The Indians' biggest need to stay in contention in the AL Central is a front-of-the-rotation starter to complement Justin Masterson. All they have to do is go out and get one. No problem, right?

CLEVELAND, Ohio — It's July, so the two big questions concerning the Indians have to be:

No.1: Are they a real contender?

No.2: If they are, will they make a trade sometime before the July 31 or Aug. 31 deadlines to try and make the postseason for the first time since 2007?

For the sake of argument, let's deal in the present, which would make the Indians a contender. It didn't look like that Friday night or Saturday afternoon against Detroit, but they have played well for much of the first half.

View full sizeOnly 28, Houston's Bud Norris could be a valuable arm for several seasons in Cleveland, but would require dealing away several prospects.Pat Sullivan, Associated Press 

So what are their main needs? First and foremost, the Indians need a front-of-the-rotation starter to go with Justin Masterson. It's an easy need to admit to, but much harder to actually go out and fill.

Matt Garza of the Cubs is available. He had injury problems last year, but he's won his last three starts, allowing three runs in 22 innings. Garza is a free agent at the end of the season. The rebuilding Cubs want prospects. The Indians would not receive draft pick compensation under the new basic agreement if Garza left through free agency at the end of the year.

Houston's Bud Norris, a right-hander like Garza, is available. He could help and won't be a free agent until 2016. Like the Cubs, the Astros are rebuilding. Would Norris, currently 6-7 with a 3.22 ERA in 18 starts, be worth Danny Salazar, Tyler Naquin and one or two other top prospects?

Milwaukee's Yovani Gallardo could also be available. He's signed through 2014 with a club option for 2015. Gallardo's 6-8 with a 4.78 ERA in 18 starts this year.

Philadelphia's Cliff Lee may or may not be available, but he's way too expensive for the Indians. Miami's Ricky Nolasco was dealt to Los Angeles Saturday night, garnering three pitching prospects and international draft money in return.

Jeff Samardzija, another Cubs starter, could be available as well.

The Tribe's bullpen is tied for the American League lead for the most blown saves and for the fewest saves. But the key pitchers who made the bullpen a team strength over the last 2 1/2 seasons are still there: closer Chris Perez and set-up men Vinnie Pestano and Joe Smith. Perez and Pestano, however, have not been healthy, which means the Indians have a tough call to make.

Do they give Perez and Pestano time to find their groove and regain their velocity, or do they bring in another late-inning reliever? If White Sox set-up man Jesse Crain was healthy, the Indians would be pushing hard for him right now. Don't forget his name if Crain shows he's healthy after the break.

An area the Indians could move quickly on improving is the left-handed elements of the pen. Lefties Rich Hill, Nick Hagadone and Scott Barnes have been shaky. So has right-hander Cody Allen, who usually does well against lefties. Lefty relievers who are reportedly available including Matt Thornton, Mike Gonzalez and Seattle's Oliver Perez and Charlie Furbush.

Offensively, the Indians ranked fourth in the AL with 414 runs in 86 games, a big improvement over last year when they finished 13th for the season with just 667 runs.

The offense can take care of itself. It could be downright dangerous if Nick Swisher can find a way to hit while dealing with his sore left shoulder and Mark Reynolds gets hot again. But if Reynolds and Lonnie Chisenhall still aren't hitting two or three weeks from now, don't be surprised if the Tribe adds a hitter.

Teams can make trades without acquiring waivers on a player at the July 31 deadline. Waivers are needed to make a deal after July 31 and before Aug. 31.

This is the second year that general managers are running into a seller's market. The extra wild-card entry in each league has stopped many teams from becoming sellers until they get a better idea of whether they're in or out of the race. As of Saturday, the only true sellers in the AL were Chicago and Houston with Minnesota and Seattle wavering. In the NL, Milwaukee, Miami, the Mets and Cubs appeared to be sellers with the Phillies wavering.

The Indians, at the moment, are a buyer in a crowded market. 

This week in baseball 

Baseball is a game of threes. Three strikes and you’re out and three outs in each half of an inning. Here are two more sets of threes to consider from last week in baseball. All stats are through Friday. 

Three up 

1. Oakland third baseman Josh Donaldson, one of the most improved players in the big leagues, is hitting .350 (21-for-60) with five homers and 13 RBI over his last 17 games. 

2. Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis has 16 homers in 42 home games this year, while the Marlins have hit 17. 

3. After touching the Stanley Cup on Wednesday in a celebrating honoring the Blackhawks, White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham homered. 

Three down 

1. Kansas City’s James Shields is 1-4 with six no decisions in his last 11 starts. 

2. Joey Votto, hitting .323 with 14 homers for the Reds, leads all MLB first basemen with 10 errors. 

3. Indians relievers are tied with Boston for the fewest saves (17) and with Baltimore for the most blown saves (16) in the AL. 

Stat-o-matic 

Thank you, Tribe: The Royals, despite ranking 29th in homers, are tied for the MLB lead in grand slams with four, according to MLB Stat of the Day. They hit two against the Tribe last week. 

Walk the walk: White Sox DH/1B Adam Dunn hit the ninth walkoff homer of his career Thursday. It tied him for third place among active players with Alex Rodriguez, behind David Ortiz with 11 and Albert Pujols with 10. 

Movin’ on up: The Dodgers, from June 22-July 5, went from 9 1/2 games out of first place in the NL West to 3 1/2 games out in the span of 11 games. 

It took CC Sabathia 401 starts to win 200 games, 106 of those wins with the Indians.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — This is not meant to open an old wound for the Indians, because the wound never closed. CC Sabathia has made sure of that by continuing to do what he does best, winning 50 percent of his starts.

On Wednesday, Sabathia, 32, won his 200th game by pitching the Yankees past the Twins. He’s just the eighth pitcher to reach 200 victories before turning 33 since 1961. Now the question is can he win 300? Only 15 pitchers have done it.

It took Sabathia 401 starts to win 200 games, 106 of those wins with the Indians. At that winning percentage, he’d need to equal his career average of 34 starts per season over the next six years to make it. He’s 83-35 in 147 starts with the Yankees, winning at a faster clip than his career numbers.

Sabathia is certainly in a good spot. The Yankees will always have a big payroll with an star-studded roster. He had a bone spur removed from his left elbow after last season, but he’s never had a major arm problem.

It was a given the Indians had to trade Sabathia in 2008 or lose him via free agency. It was not a given that they had to make the deal that they did with Milwaukee. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. A sore-hipped Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley, as solid a player as he is, just isn’t enough of a return.

Omar Vizquel threw out the first ball. Deliberately off-target, it still served the Indians better than most of what their starter, Carlos Carrasco, offered.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Saturday's first pitch was made by Omar Vizquel, whose souvenir doll, to be given to the first 10,000 fans through the turnstiles Monday, was probably bobbling its head in dismay.

"Jussst a bit high," as the great Harry Doyle might have said in "Major League" when the ball flew over honorary catcher Carlos Baerga and was caught near the screen by their former teammate, Alvaro Espinoza.

It was just another prank by the cut-ups from the 1990s Indians, who went to two World Series in three years, affixed innumerable chewing gum bubbles to unsuspecting teammates' caps, played the hotfoot trick on the unwary by the matchbook load, and won a city's heart.

"The people here still talk about those players, and they played in the '90s. It's just crazy," Vizquel said.

The throw he made stayed out of harm's way far better than many of the 81 pitches offered by Carlos Carrasco in another dispiriting loss to Detroit, the defending American League champion. The Tigers won, 9-4, after a 7-0 win on Friday. The Tigers seem to have located the button that dispenses the magic just in time to dash Cleveland hopes.

In just 3 1/3 innings, Carrasco was rocked for 10 hits, seven runs (six earned), committed an egregious throwing error, and generally performed an instant replay of Justin Masterson's 4 2/3-inning stint in the series opener.

Can you say beads, trinkets and Carrasco? Because that's close to what the Indians got from the CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee trades. Carrasco and Michael Brantley are all they have left.

Carrasco gave up five hits in the third. Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and former Indian Victor Martinez went homer, homer, double. The inning might still be going on, except former Indian Jhonny Peralta ran the Tigers out of it.

in the fourth, with runners on first and second and none out, Carrasco fielded Ramon Santiago's sacrifice bunt, double-clutched as Lonnie Chisenhall scrambled back to the third-base bag for the force play, then threw the ball into the left-field corner. On the bright side, Carrasco might have had more on that throw than most of the others.

"Things spiraled after that," said manager Terry Francona.

The Indians' dreams of playing meaningful games in September will circle the drain if this kind of starting pitching continues. In 13 of the last 18 games, the starter has not gotten to the sixth inning or beyond.

Vizquel might have recognized some of the traits of the '90s Indians Saturday, only they were represented by the Tigers. "You could feel some kind of intimidation," he said odf the 1990s Indians.

Francona, whose team is 2-8 against Detroit this season, said an inferiority complex has certainly not manifested itself. "I don't think we ever feel like that. I used to feel like that maybe in Pony League," he said. "I don't think we'll show up (Sunday) and not feel like we're going to win."

What chance the Indians had to get back in the game came in the bottom of the third. With one run in and runners on the corners with two out, slugging Nick Swisher came to the plate. This is exactly what the Indians signed him for. Unfortunately, Swisher embodied his nickname of "Swish" on a 3-and-2 pitch from Anibal Sanchez. Swisher would later homer, a solo shot to cut the ballooning deficit to 9-2 in the sixth.

The best team doesn't always win in baseball. St. Louis had an 83-78 record and won it all in 2006. The 1997 Indians won only 86 games and had the seventh-best record of the eight playoff teams, but they went to the 11th inning of the seventh game of the World Series.

"Just because a team wins 86 games does not mean it's not the best team," Francona said. "Everybody goes through stuff. Guys get hurt. Whoever has the best record does not mean they're the best team. Maybe they're the healthiest team. Maybe a team gets to the playoffs and has two really good pitchers and they can ride them out."

You've got to get into the playoffs to weave such magic spells, however. The only way the Tribe does that is by winning the same division as that of the Tigers.

In a critical weekend series, the Indians are honoring Vizquel, one of their most popular players ever, and the appeal of the past remains immeasurably greater than that of the present.

Indians manager gives some thought to the former Tribe shortstop's Hall of Fame status.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Seen and heard before and during Saturday's game.

Clubhouse confidential: Indians manager Terry Francona had an interesting exchange with reporters Saturday afternoon on the subject of Omar Vizquel's Hall of Fame candidacy.

Vizquel, the former shortstop, is a guest of the Indians for the Detroit series that ends Monday, when his bobblehead will be given away at Progressive Field.

"I’m not trying to be disrespectful,'' Francona said. "I haven’t looked. I haven’t thought about it. I get so caught up in what we're doing. ... Give me his numbers."

Among the numbers: 2,968 games, 2,877 hits, 11 Gold Gloves.

"Probably,'' Francona said. "I mean that’s a lot of Gold Gloves. Yeah, probably.''

A reporter said it was impressive that Vizquel won his final Gold Glove at age 39.

"Not to take away, because to your point, it’s awesome,'' Francona said. "I don’t want this to come out wrong, but the Gold Glove sometimes is a little bit of a skewed award....There’s a lot of reputation.''

Francona was reminded, again, that Viquel won the Gold Glove at 39. At that point, he essentially gave in.

"It amazes me,'' he said. "I have so much respect for everyday players who can grind through it. Because the ups and downs of a baseball season -- not just physically, but mentally -- beat on you. To be able to be that good, I have an unbelievable amount of respect for him. I know when I was a player, once I got hurt, I couldn’t do it. I wanted to desperately, but I couldn’t. So I have a respect for the guys who can, obviously.''

Vizquel threw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday. The catcher was former teammate Carlos Baerga. Vizquel intentionally fired the ball high and wide of Baerga and into the hands of another former teammate, Alvaro Espinoza, near the backstop.

Vizquel also will throw out the first pitch Monday.

Stat of the day: Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera leads the majors with 921 RBI since the beginning of the 2006 season.

In the series opener Friday night, Reynolds went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts -- and looked bad doing it. He said they were some of the worst at-bats he's ever had.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mark Reynolds did not hide.

He remained at his locker in the Indians clubhouse early Saturday afternoon. When he noticed that reporters wanted to speak with him, he didn't scowl or ignore them or slip into the trainer's room.

"Come on over," he said, arms open.

It would have been easy to hide. Reynolds is ensnared in a wicked slump and was not in the lineup against Tigers right-hander Anibal Sanchez. In his previous 32 games, he had gone 19-for-113 (.168) with two homers, six RBI and 51 strikeouts.

"I probably need a day mentally," he said. "A day when I'm not worrying about trying to hit and just focusing on my mechanics and getting out of this, rather than worrying about taking an o-fer."

Before the game, manager Terry Francona stopped short of saying Reynolds was getting a mental "day." Francona figured Sanchez, coming off an injury, likely would have his start shortened by pitch count. Depending on the situation, Francona said he would consider subbing in Reynolds for Jason Giambi at designated hitter.

"He might get a half a day,'' Francona said of Reynolds. "And he'll play (Sunday), for sure.''

Sanchez worked five innings in Detroit's 9-4 victory. Reynolds pinch-hit for Giambi in the ninth against lefty Darin Downs and struck out, dropping him to 0-for-16 with 10 strikeouts in July.

In the series opener Friday night, Reynolds went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts -- and looked bad doing it. He said they were some of the worst at-bats he's ever had. The crowd voiced its displeasure with a smattering of boos.

"I'd boo me, too,'' he said. "But you can't let it get to you.''

Reynolds, who signed a one-year contract in December after Baltimore let him walk, hit .301 with eight homers and 22 RBI in April. He posted a 1.109 OPS. He had nine hits, including three homers, and 10 RBI in his first 11 games of May.

As much as he wanted to sustain that production, Reynolds understood his baseball card indicated it would be difficult. From his major-league debut in 2007 through last year, he hit .235 with 181 homers and 1,112 strikeouts. He entered Saturday hitting .221 with 15 homers and 47 RBI in 83 games this season.

"It's a game of failure, and you've got to learn how to deal with it,'' he said. "I've done it before, so I'm not freaking out or anything. It's like anything in life: Once it starts going the wrong way, it's tough to get out of it. I'm sure you guys write (bad) stories sometimes.

"Pitchers struggle, hitters struggle. It's a skid. That's all it is. If you let it get to you, you'll always fail.''

Francona said Friday that Reynolds' body is moving too much during his swing, resulting in his bat being in and out of the zone quicker than normal. Reynolds agreed with that assessment.

"My head's floating and I'm jumping at the ball,'' he said. "When you're jumping at the ball, it makes 93 mph look 97. Sliders look better than they really are. I need to watch video, see what I was doing earlier in the year, work on it in the cage and translate it into the game.''

In April, Reynolds did not miss many mistakes. When pitchers got ahead, he spoiled with foul balls or punched the ball the opposite way.

"I think the difference now is, I'm taking the pitches away for strikes and swinging at pitches on the inner half that are balls,'' he said. "I see a pitch on the inside corner, I light up and swing at it. I need to get back to using the whole field and not being so pull-happy.''

Just because he is a veteran who has lived through slumps doesn't make Reynolds immune to the games they play with the mind.

"It's a confidence thing,'' he said. "You get in these funks and it's tough to get out. Things start snowballing on you and it gets in your head. Hopefully, I'll be laughing about this in a couple of weeks.''

Francona said: "He will get hot again, and he will carry us.''

Making progress: Indians right-hander Zach McAllister, on the disabled list since early June because of a sprained middle finger, appears to have cleared a significant mental and physical hurdle.

He spun curves from flat ground early Saturday afternoon without pain. It was the first time he even had thought about curves since being shut down. He injured the finger in a start June 2 against Tampa Bay, with curveball grip as a possible cause.

McAllister came through a 60-pitch bullpen Friday in fine shape, but said Saturday's work was the bigger test. Head trainer Lonnie Soloff taped the finger as a precaution.

Assuming everything feels good Sunday, McAllister's next step is several simulated innings Monday at Progressive Field. He will face hitters from Class A Lake County.

Chris Dieker throws three first-half TDs and runs for another and the Gladiators coast the rest of the way.

Joe Ginley

Special to The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — No matter the venue, Pittsburgh and Cleveland are inherent enemies. Though Chris Dieker led the home team offense instead of Brandon Weeden, Saturday’s Arena League matchup between the Gladiators and Power was no less intense than if the Steelers stood on the opposite sideline.

In this rivalry matchup, the Cleveland team walked away with a 71-58 victory.

Avenging a 55-44 loss to the Power on May 25, the Gladiators (3-12) ended a seven-game losing streak. Led by QB Dieker, the offense hit on all cylinders, while the defense made a number of critical plays to seal the win.

Early on, it appeared as if the Power (3-12) would continue Cleveland’s troubles. On the first possession, Dieker fumbled deep in his territory. The Power took advantage, with Pittsburgh QB Steven Sheffield connecting 42 yards to a wide open Julian Talley for an early 7-0 lead.

But thanks to a pair of Pittsburgh fumbles, the Gladiators would control the tempo for the rest of the half, outscoring the Power, 35-16. Dieker started the scoring with a two-yard TD scamper and Cody Pearce recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff for a 13-7 lead after one quarter.

Dieker fired three TD passes to three different receivers in the second quarter, allowing his squad to hold onto a 33-20 lead late in the half. Following Dieker’s fourth touchdown, kicker Aaron Pettrey extra point attempt sailed wide left, and Pittsburgh lineman Darius Powell laid out the third-year kicker. The hit caused a near brawl near the Gladiators sideline. Powell was ejected, and Dieker scored a two-point conversion on the re-do, upping the lead to 35-20.

Pittsburgh drove into the Cleveland red zone with 10 seconds on the clock. Sheffield was unable to find anyone in the end zone, so the visitors settled for a field goal and a 35-23 halftime deficit.

After exchanging a pair of touchdowns, the Gladiators held a 49-37 lead with under a minute to play in the third quarter. A near brawl broke out, as an exchange involving Pittsburgh wideout Julian Talley, Cleveland head coach Steve Thonn and defensive back LaRoche Jackson caused a flurry of flags and a chorus of boos.

After the officials calmed the situation, the Gladiators defense came up big. Defensive back Mario Norman jumped in front of a Sheffield pass in the end zone and took it all the way back for a 57-37 lead heading into the final quarter.

The game was not close after that.

Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Torii Hunter all homer for the Tigers, who stretch their win streak over the Indians to seven. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At the moment, Tigers versus Indians is varsity versus jayvee.

The Indians are scrappy and try hard, but the Tigers simply are better. Detroit made it seven in a row over the Tribe with a 9-4 victory Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field.

The Tigers (48-38) are flexing. They have won five straight by a combined score of 40-13. The Indians (45-42) are stumbling. They have lost four straight by a combined score of 32-16.

• Tigers-Indians boxscore | Scoreboard | Standings

The Indians trail Detroit by 3 1/2 games in the AL Central. On Tuesday morning, they led by one-half game.

In the opener of the four-game series Friday night, Detroit pounded Indians No. 1 Justin Masterson en route to a 7-0 victory. Masterson allowed six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Late Saturday afternoon, it was Carlos Carrasco's turn to get chased. Carrasco got it worse, giving up seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Both duds came in front of large crowds; the combined paid attendance was 68,221. Tigers fans have created Comerica East.

The Indians will be in the salvage business when they send out right-hander Corey Kluber on Sunday afternoon and left-hander Scott Kazmir on Monday night. Their respective counterparts, righties Doug Fister and Max Scherzer, are formidable. Scherzer is a tidy 13-0.

"We certainly need to do better against them,'' Indians manager Terry Francona said. "But I don't think we'll show up (Sunday) and not think we're going to win.''

Detroit leads the season series, 8-2.

"We're not intimidated by them,'' Tribe second baseman Jason Kipnis said. "We just came out flat the last two days. We haven't played the way we were when we were winning games.

"We need to approach it as, the pressure is not really on us, it's got to be on them. They're the guys who made it to the World Series last year, they're the guys with the big names, the big contracts, and all that stuff.''

Kipnis had a bittersweet day. He went 0-for-4, snapping his hitting streak at 16 games and his on-base streak at 36. But he and Masterson were named to the AL All-Star team. Kipnis is the first Indians second baseman selected since Ronnie Belliard (2004) and Masterson the first starting pitcher since Roberto Hernandez (2010).

Detroit features six All-Stars. Reliever Joaquin Benoit could make it seven if he wins the "Final Vote."

The Tigers' four All-Star position players -- Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Jhonny Peralta and Torii Hunter -- combined to go 7-for-19 with one double, one triple and three homers against Carrasco and five relievers. Hunter is kicking himself because he missed a cycle by a single.

After squandering a scoring opportunity in the first, the Tigers broke out with a four-run third. With one out, Austin Jackson doubled. After Hunter lined out, Cabrera kept the hands back on a 2-2 hanging slider and zipped it over the wall in left-center. It was Cabrera's fourth homer against Cleveland and 27th on the season.

"Carlos made a really bad pitch to Cabrera,'' Francona said. "He threw a breaking ball right down the middle, and Cabrera does what he does.''

Fielder took a strike, then blasted a juicy curveball over the wall in right-center for his 15th. Former Indian Victor Martinez doubled to right on the next pitch. Former Indian Jhonny Peralta, down in the count, 1-2, singled to center. Martinez chugged home to make it 4-0. Peralta got caught in a rundown and erased after the throw was cut off.

The Tribe pulled within 4-1 in its half. Lonnie Chisenhall led off with a single against right-hander Anibal Sanchez and went to third on Drew Stubbs' single. Michael Bourn drove in Chisenhall with an infield single. Stubbs stole third. But the potential for a big inning crumbled when Asdrubal Cabrera popped to right, Kipnis grounded to first and Nick Swisher struck out swinging.

Detroit knocked out Carrasco with a three-run fourth. After Andy Dirks and Alex Avila singled, Carrasco fired a sacrifice-bunt attempt by Ramon Santiago down the third-base line. Dirks scored on the error. Jackson hit a sacrifice fly and Hunter an RBI double.

Carrasco intentionally walked Cabrera. Tribe manager Terry Francona signaled for lefty Rich Hill.

"When things started happening, Carlos started going to his breaking ball a lot instead of using the fastball in,'' Francona said. "On the good days, he stays consistent with that and doesn't go away from it.''

Carrasco slipped to 0-4 with a 9.10 ERA in six starts. He has not won a major-league game since June 29, 2011, against Arizona. He did not pitch in the majors in 2012 while rehabbing from elbow reconstruction.

Hunter hit a two-run homer off Matt Albers in the sixth. Swisher homered in the Tribe half.

Former Tiger Ryan Raburn hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth.

Browns training camp will begin the process of learning whether more speed translates into a better defense in 2013.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — On a lazy holiday weekend, we’re talkin’ ...

About the Browns...

1. In the minicamps, you can see an added something very important on defense — speed. That’s crucial to a 3-4 defense. Until the team can actually tackle in training camp and preseason, you can’t have a true reading on the defense. But minicamps do show speed, and the Browns have more of it.

2. Spending big money for Desmond Bryant and Paul Kruger along with giving coordinator Ray Horton a lucrative four-year deal was done to create a defense that can compete in the AFC North. They could’ve kept coordinator Dick Jauron and the 4-3, but the idea is the team can take a significant step forward with Horton’s attacking 3-4. That’s where the attention is, from the $75 million spent on Kruger and Bryant to linebacker Barkevious Mingo being the top draft pick.

3. The Browns had a heavy dose of Chris Gocong (2010-11), Scott Fujita (2010-11) and Kaluka Maiava (2009-12) at the outside linebacker spots. Once upon a time, Fujita had speed, but most of that was gone when he signed here.

4. There are four new outside LBs: Jabaal Sheard, Quenton Groves, Mingo and Kruger. All have above-average speed. The Browns have been extremely pleased with Sheard’s adjustment from a 4-3 end to outside linebacker. If the season opened tomorrow, Sheard and Kruger would start on the outside, with Mingo and Groves coming off the bench.

5. The Browns believe the defensive line also will have some quickness and a lot of depth. Bryant will be one defensive end with Ahtyba Rubin at the other end and Phil Taylor in the middle. Billy Winn has the quickness to play end, with John Hughes and Ishmaa’ily Kitchen as backups. Rubin and Bryant can play any of three spots on the line.

6. At inside linebacker, D’Qwell Jackson will start and Craig Robertson has impressed at the other spot after playing outside in the 4-3. Tank Carder and L.J. Fort are in the mix. James-Michael Johnson will battle for a roster spot.

7. Don’t be surprised if Horton uses a four-man front in some passing situations, with Sheard or Mingo at defensive end to pressure the passer. Jackson said the Browns have some interesting blitzes involving inside linebackers, something not done often when they played the 3-4 under Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini.

8. They know the secondary is thin — only Joe Haden and T.J. Ward are established starters. They believe Chris Owens will be a pleasant surprise at corner, pushing rookie Leon McFadden for a starting spot. They think Buster Skrine can do a decent job on slot receivers, after having a hard time last season outside.

9. Ward will start at safety, with Tashaun Gipson and Johnson Bademosi battling for the other spot. Not sure who has the edge. Rookie Jamoris Slaughter is coming off Achilles surgery, and it’s hard to imagine him winning the job early in the season. He does hope to be physically ready for training camp. He wasn’t able to play in the minicamps.

10. I’m looking forward to what Horton does cook up. His Arizona defense was second in blitzes, using it 43 percent of the time. He has young players with fresh legs, and a front office that wants him to be daring. 

About the Cavaliers...

View full sizeNew Cavaliers guard Jarrett Jack (working against San Antonio's Manu Ginobili in the Western Conference semis) brings offense and experience to the Cavaliers, says Terry Pluto.AP file 

1. With the signing of Jarrett Jack to a 4-year, $25 million deal (fourth season a team option), the Cavs have slightly less than $15 million left on the salary cap. They are still shopping for a shooter — either small forward or guard. They also would like to add a big man with true center size.

2. Jack was near the top of their list. They also liked Darren Collison and Kyle Korver. For a while, it appeared Jack would sign elsewhere. The Cavs improved their offer early Saturday morning, and added a player who they believe can start if needed, but knows how to be the third guard, a role he played in Golden State behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. They believe he can do the same with Dion Waiters and Kyrie Irving. Jack averaged 12.9 points, shooting 45 percent from the field and 40 percent on 3-pointers.

3. While I liked Shaun Livingston, Jack is a major upgrade because of his scoring and ball-handling skills. Livingston signed a one-year deal with the Nets. Signing Jack gives Mike Brown an option when one of his young starting guards coasts on defense or fires up ill-advised shots on offense.

4. There are reports Marco Belinelli passed up a far more lucrative offer from the Cavs to sign with the Spurs, a $5.6 million deal over two years. It’s true, the Cavs offered significantly more money. It’s also true they offered more money to Mike Dunleavy than the $6 million deal for two years he took with the Bulls. In the end, they are happy with Jack.

5. Earl Clark’s deal is $8.5 million for two years. Only the first season ($4.25 million) is guaranteed. The second year is a team option. C.J. Miles also is coming back, with a team option ($2.25 million) that doesn’t become guaranteed until Jan. 1.

6. The Cavs want the 6-10 Clark to defend some of the taller small forwards such as Paul George, Luol Deng and LeBron James. They believe Clark can be an upgrade over Alonzo Gee. But they also know Clark is not a long-term answer at small forward.

7. The Cavs do think the frontcourt will have more scoring thanks to Anthony Bennett, the team’s top draft choice. The 6-8, 240-pounder will be used at power forward. Don’t be surprised if Tristan Thompson moves to center when there are backups (or smaller centers) facing the Cavs. Yes, they seem overloaded with power forwards/centers. They have five, because Clark can play power forward. The others are Anderson Varejao, Tyler Zeller, Bennett and Thompson. But Varejao has played only 81 games in the last three years and could be traded.

8. There are now some players coming off the bench who can deliver offense: Jack, Bennett and Miles. The team is very upbeat about Sergey Karasev, but they don’t want to put too much pressure immediately on the 6-7 Russian who is only 19. But they think he can develop into a scorer because he has played at a very high level in Europe.

About the Tribe starters...

View full sizeShort outings by Ubaldo Jimenez and others in the Tribe's starting rotation has put lots of pressure on the Indians' bullpen in recent weeks. Paul Sancya, Associated Press 

Heading into the weekend, Justin Masterson had the most innings by an AL starter. He had a rough night in Friday’s 7-0 loss to Detroit, but has been pretty consistent this season. But after that, come Ubaldo Jimenez (No. 41), Corey Kluber (No. 53) and Scott Kazmir (No. 60) in innings pitched.

The bullpen has been rocky lately. Part of the problem is starters who often can’t deliver six decent innings. The bullpen is being forced into action too often.

A “quality start” is defined as pitching at least six innings, allowing three or fewer runs. The Tribe ranks 13th out of the 15 AL teams. I wondered how many Tribe starters make it through six innings, period — quality or not. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Masterson has done it in 16 of 19 starts.

2. Kluber is 7-of-13, but in his last three, he has been shelled for 14 earned runs in 15.1 innings.

3. Kazmir is 7-of-14.

4. Jimenez is 5-of-17. It has been seven starts since he’s thrown at least six innings.

5. McAllister (on the disabled list) is 6-of-11.

Remember, I’m talking any type of six innings. When it comes to quality starts, here’s the breakdown: Masterson (11), McAllister (6), Kluber (6), Kazmir (5) and Jimenez (5).

The Tigers have 56 quality starts, the Tribe has 36. That’s a difference that can really matter in the second half as the games pile up and the bullpens wear down. 

About Trevor Bauer...

View full sizeTrevor Bauer is a work in progress, and the Indians know that, says Terry Pluto.Paul Beaty, Associated Press 

1. The Indians and Bauer both recognize his problem — control. In 17 innings with the Tribe, he walked 16. He walked 13 in 16 1/3 innings with Arizona last year. Out of the windup, his fastball tends to rise out of the strike zone. In the minors, hitters still swung at it. Not at the major-league level.

2. He was already re-working his windup in spring training. He believed the violent delivery he used at UCLA led to some leg and groin problems. The Indians agreed, and went along with Bauer’s decision to make his windup more compact. The hope was better control and fewer leg injuries.

3. Bauer arrived with a reputation of being stubborn. That’s part of the reason Arizona seemed glad to get rid of him. Yes, he says and does some strange things. It’s easy to write him off as a lost cause when he struggles. But Bauer is only 22. Most college pitchers are in Class AA or below at 22.

4. He had a disaster (five earned runs in 2/3 inning) for the Tribe when he decided to just throw out of the stretch. He did it again in his last start at Class AAA, allowing one run in six innings, three walks and a strikeout. His velocity was in the 91-94 mph range.

5. He is still working on his windup. The Tribe is giving him time to find a comfort zone, rather than just impose a certain type of windup on him. At Class AAA, Bauer is 4-2 with a 4.04 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 71 innings.

6. If Bauer had everything together, Arizona doesn’t trade him. He was the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft who zoomed through the minors with a 13-4 record and 3.00 ERA to reach the majors after 25 starts.

7. Pitchers can drive you crazy. Corey Kluber has thrown hard for years. Only now, at the age of 27, has he started to figure out how to win. The Indians grew weary of waiting for Jeremy Guthrie, a top pick who threw 92-96 mph. He didn’t reach the majors until he was 25, but the Indians gave him only 38 innings over three years (6.08 ERA). Then, they placed him on waivers. Guthrie was 27 when it came together, and he’s been a respectable starter (62-83, 4.28), often on bad teams.

8. The Tribe will give Bauer plenty of time to work through his issues before demanding major changes. He can be very frustrating, but you could see his talent in some of his early starts this season. 

About the Tribe farm system...

1. They thought there would be bullpen help in the system. They assumed Scott Barnes would be a lefty option, but he is 3-3 with a 7.81 ERA for the Clippers, and 7.21 with the Tribe. Nick Hagadone has been up and down six times. He has a 2.00 ERA with the Clippers, but is 5.23 with the Tribe. David Huff was waived, claimed by the Yankees and is pitching in Class AAA (0-3, 2.73).

2. At the end of spring training, the Tribe thought at least one of those three would find a regular spot in the bullpen. Rich Hill is the only lefty in the pen, with an ERA of 6.37. T.J. House is another lefty at Columbus, but he’s 1-9 with a 5.86 ERA.

3. The one Columbus reliever who may help is C.C. Lee, who has fanned six in 3 1/3 innings after opening the season at Class AA Akron. Lee was a hot prospect. He was 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA for the Clippers in 2011, and opened 2012 at 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA when he needed elbow surgery. Lee has 286 strikeouts in 234 minor-league innings.

4. As of now, there are no plans to put starter Danny Salazar (2-2, 3.86 ERA at Columbus) in the bullpen. Like Lee, he is a strikeout pitcher (41 in 37 innings) who is coming off elbow surgery.

5. One of the new bright lights is second baseman Joey Wendle, hitting .318 (.968 OPS) at Class A Carolina. He was drafted out of Division II West Chester. Also at Carolina, Tony Wolters is doing a decent job in his first year as a catcher, after moving from second base. He’s hitting .265 (.715 OPS). The 21-year-old was the third-round pick of the Tribe on 2010.

6. Top pick Clint Frazier is batting .440 (11-of-25) in rookie ball at Arizona. He has a homer and four extra-base hits. As of now, there is no rush to promote the 18-year-old to Mahoning Valley.

7. Francisco Lindor is batting .310 at Carolina, with one homer and 26 RBI. Tyler Naquin (2012 top pick) is batting .299 (.813 OPS) with six homers and 31 RBI at Carolina. He may soon move up to Class AA Akron. 

The Columbus Clippers split an International League doubleheader in Columbus Saturday night. Tim Fedroff homered and starter Danny Salazar (3-2) pitched five shutout innings as Columbus won the nightcap.

Class AA: Akron 9, Richmond 3: The Aeros scored four in the seventh and five in the eighth to win an Eastern League game in Richmond, Va. Lead-off man Jose Ramirez was 3-for-5 for the Aeros, with a double, RBI, a walk and a run scored. Akron starter Will Roberts (6-6) pitched shutout ball for 6 2/3 innings. 

Class A Advanced: Carolina 7, Salem 2: The Mudcats scored five in the fifth and defeated visiting Salem, Va. Francisco Lindor, the Tribe’s No. 1 draft pick in 2011, started the rally with a bunt single and later scored on a two-run double. Lindor was 2-for-5 and is hitting .310. The shortstop also made a throwing error, his 16th of the season. 

Class A: West Michigan 4, Lake County 3 (6 innings): The Captains lost a game at Classic Park in Eastlake that was called after six innings because of rain. Lake County starter Luis DeJesus (3-9) pitched all six innings. His ERA rose to 6.02. He uncorked a wild pitch and plunked a batter. 

Class A Short Season: Williamsport 6, Mahoning Valley 2: The Crosscutters collected 12 hits and six runs off four Scrappers pitchers in a victory in Niles. Mahoning Valley starter Kenny Matthews (0-1) gave up two runs, both earned, and four hits in a two-inning stint. Scrappers manager Ted Kubiak was ejected before the start of the bottom of the second for arguing with home plate umpire Erich Bacchus over a checked-swing call.

Independent: Rockford 4, Lake Erie 3: Crushers’ DH Andrew Davis hit his 11th home run, but Lake Erie lost a Frontier League game to the Aviators. Craig Hertler brought in Lake Erie’s final run in the ninth with a sacrifice fly. 

Cavaliers GM Chris Grant has done good work, but it was the easy work compared to what comes next, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin column

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Free agency is here. Hold the applause.

Significant improvement through free agency is, as always, a long hard pull for the Cavaliers.

That was so before LeBron James showed he didn't consider Cleveland his home territory as much as a border country to Akron. That City Up North. We like to blame James for prime free agents not flocking to join up with him here. We tell ourselves it's because he sent out the vibe he wasn't long for our town.

Now comes the promotion of a different delusion. That the Cavaliers won't do anything major now because they want to keep the decks clear for James' possible return.

That self-deception is scarier because it invites another crushing letdown. Three things can happen in the summer of 2014 and two of them are bad if a reunion is on your wish list:

• James can stay in Miami;

• James can leave Miami for elsewhere; or

• Elsewhere can be Cleveland.

View full sizeThe Cavaliers have to keep LeBron James somewhere in their plans, but it's not exactly an option with a likely payoff, says Bud Shaw.AP file 

Fact is, these big free-agent chases are a necessary if desultory exercise for teams and their fans. Like an expensive episode of "The Bachelor." It can turn your stomach.

So where do we sign up for heartbreak?

We weren't a destination NBA city when James was here. What's changed since then isn't for the better. The Cavs can't offer sunshine, tax breaks, championship pursuit or a durable superstar.

The theme of redemption this city can singularly offer James seems less tantalizing for him as his global acceptance and legacy grow.

Really now, he needs Cleveland?

The Cavs are in one of those tight spots. They can't completely carry on as if James was committed to South Beach for years to come. In the meantime, they must improve themselves markedly to be attractive to -- not just the prime free agents -- the next level of free agents beyond Earl Clark.

Good thing trades are what Chris Grant does best. Look at the landscape.

Dwight Howard goes to Houston, patting himself on the back for leaving 30 million on the table in Los Angeles for the chance to win with the Rockets. Of course, he goes to a state with no income tax and -- according to reports -- can opt out after a few seasons and then sign his max deal in Houston if he so chooses.

What sacrifice?

The Dallas Mavericks are cautiously pursuing Andrew Bynum. They are worried about his knee. They should be worried about his head. But they're not the only ones who would swallow hard and jump at the chance to land him.

No wonder Dan Gilbert vowed to build a team in the mold of the old Pistons. Not very practical in the team-stacking era, but you could appreciate the principle.

Free agency is passing the Cavs by again. And if you want to convince yourself it's part of the plan, I can't help you.

And don't count on James either.

SPINOFFS

• A Brazilian soccer ref stabbed a player, then was beheaded by fans.

Can we all agree to stop making fun of former Browns' president Carmen Policy for saying those bottles didn't pack much of a wallop?

• Howard informed the Lakers he was signing with the Houston Rockets.

Rudely deciding to use the phone instead of ESPN and Jim Gray.

• When Kobe Bryant learned Howard had signed with Houston, he immediately stopped following him on Twitter.

That's so competitively petty it's admirable.

• Ndamukong Suh tells ESPN that he's a leader, just in a different way.

"I have an affectionate way of being able to corral somebody to go along and understand what I want and need from them and we can work together to get where we want to be."

And if that doesn't work there's always corralling, pile-driving and stomping on their head.

• Maryland sophomore running back Wes Brown was arrested on charges that included "illegal use of wiretap." They say he recorded police officers with his cell phone without their knowledge.

That'll get you 30 days in jail and an internship with the NSA.

• Urban Meyer's wife and daughter have come to his defense, saying the focus of the Aaron Hernandez saga should be on Hernandez's alleged crime and not on Meyer's tenure at the University of Florida.

True. Then again, when coaches who recruit troubled players claim a higher mission than winning football games, they invite a second look at their motivations.

If the 31 player arrests during Meyer's tenure at Florida didn't already accomplish that.

• The Cavaliers' Anthony Bennett is a 10-1 shot to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award next season, according to Bovada. That puts him behind favorite Trey Burke, Victor Oladipo, C.J. McCollum, Otto Porter and Michael Carter-Williams.

• You can get odds on just about anything including the sex and delivery date of the royal child. Also when Kate Middleton will give birth to her second child. Most popular guess on that is 2014.

You cannot get odds, however, on whether the Browns, Indians or Cavs will win a title first.

• EverBank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is planning on using its videoboard for non-stop Redzone coverage. Some critics believe the crowd reaction may produce sounds that don't match what's happening on the field.

Presumably, they mean cheering.

• New Celtics coach Brad Stevens joked that since his wife (and Rocky River High, class of 1995) Tracy represented him in negotiations, he's "the only coach in the country that pays 100 percent of his salary to his agent."

Scott Boras will no doubt take that as a challenge.

• Joey Chestnut, who won the Famous Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest for the seventh consecutive time, received $10,000 for his efforts but says, "I'd do this for nothing."

It's obviously all about the nutritional value.

• I feel the same way about reading "You said it" emails as Chestnut does about eating 69 hot dogs, with slightly more indigestion.

• Snoop Dogg reportedly sent words of encouragement to Aaron Hernandez after the Patriots' tight end was charged with murder.

"Keep ya head up!! We prayin for ya."

You can only hope those words were intended for the family of Odin Lloyd and got lost in transmission.

• Native American author Mark Anthony Rolo called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "cowardly" for his stance defending the nickname "Redskins" as "a unifying force that stands for strength, courage, pride and respect."

Rolo is way off base. Actually, it took a lot of guts for Goodell to use the word "unifying," let alone "respect."

HE SAID IT

"Fact is, he hasn't bombed anywhere he's threatened to yet...If I don't finish in the Top 3 for the next Nobel Peace Prize, something is seriously wrong" -- Dennis Rodman from a recent Sports Illustrated cover article on him and the recent visit to North Korea to meet leader Kim Jong Un.

And if he does, something is seriously wronger.

HE WROTE IT

"By the time (Urban) Meyer left UF, his program was like a flea bag motel, infected from the shady characters he recruited and the discipline he failed to instill." -- the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi in a recent column

OK, but a better motel analogy might be Norman Bates and Aaron Hernandez.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Sunday Edition)

"Bud:

"Was Brandon Weeden's Fourth of July outfit a Declaration of Independence from fashion sense?" -- Scott B, Lexington, Va.

I saw it more as a Richard Simmons' tribute. So, yes.

"Bud:

"Would you win the PD competitive eating contest if beer nuts, picked eggs and pretzels were used?" -- Bill S

If you've read me for any length of time, you'd know my wheelhouse is crow with a side of foot.

"Bud:

"Do you think the Big Ten will absorb the Browns next year?" -- Aunt Mil

As we've learned since 1999, NFL teams can only be relegated to irrelevance.

View full sizeAndrew Bynum did rehab work on his knee at the Playboy Mansion while a member of the LakersPlayboy photo 

"Bud:

"I see where the 76ers' Andrew Bynum will not work out for any NBA team interested in signing him. Can I get a job at the PD without actually having to write something?" -- Tom Hoffner, Broadview Heights

Works for me.

"Hey Bud:

"Should I be more worried about the 'IRS' in 'First Energy Stadium,' or the fact that the Browns already have orange jerseys, pants and shoes?" -- Rich Leonard

This is Cleveland. No need to pick and choose what to worry about.

"Bud:

"I must not have been paying attention. When did the Indians re-acquire Shelly Duncan in a trade for Mark Reynolds?" -- Thomas Jezeski

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

"Bud:

"Has your ego inflated or deflated since your column is no longer across from the erectile dysfunction ad?" -- Craig Russell, Elyria

Repeat winners get shut out.

Highlights include Indians' home game against the Tigers, Wimbledon tennis and Columbus Crew soccer at home against Portland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING  

11 a.m. Grand Prix of Germany (tape), NBCSN  

Noon Race with Insulin 400, WEWS 

2 p.m. GP2 (tape), NBCSN 

7 p.m. Summit Racing Equipment Nationals (tape), ESPN2 

BASEBALL  

1 p.m. Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees, TBS 

1:05 p.m. Detroit at CLEVELAND INDIANS, SportsTime Ohio; AM/1100, FM/100.7  

1:30 p.m. West Michigan at LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS, AM/970 

2:05 p.m. AKRON AEROS at Richmond, AM/1350  

2:10 p.m. Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs, WGN  

5 p.m. Rockford at LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS, AM/930 

8 p.m. Boston at L.A. Angels, ESPN 

CYCLING  

6:30 a.m. Tour de France, stage 9, NBCSN 

GOLF  

8 a.m. Open de France, Golf Channel  

1 p.m. The Greenbrier Classic, Golf Channel  

3 p.m. The Greenbrier Classic, WOIO 

MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE  

3 p.m. Hamilton at Rochester, CBSSN 

SOCCER  

3 p.m. MLS, Kansas City at Chicago, ESPN 

5 p.m. MLS, Portland at COLUMBUS CREW, Fox Sports Ohio 

TENNIS  

9 a.m. Wimbledon, men’s championship, ESPN 

The Indians look to bounce back today as Corey Kluber takes on Doug Fister.

Game 87: Indians (45-32) vs. Tiger (48-38)

First pitch: 1:05 p.m. at Progressive Field.

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

Starting pitchers: RHP RHP Corey Kluber (6-5, 4.33 ERA) vs. RHP Doug Fister (6-5, 3.80).

» Live box score | MLB scoreboard

» Get updates from the pressbox here

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

Tweets from @clevelanddotcom/indians

The Indians designated Carlos Carrasco for assignment on Sunday with the purpose of optioning him to Class AAA Columbus. Reliever Preston Guilmet was promoted to take his spot.

Carlos Carrasco, following another rocky start, was designated for assignment Sunday with the purpose of optioning him to Class AAA Columbus.Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There's always a twist with Carlos Carrasco. Whether he's serving a suspension for throwing at a hitter or getting sent to the minors.

The Indians designated Carrasco for assignment Sunday for the purpose of optioning him to Class AAA Columbus. However, this wasn't just a straight DFA move where a team has 10 days to trade, release or put a player through waivers because Carrasco still has an option left.

The Indians recalled Carrasco from Columbus on Saturday to start against the Tigers. He lost the game, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings. In the quick
and unexpected turnaround that followed, Carrasco didn't have time to clear optional
waivers so the Indians had to designated him for assignment off the 25-man roster, but not the 40-man roster, to give him time to clear optional waivers.

Teams consider it largely a paper move. Last week the Orioles did the same thing with Jair Jurrjens.

Reliever Preston Guilmet's contract was purchased from Columbus to replace Carrasco. Catcher Lou Marson was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Guilmet. In 34 appearances, Guilmet went 2-4 with 16 saves and a 2.34 ERA for the Clippers.

Triple-A hitters hit .207 (34-for-164) against Guilmet and he's averaging 10.55 strikeouts per nine innings. The Indians selected him in the ninth round in 2009.

It's safe to say that if Carrasco had pitched better against the Tigers, he'd still be in the big leagues. In six starts this year, Carrasco is 0-4 with a 9.10 ERA, allowing 47 hits and 29 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings.

What's more, as of right now, the Indians don't have a starter for Wednesday against Toronto.     

Sunday's lineups:

Tigers (48-38): CF Jackson, RF Hunter, 3B Cabrera, DH Fielder, 1B Martinez, SS Peralta, LF Dirks, C Avila, 2B Santiago, P Fister (6-5, 3.80).

Indians (45-42): CF Bourn, SS Cabrera, 2B Kipnis, 1B Swisher, LF Brantley, C Santana, DH Reynolds, 3B Chisenhall, RF Stubbs, P Kluber (6-5, 4.33).

Umpires: H Holbrook, 1B Fletcher, 2B Drake, 3B West.

Nostalgia is more powerful than a 10-speed at Simpler Times Vintage Bicycle Gallery, where many people are finding their first bike again. Watch video

Soon after they opened their art gallery on Cleveland’s west side, Jef Janis and his uncle, Kelvin Tate, knew they had a problem. No one was buying any art.

They had cleaned up some vintage bicycles and, on a whim, put them out front. With the air still warm in the tires, the bikes sold.

Suddenly, they were in the bicycle business. Or so they thought.

Young adults needing cheap transportation found their way to the shop on a downscale stretch of West 25th Street, much as the uncle-nephew team expected. They did not anticipate the parents, the fiftysomethings who gasped to see old school Schwinns and Huffys and had to have one. Again.

Suddenly, they’re in the nostalgia business. And the days are just packed.

Thanks largely to Baby Boomers reliving their youth, a year-old shop called Simpler Times Vintage Bicycle Gallery has become a twilight zone of bicycles of every age and model. And Janis and Tate, entrepreneurs deep into Plan B, marvel to witness the role a bicycle plays in growing up and growing old.

“What was five bikes last July is now 500,” Janis observed as he walked through his inventory, which stretches past the gallery space and into the recesses of an old food terminal. “College kids buying a 10-speed make up about 20 percent of my business. The rest of it is people reliving a childhood.”

Often, it’s the child leading the parent down memory lane.

On a recent afternoon, Ellen Ivory of Euclid walked into the gallery trailing her son, Robert. The 28-year-old was seeking a new bike in time for that night’s Critical Mass, a monthly muster of Cleveland cycling enthusiasts. He had heard of Simpler Times through Facebook friends.

Robert Ivory found what he wanted, a refurbished Schwinn 10-speed for $125.

“That’s all Chicago-made steel,” Janis said to mother and son, but Ellen Ivory was staring off into another era.

Jef Janis smiles after snapping a photo of Devin Cutter and his girlfriend, Brenna Lanigan, for the shop’s Facebook page. Cutter had just bought a “fixie,” an old school road bike that Janis stripped down to a single fixed gear. Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer

There, in a row of bikes against the wall, stood a pink and white art deco gem with balloon whitewall tires.

Ellen Ivory’s hand went to her chest as she exhaled deeply.

“Oh, I love it!” she exclaimed. “Can I have a basket?”

Indeed.

While the 1952 Schwinn predates her childhood, it reminds her, she explained, of why she has been meaning to get back on a bicycle.

“Even now, when I see kids on bikes, I see just pure freedom,” she said.

Turning to her bemused son, she added, “I want to get out with you and ride.”

As she left, she hugged Janis, who says that happens a lot.

He’s an amiable 39-year-old with silver hoop earrings and a sudden, happy laugh. If there’s an extra snap in his step of late, it’s because he no longer suffers stomach ulcers he attributed to stress.

He left those stressful days far behind.

An underwriter by trade, Janis worked at the Farmers Insurance offices in Independence, where, he said, “I sat in a cubicle and died a little every day.”

With his wife, Tia, he hatched his escape. She manages the Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt shop at Westgate Mall, not far from the couple’s home in the Westpark neighborhood of Cleveland.

They leased the gallery space, and Janis and Tate, a lifelong father figure, hung the drawings and photographs they had collected.

The variety of bikes at Simpler Times spans a century but most hail from the American manufacturing era of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.Joshua Gunter

When the bike angle bloomed, Janis saw not only a business but a crusade. He had always loved bicycles. His uncle, a mechanically inclined millwright, had taught him how to repair and refurbish them.

With used bikes, he knew he could cater to an under-served market, the people who cannot afford brand new. Cooler still, he could get his customers thinking young again.

“My goal is to get people riding bikes,” but not only for exercise, Janis says. “I want you to embrace that inner child.”

The selection spans about a century and whims and fads of unimaginable contrast. There’s a half dozen sturdy, steel-framed bicycles built for British mail carriers, not far from 1960s Sting-Rays with chopper handle bars and brightly-colored banana seats.

There are English-made Raleighs and French-made Peugeots and even a bike made in China before retailers imported bikes from China. But most of the rides reflect the American manufacturing era of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, when people could buy bikes made by local craftsmen with local steel.

Tate, a practiced “picker” of vintage goods at garage and estate sales, looks admiringly at a Schwinn Paramount he says was handmade. The 54-year-old scoffs at today’s imports sold at discount stores like Walmart.

“Those are good for a season. This bike,” he said, pointing to an electric blue Murray built in Dayton in 1955, “the wheels have always been straight. This bike will last forever.”

He’s also fond of the Roadmasters and Camelbacks introduced by the Cleveland Welding Co. They’re on display in the front window.

The selection draws the budget-conscious, the dreamers and the aficionados. All seem to bask at least briefly in nostalgia before remembering what they came for.

On a recent Saturday afternoon, Michael Polsinelli, a Shaker Heights chiropractor, stood near the center of the shop holding a silver bike frame lacking wheels.

“I’m a bike geek,” he explained. “I came here asking, ‘Do you have a Viscount frame?’ Fifteen minutes later, I’m holding one in my hand. I love this place.”

Moving through on a second visit was Mario Owens, 54, of Cleveland. He had brought his eight-year-old daughter, Marshay, whom he promised a bike like one he rode as a child.

It was hard to tell who was more enthused by that idea.

Owens stopped in front of a clutch of tank bikes and cruisers with fatty boy seats and began to reminisce aloud.

Chris Janis, Jeff Janis’s son, works on a bike rim in the back of a shop that contains about 500 bicycles of all makes and models. Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer

“All you needed was a screwdriver and a pair of pliers to fix it,” he said. “We used to switch the handlebars. Put straws in the spokes.”

Marshay’s gaze was drawn to a bright orange chopper in the front window.

“That’s old school,” her father whistled approvingly.

Not far away, James Frey, 49, was sizing up a Sting-Ray. He wore a neck brace and said he had come in for practical transportation. But the first bike he ever bought was a Sting-Ray with a stick shift and a sissy bar on the back, just like the one he was looking at. He was 11, maybe 12.

“I guess it was extra special because I paid for half,” he explained. His parents, as part of the deal, paid for the other half.

Few people can reunite with their first love. But your first cool bike? There it was.

Frey grew pensive. Janis sauntered past. Seemingly reading his customer’s mind, he cheerfully asked the question of the moment: “Do you listen to your inner adult, or your inner child?”

Simpler Times is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 3212 W. 25th Street, south of Clark Avenue; 216-925-2008



The track, a plywood surface on a steel substructure, was built on the grounds of the former St. Michael Hospital, which closed in 2003. Watch video

"Whatever happened to . . . ?" is a weekly series updating some of the most newsworthy and interesting local stories covered in The Plain Dealer. Have a suggestion on a story we should update? Send it toJohn C. Kuehner.

Whatever happened to the Cleveland Velodrome cycling track in the Slavic Village neighborhood?

The Cleveland Velodrome, a 166-meter, banked oval, is open for cycling, races and classes.

The track, at Broadway and Pershing avenues, swung into action last August, began its first full season May 1 and will continue through September.

About 170 different cyclists dropped by last year, making a total of 3,000 visits, said Brett Davis, president of Fast Track Cycling, the nonprofit group that developed the track to promote the sport and its health benefits. He said the number of "unique" riders this year has already matched that number, and he expects visits to reach 5,000.

The Cleveland Critical Mass group staged one of its monthly rides at the track last July, drawing 365 cyclists, and a state championship attracted 60 riders over a weekend last month.

"It's been extremely well-received by the cycling community and by the neighborhood," Davis said.

The track, a plywood surface on a steel substructure, was built on the grounds of the former St. Michael Hospital, which closed in 2003. University Hospitals donated the hospital land to the city, which leases 8.4 acres to the cycling organization for $1 a year.

Weather permitting, volunteers operate the track late afternoons and weeknights and from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Riders under 18 receive free track time, bike rental and loaner helmets. Adults can buy a $200 pass for the season, which runs from May through September, or pay $15 for the day. Bike rental costs $10 , $40 for five or $70 for 10.

The velodrome offers a free beginner's class for children and adults. Students 8 to 75 years have signed up to learn the rules of the track, as well as bike safety and etiquette. Riders who want to race or improve their skills can take higher-level instruction with up to four classes at $25 each, which includes bike rental.

"If everyone is on the same page -- what not to do, what to do -- it's a pretty safe environment," Davis said. "There's no potholes, no drivers."

Fast Track has raisedthe $300,000 needed for the velodrome's first phase. Donations included $50,000 from one of the group's board members and $58,000 from the Cleveland Foundation.

Fast Track Cycling hopes to eventually raise another $500,000 to $1 million for an inflatable dome that will allow year-round use, but Davis said the group also wants to ensure it also can muster $250,000 to $400,000 a year to pay operating costs. There is no timetable for when that work might take place.

"We've just scoped it out," Davis said. "We want to get a full year under our belts before we kick off a capital campaign."

The Cleveland Velodrome has drawn cyclists from Columbus, Detroit and Erie, Pa. If the dome is built, Davis believes the track will become a destination for top riders from across the United States and Europe.

To learn more about the racing schedule, reserving a spot for classes and other information, go here.

Monday night at Progressive Field is bobblehead night for Omar Vizquel, the star shortstop for the Cleveland Indians in the 1990s who won Cleveland fans with both his stellar play and off-the-field courtesty to fans.

The Progressive Field crowd cheers as Omar Vizquel, playing for the Blue Jays, enters the game on April 5, 2012. Vizquel remained extremely popular with Cleveland fans, even when he wore another city's jersey. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

When I was growing up, Rocky Colavito was my favorite player.

Now that I’m growing old, the Tribe player who will always be special is Omar.

That’s right . . . one word . . . Omar.

Omar Vizquel will always be just Omar to Tribe fans, just as Colavito was Rocky to fans of a different Wahoo generation.

Omar was in town this weekend, his artwork being featured around town. The Tribe is handing out Omar bobbleheads to the first 10,000 fans at tonight’s game against the Tigers.

“Bobbleheads are strange,” said Omar. “This is my fifth bobblehead, and none of them look like me.”

Omar said it with a smile, a laugh, a sign that the man is savoring every moment of his few days in Cleveland.

On my Facebook page, I asked fans for stories about Omar. So many people had met him.

Justin Cassady remembered seeing Omar buying an ice cream cone, then signing autographs one afternoon at Edgewater Park.

Mark Lindhurst was working for Audio Craft and went to Omar’s home to install some equipment. He left with an autograph, a $100 tip and a new favorite player.

Jennifer Pignolet threw her cap to Omar, who signed it and threw it back.

Lynn Maslinski was an usher at Tribe games in the late 1990s.

“Omar was one player who would consistently and genuinely treat the workers with a friendly attitude and with respect when passing them in the lower level on his way from the parking lot to the locker room.

“During a rain delay, I ran into Omar just sitting outside of the locker room on a folding chair. I was on the way for a lunch break. I stopped to talk to him and spent my entire break talking with him about teaching, music, art, and his favorite cities to visit. From that point on, whenever I saw Omar at work or outside of work at an area restaurant, he would always come up to me and greet me by name.”

The point is not to put Omar on a church window. Nor is it to insist that he never had a bad day where he treated people with disrespect.

Omar did more than play Hall of Fame caliber shortstop during his 11 years with the Tribe. He made friends.

Chris Kasick wrote: “Omar pulled up to the diner in his yellow Porsche. As he was walking to his table, we asked for his autograph — he then sat down at OUR table and chatted with us for about an hour as he ate his meal. He picked up the tab and thanked us for being Indians fans. I couldn’t believe his generosity.”

He made thousands and thousands.

And thousands more who never met him, but just loved how he played with such joy — and how this man who grew up in Venezuela embraced Cleveland. 

The best ever?

“When I came here, I sensed my career was about to take off,” Omar said. “We had such great players.”

He then went through the list: Belle, Baerga, Lofton, Thome, Ramirez . . .  and many more.

Omar Vizquel doffs his baseball cap to Tribe fans after a video highlight film was shown before the baseball game between the Indians and the San Francisco Giants, on June 24, 2008 at Progressive Field. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

That was before the 1994 season as the team was moving into what was then called Jacobs Field. The Tribe traded Felix Fermin and Reggie Jefferson to Seattle for a supposedly good-field, no-hit shortstop.

He became a very good hitter because he could bunt, slap singles to the opposite field and steal bases. In 11 years with the Tribe, he batted .283 (.731 OPS) and averaged 25 stolen bases a season.

And at shortstop . . .

I once asked former Plain Dealer columnist Hal Lebovitz how Omar compared to the best he had ever seen. Remember that Lebovitz once sold a hot dog to Babe Ruth at old League Park. He went WAY . , ,  WAY  . . . BACK with baseball.

A long conversation ensued, and it came down to the final three: Marty Marion, Ozzie Smith and Omar.

Lebovitz said Marion had the same soft, steady hands as Omar. He said Smith may have been a better athlete with a little more range.

But he gave the edge to Omar, because Smith played on artificial turf (more true hops) and Marion didn’t cover as much ground as Omar.

Omar played on grass in a cold climate and seemingly played forever.

At the age of 39, he won a Gold Glove as a shortstop with the Giants. You can debate the merits of Gold Glove winners, because sometimes the votes go to players who are popular or whose careers are in decline, but they have a reputation as terrific defenders.

But the fact is Vizquel made four errors in 152 games at shortstop at the age of 39! And he started again at 40. I don’t believe any player ever played shortstop that well for so long. 

The memories!

“You know what I remember about coming to Cleveland?” he said. “When I made the three errors in a game. Then I heard them say on talk radio, ‘Why the hell did we get this guy?’”

What I remember about that is how Omar stood up and took the blame for “messing up the whole game” after that April 16, 1994, loss to Kansas City. And I remember how he made only three more errors for the rest of the season. And I also remember a conversation a few years later with former manager Mike Hargrove about that game, and how he said Omar had the flu that day — but he never mentioned it.

In 2000, Omar made only three errors in 156 games all season. His gift wasn’t just the flashy great plays, it was that he made all the routine plays. And seemed to do it with a sense of boyish fun.

“When I come back [to Cleveland], it feels like I just left yesterday,” he said. “People loved the Indians of the 1990s. Those teams, they were amazing. We felt like we were unbeatable. We had swagger, there was a certain intimidation [for other teams] when we took the field.”

Omar talked about a game in which Manny Ramirez was on first base. He ran on the pitch, and a line drive was hit to right field.

“It looked like a hit, but someone caught it,” he said. “Manny was all the way around second, heading for third. Everyone was yelling at him to go back to first base.”

Ramirez did as told — he ran directly across the diamond, over the pitcher’s mound “and dove into first base,” laughed Vizquel. “He was out.”

Now a minor-league infield coach with the Angels, Vizquel filled in for four games as a Class AA manager, “and we won three.” He wants to eventually manage in the majors.

But in Cleveland this weekend, he found himself looking back at some of the greatest teams in Tribe history, two trips to the World Series (1995 and 1997) and six seasons in the playoffs.

“We were like the Bad Bears,” he said.

You mean the Bad News Bears?

“Yeah, the Bad News Bears,” he said. “Only we won a lot of games.”

And made marvelous memories. 

Drama and upsets set the tone for the final day of the NHRA Summitt Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk's Summit Motorsports Park on Sunday.

John Force participates in qualifying Saturday at Norwalk.Marc Gewertz, Associated Press 

NORWALK, Ohio — Drama and upsets ruled the final day of the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk’s Summit Motorsports Park, particularly in the Top Fuel and Funny Car ranks. Before dusk on Sunday, two drivers who had yet to win this season ran for the event crown in Top Fuel, while the Funny Car hot streak of John Force came to an end.

In the end, Khalid alBalooshi won in his Toyota for the first time this season in Top Fuel, while Johnny Gray took the crown in Funny Car.

“I’ve been looking for this day a long time,” alBalooshi said.

Top Fuel: The seasonlong game of tag between Don Schumacher and Shawn Langdon continued Sunday. In a first-round eliminations surprise, Shumacher, the series points leader and No. 2 qualifier, shimmied and shook like a fish on a hook after the light turned green. Meanwhile, Chris Karamesines pulled off smooth and easy from the starting line for a stunning upset.

This came moments after Langdon won his opening round against J.R. Todd with ease. This set the stage for Langdon to regain the Top Fuel lead that he and Schumacher have alternated almost by the race all season. Adding insult to the upset, for Karamesines, this was just the second eliminations this season he has qualified for — and his first opening-round eliminations victory of the season. Overall, it marked his first win in eliminations since 2011.

Also upset in the opening round was the No. 1 qualifier and defending series champion, Antron Brown, who was eclipsed at the end by alBalooshi. The two upset winners then met in the second round, with alBalooshi winning.

All this paved the way for Langdon to have a big day — if he could take advantage of it. His second-round challenger, Bob Vandergriff, helped the cause when his engine malfunctioned at the starting line.

“I’m sick and tired of losing to Shawn Langdon,” a frustrated Vandergriff said.

That put Langdon against Doug Kalitta in the Top Fuel semifinals. More importantly, it put Langdon back in the points lead, albeit by just one (1,013-1,012), which he and Schumacher have now swapped back and forth the past six races. Good thing, too, considering Langdon was next to exit, as Kalitta had the better start in the semifinals and it held up for the upset, sending Kalitta into the finals looking for his first event title of the season.

He would go against alBalooshi, also looking for his first win of the year, who continued his strong run in eliminations with a win against Clay Millican. Both drivers had solid starts, but Kalitta lost some traction halfway down the track, while alBalooshi held his machine straight to the end.

Funny Car: In the opening round, top qualifier Force, and his daughter, Courtney Force, advanced without much drama. In the second round, Courtney took a close run against Bob Taska. But her father lost the tires early on his Ford against Jack Beckman, who rolled his Dodge into the semifinals. With points leader Matt Hagan bowing out to Ron Capps in the second round, Courtney now had a chance to make up some huge ground if she could keep advancing.

It didn’t happen. She was fastest off the line in her semi matchup against Capps and had the lead halfway down the strip, but she suddenly lost traction and barely saved it from going nose first into the wall as Capps rolled into the finals against his teammate, Johnny Gray. In his final season, Gray won that race by an amazing .006 at the finish.

“This is my last year as a fulltime driver,” Gray said. “I just don’t want to chase the points anymore.”

Pro Stock: Uneventful through the first two rounds of eliminations, Pro Stock began to raise eyebrows in the semifinals. Series front-runner Mike Edwards was matched against Vincent Nobile. The college student (New York’s Adelphi University) has had a mundane season to date, but he has always fared well at Norwalk, winning the past three events, including an All-Star shootout last season for a $100,000 bonus.

If that streak was to continue, first he had to dispatch Edwards to reach the finals. It didn’t happen, as Edwards continued his dominance into the finals against Alan Johnson. Both entered with three event wins on the season. Edwards came out with victory No. 4 on the year to continue as No. 1.

First impressions: ESPN The Magazine has started to leak some photos from its upcoming “Body” issue, which is due out this week. NHRA Funny Car driver Courtney Force discovered that she will be one of eight athletes who will be featured on a cover. Her cover photo was one of the ones leaked, and according to her publicists, “She loved it.”

Home, sweet home: One person taking advantage of the NHRA stop at Norwalk is Don Schumacher crew chief Brian Corradi. This is the fifth year for the Middleburg Heights pizza shop owner leading the Top Fuel machine for defending series winner Brown.

With a race schedule that runs from February through November, to be home is a treat for this veteran crew chief.

“I’m usually gone from home anywhere from 190 to 200 days a year,” Corradi said. “My normal days at home during the race season are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”

That leaves the managing and operating of Masters Pizza to the rest of his family.

Did you know? Several race teams, including the John Force team, are using a new PPG environmentally friendly water-based paint. To some, that may be just a sound bite to the green community, but there is more to it than that. According to the Force team, the paint switch means a difference of 7 to 10 pounds per car, which can mean a lot when roaring down a drag strip. 

The Indians could use help at the top of the rotation and the back of the bullpen. That's not a good sign for a team in contention.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — On the welcome occasion of a starting pitcher making it through the sixth inning without need of supplemental oxygen tanks and a Sherpa guide, the Indians’ bullpen still managed to suck the air out of Progressive Field.

One minute, Corey Kluber looked as triumphant as Sir Edmund Hillary — don’t get excited, that’s not the name of a reliever coming the Indians’ way at the trade deadline. He left to an ovation, then watched his good work dangled over the cliff, first by Joe Smith, then Vinnie Pestano.

The Indians won, 9-6, in a game that required a deliverance (and five RBI) by Michael Brantley. There was no hiding the sense that the Tribe can’t fix all its pitching problems at the trade deadline. But the bullpen is now the top priority, or the Indians will need plenty more escapes on the epic scale of Sunday’s to compete with Detroit the rest of the summer.

If the Tigers look oddly familiar, they are the Indians of the ’90s. A relentless lineup, not quite as talented but with better starting pitching than John Hart put together in the “All-Star at [most] every position” era. The Indians’ only advantage is (was?) the back end of the bullpen: Smith in the seventh, Pestano in the eighth and Perez in the ninth.

Of the three, Smith has enjoyed the most solid season. Perez’s velocity isn’t back to normal. That should come. Because of that, he offers more hope than does Pestano, who has become the shaken face of the group previously known as the “Bullpen Mafia.”

“Hopefully, this is the last wakeup call I need to turn my season around,” said Pestano, who allowed a three-run homer to Torii Hunter in the eighth after misplaying a ground ball between the mound and first base.

“The guys are picking me up a lot more than I like. Obviously, it’s great to see them do that. I just wish I hadn’t put them in a position to have to. .¤.¤. I hope their confidence in me didn’t sway today.”

Pestano is as accountable as players come. You would prefer he didn’t have so much for which to account. The help Sunday didn’t just come from the offense but from Cody Allen, who relieved Pestano and struck out Victor Martinez with two runners in scoring position.

Allen is young. Francona loves his arm and approach against left-handed and right-handed hitters. But in his previous two appearances, lefties took him out of the ballpark.

Can he be counted on in a pennant race? That’s asking a lot, especially because Francona is obviously picking his spots in using lefty Rich Hill (and Nick Hagadone before him). The bullpen, once considered deep and versatile, is suddenly neither.

“I’m not going to comment on what the other guys are doing,” Pestano said. “I just know when I’m giving up home runs and three-run innings, it doesn’t make it easy for the rest of these guys. I told myself I’m not going to get beat with my second-best pitch, and that’s exactly what happened today.”

Hunter, 0-7 with three K’s against Pestano, hit a 2-1 hanging slider deep to left field.

“I gotta get back to attacking guys and stop pitching scared,” Pestano said.

There’s no way the Indians get everything they need pitchingwise at the trade deadline. They need a front-line starter such as Matt Garza. The cost would be high — a top prospect or two — for a pitcher who can become a free agent at season’s end.

The bullpen must take priority over a starter unless it’s a No. 1 or No. 2. Especially given the lack of effective left-lefty matchup relievers and the evidence that suggests Pestano isn’t simply going through a brief rough patch.

“You can’t be throwing a baseball and thinking, ‘Oh, I hope he doesn’t hit it,’¤” Pestano said.

What about a cavalry ride from within the ranks? Kluber threw 95 to 97 mph Sunday and didn’t get dissuaded when Miguel Cabrera hit a good fastball on the inside black high into the left-field seats in the first. Zach McAllister could provide a second-half lift, provided he doesn’t end up reminding us of Adam Miller.

Brett Myers’ season is on the brink. If he figures into 2013 at all, it would be as a semi-long reliever.

A team with issues at the top of the rotation and the back of the bullpen will thrill and chill as the Indians did Sunday. What it’s not going to do is win a division or play in October.

The bullpen looks like the easier fix.

The most pressing, too. 

Jockey Lori Wydick and Silver Tongued needed a thrilling stretch drive to win the $75,000 Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup for three-year-olds at ThistleDown Racing on Sunday.

Silver Tongued slips past Pyrite Green to win the $75,000 Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup Sunday at ThistleDown Racino.J.J. Zamailko 

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio — Silver Tongued and jockey Lori Wydick went from dead last at the half-mile mark to the winner’s circle on Sunday at ThistleDown Racino in the $75,000 Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup, roaring past Pyrite Green in the final few steps to capture the 1‰-mile test for 3-year-olds by a half-length in 1:52.24.

“With an eighth of a mile to go, I’d have said there was no chance,” said trainer Jeffrey Greenhill, of La Grange, Ky. “When [Pyrite Green] had a sixteenth to go, I figured our chances were about 50-50. This colt sure likes ThistleDown and those $75,000 races here.”

Silver Tongued won the $75,000 Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds last October at ThistleDown, his only appearance here and the colt’s lone victory in three outings last year. The son of Flatter had yet to win in four starts this season.

“A lot faster pace made the race,” Greenhill said. “He finished fourth in the Green Carpet Stakes at Beulah Park in his last start, mostly because slow early fractions really backed up the field and he couldn’t make up the distance. This time, the leader [Pyrite Green] went to the quarter-mile in 22.1 seconds and the half in 46 seconds. Even though Silver Tongued was in a different time zone than the rest of the field at the half-mile, they didn’t back up the field. I thought Silver Tongued might be able to make up some ground.”

Wydick was at a disadvantage from the start, dropping her whip a sixteenth of a mile from the starting gate.

“That didn’t help,” she said with a smile. “We were in dead last at the half-mile, at least 15 lengths back.”

The Fort Mitchell, Ky., jockey is back in the saddle after taking seven years off from the racing game. Wydick had breezed Silver Tongued at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., but it was her first time aboard the sophomore in a race. She knew what the finicky colt wanted, though.

“You’ve got to sit real still on him and let him run his own race,” Wydick said. “When I asked him to go after the leaders at the half-mile, they were tiring and Silver Tongued was ready.”

Silver Tongued returned $9, $4.40, $2.20; Pyrite Green $4.20, 2.40; and favorite Plain Ol’ Willard $2.40.

“Silver Tongued has no gate speed, so when people ask where he is early in the race, I tell them he’s the one at the back of the pack,” said Greenhill, whose wife, Sherri, owns the colt. “He loves the dirt surface here and the long races. I’m looking to come back with him in the Endurance Stakes [on Best of Ohio Day on Oct. 12] at ThistleDown. That’s a mile and a quarter, and he should really like that distance.”

Greenhill should like the purse, too. It jumped from $75,000 to $100,000 this year for the Endurance Stakes. 

In seven starts after an Indians' loss, Corey Kuber has been very effective.

Corey Kuber struck out 10 against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Clubhouse confidential: Corey Kluber didn’t earn a victory Sunday against Detroit, although he certainly pitched well enough to do so. What he did do is stop a losing streak as the Indians beat Detroit, 9-6, to end a four-game skid. 

In seven starts this season after a loss, Kluber is 4-1 with a 2.44 ERA (13 earned runs in 48 innings). The Indians are 5-2 in Kluber’s starts after a loss. 

“I did not know that until you told me,” said Kluber after he pitched 6Ð innings, struck out 10 and allowed two runs in 109 pitches. 

Homer central: Manager Terry Francona was impressed with the way Kluber threw inside against the Tigers’ powerful lineup. 

“He was throwing inside at 95, 96 and 97 mph, at times, inside,” Francona said. “That really opens up the rest of the plate.” 

Kluber said he has always tried to throw inside, but added, “It’s something you learn to do with the more experience you get. I think I’ve done it more effectively this year.” 

Stat of the day: Justin Masterson will earn a $50,000 bonus and Jason Kipnis a $10,000 bonus for being named to the American League All-Star team. 