -- 92 fastball foul; 82 curve inside; 90 cutter foul (off outside corner); 84 curve, swinging strikeout (up and inner third).

(R) Peter Bourjos -- 90 cutter swinging strike; 94 fastball foul; 85 curve foul; 95 fastball, called strikeout (outside corner at knees).

(L) Kolten Wong -- 82 curve called strike; 82 curve called strike; 95 fastball away; 95 fastball foul; 91 cutter in dirt; 84 curve, called strikeout (outside corner at thighs).

(14 pitches)

(6 curves, 5 fastballs, 3 cutters)

FOURTH INNING

(L) Matt Carpenter -- fastball away; 86 changeup low and in; 94 fastball called strike; 91 cutter swinging strike (on appeal, third-base umpire Tim Welke correctly ruled swing); 93 fastball, swinging strikeout.

(R) Pete Kozma -- 93 fastball high; 91 cutter low and away; 94 fastball swinging strike; 93 fastball swinging strike (up); 95 fastball, swinging strikeout (inner third at belt).

(R) Jhonny Peralta-- 83 curve low and away; 90 cutter low and away; 90 cutter outside; 93 fastball called strike; 95 fastball called strike (outside corner at knees; Peralta began walking to first); 84 curve, swinging strikeout (down and away).

(16 pitches)

(9 fastballs, 4 cutters, 2 curves, 1 changeup)

FIFTH INNING

(L) Jason Heyward -- 92 fastball ball; 89 cutter called strike; 82 curve foul (hard-hit down line); 93 fastball high; 84 curve, fly to center.

(R) Yadier Molina -- 89 cutter called strike; 82 curve foul; 93 fastball, swinging strikeout (belt).

(L) Matt Adams -- 93 fastball outside (barely); 93 fastball called strike; 90 cutter swinging strike (nasty under hands); 94 fastball foul (outside corner); 84 curve, called strikeout (outside corner at knees).

(13 pitches)

(6 fastballs, 4 curves, 3 cutters) 

SIXTH INNING

(R) Mark Reynolds -- 87 cutter called strike (outside corner at knees); 82 curve foul (outside corner); 89 cutter away; 93 fastball up and away; 94 fastball, called strikeout (edge of outside corner at knees; Reynolds upset).

(R) Peter Bourjos -- 89 cutter swinging strike; 89 cutter away; 89 cutter swinging strike; 91 cutter, swinging strikeout (lefty batter's box at shins).

(L) Kolten Wong -- 93 fastball, grounder to short (sharply hit, directly at Jose Ramirez).

(10 pitches)

(6 cutters, 3 fastballs, 1 curve)

SEVENTH INNING

(L) Matt Carpenter -- 92 fastball high and away; 89 cutter called strike (outside corner); 92 fastball high; 90 cutter down and in; 91 cutter foul; 93 fastball, swinging strikeout (outside corner and above belt).

(R) Pete Kozma -- 93 fastball called strike (inside corner); 89 cutter low and away; 93 fastball away; 92 fastball foul; 94 fastball, swinging strikeout (inner third and above belt).

(R) Jhonny Peralta -- 89 cutter ball; 83 curve down and away (Peralta checked); 93 fastball, single up middle (inner third at thighs; Ramirez diving attempt).

(L) Jason Heyward -- 92 fastball called strike; 90 cutter foul; 93 fastball away; 84 curve foul; 93 fastball inside (barely); 90 cutter, swinging strikeout (outer third at shins).

(20 pitches)

(11 fastballs, 7 cutters, 2 curves)

EIGHTH INNING

(R) Yadier Molina -- 92 fastball swinging strike (up and in); 93 fastball foul; 93 fastball foul (outside corner; emergency hack); 91 cutter ball; 84 curve foul; 82 curve, called strikeout (inner third at knees).

(L) Matt Adams -- 81 curve outside; 89 cutter, liner to center.

(R) Mark Reynolds -- 93 fastball called strike (outside corner); 93 fastball high; 93 fastball swinging strike (above belt); 94 fastball, swinging strikeout (outer third at belt).

(12 pitches)

(7 fastballs, 3 curves, 2 cutters)

See spring sports highlights for Wednesday, May 13, 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are spring sports highlights from Tuesday'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).

Baseball

Jaret Peterson collected seven strikeouts to help Berea-Midpark to a 5-2 victory against Normandy on Wednesday in the Division I Strongsville District Tournament.

Nathan Duliba, Joey Bachie and Nick Gassman each had two hits to lead the Titans. The team will move on to face Strongsville on Tuesday at Strongsville in the district semifinals.

Dereck Ciha led Normandy with two hits and scoring a run.

Anthony Savarino (5-2 1.01 ERA) pitched a complete game striking out 10 batters in a 9-2 road win for Olmsted Falls against Lakewood in the Division I Lorain sectional championship.

Olmsted Falls’ Collin Romel (.333 22 RBI 2 HR) went 3-3 at the plate, including a grand slam in the top of the sixth inning. Nate Krogh, who tied the game in the third inning with a 2 out 2 RBI double RBI Double, hit a sacrifice fly to score Aaron Zawadzki in the seventh, putting the visiting Bulldogs up 9-2. Ryan Hanna joined Romel in the three-hit club. Savarino struck out Lavisky in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win.

Scott Barnum threw a 3-hit shutout as Avon beat North Olmsted 5-0 in the Division I Lorain sectional final.

No North Olmsted runner advanced past second base as Barnum fanned 10 batters. Sophomore Logan Doenges plated the Eagles' first run in the second inning on a double down the right field line.

Avon (23-4) advances to district semifinal on Tuesday as they take on Amherst at the Pipeyard in Lorain.

Softball

Lexie DeSico threw seven strikeouts to help lead Notre Dame Cathedral Latin to a 11-6 playoff win at home against Lake Catholic on Wednesday.

Camille Pollutro led NCDL batting with three hits including a double, a triple, bringing in two runs and scoring twice.

Jaelah Dy went 4-4 from the plate and brought in five runs to help lead Rhodes to a 24-14 victory against John Hay in the Senate Athletic League Championship.

Abbey Yaugher went 3-4 from the plate and collected two RBI’s to help lead Holy Name to a 6-0 win against Rocky River in the Division II LaGrange District Tournament.

Teammate Cassie Bily went 2-3 and scored two runs for the Green Wave.

Boys tennis

Singles players Roger Boyer, Colin Emert and Adam Slomski led Brunswick to a 5-0 win against Firestone. Brunswick improved to 13-7.

Follow along with baseball, softball, girls lacrosse postseasons

Postseason baseball, softball and girls lacrosse continued throughout Ohio on Wednesday.

Check out updated, interactive brackets for all districts in baseball, softball and girls lacrosse.

Get all the scores

Check out scores from the following sports this evening: baseball, softball, boys tennis and girls lacrosse.

See high school sports coverage from Wednesday.

The RubberDucks are now 14-19 on the season after losing two straight and eight of their past 11.

The Akron RubberDucks took a 5-3 into the seventh inning, but the SeaWolves scored three times in the bottom of the inning and held on for a 6-5 win Wednesday in a Class AA Eastern League game in Erie, Pa.

RubberDucks reliever Trey Haley took over in the seventh, replacing starter Mike Clevinger, who had given up three runs on five hits in six innings.

RubberDucks reliever Trey Haley.Akron RubberDucks 

An error by second baseman Yonathan Mendoza allowed the first Erie batter, Harold Castro, to reach base. Austin Green followed with a single to put runners on first and second.

Mendoza got the out at third on an attempted sacrifice bunt by Wynton Bernard, but he walked Jeff McVaney to load the bases.

With one out, Jason Krizan brought in a run with a sacrifice fly, then Dean Green doubled to bring in two more runs and give Erie the lead.

The RubberDucks got a runner on base in the ninth inning, but Erie ended the game with double play, a strikeout of Erik Gonzalez and Jordan Smith getting caught stealing second.

Haley (0-2, 2.93 ERA) took the loss, giving up three runs, none of them earned.

Akron second baseman Justin Toole had a three-run double in the sixth inning. Smith, Gonzalez and Yandy Diaz, batting at the top of the order, each had two hits.

See high school sports coverage at cleveland.com for May 13, 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is an aggregation of high school sports coverage at cleveland.com for Wednesday, May 13, 2015.

Be sure to bookmark the high school sports homepage for all your Northeast Ohio high school sports coverage.

Chawntez Moss, Cameron Odom set to lead Bedford: Spring football snapshot 2015

See all baseball sectional and district tournament brackets statewide

See all softball sectional and district tournament brackets statewide

See updated high school girls lacrosse brackets for Division I and II state tournaments 2015

Readers will decide which Northeast Ohio high school has the best track jersey

Medina boys, Mentor girls track win Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division championships (photos, video)

Watch action, off-field videos of Holy Name RB Shakif Seymour

Akron East hires LeBron James' high school teammate Willie McGee as boys basketball coach

Olmsted Falls volleyball player Katie Edgington verbally commits to LaSalle University

Watch action, off-field videos of Perry football player Luke Farrell

Mitch Peterson, Walsh Jesuit: Photos and index of content on basketball standout committed to Kent State (updated throughout career)

Watch action, off-court videos of Walsh Jesuit star Mitch Peterson

Walsh Jesuit's Mitch Peterson: Vital info about the guard on and off basketball court (photos)

HORSE tournament first round result: Lakewood coach Phil Argento vs. Elyria coach Brett Larrick (video, poll)

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

That's Kluber: unflappable, rigid, focused and earnestly committed to maintaining those attributes. He rarely wavered from that persona, even during a stellar 2014 campaign that merited him the American League Cy Young Award. His catcher is a bit different. Perez was visibly happy-go-lucky after Wednesday's win.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The hurler continued his robotic mannerisms, refusing to indulge those who figured he was proud of his strikeout total or that he lamented the loss of his no-hitter.

His battery mate, on the other hand, desperately desired a no-hitter. He soaked up every second of Wednesday's magic on the mound.

Such is the juxtaposition between Corey Kluber and Roberto Perez, pitcher and catcher. After more than five minutes of answering reporters' inquiries with a stoic expression and humdrum commentary, Kluber finally admitted to feeling humbled by having his name tossed into the same sentence as Bob Feller.

But was he impressed by his eight shutout innings, in which he allowed only one hit and tallied 18 strikeouts, more than any big league pitcher since 2004? Only Feller had reached that total in a nine-inning game in Tribe lore.

"I don't think I get that far ahead of myself," Kluber said.

Did he have any idea how many strikeouts he had racked up?

"No," he said. "I have a lot of other stuff to worry about when I'm out there on the mound."

Was he disappointed when Jhonny Peralta terminated his bid for a no-hitter with a seventh-inning single?

"I don't think I really had time to sit there and think about, 'What if?'" he said. "You just have to move on and get the next guy."

That's Kluber: unflappable, rigid, focused and earnestly committed to maintaining those attributes. He rarely wavered from that persona, even during a stellar 2014 campaign that merited him the American League Cy Young Award.

His catcher is a bit different. Perez was visibly happy-go-lucky after Wednesday's 2-0 win.

"I wanted a no-hitter," said the 26-year-old backstop. "I was close in Houston with [Trevor] Bauer."

Kluber and Yan Gomes had developed such a close rapport that when the right-hander ventured to New York in January to receive his hardware, he requested that his catcher join him. When Gomes went down with a knee injury in April and Kluber struggled for a few starts, the hurler contended that pitch sequencing played a part. That raised questions about his accord with Perez.

"I don't think it's something that you can just expect to happen right away," Kluber said, "especially when the guy hasn't caught you that often. The only time he's ever really caught me for an extended period do time was a couple years ago when I got sent down in spring training and [made] a couple starts in Columbus. It takes time. But, yeah I do feel like the work we've been putting in, the time we've spent talking about stuff, makes us more comfortable with each other."

Kluber had posted a 7.43 ERA over his previous four starts entering Wednesday's affair. In those outings, opponents compiled a .373 average and .982 OPS against him, with 38 hits in 23 innings. Perez has been spending more time watching Kluber's side sessions and getting a better feel for what's working on a particular day or week. He said he knew Kluber was destined for excellence on Wednesday when he flashed a dominant curveball in the bullpen prior to first pitch.

"I wanted him to trust me," Perez said, "and finally we had a good game."

Good is an understatement. That's likely how Kluber would describe such an outing. Perez said "it was huge" to have the opportunity to be on the receiving end of such a historic effort.

"I can't wait to watch the replay," Perez said.

Former Indians shortstop Jhonny Peralta ruins Corey Kluber's bid for a no-hitter with a two-out single in the seventh on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - When the Cardinals held their pre-game hitter's meeting to talk about Corey Kluber, Jhonny Peralta had the floor.

"I told them, "This guy can pitch, be ready,'" said Peralta. "But we weren't ready."

Kluber tied a franchise record with 18 strikeouts and took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Wednesday night in the Indians' 2-0 victory over St. Louis at Progressive Field.

The reason Peralta had the floor in the hitter's meeting was simple - he was the only Cardinal who has faced Kluber in the big leagues. Peralta came into the game hitting .385 (5-for-13) with one RBI, one walk and five strikeouts against Kluber.

That knowledge kept the Cardinal from getting no-hit.

Kluber, facing the team with the best record in the big leagues, struck out Peralta in the first and fourth innings. In the seventh, he opened with strikeouts of Matt Carpenter and Pete Kozma. Kluber had a 2-0 lead, a no-hitter in hand and a streak of 18 straight outs.

There were on 12,313 in the ballpark, but they were loud and could sense the no-hitter getting closer. When Peralta came to the plate, some of them booed. Peralta spent parts of eight seasons with the Indians, but fans never warmed to the durable shortstop.

"Fans boo, but that's the game," said Peralta.

Kluber did Peralta a favor by throwing him two straight balls to start the at-bat.

"He put me in a two-ball count right away," said Peralta. "This is the only way I might get a hit. It's 2-0. I know he's coming with a fastball and he threw it right in the middle."

Peralta sent a clean single through the middle for the Cardinals only hit of the night.

"He's got unbelievable stuff," said Peralta. "I talked to Carlos Santana and a couple of other guys and they say he looked like last year.

"At the beginning he was a little different, but they said he was very good today. He was tough."

Kluber won the AL Cy Young award last year. Until Tuesday night, he was 0-5 in his first seven starts this year.

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said Kluber had a "special night against a very good offense."

"You don't strikeout that many guys if you're not on the top of your game - sharp with everything you've got," said Matheny. "He made great pitches all night long."

Kluber said his strikeouts came on a variety of pitches. Or as manager Terry Francona said, "He elevated it, cut it, spun it and two-seamed it."

And with the exception of Peralta, no one hit it.

Corey Kluber struck out 18 in eight innings Wednesday against St. Louis. He is just one of five pitchers in MLB history to strikeout 18 or more batters and not issue a walk.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Corey Kluber needed something big to get him out of his slump. 

First, he shaved his beard. Then he struck out 18 batters Wednesday night as the Indians beat St. Louis, 2-0, at Progressive Field. Kluber and closer Cody Allen struck out 19 as they combined on a one-hitter.

Kluber, who lost his first five decisions, lost a bid for a no-hitter in the seventh inning on Jhonny Peralta's two-out single, but that didn't stop him from piling up the strikeouts.

The 18 strikeouts were the most by a big-league pitcher since Milwaukee's Ben Sheets struck out 18 against Atlanta on May 16, 2004. The 18 strikeouts tied a frachise record for a nine-inning game.

Hall of Famer Bob Feller, whose museum opened Wednesday afternoon at Progressive Field, struck out 18 against Detroit on Oct. 2, 1938.

"Anytime you're mentioned in the same sentence as Bob Feller it's humbling," said Kluber.

Louie Tiant holds the Indians single-game strikeout record with 19 on July 3, 1968 against the Twins. He did that in 10 innings.

The last AL pitcher to strikeout 18 in game was Toronto's Roger Clemens, who did it against Kansas City on Aug. 25, 1998.

The Indians did all the scoring they needed in the first. Brandon Moss doubled home Jason Kipnis and David Murphy delivered Carlos Santana with a single against John Lackey.

Kluber (1-5, 4.27) struck out at least one batter in each of his eight innings. He struck the side in order third and fourth innings. He threw 113 pitches, 74 for strikes.

Allen retired the Cardinals in order in the ninth for his 15th save. His lone strikeout came against Peter Bourjos.

Kluber started the seventh with strikeouts of Matt Carpenter and Pete Kozma before Peralta sent a clean single through the middle on an 2-0 pitch.

"He did me a favor by going 2-0 against me," said Peralta. "I was looking for a fastball and he threw one right down the middle.

"He has unbelievable stuff. I was talking to Carlos Santana and he said, "He looks like he did last year."

Kluber said he wasn't trying to change his luck by shaving his beard.

"I did it for Mother's Day," said Kluber.

What it means

The win was Kluber's first in eight starts. The Indians lost his previous seven starts.

The victory gave the Indians a 12-20 record. The Cardinals, with the best record in baseball, fell to 23-10.

It's just the second time in baseball's modern era (since 1900) that a team has had 19 or more strikeouts, while allowing one or fewer hits in a game. The only other time is when Kerry Wood struck out 20 and allowed one hit in pitching the Cubs past Houston on May 6, 1998 (credit Elias Sports Bureau).   

You're gone

Tribe manager Terry Francona was ejected by plate umpire Mike Everitt in the fourth inning after Lackey (2-2, 3.22) hit Kipnis. Everitt warned both teams and when Francona came out to protest, Everitt ejected him.

It was Francona's first ejection since June 8, 2013 against Detroit.

In the first inning, Kluber hit oufielder Matt Holliday on the left elbow. Holliday left the game in the second inning.

In the sixth inning, lefty Randy Choate hit Kipnis.

"I knew if I went out there he was going to throw me out," said Francona. "I wanted him (Everitt) to tell me he wasn't throwing at Kip. I said, "Just tell me.' And he wouldn't.

"That's when I said some things I probably shouldn't have. He still hasn't answered my question. I think if he would have answered it, he would have answered differently because I called the pitch to Millsie (bench coach Brad Mills) when he got hit and I'm not that good.

"That's not right." 

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Cardinals drew 12,313 to Progressive Field on Wednesday night.

What's next

Trevor Bauer (2-1, 4.19) will face Cardinal right-hander Michael Wacha (5-0, 2.09) on Thursday at 12:10 p.m. SportsTime Ohio and WTAM AM/1100 will carry the game.

Bauer, coming off his first loss of the season, will be facing St. Louis for the first time. Wacha will be facing the Indians for the first time in his career.

Check out reaction from the Cleveland Cavaliers' 94-73 win against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals from fans on Twitter.

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched a trip to the Eastern Conference Final with a 94-73 win against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday at the United Center in Chicago. 

Cavaliers were not shy about letting their feelings about the win known on Twitter. Matthew Dellavedova got plenty of love, as did LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, who left the game with an injury.

Not everyone was happy about the outcome, however.

Check out reaction in the Storify below.

Matthew Dellavedova out-scored Chicago's Derrick Rose, 19-14, as Cavs win an incredible game.

CHICAGO -- All together now ... Here Comes Delly!

Take a bow, Matthew Dellavedova, scoring 19 points -- 11 in the fourth quarter!

And here come the the Cavaliers roaring ... OK, maybe a few of them are limping ... into the Eastern Conference Finals after eliminating the Bulls, 94-73, Thursday in Chicago's United Center.

The Cavs won this game ... this series ... the hard way.

They did it with Kevin Love never making it to the court because of a shoulder injury suffered in Game 4 of the Boston series. They won it with the suspended J.R. Smith missing the first two games. They won it with Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert both dealing with injuries.

They won it as a true team, coming together at just the right time. They won it with grit and relentless hustle and a refusal to wilt when it seemed the injuries and fate itself was conspiring against them.

They won it by beating this Bullish Chicago team at its own game -- defense. The Cavs out-rebounded the Bulls, 53-32. Chicago scored 31 points in the first quarter, then 13, 16 and 13 points over the next three periods.

Let's take a moment to realize how the Cavs squeezed the breath right out of the Bulls in the heart of the Windy City.

The Cavs opened this best-of-seven series behind, 2-1. With one minute left in the third quarter of Game 4, they were down by 11. They came back to win on LeBron James' incredible corner shot at the buzzer.

Then they won the next two games -- and this may have been the most amazing of all, given the different heroes.

The Cavs won on a night when Kyrie Irving departed after playing only 12 minutes. He suffered yet another leg injury and only scored six points.

The Cavs won on a night when James could barely make a shot. He was 7-of-23 for 15 ugly points. But James delivered 11 assists, nine rebounds, some determined defense and kept his teammates together.

They won on a night when Tristan Thompson played most of the game with a very sore shoulder, yet owned the boards with 17 rebounds. Thompson out-rebounded the entire starting Chicago frontcourt as Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol and Mike Dunleavy only had 16 rebounds between them.

They won because Dellavedova turned into Mark Price in his prime, his 19 points coming on 7-of-11 shooting.

They won because Iman Shumpert was brilliant. The guard combined with Dellavedova to defend and frustrate Bulls star Derrick Rose. Shumpert had 13 points and seven rebounds.

They won because J.R. Smith got hot in the third quarter when everyone else on both teams seemed to be in the deep freeze. He scored six of the Cavs' 15 points in that third quarter.

On this night when everything seemed so wrong ... everything went so right!

Consider that the Cavs finished the second quarter out-scoring the Bulls, 23-11, after Irving limped to the dressing room. Or that James Jones came to the rescue with nine points when Irving went out.

Or that the Cavs held the Bulls to 73 points! Or that Dellavedova out-scored Rose, 19-14.

Or that David Blatt, so under fire in the middle of this series, clearly re-grouped his team to put together one of the most memorable performances in franchise history.

Yes, the Cavs won. In style.