TCU is No. 2, followed by Alabama, Baylor and Michigan State.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football was a unanimous No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press college football poll released Sunday, earning all 61 first-place votes. That's the first time for full agreement at the top of the poll since preseason rankings began in 1950.

The previous highest percentage of first-place votes in a preseason AP poll was 96.7 percent for Alabama in 2013 and Florida in 2009, with 58 of 60 first-place votes. That Gators team in 2009 was the last time Urban Meyer was coming off a national title. Florida went through that regular season undefeated before losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship.

* Doug Lesmerises AP ballot

This is the 27th straight year the Buckeyes are ranked in the AP preseason poll. Ohio State has been in the top 10 of the preseason poll in 10 of the last 13 years, missing it only in 2007, 2011 and 2012.

This is the eighth time Ohio State is No. 1 in the preseason poll, and the first time since 2006.

Ohio State was No. 5 in the preseason poll last year. That vote was taken, and released, before Braxton Miller went down on Aug. 18 with a season-ending shoulder injury. Not that an injury like that stopped Ohio State.

24 hours to the AP preseason college football poll. Can @OhioStAthletics get the highest pct of 1st-place votes ever? pic.twitter.com/wVL6N4jaOa

-- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 22, 2015

Only two other Big Ten teams made the poll, with Michigan State at No. 5 and Wisconsin at No. 20. The SEC has the most teams in the poll with eight, while the Pac-12 has six and the ACC and Big 12 also had three ranked teams.

Preseason AP poll

1. Ohio State

2. TCU

3. Alabama

4. Baylor

5. Michigan State

6. Auburn

7. Oregon

8. USC

9. Georgia

10. Florida State

11. Notre Dame

12. Clemson

13. UCLA

14. LSU

15. Arizona State

16. Georgia Tech

17. Ole Miss

18. Arkansas

19. Oklahoma

20. Wisconsin

21. Stanford

22. Arizona

23. Boise State

24. Missouri

25. Tennessee

I was higher on Clemson and Arkansas and lower on Arizona State and Georgia than the full poll.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State was a unanimous No. 1 in the preseason AP poll revealed Sunday, so you can probably guess where I ranked the Buckeyes.

The way I figure it, the No. 1 team on your ballot doesn't have to be the team you think is going to win the national title. It's who earned it now, based on nothing, since we have nothing to base it on.

So it's last year's results, and how much of that talent is back.

Ohio State won it all, and most of the key players return. That equates to 61 first-place votes out of 61 first-place votes.

The only team I had on my ballot that didn't make the actual top 25 was Virginia Tech, Ohio State's opening opponent. Maybe I've been studying the Hokies too much, but that defense could be great, so I put them 23rd while they were 29th in the full balloting.

The rest of my ballot varies a bit here and there. I have Auburn above Alabama, USC above Oregon and Clemson above Florida State, while the full poll has the reverse. I like Arkansas (hey, Bret) and don't care as much for Georgia.

It's all fun, and none of it matters. The College Football Playoff committee doesn't care what the polls say. But sports are supposed to be fun, which is why I've always supported preseason polls, as long as you don't let them influence your thinking once the seasons starts.

So this ballot is dead to me. Here it is, with the actual poll ranking of each team in parentheses.

1. Ohio State (1)

2. TCU (2)

3. Auburn (6)

4. USC (8)

5. Alabama (3)

6. Michigan State (5)

7. Clemson (12)

8. Baylor (4)

9. Oregon (7)

10. Florida State (10)

11. UCLA (13)

12. Notre Dame (11)

13. Arkansas (18)

14. Georgia (9)

15. Georgia Tech (16)

16. LSU (14)

17. Stanford (21)

18. Oklahoma (19)

19. Wisconsin (20)

20. Boise State (23)

21. Arizona State (15)

22. Missouri (24)

23. Virginia Tech (29)

24. Ole Miss (17)

25. Tennessee (25)

Jennings, on the receiving end of one of Johnny Manziel's highlight plays on Thursday nights, hopes to follow path of tryout player to NFL receiver.

BEREA, Ohio -- The play went the way it was designed -- for the most part. Johnny Manziel rolled out to his left early in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's preseason game against Buffalo, worked through his progressions and threw the ball as he was rolling. 37 yards downfield, Darius Jennings made the catch.

"It was by design," Jennings said after practice on Sunday, "but I was probably the last progression within it. He just saw me downfield, chucked it up. I was fortunate enough to go track it down."

That Jennings was even there to track the ball down? That's the part of the play that wasn't by design -- or at least wasn't even a thought back in early May when Jennings went undrafted.

The 5-foot-10-inch receiver participated in the Browns rookie minicamp on a tryout basis in May. He was signed as an undrafted free agent a few days later. Jennings said that he was one of what he guessed was 50 players and that, while reps were scarce, he was -- and still is -- trying to stand out.

"Even though I was a tryout, you have to have that mindset that you're gonna make the 53," Jennings said, "and that you're gonna be out here and that you can compete and that you can produce."

Back to that play, though.

"For (Jennings) to get open and continue to run right there and fight to win is encouraging for us, for sure," Manziel said on Thursday night. "It was a great catch. I tried to get as much on it as I could. I barely got it there so I think it was a heck of a play by Jennings."

Mike Pettine noticed, too. He was asked during a conference call on Friday if Jennings and fellow undrafted rookie Shane Wynn have a chance to make the team.

"Sure they do," Pettine said. "We will evaluate everything on a full body of work. We put a lot of stock in games. Both of these guys have demonstrated it is not too big for them when they get out on the big stage."

The downside for guys like Wynn and Jennings, though, is that the Browns don't lack for players trying to grab a limited number of roster spots. There is, of course, another way.

"At least for me, in my position, special teams is going to be a big thing as well," Jennings said. "So whether I'm gonna line up wide at receiver or I'm running down covering kicks and punts, I just try to give it my all. Just try to show that I am versatile, that I can do multiple things and that I can be on the field."

There's also the possibility of returning kicks. Jennings is the University of Virginia's all-time leader in kick return yards with 1,839.

"I started returning kicks since rec ball. That was kind of something natural," Jennings said. "I've always been kind of a faster guy, so they always kind of threw me back there early. But I did have some success in high school and in college with it, and hopefully I can keep that and carry it over to this level."

Jennings is also finding help from other receivers in the room, including one who followed a similar path last season and managed to catch 36 passes for 621 yards, Taylor Gabriel.

"Whenever I have questions, he's always helpful to answer," Jennings said. "Just asking him how he went through the whole process and how he wound up making the 53 and really performing well last year. I'm just always kind of picking his brain along with the rest of the receivers as well."

Add Jennings to the long list of guys Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins are helping learn the ropes in camp.

"Guys who've been in the league, who've been around," Jennings said of Hartline and Hawkins. "I have played some football before, but I'm new to this level, so any small details that I can to try to perfect my routes or try to do something to get open or hand placement on balls is always a positive, just to get that feedback."

For Hartline's part, he noticed Jennings back near the start of camp.

"Darius is doing an awesome job, too," Hartline said in early August. "There are a lot of guys competing for a few spots. I can't say enough about those guys. Darius is getting a lot better. Wynn is getting better. (Josh) Lenz is always making plays.

"They all work hard. They all want to get better. They are always feasting for knowledge and asking questions."

So maybe when Jennings made that catch, stretching out and hanging on as he rolled across the 21-yard line, his being there was by design. At least in his mind.

"I feel as though that I put forth my best effort," Jennings said. "I just leave the rest in the coaches' hands. I just control the controllable. That's all I really can do at this point."

-----

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Rookie running back Duke Johnson showed Sunday why the Browns are so excited about him: he's explosive both running and catching.

BEREA, Ohio -- Rookie running back Duke Johnson practiced in pads Saturday for the first time since Aug. 1, and hardly looked like he'd been nursing a sore hamstring for the past three weeks.

Johnson churned out some yards in a 9-on-9 inside running drill and then had a pass from Josh McCown glance off his hands in 7-on-7s. He later caught a post route from Johnny Manziel in 7-on-7s and then a right screen from McCown, which he turned upfield for a long gain.

"His legs looked fresh,'' said Pettine. "I am not sure who he beat on the inside post - He looks explosive."

On one play, fellow back Isaiah Crowell blocked for him.

"It's tough on a defense when you have both tailbacks out there,'' said coach Mike Pettine. "You can use Duke as a wideout. It just gives you a little more flexibility from a formation standpoint, which then lends itself to a possible mismatch when you use Duke as a wideout. You can react to what a defense puts out there and call your play accordingly. That is something I am sure we will use."

Johnson said Saturday that the long layoff wouldn't set him back for the opener, and after watching him Sunday, you have almost had to believe him.

But the Browns had him on a pitch count Sunday.

"The last stretch of practice, we didn't use him,'' said Pettine. "On the last play, Flip (offensive coordinator John DeFilippo) wanted to use him and I used executive veto power and pulled Duke out of the huddle because he had sat for a little too long. He was right at his number."

Running back Shaun Draughn, who's mentored Johnson, was glad to see the rookie back in action.

"I actually love Duke's style,'' said Draughn. "I told him he reminds me of me a little bit. Another guy that looks up to me, and I respect that. He's coming into his own, he set his self apart and what he did, he set records. We're similar but we're different."

 Draughn gave Johnson high marks for his first real practice since Aug. 1.

"Like I said, I love to see him out there making people miss,'' he said. "He's just so smooth with this routes and so quick. I just like to see him play."

 Draughn back too

Draughn practiced in pads without a red caution jersey for the first time since injuring his thumb in the Orange and Brown scrimmage Aug. 7 at Ohio State.

Draughn's return was a welcome sight for Wilbert Montgomery, who's relying on the 28-year-old  to help set the tone for the younger backs.

"Yeah, those guys, I think they definitely look up to me,'' said Draughn. "I try to set the bar high, how we practice, how we should practice. Coach Montgomery, he has given me free reign to really coach the guys up from my perspective. He played the game, too, but somebody that they can relate to that's actually still playing so he gives me free reign to take these guys under my wing and tell them a little bit of what I know."

Draughn said it's a misconception that the young back are immature.

"Don't let the age or their years playing fool you because there's a lot of mature guys in the room that can step up at any time."

Draughn will continue to practice with a cast on his thumb and do as much as he can do.

Other quick hitters:

* Browns second-round linebacker Nate Orchard was excused Sunday for personal reasons.

* In 9-on-9 inside run drills, Phil Taylor and Danny Shelton played up front together, with Taylor on the nose and Shelton at end.
"That is pretty standard in short-yardage situations,'' said Pettine. "We will get our bigger bodies out there."

* Pettine said the starting five offensive linemen of Joe Thomas, Joel Bitonio, Alex Mack, John Greco and Mitchell Schwartz are not written in stone.

"It is looking that way, but I wouldn't say that for sure,'' said Pettine. "We still have a decent amount of football to play with the third preseason game. We will see what happens and how we are going to approach the fourth. I wouldn't say that yet."

* Receiver Dwayne Bowe (hamstring) practiced in full pads today for the first time since the first week of August. However, Terrelle Pryor was still idle, and Pettine warned Saturday that the window is narrowing on his chances.

* The Browns' secondary is still as thin as parchment paper. The following defensive backs sat out Sunday's practice:  CB Joe Haden (hamstring), CB Justin Gilbert (hip flexor), FS Tashaun Gipson (calf), CB Robert Nelson Jr. (hamstring), FS Jordan Poyer (concussion), and CB K'Waun Williams (abdominal). Cornerback Pierre Desir is back, but not full strength yet. Rookie Charles Gaines started opposite Tramon Williams again during Sunday's practice.  

* The following are other Browns who did not practice: OL Michael Bowie (shoulder), FB Luke Lundy (concussion), LB Barkevious Mingo (knee), QB Connor Shaw (right thumb), TE Randall Telfer (foot), OL Joe Thomas (rest), and RB Glenn Winston (knee). 

Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed report on Day 16 of training camp. Also, video with defensive lineman Xavier Cooper, who has two sacks in the preseason. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed fill you in on what happened during Day 16 of training camp. 

Topics include:

• Johnny Manziel comes out of practice with a sore elbow and could miss a few days, leaving the Browns to two quarterbacks for the last day of training camp.
• Running back Duke Johnson looks good after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury.
• Center Alex Mack continues to come back from his broken leg last year.
• Terrelle Pryor is still out with his hamstring.

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Browns Mike Pettine said the elbow soreness that cut short Johnny Manziel's practice Sunday is not expected to sideline him for long. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Nothing like a flare-up of elbow soreness to kill the Johnny Manziel buzz that swept the nation Thursday night after he scrambled and passed his way to a 96-yard touchdown drive at the Bills on ESPN.

After completing a deep ball to Josh Lenz in 11-on-11s on Sunday morning, Manziel came to the sidelines pointing to his elbow -- clad in a compression sleeve -- and talked to the trainers about it. Then, he talked it over with quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell. When they consulted coach Mike Pettine, he put an end to Manziel's day about a half-hour early.

Early prognosis is that he'll likely sit out Monday, rest Tuesday on the off day and then revisit it on Wednesday. At this point, his status for the dress rehearsal game Saturday night in Tampa is up in the air.

"Yeah, he started to get a little sore (Saturday),'' said coach Mike Pettine. "So we'll make the decision. We might rest him (Monday) and then he's got an off day coming up. I wouldn't be surprised (Monday) if we shut him down. It just depends how it feels.''

Pettine said the soreness is a recurrence of the camp arm that sidelined Manziel on Aug. 11, the final practice before the preseason opener against the Redskins.

 "We're not anticipating it being a long-term thing, hopefully, because it will be two days' rest (with) having Tuesday off,'' said Pettine. "I'll know a little bit more when I get some feedback from (trainer) Joe Sheehan.''

Pettine seemed confident it was just the dog days of camp that are the culprit and not some structural damage. But just to be sure, the Browns will most likely put Manziel through a series of tests, including an MRI.

"Am I concerned?'' Pettine said in his post-practice press conference. "If the trainer tells me I need to be concerned, (that) it's a long-term thing and not just a usage thing, then I'll be concerned.''

Manziel and the other two healthy quarterbacks in camp -- Josh McCown and Thad Lewis -- have been getting more reps than usual ever since Connor Shaw suffered ligament damage and a minor fracture in his right thumb during the Redskins game Aug. 13. He underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the ligament and is out indefinitely. He's been standing on the sidelines watching practice, and talked to Manziel about his elbow soreness after his practice was cut short.

With Shaw sidelined, Manziel played the entire second half of Thursday night's 11-10 loss to the Bills, electrifying the crowd with his 11-play, 96-yard drive, one that featured a 37-yard strike to a rolling Darius Jennings on a bootleg left, and a deft step-up in the pocket for a 21-yard pinpoint pass to diminutive Shane Wynn in the back right corner of the end zone.

Manziel, McCown and Lewis also took all the reps in joint practices against the Bills on Monday and Tuesday.

Pettine said if Manziel rests Monday -- which is almost certain -- he might let quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell, a former NFL quarterback, throw the individual drills. But the Browns can ill-afford to overwork McCown and Lewis, their only two healthy quarterbacks in camp.

As it is, McCown suffered a jammed right ring finger against the Bills and wasn't sure he was okay until a follow-up exam on Friday morning. X-rays after the game were negative.

Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, the team's ironman who's played through three torn MCL's in his knee as a Brown, said he's not concerned about Manziel's elbow.

"Not really,'' said Thomas. "He's the backup quarterback."

Besides, Thomas isn't anticipating the Browns will need their second-year quarterback anytime soon.

"I think we're all pretty comfortable with Josh being the starter and we don't really see that changing unless Josh got hurt,'' said Thomas. "Then I'd be a little bit more worried."

The eight-time Pro Bowler suggested that perhaps Manziel might be suffering from tendinitis in the elbow.

"He's made great progress and great strides and you'd like to see that continue and obviously an injury would set that back a little bit,'' Thomas said. "But I imagine it's probably just like a tendinitis-type thing, not a real injury-injury, like he's going to be gone forever."

After tweaking the elbow, Manziel stood on the sidelines while McCown and then Thad Lewis finished out the end-of-game period. O'Connell came back over to talk to him, and he pointed at the inside of the elbow again, moved his fingers and apparently explained the pain or discomfort he was feeling.

The first sign that something was amiss was Aug. 7 after the Orange and Brown scrimmage at Ohio State when Manziel emerged for his post-practice interview wearing a huge ice pack on the elbow. But Manziel claimed he ices his elbow after every practice, and Pettine backed him up, saying it's standard procedure for all of the quarterbacks.

But four days later, Manziel was held out of practice with elbow soreness, only tossing the ball a little with his left hand.

Former Browns quarterback Tim Couch, the No. 1 overall pick in 1999, suffered from recurring tendinitis in his elbow during his five seasons with the Browns.

Manziel's flare-up comes just three days after many members of the national media began calling for him to start ahead of 36-year-old McCown because of his spirited performance against the Bills.

During that game, Manziel completed 10-of-18 attempts for 118 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a 94.2 rating. But Pettine was quick to point out after the game, however, that the former Heisman Trophy winner played against second- third and fourth-teamers and that there's a significant dropoff, especially from the Bill's fearsome front seven, which helped harass McCown into two interceptions on his three drives.

The following day, Pettine reiterated that "we're comfortable with Manziel as our No. 2 and McCown as our No. 1.''

But that didn't stop Manziel from expressing his belief after the game that with two preseason games remaining -- including the decisive dress rehearsal in Tampa -- that anything could still happen.

McCown was set to play into the third quarter in Tampa with Manziel replacing him sometime in the second half.

Now, that could be in jeopardy.

Ironically, the Browns have another experienced NFL quarterback on their roster in Terrelle Pryor, but he's still sidelined with a hamstring injury and the clock is ticking on his chances of making the team as a receiver.

So, plenty can still happen before final roster decisions are due Sept. 5. 

The third round pick is using an explosive first step to shine in the preseason. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Xavier Cooper operates along one of football's finest lines -- the one between demonstrating great anticipation and costing your team five yards plus a free play.

The Browns' rookie defensive lineman has been on the wrong side of it enough to know there's a price to be paid for jumping a half-second too soon.

"I have taken my fair share of offsides," he said. "My freshman year in college, I had about six offside penalties. I know (Washington State coach) Mike Leach got on me a little bit for that."

Cooper's timing has been Swiss-watch precise in the preseason, and the Browns are reaping the benefits.

His explosive first step, which the organization has touted since drafting him in the third round, is evident. He's registered three sacks in two games, including a pair against the Bills in an 11-10 loss Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

It's important to keep Cooper's hot start in perspective. It's exhibition season and he's taking reserve reps against second- and third-team offenses. He's also never compiled big sack numbers in college.

Still, it offers early validation to the Browns' high assessment of the stocky 6-foot-4, 300-pounder, who's the son of a former college defensive lineman.  

"The thing that we noticed on the college tape was he had the most explosive get-off of any of the D-linemen that we evaluated," Browns coach Mike Pettine said. " . . . He has a great knack and a feel for that first step and that get-off."

Cooper attributes his keen anticipation to quickness, attention to detail and plenty of film study. It's been a staple of his game since playing prep football in Tacoma, Wash.

He spoke about the trait, which he's developed and honed, Sunday at length with reporters. The detailed account was fascinating. 

"It is something I always watched, just trying to get that jump," Cooper explained. "Usually, offensive linemen are bigger than defensive linemen. I want to beat them to the spot.

"You can feel how a guy is snapping the ball or the center's movement if he is leaning back or if his hand is getting red (from squeezing the ball, preparing to snap it). Something is triggering him to snap the ball. Any type of movement I feel on the line, I am going off that. I think a lot of defensive linemen work on that."

A learning disability, discovered in high school, scared off many major college programs and forced him to grayshirt at Washington State, while he put his academic house in order. He's transformed himself into a solid student in the classroom - Cooper is eight credits shy of his degree - and an excellent one on the gridiron.

Both Cooper and No. 12 overall pick Danny Shelton are disruptive presences on the Browns revamped defensive line. While Shelton will start, Cooper figures to become a key rotational player.

"He is really good with his hands and I think he has a good understanding of what offenses are trying to do," Pettine said. "He has shown a knack for being able to hedge his bet a little bit knowing whether it was going to be run or a pass or know whether the run was going to him or away from him."

Cooper didn't amass prolific sack numbers at Washington State, compiling 13 over three seasons. Not that he was bereft of opportunities.

The defensive lineman put himself in position to make plays, but seldom finished. Declaring for the draft after his junior season, WSU defensive line coach Joe Salave'a challenged him to improve that facet of his game. Early returns are encouraging.

Cooper also gets plenty of feedback from his father, Louis, a former defensive lineman at the University of Nebraska and small-school Doane College -- also in Nebraska.

Pops, is a tough grader to hear Cooper tell it.

"Even when I have a good game he's saying I can do better," the rookie said. "He's always (picking) at the little things. I hate that, but that's what dads do when they want to coach up their sons. I'm blessed to have him in my life."

The affable Cooper might lead the Browns in nicknames. They range from the pedestrian (X, X-Man, Coop) to the exotic (Coop de Ville, Big Future, Baby Suge Knight).

About the only thing the Browns aren't calling him is late to a snap count. It's only preseason, but Cooper is enjoying a fast start.

Trevor Bauer gave up one earned run in 6 1/3 innings Sunday as the Indians defeated the Yankees, 4-3, and won the series, 3-1.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shortstop Francisco Lindor homered off Dellin Betances in the eighth inning to lift the Cleveland Indians to a 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Tribe right-hander Trevor Bauer allowed one earned run in 6 1/3 innings and first baseman Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer.

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

By all means, spread the news: The Indians (58-65) won the series, 3-1, and the season series, 5-2.

The Yankees (68-55) slipped to 36-24 at home. Later in the day, the Blue Jays moved into first place in the AL East by one-half game over the Yankees.

One more to go: The Indians' four-city, 11-game trip wraps Monday afternoon in Chicago with a makeup game against the Cubs. The Tribe is 5-5.

Overcoming themselves: The Indians won despite:

*Going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

*Leaving 11 on base.

*Grounding into three double plays and flying into one.

*Having none of 10 walks drawn come around to score (although a walk forced in a run).

*Committing two errors and getting caught stealing once.

So much for small ball: With the score tied, 3-3, in the eighth, Giovanny Urshela led off with a four-pitch walk against righty Dellin Betances. Jose Ramirez pinch-ran for Urshela.

Lindor took a ball, then showed bunt and took a strike. On the 1-1 pitch, Ramirez sprinted for second as Lindor showed bunt and took a strike. Yankees catcher Brian McCann made a terrific throw to erase Ramirez.

At this point, Lindor seemingly was in jail. Betances, one of MLB's premier setup men, entered with a 1.25 ERA and .131 average against. He had allowed 29 hits, including two homers, in 65 innings.

Lefties were batting .109 (11-for-101) with zero homers, 44 strikeouts and a .342 OPS against him. All batters in a 1-2 count were 3-for-57 with 43 strikeouts and, after a 1-2 count, were 8-for-96 with one homer and 65 strikeouts.

Betances overcooked back-to-back sliders down and in to the extent that Lindor wasn't tempted. Lindor figured Betances would opt for a full-count fastball, and Lindor was correct. But knowing a pitch is coming and doing something with it are two entirely different deals.

Lindor, showing why he is a special talent, turned on the 96-mph pitch as if it were a batting-practice fastball and zipped it into the right-field seats.

Lindor, from the leadoff spot, finished 3-for-5 -- his second straight three-hit game. On Saturday afternoon, he was 3-for-4 with one double, one homer and two runs in the Tribe's 6-2 loss.

Overall, Lindor is batting .298 (73-for-245) with 10 doubles, seven homers, 27 RBI, 28 runs and a .757 OPS.

(For as good as Betances is, the Indians scored against him in consecutive games. On Saturday, Lindor led off the eighth with a double and scored on Lonnie Chisenhall's two-out single.)

On the board: Santana's homer, in the first inning against former Indians lefty CC Sabathia, was his first as a right-handed batter and 15th overall. Santana socked a 1-1 fastball to left-center to also drive in Mike Aviles, who had doubled.

Sabathia exited in the third because of a right-knee problem.

Finding a way: Bauer, in a performance worthy of Nik Wallenda, limited the Yankees to two runs in their house despite six walks. He gave up two hits and struck out seven en route to throwing 109 pitches.

Bauer has been struggling, on balance, since the All-Star break, and this start easily could have resulted in more of the same. Instead, he bowed his neck and made an assortment of quality pitches in big spots.

The third inning stood out. It could have gone sideways for Bauer, but he allowed just one run and the Indians maintained their lead (2-1).

Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a single to center and stole second. Pesky Brett Gardner walked. Dangerous Carlos Beltran, in a 3-0 count, flied to right. As Jerry Sands caught the ball in front of the track, Ellsbury tagged and went to third.

In real time, too-eager Beltran missed a pitch to smash -- fastball over the plate at the thighs. Upon review, though, the pitch featured enough tailing action that Beltran connected near the end of the barrel, which took enough sting out of the swing.

On a 1-1 pitch to McCann, Gardner stole second. Ellsbury trotted home when catcher Yan Gomes' high throw deflected off Lindor's glove and rolled away. The error was charged to Gomes, but Lindor should have been able to make the catch.

The 1-1 pitch was a ball, putting McCann and his lefty power ahead in the count. After a fouled fastball away, Bauer threw his best pitch of the game: a fastball with ridiculous comeback action to the inner third above the knees. Plate umpire Tom Woodring rang up McCann, who bent over in disbelief.

Woodring made the correct call, whether McCann thought a pitch could veer that far or not.

The next batter, lefty Greg Bird, fell behind, 0-2. After a ball, Bauer threw a comeback fastball -- not quite as nasty, and higher, than the one to McCann, but still good -- for called strike three. Credit Gomes with a superb frame.

Bird, as the Yankees do with the regularity of the sun rising and setting, complained.

The earned run against Bauer scored after he exited. Stephen Drew led off the seventh with a nine-pitch walk. Bauer struck out pinch-hitter Alex Rodriguez before giving way to lefty Kyle Crockett. Later in the inning, Beltran dumped a decent pitch from Bryan Shaw inside the left-field line for a two-out, two-run double to make it 3-3.

Bauer's strikeout of Rodriguez was impressive. He fell behind, 3-1, and surprised Rodriguez with a slider for a called strike. Bauer shook off Gomes multiple times, then pumped a 95-mph fastball below the belt past him.

That Bauer's day ended with a crisp fastball is fitting. He authored a quality start because he trusted his fastball and didn't pitch scared, which would have been easy to do given his slump and this dicey matchup: a pitcher who had allowed 23 homers, against an eight-lefty lineup, in a stadium that invites homers to right field.     

Lights out: Tribe closer Cody Allen notched a four-out save, and he did so in style: four batters, three strikeouts, 10-of-15 strikes.

Allen entered with a runner on first in the eighth. He threw three straight breaking pitches in different spots to Drew that resulted in called strike (over plate), called strike (outer third), swinging strikeout (down and in).

Allen opened the ninth with a swinging strikeout of Chris Young (0-2 breaking pitch) and called strikeout of Ellsbury (3-2 fastball). Against Ellsbury, Allen rallied from down in the count, 3-0.

The strikeout pitch to Ellsbury was close but outside. Credit Gomes with a superb frame.

Fox SportsTime Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "(Allen) might have caught a little break, because a lot of those pitches today were balls. But it doesn't matter. It's a strike there.''

Gardner, ahead in the count, 2-0, flied to left.

NEW YORK -- The Yankees are popular in Puerto Rico. When Francisco Lindor was a kid, everyone he knew rooted for them. After all, the Yankees set the standard when Lindor was growing up. They captured the World Series title in 1996, '98, '99 and 2000, when Lindor was a youngster. Lindor, though, didn't want to fit in with...

NEW YORK -- The Yankees are popular in Puerto Rico. When Francisco Lindor was a kid, everyone he knew rooted for them.

After all, the Yankees set the standard when Lindor was growing up. They captured the World Series title in 1996, '98, '99 and 2000, when Lindor was a youngster.

Lindor, though, didn't want to fit in with the crowd. Instead, he rooted for the Boston Red Sox, New York's arch nemesis.

"I always wanted to be against pretty much everybody [in] that little rivalry," Lindor said. "It was cool. It made it fun."

So, then, did Lindor have dreams of one day slugging a game-winning home run at Yankee Stadium to top the franchise known to its adversaries as "The Evil Empire?"

"Of course," Lindor said, flashing a smile, minutes after his solo shot over the right-field fence pushed the Indians to a 4-3 victory against the Yankees.

Lindor became the first left-handed batter to tag Yankees reliever Dellin Betances for a major league round-tripper. Lefties had previously batted .109 (11-for-101) against him this season, and .153 (42-for-275) in Betances' big league career. Lindor initially prepared to bunt, but when Jose Ramirez was caught stealing, the rookie shortstop altered his approach.

"I've got to get on base," he said. "That was pretty much it. I've got to get on base."

But the 21-year-old never imagined an eighth-inning walk or single up the middle when he had visions of silencing the Yankee Stadium faithful. He dreamed of circling the bases in a venue so quiet his high-five with the third base coach could be heard from the upper deck.

So on the sixth pitch of the encounter with Betances, Lindor roped a 97-mph heater into the seats in right field. He eased the frustration in the Indians' dugout, which arrived after the Yankees erased a two-run deficit in the previous half-inning. And he rounded the bases, slapped hands with third base coach Mike Sarbaugh and kissed his fingers and pointed to the sky as he crossed home plate.

"That was obviously a huge lift for us," said Tribe manager Terry Francona.

Since the All-Star break, Lindor is batting .352 (50-for-152) with five home runs, 18 RBIs and a .507 slugging percentage. Francona identified a couple of defensive lapses the first-year player was guilty of on Sunday -- including an attempt at a tag on a stolen base that permitted New York to score a run --  but he noted that Lindor "has the tools and he has the aptitude" to minimize those gaffes moving forward.

"The big things far outweigh [the minor mistakes]," Francona said. "There's a lot to love about this kid.

Lindor owns a .298/.332/.424 slash line in his first major league season, with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. Advanced metrics convey that he has produced 2.1 WAR (wins above replacement) -- the third-highest mark on the team -- and he has totaled four defensive runs saved.

Through 61 games, he has accomplished quite a bit. On Sunday, he checked off a childhood dream.

"I like playing in Yankee Stadium," he said. "I like playing in the big leagues."

Other items include Alex Mack playing his way into game shape after injury and more praise for Danny Shelton. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Injuries in the Browns' secondary are affording Ibraheim Campbell ample playing time in the preseason.

The rookie safety is taking full advantage of it.

The Northwestern product has supplied several crunching tackles while showing a good understanding of the team's defense in two exhibition games. With injuries to safeties Tashaun Gipson and Jordan Poyer, the compact 5-foot-11, 208 pounder leads the Browns in defensive snaps (96), according to the analytics site ProFootballFocus.com. PFF analysts suggest there's been quality to accompany the quantity as Campbell has received the third-highest defensive grade.

"He has done a real nice job," coach Mike Pettine said "He was one player I would put into that category where when you see him in shorts he maybe is not that impressive, but when the pads are on and it is live action that he really shows up."

Gipson (calf) is expected to return shortly, while Poyer is dealing with a concussion suffered Thursday night against the Bills.

The fourth-round pick won't be starting anytime soon playing behind a pair of Pro Bowlers in Gipson and Donte Whitner. But given Pettine's penchant for flooding the field with defensive backs, Campbell could earn some meaningful snaps if he continues to progress.

He's not only devouring the playbook - "Northwestern guy, so we tell him not to overthink it too many times," Pettine said - but chewing on the ears of Gipson and Whitner to gain wisdom from veterans.

Sunday, Campbell was getting first-team reps alongside Whitner.

"It's a great opportunity to really learn from him, but at the same time I want to pick his brain a little bit more just because in camp you don't have as much time as you would like," he said. "Definitely just trying to pick up anything I can, from him or anybody, guys like Tramon (Williams), guys like Gip, anybody like that."

Campbell ranks tied for second along with Chris Kirksey in preseason tackles with eight.

Center of attention

Pro Bowl center Alex Mack took no offense to Pettine's assessment that he's "still playing his way into shape," after missing most of last season with a broken leg.

"That is accurate," Mack said. "That is what you want in camp. You had some time off in (organized team activities). OTAs isn't real contact football, so you use this opportunity in camp and all the preseason games to get back into where you want to be for the first game.

"I think there is more of a focus on it (because I'm coming back from injury). You are paying more attention to it, making sure everything is where you want it to be. I am pretty happy with where I am at."

The Browns have plenty of concerns. Mack's performance -- even after a tough night against Bills' Pro Bowl defensive lineman Marcell Dareus who's lobbying for a new contract - is well down the list.

Favorable impression

As the season progresses, Mack should get plenty of practice reps against rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton. The early reviews are encouraging.

"The sky is the limit," Mack said. "I think he is doing well for a rookie and as players play more and get a season under their belt and face different guys and get a better understanding of the defense they can become more and more problematic for an offense.

"He has a really good attitude. If you see him he is eager to finish plays and chase after and in a jovial sense of playing football, which is a good thing to have. It is definitely a very good attitude."

Big boys

The Browns' featured their jumbo defensive package Sunday during an inside run drill. They lined up Phil Taylor (6-3, 335) at nose tackle alongside Shelton (6-2, 339).

In the spring, Pettine hinted the Browns might use the big boys together at some point.

"That is pretty standard in short-yardage situations," the coach said Sunday. "We will get our bigger bodies out there."

See a season preview for Padua football, including top players, newcomers to watch, schedule, stats and more.

PARMA, Ohio – Check out a preview for Padua football team as it enters the 2015 season, which begins on the road against Brecksville on Aug. 28.

3 keys for a winning season

1. Ride the D train: Senior RB/LB Demis Ortega leads a small but tight-knit group of returning starters. Ortega will be the focal point of coach Tony Shuman's offense, and will be expected to make big plays on the defensive side of the ball as well.

2. Develop depth: The Bruins are young on both the offensive and defensive lines, but there is good size and good young talent there, Shuman said. Look for 6-foot-6, 320 pound newcomer Brad Wallace (OT) and 6-2, 260 pounder Sam Carner (DT) bolster both lines.

3. Stay strong together: Padua features only 12 seniors on the roster, but they are 12 "impact players" according to Shuman. "It's a very tight group from sophomores through seniors," Shuman said. "They've been together on everything and they're very coachable. Their team bond is number one. I don't know how many wins that will translate into, but we'll see how they do on the fly."

MORE ABOUT PADUA

Click here to see 2015 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division III, Region 8.

Conference: North Coast League Blue Division.

2014 record: 2-8.

Coach: Tony Shuman (tenth season)

Coach’s career record: 48-47.

Returning starters: 3 offense, 6 defense.

Key Players:

Player, POS, Yr., H-T, WT.

John Baker, OC/DE, Sr., 6-0, 215.
Johnny Barna, SS/RB, Jr., 5-9, 170.
Sam Carner, DT, Jr., 6-2, 260.
Andrew Clemente, DT/OG, Jr., 6-0, 305.
Darren Clemente, OG, Sr., 6-0, 260.
Joe Horne, LB, Jr., 6-3, 210.
Alec Lettl, DE, Sr., 5-11, 205.
Alex Ludwick, WR/DB, Jr., 6-1, 185.
Demis Ortega, RB/LB, Sr., 5-11, 205.
Jake Penko, OT/DE, Jr., 6-2, 290.
Michael Platten, DB/QB, Sr., 6-0, 185.
Matt Roder, LB-WR, Sr., 6-0, 190.
Brad Wallace, OT, Jr., 6-6, 320.

Scouting report

Strengths: Shuman says the Bruins will look to establish the run behind Ortega, a strong and shifty back. How quickly young offensive linemen such as Wallace, Penko and Andrew Clemente develop will determine how successful Padua is with the ball. Defensively, Shuman said his team is playing tough against the run from play to play. He will count on Lettl and Baker up front to put pressure on opposing offenses.

Concerns: Inexperience is a major issue for the Bruins, particularly considering their opening night opponent, a senior-leaden Brecksville squad. Developing depth while installing offenses and defensive schemes is also a concern. Shuman compares the situation to his first year leading the Bruins. "If we stay healthy, we can make some progress," he said. "If we're back in the playoff mix, we're doing something right."

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

See a season preview for Kenston football, including top players, newcomers to watch, schedule, stats and more.

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio – Check out a preview for Kenston football team as it enters the 2015 season, which begins at home against Amherst on Aug. 28.

3 keys for a winning season making deep playoff run

1. Find new targets: Third-year starting quarterback Parker Gdula passed for more than 2,100 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2014, but the Bombers lost both starting wide receivers and a sure-handed starting tailback to graduation in the offseason. Gdula must develop consistency with a trio of inexperienced receivers, while relying on RB James Thigpen to give the passing game a different look.

2. Back it up: Linebackers Zach Silberman and Collin Kure have plenty of experience entering the season. Silberman, who Grubich believes can develop into a Division I college recruit, is a third-year starter in the middle. Kure has two seasons as a starter under his belt. Both will need to make plays in the middle of the field against a conference full of teams that love to run the ball.

3. Tackle a new conference: Kenston makes the leap from the Chagrin Valley Conference to the new Western Reserve Conference. The Bombers will be very familiar with opponents such as Brush and Chardon, which have appeared on the schedule for years. But adding perennial playoff teams such as Madison, Mayfield and Perry to the mix should make the WRC highly competitive. If the Bombers can run the gauntlet in their conference, they will be well prepared for success in November.

MORE ABOUT KENSTON

Click here to see 2015 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division II, Region 3

Conference: Western Reserve Conference.

2014 record: 8-3.

Coach: Jeff Grubich (fourth season).

Coach’s career record: 22-12

Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defense.

Key Players:

Player, POS, Yr., H-T, WT.

Dylan Borland, DE, Jr., 6-0, 215.
Christian Cassaro, WR, Jr., 5-10, 165.
Ryan Cozzens, WR/DB, Sr., 6-0, 180.
Caleb Dancy, DT, Jr., 6-3, 340.
Parker Gdula, QB, Sr., 6-3, 195.
McKade Hatfield, LT, Sr., 6-2, 240.
Collin Kure, OLB, Sr., 5-11, 185.
Charie Randall, CB, Sr., 6-0, 180.
Max Seewald, WR, Sr., 5-10, 175.
Zach Silbermann, MLB, Sr., 6-1, 230.
Mike Sirna, C, Sr., 6-1 270.
Romay'le Terry, OLB, Sr., 6-0, 180.
James Thigpen, RB, Sr., 5-8, 180.
Mikey Thigpen, CB, Sr., 5-7, 165.
Joe Zoretich, RG, Sr., 5-11, 215.

Scouting report

Strengths: The Bombers have a proven field general in Gdula, who cut his interceptions by 10 as a junior after throwing 17 as a sophomore. Gdula also upped his completion percentage last year, though maintaining those numbers will be a challenge with an entirely new receiving corps. Having a reliable running back in James Thigpen next to him in the backfield should help. Thigpen gained more than 1,000 yards and scored 14 touchdowns as a junior. Defensively, Silberman, a three-year starter, will be the key. If captains Silberman and Kure can contain the run, the Bombers should be competitive.

Concerns: Graduation hit the Bombers' receivers hard and will force Gdula to find some new favorite targets. Cassaro, Cozzens and Seewald will get a chance to prove themselves early on. Kenston's defensive line rotation will feature several new faces including Borland and Dancy (both juniors).

Key stats from 2014: Parker Gdula 131 completions for 2,113 yards and 14 TD with 7 INT; James Thigpen 151 carries, 1,011 yards 14 TD; Zach Silberman 104 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 fumble recovery. The Bombers rushed for more than 200 yards in a game four times in 2014; Gdula eclipsed the 200-yard passing mark seven times, including 300 yard games against Wickliffe and Chagrin Falls.

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

See a season preview for Brush football, including top players, newcomers to watch, schedule, stats and more.

LYNDHURST, Ohio – Check out a preview for Brush football team as it enters the 2015 season, which begins on the road against North Canton Hoover on Aug. 28.

3 keys for a winning season

1. Tito time: Get the ball to Jordan "Tito" Overton. After missing four games of his junior season due to injury, Overton is ready to contribute as a playmaker in a variety of areas for the Arcs. The Buffalo commit is a dangerous pass catcher and can factor in the return game as well. If Overton stays healthy, he is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

2. Chambers in the middle:Tyrone Chambers has been making scouts take notice since his sophomore season. At 6-foot-5, 325 pounds Chambers has impressive size, but even more impressive speed and agility. Opponents regularly commented on his quickness and ability to get to the quarterback. In 2014, Chambers led the Arcs with seven tackles for loss among his 34 stops.

3. New coach, new attitude: Jeff Fink joins Brush after serving five seasons on Steve Trivisonno's staff at Mentor. During Fink’s three seasons as offensive coordinator, Mentor averaged 40 points per game behind three different quarterbacks, including 2012 Mr. Football Mitch Trubisky, and made deep playoff runs, reaching the state championship game (2013), a state semifinal (2012) and a regional final (2014). Fink takes over a team that underachieved in 2014, but returns plenty of talent at key positions. If the Arcs are quick studies, they will be a factor in the new Western Reserve Conference.

MORE ABOUT BRUSH

Click here to see 2015 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division II, Region 3

Conference: Western Reserve Conference.

2014 record: 2-8.

Coach: Jeff Fink (first season)

Returning letter winners: 19.

Key Players:

Player, POS, Yr., H-T, WT.

Brandon Adams, RB, Jr., 5-8 170.
Jonathan Ayala, OT Sr., 6-4 215.
Raiford Boyd-Stone, OL Sr., 6-0 250.
Coleyone Brown, LB, Jr., 5-8 190.
Tyrone Chambers, OT/DT, Jr., 6-5 325.
Tyrell Coleman, OL, Jr., 5-8 270.
Kendale Davis, LB, Jr., 5-7 160.
Ameer Jackson, WR Sr., 5-11 175.
Tommy Loya, QB, Jr., 6-1 160.
Ryan Murphy, DE Sr., 6-2 195.
Jordan Overton, WR, Sr., 5-10 170.
Austin Scott, WR Sr., 5-7 165.
Jordan Shahid, WR, Jr., 5-8 140.
Tre’Chane Shanklin, DL Sr., 6-1 230.
Christian Wright, DB, Jr., 5-9 170.

Scouting report

Strengths: The Arcs will be able to match up speed-wise with any team in the WRC, and should have a size advantage along the offensive line against most opponents. Overton could provide a tremendous spark in the return game, while Jackson leads a talented group of receivers. Scott is the team's top returning rusher. Defensively, Chambers and Murphy will anchor a solid defensive front that should give opponents trouble on the ground.

Concerns: Brush was inept at times offensively last season, struggling to find consistency at quarterback with a young Loya taking over midway through the season. Fink must develop Loya into a steady signal caller who gets the ball to his playmakers if the Arcs are going to find success in 2015. Defensively, the Arcs need to identify linebackers who will make big plays and defensive backs who will prevent them. Brown and Davis will need to step in to keep offenses off balance.

Key stats from 2014:

Offense: Loya 233 passing yards; Scott 227 rushing yards; Jackson 278 receiving yards. Defense: Chambers 34 tackles; Shanklin 1.5 sacks. Special teams: Overton 402 return yards, 2 TD. Scoring: Scott 30 Points (5 TD).

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

Erie hitters battered RubberDucks pitchers Sunday, piling up 18 hits and cruising to an 8-1 victory in a Class AA Eastern League game at Akron. It was Akron's fifth straight loss. The Seawolves took an early 3-0 lead on RubberDucks left-hander Shawn Morimando and never relented, scoring four runs in the sixth inning to essentially ice the game. Erie outfielder and leadoff...

Erie hitters battered RubberDucks pitchers Sunday, piling up 18 hits and cruising to an 8-1 victory in a Class AA Eastern League game at Akron.

It was Akron's fifth straight loss.

The Seawolves took an early 3-0 lead on RubberDucks left-hander Shawn Morimando and never relented, scoring four runs in the sixth inning to essentially ice the game. Erie outfielder and leadoff hitter Wynton Bernard finished 5-for-5 with three runs scored.

Morimando (9-11, 3.24 ERA) had a rough outing, giving up six runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Reliever Jacob Lee gave up two runs on seven hits in two innings.

Meanwhile, Erie right-hander Austin Kubitza (8-11, 5.55) was solid, giving up one run and six hits in five innings, striking out five. Three Seawolves relievers closed out the game, giving up just three hits in four innings.

Outfielder Carlos Moncrief was 2-for-5 for the RubberDucks and had Akron's only RBI, bringing in a run with a single in the third inning. Catcher Alex Lavisky was 2-for-4.

Lindor's solo blast to right field in the eighth inning on Sunday -- his third hit in the game and his seventh base knock of the series -- propelled the Indians to a 4-3 victory against New York.

NEW YORK -- A collection of Yankee greats gathered on the infield on Sunday afternoon to honor Andy Pettitte, who had his No. 46 retired in Monument Park.

As Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and others lounged in white chairs in front of the mound, Pettitte reminisced about their litany of conquests on the diamond, which started with a playoff appearance in 1995.

Francisco Lindor was 1 year old when the Yankees began their climb to prominence. In October 1996, a month before Lindor's third birthday, the Yankees captured the first of their four World Series titles in a span of five years.

Lindor is now 21. He played at Yankee Stadium for the first time over the weekend. And he left an impression on those in attendance, including any of the pinstriped legends who stuck around to watch him deliver the Tribe a series win with a timely home run.

Lindor's solo blast to right field in the eighth inning on Sunday -- his third hit in the game and his seventh base knock of the series -- propelled the Indians to a 4-3 victory against New York.

The solo shot rescued Cleveland's bullpen from despair, as the unit had coughed up a two-run advantage in the previous half-inning. Trevor Bauer departed with one out in the bottom of the seventh, having limited the Yankees to two runs (one earned) on two hits. He walked six, however, including Stephen Drew to begin the frame. Drew advanced to third when Jacoby Ellsbury doubled off of Kyle Crockett.

He and Ellsbury scored when Bryan Shaw served up a two-out double to Carlos Beltran. The ball landed a few steps from Michael Brantley, who watched it sail into the stands after an emphatic bounce.

The deadlock didn't persist for long, though. Giovanny Urshela opened the eighth with a walk against Yankees relief hoss Dellin Betances. Jose Ramirez replaced Urshela at first base, but was caught stealing. Lindor then took matters into his own hands. Three pitches later, he poked a 97-mph fastball over the right-field fence.

Since the All-Star break, Lindor is batting .352 (50-for-142) with five home runs, 18 RBIs and a .507 slugging percentage.

What it means
In taking three of four from New York, the Indians captured the season series against the Yankees, as the Tribe claimed five of the seven meetings between the teams. The Indians (58-65) remain in last place in the American League Central.

Cleveland boosted its road record to 34-31. The Indians are 39-13 when they score first, but they have done so in only 42 percent of their games.

Power display
Carlos Santana stroked a two-run homer into the visiting bullpen in the top of the first. It marked his first home run of the season as a right-handed batter. He is tied with Brandon Moss for the team lead with 15 round-trippers. Moss was traded to St. Louis in late July.

Early exit
Yankees hurler CC Sabathia left the game after 2 2/3 innings because of right knee pain. He received an MRI on Sunday afternoon. Sabathia allowed two runs on four hits and four walks.

Walk this way
Abraham Almonte drew a bases-loaded walk in the fifth inning, which pushed Cleveland's lead to 3-1. The Indians have amassed 14 hits in 89 at-bats with the bases loaded this season (.157 average). They also have been issued 16 free passes with the bags packed.

Jerry Sands followed with a sharp liner to deep center field, but Ellsbury made a leaping catch.

Yankees pitchers issued the Tribe 10 walks.

Bauer outage
Bauer lasted a total of five innings in his previous two starts. He logged 6 1/3 strong frames on Sunday. The Yankees scored their first run in the third inning, as Tribe catcher Yan Gomes fired a high throw to second base on a successful Brett Gardner steal attempt. The ball skipped off of Lindor's glove and Ellsbury raced home.

They came, they saw
An announced crowd of 46,945 watched the affair at Yankee Stadium.

What's next
The Indians and Cubs will square off at Wrigley Field on Monday afternoon in a makeup of a game originally scheduled for June 15. The matinee will mark the final contest of Cleveland's four-city, 11-game, 11-day road trip. Tribe right-hander Corey Kluber (8-13, 3.52 ERA) will oppose Cubs southpaw Jon Lester (8-9, 3.58). Kluber surrendered four home runs to Lester's former team, the Red Sox, in his last start on Wednesday. He allowed six runs on six hits in six innings of a 6-4 loss.

Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor says Carey Spear-Travis Coons battle is "neck and neck." Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns might enter a regular season with an unproven NFL kicker for the first time since 1999.

Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said youngsters Travis Coons and Carey Spear are "neck and neck" in their competition for the job. Adding a veteran kicker before the regular season opens Sept. 13 hasn't been ruled out, but Tabor conceded Monday he doesn't think it's necessary.

Neither 23-year-old specialist has missed a kick in two preseason games. Each has converted one field goal - Spear from 47 yards and Coons from 41.

"It's going good," Tabor said of the competition. "Both those guys are -- it's still neck and neck. Statistically, more important, how they're hitting the ball because obviously there is more to it than just stats, ball flight, timing all those things but they're both doing a really good job and this will be another week to see who comes ahead."

The last time the Browns entrusted a young kicker with the position it turned out well. Phil Dawson won the spot in 1999 and didn't relinquish it - save for injury - until he was allowed to leave for the Niners via free agency in 2013. That decision remains wildly unpopular among a fan base that saw the Browns fail on crucial kicks against the Ravens, Bills and Colts last season with their team still in the playoff hunt.

Coons and Spear, a Mayfield product, get their next chance Saturday against the Buccaneers. Both were in NFL camps a season ago, but did not win jobs.

Tabor said little separates the specialists on kicks or kickoffs. A majority of the kicks are attempted, he said, early in practice before the media begins watching.

It's not uncommon for a team trying out young kickers to add a veteran - often just released from another team - late in preseason. Asked if saw that occurring, Tabor replied: "I don't."

"I think it's still to be played out," he said. "I really do. I'm waiting for one of them to take it by the horns so to speak and if one of them is the kicker than, yes, obviously we made that decision and we'll be confident in that player."

Injury updates

Coach Mike Pettine is hoping defensive backs Joe Haden (hamstring), Tashaun Gipson (calf) and Justin Gilbert (hip flexor) among others can return to practice at midweek and play Saturday night in Tampa Bay.

Outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo (knee) probably won't play in preseason, but has a shot at returning in time for the regular-season opener against the Jets.

Trading spaces

The Browns are toggling linebacker Paul Kruger between two positions in hopes of getting him more one-on-one matchups. The veteran led the team with a career-high 11 sacks last season.

Defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil said they're using Kruger more at their "SAM" linebacker than "rush" linebacker this year.

"It's going to make it hard on teams to double team him because he's going to probably do some dropping the coverage stuff for us on earlier downs," O'Neil said. "When you're a 50-50 guy on early downs, Paul's going to get some favorable matchups against tight ends and running backs. Whereas last year you're playing a lot more rush linebacker where you're going against an offensive tackle a lot.

Two-way rookie?

With the Browns battling injury problems in the secondary, receiver Shane Wynn saw some reps as a defensive back Monday.

"You start to look forward to the last two games for emergency planning that if you have to throw a guy out there," Pettine said. "I have been involved in situations where we have had to play an offensive lineman at defensive tackle. We have had to move receivers to play safety. (Wynn) is a unique athlete. I would be shocked if he couldn't function on the defensive side. Right now it is just building some depth for the last two games."

Surprise, surprise

Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil were asked to name their training camp surprises. DeFillipo selected offensive lineman Darrian Miller, tight end E.J. Bibbs and receivers Jsoh Lenz and Darius Jennings. O'Neil tabbed defensive lineman Dylan Wynn and defensive backs Ibraheim Campbell, Charles Gaines and Landon Feichter.

Johnny Manziel impresses, Justin Gilbert struggles as Cleveland Browns coaches also wait for injured players to return to field. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cleveland Browns notebook after reading the transcripts of the three coordinators, who had press conferences Monday:

1. John DeFilippo is excited about the progress of Johnny Manziel, but wants to avoid the mistakes of a year ago -- rushing him into action. The most encouraging thing said by the offensive coordinator was: "I think (Manziel's) a new guy... I think you see a different quarterback. ... I think his overall understanding of the game and what we're trying to do has changed drastically. ... He understands protections. ... He's making calls."

2. In other words, Manziel is learning what it means to play quarterback in the NFL in terms of preparation and having his team organized as the ball is snapped. A year ago, his struggles proved that wasn't as easy as most quarterbacks make it look. But DeFilippo also stressed everything with Manziel is "one day at a time, take it one day at a time."

3. That has to be true with all parts of Manziel's life. One of the mantras for people coming out of rehabilitation is "One day at a time." Manziel did spend 11 weeks in a rehab center. Everything came too easy and so fast at Texas A&M. Assuming he continues to perform well in practice and preseason, he will get his chance to start.

4. I agree with DeFilippo, who said that Josh McCown has made only one really bad pass -- the second interception in the Buffalo game. He talked about the team's "comfort level" with McCown: "He gets us into protections, he really knows protections. And he really knows the offense..."

5. McCown has what Manziel is working on -- the trust level with the players and coaches. But this is Cleveland. Most seasons, three quarterbacks play. McCown has never played more than 13 games in a season. Manziel just needs to stay ready.
 

6. Let's be very real. You are head coach Mike Pettine. Your team finished on a five-game losing streak. You can look at the history of recent coaches: Rob Chudzinski (2013), Pat Shurmur (2011-12), Eric Mangini (2009-10). You want to open this season with a quarterback you trust. Patience is not a virtue for Browns coaches, regardless of the ownership group since 1999.

7. The Browns have high hopes for Dwayne Bowe and Duke Johnson. DeFilippo has big plans for them in his offense. But both have been out for weeks with hamstring injuries. Both are supposed to play in Saturday's game at Tampa Bay. The Browns believe Bowe has plenty left in his receiver tank, but they want to see him out running and catching passes. Johnson looked great in all the mini-camps, but has yet to play in a game in which people are tackled.

8. I'm hoping that Bowe has a training camp and then a season like Miles Austin last season. Austin played very little in the preseason because of hamstring problems. He was ready once the regular season opened, catching 47 passes in 11 games. He then suffered a lacerated kidney. I'm hoping for better health and production from Bowe. But the point is, Austin was ready when the season opened.

9. I thought Terrrance West ran well against Buffalo. He had 42 yards in 11 carries, and the Browns ran right at a tough defense. Nothing tricky. DeFilippo wanted to test the running game. West showed progress. Isaiah Crowell had one good run. But the quickness of Johnson would be an excellent addition to Crowell and West. DeFilippo stressed how West and Crowell run well between the tackles. They don't run as well running outside, especially on pass routes.

10. The Browns were lining Johnson up as a receiver. They think the all-time Miami rusher can be a real weapon catching the ball, along with running it.

11. I'm not going to spend a lot time on Manziel's sore elbow. I'll assume the Browns are correct that it's not serious, unless we hear otherwise. If it is a real problem, we will hear about it because it will return.

12. DeFilippo talked about Manziel's 3/4 throwing motion, and that sometimes "puts pressure on the elbow." But the coach is correct, you really can't make a drastic change to a quarterback's throwing motion at this level.

13. Like the rest of us, DeFilippo is anxious to see Terrelle Pryor playing receiver. All was well in the early practices before his hamstring injury, which has kept him out of a game. "He was making unbelievable strides," said DeFilippo. But what will happen when he plays in a real game for the first time as an NFL receiver? I can't wait to see it.

14. I hope defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil is correct when he says: "It's a deep group ... it might be a situation where we cut a guy or two who can play in this league." I do know defensive linemen get hurt. Last year, the Browns lost John Hughes, Phil Taylor and Armonty Bryant with significant injuries.

15. O'Neil raved about Danny Shelton: "He's done a great job. He brings a ton of energy. ... He's going to command a double team in the run game. ... Thumbs up on Danny Shelton."

16. My thought: Shelton is what you want from a first-round pick -- he is NFL ready.

17. O'Neil received a lot of questions about Justin Gilbert. Bottom line, not much progress is being made. The contrast between how DeFilippo characterized the progress of Manziel compared to the guarded comments of O'Neil on Gilbert were revealing. The best he could say was: "He's further along than where he was last year, but he still has some ground to make up."

18. Ibraheim Campbell drew more compliments, this time from O'Neil. Pettine praised Campbell the other day for the rookie's play against Buffalo. The fourth-rounder from Northwestern has used the injury to Tashaun Gibson and other defensive backs to make an impact on the coaches.

19. I thought rookie Charles Gaines played well against Buffalo, and O'Neil mentioned Gaines (along with unheralded Kendall James) for their performances last week. Gaines is a sixth-rounder.

20. It's been hard to judge the kickers because there haven't been many opportunities for them to attempt field goals under game pressure. Special teams coach Chris Tabor said both (Carey Spear, Travis Coons) are "neck and neck." Neither has attempted a field goal in a regular season game.

Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed break down the final day of Cleveland Browns training camp. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- This is the end. Year two of Camp Pettine is in the books.

The day started with the coordinators all holding press conferences. John DeFilippo talked about Johnny Manziel's progress and his three-quarters throwing motion. Jim O'Neil talked about Justin Gilbert. Chris Tabor talked kickers.

Following practice, Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed talked about the final day of camp. Topics covered include:

• Johnny Manziel's elbow.
• Terrelle Pryor's status for Saturday night.
• Justin Gilbert's struggles.
• The banged-up secondary.

Get complete coverage of training camp at cleveland.com/browns and we'll be back with you on Wednesday.

Coach Mike Pettine says the Browns won't alter Johnny Manziel's mechanics and that they'll have to just manage the soreness that results from his 3/4 release. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns have come to grips with the fact that Johnny Manziel's unorthodox mechanics are causing his elbow soreness, but they're not about to overhaul them at this point in his career.

Manziel rested Monday with the elbow pain that flared up Sunday toward the end of practice when he heaved a deep ball to Josh Lenz. Afterwards, he came to the sidelines pointing to the elbow and explaining the discomfort.

Following an off day on Tuesday, coach Mike Pettine is hopeful that Manziel will be able to practice Wednesday and Thursday, and then play Saturday night in the dress rehearsal game in Tampa.

"I think we have a pretty good feel that just the day's rest will be enough and if it is not we'll deal with it accordingly,'' said Pettine.

After Manziel's practice was cut about a half-hour short on Sunday, the medical staff determined that an MRI wasn't necessary and that just some rest and treatment would ease the pain.

And even though coach John DeFilippo revealed Monday that it's Manziel's 3/4 release -- somewhere between a regular throw and a sidearm toss -- that's causing the problem, the Browns have no plans to teach their young dog new tricks.

"At this point in his career, we're not going to try to change his throwing motion,'' said Pettine. "I think that's an advantage that he has. There are times he'll change his arm angle to make a throw.

"If you stick with your traditional throwing motion, the ball's either going to get knocked down, (or) you've got a guy in your way, you've got an outstretched arm, you want to go ahead and drop the ball down a little bit and make a throw. So I think that's an advantage of his. We just have to be mindful of it and when he does get sore, shut him down."

Pettine said the Browns didn't view the lower release point, or his varying arm angles, as a drawback when they drafted Manziel No. 22 overall in 2014.

"I just think as long as you can manage it,'' Pettine said. "A lot of times you have to rely on the player to give you the feedback that 'this is starting to bother me.' Then we can do some things from a training standpoint. If that's what made him successful, then it's something you don't want to tinker with at this point.

"It's an advantage, as long as you can manage it. I can't think of any example from around the league where a guy came in and (varied) his arm angle and ended up out of the league because of chronic arm soreness."

DeFilippo, a former college quarterback who has coached Mark Sanchez, Carson Palmer, Daunte Culpepper, JaMarcus Russell, Terrelle Pryor, and Derek Carr, feels it's counterproductive to alter a quarterback's throwing motion in the pros.

"I'm a big believer in once guys get to this level, you can help them with their lower body from the waist down,'' said DeFilippo. "It's really, really hard to change from the waist up. It really is. You look at the guys that have been documented in the past in terms of bad mechanics at quarterback, it kind of follows throughout their career.

"It's really hard when a guy's been throwing the ball since he's been 10 years old to change that in an offseason, especially now with the new CBA we don't get these guys in the offseason.''

But he acknowledged that Manziel's preferred release point is the likely culprit of his current soreness and the flare-up that caused him to miss practice Aug. 11 before the Redskins. Manziel has been wearing a sleeve on the elbow and icing it after every practice.

"You see him three quarters at times and sometimes that's a lot of pressure on the elbow and shoulder,'' he said. "I won't say it's the wrong way to throw a football because I've seen a lot of successful quarterbacks throw the ball like that. That's part of the reason why Johnny can get the ball out of his hand so fast. He has that whip release. At times that will put a lot of stress on your elbow."

One source said Manziel has experienced elbow soreness at other times throughout his career, likely because of the release point. In addition, he suffered an arm injury in 2013 in the Auburn game when two defenders tackled him. He had his elbow and shoulder examined on the sidelines, and was later diagnosed with a shoulder injury. But he started the following week against Vanderbilt, throwing for 305 yards and four touchdowns.

Despite DeFilippos attrition of quarterbacks -- Connor Shaw is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his right thumb last week -- he's not fretting about Manziel's elbow.

"No, I'm not,'' DeFilippo said. "Johnny has probably got what 30 or 40 percent of the other quarterbacks in the league have right now  -- sore elbows, sore shoulders. There's a lot of wear and tear on those guys in terms of their arm. I'm not too concerned about it. If (trainer) Joe Sheehan and the doctors come up to me and say, 'Hey, this is something that's going to be a chronic issue' then there's going to be some concern and we've got to watch it but I'm not too concerned about Johnny right now. He's doing fine."

Beside, DeFilippo is confident that Manziel's elbow pain will decrease along with his pitch count.

"Once training camp is over (Tuesday) and the volume of throws goes down that has a way of clearing up itself,'' he said. "I've been around guys with elbow and shoulder issues that once they break camp the first week, it kind of (calms) down a little bit.''

But none of the other Browns quarterbacks have suffered camp arm this summer, which lends credence to DeFilippo's theory that it's Manziel's mechanics. Josh McCown, who's taken the bulk of the reps as the starter, isn't sure why he's not experiencing it and Manziel -- who's only 22 and started only two seasons at Texas A&M -- is.

"I don't know, by the grace of God, I guess,'' McCown said. "I don't know if our motions are different or something like that. But I try to stay on top of everything I can do, especially at this age (36) to stay healthy and the trainers do a good job. I know Johnny's in there all the time getting treatment and doing the things he can to help himself too. Sometimes it's just bad luck.

 McCown, who's been a terrific mentor for Manziel this season, has helped him keep his head up in the wake of the soreness, which flared up three days after Manziel electrified the FirstEnergy Stadium crowd with his 11-play, 96-yard TD drive in the 11-10 loss to the Bills. On Monday, Manziel executed a few handoffs in individual and run drills, and simulated rushing McCown in position drills.

"He's got a good mindset and he's still working,'' said McCown, who's "firmly the No. 1'' in the words of Pettine. "We just keep encouraging him and he's right there mentally taking every rep and that's all you can ask for in this situation.''

With Manziel sidelined Monday, receiver Terrelle Pryor -- who's still idle at receiver because of his strained hamstring -- threw some one-on-one drills receiver/defensive back drills. Originally, Pettine said quarterbacks coach Kevin O'Connell might do it, but they called on the former Raiders quarterback instead.

Still, Pettine said not too much should be read into the handful of throws and that Pryor's ability to play quarterback won't be a major factor in upcoming roster decisions.

"We're really looking at him right now as a wide receiver,'' said Pettine. "If he does make it, it is nice knowing that you have that skillset. It is dangerous when you start to think we could still let him dabble back at quarterback. He has to prove that he can make it as a wideout first. That is a potential benefit down the road."

Hopefully for the Browns, Manziel's elbow will cooperate and they won't need an extra camp arm.

 

Cubs rookie Kris Bryant stroked a walk-off home run into the bleachers in right-center field to down the Indians, 2-1.

CHICAGO -- Corey Kluber and Jon Lester matched wits on Monday afternoon in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel.

One hurler carried a perfect game into the sixth inning. The other toted a shutout into the ninth. Both pitchers dealt quickly and efficiently.

So, naturally, the game ground to a halt and the relief units determined the victor. Cubs rookie Kris Bryant stroked a walk-off ninth-inning home run into the bleachers in right-center field to down the Indians, 2-1.

It was an afternoon more representative of 1915 than 2015, with a pair of pitchers maintaining a scoreless deadlock, a steady dose of the Wrigley Field organ and a ballpark full of fans sitting through something other than a business meeting on a Monday afternoon.

Bryant's blast followed a pair of Zach McAllister strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth, moments after the Tribe had erased a 1-0 deficit.

Kluber kept the Cubs off base longest, but he blinked first. The split-second in which Jerry Sands' diving effort fell short was thought to have been the difference early on.

A victim of shoddy run support for much of the season, Kluber carried a perfect game into the sixth inning until Cubs reserve catcher David Ross, a grizzled, 38-year-old veteran backstop who carried a .181 average into the contest, singled to left with one out.

In the seventh, the Cubs erased Kluber's shutout. Chris Coghlan doubled and scored on Anthony Rizzo's triple, as the first baseman golfed a Kluber heave toward the right-field corner. After a lengthy chase, Sands sprawled out in an attempt to snag the fly ball, but it caromed away.

That run for Chicago appeared to be a mountainous hurdle for the Indians, who were stymied by southpaw Jon Lester. Cleveland mustered four meager singles through the first eight innings. The Tribe also bounced into four inning-ending double plays. Carlos Santana was culpable for two of them.

Lester kept Cleveland off of the scoreboard until the ninth, when Santana plated Abraham Almonte with a two-out RBI single to left. 

Kluber limited Chicago to one run on four hits over 7 2/3 innings. He didn't walk a batter. He tallied 11 strikeouts.

What it means

The Indians (58-66) wrapped up their four-city, 11-game, 11-day road trip with a 5-6 record. They dropped to 14-49 when they score three runs or fewer and 49-10 when they out-hit their opponent.

The Indians are 2-10 on Mondays.

Klubot

Kluber notched his eighth game this season and 21st game in his career with 10 or more strikeouts. He tossed a career-high 121 pitches, 83 for strikes. His 19 double-digit strikeout games since the start of the 2014 campaign are the second-most in baseball.

In the fourth inning, Kluber struck out Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber and Coghlan in order on 11 pitches. Monday's outing marked the third time this season he has carried a perfect game into the fifth inning.

Arch enemy

Kluber needed 11 tosses to retire Lester on a fly out in the third inning. After the out, Lester's career batting average dropped to .012 (1-for-81). Lester dropped down sacrifice bunts in his two other plate appearances.

Workin' day and night

Raburn pinch-hit for the pitcher's spot to begin the ninth inning. Lester plunked him with his first offering. Almonte then pinch-ran for Raburn at first base.

I can see clearly now

Ross roped a Kluber offering toward the left-field foul pole in the bottom of the third. To the surprise of just about everyone in the ballpark, third-base umpire Lance Barrett motioned his arms toward fair territory to signal a home run. Even the fans seemed shocked, as a collective sigh could be heard as the ball appeared to tail foul. Ross, though, circled the bases.

Tribe manager Terry Francona left the dugout to ask the umpires to check instant replay. After a crew chief review, the call was overturned, the run was taken off of the board and Kluber's perfect game remained, for the time being, intact.

The rain is gone

Monday's contest was a make-up game of a June 15 date that was washed away by rain.

They came, they saw

An announced crowd of 36,283 skipped work to watch the affair.

What's next
With the season's longest road trip in the rear view, the Indians will return to Progressive Field for a homestand beginning Tuesday evening against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Indians and Brewers -- who split a pair of games in Milwaukee last month -- will play twice this week. On Tuesday, Josh Tomlin (1-1, 2.03 ERA) will oppose Wily Peralta (4-7, 4.48). On Wednesday, Carlos Carrasco (12-9, 3.53) will duel Jimmy Nelson (10-9, 3.60).

Kris Bryant HR would only have been out of Wrigley & Yankee Stadium (when 70 degrees, no wind). Wind-aided: 40 feet pic.twitter.com/vRZ9lAT47i

-- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 24, 2015