Clifford, from Cincinnati St. Xavier, is the No. 10 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2017. Watch video

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- The ideal Penn State quarterback was on the back fields at Westerville North High School on Saturday, throwing on the run, getting the ball into tight windows and displaying the kind of athleticism James Franklin needs.

Sean Clifford made sure he was doing it all while wearing a white Nittany Lions visor.

The Cincinnati St. Xavier quarterback has been committed to Penn State since July, and been playing recruiter ever since. That's important for Franklin, but not nearly as important as Clifford himself.

As Clifford spun the ball better than any other quarterback at The Opening Columbus Regional last weekend, it was clear that Franklin may have finally found his perfect quarterback.

"If you watched the spring game, you learned that the new quarterback for Penn State is someone who is athletic, can run around, read-option, all that kind of stuff," Clifford told cleveland.com. "That's the new Coach Franklin quarterback."

Clifford earned an invitation to the Elite 11, Nike's national quarterback competition held every summer. He'll be there as one of the best high school quarterbacks in the country.

Penn State has other quarterbacks on its roster now, and Franklin has signed one in each of his first three recruiting classes. But they all seem to have pieces of what Franklin needs, and not yet the whole package. Clifford, who still has one more season of high school football left, is closer to that whole package.

He's a four-star prospect, the No. 10 pro-style quarterback in the country and the No. 9 player in Ohio. Don't get caught up in that pro-style label, though, because Clifford can move.

Watch his high school tape and you'll see a player comfortable throwing on the run, an athlete capable of eluding pressure and turning on the speed when he gets in the open field. The spread element, and the opportunity for the quarterback to make plays with his legs was one of the reasons Franklin's Penn State offense was appealing to Clifford.

"It's gonna be different this year," Clifford said of Penn Stat's offense. "(Offensive coordinator Joe) Moorehead has a totally different offense. It's a little bit more like Oregon, high-tempo. It's gonna be a lot of fun to watch."

Oregon? Really?

"If you watch the spring game, it was dialed down then," Clifford said. "I watched one of their practices and it is high-tempo. It's gonna surprise a lot of people."

Playing fast and playing Oregon-fast are two different things, but it's clear Penn State wants to transform its offense into something it hasn't been early in Franklin's tenure.

That tempo and style probably wasn't possible with Christian Hackenberg and the offensive line the Lions had the last two years. With a quarterback like Clifford and more development up front, it becomes more of a reality.

This isn't to say that Clifford will come in next summer and earn the starting job at Penn State. There are three quarterbacks ahead of him, and Clifford will have to play catch-up when he gets on campus a year from now.

But Clifford sees the ultimate vision for Franklin's offense -- with a player like him running it -- and that makes him excited.

"It could be national championship potential, that's why I hopped on and that's why I'm staying on," Clifford said.

Rutgers will travel to Ohio Stadium on Oct. 1.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Chris Ash's return to Ohio Stadium will be Ohio State football's Homecoming game.

The Buckeyes will host Rutgers on Oct. 1 with kickoff set for 12 p.m., the school announced on Wednesday. A TV network has yet to be announced.

Ash, the former Ohio State co-defensive coordinator, is entering his first season as the head coach at Rutgers. Ties between between Ash and Urban Meyer are still strong, with the two pairing up for a satellite camp in New Jersey next month.

The Oct. 1 game between the Buckeyes and the Scarlet Knights will be the Big Ten opener for Ohio State, and the second Big Ten game for Rutgers. The conference moves to a nine-game conference schedule starting with the 2016 season.

The game against Rutgers is the fifth known kickoff time for Ohio State in 2016. The Buckeyes will play four straight Big Ten night games in October and November.

Here's Ohio State's 2016 schedule with announced kickoff times:

* Sept. 3 vs. Bowling Green

* Sept. 10 vs. Tulsa

* Sept. 17 at Oklahoma

* Sept. 24 BYE

* Oct. 1 vs. Rutgers, Noon

* Oct. 8 vs. Indiana

* Oct. 15 at Wisconsin, 8 p.m.

* Oct. 22 at Penn State, 8 p.m.

* Oct. 29 vs. Northwestern, 5:30 p.m.

* Nov. 5 vs. Nebraska, 8 p.m.

* Nov. 12 at Maryland

* Nov. 19 at Michigan State

* Nov. 26 vs. Michigan

Although four-star QB Kellen Mond is certain Ohio State would take his commitment and open him into its class with open arms, Urban Meyer could be faced with a very difficult decision.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's quarterback situation in the 2017 recruiting class is pretty complicated right now.

One decision by a teenager could make it much more convoluted. 

What if four-star quarterback Kellen Mond of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG were to try and commit to the Buckeyes this afternoon? 

Though Mond is certain Ohio State would take his commitment and open him into its class with open arms, Urban Meyer would be faced with a very difficult decision.

Option A: Take Mond and four-star Danny Clark of Archbishop Hoban -- who has been committed to Ohio State for three years -- and pass on five-star quarterback Tate Martell of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman. 

Option B: Pass on Mond and go all-in for Martell, who decommitted from Texas A&M last week. 

Option C: Take Mond, keep pushing hard for Martell and ask Clark to grayshirt the way the Buckeyes did with Hoban running back Todd Sibley. 

Things to consider when thinking about Ohio State's 2017 QB situation: 

* All Ohio State's assistants can do is recruit the prospects they want to recruit, but when it comes down to tough, hard-hitting recruiting decisions like this, Meyer is the one who makes the final call. 

* Sometimes it's fun to think about what's going through Meyer's head when it comes to a crucial call in a huge game, the stress involved in that. This is kind of like that, except if he's wrong, it could haunt him for the next four or five years. That's why he gets paid the big bucks. 

* If Mond wants to be a Buckeye, Meyer is going to be faced with this decision eventually. Mond told cleveland.com Wednesday evening that he plans to take a few more visits this summer before coming to a decision before his senior season at IMG. So Ohio State will know in July or August. 

Mond: 'They said I was their main guy'

* Martell is going to take all five official visits in the fall -- one likely at OSU -- before making his decision. But Martell likely won't come to a decision until mid-October at the earliest, so that could be a good three months after Mond wants to shut his recruitment down. 

* The hardest part about this whole thing is with Clark, who has done nothing but be completely loyal to Ohio State. He went beyond his job as a commit by helping recruit other top prospects. But right now, on the surface, it seems as if the Buckeyes are higher on Mond and Martell than they are with the guy who's been committed for three years. 

That's the tricky part about accepting a commitment from a freshman, especially at a position like quarterback. On one hand, it's great to have security four years in advance. But on the other, it's hard to live with that decision if the quarterback doesn't develop the way you intend.

That's not saying Clark hasn't developed -- we'll let Ohio State's coaches decide that -- but he has to be treated differently than if he were a quarterback who has recently joined the mix. Also, Clark has a big 'Block O' tattooed on his right arm. 

* Clark is somewhat preparing himself for the possibility that Ohio State may not be the place for him. He visited Alabama's spring game and he has spoken to other coaching staffs. He's still all Buckeye and says competition doesn't scare him, but things are getting kind of tricky. 

* The grayshirt idea would be interesting, but let's not forget the Buckeyes are in love with 2018 quarterback Phil Jurkovec of Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound prospect who competed in The Opening regional in Columbus this past weekend. 

* What would you rather do: Take the sure thing (who is still really, really good) or go for the flashy five-star prospect with the potential of losing both? Tell us in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments. 

The Indians are again without Michael Brantley, as they wrap up a three-game set against the Astros. Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup.

HOUSTON -- The Indians are again without Michael Brantley, as they wrap up a three-game set against the Astros. Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup.

Pitching matchup: RHP Danny Salazar (3-2, 1.91 ERA) vs. RHP Doug Fister (3-3, 4.54 ERA) 

Lineups

Indians

1. CF Rajai Davis

2. 2B Jason Kipnis

3. SS Francisco Lindor

4. DH Mike Napoli

5. 1B Carlos Santana

6. LF Marlon Byrd

7. C Yan Gomes

8. RF Lonnie Chisenhall

9. 3B Juan Uribe

Astros

1. 2B Jose Altuve

2. DH George Springer

3. SS Carlos Correa

4. LF Colby Rasmus

5. 1B Marwin Gonzalez

6. 3B Luis Valbuena

7. CF Carlos Gomez

8. C Max Stassi

9. RF Jake Marisnick

The Indians and Astros conclude their three-game series at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday afternoon. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat in the comments section.

HOUSTON -- The Indians and Astros conclude their three-game series at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday afternoon. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat in the comments section.

Game 31: Indians (16-14) vs. Astros (13-21)

First pitch: 2:10 p.m.

Broadcast info: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100, Indians Radio Network

Pitching matchup: RHP Danny Salazar (3-2, 1.91 ERA) vs. Doug Fister (3-3, 4.54 ERA)

Fact du jour: Opposing batters are hitting .142 (18-for-127) against Salazar this season.

Brantley is expected to take batting practice on Friday. The Indians will re-evaluate his situation at that juncture.

HOUSTON -- Jose Ramirez stopped by a table in the Indians' clubhouse on Wednesday morning to watch Danny Salazar and Juan Uribe battle in a card game.

Ramirez sported a wrap on his right hand and wrist, the area in which he was plunked by a pitch in Tuesday's game. Tribe manager Terry Francona and a trainer checked on the diminutive infielder at first base, but Ramirez remained in the contest. He underwent an X-ray, which revealed nothing troublesome.

After he watched his teammates duel at the card table, Ramirez walked into the trainer's room. He returned to his locker a few minutes later, with the wrap removed and with the ring and pinky fingers on his left hand taped together.

Ramirez jammed his fingers when he slid into second on a stolen-base attempt on Tuesday. They remained sore on Wednesday morning. He received treatment prior to Wednesday's contest. He was scheduled to hit in the batting cages around the time of first pitch and the Indians would determine his availability after that.

"I think he'll be fine," Francona said.

Ramirez's condition was the first bit of good injury news the Indians received on Wednesday. The other concerns Michael Brantley, whose surgically repaired right shoulder was feeling better.

The Indians rested Brantley on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of Thursday's scheduled off-day. The left fielder's shoulder was not bouncing back in ideal fashion, as Brantley felt extra fatigue in accordance with increased playing time. Brantley is expected to take batting practice on Friday. The Indians will re-evaluate his situation at that juncture.

'Too much, too fast' for Michael Brantley

Order, order: Carlos Santana's return to the middle of Francona's lineup stems from Brantley's absence. Rajai Davis occupied the leadoff position on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Santana shifting to the No. 5 spot.

"Just trying to have some balance," Francona said. "When Brantley is there, that's that left-handed hitter. We can get awfully right-handed for a stretch there."

The Indians are 8-2 when Santana bats leadoff.

What a relief: Cody Anderson began his short-term stint in the bullpen on Tuesday night. The right-hander is still slated to start on Monday against the Reds at Progressive Field. Francona said he isn't desperate to insert Anderson into a game out of the bullpen, but if he does, the outing would replace Anderson's typical between-start bullpen session.

"If the situation presents itself and it's a nice inning for him, we would do it," Francona said.

Anderson will have more than a week between starts. He allowed four runs over five innings on Saturday against Kansas City.

Indians push Anderson back a few days

No rest, not weary: Shortstop Francisco Lindor has played every inning this season. Second baseman Jason Kipnis has played every inning but one.

Thursday will mark the club's eighth off-day -- either scheduled or the result of a postponement -- since April 4.

"I don't feel like we've overdone it or reached," Francona said.

The schedule will become a bit more demanding as the summer months approach. Beginning Friday, the Indians have only one off-day until June 16. The team also has a stretch of 23 consecutive days with a game to close out August.

"There have been enough [off-days] so far that I think guys are doing good," Francona said. "Sometimes you give a guy a day off and you do them more harm than good."

Francona hinted that Lindor and Kipnis could each receive a day of rest on the team's upcoming road trip that stops in Cincinnati, Boston and Chicago and includes a doubleheader.

LeBron James had no issue with Stephen Curry winning the NBA MVP award, but when it comes to the term 'valuable,' there's more of a debate.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Pull up a bar stool. LeBron James wants to debate the "valuable" part of the NBA MVP award.

"I think there's a lot of valuable guys in our league that adds value to their team," James said after Cavs' practice Wednesday. Cleveland awaits either Miami or Toronto in the East finals.

Now, before we go any further: James has no issue with Stephen Curry being named MVP. Zip. Curry became the first player ever to win the award unanimously and first since James (in 2012 and '13) to win it in consecutive years.

In fact, James made the case for Curry as he discussed the topic of the award itself.

"I think he definitely deserved it," James said. "You look at Steph's numbers, he averaged 30 (points per game, led the NBA), he led the league in steals (169), he was 90-50-40 (shooting percentages from the foul line, the field, and 3-point), and they (the Warriors) won 73 (games). So, I don't, do you have any debate over that, really, when it comes to that award?"

So, where's the debate?

James, a four-time MVP, says it's in the meaning of the word "valuable."

"I think sometimes the word 'valuable' or best player of the year, you can have different results," he said. "When you talk about most 'valuable' then you can have a different conversation."

James has finished third for MVP in each of the last two seasons, which in his mind (he didn't say this today out loud) is ridiculous.

For the second consecutive year, James averaged 25.3 points per game - this time it was good enough for fifth in the NBA in scoring. But he led the NBA in 2-point baskets with 650. Curry, of course, destroyed the league's 3-point record with 402 (nearly half of his league-high 805 baskets; James was second with 737).

James averaged 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists. He ranked ninth in assists, and was surpassed for the first time in his career by a forward in that category - Draymond Green was seventh with 7.4 apg for the Warriors.

Kawhi Leonard, who finished a few points ahead of James for second place in the MVP race, didn't finish in the top 10 in any major statistical category (unless you count 3-point field-goal percentage, where he was third). Leonard may very well win the award for the league's top defensive player, and is a highly efficient offensive performer for a Spurs team that posted 67 wins - the best in that storied franchise's history.

And now we're getting closer to James' argument. The Spurs have been good for a generation; the Warriors a playoff team before Curry erupted last season. The Cavs before James' return: a dumpster fire.

The Cavs finished first in the East with 57 wins this season. Last year, they were in second with 53. Over the past two seasons, the Cavs are 4-15 when he doesn't play.

James' return to Cleveland had done more to change the culture in the organization than anything else. Yes, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are here, and they're playing brilliantly in the playoffs, but a combination of injuries, insecurity, and growing pains have kept both of them out of the All-Star Game the past two years.

Was James the best player in the NBA this year or last? Neither his statistics nor the Cavs' record support that.

But how valuable is he? Better than third place.

The Cleveland Indians seemed to have an over-abundance of outfielders just a week ago, but Michael Brantley's balky shoulder will put that depth to the test. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians seemed to have an over-abundance of outfielders just a week ago. So many, in fact, that promising rookie Tyler Naquin was sent back to Columbus last week when pitcher Cody Anderson was activated.

That demotion raised eyebrows among many who wondered how the Indians could demote a player hitting over .300 while keeping several older players around. Naquin became the No. 1 candidate mainly because he had options remaining.

Brantley had off-season surgery on his right shoulder and missed the first few weeks of the season. Since returning, Brantley has played in 11 games and is hitting .231 with two doubles. Manager Terry Francona decided to keep him out of the lineup Tuesday and Wednesday to rest the shoulder. As of now, he's expected back on Friday against Minnesota.

I had written recently that Indians should consider listening to trade offers for Lonnie Chisenhall, rather than sending Naquin down. Chisenhall is now being used in center field on occasion. He's hitting .244 with no homers and just three RBI in 45 at-bats since coming off the disabled list.

Marlon Byrd has only played a small role so far, but he's been reasonably productive, hitting .250 with two homers and nine RBI in 64 at-bats. And it helps that he has power from the right side.

Another wild card is utilityman Jose Ramirez. He's the top hitter among regulars with a .316 average and an .805 OPS. He's played in 24 games and has driven in 12 runs.

Popular analytics site Pro Football Focus says Colorado State receiver Rashard Higgins was the Browns' best pick and Auburn receiver Ricardo Louis was their worst.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns relied heavily on analytics in the 2016 draft and now one of the top analytics sites has weighed in on the club's best and worst picks of their 14 selections.

Mike Renner, an analyst for Pro Football Focus, has christened Colorado State wide receiver Rashard Higgins of Colorado State (fifth round, 172 overall) as the Browns' best pick, and Auburn receiver Ricardo Louis (fourth round, 114 overall) their worst.

"Higgins' production the last two seasons has been obscene,'' Renner wrote. "In 2014 he trailed only Tyler Lockett and Amari Cooper in our grading. There are athleticism concerns, but Higgins already knows how to run routes like a veteran wideout. He was one of several values Cleveland landed, including at wide receiver.''

But Renner panned the Browns' choice of Louis (6-2, 215) as their seventh selection -- and one of four receivers taken by the Browns, including Baylor's Corey Coleman at No. 15, their top pick. Louis was the 12th receiver off the board.

"Louis didn't make our final draft board of the top 250 prospects, which is why he represents the worst value in an otherwise impressive draft haul from Cleveland,'' Renner wrote. "That was in part based on him not grading particularly well in Auburn's run-heavy offense, but Louis actually ranked fourth in the class in yards per route run average (3.51), meaning he offers some upside in the pros if he receives a larger workload.''

NFL.com's Mark Dulgerian shared Renner's glowing review of the Higgins pick.

"Hollywood" Higgins is the most pro-ready WR the Browns have selected in terms of experience in a pro-style system,'' Dulgerian wrote right after the selection. "He's QB friendly with separation savvy and sticky hands. He has potential to be a short to intermediate workhorse in Hue Jackson's offense.''

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler also praised Higgins (6-1, 198) in his draft guide, placing a second-round grade on him and ranking him eighth among receivers.

"He is advanced in several areas at the position and might be the best receiver in this class at improvising to find open zones and give his quarterback a clean target,'' Brugler wrote. "Although his lack of ideal size and speed will ding him on draft boards, Higgins has the production that matches the tape and his strengths translate well to the next level -- second-round prospect and NFL starter.''

The snub in the first four rounds has not been lost on Higgins, who arrives for rookie minicamp this weekend with a Hollywood sign-sized chip on his shoulder. After the draft, he changed his Twitter profile to read: Should've never doubted 18-172. In a tweet, he explained the significant of the numbers.

"18 receivers were taken before me and I was the 172nd draft pick,'' he tweeted. "It's all motivation.''

18 receivers were taken before me and I was the 172nd draft pick it's all
motivation #MakemBelieve

-- Wood (@CALLME_WOOD) May 9, 2016

Higgins, nicknamed "Hollywood'' as a boy for his showmanship, had a blockbuster sophomore season, with 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 starts. Last season, bothered by a nagging hamstring injury and missing a game due to illness, Higgins had 933 yards and eight TDs. He left Colorado State as the school's all-time leader in receptions (238), receiving yards (3,643) and TD receptions (31).

Higgins likely slipped in the draft because of his 4.64 40 time, but like Brugler, PFF had a second-round grade on him.

"He does everything well, and has a nuanced feel for route running, setting up defenders and running after the catch,'' PFF Senior analyst Sam Monson wrote after the pick. "Could potentially develop into a productive NFL player in a hurry. Averaged more than 16 yards per catch just on bubble screens over the past two seasons.''

Conversely, Louis, the second of the four receivers drafted by the Browns, was criticized by plenty of analysts, including NFL Network's Mike Manock.

"Had a sixth-round grade on him," Mayock said on the network's telecast. "Didn't play to the speed, awful lot of drops."

Louis ran a tantalizing 4.32 at his Pro Day, but hasn't won over many critics, in part because of his eight TD catches over three seasons.

"Although he is capable of the acrobatic grab due to his length and athleticism, Louis has shown unreliable ballskills over his career and there isn't much that separates him as a player right now -- late round size/speed developmental project who might benefit from a position switch to the secondary,'' Brugler wrote.

Only the Falcons talked to Louis, a former high school safety, about switching to corner. But he has a message for anyone contemplating that.

"My mindset was that if you don't want me to play receiver that's fine, but I'm going to show you why I'm the best receiver in this draft,'' he said on draft day.

The Browns are certainly hoping he's right.

Young is the No. 3 player in Ohio's Class of 2017. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State basketball's chances of signing an All-Ohio recruiting class in 2017 became more of a reality on Wednesday.

The Buckeyes offered Massillon Jackson forward Kyle Young during an unofficial visit on Wednesday, according to Corey Albertson of TripleDoubleProspects.com. Young is a three-star prospect ranked the No. 3 player in Ohio's Class of 2017.

Ohio State already has Westerville South center Kaleb Wesson committed in 2017, and would like to add Young and East Tech guard Markell Johnson to the mix. Young and Johnson play on the same King James Shooting Stars AAU team.

Now Young has the offer from the Buckeyes he was seeking.

"Obviously good things with them being the school in my home state," Young said of the Buckeyes last month during Session 2 of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. "Ohio State, I've always grown up watching them so that's pretty cool."

The offer is good, but landing Young is far from a sure thing.

Michigan State has long pursued Young. They were active in watching him at the EYBL last month and Young already has an offer. Right now, early crystal ball projections from 247Sports are trending toward Michigan State.

At the very least, though, this offer to Young shows the Buckeyes are serious about making more of an effort to recruit in-state talent.

What an offer to Kyle Young means for Ohio State

That started with signing wing Andre Wesson late in its 2016 recruiting class. Three members of the Buckeyes' 2016 class are from Ohio. They also have Kaleb Wesson pledged for 2017 and Upper Arlington's Dane Goodwin pledged for 2018.

Adding Young would increase the Ohio presence on the roster, if Ohio State can beat out Michigan State, West Virginia, Purdue and the other schools that are sure to push hard for Young.

The Buckeyes have been recruiting Young for a few months, but had to re-start things a little bit after assistant Jeff Boals took the head coaching job at Stony Brook. Boals was the initial recruiter on Young, who said Greg Paulus has taken over his recruitment since.

Young is a 6-foot-7 wing ranked the No. 32 small forward in the 2017 class.

"(Teams) always tell me how versatile I am being 6-foot-7, I can go on the wing and shoot," Young said. "I can dribble, that's what they tell me catches their eye. My athleticism and stuff like that. ... I've been really working on my guard play and all that. And then just putting on weight and getting stronger, I've developed a lot."

Ohio State offered '17 Massillon Jackson F Kyle Young during an unofficial visit today.

-- Corey Albertson (@Corey_Albertson) May 11, 2016

The questions about Kevin Love's surgically repaired shoulder and whether he's tough enough to handle the rigors of the NBA playoffs have faded -- for now.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The questions about Kevin Love's surgically repaired shoulder and whether he's tough enough to handle the rigors of the NBA playoffs have faded -- for now.

So, too, have the grumbles about his relationship with teammates and his fit with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Love made a triumphant return to the postseason nearly a month ago, scoring 28 points to go with 13 rebounds in Cleveland's Game 1 win over Detroit. In it, he looked at home on the game's biggest stage, comfortable in his role as the Cavaliers' third wheel.

That game provided a glimpse of what was coming next, answering some pressing questions with the Cavs starting their postseason journey.

Seven games later, after two series sweeps, the Cavs are finally seeing the guy they tabbed to complete their Big Three. They have the player head coach Tyronn Lue was trying to unearth when he had a profanity-laced chat with the three-time All-Star at the end of March, pushing him to be more assertive.

Chat with Tyronn Lue has ignited Kevin Love

"Yes, the one we all hoped we'd see," Lue said Wednesday following the team's practice session in preparation for the conference finals. "Kevin is a great player, I believe a top 10 player in this league and he knows it. When you have a team with three All-Stars, sometimes you don't get to play the role you're capable of playing. That's what's been hurting Kevin over this last year and a half, but now we're using him the right way, he's comfortable and things are great."

A stat-sheet stuffer in Minnesota, Love's numbers have dipped since joining the Cavs.

Not in the playoffs. Love is averaging 18.9 points to go with 12.5 rebounds. He's tied with Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook for the playoff lead in double-doubles, as Love has eight straight to begin his second postseason.

With opposing defenses tailoring their game plans to keep LeBron James and Kyrie Irving out of the paint, Love has gotten plenty of open looks from outside.

"Just goes to show you, not only me but all of us, can get better," Love said Wednesday. "(Kent) Bazemore said they were daring me to shoot it, so I shot the three."

Love made 19 threes in the series against the Hawks and is tied for fifth in 3-pointers made this postseason, averaging 3.5. He's shooting 28-of-63 (44.4 percent) from beyond the arc, a huge jump after 36 percent during the regular season while struggling to find his role alongside James and Irving.

"I'm sure there were questions," Love said when asked about the Big Three blending. "For us, we had to figure it out and there was some rough spots, but I think, you start with 'Bron, he just says as long as us three compete and set the tone, we're going to be a better team.

"I think that's really shown thus far in the playoffs, really the last couple months and really after the All-Star break with the team. We had some games where we didn't necessarily play well, we played down to the level of competition but there were other nights where we played some of the best in the league and we shined, so we're kind of finding our way right now. We still have another level we can get to and that's a good thing for us."

The Cavs' trio is averaging 66.8 points combined in the eight games and outscoring opponents by an average on 9.6 points while sharing the court together. Most importantly, Cleveland has yet to lose in the playoffs (12-0) with all three when you include the 2015 opening-round series vs. Boston.

"There wasn't any doubt," Lue said about the triumvirate coming together to form something great. "The Big Threes I've been part of with KG (Kevin Garnett), Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, they were all at the end of their career and they had one goal in mind and that was to win a championship because they'd done everything else. With this team, they're still young.

"Kyrie is 24, Kevin is 26 (actually 27), they still have a lot to do in this league. Just for them to understand winning trumps everything and they understand that and that's our goal this year. That's been our focus for this whole year coming into this season was to try and win a championship."

Last year, Love's shoulder injury was the beginning of a run of bad luck, with each setback playing a role in the Cavs' title chances fading.

One year later, the East's top team is eight wins away, undefeated thus far and that scar on Love's left shoulder has given him a new perspective, helped him become an integral piece in the chase.  

"There's something to be said for being able to sit there and watch and be hungry," Love said. "There's a little bit more that goes into it this year. I think last year kind of helped me getting a little taste in the playoffs and then having it taken away from me. Being able to play has been big for me."

Browns fans will have a chance to get autographs from the new draft class of 2016, watch a rookie camp practice and interact with current and former Browns stars.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Fans will have a chance to watch 2016 first-round pick Corey Coleman and others participate in a rookie minicamp practice and meet current and past Browns players such as Robert Griffin III and Jim Brown during the second annual 2016 Cleveland Browns Fan Fest Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Rookies will sign autographs after the practice, which runs 2:30-4:40 p.m. Select current Browns will also sign autographs and interact with fans at various times.

The Fan Fest, which is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is $15 for the general public; $10 for season ticket members; $5 for kids 6 through 17; and free for kids under 5. Tickets are available at ClevelandBrowns.com, as well as at the ticket office of FirstEnergy Stadium on the day of the event.

The afternoon will also feature several panel discussions:

LAKE CLUB               

Noon-12:30 p.m.: Sashi Brown and Andrew Berry discuss the 2016 draft class and the upcoming 2016 season with host Nathan Zegura.

1:30-2 p.m.: Andy Baskin hosts Jim Brown, Joe DeLamielleure and Paul Warfield as they share stories of their NFL careers and their road to the Hall of Fame.
 
CITY CLUB

11:30 a.m.-noon: Cleveland Browns Daily hosts Zegura and Matt Wilhelm are joined by 92.3 The Fan's Ken Carman and Anthony Lima to discuss the draft, off-season moves and the 2016 season.

12:30-1 p.m.: Hanford Dixon, Bob Golic, Kevin Mack and Felix Wright recount their 1986 AFC Central championship season with Baskin.

2-2:30 p.m.: Joel Bitonio and celebrity chef Rocco Whalen prepare their favorite tailgate dish, while Bob Golic and Dixon serve fans as celebrity bartenders.

The following Browns players are scheduled to attend: Joel Bitonio, Robert Griffin III, Marlon Moore, Desmond Bryant, Joe Haden, Nate Orchard, Travis Coons, Charley Hughlett, Austin Pasztor, Isaiah Crowell, Darius Jennings, Jordan Poyer, Demario Davis, Malcolm Johnson, Danny Shelton, Pierre Desir, Duke Johnson Jr., Glenn Winston, Cameron Erving, Jamie Meder, John Greco and Raheem Mostert.

Who was the Browns' best/worst draft pick?

The Fan Fest will include a locker room sale with exclusive items from the team, Family NFL Combine drills on FirstEnergy Stadium's field, photos with Swagger, open concessions and other activities.

Season ticket members will be permitted to enter an hour earlier than the general public, at 10 a.m. Season ticket members should access the Cree LED Lighting Gate (Northeast) for early entry.

Various parking lots will be open, including the Great Lakes Science Center Parking Garage for $11, cash only.

Marwin Gonzalez's two-run homer in the 16th inning propelled the Houston Astros to a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday in Houston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run homer with one out in the 16th inning as the Houston Astros defeated the Cleveland Indians, 5-3, Wednesday afternoon at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Tribe second baseman Jason Kipnis went 5-for-7 with an RBI in a game that lasted 5 hours, 9 minutes.

The Astros (14-21) won the series, 2-1. The Indians (16-15) have lost seven of their last nine on the road.

Here is a capsule look at the key aspect(s) of the game, which was televised by Fox Sports Time Ohio:

Stat of the day: Ten Indians pitchers combined to throw 150 strikes and 117 balls.

Robbery: Kipnis would have had six hits if not for Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. With one out in the 15th inning, Kipnis smoked righty Michael Feliz's 3-2 fastball up the middle, where Correa made a ridiculous pick of the short hop and threw to first for the out.

Yikes: Kipnis was sandwiched by two players, leadoff man Rajai Davis and No. 3 Francisco Lindor, who combined to go 0-for-14 and get one ball past the infield.

Davis went 0-for-7 with four groundouts, two strikeouts and one popout. His average dropped from .244 to .226. Lindor went 0-for-7 with five groundouts -- one of which was a double play -- one flyout and one strikeout. His average dropped from .310 to .293.

Incredibly, Davis and Lindor weren't the only Indians to go 0-for-7. No. 7 Yan Gomes grounded out three times, struck out three times and flied out once. He made the final out of the second, fourth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 16th innings. His average dropped from .170 to .158.

Gomes' season's OPS is .485.

In a blink: Tribe righty Cody Anderson entered the 16th having worked three hitless innings. Three batters and three pitches later, the game was over.

Correa singled off Anderson's glove, Colby Rasmus popped to center and lefty Gonzalez lined a 94-mph fastball into the seats in right. Correa's hit was Houston's first since the seventh inning.     

Punched in the gut: In one sense, the Indians were fortunate to be in the game. Astros batters, admittedly with the help of 12 walks, did a much better job of pressuring Indians pitchers than Indians batters did to Astros pitchers. Nonetheless, the Indians held a 2-0 lead through 3 1/2 and a 2-1 lead through 5 1/2, and they had opportunities in extra innings.

They out-hit Houston, 14-10 (but walked just once). 

In the bottom of the ninth, Fox Sports Time Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "This is a big game to win the series. This is one you really want to win. These are the crushers. They come at points throughout the course of the year; these are games you have to win, especially on the road.''

Bad miss: Tommy Hunter relieved Tribe righty Danny Salazar to begin the sixth. Hunter retired the first two batters in four pitches.

Hitting machine Jose Altuve socked the first pitch to left for a double. George Springer, in a full count, checked on a fastball that appeared to be a strike -- over the plate, not quite at the top of the zone. Umpire Dale Scott, who had not exactly been razor-sharp, called it a ball.

Hunter and the Indians had every right to think they should have been out of the inning.

Two pitches later, Correa shot an 0-1 fastball to center to drive in Altuve to tie the score, 2-2. The Astros had been 0-for-8 with six strikeouts with runners in scoring position.

Lefty Kyle Crockett replaced Hunter and walked lefty Colby Rasmus. McAllister replaced Crockett and got Gonzalez to ground the first pitch to McAllister. 

Burned by the shift: The Astros pulled ahead, 3-2, in the seventh.

Former Indian Luis Valbuena led off with a bloop single to right-center against McAllister. Struggling Carlos Gomez bunted Valbuena to second. Max Stassi struck out swinging.

Lefty Preston Tucker punched a 3-1 fastball to the spot vacated by shortstop Francisco Lindor, who was up the middle, to drive in Valbuena.

McAllister had thrown the fastball to Gomes' glove, so it wasn't as if a bad pitch foiled the Tribe's defensive plans. Why any team would shift for Tucker and his .624 OPS is puzzling.   

Not so fast: The Indians tied it in the ninth off closer Luke Gregerson, who converted his previous 16 save opportunities dating to last August.

With one out, Mike Napoli hit a hustle-double to right-center (2-2 sinker on outside edge) and scored on Carlos Santana's triple to center (1-1 sinker outer half). Napoli was down in the count, 0-2. 

Marlon Byrd grounded to pulled-in shortstop Correa, who made a terrific backhanded pick on a short hop. Gomes grounded routinely to Correa.

High-wire act: Salazar somehow managed to allow just one run in five innings. He threw 54 strikes and 52 balls.

The Astros had four hits and six walks against him. They loaded the bases with none out in the first and with two outs in the second, but they failed to score each time. Their run came on Springer's homer in the fourth.

Salazar exited with a 2-1 lead.

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

1st INNING

Jose Altuve -- 93 fastball foul; 94 fastball outside; 93 fastball up and in; 94 fastball swinging strike (outer third); 95 fastball outside; 95 fastball foul; 95 fastball, single to center.

Skinny: Yes, Salazar needs to establish the fastball. But a pitcher can't show a hitter the caliber of Altuve the same pitch over and over and expect a positive result.

George Springer -- 94 fastball outside; 94 fastball outside; 93 fastball inside; 95 fastball down and away, walk.

Skinny: Altuve's threat to run bothered Salazar into rushing delivery.

Carlos Correa -- 84 slider swinging strike; 96 fastball outside; 95 fastball called strike; 87 changeup low; 96 fastball outside; 96 fastball low, walk.

Skinny: Key to plate appearance was Correa spitting on 1-2 changeup. Salazar's mechanics out of whack.

(L) Colby Rasmus -- 87 changeup called strike; 95 fastball low (supposedly; should have been a called strike); 88 changeup swinging strike (down and in); 97 fastball low; 87 changeup, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Nasty changeup over the plate but with serious tilt. In real time, it appeared it could have been a slider, but slo-mo replay showed changeup.

(L) Marwin Gonzalez -- 96 fastball low; 97 fastball called strike; 88 changeup swinging strike; 88 changeup swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Even more serious tilt.

(L) Luis Valbuena -- 97 fastball in dirt (great pick by catcher Yan Gomes); 87 changeup high; 95 fastball called strike (outer third); 97 fastball called strike; 88 changeup foul; 97 fastball, swinging strikeout (outside edge).

Skinny: Salazar escaped bases-loaded, none-out jam. He threw 32 pitches overall.

2nd INNING 

Carlos Gomez -- 94 fastball outside; 85 slider, single to right.

Skinny: Bad break for Salazar. Gomez squibbed it past second baseman Jason Kipnis.

Max Stassi -- 95 fastball called strike; 84 slider swinging strike (Gomez steals); 85 changeup in; 95 fastball outside; 95 fastball, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Stassi overmatched.

Jake Marisnick -- 85 changeup in dirt; 94 fastball foul; 93 fastball foul; 86 changeup inside; 86 changeup, swinging strikeout (inside).

Jose Altuve -- ball, ball, ball, ball, intentional walk.

Skinny: Fox Sports Time Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "This is a guy who finds a way to get the barrel of the bat to the ball, so I don't blame them.'' 

George Springer -- 83 changeup low; 95 fastball outside; 94 fastball foul; 95 fastball up and away; 95 fastball outside, walk (53rd pitch of game).

Skinny: Salazar's release point continued to be all over the place.

Carlos Correa --  94 fastball, fielder's choice/6-4.

Skinny: Correa too eager against pitch that ran off inside corner at knees. Salazar escaped second straight bases-loaded jam.  

3rd INNING

(L) Colby Rasmus -- 80 curve called strike; 94 fastball foul; 96 fastball foul; 86 changeup foul (hanger); 87 changeup in dirt; 87 changeup, swinging strikeout (in dirt).

(L) Marwin Gonzalez -- 95 fastball low; 95 fastball, double to right (inner half).

Skinny: Eighth hit by lefty off Salazar this season (8-for-73).  

(L) Luis Valbuena -- 95 fastball inside; 95 fastball low (barely); 94 fastball outside; 95 fastball low, walk.

Carlos Gomez -- 95 fastball called strike; 94 fastball swinging strike (went too far); 88 changeup, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Fastball inside set up Bugs Bunny changeup.

Max Stassi -- 94 fastball low; 95 fastball outside; 95 fastball, grounder to short.

Skinny: Stassi reached for pitch on outer third.  

4th INNING

Jake Marisnick -- 84 slider foul; 84 slider called strike; 94 fastball high; 85 changeup, swinging strikeout.

Jose Altuve -- 92 fastball called strike; 95 fastball outside; 86 slider, grounder to pitcher.

Skinny: Excellent time to show Altuve the slider, which was off the plate away. 

George Springer -- 93 fastball low; 94 fastball outside; 94 fastball, homer to left.

Skinny: Springer devoured a cookie -- over plate at thighs. Gomes was set up on outside corner.

Carlos Correa -- 86 ball; 96 fastball swinging strike; 97 fastball foul; 89 changeup foul; 87 changeup, grounder to third.

Skinny: Salazar threw 87 pitches through four. 

5th INNING

(L) Colby Rasmus -- 95 fastball high; 84 changeup, fly to center.

(L) Marwin Gonzalez -- 81 curve down and in; 96 fastball foul; 81 curve high; 94 fastball inside; 96 fastball called strike; 86 changeup, swinging strikeout.

Skinny: Heater over plate set up Bugs Bunny. 

(L) Luis Valbuena -- 81 curve low; 96 fastball foul; 97 fastball outside; 87 changeup high; 95 fastball swinging strike; 97 fastball outside, walk.

Skinny: Valby twice in a row.

Carlos Gomez -- 96 fastball foul; 97 fastball outside; 96 fastball outside; 97 fastball swinging strike (inside edge); 96 fastball, swinging strikeout (outer third).

Skinny: Salazar and Gomes saw that Gomez was swinging from heels and late on the heater, so they opted not to get cute.

"Thank you for coming to see the show today," Rajai Davis said. At that point, Davis had no idea that "the show" would entail 16 innings, 18 pitchers and 489 pitches. Watch video

HOUSTON -- Rajai Davis looked around the Indians' clubhouse on Wednesday morning and made eye contact with those nearby.

"Thank you for coming to see the show today," he said to a couple of reporters.

At that point, Davis had no idea that "the show" would entail 16 innings, 18 pitchers and 489 pitches. Perhaps he was talking about Marlon Byrd's pre-game umpiring practice with Orbit, the Astros' mascot.

Here are 16 thoughts following the Indians' marathon against the Astros.

1. Into the fire: The Indians would have been content had Cody Anderson spent a few days in the bullpen, yucking it up with the club's relievers, but not taking the hill. Anderson would have tossed a side session later this week and would start on Monday against the Reds.

The Indians also didn't foresee a 16-inning affair in their near future. Anderson logged 3 1/3 innings out of the pen on Wednesday. He retired the first nine batters he faced before he served up a single and Marwin Gonzalez's walk-off home run.

2. Last line of defense: Anderson was the guy for the duration of the game. The Indians had no alternatives.

"I wasn't getting tired or anything," he said.

Anderson threw 39 pitches. Pitching coach Mickey Callaway said the right-hander is still scheduled for a Monday start.

3. So close: The Indians' bullpen had held Houston hitless for eight straight innings prior to the decisive 16th frame. Anderson was responsible for three of those eight innings.

"It hurts when you lose, but he threw the ball really well," said manager Terry Francona. "From the things we were talking to him about, just watching him come out and attack, it'll serve him well. He's going to be just fine. You get into an extra-inning game on the road, you're a pitch away from going home and that hurts. But I'm really pleased with the way he attacked with his pitches."

4. New role: Anderson's last relief outing came on April 10, 2012, in his first career appearance at Class A Lake County.

"It's a different situation, but it's still the same thing," Anderson said. "I just have to get outs. Unfortunately today, I didn't come through. It's in the past and we're going to move forward."

5. The usual suspects: Those accustomed to pitching in high-leverage situations, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen, fared well on Wednesday. Shaw set down all four batters he faced. Over his last eight outings, he has blanked the opposition on two hits across 8 2/3 innings.

6. All hands on deck: The circumstances allowed Francona to deploy Tommy Hunter, Joba Chamberlain, Kyle Crockett and Dan Otero in meaningful moments as well. Chamberlain overmatched the Astros in his quick inning of work, as he tallied two strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 0.79. Otero mowed down Houston in order on only 10 pitches.

Indians fall short, 5-3, in 16 innings

7. Veteran move: Hunter made his fifth appearance with the Tribe. He squandered the club's 2-1 advantage in the sixth inning, as he surrendered a game-tying single to Carlos Correa with two outs. Following the game, Hunter told cleveland.com that he deserved blame for the loss, as he said Anderson never should have had to pitch in the first place.

8. Tito shuffle: Francona prefers not to carry a designated long reliever. He wants to be able to turn to particular pitchers at certain junctures.

"We like the idea of pitching our guys when we think they fit, for the matchup or depending on rest," Francona said. "We gave up a couple runs here and there, but we don't run away from anybody and that's a good feeling."

9. Long day: Davis, Francisco Lindor and Yan Gomes each went hitless in seven trips to the plate. Gomes is in a tailspin, as he now owns a .158/.190/.295 slash line this season.

"It's hard when you're the catcher and you're catching 16 innings," Francona said. "I'm sure he's exhausted. He's hit some balls on the nose early last night, well today, but it seems like last night. He'll be OK. He's a tough kid. It was a tough day for a few guys."

10. Rough stretch: Gomes is hitless in his last 20 at-bats. Over his last 11 games, he is 2-for-42 with two walks and 11 strikeouts.

11. Change up: Francona said he considered replacing Gomes with Chris Gimenez at one point during Wednesday's game, "just to have some fresh legs." He opted against the switch because he wanted to keep Gomes' arm behind the plate.

12. Heat index: The roof was closed for the third straight day at Minute Maid Park, but Tribe starter Danny Salazar still felt overheated at the beginning of his outing. After he escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam, he retreated to the clubhouse and placed a cold towel and ice on his head. He also removed the shirt he normally wears under his uniform. The temperature at first pitch was 73 degrees, but Salazar apparently felt the heat.

"It was too hot," Salazar said. "It was a battle."

13. Wild and out: Salazar walked six and struck out 10 in five innings of work. He threw 106 pitches, but only 54 for strikes.

"I was pulling to the side a little bit, to my left side when I was throwing the ball, instead of going down," he said. "It was a battle and I had to deal with it."

14. A little help from his friends: Every so often, a Tribe infielder visited with Salazar to permit him to catch his breath. Jason Kipnis made several slow treks to the mound.

"It was to give me a little breather so I could take a little more time and try to focus," said Salazar, who dealt with traffic on the basepaths all afternoon.

15. Hit or miss: In 42 2/3 innings this season, Salazar has yielded only 22 hits. He has, however, issued 22 free passes. Francona said Salazar was "really erratic" on Wednesday, when the righty established a career high with six walks. Salazar has racked up 53 strikeouts this season, which ranks him one behind Tampa Bay's Chris Archer for the American League lead.

16. Five spot: Kipnis notched his second career five-hit performance. His first such feat came on Aug. 10, 2011. Tony Sipp was Kipnis' teammate that day. On Wednesday, Kipnis registered his fifth single of the game off of the left-handed reliever.

The victory is the fifth straight for the RubberDucks (23-9) and the 12th straight at Canal Park.

Clint FrazierAkron RubberDucks 

AKRON, Ohio -- Clint Frazier's RBI single in the ninth inning sent the game into extra innings, and Todd Hankins won it in the 10th after getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded as the Akron RubberDucks rallied past the Erie SeaWolves, 9-8, Wednesday at Canal Park.

The victory is the fifth straight for the RubberDucks (23-9) and the 12th straight at Canal Park.

Akron starter Michael Peoples got into trouble early, giving up three runs in the first inning. It could have been worse ... leading, 3-0, Erie had a runner on first with one out, but Peoples got the Wolves' Austin Green to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Jordan Smith's sacrifice fly made it 3-1 in the second inning, but Erie scored twice more in the fourth to increase its lead to 5-1.

Akron responded in the fifth inning. Trailing, 5-2, after getting a run in the fourth, Alex Monsalve and Eric Stamets both singled off Erie starter Cory Riordan. With two outs, Frazier tripled to bring in two runs, then he scored after a wild pitch by Riordan.

After Erie again took the lead with two runs in the seventh, Akron immediately answered in the bottom of the inning thanks to a two-run triple from Nellie Rodriguez.

The RubberDucks started the 10th with a double from Jeremy Lucas and Bryson Myles replaced him as a pinch-runner. After a groundout moved Myles to third, Erie reliever Ruben Alaniz (0-1, 1.64 ERA) intentionally walked Smith. Monsalve drew a walk, then Alaniz hit Hankins to bring in the winning run for Akron.

Frazier was 2-for-4 with three RBI, Rodriguez was 3-for-5 with two RBI, and Stamets was 3-for-5 with two runs scored.

It was a no-decision for Peoples, who pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits. Reliever J.P. Feyereisen (2-0, 2.70 ERA) gave up one run and two hits in two innings.

Go here to see a box score from the game.

The Indians (16-15) again failed to move to three games over the .500 mark. They have reached records of 9-7, 14-12, 15-13 and 16-14, but have lost their next game each time. Watch video

HOUSTON -- Magic is a part of Danny Salazar's repertoire.

He is known around the Indians' clubhouse for his card tricks, after all. He carried his wizardry to the mound on Wednesday afternoon, and his escape acts made Harry Houdini's feats seem tame.

Unfortunately for Salazar, the Indians' bullpen couldn't dodge harm with the same aptitude. The Indians required the services of every reliever within the zip code, and the Astros eventually broke through.

The Tribe dropped the rubber match of their three-game set by a 5-3 score in 16 innings. Marwin Gonzalez slugged a two-run shot to right field off of Cody Anderson to provide the final difference.

Salazar's pitch count, inflated by a career-high six walks, limited him to only five innings. That left the responsibility to the club's bullpen -- and the Indians used nine relievers -- to hold down Houston. That plan eventually fizzled. Anderson logged three flawless innings before he served up the walk-off blast.

Tommy Hunter retired the first two batters in the sixth with a 2-1 lead before Jose Altuve doubled off the base of the wall in left-center. Hunter then walked George Springer and surrendered a game-tying single to Carlos Correa.

Zach McAllister rescued the Tribe from further damage in the sixth, but he, too, served up a two-out RBI single an inning later. Preston Tucker worked McAllister to a 3-1 count before he slapped a base knock through a gaping hole in the left side of the infield. Former Indians infielder Luis Valbuena scored the go-ahead run.

Salazar had a lead after five, but flirted with disaster throughout his truncated outing. He loaded the bases with no outs in the first before he fanned the ensuing three batters. He walked a pair in the second to load the bases with two outs, but he induced a groundout off Correa's bat.

The Astros stranded 17 runners in all. They left the bases loaded on three occasions.

Salazar tallied 10 strikeouts in his five innings, but struggled with his command all afternoon. He tossed 106 pitches, only 54 for strikes. The Indians issued 12 walks in all; the Astros didn't issue one until the 13th inning, when, on the Indians' 50th plate appearance of the game, Carlos Santana drew four balls.

Houston's Doug Fister, meanwhile, needed only 89 pitches to cruise through seven innings. Jason Kipnis, who supplied five singles, brought home Lonnie Chisenhall in the third with his second base knock. Mike Napoli muscled a Fister offering into the left-field stands in the fourth.

The Indians handed Houston's Luke Gregerson his first blown save of the ninth, as Napoli and Santana delivered back-to-back extra-base hits. Santana stood at third base with one out, but Marlon Byrd bounced out to short and Yan Gomes bounced out to short.

What it means
The Indians (16-15) again failed to move to three games over the .500 mark. They have reached records of 9-7, 14-12, 15-13 and 16-14, but have lost their next game each time.

First things first
Cleveland dropped to 14-5 when scoring first.

Effectively wild
In 42 2/3 innings this season, Salazar has racked up 53 strikeouts. He has also limited the opposition to 22 hits. He has, however, issued 22 free passes.

Been a while
Springer blasted a solo shot to left off of Salazar with two outs in the fourth. The home run landed an estimated 455 feet from the plate, according to the league's Statcast data. It marked the first long ball Salazar had served up since April 8, a span of 151 batters.

Rough start
Gomes went hitless in seven at-bats. He has posted a .158/.190/.295 slash line in 99 plate appearances this season.

Still rolling
Bryan Shaw logged 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Over his last eight outings, he has held the opposition scoreless on two hits across 8 2/3 innings.

Five singles
Kipnis notched the second five-hit game of his career. The first came on Aug. 10, 2011, when Tony Sipp, who he singled against in the 13th inning, was his teammate.

They came, they saw
An announced crowd of 24,453 watched the matinee at Minute Maid Park.

What's next
The Indians have Thursday off before they begin a five-game homestand against the Twins and Reds. Josh Tomlin (5-0, 3.72 ERA), Corey Kluber (2-4, 4.14) and Trevor Bauer (3-0, 3.86) will pitch for Cleveland, as the club pushed back Anderson until Monday. Minnesota will counter with right-handers Ricky Nolasco (1-1, 4.70), Ervin Santana (0-2, 3.86) and Tyler Duffey (0-2, 2.60).

Chris Haynes and Mary Kay Cabot will join us live at 11:30 to talk all things Cleveland sports.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers are waiting on their next playoff opponent. The Indians are struggling to find momentum. The Browns are about to open up rookie minicamp. We'll talk about all of that and more on today's Sports Insider.

Our guests -- cleveland.com Cavaliers reporter Chris Haynes and Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot -- will call in to talk all things Cleveland sports with Bud Shaw and me.

Click play on the player above when the red "Live" icon appears on the bottom to watch the show. A complete archive of the show will be made available later today.

Keith Dambrot believes winning a title for the Cleveland Cavaliers is the ultimate goal for LeBron James.

THEY KNEW HIM WHEN ... Akron native LeBron James is in his 13th NBA season -- ninth with the Cavaliers. I talked to some basketball people who knew James at different stages of his career. The stories will appear over the next few weeks. It begins with Keith Dambrot.

AKRON, Ohio -- I met Keith Dambrot in his office at the University of Akron, where he has been the head basketball coach for the last 12 years.

He'll quickly tell anyone that having coached LeBron James for two seasons at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (1999-2001) led to Dambrot being hired as an assistant at Akron. He later became the head coach.

In 12 seasons at Akron, Dambrot has a 278-130 (.631) record. He has won four regular season titles, been to three NCAA tournaments and made four trips to the NIT.

"I first met LeBron when he was 13," said Dambrot. "He was about 5-foot-11. I was coaching him in skill development (at the Akron Jewish Community Center). You could tell he would be very good. Already, he was a sponge, he wanted to learn the game. Right away, you could tell he was just so smart."

Dambrot was friends with Dru Joyce II, a youth coach and mentor to James. Joyce II would bring members of his youth team to the Jewish Center to be taught by Dambrot. That group was Sian Cotton, Willie McGee, Dru Joyce III and James.

It was Dru Joyce III who decided he wanted to play for Dambrot at St. Vincent-St. Mary. The other players followed, and Joyce II became an assistant coach to Dambrot.

"I really don't think there is a huge difference between LeBron now and when I first coached him," said Dambrot. "He's matured and grown up, but he's not changed a great deal. He always had that inner greatness. He was a great teammate with tremendous instincts for the game and was great at sharing the ball.

"What you see now is just an older version of the player I coached."

DRIVE TO BE GREAT

How about James as a Future Hall of Famer?

"People have asked me if I thought LeBron would be this good," said Dambrot. "You can never tell. By his sophomore year, I knew he was going to skip college and turn pro. He already was that good. But you never know what money and fame will do to people."

James has won four MVP awards. He is hoping to take the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals this season. If that happens, it will be the seventh time in his 13-year career that James has played in The Finals.

"What impresses me the most is LeBron's drive to be great," said Dambrot. "He understands that all the money in the world means nothing unless you win at the highest level. Every pro is rich. Remember that, they're all rich. But only those who win at the highest level are fulfilled.

"Physically, LeBron is in the top percentile. But he's playing against a lot of guys who are great physically. What separates him is LeBron being in the top percentile mentally. He has the ability to rally people, to help people who had problems on other teams play well with him. That's special."

COACHING LEBRON

Dru Joyce II was James' first coach dating back to when LeBron was 10.

Dambrot was his first high school coach, and it was the unique pairing of a once-in-a-generation teenage talent with an experienced college coach.

Dambrot had been the head coach at Tiffin University, Ashland University and Central Michigan. Dambrot was demanding, and he coached his players as if they were a college team.

He said it wasn't only James who knew the game, so did Joyce III, McGee and Cotton. After their freshman year at SVSM, Romeo Travis joined the team.

"I got these guys young and I was a college coach," said Dambrot. "So they didn't know as much (about basketball) when I had them compared to later."

So James wasn't changing plays in the huddle.

Dambrot laughed. Anyone who saw the demanding Dambrot coaching those players knew that was not about to happen.

"LeBron always had the ability to think on his own," said Dambrot. "I respected his opinion. He didn't say anything openly, but we talked about things behind closed doors.

"He and the others are actually out there, playing the game. Little Dru (Joyce III), LeBron and those guys had good ideas sometimes. They had a good basketball grounding."

Dambrot was thinking about how James had such great instincts for the game. The basics did come from playing for Dru Joyce II, and that was important.

"But I just think he's a (basketball) genius, a basketball savant," said Dambrot. "He's like Mozart was in music. One day we were talking about how he knew so much about the game. He said he watched a lot of basketball."

GOING TO MIAMI

Dambrot said James leaving the Cavs in 2010 to play for the Miami Heat was a very important step in his career.

"He was comfortable with the Cavaliers," said Dambrot. "When he went to Miami and failed to win the title (in 2011), it was like he got hit in the mouth. He also was no longer the Golden Child, not everyone liked him because of the way he left (the Cavs). He could have gone into the toilet at that point."

After Miami was upset by Dallas in the 2011 Finals, the Heat won championships in 2012 and 2013.

"He rallied himself," said Dambrot. "He showed the ability to fight through adversity. He began to understand he couldn't please everybody. He does care what people think, he really does.

"When he began to be true to himself and stopped worrying about pleasing everyone, he took the next step."

Dambrot said Miami was still Dwyane Wade's team when James joined the Heat. It wasn't until they lost in the 2011 Finals that James stopped deferring to Wade on the court and began to really take control on the floor.

"He got popped with all the stuff with the Decision and then that first year in Miami," said Dambrot. "The one thing I told him back then, 'Get things right in your own head, you can't solve everyone's problems.' I kept stressing that he had to be true to himself."

Dambrot believes the initial criticism James took after leaving Cleveland followed by the Heat's struggles led to "the tougher, stronger LeBron we see today."

COMING BACK TO CLEVELAND

Dambrot doubts the Cavs ever would have won a title with James during his first tour of duty.

"They just didn't have the players," he said. "Then it would have been so frustrating, people taking shots at him because he's 'never won a championship.' Now he's back. He has two (championship rings)."

Dambrot paused.

"He made the right decision to go too Miami," he said. "Then he made the right decision to come home."

Dambrot talked how the Cavs team that reached The Finals last season was one of the worst to do so in basketball history.

"I read an article about that," he said.

The analytics website FiveThirtyEight has ranked the 2007 Cavs and the 2015 Cavs -- the only Cleveland teams to reach The Finals -- among the 10 worst teams to do so since 1985.

"Look at what he did last year to get that team to The Finals," said Dambrot. "You could see how he matured and grew after being away. I don't think even Michael Jordan could have carried that team (after the injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving) to The Finals.

"I'm not saying he's better than Jordan. But I am saying because of LeBron's all-around skills, it's so unique ... I was watching those games and wondering how they even stayed close to Golden State (in the Finals)."

REAL TITLE HOPES

Dambrot believes the current Cavs team "is the best one that LeBron's ever played on, even better than some of those Miami teams."

Dambrot stressed how James learned "he needed help to win big," and the coach continually praised this version of the Cavs for having the talent to win a title.

"And you can see LeBron leading and teaching these guys," he added.

Why did James come back?

"First, he believed he could win here," said Dambrot. "I believe he knew he could get Kevin Love. Irving was staying. He knew (owner) Dan Gilbert would spend. He forgave Gilbert (for a hostile email) and then they went to work on building a winner here."

James is 31 and he remains an elite player.

"He never wanted to leave the Cavs, but he had to leave," said Dambrot. "Then when the chance came (via free agency) to come back, he knew he had to come home. Winning a title in Cleveland would finish his legacy."

Coming Friday: Mike Brown talks about coaching LeBron during his first tenure with the Cavs.

All three courses on Sunday's 2016 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon offer their fair share of joys and challenges, from panoramic views and crowd support to a whopper of a hill.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Take it from one who's pounded a lot of pavement: There's no better way to see and experience Cleveland than on foot.

Driving and riding obviously have their advantages. To truly get to know a city, however, you have to navigate it on your own steam, to take in its sights, sounds and smells while producing all of the above as a runner or walker.

Luckily for you participants in the 2016 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, that's exactly what the 2016 courses offer. I can't vouch for their every aspect. They're new, after all. But I can say from experience that each route contains its fair share of joys and challenges.

Both the marathon (26.2-mile) and half-marathon (13.1-mile) as well as the 10K (6.2-mile) courses begin downtown, on Ontario Ave., just outside Quicken Loans Arena and Progressive Field. It's a fun place to start.

All three also commence with a tour of the area. Over the first roughly three miles, runners will visit the new Public Square, the popular East 4^th St., Cleveland State University, the theater district, and Cuyahoga Community College.

Tremont is next for the marathon and half. Always a highlight for me personally, home to several friends, the near-west Cleveland neighborhood is a reliable source of energy. Count on plenty of spectators, cheering groups, and even a musical group or two.

A long jaunt down Train Ave. leads to Ohio City, host of the next three miles or so. Along with continued flatness, this west-side neighborhood offers everything Tremont did, only on a larger scale: quiet residential streets, glimpses of the city, and decent crowd support.

Marathon and half-marathon runners part ways on Franklin Blvd at W. 48^th St. At that point, those going long turn left to continue their journey west.

The rest (including me) will keep going straight, past the Pep Club Dance Party at W. 44^th St., and work their way east and north to the Cleveland Memorial Shoreway. Here they face the worst leg of the course: a brutal, mile-long hill. (Marathoners will encounter this spot as well, around miles 24 and 25.)

Mercifully, though, this tough spot also affords pleasant lake breezes, glorious views, and another run-in with the Pep Club. What's more, the light's at the end of the tunnel. After that long hill, runners are rewarded with a descent to the finish at Lakeside Ave. at W. 3^rd St.

Now committed to the second half of the course, marathon runners begin with a tour of the Detroit-Shoreway and Edgewater neighborhoods, via Detroit and Lake Aves.

Then it's time for Lakewood. Here, the course is downright pleasant. In addition to views of the city, you've got those lovely homes and parks along the water, lake breezes, and cheering families. When I last ran the Cleveland Marathon, this part was my favorite.

Lakewood then gives way to Rocky River, via the Clifton Blvd. bridge. Don't get too comfortable, though. As if that were possible, nearing mile 18. Less than a mile into the west-side suburb, it's time for a hard turnaround and the beginning of the end.

Back over the river inside Lakewood, trace your steps back to Cleveland down Lake Ave. By this point, you've experienced the mythical marathon "wall" and either hit it or surmounted it. At least you've still got good crowd support, shade, and those helpful breezes.

Now it's your turn on the Shoreway. Might as well settle in. You're going to be here almost three miles.

It starts off fine, with a pronounced, luxurious descent. But what goes down must come up. Somewhere between miles 24 and 25, just when you want it least, Cleveland's version of Boston's Heartbreak Hill takes over.

You 10K racers complete a miniature version of all this. After the run around downtown, you sidestep Tremont and progress immediately to the edge of Ohio City, passing the West Side Market on a trip down W. 25^th St.

Don't worry, though. You, too, get your shot at the Shoreway. Like the marathon and half-marathon, your course ends with an uphill slog.

Whether you're on mile 5, 12, or 25 at this point, however, keep in mind the same thing: this really is the home stretch. The finish is just over the horizon.

The Cleveland Browns will get a good look at the four wide receivers they selected in the 2016 NFL Draft at this weekend's rookie camp in Berea. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns open rookie camp on Friday in Berea and will get their first look at the draft class of 2016, along with several undrafted free agents.

The only thing Browns fans like to talk about besides quarterbacks are wide receivers, or lack of.

The Browns selected four wideouts in the 2016 NFL Draft, including first-round pick Corey Coleman out of Auburn. Coleman is a speed guy, so he's likely to be impressive in camp drills.

The other three wideouts taken in the draft were Rashard Higgins of Colorado State, Jordan Payton of UCLA and Ricardo Louis of Auburn. They also drafted WR Seth Devalve out of Princeton, but he's projected as a tight end.

Lewis will be an interesting prospect, as the Browns see him fitting into the Travis Benjamin mold, a speed guy who can also help on special teams.

The position bears watching because the Browns don't have a lot returning. Among the receivers expected to be back, Brian Hartline is the most experienced. Terrelle Pryor is a project for coach Hue Jackson and Taylor Gabriel is dealing with past concussions.

That's why the Browns took their chances in the draft and came out with four wide receivers.