Saturday was a bad day for the Indians as their 14-game winning streak came to an end, but a good one for Rajai Davis, who hit for the cycle for the first time in his career. Watch video

TORONTO - Before you ask, no, Rajai Davis never hit for the cycle before Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

"Not in Little League, not in Senior League, not in Babe Ruth, not in the minors," said Davis. "Not until right now in The Show, in the big leagues. This is nice."

Davis became the eighth man to hit for a cycle in Indians' history on the same day the longest winning streak in franchise history came to an end. The Indians lost, 9-6, to Toronto despite Davis' efforts to end their 14-game winning streak.

"The winning streak was nice," said Davis. "I don't know if it goes to Cooperstown or what. But it's always nice when you can win that many games. Other than that, we're still trying to win a championship here. We're going to go out Sunday and play hard, play with energy and hopefully win."

It's unclear if a player going for the cycle is treated the same as a pitcher working on a no-hitter. No one is supposed to bring the subject up to a pitcher when he's in pursuit of history, but a hitter hunting the cycle seems to be treated differently.

Davis gave the Indians a 1-0 lead with a homer to start the game. In his next at-bat, he tripled to right to score another run. When he reached third base, umpire Vic Carapazza told Davis, "You've got the two hardest hits out of the way."

"That's when I started thinking, "OK, I've got a cycle going,'" said Davis.

Davis grounded out to short in the fifth inning, but doubled and scored in the eighth. By that time the Toronto fans were pulling for Davis, who played for the Blue Jays in 2012 and 2013.

"Absolutely," said Davis when asked if the cycle was on his mind when he came to the plate in the ninth inning. "The fans were reminding me. How many hits do you need? What do you need? Just a single? Just one bunt? I went into that at-bat and got a good pitch to hit."

Davis singled to right field off closer Roberto Osuna. He received a standing ovation from the crowd. Then he stole second.

"That was awesome," said Davis. "I couldn't have asked for anything better than that."

Rajai Davis still burning rubber at 35

Travis Hafner was the last Indian to hit for the cycle. He did it in the old Metrodome on Aug. 14, 2003. It was the same day half the power in the country shut down. No such seismic events accompanied Davis' cycle with the exception that he did it backward.

He went homer, triple, double and single. It was just the sixth reverse cycle in history.

Here are the other member of the Indians' cycle club; Bill Bradley 9-24-1903; Earl Averill 8-17-33; Odell Hale 7-12-38; Larry Doby 6-4-1952; Tony Horton 7-2-1970; Andre Thornton 4-22-1978 and Hafner.

The homer Davis hit to start Saturday's game was his ninth of the season. It's a career high for the 35-year-old outfielder.

"We've got really good hitting coaches here," said Davis, referring to Ty Van Burkleo and Matt Quatraro. "They've helped me to stay within myself and have helped get my body in good position to hit more consistently."

Co-leaders Jason Day and Scott Piercy will highlight the final day of the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday and Firestone Country Club.

AKRON, Ohio -- The final round of the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational will begin today at Firestone Country Club with Jason Day and Scott Piercy as the co-leaders at 5-under. David Lingwerth is one shot back and Brian Stuard is two behind.

Gates open at 8 this morning and the first group tees off at 9:25 a.m. Piercy and Day tee off at 2:05 p.m. Coverage on CBS begins at 2, with Golf Channel televising from 12-1:30 p.m. Below you'll find the live leaderboard, tee times, event schedule, ticket information, live stream, food truck guide and more.

Bridgestone is the third of four World Golf Championships events and draws an exclusive field of 75 golfers, including PGA Tour winners in the last year and the top 50-ranked golfers in the world. The winner receives a three-year PGA Tour exemption.

Day was the winner of the WGC-Dell Match Play in March. Day and Adam Scott, the WGC-Cadillac winner, will seek to become just the third players ever to win two WGC events in the same season. They would join Tiger Woods (six times) and Phil Mickelson, who has done it twice.

Scott won this event in 2011.

WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS-BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL

AT A GLANCE

• When: Today
• Where: Firestone Country Club, South Course, 452 East Warner Road, Akron.
• Event link: worldgolfchampionships.com/bridgestone-invitational
• Format: 72-holes, stroke play, no cut
• Purse: $9.5. million Winner's share: $1.6 million
• Tickets: Visit www.bridgestoneinvitational.com or call 1-844-868-7465.
• Youth admission: Youth 18 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. There is no limit to the number of youth 18 and under who can attend with a ticketed adult.
• Military admission: Active duty and Reserve military members, military retirees, and their dependents admitted free by showing a Department of Defense-issued military ID at the gate, along with a military ticket voucher. Non-retired veterans may also receive complimentary admission, and may purchase one guest ticket each day at the discounted rate of $40. Register in advance at birdiesforthebrave.sheerid.com.

TEE TIMES

• Click here for today's complete pairings and tee times.

TODAY'S LIVE LEADERBOARD

TV SCHEDULE

• 12-1:30 p.m., Golf Channel
• 2-6 p.m., CBS

LIVE STREAM

• PGA Tour Live

• Today, 9-6 p.m.

EVENT SCHEDULE

• Today: Final round. Gates open 8 a.m. Closing ceremony with trophy presentation at the conclusion of play at 18th green.

WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: High 80, partly cloudy
• Updates: Weather.com

COURSE

• Firestone Country Club South Course
• Par: 35-35--70
• Yardage: 7,400
• Architects: Bert Way (1929), Robert Trent Jones (1960)

Food trucks have become increasingly popular at Bridgestone.

• 12th green: Barrio, Lobster Louies, Hatfields Goode Grub
• Fan zone: Swensons, B Spot Burgers

PARKING:

• All traffic should proceed eastbound on Route 224 to 1204 Masillon Road, Akron, then proceed left on Masillon Road following the signs to public parking entrance at Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems & Lockheed Martin
• Fee: $5
• Shuttles will transport spectators to the main entrance
  - Handicap accessible parking is located near Firestone Country Club. Follow posted signs for directions to the lot.

Will the Browns be a run-first offense? Is seven victories too much to expect? These and other questions answered in Hey, Mary Kay!

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hey Mary Kay!

@MaryKayCabot thanks for this. Your work is awesome. In Hue Jackson's first year will he try to play a run-first offense?

-- SettingTheEdge (@SettingTheEdge) July 1, 2016

Hey, Edge: I think Hue Jackson will operate a high-powered, balanced attack with a heavy emphasis on the run early and often to make the passing game more effective and to take pressure off Robert Griffin III or whoever's starting. I believe Isaiah Crowell will have a 1,000 yard season and that Duke Johnson will run more than he did last year.

Take it from running game coordinator Kirby Wilson, who told us in June that the Browns will play the kind of smash-mouth football their fans will love. "We're going to be a run-oriented football team,'' he said. "Everything starts with the run game, our offensive line and our backs. As coach told us, we're going to be a physically dominant, running football team."

@MaryKayCabot I feel it's a 7 win season, how do you feel

-- Ed Erisman (@ederisman) July 1, 2016

@MaryKayCabot #browns is Kirksey the starter with Robertson gone

-- Joe Enderlen (@JEnderlen) July 1, 2016

Hey, Joe: Chris Kirksey, entering his third season at linebacker, is slated to start more games in 2016. During off-season workouts and mandatory minicamp, he was in the starting lineup in the middle alongside DeMario Davis. Starting outside 'backers were Paul Kruger and Nate Orchard.

Kirksey started five games at the Will or weakside linebacker spot last season and has a chance to hold down that spot this year if he performs well.

Inside linebackers coach Johnny Holland was effusive in his praise of Kirksey last month. "He's been very impressive athletically,'' Holland said. "He's getting stronger and bigger. He shows a lot of athletic skill on the field that we really like. A lot of it will come down to how we play with the pads on. I'm looking forward to him having a great year.'' He said Kirksey can 'absolutely' be a full-time starter.

"Kirksey has the tools that you look for at that position,'' said Holland. "He's athletic enough to cover. We're going to develop him with some pass rush skills. This system fits his athletic ability. Kirksey definitely has the ability to be a big time player in this league."

@MaryKayCabot HMK with the @Browns getting younger, are they adverse to signing veterans to help this team late in this offseason?

-- James Koutoulas (@FFpsychic) July 1, 2016

Hey, James: The Browns have made a strong push to get younger this season, eliminating veterans Randy Starks, Karlos Dansby, Donte Whitner and Brian Hartline. Veterans they've added are in the prime of their career, including offensive lineman Alvin Bailey and inside linebacker DeMario Davis. I doubt they will add any more veterans come August, unless they have a gaping hole to fill. In most instances, they'll go very young and suffer the growing pains.

Robert Griffin III heads into camp in open competition

The Washington Redskins have the toughest NFL strength of schedule based on Las Vegas Super Bowl odds. The Cleveland Browns rank third.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Gauging NFL teams' strength of schedule can be tricky.

NFL.com ranked teams' schedule difficulty based on 2015 results in April. Atlanta and San Francisco had the toughest roads to the playoffs, facing regular-season opponents with a combined .555 winning percentage. Green Bay had the easiest schedule with foes of a combined .457 win percentage.

If you're wondering, the Browns' schedule ranked 21st.

That's great, but plenty has changed since early April. The draft happened later in the month, and there's still that thing called camp casualties - also known as preseason cuts.

Rosters are in flux. Using Las Vegas' Super Bowl odds as of late June, Washington has the league's toughest schedule. The Browns are third. Philadelphia is second, which bodes well for Cleveland's draft future considering the Browns own the Eagles' 2017 first-round pick.

Here is what the NFL strength of schedule based on Super Bowl odds looks like entering July. An explanation is provided below this graphic.

The "SS" for "SS points" and "SS rank" stands for strength of schedule.

To determine strength of schedule, teams were assigned points based on Super Bowl odds. New England is favored to win Super Bowl LI, so it received one point. Carolina, Green Bay and Pittsburgh were tied with the third-best odds, so they were each assigned a four-point average.

The Browns, Tampa Bay and San Francisco were tied with the worst odds, so they each were assigned 31 points (between 30 and 32).

Teams to play those squads had those points added to their strength of schedule. A lower number equals a tougher schedule. 

Here's some highlights:

* Washington opens with Pittsburgh and later gets Green Bay and Carolina. Vegas gives all three the third-best odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. On the plus side for the Redskins, they get those three teams at FedEx Field.

* The Browns host New England in Week 5. If quarterback Tom Brady remains suspended for the first four games, this will mark his return.

* Carolina has the lightest schedule, followed by Seattle and Arizona. They also are in the top six, according to Vegas, when it comes to reaching the Super Bowl. If the schedule isn't enough for MVP Cam Newton, he also gets receiver Kelvin Benjamin back from ACL surgery. The Panthers get San Francisco in Week 2, plus two divisional games against Tampa Bay that factor into their schedule rating.

* By mid-November, Seattle's slate takes some drastic turns. It faces New England in a Super Bowl 49 rematch in Week 10, follows with lighter loads of Philadelphia and Tampa Bay before stiff NFC tests in Weeks 13 and 14 with Carolina and Green Bay.

The league's divisional rotation looks like this for 2016:

* AFC East: Plays NFC West, AFC North

* AFC North: Plays NFC East, AFC East

* AFC South: Plays NFC North, AFC West

* AFC West: Plays NFC South, AFC South

* NFC East: Plays AFC North, NFC North

* NFC North: Plays AFC South, NFC East

* NFC South: Plays AFC West, NFC West

* NFC West: Plays AFC East, NFC South

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.

Ranking the top 10 UFC fighters of all-time.

The Indians end this four-game series and 10-game trip Sunday when Corey Kluber faces J.A. Happy at the Rogers Centre. The Indians need a win for their third straight series victory on the trip.

TORONTO -- The Indians and Blue Jays end their four-game seires Sunday at Rogers Centre. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs meet.

Game 81: Indians (49-31) vs. Jays (43-39).

First pitch: 1:07 p.m.

Broadcast info: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100, WMMS/FM 100.7, Indians Radio Network

Pitching matchup: RHP Corey Kluber (8-7, 3.50) vs. LHP J.A. Happ (10-3, 3.70).

Fact du jour: Carlos Santana hit his 18th homer on Saturday. Santana hit 19 all last year.

The Indians will reach the halfway mark of the season Sunday when they end this 10-game trip and four-game series against Toronto at Rogers Centre.

TORONTO -- Here are the starting lineups for the Indians and Blue Jays game on Sunday at Rogers Centre. First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 p.m.

INDIANS

LF Rajai Davis.

2B Jason Kipnis.

SS Francisco Lindor.

DH Mike Napoli.

1B Carlos Santana.

3B Jose Ramirez.

C Yan Gomes.

CF Abraham Almonte.

RF Lonnie Chisenhall.

RHP Corey Kluber, 8-7, 8.50.

BLUE JAYS

CF Ezequiel Carrera.

3B Josh Donaldson.

DH Edwin Encarnacion.

LF Michael Saunders.

C Russell Martin.

SS Troy Tulowitzki.

1B Justin Smoak.

RF Junior Lake.

2B Edwin Barney.

LHP J.A. Happ, 10-3, 3.70.

UMPIRES

H John Hirschbeck, crew chief.

1B Bill Welke.

2B Vic Carapazza.

3B D.J. Reyburn.

Abraham Almonte is back. The Indians reinstated the outfielder Sunday and he'll start in center field against the Blue Jays. Almonte was suspended for 80 games for for testing positive for PEDs. The suspension ended on Saturday

TORONTO -- The Indians have reinstated outfielder Abraham Almonte and inserted him in the starting lineup in center field for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Almonte just finished serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for steroids. Almonte was popped in February during spring training.

To make room for Almonte on the 40-man roster, the Indians moved outfielder Michael Brantley to the 60-day disabled list, but it is mostly a paper move. Brantley is still eligible to be activated Saturday, but that's not going to happen. He is still rehabbing from November surgery on his right shoulder.

Brantley was played on the disabled list for the second time this season on May 14.

Left-hander Shawn Morimando was optioned to Class AAA Columbus to make room for Almonte on the 25-man roster. Morimando made his big-league debut Saturday when the Indians were short on pitching after playing 19 innings on Friday night.

Almonte has spent much of the year at the Indians training site in Goodyear, Arizona after being suspended. He just completed a 10-day rehab assignment at Class AAA Columbus where he hit .444 (12-for-27) with two doubles, one triple, one homer and four RBI.

When spring training opened, Almonte was projected to be the Tribe's starting center fielder. The outfield, with Almonte's suspension and Brantley's injury, has been in a state of flux ever since. However, the Indians have been getting good production from the players on hand including Jose Ramirez, Rajai Davis, Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall.

Abraham Almonte tested positive for the steroid Boldenone. It is a steroid used by body builder and weight lifters and it is usually injected. Almonte said he never injected himself and still doesn't know for sure how Boldenone got into his body.

TORONTO - Outfielder Abraham Almonte rejoined the Indians on Sunday following the completion of his 80-game suspension for testing positive for Boldenone, a steroid designed for use in the horse and cattle industry.

It's unclear how long Almonte, who has minor-league options, will be with the team after being reinstated from the restricted list.

"I don't think we're going to be situated like this for three months," said manager Terry Francona before Sunday's game against Toronto. "I'm not saying Abe's not going to be here. I'm not all that concerned about it at the moment. Sometimes you just have to get through the weekend and let things settle."

The Indians optioned left-hander Shawn Morimando to Class AAA Columbus and moved Michael Brantley to the 60-day disabled list to clear space for Almonte on the 25- and 40-man rosters. Morimando made his big-league debut Saturday because the Indians were short on arms after playing 19 innings Friday.

Almonte, who started in center field Sunday, tested positive in February during spring training.

"I'm excited," he said, when asked about rejoining the Indians. "You know what happened. We've been waiting for this day to come. Finally, I'm here to support my team and help my team keep doing what they're doing."

Boldenone is a steroid used by body builders. In its most potent form it has to be injected. Almonte, who says he still doesn't know how the steroid got into his body, said he never injected himself.

"No, that's what got me when they told me it was something injectable," said Almonte. "The first time I heard about that is when they told me what I tested positive for. I started searching to see what it is. If I ever put something in my body, an injectable, it's not even close to being something like that. "

Almonte, 27, has ideas on how the steroid may have entered his body, but no real evidence.

"We tried to figure it out in spring training," he said. "In the DR (Dominican Republic) it would be too hard to find out. It's something that's going on over there with all the stuff. It's hard to find out. I can say we think it's this and then we look up and maybe it's not.

"We have an idea maybe how it happened because we found out what they use that for. What kind of people use that and where they put it. We might have an idea where it came from, but we're not sure."

Almonte said he knew the Indians would not release him after he tested positive.

"We had that conversation when it happened," he said. "They knew that whatever happened it was not something I was looking for to be a better player. As you guys know, it was a mistake.

"They always told me that they would be there for me. They expected me to be ready after those 80 games. I believed that and I kept working and trying to get myself in a better position to help my team when they needed me."

Almonte played a couple of games in extended spring before beginning a rehab assignment at Class AAA Columbus. He hit .444 (12-for-27) with two doubles, one triple, one homer and four RBI in seven games.

"I had good results," said Almonte. "All the time I was in Arizona I was working hard and in a smart way. I tried to make sure that every swing I took was a game swing not just batting practice. So I kept my mind in the game and I think that helped me a lot."

Almonte said he was at peace with himself as he waited in the Arizona desert and watched the Indians climb to first place in the AL Central without him.

"It was hard," he said. "Whatever happened, whatever was there, it was not something that I did where I said, 'Damn, why did I do this? Now look what happened.'

"It was something that happened. It is hard because you're going to lose a lot of time. But after it happened, I said the time is going to go quick. I've just got to invest my time in something good so in three months, believe it or not, they're going to need me whether it's in the big leagues or Triple-A and I've got to be ready."

Scratched: Third baseman Juan Uribe, hit on the right index finger by a pitch on Saturday, was scratched from Sunday's lineup.

"He didn't feel comfortable making the long throw," said Francona. "I don't know if he got hit right on the nail, but it bent it backwards. I know they drained it last night. I think he can actually hit, but can't make the longer throw."

Francona said he'll wait a couple of days to see how Uribe is doing because he doesn't want to play short a man. Jose Ramirez replaced Ramirez at third.

Testing, testing: Brantley could start taking batting practice sometime this week, but he still has a ways to go before rejoining the lineup. He hasn't played since May 9 and he'll need to go on a rehab assignment when he is ready to play in games.

Brantley diagnosed with biceps tendinitis

Finally: Catcher Roberto Perez (broken right thumb) has started his rehab assignment for the Arizona Rookie League Indians. He'll start out at DH, but could start catching sometime later in the week. A rehab assignment for a position player can last 20 days.

It's never a good sign when a team's backup catcher pitches the final two innings of game. That was the case Sunday for the Indians as Chris Gimenez pitched the final two frames in the Indians' 17-1 loss to the Blue Jays. Watch video

TORONTO -- After Corey Kluber beat Atlanta on Tuesday at Turner Field, he was asked about the Indians' winning streak, a streak that would grow to 14 games.

Kluber said all the right things, but added it was important to remember that the Indians were going to lose a game sometime in the near future. Then he said the key would be how the Indians could use the momentum of the streak to continue to play good baseball.

Well, the Tribe's franchise-setting winning streak ended Saturday in a 9-6 loss to Toronto. As for Sunday, well, let's just say momentum has a big head start on Kluber and his teammates.

Toronto pounded Kluber and the Indians, 17-1, at Rogers Centre to split the four-game series. And always remember, what goes around comes around.

The Indians extended their winning streak to a franchise-record 14 games with a 19-inning victory Friday. The Blue Jays' final two pitchers were position players Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney.

In Sunday's loss, catcher Chris Gimenez pitched the last two innings for the Indians after entering the game in the sixth at third base.

Kluber (8-8, 3.79) was on fire coming into the start. He'd won four of his last five starts, but he had no answer for the Blue Jays.

Russell Martin hit a three-run homer in the first. Kluber allowed two more runs in the fourth before manager Terry Francona removed him and put the game in the bullpen's hands.

Kluber allowed five runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out four in his second shortest start of the season. He pitched 2 2/3 innings against Houston on May 9.

"All day it was just a fight for him," said Francona. "That's why I probably worry more about guys putting some stress on themselves. So we tried to get him out of there, because he had thrown a lot (of pitches) and they were all high-intensity, just because there were so many men on base."

Kluber said he couldn't make the ball go where he wanted it to go.

"I commanded the ball terribly," he said. "It all starts with fastball command. I didn't command it all day and that makes everything else tough to throw for strikes as well."

Lefty J.A. Happ (11-3, 3.54) had his way with the Indians. He allowed one run in seven innings, striking out 11 and not walking a batter.

The Blue Jays put the game away by scoring eight runs in the sixth, their biggest inning of the season. Tom Gorzelanny absorbed most of the damage on the Indians' side, allowing seven earned runs on four hits in 1/3 of inning.

After that Francona went to bullpen protect mode, which put Gimenez on the mound. He entered the game at third base in the sixth and moved to the mound in the seventh.

"I felt much more comfortable on the mound," said Gimenez. "At third there was a ball hit and it was at me, but I didn't even see it off the bat."

Gimenez retired the Blue Jays in order in the seventh.

"I was throwing super changeups," he said.

They were waiting for him in the eighth. Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion hit consecutive doubles. Russell Martinez singled home another run and Justin Smoak added a two-run homer.

"When there were two outs, I was think, 'Can we just end this now,'" said Gimenez.

Gimenez allowed four runs on four hits in two innings. In 2014, he threw a scoreless inning against the Angels.

"There goes my 0.00 ERA," said Gimenez.

PITCHf/x, which charts all MLB's pitches, registered Gimenez's 33 pitches as knuckleballs or changeups. Gimenez doesn't throw a knuckler and said the changeups were fastballs.

"I was humping up on them, too," said Gimenez, whose velocity ranged from 65 to 82 mph.

What it means

The Indians ended this 10-game trip with an 8-2 record. The 17 runs the Indians allowed were their most since allowing 17 against the Cubs last year on June 17.

The Tribe bullpen allowed 12 earned runs, the most since they allowed 13 against the A's on July 10, 2004.

We scored one run?

The Indians scored their only run in the seventh when Yan Gomes singled home Carlos Santana with two out. Santana had two of the Tribe's five hits.

The pitches

Kluber threw 95 pitches, 53 (56 percent) for strikes. Happ threw 101 pitches, 65 (64 percent) for strikes.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Blue Jays drew 45,962 fans to Rogers Centre. It was Toronto's 15th sellout. First pitch was at 1:08 p.m. with a temperature of 68 degrees. The roof was open.

What's next?

The Indians open their final homestand before the All-Star break with a three-game series against the Tigers and a four-game visit from the Yankees.

Danny Salazar (10-3, 2.33) will face Detroit lefty Daniel Norris on Monday night in from of a sold-out crowd at Progressive Field. Salazar has won six straight decisions.

Corey Kluber and the Cleveland Indians were run over by the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon in Toronto. The Blue Jays amassed 18 hits and won, 17-1.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Left-hander J.A. Happ struck 11 in seven innings and Russell Martin, Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Smoak homered as the Toronto Blue Jays crushed the Cleveland Indians, 17-1, Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Tribe right-hander Corey Kluber allowed five runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. Tribe reserve catcher Chris Gimenez allowed four runs on four hits in two innings.

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

Nick Camino Scoreboard Watch: The Indians (49-32) lead second-place Detroit (44-38) by 5.5 games in the AL Central. The Tigers have won six in a row, including a four-game sweep at Tampa Bay from Thursday through Sunday. Kansas City (43-38) dropped into third after losing at Philadelphia on Sunday.

Tip of the cap: That the Indians are in first place at the mathematical halfway point of the season, let alone on pace to win 98 games, is beyond impressive. They have done so with just 11 games played by one of MLB's best hitters, Michael Brantley, who remains sidelined because of right-shoulder issues. 

Ending with a thud: The Tribe won the first eight of a 10-game trip, sweeping three-game series against Detroit and Atlanta and taking the first two against Toronto.

The Blue Jays (45-39) rebounded with a hard-fought victory, 9-6, Saturday and a stress-free afternoon Sunday.

In the first two games of the series, the Blue Jays scored a combined two runs on 14 hits in 28 innings. In the final two, they scored 26 runs on 30 hits in 16 innings.

Too good: Happ (11-3, 3.54 ERA) gave up one run on five hits. He walked none. He threw 65 of 101 pitches for strikes.

When Happ is able to throw the fastball where he wants, he can be nasty. His fastball control and command were outstanding Sunday. He complemented with a cutter, changeup and curve.

Happ overmatched the Indians for 6 2/3 innings. The Tribe finally broke through with consecutive singles by Carlos Santana, Jose Ramirez and Yan Gomes. Abraham Almonte struck out looking at an 0-2 fastball (92 mph) to end the "uprising.''

Early statement: The Blue Jays led, 3-0, after one inning.

With one out in the top of the first, Jason Kipnis zipped a 3-2 fastball (92) to right for a double. Happ struck out Francisco Lindor looking at a 3-2 fastball (92) on the inside edge and got Mike Napoli to fly a 2-0 fastball (91) on the outside edge to left. Napoli was looking to mash, but Happ took the sting out of his bat by making a pitcher's pitch in a hitter's count.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Josh Donaldson grounded a 1-2 breaking pitch (85) into the hole at short for a single. Tribe catcher Yan Gomes had set up on the outside edge and wanted the pitch down, but it stayed over the plate above the knees.

Edwin Encarnacion socked a 3-2 fastball (94) deep to left-center, where Rajai Davis made a running catch at the wall. Gomes had set up on the outer third, but the pitch leaked over the middle at the belt. Kluber was fortunate.

The Donaldson and Encarnacion at-bats signaled that Kluber might be in for a difficult outing, if for no other reason than command.

Lefty Michael Saunders doubled to left, Donaldson stopping at third. Credit Saunders with an excellent approach and swing against a 1-1 fastball (92) on the outer half.

Russell Martin stepped in. Kluber narrowly missed with a 1-1 fastball on the inside edge at the knees, then threw a cutter (90) that didn't cut and sat on the inside edge above the knees. Martin hammered it to center for a three-run homer.

Tulowitki lined an 0-0 fastball (93) to right for a single. It was another pitch that had plenty of plate. Smoak struck out looking at a fastball (92) with comeback action to the inside corner.

Not his day: Kluber (8-8, 3.79) walked four and struck out four. He threw 53 of 95 pitches for strikes.

Kluber worked a scoreless second and third, but each required sweat. His pitch count through three was 82.

The first four Blue Jays reached safely in the fourth. Ezequiel Carrera walked, Donaldson singled to center, Encarnacion hit a "sacrifice fly'' to shortstop and Saunders doubled. Joba Chamberlain relieved Kluber and allowed one of the inherited runners to score.

Encarnacion benefitted from Lindor having tripped on the turf in shallow left-center.

Yikes: Chamberlain was the only one of five Indians pitchers not to be charged with a run. He did not allow a hit and walked three in 1 2/3 innings.

Tribe pitchers combined for 10 walks and five strikeouts; Toronto's three pitchers walked none and struck out 14.

Bullpen saver: Gimenez pitched a perfect seventh in nine pitches -- the first time Toronto was retired in order. Junior Lake lined to left (2-1 pitch/71), Darwin Barney flied to center (0-0 pitch/75) and Carrera popped to third (1-2 pitch/68).

The Blue Jays solved Gimenez in the eighth. They amassed two doubles, one single and Smoak's two-run homer.

Jordan Spieth finished 3-under par on Sunday at the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational.

AKRON, Ohio - After a solid start and average play in Rounds 2 and 3, Jordan Spieth saved his best for last when he shot 3-under par in the final round of the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday afternoon at Firestone Country Club.

"This was a very solid day and a nice progression from the beginning of the week," Spieth said. "Each day got a little better, which was what I told y'all I wanted to do from the start."

On this day, Spieth had one bogey and four birdies to finish with a 67, to finish in a tie for fourth at 277. He was more consistent in this round compared to Round 3, where he had five birdies. But three bogeys and a triple bogey on No. 16 were too much for Spieth to correct.

His adjustments on Sunday led to more steady play. And those same adjustments are related to Spieth's desire to play at a more accelerated pace.

"I take my time on the greens, and I believe I'm the best putter in the world, so whatever I'm doing on the greens, I'm going to keep doing," Spieth said. "This is more just when I'm at a shot -- and it doesn't mean I won't step off because the wind changes or whatever ... We know what it's playing, which we get all that like that, just step up and hit it. I thought we did that this week."

Spieth's often turtle pace has become a distraction at times. He was cited for slow play in the European Tour's Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in February. His pace was such a concern that his group was put on the clock during the Masters. His pace is such a concern that comments are made on Spieth's social media about picking up the pace.

"What I did this week was plenty fine," Spieth said. "You know, this was one of the first weeks I haven't had somebody come up and tell us we're on the clock. I don't think I have to make any more adjustments. I think I was pretty gunslinger here, which is kind of the word we're using to speed up."

Indians manager Terry Francona appreciates the way the commissioner's office has gone out of its way to explain the replay decision to overturn Ezequiel Carrera's out call to a safe call on Saturday. He just thinks they got it wrong.

TORONTO - Terry Francona has read all the e-mails and seen the video clips from MLB's replay officials. He appreciates the way the whole thing was handled.

But here's thing, he still thinks the Indians got hosed.

"I just don't agree with the call," said Francona on Sunday. "That's the hardest part for me."

In the eighth inning Saturday, with the score tied, 6-6, plate umpire D.J. Reyburn called out Toronto's Ezequiel Carrera when he tried to score from second on a Josh Donaldson single. The Blue Jays challenged the call.

It took MLB's replay headquarters over three minutes to review it and conclude that Carrera was safe and the Indians' 14-game winning streak was soon to become history in a 9-6 loss.

"I felt like it was handled with so much respect that I actually appreciated it," said Francona. "I still have a very difficult time seeing how they could overturn that. I've read e-mails. I've looked at videos. I've read what they said. I don't agree with them.

"That's not going to change anything. It doesn't make them bad people. I think they handled it with respect, which is good."

The ruling from the MLB replay headquarters said there was "definitive' evidence that Carrera tagged the plate before catcher Chris Gimenez tagged him. They sent Francona a clip of the video they based the ruling on.

Tito shocked at overturned call

"And again, I still don't agree," said Francona. "What are you going to do? I know we want every call. So does the other team.

"After you have a time to settle down and catch your breath, I still have a hard time with it. But it's not going to change anything.

Dustin Johnson follows his U.S. Open triumph by winning the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday at Firestone Country Club.

AKRON, Ohio -- Dustin Johnson capitalized on Jason Day's misfortune and rode the wave of his U.S. Open championship to capture the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday at Firestone Country Club.

Johnson, ranked No. 3 in the world, has won the last two tournaments he entered, including the Open. He won his third WGC Championship and it was his third straight win when trailing entering the final round.

Johnson rallied behind three birdies on the back nine and finished with a 4-under 66. Johnson and Day were tied for the lead momentarily, but Day hooked a 3-wood off the tee on 16, knocked the next shot across the fairway behind a tree line, and after his following shot went into water settled for a double bogey.

Day's day actually began to fall apart when he bogeyed 15.

"I played pretty good up until obviously the putt on 15," said Day, who owns 10 PGA Tour victories. "I hit it a little big hard through the break and that obviously cost me a bogey there. Sixteen is always a tough par-5 anyways if you don't get a good drive there."

From there, Johnson was off and running and he closed the show with a birdie on 17 and despite a bogey on 18, it was enough to finish at 274, one shot ahead of Scott Piercy. Day, the No. 1 player in the world, finished 3-under in a four-way tie for third with Jordan Spieth, Matt Kuchar and Kevin Chappell.

"I played good this weekend," Johnson said. "I felt like I drove it really well. I had a lot of shots from the fairway, which you've got to do around here, especially with the course being firm. I rolled the ball really well with the putter today."

Johnson will play next in the British Open (July 14-17) and hopes to continue to ride his wave of momentum.

"I feel like my game is where it has been all year," Johnson said. "I've been playing solid all year. I've been driving it great. I've been wedging it good. It's just I haven't been putting quite as well as I'd like to. The last couple of weeks I've just putted a little bit better, and the game shows it."

• Bridgestone Invitational 2016 complete leaderboard
• Dustin Johnson's four-round scorecard

Did you see that?

Matt Kuchar knocked in a shot 48 feet away on hole 16 for birdie.

Local talent

Cleveland born Jason Dufner was 4-over Sunday. He was 2-over in Round 3, 6-over in Round 2 and 1-over in Round 1. He finished 13 over and 51st overall.

They said it

"We gained a lot of momentum today and momentum through the week. I thought it was, again, a very nice progression day-to-day and one where I'm now starting to feel very comfortable with my golf swing." -- Jordan Spieth

Big shots

Day took a 1-stroke lead behind a 14-foot, 8-inch putt from the rough on hole 12 for par.

Did you know?

Since winning the Safeway Open, the opening event of the 2015-16 PGA Tour season, Emiliano Grillo has failed to record another top-10 finish. He finished 14th at Bridgestone.

Did you know II?

Jay Hebert (1960), Al Geiberger (1966) and Jack Nicklaus (1975) were the winners of the three PGA Championships held at Firestone Country Club.

Like in the U.S. Open, Scott Piercy finished second behind leader Dustin Johnson on Sunday in the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.

AKRON, Ohio -- Dustin Johnson won his second straight tournament on Sunday in the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational and for the second straight time, Scott Piercy finished second behind Johnson.

Piercy finished three strokes back of Johnson at the U.S. Open two weeks ago. On Sunday, he finished one shot behind Johnson at the Firestone Country Club South Course. The runner-up spot was the last thing on Piercy's mind.

"Today was a little rougher than I wanted," Piercy said. "I talked about driving the ball well, and I didn't. It kind of put me behind the 8-ball pretty much all day. Eighteen was the one really good drive that I hit all day, and other than that, I was just kind of clawing to stay there and try and make pars."

Piercy did more than claw himself into contention. He was right there with leader Jason Day and eventually moved past Day, but Johnson was too much to overcome -- again.

"Obviously 16 was probably a big swing," said Piercy, about Day's collapse. "DJ made birdie when we were about ready to hit our second shots, and Jason struggled there. I felt like if I birdied two out of the last three, I'd have a chance. At that point I was three back, but 18 can be a tough hole. I thought I made the putt on 16, and then 17 I didn't give myself a very good chance there."

Piercy gave himself a boost with a birdie on 18.

"But 18 was pretty sweet," Piercy said.

And despite another second-place finish, Piercy was satisfied with his day.

"Even though I didn't have my best stuff today, I still had a chance to win really, or close to," Piercy said. "I'll definitely learn a little bit from it so I can apply it to next time. But I mean, today, we both kind of drove it all over the place and managed -- I managed it pretty well. Overall I'm happy about the week. A little disappointed I didn't win, but it's a positive."

Scott Piercy makes long-range putt

Jason Day's mentor, Tiger Woods, had a phenomenal record in tournaments in which he held the third-round lead. Day was working on it, until Sunday at the Bridgestone Invitational.

AKRON, Ohio - No glory, Day.

Jason Day, the world's No.1-ranked golfer, is the most reliable closer on the PGA Tour since his boyhood idol and current confidant and mentor, Tiger Woods.

A transplanted Australian, Day dresses like Woods too. For the first round of the WGC-Bridgetone Invitational at Firestone South, he wore the same red shirt and black slacks ensemble that Tiger favored in final rounds.

On Sunday, Day wore gray pants and a shirt that looked red on television, but in the cloudy afternoon light looked more like a dark pink working itself up to red. It is a popular combination in Columbus, where Day lives.

He and his wife follow the sports scene in Ohio. You might remember that LeBron James crashed into Day's wife, Ellie, while chasing a loose ball in the Cavaliers' victory over Oklahoma City at The Q on Dec. 18, 2015. Obviously, peril stalks the Day family in these parts.

Ellie's husband lost a final-round lead at the Bridgestone for the first time in his last six tries and finished in a tie for third after a final round 2-over-par 72.  U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson won.

It was a very un-Tigerish thing to do. Woods' record was 43-2 with at least a share of the third-round lead.

You can only fool Firestone for so long

Day led the Bridgestone from his pitch-in for an eagle-3 on the second hole, breaking his tie with Scott Piercy, who finished second, until Day's bogey on the par-3 15th. That left him tied with Johnson, who was playing two holes ahead.

The eagle was the spectacular highlight of a week of more scrambling by Day than a short-order cook at breakfast time. But Firestone South eventually punished his mistakes.

In the lair of the "Monster"

On the downhill par-5 16th hole, the "Monster" -- which was playing 655 yards in the final round, and which is guarded by a pond that had drowned Jordan Spieth's chances in the third round with a triple-bogey 8 --  Day carded a double-bogey 7.

Off the tee, Day went with his 3-metal, rather than the big stick. His ball still went left like Bernie Sanders, coming to rest beneath an evergreen's overhanging branches. 

Day tried to play a low punch back to the fairway but he would have needed Paul Bunyan to cut a path and Babe, his blue ox, to carry off the timber.

Officials gave him relief before his next shot from a lie behind another tree because a young boy in the gallery had altered the course of the ball.

Day's third shot still had to cover most of the 181 yards to the pond, while skittering across the broad expanse of the fairway and reaching the area where it curves around the pond and offers a path to the flag.

"Sixteen is always a tough par-5 anyways if you don't get a good drive there," Day said. "It's really tough to get any sort of wedge in your hand and I kind of made a mess of it. On my third shot, I tried to hit it just left of the green."

Day said, "I was trying to a low punch cut around the corner. I hit a good shot, I just didn't hit it hard enough. If I hit it long and left into the trees, then it's a difficult up-and-down, and it obviously brings out of bounds into play, too."

The ball trickled along the bank of the pond, then rolled in.

After that, it was a dreary business of penalty stroke, approach shot to the back of the green, "Monster-ous" putt from I-can-dream-can't-I distance of 50 feet from the hole, and then a four-footer for a 7.

Dustin the field

For his part, Johnson had hit a magnificent flop shot to save par on 16 and then birdied 17. He was three shots behind and tied for fifth after three rounds, but he was four shots down going into the last round of the Open and roared to victory by three strokes. On a hunch, I predicted a big finish for him in my Saturday column.

Troon's little monster

Day said he had never seen Royal Troon, site of the upcoming British Open in 10 days. "I'm hoping when I get over there, I'll play Saturday, play Sunday, it suits my eye, and then I can play well," he said.

The signature hole at Troon is the 8^th, the "Postage Stamp." It is only 126 yards long, the shortest hole in the British Open rotation.

In 1973, Gene Sarazen, then 71 years old, aced it.

In 1997, Tiger, playing in his first British Open as a professional in the same year in which he won the Masters by 12 strokes, triple-bogeyed it.

Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Bret Brielmaier will join the coaching staff of Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Cavs assistant Bret Brielmaier is headed to Brooklyn.Mark Duncan, AP

CLEVELAND, Ohio. - When a team wins a championship, all of a sudden the coaching staff becomes a hot commodity.

Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Bret Brielmaier will join the coaching staff of Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Brielmaier, 28, will receive a promotion by being elevated to the front of the bench. Nets general manager Sean Marks and assistant general manager Trajan Langdon have a close relationship with Brielmaier, who they've worked with in San Antonio.

Langdon served as the Cavaliers' director of player administration this past season until he took his current position in March.

Brielmaier was a four-year college player at the University of Arizona and got his start in the NBA during the 2009-10 season as the Spurs' player development assistant. He climbed the corporate ladder by accepting the organization's video coordinator position for the 2010-11 season, a job he held until joining the Cavs. 

He spent three seasons in Cleveland and coached the team's Summer League squad in 2015. As of now, it is not known if Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue will look to replace Brielmaier or keep the staff as is.

The Tigers visit Progressive Field for a three-game series starting Monday night. So far this season the Indians hold a 9-0 advantage over Detroit.

TORONTO -- Here is the series preview and pitching matchups for the three-game set between the Tigers and Indians in Cleveland.

Where: Progressive Field, Monday through Wednesday.

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

Pitching probables: LHP Daniel Norris (1-0, 4.09) vs. RHP Danny Salazar (10-3, 2.22) Monday at 7:10 p.m.; RHP Jordan Zimmerman (9-4, 3.95) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-2, 2.56) Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. and RHP Michael Fulmer (8-2, 2.17) vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (9-1, 3.21) Wednesday at 12:10 p.m.

Series: The Indians lead the Tigers, 9-0. The Tigers lead, 1,108-1,066, overall.

Monday: Salazar has won his last six decisions and eight of his last nine. He's 1-0 against the Tigers this season and 3-4 in his career. Miguel Cabrera is hitting .310 (9-for-29) with two homers and five RBI against him.

This will be just the fourth big-league start this year for Norris. He's faced the Indians once in his career. Carlos Santana is 1-for-2 against him.

Tuesday: Carrasco is 2-0 in his last two starts including a four-hit shutout over the Tigers, against whom he is 5-6 lifetime. Cabrera is hitting .357 (10-for-28) with one homer and three RBI.

Zimmerman has faced the Indians twice in his career. On June 24, the Indians reached him for seven runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. Jason Kipnis is hitting .800 (4-for-5) with four RBI against him.

Wednesday: Tomlin is 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA this season against Detroit. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is hitting .571 (4-for-7) with four RBI.

Fulmer is 7-1 in his last seven decisions. He's 0-1 against the Tribe. Mike Napoli is 2-for-3 with one homer and three RBI against him.

Team updates: The Indians just finished an 8-2 trip through Detroit, Atlanta and Toronto with a blowout loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday. The Tigers come to Cleveland on a six-game winning streak after completing a sweep of Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Players to watch: Carlos Santana entered Sunday's game with 18 homers, one short of his total from 2015. Fulmer, the Tigers' rookie right-hander, has made eight straight starts in which he's allowed one or fewer runs. He's just one of six pitchers since 1913 to do that.

Injuries: Tigers - OF J.D. Martinez (right elbow), RHP Warwick Saupold (right groin) and Drew VerHagen (right shoulder) are on the disabled list. Indians -- LF Michael Brantley (right shoulder) and catcher Roberto Perez (right thumb) are on the disabled list. 3B Juan Uribe (right index finger) is day to day.

Next: The Yankees visit Progressive Field for a four-game series starting Thursday.

Check out three Bengals storylines to follow in 2016.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to the real NFL offseason, that dull period between OTAs and training camp when not a whole lot happens. So while we're waiting for the Browns to return, let's take a look around the AFC North and see what's going on.

Today: Cincinnati Bengals.

1. Do the Bengals even care about the regular season anymore?

After six playoff appearances in seven years, including the five straight, the Bengals' goal is simple: win a playoff game. They haven't done that since 1990. Or, in other words, since the Titans were still in Houston, and still called the Oilers.

"I don't think it's an issue. You look around and there's 20 new guys from a year ago, and 40 from two years ago. It's part of it," coach Marvin Lewis said prior to last season's playoff loss to the Steelers. "I don't think there is a 'here we go again' feeling."

Unless you're a Bengals fan.

An Andy Dalton thumb injury probably kept the Bengals from ending the drought last season. Still, with the Steelers expected to be the only team to push the Bengals in the AFC North this season, Cincinnati will be much like the Cleveland Cavaliers; the regular season is really just practice for the postseason, and the postseason is the only place to find true happiness.

 2. How much will the Bengals miss Hue Jackson?

With Jackson now coaching the Browns, the Bengals moved long-time quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese to offensive coordinator. That gives them a sense of stability that hiring an outside coordinator would've lacked.

"Zamp's been my quarterback coach since I've been here. We already have that great relationship," Dalton told reporters during OTAs. "I understand how he thinks and does things. For him, it's the same thing for me. I'm not learning the new style of a guy. That makes things easier because we've been together for a while."

While the Bengals' system is expected to change much, Zampese's play-calling duties gives the offense something to get used to, and fans something to scrutinize during the preseason.

3. Will LB Vontaze Burfict be a different player when he returns?

Burfict is suspended for the first three games of the season due to a hit on Antonio Brown in last season's playoffs. It wasn't the first controversial hit by Burfict.

He told ESPN in February that he'd have to change the way he plays when he gets back on the field. Then there's the matter of his relationships in the locker room after pointing the finger at a teammate following the loss to the Steelers.

"There was only a minute left in the game," Burfict told ESPN. "Coach always says, 'Trust a teammate to pack your parachute,' and I trusted my teammate. I don't want to say any names, but I trusted my teammates to execute and finish the game."

Three Baltimore Ravens storylines to follow

Three Pittsburgh Steelers storylines to follow

Cleveland Indians TV ratings are soaring and the crowds are starting to come as the team comes off a 14-game winning streak.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Did you see that game?

I've been hearing that question from fans for nearly two weeks.

The first "that game" was the Cavaliers stunning 93-89 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Nothing will quite match that game for most of us. It meant a championship, the first ever for the Cavs and the first in 52 years for any major Cleveland sports franchise since the 1964 Browns.

But there's another "that game..."

It's the Tribe's 2-1 victory over Toronto in 19 innings Friday.

Even very casual Tribe fans are being drawn in by the 14-game winning streak, capped off with Friday's 2-1 win.

"That Bauer kid, he was tough," a few friends mentioned.

Trevor Bauer came out of the bullpen, pitching a day before his scheduled start.

He threw five scoreless innings on a day when he wasn't expecting to pitch.

He threw five scoreless innings in a game where he had to do that -- or the Indians would have lost.

He threw five scoreless innings and there was a sense he would have thrown 50 innings if needed to win.

Bauer's performance represents the 2016 Tribe -- surprising and engaging.

As I wrote about in my Tribe weekend notes, the Indians are playing excellent baseball. They rank No. 1 in the American League in pitching. They rank No. 1 in a fangraphs.com measurement of excellent base running. They rank No. 3 in overall team defense.

If you have a drop of underdog blood running through your veins, you have to be falling in love with this team.

The Indians are near the midpoint of the 162-game season with a 49-32 record and a 5 1/2-game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central Division after Sunday's loss to Toronto.

"First the Cavs, now the Tribe!"

So many fans have said that to me. A few added the Lake Erie Monsters, who won the American Hockey League's Calder Cup.

"Hey, we're the city of champions!" they say.

Then they giggle!

MORE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

Amanda Rabinowitz is like my daughter. A big baseball fan, she is the morning host on WKSU, the Kent-based NPR radio station. She gets up each workday at 2:30 a.m. to prepare to go on the air at 5 a.m.

"I'm not getting any sleep," she told my wife. "I'm exhausted, but I keep watching the Tribe games!"

The Indians just kept winning.

And more and more people are watching.

Last week, the Indians had several games with a House Hold rating of at least 10.2 on SportsTime Ohio. Those are huge numbers, representing about 160,000 or more households tuning into the games.

Until last week, the Tribe's largest TV rating this season was 8.7 for the opener.

So they are drawing more viewers right now than at any point this season.

Tribe TV ratings are 34 percent ahead of last season, and they rising fast. Each 1.0 point represents about 16,000 households.

Here are some recent rating averages:

• 2016: 5.5 HH
• 2015: 3.93  HH
• 2014: 6.1 HH
• 2013: 5.54 HH
• 2012: 3.88 HH

So the Tribe is still slightly behind 2014, but that soon will change. People are staying up late, watching baseball.

SELLING SOME TICKETS

The Indians return for a week-long homestand against the Tigers and Yankees. They open with the Tigers today, and it's a sellout. I've heard the Friday and Saturday games against the Yankees are approaching sellouts.

Last week, the Indians sold more than 60,000 tickets. They have been getting some calls about season tickets for the rest of this season, plus 2017. That's a real change, because it's early July.

The 2017 season tickets will guarantee tickets to the 2016 postseason, assuming the Tribe makes the playoffs.

The Indians will open the homestand averaging 16,656 fans. That's the lowest in baseball. The others under 20,000 are Tampa Bay (16,972) and Oakland (19,101).

I don't dwell on the Tribe's attendance figures. Fans make their own decisions.

The only issue that has bothered me for years is many fans insisting "the Indians don't want to win" because of their low payroll. Yet they believe the Browns -- who often are way under the salary cap -- are dedicated to winning.

I do believe the Browns ownership does want to win. Jimmy Haslam certainly has spent a lot of money hiring/firing and paying off front office people and coaches as he looks for the right combination to bring hope to the Browns.

But it's the Tribe that is on the way to a fourth consecutive winning season. You know the deal with the Browns.

What will it take to grab more than the hearts of the hardcore Tribe fans?

I wonder if this season ... following up on the Cavs title ... can make baseball special again to some of those who left the Tribe wigwam years ago.