You've heard of the best of the best. On Sunday the worst of the worst got together when the Indians and Pirates played the rubber game of their three-game series. The Indians lost and they didn't look good doing it.

UPDATED: 6:20 p.m.

Gene J. Puskar / Associated PressCarlos Santana was the entire Indians offense on Sunday, belting a two-run homer in the first inning and adding another RBI later in the game. But the mistake-prone Indians set up Pittsburgh for scoring chances in the first and eighth innings as the Pirates claimed a 5-3 victory at PNC Park.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The Indians were bad Sunday. So bad they lost their second straight game to a team that hasn't won that many games in a row for a month.

At least in losing to Pittsburgh, 5-3, at PNC Park the Indians were bad with a flair. Most teams with a 26-42 record would settle for general ineptitude. The Indians continue to lose with style, exploring the intricacies of defeat like few teams before them.

The question is what is Carlos Santana doing here. This guy deserves better. All the rookie catcher did Sunday was drive in all three of the Indians' runs with a first-inning, two-run homer and an RBI double in the third. When he singled in the fifth, he'd reached base in eight straight plate appearances.

"I feel very comfortable since I was called up," said Santana, with interpreter/first base coach Sandy Alomar riding shotgun.

No one else on this bumbling team looks anywhere close to comfortable. What they do well is make errors -- all kinds of errors.

They made two in the bottom of the first as the Pirates scored twice to erase Santana's second big-league homer. Third baseman Jhonny Peralta started the show by throwing away a leadoff grounder by Jose Tabata to put him on second base. Neil Walker moved Tabata to third with a single through the right side of the infield.

Andrew McCutchen sent a one-hopper back to the mound that Justin Masterson tried to beat into the ground with his glove. When he recovered the ball, he threw it past first as Tabata scored and Walker went to third. It was Masterson's second error in as many starts.

Garrett Jones made it 2-2 with a single to center.

Masterson pitched well after that, but the trauma of the first inning still hadn't worked its way out of his system. In the fourth, Bobby Crosby sent a two-out single back to the mound. Masterson picked the ball up and threw it past first baseman Russell Branyan and against the grandstand.

"I knew I didn't have a chance to get him," said Masterson, "but I was so frustrated, I just picked it up and threw the ball as hard as I could."

Crosby didn't advance because the ball bounced back to Branyan. If nothing else, Masterson's throw was an artistic success. There was more to come.

The Indians took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Rafael Perez started the inning in relief of Masterson, who allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Jason Jaramillo opened with a single. Crosby pushed a bunt in front of the plate. Perez charged, slipped and made a crazed throw to first. In fact, it wasn't even near first. It was so far off line that second baseman Jason Donald, trying to back up the play, caught it on the fly.

"It was pretty crazy," said Donald. "Out of nowhere it came to me."

Jaramillo went to second, Crosby was credited with a sacrifice bunt and Perez was charged with the Indians' third error. After another sacrifice bunt moved Jaramillo to third, Perez completed his day by wild-pitching the tying run home.

"The timing was bad on that wild pitch," understated manager Manny Acta.

The Indians had a chance to take control of the game in the eighth. Austin Kearns singled and Branyan hit a disputed double past first to start the inning. Pirates manager John Russell was ejected for arguing that Branyan's hit was foul. He didn't need to get that worked up.

Former Indian Brendan Donnelly (3-1) retired Peralta on a fly ball to center that Acta said wasn't deep enough to send Kearns. Anderson Hernandez followed with a grounder to Walker at second base. Walker looked to first to throw out Hernandez, but no one was there so he ran over and made the out himself. Again, that's not a play you see every day, but when two last-place teams play, the unexpected becomes the expected.

Donald made the last out on a slow roller to short. He was called out on close play that left him pounding his batting helmet into the dirt.

"I thought I was safe," he said.

The Pirates broke the tie moments later when Jensen Lewis (2-2) walked McCutchen to start the eighth and gave up a single to Jones. After another sacrifice bunt, Tony Sipp relieved and gave up a sacrifice fly to Pedro Alvarez and an RBI single to Crosby.

The Indians lost two out of three to Pittsburgh, a team that as of Friday had lost 12 straight and 18 of their previous 22 games. Think about that for a while.

It's looking more and more like the Indians are going to make a change in their starting rotation. Left-hander David Huff lost his ninth game Saturday and the Indians are studying their options.

Keith Srakocic / Associated PressDavid Huff has allowed 11 earned runs in 10.2 innings over his last two starts, both losses, for the Indians.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Manny Acta said discussions continue on whether left-hander David Huff will be replaced in that starting rotation and optioned to the minors.

In losing his ninth game Saturday, Huff allowed five runs on six hits in five innings. He walked six and has won one game in his last 11 starts.

"We have to look at our options and our depth," Acta said before Sunday's 5-3 loss to Pittsburgh. "We're in the middle of it. Nothing is set in stone."

Huff led the Indians with 11 victories last year as a rookie. It's been a different story this year. He was the last starter to make the rotation in spring training and he's 2-9 with a 6.04 ERA in 13 starts. The opposition is hitting .310 against him. He's allowed 88 hits and 30 walks in 70 innings. Huff's WHIP (walks and hits divided by innings pitched) is 1.69, meaning an average of 1.69 runners per inning are reaching base.

"It's mind-boggling because Dave has the stuff to pitch effectively up here," said Acta. "I really believe in his stuff.

"He's not a so-called soft-tossing lefty. He can sit at 90 mph to 91 mph the whole game and has a good breaking ball and change-up. He's just not throwing enough strikes."

If the Indians do make a move their options are Class AAA Columbus are Aaron Laffey (0-1, 3.98), Carlos Carrasco (5-3, 4.22), Yohan Pino (6-3, 4.36) and Josh Tomlin (6-2, 2.81). Laffey would probably be the No.1 candidate. He opened the year in the Tribe bullpen and was sent to Columbus specifically to get stretched out as a starter in case the big-league club needed help.

Gene J. Puskar / Associated PressPirates catcher Jason Jaramillo tags out a sliding Anderson Hernandez who was attempting to score on a fly ball hit to right fielder Lastings Milledge by Justin Masterson in the fourth inning Sunday at PNC Park.

INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: Three times is not the charm.
Ruben Niebla, an assistant to the Indians’ big-league coaching staff, became the third member of the team to be carted off the field this season because of injury. Niebla suffered an injury to his right leg Sunday during batting practice while chasing a ball in the outfield.
Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was carted off the field on May 17 at Tropicana Field after breaking his left forearm. Left-hander David Huff was taken off the field on a cart at Yankee Stadium on May 29 after getting hit in the head by an Alex Rodriguez line drive.

He knew you when: Reliever Jensen Lewis, who pitched at Vanderbilt, yelled to a photographer standing near Pittsburgh’s Pedro Alvarez before Sunday’s game, “I need a picture. In a couple of years, he’ll be too big time to give me one.”
Alvarez, who also played at Vanderbilt, was the second player taken in the 2008 draft. The Pirates called him up last week.

Stat of the day: The Indians went into Sunday’s game having turned a big-league high 84 double plays. It’s a deceiving stat because to top that category, pitchers must be putting way too many runners on base.
— Paul Hoynes

Pino and Tomlin are not on the 40-man roster and space would have to be cleared for them.

Quite an eyeful: One of the reasons Acta likes interleague play is because he gets to see players that he's only seen on TV or read scouting reporters about. Acta caught quite an eyeful from Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen.

"I wanted to see McCutchen bad because I'd heard so much about him and see him on TV," said Acta. "He's the real deal. He's a player anybody can build around."

In Pittsburgh's 6-4 victory Saturday, McCutchen walked three times, had two hits and scored three runs. He tripled with two out in the eight and scored an insurance run on Garret Jones single.

End of the line: Frank Herrmann will always remember the streak.

"It's what got me here," said the Indians' right-handed reliever. "I'll always look back fondly on it. I spent over four years in the minors. It got me here and it got me off to a good start."

Herrmann was charged with a run in the eighth inning Saturday to break a streak of 34 scoreless innings over 26 appearances between Cleveland and Columbus. The streak started on April 8 in Columbus.

"I don't think the streak happened because of luck," said Herrmann, who was called up on June 4. "I don't expect to go 35 more. I'm confident in my abilities, but I know I'm definitely not good enough to go the rest of the year without giving up a run."

Said Acta, "Frank joined us at the right time. Our bullpen was at its lowest point and helped stabilize things where we had three reliable arms at that point."

Ex-Tribe coach robbed: Former bullpen coach Danny Williams reports that his Brunswick home was broken into over the weekend. Among the items stolen were three "championship rings" won with the Indians.

Williams was fired at the end of last season along with manager Eric Wedge and the rest of the coaching staff.

Finally: Look for rookie catcher Carlos Santana to get rested about once a week. "It's tough to take your No.3 hole hitter out of the lineup," said Acta.

Will James' choice come down to Gilbert's willingness to spend, or the Knicks' big-name braintrust?

Richard Drew / Associated PressWhile Knicks General Manager Donnie Walsh (right) has the experience of building a contender in Indiana 20 years ago, he and head coach Mike D'Antoni (right) have yet to muster much success at Madison Square Garden.

(Chasing down rumors about LeBron James' basketball future could be a full-time job. Now it's my full-time job. Just call me The Rumor Monger. Every day we'll compile a list of the rumors we're hearing about James and his next contract. Just remember these are just rumors, not necessarily facts. It's going to be a long and rough ride, Cavs fans. Buckle up. -- Mary Schmitt Boyer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Maybe everybody was busy celebrating Father's Day or watching the U.S. Open. Or both.

But Sunday was the lightest day rumor-wise since we cranked up The Rumor Mill a month ago.

Light. But not dead, of course. For that we have ESPN to thank.

Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine, a former Plain Dealer reporter who covered the pre-James Cavs for the Akron Beacon Journal, notes that among the things James will be considering when he chooses his next team is the brain trust in charge -- owner and general manager (or similar title.)

Says Broussard, "[Dan] Gilbert has proved to be a good owner in that he's spent whatever amount of money necessary in his attempts to put a title team around James. It hasn't worked, but some may blame Danny Ferry, who recently stepped down as general manager.

"The question in Cleveland is: how does James view Ferry's successor, Chris Grant? Grant is respected around the league, having spent 10 seasons in Atlanta before joining Ferry five years ago in Cleveland. But even if James likes Grant, Gilbert may be the one ultimately pulling the strings. ...

"Whatever the case, the Cavs' situation is, to put it kindly, a bit muddled. We'll see how their coaching search plays out -- Byron Scott and Jeff Van Gundy also have the Cavs' interest -- but right now, all the uncertainty in the franchise can't be viewed as a plus.

"Knicks owner James Dolan doesn't bring to mind Jerry Buss or Mark Cuban when it comes to success, but he is a big spender who gives his presidents an open checkbook. That, however, doesn't make him any different from ... Gilbert.

"Where the Knicks look good is with team president Donnie Walsh, a basketball lifer who built the Indiana Pacers into a strong franchise during the 1990s and beyond. Walsh is a solid team-builder who follows his gut, which has proved to be correct more often than not. He went against the entire state of Indiana when he drafted noted Knicks killer Reggie Miller for the Pacers in 1987. Then, he put the right pieces -- Mark Jackson, Rik Smits, Jalen Rose, Antonio Davis and Dale Davis, among others -- around Miller to get the Pacers into the playoffs 16 times in 17 years. With the Knicks having several roster spots to fill, even if they sign LeBron and another star, Walsh's track record should bring comfort.

"LeBron certainly likes Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, who got close to James as an assistant with Team USA, but LeBron also recognizes the importance of defense. He understands you can't win big without an emphasis on stopping people, and that's where D'Antoni falls short. Being a good defensive team takes a strong defensive philosophy, not just throwing a few good defenders out on the floor. The Knicks would be wise to hire a defensive guru as an assistant coach for D'Antoni -- and wise to force D'Antoni to listen to him."

Broussard also had a good line about the notion that James was staying out of the coaching search.

"You'd better believe that if LeBron wanted to pick the club's next coach," Broussard wrote, "Gilbert would be on the front step of the superstar's palatial compound with a dozen red roses, a chorus line of dancing girls, a contract extension and the keys to his private jet. Among other enticements."

• It's all a guessing game anyway, so for some fun, visit ESPN's free-agent slot machine.

No arrest has been made in shooting that killed teenage girl at Youngstown house.

Rivals.com photoOSU football recruit Jamel Turner was in critical condition Sunday after being shot in a Youngstown house on Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Police say an Ohio State football recruit remains in critical condition a day after he was shot multiple times and a teenage girl was killed at a house in Youngstown.

Police say they have a suspect in Saturday's shooting of Jamel Turner but no arrest has been made. Authorities declined to provide additional information Sunday.

Seventeen-year-old Tracy Banks died in the shooting. A 4-year-old girl found inside the house was unharmed.

It wasn't immediately clear who owned the house. A message was left Sunday at a phone listing.

Turner, a defensive end who played at Ursuline High School in his native Youngstown, signed with the Buckeyes in February. Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel issued a statement saying that he's praying for Turner. University spokeswoman Shelly Poe said the school had no further comment Sunday.

With 10 days to go before NBA free agency, LeBron James must know he has a comfort zone here that can't be matched, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes.

Joshua Gunter / The Plain DealerFor his first seven years in the NBA, LeBron James has been wrapped in the supportive and understanding cheers of his Northeast Ohio neighbors. Bud Shaw wonders if James really wants to leave that warm embrace for an NBA city certain to be more demanding.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Deep down, LeBron James knows he isn't wired like Kobe Bryant.

He doesn't take losing as personally. Winning is important to him. It's just not an obsession. Inside the locker room where championships are forged, James prefers the role of good cop almost exclusively.

(Don't tell me what we saw in the playoffs was all about his elbow. Something of significance changed the team dynamics during the Boston series. Whatever it was drove James underground instead of driving him to the bully pulpit.)

Jeff Van Gundy's take on Bryant during the NBA Finals was instructive for fans of James as well.

"Your best player can't be your best-liked player," Van Gundy said, meaning being Kobe has often meant getting in teammates' faces during practices and games.

In seven years, there's been precious little not to like about James as a player and a teammate. So he hasn't heard much criticism from outside and especially from within.

With 10 days remaining before NBA free agency -- did you hear, by the way, that James is going to be a free agent? -- the comfort zone James enjoys here is still the No. 1 reason to expect him to re-sign with the Cavaliers after all his suitors get to pitch their woo.

I don't see him taking on great and immediate expectations somewhere else. He hasn't shown he's ready for it. Maybe in three years when he'll still be only 28. Just not right now.

Not when he can continue to strive here at his own pace in front of friends and family with hardly any condemnation for falling short. Not when his reaction to questions about bad games in the Boston series was to say he'd spoiled people. Not when he says that losing makes him feel badly for himself.

He can't be that oblivious. So let's call it immaturity. At any rate, how do you think that would've gone over in New York? James must know there are strings attached to all the adulation coming his way from big-market dreamers in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

No offense, but people here have been settling for less than a championship for so many years that it's become second nature. We're easy.

After the initial shock over how things went south against Boston, the bigger picture of James' importance to the city came into view a lot more quickly than it would in any other place he can think to play.

Chicago? He's immediately be doomed to fall short of Michael Jordan's legacy while playing for an owner that hasn't spent like Dan Gilbert has spent.

On Broadway, he'd get a honeymoon season before every mistake, shortcoming and hastily-spoken word becomes tabloid fodder. He could call A-Rod for verification.

With free agency approaching, he'll hear professions of undying affection in those places, in Miami, north Jersey, everywhere he turns. Here, there's a difference. People really mean it. Here, it's not fickle, despite Jim Brown's take on it. Here, it's not even contingent on winning a title.

Look at all the love the Browns get despite their prolonged futility. It's the most one-sided relationship this side of Sandra Bullock-Jesse James.

The other James, LeBron, knows what he has here. An unmatched comfort zone. The way he's wired, I think he stays. I could be wrong. He could leave.

It's his mistake to make.

Dustin Johnson suffers a front-side meltdown and Woods, Mickelson and Els all stumble as McDowell becomes first European to win Open since 1970.

UPDATED: 10:15 p.m.

Chris Carlson / Associated Press"You're something, kid," said Ken McDowell to his son, Graeme, after McDowell outlasted some of the biggest names in golf to win the U.S. Open on Sunday at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- In a U.S. Open with golf's biggest stars on the leaderboard, it was Graeme McDowell who played like one.

McDowell seized control after a shocking collapse by Dustin Johnson, then failed to get flustered with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els lined up behind him. The 30-year-old from Northern Ireland wasn't perfect, but he was good enough.

He closed with a 3-over 74 to become the first European in 40 years to capture the U.S. Open, getting an embrace on the 18th green from his father.

"You're something, kid," Kenny McDowell said, speaking for thousands who watched this unlikely Open unfold along the Pacific coastline.

It was a final round no one expected.

Johnson took a triple bogey on the second hole to lose all of his three-shot lead, and a double bogey on the next hole ended his hopes. Three of the biggest stars of this generation were right there, ready to continue the lineage of great champions at Pebble Beach, only to play far below their expectations.

McDowell made only one birdie -- an eight-foot birdie putt on the fifth hole -- and his final round was the highest score by a U.S. Open champion since Andy North in 1985. No matter. It added up to a one-shot victory over another surprise contender, Gregory Havret of France, who shot 72.

"I can't believe I'm standing with this right now," McDowell said, posing with silver trophy. "It's a dream come true. I've been dreaming it all my life. Two putts to win the U.S. Open. Can't believe it happened."

Charlie Riedel / Associated PressA wayward iron shot on the 14th hole had Tiger Woods momentarily flustered, but Woods recovered with a birdie but couldn't muster a serious charge throughout Sunday's final round.

Woods couldn't believe it, either. Poised to end six months of bad publicity over a shattered personal life, he bogeyed five of his first 10 holes and took himself out of contention with a 75.

Els and Mickelson hung around a little longer, and both had opportunities, but neither could capitalize.

Els had a brief share of the lead on the front nine but came undone along the coastal holes -- including one stretch of bogey-double bogey-bogey -- and never quite recovered. His hopes ended when he missed his target with a sand wedge on the par-5 14th and took bogey, then missed a four-foot birdie putt on the 15th.

He closed with a 73 to finish alone in third.

Mickelson, with another great chance to end a career of disappointment at the U.S. Open, holed a birdie putt from just off the green on the first hole, then didn't made another birdie the rest of the day. He also shot a 73 and tied for fourth with Woods, missing a chance to supplant Woods at No. 1 in the world.

Woods made only two birdies, but was more troubled by his mistakes.

"I made three mental mistakes," Woods said. "The only thing it cost us was a chance to win the U.S. Open."

Even so, nothing compares with what happened to Johnson. The 25-year-old American looked so unflappable all week, and came apart so quickly. On the final hole of a round he won't forget, Johnson missed a two-foot birdie putt and wound up with an 82. It was the highest closing round by a 54-hole leader in the U.S. Open since Fred McLeod shot 83 in 1911.

McDowell finished at even-par 284 and ended 40 years of questions about when a European would capture America's national championship. England's Tony Jacklin was the last one, in 1970 at Hazeltine.

McDowell had to work harder than he imagined.

Even under overcast skies and a stiff breeze, the course was firm and dangerous as ever. Davis Love III, with a 71, was the only player among the final five groups who matched par.

"I can't believe how difficult this golf course was," McDowell said. "No matter how good you play ... good golf got reward, and bad golf got punished really badly."

McDowell got into the U.S. Open by narrowly getting into the top 50 in the world at the deadline to avoid qualifying. He wound up with his first victory in America to go along with five European Tour victories, most recently the Wales Open last month at the home course for the Ryder Cup in October. He is sure to be part of the European team now, moving up to No. 12 in the world.

Dustin Johnson learned holding the 54-hole lead in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach isn't the best position to be in.

Matt Slocum / Associated PressThe woes that awaited Dustin Johnson over the first four holes of his Sunday round could be sensed by this left-handed attempt at a chip shot on the second hole. Johnson moved the ball only a few inches in heavy grass and eventually posted a 7 on the par-4 hole.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Dustin Johnson learned holding the 54-hole lead in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach isn't the best position to be in.

Much like Gil Morgan 18 years ago, Johnson collapsed on Sunday in the final round of the Open. Morgan held the lead going to the final day in 1992, only to shoot an 81 while Tom Kite played flawless to win his only major championship.

Johnson may be remembered in the same way.

On the verge of becoming the new master of Pebble Beach after consecutive wins in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Johnson finished with an 82. His day included a triple bogey on No. 2, a double at the third and a bogey at four and seven. His three-shot lead from Saturday night was gone by the time he reached the fourth tee.

Succumbing to pressure is nothing new in the U.S. Open. But Johnson appeared so relaxed and at ease on Saturday in his masterful third round. While Tiger Woods was making his back-nine charge on Saturday, Johnson was quietly matching everything the world's No. 1 player was doing. Both shot 66, but it was Johnson 11 shots in front of Woods heading to Sunday.

"I thought after the way he played yesterday if the same guy turned up he was going to be really tough to beat," said Johnson's playing partner, Graeme McDowell who held on for a one-shot victory.

That lead Johnson brought to his Sunday afternoon tee time vanished in a hurry.

"When you saw Dustin made a triple early you knew it was anybody's ball game," said Phil Mickelson, who finished in a tie for fourth place, three shots back of McDowell.

Johnson played the first seven holes, traditionally the easiest stretch at Pebble Beach, at 7-over par. He conjured memories of Morgan, who in 1992 at Pebble became the first person to reach 10-under par in the history of the U.S. Open, but finished 13th on a windy final day.

Johnson's troubles began when he hit his approach shot into an awkward lie alongside a bunker on No. 2, then had to chip out left-handed. The ball barely squirted out, then Johnson's fourth shot from the deep grass popped up and moved about two feet. He missed a 3-foot putt for double bogey and wound up with a 7. It was part of a triple-bogey, double-bogey, bogey stretch that sent him from 6 under to 1 over in the span of seven holes.

Johnson shored up his game on the back, but still made bogeys at 11, 12, 16 and 17. His day was capped by a deflating three-putt par on the 18th, just before watching McDowell tap in to win the tournament.

Bo Greenwell, of the Lake County Captains and son of former Boston Red Sox slugger Mike Greenwell, was one of the hottest hitters in all of pro baseball early this season, and the Indians are taking notice.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerThe major-league pedigree that helps Lake County outfielder Bo Greenwell isn't the only reason he's a rising prospect in the Indians' farm system. The son of former Boston outfielder Mike Greenwell has been hitting over .300 all season. "From what I know and what people tell me, I'm the spitting image of my father and I take great pride in that," Greenwell said.

EASTLAKE, Ohio -- The father was also 21, in his third season, when whatever it is that turns baseball prospects into players kicked in.

In 1985, Mike Greenwell, ripping the ball as if it just insulted his mom, leapt from Class A to AAA, then to the Boston Red Sox late that season. By the time he was through in 1996, the Red Sox left-fielder was a two-time All Star, finished with a career .303 batting average and once finished second in the American League MVP voting.

Now the son is following that script. Same age. Same position. Same angry left-handed swing.

There's lots of ground to cover between Bo Greenwell and a Mike Greenwellian career, but so far this season, the Indians' minor leaguer with the major-league pedigree is playing as if whatever is supposed to click, is clicking.

"I felt like I had something to prove," he said, "that I wasn't just another guy."

Through the first half of the season, Greenwell, who usually bats second for the Tribe's Class A affiliate in Eastlake, definitely hasn't been just another guy in a pinstriped Lake County Captains uniform.

In April, the Indians' sixth-round choice of the 2007 draft ripped the Midwest League apart, hitting .405. During the season's first month, he ran up a nine-game hitting streak and drove in five runs in a game twice within a week.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerGreenwell has just eight minor-league home runs over four seasons in the Indians' farm system, but is hitting .300 over his last two seasons with a .385 on-base percentage.

BO GREENWELL FILE
Age: 21.
Hometown: Alva, Fla.; near Fort Myers.
Height/weight: 6-0, 185.
Bats/throws: left.
Position: Left field for the Lake County Captains, the Indians’ Class A affiliate in Eastlake.
Fun fact: The son of former Boston slugger Mike Greenwell was a standout left-handed high school quarterback. Once, after tearing ligaments in his left knee on a game’s third play, he finished out the game, throwing for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
Quotable: (on whether the majors are in his future) “Absolutely. Who doesn’t? If you’re not a firm believer that you can play in the big leagues then you just need to hang ’em up now.”
-- Bill Lubinger

Greenwell, hitting .307 with four homers and 36 RBI entering Sunday, has looked more human since, hitting .267 in May and hovering around .250 in June as teams, facing him for the second or third time this season, have learned to either pitch around him or limit his dose of fastballs.

"You become a mistake hitter," Greenwell said of the adjustment he's learning to make at the plate. "You hit the mistakes. You wait for that hanging slider. You wait for them to throw that fastball that's a little up and over the plate."

The 21-year-old split the 2009 season with the Indians' short-season Class A team in Mahoning Valley and Lake County, hitting .290 in 60 games with the Captains. This season, he's been among the league batting leaders since Day One and was one of five Captains named to the league's all-star game.

With such a hot start, he's made himself difficult for the Indians development staff to ignore.

"To be honest, I was starting to wonder," Mike Greenwell said by phone from Alva, Fla., where he grows strawberries and vegetables and raises cattle on his 260-acre farm. "They moved him along very slow. They seemed to be taking care of him, but now there's no doubt that he's bounced on the scene as a prospect."

The parent club seems to be as impressed with his work ethic as his production.

"He's one of the most-liked players by our player development staff because he consistently plays hard, consistently overachievers and has continued to answer the bell," said Ross Atkins, the Indians' director of player development.

Greenwell is gaining notice within the organization for his discipline at the plate and ability to consistently hit the ball hard.

"That's his defining tool," Atkins said.

Hmmm. Sounds familiar.

Mike Greenwell, who visited Eastlake for three games earlier this season but mostly listens to Captains radio broadcasts online, remains a Red Sox fan favorite for his menacing approach at the plate.

Three times in his 12-year career he finished among the top 10 in American League batting average. In 1988, just his second season playing full-time in the majors, he batted .325 with 22 home runs and 119 RBI, finishing second in the MVP voting to Oakland's Jose Canseco.

"From what I know and what people tell me, I'm the spitting image of my father and I take great pride in that," Bo Greenwell said before a recent game. "He played the game hard, played the game the right way and was fearless when he was on the field. And when he walked up to the plate he owned it. And from what I hear I do the same thing, I play the same way."

At 6-0, 185 pounds, the son is about the same build as his father, but faster. As a corner outfielder, a position usually counted on for home runs, the Indians are looking for that speed to make up for unproven power.

Greenwell, among the league leaders in runs scored, will have to be the best runner on the team, Atkins said, not just stealing bases, but knowing when to be aggressive on the base paths, being the best at breaking up double plays and, in the outfield, getting good jumps and taking good angles on batted balls.

Captains manager Ted Kubiak, who won three World Series rings as an Oakland infielder, said Greenwell's improvement in the field has been measurable. Not as easily judged, but as impressive, Kubiak said, are the player's intangibles.

"The way he deals with things. The answers that he can give me. The way he knows he's got to bust his tail. He's positive as hell," Kubiak said. "His dad's instilled that in him."

Greenwell was nine when his father retired from baseball. But he remembers Mo Vaughn, Roger Clemens and others milling around the Red Sox locker room -- not that he was awed by it.

"Did I go up and talk to them want to know about their whole life's story? No, I mean I was nine years old," he said. "I was more excited about getting that cherry Coke from the clubhouse."

Luis Fabiano scored a pair of goals and Elano added another as Brazil beat Ivory Coast 3-1 Sunday to secure a spot in the second round of the World Cup with one match to spare in Group G.

Referee Stephane Lannoy of France, center, shows a yellow card to Brazil's Kaka, right, during the World Cup group G soccer match between Brazil and Ivory Coast at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, June 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

JOHANNESBURG - Luis Fabiano scored a pair of goals and Elano added another as Brazil beat Ivory Coast 3-1 Sunday to secure a spot in the second round of the World Cup with one match to spare in Group G.

Luis Fabiano scored his first goal in six matches for Brazil with a powerful right-footed shot in the 25th minute after a perfect pass by Kaka between defenders. He jumped over defender Kolo Toure before firing into the top of the net from a difficult angle.

Luis Fabiano added to the lead in the 50th with his left foot from near the penalty spot after beating two defenders inside the area. Replays appeared to show him handling the ball before scoring.

Elano scored Brazil's third goal in the 62nd after another setup by Kaka. Elano hurt his right shin a little later and left the field on a stretcher.

Kaka received two yellow cards late in the game and will be suspended for Brazil's next match, against Portugal. Kaka got into an altercation with Kader Keita near the end of the match.

Didier Drogba, playing from the start for the first time after breaking his right arm in a warmup game, scored the lone goal for Ivory Coast with a header in the 79th.

The victory gives Brazil six points from two matches, and left the Africans with one point and in difficult position to advance from the group stage. Portugal and North Korea play Monday in Cape Town.

Sports books remain one of my favorite people-watching venues in the world, comparing favorably with a Parisian sidewalk café or the Venice Beach boardwalk. The human condition is on display, in its rawest form. You bet, you watch, you win or lose; you emote. Rinse and repeat.

What's Las Vegas without gambling on sports?

It's a totally different sport, and when Mark Messier led the New York Rangers to it's first Stanley Cup in 54 years (in 1994), it was also a different time. But when Messier left his hometown of Edmonton, he came to New York and became a  Rangers legend, helped the team break its championship curse and became an iconic sports...

Tracy Boulian / The PDLeBron James

It's a totally different sport, and when Mark Messier led the New York Rangers to it's first Stanley Cup in 54 years (in 1994), it was also a different time.

But when Messier left his hometown of Edmonton, he came to New York and became a  Rangers legend, helped the team break its championship curse and became an iconic sports figure.

New York Post reporter Marc Berman writes LeBron James might want to learn from Mark Messier's experience.

Messier believes James, no matter where his free-agent tour takes him, will not get a better offer than the Knicks can present to him in nine days.

"It will be up to him what kind of challenge he needs at this point of his career," said Messier, who left Edmonton at age 30 in 1991. "I know he will be disappointed he hasn't brought a championship to Cleveland, that will weigh heavily on him. But the opportunity to play in New York City and being a champion for a storied franchise is also going to be tremendously appealing. There'll be other great offers from all the teams when he goes on tour, but in the end, I can't imagine it being better than New York."

No LeBron in this rally

LeBron James made a surprise appearance at the rally held for him in Akron last Saturday. There was no such surprise during a similar rally for LeBron in Portland last Sunday.

A rally in Portland didn't bring out as many as in Akron, but the small crowd was just as exuberant in their shouts for LeBron to play in Portland next season. On OregonLive.com:

The group mainly consisted of college-aged fans but that didn't stop season ticket holder Dave Vecsi, 47, from attending the rally.

"We have Brandon Roy and he's a great player," Vecsi said. "But LeBron is a superstar."

 

 

Just say no to New York

Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News writes a letter to LeBron about not joining the Knicks.

Unlike most of the writers in New York, Samuel takes a different approach. Samuel wants to let LeBron know that if LeBron is about winning, he will look the other way before signing with the Knicks.

Think twice about coming to New York. Contrary to the Big Apple belief that The King plus a superstar sidekick equals the first NBA title in these parts since '73, your signing doesn't guarantee a ring.

 
 

 

 

 

 

"I know Santana is a great prospect, but it says something about the big league club when a prospect is put in the No. 3 hole then clearly shows himself to deserve it, both because of his ability and the lack of ability of the rest of the lineup." - vineman

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerWhat does it say about the Tribe's lineup when Carlos Santana may be the best hitter on the team.

In response to the story In a battle of the worst, error-prone Cleveland Indians hand a game to Pirates, 5-3, cleveland.com reader vineman loves what he's seen from Carlos Santana, but can't believe he's already one of the team's best hitters. This reader writes,

"I know Santana is a great prospect, but it says something about the big league club when a prospect is put in the No. 3 hole then clearly shows himself to deserve it, both because of his ability and the lack of ability of the rest of the lineup."

"It seems that LeBron has had quite a bit of trouble dealing with the pressure here in Cleveland, and there is no reason to think it will get any easier somewhere else where he would be a mercenary hired to bring that team a championship." - snowfall

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerLeBron James' performance in Game 5 against Boston has some fans wondering if he could deal with the pressure - and criticism - that comes with a bigger market.

In response to the story In the end, Northeast Ohio's biggest selling point for LeBron James? It's home: Bud Shaw, cleveland.com reader snowfall wonders how LeBron James would handle the pressure of playing in New York. This reader writes,

"It seems that LeBron has had quite a bit of trouble dealing with the pressure here in Cleveland, and there is no reason to think it will get any easier somewhere else where he would be a mercenary hired to bring that team a championship."

Cleveland sports bloggers discuss the Lakers second straight title (and what it has to do with the Cavaliers), Cleveland's attempts to impress LeBron James and the Browns' new found running back depth.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerLeBron James Appreciation Day in Akron is just the latest example of someone trying to impress the NBA's most sought-after free agent.

Cavaliers

WaitingForNextYear: "Amazing how a giveaway trade like Pau Gasol to the Lakers has completely changed the landscape of the NBA. Still, to this day, nobody understands why Memphis GM Chris Wallace gave away his best player to the best team in the league for virtually nothing. If Wallace comes to his senses and doesn't make that deal, the Lakers aren't back-to-back champions. That is absolute fact." » Read more

'64 and Counting: "The love we are showering LeBron in has become so exaggerated that it is embarrassing. And for what? No person deserves this amount of attention, even if half of this city thinks LeBron is the savior of professional sports in Cleveland. The tables have turned. Citizens of New York and Chicago are laughing at us, just as we laughed at them when their media members superimposed LeBron in a Bulls or Knicks jersey." » Read more

Cavs HQ: "At no point during the game [Thursday] night did I think that the Cavs should be out there winning. While there is plenty to blame for the Cavs' early exit from the playoffs - LeBron's elbow, Mike Brown's rotations, Mo Williams' terribleness, etc. - the biggest reason the Cavs were ousted by the Celtics was because they couldn't defend and rebound the way they needed to in the playoffs. While the Lakers were able to change their game and win in a defensive slugfest, the Cavs did not have that in them this season. The first change that must be made going into next season is a recommitment to the defensive end of the floor." » Read more

Browns

Cleveland Reboot: "Although I'm wary of seeing opposing teams stack eight-man lines against the Browns' offense, the above list represents some much needed hope – along with a rare sign of overall progress. If the Browns keep only three running backs, a player of James Davis' potential and Chris Jennings' small, but significant window of experience will be let loose. If you compare the Browns' past collections of running backs, a clear indicator of progress presents itself. Or in other words, Davis and Jennings would have been starters in some previous incarnations of the Browns' offense." » Read more

Portugal put on the most dominant performance of the World Cup, routing North Korea 7-0 on Monday and eliminating the Asian nation from the tournament.

View full sizeAP Photo | Julie JacobsonPortugal's Hugo Almeida, bottom, celebrates with teammate Portugal's Simao Sabrosa after scoring their side's third goal during the World Cup group G soccer match between Portugal and North Korea in Cape Town, South Africa.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Portugal put on the most dominant performance of the World Cup, routing North Korea 7-0 on Monday and eliminating the Asian nation from the tournament.

Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Tiago scored over an eight-minute span in the second half, after Raul Meireles' 29th-minute goal gave Portugal the lead. Substitute Liedson added another in the 81st.

Cristiano Ronaldo ended his goalless streak the 87th minute, and Tiago added his second goal two minutes later. Ronaldo had not scored for his nation in a non-friendly match since the 2008 European Championship.

The win moves Portugal into second place in Group G with four points, two behind Brazil. The Ivory Coast has one point, and North Korea can't advance in the tournament after two straight losses.

"This is a great result for us," Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said. "We have to continue now."

North Korean state television aired live coverage of the Portugal match, in what was believed to be a first for a North Korean soccer game taking place abroad.

It was bad timing.

North Korea had early chances, but trouble began when Meireles latched on to a clever pass by Tiago and gave Portugal its first goal of the tournament. The score seemed to deflate the Koreans, while the Portuguese finally began to show some of the Latin flair that has made them an outside favorite to win their first championship.

"Tactically speaking, we fell apart and we couldn't block their attacks," North Korea coach Kim Jong Hun said. "It was my fault for not playing the right strategy and that is why we conceded a lot of goals."

Meireles assisted on Simao's goal in the 53rd minute, which went through the legs of North Korea goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk. Almeida scored three minutes later from a powerful header, and Tiago knocked home a pass from Ronaldo in the 60th.

Liedson scored off a defensive error, before Ronaldo ended a 16-month goal drought for his country with a simple finish after the ball fell to him.

"It was important to score goals today," Tiago said.

Played in a steady downpour, the wet field at Green Point Stadium caused errant passes as many players lost their footing.

North Korea named the same lineup as the one that impressed in a 2-1 loss to Brazil, while Queiroz made four changes from the team that was held to 0-0 draw by Ivory Coast.

Tiago replaced the injured Deco in midfield, with Almeida and Simao joining Ronaldo up front. Miguel Brito was chosen ahead of Paulo Ferreira at right back.

The win gives Portugal a massive goal advantage if it ends up tied with Ivory Coast on points after the last match Friday. Portugal plays Brazil, which has already qualified for the second round, while Ivory Coast plays North Korea.

"The Browns' defensive line is old and has no depth. Why not give these guys a shot to develop? You can't teach size, and these guys are true giants." - eldaveablo

View full sizeGus Chan | The Plain DealerClifford Geathers (left) and Kwaku Danso (right) are hoping to make a good impression in training camp next month.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns' Geathers, Danso are big rookies facing bigger challenges on defensive line, cleveland.com reader eldaveablo likes the idea of trying to develop line depth with hidden gems. This reader writes,

"The Browns' defensive line is old and has no depth. Why not give these guys a shot to develop? You can't teach size, and these guys are true giants."

John Kasich doesn't plan to join the chorus of those pleading with LeBron James to stay in Cleveland.

Lynn Ischay / PDJohn Kasich says he won't join the chorus pleading for LeBron James to stay in Cleveland.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It seems everyone in Ohio who has heard the name LeBron James is aware of the superstar basketball player's pending free agency and hoping he opts to remain in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform.

Even Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, jumped off the campaign trail last month to help shoot a music video pleading for James to re-sign with the Cavs.

But one high-profile person who won't be singing any tunes for LeBron is Strickland's opponent, Republican gubernatorial hopeful John Kasich.

Kasich was interviewed June 17 by Alan Colmes for his show on FOX Radio Network. Colmes asked Kasich if he would be joining "the chorus to keep James in Cleveland."

"I'm not singing in any chorus for LeBron James," Kasich said.

Colmes: "You're not?"

Kasich: "No, I'm not. Look, he's a great basketball player, he's a great guy. There's a lot of great people in Ohio."

Before that, Colmes asked Kasich if he were governor, what he would do to help persuade James to stay in Ohio.

"Alan, we've lost 400,000 jobs out here and the last guy I worry about is LeBron James. You know I mean, we all hope he'll stay in Cleveland. We think we've got a great guy there that can turn everything around, but we got some serious problems," Kasich said.

Kasich, flashing a bit of sports knowledge, did sympathize with Cleveland fans who are still waiting for a championship from the Cavs, Browns or Indians.

"It'd have been so great for the Cavs to be playing because Cleveland has struggled with its sports teams and we need a little, we need a little victory so we might need to steal some players out of New York to help us out," Kasich told Colmes.

They also discuss how Dwyane Wade has shut down his twitter until free agency is through.

Paul Tople, Akron Beacon JournalLeBron James at Saturday's appreciation event

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

• LeBron James showed up - albeit late - at Saturday's appreciation day for him in Akron. Do you think that is a good sign for him remaining in Cleveland? Take the poll now posted on the Starting Blocks blog.

• Talk to Plain Dealer reporter Mary Schmitt Boyer, who compiles the daily LeBron James Rumor Mill. She says the fact LeBron showed up Saturday at Infocision Stadium can been seen as a positive sign for Cavs fans, although maybe a small one. They also talk about how Dwyane Wade has said he is not posting to his Twitter account until after his free-agency situation is settled.

SBTV will return Tuesday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff as the guest. Have a question you'd like to ask Dennis about LeBron, or the Tribe? Post it in the comments below and we'll pick the best ones for Tuesday's show.

Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com writes that the Chicago Bulls could become the team LeBron James signs with this summer. Lloyd bases this on several factors, one being the Bulls were LeBron's favorite growing up and that Michael Jordan is his favorite player. Also, LeBron was giddy when talking about the Bulls after the Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated them in the...

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerLeBron James and Joakim Noah.

Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com writes that the Chicago Bulls could become the team LeBron James signs with this summer. Lloyd bases this on several factors, one being the Bulls were LeBron's favorite growing up and that Michael Jordan is his favorite player.

Also, LeBron was giddy when talking about the Bulls after the Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated them in the playoffs.

''I love Derrick Rose,'' James said. ''The sky is the limit for him. No point guard in the league has the athleticism he has and the speed and quickness he has. Chicago has a good one. He's a hometown kid and he's great.''

The Bulls have enough cap space and plenty of other pieces to lure someone like James. But they also have a new young coach (Tom Thibodeau) James would have to consider.

Thibodeau's background parallels that of Mike Brown before Brown got the Cavs' job five years ago. Like Brown was then, Thibodeau is the ''hot'' assistant this season on one of the best teams in the league. Thibodeau is known as a defensive specialist with limited offensive experience — just like Brown.

It's no surprise that the the Indians optioned David Huff to Columbus. Who replaces him could be a surprise.

View full sizeAP Photo | Keith SrakocicDavid Huff is 2-9 with a 6.04 ERA this season for the Indians.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Left-hander David Huff was optioned to Class AAA Columbus today after struggling to a 2-9 record in 13 starts for the Indians.

The Indians have not decided who they will bring up. Today is an off day and they won't make an annoucement until Tuesday when they open a three-game series against Philadelphia.

Right now they have a few of options -- they can bring up sidearmer Joe Smith to help the battered bullpen against the Phillies. They won't need a starter to take Huff's spot until Friday against Cincinnati.

Or they could call up Aaron Laffey or Carlos Carrasco. Laffey can start and relieve. He opened the year in the Tribe's bullpen before being sent to Columbus to get stretched out to be a starter. Carrasco, a starter, opened the season at Columbus.