Indians catcher Yan Gomes was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Eric HaaseAkron RubberDucks 

AKRON, Ohio -- Eric Haase hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, spurring the RubberDucks to a 6-3 win over Trenton in Game 1 of the Class AA Eastern League finals.

Akron entered the fifth trailing, 3-2, when Indians catcher Yan Gomes, with the RubberDucks on a rehab assignment, started it off with a double. With one out, Nellie Rodriguez singled, moving Gomes to third. Mike Papi followed with a walk off Trenton starter Ronald Herrera to load the bases.

Thunder right-hander Travis Hissong replaced Herrera, and Haase greeted him by sending the ball over the left-field wall to give Akron a 6-3 lead. (Listen to the radio call here.) It would be the only hit Hissong would surrender over 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Meanwhile, Akron right-hander Michael Peoples held the Thunder to three runs over seven innings He gave up seven hits, but struck out eight.

David Speer and Cole Sulser combined to close out the game with two innings of scoreless relief.

Haase finished 2-for-3 with a double and the grand slam, while Gomes was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. The Indians are expected to activate Gomes by this weekend.   

Go here to see a box score from the game.

Cleveland's magic number to clinch the American League Central Division is 13 after Detroit's loss on Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians' magic number to clinch the American League Central Division dropped to 13 on Tuesday despite Cleveland's 8-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Cleveland's lead in the AL Central over the second-place Tigers remained at six games with 18 to play. Minnesota got four RBI from Jorge Polanco and scored three times in the third inning to defeat host Detroit, 7-1.

Any combination of Indians wins plus losses by the Tigers that is greater than or equal to 13 will clinch the division title for Cleveland.

via GIPHY

The Indians (83-61) continue their four-game series against the White Sox on Wednesday.

You can calculate a first-place team's magic number by starting with 163 and subtracting its number of wins and then subtracting the number of losses by the second-place team.

Do you believe in magic (numbers)?

The Indians lost big Tuesday night, but they still reduced their Magic Number to win the AL Central to 13. Watch video

CHICAGO -- Trevor Bauer had it going Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

The fastball, cutter and curve were all at his finger tips. After giving up a run in the first inning, he retired 13 of the next 14 batters. His fastball was topping out at 97 mph and his curve was dipping across the plate between 79-82 mph. Then there was the cut fastball in the low 90s.

Everything was perfect until the sixth inning, when the White Sox put together their biggest inning of the season to hammer the Indians, 8-1, for the second straight night.

Chicago scored seven runs on seven hits to knock Bauer out of the game. It happened as fast as one of his high-octane heaters.

"I don't feel I deserved to have that happen," said Bauer. "They got six hits off me tonight and only three were in the strike zone. That's the best I've been in months."

Bauer (11-7, 4.06) opened the sixth by walking Adam Eaton as he pounded his glove in frustration. Tim Anderson followed with a hard single over the mound and into center field.

Then came the hit that seemed to change the inning. Melky Cabrea sent a lazy fly ball to right center. It was up there a long time, but no one caught it. Center fielder Rajai Davis dove, but didn't come close.  Right fielder Abraham Almonte hardly moved on the ball.

"Off the bat, it looked like he hit it a little harder," said Davis. "I probably could have taken a better route. Unfortunately, that's not how it's played. You have to go by what you see."

Manager Terry Francona said Davis was shifted toward left center field, but Davis said he was Cabrera in straightaway center field.

"I thought he hooked it into the gap but it didn't have that much carry," said Davis.

Cabrera's single loaded the bases and bad things followed.

Jose Abreu gave Chicago a 2-1 lead with a single through the middle. Bauer struck out Alex Avila, but it was the last out he registered. Todd Frazier followed with a first-pitch single -- once again right over second base -- as two runs scored.

The usually reliable Dan Otero relieved, but he couldn't stop the White Sox. Avisail Garcia singled home a run and Carlos Sanchez tripled home two more. Eaton, whose walk started the inning, followed with a double for the seventh and final run of the inning.

Bauer, 4-1 in his previous seven starts, allowed six runs on six hits. He struck out seven and walked one in 5 1/3 innings.

"The first five innings, I thought that's as good of stuff that I've seen (from Bauer)," said Francona.

Bauer was in agreement.

"I was really, really good tonight," he said.

Carlos Quintana (12-10, 3.05), who allowed 11 earned runs in his last two starts, held the Indians to one run over eight innings. Brandon Guyer supplied it with a homer in the second inning.

Quintana is 6-3 lifetime against the Indians.

What kind of night was it? Well, the 1,022 dogs sitting in the bleachers with their owners had a much better time than the Indians' hitters. At least they sounded happy as their barks could be heard throughout the game.

It was Pooch Night at The Cell and the White Sox entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the most dogs to attend a sporting event.

What it means

Unlike Monday's ugly loss, Tuesday's ugly loss did not cost the Indians a game in the AL Central standings. Detroit lost to the Twins, 8-1, which allowed the Indians to maintain their six-game lead.

Despite the loss, the Tribe reduced its magic number to 13 over the Tigers.

The pitches

Bauer threw 81 pitches, 51 (67 percent) for strikes. Qiuintana threw 99 pitches, 63 (64 percent) for strikes.

Ouch

Guyer was hit in his left leg in the fourth inning by Quintana. He has been hit an AL-high 30 times this season and this one stung.

When Guyer reached first base, he bent over in pain, but stayed in the game. In the seventh inning, he was removed.

"He got hit really good," said Francona. "I wanted to get him out of there for a couple of innings because we're facing another left-hander (Carlos Rodon) on Wednesday."

Thanks for coming

The Indians and White Sox drew 15,588 to U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday night. First pitch was at 8:10 pm. and the temperature was 83 degrees.

What's next?

Josh Tomlin (11-8, 3.22) returns to the rotation Wednesday for the first time since Aug. 30. Tomlin, skipped after that start, will face Chicago left-hander Carlos Rodon (7-8, 3.80) at 8:10 p.m. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM 1100 and WMMS/FM 100.7 will carry the game.

Tomlin has thrown one inning since his Aug. 30 start against the Twins. The Indians are hoping the down time will let Tomlin reset his season. He's 1-0 against Chicago this season and 3-2 in his career.

Rodon has won his last four starts and five of his last six. He's 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA against the Indians in his career, including two no decisions this season.

The Chicago White Sox scored seven in the sixth inning and easily disposed of the Cleveland Indians, 8-1, Tuesday night in Chicago.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Left-hander Jose Quintana allowed one run in eight innings and Adam Eaton walked and doubled in a seven-run seventh as the Chicago White Sox routed the Cleveland Indians, 8-1, Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

Yikes: The Indians (83-61), first place in the AL Central, have been outscored, 19-5, in losing the first two of a four-game series against the fourth-place White Sox (70-74).

And the White Sox have roughed up two of Cleveland's top three starters. On Monday, righty Carlos Carrasco allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings of an 11-4 defeat.

Righty Trevor Bauer's repertoire and command/control were much better than Carrasco's, and he lasted longer. Bauer pitched better than his line. Still, he allowed six runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked one and struck out seven.

Bauer cruised into the sixth inning with the score tied, 1-1. Five of the next six batters reached (walk, four singles) -- and Bauer was gone. The Indians used three pitchers in the sixth.

Streak busted: The White Sox went 1-2-3 against Bauer in the second inning. The White Sox had scored at least once in all innings in which they batted (eight) in the series opener and in the first inning Tuesday.

Fabric of the game: Here are assorted plate appearances Tuesday that were interesting/important: 

Indians 1st

*With runners on first (Mike Napoli) and second (Jason Kipnis) and two outs, Carlos Santana was in a 2-0 count.

Quintana threw a fastball (94 mph) on inner third. Santana cleared the hips but grounded routinely to third. Santana is more than capable of doing damage against that type of pitch in that location.

White Sox 1st

*With Adam Eaton on first and none out, Tim Anderson squared to bunt.

Anderson bunted toward Bauer. When Bauer fielded the bunt, Eaton was about halfway to second. A basic throw to shortstop Francisco Lindor would have erased Eaton by plenty, but Tribe catcher Roberto Perez instructed Bauer to go to first.

Fox Sports Time Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "He had the out at second base gift-wrapped if he wanted it.''

The replay showed Perez pointing, and presumably yelling, for Bauer to throw to first base.

Manning said: "That's a bad call.''

Lindor thought the ball was coming his way.

Fox Sports Time Ohio play-by-play voice Matt Underwood said: "Lindor's hopping mad.''

Manning said: "Well, he should be. I mean, you had the chance to get that guy.''

Melky Cabrera's grounder to first pushed Eaton to third.

*With Eaton on third and two outs, Jose Abreu was in an 0-2 count.

Bauer threw a fastball (95) in; Abreu fouled it. Bauer came back with another fastball in, this time at the belt, and Abreu muscled it beyond second baseman Jason Kipnis and into right field for an RBI single. Much more credit to Abreu for pulling in the hands and getting a positive result than blame on Bauer, who made a good pitch.

Alex Avila grounded out to end the inning.

Indians 2nd

*Jose Ramirez led off and was in a 1-2 count.

Quintana threw a fastball (94) that was far outside. After catcher Avila dragged his mitt to the corner, plate umpire Lance Barrett called it strike three. Simply terrible. Ramirez's knees buckled when Barrett made his decision known.

Manning said of Ramirez: "Not his fault.''

*The next batter, Brandon Guyer, was in an 0-0 count.

Guyer took a fastball (92) above the belt and seemingly inside. Barrett called it a strike.

Manning said: "I'll tell you what: With that pitch right there, and the one he called on Ramirez, that plate is about 24 inches wide right now.''

Quintana and Avila, instead of continuing to explore how deep they could go with the fastball and still get it called a strike, opted for breaking pitch (79). Avila wanted it in but it stayed over the plate, and Guyer sent it over the left-field wall. Guyer was able to homer despite his front foot slipping during the swing.

Indians 3rd

*With none on and two outs, Napoli was in a 1-2 count.

Quintana threw a fastball (94) to Avila's target, which was outside. Napoli, as his eyes told him to do, took it. Barrett punched out Napoli.

White Sox 3rd

*With none on and two outs, Anderson was in a 2-2 count.

Bauer threw a fastball (97) off the outside edge at the belt. Anderson chopped to second baseman Kipnis. The velocity was what stood out; in the at-bat, Anderson saw one fastball at 96 mph and two at 97.

White Sox 4th

*With none on and one out, Abreu was in a 1-2 count.

Bauer elevated a fastball (97) off the outside edge, and Abreu grounded to Kipnis.

Indians 5th

*With Kipnis on second and two outs, Lindor was in an 0-2 count.

Quintana bounced a breaking pitch (80) that got away from Avila, enabling Kipnis to trot to third. Quintana bounced another breaking pitch (77); this time, Lindor swung and missed.

White Sox 5th

*With none on and one out, Avisail Garcia was in a 3-2 count.

Bauer threw a fastball (97) that was at the knees but outside. Garcia should have walked, but Barrett punched him out with the expanded zone already in place for Quintana. Garcia had words for Barrett.

Underwood spoke of how it is acceptable for batters to visibly complain to plate umpires about balls and strikes, but not for pitchers to do so.

Underwood said: "Why the double-standard?''

Manning said: "I have no idea.''

*With Carlos Sanchez on first and two outs, Bauer faced Tyler Saladino.

Bauer had plunked Sanchez with a 2-0 fastball (95) to snap his streak of batters retired at 12. Bauer opened against Saladino with a cutter (91) on the outside edge at the knees. Saladino swung and missed at a curve (80) and flailed at a curve (82) in the dirt.

White Sox 6th

*Leadoff batter Eaton was in a 1-2 count.

Bauer missed with a fastball (93) outside, a cutter high and away (91) and something at 90 mph in the dirt for a walk -- Bauer's first.

*The next batter, Anderson, was in an 0-0 count.

Anderson reacted to an elevated cutter (89) on the outside edge and grounded it up the middle for a single. Eaton stopped at second.

*The next batter, Cabrera, was in an 0-0 count.

Cabrera blooped an elevated cutter (91) on the inner half into right-center for a single to load the bases. Center fielder Rajai Davis and right fielder Abraham Almonte had too far to run. Davis dived for it. Good pitch, bad break for Bauer.

*The next batter, Abreu, was in a 1-1 count.

Bauer left a breaking pitch up, and Abreu punched it into center for an RBI single.

*The next batter, Avila, was in a 3-1 count.

Avila took a comeback fastball (96) for a strike and swung through a comeback fastball (96) inside for the strikeout.

*The next batter, Todd Frazier, was in an 0-0 count.

Bauer threw a cutter (91) off the outside edge at the knees, and Frazier grounded past the mound and into center field for a two-run single.

Dan Otero relieved Bauer.

*The next batter, Garcia, was in a 1-1 count.

Otero threw a flat sinker (92) on the inner half that Garcia grounded past the mound and into center field for an RBI single.

*The next batter, Sanchez, was in an 0-0 count.

Otero threw a flat sinker (91) that Sanchez ripped into right for a two-run triple. Sanchez advanced to third when the ball got past Almonte and the relay went home. Sanchez was credited with a triple, at least for now.

*With Sanchez on third and two outs, Eaton was in an 0-0 count.

Otero threw a flat sinker (92) over the plate that Eaton drilled into right-center for an RBI double to make it 8-1.

Manning said of the White Sox: "You better go out there and make a quality first pitch, because they are relaxed and they're stinging the baseball.''

Joe Colon relieved Otero.

Colon stranded Eaton, but the outcome long ago had been decided.

According to Fox Sports Time Ohio, the White Sox' sixth lasted 26 minutes, 40 seconds.

Josh McCown gives the Browns a better chance to win, not just against the Ravens, but in general. Here's why. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns shouldn't hang their heads over the loss of Robert Griffin III heading into the home opener Sunday against the Ravens, because Josh McCown actually gives them a better chance to win.

McCown, 37, played lights out in two games against the Ravens last season -- including one record-shattering victory -- and is arguably the better of the two quarterbacks overall.

Even the Ravens know they're not catching a break.

"He's been on fire against us,'' Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday. "He's thrown balls up in the air. A guy catches it with his feet for a touchdown last year (Gary Barnidge's Thighmaster catch). I remember this guy just having no conscience and just throwing the ball in there and completing passes against us.

"We have a lot of respect for him. We know what kind of a player he is. We know how good he is, and he's super good against us. We know we have our hands full. It will be all hands on deck to get ready for the offense led by Josh McCown."

In a 33-30 overtime victory in Baltimore, McCown threw for a Browns single-game record 457 yards with two touchdowns for a 111.3 rating. He also rushed for a TD. It marked the first time a Browns quarterback had thrown for 300 yards in three straight games, and his 1,154 yards broke Brian Sipe's three-game mark of 1,038.

In the rematch, a 33-27 Browns loss, McCown threw for 212 yards and earned a decent 80.2 rating, but he broke his collarbone and spent the final five weeks on injured reserve. In the two games, he completed 64 percent of his passes for 669 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. When he played, he performed -- finishing with a 93.3 rating, 14th in the NFL.

But when Hue Jackson took over, he cited McCown's age and made it clear he didn't want to build around him.

Therefore, McCown lost his starting job to Griffin because the Browns were trying to develop the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year into their long-term quarterback. At 26, Griffin was still young enough to learn on the job, then hit the ground running next year when the Browns have a better chance of winning.

McCown, who missed three early-season games with injuries, including a concussion when a Week 1 by then-Jet Demario Davis helicoptered him into the end zone,  looked better than Griffin at times during the off-season. He knows the offense and players, and he's a far better dropback passer than Griffin.

Like Griffin, however, McCown is extremely competitive and must learn to give up on a play to live to see another down. If he gets hurt, the Browns will be down to rookie Cody Kessler, who's not ready yet.

He even alluded to that when asked if Griffin should've slid instead of scrambling on that third and long late in the 29-10 loss to the Eagles.

"I have faced those 'why didn't he slide' questions before,'' he said with a laugh. "I'm very familiar with those. ... It's in the heat of the moment, and in a competitive environment, it is hard to dial back that sometimes. I understand that."

McCown's teammates say they're in great hands.

"He's played forever,'' said guard John Greco. "He's proven. He's won us games and he's a leader.

"We're not hanging our heads. Having Josh taking snaps now gives us a lot of confidence. It's not like a guy that is taking his first NFL snap coming up.''

Added Terrelle Pryor, "He'll be out there slinging it. He can lead us and give us a great opportunity to beat the Ravens. That's what we need."

Here are three other reasons McCown provides a better chance to win:

1. He's the king of third down

When McCown went on IR in 2015, he left as No. 1 in third-down passing with a 129.5 rating -- a stat that Jackson values highly. McCown,  a 14-year pro, completed 55 of 78 attempts, a 70.5 completion percentage. He also threw seven touchdowns against only one interception. The next highest QB was Carson Palmer, who had a 117.6 rating at that time.

Conversely, Griffin struggles on third down, largely because he's not a good pocket passer yet. In the 29-10 loss to Philly, he converted only two of 10 attempts.   

"That's been an Achilles' heel throughout the preseason and it showed up again in our first game,'' Jackson said. "It's what's allowing our defense to stay out there quite a bit and allowing our offense not to. We can't be 2-for-10 on third down. That's when the quarterback and the receivers and the line have to be at their best, and we haven't done that so that has been a problem.''

In that victory over the Ravens, McCown converted 12 of 19 third downs. He finished eighth in the NFL last season in fourth-quarter passing with a 102.1 rating.

2. He'll be good for Corey Coleman and the young receivers

McCown is like a coach on the field. He'll help first-rounder Corey Coleman get lined up properly, and encourage him if he runs the wrong route. He'll go back to receivers if they fail or make a mistake. He knows the Browns need Coleman to excel, and he'll help get him there.

"We have to do everything that we can to continue to bring Corey along and help him learn,'' McCown said. "It was a great experience for him to play the other day and to have some success in catching that long one.

"He has a special skillset. We have seen it throughout the spring and nothing has changed. We expect good things from him.''

3. He'll help Cam Erving

Jackson was "embarrassed'' by Erving's shotgun missile over RG3's head for a safety. But McCown will help the new center in many ways, including helping him slide the protections. The game is slow for the longtime vet, and he sees the field extremely well. He'll help keep Erving calm against the Ravens' aggressive defenders. Most of all, he'll encourage him if things get rough.

4. He'll put "Big Play Gar" back on the map

Barnidge uncharacteristically dropped two of Griffin's passes in Philly and didn't have his timing down yet. But with McCown, Barnidge can catch passes with his legs as well as his hands. Most of his nine TD passes last year came from McCown, and Barnidge should return to his Pro Bowl form.

The SWC showdown between Avon and Midview is among the five football games up for debate in cleveland.com's Week 4 picks.

Other Buckeye commits who are playing in the game include Bradenton (Fla.) IMG standouts Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Five-star wide receiver Trevon Grimes of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas may be the gem of Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class. 

And given the Buckeyes have verbal commitments from six five-star prospects in their class, that's really saying something. 

Now there's another opportunity to see Grimes on national television before he arrives in Columbus next fall. 

That's because Grimes announced on Twitter this week that he's participating in the Under Armour All-American Game in early January in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Other Buckeye commits who are playing in the game include Bradenton (Fla.) IMG standouts Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson. 

Its an Honor to Announce that I will be playing in the 2017 Under Armour All American Game [?] [?] #UAAA!![?] @UAFootball pic.twitter.com/FqScRxoFoB

-- GrimeTime (@TrevonGrimes7) September 12, 2016

Keep up with our Ohio State-Oklahoma coverage below: 

* An Ohio State coach has to try to beat Oklahoma while the Sooners host and recruit his son

* Urban Meyer's BCS memories of Oklahoma, and a word of caution for the Ohio State Buckeyes

* Want to watch Ohio State football vs. Oklahoma in virtual reality? Now you can

* College Football Playoff mock committee: What would the real committee do with Ohio State?

* Top scoring teams in Ohio State history ranked; 2016 Buckeyes could join the list

Robert Griffin III's fractured shoulder forces the Browns to seriously consider drafting a quarterback high. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Robert Griffin III's fractured shoulder forces the Browns to look long and hard again at taking a quarterback high in the 2017 draft. They'll have the ammunition to do it in the form of two first-round picks.

Griffin, 26, broke the coracoid bone in his left shoulder during Sunday's 29-10 loss to the Eagles and is on injured reserve for at least eight games. The chances of him sitting out the season are high.

If that's the case, he will have missed two full seasons, except for Sunday's season opener. Last season, of course, Griffin was demoted to third string in Washington and didn't take a snap.

So if he's done for this year, he'd be trying to make a comeback next season at age 27 and after two years out of the game.

What's more, he started only seven of his nine games in 2014, missing six with a dislocated ankle. He hasn't been a full-time starter since 2013, when he went 3-10 and was benched for the final three games of the season because of his deficiencies as a dropback passer.

Thanks in part to scrambling and his never-say-die attitude, he's suffered three major injuries as pro: a torn ACL and LCL, the dislocated ankle and now this. He's also had two concussions. In 2009, he tore the ACL for the first time at Baylor.

Despite all of that -- and Griffin's incomplete game -- Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown stressed Friday that the Browns were still looking at him as their possible quarterback of the future.

"To be fair to Robert, he's young in his career in terms of his development as a quarterback,'' Brown said. "We'll develop him over time. He's under contract here two years, but we don't look at it as certainly just a two-year venture or a week-to-week venture.

"We're going to have to stick by him, put the right pieces around him and help him learn how to play that position as well.''

Jackson declined to say how the injury impacts Brown's long-term view of Griffin.

"Sashi made a statement and I'm going to let that one stay there,'' he said. "Right now, I'm not even thinking about that. It's unfortunate that this young man is going to be out awhile.''

"He was (showing flashes of being the guy),'' said Jackson. "He's improved. The one thing that has been an Achilles' heel throughout the preseason has been our third-down percentage, and it showed up again in our first game. We can't be 2-for-10 on third down. That is when the quarterback and the receivers and the line have to be at their best, and we haven't done that so that has been a problem.''

RG3 to miss at least 8 games, possibly the season

The 2016 season was a "rebooting" year, when the Browns planned to develop and evaluate Griffin, and let the youngsters on the roster grow up. It was the season in which they could determine if Griffin could succeed in a pro-style offense.

Now, he'd be learning on the job at 27, almost 28 by the 2017 season's end.

Meanwhile, the Browns were defeated Sunday by Eagles rookie Carson Wentz, whom they bypassed in dealing their second overall pick to Philadelphia for a number of present and future selections.

Granted, Wentz cut his teeth on the Browns, but he still showed flashes of top-20 NFL ability -- something the Browns determined he didn't have. Jackson doubled down on that Monday, saying the Browns have no regrets about their decision.  

Jackson noted that it's only "one game'' and "we'll look back and see where he is over a period of time."

The major difference between Wentz and Griffin -- two of three rookie quarterbacks since 1960 along with Hall of Famer Jim Kelly to throw for 275-plus yards, two TDs and no picks in their season opener -- is the ability to drop back and function from the pocket.

Wentz played in a pro-style attack at North Dakota State. He's not a projection like all spread quarterbacks. Granted, it was only one game, but Wentz stood in against the rush and delivered some big-time throws, including one to convert a fourth-and-4 with Chris Kirksey in his face. Terrelle Pryor said "he's a baller,'' and assured a Philly reporter, "you guys got a good one.''

It will be a few years before the Browns know if they passed on the next Ben Roethlisberger, but the Browns appear headed back to the drawing board at quarterback.

"I haven't thought that far yet,'' said Jackson. "Baltimore's right around the corner here and that's what's totally on my mind. I'm sure it will be a conversation here pretty soon."

They have rookie Cody Kessler on the roster and Kevin Hogan of Stanford on the practice squad, but both are longer-term projects.

The Browns are faced with drafting a quarterback again in 2017 instead of hitting the ground running with any of those they've passed on in recent years such as Derek Carr -- who thought he was coming here in 2014 -- and Wentz. They haven't selected a quarterback in the top five since taking Tim Couch No. 1 overall in 1999.

They have two first-round picks for the fourth time in six years -- theirs and the Eagles -- and will have the ammo to try to move up to No. 1 if necessary.

Top quarterbacks coming out this year include Clemson's Deshaun Watson and Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer. Before long, the Browns will be immersed in the DeShaun/Deshone debate.

Because they can no longer pin all of their hopes and dreams on RG3.

NFL Game Pass 

The Cleveland Indians look to salvage a Game 3 of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat as the clubs square off.

CHICAGO -- The Cleveland Indians look to get back on the winning track in Game 3 of their four-game series against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Get scoring updates and participate in a live chat below.

Game 145: Indians (83-61) vs. White Sox (70-74)

First pitch: 8:10 p.m.

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

Pitching matchup: RHP Josh Tomlin(11-8, 4.85) vs. LHP Carlos Rodon (7-8, 3.80) . 

Fact du jour: Rajai Davis is a career .556 hitter against Rondon. Tomlin last pitched in Chicago on May 24 when he went 8 innings and allowed 2 earned runs while striking out 6.

Derrick Kindred and Joe Schobert are two of the key players on a young Browns defense.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns' youth movement on the defensive side of the ball couldn't be more obvious. Even Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco noticed. 

"It is a new group over there," he said in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. "I recognize Joe Haden and there is not much more that you really are used to seeing over there so it's kind of funny." 

Safety Derrick Kindred is one of those players. The fourth-round selection in last April's draft said it reminds him of when he first got to Texas Christian University. He said pretty much his whole class played his freshman year. 

"It does feel like that all over again (in Cleveland)," he said, "but we've just got to build together, learn from the vets, learn from each game we play and just get better each and every week." 

Outside linebacker Joe Schobert, also a fourth-round pick last April, thinks all that youth could be a good thing. 

"I think a lot of the rookies, we've spent a lot of time together in rookie minicamp, OTAs, we have rookie meetings now that are mandatory by the league, we all get together," he said. "We lived in the same hotel for a couple months, so I think everybody's getting close and I think that will definitely help with the chemistry and the bonding as we get older." 

The 2016 season might not ultimately be measured in wins, but it will definitely be measured by the progress of the team's young players, especially those on defense. 

Here are two short stories about two of those key pieces: 

The Unbreakable Derrick Kindred 

Browns safety Derrick Kindred makes a tackle during the team's loss to the Eagles on Sunday.John Kuntz, cleveland.com 

Kindred played his entire senior season at TCU with a broken collarbone. So he's not going to let an ankle injury keep him out of Sunday's game. 

"Yeah. It's just a minor injury," Kindred said on Wednesday. "Glad it's fixed, so I'm going to go out there and practice today, get ready for the game and be out there and have fun with it." 

The rookie safety was limited in practice after leaving Sunday's game in Philadelphia, but said he was ready to play this week. 

Kindred has been splitting time at free safety with Jordan Poyer and took advantage against the Eagles, particularly on three straight plays in the game's opening quarter. On the first, he took out tight end Zach Ertz on a block that allowed inside linebacker Christian Kirksey to make a tackle on Darren Sproles. The next play, he stuck Sproles on a two-yard gain. The play after that, he got to quarterback Carson Wentz and forced him into a Kirksey sack. 

Kirksey gave him some grief for missing his opportunity to bring down Wentz. 

"I was supposed to make the play," Kindred said. "That's why Kirksey's there. He got up from getting blocked and finished off the sack." 

At least one very important person noticed the rookie on Sunday. 

"Derrick Kindred, we think is going to be a very big player," team owner Jimmy Haslam said during an appearance on the team's charity radiothon on WKNR 850 AM on Wednesday. "He has some things to learn, but he had a couple of big hits out there and he's going to be a good football player." 

"The game's not too big for him," head coach Hue Jackson said. "He's tough. He made one of the best tackles I've seen on the tape in the game on a running back. He fills holes. He flies around. He plays the game the way it's supposed to be played. He just needs more game experience. He's a young player learning how to play in the National Football League and we're really excited about his future." 

Kindred described himself as a "very physical guy," who can play deep safety but can also play close to the line. Doing the latter has been much easier without that broken collarbone. 

"I feel like I can put my whole game together," he said. "When I did have the broken collarbone I was a little timid with this shoulder, timing up my tackles. Now I can go out there and just play." 

Joe Schobert is starting a blog 

Joe Schobert grabs the foot of Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz for a tackle.John Kuntz, cleveland.com 

OK, so it doesn't really sound like Schobert's going to be running the show on this thing, but:  

"My girlfriend's a dance teacher," Schobert said, "but dance hours are from like four or five or later at night, so during the day something for her to work on, talking about what we're doing." 

He said they both have family back home who are interested in the updates and this is one way to provide them. Oh, and they just adopted a lab-boxer mix, so that's what's really important. 

Well, there's that whole football thing, too. Schobert's debut in Philadelphia was something he'd been dreaming about for a long time. 

"It's the culmination of getting to that point that you dreamed about since you were a kid and playing in the National Football League in a regular-season game," he said, "and it's pretty awesome to be out there with all the guys and playing a kid's game." 

The former walk-on at Wisconsin has climbed the depth chart and is listed as one of the starting outside linebackers. He's been able to draw on working his way up from going mostly unnoticed in high school to NFL draft pick. 

"What you are as a football player is what you've done in the past and kind of building up," Schobert said, "and obviously Wisconsin had some big building blocks for me in my career and, now in the NFL, I've got to keep stacking blocks on top of the ones I built in college, but definitely I draw a lot from the stuff that I did there, coming in as a walk-on and doing all the stuff you have to do." 

"Joe is used to winning games," Haslam said on the radiothon. "He won a lot of games at Wisconsin and I always go to the locker room afterwards and shake hands with the guys. He says, 'Listen, this is unacceptable. We're going to win games, I promise you. I don't like losing.' So it's good to hear that." 

But back to that blog real quick: How much of the puppy are we going to get to see? 

"The puppy will be a big part of it," he said, "but not just solely about him." 

----- 

Follow me: on Twitter | on Facebook | Snapchat username: djlobster

Booker's injury is an MCL sprain and if he can't go, it will be a either Jerome Baker or Joe Burger who play in his spot.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer said Monday that linebacker Dante Booker should be listed as probable for Ohio State's road game at Oklahoma on Saturday. 

Now Booker is back to being probable. 

Meyer said Wednesday evening that Booker didn't do much in practice and had a minor setback this week. That doesn't mean Booker won't play against the Sooners, but he's, well, questionable. 

Booker's injury is an MCL sprain and if he can't go, it will be either Jerome Baker or Joe Burger who play in his spot.

2. Meyer said he isn't overly concerned about Oklahoma's crowd noise because most of the things the Buckeyes do offensively are based on hand signals. J.T. Barrett communicates with the offensive line, but Meyer said, "they're right there." 

This isn't road protocol, either. Ohio State operates on hand signals at home. 

3. Meyer did a long interview with a reporter from Bleacher Report that dove into his mental health issues. Meyer's motivation was he wants to help people who suffer from the same issues. 

"I don't normally do interviews like that," Meyer said. Then he went on to explain that the reporter approached him in Chicago and told him he thinks a story could help people, so Meyer agreed. 

-- Subscribe to the Buckeye Talk podcast channel on iTunes

-- Follow cleveland.com's Ohio State coverage on Facebook and Instagram

-- Follow cleveland.com writers Doug Lesmerises, Ari Wasserman and Bill Landis on Twitter

-- Download the cleveland.com Ohio State app for iPhone and Android

Barrow could factor into the defensive tackle depth this week against Oklahoma.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State football needs any help it can get at defensive tackle, and a young player may be ready to step up.

Malik Barrow, a true freshman from Florida, had his black stripe removed after Wednesday's practice. Watch the video of Barrow losing his black stripe from Urban Meyer's Twitter account below.

Getting the black stripe removed means that Barrow is officially recognized as a Buckeye.

Get that stripe off Malik! pic.twitter.com/o89L099CGN

-- Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) September 14, 2016

Barrow enrolled early to Ohio State after suffering a knee injury during his senior high school season.

His name was tossed around last week as a possible fill-in after Tracy Sprinkle's season-ending knee injury. But Barrow did not play in last week's win over Tulsa. He was also not listed on the depth chart for this week's game against Oklahoma.

Barrow could have played last week, though, because Ohio State already showed it's willing to play players who have not had their black stripes removed. Offensive tackle Branden Bowen had his stripe removed last week, but played in the season opener against Bowling Green.

What the black stripe means at Ohio State

Ohio State players to lose black stripe in 2016

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

Dwayne Haskins, QB, Aug. 17

Rodjay Burns, CB, Aug. 17

Binjimen Victor, WR, Aug. 18

Jordan Leasure, RB, Aug. 18

Joe Schroer, DL, Aug. 19

Demario McCall, RB, Aug. 20

Rashod Berry, DE, Aug. 20

Keandre Jones, LB, Aug. 22

Jordan Fuller, DB, Aug. 22

Joshua Alabi, DL, Aug. 22 

Tyler Durbin, K, Aug. 23

Nick Bosa, DE, Aug. 25

Malik Harrison, LB, Aug. 25

Liam McCullough, LS, Aug. 27

Jake Hausmann, TE, Sept. 7

Branden Bowen, OL, Sept. 7

Gavin Cupp, OL, Sept. 7

Malik Barrow, DT, Sept. 14

Manager Terry Francona said Yan Gomes will be activated Friday and catch Corey Kluber in the opener of a critical three-game series against the Tigers at Progressive Field. Gomes has been on the disabled list with a separated right shoulder.

CHICAGO -- Manager Terry Francona said if all goes according to plan, Yan Gomes should catch Corey Kluber on Friday night against Detroit to start a critical three-game series at Progressive Field.

The Indians are in first place in the AL Central. The Tigers, their closest pursuers, started Wednesday night's game against the Twins six games back with 18 to play.

Gomes has been on the disabled list since July 17 when he collided with first baseman Kennys Vargas and cartwheeled over first base at Target Field. Roberto Perez and Chris Gimenez have been handling the catching since.

On Tuesday night, Gomes went 2-for-4 with an RBI as Class AA Akron beat Trenton in Game 1 of the Eastern League championship series. Gomes was scheduled to DH Wednesday for Akron and join the Indians on Friday.

In seven games in his rehab assignment with Akron and Class AAA Columbus, Gomes is hitting .381 (8-for-21) with three RBI.

"Gomes will be down Thursday and all signs point to him catching for us on Friday," said manager Terry Francona.

In 2014, when Kluber won the AL Cy Young, he formed a bond with Gomes that is still strong. Still, it's not like he hasn't pitched well with Perez and Gimenez behind the plate.

Tribe Klubers wins 2014 Cy Young award

Kluber is 8-1 with a 2.19 ERA in his last 12 starts. Gomes caught the first game of the current streak on July 8, but hasn't been there since.

"He's excited about that and certainly pointing to that, but we'll let him get through the game (Wednesday). But I think everything is pointed in that direction for sure," said Francona.

When Gomes was injured, he was hitting .165 (41-for-249). The batting average hasn't changed, but a big part of his game is stopping the other team from stealing bases.

"The reports say his throwing has been pretty consistent," said Francona. "Again, we aren't asking him to play every day. He doesn't have to worry about bouncing back the second day.

"The time we saw him throw in Cleveland he was really good. He doesn't have to go day game, night game."

This is the second straight year that Perez has been called upon to replace Gomes because of injury. Last year Gomes injured his right knee in the first week of the season and missed 37 games. It was Perez's first exposure to playing every day in the big leagues and it took him time to adjust.

This season Perez was on a rehab assignment of his own, recovering from surgery on his broken right thumb, when Gomes was injured. Perez went right into the lineup, but it was clear he still needed some rehab time - especially offensively.

Perez will miss 8 to 12 weeks with broken thumb

"It's a hard thing to do, especially when he was coming off an injury," said Francona. "He just didn't have a lot of playing time.

"I think it definitely affected his hitting. But I'll tell you what, he can catch and throw and he's still learning the league. But I don't know how you learn it unless you go through it."

Perez is hitting .180 (22-for-122) with two homers and 13 RBI in 48 games.

Loosen the leash: The Indians have watched rookie Mike Clevinger closely since he rejoined the rotation two starts ago. He went four innings Saturday night in Minneapolis and 1 2/3 innings on Sept. 5 at Progressive Field.

"Because he got lengthened out in his last start, and he threw a bullpen, I think you'll start seeing that the game will dictate where he exits," said Francona.

Clevinger faces the White Sox and James Shields on Thursday afternoon.

Can Clevinger, Tomlin rescue Tribe's rotation?

Double ouch: Pitchers have hit outfielder Brandon Guyer a MLB-high 30 times this year with pitches. No. 30 was by far the most painful.

Jose Quintana drilled him just below his left kneecap in the fourth inning Tuesday.

"That was the worst," said Guyer. "I couldn't feel my leg. It missed the kneecap, thank God, but it must have hit a nerve or something.

"I jogged to first base just to get some feeling back in the leg, but when I got to first I stopped just because it didn't feel normal," said Guyer.

Tribe's Guyer tough on crickets, lefties

Guyer stayed in the game, but Francona removed him in the seventh. He was back in the lineup Wednesday night against lefty Carlos Rodon.

Finally: The Indians were six games out of first place on May 9 following a 7-1 loss to Houston. They've gone 68-47 since to take a six-game lead in the division. It's the third-best record in the big leagues in that stretch. ... The Indians are encouraging fans to wear red clothing to this weekend's series against the Tigers. Theme of the series: Rock The Red.

Jose Ramirez came through in the clutch for the Cleveland Indians again on Wednesday.

CHICAGO -- Jose Ramirez has come through in the clutch for the Cleveland Indians once again.

via GIPHY

Ramirez, who is among the American League batting leaders with runners in scoring position, belted an two-run triple to the gap in right center field on Wednesday in the top of the fourth inning to give the Indians a 2-1 lead.

Brandon Guyer's RBI single plated Ramirez soon after for a 3-1 lead.

Ramirez got a 1-1 fastball away and stayed with the pitch, poking it past Avisail Garcia in right before motoring around the bases for his third triple of the season. Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana, who had both walked, scored on the play.

And yes, his helmet did fly off before reaching third.

Jordan Smith has three hits and an RBI, while Nellie Rodriguez has two RBI.

Jordan SmithAkron RubberDucks 

AKRON, Ohio -- Jordan Smith had three hits and an RBI, and Nellie Rodriguez had two RBI as the RubberDucks defeated Trenton, 4-2, Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Class AA Eastern League finals.

Akron used a three-run third inning off Trenton right-hander Will Carter to take control of the game. Greg Allen and Indians catcher Yan Gomes, with the RubberDucks on a rehab assignment, started off the inning with singles, then Smith doubled to make it 1-0.

Rodriguez's single brought in two runs to make it 3-0.

Trenton scored a run in the fifth off Akron left-hander Rob Kaminsky to make it 3-1, but Eric Stamets drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the bottom of the inning to again give the RubberDucks a three-run lead.

Kaminsky gave up two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out eight. Cameron Hill and Louis Head combined to shut out the Thunder over the last 2 1/3 innings.

The best-of-five series continues Friday at Trenton, N.J.

Go here to see a box score from the game. 

Josh Tomlin ended a five-decision losing streak as the Indians reduced their magic number to clinch the AL Central to 12 over Detroit with a victory over the White Sox. Watch video

CHICAGO -- Josh Tomlin did what Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer could not. He silenced the Chicago White Sox offense.

Tomlin, who pitched himself out of the rotation with six ugly starts in August, did a nice job with his second chance Wednesday night as the Indians beat Chicago, 6-1, at U.S. Cellular Field to move another step closer to the AL Central title.

The win reduced their magic number to clinch to 12 over the Tigers. Detroit beat the Twins, 9-6, Wednesday.

Tomlin, who threw one inning in 11 days after his Aug. 30 start, worked five sharp innings Wednesday. He allowed one run on four hits and he kept the ball in the park. For a pitcher who has allowed 35 homers this year, that was important.

The Indians skipped him twice in the rotation to give him a physical and mental break after he went 0-5 with a 11.47 ERA in six starts. If Danny Salazar didn't grab his right forearm Friday night at Target Field, who knows if Tomlin would have gotten another start this season?

Now Tomlin (12-8, 4.75) is competing for a potential spot in a postseason rotation. Salazar is done for the season and is doubtful for October with a strained flexor muscle in his right forearm.

"It never hurts to get some rest at this point of the year," said Tomlin. "You still have to go out there and execute pitches. You still have to figure out what you were doing wrong in the previous outings.

"Getting together with Mickey Callaway (pitching coach), Jason Bere (bullpen coach) and some of the catchers to figure out what I was doing got me back in synch. Hopefully, I can build off that and keep going."

Chicago dominated the first two games of this four-game series. The White Sox, playing the role of spoiler, took Carrasco and Bauer to the woodshed, outscoring the Tribe, 19-5. It took Tomlin, who has never backed down from a challenge, to set things right.

He also had some help against left-hander Carlos Rodon (7-9, 4.04), who usually pitches well against the Tribe.

Jose Ramirez, with the Indians trailing, 1-0, hit a two-run triple in the fourth to put the Tribe ahead to stay. Brandon Guyer followed Ramirez with a single for a 3-1 lead.

It was a good inning for Ramirez and Guyer, guys who do two things extremely well. Ramirez came into the game hitting .346 (44-for-127) with runners in scoring position. Guyer came in .321 (35-for-109) against lefties.

"Ramirez has done it time and time again for us," said manager Terry Francona. "He gets rewarded because he hits the ball all over the ballpark and he doesn't strikeout. Plus he can run, so it's not just a double, it's a triple."

The guys who set the table for Ramirez and Guyer were Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana, who worked Rodon for walks to pass the baton.

Then it was Coco Crisp's turn to make some noise. After Ramirez and Guyer opened the sixth inning with singles, Crisp homered to left for a 6-1 lead. It was Crisp's 12th homer of the season, but his first since the Indians acquired him from Oakland on Aug. 31.

"I would say it was huge," said Francona. "Anytime you can spread a game out with one swing, it makes things a lot easier. Then you stay away from a mistake costing you a game."

Crisp had two previous at-bats against Rodon, both ending without a hit. He faced him three times Wednesday and went 2-for-3 with a double, homer and three RBI.

Maybe Tomlin just needed to get back in the AL Central. This season he's 9-1 in 13 starts in the Tribe's division. Tomlin is 2-0 against the White Sox this season and 4-2 in his career. Dan Otero, Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen closed for the Tribe. The win was Tomlin's first since July 30.

Rodon allowed six runs on nine hits in five innings. It was his first loss to the Indians against three victories.

What it means

The Indians improved to 10-5 against Chicago this season and 32-25 since the All-Star break.

The pitches

Tomlin threw 72 pitches, 50 (69 percent) for strikes. Rodon threw 95 pitches, 66 (69 percent) for strikes.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and White Sox drew 15,808 to U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday night. First pitch was at 8:11 p.m. and the temperature was 72 degrees.

It turned breezy and cool late in the game. October was in the air.

What's next?

Rookie Mike Clevinger (2-2, 5.01) makes his third straight start and eighth of the season Thursday when he faces Chicago right-hander James Shields (5-17, 6.01) at 2:10 p.m. SportsTime Ohio and WTAM 1100 will carry the game.

Clevinger was pitching out of the bullpen until he replaced Josh Tomlin in the rotation. He's made two abbreviated starts because of his time in the pen. Clevinger is 0-1 against the White Sox, losing his second big league start to them on May 23.

Shields is 3-10 with a 7.30 ERA with Chicago and 2-7 with the Padres. He's 0-1 against the Tribe this year and 4-6 in 17 starts against them in his career.

The Cleveland Indians' magic number to clinch the American League Central Division is 12.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians' magic number to clinch the American League Central Division dropped to 12 on Wednesday after Cleveland's 6-1 win against the Chicago White Sox.

via GIPHY

Cleveland's lead in the AL Central over the second-place Tigers remained at six games with 17 to play. The Tigers rallied for three late runs to hold off Minnesota in a shootout at Comerica Park .

Any combination of Indians wins plus losses by the Tigers that is greater than or equal to 12 will clinch the division title for Cleveland. The Indians (84-61) conclude their four-game series against the White Sox on Thursday. Then the Tigers come to Cleveland for a three-game series beginning on Friday.

You can calculate a first-place team's magic number by starting with 163 and subtracting its number of wins and then subtracting the number of losses by the second-place team.

Do you believe in magic (numbers)? 

The Cleveland Indians scored three in the fourth and sixth innings en route to a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night in Chicago. Josh Tomlin pitched well.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right-hander Josh Tomlin allowed one run in five innings, Jose Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a two-run triple and No. 8 batter Coco Crisp was 2-for-4 with a three-run homer as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox, 6-1, Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. White Sox lefty Carlos Rodon gave up six runs in five-plus 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 (84-61) remained 6.0 games in front of second-place Detroit (78-67) in the AL Central. The Tigers beat the Twins, 9-6, at Comerica Park.

The White Sox (70-75) are in fourth in the AL Central.

Overcoming odds: The Indians were supposed to win. Sort of.

*Rodon entered with a streak of seven John Lowe Quality Starts (6+ IP, 3- ER).

*Rodon entered at 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) vs. Cleveland. In 42 innings, he had walked 11, struck out 39 and given up one homer.

*Tomlin, in 10 appearances (nine starts) since the All-Star break, was 2-6 with a 7.63 ERA. He had allowed 41 earned runs in 48 1/3 innings.

*The Indians had 10+ hits just twice in their previous 12 road games.

*The Indians had been outscored, 19-5, in losing the first two games of the four-game series that wraps Thursday afternoon.

Tomlin time: Tomlin allowed four hits, walked none and struck out two. He threw 50 of 72 pitches for strikes.

Given Tomlin's struggles and the time of year, it might as well have been a complete game. The Indians absolutely, positively needed Tomlin to give his team a chance for however long he pitched -- and he delivered.

Tomlin relied on a fastball/cutter/curve/changeup. He didn't over-use the cutter, kept pitches out of the middle of the zone and worked inside when necessary.

The White Sox' run came in the third. Tyler Saladino hit a soft single off Tomlin's glove, and pesky Adam Eaton tripled to right-center (0-1 fastball outside edge).

Getting it done: The Indians amassed nine hits and three walks against Rodon.

Here is the result of each plate appearance against him:

1ST INNING

Rajai Davis -- pop foul to right (0-2 fastball/96 mph).

(L) Jason Kipnis -- grounder to second (1-2 slider/88).

Francisco Lindor -- double to right-center (0-0 fastball/95).

Skinny: Lindor punished Rodon for get-me-over fastball.

Mike Napoli -- swinging strikeout (0-2 fastball/96).

Skinny: Napoli gone in three pitches, capped by fastball at letters.

2ND INNING

Carlos Santana -- grounder to short (0-1 changeup/82).

Jose Ramirez -- grounder to short (3-2 fastball/95).

Skinny: Bad swing at a pitch to hit.

Brandon Guyer -- swinging strikeout (0-2 slider/89).

3RD INNING

Coco Crisp -- double down left-field line (0-0 fastball/92).

Skinny: Crisp punished Rodon for get-me-over fastball. Second hop landed in foul territory past third; White Sox wanted it called foul. Snapped Cleveland's streak of 18 innings without leadoff man reaching. 

Chris Gimenez -- walk (3-2 fastball/96).

Skinny: Seven-pitch plate appearance. Final pitch was outside.

Rajai Davis -- pop to right (1-1 changeup/83).

Skinny: Rough at-bat. Davis never showed bunt in good spot for it, then swung at pitcher's pitch outside.

Kipnis, who doubled twice against quality lefty Jose Quintana on Tuesday, stepped in.

Fox Sports Time Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "(Left-handed batters) with .223 against Rodon this year. That might have come into play as to why Davis didn't bunt. Still, I would have rather seen at least an attempt to get him over.''

(L) Jason Kipnis -- GIDP 4-6-3 (1-1 fastball/97).

Skinny: Kipnis jammed.

4TH INNING

Francisco Lindor -- grounder to second (1-2 fastball/95).

Skinny: Lindor jammed.

Mike Napoli -- walk (3-2 fastball/96).

Skinny: Napoli battled back from 0-2. Napoli should have been out earlier in AB, but right fielder Avisail Garcia over-ran foul fly near stands.

Carlos Santana -- walk (3-1 fastball/97).

Skinny: Decisive pitch appeared to be on outside edge.

Jose Ramirez -- two-run triple to right-center (1-1 fastball/96).

Skinny: Ramirez went with pitch off outside edge above knees.

Brandon Guyer -- RBI single to left (0-0 slider/87).

Skinny: Guyer fought off pitch and broke bat. Blooper in front of Melky Cabrera. Infield having been in meant shortstop Tim Anderson had no shot at it.

Coco Crisp -- swinging strikeout (1-2 slider/87).

Skinny: Down and in.

Chris Gimenez -- swinging strikeout (2-2 slider/87).

Skinny: Down and in. Napoli plate appearance proved huge to set up Ramirez. Rodon 70 pitches through four.

5TH INNING

Rajai Davis -- double to left (1-1 breaking pitch/84).

Skinny: Rodon attempted to take something off the slider and guided it over the plate.

(L) Jason Kipnis -- single to left (1-2 fastball/95). Davis advanced to third.

Skinny: Kipnis shot ball past shortstop Anderson, who dived to his right.

Manning said: "Because they were jockeying Davis back, Anderson had to play so close to second base....You can credit Rajai a little bit for that hit.''

Francisco Lindor -- swinging strikeout (0-2 fastball/96).

Skinny: Lindor overmatched. After swinging for fences (and missing) on first pitch, Lindor took defensive swing and fouled pitch that was outside to fall behind, 0-2. Too often recently, Lindor has fallen behind in the count with RISP when the pitcher didn't earn it.   

Mike Napoli -- grounder to second (1-0 fastball/96).

Skinny: Napoli jammed and popped ball in infield. Davis was forced to stay.

Carlos Santana -- liner to center (1-1 fastball/97).

Skinny: Tough break for Santana.

6TH INNING

Jose Ramirez -- single to left (2-1 fastball/93).

Skinny: Ramirez pounced on pitch over plate.

Brandon Guyer -- single to left (0-2 fastball/96).

Skinny: Guyer chopped to left side. Third baseman Carlos Sanchez was unable to field second hop cleanly and ball got past Anderson. At the very least, Anderson could have thrown out Guyer.

Coco Crisp -- three-run homer to left (0-0 changeup/83).

Skinny: Crisp punished Rodon for a get-me-over changeup. Crisp probably got the 0-0 changeup -- Rodon's third-best pitch -- because he doubled against an 0-0 fastball in the third.

(Blake Smith replaces Rodon.)

The New England Patriots will move to 2-0 without QB Tom Brady this season when they dispose of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at home. (NFL Week 2 ATS)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The New England Patriots, New York Giants and Green Bay Packers will be among the winners against the spread in NFL 2016 Week 2.

At least that is how I see it (for entertainment purposes only, of course).

I am picking NFL ATS for the second straight year. In 2015, I went 122-127-7 in the regular season and 4-6-1 in the postseason. I managed to walk-off with a victory in the Super Bowl (Denver +5 1/2).

In this space, I decline to take the easy route when picking ATS. I pick all of the games, not a select few "hot ones'' each week. Leave that to a video. At the same time, I am realistic. I think batting .500 is an accomplishment, and I make no guarantees. (And don't yell at me too loudly when I have a bad week(s) because, after all, this is for entertainment purposes only.)

I have researched each team/matchup, but I plan on relying more on gut than anything else this season. 

For continuity's sake, each week I will use the MGM Mirage lines from vegasinsider.com as of Wednesday afternoon. Games are listed as I came upon them, not by order of certainty. I do not adjust picks even if injuries occur and/or lines change between Wednesday afternoon and Sunday.

• Week 1: 9-6-1

Week 1 recap: I never will complain about a winning record when picking all NFL games ATS, but it doesn't mean I can't ruminate on the losses. Two hurt the most.

*I had the Browns +4 @ Philadelphia. I knew better, but I allowed certain people who should know better convince me that the Browns would be competitive in a road opener against QB Carson Wentz. Browns lost, 29-10.

*I had the @ Saints -1 over Oakland. The Saints led by 11 through three quarters but gave up a mere 22 points in the fourth. Saints lost, 35-34.

Click here for Week 1 picks.

Week 2 predictions: Winner (against spread, not always outright) listed first:

Thursday night

@ Buffalo (+1) over N.Y. Jets

Skinny: I have no feel for this meeting of 0-1's. When that happens, I usually side with the home team, especially if it is a home opener. Bills, 19-16.

Sunday

@ Detroit (-5 1/2) over Tennessee

Skinny: This pick is based on the Lions' offense having played well in a road victory at Indianapolis, and on the Titans having underwhelmed in a home loss to the Teddy Bridgewater-less Vikings. (I know, I know: The inevitable overreaction from Week 1 to Week 2.) For the record: I don't trust Detroit. Lions, 27-21. 

@ Houston (-2 1/2) over Kansas City

Skinny: Before checking the line, I saw this as a field-goal game. The Texans should be able to win by three because they are at home, and because they have LB Whitney Mercilus. Akron native Mercilus had two sacks and a forced fumble in a home victory over the Bears in Week 1. Texans, 20-17.

@ New England (-6 1/2) over Miami

Skinny: I think Vegas is severely overreacting to the Dolphins' near-miss at Seattle. No way will Patriots coach Bill Belichick, QB Jimmy Garoppolo and Co. let down in their home opener after a stirring victory at Arizona. Patriots, 23-10.

@ Browns (+6 1/2) over Baltimore

Skinny: I freely admit to falling for the banana in the tailpipe for the second week in a row. This time, I am not blaming anyone if this pick goes south. Browns QB Josh McCown, who played well against Baltimore last year, can keep it close enough. Ravens, 24-19.

@ Pittsburgh (-3 1/2) over Cincinnati

Skinny: Given how this matchup has played out in recent years, I would not be the least bit surprised if the Bengals won. But I think the Steelers' connection of QB Ben Roethlisberger to WR Antonio Brown will be more productive than the Bengals' Andy Dalton to A.J. Green. For the record: I fear that the hook will sting me. Steelers, 27-23.

@ Washington (-3) over Dallas

Skinny: Redskins' defense finds a way to frustrate Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and WR Dez Bryant. Redskins, 20-16.

@ N.Y. Giants (-4 1/2) over New Orleans

Skinny: If Giants QB Eli Manning and his offense don't put 30 on the Saints' sorry excuse for a defense, they should turn in their NFL cards. Saints QB Drew Brees can't be expected to keep up outdoors. Giants, 35-24. 

@ Carolina (-12 1/2) over San Francisco

Skinny: Vegas thought so much of the 49ers' shutout victory over the L.A. Rams in Week 1 (28-0) that.....it installed them as double-digit underdogs in Week 2. I get it, and so does the public. Panthers are especially eager to smash mouths after a loss at Denver, and the 49ers are not very good and traveling cross-country. Panthers, 30-16. 

@ Arizona (-7) over Tampa Bay

Skinny: At first, I went with the Cardinals by double-digits. They are a really good team that is angry after a close home loss to New England (23-21). Buccaneers are not on Arizona's level, and they are on the road. Then I thought Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston would keep it within reach. Then my friend who is piped into the NFL convinced me to go back to my original position. Cardinals, 27-17. 

Seattle (-3 1/2) over @ L.A. Rams

Skinny: No line from MGM Mirage as of Wednesday afternoon, so I went with that of VI Consensus. Line still smells, even when granting that the Rams have played the Seahawks tough. Seattle, albeit with a banged-up quarterback, Russell Wilson, is too good to sweat against these Rams. Seahawks, 20-12.

@ Denver (-5 1/2) over Indianapolis

Skinny: The Broncos' defense swarms Colts QB Andrew Luck, and the Broncos' offense isn't bad, either. Broncos, 30-13.

@ Oakland (-4) over Atlanta

Skinny: If the Raiders are to live up to the hype in 2016, these are the types of games they win decisively. Raiders, 24-10.  

@ San Diego (-3) over Jacksonville

Skinny: Chargers' having lost WR Keenan Allen in Week 1 to a season-ending injury is devastating, no doubt. But they will figure out how to defeat an unproven team that is traveling cross-country. Chargers, 17-13. 

Sunday night

Green Bay (-2 1/2) over @ Minnesota

Skinny: If the Packers and their great QB Aaron Rodgers can win by four at Jacksonville in Week 1 (27-23), they can win by eight at undermanned Minnesota. Packers, 26-18.

Monday night

@ Chicago (-3) over Philadelphia

Skinny: I like Eagles QB Carson Wentz. I was in favor of the Browns holding onto the second overall pick in the 2016 draft to grab him -- until I saw the draft-pick haul they received from the Eagles. Wentz will be good, but he is due for a market correction on the road after succeeding against the "building'' Browns at home in Week 1. Bears, 24-9.

World No. 1 Lydia Ko seeks her second major of the season in Evian Championship 2016, the LPGA Tour's fifth and final major.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The LPGA Tour takes its majors seriously enough that the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award is available for the best aggregate performance each year.

The award is named for World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam. Points are earned for top-10 finishes, ranging from 60 points for first place to two for 10th.

Click here for Evian groupings.

Four players -- Lydia Ko, Ariya Jutanugarn, Brooke Henderson, Brittany Lang -- can win the ANNIKA entering the season's fifth and final major, Evian Championship 2016, which unfolds this week in Evian-les-Bains, France. Each of the four players has won a major in 2016.

Ko's aggregate point total is 102, followed by those of Jutanugarn (92) Henderson (62) and Lang (60).

Click here for Evian LEADERBOARD.

Ko, the top-ranked women's player in the world, is coming off a tied for fifth at the Manulife LPGA Classic in Canada two weeks ago.

LPGA TOUR/LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR

EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: Evian-les-Bains, France

Course: Evian Resort GC. Yardage: 6,470. Par: 71.

Purse: $3.25 million (First prize: $487,500).

Television:

• Thursday: Golf Channel, 5-8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Friday: Golf Channel, 5-8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Saturday: Golf Channel, 6:30-11:30 a.m.
• Sunday: Golf Channel, 8 a.m. to noon; NBC Sports, noon to 1:30 p.m.

Defending champion: Lydia Ko.

Last tournament: Carolina Masson won the Manulife LPGA Classic.

Notes: Ko won her first major last year at Evian when she became the first LPGA major champion to shoot 63 on the final day. She shot 16-under overall and won by six shots over Lexi Thompson. ... Inbee Park has withdrawn because of lingering issues with her left thumb. The Evian Championship was designated a major in 2013. Park won it the year before, and it is the only major she has not won. ... ... Ko has a five-point lead over Jutanugarn for LPGA player of the year. ... The LPGA heads to China in two weeks and will play six straight weeks in Asia until the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico in early November.

Next tournament: Reignwood LPGA Classic, Sept. 29-Oct. 2, China.

Online: www.lpga.com

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)