Rajai Davis and Jose Ramirez each stole three bases in Friday night's 13-3 win over the Indians. The Tribe tied a club record with eight steals overall. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Whatever the reason, the Indians weren't going into great detail about it.

Was it Sandy Alomar Jr., and his magic stopwatch at first base giving baserunners critical information? Was it scouting reports, saying that Angel starter Tyler Skaggs was slow to the plate or had a bad move to first base despite being a left-hander? Maybe it had something to do with catcher Geovany Soto just coming off the disabled list.

Or maybe it was all about instincts as master thief Rajai Davis said. But what was that knowing wink Davis gave to reporters at the end of interview session Friday night? Or how about the roll of the eyes delivered by Jose Ramirez?

Whatever the reason, the Indians tied a club record with eight steals in as many attempts in Friday's 13-3 win over the Angels. The only other time the Indians stole eight bases in a game was Aug. 27, 1917 against the Washington Senators. It was so long ago that League Park hadn't even been named League Park yet. The Indians' home field was called Dunn Field after then team owner Jim Dunn.

Davis and Ramirez stole three bases each Friday. It's the first time two Indians have stolen three bases in the same game since 1913.

It all started with Davis drawing an 11-pitch walk to start the game at Progressive Field. The Indians were already down, 2-0, but they would not stay down long.

Davis stole second, then third with No.2 hitter Jason Kipnis waiting at the plate. Kipnis, on cue, singled to left to make it a 2-1 game.

"I'm thinking he better be safe," said Kipnis with a laugh, when asked what he was contemplating as Davis went to work on Skaggs and Soto. "No, that's what he does. You never want to put a red light on somebody like that. He knows what he's doing out there. He's been doing it for a long time.

"He puts the pressure on the defense and sets the tone for us. You saw what followed. You saw a bunch of guys that got the same jumps and followed suit."

Davis leads the AL in steals with 31. The 35-year-old outfielder is the oldest player in the big leagues to steal at least 30 bases in a season since Ichiro Suzuki stole 40 in 2011 when he was 37.

This was not a stampede or two tons of Brahman bull coming out of the chute snorting and kicking at a rodeo. This was precise baserunning.

"We stole bases, but we didn't just run with abandon," said manager Terry Francona. "We were intelligent. I thought that set the tone for the game."

The Tribe's lineup at Central booking for Friday's crime wave went like this: Davis (three steals, three runs, one hit), Ramirez (three steals, four runs, three hits), Kipnis (one steal, three runs, four hits), Francisco Lindor (one steal, two runs, three hits).

"It was a little bit of instinct and a little bit of preparation," said Davis. "You trust your instincts and go.

"It seemed like it affected him on the mound, his pitches. I don't know the location they were in, but it seemed like Kip was getting some good pitches to hit."

The Indians finished with 17 hits. Kipnis' four hits led the way.

The Indians lead the AL with 92 steals. Davis is 31-for-34 (91 percent), Ramirez is 17-for-22 (77 percent), Lindor is 15-for-19 (79 percent) and Kipnis is 11-for-14 (79 percent). As a team the Indians are stealing at an 80 percent (92-for-112) success rate.

"It's fun, really fun," said Davis, when asked what it was like to see Ramirez, Lindor and Kipnis following him on the bases. "It's just nice that these guys are learning and want to learn. I just want to help out."

But once again, what was the tip-off that the Indians could run as they did Friday?

"I think we just have that aggressive nature and go from there," said Davis. "We just take what they give us."

Somebody said Davis winked after he said that. If so, it wasn't blatant.

Ramirez rolled his eyes as if he didn't want to divulge secrets when asked what made Skaggs so vulnerable to the stolen base, but he did answer the question.

"He just wasn't pitching very quickly," said Ramirez, through a team interpreter. "He had a movement that was easy to read on when to go. So we took advantage of those opportunities."

Yes, they did.

Here's a look back at how 5 things to watch played out on Friday night in Green Bay.

Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger (L) and defensive back Ibraheim Campbell (bottom) team up to tackle Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy in the first quarter, August 12, 2016, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. John Kuntz, cleveland.comJohn Kuntz 

The Browns had plenty of explaining to do after their 17-11 loss to the Packers. Here, RG3, Hue Jackson, Cody Kessler and others reveal what happened.

Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Saturday's contest between Cleveland and L.A.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Saturday's contest between Cleveland and L.A.

Pitching matchup: RHP Mike Clevinger (0-1, 6.97 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Shoemaker (6-12, 4.07 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. LF Rajai Davis

2. DH Jason Kipnis

3. SS Francisco Lindor

4. 1B Mike Napoli

5. 3B Jose Ramirez

6. RF Lonnie Chisenhall

7. CF Tyler Naquin

8. C Chris Gimenez

9. 2B Michael Martinez

Angels

1. 3B Yunel Escobar

2. RF Kole Calhoun

3. DH Mike Trout

4. SS Andrelton Simmons

5. 1B Jefry Marte

6. C Jett Bandy

7. 2B Johnny Giovatella

8. CF Nick Buss

9. LF Gregorio Petit

Browns first-year receiver Rannell Hall had a nice camp and played ahead of some of the 2016 draft picks in Green Bay. But he's out for the season with fractured fibula suffered in the game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns receiver Ranell Hall, a first-year player from Central Florida, will be out for the season with a fractured fibula suffered in Friday night's 17-11 loss to the Packers.

Hall (6-0, 200) suffered the injury during the third quarter after catching a 19-yard pass over the middle from Austin Davis.

It was a costly drive, what with Davis suffering a concussion three plays later after a 6-yard scramble up the middle. Hall caught two passes in the game for 27 yards. He got more playing time than he might have with Corey Coleman and Andrew Hawkins both sidelined with hamstrings.

Originally signed by the Bucs in 2015 out of Central Florida, Hall was signed off the Bucs practice squad on Dec. 14th and appeared in one game. With four receivers drafted this year, Hall was on the bubble to make the final roster, but would have been eligible for the practice squad.

Robert Griffin struggles in preseason opener

Davis will most likely sit out Thursday night's preseason game against the Falcons, leaving the Browns with only three quarterbacks. In Green Bay, he played as the third-team quarterback ahead of Cody Kessler, who made two mistakes that resulted in safeties. Once, he got confused about the extra line around the field and threw it after rolling out of bounds in the back of the end zone.

If Davis' concussion lingers, the Browns might have to add another camp arm.

Michael Brantley's season is over after only 11 games. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In late January, Michael Brantley revealed his lofty goals.

He wanted to return to the Indians' lineup on Opening Day. He longed to stand beside his teammates on the third-base line at Progressive Field during introductions on a brisk, April afternoon. He hoped to put an end to the endless questions about his condition and his recovery by the time the Tribe took the field for the first time in 2016.

Well, Brantley can recycle the same aim for 2017. The left fielder's season is over after only 11 games.

Brantley will undergo season-ending surgery on Monday in Dallas, Indians manager Terry Francona announced on Saturday afternoon.

Francona said the team will release additional details about the operation following its conclusion on Monday. Brantley has dealt with right shoulder and biceps issues since he made a dive attempt on a fly ball in the outfield last September in Minnesota.

After a two-week rehab program proved unfruitful in October, Brantley underwent surgery in November. He was initially expected to miss four to five months.

Brantley couldn't escape the recurring setbacks, though. The more he ramped up his hitting activity during his recovery, the more often he experienced discomfort.

He played in a pair of Cactus League games in late March, only to be shut down for several days and begin the season on the disabled list. The Indians activated Brantley in late April, but after six games played in a seven-day span, he returned to the sideline. He made several rehab attempts after that, but he never reached the finish line.

Brantley visited Dr. Keith Meister -- who will perform Monday's operation along with Dr. Mark Schickendantz -- in late June. At that time, he was first diagnosed with biceps tendinitis and was given a cortisone shot. He eventually appeared in four games over eight days on a minor-league rehab assignment before that, too, stalled out.

"When he came back from Texas that time," Francona said, "I thought we were going to get him back in about 10 days."

Brantley ventured to New York earlier this week, when his diagnosis progressed into chronic biceps tendinitis. He returned to Cleveland and met with the Indians' staff before the group arrived at the decision to schedule another surgery.

"I guess I figure that all the work, it'll pay off somewhere," Francona said. "It may not be this season, but I don't think those things go unrewarded. I just think that he'll come back and he'll find a way to be as good as ever. I firmly believe that, because I believe in him. I get a front-row seat to see how hard he works and things like that. I just think he'll find a way to come back and be just as good as he ever has been."

A Michael Brantley timeline

Brantley contributed nine hits in 39 at-bats to an Indians offense that ranks third in baseball -- and second in the American League -- in runs per game. In 2014-15, he posted a .319/.382/.494 slash line, with an average of 18 home runs, 90 RBI and 45 doubles per year. In those two seasons, he walked more times than he struck out.

"[The front-office guys are] always keeping their eyes open," Francona said. "But, we've basically played without him this year, so we'll just keep playing. That's what we always do."

In all, Brantley and the Indians consulted with five different doctors during the process. He received multiple injections, underwent a procedure to break up scar tissue, plugged away in the batting cages and attempted to maintain optimism.

In the end, it has essentially added up to a lost season.

"Part of the issue is when it started to hurt him was when he'd get in the batter's box," Francona said. "And he was going to that machine and he was cranking it up. Like, you'd walk in there and see him hit and you're like, 'Man, he can play tonight.' But then, when he got off the live pitching is when he felt it. So, you can't just stop him and say, 'Rest,' because then he could go through the whole winter and feel great, and then they start playing the games in spring training and it'd crop up again. That was a lot of the dilemma in this thing.

"Sometimes, you go into somebody's shoulder, you go into somebody's knee -- it's just, things happen."

Here's an idea on how the Indians could keep Mike Napoli past this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Do you have a question that you'd like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? Submit it here or Tweet him at @hoynsie.

Hey, Hoynsie: Couldn't the Indians offer Mike Napoli a two-year deal with the first year being guaranteed and the second year a mutual option? The first year would be worth $13 million with the buyout worth $3 million. This guarantees Napoli a similar amount as a qualifying offer and allows the Indians some flexibility for 2018. If he refuses, give him the qualifying offer ($16-plus million) for 2017 and get a draft pick at the end of the season when he becomes a free agent. -- Jim Fehr.

Hey, Hoynsie: Sounds good to me, but let's talk about two things. With the current contract expiring at the end of this season, do we know that qualifying offers will survive the negotiations for a new deal? If the qualifying offer structure survives the new deal, what if the Indians offer it to Napoli and he turns it down?

Last winter Matt Wieters and Colby Rasmus accepted qualifying offers so it can happen. One way or the other, it should be an interesting winter for Napoli and Rajai Davis.

Hey, Hoynsie: With Carlos Gomez recently being designated for assignment by Houston and Michael Brantley's right shoulder just not healing, would Gomez be a good pickup for the Indians for the stretch run?  I know he hasn't been good this season, but maybe another change of scenery would help Gomez. - Casey Dubiel, Lafferty, Ohio.

Hey, Casey: Not sure if Gomez is the answer, but with Abraham Almonte ineligible for the postseason and Brantley possibly facing another operation on his right shoulder, the Indians could use another outfielder if they're fortunate enough to make the postseason.

Hey, Hoynsie: While I'm excited about the Andrew Miller acquisition, I wonder if it's true management told Jonathan Lucroy that he'd be looking at first base and DH mostly next year? Does that mean they have no intention of resigning Mike Napoli? That's subtraction by addition if you ask me. Napoli has become the catalyst for this team. - Dan Hancock, Cleveland Heights.

Hey, Dan: Lucroy and his agent wanted Chris Antonetti, Indians president of baseball operations, to guarantee Lucroy that he'd be the starting catcher next year. Antonetti wouldn't do that, but if Lucroy and his agent had read a little deeper between the lines, and considered the four players the Indians were willing to give up for him, they would have concluded that he would have been the starting catcher in his walk year (2017).

Lucroy should have read between lines

Hey, Hoynsie: Should the Tribe look at going after Yankee catcher Brian McCann because Michael Brantley might not be back for the stretch run? - John C., Warren.

Hey, John: The only catcher the Indians were interested in at the trade deadline was Jonathan Lucroy. McCann, 32, is making $17 million a year through 2018. Then he has a vesting club option for 2019 worth $15 million.

I think he's making too much money for the Indians to pursue.

Hey, Hoynsie: With Michael Brantley needing more surgery, why do the Indians keep playing Abraham Almonte when he's not eligible for the postseason? Why don't they a Class AAA player the experience? - Robert Earnest, Mansfield.

Hey, Robert: Because they have to get to the postseason first and Almonte is helping them do that.

Brantley will have season-ending surgery Monday

Hey, Hoynsie: I think Erik Gonzalez is going to be a 15-homer, 70-RBI player, who can give the Indians good defense at multiple positions. I think the Indians should keep Jose Ramirez at third base and keep a spot warm on the 25-man roster for Gonzalez - Nick Kellogg, Austin, Tex.

Hey, Nick: The Indians do think highly of Gonzalez. He has a chance to help them in a variety of ways. I was glad they optioned him to Class AAA Columbus because at this stage of his career, he needs to play every day.

Browns coach Hue Jackson knows RG3 has a long way to go, but he was encouraged by his first live game in more than a year.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Robert Griffin III's performance in Friday night's 17-11 loss to the Packers in the preseason opener wasn't close to where Hue Jackson needs it to be, but it was light years better than the last time he set foot in a live game more than a year ago.

It was the Redskins' second preseason game against the Lions last year, and Griffin got destroyed. In five dropbacks, he was sacked three times, fumbled twice, lost one and left the game with a concussion and a stinger.

"It felt like we were picking Robert up after every pass play, so we've got to fix that," center Kory Lichtensteiger told reporters after the game. "Exactly what led to that, we don't know, but it's something we've got to address, for sure."

Unbeknownst to him, it was also the last time he'd appear in a game for the Redskins. Griffin wasn't cleared to play the following week, and Jay Gruden soon named Kirk Cousins his starter for the season.

Griffin was demoted to third-string behind Cousins and Colt McCoy and was let go after the season.

Against that backdrop, Griffin's outing in Green Bay looked like progress. He opened the game with a 49-yard strike down the right sideline to Terrelle Pryor despite getting hit on the throw. He got hit again on another sideline pass to Pryor to convert a third down on the drive.

"That's a sign of maturity on his part,'' said Pryor. "It's the mark of a great quarterback to be able to deliver the ball while getting hit. The ball was right where it had to be.''

But Griffin was picked off at the goal-line by Micah Hyde on a pass intended for tight end Gary Barnidge to thwart the promising drive, and things stalled from there.

RG3 takes blame for pick, and Hue Jackson 'would never expect' such a flop

On his second drive, Griffin was hit two more times, and threw three straight incompletions. He also way overthrew Barnidge down the left side. On the two series, he completed 4-of-8 attempts for 67 yards with no touchdowns and one interception for a 39.1 rating.

 "There were some things that he did good,'' Jackson said on a conference call Saturday. "Obviously we can't have a fumbled snap the second play of the game and you never want to see the turnover. But I thought he stood in the pocket and looked real relaxed, kept his poise and tried to make some throws downfield. Obviously the first play was a great way to start, and that's something to build on. But I thought for a guy that hadn't played in a while, I thought there were some positives there."

In Griffin's defense, he was without Corey Coleman, Andrew Hawkins and Josh Gordon. But on the flipside, the Packers were without starting linebackers Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Jake Ryan and Sam Barrington right from the start. Matthews and Peppers combined for 17 sacks last season. What's more, by his second drive, Green Bay had all their backups in against the Browns starters -- and they managed just one first down. They punted from their own 33.

"It is and it isn't (consolation that Browns starters weren't playing),'' said Jackson. "It is in the sense that there's a lot of good football players that were standing on the sidelines and it isn't because sometimes that's just the way of the National Football League. Sometimes, guys get hurt and you got to find a way to score touchdowns and win games when you don't have those guys. That's just part of it and our guys last night, there's some things that as a group, we can do better and we will do better as we continue to move forward."

Conversely, Jackson didn't let the fact that the Packers' premier linebackers weren't in the game detract from Griffin's progress. Never mind that Peppers and Matthews have 15 Pro Bowls between them.

"No, I didn't think of it that way because I still want to believe that the opportunities that we had were still there,'' said Jackson. "I didn't think that our opportunities had anything solely to do with the defense. It's more our own inability to execute at a high level and if we're going to face that caliber of player throughout the National Football League-- it might not be those same positions, but we will face those caliber of players-- and at the end of the day, I try not to make it about the other team. It's really about us and it's about how we conduct our business."

RG3, Hue Jackson, Cody Kessler and others explain mistakes in loss to Packers

Jackson also exonerated Barnidge on the interception, even though Solomon Wilcots blamed him on the television broadcast on Newchannel 5.

"No, I need to do a better job of coaching both of those guys (Griffin and rookie Cody Kessler),'' said Jackson. "Robert's obviously an extension of me, and he'll be the first to tell you've got to take that ball and not throw it down the middle of the field in that situation. Until you really know guys can you lead people into places you want to lead them to, and I think that was a little too soon to try that. Obviously Obviously, when we're in the scoring zone, one of our goals is to make sure we're always taking care of the ball, being very team protecting. So he has to just say uncle, throw it away or throw it somewhere else and give us another chance to call another play."

Griffin's uneven debut threw at least a little cold water on what had been a sensational start to training camp. After the game, Jackson acknowledged that the mistake-filled night was something he "would never expect'' and on Sunday he acknowledged it was an eye-opener.

"But not in the sense where I think that everything's got to change, but in the sense that (there's an) urgency of making sure there's things that we need to correct,'' he said. "I anticipated a little bit some of it, but you never know until you play the game exactly what all the things could be. They are just things that we need to go back and coach up and get better at as a football team.''

He admitted that the "protection wasn't as good as I like it to be. There's some things that we need to shore up a little bit. It could be better. But I also think the rhythm and timing of getting the ball out can be better, too. So it's going to be an ongoing working process and again we're going to get that fixed. I feel good about that."

A closer look at how the offensive line played

He attributed some of the line's woes to the state of flux it's been in. The Browns used three different right tackles in the first week of camp before settling on Austin Pasztor. Erving missed a full week with a sore elbow before returning on Tuesday.

 "Cam did some good things,'' said Jackson. "There was one opportunity there where he had a chance to make a block where a guy kind of slipped around him while he was trying to get his hands placed under the guy's chest. But other than that, I thought Cam did some really good things.

"Austin battled. He battled hard. For his first time under the gun against an opponent's defense, he competed extremely hard. He's only going to get better. Our right guard (John Greco) hasn't practice much. Our center has been out of practice here recently. So I think we need to get those five guys playing together. Joel Bitonio and Joe Thomas did an outstanding job, but it's a unit. It's a whole unit, and obviously when pieces of it doesn't play as good, the other pieces suffer. So we'll continue to go back to the drawing board and work at it."

Jackson was also disappointed in the running game, and Isaiah Crowell's one carry for a 2-yard loss. The revolving door on the line hasn't helped there either.

"It was okay,'' said Jackson. "I have a high expectation for our running game. We had a couple opportunities to make some things happen that we kind of didn't get done and again those are the learning things that I'm talking about for our guys. We'll get this solved, I promise you that.''

As for Griffin, he was so grateful to have the ball in his hands again that even the hits didn't pack as much of a wallop.

"I was telling coach and some of the guys, you don't want to get hit,'' he said. "But it feels good to just be back playing football and it's truly a blessing, so going out there on the field there's no nerves or anxiousness, it's just excitement to be back out on the field playing the game that you love with great people so I'm excited about it and I can't wait to get back to practice.''

Again, it wasn't pretty. But it was a far cry from the last time he did it.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer named eight freshman who have lost their black stripe on Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State freshmen offensive linemen Michael Jordan is one step closer to being officially named a starter.

Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer on Saturday announced a group of eight Buckeye freshmen who have lost the black stripe from their helmets, including Jordan. Losing the black stripe means a player has assimilated well into the program and has earned the right to be called a Buckeye, according to Meyer.

It's a small gesture, but a big deal.

Joining Jordan was cornerback Damon Arnette, linebacker Tuf Borland, quarterback Joe Burrow, defensive end Jonathon Cooper, defensive tackle Davon Hamilton, receiver Austin Mack and cornerback Joshua Norwood.

You can't be a starter, or play at all, until this happens. Jordan is trying to hold on to the starting left guard spot, and he appears to be on his way. He opened camp without the black stripe on his helmet. Mack had his removed in the spring.

The rest of the group are newly-minted Buckeyes.

Arnette, Burrow, Hamilton and Norwood are all redshirt freshmen. The rest are true freshmen who enrolled early last January.

These eight have earned the right to be called Buckeyes. pic.twitter.com/1rPM18wKm3

-- Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) August 13, 2016

We'll keep a running tally of Ohio State freshmen to lose their black striped this camp.

The Buckeyes entered camp with 44 players listed as either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen on the roster, so there could be a lot of stripes removed in the next few weeks.

Ohio State freshmen to lose black stripes

Austin Mack, WR, March 31

Michael Jordan, OL, Aug. 7

Damon Arnette, CB, Aug. 13

Tuf Borland, LB, Aug. 13

Joe Burrow, QB, Aug. 13

Jonathon Cooper, DE, Aug. 13

Davon Hamilton, DT, Aug. 13

Joshua Norwood, CB, Aug. 13

Hue Jackson guarantees Cody Kessler's teammates weren't laughing at him on the sidelines. He also said Patrick Murray is pressing Travis Coons for the kicker job and Austin Pasztor is the right tackle for now.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cody Kessler's teammates might laugh with him at some point about his throw while rolling out of the back of the end zone for a safety but they weren't laughing at him, coach Hue Jackson said Saturday.

"No, they weren't laughing about that,'' Jackson said on a conference call. "I would guarantee you that.''

He told the questioner, "I think you're reading into a little something there.''

After Kessler's toss while beyond the end line, the Newschannel 5 television cameras cut to his teammates smiling and joking on the sidelines, and the inference was that they were having a laugh at the rookies' expense.

But Jackson insisted that wasn't the case.

"He's going to hear about it from the veterans in the meetings,'' analyst Solomon Wilcots said during the broadcast. "Everyone has a 'welcome to the NFL' moment and that was Cody Kessler's.''

In Kessler's defense, the Packers haven't yet filled in the thick border around the field with paint, leaving an extra line around the perimeter -- which is customary at Lambeau in preseason. Kessler mistook the second line as the end line.

When he came to sidelines, Jackson lectured him.

And the second line was not a mitigating factor in the eyes of the coach.

"No, we have to be very aware of where we are in that situation and Cody understands that,'' said Jackson. "I can't put him in that situation too. It's two-fold. He has to learn to make sure he takes care of the call and we have to make sure he's ready for that call. It goes both ways, so at the end of the day he'll learn from it and that's something that we don't want to have happen ever again. We've got to grow from that.''

Oh dear. Cody Kessler drops back... And goes out of the back of the end zone.

That's a safety. #CLEvsGB https://t.co/MfHUEEkHNy

— NFL (@NFL) August 13, 2016

But it wasn't the last safety Kessler would take in the game. He was sacked in the end zone later in the quarter to hand the Packers another two points for the final margin of 17-11.

After the game, he acknowledged he'd take some ribbing for the Dan Orlovsky impersonation, the former Lions quarterback who did the same thing in 2008 -- but with no extra end line to justify it.

"Oh, yeah. That doesn't bother me,'' Kessler said of the social media crush he'll get. "I got plenty of that at USC. Social media was something I never let get to me. It's just a learning experience for me. I look at it as I've got to fix that. It can't happen.''
He took full responsibility for the blooper, but still took time to enjoy the 10-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Rashard Higgins on his first pass.

"It was exciting to have my first play be a touchdown pass,'' he said. "It was funny, too, just breaking the huddle I kind of told Rashard, I'm going to throw it back shoulder and it worked out. He went out and made a great play. I just tried to put it in his area. He went up and got it."

Jackson can guarantee something else: no one was laughing at Kessler after that.

Austin Davis concussion, Terrelle Pryor's hand okay

Jackson re-iterated that quarterback Austin Davis, who served as the third-team quarterback ahead of Kessler in the game, is in the concussion protocol after taking a knee to the helmet on a third-quarter scramble.
If Davis is out for any length of time, the Browns might have to consider signing a fourth camp arm to get them through the end of the preseason.

Jackson encouraged by RG3's debut 'for a guy that hasn't played in awhile'

Pryor underwent X-rays on his left hand after the game after hurting on the first drive when he was blocking downfield. But X-rays were negative an Pryor is believed to have suffered a bruised hand.

Pryor's dead legs

Pryor admitted he was experiencing fatigue in his right calf during Wednesday's practice, which caused Jackson to yank him midway through the session. But his legs looked alive when he was streaking down the field for the 49-yard catch from Robert Griffin III on the opening play, and again on another deep ball in the end zone from Josh McCown that was knocked away.

"Dead legs is just training camp,'' said Jackson. "That's part of training camp. We're still in Training Camp mode until we're out of it. Guys got to do a great job of taking care of their bodies. Terrelle's done a great job. It started in the offseason and it continued in training camp and he's got to continue to do better.''

Kicking' it with Murray

Jackson admitted that kicker Patrick Murray, who made a 46-yarder in Green Bay, is challenging Travis Coons, who struggled with a low trajectory last season.

"I'm not going to say he's ahead, but we're going to continue to send guys out there and give them an opportunity if we think that there's potential for a guy to be better than the next guy. That's all you can do. I don't know if he's ahead, but I know he's definitely competing with him."

Austin Pasztor nailing down right tackle job

Jackson said he'll still stick with Pasztor at right tackle after first trying Alving Bailey and then Spencer Drango there in the first week of camp. The Browns claimed Pasztor off waivers from Jacksonville last September.

"Austin battled,'' said Jackson. "He battled hard. For his first time under the gun against an opponent's defense, he competed extremely hard. He's only going to get better.''

Youngsters step up

Jackson commended the play of rookie pass-rushers Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib, who each had a sack. "They did a good job,'' said Jackson.He also cited cornerback Tracy Howard, receiver Ricardo Louis and safety Derrick Kindred as young players who stepped up, especially on special teams. "We're just going to keep pushing these young guys and pushing or old guys as well so we get this football team better.''

Team doctors cleared Carlos Santana to play Saturday night, saying he did not have a concussion. Right-hander Danny Salazar will throw a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to join the rotation Wednesday or Thursday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Carlos Santana and Danny Salazar are getting close to helping the Indians.

Santana was cleared to play by doctors Saturday after getting hit in the head by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout during Thursday night's game.

"The doctors said I don't have a concussion," said Santana, who did not play Friday night.

Manager Terry Francona said he could have put Santana in Saturday's lineup, but decided to give him one more day off.

"He's completely cleared, probably could have played him (Saturday night)," said Francona. "I just felt we'll have him available off the bench. But he's doing terrific, so that's good."

Salazar said he threw a 15-pitch bullpen Friday and will throw a full bullpen session Sunday.

"It was a short bullpen, 15 pitches, fastballs and change ups," said Salazar. "After I throw a full bullpen Sunday, we'll set up a day to be back in the rotation."

Salazar went on the disabled list Aug. 2 with a sore right elbow. He received an MRI and a cortisone shot.

Santana improving; asks Lindor to autograph bean ball

"It feels different," said Salazar, when asked about his elbow. "I don't feel what I was feeling before."

When the Indians sent Salazar for an MRI, and it showed no injury, they felt it would give him peace of mind. Salazar understands that, but added, "Sometimes it's not about peace of mind. Sometimes it's that your elbow hurts. Then you go out there and try to do something different, but your body holds you back so you don't feel pain."

Salazar, who had been experiencing elbow pain since before the All-Star break, is eligible to be activated Wednesday when the White Sox are in town for a three-game series. Francona said Friday that Salazar did not need a rehab assignment before rejoining the rotation.

Peace of mind for Danny Salazar

"He's doing fine," said Francona. "When it's his day to pitch, he'll be ready. We'll figure out when we want to plug him in and what we want to do behind him."

Francona said the Indians could go with a six-man rotation one time through the rotation when Salazar is activated.

Good intro: Brandon Guyer made a smooth move from last place in the AL East to first place in the AL Central.

In Friday's 13-3 win over the Angels, Guyer had three hits and matched a career high with five RBI. The Indians acquired him from Tampa Bay on Aug. 1 for two minor leaguers to help in the outfield and play against lefties.

Tribe acquires Brandon Guyer from Rays

Guyer is hitting .500 (7-for-14) with one homer and six RBI in seven games with the Indians. Overall, he's hitting .257 (58-for-226) with eight homers, 24 RBI in 70 games.

"I came in here with the goal that whatever situation they put me in - playing against left-handed pitching, right-handed pitching, pinch-hitting - I'd do whatever I can to contribute," said Guyer. "It's already such a good team that whatever I can do to help them stay in this race and, hopefully, get to the playoffs, that's what I'm going to try and do."

Nice combination: Jose Ramirez, in Friday's win over the Angels, stole three bases and homered. He's the first player to do that in one game in the big leagues since Alex Rodriguez did it against Boston on Sept. 25, 2009.

Ramirez, Davis steal 3 bases each in Tribe crime wave

It was the fifth time it has been done by an Indians' player since 1913, according to baseball-reference.com. Kenny Lofton did it twice, while Joe Carter and Leon Wagner did it once each.

Finally: Drew Pomeranz, Tribe's former No.1 pick, will start against his old team Monday when Boston comes to Progressive Field on Monday for a makeup game from the season-opening series in April. Josh Tomlin will pitch for the Tribe.

Pomeranz was the Indians No.1 pick in 2010. He was traded along with Alex White, the team's No.1 pick in 2009, to Colorado for Ubaldo Jimenez in 2011.

The Indians and Angels will continue their four-game set at Progressive Field on Saturday evening. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians and Angels will continue their four-game set at Progressive Field on Saturday evening. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

Game 113: Indians (65-48) vs. Angels (49-66)

First pitch: 7:15 p.m.

Broadcast info: Fox Sports 1, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, Indians Radio Network

Pitching matchup: RHP Mike Clevinger (0-1, 6.97 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Shoemaker (6-12, 4.07 ERA)

Fact du jour: The Indians and Rangers have the fewest losses in the American League (48), though Texas has four more victories.

The Indians and Angels will conclude their four-game set at Progressive Field on Sunday afternoon. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians and Angels will conclude their four-game set at Progressive Field on Sunday afternoon. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

Game 115: Indians (66-48) vs. Angels (49-67)

First pitch: 1:10 p.m.

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

Pitching matchup: RHP Trevor Bauer (8-5, 3.88 ERA) vs. RHP Jered Weaver (8-9, 5.19 ERA)

Fact du jour: No American League team has fewer losses than the Indians.

Slade ruptured his achilles tendon and will be out for the season and Pridgeon suffered a knee injury and is expected to miss three months.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State will likely be without a player from both lines this season. 

Urban Meyer announced before Ohio State's media day Sunday that defensive lineman Darius Slade and offensive lineman Malcolm Pridgeon suffered major injuries during camp. 

"Those are two tough ones," Meyer said. 

Slade ruptured his achilles tendon and will be out for the season and Pridgeon suffered a knee injury and is expected to miss three months. Slade is a redshirt sophomore. 

A former three-star recruit from New Jersey in the 2014 class, Slade was one of many names competing for playing time on Ohio State's unproven defensive line room.

Pridgeon, a junior college transfer, was in competitions at left guard and right tackle.

True freshman Michael Jordan is leading the way at left guard and Isaiah Prince is ahead at right tackle, but losing Pridgeon is definitely hit to Ohio State's offensive line depth. 

"With that said, the offensive line is obviously a concern of depth," Meyer said. "That's where Matt Burrell, Demetrius Knox have really got to come on really come on and then Branden Bowen has got a long way to go, but he's going to come on, too. So you have to get depth there."

The Ohio State football team held its media day on Sunday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Everything Urban Meyer said on Sunday at about Ohio State training camp during Buckeyes media day.

Q: Do you have a player with an Evan Spencer skillset this year?

Urban Meyer: You have to have a guy like that or you're not going to be very good. You should have multiple guys like that. We have more than that.

For those of you that don't know Evan Spencer, he was a captain of our team, was named captain after the final three games, and we don't win those three games without Evan Spencer.

And maybe wasn't making a catch in the end zone, but he was certainly getting people to that end zone. So that's what we're talking about.

Q. You guys have had a pretty good track record of bringing in athletes and turning them into receivers. But you talk a lot about Austin Mack. Just wondering the fact that he has been a receiver, he knows that position well, I'm assuming, how much that's helped him get to the level he's at now?

Meyer: No question. And Dawson is probably one of those good stories that you hear about, the seven on seven or the extra coaching that you get, you hear bad stories about them. And where the, maybe a street agent or something like that, I'll hear that stuff. And sometimes that's true and a lot of times it's not.

He had a guy, Drey, that worked with him that became a friend of mine. I watched him work, I watched him train, taught him right things about just work ethic and obviously, his high school coach, came from a great high school program.

So when you take a kid like that that is very serious about his trade, came from a very good high school program, has a guy that trained him in the off season, and then we get him, that's why he's game ready. And he will play this year.

Q. Zeke did a lot of really good things for you guys. One of the things you talked about was his blocking ability. Wondering how Mike Weber is in that regard and how much room he has to grow?

Meyer: Right now, it's Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson and Demario and Antonio Williams are fighting for that spot.

Right now, Mike and Curtis are the top two backs in the program, and they're not Zeke level yet. Curtis is pretty close even for a guy that doesn't get as many reps at pass protection.

But Mike's pretty good, and he won't play if he won't. It's just that's something that's very important, and he's a standup guy, so he'll -- that's awful high standard to hold him to, but that's what we're holding him to.

Q. We were watching practice last Sunday, just seeing that 97 again and kind of the way he walked around, that looked familiar. Have you had any double takes --

Meyer: Walk, talks, yeah. Just trying to convince the Bosa's to have one more, and we'll take him.

Q. Now that you had him out there practicing for a week, what's reasonable to expect from him?

Meyer: Well, we are -- I hate to use the word patience, because I'll never forget when I sent the text message to the Bosa family John, Cheryl, and Joey about Nick, and Joey hit me back on a little group text and said, "have patience" and I simply said "no".

And, but, we are being very patient with him. He hasn't been in full scrimmage situation yet. We're making sure that knee's a hundred percent sound and which it is. And so we're just easing him in. He comes from an excellent high school program, very well-coached, and he's, he'll be game ready.

Q. Do you see him at end or does he need to play some inside?

Meyer: At end. It's still too early to tell, but he's a defensive end.

Q. Tyquan Lewis and Gareon Conley, what do you see out of them this year?

Meyer: Exceptional leadership. Our guys that count on every day in practice and Gareon and both of them are playing a very high level.

Tyquan had the shoulder surgery, but Gareon is playing, man, he's playing at a high, high level right now and so is Tyquan.

Q. Do you think he's maybe that next kind of cornerback NFL type guy?

Meyer: Oh, sure. He's a NFL corner some day.

Q. Depth-wise, what's your biggest concern as far as any position group depth-wise?

Meyer: Well, let's see, might as well announce, we had two injuries. Darius Slade ruptured his achilles, he's going to be out for the year. And Malcolm Pridgeon has hurt his knee and had surgery on his knee, so he's out for three months. So those are two tough ones.

With that said, the offensive line is obviously a concern of depth. That's where Matt Burrell, Demetrius Knox have really got to come on really come on and then Branden Bowen has got a long ways to go, but he's going to come on too. So you have to get depth there.

The defensive line is starting to materialize a little bit with depth. Those are obviously the two issues.

Q. Your punt runners, who's going to be your primary punt returner?

Meyer: Dontre Wilson right now and we're still watching this Demario McCall, pretty talented guy and it hasn't been finalized yet, but right now if we played today, Dontre.

Q. The kick off returner as well?

Meyer: If we started today, yeah.

Q. Speed's always been a characteristic, a lot of guys left you have Wilson back who are the other you would say fastest guys?

Meyer: Speed?

Q. Fastest guys.

Meyer: Yeah. Wilson very fast. On receiver we have some really fast guys you have Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, James Clark are legitimate sub-10.5 or 10.5 hundred meter guys. We have four corners that are playing at a very high level right now and they're fast. Denzel Ward probably the fastest on the team. I think he was a state 200 -- DQ'd in the state hundred, but he got the 200 meter championship, so he's a legit, track fast. And you got Damon Arnette, Gareon Conley and there's another one, Marshon Lattimore is playing outstanding right now. So we have four legitimate bump and run corners.

Q. You touched on Austin Mack and Nick Bosa. Who else of those freshmen have caught your eye this week that you can see you can project possible playing?

Meyer: Probably a little bit too early still. Keandre, I'm going to -- probably Michael Jordan for sure is playing. That's done. Keandre is a guy that we anticipate to play, Jahsen Wint, the kid from Brooklyn is a guy that might be a special teams guy for us.

Receiver, Victor's got a long way to go but we're glad he's here. Jake Hausmann has moved ahead of, he's pretty close to being in the mix. So still early, but those are a couple names you got Coop is doing very well for us, Jordan Fuller I think is going to play.

Q. With the injury situations, all that stuff, do you pride yourself taking it easy with these players, especially in the heat, etc., you have those water breaks and stuff like that. What has changed for this camp in that regard about watching the health?

Meyer: Oh, I just, I always I'm a "why" guy. Why are we doing this drill, why am I putting them in this situation. Why, why, why. And I have to answer those questions, I have to. I challenge my staff, but at the end of the day that's my responsibility and there's never going to be a time where the safety of our players will be jeopardized.

So the game is so much different than it was 10 years ago, all for the good. As far as the amount of contact, back to back contact days, if we have hard ones we just don't do. They're hard practices, but it's not contact. So it's every -- I have a whole team that's responsible for that. That's Mickey Marotti's job with his sports performance jobs. We have all these GPS workload and we measure -- there's now shorts that the guys wear and they measure the activation of hamstrings and there's so much that we're, that's helpful for the player welfare and safety is it.

Q. Michael Jordan is he a starter yet?

Meyer: To be determined.

Q. For most of its history Ohio State has been the only power conference school in Ohio. Now Cincinnati is gaining some pretty good momentum.

Meyer: That's great.

Q. I know you want the best for them, but are you conflicted at all having another good team here?

Meyer: No, no, I am a graduate, a fan. I think they should be in the Big-12. I'm saying that without making all the research necessary to really make that comment. That's more of a fan that's turned into a school, like my sisters at Provost there and so I know that school very well and I couldn't be happier for that city and for that school if they do get in the Big-12.

Q. Does that affect you guys at all in terms of recruiting Ohio kids?

Meyer: Oh, sure. I bet it would. That Big-12 is big business.

Q. Would you give us the analysis of the scrimmage, what looked good and what issues?

Meyer: Pleased with the scrimmage. And I usually don't say that on the first one. But pleased with the scrimmage, I'm just going to be careful who I single out. I had champions and on purpose I didn't bring them in here because we did champions. I think the defensive line's gaining a lot of momentum right now, off the top of my head. I just, I don't want to give names right now. It's too early.

Q. Noah Brown is a guy who, in the off season, people raved about him. What have you seen about him?

Meyer: He's coming. He's probably not back to full Noah Brown  this time of year, but he's, I would say, another week away he'll be there. He's working his tail off and just love having him back.

Q. This coming week what are you looking for from the freshmen how difficult will it be for them this week and is this where you really find out who is going to play this year?

Meyer: This is the edge time. This is, the first eight practices are or whatever we had, that was -- every school in the country had eight practices, we have had one double, I actually took off the shoulder pads the second part of the double.

So I would say we're very average right now and then we're going to find out this next week if we cross that edge and I'm going to watch that like a -- that's going to determine if we're going to be any good or not. This week will determine if we'll be any good.

"It was storybook-esque," he said. "It was everything I could imagine and more." Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mike Clevinger is a bit of a mad man before his starts.

In spring training, Terry Francona quipped that the right-hander acted as though he was starting Game 7 of the World Series, rather than a Cactus League exhibition.

On Saturday, he paced back and forth in the Indians' clubhouse as his headphones pumped music into his ears during a two-hour rain delay.

"Everybody was wondering what was going to happen," said catcher Chris Gimenez. "'Are we going to play or are we not?' Everybody had the radar apps on their phones. It didn't really look positive, so I give [Clevinger] a lot of credit for staying focused."

Not to mention, Clevinger was preparing to face the Angels, the team that drafted him in 2011. Earlier in the week, the 25-year-old said he wanted "to show them what I turned into."

"This game, of all games, I think he was a little amped up for," Gimenez said. "I told him before the game started -- when we were in the bullpen, I said, 'Listen, man. Trust me, I understand you want to beat the guys that kind of gave you away, so to speak. Let's hopefully do that, but let's do it within ourselves.' You have to stay within yourself, because he was a little amped up in the bullpen, and rightfully so. He's a young guy and he's pitching against his old team for the first time. It can easily happen.

"A lot of credit to him. He did a great job."

Clevinger couldn't have scripted it better. Well, technically, he could have, had his pesky pitch count not crept toward triple digits as early as it did or if he hadn't allowed a single to Andrelton Simmons in the sixth.

Nonetheless, Clevinger submitted the strongest start of his brief major-league career. He limited Los Angeles to one run on one hit over 5 2/3 frames and he earned his first career victory.

"It was storybook-esque," he said. "It was everything I could imagine and more."

Clevinger out of the twilight zone

Clevinger didn't even realize he was working on a no-hitter, which he lost on his final pitch of the evening.

"About the fourth, I was looking to see who was coming up on the board and I was like, 'Wait, there are no hits up there,'" he said. "I tried as hard as I could to clear it out of my head.

"It took me back for a second. There was a run on the board, so I wasn't even thinking about hits at that point."

Clevinger walked four and struck out three. He received plenty of assistance from his defense, as Jose Ramirez made a couple of timely scoops. Clevinger estimated that he hugged Ramirez 25 times.

"His stuff was pretty electric early," said Tribe manager Terry Francona. "He had some walks, there was some traffic, but he really competed. I thought he pitched through a tight strike zone early that looked like it might rattle him a little bit, but he gained his composure and got them out."

It was the longest outing of Clevinger's career, which includes five starts. He took home the lineup card and a couple of game balls.

"I don't think there's a sweeter way I could've gotten the first win," Clevinger said. "That was definitely it."

The senior could take back punts and kicks for the Buckeyes this season. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here's what Ohio State lost in the return game.

Former Buckeye Jalin Marshall ripped off a return of more than 80 yards in his NFL preseason debut for the New York Jets.

Word to the wise: Don't give @JalinMarshall an opening. #JAXvsNYJhttps://t.co/BDvuleWdH8

-- New York Jets (@nyjets) August 12, 2016

Last season, Marshall ranked third in the Big Ten in punt returns, averaging 13.54 yards.

This season? 

That should be Dontre Wilson back there. 

His plan as a return man this season?

Urban Meyer said Sunday, after the Buckeyes held their first scrimmage of preseason practice on Saturday, that Wilson would be Ohio State's No. 1 punt returner and No. 1 kick returner if the season started now.

A year ago, Wilson typically was one of the two Buckeyes back on kick returns, along with Curtis Samuel. But the Buckeyes don't return that many kicks - because they don't allow that many points.

Samuel returned nine kicks at an average of 23 yards per return, while Wilson returned seven, averaging 23.9 yards.

In the punt return game, there's a chance to make more happen. A year ago, that was all Marshall, as he ranked third in the Big Ten with a 13.5 yard average.

But in 2014, both Marshall and Wilson were part of the punt return game, before Wilson's season ended with a foot injury.

So Marshall, who turned pro early and went undrafted, is now turning heads in New York Jets camp, both as a receiver and a returner. If Marshall can do it, Wilson figures he can, too. And he's done it before.

Freshman Demario McCall is also getting some work at punt return. And Curtis Samuel figures to be part of the kick return game as he was last year.

But Wilson will have a chance to follow his plan. Here are two quick tidbits to keep in mind:

* Ohio State's last punt return for a touchdown: Marshall vs. Indiana, Nov. 22, 2014.

* Ohio State's last kick return for a touchdown: Jordan Hall vs. Michigan, Nov. 27, 2010.

The Indians captured their first four-game sweep of the Angels since 1999. The Indians now own the best winning percentage in the American League. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians' new formula is simple. It doesn't require any science experimentation conducted in the wee hours of the morning in a dimly lit lab.

They merely want to turn an advantage over to their recently fortified relief corps and cruise to victory. That wasn't an issue in the first three installments of the Indians' four-game set with the Angels this weekend. The Tribe breezed to three straight triumphs, devoid of any late-inning stress or fingernail-chomping.

The Indians followed the formula on Sunday afternoon, but it took time for things to unfold in their favor. They did, however, wrangle away the lead just in time for Andrew Miller and Cody Allen to carry the club to a 5-4 triumph and a four-game sweep.

On Saturday, Miller, Allen, Bryan Shaw and Dan Otero protected a comfortable lead. On Sunday, the Indians climbed out of a three-run hole before their relief horses galloped to the finish line.

Cleveland scored a pair in the fifth and two more in the sixth to erase a 4-1 deficit. Francisco Lindor drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the fifth. Mike Napoli followed with an infield single to trim the deficit to one run.

Tyler Naquin knotted the score with an RBI double in the sixth, his third hit in as many trips to the plate. Abraham Almonte supplied the Indians with the lead with an RBI single to left.

That took Trevor Bauer off the hook. The right-hander surrendered home runs to Ji-Man Choi and Geovany Soto. The Angels appeared poised to spoil the Indians' plans of a flawless weekend, even without Mike Trout and Andrelton Simmons, who both rested.

The Indians had plenty of opportunities against Jered Weaver. The soft-tossing righty yielded five runs on 10 hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. Napoli was thrown out at the plate in the first inning. Carlos Santana was nailed at home to end the fifth.

Bauer exited after six frames, having allowed four runs on five hits and two walks. He still earned his ninth win of the season.

Miller needed only 23 pitches to retire all six batters he faced, as he covered the seventh and eighth innings. Allen registered a one-two-three ninth to lock down the save.

The Indians captured their first four-game sweep of the Angels since 1999. Los Angeles has dropped 10 consecutive contests.

The Indians now own the best winning percentage in the American League.

What it means
The Indians (67-48) maintained their five-game advantage in the AL Central standings. The Tigers topped Texas for the second straight day to keep pace.

Mother Nature's wrath
The start of the game was delayed by rain for 1 hour and 38 minutes. The teams endured rain delays in three of the four games in the series.

Shades of Omar
Lindor used his bare hand to snag a chopper by Angels center fielder Nick Buss with two outs in the eighth. The Tribe shortstop fired the ball to first to end the inning.

Hit parade
Mike Napoli extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a first-inning single. Napoli tacked on another single in the fifth. His hitting streak matches the longest of his career, originally set in 2007.

Ramirez advanced his hitting streak to a career-high 18 games. He also swiped his 18th base of the season.

They came, they saw
An announced crowd of 18,979 watched the affair at the ballpark.

What's next
The Indians will host the Red Sox at Progressive Field on Monday afternoon for a make-up of an April 7 postponement. Josh Tomlin (11-5, 4.18 ERA) will oppose former Tribe first-round draft selection Drew Pomeranz. The southpaw is 0-2 with a 5.26 ERA since the Padres dealt him to Boston. On Tuesday, the Indians will welcome the White Sox to town for a three-game set.

The Cleveland Indians amassed 56 hits in a four-game sweep of the Angels at Progressive Field. They won, 5-4, Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jason Kipnis homered, Tyler Naquin went 3-for-4 with one RBI and one run and Andrew Miller was nasty as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Los Angeles Angels, 5-4, Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field. The Tribe swept the four-game series.

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 (67-48) remained 5.0 games ahead of second-place Detroit (63-54) in the AL Central. The Tigers won at Texas, 7-0 -- their second straight shutout after losing the opener of the three-game series.

Reeling: The injury-ravaged Angels (49-68), last place in the AL West, have dropped 10 straight. They lost six of seven against the Tribe this season.

Cleveland Lumber Co.: Tribe bats were outstanding/tremendous/fantastic/prolific against the Angels the past four days -- admittedly against a watered-down staff.

• Thursday (W, 14-4): 14-for-37, four walks, steal, six doubles, three homers (Carlos Santana, Mike Napoli, Jose Ramirez).
• Friday (W, 13-3): 17-for-40, three walks, eight steals, four doubles, two homers (Brandon Guyer, Ramirez).
• Saturday (W, 5-1): 14-for-35, steal, three doubles.
• Sunday (W, 5-4): 11-for-32, four walks, two steals, two doubles, homer (Kipnis).

The Indians obviously hit well with runners in scoring position. They were productive with two outs and in two-strike counts. They spoiled good pitches in order to keep plate appearances alive, then turned a number of those into something positive.

Quality stuff: The series finale easily could have gone to the Angels. The Tribe simply refused to allow it.

The Angels led, 2-1, after two innings; 3-1 after three; and 4-1 after four. Tribe right-hander Trevor Bauer was not his sharpest and Angels righty Jered Weaver was figuring out ways to limit damage against his slop.

Bauer never really locked in, but he avoided the big inning and gave his team a chance. He allowed the four runs on five hits in six innings.

His best work came in the fifth. With runners on first and third and none out, Bauer struck out pesky left-handed batter Kole Calhoun swinging and got an all-time great, Albert Pujols, to ground into a 4-6-3 double play.

The Tribe's offense showed its appreciation to Bauer for keeping it relatively close by scoring two in the fifth and two in the sixth. Even though pitching victories can be overrated, Bauer earned one. He improved to 9-5 with a 3.97 ERA.

Help from below: The Indians would not have won without the bottom third of the order. Naquin, Abraham Almonte and Roberto Perez combined to go 5-for-10 with two walks, one steal, two RBI and three runs.

With one out and Jose Ramirez on first in the sixth, Naquin batted against Weaver. On the first pitch, a ball, Ramirez stole second. Weaver was bothered enough that he made a bad second pitch to Naquin, who ripped it to right for an RBI double.

Righty Jose Valdez relieved Weaver. Almonte shot a 1-0 pitch to center to drive in Naquin and put the Tribe ahead for good.

Almonte finished 2-for-4 with the RBI, one steal and one run. He saw seven pitches.

Nothing doing: Miller relieved Bauer and worked a 1-2-3 seventh in nine pitches. Miller returned for the eighth and went 1-2-3 in 14 pitches.

The final out of the eighth was a called strikeout of Pujols, who blew a fuse and was ejected by plate umpire Clint Fagan.

Locking it down: Tribe closer Cody Allen struck out two in a perfect ninth to earn his 22nd save.

Kip, Kip, hooray: Kipnis went 1-for-3 with the homer and one walk. He opened the scoring by drilling Weaver's 82-mph "fastball'' into the right-field seats with one out in the first inning (No. 20).

Kipnis had a quiet series, going 7-for-14 with three walks, two steals, two doubles, one homer, four RBI and six runs.

Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe talk about the day in Berea. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns held an abbreviated practice on Sunday afternoon. It was their first practice open to the media since their preseason opener against Green Bay on Friday night.

Following practice, Mary Kay Cabot and I talked about what came out of the day. We talked about Terrelle Pryor and whether we should be concerned about his hand injury. We also talked about playing time for the rookie wide receivers and also how close we are to seeing Josh Gordon.

Check out the video above.