Rookie shortstop Francisco Lindor is tied with Michael Brantley for the Indians RBI lead since the All-Star break with 10 each.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Here are the lineups for Monday night's game between the Indians and Angels at Angel Stadium.

INDIANS

2B Jose Ramirez.

SS Francisco Lindor.

DH Michael Brantley.

1B Carlos Santana.

C Yan Gomes.

RF Lonnie Chisenhall.

LF Jerry Sands.

CF Michael Bourn.

3B Giovanny Urshela.

RHP Corey Kluber, 6-11, 3.44.

ANGELS

LF David DeJesus.

RF Kole Calhoun.

CF Mike Trout.

DH David Murphy.

SS Eric Aybar.

3B Conor Gillaspie.

1B C.J. Cron.

2B Johnny Giavotella.

C Carlos Perez.

RHP Garrett Richards, 10-8, 3.38.

UMPIRES

H Corey Blaser.

1B Jeff Nelson, crew chief.

2B Pat Hoberg.

3B Chris Guccione.

After two seasons as an assistant coach at Central Catholic, Jordan Duke returns as the head coach of the boys basketball team.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Former Central Catholic assistant boys basketball coach Jordan Duke became the new head coach of the Ironmen on Monday.

Duke was an assistant at Central Catholic for two seasons, including a three-game stretch as an interim head coach after Jonathan Harris resigned before a 2014 district semifinal. He led the team to a district championship that season and after not getting the permanent position with the Ironmen left to become an assistant at Cuyahoga Community College.

"I'm blessed to be able to go back and give those kids what I have, pour knowledge into those guys and be able to lead them to more success than they've already had," Duke said.

Duke will replace Jeremy Holmes, who became the head coach at Cleveland Heights on June 30. In Holmes' only season, the Ironmen went 24-5 and reached the Division II state championship game, which they lost to Defiance in overtime, 49-45.

“Duke’s knowledge of and experience with our program are big assets in hiring him as head coach,” Central Catholic athletic director Maggie Lash said. “He is well respected by the players and they will be able to pick up where they left off last season.”

In addition to his two most recent jobs, Duke has been an assistant coach at St. Peter Chanel and John Hay.

He will be Central Catholic's third head coach in three seasons. But even though this will be his first job as head coach, Duke has no nerves about the new position.

"I think I'm prepared," Duke said. "I think I've prepared myself. I've been around a lot of great programs that have prepared me. I've had a lot of great mentors that have prepared me for this time and this situation."

He hopes to bring stability and longevity to the program, along with his energy.

Duke added that even though he left Central Catholic following the 2013-14 season, he kept a good relationship with several of the players on the team. He believes those relationships and the success the Ironmen had last season will help make the transition smoother.

"It helps me because I'm able to go in and not have to establish relationships with most of the players because I already have them," Duke said. "So I can go in and just get to coaching, get down to what we really need to get down to."

Manager Terry Francona, with leadoff hitter Jason Kipnis on the disabled list, is looking for a new leadoff hitter. Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor and Michael Bourn are his options.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Manager Terry Francona loved Jason Kipnis in the leadoff spot. No doubt there was a lot to like about the All-Star second baseman hitting at the top of the lineup.

Kipnis will spend the next two to three weeks on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder so who will Francona put at the top of his struggling lineup?

For one day at least it was Jose Ramirez, who couldn't hold the Tribe's staring shortstop job, but went to Columbus and found himself. Not only did Ramirez hit leadoff Monday night against the Angels, he played second as well.

While Francona said Ramirez will see the majority of time at second - a position he played at Columbus along with shortstop and third base - the leadoff spot might be in flux.

"Millsie (bench coach Brad Mills) and I were talking about it Sunday night and today," said Francona. "I thought about putting (Francisco) Lindor there just because I think Jose handles the bat a little better than Lindor.

"They both actually handle the bat pretty good, but I think Jose maybe a little better. But I also think Jose might be a little better basestealer. I'm probably splitting hairs."

Lindor has been hitting in the No.2 spot since making his big league debut on June 14. He's hitting .257 (44-for-171) with 15 runs and two steals in two attempts. Lindor tied Michael Brantley for the team lead with 10 RBI since the All-Star break.

Ramirez hit .293 (51-for-174) with 29 runs and 15 steals in 19 attempts at Columbus. He has stolen eight bases in nine attempts with the Indians this year. Ramirez, in the second half last season, excelled in the No.2 spot for the Tribe.

Michael Bourn could also see time in the leadoff spot. Bourn, of course, was the Tribe's leadoff hitting on opening day, but eventually lost the job to Kipnis.

Bourn is hitting .357 (15-for-42) with six runs and four steals since the All-Star break.

"We'll see how it goes," said Francona. "Depending on how guys are swinging it, with Kip out, you might see a few different lineups."

Regardless of who hits leadoff, the Indians need to score more runs or the last two months of the season are going to be awfully boring. The offense ranks 12^th in the AL in runs and 13^th since the All-Star break.

"We have our work cut out for us," said GM Chris Antonetti. "It's been a challenge for the better part of the year . . .even when we have our full complement of players that we started the season with.

"As a group we need to continued to work to be better than we've been. "

No debate: Francona said Kipnis, in the midst of a career season, didn't try to argue to stay off the disabled list.

"What he did say is that, 'I can still hit,'" said Francona. "I said I know you can and it's intriguing. But I said let's sleep on it."

Francona and the Indians felt it was best for Kipnis to go on the DL, get a cortisone shot and reduce the swelling in the shoulder.

"This will give him a chance to be a complete player and not just a DH," said Francona. "He doesn't need to do that."

Antonetti said that at this point surgery is not being considered to correct Kipnis' injury.

Finally: Nick Swisher had three hits for Class A Lake County on Sunday. He was off Monday and will continue his rehab assignment Tuesday with Columbus. His rehab assignment ends Saturday. "When he comes back, we want to make sure he's as close to 100 percent as possible, and is ready to contribute offensively, defensively and on the bases," said Antonetti. "I know he's really excited about the progress he's made on that."

The Cleveland Indians lost their third straight on Monday as Corey Kluber couldn't hold a lead against the Los Angeles Angels.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Conor Gillaspie hit a two-run homer and Garrett Richards struck out 11 in 7 1/3 innings as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Cleveland Indians, 5-4, Monday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. Mike Trout went 1-for-3 with an RBI and walk.

Losing, Inc: The Indians (48-57) have lost three straight.

Can't happen: The Tribe fell despite scoring four -- a bonanza these days -- and having had reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber on the mound.

Klubot malfunction: Kluber allowed five runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out four.

Yes, the Tribe's offense scored "just'' three when Kluber was in the game. But this was one of the rare times when Kluber did not deserve a better fate, based on how he pitched.

A case can be made that Kluber (6-12, 3.60 ERA) authored his worst start of the season, all factors considered. Among them:

• Faced a team that had lost six straight. (Angels are now 56-49.)
• Faced a lineup sans Albert Pujols (rest). Pujols has 30 homers, 66 RBI and 60 runs.
• Failed to hold a 3-0 lead provided in the first inning (Michael Brantley RBI single, Yan Gomes two-run homer).
• Failed to hold a 3-0 lead after four innings.
• Benefitted from four loud outs in first four innings.
• Benefitted from two called strikeouts on pitches that should have been balls.
• Among problems in the fifth: Gave up 0-1 double to C.J. Cron; plunked David DeJesus with 1-2 pitch; and gave up 0-2 RBI single to Kole Calhoun.
• Among problems in the sixth: Gave up a two-run homer to Conor Gillaspie, who had been 0-for-2 in two pitches; gave up 0-2 RBI single to DeJesus.

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

FIRST INNING

(L) David DeJesus -- 91 fastball called; 92 fastball called strike; 93 fastball called strikeout.

Skinny: DeJesus thought the 0-2 pitch was high and cringed in the direction of plate umpire Cory Blaser. K-box supported DeJesus.

(L) Kole Calhoun -- 89 cutter down and in; 93 fastball, fly to deep center.

Skinny: Michael Bourn made leaping catch at top of fence.

(R) Mike Trout -- 93 fastball called strike (inner third); 94 fastball outside; 83 curve called strike (outer third); 90 cutter outside; 91 cutter down and away; 95 fastball, liner to right.

Skinny: First matchup of reigning AL Cy Young vs. reigning AL MVP this season went to Kluber, although Trout had a good AB and hit the ball hard. ... Kluber fortunate the half-inning was scoreless.

(11 pitches)

SECOND INNING

(L) David Murphy -- fastball called strike (outer third); 87 changeup foul; 93 fastball outside; 82 curve, pop to third.

Skinny: Kluber easily disposed of his recent teammate.   

(L) Erick Aybar -- 92 fastball called strike; 84 changeup outside; 93 fastball outside; 88 cutter swinging strike (under hands); 94 fastball foul; 86 cutter foul; 93 fastball, fly to left.

Skinny: Aybar late against pitch that was down.

(L) Conor Gillaspie -- 93 fastball, liner to center.

Skinny: Gillaspie, familiar with Kluber from his White Sox days, attempted an ambush.

(12 pitches)

THIRD INNING

(R) C.J. Cron -- 91 fastball low; 86 cutter swinging strike (down); 91 fastball, single to second base.

(R) Johnny Giovatella -- 87 cutter low; 91 fastball foul; 86 cutter foul; 92 fastball, pop to right.

(R) Carlos Perez -- 91 fastball inside; 87 cutter foul (down and away; Cron on move); 87 cutter foul; 91 fastball inside (barely); 82 curve down and away; 92 fastball, single to right.

Skinny: Chisenhall ran a long way, dived and narrowly missed catching the bloop. Chisenhall was shaken up and eventually exited.

(L) David DeJesus -- 92 fastball, fly to right.

Skinny: DeJesus desperately wanted the swing back.

(L) Kole Calhoun -- 82 curve down and in; 92 fastball inside; 93 fastball called strike; 88 cutter down and in; 94 fastball foul (pitch to hit); 94 fastball called strikeout.

Skinny: Calhoun was furious with Blaser, and rightly so: The 3-2 pitch was high in real time, backed by K-box. Angels should have had bases loaded, two outs, Trout batting.

(20 pitches)

FOURTH INNING

(R) Mike Trout -- 88 cutter called strike (outer third); 90 cutter, liner to center.

Skinny: Bourn having been shaded to second-base side paid off.

(L) David Murphy -- 92 fastball called strike; 86 changeup low; 93 fastball called strike; 92 fastball foul; 82 curve, single to right.

Skinny: Murphy kept hands back and shot ball past diving Carlos Santana.

(L) Erick Aybar -- 87 cutter swinging strike; 91 fastball outside; 88 cutter, fielder's choice 4-6.

Skinny: Ramirez fielded deep in hole and made bold choice to spin and make long throw to second.

(L) Conor Gillaspie -- 92 fastball, pop to left.

Skinny: Gillaspie 0-for-2 in ambush attempts.

(11 pitches)

FIFTH INNING

(R) C.J. Cron -- 92 fastball called strike; 88 cutter, double to left.

Skinny: Cron drilled a cement mixer that was over the middle of the plate at the thighs.

(R) Johnny Giavotella -- 88 cutter foul; 91 fastball, fly to right.

Skinny: Jerry Sands, who had taken over for Chisenhall earlier, made the catch.

(R) Carlos Perez -- 92 fastball called strike; 88 cutter foul; 93 fastball foul; 84 curve in dirt (catcher Yan Gomes block); 88 cutter, called strikeout (outer third above knees).

Skinny: Gomes shifted from inside corner to outside corner as pitch was thrown.

(L) David DeJesus -- 88 cutter swinging strike (down and in); 93 fastball in dirt; 93 fastball foul; 94 fastball, HBP (right arm).

Skinny: Kluber's attempted comeback fastball got in too deep.

(L) Kole Calhoun -- 86 changeup foul (ripped to right side); 92 fastball swinging strike (outer third); 84 curve, RBI single to right (over plate above knees; DeJesus to third).

Skinny: Bad pitch in any count, let alone 0-2.

(R) Mike Trout -- 93 fastball called strike; 93 fastball, RBI single to center (Calhoun to third).

Skinny: Trout sent a pitch up and over outer half past diving shortstop Francisco Lindor.

(L) David Murphy -- 94 fastball called strike; 95 fastball outside; 87 cutter swinging strike; 94 fastball, liner to left.

Skinny: Angels hit balls sharply all over yard in half-inning.

(22 pitches)

SIXTH INNING

(L) Erick Aybar -- 81 curve called strike; 92 fastball, single to right.

Skinny: Another ball hit on the screws.

(L) Conor Gillaspie -- 87 cutter outside; 92 fastball foul (Aybar on move); 91 fastball low and away; cutter, two-run homer to right (up and over plate).

Skinny: Gillaspie drilled a flat cutter. Gillaspie paid back Kluber for the first-pitch flyouts.

(R) C.J. Cron -- 93 fastball ball; 92 fastball ball; 89 cutter swinging strike; 93 fastball low and away; 93 fastball foul; 93 fastball, called strikeout.

(R) Johnny Giavotella -- 92 fastball inside; 92 fastball, single to center (middle of plate at belt).

(R) Carlos Perez -- 91 fastball, grounder to third (Giavotella, who had been on move, advanced to third).

(L) David DeJesus -- 81 curve called strike; 81 curve called strike; 83 curve, RBI single to second.

Skinny: Ramirez dived to stop; throw toward first was wide of Kluber. Giavotella's hustle on previous play paid off.

(18 pitches)

Gavin Cupp risked his future for try and earn an Ohio State offer and it panned out. But the situation he's currently in highlights the question: Should prospects who have verbally committed to a program be permitted to take visits to other schools?

CHICAGO -- The way things look now, the end to the story of Gavin Cupp's recruitment is going to have a warm and fuzzy feeling for both he and Ohio State.

The three-star offensive lineman from Leipsic, Ohio, traveled to Ohio State's Friday Night Lights camp in late July as a Michigan State commit, risking his future with the Spartans to workout in front of Urban Meyer with the hopes of earning an offer from the Buckeyes. 

Soon after news hit that Cupp had done that, Michigan State severed ties with the prospect. Days later, Cupp earned the Ohio State offer he so coveted and is now a heavy lean to join the Buckeyes' 2016 recruiting class. 

Cool story. 

But it's yet another example that keeps this ongoing topic constantly relevant: Should prospects who have verbally committed to a program be permitted to take visits to other schools? 

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio's name was in the news shortly after the Spartans decided to cut ties with Cupp. Asked at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago if he has a policy on prospects visiting after committing, Dantonio said: "I have a communication policy." 

Mark Dantonio severed ties with three-star offensive tackle prospect Gavin Cupp last week. Dantonio felt there was a lack of communication between him and the prospect before Cupp visited Ohio State for Friday Night Lights. M. Spencer Green/Associated Press 

That's true. Michigan State had two other committed prospects from Ohio at Friday Night Lights with Cupp -- four-star wide receiver Justin Layne of Benedictine and three-star linebacker Jonah Morris of Akron Archbishop Hoban -- and both of them remain in the Spartans' class. 

The difference is that Cupp didn't communicate his intentions to workout at Ohio State. That was a big no-no. 

"That's the gamble he took," Scout.com national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu told Northeast Ohio Media Group about Cupp. "He trusted himself. If he didn't think he would be able to earn an Ohio State offer, then why even go? In the end it ended up working out for him." 

You don't hear about coaches pulling a prospect's offer very much, but that's what Dantonio did. And truth is, even if Cupp was still committed to Michigan State, the Ohio State offer likely would've caused a flip. 

What Dantonio didn't do was subscribe to the policy that former Michigan coach Brady Hoke made famous before he was fired: That any committed prospect who visits other programs is automatically no longer considered a member of the class. 

No-bisit policies like the one former Michigan coach Brady Hoke had just don't seem to be practical in today's world of recruiting.Tony Ding, AP 

Those policies don't really exist anymore. They can't. That's not how recruiting works. Right or wrong, prospects often commit to a program as a stopgap as they continue to search -- and hope -- for better opportunities. If those opportunities don't come, then at least the prospect already made a commitment. 

In today's world of recruiting, other visits happen often. So do flips. Minds changing is a regular occurrence. So strict visiting policies aren't reasonable. Hoke himself bent his rules depending on how good the prospect was.

And ironically enough, cutting a kid out of the class results in what the coaches fear most when a prospect takes other visits: Losing him. Need an example? How about Northwestern losing out on four-star twin prospects David and Andrew Dowell of St. Edward because of a no-visit policy. They ended up signing with Michigan State. 

"If a kid really wants to visit somewhere, it doesn't seem like that policy was truly stopping anybody," Trieu said. "In fact, it was probably pushing some guys to not communicate. ... It created kids hiding things more than it did stop them."

Ohio State's Urban Meyer holds the exact opposite viewpoint of Hoke. He thinks prospects should be able to visit anywhere they want, and through communication, he welcomes the chess match that has become recruiting.

Meyer has assembled elite recruiting classes every year at Ohio State, so it's easier for him to welcome the competition. Let's not forget how often the Buckeyes chase -- and host -- committed prospects. Cupp? 

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer thinks anything goes in recruiting before a player signs his name in February. M. Spencer Green, Associated Press 

"I start thinking, my daughters went through it," Meyer said of the recruiting process on National Signing Day in February. "I'm trying to visualize it: No-visit policies, 'You can't do this, you can't do this. Coach, your daughter can't go visit this school.' Sure she can. They're 17, 18 years old, they're getting a plethora of offers and opportunities. It's done when the person signs the dotted line." 

Most Big Ten coaches are closer to Hoke's spectrum than Meyer's, but then again it all depends on the situation of each school. For instance, coaches at smaller programs trying to build something understand the realities of their situation. 

Minnesota's Jerry Kill: "I'm not OK with it, but it's going to happen. It happens all over the country. We're at Minnesota, we don't select, we recruit."

Purdue's Darrell Hazell: "I don't have a policy in writing ... We understand the landscape of college football now, so we'll always have three or four guys at his position ready to go in the event he decides he's going to go somewhere else."

Penn State coach James Franklin makes extra-sure a prospect is going to keep his commitment before accepting it.AP 

Penn State's James Franklin is in a situation closer to Meyer's. He goes head-to-head with Meyer for many of the same prospects, especially ones on the East Coast. Franklin has helped tone down the problem by being very careful about accepting a commitment. 

"I actually try to talk kids out of committing to us," Franklin said. "I don't want you to commit unless, say, the New York Giants decide to draft you out of high school, you would turn it down because you want to go to Penn State and get an education. ... I want them to understand how strongly they should feel.

"When I got engaged to my wife, she didn't say, 'Keep dating until we walk down the aisle.' I don't think that would have went over really well." 

Opinions on the subject vary, though nobody likes when their commitments visits elsewhere. 

But in today's landscape, no-visit policies just don't seem to be practical anymore. 

The battle doesn't stop until National Signing Day. 

The road team has won the last three regular season meetings between the Buckeyes and Spartans. This year's game is in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here's our schedule breakdown of Ohio State's season, as we assign a chance for each opponent to beat the defending national champion Buckeyes. We'll continue multiplying those chances until we reach our final number, the chance we think Ohio State has to go 12-0 during the 2015 regular season.

Michigan State Spartans

vs. Ohio State: Saturday, Nov. 21 in the 11th game of the season. Kickoff time from Ohio Stadium has yet to be announced, but the Buckeyes already have four primetime games set. Expect this one to be a 3:30 p.m. kick. Maybe College GameDay will make a stop?

2014 record: 11-2, 7-1, second in the Big Ten East.

Bowl: Michigan State's loss to Ohio State left the Spartans out of the Big Ten title game, but they still earned a spot in a New Year's Six Bowl. The Spartans beat Baylor, 42-41, in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Returning starters: 14 (seven offense, seven defense)

Phil Steele preseason rank: No. 7

Week before the OSU game: The Spartans will play at home against Maryland, which played Michigan State tough for a half last year, the week before the much-anticipated trip to Columbus. It's the Big Ten road finale for Michigan State, which closes the season at home against Penn State.

Chances to beat Ohio State: 20 percent. That might seem low to you considering how the last two years have gone, but it's high when you compare it to the rest of the games in this breakdown. So far, Virginia Tech is the only team we've given a double-digit chance of beating the Buckeyes.

If this game was in East Lansing, Mich., it would certainly be higher. Last year we gave the Spartans a 50 percent chance to beat Ohio State at home. The Spartans are probably better than they were last year, but so is Ohio State. In this breakdown, 20 percent means we don't think this is a tossup as much as last year, but Ohio State is far from a sure thing to win.

How they could compete with Ohio State: Phil Steele ranks the top individual units in the country every year. This year, he has Michigan State's offensive line No. 1, and Ohio State's defensive line No. 3. He has Ohio State's offensive line No. 4, and Michigan State's defensive line No. 2. There's a lot of talent there, and the matchups seem like a wash.

So where's the difference between these two teams? In the skill on both sides. The Spartans are working in new players at running back and receiver on offense, and in the secondary on defense.

If the players in those positions play well, Michigan State has as good a chance as anybody to beat Ohio State.

On their offense: Connor Cook (No. 6 on our top 50 Big Ten players list) wants to be considered the best quarterback in the Big Ten. It's certainly an argument worth having. He's shown over the last two years that he has the poise to play well in big games. He'll be the most-decorated Michigan State quarterback ever when it's all said and done, maybe he'll be the first Big Ten quarterback drafted in the first round since 1995 next spring.

But who will he throw to?

We know the offensive line, which returns four starters headlined by All-American candidates left tackle Jack Conklin (No. 3) and center Jack Allen (No. 13), will be one of the best in the country. Maybe the best.

The Spartans top-two receivers -- Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphrey -- are gone. Macgarrett Kings Jr., who is also a weapon in the return game, is the leading returning receiver with 404 receiving yards and one touchdown last year. Seniors Aaron Burbridge and DeAnthony Arnett should be top targets as well, and tight end Josiah Price is back after catching six touchdowns last year.

At running back, the Spartans need to find a replacement for Jeremy Langford, who ran for nearly 3,000 yards the last two years. Redshirt freshman Madre London, who was a three-star prospect and No. 29 running back in the 2014 recruiting class according to 247Sports' composite ratings, will get the chance to take over. Sophomore Gerald Holmes was listed as a co-starter on Michigan State's preseason depth chart. The last time Michigan State had to work in a new back, Langford, who was similarly ranked to London coming out of high school, ran for 1,422 yards and 18 touchdowns taking over for Le'Veon Bell.

On their defense: This has been a top-10 defense the last four years, largely because of a stout secondary and the presence of defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. Narduzzi is gone, now the head coach at Pittsburgh, and the secondary will be revamped in 2015.

Harlon Barnett and Mike Tressel, who have been at Michigan State as long as head coach Mark Dantonio, take over as co-defensive coordinators. Don't expect the Spartans' secondary to be any less aggressive with its press coverage. But all of the original members of the "No Fly Zone" are gone.

Demetrius Cox is listed as the starter at boundary corner. Darian Hicks, who started 10 games last year before losing his job to Lippett at the end of the year, is listed as a co-starter with senior Arjen Colquhoun at field corner. RJ Williamson is back after make 10 starts at strong safety last year. Montae Nicholson (No. 49 on our list) is slotted in to replace Kurtis Drummond at free safety.

Riley Bullough, you might remember his brother Max, will be the middle linebacker. He'll be flanked by Ed Davis (12 starts, honorable mention All-Big Ten last year) and Darien Harris (11 starts, 48 tackles last year).

If there's any trepidation about how the new players will fare on the back end, they should get some help from the defensive line. Shilique Calhoun (No. 9), who surprisingly  passed up on the draft, is back after another First-Team All-Big Ten season. Lawrence Thomas, who had 13 starts and three sacks last year, will play on the other side. Malik McDowell, the former five-star prospect who played 13 games as a true freshman last year, will start in the middle alongside senior Joel Heath.

Projection: That's a long breakdown, because Michigan State deserves it. Outside of Ohio State, the Spartans have the best individual talent in the Big Ten. That's why they were all over our top 50 countdown.

But is it enough to beat Ohio State? Maybe. It's probably too early to project, but there's a good chance this is a top-10 matchup, and don't be surprised if it's a top-5 matchup. Maybe No. 1 vs. No. 2? Not that crazy. People like Michigan State and if the Spartans get by Oregon in Week 2 it's not out of the question to think they'll be 10-0 heading into this game.

If that's the case, maybe the 20 percent chance to win jumps up a little bit. But we polled 40 writers in the Big Ten last week, and Ohio State was unanimously picked to win the conference. That means beating Michigan State.

Previous games

* Virginia Tech: 10 percent chance to win

* Hawaii: 0.1 percent chance to win

* Northern Illinois: 2 percent chance to win

* Western Michigan: 1.1 percent chance to win

* Indiana: 4 percent chance to win

* Maryland: 2 percent chance to win

* Penn State: 3 percent chance to win

* Rutgers: 0.7 percent chance to win

* Illinois: 0.2 percent chance to win

Looking back at the early years of former Cleveland Indian Luke Easter on the day of his 100th birthday.

RYAN WHIRTY
Special to The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The end of the life of former Indians great Luke Easter is, tragically, well known -- on March 29, 1979, the union steward was murdered by robbers as he made a late-night bank deposit. He was 63.

But even more than 36 years later, very little is known about the enigmatic, charismatic slugger's very roots. The beginning of Luscious "Luke" Easter's life -- he was born exactly 100 years ago today -- isn't so much shrouded in mystery as it is vastly misunderstood and unexplored.

Easter played with the Indians from 1949-54, batting .273 with 93 homers and 340 runs batted in, and becoming a fan favorite. The left-handed hitting first baseman was known for his power, and is credited with having hit the longest homer at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, a 477-foot blast to right field. After his death, a park in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood was renamed in his honor.

Many contemporary articles published at the peak of Easter's career asserted that he was born in St. Louis; a July 1948 column by famed Baltimore Afro-American sportswriter Sam Lacy, for example, states that Easter was born in St. Louis and his real first name was Lucius. Even Easter's Ohio death record lists his birthplace as Missouri.

While Easter did spend his young adulthood in St. Louis with his family, and while he did learn the tricks of the baseball trade there, Easter and his family originated in Coahoma County, Miss. -- Jonestown, to be precise -- in the middle of the Mississippi Delta region dominated by cotton sharecroppers and the oppressive segregationist regime of Jim Crow.

And Luke Easter's first name was most definitely Luscious, not Lucius like Lacy or multiple Census reports asserted -- at least his Social Security records got it right.

Luke Easter was, in fact, born in Jonestown on Aug. 4, 1915, the son of James Easter Jr., who was birthed on Jan. 24, 1882, according to his World War I draft card. James was a tenant farmer for a landlord named J.G. Montroy in Clarksdale, Miss., the Coahoma County seat and a city made famous by the music of early bluesmen such as Robert Johnson, Son House and John Lee Hooker, the latter two of whom were also birthed in Coahoma County. (Interestingly, while Social Security correctly listed Luke's first name, the federal agency messed up on his birthplace -- one record lists it as Jamestown, Miss., while another says Charlestown, Miss.)

The identity of Luke Easter's mother is less clear. Social Security records list Annie White as his maternal parent, but James apparently didn't marry Annie until about 1924, according to the 1930 federal Census, well after Luke was born, Annie was also much younger than James, being born in about 1899.

Through the 1920 Census, James Easter's wife is listed as Maud Easter, who was born around 1885, making her much closer to James in age. It's unclear what happened to Maud between 1920 and 1930 -- the decade in which the Easters also moved from Mississippi to St. Louis -- and how Annie came into the picture. So the identity of Luke Easter's mother remains cloudy.

The Easters were a big family; the 1920 Census states that young Luke had five siblings at the time, and by 1930 the brood had expanded to seven children total.

It's important to place Luke Easter's youth and early family life in the context of the era in which they took place. Coahoma County, with a population of about 41,500 in 1920, and the rest of the cotton sharecroping-driven Mississippi Delta were, to say the least, an unpleasant environment in which to live for African-Americans.

"Although blacks outnumbered whites," stated an article from PBS' "American Experience," "the sharecropping system that replaced slavery helped ensure they remained poor and virtually locked out of any opportunity for land ownership or basic human rights."

In addition to the debt-ridden sharecropping economy and the general poverty that accompanied it for many rural African Americans, the Jim Crow system of segregation laws brought harsh punishments for violators -- including hatred-fueled mob justice. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, 15 black residents were lynched in Coahoma County between 1877 and 1950, one of the highest rates in the state.

"Since the Mississippi Delta was the last area of the South to be settled," stated the PBS article, "after the Civil War, the state became among the most reactionary and repressive states for African Americans. Blacks lived with the daily and ever-present threat and reality of violence."

It's thus not surprising that the Easters, when moving northward to St. Louis, became part of the Great Migration, the mass exodus of poor African Americans from menial lives in the Jim Crow South in search of better, industrial-based jobs and fairer treatment under the law and in society.

"There was no leader, there was no one person who set the date who said, 'On this date, people will leave the South,'" author Isabel Wilkerson said in a 2010 interview with NPR. "They left on their own accord for as many reasons as there are people who left. They made a choice that they were not going to live under the system into which they were born anymore and in some ways, it was the first step that the nation's servant class ever took without asking."

The Easters left tiny Jonestown -- with a 1920 population of just 469 -- for the Missouri metropolis, where the still-growing Luke began playing paid baseball.

The story takes off from there -- starring for the famed Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues, being shouldered with almost-unattainable expectations of turning into a slugger on par with Josh Gibson, enduring a semi-prolific, difficult, yet groundbreaking tenure with the Indians, enjoying starring roles and attaining fan-favorite status in the minor leagues during the twilight of his career, retirement in Cleveland and a tragic end.

(Ryan Whirty is a freelance writer in New Orleans. You can see more of his work at homeplatedontmove.wordpress.com)

Welcome to another edition of cleveland.com's new summer-long series of interactive and multimedia football player profile pages covering NCAA recruiting and high school careers.

Alex Mathews, Mentor: Mathews has offers from Air Force, Colgate and Harvard, and with Cardinals coach Steve Trivisonno saying the senior will carry the load this season, expect him to give recruiters an eyeful. He has been a mainstay of the Mentor offense the last two seasons, and as a junior  in a pass-first offense rushed for 938 yards and 15 TDs. He was second-team All-Northeast Lakes District last season. Expect Mathews rushing numbers, district placement and number of Division I offers to all rise this season.

DeMann Wilson, Glenville: The senior Tarblooder could make for a interesting story this season with no offers on the table, but talent to show. According to Scout.com, Ohio State, Purdue and Pitt have expressed interest in having Wilson. The senior linebacker and defensive end has given opposing quarterbacks and linemen problems standing at 6-3 and weighing in at 215-pounds.

Jonah Morris, Archbishop Hoban: The Knights senior ranks among Northeast Ohio's tallest top targets at 6-foot-4, with quickness and elusiveness to match his stature. Morris had a breakout season in 2014 and committed earlier this year to Michigan State. He stands to put up even more impressive numbers in 2015 with the addition of quarterback Danny Clark (an Ohio State commit) to the Hoban lineup.

Joey Johnson, John Adams: The senior athlete plays on both sides of the football and remains a player still under the radar. Johnson is projected to do really well this season and has attracted interested from a handful of MAC schools so far. Last season he threw for 510 yards as a quarterback, but on defense had 17 total tackles. Johnson is quiet on the field, but his play on the field speaks loudly.

Niko Lalos, St. Vincent-St. Mary: The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder impressed in his first full season on varsity last season. The senior did some of his best work on defense where he recorded 61 tackles, including a couple of sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. In addition to defensive end and and linebacker, Lalos is also likely to see a fair amount of playing time at wide receiver and tight end this year. 

Joey Bachie, Berea-Midpark: The senior linebacker and Michigan State recruit is the anchor of Berea-Midpark's defense with the speed to be a disruptive force. Bachie attacks the play well defensively and makes sure to finish each play effectively. With a 4.5-second 40-yard-dash time, Bachie is very athletic and is a true playmaker on defense.

Javonte Richardson, Maple Heights: At 6-foot-4, Richardson is a big target with great hands at receiver. He helped Maple Heights reach the postseason last year. Although his future is at receiver, he can play all over the field for the Mustangs. He has three Division I offers and Big Ten interest.

John Todd, Parma: The 6-foot-3, 305-pound offensive tackle is touted as the best lineman from Parma in more than 30 years by coach Bruce Saban. He received his first Division I offer from Davidson, but after doing the summer camp circuit following his junior season, Todd is hopeful more offers come in. Excellent athleticism and footwork are Todd’s strengths. He graded out at more than 95 percent each game of his junior year.

Logan Bolin, Midview: The Middies' senior wide receiver has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and was the top target of QB Dustin Crum in 2014 where he caught 87 passes for 1,410 yards and 18 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2, Bolin has the ability win one-on-one battles against most defensive backs, particularly in jump ball situations. Bolin has offers from Air Force and Davidson.

Tyrone Chambers, Brush: The Arcs' enormous defensive tackle has been on the recruiting radar since his sophomore season. He registered seven sacks and 35 tackles in 2014 and has drawn offers from Akron, Bowling Green and Toledo. Chambers, who has been scouted by nearly every Big Ten school, says he plans to visit Michigan State and Ohio State soon.

Terek Zingale, Nordonia: An overpowering tackle, Zingale was one of the reasons why Nordonia's offense clicked all the way to reaching the Division II state championship game last December. Colleges took notice of Zingale, and during the off-season, he verbally committed to Maryland.

Jatairis Grant, Akron Garfield: The rising senior is a back-to-back all-district member selling voters on his explosiveness as defensive back. The 6-foot-1 Toledo commit is quick and gives coaches a versatile player on the field. He received offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cincinnati, James Madison, Kent State, Miami (OH) and Ohio University. He also plays receiver, punt returner and punter for the Rams.

Zach Corrigall, St. Vincent-St. Mary: Corrigall is a Kent State commit who prides himself on his relentless work ethic and willingness to always look for ways to improve various aspects of his game. His strength and dedication to his craft of protecting his quarterback and opening up holes for his running backs make him a cornerstone of the Irish's offense as the team looks to make another deep playoff run after a state semifinal appearance last year and state titles in 2012 and 2013. 

Dustin Crum, Midview: A sophomore in 2014, Crum helped lead Midview to a 12-1 record and had almost 4,500 yards of total offense. He threw for 3,323 yards and 39 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,175 yards and 17 scores. Crum is the type of quarterback who is just as capable of making plays with his legs as he is with his arm. With the Middies moving into the Southwestern Conference, Crum will be one of many top quarterbacks in the 10-team league.

Anthony Johnson Jr., Euclid: The transfer from Cleveland Heights is one of the top defensive back prospects in Ohio and holds nine Division I offers. Rated three stars by multiple recruiting services, Johnson is a tall defender able to cover man-to-man and make the big hit. He’s expected to make his college choice before the end of July, with his finalists narrowed down to Cincinnati, Kentucky and Toledo. He has offers from most Mid-American Conference schools.

Kierre Hawkins, Maple Heights: An Ohio State commit, Hawkins is the focal point of the Maple Heights offense. Although he is projected as a tight end or a receiver in college, Hawkins sees the majority of his work out of the backfield for the Mustangs. He helped take the team to the playoffs last season.

Carlos Chavis, Lorain: Now the focal running back on the team, Chavis could be in store for a huge junior year. In a limited role last season, he rushed for 836 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has the ability to read the hole, while also taking it the distance at any given moment. Look for Chavis to start to get some offers during his junior campaign.

Cameron Odom, Bedford: The Ohio University commit is a speedy runner both on the track and on the football field. He can also catch the football. With Odom having such Bedford alumni members and pro football receivers such as Chris Chambers and Lee Evans, he's in good company to blossom as a wide out.

Tyler Tupa, Brecksville: Tupa, an Ohio commit, is a senior receiver with a knack for hauling in passes and finding the endzone. Tupa also has received scholarship offers from Kent State and Bowling Green. He's part of the Tupa family, which has experienced a lot of football success, including his father, Tom, who played in the NFL as a punter. Last season, Tyler Tupa had 17 receiving touchdowns for Brecksville.

Nick Sokolowski, Brecksville: The senior is a cornerstone of the Bees' defense and has begun to catch the attention of more college scouts but still is regarded as somewhat underrated. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive end possesses quick feet and agility in addition to size and strength. He has a Division I offer from Bowling Green and has taken unofficial visits to Toledo and Cincinnati. Other big name schools such as Purdue also have expressed interest in what Sokolowski has to offer. 

Jack Wohlabaugh, Walsh Jesuit: Wohlabaugh, an Ohio State commit, is a heady and athletic interior lineman who finishes off every play. He is the son of former Browns center and nine-year NFL veteran Dave Wohlabaugh, and last season he displayed the savvy and leadership that comes with having a father who started 128 professional games. Wohlabaugh is nasty and aggressive, smart and strategic.

Tony Butler, St. Edward: The senior is the main holdover from a defensive backfield that dominated opponents during last season’s Division I state championship season. Originally a Pitt commit, he recently decommitted to pursue other offers. A rarity as a 6-foot-2 defensive back, Butler is a three-star prospect and likely to be the Eagles defender opposing quarterbacks try to avoid most this season.

Cole Gest, St. Edward: The three-star running back is undersized, but the Indiana commit has impressed talent evaluators with his speed and physicality. Heading into last season, it was the passing game of St. Edward that had opponents' focus, and Gest exploited them. This year, it will be the opposite as opposing defenses will add another defender in the box to try and stop the talented senior.

Jake Sopko, Avon: The senior quarterback committed to Cincinnati in May. He led the Eagles to a 10-2 record and the Division II regional semifinals last season, throwing for 2,864 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Northeast Lakes District selection.

Chawntez Moss, Bedford: The senior running back committed to Pittsburgh in April. Moss led the Bearcats in rushing last season, with more than 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, and was selected as a cleveland.com All-Star. Moss helped lead Bedford to a perfect regular season and playoff run that ended with a 34-32 loss to Mayfield in a Division II regional final.

Nik Urban, Willoughby South: The senior offensive guard committed to Northwestern in April. He opened eyes during a dominant junior season in which the cleveland.com All-Star selection's play helping allow teammate D.J. Greene to rush for 1,900 yards and 26 touchdowns. Urban has 10 offers in all, including fellow Big Ten members Illinois and Maryland. He is a consensus three-star prospect among the main national recruiting services. 

Luke Farrell, Perry: The senior TE has 14 Division I offers after three spectacular seasons for the Pirates. As a junior, Farrell caught 43 passes for 730 yards and six touchdowns, upping his career totals to 91 catches for 1,544 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a DE, he recorded 19 solo tackles and 21 assists last season as well as 10 sacks. He has 198 total tackles in over the last three seasons including 68 as a sophomore, of which 40 were solo tackles. Imposing size, speed and strength and the will to continue to improve on those aspects make Farrell a promising collegiate prospect. 

Demario McCall, North Ridgeville: The senior RB is an Ohio State commit after two outstanding full seasons for the Rangers. As a junior, McCall rushed for 2,302 yards and 35 touchdowns, and caught 14 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. He has 60 touchdowns in two seasons. McCall is a game-breaker because of his speed and elusiveness in the open field. Any time he touches the ball, he is a threat to get into the end zone.

A.J. Rose, Garfield Heights: The senior QB/RB holds more than 13 Division I offers, including Minnesota and Syracuse. Rose committed to Kentucky in February. Scouts like Rose's size and speed, combined with his ability to run through tacklers at the line of scrimmage. Last year, Rose rushed for more than 700 yards and 12 touchdowns while passing for more than 600 yards and 10 scores.

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.

Maryland, Minnesota, Purdue, Texas and Virginia Tech are among the major conference schools that have started selling some form of alcohol. Will Ohio State join them?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State plans to study the possible sale of beer at football games more seriously than ever, athletic director Gene Smith told the Northeast Ohio Media Group.

As more and more colleges start selling alcohol at campus stadiums - Texas in June approved beer and wine sales for this season - Ohio State is adjusting its past stance that dismissed the idea.

"I don't know if it's coming, but we're going to keep studying it, probably at a more intense level than I've studied it in the past," Smith said. "We have to look at it harder."

Virginia Tech will sell beer and wine to some club seat holders for the season opener at Lane Stadium against the Buckeyes, Virginia Tech announced last week. Those will be the first in-stadium alcohol sales for the school.

Maryland in July approved a one-year trial of beer sales at football games, estimating potential revenue of $500,000. Minnesota and Purdue are the other Big Ten schools that sell beer for now. According to USA Today, 32 schools sold alcohol to the general public at football stadiums last season.

Smith said Ohio State's Athletic Council would study the issue this year in conjunction with Dr. John Clapp, a professor and the director of Ohio State's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Recovery. Smith said that could include surveys of OSU fans at games. He expects the athletic department to be ready to make a decision about the future after this season.

* Winning helps $67.5 million fundraising for 3 new buildings

Schools have turned to alcohol sales, or considered them, as the costs of running athletic programs rise amid a future of increased athlete compensation. 

In 2012, Smith told the Toledo Blade he understood why smaller athletic departments did it, but at Ohio State they "just don't need to do that."

Last summer, Smith told The Lantern, Ohio State's student newspaper, that he hadn't proposed alcohol sales and probably wouldn't.

"Don't feel we need to," Smith said.

There was also a time when Ohio State wasn't interested in playing many night football games. Now the Buckeyes have four primetime regular-season games after playing five at night last season.

Consider this reconsideration a similar nod to changing times.

Smith is aware enough of the possibility that he took note last fall when Ohio State played in Minneapolis of where Minnesota positions its beer tents. 

Smith estimated that beer sales at Ohio State would generate at least $1 million, but Ohio State would receive only a portion of that as part of its concessions contract. One point to keep in mind according to Smith - Ohio State fans stay in their seats to watch the game, he said. So they may not be interested in long beer lines.

But Ohio State feels it can't sit and watch as beer pops up in more college football stadiums around the country.

Training camp continues on Tuesday. Get live updates from Berea throughout the morning.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns are back at it on Tuesday after a day off. Training camp continues as the team moves closer to the start of the 2015 season.

Practice is open to the public. However, all tickets for training camp practices have been distributed. Practice runs from 9:30 a.m. until noon with coach and player availability after.

The high on Tuesday is expected to be 81 degrees with mostly sunny skies. Temperatures will start in the upper 60s during practice and hit upper 70s by the time practice is over.

Get updates from Day 5 of camp here from Browns reporters Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed, among others. I'll also be tweeting updates throughout practice.

Tweets from https://twitter.com/clevelanddotcom/lists/browns-training-camp

Michael Brantley had an RBI single and Yan Gomes hit a two-run homer as the Indians took a 3-0 lead againt the Angels on Monday night. The lead did not last as the Angels rallied for a 5-4 victory against Corey Kluber.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The first inning has not been the Indians friend this season. Monday night it was and it still didn't matter.

The Indians shocked the Angels and themselves by taking a 3-0 lead in the first at Angel Stadium. They turned the lead over to Corey Kluber, but the Tribe's ace  couldn't hold it against an Angel team that had lost nine of it previous 10 games.

Kluber threw four scoreless innings before the Angels started taking line-drive practice on the way to a 5-4 victory. The Indians have lost eight of their last 11 games.

Sometimes when you play for one run that's all you get. Then there are the times you get more. That's where the Indians found themselves Monday in the game's opening inning.

Jose Ramirez opened the game with a walk. Francisco Lindor, taking a sign from the bench, bunted him to second, a conservative play so early in the game.

Well, maybe not if we're talking about the dead ball era, which is a lot like the Indians current offense.

Michael Brantley made the strategy pay off with a single through the right side of the infield to score Ramirez for a 1-0 lead. Then Yan Gomes made it pay a little more.

Gomes lined a 2-1 pitch from Garrett Richards over the fence in left center field for a 3-0 lead. It was the sixth homer for Gomes and second in the last six games. To Kluber, who has pitched through some of the worst run support in the big leagues this year, a 3-0 lead must have seemed like a dream.

To the Indians, who have been outscored, 69-44, in the first inning this year, it was a dream.

Well, the Angels ruined both fantasies. Richards (11-8, 3.39) didn't allow another run until the eighth and the Angel offense, even without Albert Pujols,  confidently stalked Kluber.

The Angels made it a 3-2 game with a pair of two-out runs in the fifth. Kole Calhoun and Mike Trout ripped consecutive singles to deliver the runs.

Conor Gillaspie put the Angels in front to stay with a long two-run homer in the sixth. The former White Sox came into the game hitting .362 (8-for-22) against Kluber and he looked more than comfortable on his home-run swing.

David DeJesus' two-out RBI single made it 5-3 and ended Kluber's night.

The Indians made it close in the eighth as Carlos Santana singled home Ramirez with a hit off former Tribe submariner Joe Smith. The Indians had the tying run on second, but Smith struck out Gomes and Tyler Holt.

Richards struck out a career-high 11 batters in 7 1/3 innings. Huston Street worked the ninth for his 26th save.

Kluber (6-12, 3.60) allowed five runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 10 hits were the most Kluber has allowed since he gave up 10 against the Royals on April 27.

What it means

The Indians (48-57) are 2-3 on this seven-game West Coast swing.  Kluber is 3-3 in his last six starts and 0-2 lifetime against the Angels.

The Angels (56-49) won for just the second time in their last 11 games. The slide knocked them out of first place in the AL West.

Play of the game

Center fielder Michael Bourn stole a home run from Calhoun in the first inning.

Bourn tracked Calhoun's drive, got to the fence in plenty of time and timed his jump perfectly. He caught the ball at the apex of his jump and tumbled to the warning track. Bourn stayed there for a few seconds before taking the ball out of his glove and showing it to the umpires.

Injury concern

Lonnie Chisenhall, who has played well since rejoining the Indians on Thursday following the trade of Brandon Moss, left the game after grounding out in the fourth inning. Tyler Holt went to left field and Jerry Sands moved from left to right to replace Chisenhall.

Chisenhall suffered a strained neck and whiplash after making a diving attempt to catch a single by Carlos Perez in the third inning.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Angels drew 37,037 to Angel Stadium.

What's next?

Tribe right-hander Carlos Carrasco (11-8, 4.03) will face LA's Matt Shoemaker (5-7, 4.24) on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

Carraso is making his 22^nd start, a career-high for one big-league season. He's coming off a two-hit, complete game victory over the A's on Thursday. Carrasco retired the last 16 batters in the game.

He's 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA in seven appearances against the Angels.

Shoemaker is coming off seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against on Thursday against Houston. He's thrown 13 scoreless innings.

The Angel right-hander has made one start against the Tribe, allowing two earned runs in eight innings in 2014. He struck out 10 and walked one.

Donte Whitner believes the Browns run defense will be better this season, plus Mike Pettine on trickery with Terrelle Pryor and local guys hopping fences.

BEREA, Ohio -- Donte Whitner knows how bad the Browns were against the run last season.

"We were horrible at it last year," Whitner said following practice on Tuesday.

Whitner also didn't mince words when asked if this season would be different: "I believe we'll get a lot better."

Not to rehash the horror that was the 2014 Browns run defense, but when the likes of Alfred Blue, Denard Robinson and Lorenzo Taliaferro have career days against you, it's just not your year stopping the run. It also explains why the Browns used the 12th pick in the draft on Danny Shelton.

"I think you need that body type in the middle to stop the run, especially when you want to play some more coverage and allocate more players to defending the pass," head coach Mike Pettine said on Tuesday when asked about the body types of Shelton and veteran Phil Taylor. "Then you have to have a guy that can eat up two blocks and not let one of those blockers off on the second level."

Lest you think the Browns are into Shelton simply for his body, though: "Anytime coach asks him in a meeting, 'Danny, what's this?' Before he even finishes asking the question he's answering it," Whitner said. "He's that type of guy."

Whitner also pointed to increased competition among the run stoppers with the addition of Shelton, Xavier Cooper, Randy Starks and others.

"We have guys that have to truly fight for their job this year," Whitner said. "There's nothing going to be handed to them."

Just like with everything else on this team, we'll see when the bullets start flying in September. But it's not difficult to at least imagine that the second- and third-string running backs of the world won't be eagerly awaiting carries against the Browns.

Terrelle Pryor's versatility

Spending too much time poring over what someone says in response to a question they weren't expecting and trying to find its deeper meaning is a dangerous thing. I mean, at some point, stop wasting your life and go outside or something. But I had this thought when I heard it live and I heard a sports talk show host echo what I was thinking on how Pettine answered a question about Pryor's pass on a trick play on Tuesday:

"Special plays are going to be part of our plan each week. You want to have those up so the sooner we can start working on them, the better. I am a firm believer of always having that option. It is there, you have a couple practiced and ready to go. You get into a game where there is a lull on both sides and offensively you need something to break it open; you always want to have that to go to and a guy like Terrelle certainly gives us that ability."

It sure didn't sound like the answer of a guy who is planning on sending Pryor packing anytime soon.

Jumping fences

I asked Whitner, in light of Shane Wynn trying to make the Browns roster, if he follows former Glenville players closely. The former Tarblooder mentioned Ted Ginn Jr. jumping a fence to make a catch. Despite my nodding in response, I had to Google it later.

Here's a story and photo.

It did remind me of another local player jumping a fence during a recent training camp practice. After stretching on Friday, Brian Hartline made a run in the opposite direction of the wide receivers, hopped a fence separating the fans from the field and ran to the public restroom trailer.

92.3's Daryl Ruiter snapped a photo of Hartline coming back.

I guess when you gotta go...

A photo posted by Daryl Ruiter (@ruiterwrong) on Jul 31, 2015 at 6:55am PDT

LeBron James will join Team USA for a portion of its meetings in Las Vegas next week, ahead of roster selection for the 2016 Olympics.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James will indeed join Team USA in Las Vegas next week but will be home before the Olympic hopefuls play their scrimmage in the desert because of commitments with his charitable foundation.

A source close to James said the Cavaliers' superstar and two-time gold medalist would be in Vegas with Team USA for at least a little while, but would be gone before the powwow concludes because of a yet-to-be-announced event with the LeBron James Family Foundation.

On Monday, the Northeast Ohio Media Group and other outlets reported that Team USA executive director Jerry Colangelo expected James in Las Vegas, when upwards of 30 NBA stars will gather Monday for meetings, shootarounds, and then a non-contact game for fans on Aug. 13.

But Colangelo, who will use the trip to gauge players' interest in the 2016 Olympics, didn't have a commitment from James, who has not said whether he plans to chase a third consecutive gold at next year's Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Colangelo told the Northeast Ohio Media Group that his Las Vegas meetings were "just a loose thing I'm doing because we don't have anything to prepare for this summer."

"The purpose of having this minicamp is to celebrate the last 10 years of Team USA basketball and begin to find out who's committed for next summer," Colangelo said.

Colangelo said of James: "One thing I need to find out: is he desirous, is he committed. I don't know that right now, and I need to find out at some point. An indicator will come next week when we see who shows up."

James' attendance next week does not mean he'll play for Team USA. That decision is expected much later. He's already played in five consecutive Finals and is shooting for a sixth next June.

Cavaliers Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are also expected in Las Vegas, though neither will participate in the scrimmage because of injury.

Lonnie Chisenhall left Monday's game against the Angels with a strained neck, whiplash and a potential concussion. He was back in the lineup Tuesday night and Abraham Almonte made a long flight from Columbus for nothing.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Indians were so concerned that Lonnie Chisenhall might be headed to the disabled list on Tuesday with a concussion that they flew outfielder Abraham Almonte from Class AAA Columbus to Anaheim just in case.

It turns out Almonte made the trip for nothing. Hopefully, he got some frequent flyer miles.

Chisenhall left Monday's game with a strained neck and whiplash after attempting a diving catch in right field in the third inning against Angel catcher Carlos Perez.

He showed some initial signs of a concussion, which prompted the Indians to send for Almonte.

"Anytime somebody says something about potentially having a concussion, you have to error on the side of caution," said manager Terry Francona. "He woke up today and felt good. He came to the ballpark early and started doing some agility drills and worked on his hitting. Everytime he did something, he said he felt normal.

"We spoke to the doctors and he's good to go."

Chisenhall started in right field and batted sixth Tuesday night.

The Indians recalled Chisenhall from Class AAA Columbus on Thursday after trading Brandon Moss to St. Louis. He is trying to reinvent himself as right fielder/utility man after opening the season as the Indians' third baseman.

This will be Chisenhall's sixth start since his recall and five have been in right field.

"He hasn't been out there forever," said Francona, "but I think his tools and his abilities play real well there. He goes after the ball fine. He throws really well.

"During batting practice, he used to run around out there. If he can maintain that and remember game situations, he'll be just fine."

The Indians acquired Almonte on Friday from San Diego for left-hander Marc Rzepczynski. He reported to Columbus on Monday and made the flight to the West Coast on Tuesday.

"If Lonnie had a concussion, and because we're on the West Coast, we got him here," said Francona, referring to Almonte. "But he's not at the ballpark."

Wonder why: Catchers Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez, at times during games, will go down on one knee when they're catching a pitch.

Here's why they do it.

"A lot of time I'll do it just to comfortably get lower," said Gomes. "I want to give the pitchers a lower target. It's all about comfort level. I don't think the way I get down on one knee is the same as how Roberto does it.

"From guys like Salvador Perez and Tyler Flowers, we've all got our own style about getting down. It's all about comfort level. But mainly it's to give a low target so the pitcher will keep the ball down."

Said Perez, "I do it to kind of relax and get comfortable. Sometimes you get a little bit anxious back there. It's just part of my stance. I've done it m whole career.

"And it gives a lower target to the pitcher. The other day, I was tying to get (Trevor) Bauer down in the zone so I got down on my knee."

What gives? Ryan Raburn has been dealing with a lower intestinal issue that has caused him to lose seven pounds, but that's not why he hasn't played since July 26.

"When was the last time we faced a lefty?'' said Francona. "He'll probably be in there on Wednesday."

The Angels are starting left-hander Hector Santiago on Wednesday.

Nice catch: Michael Bourn stole a home run form Kole Calhoun in the first inning Monday night as he stretched above the center field fence to make the play of the game.

Bourn fell to the warning track, but didn't show the ball right away to the umpires. When he did, the crowd groaned and Calhoun, who had made the turn at second base in his home run trot headed for the dugout.

"I wasn't playing a game," said Bourn. "I had to get up off the ground and show it. I knew I had it.

"He hit it very high. It had a lot of backspin and it carried. What helped me is I got back there quick enough so I could jump and then get it."

Finally: Outfielder Clint Frazier and right-hander Jeff Johnson are the Indians' players of the month for July. Frazier hit .363 (37-for-102) with seven doubles, two triples, three homers and 17 RBI at Class A Lynchburg. Johnson recorded six saves in July and did not allow a run in nine innings for Class AA Akron. Johnson has 19 saves overall.

A new multi-purpose facility would not be ready until 2017, source adds

BEREA, Ohio - For now, the Browns' commitment in Columbus doesn't stretch beyond this week.

Team president Alec Scheiner and general manager Ray Farmer will appear at an annual sports banquet in the city's convention center Thursday morning. The club will conduct its intra-squad scrimmage Friday night at Ohio Stadium.

But the real intrigue will follow in the days and weeks after the Browns return to Berea. Columbus politicians and businessmen are trying to broker a deal that would make the state capital a long-term home to the team's training camp. They are hoping to secure an agreement enabling them to host a portion of camp for a five- to 10-year stretch, according to sources.

If a deal is struck, it's unclear whether the Browns would hold part of camp in Columbus next year. The city's contingent is more focused on completing a pact that would see the club move into a new multi-purpose facility financed by public and private dollars in 2017.

Sources said Columbus officials remain confident of wooing the Browns, but it might take up to six months to announce the deal. On Saturday, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam addressed the negotiations, which have been ongoing for a year.  

"I don't think that's been finalized," Haslam said. "Alec Scheiner has continued to work with the people in Columbus, and I think there's still some details to work out. We're excited about going down to Columbus and letting our fans in the middle part of the state come see us scrimmage."

The Browns capped online registration for free tickets to the scrimmage at 60,000 and all were claimed in June. On Tuesday, the club announced it released 10,000 additional tickets to fans who had signed up on a waiting list. It's an impressing total considering the scrimmage will be televised on NFL Network.

"It sounds like we're going to have a great showing of fans on Friday night, so we're looking forward to doing that, and then, we'll see if things work out in the future," Haslam said.

One issue complicating a training-camp agreement is the site of the proposed complex, which will include fields for youth sports. Officials have considered placing it next to MAPFRE Stadium, which houses the city's pro soccer team. The venue, however, is adjacent to the Ohio Expo Center, home to the annual state fair which this year goes from July 29-Aug. 9.

Staging the fair and training camp simultaneously in a condensed area could create logistics problems. The fair is so expansive the soccer team plays out of town during its run.

A source said several other sites are under consideration. The team could train at a temporary Columbus site next year, but that's not a given.

The Browns have been strengthening their ties with Columbus, the nation's 15^th largest city since they named Scheiner team president in 2012. Central Ohio represents an NFL battleground market, one within 185 miles of four franchises: Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts.

The Browns would love to tap into the Columbus corporate community and Haslam has had business dealings with Alex Fischer, president and CEO of the Columbus Partnership.

A native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Fischer has worked in the private and public sectors. He served as a deputy governor and chief of staff to former Tennessee governor Don Sundquist. He also was commissioner of the Tennessee department of economic development.

If the Browns do commit to Columbus, at least a portion of training camp is expected to remain in Berea.

"I like idea of having it here and not having to move too far from your home base," said Browns safety Donte Whitner, who played at Ohio State and is looking forward to returning Friday night. "But we'll play football anywhere, especially in a place like Columbus where they built it up to where it's at now. Columbus or here, it's the same thing."

Outfielder Bradley Zimmer had only one hit in five at-bats, but he delivered a bases-loaded triple in the six-run third.

Bradley ZimmerAkron RubberDucks 

The Akron RubberDucks scored six runs in the third inning to erase a big early deficit, then added three more in the seventh to get a 9-5 victory over the Senators in a Class AA Eastern League game Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa.

Outfielder Bradley Zimmer had only one hit in five at-bats, but he delivered a bases-loaded triple in the six-run third. Outfielder Bryson Myles and third baseman Yandy Diaz each had RBI singles in the inning, while first baseman Ronny Rodriguez had an RBI double. The RubberDucks entered the inning trailing, 4-0.

Zimmer's triple chased Senators starter Colin Bates, (4-2, 4.29 ERA), who gave up six runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Akron left-hander Ryan Merritt (9-7, 3.63) survived a shaky start, giving up five runs, three earned, on 10 hits in seven innings. 

The Senators narrowed the gap to 6-5 with a run in the bottom of the third, but Akron took control in the seventh when designated hitter Carlos Moncrief had a two-run single and Rodriguez had another RBI double.

Carlos Carrasco, Bryan Shaw, Zach McAllister and Cody Allen combined on a two-hit shutout against the Angels. Carrasco did the heavy lifting with nine scoreless innings.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Carlos Carrasco showed once again Tuesday night why so many teams made so many calls to GM Chris Antonetti about him before Friday's trading deadline.

He also showed why Antonetti kept saying "thanks, but no thanks."

Carrasco allowed one hit over nine scoreless innings, but was not the pitcher of record when rookie Giovanny Urshela atoned for a baserunning mistake by hitting a two-run homer in the 12th inning to give the Indians a 2-0 victory over the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Urshela, with two out following a leadoff single by Lonnie Chisenhall, golfed a 1-0 pitch by Cam Bedrosian down the line and into the left field seats for the first and only runs of the game.

It was Urshela's fourth homer of the season.

Carrasco, Bryan Shaw, Zach McAllister and Cody Allen combined on two-hit shutout. McAllister (3-3) was the winner and Allen earned his 22nd save with a scoreless 12th.

In his last two starts, Carrasco has allowed one run on three hits in 18 innings. He's struck out 14 and walked two, but because of the Indians lack of offense, he's only 1-0 in those two games.

How good has Carrasco been? He has not allowed a run in his last 17 innings. He has, however, allowed one hit.

Carrasco, at one point, retired 38 straight batters before former teammate David Murphy singled to start the fifth inning. The hitless streak went back to Josh Reddick's RBI double in the first inning Thursday for Oakland.

Depending on how you score it, that's 12 no-hit innings or 12 2/3 no-hit innings. Either way that's a lot of quality pitches and a lot of frustrated big-league hitters.

Carrasco stoned the Angels on 100 pitches, 68 for strikes. He struck out seven and walked one.

Angel starter Matt Shoemaker matched Carrasco zero for zero before leaving after six innings. Shoemaker ran his scoreless inning streak to 19 innings, while striking out 10. He allowed five hits and two walks in 103 pitches.

The Indians created a couple of scoring chances early, but couldn't convert them. Urshela and Jose Ramirez hit consecutive singles with two out in the third, but Francisco Lindor struck out.

They loaded the bases in the fifth, once again with two out, and once again Lindor went down swinging.

Urshela created a scoring chance in the 10th with a one-out double. Then he ran the Indians out of it when he tried to advance on Ramirez's ground to the hole at short. Erick Aybar threw him out to kill the rally.

What it means

The Indians (49-57) are 3-3 on this seven-game West Coast trip. They are 4-3 extra-inning games this year

The victory ended a three-game losing streak for the Tribe.

The Angels (56-50) lost for their 10th time in their last 12 games. LA is 3-5 in extras this year.

Perfect game (kind of)

When Carrasco walked Mike Trout with two out in the fourth, it ended a stretch of 27 straight outs by the right-hander. If it had happened in one game, Carrasco would have been perfect, but it didn't.

Trout was the first baserunner Carrasco allowed since Oakland's Brett Lawrie walked with one out in the fourth inning on Thursday at O.co Coliseum.

Swing and a miss

Lindor stranded five runners in the third and fifth innings.

He struck out with runners on the corners to end the third. He went down swinging again with the bases loaded for the third out in the fifth. Shoemaker got him on three pitches in the fifth.

Lindor came into the game hitting .222 (8-for-36) with two homers and 16 RBI with runners in scoring position.

Just to add to the frustration, Lindor with two out and no one on in the eighth, doubled off Joe Smith and was stranded by Carlos Santana.

Lead the way

Ramirez, in his first three plate appearances Tuesday, walked twice and singled as Jason Kipnis' replacement in the leadoff spot.

He went 0-for-3 on Monday, but drew two walks and scored two of the Tribe's four runs.

No contact

In the first two games of this series, Angels starters Garrett Richards and Shoemaker struck out 21 Indians in 13 1/3 innings. The Indians scored four runs against Richards and Shoemaker, all four coming four against Richards.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Angels drew 38,159 to Angels Stadium on Tuesday night.

What's next?

The Indians end this three-game series and seven-game West Coast trip on Wednesday at 3:35 p.m. Danny Salazar (9-6, 3.47) will face Angel left-hander Hector Santiago (7-5, 2.70). SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

Salazar is coming off 2-1 win over Oakland in which he allowed one unearned run on one hit in eight innings. He's is 0-1 in two career starts against the Angels.

Santiago hasn't faced the Indians since 2013 when he pitched for the White Sox. He's 2-1 against the Tribe with one save and a 4.97 ERA. Santiago has made 10 appearances against the Indians, including five starts.

The Cleveland Indians defeated the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, 2-0, on Giovanny Urshela's two-out, two-run homer in the 12th.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Giovanny Urshela went 3-for-5 with a two-out, two-run homer in the 12th inning as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Los Angeles Angels, 2-0, Tuesday night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. Tribe right-hander Carlos Carrasco allowed one hit in nine innings.

Angels Nos. 3-4 batters Mike Trout and Albert Pujols were a combined 0-for-8 with one walk and one strikeout.

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

Off the deck: The Indians (49-57) snapped a three-game losing streak, which included the series opener Monday night (5-4).

Tough to take: The contending Angels slipped to 56-50.

Goose eggs aplenty: Carrasco and relievers Bryan Shaw, Zach McAllister and Cody Allen combined on a two-hitter. They struck out nine, walked one and plunked one.

(The Indians had 10 hits.)

Cookie's ridiculous two-pack: Carrasco walked one and struck out seven in absolutely dominating for the second consecutive start. On July 30 against the Athletics, he pitched a two-hitter in a 3-1 victory in Oakland, Calif.

No wonder teams reportedly vulture-called/emailed Tribe General Manager Chris Antonetti in the run-up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, wondering whether they could acquire Cookie. Antonetti did not need his Georgetown education in order to decline each time.

Carrasco retired 27 straight batters over the two starts -- the final 16 Athletics (17 outs) and first 11 Angels. Trout broke the streak with a four-pitch walk.

Against the Athletics, Carrasco threw 72 of 103 pitches for strikes. Against the Angels, he was 68-of-100.

The outings were virtual carbon copies in terms of release points, pitch quality and execution. Carrasco used a fastball/split-changeup/slider combination; each was plus to plus-plus, and nothing was straight. He stayed on top of the ball well enough to pound the lower half of the zone, and below. He shaved corners and threw on-purpose balls in certain counts to set up pitches in different areas.

Carrasco and catcher Yan Gomes read each other's minds for 18 innings. They showed how effective rhythm and tempo can be, putting the batter on the defensive.  

The Angels, much more dangerous than the Athletics, managed precious few authoritative swings against Carrasco. Their output consisted of Trout's walk, David Murphy's leadoff single in the fifth and Johnny Giavotella's shirt-grazing HBP leading off the ninth.

After Shane Victorino bunted Giavotella to second, David DeJesus lined to second and Kole Calhoun struck out swinging. The pesky Calhoun finished 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.

Shaw worked a perfect 10th. McAllister gave up a two-out infield single to Giavotella in the 11th; Urshela's homer in the 12th put Z-Mac in line for the victory. Allen  worked a perfect 12th, capped by Trout's grounder to first, to earn his 22nd save.

Carrasco is 11-8 with a 3.76 ERA.

Runs come late: Here is a batter-by-batter look at the Tribe's offense; it centered on a subjective assessment of the plate appearances as quality (YES) or not quality (NO). From this perspective, all hits -- no matter how they happen -- and walks/HBPs, SACs, etc, are quality plate appearances. Some outs are quality PA's, depending on how well the ball was struck.     

First inning (vs. RHP Matt Shoemaker)

Jose Ramirez -- YES (Walk, in seven pitches.)

Notable: Excellent 2-2 take.

Francisco Lindor -- NO (Grounder to first on 2-1 fastball.)

Notable: Ramirez erased attempting to steal during Lindor's AB. Ramirez initially was safe with head-first slide but was unable to maintain bag with left hand.  

Michael Brantley -- NO (Called strikeout, on 2-2 slider.)

Second inning

Carlos Santana -- NO (Grounder to pitcher on 2-1 splitter).

Yan Gomes -- NO (Pop to center, on 1-2 fastball in).

Lonnie Chisenhall -- NO (Called strikeout, on 2-2 fastball on inner third).

Third inning

Jerry Sands -- NO (Called strikeout, on 0-2 fastball).

Notable: Plate umpire Jeff Nelson gave Shoemaker the benefit of the doubt; K-box showed pitch was off the outside corner.

Michael Bourn -- NO (Swinging strikeout, on 1-2 splitter).

Notable: Pitch featured good action down and away.

Giovanny Urshela -- YES (Single to right-center, on 0-1 fastball).

Jose Ramirez -- YES (Single to right, on 2-1 fastball).

Notable: Ramirez reacted to pitch off inside corner. Urshela stopped at second.

Francisco Lindor -- NO (Swinging strikeout, on 3-2 splitter).

Notable: Lindor stranded runners at first and second. Key to AB was Lindor chasing 3-1 fastball up and on inside corner. It not only prevented a walk (and Michael Brantley batting with bases loaded) but set up the splitter down.

Fourth inning

Michael Brantley -- YES (Single off top of right-field wall, out trying for second).

Notable: Right fielder Kole Calhoun played carom perfectly and made terrific throw to shortstop Erick Aybar. However, Brantley was not going full-throttle out of the box because he thought it might be gone, and, Brantley watched Calhoun as he ran to second, costing him a tenth or two.

Carlos Santana -- NO (Swinging strikeout, on 2-2 splitter).

Notable: Virtually the same pitch that struck out Bourn.

Yan Gomes -- NO (Grounder to short, on 3-2 slider).

Notable: Almost a quality PA, but not hit quite hard enough. Aybar made quality play ranging up middle but did not "rob'' Gomes.

Fifth inning

Lonnie Chisenhall -- NO (Fly to left, on 0-0 fastball).

Jerry Sands -- YES (Single to right, on 2-2 fastball).

Notable: Sands stayed compact and lined it to right.

Michael Bourn -- YES (Single to right, on 3-2 splitter).

Notable: Shoemaker wanted to finish off Bourn the same way he did in previous AB, but this split stayed up and never tailed. Bourn shot it off the glove of diving first baseman Albert Pujols. Sands, who was on the move, rumbled to third.

Giovanny Urshela -- NO (Swinging strikeout, on 2-2 slider).

Notable: Urshela reacted late to pitch that backed up and in. Failure to put ball in play was extra-painful given runners on first and third, one out.

Jose Ramirez -- YES (Walk, in five pitches).

Notable: Earlier in PA, Bourn stole second without a throw. Ramirez's walk loaded the bases.

Francisco Lindor -- NO (Swinging strikeout, on 0-2 splitter).

Notable: Brutal PA: 92-mph fastball foul (pitch to hit if going to swing); 85 splitter swinging strike; 85 splitter swinging strike. Before the 0-2 pitch, Shoemaker didn't even try to hide that the splitter was coming by fiddling with the grip... Indians now hitless in their last 14 ABs with bases loaded.

Sixth inning

Michael Brantley -- YES (Liner to right).

Notable: First quality plate appearance for Tribe that resulted in an out.

Carlos Santana -- NO (Called strikeout, on 3-2 fastball).

Notable: Shoemaker crossed up Santana, who was looking for something off-speed, with the fastball that shaved the inside corner.

Yan Gomes -- NO (Swinging strikeout, on 2-2 splitter).

Notable: Indians continued to flail at Shoemaker's splitter. Shoemaker's 10th strikeout; he should not be able to strike out 10 in six innings against any team.

Seventh inning (vs. RHP Trevor Gott)

Lonnie Chisenhall -- NO (Fly to left-center, on 2-2 fastball).

Notable: Center fielder Trout ran down ball that had hang time.

Jerry Sands -- NO (Grounder to short, on 3-2 fastball).

Michael Bourn -- NO (Grounder to second, on 0-0 fastball).

Notable: Indians made it too easy for Gott.

Eighth inning (vs. RHP Joe Smith)

Giovanny Urshela -- NO (Grounder to third, on 0-2 fastball).

Notable: On previous pitch, Urshela missed a double down left-field line by a foot.

Jose Ramirez -- NO (Grounder to second, on 0-2 breaking pitch).

Francisco Lindor -- YES (Double to right, on 0-0 fastball).

Notable: Lindor devoured a cookie.

Michael Brantley -- YES (Intentional walk).

Carlos Santana -- NO (Grounder to first, on 0-0 fastball).

Notable: Brutal PA: Two-hopper to Pujols on 89-mph pitch.

Ninth inning (vs. RHP Huston Street)

Yan Gomes -- NO (Grounder to second, on 0-0 pitch).

Lonnie Chisenhall -- NO (Swinging strikeout, on 1-2 off-speed in dirt).

Jerry Sands -- NO (Fly to left, on 0-0 pitch).

Notable: Six-pitch half for Street.

10th inning (vs. Jose Alvarez)

PH Ryan Raburn -- NO (Fly to right, on 1-0 fastball).

Giovanny Urshela -- YES (Double to right, on 0-0 fastball).

Notable: Urshela shot it inside the line.

Jose Ramirez -- YES (Fielder's choice/6-5, in 2-1 count).

Notable: Ramirez hit ball in hole for what should have been a single to short. Aybar's only play was to third base because of Urshela's mental error. As pointed out by Manning, Urshela needed to wait to see if the ball got past Aybar: "You know that in the minor leagues.... A bad mistake.''

Francisco Lindor -- NO (Fly to deep right, on 0-1 off-speed pitch).

Notable: Hang time prevented quality PA. Calhoun made catch in front of wall.

11th inning

Michael Brantley -- YES (Bunt single to third, on 0-0 fastball).

Notable: Brantley surprised Angels, whose third baseman, Conor Gillaspie, was back. Gillaspie might have had a play if he fielded cleanly with the bare hand.

Carlos Santana -- NO (GIDP 5-4-3 on 3-1 fastball).

Notable: The most brutal PA of them all. Santana, instead of laying off a pitcher's pitch (outside corner above knees) or trying to punch to right, rolled over it for the first two outs of the half-inning.

Yan Gomes -- NO (Swinging strikeout, on 2-2 off-speed pitch down and away).

12th inning

Lonnie Chisenhall -- YES (Single to left-center, on 0-2 fastball).

Notable: Five-star PA, which turned out to be enormous. On previous two pitches, Chisenhall fouled good breaking pitches away and at different speeds (76, 82).

(RHP Cam Bedrosian relieves Alvarez)

Jerry Sands -- YES (Liner to right).

Notable: Calhoun made running catch near line in huge spot.

Tyler Holt -- NO (Called strikeout, on 1-2 fastball).

Notable: Brutal PA. Fastball on outer third at thighs.

Giovanny Urshela -- YES (Two-run homer to left, on 1-0 breaking pitch).

Notable: Urshela made amends for the base-running issue in the 10th with the swing of the game: Urshela gave away much of his front side but maintained just enough back-leg integrity to give himself a chance. Most importantly, he kept the hands back long enough to drop the barrel on the shin-high pitch and hook it hard.

Jose Ramirez -- NO (Pop to left, on 2-2 fastball).

Notable: Still, a game of four quality PA's for Ramirez.

Spotlight on... Michael Brantley: He entered the night batting .302 and riding an eight-game hitting streak.

Here is a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of his plate appearances:

First inning vs. Shoemaker (none on, two outs) -- 78 curve in dirt; 93 fastball low; 93 fastball called strike; 93 fastball foul (Brantley late); 86 splitter foul (inside; ripped right side); 86 slider, called strikeout.

Skinny: Tip of the cap to Shoemaker: The strikeout pitch was a nasty front-door slider. It backed down and over the inner half. 

Fourth inning vs. Shoemaker (none on, none out) -- 91 fastball low; 91 fastball low; 93 fastball, single off top of right-field wall (out trying for double by Kole Calhoun).

Skinny: Fox SportsTime Ohio play-by-play voice Matt Underwood said: "Brantley really never had a chance, unless Calhoun muffs the throw.''

Fox SportsTime Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "He had a chance... I didn't see him bust out of the box. It looked like he thought it was going to be a home run.''

STO showed multiple replays.

Manning: "He didn't break out like it was a double. He thought it was a home run. I tell you: Calhoun played it beautifully.... (Brantley) kicks it into gear after he gets to first base. It's way too late. That cost him a double.''

Credit Calhoun with beginning his crow-hop before he secured the carom, which gave him the extra half-second needed to erase Brantley.

Sixth inning vs. Shoemaker (none on, none out) -- 90 fastball inside; 91 fastball, liner to right.

Skinny: Calhoun made catch in front of track.

Eighth inning vs. Smith (runner on second, two outs) -- ball; ball; ball; ball, intentional walk.

Skinny: No-brainer.

11th inning vs. Alvarez (none on, none out) -- fastball, bunt single to third.

Skinny: Good idea, good enough execution.

Spotlight on... Mike Trout: The reigning AL MVP entered the night batting .310 with 32 homers, 68 RBI and a .400 on-base percentage.

Here is a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of his plate appearances:

First inning vs. Carrasco (none on, two outs) -- 97 fastball called strike (inner third); 91 split-changeup swinging strike (down); 95 fastball up and in; 88 split-changeup, grounder to third.

Skinny: Carrasco did of textbook job of using fastballs up to set up changups down.

Fourth inning vs. Carrasco (none on, two outs) -- 90 slider inside; 97 fastball inside; 88 slider inside (barely); 95 fastball inside.

Skinny: Carrasco a fraction off with release point. Snapped streak of 11 outs to open game.

Seventh inning vs. Carrasco (none on, one out) -- 96 fastball, fly to center.

Skinny: Fastball featured serious late action, which jammed Trout.

10th inning vs. RHP Bryan Shaw (none on, none out) -- 93 cutter outside; 93 cutter outside; 92 cutter called strike; 92 cutter called strike; 95 fastball high; 94 fastball, grounder to first.

Skinny: Trout with excuse-me swing on pitch that was up.

12th inning vs. RHP Cody Allen (none on, two outs) -- 96 fastball called strike; 87 curve called strike (inside corner); 86 curve, grounder to first (down and away).

Skinny: Trout didn't like the call on the second pitch. He had defensive swing at 0-2 pitch. 

Spotlight on... Albert Pujols: He entered the night with a career .314 average and 2,619 hits, 550 homers, 1,669 RBI, 1,146 strikeouts and 955 walks. For the season, he was batting .257 with 30 homers and 66 RBI.

Here is a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of his plate appearances:

First inning vs. Carrasco (none on, none out) -- fastball called strike; 89 slider low; 90 splitter, grounder to pitcher.

Skinny: Pujols missed a pitch to hit -- over plate and above knees.

Fourth inning vs. Carrasco (runner on first, two outs) -- 94 fastball called strike; 89 split-changeup foul; 89 slider foul; 88 splitter, swinging strikeout (in dirt).

Skinny: Strikeout pitch was nasty.

Seventh inning vs. Carrasco (none on, two outs) -- 89 slider outside; 96 fastball foul; 90 slider, grounder to short.

Skinny: Pujols hit it hard but directly at Jose Ramirez. Because the pitch was at shins, the worst result for Carrasco would have been a single.

10th inning vs. Shaw (none on, one out) -- 81 breaking pitch outside; 92 cutter, fly to center.

Skinny: Pujols missed a pitch to smash.

So what's ahead? Ohio State hopes a record-breaking season as he lifts what's supposed to be one of the most explosive offenses in the country.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The running countdown of the Northeast Ohio Media Group's top 50 Big Ten football players for the 2015 season.

No. 2, Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State 

Junior running back, 6-foot, 220 pounds

* On Twitter: @EzekielElliott

* See players No. 50 through No. 31

* See players No. 30 through No. 11

* See players No. 10 through No. 1 

* What he's done: You don't reach this point in the list on simply potential. This is about being one of the best players in the country, and Elliott is certainly one of the most explosive offensive playmakers in college football. That's been the case since Elliott became perhaps the most influential player on Ohio State's roster during the Buckeyes' improbable run toward a national title last year. 

Elliott rushed for a combined 696 yards against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon, averaging 232 yards per game and 9.2 yards per carry. It actually has an argument for the most impressive showing for a running back Ohio State has ever seen, which is an unreal statement considering those who played before him. 

What's most remarkable about Elliott's performances in the postseason was that it was an explosion from a player that still hadn't reached his potential a month earlier. When Ohio State lost J.T. Barrett to a broken ankle -- moving the Buckeyes onto their third option at quarterback -- Elliott responded by lifting a team that was once considered overmatched entering the College Football Playoff. 

* How he got here: Given Elliott's past, it's no surprise that he's in this situation now. He came to Ohio State as a former five-star prospect of St. Louis (Mo.) John Burroughs School and was the running back Urban Meyer locked in on while assuming the 2013 recruiting class. 

* What's ahead: A 3,000-yard season? A Heisman trophy? 

The bar literally can't be set higher. While Ohio State is still trying to figure out whether Barrett or Cardale Jones will be the starting quarterback this year, the pressure is kind of calmed because Elliott is the most complete back in college football. 

He was initially brought to Ohio State as a speedier back who had the type of versatility to catch passes out of the backfield. It was his speed that was most attractive to Meyer. But now he's a big-bodied, powerful runner who never lost his explosiveness or speed. Some of the runs he made during the Playoff run were so versatile it was crazy. 

So what's ahead? Ohio State hopes a record-breaking season as he lifts what's supposed to be one of the most explosive offenses in the country. 

Elsewhere: 

* Did Cardale Jones' big arm create Ezekiel Elliott's postseason run game explosion? Ohio State QB Battle

* Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott named Big Ten preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Cleveland.com preseason poll 

* The top 10 threats to Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott's 2015 Heisman Trophy run: No. 1, Ohio State's quarterbacks

* Five-star production: How Ezekiel Elliott's transformation has Ohio State Buckeyes on verge of national title

* Urban Meyer went all-in on Ezekiel Elliott in 2013 class, and now Ohio State faces turned-away prospect Derrick Green at Michigan

Before you move on to Day 6, here's what you need to know from Day 3. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The first day off of camp is in the books and the Browns were back at it on Tuesday. The pads were popping and the offense looked sharper.

It's on to Day 6 of camp on Wednesday with Friday's Orange and Brown scrimmage looming. Before you turn the page, here are five stories you should read from yesterday's coverage.

Browns' Justin Gilbert: 'I've got to keep working hard and prove that I really want to be a part of this team'

Mary Kay Cabot

"For the second straight practice, Browns 2014 top pick Justin Gilbert was passed over for a chance to work with the starters in favor of fourth-rounder Pierre Desir.

"On Sunday, Desir subbed for a resting Tramon Williams, and Tuesday, following the off day, Desir, the 2014 pick out of tiny Lindenwood in Missouri, replaced a resting Joe Haden opposite Williams.

"Gilbert, last year's No. 8 overall pick, was left to figure out what he must do to live up to his top 10 pedigree this season." Read more >>

As Justin Gilbert looks for answers, Pierre Desir thrives in a Browns' culture rewarding production

Tom Reed

"The 2014 fourth-round draft pick embodies the play-no-favorites philosophy coach Mike Pettine and his staff introduced a year ago. With veteran corners getting days off in camp, Desir has started ahead of prized pick Justin Gilbert the past two practices.

"Lots can change, and it's dangerous to draw conclusions based on a small sample size, but the decision meshes with last season's approach." Read more >>

Browns' Terrelle Pryor excited about his TD pass, not worried about the tight hamstring

Mary Kay Cabot

"The pass was a harbinger of what Pryor can do for the team if he makes the roster as a receiver -- which he most likely will.

"'He can do it all,' said (Travis) Benjamin. 'As a wide receiver he can line out wide and get those uncatchable balls. He can pass. He can go in the slot and be that big body inside.'

"Pryor, who may have to rest the tight hamstring a few days, provided a sneak preview of the TD pass a little earlier in offense-only drills, when he fired a similar strike to Dwayne Bowe off another end around." Read more >>

Better run defense, Pettine on Pryor and jumping fences: Cleveland Browns training camp observations

Dan Labbe

"Not to rehash the horror that was the 2014 Browns run defense, but when the likes of Alfred Blue, Denard Robinson and Lorenzo Taliaferro have career days against you, it's just not your year stopping the run. It also explains why the Browns used the twelfth pick in the draft on Danny Shelton." Read more >>

Browns Mike Pettine on Duke Johnson's hamstring: 'He'll have a lot of catch up work to do': camp quick hitters

Mary Kay Cabot

"Browns coach Mike Pettine lamented the loss of rookie running back Duke Johnson to a pulled hamstring for awhile.

"The Browns' third-round pick, Johnson pulled the hamstring Saturday in practice and will be sidelined for an unspecified length of time. But any amount of missed work is too much for a rookie in training camp." Read more >>