Washington Nationals star rookie will travel to the West Coast for a second opinion

Associated PressStepehn Strasburg has a ligament tear in his elbow and is probably facing surgery.

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals say star rookie Stephen Strasburg has a "significant tear" in his elbow ligament and probably will have Tommy John surgery.

General manager Mike Rizzo said today that an enhanced MRI taken a day earlier revealed the extent of the injury to the right elbow.

The 22-year-old right-hander will travel to the West Coast for a second opinion. But Rizzo says he anticipates Strasburg will require surgery, ruling him out for 12 to 18 months.

The news brings an abrupt halt to Strasburg's promising first season. He struck out 14 batters in his major league debut in June. Strasburg is 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 68 innings.

The Cleveland Browns will visit the Detroit Lions in preseason action on Saturday probably to the delight of Lions quarterback Matthew Strafford. Last season, during the regular season, Stafford had his most memorable performance as a rookie. Stafford was injured after a wild scramble on the game's second-to-last play, but Stafford returned from a time-out to throw the game-winning touchdown...

Paul Sancya/Associated PressMatthew Stafford

The Cleveland Browns will visit the Detroit Lions in preseason action on Saturday probably to the delight of Lions quarterback Matthew Strafford.

Last season, during the regular season, Stafford had his most memorable performance as a rookie.

Stafford was injured after a wild scramble on the game's second-to-last play, but Stafford returned from a time-out to throw the game-winning touchdown pass. He finished with five TD passes that day.

On Freep.com:

Center Dominic Raiola said that play deserves a special spot on Stafford's highlight reel.

"It wasn't like we didn't know this kid's tough," Raiola said. "It was just seeing it. It's like, you know a steak from Ruth's Chris is good, but you want to go and get it. It's kind of like that. It wasn't that we didn't know that he was our leader or whatever, but it was awesome to see."

PD Browns reporter also answers questions on big backs Peyton Hillis and Lawrence Vickers.

The Plain DealerMontario Hardesty.

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, our Web video show about what's going on in Cleveland sports. Today's show is hosted by Branson Wright and Bill Lubinger. Let's go to the highlights:

• Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answers today's Starting Blocks poll question about which rookie will have the biggest impact in 2010. Grossi agrees with a majority of the voters, that it will be safety T.J. Ward, but he also says that running back Montario Hardesty could be a special player when he returns to 100 percent.

• Tony also answers fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature. Today's topics include Peyton Hillis' role in the backfield, and the future of blocking back Lawrence Vickers.

SBTV will return Monday morning with Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw as the guest..

The names of Brian Robiskie, Mohamed Massaquoi and even Josh Cribbs are often used during any discussion of the Cleveland Browns' wide receivers. The name of Chansi Stuckey rarely comes up, but it's Stuckey who has also been impressive during the preseason. Stuckey led the Browns with 51 receiving yards this past weekend in the Browns' 19-17 preseason loss to...

John Kuntz/The Plain DealerChansi Stuckey (top) and Mohamed Massaquoi.

The names of Brian Robiskie, Mohamed Massaquoi and even Josh Cribbs are often used during any discussion of the Cleveland Browns' wide receivers.

The name of Chansi Stuckey rarely comes up, but it's Stuckey who has also been impressive during the preseason. Stuckey led the Browns with 51 receiving yards this past weekend in the Browns' 19-17 preseason loss to the St. Louis Rams. And Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich points out that on two of his three catches, Stuckey turned short passes into first downs with gains of 28 and 18 yards.

''Yards after catch is always a plus,'' said Stuckey, a fourth-year pro out of Clemson University. ''Sometimes, it's third-and-8, they call a 5-yard route, you've got to get those extra 3 yards. Anytime you can get yards after catches, it's something that the defense has to adjust to.

''It's something you've been doing all your life. You just go out there and have fun. You just make it difficult for guys to try to get a hand on you, and it always works in your team's favor.''

The Browns hope Stuckey and the rest of the receivers can avoid finishing last in total offense and passing like they did in 2009.

''We're in the NFL for a reason,'' Stuckey said. ''We all can play. We all have confidence in ourselves. As long as we believe in ourselves, which is the key point, things will come together when the season starts.''

Jim Brown on the radio

Cleveland Browns' great Jim Brown was on The Score 1260 AM WSKO out of Syracuse. Brown talked about his issue with the Browns, LeBron James, whether there will be an NFL lockout, and today's athlete.

No Brown

Ohio.com columnist Marla Ridenour writes about the Ring of Honor and the possibility Jim Brown, the greatest Browns player of them all, may not be in attendance.

Holmgren did talk with Brown recently, but Ridenour wonders if that will be enough to persuade Brown to show up.

Holmgren explained Brown's loss of a salaried position was part of the realignment of the front office after he took over, but insisted he still wants Brown around.

''We had a great conversation,'' Holmgren said of his talk with Brown. ''He understands, even expressed . . . what a wonderful day it will be. I just said, 'We hope to get everybody there.' He said, 'Thanks for phoning, I'll get back to you.' I'm hopeful he can be there.''

In Brown's mind, it might not have been such a great conversation. In a Thursday radio interview with The Score 1260-AM in Syracuse, N.Y., Brown said, ''I'm a very sensitive person. I do like to be respected. I'm very loyal. I like it to be a two-way street.

 More on the Ring of Honor from The News-Herald.

Hahn, who grew up in Hudson, fell to Oklahoma State's Peter Uihlein on the 19th hole.

Kent State photoKent State's John Hahn made the round of 16 at the prestigious U.S. Amateur.

John Hahn's attempt to win his second national golf title ended Thursday when the Kent State senior lost to Oklahoma State's Peter Uihlein on the 19th hole in the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay Golf Club in University Place, Wash.

Hahn, who grew up in Hudson and is the reigning Western Amateur champ, reached the match-play round of 16 -- from the original field of 64 -- for the first time in his career. He defeated Italy's Andrea Pavan, 2-and-1, in his first match. Hahn returned to beat Arnond Vongvanij of Gainesville, Fla., 5-and-4, in his second.

In the round of 16, Hahn had the lead after a two-putt par to Uihlein's bogey on the 13th hole. But Hahn fell back into a tie with a three-putt bogey to Uihlein's par on the 14th.

The two parred the rest of the way in to force extra holes. Hahn nearly ended the match in dramatic fashion on the final hole of regulation when his chip shot for birdie rimmed the hole. A wayward drive on the first extra hole put Hahn in trouble, and he eventually conceded the hole and the match when his bogey putt slid by the hole while Uihlein was lining up a birdie attempt from 17 feet.

The Hahn-Uihlein match pitted two players with ties to one of the largest golf equipment corporations in America. Hahn's father, also named John, is a sales representative for Titleist. Uihlein's father is Walter Uihlein, president and CEO of the Achushnet Co., which owns Titleist.

-- Tim Rogers

"I still say the key to the offense next season is LaPorta. Is he Garko or is he a legitimate 30 home run guy to lock down the No. 4 spot in the order? The fans have given LaPorta a long rope to learn a position, recover from his injuries and play consistently. Next year the diapers should come off in terms of expectations." - NJTribefan1

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain Dealer Will Matt LaPorta develop in to the power hitter the Indians expected him to be when they acquired him in the CC Sabathia deal?

In response to the story Tribe players will be under review as season nears its end: Cleveland Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader NJTribefan1 thinks by this time next year, Matt LaPorta needs to be a legitimate cleanup hitter. This reader writes,

"I still say the key to the offense next season is LaPorta. Is he Garko or is he a legitimate 30 home run guy to lock down the No. 4 spot in the order? The fans have given LaPorta a long rope to learn a position, recover from his injuries and play consistently. Next year the diapers should come off in terms of expectations."

"I have a lot of respect for Jim Brown, but if he decides not to attend, it's his loss, not ours. Yes, he was a great player, but hardly the only great player for this storied franchise. And disrespect? How about disrespecting the fans by not showing up to this ceremony?" - samstheman

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerJim Brown (left) may not attend the Browns Ring of Honor ceremony.

In response to the story Jim Brown might not attend Cleveland Browns' inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony, cleveland.com reader samstheman thinks the show will go on, with or without Jim Brown. This reader writes,

"I have a lot of respect for Jim Brown, but if he decides not to attend, it's his loss, not ours. Yes, he was a great player, but hardly the only great player for this storied franchise. And disrespect? How about disrespecting the fans by not showing up to this ceremony?"

"What top general manager would have signed on here right now? We need to give this guy a chance and see what he does as time passes, not after just a few weeks. They may have plans in the works now or they may simply wait until practice begins and the team starts playing together to see what the needs are. There may be some current players who step up and cause Grant to move in a different direction." - tudefit

View full sizeAmy Sancetta | Associated PressChris Grant took over as GM of the Cavaliers after Danny Ferry resigned.

In response to the story Source: Cavaliers GM Chris Grant gets new deal, cleveland.com reader tudefit says it's way too early to rip on Chris Grant and his lack of movement this offseason. This reader writes,

"What top general manager would have signed on here right now? We need to give this guy a chance and see what he does as time passes, not after just a few weeks. They may have plans in the works now or they may simply wait until practice begins and the team starts playing together to see what the needs are. There may be some current players who step up and cause Grant to move in a different direction."

Find out what Plain Dealer Browns beat writers Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot expect for the so-called dress rehearsal game between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Saturday at 5 p.m.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have some solid hitters in safeties Jermale Hines, Tyler Moeller, C.J. Barnett and Orhian Johnson, writes Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon. Those same safeties have also have something to prove. Can Hines prove to be a full-time starter? Has Moeller recovered from a serious head injury? Can Barnett and Johnson become starters? But from watching them play in...

APSidelined a year ago as he recovered from being attacked in a Florida bar, OSU safety Tyler Moeller is glad to be back on the field.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have some solid hitters in safeties Jermale Hines, Tyler Moeller, C.J. Barnett and Orhian Johnson, writes Columbus Dispatch reporter Ken Gordon.

Those same safeties have also have something to prove. Can Hines prove to be a full-time starter? Has Moeller recovered from a serious head injury? Can Barnett and Johnson become starters?

But from watching them play in the past, writes Gordon, and from their teammates' testimonials, there's little doubt that all of them enjoy delivering blows.

"(Jermale) as well as Orhian have got to be the two most physical safeties I've ever seen," linebacker Brian Rolle said. "(They are) two guys who can spread the field and play sideline-to-sideline as well as come down in the box and play some linebacker."

He left Moeller and Barnett out, but Hines filled in one of those blanks.

"I knew Tyler would be Tyler," Hines said of Moeller, who was held out of contact in spring practice. "As soon as he got cleared, I knew he was going to come out here, work hard every day, compete and knock the mess out of people."

Marshall player excited

Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry is excited about the season opener at Ohio State next Thursday. Some of his excitement is because he played for two former Buckeyes at a prep school in Cincinnati.

In The Herald-Dispatch:

There, he played for former Ohio State products Carlos Snow and Vinnie Clark.

Now as Marshall coach Doc Holliday prepares Curry and the Thundering Herd for battle at The Horseshoe, the Herd's starting defensive end can't help but think of his former coaches at Harmony.

"I was actually going to call them this week and talk a little trash," Curry said. "All he (Carlos) does is talk about Ohio State. I played there in ' 06,and that was the year that they went to the national championship and lost to Florida. All he did was talk trash through the whole thing."

Curry will not talk trash when it comes to next Thursday's game, but Curry isn't intimidated either.

"They put their pads on just like we put our pads on," Curry said. "Huntington might be smaller than Columbus, but we have tradition just like they do. We were the winningest program in the 90s, hands down. People forget about that and try to overlook it, but it's a fact. We want back to that. The blueprint is set for us. We are going to go out there, execute and have some fun. I'm very excited. It's going to be crazy up there."

 

 

 

New order

Reporter Mike Lucas of Madison.com has a plan for Big Ten realignment. He breaks it down to a North and South Division.

Lucas gives several reasons behind his realignment version:

1) Michigan and Ohio State are in separate divisions. The Wolverines and Buckeyes sustain their rivalry in a crossover game. The only perceived drawback is that it won't be staged in November.

2) Other natural rivalries are preserved within divisional play. Such as Michigan-Michigan State and Wisconsin-Minnesota in the North. Such as Indiana-Purdue in the South.

More means more dollars

An Associated Press story on CantonRep.com says Ohio State will have more parking available for football fans this season, but it will cost more, too.

The university on Thursday announced some changes for this year’s home games, starting with next week’s Thursday night opener against Marshall.

Game day parking will cost $15, up from $10 and the first increase since 2001. Ohio State Director of Transportation Sarah Blouch says the higher price will help offset rising costs related to football parking and traffic control.

The school will have an 1,400 parking spaces for football fans, thanks to a garage expansion.

 

Until the present promises a better future, nostalgia is where we have the most fun. If you could have any sports day back, which one would it be?

Michael J. Zaremba / The Plain DealerGary Collins hauls in a TD pass on his trademark post pattern in front of Houston's Zeke Moore in a 1971 game at Municipal Stadium. Collins caught three touchdown passes in the Browns' victory over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL title game, Cleveland's last championship in a major pro sport.

Under a special dispensation for a town that's had a tough summer, you get one day of your life back today.

It's sports-related only -- no marriages, anniversaries, births of the kids or grandkids.

So what day do you choose?

It's public, too. The day you get back has to be in a scrapbook everyone can page through.

So pick a day.

Would you take Ohio State's Cie Grant, cheating up from the edge, ready to roar in from the Ohio State 1-yard line in the second overtime, then spin Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey like a wobbly top, and end maybe the greatest game ever?

That would be a lot of Clevelanders' keeper because this is such an Ohio State town, and because it was the first championship in so long.

Or how about Ohio State, down nine at the Big House with seven minutes to play, then Troy Smith started slipping tackles and buying time until Anthony Gonzalez went up for the ball as the third receiver behind Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn Jr., and came down a Buckeyes legend?

That might be your memory. Listen to the silent night falling over Ann Arbor, which had expected victory all afternoon.

You might prefer Cleveland's most recent championship in 1964. The memories of it might be in black and white now. So was the TV transmission then -- if you could get it, with a doctored antenna, watching through the static and snow. There's Gary Collins, breaking free again!

How about any night in the mid-'90s, when baseball owned the city? The Jacobs Field P.A. is playing a bell tolling, cowbells are jangling in the packed stands, but only until Albert Belle holds out his arm, putting the still in the night as he steps into the batter's box. It was New Year's Eve every night, with honking car horns celebrating victory in the summer darkness.

How about Bernie Kosar going deep down the north sideline to Webster Slaughter in overtime to beat the Steelers when only a TD would do? Regular place-kicker Matt Bahr had hurt his knee in the game. Of the blocking technique on a prospective field goal attempt by Harry Holt, the emergency kicker, Ozzie Newsome, told teammates, "Get low, boys!" That day lifted us up, all right.

Or would it be that arctic night on the lakefront last year when the Browns beat up the Steelers, in a reversal of a long, tired script? Can we bottle that chill and introduce these late August days to autumn with a whiff of it?

What about the night LeBron James scored 48 points against the Pistons, including the last 25? He's dribbling, dribbling at the top of the key, about to get to the rim for the winning layup. The refs swallow their whistles and let Jason Maxiell treat James' left arm like a wishbone. Can we stop that tape right there, when it seemed like the good times with him would go on forever?

Wait. Wait. Eric Metcalf is breaking into the open on two punt returns against Pittsburgh, and he becomes Ted Ginn, skittering through Michigan, who becomes Josh Cribbs burning Kansas City twice. Those are three days you need.

Bill Chan / Associated PressKenny Lofton scores from second base on a passed ball in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the 1995 ALCS in Seattle. Lofton's run gave the Tribe a 3-0 lead and the Indians went on to a 4-0 triumph to win the series and return to the World Series for the first time in 41 years. Covering home for Seattle is pitcher Randy Johnson. The umpire is Drew Coble.

Kenny Lofton is flying around third in Seattle. Kevin Mack is bulling into the end zone in the Astrodome. Daniel Gibson can't miss in the fourth quarter. Will Allen is intercepting Michigan near the goal line. All good days, every one of them.

There is a lot more to love than just championships, though. Take the day Jack Nicklaus shot a 68 at age 58 in the final round of the 1998 Masters. He walked up the hill to the 18th green, applauded every step of the way, waving like a spike-shod pope, luminous in the golden slashes of late afternoon light. It was really his valedictory.

Jack doesn't play competitively anymore, but he does in my head. And so do all the others, on all their fields, through all the days memory keeps fresh.

We wait for someone to fill today as fully as these men filled yesterday. Until then, pick a day.

John Hahn's attempt to win his second national golf title ended Thursday when the Kent State senior lost to Oklahoma State's Peter Uihlein on the 19th hole in the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay Golf Club in University Place, Wash. Hahn, who grew up in Hudson and is the reigning Western Amateur champ, reached the match-play round of 16...

Hahn

John Hahn's attempt to win his second national golf title ended Thursday when the Kent State senior lost to Oklahoma State's Peter Uihlein on the 19th hole in the U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay Golf Club in University Place, Wash.

Hahn, who grew up in Hudson and is the reigning Western Amateur champ, reached the match-play round of 16 -- from the original field of 64 -- for the first time in his career. He defeated Italy's Andrea Pavan, 2-and-1, in his first match. Hahn returned to beat Arnond Vongvanij of Gainesville, Fla., 5-and-4, in his second.

In the round of 16, Hahn had the lead after a two-putt par to Uihlein's bogey on the 13th hole. But Hahn fell back into a tie with a three-putt bogey to Uihlein's par on the 14th.

The two parred the rest of the way in to force extra holes. Hahn nearly ended the match in dramatic fashion on the final hole of regulation when his chip shot for birdie rimmed the hole.

A wayward drive on the first extra hole put Hahn in trouble, and he eventually conceded the hole and the match when his bogey putt slid by the hole while Uihlein was lining up a birdie attempt from 17 feet.

The Hahn-Uihlein match pitted two players with ties to one of the largest golf equipment corporations in America. Hahn's father, also named John, is a sales representative for Titleist. Uihlein's father is Walter Uihlein, president and CEO of the Achushnet Co., which owns Titleist.

Chris Perez can cover more than one inning to get a save.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerChris Perez throws a pitch against the Oakland A's on Thursday. Perez got the final five outs of the game for the fourth five-out save of his career.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In his brief time as a closer in the majors, Chris Perez has shown he does not need a minimum-threshold save situation to be successful. He gladly will enter the ninth inning with nobody on, nobody out and a three-run lead, but he is more than willing to take the ball in a mess.

Thursday night against Oakland, Perez notched his second five-out save this season and fourth of his career in the Indians' 3-2 victory. He inherited runners on first and second and worked out of it, then pitched around a hit in the ninth. He struck out a career-high four.

The save was his 16th this season (in 20 opportunities) and 25th since making his debut with St. Louis in May 2008.

Perez secured the Indians' first five-out, one-run save since David Riske did so on May 13, 2003, against Detroit.

"Chris is fearless," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He enjoys being out there in those types of situations."

The term "old school" was used in the Tribe clubhouse to describe the save.

"Real 'old school' is three innings," Perez said with a chuckle. "I look at it this way: Yes, I'm the closer, but I'm also part of the bullpen. Certain games work out to where you're trying to get to the ninth. I was well-rested and ready to go. Whatever they need me to do, I'll do."

Perez was available Friday against the Royals.

Perez's first five-out special happened to be the first save of his career. He remembers it like it was, well . . .

"Aug. 6, 2008," Perez said. "We were playing the Dodgers in St. Louis, Casey Blake was on second and Jeff Kent was the first batter I faced."

Perez struck out Kent looking and got Angel Berroa to pop out to preserve a 9-6 lead. He walked one in the ninth.

In Perez's previous major-league appearance, he had given up a two-run walkoff homer to Jason Michaels in Pittsburgh on July 12. He was optioned to Class AAA on July 18 and recalled Aug. 6.

The second five-out save came one week later at Florida. It was considerably more dicey. With runners on second and third and the Cardinals leading, 5-4, Perez walked Dan Uggla. Then . . .

John Russell / Associated PressWhy is there a picture of the Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson? Because Shin-Soo Choo, in his inaugural fantasy football draft, will pick the 2,000-yard rusher with the first overall selection.

"Josh Willingham grounded to Troy Glaus, who stepped on third and threw to first," Perez said. "Double play, we're out of the inning."

Perez escaped a jam in the ninth and the Cardinals won, 6-4.

The third career five-out save occurred June 11, 2010, against Washington at Progressive Field. Protecting a five-run lead, Perez got dangerous Ryan Zimmerman to ground into a 6-4-3 double play with the bases loaded. The Indians won, 7-2.

Only once as a major-leaguer has Perez been in position to earn a five-out save and failed to do so. On May 5 against Toronto at Progressive Field, he stranded a runner in the eighth to preserve a one-run lead but allowed three runs in the ninth and lost, 5-4. That result gets a huge asterisk, though, because all the runs were unearned after shortstop Luis Valbuena committed a two-out error.

Sizzling: Entering Friday, Perez had allowed two earned runs in his past 22 appearances, covering 22 1/3 innings since June 28. He is 11-for-12 in saves since May 18.

"His command has been tremendous the last three months," Acta said. "He's throwing a lot of strikes down in the zone. When he has command like that, he's tough to hit. Right now, if we get to him, we feel pretty good."

He's back: Jim Joyce was the first-base umpire Friday night. Joyce and his crew had not worked a Tribe game since June 2 in Detroit. The world knows what happened that night: Joyce missed a call on Jason Donald's two-out grounder in the ninth inning, costing Tigers right-hander Armando Galarraga a perfect game.

Finally: Shin-Soo Choo is making his fantasy-football debut this season as part of a league with Indians personnel. With the first pick in Sunday's draft, Choo said he will opt for Titans running back Chris Johnson.

Tribe media relations director Bart Swain used his contacts to get Johnson to sign a uniform for Choo after Titans practice Thursday. The uniform was hanging in Choo's locker Friday afternoon.

Ohio State freshman running back Jaamal Berry hopes to be healthier than a year ago, but finding time in a crowded backfield could still prove difficult.

Columbus -- There's been a lot of talk from fans about Jaamal Berry, and no action.

The Ohio State freshman running back, redshirted last season with a hamstring injury that flared up every time he seemed ready to take the field, has intrigued fans since he signed with Ohio State out of Miami, ranked as the No. 5 running back in the Class of 2009 by Rivals.com.

"It was frustrating for me, because I wanted to play so badly," Berry said. "But now that I'm healthy and I'm ready to go, I can't wait to show the world what I can do."

The world may have to look quickly. Hope for a nice peek during the season opener Thursday against Marshall, then don't hold your breath.

Berry has shown some elusiveness, and in Ohio State's team scrimmage he was the leading ball carrier, rushing 17 times for 65 yards unofficially while working with the second team.

But senior Brandon Saine and junior Dan Herron are slotted to share the No. 1 tailback job. Berry and sophomore Jordan Hall, who also has shown some moves of his own, are fighting for time as the No. 3.

In Jim Tressel's nine years, the No. 3 running back has rushed for between 61 and 370 yards in a season, with an average of 192. Throw in freshman Carlos Hyde, and this is undoubtedly the deepest backfield of the Tressel era.

"If everyone is healthy, we've got depth at tailback, no question," Tressel said.

Oh, and don't forget the leading rusher from last season, the quarterback who gained 779 yards on the ground.

"I run the ball, too, so I'm like a running back as well," Terrelle Pryor said. "It's amazing some of the talent we have."

If that talent keeps Berry off the field, then that's a sign that the Buckeyes should be pretty good. Berry just being healthy and able to practice would be a plus. Saine, who was Berry's roommate for preseason camp and battled injuries his first two seasons, has been handing out the advice.

"He had a lot of ups and downs. He was always smiling, though," Saine said. "He always had his head up. He's excited for this year, but last year might have taught him you have to take every chance you can get."

There's some question about exactly what kind of chances any of the running backs will get. Don't expect the sixth 1,000-yard rusher under Tressel. Saine has the most upside, but he might actually be most dangerous catching the ball. Pryor said he'd like to get Saine 40 receptions this season as part of what very well could be an expanded passing attack.

"Getting out in open space is always fun," Saine said. "Running the ball, you have to find the hole. Catching the ball, there might be one person to beat. I think I can be in great mismatches sometimes with linebackers or safeties who aren't as fast."

Tressel said he'd like to get as much speed on the field as possible. Maybe the Buckeyes will find ways to put two of their tailbacks into a formation, such as splitting Saine out wide. And both Saine and Herron have missed games with injuries in their careers, so there's a good chance Berry or Hall could be needed for a heavier load in a game here or there. Berry also is in consideration to serve as one of the primary punt returners

But it's probably not quite Berry's time in the backfield yet, so the intrigue may remain without a lot of hard evidence.

"It's a good thing we have a lot of running backs," Berry said. "We're all competing for the same job, but there's no hatred between any of us. . . . I just want to get back out there and showcase my ability and hopefully move up the depth chart."

If he does move up, that could be good for the Buckeyes. If he doesn't have to, that may be even better.

NOTABLE RUNNERS Maria Arnone, SVSM: Senior helped lead the Irish to the Division II state title, placing seventh overall and scoring a fourth-place ranking in the team race (19:19). Katie Betts, Stow: Senior placed seventh at Division I state meet (18:47). Christina Blair, CVCA: Senior won Division II state titles in cross country and the 1,600 meters in track...

NOTABLE RUNNERS

Maria Arnone, SVSM: Senior helped lead the Irish to the Division II state title, placing seventh overall and scoring a fourth-place ranking in the team race (19:19).

Katie Betts, Stow: Senior placed seventh at Division I state meet (18:47).

Christina Blair, CVCA: Senior won Division II state titles in cross country and the 1,600 meters in track in 2009-10. Her best cross time was 18:19. She also was third in the 3,200.

Anna Boyert, Medina: Was the Bees' top runner at state as a sophomore, placing 27th in Division I (19:20). Best time was 19:01.

View full sizeLynn Ischay, The Plain DealerMedina's Anna Boyert, right, leads a Battling Bees cross country team aiming to improve on last year's 15th-place finish at the Division I meet.

Abby Clifford, Perry: Senior placed fifth in Division II state cross country and third in the 1,600 at state track in 2009-10.

Deanna Godby, Mayfield: Junior placed 17th at Division I state meet (19:07).

Madison Hartline, Hudson: The top freshman at state last year, she placed ninth in Division I (18:45), her best time of the season.

Katie Link, Avon Lake: Junior was 35th at Division I state meet (19:30).

Alexandra Markovic, Hawken: The fastest freshman at the Division III state meet last year, as well as the top Northeast Ohio placer, taking 12th (19:37).

Abigail Marquard, Magnificat: Junior is the top returner from historic state championship team. Also a speedskater in the winter, she placed 20th in Division I (19:11).

Loren McDaniel, Brunswick: The No. 1 runner at state for the fourth-place Blue Devils, she was 29th as a sophomore in Division I (19:24).

Maria Moore, Woodridge: Senior was 11th at state in Division II (19:24).

Alyssa Moran, Strongsville: Senior placed 49th at Division I state meet (19:47).

Hannah Neczypor, North Royalton: Among the state's most accomplished distance runners. Senior placed third at the past two state Division I meets. She also has a third and first in the 3,200 at state track.

Caroline Sauers, Hudson: Won a Division I regional 3,200 title as a freshman last spring.

Allison Stucky, Brecksville: The Bees' No. 1 runner as a freshman at state last year, placing 23rd in Division I (19:15).

Erin Vanek, NDCL: Senior battled with teammate Liz Weiler all season for No. 1 spot and finished 22nd at state in Division II (19:46).

NOTABLE TEAMS

Berkshire: Third at state in Division III last year and a definite contender with returning seniors Noelle Jurcak, Allie Noble, Erica Dingman, Megan Burnett and Hannah Sawyer and sophomore Sara Patterson.

Brecksville: Four of the top five are back from fifth-place Division I state team, including sophomore Alison Stucky, who also plays soccer. Others to watch are senior Tabitha Jacofsky, juniors Lauren Greenlee and Megan Beaver, and sophomore Libby Roether. Senior Benita Wu is the lone remaining runner from the 2007 state championship team. State qualifier Veronica Thompson is recovering from an ankle injury after being hit by a car.

Brunswick: Three of the top five, and five overall, are back from last year's fourth-place Division I team at state. Juniors Lauren McDaniel and Selena Pasadyn are battling for the No. 1 spot. Junior Alexis Uber and seniors Jenny Timoteo and Sophia Gentile also return.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy: Division II state champ Christina Blair, now a senior, led the Royals to third place last year, and they are in contention to win their second title in three years. The top five all return, including Joy Talbott, Mallory Myers, Irene Frangos, and Laura Rybka.

Green: Sophomores Marisa Papp and Krista Roehlig are among five returners from last year's 12th-place Division I team at state.

Hudson: Finished a disappointing 10th with one of the field's youngest teams at state: two freshmen, two sophomores, a junior and a senior. Poised to do much better this year. Sophomores Madison Hartline and Caroline Sauers top the squad, which includes senior Haley Turner, juniors Marissa Sinko and Rachel Raykov, and freshmen Katie McGregor and Jillian Saccogna.

Magnificat: Graduated five runners from a team that scored an all-division record 28 points to win last year's Division I state title. Junior Abigail Marquard (20th, 19:11) and senior Katherine Stultz (44th, 19:42) are back, and are joined by two seniors, two sophomores and a junior.

Medina: Bees aiming to improve upon last year's 15th-place finish at state. Junior Anna Boyert, who also plays soccer, leads a returning quartet that includes Halley Green, Marissa McHugh and Magen Murphy. Two strong freshmen, Maria Scavuzzo and Casey Midlik, and first-year junior Taylor Wickey could impact the top five.

Mentor: Six return from state qualifying team. Core runners are seniors Dianna Kreider, Kristen Ruckstuhl, Lauren Starks and Carly Berman, junior Julie Lowe, and freshman Jenny Mulhall.

Perry: Senior Abbie Clifford was fifth overall and second in the team race, and led the Pirates to fourth place at state in Division II. Juniors Ally Nelson, Jackie Tenney, Ashley Adamik also ran at state. Nelson is injured and will miss the start of the season.

Rocky River: Looking for its sixth trip to state in the past seven years with a still-young team that returns five from an 11th-place Division II team: Madi Connelly, Maddy McDonough, Elyse Bierut, Megan O'Keefe and Megan Auzenbergs. Freshman Ellen Corcoran and sophomore Anna Eversman could work their way into the top five.

St. Vincent-St. Mary: Defending Division II state champ returns five, led by senior Maria Arnone, who was seventh (19:19). Also picked up a soccer player, Sam Kirk, who could be a big factor. Marissa Rosetti, Tessa Weigand and Anna Mion also return. Likely will have to improve upon its 19:59 team average time to repeat at state.

Woodridge: Returns five from 10th-place state Division II team. Senior Maria Moore placed 11th. Miranda Stockton, Alyssa Whiddeon, Angelina Moore also return. Senior soccer player Morgan Willis, who placed fourth in the 1,600 meters at state track, joins the team and adds to a formidable top five that also could include seniors Emelie Moeller and Katie Allaman and any one of several promising freshmen.

KEY DATES

Aug. 23: Season began.

Oct. 23: District meets.

Oct. 30: Regional meets.

Nov. 6: State meet, Scioto Downs, Columbus.

Indians score six in the second inning and lead Royals, 10-3, through six.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe plays host to the Royals tonight in the first of a three-game series at Progressive Field.

Pitching matchup: RHP Josh Tomlin (1-3, 3.86 ERA) vs. RHP Bryan Bullington (1-2, 4.50).

In-game updates:

The Indians led the Royals, 10-3, through six innings. Catcher Chris Gimenez hit a three-run homer and RBI double. Matt LaPorta had a three-run homer.

The Tribe scored six in the second for a 6-0 lead.

Travis Hafner led off with a single and rumbled to third on Jayson Nix's double. Trevor Crowe's fly to left did not carry far enough for Hafner to tag. LaPorta picked up Crowe with a homer to left on an 0-2 breaking pitch that leaked over the middle.

LaPorta has homered in consecutive games.

Jason Donald singled and scored on Gimenez's double. Michael Brantley drove in Gimenez with a single.

After Asdrubal Cabrera struck out, Shin-Soo Choo ripped an RBI single to right.  Hafner was intentionally walked, but Bullington avoided the hook by getting Nix to fly to right.

The Royals pulled within 6-3 in the fourth. A Nix RBI double in the Tribe half of the inning made it 7-3.

Bullington, the No. 1 overall pick by Pittsburgh in 2002, gave up seven runs on nine hits in four innings.

Gimenez blasted his three-run shot to center in the fifth off Kanekoa Texeira.

Tomlin gave up the three runs in five innings before giving way to Justin Germano.

Tomlin worked out of a two-on, none-out jam in the first.

 Gregor Blanco singled and advanced to second on Jason Kendall's bloop single. Kila Ka'aihue grounded to Matt LaPorta, who triggered a 3-6-1 double play. Ka'aihue made it reasonably close at first; umpire Jim Joyce got the call right.

Pregame notes:

In his brief time as a closer in the majors, Chris Perez has shown he does not need a minimum-threshold save situation to thrive. He gladly will enter the ninth inning with nobody on, nobody out and a three-run lead, but he is more than willing to take the ball in a mess.

 Thursday night against Oakland, Perez notched his second five-out save this season and fourth of his career in the Indians' 3-2 victory. He inherited runners on first and second and worked out of it, then pitched around a hit in the ninth.

 The save was his 16th this season (in 20 opportunities) and 25th since making his debut with St. Louis in May 2008.

 Perez secured the Indians' first five-out, one-run save since David Riske did so on May 13, 2003, against Detroit.

 "Chris is fearless,'' Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He enjoys being out there in those types of situations.''

 The term "old school'' was used in the Tribe clubhouse to describe the save.

 "Real 'old school' is three innings,'' Perez said with a chuckle. "I look at it this way: Yes, I'm the closer, but I'm also part of the bullpen. Certain games work out to where you're trying to get to the ninth. I was well-rested and ready to go. Whatever they need me to do, I'll do.''

 Perez is available tonight against the Royals.

 Perez's first five-out special happened to be the first save of his career. He remembers it like it was, well....

 "Aug. 6, 2008,'' Perez said. "We were playing the Dodgers in St. Louis, Casey Blake was on second and Jeff Kent was the first batter I faced.''

 Perez struck out Kent looking and got Angel Berroa to pop out to preserve a 9-6 lead. He walked one in the ninth.

 In Perez's previous major-league appearance, he had given up a two-run walkoff homer to Jason Michaels in Pittsburgh on July 12. He was optioned to Class AAA on July 18 and recalled Aug. 6.

 The second five-out save came one week later at Florida. It was considerably more dicey. With runners on second and third and the Cardinals leading, 5-4, Perez walked Dan Uggla. Then....

 "Josh Willingham grounded to Troy Glaus, who stepped on third and threw to first,'' Perez said. "Double play, we're out of the inning.''

 Perez escaped a jam in the ninth and the Cardinals won, 6-4.

 The third career five-out save occurred June 11 against Washington at Progressive Field. Protecting a five-run lead, Perez got dangerous Ryan Zimmerman to ground into a 6-4-3 double play with the bases loaded. The Indians won, 7-2.

 Only once as a major leaguer has Perez been in position to earn a five-out save but failed to do so. On May 5 against Toronto at Progressive Field, he stranded a runner in the eighth to preserve a one-run lead, then gave up three runs in the ninth and lost, 5-4. That result gets a huge asterisk, though, because all the runs were unearned after shortstop Luis Valbuena committed a two-out error.

 Sizzling: Entering Friday, Perez had allowed two earned runs in 22 1/3 innings of his last 22 appearances since June 28. He is 11-for-12 in save situations since May 18.

 "His command has been tremendous the last three months,'' Acta said. "He's throwing a lot of strikes down in the zone. When he has command like that, he's tough to hit. Right now, if we get to him, we feel pretty good.''

  The Machine: Perez cannot say enough about Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, who Thursday became the 47th major-leaguer to hit 400 homers.

 At 30 years, 222 days, Pujols became the third-youngest to reach the milestone (Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr.).

 Perez and Pujols were teammates in St. Louis for parts of 2008 and 2009.

 "He's an incredible player and a great teammate,'' Perez said. "People see all the highlights on TV, but when you get to watch him up-close every day, you realize how many little things he does to help the team win. He doesn't care about the individual accolades. All he cares about is the team's success.''

 Pigskin Pronk: Tribe designated hitter Travis Hafner will compete in six fantasy football leagues this fall. He was in six last season, winning one.

 "A down year,'' he said. "I've made some changes in the scouting department and brought in a couple of new coaches.''

 In a league made up of Indians' personnel, Hafner was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last year by Trevor Crowe.

 "Trevor thinks he knocked me out, but I knocked myself out,'' he said. "I had an off-week, and I just happened to be playing Trevor. It stung a bit.''

 Defending champion in the Indians' league is the team owned by TV play-by-play voice Matt Underwood and clubhouse manager Tony Amato. This year's draft will be held Sunday night at Hafner's home.

 "We had such a good team last year that even Pronk couldn't pencil-whip us,'' Amato said.

 Hafner is hitting .321 (27-for-84) with two homers and 10 RBI in 24 games since July 3.

 Big-league Choo: Tribe right fielder Shin-Soo Choo is making his fantasy-football debut and holds the first pick, which he said will be Titans running back Chris Johnson. Indians media relations director Bart Swain used his contacts to get Johnson to sign a uniform for Choo after Titans practice Thursday.

 The uniform was hanging in Choo's locker Friday afternoon.

Lineups:

Royals (54-73) -- 1. Gregor Blanco cf; 2. Jason Kendall c; 3. Kila Ka'aihue 1b; 4. Wilson Betemit dh; 5. Alex Gordon lf; 6. Willie Bloomquist 3b; 7. Mitch Maier rf; 8. Yuniesky Betancourt ss; 9. Chris Getz 2b; and Bullington.

Indians (51-76) -- 1. Michael Brantley cf; 2. Asdrubal Cabrera ss; 3. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 4. Travis Hafner dh; 5. Jayson Nix 3b; 6. Trevor Crowe lf; 7. Matt LaPorta 1b; 8. Jason Donald 2b; 9. Chris Gimenez c; and Tomlin.

Umpires: P -- Jim Wolf; 1b -- Jim Joyce; 2b -- Derryl Cousins; Mike Estabrook.

UPDATED: Matt LaPorta, Chris Gimenez and Jayson Nix crack three-run homers as the Indians overwhelm the Royals, 15-4.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerMatt LaPorta gets congrats at home plate from Jayson Nix, left, and Travis Hafner after LaPorta hit a three-run homer in the second inning Friday against the Royals at Progressive Field.

Updated at 12:01 a.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Indians manager Manny Acta did not guarantee anything Friday afternoon, several hours before a game against the Kansas City Royals. That is not his style.

But Acta did offer that the three-game series carries added weight given the standings. Kansas City sits fourth in the AL Central; Cleveland is fifth and last.

"I don't think anyone wants to finish last," Acta said. "Obviously, it's an important series for us to try to gain some ground on these guys."

Acta spoke about how fourth place hardly rates as a consolation prize, but fourth beats fifth for no more important reason than "people don't say, 'Fifth,' they say, 'Last.' "

The Indians, with Chris Gimenez and Jayson Nix showing the way, were on the same wavelength as their manager Friday night. Tribe pride took the form of a 15-4 rout at Progressive Field.

Gimenez went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, RBI double and walk. Nix was 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and RBI double. Matt LaPorta hit a three-run homer.

Jason Donald was 4-for-5 with three runs. He has two four-hit games this season, the only Indian to do so.

"I didn't have a three-run homer, but I'll take the hits and the runs," Donald said.

The Indians amassed 17 hits, including seven doubles. Every batter had at least one hit.

"We had quality at-bats up and down the lineup," Donald said. "It's fun when you're able to do that."

The Tribe (52-76) has won two in a row and pulled within two games of the Royals (54-74). Nine games remain in the season series, which Kansas City leads, 5-4.

Kansas City cranked out 16 hits but left 16 runners on base.

Playing the Royals brings out the best in Cleveland bats. The Tribe is averaging 5.9 runs against them. In their previous series, Aug. 17-19 in Kansas City, the Tribe scored seven in each of the final two games.

In six games from Aug. 20-26, the Indians managed a total of seven runs while going 1-5.

They fell one run short of matching that output in the second inning Friday.

Hafner led off with a single and rumbled to third on Nix's double. Trevor Crowe's fly to left did not carry far enough for Hafner to tag.

LaPorta, down in the count, 0-2, picked up Crowe with a shot over the left-field wall. LaPorta pounced on a breaking pitch from right-hander Bryan Bullington that leaked over the middle of the plate.

LaPorta has homered in two straight games.

Donald singled and scored on Gimenez's double to make it 4-0. Michael Brantley delivered an RBI single to center. After Asdrubal Cabrera struck out, Shin-Soo Choo ripped an RBI single to right for a 6-0 cushion.

With Hafner batting, Choo sprinted to second when Bullington's first pitch was wild. Royals manager Ned Yost then ordered three more wide ones. The decision paid off when Nix flied to right.

Tribe starters are not handed six-run leads through two very often. Rookie right-hander Josh Tomlin periodically did not know how to react, bobbing and weaving through five innings without his best stuff. He gave up three runs on eight hits, walked four and struck out one.

The Royals staggered Tomlin in the fourth, scoring three to pull within 6-3. Tomlin righted himself long enough to qualify for the victory, his second in five decisions. According to Indians media relations, Tomlin became the fifth Indians pitcher since 1920 to work five-plus innings in each of the first six games.

The Tribe made it 7-3 in the fourth when Choo and Nix sandwiched Hafner's intentional walk with doubles.

Bullington, the No. 1 overall pick by Pittsburgh in 2002 out of Ball State, did not come out for the fifth. He was rocked two starts after giving up two hits in eight shutout innings of a victory over the Yankees.

Gimenez brought the hammer in the fifth. After LaPorta walked and Donald singled, Gimenez blasted Kanekoa Texeira's pitch an estimated 427 feet to center. It missed the barbeque pit but rattled around in the trees.

Gimenez entered the night hitting .172 with three doubles and four RBI in 16 games.

Justin Germano relieved Tomlin to begin the sixth. He escaped a bases-loaded, two-out jam by getting cleanup batter Wilson Betemit to strike out swinging. Betemit had homered off Tomlin.

Germano pitched two scoreless. He has not given up an earned run in 16 innings of 11 appearances with the Indians.

The Indians scored five in the eighth for a 15-3 lead. Nix gave the Tribe three three-run homers in a game for the first time since July 2, 2004, at Cincinnati.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664