Hudson contributed a career-high 23 points and was 11-of-13 at the foul line

View full sizeJeffrey Phelps, Associated PressBackup point guard Lester Hudson, shown here Wednesday against Milwaukee, had a career-high 23 points on Friday against Toronto

CLEVELAND, Ohio Today's sports TV and radio listings BASEBALL 1:05 p.m. AEROS at Binghamton, WARF/1350-AM 1:05 p.m. Toronto at INDIANS, SportsTime Ohio; WTAM/1100-AM (Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage) 3:30 p.m. Boston at Detroit, WJW 5:05 p.m. CAPTAINS at Fort Wayne, WELW/1330-AM 7 p.m. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay, MLB Network  8 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Texas, WGN...

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerIndians third baseman Jack Hannahan slugs a three-run homer during the Tribe's 7-4, 16-inning Opening Day loss to Toronto. The Indians host the Blue Jays today at 1:05. The game will be televised on SportsTime Ohio and broadcast on WTAM/1100-AM.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's sports TV and radio listings

BASEBALL

1:05 p.m. AEROS at Binghamton, WARF/1350-AM

1:05 p.m. Toronto at INDIANS, SportsTime Ohio; WTAM/1100-AM

(Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage)

3:30 p.m. Boston at Detroit, WJW

5:05 p.m. CAPTAINS at Fort Wayne, WELW/1330-AM

7 p.m. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay, MLB Network 

8 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Texas, WGN

COLLEGE BASEBALL

4:30 p.m. Oklahoma at Texas A&M, ESPNU

8 p.m. Tennessee at South Carolina, ESPNU

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

2 p.m. Tennessee at Auburn, ESPNU

GOLF

3:30 p.m. Masters, third round, WOIO

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

10:30 p.m.* U.S. Select Team vs. World Select Team, Fox Sports Ohio 

*-joined in progress.

HOCKEY

1 p.m. NHL, Chicago at Detroit, WKYC

4 p.m. NHL, Washington at N.Y. Rangers, NBC Sports Network

6:30 p.m. NHL, Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, NBC Sports Network

7 p.m. NHL, N.Y. Islanders at COLUMBUS, Fox Sports Ohio 

7:30 p.m. AHL, Rockford at MONSTERS, WUAB; WHKW/1220-AM

(Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Monsters coverage) 

HORSE RACING

4:30 p.m. Wood Memorial; Santa Anita Derby; Ashland Stakes, WKYC

LACROSSE

7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Buffalo, CBS Sports Network 

MEN'S COLLEGE HOCKEY

7 p.m. NCAA Division I final, ESPN2

MEN'S COLLEGE LACROSSE

Noon Army at Bucknell, CBS Sports Network 

1 p.m. Virginia at North Carolina, ESPN

NBA

8 p.m. Orlando at Philadelphia, ESPN

10:30 p.m. Denver at Golden State, ESPN

SOCCER

7:30 a.m. Premier League, Tottenham at Sunderland, ESPN2

3 p.m. MLS, New York at Columbus, Fox Sports Ohio 

4 p.m. MLS, Los Angeles at Kansas City, ESPN

TENNIS

1 p.m. Family Circle Cup semifinal, ESPN2

Trent Richardson? Trade up? Trade down? Vote now.

Dave Martin, Associated PressAlabama RB Trent Richardson

Cleveland, Ohio -- With the NFL Draft coming up on April 26, the Browns have several options when it comes to making their first pick in the first round, No. 4 overall. 

Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff will have a story in Sunday's paper on what the Browns might - and might not - do with their No. 4 pick.

Should they trade up? If the Browns truly believe Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill is a franchise-caliber QB, they might need to move up to get him.

Should they trade down? The 2012 draft is especially fertile ground for a trade-down if a team does not own one of the top two picks - QBs Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III.

Should they draft USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil, assuming the Minnesota Vikings pass on him at No. 3?

Should they just draft Ryan Tannehill at No. 4 if he's available? The Browns need a difference-maker at quarterback.

Should they pick Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon, the best receiver in the draft? Or go with Alabama's Trent Richardson, the best running back in draft — by plenty.

Other choices are LSU defensive back Morris Claiborne; or someone else.

It's your turn to be Tom Heckert: The Browns are on the clock . . . .

Indians RHP Ubaldo Jimenez allowed his first hit in the seventh inning. The Indians and Blue Jays are tied, 3-3, through nine innings.

View full sizeAmy Sancetta, Associated PressUbaldo Jimenez was perfect through the first five innings Saturday against Toronto, and Jason Kipnis' two-run homer gave the Tribe a 2-0 lead against the Blue Jays' Brendan Morrow.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians and Blue Jays are tied, 3-3, after 11 innings Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field.

 Indians right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez allowed his first hit with two outs in the seventh. The hit was a two-run single by Brett Lawrie that tied the score, 2-2. It came on the first pitch.

Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow did not allow a hit through four, but Jason Kipnis got him for a two-out, two-run homer in the fifth. Kipnis's blast to right came after Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia extended the inning with a throwing error that enabled Casey Kotchman to reach first.

The Blue Jays took a 3-2 lead in the ninth when Kelly Johnson homered off Vinnie Pestano. The Indians countered with Asdrubal Cabrera's homer off closer Sergio Santos with one out. 

Jimenez was perfect through five. With two outs in the sixth, Jimenez walked Colby Rasmus.

With one out in the top of the fourth, Indians left fielder Shelley Duncan made a sliding, back-handed catch in foul territory to retire Kelly Johnson for the second out.

Jimenez fell behind Jose Bautista, 3-0. After a called strike, Jimenez threw an off-speed pitch that caught the inside corner -- at least according to plate umpire Mark Carlson. Bautista took a step toward first.

Jimenez challenged "Joey Bats'' with a full-count fastball. It ended up being lined to center.

Kelly Johnson led off the Toronto seventh with a walk. Bautista hit a high fly to medium-deep right that Shin-Soo Choo lost in the sun. Center fielder Michael Brantley raced over, cut in front of Choo and made the catch.

Jimenez went to a full count and walked Adam Lind. Pitching coach Scott Radinsky visited the mound. Lefty Rafael Perez was warming in the bullpen. Jimenez's pitch count was 88 through the Lind at-bat.

Edwin Encarnacion popped to second. With Lawrie batting, both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Catcher Carlos Santana's throw to second narrowly missed erasing Lind. Encarnacion popped to second.

Lawrie lined the next pitch, a 92-mph fastball over the middle, into right-center. 

PREGAME

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ubaldo Jimenez almost certainly will drop the appeal of his five-game suspension after Saturday's start against Toronto, Indians manager Manny Acta said Saturday morning.

"That's probably the plan,'' Acta said.

Major League Baseball suspended and fined Jimenez for plunking Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki in a spring-training game last Sunday in Arizona.

"We're probably going to have to take advantage of the day off coming up,'' Acta said. "That way, we'll just push him (back) a day.''

Jimenez would sit his five games over the next six days and pitch again in one week. The Tribe's projected rotation over the next eight days:

Saturday vs. Blue Jays: Jimenez; Sunday vs. Blue Jays: Derek Lowe; Monday vs. White Sox: Josh Tomlin; Tuesday vs. White Sox: Justin Masterson; Wednesday vs. White Sox: Jeanmar Gomez; Thursday: OFF; Friday at Kansas City: Lowe; Saturday at Kansas City: Jimenez.

Lineups:

Toronto -- 1. Escobar ss; 2. Johnson 2b; 3. Bautista rf; 4. Lind 1b; 5. Encarnacion dh; 6. Lawrie 3b; 7. Thames lf; 8. Arencibia c; 9. Rasmus cf; and Morrow rhp.

Indians -- Brantley cf; 2. Cabrera ss; 3. Choo rf; 4. Santana c; 5. Hafner dh; 6. Duncan lf; 7. Kotchman 1b; 8. Kipnis 2b; 9. Hannahan 3b; and Jimenez rhp.

For a variety of reasons, sitting fourth in this year's NFL Draft provides plenty of possibilities.

View full sizeScott Shaw, The Plain DealerWith less than three weeks remaining before the draft's opening round, Browns President Mike Holmgren, left, and General Manager Tom Heckert have a variety of strategies that could be in play on April 26.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With the April 26 NFL Draft less than three weeks away, this much is certain: Quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will be gone after two selections.

Luck, from Stanford, is the presumptive No. 1 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Nothing coming from Colts headquarters indicates otherwise. Griffin, the Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor, is the player the Washington Redskins' football minds and marketing department coveted when they gave up a truckload to the St. Louis Rams in order to trade up four spots.

The Minnesota Vikings at No. 3 are supposedly locked on Matt Kalil, a left tackle from Southern California. Kalil is considered a premium prospect, to be sure, and the Vikings could use him for the next 10 years. But Kalil, largely because of his position, can be bypassed at the right price. Put it this way: Teams who might want to trade up to No. 3 this year don't have Kalil in mind.

If it happens, it likely will be because of Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, whose stock has soared in recent weeks even though he has not played a game. The Miami Dolphins, for one, will want to deal with the Vikings because they fear the team directly behind them might take Tannehill.

Which brings us to the Browns at No. 4. For a variety of reasons -- among them: the Browns' needs; other teams' needs; how free agency has unfolded; and the makeup of the draft -- the situation is full of possibilities.

Here are the Browns' main options for No. 4, listed in no particular order:

Trade up

Case for: If the Browns truly believe Tannehill is a franchise-caliber QB, they might need to move up to get him. The Miami Dolphins, starving at the position and unfulfilled after free agency, figure to be the principal competitor. Their new offensive coordinator, Mike Sherman, was Tannehill's head coach at Texas A&M.

Minnesota would be foolish not to at least entertain feelers from the Browns and Dolphins. Among other teams that might be interested in Tannehill: the Buffalo Bills, who are at No. 10. The Bills have spent a lot of money on Ryan Fitzpatrick but could be getting restless already.

Trade-ups also might be necessary to fend off a team that covets Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon or LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne -- and that team fears Cleveland wants their player, as well.

Case against: Tannehill, as gifted as he is, remains a project. He made just 19 college starts at quarterback after playing 31 games as receiver earlier in his career. Because of the lack of experience, he likely would not even beat out Colt McCoy in a training-camp competition. No. 4 picks need to be instant-impact starters; No. 3 even more so. Trading up means losing a pick somewhere, and the Browns cannot afford to do so because they have too many holes. The Browns' Tom Heckert cherishes picks as much as any general manager in the league.

Chances: Won't happen. How do we know? Because Heckert said so -- and it didn't sound like the typical pre-draft misdirection.

Trade down

View full sizeAP fileThe spike in pre-draft hype for Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill creates a scenario in which the Browns could conceivably trade up -- or, more likely, down -- as another team (Miami, perhaps) takes the draft's third-best QB prospect.

Case for: The 2012 draft is especially fertile ground for the trade down if a team does not own one of the top two picks. What the prospect pool lacks in absolute must-gets, it attempts to make up for in quantity. There are dozens of projected starters, especially at defensive line, linebacker and receiver. Teams that have stockpiled picks within the first three rounds will benefit most.

Multiple trade-down scenarios seem plausible, including:

• A team such as the Dolphins wants Tannehill more than Cleveland does.

• The receiver-thin Jacksonville Jaguars or Rams want Blackmon more than Cleveland does. How interesting it would be if Heckert gets the call from St. Louis, the franchise that reportedly chose the Redskins' offer over the Browns' in the RG3 sweepstakes.

• A team drafting below No. 5 covets Claiborne and is afraid Cleveland, or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 5, will take him.

• A team covets Richardson and is afraid Cleveland, or the Buccaneers at 5, will take him.

Case against: Trading down diminishes the percentages for getting an "impact" player, whom the Browns sorely need for their roster and beleaguered fan base.

Nothing tempers the enthusiasm of the faithful on draft day quite like trading down. It is akin to sitting for a Christmas feast, only to have The Grinch rip off the roast beast. The Browns traded down last year, securing an additional first-round pick from the Atlanta Falcons, who moved up to draft receiver Julio Jones. As fans took note of Jones playing well as a rookie, they counted the days for their team's next crack at adding big-name star power.

Chances: Possible -- but not out of the top 10.

Draft Matt Kalil

Case for: Assuming the Vikings go in a different direction, the Browns could slide Kalil to right tackle to fill a huge need opposite perennial Pro Bowler Joe Thomas. The Browns will have superior tackles flanking a quality center (Alex Mack) for years.

Case against: Imagine the reaction from Cleveland fans when Commissioner Roger Goodell says, "With the fourth pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns select ... Matt Kalil, offensive tackle, USC." Most importantly, if Kalil were to join the Browns, he would not play the position that is tied to his best value. Right tackles simply should not be going in the top five. As much as the Browns could use O-line help, there are more pressing needs, such as quarterback, running back and receiver.

Chances: Won't happen.

Draft Ryan Tannehill

Case for: The Browns need a difference-maker at quarterback, and Tannehill is potentially the best draft option after Luck and Griffin. More than a few analysts have heaped praise on Tannehill in the run-up to the draft.

Tannehill is big, strong, agile and mobile. Can make all the throws required at NFL level. Makes plays outside the pocket when necessary. Excelled at Manning Passing Academy in 2011. Intelligent, with instinctive feel for game. Team player. Even though he likely will require an adjustment period, it will be worth the wait.

Case against (See also trade up): Browns need to find out what McCoy can do with an upgraded supporting cast. Even if they aren't high on McCoy, Tannehill would need time to develop, and the Browns can't afford to wait on anybody. Tannehill's stock has risen in the past month only because of a lack of QB sizzle beyond Luck and Griffin. Therefore, drafting him at No. 4 would be a serious reach.

Tannehill's numbers dropped off against Texas A&M's best opponents in 2011, and his highlight reel lacks "wow factor" throws. Nobody knows Tannehill better than Sherman: If Tannehill is available at No. 4, it means the Dolphins must not have done everything in their power to get him -- which, in turn, means he might not be as good as many think.

Chances: Unlikely.

Draft Justin Blackmon

Case for: Best receiver in the draft. Combines power with "game speed" -- opponents rarely run him down. Clocked hand-timed sub-4.50 in the 40-yard dash at pro day, where he put on a show. Makes the difficult catch seem routine. Secures the ball in traffic as easily as in space. Physicality enables him to pile up yards after catch, which are a key ingredient in the West Coast offense. Gained plenty of experience at pass-happy Oklahoma State.

If the Browns were to pick Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden at No. 22 or 37, they would own one of college football's most lethal QB/WR duos in recent memory. Blackmon immediately would be the best receiver on the Browns and take pressure off, among others, Greg Little. If the Browns pass on Blackmon, they might not be able to get the second-best receiver, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, by the time they pick again. For a team in need of offensive playmakers, that's a concern.

Case against: Blackmon seemingly lacks straight-line speed to separate from the best corners, who would be assigned to him at least for 2012 season. Measured 6-0 7/8 at the NFL Combine in February, shorter than most analysts thought based on watching film. A lack of blazing speed, in particular, makes it difficult to justify No. 4 overall. Notre Dame's Floyd has closed the gap on Blackmon enough that teams won't feel bad if they "settle" for Floyd.

Chances: Conceivable.

Draft Trent Richardson

Case for: Best running back in draft -- by plenty. Arguably the most NFL-ready player in draft. Product of the BCS national champion Crimson Tide, which means he has faced good competition and is well-coached. Combination of power and speed makes him effective inside and outside the tackles. Low center of gravity helps him bounce off would-be tacklers. As with Blackmon, Richardson possesses "game speed." Finds another gear when he turns the corner. Catches passes and picks up blitzers. Plays with an attitude.

Would fill a huge need on the Browns given the free-agent departure of Peyton Hillis and injury questions surrounding Montario Hardesty. Did not run at the combine because of a knee scope, but he did run at his pro day in late March and was outstanding. A large contingent of Browns personnel watched. Browns President Mike Holmgren no doubt remembers the 2000 draft, when his Seahawks drafted a 5-11, 225-pound stud of a running back from Alabama at 19th overall. Shaun Alexander eventually helped the Seahawks and Holmgren get to the Super Bowl.

Case against: Premium running-back prospect, wrong era. In a passing league, it is difficult to justify taking a running back in the top five unless he is Adrian Peterson. Some of the best running backs in the NFL were taken after the first round (two examples: Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens, second; Arian Foster, Houston Texans, undrafted). The Browns don't need great running game to be effective with their West Coast scheme, and they have more pressing offensive needs -- notably, quarterback and receiver.

This draft class features one elite RB prospect but a number of good ones, most of whom should be available in the second, third and even fourth rounds. The Browns still believe Hardesty can justify his high draft status; taking Richardson would be an admission that they missed on Hardesty pick.

Chances: Entirely possible.

Draft Morris Claiborne

Case for: Best defensive back in the draft. Product of perennial power Louisiana State. Excellent hands. Ball hawk. Seemingly always in balance. Browns could use an upgrade at cornerback opposite Joe Haden. Recent wrist surgery won't be a problem for a corner.

Case against: The Browns are much further behind offensively than defensively. Claiborne is a terrific corner, but he is not quite Patrick Peterson, his former LSU teammate now with the Arizona Cardinals. Claiborne ran a so-so 4.50 in the 40 at the combine -- although he rallied with a 4.39 at his pro day. At the combine, where Claiborne measured 5-111/8, he said he is more a technician than overly physical. In a league with more and more tall, physical receivers, the Browns would have starting corners who stand under 6 feet and are not speed merchants. At LSU, Claiborne tended to play more upright. He will need to bend his knees more in the NFL.

Chances: Doubtful.

Draft someone else

Case for: Just because most pundits figure any combination of Kalil, Blackmon, Claiborne, Richardson and Tannehill will immediately follow Luck/Griffin does not make it automatic. Two defensive linemen projected to go in the top 10 are particularly intriguing: South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram and Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

Ingram has drawn raves for his skill set, motor and character. He is versatile enough to play linebacker in certain schemes. The 6-31/2", 346-pound Poe was sensational at the combine. He benched 225 pounds 44 times and ran a 4.98 in the 40.

Case against: The Browns see what everybody else sees, and they won't try to get cute and reinvent the wheel. Ingram, at 6-11/2" and 264 pounds with 311/2-inch arms, is a 'tweener. Poe underachieved at Memphis, and the Browns are covered at DT with Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin.

Chances: Won't happen.

Jimenez flirted with perfection, but he was long gone by the time the Indians lost to Toronto at Progressive Field.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians third-base coach Steve Smith pleads his case that Travis Hafner's bouncer down the third-base line was fair in the seventh inning Saturday, but gets no satisfaction from umpire Tim Welke. Instead of runners on second and third with no outs in a 2-2 game, the Indians were retired on a strikeout and a double play just a couple of pitches later.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Bud Selig was not on the premises -- unless, of course, he slipped into Slider's costume when no one was looking.

Troy Tulowitzki probably was still smiling, but he was with his Colorado Rockies teammates in Houston. The Indians' opponent Saturday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays, had nobody known to be grinding a bat handle toward the Cleveland starting pitcher.

So Ubaldo Jimenez was free to pitch aggressively and with a clear mind for a few hours at sunny-but-chilly Progressive Field.

Pitch, he did. Jimenez was sensational, carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning and a no-hitter in the seventh. He finished with one hit allowed in seven innings, but his performance was nowhere near enough as the Indians lost to the Blue Jays, 7-4, in 12 innings at Progressive Field.

The Indians have opened the season with two home losses to Toronto in a combined 28 innings. They have eight runs and 12 hits. Only two of the runs have scored without the benefit of a homer.

The Blue Jays scored four in the 12th off lefty Tony Sipp and righty Dan Wheeler to take a 7-3 lead. With runners on first and third and none out, Rajai Davis laced a two-run double to right-center. Brett Lawrie scored from first when the Indians did not show enough urgency.

After J.P. Arencibia struck out, Davis stole third. Colby Rasmus dumped a single into shallow right for the 6-3 advantage. Wheeler relieved and gave up the fourth run, which was charged to Sipp.

The Indians scored one run on three hits in their half of the 12th. It could have been more if not for a diving stop by third baseman Brett Lawrie, who scrambled to his feet to record a fielder's choice for the second out.

Kelly Johnson's leadoff homer in the ninth off Vinnie Pestano gave the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead. But Tribe shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera countered with a one-out homer off closer Sergio Santos.

Through nine innings, the Blue Jays had three hits; the Indians, two -- both homers. Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow did not allow a hit through four, but Jason Kipnis got him for a two-out, two-run homer in the fifth. Kipnis's blast to right came after Blue Jays catcher Arencibia extended the inning with a throwing error that enabled Casey Kotchman to reach first.

Kipnis's homer snapped Cleveland's scoreless streak at 18 innings.

Morrow worked seven innings. He gave up two unearned runs on one hit, walked three and struck out three.

Jimenez allowed his first runner with two outs in the sixth. Colby Rasmus walked.

Johnson led off the Toronto seventh with a walk. Jose Bautista hit a high fly to medium-deep right that Shin-Soo Choo lost in the sun. Center fielder Michael Brantley raced over, cut in front of Choo and made the catch.

Jimenez went to a full count and walked Adam Lind. Pitching coach Scott Radinsky visited the mound. Lefty Rafael Perez was warming in the bullpen. Jimenez's pitch count was 88 through the Lind at-bat.

With Lawrie batting, both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Catcher Carlos Santana's throw to second narrowly missed erasing Lind. Lawrie lined the next pitch, a 92-mph fastball over the middle, into right-center for a two-run single.

The Indians thought they had something brewing in the seventh, but third-base umpire Tim Welke disagreed. After Santana led off with a walk, Travis Hafner chopped a grounder down the third-base line against the shift. According to Indians third-base coach Steve Smith, the ball hopped over the bag and clipped a portion of the spray-painted foul line. According to Welke, the ball did not hit the line. Smith and Tribe manager Manny Acta argued, but neither was tossed.

Instead of second and third, none out, the Indians got nothing. Hafner struck out swinging and Shelley Duncan grounded into a double play.

Joe Smith relieved Jimenez to begin the eighth. Jimenez threw 95 pitches. Jimenez's line: seven innings, one hit, two runs, two earned runs, three walks, three strikeouts. His four-seam fastball settled at 92-93 mph, which was plenty fast given temperatures in the high 40s.

Jimenez and Justin Masterson, the Tribe's first two starters this season, combined for 15 innings, three hits and three runs in two no-decisions. Masterson's gem came in the Tribe's 7-4 loss in 16 innings on Thursday night.

Now, Jimenez almost certainly will drop the appeal of his five-game suspension for plunking Tulowitzki last Sunday in a spring-training game that Selig attended. Jimenez would pitch again Saturday at Kansas City.

Indians first baseman Kotchman has been terrific defensively in two games, but he is 0-for-12 and barely challenged the outfield.

After going 2-22 over the last two seasons under Rob Ianello, Akron is being rebuilt from the ground up by Bowden, who knows improvement won't come quickly or easily.

View full sizePhil Masturzo, Akron Beacon-JournalAkron quarterbacks Dalton Williams (left) and Zach D'Orazio have the full attention of new Zips head coach Terry Bowden during a recent practice. "Our offense has a chance to get everything accomplished I wanted in the spring," Bowden said of his workouts. "But do we have that special guy? I don't know yet."

AKRON, Ohio -- It was early morning, with the crunch of frost still on the grass. Inside, walking through the halls of the Akron Zips' indoor practice football facility, his leather bomber jacket unzipped, was school president Luis Proenza.

An early-morning football scrimmage guided by new head coach Terry Bowden was a must see for the No. 1 Zip. "Love the enthusiasm with this group," Proenza said. "This is exciting to watch how these guys work."

They have a lot of work to do.

It is far different from the 2-22 record recorded in the failed Rob Ianello experiment. Akron's new spread offense will have the experienced Bowden calling plays from the sidelines, while the defense is exclusively in the hands of veteran coordinator Chuck Amato. The numbers indicate this will be no immediate turnaround. There are 65 scholarship players, well under the NCAA limit of 85, with defections still dripping out the door. Last week quarterback Patrick Nicely, defensive end Hasan Hazime and tailback Karl Bostick, all veteran lettermen, left the program.

Akron's lack of size on both lines is glaring, compounded by little experience. Bowden admits his teams at Division II North Alabama -- two NCAA rungs below the Zips -- were bigger than his current squad.

"No question, on both the offensive and defensive lines," he said. "I will say this, we knew that coming in. We need to develop more people up front. Defensive front seven, we are definitely in a deficit as far as size. When you look at our guys, the biggest difference is the size of our front on both sides of the ball."

The weakness showed up in the scrimmage Proenza watched as Amato's crew displayed athleticism and quickness to generate four sacks, three interceptions and one fumble recovery against Bowden's fire drill offense. The offense had its moments, popping a big play now and then. Yet Bowden knows much of spring is false advertising, considering what lies ahead in September is so much different from the Zips playing against each other.

Akron fans expecting immediate improvement may be overly optimistic. Better coaching will improve execution, but the Zips need talent to get more production.

"Our offense has a chance to get everything accomplished I wanted in the spring," Bowden said. "But do we have that special guy? I don't know yet."

The Zips averaged 14.2 points last season, giving up an average of 38.5. They failed to score a touchdown in four games, and allowed over 40 points in five. It's going to take more than coaching to balance out those numbers.

View full sizeMike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal"We need to develop more people up front," Bowden says of his Zips. "When you look at our guys, the biggest difference is the size of our front on both sides of the ball."

"We don't have [65] people who fit into our future, I believe," Bowden said of his current roster. He does not have a two-deep roster set. With the recent player losses, plus some February recruits who have yet to qualify, the Zips are still actively out beating the bushes, "probably harder now than we were in January and February," Bowden said.

"We do feel we'll have three or four more guys by May or June; junior college guys that will be eligible, sixth-year players out of Division I schools, guys like that [who] need a home. We're definitely looking at that. We're looking at the immediate needs of our team. We will be scouring the country."

Bowden is well aware that the offensive and defensive fronts of the Mid-American Conference's best teams are considerably different than what is on Akron's current roster.

"We have to find a linebacker, a defensive lineman, another [offensive] lineman," he said. "We're looking at a running back. We're looking at some key people. I hate to use the word free agency, but you have to approach it like that. What are our immediate needs, where a one- or two-year guy might help us get one or two wins."

Just a few tweaks in the top 10 mock this week.

View full sizeAPCould the Browns eventually end up with both Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden (right) and wide receiver Justin Blackmon?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Just a few tweaks in the top 10 mock this week. The Bucs at No. 5 go with LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne instead of Alabama running back Trent Richardson, and the Panthers opt for South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram instead of Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe.

1. Indianapolis -- Andrew Luck, quarterback, Stanford.

Comment: It will still be a shock if it doesn't go this way.

2. Washington (trade with Rams) -- Robert Griffin III, quarterback, Baylor.

Comment: The Redskins have several visits to Baylor planned over next two weeks.

3. Minnesota -- Matt Kalil, offensive left tackle, USC.

Comment: The Browns had Kalil in for a visit last week just in case the Vikings trade out of this pick.

4. Browns -- Justin Blackmon, wide receiver, Oklahoma State.

Comment: Still resisting the temptation to go with Trent Richardson here. I think the Browns would love to trade down a few spots.

5. Tampa Bay -- Morris Claiborne, cornerback, LSU.

Comment: Reports of Claiborne's low Wonderlic and learning disability don't scare off the Bucs.

6. St. Louis -- Trent Richardson, running back, Alabama.

Comment: The Rams might still trade up to No. 4 with the Browns.

7. Jacksonville -- Quinton Coples, defensive end, North Carolina.

Comment: The Jaguars could also opt for South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram here.

8. Miami -- Ryan Tannehill, quarterback, Texas A&M.

Comment: If the Dolphins don't take Tannehill, he could go No. 11 to KC or 12 to Seattle.

9. Carolina -- Melvin Ingram, defensive end, South Carolina.

Comment: Former Panthers prospect Dontari Poe, the Memphis defensive tackle, has been falling.

10. Buffalo -- Michael Floyd, wide receiver, Notre Dame.

Comment: Teams have to be comfortable with his three alcohol-related incidents.

After a mediocre (at best) partial season with the Indians last year and a bad spring, Ubaldo Jimenez flirted with a no-hitter Saturday. But a slumbering offense wasted another great starting performance.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerUbaldo Jimenez left the drama and the ineffectiveness of spring back in Arizona on Saturday, producing the kind of starting pitching that the Indians coveted when they traded for him last summer, says Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Where's Ubaldo?

In large measure, it depends on which Ubaldo you mean. After bad Ubaldo owned last season and mad Ubaldo had taken over last week, the Ubaldo Jimenez the Indians had been looking for all along turned up Saturday.

Not just in time for a victory, however. Not with this offense. The Indians have 12 hits in two games that really are the equivalent of more than three because of the 28 innings they have played. They are batting a collective .135.

The bullpen is leaking. The hitters struggle. But the starters are tighter with runs than a miser's wallet. The Indians are wasting good starting pitching the way last year's team wasted a fast start.

That includes Jimenez, the would-be ace for whom the Indians traded their top two pitching prospects last season. The Tigers hit their stride and the pennant race never materialized. Nor did the Jimenez who 19-8 was with a 2.88 ERA in Colorado two years ago.

Jimenez was 4-4 in the Cleveland portion of his 2011 season, with a 5.10 ERA. The latter is a duck in an arcade when it comes to being hittable. A 1-4 spring record with a 7.43 ERA invited comparisons to Jack McDowell, a former Cy Young winner no less, who never pitched anywhere near that level here in the 1990s.

Such a shaky prelude led to a dominant performance Saturday. Jimenez gave up only one hit in seven innings in another 7-4 loss in extra innings (12 this time, not 16 as on Thursday) to Toronto.

Jimenez said before the game that he has dropped his appeal and will begin serving a five-game suspension, which amounts to one start, for throwing at former Colorado teammate Troy Tulowitzki a week ago. To his credit, one supposes, Jimenez hit Tulowitzki when he aimed at him, and squarely in the back at that. Tulowitzki had said unkind things about Jimenez's commitment to the franchise last season. But the fact that Jimenez chose to drill him the week the real games began was not the greatest example of either foresight or of concern for his current employer.

Jimenez, however, pitched on Saturday like the pitcher who had dominated the Indians' dreams. He had command of all of his pitches. There was a 20 mph variance between his 93 mph fastball and his change-up. Memorably, he struck out Brett Lawrie with a sidearm slider that was so slow at 76 mph it looked like a change.

"When I drop down like that, I don't get that much on it, but it has a lot of spin. It was a really tight slider," said Jimenez.

He was behind the feared Jose Bautista, 3-0, but dropped a slider on the corner to run the count full that was filthy enough for haz mat crews to mop up. Then he induced Bautista to fly out.

Perfect for 5 2/3 innings, unhittable for 6 2/3, Jimenez admitted he entertained thoughts of his second career no-hitter. He walked six and struck seven in a much more typical example of his control when he no-hit Atlanta in 2010. "I wouldn't be human if I didn't think about it," he said.

Manager Manny Acta said Jimenez would have started the eighth inning, with 105 pitches thrown and all, if the no-hitter had still been alive.

All that good work, bolstered by nothing more than Jason Kipnis' two-run homer, meant that Jimenez handed a 2-2 tie over to the uncertain hands of the bullpen. Two walks and a wild pitch set up Lawrie's two-out, two-run single in the seventh.

Jimenez threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of the 25 batters he faced. The control of the off-speed pitches gave him "peace of mind," said Acta, who added, "he said all along he would be fine. He said it was spring training and he was working on stuff."

"Spring training is spring training," said Jimenez with a shrug.

Such a dismissive approach would carry more credibility had Jimenez banished doubts earlier.

"He looked more determined and more ready than he did all during the spring," Kipnis said.

It wasn't as much a vote of confidence as a sigh of relief.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

For his 19th birthday, Beal will get an NBA cap as one of the top selections in the 2012 draft, probably before the Cavaliers get to pick.

View full sizeMatt York, Associated PressFlorida freshman Bradley Beal brings an accurate 3-point shot to this summer's draft, but also plenty of raw edges that need finishing.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Seventh of a weekly series profiling top players who could be available to the Cavs in this year's NBA Draft on June 28. The draft lottery to determine the order is May 30.

Bradley Beal

College: Florida.

Class: Freshman.

Position: Shooting guard.

Ht./Wt.: 6-3, 207.

Born: June 28, 1993.

Hometown: St. Louis.

High school: Chaminade College Prep in St. Louis, where he was named the 2011 Gatorade National Player of the Year after averaging 32.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game. He averaged 29 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game to lead Chaminade to the Class 5 district championship as a junior.

Stats: Averaged 15.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.7 steals in 37 games for the Gators. He shot 45 percent from the field (175-of-393) and 40 percent from 3-point range (63-of-186).

Scouting report: For his 19th birthday, Beal will get an NBA cap as one of the top selections in the 2012 draft, probably before the Cavaliers get to pick. But if Kyrie Irving is lost for the rest of the season with a sprained right shoulder, Beal certainly will be one of the players the Cavs have to consider as they strive to improve on the perimeter. Often described as a pure shooter with great form, he'll have to improve his midrange game and finishing, as his 45 percent shooting indicates. Of course, his 3-point shooting nearly made up for that. He also will have to get stronger, but his work ethic suggests he's willing to do that -- as well as all the little things coaches love. According to Luke Winn of SI.com, Marquette coach Buzz Williams told his team before the loss to Florida in the NCAA Tournament, "Beal is by far their most efficient player, relative to the things we study -- the things that go into winning."

Sources: GatorZone.com, sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Mary Schmitt Boyer's top 10

The projected top 10 players in the 2012 NBA Draft. These rankings will be updated every week from now until the end of the NBA season.

1. Anthony Davis, PF, 6-10, 220, Kentucky, freshman.

2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, 6-7, 228, Kentucky, freshman.

3. Thomas Robinson, PF, 6-9, 240, Kansas, junior.

4. (tie) Bradley Beal, SG, 6-3, 207, Florida, freshman.

4. (tie) Andre Drummond, C, 6-10, 270, Connecticut, freshman.

6. Harrison Barnes, SF, 6-8, 215, North Carolina, sophomore.

7. Jared Sullinger, PF, 6-9, 280, Ohio State, sophomore.

8. Cody Zeller, C, 6-11, 215, Indiana, freshman.

9. Perry Jones, PF, 6-11, 220, Baylor, sophomore.

10. Jeremy Lamb, SG, 6-5, 185, Connecticut, sophomore.

Cavaliers get a taste of NBA history as they play three games in as many nights later this week, but modern travel makes the experience much easier.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerFor the second time in his NBA career, Antawn Jamison will experience playing three games in as many nights during the upcoming week. In fact, the Cavaliers will play seven games during April 10-18. "I've always been one of those guys who had an appreciation for the players who came before me," Jamison said of earlier generations of NBA players who frequently dealt with condensed schedules. "It's history and we can learn from it."

TORONTO -- Forty years ago, playing three NBA games in as many nights not only could make legs heavy and bodies ache, but potentially burn holes in nasal cavities.

The grueling back to back to backs, once commonplace in the league, had both a feel and a scent.

"We had to wash our own jerseys on the road back in those days," former Cavaliers star Austin Carr said. "And, if you had a guy who didn't wash his uniform for a couple of games it could start to smell. It wasn't too bad at first, but as soon as he started sweating, oh man."

With all the conveniences associated with modern NBA travel, the only way the depleted Cavaliers will stink up the court is by continuing their current run of play. But the upcoming schedule -- featuring seven games over nine nights starting Tuesday -- will give players a sample of what Cavs alumni like Carr, Jim Chones and Campy Russell endured while playing for the organization in the 1970s.

Except, of course, they won't have to fly commercial airlines. Or, carry their own luggage. Or, roam airport concourses like zombies after midnight in search of leftover hot dogs. Or, play seven back to back to backs in the same season, as the "Miracle of Richfield" team did in 1975-76.

"All I can say is it was a different time," Chones said laughing.

The lockout forced the NBA to return to back-to-back-to-backs so as to cram 66 games into a four-month window. The league scheduled 42 triathlons with each team having to play at least one and 12 clubs doubling up. The Cavaliers are one of the last clubs to participate as they play in Indiana on Friday, Washington on Saturday before returning home to host Orlando on Sunday.

View full sizePD file"If you had a guy who didn't wash his uniform for a couple of games it could start to smell," former Cavaliers star guard Austin Carr said of NBA travel during his career. "It wasn't too bad at first, but as soon as he started sweating, oh man."

"Those back to back to backs are nothing to play with, especially coming so late in the season when we've already played so many games," Cavaliers power forward Antawn Jamison said. "[But] it gives you an appreciation of what those guys went through back then."

There was some grousing from current players about the format when the NBA unveiled the schedule in December. While the lockout has produced its share of injuries and sloppy play, the three consecutive games have not been as taxing on teams as many anticipated.

In fact, clubs competing on a third straight night had a respectable 18-17 record as of Friday.

The Cavs aren't making any special preparations for their trip into basketball's past. Like every NBA team, they will travel in comfort. Every seat is first class on their chartered flights. Leg room is not an issue. Neither are nutritious meals. They stay in the finest hotels and don't touch their uniforms between games.

Carr catches himself thinking about his playing days (1971-81) almost every time he boards one of the team's chartered flights. Russell, Chones and Carr, all members of the Cavs broadcast team, agree the games weren't as demanding as the travel. Whoever coined the phrase "getting there is half the fun," didn't play in the NBA before 1980.

In that era teams flew commercial and didn't have the option of hopping aboard an aircraft an hour after the final horn. On game days, the league required teams to take the first flight headed to their next destination. Sometimes that meant 6 a.m., sometimes it meant 1 a.m.

"I can remember nights when we would go to the airport after a game and sit around for three hours waiting for a flight," former radio broadcaster Joe Tait said. "There was nobody else in the airport and there was nothing open. Guys would be searching for that lone hotdog that was spinning on the rollers."

In the Cavs' early seasons, Tait was responsible for more than calling games. He made wake-up calls to all the players and ensured their bags were loaded on the bus and tagged at the airport. The team trainer already was at the airport securing boarding passes. If the aircraft was large enough all the players could sit in first class, but that was a rarity. Former coach Bill Fitch assigned seats by seniority with the rookies and youngsters sitting in coach.

Wailing babies, coughing grannies and cigarette-puffing salesmen occasionally shared rows with NBA players. Tait recalls flying from Portland to Baltimore sandwiched between Luther Rackley (6-10) and Walter Wesley (6-11).

"I can remember sitting next to people who were sneezing all over the place," Carr said. "That's just the way it was."

Although Fitch worked them hard in practice, Chones said, the coach was good about managing players' minutes, which helped them through congested stretches of the schedule. The Cavs occasionally played four games in as many nights. That's nowhere near the record, however.

According to Fox Sports Florida, the Philadelphia 76ers finished the 1963-64 season with eight games in eight nights, including a 48-hour stretch that saw them play in suburban Philadelphia one day and Los Angeles the next.

Russell said the key to surviving such swings was proper diet and rest and developing a routine on the road. Being diligent about washing your uniform also was appreciated. If the Cavs had a day off between road games, Tait and the trainer might collect the sweat-soaked gear and find a laundromat. Otherwise the responsibility fell to the players.

Al Bianchi, a member of those 1963-64 Sixers, told Fox Sports Florida that unwashed gear got very stiff and some players took to placing Band-Aids over their nipples to protect from chafing.

Russell said the 1970s jerseys were more forgiving, but nevertheless reeked if they went a few games without cleansing.

"Guy would get teased about it," Carr said. "We were pretty good about policing each other."

Byron Scott washed his own gear as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but the three games in as many nights was history by the time he entered the league in 1983. It returned briefly during the lockout-shortened season of 1998-99, making Jamison one of the few current players to have experienced back to back to backs twice in his career.

"It's still not quite the same because of the travel," Jamison said. "When I first got into the league guys would tell me about taking flights where their knees were almost up [to their chests]. I've always been one of those guys who had an appreciation for the players who came before me. It's history and we can learn from it."

San Antonio may have an older roster, but they're making younger teams look ancient during a 10-game winning streak.

View full sizeDarren Abate, Associated PressIf your team had won 10 straight in the NBA and owned the best winning percentage in the Western Conference, you'd be smiling just like San Antonio's Gregg Popovich.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Our weekly assessment of who's rising and falling in the league, through Friday's games.

1. Chicago Bulls

Last week: 1

Bulls hanging on to top spot with surging Spurs in pursuit.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Last week: 4

The hottest team in the league could have scored 150 Tuesday night if Gregg Popovich hadn't called off the dogs.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Last week: 2

Thunder have three more games against the Spurs. It should make for good theater.

4. Miami Heat

Last week: 3

Does quality win against Thunder get nullified by blowout loss at home to the Griz?

5. Los Angeles Lakers

Last week: 6

Just where in the Staples Center plaza will they erect the Ramon Sessions' statue?

6. Indiana Pacers

Last week: 10

Pacers have been rolling since win over Heat last week, winning five straight.

7. Los Angeles Clippers

Last week: 7

Clippers are 7-3 in their last 7-3 in their last 10.

8. Atlanta Hawks

Last week: 8

The Hawks are 9-3 in their division.

9. Memphis Grizzlies

Last week: 9

As president of the Griz fan club I stand tall today as they end Miami's 17-game home winning streak.

10. Orlando Magic

Last week: 5

Dwight Howard won't be offering his coach another hug any time soon.

11. Dallas Mavericks

Last week: 11

The champs don't appear to have a deep playoff run in them.

12. Boston Celtics

Last week: 12

The Celtics have dropped two straight, but in the mediocre Atlantic Division it's no cause for concern.

13. Houston Rockets

Last week: 13

Nice to see Rockets kept Earl Boykins for another 10 days.

14. Denver Nuggets

Last week: 15

Nuggets' 8-17 road record is the worst among NBA teams in playoff position.

15. Philadelphia 76ers

Last week: 14

Sixers are lucky season doesn't extend for another month, or they might slide completely out of playoff picture.

16. Utah Jazz

Last week: 16

Utah's 9-19 road record likely will be reason it misses playoffs.

17. New York Knicks

Last week: 17

The Knicks clinging to last playoff spot and don't like their chances for holding on.

18. Milwaukee Bucks

Last week: 18

The Bucks have showdown with Knicks on Wednesday.

19. Phoenix Suns

Last week: 19

Phoenix will need to do better than 5-5 in last 10 if they hope to get last playoff spot.

20. Portland Trail Blazers

Last week: 21

Blazers, like Utah, will be left on outside because of road record.

21. Minnesota Timberwolves

Last week: 20

Wolves have never recovered from Ricky Rubio injury.

22. Golden State Warriors

Last week: 22

Warriors another team that appear in tank mode.

23. Detroit Pistons

Last week: 23

Offense remains an issue for the Pistons.

24. Sacramento Kings

Last week: 25

Best news for Kings last week is they didn't play a road game.

25. New Jersey Nets

Last week: 24

The Nets don't move to Brooklyn until next season, but to quote Cosmo Kramer, "in my mind I'm already gone."

26. Toronto Raptors

Last week: 26

Years from now Ben Uzoh will be remembered as the Raptors point guard who lost to the Cavaliers.

27. Cleveland Cavaliers

Last week: 28

Cavs' best three "efforts" in recent weeks have coincidentally all been without Kyrie Irving in the lineup.

28. Washington Wizards

Last week: 27

Wizards, sensing a Cavaliers' collapse, get busy and drop five straight.

29. New Orleans Hornets

Last week: 29

Hornets are 1-9 in their division.

30. Charlotte Bobcats

Last week: 30

Bobcats' 10-game losing streak is the league's second-longest losing streak this season only eclipsed by Bobcats' 16-gamer.

Stan Van Gundy's status in the league allowed him to go in front of the media and say what others in his position not dare.

TORONTO -- There is a scene in the iconic American Beauty where Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, catches his wife cheating and, tired of her manipulation and duplicity tells her, "You don't get to tell me what to do ever again."

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy had his Lester Burnham moment Thursday in one of the most surreal news conferences in recent memory. Fed up with placating Dwight Howard and dismissing persistent rumors that the Magic superstar was trying to get him fired, Van Gundy spoke the truth as he knew it. Between sips of his Diet Pepsi, the coach said that, yes, Howard wanted him gone and that management had confirmed as much.

Moments later, Howard sauntered into the media room unaware he had been outed and put his arm around his coach thinking all was well. Across the nation, you could hear the cheers from every high school coach whose program has ever been hijacked by a star player and his family, you could hear the hollers from every middle manager whose been told to toe the company line even though he knows it's bunk.

Van Gundy will be fired between now and the end of the season. There's no way he survives this dysfunctional episode. He probably was done in Orlando anyway despite his popularity with some Magic players and four straight playoff appearances that include a trip to the 2009 NBA Finals. Ownership and management almost always side with the star when he becomes at odds with the coach. When Howard agreed to stay for one more season, you had tofigure it was at the cost of Van Gundy's job.

Although hardly blameless for the deteriorating relationship with Howard, Van Gundy is a fine coach and he'll have other opportunities 15 minutes after his final game with the Magic. It's his status in the league that allowed him to go in front of the media and say what others in his position not dare.

"The only thing that I'm ever uncomfortable with is bull-[expletive]," Van Gundy told reporters. "The only thing that ever liberates me is to be honest with what's out there."

Maybe now Howard and his locker-room allies will focus on winning -- the club has lost five straight -- now they know Van Gundy is history. But there will be franchises, especially those with stars on the same strata as Howard, that won't be able to hire him because of his outrageous moment of candor.

The sight of a confused and stammering Howard won't soon be forgotten as he learned of his coach's astonishing admission.

Does the perennial All-Star, who said "I'm loyal, that's who I am," during the news conference announcing his March 15 decision to stay, now commit long term to the organization? Or, will the Magic lose its two most valuable assets between now and July 1, 2013?

Stars still run the NBA. But for one day, anyway, basketball's Lester Burnham revved his 1970 Pontiac Firebird outside his boss' corner office and yelled: "I rule."

The Indians are far removed from the MLB penthouse, but along with AL Central rivals Detroit and Kansas City, they did increase their payroll for the 2012 season. Chicago and Minnesota made big cuts.

View full sizeDuane Burleson, Associated PressPrince Fielder delivered the first proceeds from his rich contract with a pair of home runs in Saturday's Detroit romp over the Red Sox at Comerica Park.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nine of the 30 teams in the big leagues started this season with payrolls of over $100 million.

Five play in the American League: the Yankees, Boston, Detroit, Texas and Los Angeles. If money equals access to October baseball, that means the league's five postseason teams have already been selected.

The Yankees, as usual, lead all of baseball. Manager Joe Girardi, according to the Associated Press, will be in charge of a club making $200,203,004. In the AL, the Yankees are followed by Boston at $173,186,619, Los Angeles at $154,940,524, Detroit at $132,275,000 and Texas at $120,510,975.

In the National League, the Phillies lead at $173,953,939, followed by San Francisco at $117,936,667, Miami at $112,078,000 and St. Louis at $110,297,862.

Where do the Indians fit? Well, they're a long way from the $100 million penthouse. They opened the season Thursday with a 25-man roster making $63,955,300. It represents an increase of just over $14.5 million from the 2011 team that finished 80-82 after sprinting to a 30-15 start. Included in the total is Roberto Hernandez's restructured salary of $2.5 million.

Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, was supposed to make $7 million this year. The deal was renegotiated following his arrest in the Dominican Republic on false identity charges after he tried to apply for a visa for spring training. Hernandez is still on MLB's restricted list, which means he won't get paid until he's able to join the Indians in the United States. He has been unable to get a waiver/visa from the U.S. Consulate in the Dominican Republic since his arrest on Jan. 19.

USA Today and the Associated Press came up with different figures for the Indians' payroll. USA Today said the Indians have a $78.4 million payroll, but it included Derek Lowe's entire $15 million salary for this year and Hernandez's old $7 million salary. AP had the Indians at $71.4 million. They, too, put Lowe's entire $15 million salary on the Tribe's tab, but did not include Hernandez.

The Indians, in fact, are paying only $5 million of Lowe's 2012 salary. The Braves, who shipped Lowe to the Tribe on Oct. 31, are paying the remaining $10 million.

Here's what the players on the 25-man roster are making this year: Travis Hafner $13 million, Lowe $5 million, Grady Sizemore $5 million, Shin-Soo Choo $4.9 million, Asdrubal Cabrera $4.55 million, Chris Perez $4.5 million, Ubaldo Jimenez $4.2 million, Justin Masterson $3.85 million, Casey Kotchman $3 million, Hernandez $2.5 million, Rafael Perez $2.005 million, Joe Smith $1.75 million, Jack Hannahan $1.135 million, Dan Wheeler $900,000, Jose Lopez $800,000, Tony Sipp $504,900, Carlos Santana $501,900, Shelley Duncan $500,000, Michael Brantley $495,300, Josh Tomlin $494,500, Lou Marson $491,700, Vinnie Pestano $491,200, Carlos Carrasco $488,500, David Huff $486,200, Jason Donald $484,000, Jeanmar Gomez $482,700, Aaron Cunningham $482,300, Jason Kipnis $482,100 and Jairo Asencio $480,000.

Sizemore, Huff and Carrasco opened the season on the disabled list, but count on the 25-man payroll.

In the AL Central, Detroit is followed by the White Sox $97,919,500, Twins $94,085,000, Indians $63,955,300 and Kansas City $62,621,725 million. The White Sox and Twins, following disappointing seasons in 2011, have cut payroll. Chicago cut almost $30 million from last year's Opening Day payroll of $127,789,000. The Twins, who tumbled from first to worst in the Central, trimmed almost $20 million.

The Tigers and Royals made the biggest payroll increases. Detroit, looking to win its second straight division title, increased its payroll by more than $25 million. Most came from signing free agent first baseman Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million contract.

The Royals, loaded with young talent, added just over $24 million to last year's $38.2 million payroll. In spring training, however, they lost starting catcher Salvador Perez and closer Joakim Soria to injuries.

Week in review

Baseball is a game of threes. Three strikes and you're out and three outs in each half of an inning. Here are two more sets of threes to consider from opening week.

Three up

1. The revamped bullpen of Alexi Ogando, Mike Adams and new closer Joe Nathan worked three scoreless innings Friday to preserve the Rangers' 3-2 win over Chicago.

2. Chicago's much-maligned Adam Dunn hit his eighth Opening Day homer Friday, tying Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey Jr. for the most in history.

3. Jhonny Peralta went 3-for-3 in Detroit's season opening victory over Boston on Thursday.

Three down

1. San Francisco's Tim Lincecum, who gave up 15 homers last year, allowed two in the first inning against Arizona on Friday.

2. NL MVP Ryan Braun, in his first game since beating a positive PED test, went 0-for-5 Friday in Milwaukee's opener.

3. Thursday and Friday were hard on closers as Mariano Rivera, Chris Perez, Jose Valverde and Alfredo Aceves were unable to hold leads.

Tribe talk

"You do have to give your closer a chance at least to blow the save. If it's Opening Day and I'm taking my closer out of there before he blows the save, I'm really sending a really bad message to my main guy." -- Manny Acta, Indians manager, on why he stayed with Chris Perez in the ninth inning of the season opener.

Stat-o-matic

First timers: The White Sox's season-opening roster included seven players who made an Opening Day roster for the first time. The Astros had 10.

Hit list: Padres manager Buddy Black, according to the online betting Web site Bovada.lv, will be the first manager fired this season. The odds are 3-to-1 Black will be dismissed.

A look back: Albert Pujols led the big leagues with seven homers in spring training, while Shelley Duncan finished in a eight-way tie for second with six.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Tribe closer didn't shirk the media after Thursday's failure in the ninth inning. He worked a scoreless inning of relief on Saturday.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain Dealer"Any loss hurts, but this was the easiest save in baseball ... a three-run lead," said Chris Perez after blowing a 4-1 lead to Toronto on Opening Day for the Indians.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Five questions with closer Chris Perez after he failed to convert a save in Thursday's Opening Day 16-inning loss to Toronto.

Q: Did your strained oblique muscle in spring training affect the way you pitched in the ninth inning?

A: "It had nothing to do with my injury. It was all about bad pitches and giving guys too many pitches to hit."

Q: Given the way Justin Masterson pitched for the first eight innings, how frustrating was it not to be able to get him the victory?

A: "Oh, man, he did everything you wanted in an ace. He dominated. Two hits in eight innings with 10 strikeouts. ... This feels twice as bad. Any loss hurts, but this was the easiest save in baseball ... a three-run lead."

Q: Did you say anything to Masterson?

A: "I already apologized to Masterson. ... I'll have his back the rest of the year. That's my job."

Q: How tough is it to bounce back from failing your first save opportunity of the season?

A: "It's not the easiest thing, but I've been here before. I blew the first save opportunity in Class AA. It's not the same as the big leagues, but I've bounced back before. Hey, everybody wishes they could be Mariano Rivera."

Q: You pitched in two minor-league games and three Cactus League games in spring training because of your injury. Do you think you were rusty?

A: "If I had struggled in spring training, I might say that, but I was sharp. I was throwing strikes, attacking hitters, I had my stuff. I won't use that as an excuse.

"It wasn't the most ideal conditions in spring training for me, but if I wasn't ready to pitch, I wouldn't be here."

Cavaliers' No. 1 draft pick from 2011 considerably ahead of the pack in season's final month.

View full sizeAP fileKyrie Irving's shoulder injury may prevent him from improving much more on his season statistics, but he remains the class of this year's NBA rookies.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- From now until the end of the regular season, these rankings will reflect the leaders for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Kyrie Irving remains the favorite in spite of a shoulder injury that could shut him down for the season. (Statistics through Friday's games.)

1. Kyrie Irving, No. 1 pick by Cleveland, G

Stats: 18.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists

Ranking last week: 1

2. Isaiah Thomas, No. 60 pick by Sacramento, G

Stats: 11.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists

Ranking last week: 3

3. Kenneth Faried, No. 22 pick by Denver, F

Stats: 9.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, .6 assists

Ranking last week: Unranked

4. Klay Thompson, No. 11 pick by Golden State, G

Stats: 10.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists

Ranking last week: 2

5. Brandon Knight, No. 8 pick by Detroit, G

Stats: 12.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists

Ranking last week: 4

Serving the five-game suspension beginning Sunday allows Jimenez to miss a start without really missing a start.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ubaldo Jimenez dropped the appeal of his five-game suspension after his start Saturday afternoon against the Blue Jays.

Major League Baseball suspended and fined Jimenez for plunking Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki in a spring-training game last Sunday in Arizona. Jimenez and Tulowitzki, former teammates with the Rockies, are not the best of friends.

"I just want to get it over with," Jimenez said. "I want to be able to focus and get ready for my next start."

Serving the suspension at this time allows Jimenez to miss a start without really missing a start. He will sit his five games over the next six days and pitch again in one week. The Tribe's projected rotation over the next seven days:

Sunday vs. Blue Jays -- Derek Lowe; Monday vs. White Sox -- Josh Tomlin; Tuesday vs. White Sox -- Justin Masterson; Wednesday vs. White Sox -- Jeanmar Gomez; Thursday: Off; Friday at Kansas City -- Lowe; Saturday at Kansas City -- Jimenez.

Jimenez allowed two runs on one hit in seven innings of the Indians' 7-4 loss in 12 innings.

Tinkering: The Indians have been working with Jimenez on his mechanics, but manager Manny Acta said they will guard against going overboard.

"We felt he made some progress, but it's not something we're going to be banging on with him every five days," Acta said. "It's tough. It's called muscle memory. Once you've done something a zillion times, you can't just grab a guy and say, 'You've got to do this and you've got to do that.'"

Game of fractions of an inch: The Indians thought they had something brewing in the seventh inning of a 2-2 game, but third-base umpire Tim Welke disagreed.

After Carlos Santana led off with a walk, Travis Hafner hit a grounder down the third-base line against the shift. Indians third-base coach Steve Smith's eyes told him the ball was fair, no question about it. Welke shook his head.

"It was a fair ball," Smith said. "You can see it. Too bad we don't have instant replay. I'm not going to say anything more."

Acta joined Smith in discussing the call with Welke; neither was tossed.

"There was a mark where the ball hit, and it looked like it was right off the side of the line," Acta said. "Our argument wasn't so much where the ball landed, but we felt it was almost impossible for the ball to land there and not go over the bag. Tim told us that the ball was pretty straight."

Instead of second and third and none out, the Indians got nothing. Hafner struck out swinging and Shelley Duncan grounded into a double play.

Cold, hard truth: Closer Chris Perez's fastball was clocked in the low-90s during his blown save Opening Day. Acta cringed when reading and hearing about how velocity might be an issue with Perez.

"I don't think people are doing their right research when they're talking about that, because nobody was really throwing hard that day," Acta said. "It was too cold [44 degrees at first pitch]. Chris actually was second-hardest thrower on our staff behind Masterson. Vinnie Pestano averaged 89 that day, but he got people out, so no one says anything.

"It's expected in those type of conditions, first day of the season. In spring training, Chris was hitting 95. He's OK. Sometimes, I guess it will be a nice test to get somebody out of their coat and put them in the middle of the field in 40-degree weather and have them throw 95."

Perez had elite company on the Opening Day blown-saves list. Fellow 2011 All-Stars Jose Valverde (Detroit against Boston) and Mariano Rivera (Yankees against Tampa Bay) also were victimized.

"They're human," Acta said of closers.

Perez rebounded with a 1-2-3 11th inning Saturday. It included an overmatching of Jose Bautista before Bautista grounded to second.

Perez's fastball velocity was closer to the mid-90s and his command was much better.

On a team that figures to make lots of off-season changes, Samuels would like to string together a few more performances like his solid effort vs. Toronto.

View full sizeChris Young, Canadian PressSamardo Samuels challenged this second-half drive by Toronto's Ben Uzoh -- a Cavaliers teammate earlier this season -- in a strong performance off the bench in the Cavs' victory over the Raptors Friday night.

TORONTO -- Samardo Samuels had been getting the opportunities, but not the desired results.

Talk of lost passports and suspect conditioning levels had faded from the conversation and Cavaliers coach Byron Scott had been giving the power forward/center meaningful minutes since mid March.

"But I just haven't been playing the way I want to," Samuels said prior to Friday night's game against Toronto. "I've got to take advantage of the chances."

Samuels capitalized against the Raptors, scoring 10 points and grabbing seven rebounds in the 84-80 win which snapped the Cavaliers' nine-game losing streak. On a team that figures to make lots of off-season changes, Samuels would like to string together a few more performances like that one.

He is under contract next season, but the $854,000 is non-guaranteed.

"He has been OK, nothing spectacular," said Scott prior to Friday's game. "He has been pretty solid for the most part, even though he still has his ups and downs. You hope [he plays] with so much intensity and energy that it catches not only my eye but everybody's eye."

It has been a difficult season for the second-year pro. He arrived at the lockout-shortened training camp out of shape, in Scott's estimation, and couldn't make an early-season trip to Toronto because he had lost his passport.

Things got so bad in late February that Scott warned him his opportunities were running out. Samuels' effort has improved and he played well in the Cavaliers' last victory at New Jersey on March 19, registering 10 points and six rebounds.

But the outing against the Raptors easily was his best in weeks, save for 4-of-8 shooting at the foul line.

"I thought he played well," Scott said. "The only thing he didn't do well was shoot free throws. Overall, he played a pretty good game."

Instant chemistry: Antawn Jamison rallied the Cavaliers with 16 fourth-quarter points, nearly outscoring the Raptors by himself. He hit five field goals, all assisted by reserve guard Lester Hudson.

Hudson scored a career-high 23 points, but his ability to find Jamison early in the fourth quarter proved pivotal.

"Every time there was a break in action or a timeout he was telling me that he was looking for me and make sure I try and get open," Jamison said. "I just told him not to force it because 'I still need you to be aggressive. Then they have to really pay attention to you.' I didn't want him to defer from what he was doing to get me open. We did have chemistry a little bit and he did an awesome job of coming in and putting some pressure on them."

Hudson finished with seven assists.

Explaining to do: Scott was ejected for just the second time in his 12 seasons of coaching late in Friday's first half. He received two quick technicals just as his wife, Anita, and their future daughter-in-law arrived at Air Canada Centre.

After he retired to the locker room, where he watched the remainder of the game, he was asked to call his wife and explain what happened and "why I used the bomb words that I used."

Dribbles: Hudson's 10-day contract expires after Saturday's game in New Jersey. It's hard to imagine he won't get another 10-day or be signed for the final three weeks. ... The Cavs shot just 34.2 percent and won for third time in 20 games when shooting less than 40 percent. ... Cavs need one more win to tie their victory total (19) from last season.

Peter Hanson's third-round 65 put him alone at 9-under 207, one stroke clear of Mickelson, who is seeking his fourth Masters victory.

View full sizeCharlie Riedel, Associated Press"I love it here and I love nothing more than being in the last group on Sunday at the Masters," Phil Mickelson said after his birdie at 18 left him one shot behind third-round leader Peter Hanson. "It's the greatest thing in professional golf."

Ron Green Jr.

McClatchy Newspapers

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The glow from the April sunshine, the 40-foot eagle putt at No. 13 and the flop shot at No. 15 that would have scared the Wallenda brothers, was still on Phil Mickelson's face when he settled into a chair late Saturday afternoon.

Mickelson had spent the previous two hours bringing the Masters to life as perhaps no one else can, his eagle at the beautiful par-5 13th setting off a cannon blast of cheers announcing his presence, scattering goose bumps across the property. Mickelson was in the process of shooting 6-under 30 on the back nine, the kind of thing that embellishes legends.

By the time he finished his Saturday 66, telling his caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay to enjoy the backlit uphill walk to Augusta National's 18th green where a final birdie was waiting to be made, Mickelson had everything he wanted with one day remaining except the lead. That belonged to Sweden's Peter Hanson, whose third-round 65 put him alone at 9-under 207, one stroke clear of Mickelson, who is seeking his fourth Masters victory.

"I love it here and I love nothing more than being in the last group on Sunday at the Masters," Mickelson said. "It's the greatest thing in professional golf."

On a couldn't-be-prettier Saturday when Rory McIlroy shot 77 and Cleveland's Jason Dufner, Sergio Garcia and Fred Couples shot 75 to destroy their chances, Hanson and Mickelson electrified the afternoon, throwing birdies around like confetti. Hanson birdied four of his last seven holes, including the last two while Mickelson played the last seven holes 5 under par.

• Masters leaderboard | Couples, Dufner struggle

"People call it the zone or that peak performance and I think I was pretty close to that today," Hanson said.

Everyone, it seems, knows Mickelson. The smile. The style. The family. With three previous Masters victories, he's as much a part of the place now as Amen Corner.

Hanson, 34, on the other hand, isn't as instantly familiar to American golf fans. He has four European Tour victories and he's ranked 25th in the world, but he's not as recognizable as Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion who is only two off the lead. He's finished in the top five of both World Golf Championship events this year and, though he missed the cut in his only previous Masters appearance, Hanson has a deep pedigree. This is new territory for him, however, with only one top-10 finish in a major championship.

"I'm just going to try to enjoy it," Hanson said of his pairing with Mickelson in the final group.

Getting to this point is a triumph for Mickelson. Late Thursday afternoon, as the skies darkened, the wind picked up and rain began spitting down, Mickelson stood on the 15th tee at 4 over. He was closer to missing the cut than winning another Masters.

"He's got good mojo here," Mackay, his caddie, said. "He knows that if he gets a little bit behind, with his length and his knowledge of the course, he has a chance to catch up if he hits some shots and makes some putts."

That's what happened. He tacked a second-round 68 to his opening 74 and then he owned Saturday afternoon. It started with a birdie at No. 10 and gathered momentum with a beautiful deuce at the dangerous par-3 12th.

At the dogleg left 13th, Mickelson ripped a 6-iron to the upper shelf of the green, leaving himself a long putt up a slope with a sharp left to right break at the end. The putt fell in on its final rotation. Suddenly, it felt like Saturday afternoon two years ago when Mickelson eagled the 13th, then the 14th and almost made a third at No. 15.

"It was really cool," Mackay said of the eagle. "It's like No. 12 where you're a little bit separated from the patrons so the noise takes a second to get to you. It's cool to have that wall of sound hit you on a slight delay."

Hanson was in the 14th fairway when the roar reached him.

"That was one of those special kind of Masters moments that I've been watching so many times TV-wise," Hanson said.

When Mickelson's adrenaline-laced 5-iron from 235 yards missed the 15th green long, he faced a wickedly delicate and dangerous shot from behind the green. Uncomfortable trying to putt the ball from his position, Mickelson laid open the face of his 64-degree wedge.

With the green sloping away from him toward a pond, Mickelson took a huge swing, sliced the bottom out of the ball, and landed it softly near the hole, setting a birdie and showing the nerve of a cat burglar.

"There was a lot of risk," Mickelson said. "It wasn't the safest shot."

When has that stopped Mickelson?

At the 18th, having seen Hanson close with two birdies, Mickelson wanted and needed one more. He hit a sweeping uphill 7-iron shot that chased back near the hole, setting up his final birdie.

"That's the greatest example of Augusta in its purest form right there," Mahan said. "[Mickelson] birdies 10 and then makes the next birdie on 12 and then eagles 13. That's the back nine at Augusta in a nutshell.

"That's very Phil and that's very Augusta."

Beat writer Paul Hoynes sorts through this week's Indians mailbag.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerA first-round pick in 2008 who is still just 23, Lonnie Chisenhall is still considered a major part of the Indians' future, even if his present is in Columbus.

Hey, Hoynsie: In regards to the hype about Lonnie Chisenhall the past two years despite his modest minor-league numbers, did the media invent the hype or was the Tribe feeding information for print? -- Ray Drecker, Cleveland

Hey, Ray: I don't think it was hype on the Indians' or media's part. If you watch Chisenhall play, you can see he's talented. He just needs more time in Class AAA to gain control of the strike zone. Last year the Indians brought him up before he was ready because their offense needed a boost.

Hey, Hoynsie: I'm nervous about a few things; our hitting looks anemic, we have a major hole in left field, no outfield bench to speak of, a depleted minor-league system and a possible under-performing starter in Ubaldo Jimenez. If it turns out the Tribe is 10 or more games back by July 1, do you expect the Dolans to turn Progressive Field into a water park during away games to draw fans? -- John McBride, Cleveland

Hey, John: They used to do that with the Colosseum in Rome, right? But I heard the grounds crew had a hard time getting it turned around for the next day's doubleheader.

Hey, Hoynsie: Sorry to be on this left-field kick, but I see it as a gaping hole. Do you see us acquiring a right-handed bat to play left from another organization? If not, what do you think of Russ Canzler? From what I perceive he looks like he had the most upside. -- Paul Welling, Rossford

Hey, Paul: Judging from the offensive performance put forth by the Indians in Thursday's season opener, I'd say they have a lot more holes to be concerned about than left field. Canzler, as you know, opened the season at Class AAA Columbus. He'll get a chance in Cleveland at some point this year.

Hey, Hoynsie: It's that time a year when 'Hope springs eternal in the human breast.' But I'm a Cleveland fan; is there any hope at all this year? I do not feel we're 'to be blest.' -- Jimmy Moss, Pittsburgh

Hey, Jimmy: Every day I go to the ballpark, I feel lucky. As for the Indians, we should know more by the end of April.

Hey, Hoynsie: I have seen and read article after article about left field. Are the Indians in panic mode? Or are they just dead set on not letting Shelley Duncan prove himself? The cost for an over-the-hill Bobby Abreu is not only a roster spot, but just not reasonable. -- Bob Carpenter, Glen Allen, Va.

Hey, Bob: Make no mistake, the Indians are looking for outfield help. Right now, Duncan is getting a great chance to play on a regular basis. If he takes advantage, things will work out fine.

Hey, Hoynsie: I was always a Jhonny Peralta fan, and I thought he got a bad rap here. I know there is a current grading system for fielding and Asdrubal Cabrera didn't do well because he lacked range. That was always the knock on Peralta, but overall I felt he was a good fielder. Certainly the Tigers thought so because they put him back at shortstop. How does he rate on the charts compared to the rest of the AL in fielding? -- Richard Forrest, Parma

Hey, Richard: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy had the best fielding percentage in the AL last year at .990. He played 129 games with 620 total chances, 211 putouts, 403 assists, 79 double plays and six errors.

Peralta ranked second at .988. He played 145 games with 659 total chances, 240 putouts, 406 assists, 83 double plays and seven errors.

Cabrera ranked sixth at .976. He played 151 games with 617 total chances, 216 putouts, 386 assists, 78 double plays and 15 errors.

According to ESPN's range factor (putouts + assists divided by nine innings) Hardy ranked first at 4.88, Peralta seventh at 4.34 and Cabrera 10th at 4.08.

Hey, Hoynsie: MLB is known for being innovative and exploring ways to improve the product, but the "opening day" scheduling is ludicrous. Was it a week ago in Japan, Wednesday night in Miami, Thursday in Cleveland, or Friday for other teams? I can't tell if the scores are regular season, Cactus League, or Grapefruit League. Please tell me MLB will go back to a Sunday night opener, with all other teams playing Monday afternoon games. -- Nick Steimle, North Olmsted

Hey, Nick: Not sure where or when the 2013 season will open, but it's a safe bet it will be within the borders of North America because the World Baseball Classic resumes next spring and teams from around the world will be doing enough traveling.

-- Hoynsie