Carlos Carrasco is coming quick, perhaps as swiftly as a Friday start against the Royals at Progressive Field. When he does return to the Indians' rotation, Carrasco will likely claim the spot occupied by Clevinger. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Three starts haven't rattled Mike Clevinger. They have taught him plenty, though.

Carlos Carrasco is coming quick, perhaps as swiftly as a Friday start against the Royals at Progressive Field. When he does return to the Indians' rotation, Carrasco will likely claim the spot occupied by Clevinger.

The rookie made his third career major-league start on Sunday. He hasn't quite yet mastered the art of efficiency; he required 89 pitches to survive four innings against the Orioles. He has run into some trouble with his fastball command, too.

Through three outings, the 25-year-old has compiled an 8.79 ERA, having surrendered 14 runs on 16 hits and seven walks in 14 1/3 innings.

"There's no part of me that doesn't think I belong," Clevinger said Sunday, after he allowed four runs on four hits and three walks in four innings against the Orioles. "That's not there. It's consistency and finding that even keel."

Clevinger's bout with Trumbo.Zack Meisel, cleveland.com 

He lacked those qualities in the first inning of Sunday's matinee. Clevinger tossed five or more pitches to four of the first five hitters he encountered. Adam Jones, the first batter of the game, worked a five-pitch walk after Clevinger fell behind, 3-0. Chris Davis followed the same sequence the same three batters later.

Clevinger fell in a 3-1 hole against Mark Trumbo with the bases loaded before the Orioles slugger sprayed a three-run double off the left-field wall. Clevinger said he struggled to command his fastball early on, and "cornered [himself]" into throwing Trumbo a pitch down the middle.

"There have to be fewer mistakes made," he said. "There's a lot that I've learned that this level has shown me. I'm a quick learner. I'm not getting down. I can definitely say I've learned a lot."

Behind the scenes of Clevinger's MLB debut

Clevinger's battle with Machado.Zack Meisel, cleveland.com 

Clevinger locked horns with Baltimore shortstop Manny Machado for nine pitches in the second inning. After three straight foul balls, Machado whiffed on a slider just off the outside part of the plate. The strikeout stranded a pair of runners and ended the frame.

"It finally felt like I was pitching instead of throwing," Clevinger said. "It kind of felt like I was throwing at the beginning and I was out of my mechanics. I wasn't there mentally, it didn't feel like, until I got into the second and started finding my groove and it at least clicked for a little bit."

Perhaps Clevinger will make his next start for Triple-A Columbus, for whom he posted a 3.03 ERA in seven starts earlier this season. Maybe he'll receive one more chance at his first big-league victory before Carrasco reclaims his spot in the rotation. Either way, Tribe manager Terry Francona isn't ready to write off a rookie who has taken a few lumps in such a small sample size.

"I don't think these three starts are going to define who he is in his major-league career," Francona said. "I think he's going to do some really good things. Like a lot of inexperienced pitchers, players, you're kind of learning on the run right now. I think when you make a mistake here, you pay for it more than when you do in the minor leagues."

The Lake Erie Monsters and Hershey Bears will meet in the AHL Calder Cup Finals, beginning Wednesday in Hershey.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Lake Erie Monsters first trip to the American Hockey League Calder Cup Finals will begin on Wednesday against the Hershey Bears. Hershey is the higher seed for the best-of-seven series and will host the first two games.

Games 3, 4 and 5 are scheduled for Cleveland, although exact dates and times will be announced on Tuesday, after the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Finals schedule is determined. Tickets are available on the Monsters web site.

Hershey clinched the Eastern Conference Final on Sunday afternoon with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Marlies to take the series, 4-1. The Monsters won the Western Conference Finals by sweeping the Ontario Reign.

The Monsters are in their first season as the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets and had never gotten beyond the first round of the playoffs in their history. Hershey is an affiliate of the Washington Capitals.

Cleveland and Hershey have a long history, dating back to the old Cleveland Barons who won nine Calder Cups, the last in 1964. Hershey has won 11 Calder Cups, most in AHL history.

Here is the planned schedule:

Game 1: Wednesday - Lake Erie at Hershey, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Friday - Lake Erie at Hershey, 7 p.m.
Game 3: TBA - Hershey at Lake Erie
Game 4: TBA - Hershey at Lake Erie
Game 5: TBA - Hershey at Lake Erie, if necessary
Game 6: June 14 - Lake Erie at Hershey, 7 p.m.
Game 7: June 17 - Lake Erie at Hershey, 7 p.m.

Drivers look back at their race day in the 100th Indianapolis 500.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- There was a lot to talk about after rookie Alexander Rossi played the fuel game at the end to win the 100th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. Several drivers were strong throughout the race. But the key in this one was to be at the front of the pack in the end.

"It's hard not to say the wrong thing. I think if I was in Alex's position I'd be the happiest man in the world right now. I wouldn't care how we won the damn race." - Josef Newgarden, who finished third.

"Sometimes, it doesn't fall your way. Today was a day it didn't fall our way. Congratulations to Rossi and Honda. It's a huge achievement to win around here. I just wish we had an opportunity to race those guys straight up at the end.

"It just sucks that we didn't have a shootout where we could have raced each other. I really would have liked to race people.'' - Newgarden.

"I know I didn't have enough fuel. I don't know how my teammate did it without stopping. If I'm honest, I want to know what he did. I will look. I am second, why he's not stopping. He's supposed to stop. I have to look and see what he did. I don't know what he did." -- Carlos Munoz, who finished second.

"They had their problems in the pits which I could not believe. I thought our day was over. They were really, really strong.'' - Team owner Michael Andretti after front-runners Ryan Hunter-Reay and Townsend Bell crashed into each other in the pits.

"What a car. I'm very disappointed in the way we ended up. It's just not reflective of the car that we had and the pit stops that we had. The car was so strong. We had a car that could have won but it wasn't meant to be" - Helio Castroneves who finished 11th.

"Go ask him. He was behind so I have no idea. I felt a bump and basically that put us in a situation that was almost impossible to come back. I'm really, really, really upset." - Castroneves over incident with JR Hildebrand that knocked Castroneves out of contention.

"We were super strong the first half and definitely had one of the cars to beat. It was just track temperatures that caught us out there." Pole-sitter James Hinchcliffe after leading 27 laps but finishing seventh.

"The car was awesome. The crowd was awesome. I made sure I drove my heart out to give them a thrill." - Tony Kanaan, who finished fourth.

"We just never had the pace all day, which is kind of weird. We fought our way up to the front but that yellow killed us, because we needed to pit and they didn't open the pits." - Graham Rahal, who finished 14th.

"Something out of our control happened. They said, 'go, go, go!' It looked like Townsend (Bell) got into Helio and bounced into me. The car was so strong. It was a rocker ship. Such a shame when you have a car like that. We could have won this thing today." - Ryan Hunter-Reay who led a race-high 52 laps but was sideline in the pits by a crash with his teammate (Bell).

Did you know:

• Alexander Rossi is the 10th rookie to win at Indy.
• Rossi's 14 laps led is the second fewest laps led by a rookie winner Graham Hill (1966) led 10 laps.
• In the last six Indianapolis 500s the race winner has taken the lead for the final time with four laps or less remaining.
• The 2016 Indianapolis 500 had 13 different race leaders, one shy of the record.
• Helio Castroneves completed the full 500 miles for a record 12th time in his career.
• Tony Kanaan led 19 laps, and has led in 12 Indy 500s in his career. Only AJ Foyt (13) led more.
• Juan Pablo Montoya is the third defending champion to finish 33rd the following Indy following Jim Bryan (1959) and Johnny Rutherford (1977).

Texas, with a slim lead in the AL West, visits Progressive Field for the first time this year for a three-game series against the Indians starting Monday night.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - Here is the series preview and pitching matchups for the three-game set between the Rangers and Indians in Cleveland.

Where: Progressive Field, Monday through Wednesday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/FM 100.7 will carry the series.

Pitching probables: LHP Derek Holland (3-4, 5.21 ERA) vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (7-0, 3.35) Monday at 6:10 p.m.; RHP Colby Lewis (4-0, 3.38) vs. RHP Corey Kluber (4-5, 3.78) on Tuesday at 6:10 p.m. and LHP Cole Hamels (5-1, 3.34) vs. RHP Trevor Bauer (3-2, 4.34) Wednesday at 6:10 p.m.

Series: The Indians and Rangers split six games last year. The Rangers lead, 335-313, overall.

Monday: Tomlin is coming off a win over the White Sox and Chris Sale. He's 7-0 and the Indians are 8-0 in his eight starts. He's 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts against the Rangers. Adrian Beltre is hitting .429 (3-for-7) with one homer and five RBI against Tomlin.

Hollandl, the left-hander from Newark, Ohio, has lost his last three decisions, throwing quality starts in his last two. He's 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA in seven starts against the Tribe. Carlos Santana is hitting .389 (7-for-18) with two homers and seven RBI against him.

Tuesday: Kluber has won his last two starts, allowing four earned runs in 14 1/3 innings. He's 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts against Texas.

Lewis is 3-0 in his last six starts. He's 2-2 with a 8.44 ERA in eight appearances against the Indians. Rajai Davis is hitting .364 (8-for-22) against Lewis.

Wednesday: Bauer is 0-2 in his last three starts. He's allowed seven earned runs in 17 2/3 innings. In two starts against the Rangers, he has a 4.61 ERA, but no record.

Hamels is coming off his first loss of the season. He was 5-0 in his first nine starts. He's 0-2 with a 9.90 ERA against the Indians. Marlon Byrd is hitting .263 (5-for-19) against him.

Team updates: The Indians opened this 10-game homestand by losing two out of three to Baltimore over the weekend. They've won nine of their last 14 games. The AL West-leading Rangers have won two straight and seven of their last 12.

Players to watch: In his last six games Mike Napoli is hitting .280 (7-for-25) with three homers and nine RBI for the Tribe. Texas outfielder Nomar Mazara is hitting .417 (10-for-24) with three homers and eight RBI in the last seven games.

Injuries: Rangers - C Robinson Chirinos (right forearm), OF Shin-Soo Choo (left hamstring), RHP A.J. Griffin (right shoulder), OF Josh Hamilton (left knee), RHP Keone Kela (right elbow), RHP Tanner Scheppers (left knee), CF Drew Stubbs (sprained left little toe) are on the disabled list. Indians -RHP Joba Chamberlain (left intercostal muscle), LF Michael Brantley (right shoulder), RHP Carlos Carrasco (left hamstring) and catcher Roberto Perez (right thumb) are on the disabled list.

Next: Kansas City visits for a four-game series starting Thursday at Progressive Field.

While most seniors at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School turned their tassels Saturday, one of them tried turning double plays about 85 miles west in Clyde. Watch video

CLYDE, Ohio - While most seniors at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School turned their tassels Saturday, one of them tried turning double plays about 85 miles west in Clyde.

Another hunched over third base and batted third in the Brecksville softball lineup, while pitcher Kelly Geringer baffled Amherst hitters for about an hour.

Four Brecksville seniors played their final softball game Saturday, a 3-0 Division I regional final loss, instead of receiving diplomas with their classmates. They walked down the third-base line at Clyde, which served as their final softball venue for three straight years.

Coach Rex Mack waited for them with a diploma and hug.

"They would have rather been here than commencement," Mack said.

The moment brought a smile from the coach after a tough few minutes. The Bees have reached the regional finals or semifinals four times in the last five years. Each time, they missed a chance at state.

Amherst advanced to Friday's state semifinals at Akron Firestone Stadium for the first time in school history. It had three seniors playing for a championship on graduation day.

While Brecksville scheduled its graduation for 1 p.m., Amherst's was slated for 3 p.m. - a closer drive (just less than 50 miles) and wiggle room to make it after the game concluded around 2 p.m.

Amherst senior Ashlee Dahman joined her Brecksville counterparts rather than rush home.

See a glimpse of the ceremony in the above video.

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

"I'm definitely nervous," Merritt said. "Every time there's a situation I think I might get in and the phone rings, the heart rate goes up a little bit and I get a little nervous. But I have to try to stay calm."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Every time the bullpen phone rings, Ryan Merritt's heartbeat accelerates.

Merritt focuses and listens closely for bullpen coach Jason Bere to call his name. All week, he has listened.

His name has yet to be called.

There's an exclusive group of phantom ballplayers who have spent time on a major-league roster without ever appearing in a game. The Indians, for instance, added Tom McGough to the active roster in 1977, but the pitcher never toed the rubber. The Blue Jays kept catcher Brian Jeroloman on their roster for the last 37 days of the regular season in 2011, but he never entered a game.

Merritt is only 24. He has his entire career ahead of him. He might eventually appear in hundreds of major-league games.

For now, though, the left-hander waits for that first call, that first opportunity to walk through the open bullpen door, that first chance to jog to the mound.

"I'm definitely nervous," Merritt said. "Every time there's a situation I think I might get in and the phone rings, the heart rate goes up a little bit and I get a little nervous. But I have to try to stay calm."

Merritt's father and brother traveled to Chicago from their home in Texas last week, when the southpaw was summoned from Triple-A to provide the Tribe with a left-handed presence in the 'pen. Merritt joined the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field in time for Monday's double header. Seven games have since passed.

"I would've liked to pitch in front of them," Merritt said, adding that his family will not be venturing to Cleveland for the Tribe's homestand. "They've watched me since I was a kid. It would be nice if they could be here for my debut, but it is what it is. They can watch from the TV."

Merritt was named the organization's minor-league pitcher of the year in 2014, when he went 13-3 with a 2.58 ERA for High-A Carolina. He posted a 2.94 ERA in eight starts for Triple-A Columbus this season before the Indians promoted him to the major-league roster.

Indians DL Chamberlain, promote Merritt

The Indians have lacked a reliable left-handed reliever since the start of the year. Ross Detwiler and Kyle Crockett each took a turn in the role. Tribe manager Terry Francona said Merritt isn't aboard to serve as a lefty specialist. He is a starter, after all. Merritt said he has studied the routines and tendencies of the Indians' veteran relievers as he adapts to his new role.

"In a perfect world, I would like to pitch him," Francona said. "But I talked to him about it and told him he's not here to be the left-on-left guy. He's smart enough to soak up a lot while he's here regardless of what he's doing. I think it'll be good for him."

Given his usual responsibilities, Merritt could cover multiple innings of relief for the Indians if needed. Dan Otero completed that task in relief of Mike Clevinger on Sunday. Trevor Bauer looked shaky early on in his outing on Friday night, but he recovered to log six innings.

There have been moments in which Merritt has wondered if that next call to the bullpen will be to request his services. Until then, he can do nothing but wait.

"I'm just trying my best not to let the anxiety get to me," Merritt said. "If I think there's a chance, I'm trying to stay calm."

Jordan Spieth heads to the 2016 Memorial Tournament this week coming off his first victory of the season. Here are the TV schedule, event schedule, forecast, ticket information, pick to win and more as the PGA Tour returns to Jack Nicklaus' home course.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 2016 Memorial Tournament is Thursday through Sunday as the PGA Tour returns to Jack Nicklaus' home course at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Below are the schedule, TV and live stream details, ticket information, and our pick to win what is considered among the top events of the season.

THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

• When: Thursday-Sunday
• Where: Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio.
• Course: Par 72; 7,221 yards; designed by Jack Nicklaus
• Purse: $8.5 million. Winner's share: $1.5 million
• Defending champion: David Lingmerth
• Event link: thememorialtournament.com
• Tournament field: Click here
• Tickets: Tickets no longer are available for purchase online. Call 877- 682-2343.
• Twitter: @MemorialGolf #MyMemorial

In case you forgot... pic.twitter.com/FoTOsf2Gjz

-- #MyMemorial (@MemorialGolf) May 30, 2016

FORECAST

• Thursday: High 77; 60 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms
• Friday: High 72; partly cloudy
• Saturday: High 73; partly cloudy
• Sunday: High 73; 30 percent chance of thunderstorms

TV SCHEDULE

Source: Memorial.com

LIVE STREAM: pgatour.com/live

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Monday

• Practice rounds

Tuesday

• Practice rounds

Wednesday

• Pro-Am, 7:30 a.m.
• Military appreciation day: Free admission. Open to all active duty, military reserve, National Guard, military retirees, veterans and spouse military (includes immediate family). Department of Defense issued ID required and registration required.
• Junior golf day: Youth 18 and under receive free admission with a ticketed adult. Other activities include field trips, Junior Golf Clinic (5:30 p.m.), treasure map, designated autograph area.
• Memorial Honoree Ceremony, 3 p.m.: Johnny Miller is the tournament honoree and John Garrity is the journalism honoree. 
• Jack Nicklaus golf clinic, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday

• First round, 8 a.m.

Friday

• Second round, 8 a.m.

Saturday

• Third round, 8 a.m.

Sunday

• Final round, 8 a.m.
• Trophy presentation following play

PICK TO WIN

World No. 1 Jason Day, No. 2 Jordan Spieth and No. 3 Rory McIlroy all are coming off victories in their most recent tournaments and are looking to kick their summer into high gear with the U.S. Open two weeks away (June 16-19 at Oakmont in Pittsburgh).

One of those three is bound to win the Memorial, which as usual, has a field full of heavy hitters. No. 4 Bubba Watson, No. 5 Rickie Fowler, No. 8 Dustin Johnson and No. 10 Justin Rose, who won in 2010 and lost in a playoff last year.

• World golf rankings

Rose is entered and normally would be considered a strong contender, but his status is unclear. He has played well this season, then skipped the recent European PGA Championship with a back injury, saying he was aiming to get healthy for the U.S. Open.

In addition to Rose, seven past winners of the Memorial Tournament are entered: K.J. Choi, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Hideki Matsuyama, Carl Pettersson and David Lingmerth.

The pick here is Spieth, who is coming off his first win of the season at the Dean & Deluca Invitational on Sunday. That was a significant step forward since his Masters meltdown. Spieth took time off after the Masters, then missed the cut at the Players Championship two weeks ago, and was 18^th at the AT&T Byron Nelson.

NO TIGER

There had been speculation Tiger Woods might make his 2016 debut at the Memorial, but he is not entered. Woods owns numerous Memorial records, including five victories. He made headlines of a different sort last year, shooting a career-worst 85 in the third round and finishing last at 14-over. He is recovering from a second back operation and has yet to play this season.

2015 MEMORIAL

David Lingmerth, a stocky former hockey player from Sweden who owes his golf career to a Cleveland Brown, beat Justin Rose in a three-hole playoff to win. Lingmerth sank a 6-foot par putt on the third playoff to beat Rose, who missed his fourth shot. Jordan Spieth and Francesco Molinari tied for third.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have never had a better chance to win a n NBA title than they do this year -- just check the history of the franchise.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I have never seen a better Cleveland Cavaliers team than this one.

There have been several times during the playoffs when that thought crossed my mind. But it really hit home during their final two victories of the Eastern Conference Finals.

This is the best Cavs team ... ever.

Not the best in terms of record.

But the best when it comes to talent.

The best when it comes to having a future Hall of Famer who truly knows how to lead a team to the NBA Finals.

The best when it comes to combining LeBron James with two young stars -- but not rookies. I'm talking about Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

This is the best team in Cavs history, and I have seen them all since the franchise began in 1970.

Here's a quick history lesson:

HOW DID THEY WIN 66 GAMES?

My favorite team in the first LeBron James Era was the 2009 edition. But look at the names: Mo Williams, Joe Smith, Ben Wallace, Zyrdunas Ilgauskas, Delonte West, Daniel Gibson, Anderson Varejao...

The question is not, "Why did those guys get upset by Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals?"

Rather, it's "How did those guys win 66 games in the regular season?"

The answer is James.

And the reality is those Cavs were exposed with all their flaws in the playoffs.

LENNY WILKENS ERA

My favorite all-time Cavs team was the Lenny Wilkens Era of the late 1980s and early 1990s: Mark Price, Larry Nance, Brad Daughtery, John Williams, Ron Harper and Craig Ehlo.

That team was one player from winning a title, even in the Michael Jordan Era.

That player would have been LeBron James.

The Cavs had a Hall of Fame coach in Wilkens. They had All-Stars in Price, Daugherty and Nance.

They didn't have greatness.

In the end, that's why they kept losing to Chicago. The Bulls had greatness in Jordan, their No. 23.

I really would pay some serious cash to see the Cavs No. 23 (James) of today joining that Price/Daugherty/Nance group for a seven-game series against Jordan's Bulls.

THE ALMOST MIRACLE

My good friend and veteran Cavs broadcaster Joe Tait insists the 1976 Cavs would have won the NBA title if only Jim Chones had not broken his foot before the second round of the playoffs.

Maybe that's true.

Because of the injury to Chones, we'll never know if the Miracle of Richfield would have led to a title.

That roster featured some very good players: Austin Carr, Campy Russell, Bingo Smith, Jim Cleamons, Dick Snyder, Nate Thurmond, Jim Brewer and Foots Walker.

But that group missed one thing ... that's right ... greatness.

It had no player that compared to James. Only Thurmond is in the Hall of Fame, and he was at the end of his career with 1976 Cavs.

THE FIRST FINALS TEAM

There have been a few analytic studies rating the 2007 Cavs among the 10 worst teams ever to reach the NBA Finals.

Here was the starting lineup: Larry Hughes, Sasha Pavlovic, Drew Gooden, Ilgauskas and James.

Key subs: Donyell Marshall, Daniel Gibson, Anderson Varejao, Damon Jones and Eric Snow.

They made The Finals averaging only 89 points a game in the playoffs, shooting 42 percent as a team. It was 33 percent on 3-pointers.

In the postseason, James averaged 25.1 points. Next was Ilgauskas at 12.1 points.

I have no clue how they reached The Finals, and it should be no surprise they were swept by San Antonio. This was the first Cavs team to ever reach The Finals.

THE ASTERISK YEAR

The 2015 Cavs overachieved to reach The Finals.

That was a tribute to the sheer will of James, who carried determined role players through the Eastern Conference playoffs before losing to Golden State in six games.

Would they have defeated the Warriors with a healthy Love and Irving?

Who knows?

But the Cavs' Big Three were still working through issues in the 2014-15 regular season. It continued for much of the 2015-16 regular season.

That 2015 team with a healthy Love and Irving was talented enough to beat the Warriors. But were they mentally tough enough? Remember, 2015 was the first playoff exposure for Irving and Love.

I don't know if that team had the experience and maturity to beat Golden State in 2015.

As we know now, that Warriors team was on the edge of greatness. After winning the 2015 title, they came back to have the NBA's greatest regular season with a 73-9 record.

And just when they seemed about to be buried in the Western Conference Finals, they have come back ... and back ... and back.

Maybe Oklahoma City will pull an epic upset in Game 7 on the Warriors home court in Oakland tonight. But would you bet on it?

TODAY'S CAVS, THE BEST SHOT

LeBron James is 31.

Kevin Love is 27.

Tristan Thompson is 25.

Kyrie Irving is 24.

J.R. Smith is 31.

Iman Shumpert is 26.

Matthew Dellavedova is 26.

All of those players are in their prime. Among the others who are regular rotation members, only Richard Jefferson (36) and Channing Frye (33) would be considered past their peak years -- but they still can play.

The 6-foot-11 Frye will probably be throwing in 3-pointers at the age of 90. Jefferson is in amazing condition for a 15-year veteran.

The ages also indicate the Cavs should be able to contend for the next few years. That's especially true in the Eastern Conference.

Never before has a Cavs team advanced this deep in the playoffs with this combination of talent, experience and health.

It still may not be enough. Golden State is scary and has the heart and rings of a champion.

Oklahoma City's talent can match that of any NBA team, but the Thunder still have to prove they know what it takes to win big games.

If OKC actually beats Golden State in Oakland, that could be the victory it needs to really be ready to win a title.

In his 'Coming Home' essay in Sports Illustrated, James wrote: "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given, everything is earned."

That's so true.

And never have the Cavs had a team in a better position to go out and earn the franchise's first title.

Addis is a man of few words. It's not as though he doesn't have a healthy catalogue of attention-grabbing stories.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A series of old, grainy photographs sit in a frame in the room of Bob Addis' grandson.

One snapshot shows Addis starting his slide into home plate. Another portrays Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella applying a tag on the Boston Braves' baserunner. There's an image of umpire Frank Dascoli surveying the scene from his stance behind the plate. Another photo depicts the Dodgers spilling out of their dugout at Braves Field to protest the sequence of events.

Addis is a man of few words. It's not as though he doesn't have a healthy catalogue of attention-grabbing stories.

He spent four years in the major leagues and three years in the Marine Corps. He signed with the New York Yankees when he was 17, a fresh-faced graduate of Barberton High School. Shortly after, he was drafted into the military during World War II. He trained at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. He trained and played baseball in Guam. He served overseas in China.

He also contributed to the demise of the Brooklyn Dodgers' 1951 campaign. Had Dascoli ruled Addis out at the plate, Bobby Thomson might have never socked the "Shot Heard 'Round The World."

Anyone on the Dodgers' side could probably gripe about the call until his face matched the blue hue in the franchise's logo. To Addis, there isn't much to debate.

His relatives ask about the play all the time. They consider the moment from every possible angle. Addis doesn't need to.

"He says he was safe," said Jane Addis, his daughter.

Addis is 90, retired from a career that included tours of the military and major leagues and a 34-year stint as a teacher at Euclid High School. He coached baseball and served as the school's athletic director.

Bob Addis holds the glove he used as an outfielder for the Boston Braves and Chicago Cubs from 1950-53, at his home in Mentor, Ohio.AP file photo 

"I was hoping to play pro ball when I was in high school," Addis said. "It ended up that I did."

After his first taste of professional baseball, he served nearly three years in the military.

"He's so matter-of-fact about it," Jane said. "Like, 'Of course. That's what you do.' It's not, 'Well, in the old days, we did this.' It's, 'I was drafted and served. That's what you did.'"

Said Addis: "You were going to go in the service."

Addis returned to the Yankees' organization in 1946. He broke onto the big-league scene with Boston in 1950.

On Sept. 27, 1951, the Braves hosted the Dodgers, who were clinging to a 1 1/2-game lead over the New York Giants in the chase for the National League pennant. Brooklyn once held a 12 1/2-game advantage in the standings in August, but the Giants' summer surge propelled them into contention.

With the score tied, 3-3, that afternoon, Addis singled and advanced to third on another single to open the bottom of the eighth.

"I hit pretty well," he said.

Addis dashed to the plate on a grounder to second. Campanella, that season's Most Valuable Player and an eventual Hall of Fame catcher, tagged Addis as his feet slid into the plate. Dascoli's ruling gave Boston the lead and handed Brooklyn further heartbreak. Campanella was ejected for disputing the call. His teammates channeled their frustration toward the umpire as well.

Addis played for the Cubs in 1952-53.Courtesy of Jane Addis 

"It ended up ruining the season for the Dodgers because [my dad] was called safe," Jane said. "That was the big play that my dad was involved in. We always bring that up."

Addis later played for the Cubs and Pirates. Following his baseball career, he worked at a rubber factory at night and took classes at Kent State during the day to earn his teaching degree. He has remained in Northeast Ohio ever since. He still receives letters on a regular basis from people asking for autographs.

Addis' two grandchildren visited from California over the long weekend. As the family gathered, they tried to pry stories from the reserved man. They asked about his teammates, the daily rigors of big-league life, his salary. Addis showed his dog tags to his grandson. They asked Max if he could imagine "being ready [to serve] and being mature enough for that" at the age of 18.

"When I was younger, I didn't know how cool it was," Jane said. "He was just my dad and he coached baseball when he taught at the high school. It was really later in life when I thought, 'Gosh, my dad was a major league baseball player and served in the military.'"

Either LeBron James and the Cavs will be looking for revenge, or they'll try to prevent it, depending on who they play in the 2016 NBA Finals.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - There will be a significant revenge factor in the 2016 NBA Finals.

LeBron James is waiting to see on which side of it he'll sit.

The Cavaliers are heading to their second consecutive Finals, having dumped the Toronto Raptors 113-87 Friday night to finish the Eastern finals, 4-2.

Their opponent will either be the Golden State Warriors or the Oklahoma City Thunder - the two will play Game 7 of the Western finals Monday.

James and most of his teammates obviously have a score to settle with the Warriors that dates back oh, about a year, when Golden State beat them in the 2015 Finals.

The Thunder have that same score to settle with James from 2012, and are just as eager, if not more so, to have that chance.

After Game 6 in Toronto, James said he didn't appreciate reaching the Finals last year - basically because he knew he was screwed. Kevin Love was already out with a major shoulder injury, and Kyrie Irving was hobbling into the series, only to break his knee cap at the end of Game 1.

LeBron's sixth straight Finals feels different

And yet, James and the teammates left standing gave the Warriors quite a scare. Cleveland took a 2-1 lead in that series, winning Game 3 at home, before the bottom fell out.

James averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists against Golden State -- the highest collective averages of any player in NBA Finals history. He scored 40 percent of Cleveland's points. But Andre Iguodala, not James, won Finals MVP.

James would've been the first player to win the Finals MVP but lose the series since Jerry West in 1969 - a dubious honor to be sure one that nevertheless would've crystalized just how good James was against Golden State.

With Irving and Love back and healthy, and with additions like Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson, Cleveland is infinitely deeper than it was at this time a year ago. James is playing a completely style now, sharing the scoring lead with Irving this postseason (24.6 ppg to 24.3 ppg, respectively), and is otherwise appreciating this trip to the Finals.

"Having these guys right here at full strength, having our team at full strength, and the way I feel personally, I appreciate this moment, to be able to be a part of it and to be there once again," James said.

James has also finished third in the last two votes for the regular-season MVP to Stephen Curry, and isn't at all happy about it. The two have gotten a little snippy at one another through the media.

A postseason of slights for LeBron

The two-time reigning MVP, Curry, versus James, the four-time MVP, would make for a wildly entertaining sidebar. Curry is pushing furiously to replace James as the face of the league.

Thing is, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant thought he'd be the one making that same push.

Durant was just 23 when he and Russell Westbrook (also 23) faced James and the Miami Heat in the 2012 Finals. The series belonged to James.

The Heat not only won the series in five games -- James' first of two titles with the Heat -- but James was named Finals MVP with averages of 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. Durant nearly matched James point for point in the series, but James presence on the glass and as a distributor was too much.

Durant did win an NBA MVP in 2014, but the Thunder haven't been back to the Finals. James, meanwhile, is playing for a championship for the sixth consecutive season.

Injuries totally derailed Durant and the Thunder last season, limiting him to just 27 games and forcing Oklahoma City to miss the playoffs. Westbrook missed virtually all of the 2013 playoffs with a torn meniscus and was limited to 46 games the following season with another knee surgery.

In other words, it's been a struggle for the Thunder since their first Finals meeting with James. If Durant and Westbrook can somehow get past the Warriors in Game 7, they will have made it all the way back.

And they'll be looking for revenge.

Josh Tomlin lost his first game of the season and manager Terry Francisco was ejected as the Texas rolled over the Indians on Monday night at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Josh Tomlin's undefeated streak ended Monday evening at Progressive Field. It did not end well and that's too bad because it took a lot of good pitching to forge a 7-0 start to the season.

But end it did as Texas beat the Indians up one side and down the other on the way to a 9-2 victory. The Indians have started this 10-game homestand by losing three of four games.

Monday's loss featured manager Terry Francona's first ejection of the season and three errors by third baseman Juan Uribe. The Indians committed four errors for the game, including one by Tomlin.

Two batters into the game the Rangers had a 2-0 lead after Ian Desmond homered into the left field bleachers following a leadoff single by Jurickson Profar. By the third inning, left-hander Derek Holland (4-4, 4.78) and the Rangers were in control.

The Rangers scored twice in the third to take a 5-0 lead. Mitch Moreland, with two outs, sent a grounder down the first baseline with Desmond on third. Tomlin fielded the ball, but his throw to first hit Moreland in the back of the neck as Desmond scored.

Francona argued that Moreland drifted outside the three-foot lane on the way to first base, interferred with Tomlin's throw and should have been ruled out to end the inning. Plate umpire Manny Gonzalez did not agree with Francona's interpretation of Rule 5.09 (11) of MLB's rulebook and ejected Francona. It was Francona's 41st ejection of his career and the first by any Indians' player or coach

Asked how he saw the play, Francona said, "I probably saw it like everybody else did. If you have a chance to look at it, the runner veered back into the baseline. I felt like he started out OK and then it looked like he wanted to get in the way of the throw. I think that's exactly why they put the rule in place.

"I don't know what the umpire saw. I didn't get a very good explanation. I didn't get any explanation. He just kept saying, "That's what I have.'"

Elvis Andrus added an RBI single for a 5-0 lead before Tomlin (7-1, 3.79) ended the inning.

The Rangers made it 9-0 with four runs in the fourth. Three were unearned because Uribe's two errors. One was a traditional error. The other was unique.

With two out and the Rangers leading 6-0, Adrian Beltre sent a grounder down the line at third. Uribe backhanded the ball, but couldn't handle it cleanly for his first error of the game.

Uribe threw the ball back to Tomlin, who was on the mound, but he lost it in the sun. The ball rolled to the first baseline as Fielder went to third and Beltre to second. Austin Adams relieved and gave up a three-run homer to rookie Nomar Mazara on his second pitch.

"I saw it come out of his hand, I was tracking it and it got right in the sun," said Tomlin.

This is not the first time the sun has played havoc with the Indians this season. Center fielder Rajai Davis lost two balls in the sun in a loss to the Mets on April 17.

The Indians only offense was came from the long ball. Mike Napoli hit his 11th homer with one out in the sixth. Marlon Byrd started the seventh with his fifth homer of the season.

The Tribe fell to 16-12 in May. The Rangers are 16-11 in May.

The pitches

Tomlin, in his shortest start of the year, threw 76 pitches, 48 for strikes. Holland threw 92 pitches, 55 for strikes.

In 3 2/3 innings, Tomlin allowed eight runs, but only four were earned, on nine hits. He struck out one.

Holland is 4-1 in eight career starts against the Indians. The Newark, Ohio native is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four career starts at Progressive Field.

Phantom no more

Rookie lefty Ryan Merritt, who joined the Indians a week ago as insurance in case one of their starters got knocked out early in a doubleheader against the White Sox, made his big league debut Monday night in relief of Austin Adams.

Merritt threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed on hit with two strikeouts and no walks.

"I was nervous," said Merritt. "A lot of anticipation. But it was worth it getting out there and getting my toes wet."

Thanks for coming

The Rangers and Indians drew 14,514 to Progressive Field on Monday evening to celebrate Memorial Day. The Indians have drawn 351,229 in 23 home dates.

First pitch was at 6:11 p.m. with a temperature of 79 degrees.

What's next?

Right-hander Corey Kluber (4-5, 3.78) will face Texas righty Colby Lewis (4-0, 3.38) on Tuesday at 6:10 p.m. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/FM 100.7 will carry the game.

Kluber has won his last two starts, allowing four earned runs in 14 1/3 innings. He's 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts against Texas.

Lewis is 3-0 in his last six starts. He's 2-2 with a 8.44 ERA in eight appearances against the Indians. Davis is hitting .364 (8-for-22) against Lewis.

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor opened Week 9 by going 0-for-3 with one walk on May 30 against the Texas Rangers. The Tribe lost, 9-2.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor's MLB arrival in June of last season came with considerable hype. He lived up to it -- and then some.

Lindor had an .835 OPS and 4.6 WAR in 99 games. He finished second to Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

What will Lindor do next? Here is a week-by-week recap of his 2016 season:

Week 1: 4 G, 17 PA, 5-for-15 (five singles), four runs, two walks, three strikeouts. 10/17 Quality Plate Appearance (subjective).

Summary: Even though he had no extra-base hits, Lindor swung the bat well overall. He took what the pitchers gave him and totaled three hits against two good lefties (David Price, Chris Sale). Issues were with cutter under hands and splitters. Solid defensively.

Week 2: 6 G, 26 PA, 6-for-25 (three singles, two doubles, homer), four RBI, three runs, two steals, seven strikeouts. 9/26 QPA. One error.

Summary: Not one of Lindor's better six-game stretches. Uncomfortable too often against off-speed, particularly changeups. Seven strikeouts/zero walks was noticeable. OK defensively.

Week 3: 6 G, 27 PA, 9-for-22 (eight singles, double), five walks, RBI, five runs, steal, caught stealing. 16/27 QPA.

Summary: Once again, Lindor took what the pitchers gave him and settled for singles en route to a strong six-game block. Finished with one walk in four straight games. Excelled defensively.

Week 4: 6 G, 27 PA, 5-for-23 (four singles, one double), three walks, three RBI, steal, sacrifice fly. 12/27 QPA. Good defensively.

Summary: Lindor did not swing well. Too eager/anxious numerous times. Missed plenty of pitches to hit.

Week 5: 6 G, 25 PA, 10-for-23 (eight singles, double, homer), walk, hit-by-pitch, three RBI, seven runs, steal. 13/25 QPA.

Summary: Good bounce-back from Week 5. Turned decent pitches into hits. Plus-defense.

Week 6: 6 G, 27 PA, 5-for-26 (five singles), walk, two RBI, three runs, steal. 10/27 QPA.

Summary: Rarely seemed comfortable during rough week, the nadir being 0-for-7 in a 16-inning loss at Houston.

Week 7: 7 G, 35 PA, 14-for-32 (10 singles, three doubles, homer), three walks, five RBI, six runs, two steals. 19/35 QPA.

Summary: Outstanding. One of his best weeks offensively as an MLB player.

Week 8: 6 G, 27 PA, 6-for-24 (four singles, double, homer), two walks, three RBI, five runs, two steals. 10/27 QPA.

Summary: Good for most second-year players, so-so for Lindor.

Week 9 (ongoing)

SEASON GAME 49: May 30 vs. Texas Rangers (L, 9-2)

First inning vs. LHP Derek Holland (none on, two outs) -- 76 curve high (barely); 93 fastball high; 92 fastball high; 90 fastball low (barely), walk.

Quality plate appearance (subjective): Yes.

Third inning vs. Holland (none on, two outs) -- 92 fastball called strike; 76 curve foul; 91 fastball, liner to right.

Quality plate appearance: Yes. Good swing at elevated pitch.

Sixth inning vs. Holland (none on, none out) -- 80 changeup called strike; 75 curve high; 91 fastball inside; fastball inside; 90 fastball foul; 92 fastball, fly to right.

Quality plate appearance: No.

Seventh inning vs. LHP Cesar Ramos (runners on first and second, one out) -- 80 slider low; 82 slider in dirt; 81 changeup, GIDP 6-4-3.

Quality plate appearance: No. Lindor too eager against pitch off outside corner.

Totals: 0-for-3, walk. 2/4 QPA.

The Cleveland Indians have opened a 10-game homestand at 1-3. They lost to the Texas Rangers, 9-2, Monday night at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lefty Derek Holland allowed one run in six innings and Ian Desmond and Nomar Mazara homered as the Texas Rangers thumped the Cleveland Indians, 9-2, Monday night at Progressive Field. Tribe lefty reliever Ryan Merritt gave up one hit in 4 1/3 scoreless innings of his MLB debut.

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

Not good: The Indians (26-23) have lost two in a row and opened a 10-game homestand at 1-3. They dropped two of three to the Orioles last weekend.

Staying hot: The Rangers (30-21) have won three in a row and eight of 10.

Ugly baseball: The Indians grounded into four double plays and committed four errors, although two of the errors came with an asterisk.

Local flavor: Ryan Rua, from Amherst Steele High School and Lake Erie College, went 1-for-4 with a double as the Texas left fielder.

Geography Bee: Holland is a native of Newark, Ohio. Josh Tomlin, a native of Tyler, Tx, started for the Indians.

Strange outing: Tomlin allowed eight runs -- four earned -- on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out one in his shortest start since Sept. 26, 2015 (3 2/3 at Kansas City).

The Indians lost for the first time in nine games started by Tomlin (7-1, 3.79 ERA) this season.

Tomlin did not pitch well against the Rangers, to be sure, but he also received several bad breaks.

*In the first inning, Rangers leadoff batter Jurickson Profar essentially threw his bat at a 2-2 pitch down and away and blooped it into left for a single. Tough break for Tomlin.

The next batter, Ian Desmond, hammered a 1-0 hanger (85 mph) into the left-field bleachers to make it 2-0. Tomlin got what he deserved.

*With one out in the second, Elvis Andrus singled to right. Rua doubled to left, Andrus stopping at third. Bryan Holaday hit a sacrifice fly to center.

All deserved.

*Desmond opened the third with a ringing double to center. Prince Fielder's grounder to second pushed Desmond to third. Adrian Beltre grounded into the hole at short, where Francisco Lindor fielded but had no play as Desmond held. Infield single for Beltre, tough break for Tomlin.

Mazara popped to short.

Lefty Mitch Moreland hit a dribbler near the first-base line. Tomlin fielded and threw to Mike Napoli, but Moreland's head got in the way. The ball caromed into foul territory and Desmond scored.

Replays showed that Moreland, knowing he would be out otherwise, had made a wise move by veering into the path of the throw. Problem for Cleveland is, plate umpire Manny Gonzalez was asleep and let Moreland off the hook. Indians manager Terry Francona argued and eventually got tossed. Before Francona exited, Sports Time Ohio's field mic caught him saying to Gonzalez: "You blew that (expletive) call. You ought to be (expletive) embarrassed.''

Tomlin, charged with an error, should have been out of the inning trailing, 3-0. Instead, the Rangers led, 4-0, and still were batting. Andrus singled to left, where Jose Ramirez double-clutched before throwing home. The double-clutch was enough to enable Beltre to make it 5-0.

*Holaday led off the fourth with a single and advanced to second on Profar's grounder to second. Desmond lined to left. Fielder singled to center to drive in Holaday.

Beltre grounded down the third-base line to Juan Uribe, who fumbled the backhanded play that would have gotten Tomlin out of the inning. Uribe's subsequent toss to the mound was not caught because Tomlin lost the ball in the sun, pushing Fielder to third. So Uribe was charged with two errors.

Austin Adams replaced Tomlin. Mazara attacked Adams' second pitch, a 1-0 fastball, and sent it deep into the trees in center for a three-run homer that gave Texas a 9-0 advantage.

Terrific stuff: Merritt replaced Adams to begin the fifth and allowed a leadoff single to Andrus. No shame there, because Andrus thoroughly enjoys playing at Progressive Field (at least one hit in 28 of 29 career games).

Rua erased Andrus with a double-play grounder -- the first two of nine straight outs recorded by Merritt. The streak ended when Andrus opened the eighth by reaching on Uribe's error. Rua grounded into a double play and Holaday flied to center.

Merritt struck out Profar to begin the ninth and was replaced by Cody Allen. Merritt finished with two strikeouts and threw 32-of-40 strikes.

Yes, Merritt worked in a lopsided game, but he need not apologize. The Rangers  would have pounded Merritt if he made bad pitches, regardless of what the score was at the time.

Don't forget about me: Tribe outfielder Marlon Byrd went 4-for-4 with a solo homer. He did all of the damage in nine pitches.

In the grand scheme of the Indians' 9-2 loss to Texas on Monday night, Mitch Moreland being called safe at first base in the third inning seems trivial. At the time, however, it was a big play and it went against the Indians. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Manager Terry Francona is still awaiting an explanation from plate umpire Manny Gonzalez. Just a hunch, but it could take a while.

Francona felt Texas first baseman Mitch Moreland interfered with Josh Tomlin's throw to first base in the third inning Monday night at Progressive Field. Tomlin fielded Moreland's roller along the first baseline and hit Moreland in the back of his neck with his throw to first.

Tomlin was charged with an error, Ian Desmond scored from third and Francona was ejected for the first time this season as a result of the play. In the grand scheme of the Indians' 9-2 loss to Texas it doesn't seem like such a big deal, but at the time it was the difference between the Indians trailing, 3-0 or 5-0.

When Moreland's squibber left the bat, the Rangers were leading, 3-0. Desmond was on third, Adrian Beltre was on first and there were two out. Moreland drifted inside the first base foul line just before he reached the bag, which is about the same time Tomlin's throw hit him.

Rule 5.09(a) (11) states that if a baserunner veers out of the three-foot lane leading to first base to interfere with the fielder taking the throw, he's out and the ball is dead.

Asked how he saw the play, Francona said, "I probably saw it like everybody else did if you have a chance to look at it. He veered back into the baseline. I felt like he started out OK and then it looked like he wanted to get in the way of the throw. I think that's exactly why they put the rule in place."

Francona went out to argue with Gonzalez, but he came away unsatisfied.

"The umpire didn't . . .I don't know what he saw," said Francona. "I didn't get a very good explanation. I couldn't get any explanation. He didn't say anything. He just kept saying, "That's what I have.'"

As Francona was leaving the field, Gonzalez ejected him.

"When I went out the second time, after he threw me out, he wouldn't talk to me," said Francona. "I'm still waiting."

MLB's replay policy does not cover plays like that.

"I wish he would have asked for help," said Francona. "I wish he would have done something."

When Moreland was called safe, the Rangers lead increased from 3-0 to 4-0. Then Elvis Andrus, who finished with three hits to increase his career average to .418 (46-for-110) at Progressive Field, added an RBI single to make it 5-0.

"It ended up being a long night," said Francona. "At the time, it had a chance to be 3-0. That's not why you lose a game. At the time you don't know what's going to happen. You want an out to be an out."

Tomlin, who saw his 7-0 record fall to 7-1, said he should have made a better throw.

"I tried to throw inside the line and it leaked back and hit him," said Tomlin. "I haven't had a chance to go back and look at it yet. I'm not sure if he was inside or outside the line. I don't know the rule on that.

"In my opinion I could have done a better job of maybe not rushing that play and stepping back inside the line and making a better throw."

Catcher Yan Gomes felt Francona had a good case.

"I think we had a good argument on it," said Gomes. "It's a tough call for Manny. He made the call. I thought Tito had a good argument, it's just a tough way to make a call like that."

It was a tough night all the way around for the Indians.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson carried the 73-win Warriors right back to the NBA Finals, as Golden State rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 96-88 on Monday night in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry dribbled every which way and drained yet another 3-pointer in the waning moments, pulled his jersey up into his mouth and yelled to the rafters in triumph once more.

A special, record-setting season saved for the defending champs, with a memorable comeback added to the long list of accomplishments.

Now, the MVP and his teammates are playing for another NBA title - just as they planned all along.

Bring on LeBron James once more.

Curry and Klay Thompson carried the 73-win Warriors right back to the NBA Finals, as Golden State rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 96-88 on Monday night in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

Curry scored 36 points with seven 3-pointers to finish with an NBA-record 32 in a seven-game series, while Thompson added 21 points and six 3s, two days after his record 11 3-pointers led a Game 6 comeback that sent the series home to raucous Oracle Arena for one more.

The Warriors became the 10th team to rally from a 3-1 deficit and win a postseason series. They return to the NBA Finals for a rematch with James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who lost the 2015 title in six games as Golden State captured its first championship in 40 years.

Game 1 is Thursday night in Oakland.

His signature mouthpiece dangling out and the game ball cradled in his left hand, Curry pumped his right arm as yellow confetti fell through Oracle Arena once the final buzzer sounded.

The Thunder trailing 90-86, Serge Ibaka fouled Curry on a 3-point try with 1:18 to go and the shot clock running out. The MVP made all three free throws, then a 3-pointer to seal it.

And Golden State's beloved "Strength In Numbers" catchphrase coined by Coach of the Year Steve Kerr was needed in every way on this night to do it.

Andre Iguodala joined the starting lineup for just the second time all season and the 2015 NBA Finals MVP hung tough against Kevin Durant, who scored 27 points on 10-for-19 shooting. Russell Westbrook had 19 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds.

Oklahoma City won Game 1 108-102 at deafening, soldout Oracle Arena, so Golden State never envisioned this one coming easily.

It just took a quarter and a half for Thompson to warm up after he hit an NBA playoff-record 11 3-pointers for 41 points in a 108-101 win Saturday at Oklahoma City that sent the series to a decisive seventh game back home in the East Bay.

He missed his initial seven shots before hitting a 3 6:02 before halftime, energizing the Warriors in their first Game 7 at home in 40 years.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Thompson and Iguodala pulled the Warriors within 54-51 with 7:57 left in the third. They tied it on Curry's 3 at 7:21 and he followed with another 3 to give his team the lead.

Curry and Thompson each topped the previous record for 3s in a seven-game series, 28 by Dennis Scott and Ray Allen. Curry hit one over 7-foot Steven Adams in the third, and Thompson wound up with 30.

Iguodala replaced Harrison Barnes in the starting lineup for just his second start of the season and first of the playoffs, and what a move by Kerr and his staff, who did the same thing last year in crunch time. Iguodala made a pretty bounce pass through the paint to Draymond Green for Golden State's first basket of the game, and his smothering defense on Durant kept the Thunder star without a shot until his 3 at the 5:45 mark in the first. Durant had just nine points on five shots in the first half.

But Oklahoma City dictated the tempo with snappy passes and the hard, aggressive rebounding that had been such a part of its success this season. The Thunder couldn't maintain it.

The Warriors, who began 3 for 11 from long range and 9 of 32 overall while falling behind 35-22, lost their last Game 7 at home: 94-86 to Phoenix in the Western Conference finals on May 16, 1976.

FINALS SCHEDULE

Game 1 Thursday, June 2 Golden State ABC 9 p.m. (ET)

Game 2 Sunday, June 5 Golden State ABC 8 p.m. (ET)

Game 3 Wednesday, June 8 Cleveland ABC 9 p.m. (ET)

Game 4 Friday, June 10 Cleveland ABC 9 p.m. (ET)

Game 5* Monday, June 13 Golden State ABC 9 p.m. (ET)

Game 6* Thursday, June 16 Cleveland ABC 9 p.m. (ET)

Game 7* Sunday, June 19 Golden State ABC 8 p.m. (ET)

* If Necessary

LINEUP CHANGES

Kerr wouldn't tip his hand to any lineup change after Iguodala started the second half of Game 6.

"I have made 11 alterations to the game plan, none of which I will share with you," he said.

TIP-INS

Thunder: The Thunder's 12 third-quarter points were the fewest allowed by Golden State in a playoff third quarter during the shot clock era. ... Durant took nine shots in the first 33:25. ... Oklahoma City led by as many as 13 in the first half and outrebounded the Warriors 29-24. ... The Thunder only outrebounded the Warriors 47-46. ... Thunder coach Billy Donovan celebrated his 51st birthday. ... The Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State's opponent the previous round, are the only teams to beat the Warriors twice this season.

Warriors: The Warriors are 4-4 all-time in Game 7s - 3-1 at home. ... Iguodala earned his first since Jan. 2 against Denver. ... Golden State wasn't whistled for its first foul until 2:34 in the first. ... The Warriors' 42 first-half points were their fewest at home this season. ... Curry hit a 3 in his 51st straight playoff game.

The 2016 NBA Finals between the Cavs and Warrior begin Thursday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's a chance at revenge.

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 96-88, Monday night, setting up a rematch in the 2016 NBA Finals.

But for Cavs fans, does that really matter? It's safe to say they didn't care who the opponent was, as long as a Cleveland team can bring home a world title.

But it is the Warriors, again ... and it does offer the chance to get both revenge and a title.

There was plenty of reaction on social media to the rematch, and plenty of predictions (the consensus among Cavs fans seems to be victory in six games).

See below to get a small sample.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, a rematch of last year's matchup.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, a rematch of last year's matchup.

The Cavaliers have been waiting for their opponent since a Game 6 win against the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. They returned to the practice court on Monday, preparing for both potential opponents.

The Warriors, meanwhile, rallied from a 3-1 series deficit, capping the comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, winning Game 7, 96-88. 

The best-of-seven showdown between the top seeds from the East and West will begin on Thursday, June 2 at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m ET and the game will be nationally televised on ABC.

Here is a look at the Cavs' full NBA Finals schedule:

Game 1: Thursday, June 2 at 9 p.m. on ABC (at Golden State)

Game 2: Sunday, June 5 at 8 p.m. on ABC (at Golden State)

Game 3: Wednesday, June 8 at 9 p.m. on ABC (Quicken Loans Arena)

Game 4: Friday, June 10 at 9 p.m. on ABC (The Q)

Game 5: Monday, June 13 - 9 p.m. on ABC (at Golden State)

Game 6: Thursday, June 16 - 9 p.m. on ABC (The Q)

Game 7: Sunday, June 19 - 8 p.m. on ABC (at Golden State)

(Note: Games 5-7 will only be if necessary)

The Cavs are in the NBA Finals for the second straight season, having lost just two games in the playoffs thus far. 

"Feeling good right now," Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said Monday. "Focusing on trying to get better, using each practice, all the time we have to get better, our execution of things to get better."

Stephen Curry scored 36 points to help the Golden State Warriors win Game 7 of the Western Conference finals vs. Oklahoma City. They face a LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers who now have a healthy Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Golden State added to its historic season Monday night.

Already with the league record for 73 wins in a regular season, the Warriors added a comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the Western Conference finals to their resume. Now their 108-101 win in Game 7 sets up Thursday night's Game 1 of the NBA Finals and rematch with the Cavaliers.

It will be different this time.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are both healthy teammates for LeBron James, whose Cleveland squad limped into last year's Finals before falling in six games.

"It's going to be fun," Stephen Curry told TNT's Ernie Johnson during Monday's Western Conference championship presentation. "We know what they're about. They've been playing well all playoff series, but so have we."

Curry scored 36 points and his 7-of-12 shots behind the 3-point line. Klay Thompson added 21 points and six 3s after his playoff-record 11 3s in Game 6 set the stage for Game 7.

Golden State trailed by 13 points Monday in the second quarter vs. Oklahoma City, but rallied like it did in this Western Conference finals.

The Warriors are the 10th team to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. (Click here for the other nine.)

Here are some more notes on the Western Conference finals, news around the league and with the Cavaliers through Monday night.

Pluto: Cavaliers enter Finals with greatest team in franchise history

THE SERIES (Golden State wins, 4-3)

Game 1: Oklahoma City 108, Golden State 102

Game 2: Golden State 118, Oklahoma City 91

Game 3: Oklahoma City 133, Golden State 105

Game 4: Oklahoma City 118, Golden State 94

Game 5: Golden State 120, Oklahoma City 111

Game 6: Golden State 108 Oklahoma City 101

Game 7: Golden State 96, Oklahoma City 88

EARLY FINALS PICKS

Vote in the cleveland.com poll to the right on who you think will win the NBA Finals and by how much. Afterward, watch and listen to predictions from Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley. Spoiler: Barkley is the only one to pick Cleveland, but he did last year, too.

#InsidetheNBA Finals picks... https://t.co/u8fleuOipP

-- NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 31, 2016

WHO'S HOT

Got 'em! https://t.co/DEw60xpJ0x

-- NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 31, 2016

KD cuts the lead to 4! https://t.co/V4DhNZxit1

-- NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 31, 2016

WHO'S NOT

* Andre Roberson, Oklahoma City: A defensive stalwart at shooting guard for the Thunder, Roberson's shooting helped them take a 3-1 series lead. Roberson shot 2-of-11 Monday for four points. He missed all four of his 3-point attempts and also took on-court criticism in the second half from Durant for passing on an open 3.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Here's what else went on around the association during the weekend from other newspapers and websites:

Vardon: LeBron's streak transcends pro sports

* Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol is considering skipping the Summer Olympics in Rio. His reason? The Zika virus.

* P.J. Carlesimo intends to remain at ESPN. He will not join the Philadelphia 76ers.

* Jeanie Buss says Phil Jackson is not leaving the New York Knicks to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers. Jackson's long-term commitment to the Knicks has been question, writes Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News.

* David Fizdale will be introduced Tuesday as the new Memphis Grizzlies coach. From Mike Conley's future to offensive philosophy, questions await Fizdale, writes Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Looking back at Cleveland's pro sports championships

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

To this point, the Indians' start has them better positioned than their sluggish springs of yore. Then again, they haven't exactly capitalized on what appears to be a wide-open division.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the second inning of Monday's affair, a Cleveland native playing for Texas socked a double off of a Texas native pitching for Cleveland.

Another Texan pitching for Cleveland tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings against Texas. A native of Ohio earned the win for Texas. A different native of Ohio drew a ninth-inning walk for Texas.

Got all of that?

Josh Tomlin and Ryan Merritt, a pair of Texans, pitched against the team from their home state on Monday. Derek Holland, from Newark, Ohio, tossed six strong innings for the Rangers. Ryan Rua and Jared Hoying, from Amherst and Sydney, Ohio, respectively, contributed offensively for Texas.

Here are a few thoughts following Texas' triumph over Cleveland.

1. 20/20: Yan Gomes tried contacts. They didn't work. So, he's giving athletic glasses a try. Gomes sported specs on Monday for the first time this season.

"It's been something I've been working on [since] spring training," Gomes said. "I've tried contacts and some dirt or something got in my eye and I can't get used to them. So I got the glasses. They finally came in. I might as well try them out now."

Gomes went 0-for-4 on Monday from the No. 9 spot in the order. He is batting .175 with a .568 OPS this season. He said he didn't even notice the glasses, except when they occasionally fogged up while he was in the dugout.

2. Not a phantom: Merritt waited an entire week before he finally made his major-league debut.

"Pretty nervous and a lot of anticipation," he said, "but it was worth it getting out there, getting my toes wet, getting a feel for the major leagues. It was fun."

He faced the minimum over 4 1/3 innings of relief. Tribe manager Terry Francona watched him work from his office.

"Good for him. He's been waiting patiently, keeping his eyes open," Francona said. "He came in and threw the ball over the plate. Got a double play. Really did well. I'm sure he's taking a sigh of relief that he's pitched. He held his nerves in check and he threw strikes."

Merritt waiting and waiting for his turn

3. Force of nature: Elvis Andrus collected three hits for Texas. The shortstop owns a .418 average (46-for-110) in 29 career games at Progressive Field. That mark is the highest for any player with at least 100 career trips to the plate at the ballpark.

4. Long division: One thing in the Indians' favor, when it comes to potential contention, is the state of the American League Central. The Royals entered Monday's action with a half-game lead on Cleveland, even though they carried a run differential of minus-2. The Indians sit in second place, despite being only three games above .500.

The Indians have managed to stay afloat without Carlos Carrasco and Michael Brantley. No team has sprinted ahead of the pack, either. The White Sox have all but erased their scorching start with a miserable month of May. The Royals lost third baseman Mike Moustakas for the season and left fielder Alex Gordon for the foreseeable future. Catcher Salvador Perez is also banged up.

Maybe the Indians won't ditch the up-and-down pattern they have followed so far. Maybe it won't matter in the long run, with each of their four AL Central adversaries refusing to run away with the division.

To this point, the Indians' start has them better positioned than their sluggish springs of yore. Then again, they haven't exactly capitalized on what appears to be a wide-open division.

It's somewhat scientific, but it doesn't require a degree. A little experience in the field can go a long way. Michael Brantley always seems to know which direction the ball will carom. For Ramirez, class is still in session. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jose Ramirez can do nothing but guess.

The 5-foot-9 infielder-by-trade stands with his back turned toward the infield and waits for the baseball to strike the green padding on the 19-foot wall in left at Progressive Field.

Maybe it'll kick left. Maybe it'll bounce right. Maybe it'll smack the screen covering the out-of-town scoreboard and drop straight down onto the warning track.

It depends on the angle in which the baseball crashes into the wall. It depends on the speed and force at which the ball in motion collides with the immovable object.

It's somewhat scientific, but it doesn't require a degree. A little experience in the field can go a long way. Michael Brantley always seems to know which direction the ball will carom. For Ramirez, class is still in session.

On Monday afternoon, bench/outfield coach Brad Mills hit balls off of the wall as Ramirez stood in left field and surveyed the baseballs' tendencies.

"I still don't know the wall all the way, because it gives different bounces at different times," Ramirez said through team translator Anna Bolton. "Sometimes the ball goes one way, sometimes the ball goes another way, and so that's what I'm working on, knowing where the ball bounces on different angles."

In the first inning of Sunday's affair between the Indians and Orioles, Mark Trumbo clubbed a double off of the left-field wall. The ball ricocheted past Ramirez and trickled toward center fielder Rajai Davis, which permitted three runs to score. The ball struck slightly to the left of where the wall changes direction a bit.

Where the bleacher seats begin, there is a crease in the wall. Had the ball struck to the right of the crease, Ramirez might have been in position to field it. Instead, it was out of his reach.

"The wall that it hit is angled," Mills said. "He tried to go halfway in-between, and it hit that wall and just shot the other way. If it would've hit the [advertisement], it would've come right back to him and, hopefully, we could've stopped the guy from scoring from first."

Ramirez is a natural infielder. He had logged two games in the outfield prior to this season. With Brantley sidelined by a shoulder injury, Ramirez has spent more time in left field than at any other spot on the diamond.

Ramirez said he has watched video of left fielders tracking balls off of the left-field wall in Cleveland. He has shagged fly balls in left field during batting practice. It all boils down to experience.

"I know Brantley has had much more experience out there, so maybe he made them look like they weren't coming off [the bat] that hard," Mills said. ... "It's an experience thing, just to play that carom off the wall."