Hey Hoynsie! Paul Hoynes answers your Indians questions.

Tony Tribble, Associated PressJoey Votto is all smiles in Cincinnati after getting a giant contract. With the Reds extending Votto and Brandon Phillips, Tribe fans are asking questions, namely when will their team sign a player to a rich, long-term deal?

Hey, Hoynsie:

Hey, Marcus: Draft or no draft, big-league baseball is about winning games and making the postseason. In the last 18 years, the Indians have had nine winning seasons and been to the postseason seven times. That includes two trips to the World Series.

Over the same period, the Reds have been to the postseason twice and had four winning seasons.

So who is cutting corners?

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerLonnie Chisenhall doesn't have to be another Brooks Robinson at third base, he just needs to show the Indians he can hit consistently at the big-league level.

Hey, Hoynsie:

Hey, Joe: Not a bad thought, but if Chisenhall keeps hitting like he's doing in Columbus, I think the Indians would be willing to live with his errors at third base.

Hey, Hoynsie: The Indians obviously have a need for an impact bat, preferably in the outfield. If they are open and willing to use the trade market, as they said they are, wouldn't Chris Perez be the most likely trading chip? They traded away their top pitching prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez, and short of Lonnie Chisenhall (who doesn't make sense in a deal for offense anyway), they don't have any big-league ready young players to offer. They have depth in the bullpen and Perez would probably stir up the market. If they don't use Perez in a deal, I'm not sure the Indians would have enough to offer in exchange for a bat that would even matter. -- Leslie Marchak, Sagamore Hills

Hey, Leslie: As I'm sure you've noticed, a lot of teams are struggling with their closers in the first couple of weeks of the season. I know the Indians need a hitter, but I'd really have to think hard before trading Perez.

Hey, Hoynsie: I'm hoping for some clarification. Jose Lopez hit the pole and was awarded a home run. Everybody has always called it a "foul pole." If you hit a foul pole, that means the ball should be foul, right? Shouldn't it therefore be called a fair pole to correspond with the way the ball is judged? -- Bob Carpenter, Glen Allen, Va.

Hey, Bob: You're asking a question that has baffled people for ages. There have been books written about it. The foul pole is an extension of the foul lines. If a ball hits one of those lines, it's fair. If the ball hits the foul pole, it's fair. That's as far as I dare venture into this tangled web.

Hey, Hoynsie: Didn't the Dolans say they were going to put together a team that would be competitive for five years? Maybe the fans have a different definition when it comes to the word "competing." -- Harry Drennan, Strongsville

Hey, Harry: Don't remember the Dolans saying that. Do remember them indicating that they'd put together a team that would be competitive every three to five years.

Big difference, right?

Hey, Hoynsie: I'm assuming you at least have a moderate interest in the other pro teams in this town. Given that, where would you rank the Indians' ownership/management in relation to the others? -- Frank Mazzella, Parma

Hey, Frank: I'd rank the Indians first, the Cavs second and the Browns third. The Indians are at a distinct disadvantage because MLB does not have a salary cap, while the NBA and NFL do. But I give them high points on stability and ingenuity.

Hey, Hoynsie: I'm a little concerned about how long it is going to take to rebuild the team into a consistent winner with apparently no one particularly good in the farm system. How much longer do you think it will take? -- Scott Mercer, Cleveland

Hey, Scott: Talk about a straight line. Haven't you heard? The rebuilding is over. This team is a contender right now.

How long is it going to take to rebuild the Indians? It depends how old you are. If you're pushing 70, I'd say start watching another team. If you're a freshman in high school, you've got a chance to see it happen.

-- Hoynsie

Cavaliers and Orlando play at 6 at The Q on FSO.

APThe New York Knicks will take on the Miami Heat today.

With the 10th pick in the first round, the Buffalo Bills select....Who do you say? This is another pick -- by voting in a poll -- made by you in Cleveland.com's fans' mock draft.

Associated PressLuke Kuechly of Boston College won virtually every award as the nation's top linebacker in 2011.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns and NFL fans, it's time for you to say who all of the teams should pick in the first round of the draft on April 26.

Through April 22, via polls, we're asking you every day to make first-round picks for each of two teams. The polls go up on cleveland.com at approximate 12-hour intervals, around 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day. We list 10 prospects for you to pick from in each poll. On April 23-24, you'll be asked to make the picks for each of three teams (at approximate eight-hour intervals) both days, completing the 32-pick first round.

Here's who the fans have selected so far:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3: Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The 10th pick in the first round of the draft belongs to the Buffalo Bills. The Bills finished the 2011 season with a 6-10 record.

The Bills' primary needs include offensive tackle, wide receiver, cornerback and linebacker.

Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Browns and NFL coverage.

With the 11th pick in the first round, the Kansas City Chiefs select....Who do you say? This is another pick -- by voting in a poll -- made by you in Cleveland.com's fans' mock draft.

Associated PressMississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (94), at 6-4 and about 300 pounds, has exceptional quickness off the snap.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns and NFL fans, it's time for you to say who all of the teams should pick in the first round of the draft on April 26.

Through April 22, via polls, we're asking you every day to make first-round picks for each of two teams. The polls go up on cleveland.com at approximate 12-hour intervals, around 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day. We list 10 prospects for you to pick from in each poll. On April 23-24, you'll be asked to make the picks for each of three teams (at approximate eight-hour intervals) both days, completing the 32-pick first round.

Here's who the fans have selected so far:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3: Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The 11th pick in the first round of the draft belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs finished the 2011 season with a 7-9 record.

The Chiefs' primary needs include the offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, cornerback and possibly quarterback.

Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Browns and NFL coverage.

A highly-placed Eagles source confirmed for csnphilly.com the Plain Dealer's report that the Eagles have talked to the Browns about trading up to No. 4. However, the source says a deal is unlikely.

CLEVELAND -- A "highly-placed Eagles source'' confirmed for csnphilly.com Saturday that the Eagles have talked to the Browns "several times'' about pulling off a draft day trade.

 The Plain Dealer reported Friday that the Rams (No. 6) and Eagles (No. 15) are two of at least four teams that have talked to the Browns about moving up to No. 4.

 The source told the site there's little chance the Eagles will ultimately trade up from No. 15 to No. 4, but confirmed that Philadelphia "has spoken several times about numerous eventualities with the Browns'' as well as other teams in the first round about moving up or down.

 The source did not reveal which player the Eagles would draft if they moved up to No. 4. A lot depends on what happens at No. 3 with the Vikings. Minnesota is expected to draft USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil, but GM Rick Spielman has said he'll consider trading down.

 Some players attracting trade interest at the top of the draft including Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, Kalil and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne.

 Browns general manager Tom Heckert said last month at the NFL owners meetings that he's prepared to stay at No. 4, but would also consider moving down a few spots. The Eagles would most likely have to give up at least their two second-round picks to move up to No. 4: the 46th and 51st overal.

 Heckert, who spent nine seasons with the Eagles, has remained good friends with Eagles GM Howie Roseman and the two have made several trades since Heckert joined the Browns in 2010. The Eagles shipped cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebacker Chris Gocong to Cleveland and the teams swapped running backs Jerome Harrison and Mike Bell. They also traded picks in 2010 and made a trade for Philly's Brodrick Bunkley that was later rescinded.

 The Eagles are also known to deal on draft day. According to csnphilly.com, they made four such trades in 2008, six in 2009, seven in 2010 and four in 2011. 

Should the Browns explore a draft day trade with the Philadelphia Eagles? Tune in, get in on the debate, post your comments and questions for our panel of Browns experts for one full hour tonight starting at 8 p.m.

View full sizeScott Shaw / The Plain DealerWill Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert make a draft day trade? The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff, along with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore discuss their options tonight in a special live show.

Tonight at 8 p.m., in a special live audio chat, join The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff, along with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore as they talk about all the possibilities in the draft and what the Browns should do at No. 4.

Also, Bill Lubinger from The Plain Dealer will join them in the opening segment to discuss his article on if there is no place for the running back being drafted high in the NFL Draft.

What do you think the Browns should do? Tune in, get in on the debate, post your comments and questions for our panel of Browns experts for one full hour tonight starting at 8 p.m.

In the meantime, read what Mary Kay (@marykaycabot), D-Man (@dmansworldpd) and G-Mo (@GlennMooreCLE) have to say about the draft on Twitter. We'll see you at 8 p.m.

Manager says any carry over from Saturday night's melee would not benefit the Indians or Royals.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerTribe closer Chris Perez tweets for a sweep of the Royals.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Manager Manny Acta hoped that Saturday night's hard feelings between the Indians and Royals were a thing of the past entering Sunday's series finale at Kauffman Stadium.

"This is not something we want to linger," said Acta. "It's not good for either club. We've got the utmost respect for the those guys over there. I, myself, really like their team and what they've done over the years since I've been here.

"It's stuff that happens in the game and hopefully it just blows over and we move on."

Closer Chris Perez, after the Indians' 11-9 victory Saturday night, tweeted, "Huge team win tonight, time for a sweep of the Royals. It's not "Our Time', it's TribeTime. P.S. You hit us, we it you. Period."

The Royals' slogan this year is "Our Time."

Asked if he was trying to stir things up with the tweet, Perez said before Sunday's game, "That's not why I did it. I tweeted it because that's what I believe."

The benches cleared twice in the third inning Saturday as Acta, starter Jeanmar Gomez and third baseman Jack Hannahan were ejected. In the top of the third, KC starter Jonathan Sanchez hit Shin-Soo Choo in the right knee. Last year Sanchez, pitching for the Giants, hit Choo and shattered his left thumb.

Choo yelled at Sanchez and pointed his bat at the plate. The two teams came on the field with Hannahan leading the Indians. When the field was cleared, plate umpire and crew chief Gary Darling issued a warning to both teams.

In the bottom of the third, Gomez hit Mike Moustakas, KC's leadoff hitter, and was immediately ejected. It mean an automatic ejection for Acta. Hannahan was ejected for charging Moustakas from third base after Moustakas yelled at Gomez.

"In the second go-around, when the third baseman (Moustakas) got hit," said Hannahan, "if things were switched around, and I was up to bat, and I get hit, you put your head down and go to first base. Instead he started yelling at Gomie (Gomez) and started walking toward the mound.

"It's an unfortunate situation, but it's baseball. Your pitchers are going to stick up for the position players and the position players are going to stick up for pitchers. That's how I was taught the game. That's how the game has always been."

Today's lineup:

Indians (3-4): CF Michael Brantley, SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), LF Shelley Duncan (R), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), 2B Jason Donald (R), 3B Jack Hannahan, RHP Ubaldo Jimenez.

Royals (3-5): LF Alex Gordon (L), 2B Chris Getz (L), 1B Eric Hosmer (L), DH Billy Butler (R), RF Jeff Francoeur (R), 3B Mike Moustakas (L), C Brayan Pena (S), CF Mitch Maier (L), SS Alcides Escobar (R), RHP Luis Mendoza (0-1, 1.59).

Roster move: The Royals, with an overworked bullpen from their first two games against the Tribe, sent center fielder Jarrod Dyson to Class AAA Omaha and recalled right-hander Louis Coleman for Sunday's game. Acta said he felt the Tribe's bullpen didn't need a fresh arm.

Umpires: H Jerry Meals, 1B Lance Barrett, 2B Paul Emmel, 3B Gary Darling. Darling, crew chief.

Next: Monday is an off day. The Indians open a three-game series against Seattle in Safeco Field on Tuesday as Justin Masterson faces former Indians Kevin Millwood at 10:10 p.m. ET. STO/WTAM will carry the game.

Could Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden come between the Browns and their stated intention to renew vows with Colt McCoy? Why not?

View full sizeAP fileHas Colt McCoy done enough with the Browns to eliminate any reasonable scenario in which the team drafts Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden? Bud Shaw doesn't think so, either.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden is one of the most intriguing prospects in the NFL draft, especially for a team that admitted to a love affair with Robert Griffin III and then quickly announced its intention to renew vows with Colt McCoy.

Using the draft as the main source of supporting your quarterback is sound strategy, providing you believe you have the right quarterback. As Plan A, it's foolproof. As Plan B, meh. Just OK. Less than that if it prevents the Browns from drafting a quarterback who projects as a significant upgrade.

Those who keep making the argument that McCoy didn't have weapons around him last year should realize it's not much of an argument. Of course, he didn't.

And? What's the second part of that sentence?

Lacking a support system doesn't mean he'd be a franchise quarterback with one. Improved? You'd certainly hope so. But it's not as if -- "presto" -- he goes from Eric Zeier to Drew Brees. If it were that simple, a lot more teams would be targeting undersized, third-rounders as the answer.

Every quarterback coming into the NFL is evaluated and projected based on his skills, not on his support system in college. In McCoy, the personnel people saw a tough-skinned winner but nowhere near a first-round talent. He's shown his toughness, hasn't won for some reasons out of his control, but overall has played like a third or fourth rounder.

If the Browns saw franchise quarterback tools with McCoy, they could take playmakers at No. 4 and No. 22, then bolster the right tackle spot at No. 37, and not think twice about it. But if Weeden is there at No. 22, or certainly at No. 37, he can't be easily ignored despite being 28.

(This is the interactive portion of today's column where you get to say the Browns should wait until next year to grab USC's Matt Barkley -- as if that would be any easier than acquiring RGIII; and where I remind you that if they're bad enough through November to project at the top of the draft again next year, we should all hope the Mayans are right. If only so we can rebuild this mess from the ground up starting with single-cell organisms. What's another 10 million years or so when you've been waiting since 1964?)

Weeden is tall, accurate, strong-armed. He's not mobile or -- you may have heard -- abundantly youthful. His looks and birth certificate qualify him not as the boy next door, but as the grown man next door. His years as a pitcher in the minor leagues significantly delayed his NFL career. He'll be 29 in October, which is a legitimate concern, but not a deal-breaker.

Every team wants first-rounders to give them five to 10 years of excellence, depending on position. Understandable. Matt Kalil could give the Browns 10 years at tackle, too, but that's not enough of a factor to make him the center piece of the draft, or -- in my estimation -- make right tackle a priority at No. 22 either.

If the Browns get five or six great years out of Trent Richardson at No. 4, find a receiver with home run ability and end up with Brandon Weeden as their starting quarterback from age 29-35, anybody going to argue that they blew the 2012 draft because it didn't have enough staying power?

For whatever it's worth, Oklahoma State with Weeden at quarterback beat Baylor with Griffin III, Stanford with Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill's Texas A&M Aggies. Weeden threw eight touchdown passes and one interception in those matchups.

The more pertinent fact: Luck and RGIII are gone. Tannehill is overpriced. Weeden's age, if anything, deflates his value and that could work in the Browns' favor. They're in a great position with the number of picks they have and the amount of quarterback expertise they have on staff to be bold in this draft and find a better answer than they currently employ.

• Trent Richardson's special Saturday night in Alabama (ESPN video)

In a recent conference call, ESPN's Jon Gruden said he looked at the top 20 throws of the top quarterbacks in the draft.

"You walk away and you say Brandon Weeden makes the most difficult throws in college football," Gruden told reporters. "He has a tremendous arm and great anticipation ... it's a pleasure to watch him throw the football."

With McCoy, the Browns mostly respect his toughness and work ethic. But at some point, the conversation at quarterback needs to turn to tangibles.

The sooner the better.

On Twitter: @budshaw

The Cavaliers host Orlando this evening, hoping to continue their winning ways. Get a preview and follow in-game updates from @pdcavsinsider on Twitter. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Associated PressThe magic will be without their superstar center Dwight Howard when they face the Cavs this evening.

(AP) -- Without injured star Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic might have a tough time extending their recent stretch of success against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Minus their All-Star center for a fourth straight game, the visiting Magic look for a ninth consecutive win over the Cavaliers on Sunday night.

Orlando officials announced Saturday that Howard will again sit out because of a herniated disc. He was examined this weekend by a doctor in Los Angeles, leaving no timetable for his return.

Howard, who missed only two games because of injury in his previous seven seasons, has sat five of the last seven. The Magic (34-25) have dropped four of the five without their superstar, including the last two to Washington and Atlanta by a combined 36 points.

The Magic have lost seven of nine overall to drop to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.

"We have to have a better mindset by going forward - no excuses," guard J.J. Redick said. "In order to be a lot better, we have to figure out a way to play defense better. Because obviously we're going to miss having Dwight on that end of the floor a lot."

The Wizards and Hawks shot a combined 50.3 percent against the Magic this week, while Orlando made 37.6 percent of its shots in those two defeats. Glen Davis and Von Wafer each had 16 points Friday, but the Magic went 6 for 28 from 3-point range in a 109-81 home loss to Atlanta.

"(We) just didn't bring anything to the game," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We didn't run back, we didn't get matched up. (Atlanta) got too many easy shots. ... It was a defensive problem that became an offensive problem."

Despite Orlando's recent struggles, Davis has averaged 18.7 points and 11.4 rebounds in seven games since entering the starting lineup, although he certainly doesn't have the defensive presence of Howard - the three-time reigning NBA defensive player of the year.

Orlando has had little problem at either end of the floor during an eight-game winning streak over Cleveland, which dates to a 115-106 road loss Feb. 11, 2010. The Magic, whose average margin of victory during that streak is 10.8 points, won both meetings this season by a combined 21.

Howard, though, has averaged 20.3 points, 14.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks in the last eight matchups.

Ryan Anderson has averaged 17.3 points in the last four games versus Cleveland, but he's totaled 13 on 4-of-22 shooting in the last two overall - hitting 1 of 15 from beyond the arc.

Playing their second of three games in three nights Saturday, the Cavaliers (20-38) avoided a third consecutive loss with a 98-89 win at Washington.

Without starters Kyrie Irving (shoulder) and Antawn Jamison (rest), Cleveland shot 51.5 percent. Luke Harangody had 16 points and 10 rebounds in a call-up from Canton of the NBA Development League.

Irving, the 2011 top overall pick averaging 18.8 points, 5.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds, will miss an eighth straight contest Sunday.

Harangody, who played for Canton on Friday and will again Sunday, made the most of his one-night audition as an NBA starter.

"This is a beginning for a lot of our guys," veteran Anthony Parker said. "It can carry over for where it takes them in the next couple of years."

MLB celebrated the 65th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's MLB arrival on Sunday. Indians manager Manny Acta celebrates it every day.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerManny Acta revels in his time as a big-league manager, and cites Jackie Robinson as the man who helped make it possible.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- MLB remembered Jackie Robinson on Sunday for being the first African American to break the barrier of segregation and play in the big leagues. Manny Acta remembers Robinson and all the other racial pioneers who followed him every day.

Managers, players and coaches on every big-league team wore No. 42 Sunday to honor the 65th anniversary of Robinson's first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Acta wore the number with pride as the Indians completed a three-game series with the Royals.

"It's a special day, especially for a guy like me," said Acta. "It has a lot of meaning for me."

Acta is the only active big-league manager who is a native of the Dominican Republic. In the lineage of big-league managers from that baseball-rich island, he is fourth in line, following Felipe Alou, Tony Pena and Luis Pujols.

"Those guys paved the way," said Acta. "It started with Jackie, following with Larry Doby in Cleveland. Then going into the coaching side, Frank Robinson, the first African American to manage in the big leagues.

"Then Felipe Alou opened the door for guys like me. If it was tough for those guys, imagine how tough it was for us? We are not only minorities, but foreigners."

Acta played six years in the minors, but knew if he was going to make it to the big leagues it would have to be as a coach or manager. Montreal hired him as its third-base coach in 2002 under Frank Robinson. He took the same job with the Mets in 2005 before the Nationals hired him as manager on Nov. 16, 2006.

The Indians hired Acta to replace Eric Wedge after the 2009 season. Last year, they exercised his option through 2013.

When Acta dreamed of being a big league manager, he never felt that being a minority would stop him.

The Biography Channel's mini-bio on Jackie Robinson

"No, because I had already seen guys like Felipe, Tony Pena, Luis Pujols ... guys like Cookie Rojas and Frank Robinson and Dusty Baker do it," said Acta. "To be frank, I had it made. Those guys are the ones who had to break the ice and they did it for us.

"That's why I take it very seriously. Especially for the people who are coming behind me."

What would Acta tell a younger version of himself, be he Latin, black or Asian, languishing in the minors as a player, but dreaming big-league thoughts of being a manager?

"Yes, you can," said Acta. "It's possible. Those guys did it. I'm doing it. All of us are doing it.

"You have to embrace it and take it seriously and represent the people who are coming behind us. You have to know they can do it."

In this corner: Here are the scorecards from Saturday night's 10-inning fight in which Jonathan Sanchez hit Shin-Soo Choo, Jeanmar Gomez hit Mike Moustakas and Acta, Gomez and Jack Hannahan were ejected:

• Choo: "I know it wasn't on purpose. He threw inside and missed. Still, I have memories of last year. Maybe I'm a little bit sensitive, but I think I did the right thing."

Sanchez broke Choo's left thumb last year when he pitched for the Giants.

• Hannahan: "This is the way baseball has been played for a long time. You hit our studs. We hit your studs. That's the way it's always been played and that's the way it should be played."

• Hannahan on why he charged Moustakas after Gomez hit the KC third baseman: "If things were switched around, and I was up to bat, and I get hit, you put your head down and go to first base. Instead he started yelling at [Gomez] and started walking toward the mound."

• Joe Smith: "The book is to pitch Choo in. He keeps getting hit, he keeps getting hit. We can't let him keep getting hit.

"We had a lot of guys go down last year. A lot of guys get hit. ... We don't like that."

Indians batters were hit 65 times last year, fourth most in the AL. Indians pitchers hit 60 batters last year, third most in the AL.

• Acta: "I don't know why they get so upset. Then when the game starts rolling again, everybody is hugging and kissing on the bases ... I still don't get it."

Hannahan and Gomez are facing possible suspensions.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

The Indians completed a three-game sweep of Kansas City because of an offense that is suddenly thriving. They outscored the Royals, 32-19.

View full sizeJohn Sleezer, Kansas City StarCasey Kotchman (left) and Travis Hafner welcome Shelley Duncan across home plate after Duncan's three-run homer in the third inning of Sunday's game against the Royals. Later in the Indians' 13-7 victory, both Hafner and Kotchman homered as well.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It started with a Tweet calling for a sweep. It gained momentum with two long homers and concluded with a center fielder pitching for the home team at Kauffman Stadium.

Ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure, it's the Indians' first sweep of the season. The suddenly offensive-oriented Indians beat the Royals, 13-7, Sunday to finish a three-game series that they dominated from first pitch to last.

They came out ahead in everything but the ejection column. In Saturday night's 11-9 victory in 10 innings, they lost starter Jeanmar Gomez, third baseman Jack Hannahan and manager Manny Acta because of a hot-tempered third inning that saw Shin-Soo Choo and Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas get hit by pitches.

The flaring tempers prompted closer Chris Perez to send out this Tweet after the game: "Huge team win tonight, time for a sweep of the Royals. It's not 'Our Time,' it's TribeTime. P.S. You hit us, we hit you. Period."

The Royals, a team loaded with young talent, has coined the slogan "Our Time" for this season. But after Sunday's game, Perez said he would not be predicting any more sweeps in his Tweets.

In the three-game series, the Indians outscored the Royals, 32-19. It's the most runs the Indians have scored in their first three road games of a season in club history.

Sunday's game changed with one swing of Shelley Duncan's bat. The Indians trailed, 3-0, in the third. There were two out and Ubaldo Jimenez (1-0, 4.50) had no idea where the ball was going. Then Michael Brantley beat out an infield single. Asdrubal Cabrera followed with another single to push Brantley to third. Choo, booed as loudly Sunday as he was Saturday for being the perceived instigator, split the gap in right center with a two-run double.

Luis Mendoza (0-2, 5.59) intentionally walked Hafner to face Duncan, who sent a high foul ball near the photographer's pit behind first base. Eric Hosmer dropped it for a costly error. Duncan, given a second chance, hit a 1-1 pitch 418 feet into the left-field seats for a 5-3 lead.

The Indians added one more run on Jack Hannahan's RBI single for a 6-3 lead.

"The two-out rally was huge," said Duncan. "There are few times when a pitcher is vulnerable. One is in the first inning, one is in the fifth inning when the decision is on the line and one is when he gets two quick outs in an inning.

"They let up a little bit and if that hitter who comes up puts together a good at-bat and does something, he can put that pitcher on his heels."

In the fifth, Hafner opened with a 456-foot homer that landed in a sports bar named Rivals located beyond the right-field bleachers. It was reported by an unknown source that the ball bounced up to the bartender and ordered a round for the house.

"I'm still waiting for my drink," said Hafner with a laugh. "That's about as good as I can hit a ball."

It was Hafner's second homer of the season and each has been a monster shot to right. If this keeps up, they'll have to reopen Pronkville at Progressive Field.

"Wow! He's hit two balls already that I guess the people in Cleveland were used to seeing before he hurt his shoulder," said Acta. "I've seen a lot of games here and I've never seen a ball hit that far."

The Indians lived by the big inning in the series. They scored seven runs in the first on Friday. They scored five in the third on Saturday and six in the third on Sunday. The Indians opened at home and went 1-4 in the April cold, while scoring 20 runs. Temperature for all three games against the Royals was between 70 and 72 degrees.

"This was good hitting weather," said Duncan. "It was warm and the wind was blowing out."

After Hafner's leadoff homer, the Indians added three more fifth-inning runs for 10-4 lead. In the eighth, Casey Kotchman and Jason Kipnis became the first Indians to hitconsecutive homers this season. Kotchman hit a two-run shot and Kipnis followed with a drive to center to make it 13-5.

Jimenez did a five-and-fly for the victory. Even with the big six-run third, he was not a joy to watch. It took 112 pitches to go five innings.

"I finally found a groove with my fastball in the last two innings," said Jimenez.

Royals center fielder Mitch Maier pitched the ninth to save a depleted bullpen.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

The Cavaliers head coach continues to place more importance on the off-season work he plans for the presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year.

View full sizeMark Duncan, Associated PressKyrie Irving warmed up with the rest of his Cavaliers teammates before returning to street clothes to watch Sunday's game against Orlando from the bench.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Byron Scott said Kyrie Irving could return to the lineup as early as Wednesday night against Philadelphia -- or not at all in the season's final two weeks.

The Cavaliers head coach continues to take a cautious approach with Irving's sprained right shoulder and places more importance on the off-season work he wants the presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year doing several weeks after the final game on April 26.

"We do not want to have a setback going into the summer where he has to rest for three or four weeks and not be able to participate in some of the things we want him to participate in," Scott said. "I might be overly cautious with this right now, but it's in his best interest."

Irving is one of the select players the coaching staff wants to return to Cleveland in May. Irving will be given specific things to improve over the summer. The same holds true for fellow rookie Tristan Thompson. Both will play for the Cavs' summer-league team in Las Vegas in July.

Scott acknowledged Irving is probably closer to returning than Anderson Varejao (fractured wrist). Doctors are supposed to re-examine the Brazilian center in the next few days, he said.

Irving is expected to participate in shoot-around Tuesday morning in Detroit, his first practice since re-injuring his shoulder on April 3 against San Antonio. Scott said Irving is unlikely to play Tuesday versus the Pistons.

Praise for AJ: Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said free agent Antawn Jamison, who turns 36 in June, should have no trouble finding a contract in the off-season.

Jamison, averaging 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds, is still playing at a high level, Van Gundy said, and he wouldn't be surprised to see a contender sign the power forward. Jamison had started every game this season until Scott opted to rest him in Saturday's win at Washington.

From bad to worse: Van Gundy said the Magic is preparing to enter the playoffs as if All-Star center Dwight Howard (back) will not return in time. He's expected to miss at least 10 days.

Things got worse for the Magic on Sunday as Glen Davis, the replacement for Howard, suffered a sprained right knee in the first quarter.

Dribbles: Semih Erden (sprained ankle) said he's probably four or five days away from practicing again. Erden, no longer in need of a walking boot, hopes to return for before season's end. ... Cavs mascot Moondog returned to action Sunday after suffering an eye injury in a play fight with Indiana's David West on Wednesday.

Cavaliers score a season-low 30 first-half points and end the night with 18 turnovers as the Magic clinch a playoff spot.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Playing their seventh game in 10 nights, the depleted Cavaliers proved to be in no shape to beat anyone Sunday except themselves.

They threw errant passes. They made poor decisions. They knocked the rims egg-shaped with a battery of missed field-goal attempts. It was all too much to overcome in a 100-84 loss to the Orlando Magic before 16,305 fans in The Q.

The Cavs looked very much like a club finishing its first back-to-back-to-back in 13 years. They scored a season-low 30 first-half points and ended the night with 18 turnovers in losing to the Magic, which clinched a playoff spot with Dwight Howard watching the game from the team hotel due a herniated disk in his back.

"It was something that most of these guys hadn't experienced before," said Antawn Jamison, a rookie the last time the NBA resorted to three games in as many nights due to a lockout. "We had a lot of turnovers tonight and just missed shots."

League teams are 19-19 in the third game in as many nights, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"It was tough, even though I didn't play [Saturday in Washington], I was still winded," Jamison said. "I can't imagine playing Friday, Saturday and today, but everyone goes through it and it was our time to go through it."

The Cavaliers, who remain without injured point guard Kyrie Irving (sprained shoulder), never led in a game in which they shot 37.3 percent from the floor. Meanwhile, the Magic transformed 18 Cavaliers' giveaways into 23 points. Reserve forward Luke Walton committed five turnovers in 13-plus minutes.

Team mascot Moondog, returning from an eye injury suffered in a play fight with Indiana's David West on Wednesday, should have been fitted with a helmet to protect him from passes gone astray. The Cavalier canine walked onto the court wearing an eye patch.

"We just have to do a better job of taking care of the ball," coach Byron Scott said. "Sometimes, we get in the habit of trying to make these home-run passes and we just have to make the simple plays."

A night after Luke Harangody returned from the D-League for one game to supply a 16-point, 10-rebound effort in a victory at Washington, there were no such unexpected heroics.

Jamison scored 21 points on 5-of-13 shooting and committed four turnovers. Center Tristan Thompson was 1-of-8 from the floor. Even recent spark plug Lester Hudson managed just six points in 16 minutes.

Asked why Hudson, who's averaged just 7.6 points in his last three games, played so sparingly, Scott said he wanted to take a longer look at Manny Harris, who finished with 10 points.

Point guard Donald Sloan, who continues to make a compelling case for his inclusion on next season's roster, had a solid game offensively with 15 points and five assists. He had a tough time, however, keeping Magic point guard Jameer Nelson in front of him. Nelson led Orlando with 21 points and nine assists. Jason Richardson added 16 points.

The Cavaliers (20-39) were chasing the game all night, scoring just 15 points in each of the first two quarters and shooting 28.9 percent from the field for the half. They trailed by as many as 20 points. Their previous low for a half was 31 points against Detroit on March 28.

While the team gets a respite, its weekend star plays on. Harangody and the Canton Charge lost in overtime in Springfield, Mass., on Sunday in the D-League playoffs. He must play his fourth game in as many nights on Monday.

The off-season cannot arrive soon enough for many in the organization.

Do the Browns go running back at No. 4 and draft Trent Richardson? Do they trade down? The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot and Dennis Manoloff, along with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore weighed in their opinions on what the Browns might do in the NFL Draft.

View full sizeAssociated PressAlabama's Trent Richardson is a fan favorite for Browns' fans at No. 4, but will the Browns take him?

Among other topics discussed:

• Making the case for Morris Claiborne at No. 4.

• What pick is right for the Browns to select Brandon Weeden?

• Should the Browns look to draft guys with questionable character issues in the later rounds, like Janoris Jenkins and Vontaze Burfict?

• Will the Browns pull a draft day trade with the Philadelphia Eagles?

From now until the draft, read what Mary Kay (@marykaycabot), D-Man (@dmansworldpd) and G-Mo (@GlennMooreCLE) have to say on Twitter.

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

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With the 12th pick in the first round, the Seattle Seahawks select....Who do you say? This is another pick -- by voting in a poll -- made by you in Cleveland.com's fans' mock draft.

Associated PressIllinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus (85), a top NFL draft prospect, and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the Buckeyes' 17-7 win over the Fighting Illini last Oct. 15.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns and NFL fans, it's time for you to say who all of the teams should pick in the first round of the draft on April 26.

Through April 22, via polls, we're asking you every day to make first-round picks for each of two teams. The polls go up on cleveland.com at approximate 12-hour intervals, around 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day. We list 10 prospects for you to pick from in each poll. On April 23-24, you'll be asked to make the picks for each of three teams (at approximate eight-hour intervals) both days, completing the 32-pick first round.

Here's who the fans have selected so far:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3: Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern Cal

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, Louisiana State

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, guard, Stanford

The 12th pick in the first round of the draft belongs to the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks finished the 2011 season with a 7-9 record.

The Seahawks' primary needs include the defensive line, linebacker, a cornerback and wide receiver.

Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Browns and NFL coverage.

Aeros shut down by Trenton, Carolina's errors seal loss to Winston-Salem, Lake County falls in slugfest.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Bats 5, Clippers 3: RF Trevor Crowe (.429) doubled twice and singled, and 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.333) doubled twice, but Columbus lost to host Louisville (Ky.) in International League play Sunday. Clippers RHP Zach McAllister (0-1, 4.00 ERA) allowed five runs, nine hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out three. SS Justin Toole (.500) also had two hits for Columbus.

Bats RHP Brett Tomko, a Euclid native who has 100 career major-league victories, gave up one run in 41/3 innings but walked four and left before he could qualify for the win. An infielder named Dorn -- first baseman Daniel, not third baseman Roger -- homered for Louisville off McAllister, raising his batting average to .171.

AA Akron Aeros

Thunder 2, Aeros 1: LF Jared Goedert (.355), C Roberto Perez (.231) and 3B Ryan Rohlinger (.280) each had two hits, but host Akron was unable to complete a four-game sweep against Trenton (N.J.) in Eastern League play at Canal Park. LHP Eric Berger (0-2, 8.00) allowed two runs in five innings for the Aeros. DH Cody Johnson (.375) homered, and C Jose Gil (.273) singled in a run for the Thunder.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Dash 6, Mudcats 5: LHP T.J. House (0.00) struck out eight and did not allow an earned run in six innings, SS Ronny Rodriguez (.259) hit a three-run homer and 1B Jeremie Tice (.207) also went deep, but Carolina lost a Carolina League contest to host Winston-Salem (N.C.). The Mudcats committed three errors, leading to four unearned runs.

A Lake County Captains

Hot Rods 22, Captains 12: RHP Cody Anderson allowed four runs in the first five innings. That was host Lake County's best pitching line of the day. Bowling Green (Ky.) hit six homers, had three players with at least five runs batted in -- six by 3B Tyler Goeddel (.406), five by OF Todd Glaesmann (.316) and five by OF Drew Vettleson (.294) -- and scored 18 runs in the last three innings to pound the Captains.

Lake County RHP Kyle Blair (0-2, 20.86) gave up 13 runs in 31/3 innings and RHP Jeff Johnson (32.40) five runs in two-thirds of an inning. The Captains got homers from C Alex Lavisky (.323), RF Jordan Smith (.333) and pinch hitter Patrick Tolentino (1.000).

Varejao has a history of injuries while playing for his national side

View full sizeMark Duncan, Associated PressKyrie Irving warmed up with the rest of his Cavaliers teammates before returning to street clothes to watch Sunday's game against Orlando from the bench.

Antawn Jamison will probably move on after this season.

PD FileCleveland Cavaliers Antawn Jamison shoots against the Utah Jazz.

Antawn Jamison's contract with the Cavaliers runs out at the end of this season, and that will likely end Jamison's time here in Cleveland.

Jamison, 35, probably has two good years left (with a good team) before he hangs it up. Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com wrote over the weekend about Jamison in this feature story.

Jamison is a superior professional with just the right timing. He knows when to laugh and when to chastise teammates for not playing hard or taking losses too lightly and chuckling a bit too much after games. He knows when to stick up for his guys on those nights when Scott ruthlessly tears apart his players’ performances.

He knows how to be competitive and still mentor, something he learned the hard way last season when he publicly groused about coming off the bench so the Cavs could figure out what they had in J.J. Hickson.

Maybe Jamison, writes Lloyd, will latch on with a contender for one more shot at a title. Maybe he’ll go home to Charlotte. He has already flirted with the idea of signing with the hometown Bobcats and providing exactly the type of direction that shambled franchise desperately needs.

Wherever he goes, he will leave behind plenty of memories in Cleveland, although probably not many he’d like to remember.

More Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers should sit Andy and Kyrie for the rest of the season (Cleveland.com).

Kyrie Irving remains in the maybe stage when it comes to his return (Cleveland.com).

Springfield evens the series against the Canton Charge (CantonRep.com).

Mascot returns after punch (The News-Herald).

The Orlando Magic clinch a playoff berth with victory over the Cavaliers (OrlandoSentinel.com).

A shoulder injury suffered by Bruno Santos means Independence-based Brian Rogers will face Andreas Spang in one of two middleweight semifinal fights at Bellator 66 at the I-X Center Friday night.

View full sizeBellator.comBrian Rogers, a one-time star linebacker at Walsh University and currently a special education teacher in Kent, will face Andreas Spang in a middleweight tournament semifinal fight at Bellator 66 in Cleveland on Friday night. His original opponent, Bruno Santos, had to pull out because of an injury.

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita is one of the players meeting in New York today with NFL officials about the bounty scandal. He's admitted to paying players for big plays, but not for hurting opponents.

Jacquelyn Martin l Associated PressBrowns linebacker Scott Fujita is meeting today in New York with NFL officials about the bounty scandal and other matters.

CLEVELAND -- Current Browns and former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita is among the players meeting in New York today with NFL officials about the Saints bounty program and other matters, according to Albert Breer of nfl.com.

Fujita, a member of the NFL Players Association's executive committee, has admitted to Sports Illustrated's Peter King that he paid teammates for big plays while in New Orleans, but not for hurting opponents and not as part of the bounty pool.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees,  NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and other members of executive committee besides Fujita arrived this morning at league offices to discuss sanctions against players involved in the Saints' program.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has come down hard on current and former Saints employees involved in the program, including suspending coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season and general manager Mickey Loomis for eight games.

Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was set to run the Rams defense this season, has been suspended indefinitely.

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who reportedly offered teammates $10,000 for injuring then Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, is bracing for a suspension of two to eight games, according to nfl.com's Jason LaCanfora.

Fujita told King last month that he paid a lot of money to teammates for big plays like interceptions, but that he never contributed to a bounty pool.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said last month at the NFL Owners Annual Meetings that he hopes Fujita won't miss any games.