Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Friday's series opener between Cleveland and Oakland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Friday's series opener between Cleveland and Oakland.

Pitching matchup: Danny Salazar (7-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Kendall Graveman (6-4, 3.16 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. 2B Jason Kipnis

2. SS Francisco Lindor

3. LF Michael Brantley

4. DH David Murphy

5. 1B Carlos Santana

6. RF Brandon Moss

7. C Yan Gomes

8. 3B Giovanny Urshela

9. CF Michael Bourn

Athletics

1. CF Billy Burns

2. LF Mark Canha

3. RF Josh Reddick

4. 2B Ben Zobrist

5. DH Billy Butler

6. 1B Ike Davis

7. 3B Brett Lawrie

8. C Josh Phegley

9. SS Marcus Semien

Get live updates and chat with Indians beat writer and Zack Meisel as the Indians and Athletics begin their three-game series Friday night at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND -- Get live updates and chat with Indians beat writer and Zack Meisel as the Indians and Athletics begin their three-game series Friday night at Progressive Field. 

Game 86: Indians (41-44) vs. Athletics (39-49)

First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET at Progressive Field.

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

Oakland, like Cleveland, started this season slowly. The Athletics were 14-30 at one point. The Indians started 10-20.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are some Cleveland Indians quick hits from Progressive Field.

* The Indians are in the final stages of setting their post-All-Star break rotation. After a three-game series in Cincinnati, the club has an off-day before it heads to Milwaukee for two tilts.

"You weigh competition and you look at scheduling," said manager Terry Francona. "You look at maybe balancing workloads and innings. It's your last chance to do those things."

* The Indians and Athletics had not played this season, prior to Friday's series opener.

"It's a little more preparation," Francona said. "We probably had a little more in-depth meetings."

* Oakland, like Cleveland, started this season slowly. The Athletics were 14-30 at one point. The Indians started 10-20.

"Their starting pitching has allowed them to [improve]," Francona said. "They're a little bit like us. Their hitting has come and gone."

* Josh Tomlin tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Double-A Akron in a rehab start on Friday night. He allowed three hits and one walk and he tallied two strikeouts.

* Tribe starters have tallied 42 more strikeouts than any other major league team's unit.

* Francona said he hasn't noticed any difference in the way the baseball carries at Progressive Field since the organization completed renovations over the winter.

* Francona said he thinks rookie shortstop Francisco Lindor has hit the ball better than his batting average -- .220 entering Friday's affair -- would indicate.

"[He's] seeing things for the first time: better defenses, better pitching for sure," Francona said. "You can see the physical tools that are there; the bat speed, things like that."

* Francona said the Indians try to use positive reinforcement when a hitter endures a stretch in which hard hits result in outs.

"We try to do it with everybody, but especially with younger guys," Francona said. "The game can make you kind of crazy."

* Rookie hurler Cody Anderson is the first major-league pitcher since at least 1914 to log at least 6 2/3 innings while allowing one or fewer runs in his first four career appearances.

* Indians alumni Tito Francona and Max Alvis signed autographs at Heritage Park prior to Friday's game. Alvis and actress Monica Potter, a Cleveland native, tossed out the ceremonial first pitches.

A pair of bases-loaded walks and a two-run single backed a stellar Danny Salazar in a 5-1 Tribe victory.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A bases-loaded walk leaves a pitcher and his defense feeling helpless. It leaves an offense feeling as though it was granted a gift.

On Friday night, Drew Pomeranz played the role of Santa Claus.

The Athletics southpaw -- and former Indians prospect -- entered with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. He promptly walked the first two batters he faced, the decisive runs in a 5-1 Tribe victory.

The Indians have registered miserable numbers with the bags packed this year, in an admittedly small sample size. After Jason Kipnis grounded out with the bases loaded to end a fruitless fourth, the Tribe boasted a .141/.192/.172 slash line in such situations this season.

So when Michael Bourn walked to load the bases with two outs in the sixth, two schools of thought rose to the surface. Would the Indians again flail in a promising situation? The team had to be long overdue for a timely base knock, right?

At first, neither question was answered. Pomeranz issued Kipnis a free pass, which allowed Carlos Santana to trot home from third with the go-ahead run. Francisco Lindor followed with another walk.

Finally, Michael Brantley snapped the bases-loaded hex with a sharply struck two-run single to center.

That provided plenty of backing for Danny Salazar, who allowed an unearned run in the first inning and nothing more. After Billy Butler's sacrifice fly in the first frame, Salazar set down 12 consecutive hitters.

The Indians' captured their fourth consecutive victory, as they moved to within two games of the .500 mark.

What it means

The Indians improved to 9-3 over their last 12 games, including 7-3 in July. The club is 9-20 in series openers, with seven wins coming on the road. Cleveland moved to 19-24 at home.

The Tribe can enter the All-Star break with an even record if the club wins the final two games of the series.

The Czar

Salazar finished one out shy of his second complete game. The right-hander limited Oakland to one unearned run on five hits over 8 2/3 innings. He tallied eight strikeouts. Tribe closer Cody Allen entered with two on and two out in the ninth, and got a pop out from Ike Davis to end it.

Locked and loaded

Prior to Brantley's two-run single, the Indians had recorded only nine hits in 64 at-bats with the bases loaded. That came with a .158 batting average on balls in play, which indicates plenty of poor fortune. The club has now drawn eight walks with the bases loaded.

Bourn twice walked to load the bases for Kipnis.

Response time

Catcher Yan Gomes delivered an RBI double in the fourth to erase a 1-0 deficit. David Murphy and Santana opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Gomes is batting .300 with four doubles in his last 10 games.

Familiar face

Pomeranz, the Indians' first-round draft pick in 2010, departed after one-third of an inning. he allowed one run on two hits and a walk. The Indians traded the lefty to Colorado as part of the Ubaldo Jimenez deal in July 2011.

They came, they saw

An announced attendance of 28,539 -- the second-largest home crowd of the season -- watched at Progressive Field.

What's next

The Indians and the Athletics will reconvene at Progressive Field for a 6:35 p.m.  first pitch on Saturday. Tribe right-hander Carlos Carrasco (10-7, 4.17 ERA) will oppose righty Chris Bassitt (0-2, 2.95). In Sunday's series finale, righties Corey Kluber (4-9, 3.45) and Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.20) will square off.

LeBron James wants the Cavaliers to add more pieces and bring back Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith.

AKRON, Ohio - The Cavaliers have LeBron James' signature and his approval on their offseason moves to date, but also a demand to continue adding to a roster that won two games in the NBA Finals.

"We definitely don't want to come back the same team," James said Friday on the red carpet for his Akron premiere of his first feature length move, "Trainwreck."

"We want to come back better."

James signed his one-year, $23 million contract with a $24 million player's option for 2016-17 with the Cavs earlier Friday. Mo Williams, a former teammate of his in Cleveland from 2008-2010, signed his one-year, $2.1 million free agent contract with a player's option for 2016-17 with the Cavs and then attended James' movie premiere.

Cleveland general manager David Griffin - another attendee of the "Trainwreck" screening - has also inked Kevin Love (five years, $113 million) and Iman Shumpert (four years, $40 million).

 "It's been good so far, but we have a lot of work to do," James said. "We still got to re-sign Tristan (Thompson). Hopefully we can bring back J.R. (Smith) as well and see if there's some other free agents out there that'd love to come here and play if we're able to do that.

"Right now, we've been doing so far, so good," he said.

James was stumping for Thompson, the power forward who is represented by James' agent Rich Paul, and for Smith, a friend of James before the Cavs acquired Shumpert and Smith in a trade on Jan. 5.

In Thompson's case, James' team of advisers made it known that James wasn't going to negotiate until Thompson had an agreement in hand. That lasted until Thursday, the first day free agents could sign contracts, when James told the Cavs he would sign.

The Cavs and Thompson were reportedly close on a five-year, $80 million deal, but negotiations stalled when Thompson sought the $85 million salary (or more) Golden State agreed to pay Draymond Green.

It appeared James and Paul were prepared to use the leverage of James' free agency to force a contract for Thompson. That leverage is gone, but James can be a free agent again next summer and obviously wants Thompson back for the long haul.

Smith, a shooting guard, declined a $6.4 million option for next season and has generated little interest among teams thus far as a free agent. The Cavs don't want to pay Smith significantly more money or sign him to a long-term contract - two items Smith is seeking - after Smith struggled in the Finals and was suspended for two games earlier in the playoffs for punching Jae Crowder.

But for the right price, Cleveland could potentially bring Smith back on a short-term contract. The Cavs also have the $10.5 million contract of Brendan Haywood to trade, which could bring a shooter into the fold to replace Smith.

The Cavs have some of their $3.4 million taxpayer's salary cap exception it can use along with the veteran's minimum $1.5 million salary to fill out their bench.

When the Cavs announced James' signing, Griffin said "LeBron's re-signing today is a reflection and continuation of his strong, personal commitment to help deliver championships to northeast Ohio and Cavs fans everywhere.

"We share this deep level of commitment with him," Griffin said. "His impact upon this team, his community and the game are impossible to overstate and we look forward to continuing on our mission together.

The Indians have won four straight and nine of 12.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Danny Salazar allowed one unearned run in 8 2/3 innings and Francisco Lindor went 2-for-4 with a bases-loaded walk as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Oakland Athletics, 5-1, Friday night at Progressive Field. Tribe left fielder Michael Brantley delivered a two-out, two-run single to cap a four-run sixth.

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

Heating up: The Indians (42-44) have won four straight and nine of 12.

Struggling: The Athletics (39-50) have lost three in a row and five of seven.

Stat of the day: The Tribe improved to 2-13 in the first game of a home series.

Comfort zone: For the second consecutive game, the Indians took control in the  sixth inning.

On Thursday against Houston, they turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead. Key figures: Lindor (leadoff homer), Brantley (double), Ryan Raburn RBI double), Carlos Santana (RBI triple).

The Tribe won, 3-1.

On Friday, the Indians' four runs enabled them to pull ahead, 5-1.

Santana led off against righty Kendall Graveman with a duck-snort single to right. Yes, the Santana and the Indians were fortunate -- but they need not apologize. The opposition has blooped plenty of hits this season.

Brandon Moss flied to left on the first pitch and Yan Gomes struck out looking. Just when it appeared Santana might not go anywhere, the Indians strung five terrific plate appearances.

1. Giovanny Urshela shot an 0-2 pitch to center for a single. Santana, who had been on the move, advanced to third. Graveman made a decent pitch, but Urshela simply found a way to get bat to ball and was rewarded. (In his previous two at-bats, Urshela grounded to third and struck out swinging.)

2. No. 9 batter Michael Bourn walked to load the bases. Bourn kept the line moving by taking 2-2 and 3-2 pitches for his second walk of the game.

Oakland manager Bob Melvin signaled for lefty Drew Pomeranz to face Jason Kipnis. 

3. Kipnis walked to make it 2-1.

Pomeranz threw a first-pitch curve that plate umpire Laz Diaz called a ball. Pomeranz came back with another curve in a similar spot that Diaz also called a ball.

One of the two, if not both, seemingly could have been strikes; perhaps Diaz thought each was a tad high. Diaz might have helped Kipnis, sure, but credit Kipnis for challenging Diaz to be consistent: If Diaz was going to call the first one a ball, he needed to call the second one a ball.

Pomeranz missed badly with a 2-0 fastball. After Kipnis took a fastball for a strike, Pomeranz missed badly with a fastball.

4. Lindor drew an eight-pitch walk to make it 3-1.

Pomeranz threw a 1-1 curve in an area similar to the ones against Kipnis....and Diaz called it a ball. Pomeranz flapped his arms, Diaz flapped back. After two fouls, Lindor took a pitch out of the zone. Lindor fouled, then watched another wide one.

5. Brantley hit a two-run single to center to make it 5-1.

Brantley, unwilling to spot Pomeranz a strike, waited for a curve to come down on the inner third and ripped it.

On the homestand through Brantley's at-bat, the Tribe was 2-for-17 with two outs and runners in scoring position (five games).

Graveman, charged with four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, was coming off back-to-back scoreless starts (each: 7 IP, 5 H).

Gravemen carried a 19-inning scoreless streak into the fourth inning. David Murphy led off with a single and advanced to second on Santana's single. After Moss struck out swinging, Gomes doubled to left to drive in Murphy.

Quality stuff: Salazar gave up five hits, walked one, plunked one and struck out eight. He threw 78 of 113 pitches for strikes.

Salazar dominated the Athletics with two pitches -- fastball and split-changeup. He sprinkled in breaking pitches.

Here is a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of his start:

FIRST INNING

(L) Billy Burns -- 94 fastball called strike; 94 fastball foul; 86 changeup, bloop single to left.

Skinny: Credit Burns with a good piece of hitting. He slapped at a decent pitch down and away.

(R) Mark Canha -- 95 called strike; 95 fastball swinging strike; 94 fastball, fielder's choice/error, second baseman (Burns to second).

Skinny: Third baseman Giovanny Urshela fielded the chopper and threw to second baseman Jason Kipnis, who never secured the ball. Initial out call was overturned after replay challenge.

(L) Josh Reddick -- 94 fastball low; 94 fastball called strike; 95 fastball, fielder's choice/5-4.

Skinny: Salazar should have been out of the inning. Reddick chopped to Urshela, who slipped on the dirt during throw to second. Kipnis recorded the force but had trouble getting the ball out his glove; Reddick easily beat the relay.  

(L) Ben Zobrist -- 96 fastball down and in; 85 changeup high; 96 fastball low (supposedly); 95 fastball called strike; 96 fastball down and in, walk.

Skinny: Plate umpire Laz Diaz blatantly missed the call on the 2-0 pitch.

(R) Billy Butler -- 96 fastball outside (barely); 95 fastball, sacrifice fly to right (Reddick to third).

Skinny: Indians outscored at home in first inning, 31-14.

(L) Ike Davis -- 96 fastball foul; 93 fastball called strike; 86 changeup, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Diaz's "zone'' all over the place in first inning.

(19 pitches)

SECOND INNING

(R) Brett Lawrie -- 95 fastball foul; 95 fastball foul; 86 off-speed, grounder to third.

Skinny: Bad 0-2 pitch led to sharply hit one-hopper that Urshela picked while sliding to his left. Stellar defense.

(R) Josh Phegley -- 96 fastball ball; 93 fastball swinging strike; 95 fastball outside; 94 fastball, fly to center.

Skinny: Michael Bourn made running catch at wall. Another plus-play defensively.

(R) Marcus Semien -- 95 fastball called strike; 95 fastball foul; 86 changeup, pop to center.

(10 pitches)

THIRD INNING

(L) Billy Burns -- 94 fastball foul; 93 fastball low; 94 fastball foul; 95 fastball, fly to center.

(R) Mark Canha -- 94 fastball in dirt; 93 fastball high; 95 fastball, grounder to third.

(L) Josh Reddick -- 95 fastball called strike; 80 breaking pitch high; 94 fastball swinging strike; 85 changeup, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Dominant inning for Salazar capped by nasty changeup.

(11 pitches)

FOURTH INNING

(L) Ben Zobrist -- 93 fastball inside; 92 fastball called strike; 93 fastball down and in; 94 fastball, fly to center.

(R) Billy Butler -- 94 fastball ball; 95 fastball, grounder to third.

Skinny: Urshela fielded behind bag.

(L) Ike Davis -- 95 fastball foul; 82 breaking pitch swinging strike; 87 changeup foul; 86 changeup foul; 96 fastball, swinging strikeout (outside corner at knees).

Skinny: Salazar worked over Ike.

(11 pitches)

FIFTH INNING (Salazar entered night with 21 ER, 14.18 ERA in fifth innings this season.)

(R) Brett Lawrie -- 81 breaking pitch foul; changeup in dirt; changeup away; 95 fastball swinging strike; 96 fastball foul; 85 changeup, grounder to third.

(R) Josh Phegley -- 93 fastball outside; 94 fastball, single to center.

Skinny: Bad break for Salazar. Phegley muscled a pitch up and in -- Oakland's second bloop single. 

(R) Marcus Semien -- 95 fastball called strike; 85 changeup inside; 93 fastball, fielder's choice/5-4.

Skinny: Urshela had trouble getting the ball out of the glove, eliminating any chance at a GIDP.

(L) Billy Burns -- 95 fastball down and in; 95 fastball bunt foul; 96 fastball outside; 96 fastball foul; 96 fastball high (Semien caught stealing).

Skinny: Salazar had a feeling the Athletics might try something with Semien, and Salazar was correct. The 2-2 fastball was not a pitchout, but it might as well have been -- up and away. Catcher Yan Gomes seamlessly popped out of the crouch and easily erased Semien.

(16 pitches)

SIXTH INNING

(L) Billy Burns -- 95 fastball foul; 95 fastball, liner to third.

Skinny: Urshela, on the grass, caught the ball in self-defense. 

(R) Mark Canha -- 94 fastball called strike; 86 changeup in dirt; 94 fastball, double to left.

Skinny: Canha pulled in the hands against a fastball running in off the plate.  Oakland's first legit hit.

(L) Josh Reddick -- 95 fastball swinging strike; 95 fastball called strike (outside corner at knees); 95 fastball, swinging strikeout (knees).

Skinny: Reddick no doubt surprised that Salazar stuck with the fastball 0-2. Reddick swung as if he expected something off-speed. 

(L) Ben Zobrist -- 96 fastball foul (up); 94 fastball called strike (outside corner at knees); 95 fastball high; 95 fastball outside; 86 changeup, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: The only question in the AB: When would Salazar pull the string? When he did, the pitch was wicked.

(13 pitches)

SEVENTH INNING

(R) Billy Butler -- 94 fastball inside; 94 fastball, fly to center.

(L) Ike Davis -- 94 fastball, grounder to short.

(R) Brett Lawrie -- 94 fastball called strike; 81 breaking pitch in dirt; 93 fastball swinging strike (up and in); 85 changeup in dirt; 96 fastball foul; 96 fastball outside (barely); 86 changeup, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Decisive changeup was cartoonish.

(10 pitches)

EIGHTH INNING

(R) Josh Phegley -- 91 fastball called strike; 81 breaking pitch foul; 94 fastball outside (barely); 83 changeup foul; 94 fastball foul; 84 changeup, swinging strikeout (down and in).

(R) Marcus Semien -- 93 fastball called strike; 91 fastball up and in; 95 fastball, single to center.

Skinny: Oakland's second legit hit.

(L) Billy Burns -- 84 changeup swinging strike (down and in); 93 fastball, GIDP 4-6-3.

Skinny: Cat-quick turn by Lindor.

(11 pitches)

NINTH INNING

(R) Mark Canha -- 92 fastball inside; 94 fastball foul; 94 fastball high; 95 fastball swinging strike; 85 changeup foul; changeup, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Gomes caught tip.

(L) Josh Reddick -- 95 fastball, fly to left.

(L) Ben Zobrist -- 95 fastball low; 96 fastball, double to right.

Skinny: Oakland's third legit hit.

(R) Billy Butler -- 95 fastball swinging strike (low); 95 fastball swinging strike (outer third); 95 fastball, HBP.

Skinny: Salazar overcooked the 0-2 heater.

(12 pitches)

Cody Allen relieved. Ike Davis popped Allen's second pitch to Urshela, who made the catch in foul territory.

Allen notched his 19th save.

"You'd love to see him finish, but he did such a good job and you want to give Cody some wiggle room. He did a really good job, but I just thought it was time to get him out of there."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Danny Salazar tossed 8 2/3 innings in the Indians' 5-1 victory against the Oakland Athletics on Friday. Here is what Salazar, manager Terry Francona and catcher Yan Gomes had to say after the win.

Francona, on lifting Salazar for closer Cody Allen with two outs in the ninth inning:

"You'd love to see him finish, but he did such a good job and you want to give Cody some wiggle room. He did a really good job, but I just thought it was time to get him out of there."

Gomes, on Salazar plunking Billy Butler with two outs in the ninth:

"We wanted that complete game. It's just a natural thing where a guy can throw the heck out of the ball, and he just wanted to get that big strikeout, and it seemed to slip from him."

Salazar, on hitting Butler with his final pitch:

"I wanted to go inside there, was a little bit tired. Tried to throw a little bit hard. But it was good. They pulled me out one out away from the complete game but it was a good game."

Francona, on how Salazar fared, given that he failed to get out of the fifth inning in three of his last four starts:

"The last game, in Pittsburgh, he was very good and he had the inning that just snowballed. Instead of giving up one or two, he give up four or five. Part of that's the hiters, part of that is making the wrong pitches when hitters are making adjustments, but tonight it seemed as if when the game progressed his change-up got better. He reached back when he needed to. We played pretty good defense, so there's always things that come into it."

Gomes, on how the starting rotation has carried the team in recent weeks:

"[The] starting staff is what carries teams, and I think it even makes the offense a little bit more confident just to get those guys a couple of runs, and get the [pitchers] late into the game. Even our bullpen right now is doing an amazing job."

Francona, on the sixth inning, in which the Tribe struck for four runs to grab the lead:

"The walks were huge, not giving in and laying off some breaking balls and then Brantley, paying attention like he always does and knowing he's throwing breaking balls and getting on base. That was a good inning for us. We did some good things because we had left some guys on base and we got patient, we made him work and we took advantage of some balls. Then, Brantley with a huge hit."

Salazar on pitching in front of the second-largest home crowd of the season:

"It was awesome. Wow. Everybody in the dugout, They were like wow, we have a big crowd tonight. It was good. All of us get excited when we see people coming to the game. It's important to us."

Francona, on the defensive boost provided by Francisco Lindor and Giovanny Urshela on the left side of the infield:

"Gio's, for a guy that's not real fleet of foot, man, he's got great reactions at third. He has that ability to kind of slow everything down. The play to his left, he gets low and it's hard to teach that. You can work on your defense, but has that ability just to slow it down and it's fun to watch."

The Cleveland Cavaliers lose Summer League opener to Golden State Warriors 83-75.

LAS VEGAS - In an NBA Finals rematch of sorts, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost 83-74 to the Golden State Warriors on Friday night in Summer League action at the COX Pavilion on the campus of UNLV.

Cleveland (0-1) struggled, shooting 39 percent collectively and they coughed the ball up 16 times.

Joe Harris, the lone player who was on the Cavaliers' roster last year, registered 6 points on 2-of-10 from the field.

The team's 2015 second-round selections also didn't fare too well. Power forward Rakeem Christmas, the No. 36^th pick, went 1-for-6 and collected only one rebound. Small forward Sir'Dominic Pointer was 1-of-3 from the floor and managed to pick up six fouls in only 16 minutes of play.

Undrafted guards Tyler Haws and Keith Sykes were the leading scorers with 12 and 11 points off the bench respectively.

Head Coach David Blatt sat courtside observing the action and at the half, he met with a few players on the court to give a couple of pointers. It is highly unlikely that any of these players will make the Cavaliers' opening day roster with the exception of Harris.

James Michael McAdo led the Golden State (1-0) with 20 points and seven rebounds.

Cleveland takes on the Brooklyn Nets Saturday at 10 p.m.

Robert Upshaw has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers, NEOMG has learned.

LAS VEGAS - Undrafted free agent center Robert Upshaw and the Los Angeles Lakers reached an agreement on a two-year deal, league sources informed Northeast Ohio Media Group.

The seven-footer would have been a lottery pick had he not been kicked off of two collegiate programs (Fresno State and Washington) for disciplinary reasons. His skill-set has never been questioned. It was his character that was cause for concern.

The Fresno native show his promise in his Summer League debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves by swatting away three shots in 12 minutes of play. If he continues to develop and mature, the sky is the limit and the Lakers got a steal.

LeBron James made sure Hollywood won't forget that he comes from Akron, where he hosted the premiere. Watch video

AKRON, Ohio -- To the left of the marquee at the theater where LeBron James' first motion picture premiered in Akron was a message:

"I promise to never forget where I came from."

Now Judd Apatow, Bill Hader, and Amy Schumer won't forget, either. After all, James took them to Swenson's.

James hosted the Hollywood stars and his cohorts from the movie "Trainwreck" for a red-carpet premiere tonight at the Regal Cinemas Montrose Movie 12 in Akron. The movie's larger debut is Tuesday in New York and it opens nationwide on July 17.

For James, 30, whose return to the Cleveland Cavaliers last summer and fall was marked by several national commercials touting his Akron roots, bringing his first movie (and its stars) to a strip-mall theater here just off I-77 served as another opportunity for him to showcase home.

"I try to do a lot for this city," James said. "Anyway I can continue to uplift the city and the things that I do. It always kinda made sense to me, and this one did."

Schumer and Hader star in the comedy, while James plays a small, supporting role as LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar and Hader's best friend and life coach.

James brought them to Akron along with Apatow (director), Orange-native Vanessa Bayer, who played a supporting role in the film, and producer Barry Mendel.

As part of a short "Funny or Die" skit earlier in the day, James drove Apatow, Schumer, and Hader to Swenson's, the famous Akron drive-in burger joint.

"He ordered for me," Hader told the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

James ordered the group Galley Boy cheeseburgers and banana shakes.

"It was delicious," Shumer said. "I ate the whole thing."

Schumer, whose mother's family is from Cincinnati and whose mom attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, said "I feel very at home here" after she met with fans along the red carpet.

Asked if it was "cool" that James brought the "Trainwreck" crew to Akron, she said: "Oh I love that. I'm a total home town girl so I loved that. We all jumped at the chance to come."

Even the casual sports fan knows James was born and raised in Akron. To that end, earlier today, he signed a one-year, $23 million contract with the hometown Cleveland Cavaliers that contains a $24 million player's option for the following season. He's said he wants to finish his career in Cleveland.

Cavs General Manager David Griffin and newly signed Mo Williams were among those who attended the screening.

In one scene, James plays Hader in one-on-one and dominates the game until Hader sinks a jumper.

"When you see the movie you'll see I have no future in that," Hader said. "The Cavs would actively ask me to leave Ohio if I tried to sign with them."

The red carpet, Hollywood stars and film screening were rarities for Akron. James' mother, Gloria James, drove herself up to the red carpet in a Porsche; James and his wife Savannah arrived in a Mercedes Benz Maybach.

But the event still had that comfy, home feel James relishes in Akron. For instance, the Montrose theater remained open to the public all day, including during the red-carpet event.

Kristian Doty, 26, of Wadsworth, and her friend Maureen Aebi, of Hudson, waited along the rope line from 4 p.m. until the stars arrived at 6:30. Doty described herself as a "huge Hader fan" and admirer of Schumer, but credited James for bringing them here.

Doty and Aebi were among the hundreds who lined the red carpet to catch a glimpse.

"It's incredible," Doty said. "He's constantly doing things for Akron. This is just one example. These are big stars and they're here because of him."

Will Barton is on the verge of re-signing with the Denver Nuggets on a new three-year deal, sources tell NEOMG.

LAS VEGAS - Restricted free agent guard Will Barton is finalizing a deal to re-sign with the Denver Nuggets, league sources informed Northeast Ohio Media Group.

The agreement with their athletic 24-year-old prospect is a three-year pact worth around $11 million, sources say.

The deal could be signed as soon as today.

Barton, a 2012 second-round pick, spent his first two and half seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers and his role was extremely limited. The team consisted of a core group of veteran players that had the potential to make a deep postseason run.

Head Coach Terry Stotts had a difficult time incorporating a young Barton into the fold. He needed playing time to develop and the Trail Blazers felt they were not in position to grant that on a consistent basis.

He was traded to a rebuilding situation in Denver last season and immediately displayed why Portland coveted him so much. In 28 games with his new club his numbers shot up to 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 24.4 minutes.

Apparently the Nuggets saw enough to keep him for a while.

"It will never just be who is the best football player," Jones said of the QB battle. "I do believe it's the best overall guy in and out of the classroom and on and off the field." Watch video

SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Can Cardale Jones win Ohio State's starting quarterback job if he's not in gold?

The three-man battle to be the Buckeyes' QB will be decided by Urban Meyer during preseason camp, but in the meantime, the search for clues about the competition is underway. The interaction between Jones and Meyer at a fundraiser Friday offered a glimpse.

The two Buckeyes shared the stage during a question-and-answer session with Ginn Academy founder and Glenville coach Ted Ginn Sr. and his son, NFL receiver and former Buckeyes star Ted Ginn Jr.

During the session, Meyer explained, as he has many times before, the system he uses to classify players as they fulfill their responsibilities on and off the field. Blue is the lowest group ("freshmen or knuckleheads," Meyer said), red is the middle group and gold is the highest group.

Players in gold gain privileges, like the ability to move off campus without question, the chance to switch jersey numbers if wanted and the ability to handle their academic work without constant checks.

Jones was asked during the session if he's in gold.

He's red.

Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett?

"They're in gold," Jones said in an interview with reporters after the event.

Does Jones want to reach gold?

"Yeah, pretty much. But I'm off-campus already," he said with a smile.

The colors are just an example. But figure this competition to be close, and at least by one measurement, Jones is a level behind the two other quarterbacks. And Jones himself made the point that everything will matter.

"It will never just be who is the best football player," Jones said. "I do believe it's the best overall guy in and out of the classroom and on and off the field."

Jones, Meyer made clear, can be that guy. The talk to a banquet room full of fans included multiple stories from Meyer praising Jones for his preparation last year and insisting the Buckeyes wouldn't have won a title if Jones had been complaining about his backup status instead of preparing to play.

Meyer mentioned that Barrett is one of Jones' best friends, and added "how cool is that?"  

But when Jones arrived a few minutes after the talk had started, with an excuse given that he got a late start after a morning workout, Meyer said, "Either he's late because he's working out or late because he's Cardale."

It was a joke. But everything matters. Jones said he'd talked to Meyer and Ginn and informed them he was running behind. Jones' free-wheeling embrace of life is both a joy to witness and an underlying question. Can he win the job this way?

"I think I still can be myself and have major accomplishments," Jones said.

And he doesn't think the starting quarterback has to be in gold, as long as he's not in blue.

Jones is past the blue part of his life. But even while on top of the college football world, he has a chance to move up. Meyer said the staff continues to push Jones on that point.

"It's a nonstop conversation with him, because he's magnetic," Meyer said Friday. "Who wants to hire people like that to be a CEO? Everybody. But he's got to tighten it up in some of the areas. Being on time, doing the right things -- it comes with maturity.

"The good thing is he's a very good person. His stuff is stuff, late for this, it's stuff, it's not the headline news. He's got incredible leadership skills, but it's hidden. And we keep trying to pull it out." 

What was clear Friday is that Meyer likes Jones. After admitting he didn't really know him that well before he was thrust into the lineup last season, that's a big change. 

Meyer like all three quarterbacks. What he needs is the quarterback he most trusts to lead the Buckeyes on another chase for gold. It may help if that player is in gold.

The Royals and Tigers, two AL Central powerhouses, go into the All-Star break down an All-Star performer. The Royals will be without Alex Gordon for eight weeks because of a left groin injury. The Tigers won't have Miguel Cabrera will be for siix weeks because of a left calf injury. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - MLB's 30 teams entered the last weekend of the first half wondering what awaits them after the All-Star break.

The Astros, leaders of the AL West for much of the first half, picked the wrong time to come to Cleveland as they lost three out of four to the inconsistent Indians. The hiccup put them in the crosshairs of the surging Angels, who have won nine of the last 11.

The Royals and Detroit are maintaining after they each lost an All-Star from their lineup. Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon will miss eight weeks with a left groin injury suffered in the Royals' 9-7 victory over Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Speedy Jarrod Dyson will replace him.

The AL Central-leading Royals have won six straight and own the best record in the league.

The Tigers lost two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera to a left calf injury on July 3. He'll be out for at least six weeks. Unlike the Royals, the Tigers don't have a made-to-order replacement because Victor Martinez can't play first because of knee problems.

Detroit has gone 4-3 since Cabrera's injury, using five different first basemen. Cabrera's replacements, through the first six games, are hitting .308 (8-for-26) with two homers and five RBI.

The Pirates, like the Royals, are finishing the first half with a flourish. They knocked off St. Louis on Friday to pull within 4 1/2 games of the Cardinals, who have ruled the power rankings for almost the entire first half. The Pirates have won nine of 11.

On the flip side, the one-time high-flying Tampa Bay Rays are sputtering at the break. Manager Kevin Cash's team has lost 11 of their last 13, starting courtesy of a four-game sweep by the Tribe at The Trop at the end of June.

Finally, the gurgling sound you hear from the bottom of the AL Central standings belongs to the Indians and White Sox. It's almost as if someone nudged them on the shoulder and whispered, "Hey, you know the season started, right?"

The Indians have won four straight and nine of their last 12. The last-place White Sox have won four straight and nine of 11.

Here is this week's edition of Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes' 2015 MLB power rankings. (Stats through Friday).

No. 1. St. Louis Cardinals.

Last week: No.1.

Record: 56-31.

What gives: The Cardinals, who lead the big leagues with 56 victories, are 18-13 in one-run games.

No.2. Kansas City Royals.

Last week: No.3.

Record: 51-33.

What gives: Mike Moustakas was the AL Final Vote winner, giving the Royals seven All-Stars for Tuesday night's game in Cincinnati.

No.3. Houston Astros.

Last week: No.2.

Record: 49-40.

What gives: The Astros have lost six of their last seven. Is this the fade everyone has predicted or will Houston be saved by bell for the All-Star break?

No. 4. Pittsburgh Pirates.

Last week: No. 5.

Record: 51-35.

What gives: Gerritt Cole, who beat the Cardinals on Friday night, is 17-3 with a 2.46 ERA since Sept. 7.

No. 5. Los Angeles Dodgers.

Last week: No.4.

Record: 50-38.

What gives: Catcher Yasmani Grandal has 10 RBI in his last nine games. Overall the Dodgers have won seven of their last 11 games.

No. 6. New York Yankees.

Last week: No. 6.

Record: 47-39.

What gives: The Yankees have owned a piece of first place in the AL East for 56 of 95 days this season. Outfielder Brett Gardner will replace injured Alex Gordon on the AL All-Star team.

No. 7. Washington Nationals.

Last week: No. 7.

Record: 46-39.

What gives: The Nationals, treading water, have let the Mets back into the NL East race. When lefty Gio Gonzalez walked three batters Friday against the Orioles, it ended a streak of 20 straight games in which Washington pitchers allowed no more than two walks in a game.

No. 8. Los Angeles Angels.

Last week: No. 10.

Record: 47-39.

What gives: The Angels made themselves a factor in the AL West by going an MLB-best 19-8 in June and following that with a 6-2 start to July.

No. 9. Chicago Cubs.

Last week: No. 11.

Record: 46-39.

What gives: The starting rotation has posted a 1.19 ERA (nine earned runs in 69 1/3 innings) in its last 11 starts.

No. 10. Minnesota Twins.

Last week: No. 12.

Record: 47-40.

What gives: The Twins, who will not go away, are defending their home turf well. They're 29-16 at Target Field and have won nine of their last 13 there.

No. 11. Detroit Tigers.

Last week: No. 15.

Record: 44-42.

What gives: Lefty David Price is 5-0 with a 1.60 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings in his last seven starts.

No. 12. Toronto Blue Jays.

Last week: No.9.

Record: 44-45.

What gives: The Jays will have three All-Stars in Cincinnati, but they're 2-6 on their current 10-game trip through Detroit, Chicago (White Sox) and Kansas City.

No. 13. Tampa Bay Rays.

Last week: No. 8.

Record: 44-45.

What gives: The Rays are 4-14 in the last 18 after going 14-4 before that.

No.14. New York Mets.

Last week: No. 17.

Record: 45-42.

What gives: Closer Jeurys Familia, with 25 saves, has allowed four earned runs in his last 36 2/3 innings.

No. 15. Baltimore Orioles

Last week: No. 13.

Record: 44-42.

What gives: Adam Jones hit his 178^th homer as an Oriole on Friday night, tying him with Hall of Famer Frank Robinson for eighth place in team history.

No. 16. San Francisco Giants.

Last week: No. 14.

Record: 44-43.

What gives: The Giants have gone 14-23 since May 30, the second-worst record in the big leagues. A bullpen collapse has been part of the problem.

No. 17. Arizona Diamondbacks.

Last week: No. 18.

Record: 42-43.

What gives: Catcher Wellington Castillo, traded twice this season, is hitting .323 (21-for-65) with four homers and 13 RBI in his last 19 games for Arizona.

No. 18. Texas Rangers.

Last week: No. 16.

Record: 42-44.

What gives: Prince Fielder leads the AL with 113 hits. Tribe second baseman Jason Kipnis is second with 111.

No. 19: Cleveland Indians.

Last week: 21.

Record: 42-44.

What gives: Rookie right-hander Cody Anderson is the first MLB pitcher since 1914 to pitch at least 6 2/3 innings and allow one or fewer runs in his first four starts in the big leagues.

No. 20. Atlanta Braves.

Last week: No. 20.

Record: 42-45.

What gives: Second baseman Jace Peterson leads the big leagues with 20 RBI while hitting with the bases loaded.

No. 21. Chicago White Sox.

Last week: No. 23.

Record: 40-44.

What gives: Chicago is finally playing good baseball, but now there are rumors they might trade right-hander Jeff Samardzija (6-4, 4.02), a free agent at the end of the year.

No. 22. Seattle Mariners.

Last week: No. 19.

Record: 40-47.

What gives: Robinson Cano, a .298 career hitter with a .819 OPS at the All-Star break, is headed into this break hitting .254 with six homers, 30 RBI and a .667 OPS.

No. 23. Boston Red Sox.

Last week: No. 26.

Record: 41-46.

What gives: The Red Sox can't beat the Yankees, but they've shown signs of being an actual baseball team by winning eight of their last 11.

No. 24. Oakland Athletics.

Last week: No. 24.

Record: 39-50.

What gives: The A's will go into the All-Star break with a losing record for the first time since 2009, but they still have a run differential of +41.

No. 25. Milwaukee Brewers.

Last week: No. 28.

Record: 37-51.

What gives: The Brewers are 30-33 under manager Craig Counsell, who replaced fired Ron Roenicke on May 4. They were 7-18 under Roenicke.

No. 26. Cincinnati Reds.

Last week: No. 25.

Record: 39-45.

What gives: All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier has 50 extra-base hits, the most by a Reds player before the break since Hall of Famer Johnny Bench had 54 in 1970.

No. 27. Miami Marlins

Last week: No 27.

Record: 36-51.

What gives: Jose Fernandez, just back from Tommy John surgery, beat Cincinnati on Thursday to improve to 14-0 in his first 22 home starts.

No. 28. San Diego Padres.

Last week: No. 22.

Record: 39-49.

What gives: The Padres have lost six straight and are 7-16 since firing Bud Black as manager.

No. 29. Colorado Rockies.

Record: 37-49.

What gives: Former Indians lefty Aaron Laffey pitched 2 1/3 innings Friday to earn the victory in Colorado's win over Atlanta. It was Laffey's first win in the big leagues since Sept. 25, 2012.

No. 30. Philadelphia Phillies.

Last week: No. 30.

Record: 26-60.

What gives: The Phillies are on pace to lose 109 games. They haven't done that since 1942.

The most interesting position group in college football had some fun Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer is big on position groups, and Ohio State assistant coaches have been taking their players on outings all summer.

Only Tim Beck is coaching the most interesting position group in college football. Saturday, he took them to drive Go Karts.

The former Nebraska assistant took over as QB coach when Tom Herman left for Houston, and he has to get to know a room that features six scholarship players.

So a little fun can't hurt. Beck posted these photos on Twitter on Saturday.

The quarterbacks in the group photo, with Beck on the left in orange, are from left to right: freshman Joe Burrow, freshman Torrance Gibson, J.T. Barrett, Braxton Miller, redshirt freshman Stephen Collier and Cardale Jones.

We know the three-man battle ahead between Miller, Barrett and Jones, but it's seeing Burrow and Gibson added to the mix that's new. They reported with the freshmen in late June, with Burrow Ohio's Mr. Football and Gibson a five-star recruit from Florida.

@BraxtonMiller5 @CJ12_ @JT_theQB4th @S13Collier @quick_tg6 @Joe_Burrow10 @haylieebee @becktam4 @21jaycook7 pic.twitter.com/H2h5PPUWLJ

-- Tim Beck (@Coachtimbeck) July 11, 2015

Had a blast Go Karting today. #brotherhood pic.twitter.com/qNaQ5Jqdgs

-- Tim Beck (@Coachtimbeck) July 11, 2015

Meanwhile, the Ohio State receivers went to some kind of water slide park.

@Cantguardmike getting UP!! #Zone6 pic.twitter.com/93jy12vPED

-- Zach Smith #Zone6 (@CoachZachSmith) July 11, 2015

@JalinMarshall taking off... #Zone6 pic.twitter.com/9BgmphtcBJ

-- Zach Smith #Zone6 (@CoachZachSmith) July 11, 2015

The Indians placed Mike Aviles on the Family Medical Emergency List on Saturday for the second time this season. Jose Ramirez was recalled from Class AAA Columbus to replace him.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have recalled infielder Jose Ramirez from Class AAA Columbus and placed utility man Mike Aviles on the Family Medical Emergency list.

Ramirez opened the season as the Indians starting shortstop, but struggled and was optioned to Columbus along with third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall on June 7.

This will be Aviles' second trip to the Family Medical Emergency List. Aviles and his wife learned in May that their four-year-old daughter, Adriana, was diagnosed with leukemia. She's been getting treatments at Cleveland Clinic.

Ramirez, 22, hit .180 (27-for-150) with six doubles, eight RBI, 19 runs and eight steals with the Indians. He's performed much better at Columbus, hitting .349 (38-for-109) with 18 runs, 10 RBI and 13 steals in 28 games.

The switch-hitting Ramirez played shortstop, second base and left field for the Clippers. Earlier in the week, Francona talked about the Indians using Ramirez and Chisenhall at different positions to increase their value.

Aviles, 34, is hitting .250 (41-164) with five doubles, four homers and nine RBI in 54 games with the Indians. A player can remain on the Family Medical Emergency list from three to seven days.

On Friday, Aviles was late to Progressive Field after being at the Clinic with his daughter. He left before the start of the game to rejoin his family and called manager Terry Francona on Saturday and said he felt he should stay with his family.

In a show of support for the Aviles family, players, coaches and front office personnel, including owner Paul Dolan, shaved their heads because Adriana was going to lose her hair due to chemotherapy treatments.

North Royalton graduate Kristen Denk to continue gymnastics career at Tennessee.

North Royalton graduate Kristen Denk will continue her gymnastics career at the University of Tennessee. (John Kuntz, NEOMG)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Area pole vaulter Kristen Denk has elected to continue her gymnastics career at the University of Tennessee.

The North Royalton graduate announced her decision Saturday after forgoing an offer by Ohio State University. She narrowed her decision down to Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

In June, the soon-to-be pole vault state champion set the state record with a height of 13 feet, 6 inches. Denk also won the indoor state pole vault at 13-05.00. Her PR is 13-08.50 set during a national meet in New York earlier this year.

After making history this season, Denk was named one of the two Cleveland.com Girls Track & Field Athletes of the Year.

Last month, she competed in the New Balance Outdoor Nationals located in North Carolina and in Oregon at the USA Jr. Nationals. She finished fourth with 13-03.50 in North Carolina and tied Desiree Freier (Arkansas) and Lindsey Murray (Southern Illinois) for second place in Oregon with 13-05.25.

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact Nathaniel Cline on Twitter (@nathanielcline), by email (ncline@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Last year Carlos Carrasco went 8-7 for the Indians. On Saturday night faces Oakland with a chance to go into the All-Star break with 11 wins.

CLEVELAND -- Get live updates and chat with Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes as the Indians and Athletics play the second game of their three-game series Saturday night at Progressive Field. 

Game 87: Indians (42-44) vs. Athletics (39-50)

First pitch: 6:35 p.m. ET at Progressive Field.

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

The Indians took a four-game winning streak into Saturday night's game against the A's at Progressive Field. It's their longest winning streak at home this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups for Saturday night's game between the Indians and Athletics at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

INDIANS

2B Jason Kipnis.

SS Francisco Lindor.

LF Michael Brantley.

DH David Murphy.

1B Carlos Santana.

RF Brandon Moss.

3B Giovanny Urshela.

CF Michael Bourn.

C Roberto Perez.

RHP Carlos Carrasco, 10-7, 4.17.

ATHLETICS

CF Billy Burns.

C Stephen Vogt.

2B Ben Zobrist.

RF Josh Reddick.

DH Billy Butler.

1B Ike Davis.

LF Mark Canha.

3B Eric Sogard.

SS Marcus Semien.

RHP Chris Bassitt, 0-2, 2.95.

UMPIRES

H Alan Porter.

1B Chris Segal.

2B Jeff Nelson, crew chief.

3B Laz Diaz.

The Cleveland Gladiators are 0-2 against the Philadelphia Soul this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Gladiators fell to the Philadelphia Soul for the second time this season, dropping a 72-56 decision on Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

It was the Gladiators' (7-8) third straight loss and sixth defeat in their last nine Arena Football League games. Cleveland quarterback Shane Austin was 19-of-39 for 228 yards and six touchdown passes. Amari Jackson led the Gladiators with eight catches for 125 yards and three scores.

A slow start and huge play by the Soul put the Gladiators in the hole early when Austin was hit and fumbled on the team's first possession. The Soul recovered and cashed in with a touchdown.

Jeff Richardson's 1-yard TD run, followed by Austin's 3-yard scoring pass to Collin Taylor, got the Gladiators tied with the Soul at 14 in the first quarter.

But the Soul blew the game open in the second quarter with three touchdowns for a commanding 37-20 lead. The Soul (13-2) extended the margin to 51-34 after three quarters. The Gladiators then rallied behind three Austin TD passes, but it was not enough.

Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh led the Soul with 306 yards and seven touchdowns. Harvey Binford caught seven passes for 145 yards and four scores.

The Soul beat Cleveland in Philadelphia, 63-48, on April 18. The teams play in Cleveland on Saturday, Aug. 8.

The Gladiators' next game is at The Q Saturday at 6 p.m. against the Orlando Predators.

Notes: According to the Gladiator's website, Collin Taylor's two touchdown catches Saturday give him the team lead with 32. ... Willie McGinnis had one quarterback sack, raising his team-leading total to 7.5. ... Brian Brikowski made his season debut for the Gladiators and registered three tackles and a pass breakup.

Carlos Santana tried to rally the Indians with a two-run homer in the eighth inning, but they fell one-run short against the As. The lossed ended the Tribe's four-game winning streak.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - If Brandon Moss was trying to make an impression with his former team, this is probably not how he envisioned doing it.

Moss contributed to an eighth-inning collapse by the Indians on Saturday night with a throwing error from right field as Oakland scored three times to beat the Indians, 5-4, at Progressive Field.

In the first two games of this series, Moss has gone 0-for-7 with four strikeouts and a walk. The Indians acquired Moss from the A's in December at the winter meetings. Moss hit 76 homers in three years with the A's.

Most of the damage in the eighth was done by lefty Marc Rzepczynski. A questionable pitching move by manager Terry Francona played a part as well.

Zach McAllister, with the score tied, 2-2, started the eighth in relief of Carlos Carrasco. He retired the first two batters, but allowed a single to Stephen Vogt. Francona called for Rzepczynski to make switch-hitting Ben Zobrist hit right-handed.

Zobrist singled on Rzepczynski's first pitch, but Francona stayed with the left-hander to face lefty Josh Reddick. Rzepczynski walked him on four pitches to load the bases.

Bryan Shaw came on to face Billy Butler. The Indians shifted the defense toward left field against the pull-hitting Butler, but he crossed them up and cued a broken-bat double past first base to score Vogt and Zobrist. Reddick scored when Moss's relay throw to second hit Butler for an error.

Carlos Santana's two-run homer off Eddie Mujica, the former Indian, cut Oakland's lead to 5-4 in the eighth.

Oakland grabbed a 2-1 lead in the seventh on a double by Ike Davis. Reddick scored the go-ahead run after his doubled off the center field wall. Carrasco, with runners on second and third, limited the damage by getting Mark Canha on a grounder to short and Eric Sogard on a fly ball to left.

The Indians answered Oakland in the seventh. Giovanny Urshela hit a leadoff double, took third on Michael Bourn's sacrifice bunt and scored on Roberto Perez's single to center.

Carrasco, after giving up a run in the first, shut down the A's until the seventh. His problem was his offense. The Indians did nothing against Oakland starter Chris Bassitt for five innings. They had chances, but they came with two out.

Perez singled in the third and took second on a wild pitch with two out. Francisco Lindor grounded.

Santana doubled with two in the fourth, and stole third. He stayed there as Moss struck out.

Urshela hit a leadoff single in the fifth, but was erased on a double play grounder by Perez.

The Indians finally tied the score, 1-1, in the sixth. Jason Kipnis tripled off the left field wall and scored on Michael Brantley's one-out single to left. The inning promised more, but Bassitt retired Santana and Moss with runners on first and second.

The A's took a 1-0 lead in the first on Reddick's sacrifice fly. Vogt put the inning in motion with a double to left with one out. He went to third on Zobrist's single and scored on Reddick's fly ball to left.

The Indians went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

What it means

Saturday's loss guaranteed that the Indians (42-45) won't reach .500 before the All-Star break. It also ended their four-game winning streak.

The Tribe is 7-4 in July and 19-25 at home.

The A's (40-50) ended a three-game losing skid. They are 7-14 against the AL Central.

Dr. Smooth

Brantley, who drove in the Tribe's first run, entered the game hitting .350 (28-for-80) with runners in scoring position. Last year he hit .367 (56-for-149).

Pitching duel

Carrasco, in his final start before the All-Star break, allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out seven and walked one on 103 pitches.

Bassitt, just called up from Class AAA Nashville to make this start because of an injury to Jesse Hahn, allowed two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one.

Thanks for coming

The A's and Indians drew 28,733 fans to Progressive Field. It was the second largest crowd of the season. The Indians have drawn 767,499 in 44 home dates this season.

What's next?

The Indians and A's close the first half on Sunday when RHP Corey Kluber (4-9, 3.45) faces Oakland RHP Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.20) at 1:10 p.m. at Progressive Field. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

Kluber is 0-3 with a 4.60 ERA lifetime against Oakland. He is 3-4 with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts at home this year.

Gray will be appearing in his first All-Star Game this Tuesday in Cincinnati. He's 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts against the Tribe.