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Zach McAllister tests sprained finger by throwing 45-pitch bullpen session: Cleveland Indians Insider

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Manager Terry Francona was encouraged by Zach McAllister's 45-pitch bullpen season on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.

Zach McAllister deliversZach McAllister threw a 45-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday to test his sprained right middle finger. He'll throw again Thursday. 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Zach McAllister threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium as he took another step toward rejoining the Indians' rotation.

McAllister has been on the disabled list since June 8 with a sprained right middle finger. The Indians believe the injury occurred from throwing his curve, McAllister's second best pitch.

"He did really well," said manager Terry Francona. "He stayed away from the breaking ball. That will be the last thing to come."

McAllister will throw another bullpen session Thursday. Whether or not he throws the curve Thursday will be determined how he feels on Wednesday after his Tuesday bullpen session, said Francona.

It's not expected that McAllister will be ready to rejoin the rotation until after the All-Star break. The Indians are being cautious with McAllister after their experiences with finger injuries to right-handers Adam Miller and Alex White.

The Indians entered Tuesday’s game against the Royals with a 44-38 record and a half-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central. After 82 games last year, the Indians were 44-38 and only two games out of first place.

A confident feeling: The records are identical, but there seems to be much more buzz and confidence about this year’s team.

“Absolutely, it feels like a different team,” said Jason Kipnis, who hit .419 (39-for-93) in June. “When we were in that 4-16 stint in May and early June it felt like 2012. But I don’t think last year’s team would have been able to turn it around like the way we have this year. I don’t think last year’s team would have shown as much potential and consistency as this year’s team.”

The Indians’ slump ran from May 19 through June 10. They’ve gone 14-5, including their four-game sweep of the White Sox over the weekend. Kipnis says a lot of the change has to do with the veterans GM Chris Antonetti added to the roster.

“Even when we went through that 4-16 stretch, we knew ‘Hey, this isn’t who we are. The record is not showing the talent we have on this team,’” he said. “We have guys who have always said, ‘Stay the course. We’ll get out of this.’ That’s the advantage of having veterans like Jason Giambi, Nick Swisher and Mark Reynolds on the team.”

Kipnis, who lived through all of the Tribe’s 94 losses in 2012, says the depth of this year’s lineup has also played a part in giving the 2013 edition a different face than last year, when their run-starved offense collapsed in the second half.

“I say that only because last year there was talk about how much pressure do you feel on yourself,” said Kipnis. “This year there’s been no talk about pressure. In my mind that means there’s no pressure, which means people aren’t worried about it.

“The depth of this lineup takes pressure off everyone. We can score runs one through nine. There’s really no off innings for the pitcher or breaks in our lineup. There’s always something happening.”

Shut down: Brett Myers, who has been on the disabled list since April 20 with a sore right elbow, was scratched from a two-inning rehab appearance Monday night because of pain in his right elbow.

Francona said Myers, who signed a one-year, $7 million deal in January, will be shut down for “three to five days” and then re-evaluated. If and when Myers is able to pitch again this season, the Indians will bring him back as a reliever. Myers opened the year in the starting rotation.

“When we get back home we’ll sit and talk with him and see how he wants to progress with it,” said Francona. “He wants desperately to help us out. I think we all thought starting was out of the question so we went the bullpen route. I think a lot will be determined on how he feels the next time he picks up the ball.

“Hopefully, it’s just a bump in the road.”

Here he comes again: The Indians are expected to recall Carlos Carrasco to start against the Tigers on Saturday at Progressive Field. The Tigers are in town for a four-game series starting Friday.

Carrasco will make a one- or two-inning appearance for Class AAA Columbus before then to stay sharp.


Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden will be 'rock-solid' in new offense, ESPN analyst says

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ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski predicts that Brandon Weeden will thrive in Browns' new offense.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At the beginning of last season, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski blasted the Browns for throwing quarterback Brandon Weeden into the starting lineup prematurely.

But the big-armed redhead is starting to grow on Jaws.

In his "Jaws' QB Countdown,'' a 32-part series on ESPN, Jaworski ranks Weeden No. 26, which is one spot up from where he finished in Jaworski's postseason rankings. It's six spots better than where he had the struggling rookie at midseason last year -- dead-last at No. 32.

But after studying all 517 of Weeden's attempts in 2012, the former Super Bowl quarterback is now bullish on Brandon.

"I evaluated all of Weeden’s throws in his rookie season, and I came away impressed,'' Jaworski said on ESPN Tuesday, where he unveiled Weeden as No. 26 and Philadelphia's Michael Vick as No. 25. "There’s a lot to like and a lot to work with for a new coaching staff. It might sound crazy, but the first thing you notice with Weeden is he can really spin it.

“I am always amazed in my discussions of NFL quarterbacks how rarely throwing ability comes up. You have to start with it. And a significant part of that is arm strength. It matters! You’re kidding yourself if you believe otherwise.''

Jaworski ranked Weeden ahead of Oakland's Matt Flynn at No. 32, Tennessee's Jake Locker at No. 31, Buffalo's Kevin Kolb at No. 30, Jacksonville's Chad Henne at No. 29, the Jets' Mark Sanchez at No. 28 and Minnesota's Christian Ponder at No. 27.

"For a rookie, Weeden showed uncommon poise and calm in the pocket,'' Jaworski said. "His mechanics were consistently solid. He showed the necessary ability to sit on his back foot and drive the ball with velocity. Did he struggle at times with clarity, seeing the field? Absolutely. Did he make some poor reads and bad throws in critical red zone situations? No doubt. But that’s what you expect from a rookie quarterback.''

Jaworski is convinced Weeden will fare better in the downfield scheme being installed by coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner.

“I believe Weeden to be a rock-solid NFL starter in Norv Turner’s offense. It will feature a heavy emphasis on play-action and intermediate and downfield throws – that’s Weeden’s strength," Jaworski said.

He was particularly impressed with one sideline throw to receiver Josh Gordon.

"It was play-action out of the straight I,'' he said. "The safety dropped down leaving Josh Gordon one-on-one with the corner on the outside. What I loved about this throw was the precise ball location, to the sideline away from the defender.

Weeden, who finished 29th in 2012 with a 72.6 passer rating, heads into training camp July 25 as the No. 1 quarterback ahead of Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer.

“Overall, I was impressed with Weeden’s rookie season,'' said Jaworski. "He will be the Browns starting quarterback in 2013. There’s no question in my mind that his throwing skillset and Turner’s quarterback-friendly system will mesh effectively.”

Indians at Royals: Get updates and post your comments

Former Cleveland Indians outfielder Milton Bradley sentenced in abuse case

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Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley was sentenced Tuesday to more than 2 ½ years in jail for abusing and threatening his estranged wife.

LOS ANGELES — Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley was sentenced Tuesday to more than 2 ½ years in jail for abusing and threatening his estranged wife.


Bradley, 35, also was ordered to perform 400 hours of community service, half of which will be spent with underprivileged youth in a baseball league. He also will be placed on five years' probation and must complete a year of domestic violence counseling and an anger management program.


Bradley is appealing the sentence and remains free on $250,000 bond. He's scheduled to return to court next month.


Bradley faced up to 7 ½ years in jail after he was found guilty of nine misdemeanor counts, including four counts of spousal battery, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of making criminal threats.


Prosecutors say Bradley threatened and attacked his wife five times in 2011 and 2012. In one incident, Bradley pushed his wife against a wall and choked her after she asked him to stop smoking marijuana in front of their children and wanted his friends to leave their home, authorities said.


The two have been married for five years and have two children together, but are separated and in the middle of a contentious divorce.


Bradley played 11 years with the Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners. During his career, he had several incidents where his anger boiled over.

Bradley was traded by the Indians in 2004 after clashing with manager Eric Wedge during a spring training game and then leaving the stadium in a cab.


The Dodgers traded him to Oakland in 2005 after he slammed a water bottle at a fan at Dodger Stadium after someone threw it on the field. He received a five-game suspension.


Bradley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2007 when he played with the Padres after he was spun to the ground by manager Bud Black, who was trying to keep him away from an umpire.


During his brief stint with Seattle, he was suspended for a game for bumping an umpire and ejected for arguing a called third strike. Bradley also got a four-game suspension once for tossing a bag of balls onto the field after an ejection.


He's been a free agent since the Mariners released him in 2011.

Bud Shaw reviews Brandon Weeden's quarterback ranking in the NFL by ESPN's Ron Jaworski (video)

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The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw and CineSport's Noah Coslov review Brandon Weeden's spot in Ron Jaworski's QB rankings and discuss Weeden's potential under Norv Turner & Rob Chudzinski.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Bud Shaw and CineSport's Noah Coslov review Brandon Weeden's spot in Ron Jaworski's QB rankings and discuss Weeden's potential under Norv Turner & Rob Chudzinski.

Cleveland Browns and NFL P.M. Links: Will Browns carry 2 kickers?; more Aaron Hernandez evidence

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Shayne Graham and Brandon Bogotay are battling to replace the job held for years by Phil Dawson.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Two names Browns fans won’t see on the sideline when the team opens the season Sept. 8 against Miami are kicker Phil Dawson and return man Josh Cribbs.

Cribbs signed with the Oakland Raiders in the offseason after new Browns general manager Mike Lombardi didn’t offer him a new contract. Dawson chose to sign with the 49ers and chase the championship he could never win in Cleveland.

It will be strange for Browns fans to see anyone besides Dawson doing the kicking. He had been with the team ever since the first expansion season in 1999.

The two players brought in to replace Dawson are Shayne Graham and Brandon Bogotay. Graham, the 35-year-old veteran, is the fifth most-accurate kicker in NFL history. Bogotay is young and unproven but possesses a powerful leg, having kicked some 50-yarders at the Browns’ minicamp last month.

Coach Rob Chudzinski hasn’t tipped his hand as to which player will win this position battle.

“It’s been close. It’s been back and forth,” he said in an article by Jamison Hensley for ESPN.com. “Obviously you get into the preseason and those games and that will be a very important part of the process of the evaluation. But it’s ongoing all the way through.”

Hensley writes that it is possible, however unlikely, that the Browns could keep both Graham and Bogotay on the roster. Graham doesn’t have the range he used to, having only converted 61 percent of his kicks from beyond 40 yards last season. Bogotay has range out to 50 yards and beyond.


NFL story links

The police have found more evidence in the case of Aaron Hernandez. (ESPN.com)

Breaking down the 2012 NFL season: what do the numbers tell us will happen in 2013? (Grantland.com)

San Francisco 49er Ahmad Brooks is the latest NFL player to run into legal trouble (Mercury-News.com).

Free agent safety Quintin Mikell is reportedly close to finding a home for next season (catscratchreader.com).

Neck strength could be a key to preventing concussions (Fox Sports).

Victor Cruz is close to signing a long-term deal with the Giants. (CBSSports.com)

Will all the new faces on the Browns lead to more wins? (Yahoo.com)

Who will have a better rookie year, the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell or the Broncos’ Montee Ball? (Yahoo.com)

The Oakland Raiders still owe former No. 1 draft pick Jamarcus Russell $3 million. (SFGate.com)

A statistical look at the Browns' potential starting free safety, Tashaun Gipson. (Draftbrowns.com)

Breaking down the Browns quarterback situation (Dawgpounddaily.com)

- Compiled by Jacob Gries, Plain Dealer Reporter


Scouting Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival 2013

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Get a breakdown on the eighth annual Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival, which begins Thursday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Here is a breakdown of the eighth annual Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival, which begins Thursday.

What: Eighth annual Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival.

When: Thursday through Sunday.

Sports: Baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball.

Admission: Free admission for all games and events.

Notable: Event features over 2,600 athletes from nine countries. Athlete breakdown is over 1,250 local, 500 domestic and 1,000 international. International athletes are from Kingdom of Bahrain, Barbados, Canada, China, Greece, India, Italy, Kenya, Mongolia and Nepal.

Opening ceremony: Opening ceremony and cultural festival is Thursday night at 6 at The Q. Event is free and features parade of international athletes, entertainment, and more. Will end before fireworks. Parking available for $5 at Tower City by mentioning the Continental Cup.

Contact: For more information and schedules, visit clevelandsports.org.

Baseball

Where: Most games at Victory Sports Park in North Ridgeville (7777 Victory Lane). On Sunday night, the U-14 championship game will be at Progressive Field and the U-13 championship game will be at Classic Park (35300 Vine St, Eastlake).

Notable: Three divisions, U-12, U-13 and U-14. The United States and Canada are the only countries competing. The tournament will feature 600 athletes playing on 40 teams.

Basketball

Where: Most games at Baldwin Wallace University's Ursprung Gym (275 Eastland Road, Berea). Championship games for select divisions will be played at The Q on Sunday.

Notable: Boys and girls teams hail from six countries, totaling 804 athletes. There are five boys divisions ranging from seventh grade to 12th grade. The girls have two divisions -- eighth/ninth grade and high school open. This is the third year for basketball and the number of teams has grown from 16 in 2010 to 67 this year.

Soccer

Where: North Coast Premier Soccer Complex in Seville (8809 Lake Road).

Notable: There will be boys and girls teams from eight countries, including the U-14 boys and girls Chinese National teams. On the boys side, there are seven divisions, ranging from U-10 to U-19 and on the girls side, there are three divisions, ranging from U-14 to U-19. The tournament will feature 1,158 athletes playing on 70 teams.

Volleyball

Where: Ohio Nets Sports Complex (12665 Corporate Dr., Parma).

Notable: This is the inaugural year for volleyball at the Continental Cup. The tournament will feature one team from Canada and China playing teams from the Cleveland area.

Manny Ramirez signs minor-league contract with Texas Rangers

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Ramirez hit .352 with 43 RBIs in three months in Taiwan this spring.


ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers have signed former Cleveland Indians slugger Manny Ramirez to minor league contract.

Ramirez spent three months playing in Taiwan for the Rhinos before leaving the team on June 20. The Rangers made the announcement Wednesday.

Ramirez hit .352 with eight homers and 43 RBIs for the Rhinos. The team tried to keep the 12-time All-Star, but the 41-year-old slugger wanted to return to his family in New York.

Ramirez's last major league appearance was with Tampa Bay in 2011. He was suspended for 50 games in 2009 while with the Dodgers after testing positive for a banned drug. He retired in April 2011 instead of serving a 100-game ban for a second positive test, but later agreed to a reduced 50-game suspension and played in the minors for Oakland in 2012.

Ramirez is 14th on the career home runs list with 555.




Aaron Hernandez's secret apartment yields more evidence, police say

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Police say the "flop house" about 11 miles away contained boxes of ammunition, clothing that could link him to the murder charges.

WRENTHAM, Mass. -- Aaron Hernandez's home address was no secret after the media camped outside the massive house for days, and cameras caught him leaving, hands cuffed behind his back, when he was arrested for murder.

But police didn't know about his "flop house."

A tip from a friend of the former New England Patriots tight end led authorities to the apartment about 11 miles away. Subsequent searches turned up boxes of ammunition and clothing that police believe could help prove the murder case against Hernandez, according to court documents.

The items were found June 26, the day Hernandez was arrested for allegedly orchestrating the death of Odin Lloyd, according to search warrant records filed in Wrentham court.

Hernandez, 23, has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys have said the evidence against him is circumstantial and he's eager to clear his name. A message requesting comment on the documents was left Wednesday with a spokesman for Hernandez's legal team.

Hernandez's two-bedroom apartment, which went for $1,200 a month, was located in a three-story complex in Franklin, a few towns over from his North Attleborough house.

Police learned about it from Hernandez's friend, Carlos Ortiz. Prosecutors say Ortiz was with Hernandez and Ernest Wallace when they drove with Lloyd to an industrial park where Lloyd was shot. Police haven't said who shot Lloyd.

Ortiz, who lives in Hernandez's hometown of Bristol, Conn, has since been charged with carrying a firearm the day of the shooting. Wallace is charged with being an accessory after the fact in the slaying

According to the documents, Bristol police interviewed Ortiz the day before Hernandez was arrested. He told them "Hernandez has another address that not many people know about," and that he thought he'd left a cellphone there.

Police initially got the search warrant to look for Ortiz's phone. But as they spotted additional items in the apartment -- including a box of ammunition on an end table -- they applied for additional warrants for the residence, and for a Hummer parked outside.

In a bedroom, they found a white hooded sweatshirt, according to the documents. A cranberry-colored cap, with a light blue front panel and the word "society" spelled backward, was found on a kitchen table, the documents said.

Surveillance video showed Hernandez wearing a similar sweatshirt the night Lloyd was killed on June 17, the records said.

And he was wearing "this same unique hat" in a picture shown on a local news station taken outside a nightclub June 14, the Friday before the killing, according to the documents. Prosecutors say Hernandez arranged Lloyd's shooting because he was upset at him for talking to certain people at the club.

"The white sweatshirt could be used ... to assist in linking Hernandez to the scene of the crime," wrote Trooper Michael Bates, in an affidavit in support of one of the search warrants.

"The baseball hat could help provide the whereabouts of Hernandez on the Friday night before the homicide," Bates wrote. "This night in particular is a critical aspect in the timeline of events leading up to the homicide."

The searches also turned up a magazine loaded with .45-caliber ammunition and 11 boxes of ammunition, including .22-caliber, .45-caliber and 7.62 mm rounds.

Besides the Odin killing, Hernandez has been linked to the investigation of a double homicide in Boston.

Police in Bristol said Tuesday that, based on evidence developed through the investigation of Lloyd's slaying, Boston police asked for their help in their probe of the 2012 murders. Police have since searched a house in Bristol and seized a vehicle from that address.

Boston police have declined to comment on whether Hernandez is being looked at as a possible suspect in that case.

And over the weekend, a man who is reportedly married to Hernandez's cousin was killed in a car crash in Connecticut. Thaddeus Singleton III, 33, of Bristol, was driving the car when it went airborne early Sunday and crashed into the wall of the Farmington Country Club.

Farmington police said they had no knowledge that the crash was linked to the Hernandez case.


Brad Stevens leaves Butler Bulldogs to coach the Boston Celtics

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Stevens will replace Doc Rivers, who joined the Los Angeles Clippers last week.

BOSTON, Mass. -- The Boston Celtics keep getting younger -- on the coaching staff as well as the court.

Less than a week after agreeing to trade Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets -- and 10 days after shipping coach Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers -- the Celtics hired Butler's Brad Stevens as their next head coach.

Stevens, 36, twice led the Bulldogs to the NCAA title game, but has no NBA experience as a player or coach.

"Brad and I share a lot of the same values," Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said in a release. "Though he is young, I see Brad as a great leader who leads with impeccable character and a strong work ethic. His teams always play hard and execute on both ends of the court. Brad is a coach who has already enjoyed lots of success, and I look forward to working with him towards Banner 18."

Stevens has spent the last six years as the coach of Butler, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championship games in 2010 and '11. He has a career winning percentage of .772 and never won fewer than 22 games in a season.

He takes over a team that is three seasons removed from an appearance in the NBA finals; the Celtics won their unprecedented 17th championship in 2008. But with Garnett and Pierce showing signs of slowing down in this year's playoffs, when Boston was eliminated by the New York Knicks in the first round, Ainge has decided to rebuild.

He allowed Rivers to take over the Clippers, extracting a first-round draft choice in return. Amid last week's NBA draft, the Celtics and Nets agreed to a deal that would send Garnett and Pierce to Brooklyn in exchange for a package of players along with three first-round draft picks.

Now Stevens, who is younger than Garnett, will be the one to work with those players.

"Our family is thrilled for the opportunity given to us by the leadership of the Boston Celtics, but it is emotional to leave a place that we have called home for the past 13 years," Stevens said in a release issued by the university. "We truly love Butler University and Indianapolis, and are very thankful to have had the opportunity to celebrate so many wonderful things together."



Racing fans to see improvements at Northfield Park and ThistleDown Racino: Horse Racing Insider

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Northfield Park and ThistleDown Racino are both making improvements this week to benefit horse racing fans.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Northfield Park and ThistleDown Racino are finally getting around to improvements for horsemen and horse players after many months devoted to racino construction.

ThistleDown's racino opened this spring. Northfield Park and Hard Rock Entertainment plan to open their $255 million "rocksino" in December.

Meanwhile, Northfield Park is constructing a $1.2 million, 13,000-square-foot multi-purpose building on the backstretch to provide offices for its racing department, the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association and Ohio State Racing Commission. It will also feature a new track kitchen and tack shop. On the other side of the half-mile racing oval, more than $2 million in improvements should begin to brighten the appearance of the old plant that first opened on Aug. 23, 1957.

"We're giving the front of the building a facelift and re-doing the north entrance, which will become the main entrance to Northfield Park," said General Manager Brent Reitz. "The big simulcast dish in front of the track was an eyesore so we're moving it, and the parking lot will be fixed up. We'll have another round of improvements in 2014."

ThistleDown has begun a $1 million renovation of the fourth floor that accommodates racing fans, and it should be complete in time for Ohio Derby Day on July 27. Technology updates include more than 150 high-definition 60-inch flat screen monitors to beam ThistleDown races and simulcast racing from other tracks. Overhead lighting will be updated and Fathead murals will depict moments in ThistleDown's history dating to its opening on July 20, 1925.

"These technology updates and design enhancements are another way to embrace and preserve the traditional racing elements at ThistleDown while modernizing the facility for both racing and gaming guests," said General Manager Rick Skinner in a press release.

Foiled Again could return: Nine-year-old Foiled Again, the richest pacer in the history of harness racing, is expected to return to Northfield Park on July 20 to race in the $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie, said Dave Bianconi, executive vice president of racing and simulcasting.

The big gelding won the race in 2009 and 2011 for Pennsylvania's Burke Racing Stable. He has $5.2 million in career earnings after capturing the $500,000 Ben Franklin at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on June 29 with Yannick Gringras in the sulky.

Foiled Again has won five of 12 starts this year and is one of 25 pacers eligible for the Battle of Lake Erie. Others include: Pet Rock, 2012 Cleveland Classic winner Bold the Duer; 2012 Little Brown Jug champ Michael's Power; 2012 Meadowlands Pace winner A Rocknroll Dance; 2012 North America Cup winner Thinking Out Loud; and defending "Battle" winner Classic Rock Nroll.

The top money winners of 2012-13 that are entered will make up the field of eight. The July 20 program also includes a few divisions of three-year-old trotters and pacers in Ohio Sires Stakes action.

'Captain' tops in June: After winning the $500,000 Max Hempt Memorial on June 29 at Pocono Downs, impressive three-year-old Captaintreacherous is finally getting a week off. The youngster went four-for-four in June in tough stakes action and was named Horse of the Month by the U.S. Trotting Association. He was the USTA Horse of the Year as a two-year-old.

Captaintreacherous is owned by Captaintreacherous Racing, which includes Joe Sbrocco of Brecksville. The Somebeachsomewhere colt is trained by Tony Alagna and driven by Tim Tetrick. He has won all five of his starts this year, and $808,293.

He was scheduled to race in Saturday's preliminary of the $635,750 Meadowlands Pace in East Rutherford, N.J. With only 13 entries, Captaintreacherous was given a bye and will race in the final on July 13.

Tetrick and Captaintreacherous had their work cut out for them in the Hempt Memorial, starting on the far outside in the dreaded No. 9 post. Parked outside for all of the mile, the pacer kicked it into overdrive in the stretch for a 1:49.2 win on a sloppy track.

Day of racing promotion: The USTA and Northfield Park will host "Back to the Track" on Saturday, a national promotion to enhance horse racing with games and specials. Railbirds can play Harness Racing Bingo for a $500 top prize. Players Club members can sign up to play Free Monday Saturday, with $2,000 spread out in mystery envelopes. The harness drivers will have T-shirt tosses at the winner's circle after every live race, and there will be free face painting for the kids. Post time is 6:30 p.m.

Cuyahoga County residents could renew 'sin tax'

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House Bill 59, the budget legislation that took effect July 1, allows Cuyahoga County Council to submit a ballot issue to renew the alcohol and cigarette "sin" taxes used to fund sports facility construction, renovation and maintenance.

Cleveland Browns Stadium is now FirstEnergy Stadium The new state budget would allow renewal of the sin tax that has funded sports facility construction, renovation and maintenance.  

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Cuyahoga County's sin tax could be sticking around.

A last-minute amendment to the state's recently approved two-year budget gives the county the option to ask voters to renew the taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, collectively known as the sin tax, past their scheduled 2015 expiration.

House Bill 59, the budget legislation that took effect this week, allows the County Council to submit a ballot issue to renew the taxes, which are unique to the county and are used to fund sports facility construction, renovation and maintenance. The council has not discussed the possibility yet.

Extending the sin tax would provide a source of revenue for future major improvements at FirstEnergy Stadium, Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena, possibly sparing the city and county from having to tap their coffers.

The sin tax amendment was pushed by the Greater Cleveland Partnership.

"We are fortunate enough to have three professional sports facilities in our city," said Marty McGann, the partnership's vice president of state and local governmental affairs. "They are getting older and the goal of this organization was to ensure that they are maintained."

McGann said Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald were informed of the measure as the Greater Cleveland Partnership worked with lawmakers to add it to the budget.

Responding to a request for comment, Maureen Harper, Jackson's spokeswoman, said via email: "Given the outstanding capital needs at the facilities that the sin tax supports, the city is in discussions regarding the renewal of the sin tax."

FitzGerald did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Cuyahoga County reaped about $25 million in sin taxes during the last fiscal year, according to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

The county levies $3 per gallon of liquor, 32 cents per gallon of wine or mixed beverages, 16 cents per gallon of beer, and 34.5 cents per pack of cigarettes. Only 4.5 cents of the cigarette tax will expire in 2015, according to the commission.

The sin tax could be renewed by voters for up to 20 years if a resolution is adopted by Sept. 15, 2015.

Without the budget amendment, the tax would have expired in 2015 and could not have been renewed under a state law that had been in place since 2008, McGann said.

"We thought it was important to continue a community dialogue, not just force this on the community," McGann said, adding that the partnership has not set a timeline for placing the measure on the ballot.

"There are a number of opportunities over the next two years when we could get it on the ballot," McGann said. "That will be the discussion now that the language is in place."

A super majority of Cuyahoga County Council members would have to approve such a resolution before the issue could be put to voters, according to the council's legislative budget advisor Trevor McAleer.

"The legislative body would vote to have the extension of the sin tax be placed on the ballot so the voters can decide to extend the sin tax or not," McAleer said. "This would require eight members of council to place on the ballot. As of right now there hasn't been any discussion of placing this on the ballot this year."

The provision was added to the budget late last month during a conference committee including members from both the Ohio House and Senate.

"I think there wouldn't have been an opportunity to engage in community dialogue about the investing in these [sports] facilities without the provision," McGann said. "I think each of them has supported economic development in the region, and they are investments that need to be protected going forward."

Plain Dealer Reporter Karen Farkas contributed to this story.

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona defends Yan Gomes in Twins incident

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Despite accusations by Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, Terry Francona doesn't think catcher Yan Gomes did anything wrong in a game on June 23.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- On Sunday, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, speaking on his radio show on 1500 ESPN, said he was not happy with the way Indians' catcher Yan Gomes blocked the plate against Ryan Doumit in the ninth inning of a game at Progressive Field on June 23.

Gardenhire hinted that the Twins would take retribution against Gomes. He said Gomes blocked the plate without the ball and tripped Doumit, who sprained his ankle.

Tribe manager Terry Francona read Gardenhire's comments and said he looked at the play "15 to 20 times" because of his relationship with Gardenhire.

"I've known Gardie for forever and I love and respect him," said Francona, before Wednesday's game at Kauffman Stadium. "Because of that I went back and looked at the play maybe 15 or 20 times. If one of our guys ever does something out of line ... I would have to apologize."

Francona, however, sees no reason to do so.

"To be quite frank, I didn't see that," said Francona. "I looked at it from every angle and Gomer never blocked the plate. The throw took him from one side of the plate to the other and he still never blocked the plate. There was no contact."

Doumit scored from first on a double to left by Oswaldo Arcia in the Twins' 5-3 victory.

It was an awkward play in which Doumit sidestepped Gomes, but didn't step on the plate. When he realized he missed the plate, he dove back just beating Gomes' diving tag.

"Doumit stepped on home and it looked like he twisted his ankle, but Gomer never touched him and he never blocked the plate," said Francona.

Francona added that the "whole plate was open" for Doumit.

Wednesday night's lineups:

Indians (45-38): CF Bourn, SS Cabrera, 2B Kipnis, 1B Swisher, LF Brantley, DH Santana, 3B Reynolds, RF Raburn, C Gomes, P Kazmir (4-4, 4.83).

Royals (38-42): LF Gordon, SS Escobar, 1B Hosmer, DH Butler, C Perez, CF Cain, 3B Tejada, 2B Giavotella, RF Lough, P Guthrie (7-6, 4.11).

Umpires: H Danley, 1B Barksdale, 2B Carapazza, 3B Cederstrom. Cederstrom, crew chief.

Chris Perez can save his way to a better reputation: Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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The road to acceptance for Chris Perez is well traveled in Cleveland and not as difficult as it might look, Bud Shaw writes in his Spin column.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The season can still be a save for Chris Perez.

You hear Perez described as a polarizing figure in Cleveland sports. Can we agree polarizing figures have been cheered before, embraced in the flesh and as a bobblehead even?

So let's not say it like it's a bad thing.

Perez brought most of the criticism on himself with his 2012 fan base lectures and the more recent marijuana possession case. Not all, though. Finding fault with the way he saves games, sometimes impersonating Nik Wallenda, is more specific to the job than to him. Anyone getting too hung up on that must've slept through Bob Wickman and Joe Borowski.

Fact is, he has saved them many more times than not. What he also has going for him on the road to redemption is that unlike Jose Mesa, he's never blown a World Series. My guess is Mesa's failure to close out the Marlins outranked his forgettable December 1996 night in Lakewood as the No. 1 reason for his infamy in this town.

If Perez preserves leads in the ninth as the anchor leg of the bullpen baton exchange, and if the Indians continue their current run into the postseason, acceptance -- while a challenging trek -- is a possibility for the Indians' closer.

He'll simply have to keep his head down, his mouth shut and do his work. OK, so maybe parts of that aren't so simple for him. If he can manage that, though, eventually all anyone will care about is whether he keeps his footing on the high wire.

Cleveland has cheered John Rocker, after all. And Robbie Alomar after the spitting incident. And Albert Belle after ... (pick one).

Think about it. While Perez's fastballs don't always find their mark, he has not yet aimed one at a fan. When a town has cheered worse -- personality disorders and anger management class flunkies (Milton Bradley) -- is it really impossible to imagine the season ending on a high note for Perez?

(OK, insert Brodie Baum joke here. Finished? Good.)

Now, is it?

"Rock-solid" isn't "franchise" but it's a step up

weeden-horiz-eagles-cc.jpgView full sizeBrandon Weeden had his ups and downs, but Ron Jaworski believes the Browns' QB is nearly as good as ... Michael Vick. That's a good thing, right? 

ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski had nice things to say about Brandon Weeden's potential in the new Rob Chudzinski-Norv Turner offense, though he still ranks Weeden No. 26 on his quarterback list.

He believes Weeden can be "rock solid."

No surprise that a former quarterback nicknamed "The Polish Rifle" would be enamored with Weeden's arm and predict him as a good fit in a downfield passing offense. No. 25 on Jaworski's list, by the way, is Michael Vick.

It's almost as if Jaworski saw the 2012 season opener at the stadium.

SPINOFFS

• What could possibly go wrong with naming Section 117 of Progressive Field "Bro-h-i-o" in honor of Nick Swisher?

So ask the former residents of Pronkville.

Mike Holmgren told his favorite Seattle radio host Dave "Softy" Mahler that he expects big things out of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez this season. Holmgren was the high school coach of Marty Mornhinweg, Sanchez' offensive coordinator in New York.

"He would be one of those guys if I was still coaching I would really like to coach," Holmgren said of Sanchez.

If you said, "Oh, you mean like Jake Delhomme," I guess your nickname wouldn't be "Softy."

• The draft was only the beginning for the Cavs and GM Chris Grant. The next step is being rebuffed by the top free agents.

• Authorities are hoping to prevent Aaron Hernandez from marrying his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins, while Hernandez is in jail. As his wife, they point out, Jenkins wouldn't have to testify against him.

It won't be easy to stop her from wanting to get hitched, since he's such a catch.

• Bengals owner Mike Brown told Fox Sports that Cincinnati stayed away from drafting Aaron Hernandez because of his personal issues.

"That one is no secret," he said. Troubled players, after all, are simply not Bengals-worthy.

hernandez-handcuffed-2013-ap.jpgView full sizeAaron Hernandez was cheered by some fans as he was led to police custody in handcuffs and faced murder charges. So who says the Boston fan is really all that tough? 

• Hernandez reportedly rented a flop house in Massachusetts where authorities, working on a tip from one of Hernandez's friends, found an ammo stash and some articles of clothing.

The ammo matched the bullet investigators believe killed Odin Lloyd. A white hoodie resembling the one Hernandez wore in a surveillance video the night Lloyd died, was also found in the house.

OK, Mike Brown and the Bengals, my apologies.

• Former Oklahoma and NFL linebacker Brian Bosworth, now an "actor," told Fox News that working on "Revelation Road" has brought him closer to God.

"I knew the Lord, I just hated him," said Bosworth, saying he felt God let him down. "There was a feud and a grudge match."

Why he didn't call Dennis Rodman, I don't know.

• If you saw Shane Battier conduct player interviews at the NBA draft, you'd have to agree he looked at least as comfortable as Michelle Wie's putting stance.

• The Raiders paid their former No. 1 overall draft pick Jamarcus Russell $3 million to sign with them.

Because nobody ever gets fooled twice, as the saying goes.

• Phillies' closer Jonathan Papelbon believes the only thing more "stupid" than the hype over Dodgers' phenom Yasiel Puig is talk of why he belongs on the National League All-Star Team after just a month in the big leagues.

Puig is the talk of baseball after batting .433 with eight homers and 17 RBI in 27 games. Only 99.99 percent of fans would rather see Puig than, say, another relief pitcher in a game that is treated as an exhibition.

So Papelbon does have a one-hundredth of a percentage point.

• With teams lining up to wine, dine and sign him, Dwight Howard will no doubt become more grounded, humble and self-critical any day now.

• With Earl Clark interested in joining the Cavaliers as a free agent -- yes, that Earl Clark -- the team is collecting power forwards the way my grandmother once collected Hummels.

• If you're having one of those days where you feel you're behind the curve, well, Golf Digest this week revived a famous quote from golfer Sandy Lyle. Asked in 1992 for his opinion of Tiger Woods, Lyle said, "I don't know. I've never played there before."

• According to Bob Dorfman of "The Sports Marketer's Scouting Report," LeBron James following "The Decision" suffered the biggest drop in Q rating "that was not criminally related." He has since rebounded nicely.

This is news in Cleveland. That his departure was not criminal, I mean.

• I have vowed to wait to draw any firm conclusions about Jimmy Haslam's financial buoyancy as CEO of Pilot Flying J until the first time I successfully balance my checkbook.

• It's doubtful the NFL knew about the FBI-IRS investigation into Pilot Flying J before the league okayed Haslam as owner. But it had to thoroughly check his finances.

If not, I think I'd rather have Mike Tyson keep my books.

HE SAID IT

"My mission is to break the ice between hostile countries. Why it's been left to me to smooth things over, I don't know." -- Dennis Rodman, to Sports Illustrated for its 14th "Where Are They Now" issue.

Whatever you think of Rodman, can we all agree he's at least as good at his new job as Henry Kissinger would've been playing forward in the NBA.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Holiday Edition)

"Bud:

"Grass or clay?" -- Jim Corrigan, Fairview Park

This is not the first time I received his mail by mistake but I believe your question was meant for Brodie Baum.

"Bud:

"How many vertical stripes are there in the new Aaron Hernandez jersey?" -- Michael Sarro

Twenty to a lifetime's supply.

"Hey Bud:

"The feds seem to have it in for guys named Jimmy (Dimora and Haslam). I hope that's not your given name." -- JRM

No worries there. Luckily my parents named me Scarface.

"Hey Bud:

"Daredevil Nik Wallenda recently walked a tightrope across Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. What's the most daring stunt you ever attempted?" -- Ed Stagl, Berea

I once climbed to the top step of the ladder, avoiding the warning printed there, though I did use ropes and a harness.

"Bud:

"Do you know any living sportswriters who have gone to a 'Gentleman's Club' with Ray Lewis or Aaron Hernandez?" -- Johnny Mack, Bainbridge

We don't run in the same circles mostly because they can afford big ticket items like cover charges.

"Bud:

"Now that Jimmy Haslam is selling his minor-league baseball team, do you think he will concentrate on his minor-league football team?" -- Bill Litzler

First-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Bud:

"With all the Haslam employees copping plea deals, when will 'Flying J' become "Fleeing J?" -- Jim Lefkowitz, Pepper Pike

Repeat winners receive an apology.

Hot weekend battles on tap for NHRA Drag Racing in Norwalk

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NHRA drag racing makes its seventh straight trip to Norwalk, Ohio for a hot Fourth of July weekend.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The seventh-annual Summit Racing Equipment Nationals beginning Thursday in Norwalk already has several battles taking shape in the Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock ranks.

Appropriately, 'Top Fuel' has the top battle with Tony Schumacher and Shawn Langdon, but others can't be ignored.

The top 10 in the points standings go for the championships in their divisions the final six races of the season, but the key is to get to that countdown on a roll. Right now, no driver is hotter than Mike Edwards in Pro Stock. He is the only driver in any division to already have over 1,000 points earned on the season. Edwards has 1,090 points in his Pontiac GXP to lead Jeg Coughlin, with 962 in his Dodge Avenger.

Coughlin, a native of Columbus, will look for some home cooking to not only gain ground on Edwards, but to hold off Allen Johnson (950 points), also racing in a Dodge Avenger.

The closest battle is in the Top Fuel ranks, where Schumacher leads with 973 points, just ahead of Langdon's 936. They have exchanged the lead almost every week.

"We've been going back and forth the last five or six races," Langdon said Wednesday during a Cleveland-area media blitz. "Even to start out the year we raced in the finals. So we have really been kind of had a rivalry since the first race of the year.''

Langdon, 30, won that race, and later won two others. The California native and avid baseball fan has advanced to the finals in six of 12 races.

This is his fourth full season in Top Fuel, but the first time he has been at the front of the pack. It is a new, yet welcome, change of pace to be the hunted instead of the hunter.

"This is really the first year we've been battling for first place," Langdon said. "The first three years I finished fifth, ninth and fourth. We never really were in a battle for first place. Last year we had a car capable of doing it, we just kind of had an off year, my first year with the team."

Racing for the Al-Anabi Race team one would expect Langdon to have a strong showing at the Norwalk drag strip, considering his team won three straight there in 2009, 2010 and 2011 before the streak was snapped last season.

"I enjoy Norwalk, with the exception of the heat," Langdon said. "The track itself is very good, and if the conditions stay cool, there's always a possibility we'll be throwing up some fast numbers."

In the Funny Car ranks there appears to be little intrigue as Matt Hagan with 904 points has a comfortable lead over Cruz Pedregon's 798. But the story in recent weeks has been the resurgence of 64-year-old John Force. He has been in the last three finals, moving from ninth to third in the point standings. In the first nine races of the season Force was 6-9. Over the last three he is 10-2, including a victory at Bristol, Conn.


Mark Reynolds knows all about getting beaned: Cleveland Indians Chatter

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Cleveland Indians slugger Mark Reynolds has been hit by pitches twice in the last five games, and in past years has twice gotten beaned with 95-mph fastballs.

reynolds.jpgCleveland Indians'€™ Mark Reynolds is hit by a pitch from Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Luis Mendoza with the bases loaded in the first inning Tuesday €™night at Kauffman Stadium.

Clubhouse confidential: Twice in the last five games, Mark Reynolds has been hit and knocked down by shoulder-high pitches. The latest came in the first inning Tuesday when Kansas City’s Luis Mendoza hit Reynolds with the bases loaded to bring home a run. 

“I’ve been hit in the head twice in my career,” said Reynolds. “Once by Ervin Santana and once by Collin Balester. They were both 95 mph right to my coconut. Not fun.” 

Reynolds said the first time he got hit, he missed a couple of days because he couldn’t pass the concussion test. 

“You had to identify these shapes and I couldn’t do it,” he said. “I don’t think I had a concussion, but maybe I did.” 

 Reason why? The Indians could have outrighted right-hander Joe Martinez on Wednesday to make room for Michael Bourn, who was activated from the paternity list. They optioned lefty Nick Hagadone to Class AAA Columbus instead because Martinez has started at Columbus all season and if scheduled starter Scott Kazmir had a recurrence of the back spasms that shortened his last season, Martinez could relieve. 

 Hagadone has only relieved this year. 

Stat of the day: The Indians were 9-2 in their last 11 road games entering Wednesday night. 

 — Paul Hoynes 


Jason Kipnis (surprise) named AL Player of the month for June: Cleveland Indians Insider

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After winning two player of the week awards in June, the American League named Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis its Player of the Month on Wednesday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jason Kipnis’ hot June ended fittingly Wednesday with the Indians’ second baseman named AL Player of the Month. He’s the first Indian to receive the award since Shin-Soo Choo in September of 2008.

Kipnis hit .419 (39-for-93) with 12 doubles, one triple, four homers and 25 RBI. He scored 17 runs, stole nine bases and drew 30 walks in 27 games.

“You guys keep asking me this question about what happened,” said Kipnis. “There was no big drastic change in approach or my swing. When I’m going well, in the past, I’ve been prone to get greedy with some swings or go away from the approach that’s working in certain situations.

“This time I’ve stayed the same game in or game out vs. lefties or righties. There has been some times where I’ve wanted to pull the ball, but I’ve stayed with my approach and keep swinging through the ball. It’s just led to me being a more consistent hitter the last month. Literally, that’s all it has been.”

Kipnis was named player of the week twice in June. The fact that he won the monthly award came as no surprise.

“I hope he keeps doing it for the next 10 years,” said manager Terry Francona.

He’s hit in 13 straight games and has reached base in 33 straight via hit, walk or hit by pitch. Among AL candidates with a minimum of 81 June plate appearances, Kipnis, 26, was first in batting average and on-base percentage (.517), tied for first in hits and ranked second in doubles, RBI, slugging percentage (.699) and extra base hits (17).

“You guys know I’ve been a streaky hitter, streaky good and streaky bad,” said Kipnis. “When I slump real bad, I’m just trying to get back to the hot part. This time I’ve just maintained my swing and approach for a longer time.”

Other players who received votes included Baltimore’s Chris Davis (.290, 12 HR, 30 RBI), Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera (.378, 9 HR, 21 RBI), the Angels’ Mike Trout (.358, 11 2B, 15 RBI) and Howie Kendrick (.356, .414 OBP) and Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion (.277, 8 HR, 20 RBI).

Kipnis will receive a trophy, sponsored by Budweiser, for the award. He received a watch for each of his weekly awards.

“It was a great month,” said Kipnis. “I definitely enjoyed it. I loved the fact that we were winning games and we’re in first place right now.

“But it’s July now, I’ve got to start over. I hope the team keeps the momentum going and we keep winning games.”

Congratulations: Michael Bourn’s new daughter, Blair, was born Monday in Houston. She weighed in at 6 pounds and 8 ounces. Bourn rejoined the Indians on Tuesday night and was scheduled to start in center field Wednesday.

Down is up: The Indians still lead the big leagues in wild pitches with 48, but it’s been a while since catcher Carlos Santana got his sprint work in chasing balls to the backstop.

“I’ve worked hard with [bench coach] Sandy Alomar and [bullpen coach] Kevin Cash,” said Santana. “I feel much more comfortable and confident behind the plate. I think pitchers feel confident that they can throw pitches in the dirt and I will block them.”

Said Francona, “Carlos and Sandy deserve credit. You can see Carlos’ athletic ability now. He’s working from the ground up now.” 

Former OSU player Colin Biles rallies to win Ohio Open

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Mini-tour pro shoots 5-under in final round to win by two shots.

WESTFIELD CENTER, Ohio -- It was going to take a near-perfect round to win.

Colin Biles didn't play a perfect round of golf, but few ever do.

Biles, a mini-tour pro and former Ohio State player, shot a final-round 5-under 65 on Wednesday and rallied from a 3-stroke deficit to win the 90th annual Minute Men Ohio Open on the South Course at Westfield Country Club.

Biles, from Upper Arlington, earned $9,000 for his victory. It was his fifth as a pro but the most prestigious.

• Final scores from the Ohio Open

His 54-hole total of 198 was 14-under and two shots better than Kent's John Hahn and Lewis Center's Tim Ailes, who began the final round sharing first place but were unable to break par and shot 70 to finish at 12-under. They earned $4,250 each.

It was going to take a near-perfect round because the South Course was in near-perfect conditions despite several days of rain. For that, the final-round field of 70 had the Westfield grounds crew to thank.

Biles, who played at OSU from 2003-07, said he did not have a number in mind when he stepped on the first tee. That was probably a good thing because he made his first -- and only -- bogey of the tournament to fall five shots behind.

"I just wanted to keep doing what I did all week," said Biles, who birdied three of the final six holes. "I struck the ball from tee to green all three days as best as you can. I knew going in to today that if I kept doing the same things I'd be right there. You can't let anything like bogey on the first hole bother you that much."

Biles, who plays on several satellite tours in the south, got the stroke back with a birdie on the par-5, 550-yard third hole, the easiest of the two par-5s.

Ailes, 40, got to 14 under with a birdie on the 352-yard 12th when he drove the green and two-putted. He lost shots on the next two holes when he second shot from the right rough struck a tree and rebound backwards, but luckily to the middle of the fairway. He two-putted for bogey.

Hahn, fresh of his first appearance in the U.S. Open, never got into a rhythm. He birdied the third but bogeyed the sixth and treacherous par-3 seventh. Another bogey on the relatively easy 10th was followed by four pars. He birdied the 532-yard 15th and closed with another on the 498-yard 18th to pull into a tie for second. It was too little, too late.

"The putter seemed to be asleep all day," Hahn said.

Uniontown's Ross Beal, who also owned a share of the lead heading into the final 18 holes, birdied the first hole to take a sole possession of the lead, but an errant driver led to bogeys on three of the next four holes. Beal, a graduate of Walsh Jesuit and Youngstown State, ended up in sixth place as Youngstown pro Garrett Frank (66) and Morrow and Morrow's Danny Lewis (68) pulled in ahead of him.

Indians at Royals: Get updates and post your comments

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Scott Kazmir will try to provide another superb effort and lead Cleveland to a season high-tying sixth straight win Wednesday night.

Game 84: Indians (45-38) at Royals (38-42)

First pitch: 8:10 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium.

TV/radio: TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WMMS FM/100.7, WTAM AM/ 1100

Starting pitchers: LHP Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.83) vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (7-6, 4.11).

» Box score | MLB scoreboard

» Get updates from the pressbox here

» You can also follow Tweets about the game and post your comments below.

CC Sabathia wins career game No. 200

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Former Indians ace collects 200th win in 3-2 Yankees victory in Minnesota.

Former Indians ace CC Sabathia reached a career milestone last night, notching career win No. 200, as the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins, 3-2.


Sabathia, now 9-6 on the season, pitched seven innings, allowing two runs and striking out nine while throwing 121 pitches.


Andy McCullough of The Star-Ledger, writing for our sister site nj.com, says that, for Sabathia, it's more than just his physical tools:


"It is his physicality that makes him so distinctive, 290 pounds (or more) filling up a 6-7 frame. But it’s his inner fire, those around him say, that has allowed him to pick all those victories. ... 'It’s just his will,' manager Joe Girardi said after the Yankees won their third in a row, a 3-2 decision over the Twins. “He never gets down on himself. He always believes he can make a pitch.'"


After the game, Sabathia told reporters he wasn't sure what meaning the win carried yet:


"'I don't know if it means anything right now,' said the 32-year-old Sabathia, just the eighth pitcher since the expansion era (1961) to win his 200th game before turning 33. 'I'll be ready in five days to go again and I guess try and get 201.'"


Sabathia pitched the first 7 1/2 seasons of his career in Cleveland, winning the Cy Young Award in 2007, when he went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA. Sabathia was traded the following season to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Matt LaPorta, right-hand pitcher Rob Bryson, left-hand pitcher Zach Johnson and a player to be named later. That player turned out to be Michael Brantley.


Now, with win No. 200 in the books, it leaves some wondering if Sabathia could one day join the 300 win club.
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