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Cleveland Browns withhold names of cuts

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Browns waiting as long as possible to reveal cut list.

CLEVELAND -- The Browns say they will announce their roster cuts around 8 p.m.

They reported their cuts to the NFL by the 6 p.m. deadline, but are hoping to conceal the names as long as possible to give teams less time to make decisions on claiming them.

Because of the volume of cuts on this day, there is a backlog on the NFL waiver wire. All names don't appear on the wire until about two hours after the 6 p.m. deadline.

It's possible the delay means there are a few players on their cut list who they will try to bring back.


Cleveland Browns activate Shaun Rogers, cut CB Brandon McDonald and QB Brett Ratliff and 13 others

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Finally the Browns reveal their "temporary" 53-player roster moves.

Brett RatliffQB Brett Ratliff was waived by the Browns.

CLEVELAND -- The Browns activated nose tackle Shaun Rogers from the physically unable to perform list and made the following roster moves to get down to 53 players:

Waived were DB Larry Asante, DB Chris Chancellor, OL Paul Fanaika, DL Clifton Geathers, DL Travis Ivey, RB Chris Jennings, CB Brandon McDonald, DL Swanson Miller, OL Pat Murray, QB Brett Ratliff, DL Brian Sanford and DB DeAngelo Smith.

The following players had their contracts terminated: WR Bobby Engram, OL Scott Koistra and DL C.J. Mosley.

The Browns probably will make several waiver claims on Sunday and will add players to their practice squad.

Magnificat, St. Ignatius capture Early Bird titles

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Magnificat, St. Ignatius off to fast starts in cross country.

Joe Magill

Special to The Plain Dealer

Magnificat and St. Ignatius entered this cross country season with lots of questions after graduating several key members from their respective 2009 Division I state championship teams.

However, Saturday's 33rd annual Avon Lake Early Bird Invitational at Lorain County Community College let opponents know that it will be business as usual with these two powerhouse programs.

With senior John Sweeney taking the individual title, St. Ignatius scored 66 points to 102 for runner-up Toledo St. Francis to win the Maroon Division. Host Avon Lake was a close third with 109.

In the girls Maroon Division, Magnificat was in a much tighter battle, but the Blue Streaks still emerged on top with 73 points, followed by Toledo Notre Dame Academy with 86 and Perrysburg with 89.

The girls from Bay had the low team total of the day, using the 1-2 finish of Hanna Sterle and Maddie Britton to score just 25 points to 43 for runner-up Avon in the Gold Division. Avon's boys returned the favor in the boys Gold race, dominating the field with 48 points with Buckeye second with 108.

"We're looking at what we have as opposed to what we lost," Magnificat coach Anjanette Arabian-Whitman said. "It remains to be seen how good we can be. As coaches we know what we believe they can do, but it has to come from the athletes. Our job this year is to help build their confidence so they have the opportunity to reach their potential."

The team's top two finishers, Katherine Stultz in third and Abigail Marquard in 12th, are the lone returners from one of the top teams in the nation last year. But with traditionally strong programs, there is always talent to step in, as Katherine Kerr, Laura Hogan and Macey Walker all finished within the top 23.

"This was a great leap for everybody," Arabian-Whitman said. "But we still have a long way to go. This isn't the state meet. This is step one toward the state meet."

St. Ignatius also returns just two from last year's championship squad, but with Sweeney leading the way, coach Michael Gallagher likes his team's chances to make another run to Columbus.

"John is just driven," Gallagher said of the lone senior in the top seven. "He really wants to get back to the state meet. And he's really been pushing all the guys. I don't have to say a thing. He's just a tremendous leader."

Gallagher had the fastest time of the day, crossing the line in 16 minutes, 10 seconds. Brunswick junior Selena Pasadyn won her first invitational in taking the girls Maroon race with a time of 19:03.

The boys from Avon are hoping to make some noise this year, as they anticipate moving to Division I next year. Led by seniors Tyler Kvach in second and Sam Bickley in ninth, the Eagles appear poised to achieve what they missed out on in 2009.

"Last year we weren't really a factor in our conference and we didn't get out of the district meet," said coach Tara Gruskiewicz. "But we have great group of guys running this year and they've worked really hard. It's been a process that I think has been building for two years. I've been telling them that they better take advantage of this opportunity this year."

Bay's girls were impressive, especially considering there were four freshmen in the top seven and three in the top five.

"It remains to be seen how good we can be, but we're excited," said coach Danielle Harkins.

Joe Magill is a freelance writer in University Heights.

Another poor day for Cleveland Indians farm teams: Minor League Report

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The Tribe's minor league teams all lose and the Lake County Captains get postponed by poor weather, although the Kinston Indians manage to take the second game of a doubleheader.

jason-knapp.jpgJason Knapp owns one of the best fastballs in the Indians' organization.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Mud Hens 6, Clippers 4 A four-run fifth inning did the Clippers in on Saturday night in Toledo, but they held on to the International League West Division lead, thanks to a Louisville loss in Indianapolis. The Mud Hens held off a late rally to win.

Notes: RH starting pitcher Paolo Espino (3-2, 4.30) has won his last two starts, with a 2.57 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings while allowing nine hits and four walks. Including his time this season at Class AA Akron, Espino is 12-6 with a 4.08 ERA, striking out 121 against 46 walks, and holding batters to a .241 average....Going into Saturday night's game, IF Josh Rodriguez (.295) was on a six-game hitting streak, going 13-of-21 (.619) with four doubles, one triple, one home run, six RBI and four runs....3B Jared Goedert (.268) was 8-of-23 (.348) with one double, two homers, eight runs and four RBI in his last six games....IF Argenis Reyes (.302) was 10-of-27 (.370) in his last eight games.

AA Akron Aeros

SeaWolves 5, Aeros 4 Akron gave up a two-run lead in extra innings on a pair of home runs to fall to host Erie, Pa. The Aeros (70-70) are now 1-10 in extra inning games this season. Erie (65-75) has now given Akron its fourth straight Eastern League loss.

Notes: LH starting pitcher Matt Packer (1-2, 3.16) is 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his last three starts, striking out 20 while giving up 17 hits and four walks in 18 innings. Including his time this season at Class A Lake County, Packer is 9-7 with one save and a 2.04 ERA in 30 games (18 starts). He's fanned 123 and walked 22 in 132 2/3 innings, while holding batters to seven home runs and a .231 average....Going into Saturday night's game, 1B Beau Mills (.241) was on a five-game hitting streak, going 9-of-18 (.500) with one double, one homer and six RBI....RH relief pitcher Chen Lee (5-4, 3.31) had an 0.77 ERA pitching 23 1/3 innings in his last 15 games, with 26 strikeouts, four walks and just nine hits allowed. For the season, Lee had fanned 80, walked 22 and held batters to a .221 average in 70 2/3 innings....RH reliever Omar Aguilar (2-6, seven saves, 3.39) had not allowed a home run in 61 innings this season. He had fanned 71, walked 30 and held batters to a .226 average....CF Jordan Henry (.303) was on a six-game hitting streak, going 10-of-24 (.417) with one double, one triple and five walks....The Aeros, who won the Eastern League championship last season, and in 2003 and 2005, were eliminated from playoff contention in Friday night's 10-5 loss at Erie. The Aeros had won the last five RL South Division titles and six of the last seven.

A Kinston Indians

Nationals 2-5, Indians 0-7 Bo Greenwell went 4-for-4 with three RBI to lead Kinston to a doubleheader split against Potomac in Woodbridge, Va. The Nationals won the opener, 2-0, to secure a berth in the Carolina League's Northern Division playoffs.

Notes: Going into Saturday night's game, RH starting pitcher Joe Gardner (12-6, 2.65) was leading the Carolina League in wins and was second in ERA. He has struck out 104, walked 51 and held batters to four homers and a .199 average in 122 1/3 innings. In his last seven games, Gardner is 4-1 with a 1.60 ERA in 39 1/3 innings, allowing 24 hits -- including no home runs. Gardner began the season making six starts at Lake County, going 1-0 with a 3.24 ERA in 25 innings, with 38 strikeouts, 11 walks and 17 hits -- two homers -- allowed....LH starter T.J. McFarland (11-5, 3.13) was tied for second in the league in wins and was fourth in ERA. McFarland is 1-0 and has not allowed a run in his last two starts, striking out 11 in 11 innings while allowing five hits and seven walks....Catcher Chun-Hsiu Chen was hitting .315 with 17 doubles, six homers and 30 RBI in 165 at bats with Kinston. Including his time with Lake County, Chen was hitting .313 with 38 doubles, three triples, 12 homers, 69 RBI and 54 walks in 383 at bats....RH reliever Matthew Langwell (4-2, five saves, 1.96) had not allowed a run in his last 15 games, pitching 18 2/3 innings with 20 strikeouts....RH reliever Brian Grening (4-3, 3.24) was 1-0 with an 0.73 ERA in his last eight games, allowing nine hits and two walks, with 16 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings. He had struck out 64 in 50 innings and held hitters to a .204 batting average.

A Lake County Captains

The Captains' (76-60) scheduled game against the Lansing Lugnuts (68-68) on Saturday night was postponed because of wet grounds.. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Classic Park in Eastlake.

Notes: RHP Jason Knapp, who is considered one of the Indians' premier pitching prospects after being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies organization in the Cliff Lee trade last July, is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in three starts for Lake County, striking out 21, walking four and allowing eight hits in 12 1/3 innings. The 6-5 Knapp, who turned 20 on Tuesday, missed most of the season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Before being sent to Lake County, Knapp pitched in five games for the Indians' Arizona League rookie team. He was 0-2 with a 1.46 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and four walks....1B Adam Abraham (.263) is hitting .360 (62-of-172) with 14 doubles, 10 homers and 43 RBI in his last 42 games....OF Delvi Cid (.252) is 2-of-21 with two runs and two stolen bases in his last six games, after hitting .333 (18-of-54) with 12 runs and 10 stolen bases in his previous 14 games. Cid's league-leading 70 stolen bases (in 86 attempts) were 14 more than any other player in the Midwest League going into Saturday....OF Tyler Holt (.317) is 17-of-44 (.386) with seven doubles, one triple, eight runs and six RBI in his last 13 games.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Jammers 6, Scrappers 4 Five Scrappers' errors helped pave the way for their loss at Eastwood Field in Niles. CF Brian Heere (.255) singled three times and scored twice, and 1B Jesus Aguilar (.227) singled, doubled and drove in two runs for the Scrappers. Right-handed starter Anthony Dischler (0.00) allowed one Jammers' unearned run in three innings, and relievers James Reichenbach (3.67) and James Ehlert (3.48) each pitched two scoreless innings.

Notes: Infielder-DH Giovanny Urshela (.289) is 9-of-26 (.346) in his last seven games, with five RBI to boost his team-leading total to 35.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 5, Kings 3 Lake Erie equaled its longest win streak of the season (seven) and assured a winning season with a victory over Kalamazoo, Mich., at Avon.

Notes: The Crushers went into Saturday night's game with a seven-game winning streak....Going into the game, OF Wayne Bond (.234) was 13-of-38 (.342) with one triple, one homer, 10 runs and four RBI in his last 10 games....Catcher Joel Collins (.257) was 12-of-35 (.343) with four doubles, four RBI and five walks in his last 10 games.

Cleveland Browns make cuts and set roster . . . which is sure to change

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The Browns have some work to do before their roster is complete. Their 53 players are heavy at some positions and light in others.

brandon mcdonald.jpgView full sizeBoth defensive backs Brandon McDonald (22) and back Chris Chancellor were released by the Cleveland Browns on Saturday.

BEREA, Ohio — It took the Browns until well past 9 p.m. 'Saturday to announce how they got to the league limit of 53 players. But it's only a temporary roster and it's sure to change in the next couple days.

Need a clue? They kept three cornerbacks and 12 linebackers.

Sheldon Brown, Eric Wright and rookie Joe Haden may be good, but they're obviously going to need somebody to back them up.

Fourth-year cornerback Brandon McDonald, who started 27 of 48 career games, was the biggest name of 15 players cut Saturday.

Either the Browns didn't have the stomach to whittle down their bloated linebacker roster or they are working on some transactions in the days ahead.

Veterans David Bowens and Eric Barton remain on the roster along with second-year linebackers David Veikune and Kaluka Maiava.

D'Qwell Jackson, who is nursing a partially torn pectoral muscle and whose availability is uncertain, remains on the active list. And, in a mild surprise, second-year linebacker Titus Brown is still part of the group.

Other than those two position groupings, there were no major surprises.

Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy was kept. Brett Ratliff was not.

In all, six of Tom Heckert's eight picks in his first Browns draft made the team. That includes running back Montario Hardesty, who Friday was put on season-ending injured reserve with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The only draft choices cut were safety Larry Asante (fifth round) and defensive lineman Clifton Geathers (sixth). They are candidates to rejoin the team's practice squad after they pass through waivers by midday today.

Heckert chose to wait to announce the roster moves more than three hours after they were filed with the NFL office because he did not want to give other teams a jump on identifying potential waiver claims. The Browns, in fact, were one of the last teams to publicly announce their moves.

The current roster includes several players like Jackson whose availability is uncertain.

Nose tackle Shaun Rogers was activated off the physically unable to perform list. Rogers has not practiced with the team this year after having off-season surgery, believed to be on a broken ankle. The Browns have never confirmed where on his body the surgery took place.

Also, offensive tackle John St. Clair missed the last two preseason games and several practices for undisclosed personal reasons, and offensive guard Floyd Womack has been out for weeks after having a procedure on a knee. Another uncertainty is safety and special teams ace Nick Sorensen, who has been out with a concussion suffered in the Detroit game Aug. 28.

Other nuances of the current roster:

The Browns kept four tight ends -- Benjamin Watson, Evan Moore, Robert Royal and Alex Smith. And they kept four running backs -- Jerome Harrison, James Davis, Lawrence Vickers and Peyton Hills.

Billy Yates is the only healthy backup guard.

Fourteen of the 53 players were not on the team's active roster or injury list at the conclusion of the 2009 season.

Besides McDonald, the most notable deletions among the veterans were Ratliff, running back Chris Jennings and receiver Bobby Engram.

Ratliff, who co-authored the Gatorade dunking of coach Eric Mangini in the 2009 finale, made plays to set up game-winning field goals in the exhibition victories over Green Bay and Chicago. But his rating in the preseason was only 46.2 and he was intercepted twice with no touchdown passes.

Jennings had a small window to make the team through the injury to Hardesty, but Davis' preseason-ending performance slammed it shut. Jennings, who scored the first rushing touchdown of the season last year in the win over Pittsburgh, rushed 12 times for 27 yards in the preseason.

Engram joined the squad late, just prior to training camp, at the behest of his former coach in Seattle, Browns President Mike Holmgren. Engram, 37, and in his 15th NFL year, led the Browns with six catches in the last preseason game. He had nine overall -- tied with Hillis for the lead in four practice games -- for 83 yards.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

Attempt to generate offense backfires for Tribe: Cleveland Indians Chatter

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The misplay hurts the Indians because they would have had a chance to tie the game thanks to two singles by Michael Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera.

trevor crowe.jpgView full sizeThe Indians' Trevor Crowe is caught stealing by Seattle's Josh Wilson in the ninth inning during Friday's botched hit-and-run.

Clubhouse confidential: Here was the thought process on the hit-and-run play that didn't work in Friday's 1-0 loss to Seattle. Trevor Crowe, with the Tribe down, 1-0, drew a leadoff walk in the ninth against closer David Aardsma.

With Michael Brantley batting, manager Manny Acta thought the Mariners would be looking for the sacrifice bunt and Aardsma would groove a pitch to Brantley to get an out. Aardsma, however, was having trouble throwing strikes and threw a pitch down and away that Brantley missed. Crowe was thrown out at second by strong-armed catcher Adam Moore.

It hurt because the Indians had a chance to tie the game when Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera followed with singles.

"With an offense like ours, you can't always stand pat," said Acta. "You have to try and create some offense."

Gifts from Choo: A representative of an Asian company making titanium necklaces was in the Indians' locker room Saturday. Shin-Soo Choo received several necklaces and was giving them to teammates.

Said Frank Herrmann: "I used to wear them at night because I thought it increased the blood flow when I slept. But maybe it's just the placebo effect."

Stat of the day: The Indians are 20-27 since the All-Star break.

-- Paul Hoynes

Chris Perez has the look of becoming a solid closer: Cleveland Indians Insider

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Lots of closers walk on the wild side. The demands of the job almost requires it. Distinctive looks are part of the package and Indians closer Chris Perez is easy to spot on the mound.

chris perez.jpgView full sizeIndians closer Chris Perez says he might shave his beard during the off-season, but the long hair is here to stay.

SEATTLE, Wash. — Chris Perez doesn't think closers need to have a certain look.

"Mariano Rivera doesn't have a look," Perez said. "Joe Nathan doesn't have a look."

Chris Perez, with 17 saves in 21 chances for the Indians, does have a look. He has the long brown hair and a thick beard to go along with a 95 mph fastball and a good slider.

"I've always had the hair," Perez said. "I kept the beard going this year because I'm having a good year. I really didn't want to change anything up.

"I kind of makes me look older. For that role it's not that bad of a thing. It started out that I was just going to have it when it was cold out. But I got off to a good roll and just kept it. I'll probably shave it off before next spring training, but the hair is never going away."

While Rivera and Nathan might not need any extra bells and whistles, a lot of closers look different than everyone else on a baseball field. Perez says its part of a closer's DNA.

"In this type of position, you don't have to be on the edge, but [maybe] alternative, I guess," Perez said. "Good closers relish that role. They want be out there night after night. It goes a long with being alternative.

"I'm sure a lot of those guys like to listen to heavy rock. All the weird guys are closers. You've got Brian Wilson in San Francisco with his haircut. You've got me. Jonathan Papelbon in Boston has the stare. I think it's just a coincidence, but I don't think it's a coincidence it's at that position."

Perez has allowed two earned run in his last 25 1/3 innings. He's converted 12 of his last 13 save chances. Overall his ERA of 1.99 is the eighth lowest in the AL among relievers.

When the Indians traded Kerry Wood to the Yankees on July 31, Perez became the Indians regular closer.

"Chris has the stuff and the mentality for the job," said manager Manny Acta. "It's been quite a difference since he's taking over. . . . We can't wait until we can get the ball to him."

Complete-game loss: Fausto Carmona said Friday's 1-0 loss to Seattle was his best start of the year. He threw a four-hitter in his third complete game of the season.

fausto carmona.jpgView full sizeIndians starter Fausto Carmona.

"Everything was working," Carmona said.

The problem was everything was working for Seattle left-hander Luke French as well. He no-hit the Indians for 6 1/3 innings.

It's the second time Carmona has been on the wrong side of a near no-hitter. On July 2, he threw a complete game against Detroit, but barely drew a mention because Armando Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game when first-base umpire Jim Joyce called Jason Donald safe for what should have been the 27th consecutive and final out of the game.

Carmona (11-14, 4.05), who went to the All-Star Game, has lost his past six starts.

"I'm not frustrated," Carmona said. "I can't control how many runs we score. I can only control how I throw my pitches."

Acta doesn't know if Friday's start was Carmona's best of the year. "He's thrown a lot of good games this year," he said. "When this season ends, we're going to make sure he knows that. He could easily have 15 wins right now."

Change in plans: Jeanmar Gomez wasn't going to start until Wednesday, but he'll start Sunday against Felix Hernandez. Justin Masterson, the scheduled starter, left the team to tend to a family matter.

The Indians wanted to skip Gomez in the rotation.

"We didn't want to skip him because he's tired," said Acta. "We wanted to skip him to limit his inning and keep him pitching for the rest of the year."

Finally: Acta says "four or five' more players could be recalled when Class AAA Columbus finishes the postseason.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Michael Brantley's RBI singles gives Tribe, 4-0, lead after 6: Cleveland Indians briefing

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The Indians have a few hot hitters and a lot of cold hitters as they try to bob and weave their way through the final month of the season.

UPDATED: 11:55 p.m.

SEATTLE, Wash. -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Mariners tonight in the third game of a four-game series at Safeco Field.

 Safeco Field's dimensions: Left field line 331 feet, left center 390, center field 405, right center 387 and right field line 326. Outfield fence, 8 feet high.

In-game notes:

Score: Indians 4, Mariners 0 after six innings.

Keep going: Michael Brantley made it 4-0 for the Tribe with a two-out RBI single in the fourth. Jason Donald, who beat out an infield single and got to second when manager Manny Acta started him on the pitch as Lou Marson grounded out, scored.

In 23 games since rejoining the Indians from Class AAA Columbus on Aug. 6, Brantley has 12 RBI in 23 games. 

Rolling: The Indians stretched their lead to 3-0 with on two runs on four straight hits in the third. Marson hit a leadoff double.  Brantley turned an attempted sac-bunt into a base hit when starter David Pauley was slow reacting. Marson stopped at third, but not for long.

Asdrubal Cabrera brought him home with a hard single to right. Shin-Soo Choo hit a carbon-copy single to score Brantley for a 3-0 lead. 

Early start: After being held hitless for 6 1/3 innings Friday night, the Indians took a 1-0 lead against Pauley in the first. Choo drew a two-out walk, stole second and scored on Travis Hafner's line-drive single to right. Choo beat Ichiro Suzuki's throw to the plate by plenty.

So far, so good: Mitch Talbot, trying to win his first game since June 27, held Seattle to two hits through the first three innings. After allowing two singles with no one out in the sixth, he struck out power-hitting Russell Branyan on a 3-2 pitch.  He then retired Jose Lopez on a liner to center and Casey Kotchman on a flare to short. 

 Pre-game notes:

 Game 136: The Indians and Seattle, two of the weakest hitting and lowest scoring teams in the American League, meet for the third time tonight. They've each been shut out an AL high 12 times.

 Pittsburgh leads the National League in being shutout 13 times.

 Here's a look at who's hot and who's cold among Indians hitters.

 -Hot stuff: Michael Brantley 21-for-73 (.288); Asdrubal Cabrera 29-for-94 (.309); Shin-Soo Choo 16-for-45 (.356); Travis Hafner 17-for-53 (.321) and Jayson Nix (12-for-37) .324.

 -Cold stuff: Trevor Crowe 17-for-74 (.230); Shelley Duncan 8-for-55 (.145); Chris Gimenez 8-for-40 (.200); Matt LaPorta 8-for-59 (.136); Lou Marson 3-for-24 (.125); Andy Marte 24-for-110 (.218) and Luis Valbuena 10-for-49 (.204).

 Rotation changes: Justin Masterson will miss Sunday's start against Seattle because of a family matter. Masterson returned to his home in Fortville, Ind.

 Jeanmar Gomez, who wasn't supposed to pitch until Wednesday so he could get some extra rest, will start Sunday.

  Masterson is expected to rejoin the team in order to start Tuesday against the Angels at Angel Stadium. Josh Tomlin will move from Tuesday to Wednesday's start against the Angels. Carlos Carrasco will start, as scheduled, Monday against the Angels.

 Lineups:

 Indians (54-81): CF Michael Brantley (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), 3B Jayson Nix (R), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), LF Trevor Crowe (S), 2B Jason Donald (R), C Lou Marson (R) and RHP Mitch Talbot (8-11, 4.61).

 Mariners (53-81): RF Ichiro Suzuki (L), 2B Chone Figgins (S), DH Russell Branyan (L), 3B Jose Lopez (R), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), C Josh Bard (S), CF Michael Saunders (L), LF Matt Tuiasosopo (R), Josh Wilson (R) and RHP David Pauley (2-6, 4.25).

 Umpires: H Brian Runge, 1B Jerry Layne, 2B Mike Winter, 3B Hunter Wendlestedt. Layne, crew chief.

 Quote of the day: "As a ballplayer, I would be delighted to do it again. As an individual, I doubt if I could possibly go through it again," Roger Maris, after hitting 61 homers in 1961 to break Babe Ruth's record old record of 60 homers in a season.

 Next: RHP Jeanmar Gomez (3-2, 3.08) vs. RHP Felix Hernandez (10-10, 2.38) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.


Tiny Qatar wants to host 2022 World Cup

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By MICHAEL CASEY AP Sports Writer The sidewalks and parks in Doha are empty in June, as residents head to the air-conditioned malls for relief from temperatures that soar to 48 degrees (118 F). Professional footballers from the region flee to the cooler climes of Europe to train. And anyone looking to cool off with a cold beer in...

By MICHAEL CASEY

AP Sports Writer

The sidewalks and parks in Doha are empty in June, as residents head to the air-conditioned malls for relief from temperatures that soar to 48 degrees (118 F). Professional footballers from the region flee to the cooler climes of Europe to train.

And anyone looking to cool off with a cold beer in Qatar's capital has to make do with a handful of pubs hidden in five-star hotels, since drinking alcohol anywhere else is prohibited in the conservative Muslim country.

Still, Qatar has brushed aside questions about its climate and social constraints to launch an ambitious campaign to host the 2022 World Cup that is also being sought by the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan.

In some ways, Qatar is the wild card in the competition to win over FIFA's 24-man executive committee. It's the smallest nation bidding and the only one that has not hosted either an Olympics or World Cup. At the same time, the Persian Gulf nation of just 1.3 million has the financial muscle to guarantee a successful tournament -- it has the world's second-highest per capita income thanks to its vast oil and gas reserves.

"I believe we have a very strong bid and a very unique bid," Hassan al-Thawadi, the CEO of the Qatar bid committee, told The Associated Press.

"It's a historic bid in terms of coming for the first time to the Middle East, a region that is very hospitable, rich and diverse in terms of its culture and has an unprecedented passion for the game," he said. "Bringing it to the Middle East will truly allow football and FIFA to reach its true potential as a culture event."

Qatar has taken an aggressive approach to promoting the bid. It struck a deal to sponsor the Confederation of African Football congress in January, negotiating an agreement that gave it exclusive access to the top officials in African football. It also plans to fly Brazil and Argentina into Doha for an exhibition match just two weeks before the winning bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are announced in December.

It also hired the likes of Dutch great Ronald de Boer and Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to promote the bid, as well as consultant Mike Lee, who was instrumental in helping London secure the 2012 Summer Olympics and Rio the rights for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

"They have the money and they will spend generously on this," said Abdul-Khaleq Abdulla, a political science professor at Emirates University in Abu Dhabi. "There is no limit to how much they could pay. Money talks in these events. It has been proven time and again. If you are serious, you have to raise your investment profile."

Al-Thawadi said Qatar is developing "second-generation cooling technology" that will keep stadiums, training facilities and fan areas at about 27 degrees (81 F), far cooler than the 41 (106 F) that Qatar averages in June, July and August. Qatar also plans to allow alcohol consumption in fan zones and bathing suits to be worn at hotel pools.

Al-Thawadi, a football fan educated in England, acknowledges he was inundated with questions concerning Qatar's weather when he visited South Africa for the recent World Cup. But he says once he explains the proposed system that continuously pumps cool air into the venues, most people come away convinced Qatar can keep the heat at bay during matches.

"I will tell people who have heat concerns come to the Qatar, visit the country and see what it has to offer," al-Thawadi said. "Meet the people and meet expats who come from cold countries and make Qatar their home and are here over the summer and haven't left. The concerns shouldn't be much of a concern at all."

To bolster its case, Qatar has unveiled a $4 billion plan to build nine stadiums and renovate three others -- all with the new cooling system.

A prototype stadium for five-a-side football is scheduled to be on display when FIFA's inspection team visits on Sept. 13 and the technology "will be tweaked" over time to ensure it also can be used at training sites for the 32 competing teams and fan zones, al-Thawadi said.

Qatar also plans $42.9 billion in infrastructure upgrades that will include a new international airport and an air-conditioned public transport system. Everything for a World Cup bid could be ready as early as 2017.

The stadia have futuristic design blueprints, including one designed in the shape of a dhow -- a traditional Arab sailing vessel -- and another with an asymmetrical seashell motif.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter also gave Qatar's bid a boost earlier this year when he said the Arab world deserves to stage a World Cup. He was instrumental in delivering the World Cup to South Africa, the first on the African continent.

Blatter said the government's successful hosting of the 2006 Asian Games showed it was capable of organizing big international events.

Still, the bid has its doubters.

Critics question whether Qatar's largely untested cooling system will work and many Westerners remain unconvinced that Qatar will relax its conservative ways and allow fans to let loose with dancing and drinking in the streets -- which has become the norm at World Cups.

"It would not be in the best interest of FIFA to allow Qatar to host the World Cup in 2022," said Austrian strategist Erwin Roth, who has spent almost three decades promoting international sporting events, including the failed bid by Salzburg to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

"A lot of problems would arise," he said. "What do you do with the fans when the games are over? You will have all fans in this tiny, little city in 40-plus centigrade temperatures. Where do you put them? You would have to build zones where they party and women would be allowed."

Simon Chadwick, a sports marketing expert at Coventry University in England, said Qatar's bid has been helped by the success of South Africa, which showed that a developing country with a history of problems could host a successful World Cup.

"There are concerns about the culture of Qatar," Chadwick said. "You are going to watch football. Are you going to be able to drink heavily, eat pizza and hang around in the streets singing songs? People perceive that because Qatar is a Muslim country that they won't be able to do that."

And even if Qatar can overcome these concerns, its bid could be hampered by relations with Israel and competition with China.

Since it has no diplomatic relations with Israel, Qatar could face a quandary should Israel qualify, or if it officials or fans want to attend. Qatar, which ended low-level contacts with Israel last year, has said repeatedly that any team that qualifies would be welcome. FIFA would require Qatar to allow any Israeli delegate to attend its congress and opening ceremony.

Another issue is China's possible bid in 2026. A China bid could weigh on FIFA committee members, who would have to debate whether to vote in favor of an Asian host like Qatar in 2022 or wait until 2026. One continent cannot host consecutive World Cups.

------

Associated Press writer Aron Heller in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

AP-WF-09-04-10 0555GMT

Cleveland Indians follow Michael Brantley's lead, defeat Seattle Mariners

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Center fielder Michael Brantley continues to learn on the job Saturday night by helping the Indians beat Seattle, 4-2, at Safeco Field.

shin-soo choo.jpgView full sizeIndians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo slides in but misses a fly ball from the Mariners' Russell Branyan in the first inning Saturday at Seattle.

UPDATED: 2:05 a.m.

 SEATTLE, Wash. -- Michael Brantley opened the season with the Indians only to be demoted to Class AAA Columbus in late April. He returned in July, but was sent down again later the same month.

On each trip on the big-league yo-yo, manager Manny Acta said Brantley was going to be a good player. He said the Indians believed in him and that he knew he could learn on the run in the big leagues.

Since Brantley rejoined the Indians for the third time on Aug. 6, he's been making Acta's words ring true. Brantley did it again Saturday night in the Indians' 4-2 victory over Seattle at Safeco Field.

Gallery preview

He had two hits, scored a run and drove in another from the leadoff spot. He's hitting .292 (28-for-96) with 16 runs and 12 RBI in 23 games.

"I feel more confident," Brantley said before the game. "I'm here. I'm not going to go up and down anymore for the rest of the year. I'm just doing the best I can every day at the plate and in the field."

Brantley's two-out RBI single off David Pauley (2-7, 4.42) gave the Indians a 4-0 lead in the fourth. In the third, he reached on a bunt single and scored on Shin-Soo Choo's single for a 3-0 lead.

"It's too bad Michael can't erase those numbers he put up when he first started the season with us," said Acta. "But he's played very well since he's come back the last time. We all feel this guy is going to be a very good player for us.

"Right now, he's done a very good job setting the table for us. If he continues to do that through the end of this month, the numbers will be there."

Brantley is hitting .222 (44-for-198) for the season.  

Mitch Talbot (9-11, 4.40) appreciated Brantley's work, as he did the rest of his teammates' in helping him win his first game since June 27.

The Indians, held scoreless on three hits in Friday's 1-0 loss, squeezed four runs out of eight hits Saturday.

indians mariners.jpgView full sizeMariners catcher Josh Bard waits for the ball as the Indians' Jason Donald slides safely into home in the fourth inning.

"It's a big relief to get a win," said Tablot. "The different was locating pitches, plain and simple. I think I kept them off balance."

Talbot retired the first two batters in the seventh before the inning turned on him. Matt Tuiasosopo reached on Asdrubal Cabrera's throwing error from short. When Talbot walked Josh Wilson, lefty Rafael Perez relieved to face Ichiro Suzuki.

Suzuki sent an RBI single into short left field before Perez ended the inning when Chone Figgins hit into a force play at second. Things did not go so well for him in the eighth.

Former teammate Russell Branyan greeted him with a leadoff homer to start the inning. It was Branyan's second of the series and 22nd of the year. He hit 10 of those with the Indians.

Jose Lopez reached on an infield single to third and Casey Kotchman singled him to third. Tony Sipp relieved and retired Josh Bard on a sacrifice bunt and struck out Michael Saunders to bring Chris Perez into the game. Chris Perez ended the eighth by striking out Tuiasosopo with runners on second and third.

Perez worked the ninth for his 18th save. He's converted 13 of his last 14 save chances. It was the fourth time he's worked more than an inning to save a game this season.

"It was nice to see Talbot come back and have a good outing," said Acta. "Tonight he was very good. He threw a lot of first-pitch strikes. He had that good change up and cutter and gave us almost seven solid innings.

"After that the bullpen picked each other up. Raffie got a big out on Figgins in the seventh to pick up Talbot. Tony picked Raffie up and CP sealed the deal for us."

Acta had a chance to go with Perez for a four-out save on Wednesday against Chicago, but said he wasn't going to put him in harm's way in September of a lost season. Perez earned an eight-pitch save Thursday against Seattle and needed only 15 pitches Saturday night.

"It's whenever Manny wants me," said Perez. "I'm fine with that. I was rested and I'm sure I probably won't go out there in the eighth inning tomorrow (Sunday). It was nice to get out of that jam in the eighth. Mitch pitched a great game."

Talbot, 0-5 with a 6.23 ERA in his last nine games, broke his losing streak with 6 2/3 solid innings. He allowed one unearned run on five hits. He struck out six and walked one.

Pauley, who earned his first big-league victory again the Tribe on Aug. 13, allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.

Indians starters are 4-2 with a 3.23 ERA (23 earned runs in 64 innings) over the last 10 starts.

"It's nice to continue that because in our last homestand the bullpen was beat up pretty good," said Acta. "The last two nights with what Fausto Carmona did Friday and Mitch did tonight helps those guys get back in order."  

The Indians stretched their lead to 3-0 with two runs on four straight hits in the third. Lou Marson hit a leadoff double. Brantley turned an attempted sacrifice bunt into a base hit when starter David Pauley was slow reacting. Marson stopped at third, but not for long.

Cabrera brought him home with a hard single to right. Shin-Soo Choo hit a carbon-copy single to score Brantley for a 3-0 lead.

"We put together that one good inning," said Acta. "Some of those guys had a good plan and shot the ball through the hole (into right field) and we got some big RBI there."

After being held hitless for 6 1/3 innings Friday night, the Indians took a 1-0 lead against Pauley in the first. Choo drew a two-out walk, stole second and scored on Travis Hafner's line-drive single to right. Choo beat Suzuki's throw to the plate by plenty.

Talbot held Seattle scoreless on five hits through six innings. After allowing two singles with no one out in the sixth, he struck out Branyan on a 3-2 pitch. He then retired Lopez on a liner to center and Kotchman on a flare to short.

The victory gave Talbot a 1-1 record against Seattle this year.

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Former Cleveland Indian Josh Barfield hitting .300 in Class AAA: Hey, Hoynsie!

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So far, Barfield has not paid dividends from a 2006 trade with San Diego.

josh.jpgJosh Barfield, here getting tagged out by the Cardinals in a 2009 game, is hitting .300 for San Diego's Class AAA team.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Watching Kevin Kouzmanoff pound Indians' pitching recently caused me to wonder: whatever happened to Josh Barfield? -- Mike Yanczysin, Eastlake

A: Hey, Mike: Barfield is hitting .300 (75-for-250) for Class AAA Portland, San Diego's farm club. He had 13 doubles, four homers and 34 RBI.

The Indians acquired Barfield from the Padres after the 2006 season for Kouzmanoff, who has since been traded to Oakland. It was a deal that did not serve the Indians well. Here's hoping Barfield can get back to the big leagues.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Justin Germano has been great this year in relief, but he's been a starter his entire career. In your column on him, he said the reason for his success is he's not "nibbling" any more and is more aggressive. Any chance the Indians will consider him for the rotation next year? -- Rich Duwelius, Gales Ferry, Conn.

A: Hey, Rich: If Germano is a viable option as a starter, I'm sure the Indians will give him a shot. He's a free agent at the end of the year if he's taken off the 40-man roster.

If he remains on the roster, he's not eligible for free agency.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: It has been a month since the trading deadline has passed, and I still do not understand the organization's rationale for trading Jake Westbrook, Kerry Wood, Austin Kearns and Jhonny Peralta.

The Indians received marginal prospects at best, and I presume they will be assuming a share of the traded players' remaining salaries. Why didn't the organization decide to win as many games as possible with the best talent available, even if it meant winning only 75 games and finishing 20 games out of first place? Or is the organization in such a distressed financial position that they need to find cost savings wherever they can? I hope the organization understands that this perpetual rebuilding process is going to put a permanent dent in the fan base, if it hasn't already.

That is a loss that cost savings will not be able to overcome. -- David Bruno, Chagrin Falls

A: Hey, David: This is the third straight year they've done this so it shouldn't have caught you by surprise. Peralta was traded because they weren't going to pick up his $7 million option in 2011. Wood was traded to rid themselves of at least $1.5 million of the almost $4 million they still owed him. The Indians like Corey Kluber, the pitcher they received from San Diego in the Westbrook trade, but that was about money as well.

The only deal that wasn't motivated by cash was Kearns going to the Yankees for right-hander Zach McAllister.

You're right about one thing, ownership has a lot of work to do in convincing the paying public that they really are trying to win.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Do you feel that Jason Kipnis or Cord Phelps have a good shot at being the Indians' second baseman next year? They both have had great seasons in the minors this year. Jason Donald could then be the utility infielder. -- Joe Eversole, Pelham, Ala.

A: Hey, Joe: Anything is possible, but I'd be surprised if either one broke camp with the team next year. Midseason, however, is a different story.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Looks like Hector Ambriz will hang on to the 25-man active roster for the rest of the year. This means he'll be under the Indians' control next season and beyond. But do we retain his option years in the minors? And if so, how many does he have left? -- Robert Benjamin Jr., Crestview, Fla.

A: Hey, Robert: Ambriz has three options left, and they all belong to the Indians.

-- Hoynsie

Omar Vizquel says doing things 'the right way' has kept him in majors: Hot Corner

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The long-lasting Vizquel has some words of wisdom on how to play in the majors for 22 seasons. Also, Game of Threes, Stat-O-Matic, and The List.

omar vizquel.jpgView full sizeOmar Vizquel credits his dedication to staying fit and stretching for his long career in baseball.

HOT CORNER

He keeps on ticking: Chicago's Omar Vizquel, 43, is in his 22nd big-league season. How has he played so well for so long?

"When players come to the big leagues, they start taking things for granted," Vizquel said. "They forget to work out. They forget to do the basic stuff to stay in the game. To play shortstop, I needed to stay fit. I needed to be agile. I needed to be fast and quick in order to stay here.

"Ever since I was 20 years old, I very rarely missed a pregame stretch. I stretch with a lot of intensity. . . . You can see people stretch nowadays and they lack a little bit. They don't have the energy. They don't put any effort into it. Your body doesn't respond the same when you don't do it.

"This is what you're supposed to do. You stretch the right way. You lift weights the right way. You take batting the right way."

Made in the shade: To help with the shadows at Miller Field during day games, Brewers manager Ken Macha last week suggested that two panels of the retractable roof be left hanging over right field so the batter and pitcher would be in the shadows from the start of the game.

Hitters have complained since the park opened about the shadows at Miller Park during day games.

"It made a big difference," Milwaukee's Casey McGehee told the Associated Press.

McGehee described hitting without the panels as, "almost like hitting in the middle of a high school prom with a strobe light on."

The book on Manny: Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa had this to say to the Boston Globe about recently departed Manny Ramirez: "He can still hit and he'll get his walks, but the one thing he doesn't have that he used to have is his power. He's not going to be the Manny that Boston had or that we had when we first got him.

"Don't get me wrong -- he's a .300 hitter and he can hurt you in a big situation. But it became evident over time with us that playing the outfield was taking its toll. So I wasn't surprised when he agreed to go back to the American League, because at this stage of his career, he needs to be a DH."

After joining the White Sox in Cleveland last week, Chicago was scheduled to play a three-game series in Boston, where Ramirez helped the Red Sox win two World Series.

GAME OF THREES

Baseball is a game of threes. Three strikes and you're out. Three outs in a half-inning. Here are two more sets of threes to consider from last week in baseball.

THREE UP

1. CC Sabathia, MLB's first 19-game winner of the season, beat the A's on Thursday to win his 15th game in his past 18 starts.

2. Seattle's Felix Hernandez finished August with an AL-leading 0.83 ERA and 51 strikeouts.

3. Cincinnati lefty Aroldis Chapman hit 102 mph Tuesday in his big-league debut and 103 mph Wednesday in earning his first big-league victory.

THREE DOWN

1. The Cubs have lost seven games in which they've allowed 14 or more runs (through Friday).

2. St. Louis, trying to catch the Reds in the NL Central, was swept in a three-game series by Houston and has lost 13 of its past 18 games (through Friday).

3. Charlie Morton became the fifth Pirates pitcher to lose 10 or more games this season in a loss to Milwaukee last Sunday.

STAT-O-MATIC

Opportunistic Yankee: In a seven-game stretch from Aug. 24 through Aug. 30, Yankees outfielder Marcus Thames hit six homers in 21 at-bats.

Feels like the first time: Randy Wolf's steal of second base Monday was the first ever by a Brewers pitcher.

Rolling: The Reds went 19-8 in August, the best record in the big leagues.

TRIBE TALK

"The last week, we've been playing better baseball as a team and I've been pitching terrible. . . . It's all because I've been walking people. It hurts more because everyone else is playing good baseball and you're struggling." Joe Smith, Indians reliever, who has walked seven batters in his past 3 innings.

THE LIST

Shin-Soo Choo is entering the final month of the 2010 season. Here's how he ranks among the American League's right fielders. (Statistics through Friday, 500 minimum plate appearances.)

Average .294 ( 3)

At-bats 456 (7)

Hits 134 (3)

2B 27 (3)

3B 2 (9t)

Home runs 16 (7t)

RBI 68 (6)

Runs scored 65 (6)

Base on balls 65 (4)

Strikeouts 92 (6)

Stolen bases 16 (4)

On base pct. .391 (1)

Slugging pct. .467 (4)

OPS .858 (3)

OF assists 12 (1)

SOURCE: ESPN

Nationals' Nyjer Morgan doing a good Albert Belle impression: Paul Hoynes' Rant of the Week

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Morgan might soon take a place alongside Belle as one of baseball's angriest men.

Nyjer Morgan.jpgView full sizeThe Nationals' Nyjer Morgan (1) collides with Marlins catcher Brett Hayes at home plate on Aug. 31 in Miami. Morgan was out, and the collision has brought him plenty of notoriety.

Who knew Washington's Nyjer Morgan was trying to be the next Albert Belle?

On Wednesday, Morgan charged Marlins right-hander Chris Volstad after Volstad threw behind him in the sixth inning to touch off a fight between the teams.

On Tuesday, Morgan slammed into Marlins catcher Brett Hayes, separating Hayes' left shoulder, in the 10th inning. If Morgan slid, he would have been safe, but Hayes held the ball and Morgan was out.

On Aug. 28, Morgan went out of his way to collide with St. Louis catcher Bryan Anderson, earning a benching from manager Jim Riggleman, who said Morgan was mad at him because he was hitting eighth. On Aug. 21, Morgan allegedly threw a ball into the stands at Philadelphia's Citizen Bank Park and hit a fan in the head. MLB suspended him for seven games for the incident, but he appealed and has been running amok since.

MLB hit Morgan with an eight-game suspension Friday following its initial seven-game suspension. Even Belle, the Indians' ill-tempered former slugger, never earned what could be a 15-game suspension. All Morgan has to do is get caught with a corked bat, run down some trick-or-treaters in his car, give TV broadcaster Hannah Storm a hard time during the postseason and pulverize the thermostat in the Nats locker room, and he'll be able to take his place alongside Belle as one of baseball's angriest men.

Cleveland Indians Travis Hafner can relate to Justin Morneau's struggles

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Travis Hafner, who missed 20 days after being hit in the face by a pitch, can relate t the struggles of Minnesota's Justin Morneau, who has been out since early July because of a concussion.

Travis Hafner, to a degree, knows how Justin Morneau feels.

On July 16, 2005, Hafner was hit in the face by a Mark Buehrle fastball in the first inning at Progressive Field. He did not play again until Aug. 4, sidelined for 20 days with concussion-like symptoms and damage to the small bones in his inner ear.

He returned to have one of his best seasons with the Indians, hitting .308 (140-for-454) with 100 runs, 31 doubles, 42 homers, 117 RBI, a .408 on-base percentage and a .595 slugging percentage.

The memories remain as he has sympathy for Morneau, the Twins' first baseman who has been unable to play since July 7 because of a concussion.

"You're sitting around feeling fine and ready to go," said Hafner. "Then you get up and start riding the stationary bike or taking a few swings and all of a sudden you're dizzy.

"Physically you don't feel like there's anything wrong, but your head isn't right. A lot of times you feel cloudy mentally. You get dizzy really easy. You're sensitive to sound and light."

Initially, the Indians treated Hafner for a concussion. In his conversation with doctors and other medical experts, Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, was told that Hafner might be suffering from a vestibular problem where the small bones in the inner ear might have been damaged from the force of Buehrle's pitch.

"It affects your balance, your visual responses as well," said Soloff. "We think Travis had more of a visual issue than concussion per se."

A series of neck exercises were recommended for Hafner.

"We did some neck exercises that seemed to help out more than anything," said Hafner. "I don't know if I had a straight-up concussion, but the exercises seemed to line everything up in the neck. By far, they helped out the most."

Morneau has a history of concussions from his days as a hockey goalie and basketball player growing up in Canada. In April 2005, Seattle pitcher Ron Villone hit him in the head with a pitch. Morneau missed 13 games and complained of headaches.

Hafner does not have a history of head injuries.

Concussions come in different degrees. Tribe first baseman Matt LaPorta suffered a mild concussion on July 5 when Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus accidentally elbowed him in the back of the head while beating out an infield hit at first base. LaPorta went through a series of tests for three days before he returned to the lineup. On May 29, Alex Rodriguez hit Indians left-hander David Huff on the left side of a head with a line drive that landed in right field for a double. Huff was taken off the field on a stretcher, but suffered no concussion.

Morneau was sliding into second base on July 7 trying to break up a double play against Toronto when second baseman John McDonald, turning the double play, accidentally kneed him in the head. Morneau has missed 51 games through Friday and still doesn't when he'll be able to play.

The 2006 AL MVP was hitting .345 with 18 homers and 56 RBI at the time of his injury. Michael Cuddyer has filled in well, and the Twins still lead the AL Central by four games, but there's no doubt they miss him.

Morneau had progressed to taking batting practice, but when the Twins returned home Aug. 31 for a nine-game homestand, doctors told him to stay home for a week.

"I haven't made it through a day yet without symptoms," he recently told Minneapolis reporters.

The Twins are taking the proper precautions with Morneau. In spring training, MLB makes every team take baseline brain tests of all players so they have a comparison if those players suffer a traumatic injury during the season.

When Hafner returned to the lineup, it was not so much the anxiety of getting back into the batter's box that concerned him, it was the question of whether he was fully recovered.

"It's scary because you don't want to be in the box with a baseball coming at you at 95 mph and you don't feel you can get out of the way or react," he said. "Until you're right, you're pretty uncomfortable."

Ohio State linebacker Brian Rolle's confidence brings the strength of a Hurricane

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Ohio State senior Brian Rolle grew up wanting to play for Miami, so he'll be bringing the Hurricanes" style of confidence into Saturday's showdown at Ohio Stadium.

brian rolle.jpgView full sizeOhio State linebacker Brian Rolle, one of nine players from Florida on Ohio State's roster, brings a hard-playing style to the defense.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — His Ohio State teammates say they can tell Brian Rolle is from around Miami.

"You can kind of tell by his swagger," said fellow linebacker and captain Ross Homan, repeating the word used by many when talking about Rolle.

That's not just any swagger -- that's Hurricane swagger. While the University of Miami is looking to regain its footing as a college football power and hoping to use Saturday's game with Ohio State as a jumping off point, the Buckeyes' starting middle linebacker is a tribute to Miami's past.

Rolle grew up in Immokalee, Fla., two hours from Miami, born near the end of Miami's run of four national titles in a nine-year span between 1983 and 1991, but very invested in Miami's next national title in 2001 and the Hurricanes' national championship loss to Ohio State the following season.

"That team was the team," Rolle said of the Hurricanes' appeal in South Florida. "Where I was from, it was only Miami."

Rolle wore Hurricanes clothing to school and argued with his older brother, who was the only Florida fan he knew. And he was certain, absolutely certain, that he'd be a Hurricane one day.

"Growing up, I didn't look at anything else," Rolle said. "I was like, 'I'm going to be a Hurricane, no doubt.' "

He watched Miami safety Sean Taylor and wanted to play that way. He embraced the Hurricanes' attitude and wanted to handle himself that way on the field. He heard the stories of the Miami teams of a decade before and couldn't imagine anything better.

"They played with a swagger that was probably the best out of any team I've ever seen," Rolle said. "Those guys, how they celebrated how, they'd go out onto the field, they felt no team could beat them.

"I feel like if every team played like that, you'd have the best competition ever."

But there was competition to be a Hurricane, too, and ranked as the No. 34 recruit in the state of Florida in 2007, Rolle didn't make the cut for Miami.

"I was kind of hurt about it," Rolle said. "It was a bitter moment for me for a second."

He aimed his focus north, recruited by Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio State, while finding football existed elsewhere, too. He'd been to a Miami-Florida State game before, but when he attended the 2006 Ohio State-Michigan game between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country, "I was like, 'There is something bigger than Miami,' " Rolle said.

So he brought Miami to Columbus.

Rolle said he's been talking since he was a freshman, unable to restrain his confidence and unaffected by the idea that younger players should sometimes be seen and not heard. He parlayed that attitude into his election as a co-captain this season -- "It caught my breath. I can't believe I'm actually a captain," Rolle said -- and an expanding reputation as a playmaker. His 30-yard interception return for a touchdown was the highlight of Thursday's defensive effort in a 45-7 win over Marshall.

After Thursday's win, Rolle called Miami "a fast, spicy, swagger team," and there are few better words anyone could find to describe Rolle as a player. One of nine players from Florida on Ohio State's roster, he has certainly added flavor to Ohio State's defense.

"You can tell when guys are from Miami," OSU tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "It's good to have people from all different places. They can tell us what it's like down in Miami, what those guys are thinking. It kind of helps."

"B. Rolle is a very emotional player, and I like guys that are emotional," said OSU center Mike Brewster, an Orlando, Fla., native. "You don't get many chances to be in real games. You do all this training and you get 12 or 13 chances, you may as well lay it all out there. I think he does that."

If possible, Rolle will put even more into this game.

"It's a tremendous experience for me to play against the team I always wanted to play for," Rolle said.

He'll be playing with a Buckeye version of the Hurricane style he learned so well.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479


Syracuse wears down Akron to spoil debut of Zips coach

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Akron's defense withers as the offense struggles in the season opening loss to Syracuse, 29-3, to start the first year of the Rob Ianello regime.

akron patrick nicely.jpgView full sizeAkron quarterback Patrick Nicely looks for running room against Syracuse on Saturday at InfoCision Stadium.

AKRON, Ohio — A somewhat stubborn Akron defense could not overshadow the Zips' suspect offense as Syracuse spoiled the coaching debut of Rob Ianello with a 29-3 victory Saturday before 15,969 at InfoCision Stadium.

Syracuse used big plays and long drives to wear down Akron's defense, while the offense struggled with a barrage of penalties and minus-yardage plays that kept it from generating any rhythm.

"I'm bitterly disappointed in the outcome of the game," Ianello said. "I'm more disappointed that we didn't do the things that good football teams should do. We had way too many penalties [10 for 82 yards], and they were unforced penalties. All correctable, but certainly not things you want to happen in the game, nor what I anticipated, quite frankly."

Midway through the third quarter Akron's defense -- courtesy of a 29-yard second-quarter fumble return by Shawn Lemon and a 34-yard third-quarter interception return by Brian Wagner -- had accumulated more yardage than Akron's offense, 63 to 39. Akron had converted just one third down by halftime.

"We never seemed to quite get on schedule on offense and put ourselves in a bind," Ianello said. "It was always second-and-long, then third-and-long and they were coming after us."

Akron's head coach Rob Ianello.jpgView full sizeAkron head coach Rob Ianello.

On the plus side, even with the defensive pressure from the Orange, Akron QB Patrick Nicely (12-of-35 for 111 yards) did not throw an interception and avoided trouble by throwing numerous passes away instead of forcing throws. Akron also did not have any fumbles.

The game-decider came late in the third quarter when Akron's best and longest potential scoring drive of seven plays for 57 yards was spoiled when Syracuse lineman Chandler Jones blocked the Zips' 39-yard field-goal attempt, which was recovered by the Orange and returned 57 yards for a touchdown and a 23-3 lead.

"From [potentially] 17-6 to 23-3 can take some wind out of your sails," Ianello said. "A huge momentum swing."

The measuring stick for both teams is a short one, but an even one. Akron of the Mid-American Conference and Syracuse of the Big East entered the season regarded as two of the worst teams in major college football. Both were picked to finish last in their conference. This was the rubber game of a three-game series where the teams split the first two games and the combined score was 56-56.

Syracuse took a 17-3 halftime lead courtesy of a 69-yard touchdown drive on its first series, a 47-yard field goal, and a 65-yard touchdown drive that concluded with five seconds left in the second quarter.

A minus-13 yard rush on the first play of the second half was enough to show the Zips had no halftime adjustments capable of altering the apparent outcome. The Orange finished with 431 yards of total offense to Akron's 166.

Akron held Syracuse tailback Delone Carter, a product of Copley, to 91 yards on 26 carries. But the Orange was balanced, rushing for 202 yards while passing for 229. The Zips finished with 55 yards rushing and 111 passing.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

Case Western Reserve lays claim to best team on East Side: Local College Football Roundup

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Mentor graduate Bill Deitmen carries the ball 31 times for 164 yards.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In a clash between schools on Cleveland's East Side, Case Western Reserve ran its regular-season winning streak to 32 on Saturday with a 30-13 win over John Carroll at Case Field.

Case took a 7-0 first-quarter lead after a four-play, 41-yard drive ended with running back Bill Deitmen (Mentor) running into the end zone from 8 yards out.

The Spartans (1-0) went up, 14-0, with 3:43 left in the first quarter when quarterback Joey Baum (Walsh Jesuit) connected with Shaun Nicely (Willoughby South) on a 28-yard touchdown pass.

Trailing, 17-0, midway through the second quarter, the Blue Streaks (0-1) got on the board thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Teree' Harris (Benedictine).

The first half ended with Case ahead, 17-7, and with Deitmen having 122 yards rushing.

"Growing up on the East Side, I knew about small-college football, but Case was always considered the dog of all the programs around here," Deitmen said. "It means a lot to be able to win this game against another local team."

Baum hit Bryce Coleman (Solon) for a 6-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give the Spartans a 23-7 lead.

JCU pulled to within 23-13 with 6:30 remaining after quarterback Mike Locke ran in from 14 yards out. Locke (44 yards on nine carries) led the Blue Streaks in rushing.

Case running back Trevor LaBarge finished off JCU with a 3-yard touchdown run with 2:34 to go.

Deitmen carried the ball 31 times for 164 yards and Baum finished 9-of-13 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Zach Homyk was Baum's favorite target, catching six passes for 91 yards.

Homyk is from Chicago, but his father played at Parma High four decades ago.

"I have a lot of relatives in the Cleveland area and my brother played at Denison so we had a lot of people here for this game," Homyk said. "Joey [Baum] and I are roommates so we know each other so well. It helps when we get on the field for the pass connections."

Westminster 23, Hiram 6 The Terriers led, 6-0, early in the second quarter after two Luke Russo (St. Peter Chanel) field goals, but the Titans (1-0) ran off 23 points to win the Division III nonconference game in Hiram.

Terriers QB Brendan Rehor (Bay) completed 31 of 46 passes for 300 yards. He threw one interception, which was returned for a touchdown. Glenn Campbell (Buchtel) caught eight of Rehor's passes for 130 yards.

Oberlin 29, Kenyon 26 (OT) Josh Mandel passed for 335 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner to Adam Niec (St. Ignatius) in overtime, as the Yeomen (1-0) beat the visiting Lords (0-1) in a nonconference Division III game. It's the first season-opening win for Oberlin since 1997. Niec finished with 10 catches for 93 yards and three touchdowns.

Notre Dame College 14, Lindsey Wilson 10 Khalid Harrison and Pedro Powell ran for touchdowns to help the Falcons (1-1) earn the first win in program history.

Defense stood out in the nonconference NAIA game in Columbia, Ky. NDC managed 191 yards and the Blue Raiders put up 194.

Catlaunch, Tom's Ok Lady come up big at Thistledown

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The veteran Catlaunch muscles his way to an early lead and holds off a challenge to win the Governor's Buckeye Cup at Thistledown.

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — On Kid's Day at Thistledown, the veteran Catlaunch showed the younger thoroughbreds he's still one tough customer.

The 9-year-old son of Noble Cat muscled his way to the early lead, then responded to a major challenge going into the final turn in the $75,000 Governor's Buckeye Cup. It was no contest for the oldest thoroughbred in the race, as jockey Luis Gonzalez turned Catlaunch loose to easily notch a two-length, wire-to-wire victory. It was Catlaunch's fourth win in eight starts this season, 33rd in his career and pushed his career earnings to $838,554.

The 1-2 favorite, Catlaunch ($3) clocked the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:07. Smarmy circled the field in the final turn to finish second, with O'Riain third.

"Catlaunch knows what he's doing, so you don't want fight with him," said trainer Ivan Vasquez. "You know he wants to go right to the lead, and he's tough enough to battle at the end."

Owner Ron Fields of Scioto Farms in Chillicothe, Ohio, called Catlaunch a "once in a lifetime horse."

"You don't have to push Catlaunch," said Fields. "He's so competitive, you have to hold him back. Catlaunch likes to run early, and he really settled in well after getting the lead. Gonzalez said it was like taking a morning gallop with him."

The trotting mares kicked off the four divisions of the Scarlet & Gray Stakes for older horses at Northfield Park on Saturday night, and Tom's Ok Lady ($2.20) with Hall of Fame driver Dave Palone in the sulky, needed to set a Northfield track record for older mares to get the job done in the $32,000 stake. Heavily favored at 1-9, she trotted a 1:56 mile, sticking a nose in front of B Vs Sister, a horse she'd beaten at The Meadows last week.

Rembrandt Spur ($16.60) driven by Richard Stillings was on top most every step of the way to win the Scarlet & Gray's $40,000 Horse Trot, holding off favored Master Begonia at the finish line in 1:55.2. The $43,000 Horse Pace belonged to War Boots ($4), trained and driven by Ray Paver, clocking a 1:53 mile. In the $37,000 Mare Pace, Don't Blame Her ($3) was a wire-to-wire winner in 1:54.2 driven by Greg Grismore.

Doc's Yankee ($3.20) comfortably won the $37,200 Ohio Sires Stakes pace for 3-year-old colts and geldings in 1:53.4, his fourth victory in his last six starts. Bay Racing Stables of Delaware announced the Ohio-bred son of Yankee Cruiser will be entered in the prestigious $650,000 Little Brown Jug on Sept. 23. In $15,000 Ohio Sires Stakes trotting miles for 3-year-old males, Buckeye Man ($5.60) rallied outside in the stretch with Chip Noble in the sulky and Wolf Creek Ted ($5) trotted a career mile of 1:56.4 reined by Dan Noble.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: degan@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Spanish, English or pig Latin, Manny is beyond translation: Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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In the search for the quirky and nonsensical side of sports, Manny Ramirez is never far off the radar, Bud Shaw writes in his Sunday Spin

manny ramirez.jpgView full sizeIs it only a matter of time before Manny Ramirez conducts a news conference in pig Latin?

If there's a God, the Miami Heat won't win and Manny Ramirez won't retire until he runs the bases backward or announces he's pregnant.

This could be Manny Ramirez's last season.

Or not.

He says he is awaiting further orders on that front.

"Only God knows if I'm going to stop or keep playing," Ramirez told reporters upon arriving in Boston with his Chicago White Sox teammates. "He's going to let me know, 'Hey, that's it. It's over.' Only God is going to tell me when to stop. I'm not going to go out and say this is my last year. He hasn't told me that."

I know. You're thinking there's probably a good reason why the 38-year-old Ramirez is still in the dark as far as his future goes.

God has to wait for Joey Cora to help translate.

Between the interview Ramirez conducted in Spanish at Progressive Field last week and his arrival in Boston for the second leg of his Old Home Tour 48 hours later, it was as if Ramirez had mastered Rosetta Stone's English language software.

He showed up there sounding like Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady."

So that can't be it.

Whatever the delay, I hope Ramirez plays on.

Preferably with an American League team. That would allow him to return to Cleveland over and over, increasing the chances he'll hold at least one news conference in pig Latin.

He could also use the time to make things right with people. At his current pace he's going to need a few years to do it.

It took him a while to apologize for the 50-game suspension stemming from his use of a fertility drug suspected of masking steroid use. And even longer for how things ended in Boston.

A dugout fight with Kevin Youkilis. Forcing a trade. Refusing to swing the bat at all during one at-bat. That was in 2008. In 2010, he said he was sorry.

"I think everything was my fault," Ramirez told the Boston media. "But, hey, you've got to be a real man to realize when you do wrong."

He made a similarly strained exit from Los Angeles.

Batting as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and his team trailing, Ramirez got ejected for arguing balls and strikes.

After one pitch.

It was his way of telling the Dodgers he was done with them, that he didn't appreciate all the bench time he was getting.

It takes a real Manny to do that.

If this is his last year, Spin is going to miss him dearly.

I don't doubt God's role in this decision either.

In a constant search for the ridiculous, sublime, quirky and nonsensical side of sports, Spin has always considered Manny Ramirez heaven sent.

Words can sting

Wrestling, anyone? . . .

u.s. open fight.jpgView full sizeA fight breaks out between fans during a match between Novak Djokovic and Philipp Petzschner at the U.S. Open on Thursday.

A brawl erupted in the crowd at the U.S. Open during a match between Serbian Novak Djokovic and Philipp Petzschner.

"We couldn't really see what was going on," Djokovic said. "I hope it was no Serbian up there."

A Serbian? My guess was a McEnroe.

The New York Post reported the brawl stemmed from an issue over vocabulary.

That means different things in the context of a tennis crowd. They could've argued over whether Djokovic's shorts were "off-white" or "eggshell."

Spinoffs

Tiger Woods took out a $54.6 million mortgage, presumably stemming from his divorce settlement. He's contracted to pay it off by 2016 whereas you and I probably couldn't do it any sooner than 2020.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. unleashed what is being called a "profanity-filled racist and homophobic Internet rant" against Manny Pacquiao. . . . And boxing people will tell you they consider MMA uncivilized.

The preservation of Michigan-Ohio State wasn't the only traditional rivalry concern for the Big Ten in realigning into divisions. There were others. Northwestern and Illinois, for instance, will face each other for The Land of Lincoln Trophy, thereby heading off shrugs of indifference.

Fans in Ohio and Michigan can rest easy knowing the one cross-state rivalry that really matters will continue to stand the test of time: Browns-Lions in late August.

In the 100-degree heat burning up the playing field at the Horseshoe when Ohio State met Marshall Thursday, one early question was answered. Yes, apparently Dry Fit does make sweater vests.

He said it

"You can't have the cavalry come in and save your butt every time you feel a little stiff shoulder, sore elbow." -- Washington Nationals TV analyst Rob Dibble, on his XM Sirius Radio show after Stephen Strasburg grabbed his elbow and left the field.

Correction. I meant former Washington Nationals analyst Rob Dibble.

You said it, the Streamlined Sunday Edition

Bud: What surprises you less? That Montario Hardesty is out for the season or that Butch Davis has a 'tiny little' problem down at UNC? -- Jim

That the FBI is probing corruption in county government.

Bud: In your experience, has surgery on a professional athlete ever been reported as not a success? -- Tom Hoffner

No. When it involves a Cleveland athlete, it's just assumed.

Bud: What did the good fans of Northeast Ohio ever do to deserve all this woe? First we get dumped by Dame LeBron, and now Jim Brown goes all diva on us. Next thing you know, Betty White will storm off to Pittsburgh. -- Martin

Take the advice of Phil Savage who always warned against that woe-is-us attitude. If you can't handle it here, one option would be to #@!$ to Buffalo.

Bud: The Chicago Cubs interviewed Eric Wedge for their manager's job. If he gets it will you go work for The Chicago Tribune, so you can start up 'Wedge Speak' again? -- Angelo, Cleveland

It's a process. If a job opens, all I can do is stick my nose, grind in there, do my best, go home, separate, come back the next day and grind some more.

Bud: That crafty Eric Mangini waited until the last moment to reveal who would start the Chicago game, Brett Ratliff or Colt McCoy. I bet Rod Marinelli (Bears defensive coordinator) was pulling his hair out all week! -- Pat

It's only preseason. But as a coach if you get the opportunity to hide the identity of the quarterback who's going to fumble the first snap, you have to do it.

Hey, Bud: The NFL's latest attempt to make more money, "Hard Knocks," is rapidly becoming a fan favorite. Rumor has it the PD Sports Department is going to air a similar show. Can you confirm this rumor? -- Doug Beckler

Yes. And I am training with the same Ab Roller used by Rex Ryan.

Bud: It appears Jim Brown turned down a six-figure job to just occasionally show up and make personal appearances around town. Isn't that job already held by Frank Jackson? -- The Albatross

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

"Dear Bud: Given the Browns' lousy record, could it be that football great Jim Brown, for a half a million a year, was really Lerner's soccer adviser?" -- Michael Sarro

Repeat winners receive an indirect kick.

To reach Bud Shaw: bshaw@plaind.com, 216-999-5639

Montario Hardesty's injury opens the door for Peyton Hillis: Terry's Talkin'

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Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto offers his thoughts on the Cleveland Browns, Indians and Cavaliers.

peyton hillis.jpgView full sizeBrowns running back Peyton Hillis, center, has turned heads during the preseason with his intense play.

1. When a team trades a third-rounder and two fifth-rounders to move into the second round to draft a player with a history of bad knees, such as the Browns did with Montario Hardesty, it takes a risk -- and opens the door to criticism. So when Hardesty blew out his knee in Thursday's preseason finale, the Browns should have expected the fans to howl and the media to second-guess. Hardesty had knee surgery, a foot stress fracture and ankle sprains at the University of Tennessee.

2. Confession time: I did not criticize the choice of Hardesty. Like the Browns, I believed he was healthy enough after he played 13 games, carried the ball 282 times and gained 1,345 yards at Tennessee in 2009 against some of the nation's top competition. Along with losing Hardesty, the hard part for the Browns is they have nothing to show this season for the third-rounder and the two fifth-rounders. Nor do we know if Hardesty can come back and stay healthy. It's up to Jerome Harrison, who has not looked like the running back who gained 561 yards over the final three games of 2009. Harrison has wanted to be a featured back from opening day, so this is his chance.

3. It's also a tremendous opportunity for Peyton Hillis, who has been impressive in camp. When Hillis was announced as part of the Brady Quinn deal, it seemed like a yawner. Coach Eric Mangini had been a Hillis fan for a few years; now, Hillis is a key player. He caught 118 passes in 44 games at Arkansas and has impressed the Browns with his receiving.

Shawn Lauvao.jpgView full sizeRookie Shawn Lauvao, center, will be the starting right guard for the Browns this season.

4. Once he settled down after a botched first snap to Colt McCoy (who impressed the coaches with his accuracy the past few weeks) in Thursday's game, rookie Shawn Lauvao did a solid job at center. The third-rounder has won the starting right guard spot. At Arizona State, the 315-pounder ended his career with 33 consecutive starts: 17 at left guard, 12 at left tackle, four at right tackle. He never started at right guard, where the Browns will use him, but seems versatile enough to play anywhere on the line.

5. For all the gnashing of teeth over Hardesty and the endless quarterback talk, the real issue with the Browns in the preseason is the defense. I discount Thursday's game because no one takes it seriously, except players at the end of the bench hoping to keep their jobs. But in the other three games, starting quarterbacks were 30-of-36 passing. Last season, the Browns' defense allowed the most first downs in the NFL, and the second-most yards. Part of it was a lack of team speed, and that seems to be a glaring weakness again.

6. It appears they will start Matt Roth and Scott Fujita at the outside linebacker spots, with Chris Gocong and Eric Barton as inside linebackers. The key backups will be David Bowens, Jason Trusnik and Marcus Benard. The linebackers are crucial to making the 3-4 defense work. Consider that only Barton and Bowens started the 2009 opener for the Browns. The other five linebackers joined the team in the middle of last year or after the season.

7. In the preseason, the Browns had one interception in four games. They had one sack in the first three games, then had three more against the Bears on Thursday. It's possible that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has not used his best blitzes -- the Browns were eighth in sacks last season. Despite all my whining, the Browns' defense ranked No. 5 in the preseason.

8. As expected, the defensive line starters are Kenyon Coleman, Ahtyba Rubin and Robaire Smith, with Shaun Rogers, Brian Schaefering and Derek Robinson as backups. Obviously, Rogers will start once he is in full-game shape. But he has yet to play a preseason game or do much in practice. The surprise is Robinson, who has played in 25 games with four teams since 2005, but has never started.

9. I will talk Browns with Mary Kay Cabot and Tony Grossi at the Pro Football Sportswriters Breakfast on Sept. 17 at 8 a.m. at The Plain Dealer, 1801 Superior Ave. A lot of fans enjoyed the event last season. We take questions, enjoy a breakfast buffet and give away prizes. Cost is $25 per person. Call 216-999-4028 or check at plaindealer.com/footballbreakfast for more information.

ABOUT THE TRIBE . . .

1. Grady Sizemore's major knee injury has opened the door for Trevor Crowe to earn a spot for next season. Crowe entered Saturday hitting .245 (.632 OPS) with two homers and 30 RBI in 363 at-bats. His on-base percentage is .301. He's a switch-hitter, but batting only .196 from the right side. His defense in center is well-below average, and he takes silly chances to make big plays in the outfield. He is 15-of-18 in stolen bases. He will be 27 in November. In 546 career big-league at-bats, he's a .242 hitter. It's doubtful much will change.

andy marte.jpgView full sizeAndy Marte has not been real impressive in the field as of late.

2. I just can't watch Luis Valbuena, who is hitting .175 in 200 at-bats. He was handed the second-base job. He could have grabbed third base. He's a left-handed batter, but hitting only .148 against right-handers. He's below average defensively no matter where he plays. He will be 25 in November. At this point, why even consider him for 2011?

3. Third base has been wide open for Andy Marte, who suddenly has regressed from a decent glove man to one who has made some truly awful plays. He's hitting .216 (.651 OPS) with four homers in 134 at-bats. Just as disturbing as his defensive decline (nine errors in 20 games!), he's batting only .180 vs. right-handers. Marte will be 27 in October. He is a .216 (.628 OPS) career hitter in 802 at-bats. Like Crowe, he was a once hot prospect who has been given a couple of good chances over the years -- and not done much with them.

4. Lou Marson is in his second tour as the starting catcher this season and not much has changed. He can throw out runners trying to steal (25-of-63, 39 percent). After a shaky start, he has improved at blocking balls in the dirt. But he's batting only .190 (.536 OPS). It's .147 vs. right-handers. He's a backup, period.

5. Perhaps the most disappointing young player has been Matt LaPorta. Perhaps his hip never fully healed from surgery, as he's bothered by it again. He's 25 and was handed first base in June. He's hitting .235 with nine homers and 34 RBI. Since the All-Star break, it's .217 (.649 OPS). I'm not ready to write him off, but his name should be written in pencil at first base for next year.

6. Said Tribe assistant general manager Chris Antonetti: "You have to be careful when evaluating players in their first 500 big-league at-bats. A lot of guys have started slow or had real peaks and valleys. It's a tough adjustment, coming to the majors. So we want to be patient with Matt."

7. If LaPorta is going to be out for a while, hand a first baseman's mitt to Jordan Brown and let's see if this career .308 minor-league hitter can help. He's 26, now is the time to give him a chance.

8. I like Jayson Nix or Jason Donald to take over second base. Both have shown decent defense, and some offense. They have taken advantage of this season to at least show they belong in the majors in some capacity.

9. Unlike players such as Valbuena, who folded when they slumped in the majors, Donald has not allowed himself to hit bottom. He actually went into the weekend with seven more extra-base hits this season than Asdrubal Cabrera. Here is Donald's batting averages by month: .256, .257, .268, .262 -- pretty consistent for his first trip to the big leagues. He turned 26 on Saturday.

10. Michael Brantley is a .291 hitter since returning from the minors in August. At 23, he has lot of time on his side and don't be surprised if he develops some power in a few years.

11. Two pitchers who have made the most of their chances are Josh Tomlin and Jeanmar Gomez. They are a combined 6-5 with a 3.63 ERA. Only once in 14 starts have they failed to pitch at least five innings. Both have impressed with their poise, as did Carlos Carrasco in his first start coming up from Class AAA. The hope is at least two of them can win spots in the rotation for 2011. The Indians believe Tomlin can help in middle and long relief -- he's done that in the minors -- if he's not a starter.

12. The Indians see Travis Hafner as a DH who can play four to five times a week next season. In 323 at-bats, he's hitting .276 (.815 OPS) with 10 homers. Obviously, he's not the same Hafner who had a 1.000 OPS before his shoulder injury and surgery. But he's guaranteed $13 million a year over the next three seasons. His contract destroys his trade value, but the Indians think he can still help them as a DH -- so they can get something for their money.

ABOUT THE CAVS . . .

1. Some Cavs fans are very down on Antawn Jamison, acting as if he did little for the team after he was obtained from Washington in February. But that is simply not true. Jamison's game fell apart in the Boston series, where he looked lost and was manhandled by Kevin Garnett while averaging 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and shooting 42 percent. No excuse for any of that, other than a lot of strange things happened in that series -- starting with the play of LeBron James.

2. In the first round against Chicago, Jamison averaged 19.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and shot 51 percent. After James, he was the Cavs' best player in that series. In the regular season, Jamison played 25 games for the Cavs, averaging 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and shooting 49 percent in 32 minutes a game. He played in the final three regular-season games (all losses) when the Cavs had no interest in winning. They were 17-6 when he started, including those last three losses. He also took only 13.4 shots per game with the Cavs, compared with the 17 shots that he averaged in 51/2 seasons with Washington.

3. The point is, Jamison remains a valuable player. The Princeton-type offense that new coach Byron Scott will employ is much the same as what was used in Washington, where Jamison was a 20-point scorer. Scott's former assistant, Eddie Jordan, took that offense to Washington and Jamison thrived in it.

4. Jamison has been effective in the postseason. Before 2010, he appeared in 31 playoff games, averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and shooting 44 percent. The Cavs didn't seem interested in getting him the ball in the Boston series. Then again, after being up, 2-1, they didn't seem interested in much of anything.

5. The point is, Jamison could return to his form of scoring 20 points a game this season, because of Scott's system and more shots being available following James' departure.

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