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Shaun Marcum, bullpen lead Cleveland Indians to 4-3 win over Seattle Mariners

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Shaun Marcum pitched 5 1/3 innings and the bullpen finished the job as the Indians beat Seattle on Saturday night at Safeco Field.

SEATTLE -- The fifth spot in the Indians rotation has been a popped blister for the Indians this season. Maybe Shaun Marcum can serve as a Band-Aid.

Marcum pitched 5 1/3 innings Saturday night as the Indians beat the Mariners, 4-3, at Safeco Field. It was just the second victory turned in by an Indians fifth starter this season and they both belong to Marcum.

After Marcum departed with a 4-2 lead, Seattle pressured the Tribe bullpen, but each time it responded.

Marc Rzepczynski and Zach McAllister stranded Kyle Seager at third in the sixth to maintain the 4-2 lead. The Mariners, however, made it 4-3 in the seventh when Brad Miller doubled and Dustin Ackley singled off McAllister.

McAllister induced Austin Jackson to hit into a force play and struck out Seth Smith before finding trouble again. Robinson Cano singled to put runners on the corners and McAllister pitched around AL home run leader Nelson Cruz to load the bases.

Nick Hagadone relieved to face Seager, who came into the game hitting .377 (40-for-106) lifetime against the Tribe. The hard-throwing Hagadone struck Seager out on three pitches, including a cutter and a curveball.

Cody Allen nailed it down by earning a four-out save. He has converted 11-of-12 save opportunities this season.  The game ended when Robinson Cano grounded into a double play at shortstop.

Jerry Sands, expected to be designated for assignment Sunday when the Indians activate Carlos Santana, gave the Indians a 3-0 lead off left-hander Roenis Elias with a two-run homer in the second.

After Brandon Moss walked to start the inning, Sands hit a 1-2 pitch low in the strike zone and drove it over the fence in left center field. It was Sands' first homer this year and his first in the big leagues since June 16 when he homered off Baltimore's Brian Matusz while playing for Tampa Bay.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first on Nick Swisher's sacrifice fly. The Tribe loaded the bases with one-out singles by Mike Aviles and Michael Brantley and Ryan Raburn's walk.

Seattle made it a 3-2 game on Cano's two-run homer off Marcum in the third. Marcum had two outs when Smith blooped a single into left field. Cano lined a 2-2 pitch into the right field seats.

Marcum was facing Seattle for the first time since 2008, but Cano still had good numbers against him. He came into the game hitting .353 (6-for-17) against Marcum.

Cano missed the first two games of this series because of illness. His swing seemed to be fully recovered on his second homer of the season.

Pinch-hitter David Murphy pushed the Tribe's lead to 4-2 with a broken-bat single into right field in the sixth off reliever Tom Wilhelmsen. Swisher scored after drawing a leadoff walk and going to third on Moss' double into the right field corner.

Marcum (2-0, 5.49) allowed two runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked three. 

Elias (2-2, 3.07) allowed four runs on five hit in 5 1/3 innings.

What it means

The Indians have won eight of their last 11 games.  They are now 9-11 against left-handed starters.

The Indians are 7-3 against the AL West.

Seattle lost for just the fourth time in its last 12 games.

No. 5, No. 5, No. 5

The Indians fifth starters are 2-6 with a 10.42 ERA. Besides Marcum, TJ House, McAllister an Bruce Chen have tried to fill that roll.

In a pinch

Murphy is 5-for-12 with seven RBI as pinch hitter. He was pinch-hitting for Sands.

Thanks for coming

The Indians and Mariners drew 32,287 to Safeco Field on Saturday night.

What's next?

The Indians and Mariners end this four-game series Sunday with RHP Danny Salazar (5-1, 3.65) facing Mariner lefty J.A. Happ (3-1, 3.71) at 4:10 p.m. ET. SportsTime  Ohio, WTAM AM/1100 and WMMS FM/100.7 will carry the game.

Salazar will be making his first career start against the Mariners. This will be his ninth start of the season.

Happ will be making his 10th start for the Mariners. He came away with a six-inning no decision in his last outing against Tampa Bay.


Jerry Sands, Nick Hagadone, Cody Allen push Cleveland Indians past Seattle Mariners: DMan's Report, Game 49

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The Indians have won 11 of 16.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jerry Sands hit a two-run homer and relievers Nick Hagadone and Cody Allen were clutch as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners, 4-3, Saturday night at Safeco Field in Seattle, Wash.

Here is a capsule look at the game after a DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:

Staying hot: The Indians (23-26) have won 11 of 16, including two of the first three in the series against Seattle that ends Sunday afternoon.

Finding a way: The Tribe won on the road despite being out-hit, 11-6 -- with none of the hits coming from leadoff batter Jason Kipnis (0-for-4). Kipnis remains at 49 hits, and 29 runs, in May.

Timing is everything: Jerry Sands was promoted from Class AAA Columbus on Thursday. The corresponding roster move was Carlos Santana being placed on the paternity list.

On Saturday, Sands started in right field and batted eighth.

After Brandon Moss led off the second inning with a walk against lefty Roenis Elias, Sands stepped in.

Fox SportsTime Ohio ace reporter Andre Knott spoke of how Santana is en route to join the club and will be in the lineup Sunday. As Knott finished speaking, Sands ripped a 1-2 breaking pitch into the left-field seats to give the Tribe a 3-0 lead.

Fox SportsTime Ohio play-by-play voice Matt Underwood said: "Jerry Sands says, 'Don't hurry back just yet.'''

Sands walked in five pitches in the fourth; Elias wanted no part of him. It turned out to be Sands' final plate appearance of the night.

Sands also was with the Tribe from April 10-29. He is hitting .375 (9-for-24) with two doubles, one homer and six RBI as an Indian. 

They all count: With runners on second and third and one out in the sixth, David Murphy pinch-hit for Sands against righty reliever Tom Wilhelmsen. Seattle, trailing, 3-2, had the infield in.

In a 1-0 count, Murphy dumped a 95-mph fastball over first baseman Logan Morrison and barely onto the outfield grass. But it was good enough for an RBI single.

Murphy is 5-for-15 with two homers and four RBI as a pinch-hitter.

One will do: Righty Zach McAllister relieved lefty Marc Rzepczynski with a runner on third and two outs in the sixth.

McAllister, facing right-handed power threat Mike Zunino, threw a first-pitch fastball (97) on the outer third. Zunino was too eager and tried to pull; he grounded to third.

Hags to riches: The Mariners scored once in the seventh, then loaded the bases with two outs against McAllister. They trailed, 4-3. Tribe manager Terry Francona signaled for lefty Nick Hagadone to face lefty Kyle Seager.

An Indians nemesis even on a bad day, Seager was 2-for-2 with two doubles and a walk Saturday.

In his previous at-bat, Seager pounced a first-pitch fastball from lefty Marc Rzepczynski and lined it into the right-field corner for a double in the sixth.

Fox SportsTime Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "He jumped on his first pitch, looking for that fastball in. I don't know if he'll do that in this situation with Hagadone, because Hagadone throws a lot harder.''

Hagadone and catcher Yan Gomes anticipated that Seager would, indeed, be seeking to cut loose on a first-pitch fastball. So Hagadone opted for a cutter (89 mph) that Seager took for a strike.

Haagdone's next pitch was a fastball (96) at the letters on the inner third. Seager sent it high and foul to the right.

Manning said: "That's what he was looking for, first pitch -- that straight fastball, at 96. You see that he was ready for that one.''

Ahead in the count, 0-2, Hagadone had plenty of options. The one he chose, worked swimmingly. Hagadone threw a sweeping breaking pitch that overmatched Seager for a swinging strikeout. The pitch skipped into Gomes's mitt from the right-handed batter's box.

Underwood said: "I'm not sure we've seen Nick Hagadone look better -- at least this year.''

Manning said: "It was a beautiful sequence.''

Even though it is impossible to know exactly what Seager would have done with a first-pitch fastball, Hagadone and Gomes made a great call to go with a cutter. It helped that Hagadone threw it for a strike.

When Hagadone did come with the fastball, he kept it high enough and inside enough that Seager couldn't do anything with it in fair territory.

The final pitch, to which Hagadone could fully commit because of the 0-2 count and Gomes' ability as a receiver, was simply nasty.

Manning said: "Bases loaded, three pitches, no big deal. Ho-hum.''

Hagadone was not done contributing. He opened the eighth by getting lefty Logan Morrison to fly a fastball (95) to right. Gomes had set up on the outer half; the pitch was off the plate inside. But the missed spot ended up working to Hagadone's advantage because the pitch wasn't over the plate and jammed Morrison enough.

The next batter, righty Mike Zunino, blooped a single to center. He hit a fastball (95) off the end of the bat.

Lefty Brad Miller popped a 1-0 fastball (95) into foul territory, where first baseman  Moss made the catch. Again, the location -- inside -- paid off.

Francona removed Hagadone in favor of closer Cody Allen, who struck out pinch-hitter Rickie Weeks swinging at a 2-2 hook.

Full service: Allen notched a four-out save. He retired Robinson Cano, who belted a two-run homer in the third, on a double-play grounder to end the game. Cano hit Allen's 0-1 pitch off the mound and up the middle, where shortstop Jose Ramirez was waiting. Ramirez stepped on second and threw to first.

Score (a big) one for shifts.

Allen saved it for righty Shaun Marcum (5 1/3 IP, 2 ER).

The top 50 Big Ten football players for 2015: No. 46, Jihad Ward, Illinois defensive end

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After earning honorable mention All-Big Ten last year, Ward returns as the as the best pass rusher at Illinois, and maybe one of the best in the Big Ten.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The running countdown of the Northeast Ohio Media Group's top 50 Big Ten football players for the 2015 season.

No. 46, Jihad Ward, Illinois

Senior, defensive end, 6-foo-7, 297 pounds

* On Twitter: @JIHADWARD17

* What he's done: You may be asking yourself how any member of Illinois' defense could be on this list. That's a fair question given that the Illini finished 112th in total defense last season and gave up more points than any other team in the Big Ten.

But Ward was a bright spot in 2014, his first season in Champaign. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten from the coaches last year after registering 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Perhaps those numbers don't jump out at you, but Ward came on a pas rushing force last year as he continued to learn the defensive end position.

He'll be Illinois' returning leader in sacks and tackles for loss in 2015.

* How he got here: The Philadelphia native took the long road to Illinois, first playing two years of junior college ball at Globe Institute of Technology in New York. Ward was a member of Illinois' 2014 recruiting class, ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 4 junior college defensive tackle by 247Sports composite ratings.

* What's ahead: Whitney Mercilus anyone? Perhaps it's too early to project that kind of impact for Ward -- and Ward doesn't seem like an outside linebacker candidate for the NFL like Mercilus is. But Ward does have that kind of upside and people around the Illinois program are that excited about him. If you want to know anything about his athleticism, Ward played defensive line and wide receiver in high school.

He should be one of the premier pass rushers in the Big Ten in 2015, and you have to remember that this will be just his third season playing defensive end. Ward had surgery last month for a stress reaction in his foot, but should be fine for fall camp.

Elsewhere

Ward on the move upward

Ward living his dream at Illinois

Cleveland Indians fans should enjoy Jason Kipnis: Paul Hoynes rant of the week

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Grady Sizemore, Indians former All-Star center fielder, was designated for assignment Friday by the Phillies. Jason Kipnis is playing right now the way Sizemore used to play for the Indians before his body broke down. Indians fans should take the time to enjoy what Kipnis is doing bacause as Sizemore discovered it can all end so quickly.

SEATTLE - Grady Sizemore was designated for assignment on Friday by the Phillies to make room for third base prospect Cody Asche. Sizemore is 32 and you have to wonder how much more baseball he can squeeze out of a body that has been put back together way too many times.

The fans that watched him play during his pit stops in Boston and Philadelphia never realized exactly what he could do on a baseball field. They remember in Cleveland.

Sizemore was a true 30-30 man and there aren't many of them around. In 2008, Sizemore's last healthy season, he hit .268 with 33 homers and 38 steals in 43 attempts. He scored 101 runs and drove in 90. Forty five percent of his hits went for extra bases - 33 homers, 38 doubles and five triples.

He hit leadoff and played a Gold Glove center field. He belonged on the cover of Sports Illustrated and that's where he ended up.

Sizemore played baseball like a football player and his body broke like a running back who'd been hit below the knees one too many times. When Sizemore's body went it went fast - knees, back, elbows, everything.

It was a joy watching him play because he never took a half step. Jason Kipnis plays the same way, but instead of dealing with outfield fences, he deals with baserunners trying to break up double plays at second base.

Last season Kipnis was hurt and the numbers weren't there. This season, as manager Terry Francona predicted, Kipnis is playing with a "vengeance."

He's hitting .445 (49-for-110) in May. The 49 hits are the most ever by an Indians player in May. In one month, Kipnis already has 41 percent of the 120 hits he finished last year with.

This dose of May Madness has taken Kipnis' average from .218 to .345. He has the second highest average in the American League, ranks second in hits and third in runs.

Think about that and think about this: If you like baseball, if that's what excites you, don't just watch Kipnis play, enjoy it. Performances like this don't happen often and as Sizemore proved they can end all too quickly.

Houston, Minnesota, San Francisco upwardly mobile: Paul Hoynes' MLB power rankings

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Unflappable St. Louis Cardinals still own the top spot in MLB power rankings. Cleveland Indians improve to No. 22.

SEATTLE -Nothing seems to bother the Cardinals.

They lost ace Adam Wainwright to a season-ending Achilles heel injury and never stumbled. This week first baseman Matt Adams went down with a serious right quadriceps injury that could sideline him for the year, but the wins just keep coming.

St. Louis has won five straight and seven of its last 10 games. The Cardinals own the best record in the big leagues at 32-16 and retained their hold at the top of beat writer Paul Hoynes' MLB power ratings.

But uneasy lies the head that wears a crown because the Astros, Twins and Giants are coming on strong.

People keep waiting for AL West-leading Houston to fall; instead it simply maintains the pace. Lately the pace hasn't been anything exceptional - 3-3 in the last six games and 5-5 in the last 10 - but it was good enough to move the 30-win Astros into third place.

The Twins have gone 5-1 and the Giants 6-2 since last week's power rankings. Manager Paul Molitor's surprising Twins have moved into fourth place. The Giants, meanwhile, have moved into fifth under veteran manager Bruce Bochy.

The Twins and Giants were propelled by great showings in May.

Here are this week's power rankings. All stats are through Friday.

No.1. St. Louis Cardinals.

Record: 32-16

Last week: No.1.

What gives: Former Indians slugger Mark Reynolds will get a shot at first base, while the Cardinals explore trade options following the loss of Adams. There have been rumblings about Ryan Howard, but the Cardinals are probably more interested in acquiring a starting pitcher.

No. 2. Kansas City Royals.

Record: 29-18.

Last week: No. 2.

What gives: What kind of week has it been for the Royals? On Monday, Jeremy Guthrie allowed 11 runs in the first inning against the Yankees.

No. 3. Houston Astros

Record: 30-19.

Last week: No. 6.

What gives: Houston relievers have posted 167 strikeouts and only 36 walks in 160 1/3 innings.

No. 4. Minnesota Twins.

Last week: No.7.

Record: 28-19.

What gives: The Twins, after going 10-12 in April, are 18-7 in May.

No. 5. San Francisco Giants.

Last week: No.11.

Record: 30-20.

What gives: The Giants have gone 20-7 in May.

No. 6. Washington Nationals.

Last week: No. 5.

Record: 28-20.

What gives: The Nationals have won seven of their last 10 games, but Saturday placed right-hander Stephen Strasburg (3-5, 6.55 ERA) on the disabled list a stiff neck. They recently lost outfielder Jayson Werth to a left wrist injury.

No. 7. Los Angeles Dodgers.

Last week: No. 3.

Record: 28-19.

What gives: The Dodgers are playing without injured position players Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, Yasmani Grandal and Scott Van Slyke and it's starting to show.

No. 8. Detroit Tigers.

Last week: No. 3.

Record: 28-22.

What gives: The Tigers have gone 17-20 after their 11-2 start. The offense, with Victor Martinez and Alex Avila on the disabled list, is hurting.

No. 9. New York Mets.

Last week: No. 12.

Record: 27-22.

What gives: The Mets have hit 11 home runs in their last five games at Citi Field.

No. 10. Chicago Cubs.

Last week: No. 9.

Record: 25-22.

What gives: The Cubs have spent May treading water at 13-13.

No. 11. New York Yankees.

Last week: No. 10.

Record: 25-24.

What gives: The Yankees, losers of 12 of their last 16 games, will get Masahiro Tanaka back in the rotation Wednesday against Seattle. He's been one the disabled list with right wrist and forearm problems.

No. 12. Tampa Bay Rays.

Last week: No. 8.

Record: 24-25.

What gives: The Rays spent the week losing arguments to umpires and games on the field as they went 0-6.

No. 13. Pittsburgh Pirates.

Last week: No. 21.

Record: 25-23.

What gives: Pittsburgh's starting rotation is 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA in its the last nine games.

No. 14. Los Angeles Angels.

Last week: No. 13.

Record: 25-24.

What gives: The Angels are 10-1 in their last 11 games against the Tigers at Angel Stadium. They are currently hosting the Tigers in a four-game series.

No. 15. Seattle Mariners.

Last week: 19.

Record: 24-24.

What gives: Seattle's rotation has a 2.90 ERA over its last 35 games.

No 16. San Diego Padres.

Last week: No. 14.

Record: 24-26.

What gives: On Friday night, San Diego catcher Derek Norris became the first player since 1900, according to Elias, to strikeout four times and hit a grand slam walk-off homer in the same game.

No. 17. Texas Rangers.

Last week: No. 25.

Record: 24-25.

What gives: Prince Fielder is once again a bad man with a bat in hands.

No. 18. Baltimore Orioles.

Last week: No. 18.

Record: 23-24.

What gives: The Orioles lead the American League with 15 outfield assists led by Delmon Young with five.

No. 19. Toronto Blue Jays.

Last week: No. 22.

Record: 23-27.

What gives: Third baseman Josh Donaldson homered in his fourth straight game Friday.

No. 20. Atlanta Braves.

Last week: 17.

Record: 23-25.

What gives: The Dodgers will still hold a Juan Uribe bobblehead day (July 11) even though they traded him to Atlanta on Wednesday.

No. 21.Chicago White Sox.

Last week: No. 15.

Record: 22-25.

What gives: The White Sox have been outscored, 41-14, in the first innings this year.

No. 22: Cleveland Indians.

Last week: No. 23.

Record: 22-26.

What gives: Jason Kipnis continues his reign of May Madness. The Tribe's second baseman is hitting .445 (49-for-110) in May.

No. 23. Arizona Diamondbacks.

Last week: No. 16.

Record: 22-25.

What gives: Newly acquired Jarrod Saltalamacchia has the longest last name in club history.

No. 24. Boston Red Sox.

Last week: No. 20.

Record: 22-27.

What gives: The Red Sox are last in the big leagues with 79 runs scored in May.

No. 25. Colorado Rockies.

Last week: No. 28.

Record: 20-26

What gives: The Rockies bullpen has already pitched 157 innings, third most in the NL.

No. 26. Cincinnati Reds.

Last week: No.24.

Record: 20-27.

What gives: Closer Aroldis Chapman has converted 28 straight saves. It's the longest active streak in the big leagues.

No. 27. Miami Marlins.

Last week: No. 29.

Record: 19-30.

What gives: How can a team with two MVP candidates on it already have 30 losses?

No. 28. Philadelphia Phillies.

Last week: No. 26.

Record: 19-31.

What gives: The Phillies have lost five of their last six games.

No. 29. Oakland Athletics.

Last week: No. 30.

Record: 19-32.

What gives: The A's put in a good week's work, winning five of seven games.

No. 30. Milwaukee Brewers.

Last week: No.26.

Record: 16-33.

What gives: Just when it looked like the Brewers were going to leave the MLB basement behind for the rest of the season, they lost six straight.

Johnny Manziel harassed by fan at golf tournament, but worked through it with security officials

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Johnny Manziel, a native of Texas, attended the Byron Nelson Classic on Saturday, but was harassed by a fan. He handled it appropriately with security officials, his agent told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was harassed by a fan at the Byron Nelson Classic on Saturday, but he handled it appropriately, his agent Erik Burkhardt told Northeast Ohio Media Group.

Burkhardt said Manziel responded to the harassment by talking to security officials at the PGA tournament in Irving, Texas.

That's why Manziel, a Texas native, was photographed talking to police outside the Four Seasons hotel in Irving.

Burkhardt, reached Sunday morning, said he was in church with Manziel in Dallas.

Irving police spokesman James McLellan told NEOMG that an 18-year-old male fan began harassing the Browns quarterback near the Four Seasons' pool. Manziel eventually threw a water bottle at the kid, escalating the confrontation. One of Manziel's friends stepped in to intervene on his behalf and hotel security also got involved, McLellan said.  

Police were called and officers spoke to both parties. Neither decided to press charges. Police did not detect any sign of intoxication with Manziel, McLellan said.

On Sunday morning, ESPN's Colin Cowherd tweeted that a story would be coming out in a day or two about Manziel. He did not elaborate on the nature of the story.

It's not the first time Manziel has been harassed by a fan. Last November, he was involved in an incident at this then downtown residence, The 9. The fan, Chris Gonos of Sandusky, later apologized publicly to Manziel.

Manziel was discharged from the Caron addiction treatment center on April 11th and has been participating in the Browns offseason program, including organized team activities. He has addressed the media since spending 10 weeks in rehab.

The next practice open to the media is Tuesday, but its not yet known if Manziel will talk.

Ohio State football: Who does Las Vegas think is the favorite to win the Buckeyes QB job?

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According to Las Vegas betting insider RJ Bell, the founder of pregame.com, J.T. Barrett is the favorite to lead the Buckeyes this season at -125 (43 percent chance). Next in line is Cardale Jones at +120 (35 percent chance), then Braxton Miller at +250 (22 percent chance).

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The biggest story heading into the 2015 college football season is who is going to emerge as Ohio State's starting quarterback. 

So of course Las Vegas wants you to bet on it. 

And the odds give you an interesting window into the unanswerable question right now: Who is the favorite?

According to Las Vegas betting insider RJ Bell, the founder of pregame.com, J.T. Barrett is the favorite to lead the Buckeyes this season at -125 (43 percent chance).

Next in line is Cardale Jones at +120 (35 percent chance), then Braxton Miller at +250 (22 percent chance). 

Right now you'd have to think Jones is the leader given he had just led Ohio State to a national championship on the field and he was the only one healthy enough to participate in spring football. 

But Barrett took over for Miller and broke Drew Brees' single-season Big Ten touchdowns record before breaking his ankle in the Michigan game. He's the youngest of the three quarterbacks, too, with three years of eligibility remaining. 

Finally, there's Miller, the two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year, the freak athlete that is as gifted at breaking and eluding tacklers as anyone Ohio State has ever seen. 

Of the three, though? Vegas likes Barrett's odds. 

Live updates and chat: Cleveland Indians vs. Seattle Mariners at 4:10 p.m. Sunday, Game 50

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Danny Salazar could give the Indians a series victory over the Mariners with a win on Sunday. He's 5-1 with 66 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings, but couldn't hold a 3-0 lead against Texas in his last start. This will be his first csreer appearance against Seattle.

SEATTLE -- Get scoring updates and join beat writer Paul Hoynes for a live chat as the Indians and Mariners play the final game of a four-game series Sunday at Safeco Field. RHP Danny Salazar (5-1, 3.65) will face Seattle left-hander J.A. Happ (3-1, 3.71)

Game 50: Indians (23-26) vs. Mariners (24-25).

First pitch: 4:10 pm. ET.

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


Cleveland Indians activate Carlos Santana; Jerry Sands designated for assignment

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Carlos Sananta was activated from the Paternity List on Sunday by the Indians and Jerry Sands was designated for assignment.

SEATTLE -- Tough game baseball. Hero one night, gone the next.

Just ask Jerry Sands.

Sands hit a two-run homer Saturday night to help the Indians beat Seattle, 4-3, at Safeco Field. On Sunday morning, he was designated for assignment to make room for Carlos Santana.

The Indians activated Santana from the Paternity List, which has a three-day shelf life. Santana stayed in Cleveland when the team left for Seattle on Thursday to be with his wife Brittany, who gave birth to a girl.

Sands, in his second tour with the Indians, hit a two-run homer off left-hander Roenis Elias in the second inning for a 3-0 lead. It was his first homer in the big leagues since last year when he played with Tampa Bay.

"That's the second time this year that he's made an immediate impact" said manager Terry Francona. "He's a big strong kid and when he gets hold of one. . .That's what we had him here this weekend for. . .to help us win a game. And he sure did."

The Indians have 10 days to trade, release or put Sands on waivers. He was already DFA'd once this year, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Class AAA Columbus.

When the Indians purchased Sands' contract, they told him it would be temporary.

"They told me Santana was going to be gone for a few days," said Sands, after Saturday's win. "They weren't really sure how long it would last. They just told me to be ready."

Sands was ready and now he's gone. Tough game.

NBA Finals 2015 preview, prediction: Why Chris Haynes has the Cavaliers over the Warriors in 6 games

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The 2015 NBA Finals begin on Thursday. Here is Chris Haynes' look at how the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors match up, and why he believes the Cavs will prevail in six games.

Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith have helped turn Cavaliers' defense around, say they are ready for their next challenge

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Instead, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert were acquired by the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade that night -- a move that changed their fortunes and helped save Cleveland's season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It was January 5, 2015. For J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, their night began Memphis, Tennessee. Shumpert was still sidelined with a dislocated shoulder while Smith was preparing for an always-tough matchup against Memphis' defensive ace Tony Allen, which never materialized.

Instead, Smith and Shumpert were acquired by the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade that night -- a move that changed their fortunes and helped save Cleveland's season.

"I remember that whole plane ride to Cleveland from Memphis," Shumpert said Sunday afternoon. "Me and J.R. just talking to each other about what we had to bring to the team. We were just trying to figure out how we could add to the team. I think just putting it in your mind and then going out and doing it has made us successful so far."

At the time of the blockbuster, the Cavaliers were lacking toughness and defensive intensity at the point of attack. Opponents were shooting 47 percent from the field during a frustrating 19-20 start to what was expected to be a special season. In desperate need of a perimeter stopper, general manager David Griffin's search led him to New York, to Shumpert, a 24-year-old athletic wing, who LeBron James predicts will one day be part of the NBA's All-Defensive Team.

"We have hung our hat on the defensive end since we've been put together," Shumpert said. "The better and better we have gotten on defense, the better we have gotten on offense. We make things easier for each other and we put less pressure on ourselves on the offensive end. I think that's what makes our offense flow better."

The defensive shift has been highlighted during the postseason as the Cavaliers are allowing the fewest points (92.6) and are ranked No. 2 in defensive field goal percentage (41.2). But the shift from offensive steamroller to stifling defensive unit happened long before playoff games against Boston, Chicago and Atlanta. It started on January 5th when Shumpert and Smith were acquired. Then two days later came a deal for Timofey Mozgov, Griffin's prized rim protector.

"Communication," Shumpert said when asked about the key to the defensive turnaround. "I think our level of communication has heightened within each game and even with each practice. With the confidence everybody is playing with in the playoffs I think it also has our bigs communicating way more and LeBron is doing a great job of just being that vocal guy on the court. With the confidence of the situation and the moment, everybody is communicating with each other and making sure they look out for their teammate."

So far in the postseason, Shumpert has defended the likes of Chicago's Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose as well as Jeff Teague and sharpshooter Kyle Korver of the Hawks.

Next up: The Splash Brothers.

"He's one of those guys that's looking for room to shoot," Shumpert said of Stephen Curry, the league's MVP. "Just try to keep him uncomfortable, play my angles and make sure I use my team around me. That's the best thing about playing with this team. I never feel alone when guarding somebody on an island. I've got people communicating with me and I always have somewhere to send them. I know I can send them to the rim and trust my bigs to contest. It will be a handful and I know I definitely will spend time on him, but we will be ready."

When he's not matched up against Curry, Shumpert's attention will likely be focused on Klay Thompson, the other half of the league's best backcourt.

"Another guy that thinks shot first," Shumpert said of Thompson. "They're always looking to get open whether it be in half court sets, transition, running to the three line or off an offensive rebound -- relocating to get another shot."

Smith, on the other hand, was the risky throw-in. Known as much for his volatile on-court behavior as his shooting prowess, he has delivered on that reputation. Suspended two games for throwing a punch in the first round against Boston, Smith has returned to help boost Cleveland's inconsistent second unit. Whether it was Game 4 against Chicago in the semifinals when he opened the fourth quarter on a much-needed scoring binge or his three-point assault during the Game 1 win against Atlanta, Smith has provided the instant offense that helped him earn Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2013.

But his renewed commitment on the defensive end has been a pleasant surprise.

"I just try to be aware as much as I can," Smith said. "On the weak side as well as on the ball, just make sure my man is not the one that scores. Fortunately I don't have to get that death stare from 'Bron."

James has helped lead the charge on defense, but the identity shift wouldn't have happened without the three midseason additions.

"We take extreme pride in our defense," Smith said. "That's one of the things we have been working on more than anything. We've always known we can score, but if we come, bring that defensive toughness the way we know we can lock people up then we will be fine."

It's one thing to slow down the Celtics, Bulls and Hawks, but the Warriors represent the toughest challenge to date. The second-best offense during the regular season, Golden State is averaging 104.3 points (fourth) in 15 games during the playoffs. 

"They have the freedom to do whatever they want out there so that's always a tough task when somebody is coming into the game with that confidence knowing they can just play free," Smith said. "Then the way they shoot the ball, the way they ignite their offense and the whole team, it's going to be tough for us but I think we're up to it."

When Smith and Shumpert were traded from New York, it meant a new opportunity, a chance for greatness, but it also meant leaving behind old teammates, including Carmelo Anthony.

"Yeah I've heard from him," Smith said. "He's excited for us. I talked to him for a while. I can't tell you everything we said because (I'd) probably get fined, but it was a great conversation."

Added Shumpert: "Melo has text us throughout the playoffs. He's always a supporter. I can always lean on him if I have any questions about the game. He's a huge basketball guy. He's always watching and trying to learn from us. We're always going to take advice from him."

There's nothing more Anthony can add as the two New York castoffs prepare for the NBA Finals, a stage unfamiliar to Anthony. The Western Conference finals in 2009 are the furthest Anthony's advanced -- alongside Smith.

"I wondered if I would get back," Smith said about the deep postseason run. "I thought I would. Fortunately I'm in a situation now where I can get past that. I've always thought about getting past it. Just took a little longer than I expected."

Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Love have several options for the forward to remain in Cleveland -- Terry Pluto (photos)

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The Cavs are expected to offer Kevin Love a maximum, long-term deal -- but he may select a shorter option.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Let's take Kevin Love at his word when he says he expects to "be suiting up got Game 1 (of next season)" and that it will be with the Cavaliers.

Love is recovering from major shoulder surgery, so his statement assumes he will be healed and ready to play when the 2015-16 season opens. There have been whispers and rumors for months that Love will become a free agent and leave the Cavaliers. He has a player option in his contract for 2015-16 for $16.7 million.

In his press conference Sunday, Love answered "Yes, sir," to a question about him playing for the Cavs next season.

In January, Love told NEOMG's Chris Haynes that he plans to pick up his player option for 2015-16.

In talking to some agents, that plan makes no sense -- and probably would cost Love more than $2 million dollars. Love has several options for remaining with the Cavs, and the $16.7 choice is the least appetizing.

I expect him to opt to be a free agent, then re-sign with the Cavs.

On May 2, I wrote that I expect the Cavs to offer the 6-foot-10 forward a maximum contract. It's hard to know the exact dollar figures because the salary cap for next season is still being determined.

But here's a good guess:

  1. He can sign a five-year, $110 million maximum deal with the Cavs.
  2. He can sign a four-year, $85 million maximum deal with another team.
  3. Remember, the labor rules favor a team keeping its own free agents. It can offer one more year and more than $20 million more than another team on a maximum deal.
  4. He can sign a much shorter deal.

BE LIKE LEBRON?

Will Love sign the maximum contract with the Cavs when free agency opens in July?

I don't know.

Love sounds committed to the Cavs, at least in the short term. LeBron James signed a short deal with the Cavs. He is playing this season for a maximum salary of $20.7 million with a player option of $21.7 million in 2015-16.

Designed by his agent Rich Paul and negotiator Mark Termini, the Cleveland-based representatives know that the salary cap will take a huge boost in the summer of 2016. That's when the new television contract kicks in and yields mega dollars for the league's franchises and players.

Assuming James wants to remain with the Cavs -- and that seems to be the plan -- he still wants to be a free agent in the summer of 2016. That's when a maximum contract will be worth far more than one signed in the summer of 2015.

So Love can mirror this plan.

He can opt for free agency, and then sign a two-year maximum deal in July -- with a player option for 2016-17. The maximum annual salary will be for far more than $20 million in 2015-16, so why agree to the current $16.7 million option?

WHY THE CAVS WANT LOVE

I've heard some fans say the Cavs should let Love go. Tristan Thompson has proved his value in the playoffs since Love injured his shoulder in Game 4 of the Boston series.

Some fans believe if the Cavs don't sign Love, they can offer big money to a free agent from another team.

That's wrong. They will have too many salary cap problems to simply drop Love and add another high-priced free agent from another team.

They have Brendan Haywood's contract worth about $10 million (non-guaranteed) to trade. They may be able to find a way to make other moves.

I'm not going into all details here, but the Cavs will have a huge payroll next season with James, Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao under contract.

Thompson is a restricted free agent and in line for a huge deal. Iman Shumpert also is a restricted free agent and will receive a big raise.

KEY POINT: A team can go over the salary cap to keep its own players. That's why Love looms large in the Cavs plans. Same with Shumpert and Thompson.

Love averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in his first season with a new team. It was a major adjustment, but those are still very good numbers -- even if they are down from the 26 points and 12 rebounds that he averaged for Minnesota in 2014-15. With the Wolves, he was the focal point of the offense.

With the Cavs, he was often the third option behind James and Irving -- yet still was a major contributor. He also was making a significant impact in the Boston series right before he was injured.

If the Cavs want to remain a championship contender, they need to surround James with as much talent as possible. Players are injured. Players slump. Talented big men in basketball are like starting pitchers in baseball -- you really can never have too many.

It makes no sense for Love to simply take his player option for next season. It also would be unwise for fans to suddenly think Love no longer is a major part of the team.

The Cavs want Love back. Now, Love says he wants to return.

So the real question will be how the two sides make that happen, because there are several options.


NBA Finals 2015 prediction: hard to bet against Warriors, harder to bet against LeBron -- Bud Shaw

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The Golden State Warriors are new at this NBA Finals thing. LeBron James isn't. He's also the best player in the world and the best at lifting those around him. That's a good combination for the Cavaliers -- Bud Shaw. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -  The Warriors and the Cavaliers come to the NBA Finals from different places: one emboldened by season-long excellence in the "A" list conference; the other lifted by a belief that the best player in the world won't let them lose.

The NBA Finals are as much about whose faith gets shaken as about Steph Curry vs. Kyrie Irving, Steve Kerr-David Blatt, or any other matchup.

The numbers and matchups favor Golden State, which won 67 regular season games and owns the home-court advantage. The Warriors' backcourt strength stands out against an opponent unsure how much it can depend on its All-Star point guard.

"I wish I could give the LeBron James reaction and say, "Underdog?" Kevin Love told reporters Sunday. "But I don't think with the players we have that we're the underdog, so yeah, I'm surprised."

He shouldn't be. And he probably isn't. Love can't say the obvious without sounding as if he's promoting himself and selling his teammates short.

The Cavs are underdogs because Love is out.

To a lesser extent, also because Irving isn't the same player who shared the backcourt with Curry for Team USA in the World Cup last September (where Irving was named  MVP).

 

Part of the underdog narrative --  the difference between conferences - is more of a stretch.

 The Cavs acquitted themselves well against the West in the regular season. Now they have to be better than one team, the Warriors, whose path to the NBA Finals included series wins over the Pelicans, undermanned Grizzlies and scattershot Rockets.

When the season began, I picked the Spurs to beat the Cavs in the NBA Finals. I thought the Spurs had one more run in them and believed they had the experience to deal with James in a seven-game series. I still believe in the second part.

That's still a question for the Warriors. And granted it seems like an oversimplification: Can Golden State beat LeBron James four times?

When he's coming off a series in which he nearly averaged a triple double. When he's coming in with eight days rest. And making his fifth consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

The Warriors have more ways to defend James than Atlanta did. But they still don't have an answer.

No one does. Not when James is orchestrating the Cavaliers offense so expertly, mastering the push-and-pull of taking over games and getting teammates the ball in situations and places where they can excel.

You can go back and look at the 2007 Cavaliers' roster and marvel at how much better this team is than the one that got swept by the Spurs.

No argument. You also can't overlook how much better James is as a leader. You can compare and contrast his Miami years to now and say the same thing.

Not the Cavs' strengths are so intangible. The Cavs have enough perimeter defenders to disrupt the Warriors. Not stop them, just disrupt them.

 The Hawks didn't have a superstar to carry them through the offensive dead spots that so often occur in the postseason when defenses can game plan over six or seven games. The Hawks obviously do, with Curry and Klay Thompson.

What they don't have is LeBron James and something else; every time you looked up in the Atlanta series, the Cavaliers had rebounding position. Sometimes three or four Cavaliers had it. And often James was one of them.

He used the word "grit" in complimenting his team after the Atlanta sweep. That's the tone that's been set for the finals.

The Cavs know James has been there before. Four times before. In the last four years.

They suspect James is at the height of his powers, that he won't let them lose.

Sounds almost corny, I know.

Also believeable.

Cavs in six.

Former Ohio State WR Joey Galloway to replace Mark May, Lou Holtz on ESPN's College Football Final

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ESPN will replace May with former Ohio State wide receiver Joey Galloway and fellow analyst Danny Kanell. Adnan Virk will host the show that appears on both ABC and ESPN, and the trio will appear in-studio during halftime and after games. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- ESPN has decided to feature three new faces on its most popular college football postgame show "College Football Final," according to John Ourand of SportsBusinessDaily.com.

If you're an Ohio State fan, you're probably aware of what that means. 

No more Mark May. 

Instead, ESPN will replace May with former Ohio State wide receiver Joey Galloway and fellow analyst Danny Kanell. Adnan Virk will host the show that appears on both ABC and ESPN, and the trio will appear in-studio during halftime and after games. 

Gone with May are Rece Davis and legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, all of which had been on "College Football Final" since 2005.

Holtz retired in April, Davis has been reassigned to the college football pregame show "College GameDay," and May has been moved to another studio show that'll be hosted by John Saunders and former Texas football coach Mack Brown. 

Galloway has been with ESPN since 2012, but the move onto "College Football Final" makes for a big progression in his career as a college football analyst. 

Right or wrong, May has been viewed as someone that's anti-Ohio State for often taking positions on television that oppose the Buckeyes. Because of that, May had grown into a villain in the eyes of Ohio State's fanbase. 

See boys basketball HORSE tournament semifinalists and schedule; vote for winners (poll)

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There are only four boys basketball coaches left in the HORSE tournament field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There are only four coaches left in the HORSE boys basketball tournament, as the regional round is over and the semifinals are on the horizon.

Now we're close to crowning a champion. Each coach is only two wins away from taking home the title of this 16-person tournament


Check out the schedule of matchups below to see how the coaches stack up and when the winner will be revealed:


June 3: Jeff Huber (Holy Name) vs. Pete Priola (Bedford)




June 4: Brett Moore (East Tech) vs. Kevin Sapara (Avon)




June 5: HORSE tournament championship




HORSE will be played the traditional way. A coach will shoot from a spot on the floor of his choosing. If he makes it, then the opposing coach must make that shot to avoid being given a letter. The first coach the receive five letters (H-O-R-S-E) loses.


Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.


Watch LeBron James' latest Beats By Dre commercial ahead of the NBA Finals

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It's easy to imagine the latest Beats By Dre ad starring LeBron James as a scene preceding Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James stars in a new Beats By Dre headphones commercial, released today ahead of the NBA Finals.

In the ad, titled "You Deserve The Best," James dresses into a suit from a swanky hotel room. The last item he dons is a pair of gold Beats By Dre Solo 2 wireless headphones.

With just a little imagination, you could deduce James was dressing in his San Francisco suite for the short bus ride to Oakland for a Finals game against the Golden State Warriors. Game 1 is Thursday.

"The fancy hotels. The tailor-made shirts. The bespoke suits. That's not why you put in the hours, the years, the reps," a voiceover says in the commercial. "You do it for the wins. That's your currency, and that's why you deserve the best."

In October, Beats released a powerful ad celebrating James' return to the Cavaliers and northeast Ohio. That ad, narrated by James' mother Gloria, The ad, does not mention or show the Cavs, but was nonetheless a celebration of James' return to his hometown team after four years with the Miami Heat. 

The product advertised in the October ad was the Powerbeat2 Wireless headphones set, which James wore as he lifted weights after a walking through the gym at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, his alma mater.

Last year, James reportedly earned $30 million off his investment in Beats.

Predictions start rolling in for Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors: Links to NBA Finals content from Cleveland, Bay Area

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See a collection of stories, videos, podcasts and more, broken down by content from Cleveland and content from media in Northern California. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Get caught up on all the early preview material from Cleveland and the Bay Area as the Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors continue preparations for their NBA Finals matchup.

Below is a collection of stories - including several predictions -- videos, podcasts and more, broken down by content from Cleveland and content from Northern California media outlets. At the bottom is general NBA links of note.

See an interesting article or column about the NBA Finals online? We invite you to share a link to it in the comments section below.

The NBA Finals begin Thursday in Oakland, Calif., at 9 p.m. on ESPN.

Content from cleveland.com

Video: Check out latest Beats by Dre commercial featuring LeBron James entering NBA Finals.

Cavaliers and Kevin Love have several options for the forward to remain in Cleveland, says Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto.

Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith have helped turn Cavaliers' defense around and say they are ready for their next challenge.

Tristan Thompson is a keeper, says Hall-of-famer and rebounding legend Nate Thurmond.

Nate Thurmond, a Golden State legend and Cavaliers inspiration, finds new audience in NBA Finals.

Prediction: Why Cavaliers writer Chris Haynes of Northeast Ohio Media Group has the Cavaliers over the Warriors in 6 games.

Prediction: Cavaliers will win the NBA championship, says Cavaliers writer Joe Vardon of NEOMG.

Prediction: Hard to bet against Warriors, harder to bet against LeBron James, NEOMG columnist Bud Shaw says.

'All of Israel is behind the Cavaliers,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells David Blatt.

Kevin Love suffered another blow to his injured shoulder, but this time from a teammate.

Kevin Love text message to Celtics' Kelly Olynyk: 'It's all good.'

Kevin Love says despite rumors, he plans on being a Cavalier next season.

LeBron James, Cavaliers own huge advantage over Golden State in Finals experience.

Cavaliers will need to be an elite defensive team to win NBA title, says Terry Pluto.

Cavaliers have Terry Pluto talking about the homecoming of LeBron James, David Blatt and NBA Finals.

Kyrie Irving couldn't fully appreciate LeBron James' genius until they came together in July.

Despite rough play in Cavaliers' series, NBA playoffs aren't as violent as in past, says Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston.

Kyrie Irving leaves no doubt about his NBA Finals availability following knee injury.

In addition to LeBron James, redemption theme also fits J.R. Smith pretty well, says Bud Shaw.

Video: NEOMG's Chris Haynes, Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor start scouting NBA Finals.

How does one stop LeBron James or Stephen Curry? You can't, James said.

Center Anderson Varejao will not be activated for Finals.

David Blatt grateful Steve Kerr allowed him to take Cavaliers' coaching job.

Podcast: Plain Dealer sportswriter Dennis Manoloff gives his take on LeBron James' legacy and more.

Season to date in pictures: Take a look at the Cavs' season from the greatest triumphs to lessons learned in an 86-picture gallery.

 

How to find tickets for NBA Finals, and how much it will cost you.

Golden State may not have an answer for LeBron James in NBA Finals, but then again not many teams do, says Bud Shaw.

Video: In a new series with NEOMG's David Cassilo, former Mr. Basketball and overseas pro Chet Mason breaks down part of the game. In this installment, the new Brush High coach analyzes how Tristan Thompson does the dirty work.

Content from Northern California

Cavaliers haven't missed a beat despite injury to Kevin Love (San Francisco Chronicle)

Warriors coach Steve Kerr is sports world's main brain (San Francisco Chronicle)

Klay Thompson appears to be making steady progress (San Francisco Chronicle)

Before Steph Curry, there was Pistol Pete (San Francisco Chronicle)

For coach Steve Kerr, being mentally ready is key for the Warriors (San Francisco Chronicle)

For longtime Warriors broadcaster Jim Barnett, the timing of NBA Finals is perfect (San Jose Mercury News)

A 105-year-old Warriors fan on the edge of her seat (Bay Area News Group)

Cleveland fan to Warriors fan: Shut up, you don't know misery (San Jose Mercury News)

Klay Thompson isn't talking about his health, but he was fit enough to root on A's against Yankees (Bay Area News Group)

General NBA links

Fred Hoiberg is in negotiations to become the new Chicago Bulls coach (ESPN)

Alvin Gentry will become New Orleans Pelicans coach after NBA Finals. (NBA.com)

Former NBA all-star Chris Gatling arrested in a credit card scam (Yahoo)

Rumors are swirling New York Knicks are considering Trey Lyles with No. 4 pick. (CBS Sports)

Stewart Haas four-car garage is a head scratcher in NASCAR ranks

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Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR series in points, but his three teammates lag far behind him.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Beyond sharing the same garage, NASCAR racing for Stewart Haas must be a head scratcher for Kurt Busch, Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart, considering the fourth member of their team, Kevin Harvick, is leading the points race and has finished in the top 10 in 12 of 13 races.

The other three don't have 12 top 10s combined, which accounts for their places in the points standings -- Busch is 15th, Patrick 18th and Stewart 28th.

In fact, Harvick has more first and second-place finishes (nine) as the others have top 10s (seven). Only Busch has a victory. We mention this because Harvick is headed for a track this week at Pocono, where his history is not that great.

He has never posted a stock car victory at Pocono, and since 2001 has just six tops 5s in 27 starts. At the same time, he might be ready for his first Pocono checkered flag, considering he did finish second at the 2.5-mile oval last season.

As for the other three, Stewart's last top 5 at Dover was in 2013, and his last victory there came in 2009. Busch has victories there in 2005 and 2007 with a top 5 as recently as last season (third). In Patrick's brief history at Pocono (four races) she has never won there and has a best career finish of 29th.

On the other hand, arguably the hottest driver on the circuit right now, Jimmie Johnson, (three wins, two seconds and a third in the last seven races) has three career victories at Pocono, the last coming in 2013. Johnson is coming off a victory at Dover, and currently sits third in the season standings, behind Martin Truex, and 76 points behind the leader, Harvick.

IndyCar headed to Texas with familiar issues back at the forefront

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IndyCar heads back to oval racing with questions about aero kits and Honda power still to be answered.

CLEVELAND - An IndyCar series dominated by a pair of race teams -- Target Chip Ganassi and Team Penske -- and one engine -- Chevrolet -- got a weather alert in Detroit over the weekend that slowed the roll at least momentarily for the 2015 season.

The challenge now will be watching the weather in Texas, which has been hit with torrential rains for the past week. The upcoming 600-mile night race at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway oval will be the first oval race since the Indianapolis 500.

Along with keeping an eye to the sky, the issue of aero kits and Honda power return to the forefront. At Indy, the new aero kits for added speed were believed to cause several cars to go airborne after contact, especially those with Chevrolet power. Down force was added, engine power was reduced and there were no more dramatic incidents during qualifying, later practices or the race.

The question for IndyCar drivers and fans is what has been done since? And, even if IndyCar opts to stick with the downsizing that seemed to eliminate the airborne incidents at Indianapolis, will those same measures hold up at Texas Motor Speedway where the corner banking is much more dramatic?

Finally, both Chevy and Honda continue their engine developments throughout the season, with both typically delivering their next-generation product either at Indy, or shortly after. That combined with the uncertain weather and the aero kits should make for a very interesting week for IndyCar, coming on the heels of Detroit.

The two days of road racing at Belle Isle produced a rain-shorted event on Saturday that led to Honda getting its first victory of the season with Carlos Munoz behind the wheel.

On Sunday, rain washed out qualifying, with series leader Juan Montoya gaining the pole. Then a total of eight caution flags cut the 70-lap race down to 68 due to time constraints. That allowed Sebastian Bourdais to avoid a late pit stop and stay out front for a victory. "Had it not been a timed race, we would not have made it,'' Bourdais said.

Tiger Woods returns to PGA Tour while Jordan Spieth heads 2015 Memorial Tournament field

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Following a quiet spring, Tiger Woods begins a stretch of five PGA Tour events in eight weeks at the Memorial Tournament this week. World No. 2 Jordan Spieth is the top-ranked golfer entered.

DUBLIN, Ohio - Ready or not, the Tiger Woods summer tour is kicking off at the Memorial Tournament on Thursday.

It would not be fair to say Woods heads a field that features six of the top 10 golfers in the world. How can that be said about a player ranked  No. 172 in the world?

But heading the field and grabbing headlines are two different things, and Woods still draws huge galleries and bigger television ratings despite not having won since the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

Following a quiet winter and spring, the Memorial is to be Woods' first of five tournaments in eight weeks. That does not include the PGA Championship on Aug. 18, for which he is eligible, but has not announced.

The real head of the Memorial Tournament field is Masters champion and World No. 2 Jordan Spieth, 21, whose growing galleries reflect his rising stardom. He is coming off a 30th-place finish at the AT&T Byron Nelson near his hometown in Texas.

Joining Spieth in a deep field of 120 golfers are No. 5 Jim Furyk (2002 Memorial winner), No. 6 Justin Rose (2010 Memorial winner), No. 7 Rickie Fowler, No. 8 Dustin Johnson and No. 10 Jason Day, as well as Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson, Jason Dufner, Ben Curtis, reigning FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel and defending Memorial champ Hideki Matsuyama. Last week's winner at the Byron Nelson, Steven Bowditch, also will be in Dublin.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy is not coming, nor are Top 10-ranked Bubba Watson, Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia. McIlroy has played the last two weeks in Europe at the BMW PGA and the Irish Open, missing the cut in both events, and he said before the season he would trim his schedule this year.

Woods, 39, will be making his 15th appearance at the Memorial, an event he has won five times on Jack Nicklaus' Muirfield Village Golf Course. Woods won two of his past four starts there, most recently in 2012 when his shot on the 70th hole, a chip-in birdie at 16, gave Woods his 73rd PGA Tour victory, matching the career win total of Nicklaus.

Woods' scoring average of 69.95 ranks No. 1 at the Memorial, as does his total earnings of $5,047,344. Woods now has 79 career victories, but he has not won since the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

Woods' private jet was spotted in University Place, Washington, on Monday, according to cbssports.com, which speculated he is getting in practice at Chambers Bay, site of the US Open later this month.

Blaming a back injury, he has played just five events since October. While most observers wrote him off at the Masters, he was competitive and finished 17th at five-under. He was 69th (three-over) at his most recent event, The Players Championship on May 10.

Woods' next event after the Memorial is the U.S. Open June 18-21 at Chambers Bay in Washington.

Looking for No. 2: Matsuyama's first PGA Tour victory was at last year's Memorial. He hasn't won since, but has seven top-10 finishes. He led The Players after the first round, but finished ninth.

"I haven't won, and it's not that it's surprising, it's been more frustrating because I've come up a stroke short three times this season,'' he said through an interpreter during a recent visit to Muirfield Village. "I realize that the work I still have left to do in order to get over that hump and to be a winner again, it's not easy to be a winner. I now know I need to work harder.

Matsuyama, 23, has struggled with his putting and his confidence. He said he'll work to keep his emotions in check this week.

"Being the defending champion this is a new experience for me, and I'm looking forward to it,'' he said. "But at the same time I'm already feeling nervous about it.''

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