BEREA, Ohio -- Opening ceremonies featuring a parade of nations kicked off this year's opening ceremonies of the Continental Cup at Baldwin Wallace's Finnie Stadium. More than 3,000 young athletes from around the world came to Cleveland for the 10th anniversary of the Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival.  The event started as a 30-team soccer tournament and today plays...

BEREA, Ohio -- Opening ceremonies featuring a parade of nations kicked off this year's opening ceremonies of the Continental Cup at Baldwin Wallace's Finnie Stadium.

More than 3,000 young athletes from around the world came to Cleveland for the 10^th anniversary of the Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival. 

The event started as a 30-team soccer tournament and today plays host to three international tournaments, the Adidas Continental Cup Soccer Tournament, the Cleveland Indians Continental Cup Baseball Tournament and the Cleveland Cavaliers Continental Cup Basketball Tournament.

The event runs through Sunday, July 5^th.

Tristan Thompson and the Cleveland Cavaliers are still involved in contract talks.

FRESNO, Calif. -- Restricted free agent Tristan Thompson and the Cleveland Cavaliers were reportedly close to reaching an agreement on a multi-year deal on Wednesday.

But apparently that's not the case. Negotiations with Thompson are still ongoing. Yesterday ESPN said the sides were near a five-year, approximately $80 million deal to remain with the organization.

The terms of Kevin Love's and Iman Shumpert's deals were leaked, but not that of Thompson. Now we know why. It wasn't finished.

Northeast Ohio Media Group was told that there's not a vast gap in contract talks and added there's no animosity. These minor hiccups are a part of the process and both sides are determined and confident that a deal will be struck.

Golden State's Draymond Green, also a restricted free agent, agreed to terms on a five-year, $85 million salary after the reported Thompson deal surfaced. This could have been a ploy by Thompson's camp to get a number out there. Now, Thompson's camp can try to make the case that the double-double specialist should be paid more than Green.

The power forward turned down a four-year, $52 million extension in October.

During the postseason, LeBron James vouched for the Cavs' workhorse, saying Thompson should be a Cavalier for life. They share the same agent in Rich Paul.

Dennis Manoloff is feeling good about all of Cleveland's teams on today's podcast.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Are the Cavaliers the favorite as-is next season? Is this Indians surge the real thing?

The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff talked all things Cleveland sports in his weekly podcast on Friday.

Among the other topics discussed:

- What does Kevin Love coming back mean big picture for the Cavaliers?

- What impact did Terry Francona's team meeting actually have?

- Which position group (aside from quarterback) are you watching most once training camp opens?

You can download the MP3 or listen with the player above.

Want more DMan? Check out his Game Report from Game 4.

Be sure to follow DMan on Twitter.

The Columbus Clippers' Jesus Aguilar and Tyler Holt are in the Class AAA International League All-Star Game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Jesus Aguilar will represent the Columbus Clippers as a starter at first base in the Class AAA International League All-Star Game on July 15 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Teammate Tyler Holt was selected as a reserve outfielder.

Aguilar was an easy selection.

Aguilar has an average of .262 and he is second in the league with 48 RBIs and fourth with 10 home runs. Aguilar has hit safely in 20 of his last 24 and his on-base streak was recently snapped at 23 games.

Aguilar has four hits in a game three times this season, and he knocked in four runs in a single game five times this year.

Holt is 0-for-10 from the plate in his last three games but he is among the team's leaders with a .297 average. Holt has 15 stolen bases on 17 attempts. He stole 11 consecutive bases before he was caught on June 24.

Debut

Right-handed starter Will Roberts made his Class AAA debut this week. In six innings, Roberts gave up six hits, two earned runs, one walk, a home run and struck out two in his loss to Indianapolis.

Roberts, a fifth-round pick by the Tribe in the 2011 draft, was 6-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 14 starts with Akron this year.

From the mound
Relief right-handed pitcher Shawn Armstrong has not given up a home run since August of last year. Armstrong gave up one hit, one walk and struck out three in two innings in his last outing on June 27. Armstrong is 1-2 with a 2.64 ERA.

Inside pitch
The Clippers will resume Thursday's suspended game today. Starter Jarrett Grube (2-0) retired all six batters he faced in two complete innings . . . Carlos Moncrief leads the Clippers with 17 assists from the outfield. He led the league with 22 last season . . . First baseman Jesus Aguilar is on a 55-game error-less streak . . .  

Home schedule

The Clippers will host Toledo Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Bubba Watson says he's painting over the Confederate flag on his car made popular in "The Dukes of Hazzard" television series. The two-time Masters champ said Friday he'll replace it with the U.S. flag on the roof of the "General Lee 01."

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) -- Bubba Watson says he's painting over the Confederate flag on his car made popular in "The Dukes of Hazzard" television series. The two-time Masters champ said Friday he'll replace it with the U.S. flag on the roof of the "General Lee 01."

Confederate symbols have been the focus of debate since nine people were killed June 17 at an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina. Authorities say the accused gunman had posed in photographs with the Confederate battle flag.

Watson said after his round at The Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia that his decision "was the right gesture for me to do." He also said the American flag sends a statement that everyone is "created equal."

Watson paid $121,000 for the car at a January 2012 auction.

All men ARE created equal, I believe that so I will be painting the American flag over the roof of the General Lee #USA

-- bubba watson (@bubbawatson) July 2, 2015

Carlos Carrasco and Corey Kluber have each made a case for themselves to represent the Indians at the All-Star game on July 14. Based on baseball's traditional and new statistics, who would you vote for? Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- MLB's All-Star game voting officially ended Thursday, but if you had one vote to decide if Carlos Carrasco or Corey Kluber would represent the Indians and the American League on July 14 in Cincinnati, who would get it?

On Wednesday night Carrasco (10-6, 3.88 ERA) came within one strike of throwing the first no-hitter by an Indians pitcher in over 34 years. He's tied for the AL lead in victories and ranks fourth in strikeouts with 110.

Kluber (3-9, 3.64) on Thursday struck out 14 batters in an eight-inning no decision before the Indians beat Tampa Bay, 5-4, in the 10^th. He's tied with Chicago's Chris Sale for the AL lead in strikeouts with 141 and is second in innings pitched with 118 2/3.

The opposition is hitting .245 against Carrasco, .250 against Kluber. Carrasco and Kluber each have a 1.14 WHIP. Carrasco has allowed 42 earned runs, Kluber 48. They've each allowed nine homers. Carrasco has walked 21, Kluber 48.

Kluber is averaging 10.69 strikeouts and 1.82 walks per nine innings. Carrasco is averaging 10.17 strikeouts and 1.94 walks per nine innings.

The 10 wins, to be sure, are a big separator.

Kluber was asked about his All-Star chances after his 115-pitch performance against the Rays.

"I haven't thought once about the All-Star game," he said. "I don't know how many guys with the traditional statistics that I have make an All-Star game."

The key word there is traditional.

The universe of baseball statistics has exploded time and time again in its search to measure the value of players, especially pitchers. The win, much the chagrin of many, myself included, has lost power.

Now there are such things as FIP (fielding independent pitching) that help determine whether a pitcher is having a good year or not. FIP is an ERA like grade that is based only on the things within a pitcher's control: strikeouts, walks, hit batsmen and home runs allowed. It removes from the equation the kind of defense being played behind that pitcher.

Yet even then, Kluber and Carrasco are close. Kluber ranks second in the AL with a 2.24 FIP. Carrasco is seventh at 2.77.

Manager Terry Francona was asked about Kluber's All-Star chances after Thursday's win.

"I was looking at it earlier," said Francona. "And I don't want to talk down Carrasco, because I don't want to do that. But if you look across the board, Kluber's stats are really good. You look at the numbers across the board and they're All-Star numbers."

Carrasco's numbers, as stated earlier in the story, are good as well. The two other AL pitchers with 10 wins are Houston's Dallas Keuchel and Seattle's Felix Hernandez. Keuchel certainly will be selected for the All-Star game. Hernandez has gone to five of the last six All-Star games and has a great chance of being Cincinnati on July 14 despite a couple of un-King-Felix-like outings this year.

"There are 34 players on an All-Star roster," said Francona. "But they're not going to be the best 34 players because every team has to be represented and because of the voting system."

Last weekend players, coaches and managers cast their All-Star votes. They could vote for players on their own teams.

Francona felt Kluber was going to get more support from his peers than might be expected based on winning the Cy Young last year and how well he's pitched this season with the lowest run support of any starter in the big leagues. Kluber's run support average per nine innings is 2.42.

Carrasco's run support average, by comparison, is 6.20 runs per nine innings.

If Kluber does somehow make the All-Star team, run support average could be the determining factor.

Another thing that could hurt Carrasco is the fact that the people who know the most about baseball - players, coaches and managers - had already voted before he walked side-by-side with history for 8 2/3 innings Wednesday night at The Trop.

So who will it be, Kluber, Carrasco or neither?

The answer is coming soon. ESPN will announce the AL and NL starting lineups Sunday night on ESPN. On Monday, the pitchers and reserves will be announced.

Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Friday's series opener between the Indians and Pirates.

PITTSBURGH -- Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Friday's series opener between the Indians and Pirates.

Pitching matchup: Trevor Bauer (6-5, 3.96 ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (6-1, 4.28 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. 2B Jason Kipnis

2. SS Francisco Lindor

3. LF Michael Brantley

4. RF David Murphy

5. 1B Brandon Moss

6. C Yan Gomes

7. 3B Giovanny Urshela

8. CF Michael Bourn

9. P Trevor Bauer

Pirates

1. 3B Josh Harrison

2. 2B Neil Walker

3. CF Andrew McCutchen

4. LF Starling Marte

5. 1B Pedro Alvarez

6. C Francisco Cervelli

7. RF Gregory Polanco

8. SS Jordy Mercer

9. P Charlie Morton

Cleveland sports fans wonder if Johnny Manziel and Tiger Woods are headed in the right direction and whether the Cavaliers are ticketed for more success -- Bud Shaw's You Said It

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You Said It is based on the premise that the only thing Cleveland sports fans need more than a championship is a sense of humor...

 YOU SAID IT

 (The Holiday Weekend Edition)

 Bud: I am driving from Cleveland to Cape Cod next week. The only thing is, the voice of Jalen Rose is on my GPS.  What are my chances of arriving safely at my intended destination? - Jake Crouse, Cleveland Heights

 Only slightly worse than if the voice belonged to the captain of the Exxon Valdez.

 Bud: Do you ever regret not going to a good vocational school? - Tony, Maple Heights

 For sure there are days when this part of the job feels like unclogging a septic system. But there are bad days, too.

Bud: When can we see a picture of Johnny Manziel's father in a Cowboys' jersey? - Michael Sarro

 Easy now. Jim Brown just said Johnny will either be good or a bust. So things are coming into focus with him.

 Bud: Would you type as hard for $1.25 million as you would for $25 million? - Frank Bruno, Westlake

I'm with Russell Wilson in that regard. In either case I would perform with the same total lack of respect for myself and You Said It contributors as I always have. Don't praise me for that. It's in my DNA.

 Bud: If Tiger Woods is having problems with his "glutes" now, wait till he joins the Senior Tour -- STAR

 First-time You Said It winners finally see a breakthrough.

Bud: Now that Mike Miller has accepted the option for $2.8 million next season, is he allowed to re-sell his floor seat? -- Migra

 Repeat winners are in the rotation.

Get live updates and chat with Indians beat writer Zack Meisel as the Indians and Pirates begin their three-game set at PNC Park.

PITTSBURGH -- Get live updates and chat with Indians beat writer Zack Meisel as the Indians and Pirates begin their three-game set at PNC Park.

Game 79: Indians (37-41) vs. Pirates (45-33)

First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET at PNC Park.

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

Wesson is a Buckeye legacy and 6-foot-9 big man from Westerville South.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State received a verbal commitment Friday from Class of 2017 big man Kaleb Wesson. He's a 6-foot-9 center from Westerville South in the Columbus suburbs.

He is the son of former Buckeye Keith Wesson, who played center for Ohio State in the 1980s.

* What the Kaleb Wesson commit means for Ohio State 

Kaleb Wesson is also a highly-regarded football prospect, ranked the No. 3 player in Ohio and No. 9 offensive tackle by 247Sports. But according to prephoopsohio.com, Wesson won't play football next year to focus on basketball.

Wesson helped guide Westerville South to the Division I state championship game last season, where scored 15 points in a loss to Huber Heights Wayne.

The Eagles defensive back had originally given his verbal commitment to the Panthers on March 21 while visiting the campus.

LAKEWOOD, OHIO – St. Edward football player Tony Butler decommitted from Pittsburgh on Friday. The Eagles defensive back had originally given his verbal commitment to the Panthers on March 21 while visiting the campus. 

Despite being committed to Pitt, Butler had planned on taking official visits during his upcoming senior season. Earlier this month, he told the Northeast Ohio Media Group those trips would include Michigan, Maryland, Rutgers, Pitt and either Minnesota or Arizona State.

Butler confirmed the decision via text on Friday, saying “I felt I was doing myself a disservice and the Pitt staff a disservice by taking other visits while committed. So I decided to part ways.” 

Butler is rated the No. 57 cornerback in the nation (three stars) according to 247Sports and the No. 19 player overall in Ohio for the class of 2016.

A 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, he collected three interceptions last season as a junior and scooped up a fumble in the final minutes to seal the Eagles' 31-21 victory against Huber Heights Wayne during the Division I state championship game in December.

Butler has received 21 Division I football scholarship offers, including most Big Ten schools. 

Butler is the latest in a series of Eagles to switch their college choices over the last couple of years. The Eagles’ class of 2015 included Shaun Crawford (Michigan to Notre Dame), Alex Stump (Kentucky to Ohio State) and David and Andrew Dowell (Northwestern to Kentucky to Michigan State). Benedictine’s Jerome Baker also switched his commitment from Florida to Ohio State last year.

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko on Twitter (@ScottPatsko) by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Ohio State will try to avoid inside issues in the future with two big men who will play this year and three more big man recruits on tap in the next two classes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State doesn't want to worry about big men in the future. The Buckeyes are making their priorities clear.

After struggling with inside play the last two seasons with Amir Williams and Trey McDonald inside, Ohio State is setting things up in the post.

The latest move came Friday with a verbal commitment from Class of 2017 big man Kaleb Wesson, a 6-foot-9, 270-pounder from Westerville South who also projected as a potential offensive tackle as a college football player.

Wesson is ranked as the No. 53 overall player in the Class of 2017 by Scout.com, the No. 12 center and the No. 1 center in Ohio. Rivals.com ranks Wesson as the No. 77 overall player in the Class of 2017. He had offers from Iowa and Xavier as well.

The Buckeyes have 7-foot transfer Trevor Thompson ready to go this year after he was forced to sit out a year after moving over from Virginia Tech. He'll be joined by athletic power forward Daniel Giddens, one of five incoming freshmen for the Buckeyes, as well as redshirt freshman big man David Bell of Garfield Heights.

Both of Ohio State's current pledges for the Class of 2016 are big men in Micah Potter, the 6-foot-10 former Mentor star who will play at Monteverde Academy in Florida next season, and 6-foot-10 Derek Funderburk of St. Edward.

There is a chance that Potter could stay an extra year at Monteverde and wind up in Ohio State's 2017 class.

But for now, with the Buckeyes featuring no seniors and just one junior on their roster, their recruiting holes are filled with big guys.

With a limit of 13 scholarships, the Buckeyes are set with their two-man 2016 recruiting class unless Potter switches to 2017 or they lose a current player. They continue to show interest in guards and wings from 2016, so there could be something that gives down the road.

The same holds for 2017. Marc Loving will be the only senior that year, so adding Wesson may be all there is to do for 2017.

The Buckeyes have done it big.

Here is the breakdown of the current Ohio State basketball roster and the verbal commitments for future classes.

Seniors (0)

None

Juniors (1)

Marc Loving, forward

Sophomores (4)

Jae'Sean Tate, forward

Keita Bates-Diop, forward

Kam Williams, guard

Trevor Thompson, center

Freshmen (6)

David Bell, center

JaQuan Lyle, guard

Mickey Mitchell, forward

Daniel Giddens, forward

A.J. Harris, point guard

Austin Grandstaff, guard

Class of 2016 (2)

Derek Funderburk, forward

Micah Potter, center

Class of 2017 (1)

Kaleb Wesson, center

Class of 2018 (1)

Dane Goodwin, guard

Matt Hagan is looking to defend his NHRA Funny Car title by relaxing on his farm in Virginia.

NORWALK, Ohio -- There is a secret to Matt Hagan's NHRA Funny Car success, racing at over 300 mph down a dragstrip. And many fans would be surprised to know it is a 15 mph tractor.

The Virginia cattle rancher, in Norwalk this weekend for the  Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, said there he has found a comforting balance to his high-stress racing: going home and spendimg hours touring around his 1,100-acre Black Angus farm on that tractor.

"Our sport is so adrenaline driven, you need a nice release,'' Hagan, the current Funny Car leader, defending champ, and two-time champion overall said. "I get time to mellow out."

Considering Hagan's history, he needs it. This is only his eighth season in Funny Car, but he already has two titles, coming in 2011 and 2014, and is tracking toward a third. That's a sobering thought in itself. "I know guys out here for 20 years that don't have one (championship),'' Hagan said.

He's young at 32, barrel-chested and laser-eyed with a vise-grip handshake.  Well-spoken with a ready smile, Hagan still battles for his share of recognition. Funny Car is arguably the most competitive NHRA series on the books.

There are six former Funny Car champions in the current Top 10, and four in the Top 5. And the fifth name in the Top 5 bunch, Del Worsham, holds a championship in Top Fuel. On top of that, seven of the Top 10 highest speeds in Funny Car have been set this season by four different drivers, including Hagan.

Courtney Force has a pair of those Top 10 sprints this season and she isn't even in the Top 10 (No. 11).

Clearly, the fact Hagan holds the No. 1 position now means little when the six-race run to the title begins at the end of the season. The key is just being one of the Top 10, then getting a moment to "mellow out" before the stretch run.

"I've won two championships, one from sixth and one from seventh,'' Hagan said.

Still, 2015 looks like it could be a special season. Hagan already has four event wins this season, equal to his total for last year's championship tilt. And this season is just hitting the halfway mark. Hagan credits his pit crew, as they continue to stay ahead of the pack.

"The car is starting to settle into its groove,'' Hagan said. "This car is going down tracks other cars can't get down."

The cowpuncher said that looks to be the case at Summit Motorsports Park as well.

"With the cooler weather than normal the track is going to be faster, especially at night,'' Hagan said. "The crew chiefs are going to be looking into the cockpit and tell you, 'hold on."'

The motorsports series said it will not hold its season-ending awards ceremony at the Trump National Doral Miami resort.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR is the latest corporation to distance itself from Donald Trump.

On the same day one of its top sponsors called on NASCAR to take a stance against Trump, the motorsports series said it will not hold its season-ending awards ceremony at the Trump National Doral Miami resort.

"We looked at everything we saw coming down and what we heard from our sponsors and our partners and what we feel we should be doing, and that's what led us to the decision today," NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said Friday at Daytona International Speedway.

A message left by The Associated Press seeking comment from Trump was not immediately returned.

Higdon was responding to a letter released by Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, whose company is the title sponsor of NASCAR's Truck Series. Lemonis made it clear he would not attend or participate in the awards ceremony if it's held at a Trump property. The ceremony was held at Doral last year.

"My company ... has enjoyed a long running relationship with NASCAR as I believe the vision of our companies both embody family, respect, unity, comradery and diversity," Lemonis wrote in a letter to NASCAR Chairman Brian France. "These sentiments are at the core of what our country stands for and will continue to embrace. ... Due to recent and ongoing blatantly bigoted and racist comments from Donald Trump in regards to immigrants of the United States, I would like to inform you that I will not, nor will any representative of Camping World, participate or attend in the ceremonial event if it is held at any Trump property.

"Our company will not stand to support any person or organization that associates with such beliefs and we feel strongly about distancing ourselves from any negative and discriminatory comments made against any gender, ethnicity, age group or so forth. I would hope that the entire NASCAR organization would agree with my sentiments."

NASCAR and Camping World are the latest to distance themselves from Trump following his inflammatory statements regarding immigrants from Mexico.

NBC, which is one of NASCAR's television broadcast partners, parted ways with Trump earlier this week.

Higdon said NASCAR is looking for another place to hold its awards ceremony and plans to formally announce a location later this summer.

Cody Anderson took a couple of swings and felt a hint of soreness. Maybe it was just from shaking off the rust. Anderson said he has not stepped into a batter's box since 2009. He'll likely enter the foreign territory on Saturday, when he pitches against the Pirates at PNC Park.

PITTSBURGH -- Cody Anderson took a couple of swings and felt a hint of soreness. Maybe it was just from shaking off the rust.

Anderson said he has not stepped into a batter's box since 2009. He'll likely enter the foreign territory on Saturday, when he pitches against the Pirates at PNC Park.

"It's a little nerve-wracking," Anderson said, "but I'll go out there and see what I can do."

Prior to Friday's Interleague duel with Pittsburgh, the Indians had only played one game at a National League park this season. Trevor Bauer collected a hit in three at-bats in that affair. He was the only Tribe pitcher to bat. He took more hacks in Friday's series opener.

"The last thing we need is either a pitcher to get a blister or be so sore in their shoulders from getting carried away swinging the bat," said Indians manager Terry Francona. "So, we try to balance it. The reality is, they're going to hit.

"If they can get a bunt down and fend for themselves, that's probably the most you can ask for."

Francona and Anderson -- who owns a 0.57 ERA in two big league starts -- discussed the impending situation earlier this week. Francona told the hurler to practice bunting and to take a few dry swings for preparation.

Will Anderson approach the plate with an eye on the Roberto Clemente Bridge that resides beyond center field? Not exactly.

"It depends on the situation," Anderson said. "If there are runners on first or first and second, I'm bunting -- or trying to bunt."

Musical chairs: Someone has to be the odd man out. On Friday, Francona chose first baseman Carlos Santana.

Without the benefit of a designated hitter spot this weekend, the Indians will have to sit one of their regulars each day. Santana, batting .211 with a .347 on-base percentage, nine home runs and 36 RBIs, was omitted from Friday night's batting order.

Over his last 20 games, Santana owns a .162/.253/.324 slash line, with three home runs, nine walks and 21 strikeouts.

"We keep waiting for Carlos to get hot, because we all know he has it in him and we've seen it," Francona said. "Last year, he went into Kansas City and went crazy. We know that's in there. When it comes out, we'll be thrilled. His work in the cages with those guys is impeccable. He's just been having a hard time carrying it through to the games and [being] more consistent. He'll take one good swing and then the next one, he'll pull a ball into the stands or roll over."

Francona said he assured Santana that he would start on Saturday.

"This way, it can give a guy a day off," Francona said. "It can also keep some of the bats in the lineup that seem to be hot. You put the lineup out there you think is good. It also gives us a switch-hitter off the bench."

Friday flashback: Francona grew up in New Brighton, Pa., less than an hour from downtown Pittsburgh. Francona's father, Tito, played for nine different teams during his 15-year career, including six teams after Francona was born. Francona followed his father's career, but he also regularly listened to Pirates broadcasts.

"I would always follow the Pirates," Francona said. "My mom would let me out [of school] on Opening Day and when I was old enough to drive, I'd make it up. I'd always listen to games. Always.

"Chuck Tanner [Pittsburgh's manager from 1977-85] used to bring me up to Three Rivers [Stadium] every winter and he'd let me take batting practice in the cage and he'd always have a pair of black spikes with the gold on them. Those were [great] memories. I was pretty fortunate."

After nearly seven innings, the umpires finally relented and the grounds crew at PNC Park rolled out the tarp.

PITTSBURGH -- After nearly seven innings, the umpires finally relented and the grounds crew at PNC Park rolled out the tarp.

A steady rainfall interrupted the Indians' series opener against the Pirates on Friday night. The precipitation began prior to first pitch. By the start of the delay, the infield was dotted with small puddles. 

The Indians sprinted out to a 3-0 lead. Andrew McCutchen's two-run blast sliced into the advantage in the fourth. Trevor Bauer had registered one out in the seventh when the game was delayed. The Pirates had a runner on first.

Bauer impersonated three of his teammates during the lengthy battle with Pirates reliever Antonio Bastardo.

PITTSBURGH -- Trevor Bauer, Mike Aviles, Jason Kipnis and Ryan Raburn drew a nine-pitch walk in the top of the seventh inning on Friday.

Well, only Bauer received the free pass, but he impersonated three of his teammates during the lengthy battle with Pirates reliever Antonio Bastardo. For a few pitches, Bauer waved his bat above his head, a la Aviles. For a few others, he pointed his lumber directly behind him, about shoulder-high, a la Kipnis. He also rested the bat on his shoulder and tapped his elbows together, a la Raburn.

In the end, after a few fouled-off offerings and some errant heaves by the Pittsburgh southpaw, Bauer trotted to first. 

Here is video of Bauer's at-bat.

He flew his drone above the seats at PNC Park. He used the device to snap photos of the field and its breathtaking backdrop of the Allegheny River and the Roberto Clemente Bridge. He impersonated a few of his teammates as he drew a nine-pitch walk. He dove -- err, bellyflopped -- into first base. He also spun 6 1/3 stellar innings, a run-of-the-mill effort for Tribe pitchers this week. Bauer's performance propelled the Indians to their fifth consecutive victory, a 5-2 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

PITTSBURGH -- Trevor Bauer had himself a casual Friday.

He flew his drone above the seats at PNC Park. He used the device to snap photos of the field and its breathtaking backdrop of the Allegheny River and the Roberto Clemente Bridge. He impersonated a few of his teammates as he drew a nine-pitch walk. He dove -- err, bellyflopped -- into first base.

He also spun 6 1/3 stellar innings, a run-of-the-mill effort for Tribe pitchers this week. Bauer's performance propelled the Indians to their fifth consecutive victory, a 5-2 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Four Cleveland starting pitchers stymied the Rays at the start of the week. Bauer carried the torch into the club's series against the Pirates. The right-hander limited Pittsburgh to two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings. A two-hour rain delay ended his outing prematurely.

Bauer also provided a boisterous contingent of Tribe fans -- and those in the visitor's dugout -- with some amusement as he mimicked the batting stances of Mike Aviles, Jason Kipnis and Ryan Raburn during a seventh-inning plate appearance.

He left the heavy offensive lifting to his teammates. Brandon Moss socked a two-run blast to left field in the second inning. A fan wearing Indians gear snagged the fly ball as a leaping Starling Marte reached into the stands.

Center fielder Michael Bourn contributed the rest of the Indians' runs. He planted an RBI double in right field with one out in the fourth. That pushed Cleveland's advantage to 3-0. After Pittsburgh closed the gap to one run, Bourn slapped a two-run single to center in the eighth.

What it means

The Indians have outscored the opposition, 31-11, during their five-game winning streak. Friday's victory bumped the club's record to 8-19 in series openers. Cleveland (38-41) remains in fourth place in the American League Central, eight games behind first-place Kansas City. The Indians can match their season-long win streak with a victory on Saturday.

Bauer outage

The early innings have been no challenge for Cleveland pitchers in recent days. Cody Anderson, Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco each carried perfect games into the sixth inning of their starts this week. Bauer kept the Pirates off the basepaths for the first three frames on Friday. He surrendered only three hits in all, and he walked one and struck out three. He tossed only 74 pitches before the rainfall interfered.

When he reached base via a walk in the seventh, Bauer took a large lead, as the Pirates were not holding him on. At one point, he plunged head-first as he retreated to the bag.

Have you ever seen the rain?

The Indians and Pirates resumed play after a two-hour, eight-minute rain delay. Steady precipitation began to fall prior to first pitch and it never relented.

A homer here, a homer there

Two innings after Moss clubbed a two-run home run to left, Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen answered with a two-run shot to center. McCutchen swatted a Bauer fastball that appeared to be up and in, but the baseball sailed into the seats.

A hit a day keeps the doctor away

Giovanny Urshela extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single to left field in the top of the eighth. The rookie third baseman has exactly one hit in each of the 12 contests. Urshela's streak is the longest by a Tribe rookie since Michael Brantley hit in 19 consecutive games in 2010.

Quick work

Marc Rzepczynski replaced Bauer after the rain delay. The left-hander tossed three strikes to fan Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez. Then, he gave way to Zach McAllister.

They came, they saw

An announced sellout crowd of 38,840 braved the rain at PNC Park.

What's next

The Indians and the Pirates will reconvene at PNC Park for a 4:05 p.m. ET first pitch on Saturday. Tribe right-hander Cody Anderson (1-0, 0.57 ERA) will oppose Pittsburgh southpaw Jeff Locke (4-4, 4.55). Anderson has allowed only one run in his two big league starts, which both came against Tampa Bay. The rookie limited the Rays to eight hits and one walk across 15 2/3 innings.

Browns receiver Dwayne Bowe plans to break his 17-game TD drought and make fans forget Josh Gordon. He also believes he can match his 15-TD total of 2010 this year. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Receiver Dwayne Bowe is determined to make Browns fans say "Josh who?'' by the end of the season.

"When Josh (Gordon) was here he was the touchdown man and I'm here to fill his shoes,'' Bowe told Northeast Ohio Media Group during minicamp. "It's my job to do that in this offense and I believe I can do that.''

But first, Bowe must break his 17-game no-touchdown streak and find his way back into the end zone -- with the ball in his grasp.

"If I get (a TD) in the (home) opener first quarter, the floodgates are open and the Dawg Pound is going crazy,'' he said. "It's going to be awesome. Once I start that, I don't know what I'm going to do. I might go crazy.''

Last season in Kansas City, the 2010 Pro Bowler made the kind of history that you don't tell your grandchildren about.

He was part of the only team in NFL annals that played a 16-game season without a wide receiver catching a touchdown pass. It marked the first time since 1964 when the Giants' receivers' struck out in 14 games that an NFL corps came up empty.

"It's still pretty hard to believe,'' he said.

To make matters worse, Bowe almost broke the streak in the season finale, but when he spilled into the end zone with what was supposed to be an 11-yard TD catch from Chase Daniels, his hands were empty. The ball had been stripped near the goal-line and it popped into the arms of tight end Travis Kelce for the score.

A cruel fate, to be sure, especially for a man who led the entire NFL with 15 TD catches in 2010.

"I've been to the top and I've been to the bottom, and now it's time to get back to the top,'' he said.

But it's not like Bowe, 30, was fumbling TD passes all over the place in 2014. For the most part, the opportunities weren't there. All of the Chiefs' 18 TD catches were by tight ends or running backs.

"I didn't get one shot in the end zone,'' he said. "I think it's in Ripley's Believe it or Not.''

It's not that the eight-year Chiefs veteran wasn't contributing. A big body like Gordon (6-3, 225), Bowe (6-2, 222) finished second on the team in receptions (60) and yards (754) only to Kelce. It's just that the end zone became like the twilight zone.

"I got us down in scoring range and with our offense, it was based on running back to the tight end and my job was to play football,'' he said. "I never complained. I always did my job to get us down there but the chips just didn't fall my way. That's all I can control.''

The drought now spans 17 games, dating back to Dec. 8, 2013, when Bowe caught a 22-yard TD pass against the Redskins. In fact, since that blockbuster Pro Bowl 15-TD season of 2010, he's totaled 13 scoring receptions in four seasons for an average of 4.7 a year. But Bowe is confident he can match that crazy 2010 total this season.

"That's what I'm going to show you guys,'' he said. "It's going to be exciting, especially with a new uniform, a new city, new everything, I'm going to feel good. With Alex Mack and Joe Thomas, we're going to have a lot of time to hit that deep ball even in the red zone. I never had a quarterback like Josh (McCown) that was that tall and could see the mismatch and really go to it. He's got my confidence level high right now.''

After two mediocre seasons under head coach Andy Reid, Bowe was replaced by former Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin, 27, and was let go in March with three years remaining on his five-year, $56 million deal.  But Browns general manager Ray Farmer, who spent six years with Bowe in Kansas City and witnessed his three 1,000-yard seasons and 15-TD outburst, rescued him with a two-year free agent deal worth $12.5 million, including $9 million guaranteed.

 "Going through that just makes you a better player,'' Bowe said. "I think this organization knows what I can do and they're going to showcase it.

Looking for clues into Bowe's TD drought, Browns new receivers coach Joker Phillips studied all 95 of his targets last season.

"Most of the time he wasn't targeted down in the red zone and it's so hard to get behind people in the NFL,'' Phillips said during minicamp. "People are going to let you catch balls in front of them and then rally to the football. But the deal with Dwayne is just try and get him better every day. He's worked really hard. These guys are pros and they're working their rear ends off and Dwayne's doing exactly that too.''

In fact, after spending the first eight years of his career in one place, the former first-round pick out of Louisiana State feels rejuvenated in his new digs.

"I feel like I landed a goldmine,'' he said. "Honestly, the fan base is good, the city is great and the environment is just like Kansas City. The fans have your back win, lose or draw. And it's  kind of the same West Coast offense so I'm feeling like I jumped off the right foot and ended up on the left.''

He -- and fellow free agent acquisition Brian Hartline -- also landed in the middle of a spirited group of overachieving receivers who often get a bad rap.

"We have a nice solid collection,'' he said. "A lot of underdogs, but big hearts. We've got guys 5-8 going across the middle not scared to get hit. That's going to be big when the season comes around.  I'm learning from (Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel). Short, fast, quickie guys like that. Just learning from them how to get off the release and how to plant my foot and come back. I've learned a lot in these two months that I didn't learn in the past eight years in Kansas City, so I like our corps.''

He also likes McCown (6-4, 218), who can see over tall linemen and get the ball downfield to big targets.

"He's amazing,'' said Bowe. "He's a crafty vet and he knows matchups, he knows the playbook front and back and he knows the personnel. In the red zone he knows who to come to, he knows how to hit the checkdown, the audible, and he's a great fit for this offense.''

McCown has also surprised Bowe with his mobility.

"If you look at him, you don't think he's as crafty and shifty as he is, but he can run,'' said Bowe. "He's got some moves. He's not a (Johnny) Manziel, but he's a 13-year crafty good quarterback. He wants to fly under the radar and when the season comes around, we're going to shock a lot of people.''

Bowe has also seen glimpses of starting potential from Manziel, who's working primarily with the second-team offense.

 "I see it slowly but surely,'' he said.  "He's still learning. He's learning to take the game seriously. He won the Heisman so he's pretty good and it just takes time. Everybody wants to rush it because he's a first-rounder but when you're playing quarterback you have to give it some time and I think that his time is now to get better.''

 Bowe, who hasn't taken many reps with Manziel, has seen him improve throughout the offseason.

"He's spitting out the plays okay,'' he said. "I probably get like three or four throws with him a day and in one-on-ones we get throws with him. He's spinning it. He's putting it on the money. Coming into another year with the head coach, he knows what to expect and having a great line to block and some receivers to catch the deep ball gives him more confidence than he had last year to make that throw. He's on his way.''

Bowe, who's taken fourth-round receiver Vince Mayle under his wing, has already felt the support of Browns fans and can't wait to play in front of them at FirstEnergy Stadium.

''From having none to getting my first touchdown in an environment like this, it's going to be a confidence-booster just to show that I still can do it,'' he said. "It wasn't me not being able to. It was our offense not putting me in position to score. This offense definitely puts me in position to score touchdowns.''

Does he still have legitimate No. 1 receiver talent, the kind that Gordon displayed in 2013?

"I have a lot left, especially after not scoring any touchdowns last year,'' he said. "Do you think I still got it? I wouldn't be here if I didn't have it.''

 

The Indians have replaced Lonnie Chisenhall and Jose Ramirez with rookies Giovanny Urshela and Francisco Lindor on the left side of their infield.

CLEVELAND - Do you have a question that you'd like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? You can Tweet it at @hoynsie or Submit it here.

Hey, Hoynsie: In the few games I've seen Giovanny Urshela and Francisco Lindor playing together you can clearly see the range and overall polish as defenders. I can't wait to see how our pitching staff settles in with that due taking away hits - Nick Kellogg, Austin, Tex.

Hey, Nick: They've added defense and energy to the Indians. They're still evolving as hitters and we should have a better idea of what they'll become by the end of the year.

Urshela is hitting at the bottom of the order and isn't getting worked as hard as Lindor in the No.2 spot. Lindor, however, has been hitting the ball hard, but right at people. That's usually a good sign.

@hoynsie Any clues yet what management might do - if anything - in the trade market? Stan Finger, Wichita, Kan.

Hey, Stan: It will be based strictly on their won-loss record. If they believe they have a chance, I think they'll try to get some help. It won't be a mega-deal, but they'll look for a boost.

If they're out of it, I believe they'll active sellers. They have some interesting players -- I'm not talking core players -- that could help a contender.   

Hey, Hoynsie: My question is simple and straightforward, is this a lost season for the Tribe? - Tom Goodsite, Washington, Ia.

Hey, Tom: I'll try to be just as blunt.

I don't think they have a chance to win the division. The Royals have too much talent for the Indians to overcome.

Regarding the wild card, I thought that was out of reach as well after they were swept in Baltimore at the start of this 10-game trip. But in rebounding to sweep the four-game series from the Rays, the Indians showed just how dynamic their starting pitching can be.

If they can generate an offense that can score between four and five runs a game, I think that will keep them in contention for a wild card spot.

@hoynsie Is it time to give up on Nick Swisher? Or is his contract too ironclad? Thx. TJ Trout, Cuyahoga Falls

-- TJ Trout (@tjtrout1) July 3, 2015

Hey, T.J.: I don't think there's any reason to give up on Swisher until you see how he comes back from this latest stay on the disabled list. Insurance should be picking up part of his salary so why cut ties with him now?

He's working hard and making progress. Why not give him a shot and see what he can do when he's closer to 100 percent?

The Indians have nothing to lose because they're going to have to pay him one way or the other. 

Hey, Hoynsie: Regarding the seventh inning stretch, was there a time when the visiting team and their supporters would stretch at the top of the inning? I was taught this as a youth, but I can find no documentation of it. Was it a dream, or fact? -- Scott Shelton, Cleveland.

Hey, Scott: There is much mystery surrounding the origination of the seventh inning stretch. Some say it started when President William Howard Taft rose in the seventh inning of a ballgame because he needed to stretch his 300-pound girth. There is other documentation that says it started well before that.

So it sounds like the seventh inning stretch is open to interpretation. I say if that's how you remember it growing up, then that's how it was. Go with it, you'll feel better.

@hoynsie kick the tires on Joba? Playoff experience and could always use another bullpen arm in the world of Tito. -- Bob Nyerges, Kent

-- RSNye (@rsnyerges) July 3, 2015

Hey, Bob: I'm sure they'll do their homework on Chamberlain, but the bullpen has really bounced back well after a shaky start. As badly as the Tigers need bullpen help, it's a red flag if they cut him loose.

Chamberlain is a set-up guy, but the way Bryan Shaw has pitched lately, I don't think there's a need for him right now.

Hey Hoynsie: Do you think the Tribe will ever admit that Carlos Santana is never going to be the hitter they thought he would be and try to find someone that can actually hit? - Larry Stewart, Gallipolis, Ohio.

Hey, Larry: Every year Indians' fans need a scapegoat. This year it appears to be Santana.

Granted, the first three months of this season have not been Santana's best. Right now, he seems to have lost his way at the plate. Instead of working the count, drawing walks and getting good pitches to hit, he's been swinging early in the count and making a lot of weak outs.

Defensively, he doesn't look as sharp or as athletic as last year. He was in great shape last year when he came to camp with the idea of playing third base. He did not have that same edge this spring.

Santana had a similar first half last season and rebounded to have a decent year. He's 29, signed through 2016, but has lost some of his versatility because he no longer catches and plays third base.

I don't see the Indians trading him this year. I'm not sure they feel Jesus Aguilar is the answer if he had to come up and play first base. As for Nick Swisher, it's still unknown when he or if he'll be able to play this year.

-- Nathan Burdette (@TacitNerd) July 3, 2015

Hey, Nathan: That is the key to what remains of the Tribe's season. The last five games (through Friday) have shown everyone just how good the Indians can be if they can score enough to support their pitching staff.

Unfortunately, offense comes and goes. As former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano likes to say, "Offense is like the stock market, it goes up and down.'

Pitching and defense are the constants. If they stay in line, and the Indians can score more than three runs a game, this could be an interesting second half.

Hey, Hoynsie: Last week the Dodgers charter flight from San Diego to Dallas experienced mechanical problems and had to land in Los Angeles. The article I read said there were 176 people on board. That's way more than I would have thought? - Doug Lind, Murrels Inlet, S.C.

Hey, Doug: On the Indians charters there are usually 56 to 58 passengers, including the players, coaching staff, trainers and radio and TV crews. The Dodgers might have been on a family trip where players are allowed to take wives and significant others.

-- Hans Hoffman (@hans2247) July 3, 2015

Hey, Hans: You aren't the only one who likes Zimmer. I would think after he plays in the Futures Games in Cincinnati on July 12, he might be in line for a promotion to Class AA Akron.

That's just a guess on my part.

Hey, Hoynsie: Compare you manager report card to mine: I would give Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti a D- for not improving the team during the stretch runs the last two years and this past offseason. I would give manager Terry Francona a C- for staying with certain players, e.g. Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana, too long. - Tom Fuller, Oregon, Ohio.

Hey, Tom: I'm glad you weren't one of my teachers.

I do think the Indians missed an opportunity to make a big addition to the roster after strong finishes to the 2013 and 2014 seasons. I know they have a lot of dead money tied up in Swisher and Micheal Bourn, but it was obvious they were one or two hitter short.

One more thing. Swisher has played 30 games this year. I don't think that's sticking with a player too long.

Hey, Hoynsie: How many times have Indians' pitchers walked the batter in front of Miguel Cabrera this season? It seems like a high percentage. - Jeff O., Wickliffe.

Hey, Jeff: You've been paying attention. Tiger second baseman Ian Kinsler, who hits in the No.2 spot in front of Cabrera, has walked nine times against the Indians this year. Five times he's turned those walks into runs.