The rumbles in the Indians' locker room are that Peavy might have benefited from some called strikes above the strike zone.

View full sizeMCTWhite Sox starter Jake Peavy.

Clubhouse confidential: White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy was good Wednesday night, but plate umpire Eric Cooper helped him by calling several strikes that were above the strike zone. That was the word in the Tribe clubhouse Wednesday.

Shin-Soo Choo and Michael Brantley were victimized by high strikes.

"I'm not going there," said Indians manager Manny Acta. "Jake Peavy threw a very good game."

The U.S. Cellular Field radar gun clocked Peavy and Tribe starter Justin Masterson as high as 95 mph. Some think the White Sox crank up the radar gun at least 2 mph to help the psyche of their pitchers. If so, they're probably not the only team to do it.

Come one, come all: Mark Shapiro, Indians president, said Saturday's game against the Reds is close to a sellout. Only single tickets and standing-room-only tickets are still available.

For today's game, tickets in the lower bowl are almost sold out. There are plenty of seats available for Sunday.

Stat of the day: Going into Thursday's games, the Indians were first in the AL in fielding percentage at .990. Their 16 errors were the fewest in the league.

-- Paul Hoynes

A "top 10 helmets rankings" sighting.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerJoe Haden bats the ball away from Josh Cribbs during a scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium last summer. Both Browns are Cavaliers fans.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- About the Cleveland Browns and around the NFL.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's story on how rookie wide receiver Greg Little, a second-round draft pick out of North Carolina, might participate in the next workout arranged by quarterback Colt McCoy and other Browns; James F. McCarty's report on the dispute between the Browns and the Port Authority over parking spaces.

Kick returner-wide receiver Josh Cribbs and cornerback Joe Haden, as Cavaliers fans, by Craig Lyndall for the Waiting For Next Year blog.

With the seventh and 27th picks in the 2012 NFL (mock) draft, the Cleveland Browns take....On The Bleacher Report.

ESPN.com, getting a bit frustrated with the lockout, has a top 10 helmets power rankings, including, at number....

The teams hurt the most and affected the least by the lockout, in the opinion of ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Josh Cribbs says the lockout hurts the Browns, but the players workouts are beneficial. By Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Players the Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers might consider in free agency when (if?) the lockout ends. By Zac Jackson for FoxSportsOhio.com.

Rickie Fowler, the PGA Tour's top rookie last season, is a stroke behind co-leaders David Toms and Chez Reavie. Their bogey-free rounds matched the lowest 18-hole scores on the PGA Tour this season, and were the best for an opening round.

For more Cinesport video on cleveland.com, go here.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Rickie Fowler was very aware of the possibility of a record round at Colonial when he got to his last hole.

One mishit prevented that from happening, and kept him from even sharing the first-round lead. Fowler's approach from 125 yards away hit the No. 9 green and spun back in the water, leading to a closing double-bogey 6.

Despite that very visible miscue, Fowler finished with an opening 63 Thursday that included an eagle and eight birdies. He had a 29 over his final nine holes - the front side at Hogan's Alley.

"It's not always fun to finish with a double (bogey). ... It's a sorry way to finish," Fowler said. "A 29 with a double is not too bad. ... I'm excited to be playing well this week and kind of draw off the good out there today. A 63 to start off with is pretty awesome."

Rickie Fowler lines up a putt on the ninth hole during the first round at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial golf tournament Thursday, May 19, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/ Richard W. Rodriguez)

And good enough to leave the 22-year-old Fowler, the PGA Tour's top rookie last season, a stroke behind co-leaders David Toms and Chez Reavie. Their bogey-free rounds matched the lowest 18-hole scores on the PGA Tour this season, and were the best for an opening round.

Toms, twice Fowler's age, quickly rebounded from his disappointing near-miss last week in a playoff at The Players Championship with his best scoring round in more than five years.

"This round certainly helps me get past what happened last week at the end," Toms said.

His start at Hogan's Alley was his best score in 429 rounds - since a career-best 61 at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January 2006. That was the last of his 12 PGA Tour victories, and at the end of a stretch of eight years when he finished the season ranked 11th or better six times, including three times in the top five.

Reavie, who needs a big payday soon to maintain his full PGA Tour exemption for the rest of this season, bettered his career-best round by two strokes.

Brendon de Jonge, Stewart Cink, Brian Gay, Nathan Green and Charlie Wi each shot 64s, a stroke better than Rod Pampling, Mark Wilson and John Senden. Of the top 11 scorers in the first round, Wi was the only who played in the afternoon - when more wind made conditions tougher.

Fowler got to the 407-yard ninth hole at 9 under, needing only a par to match the Colonial record round shared by six players. A birdie, and it was his.

He was 8 under over his previous eight-hole stretch before his final tee shot landed left of a bunker in the rough. He still had a decent lie for his approach shot.

"I was ultimately trying to hit it past the hole. I should have been trying to play it 3, 4, 5 yards further," Fowler said. "It's pin high just a little left, it had water over there. To walk away with a double, it's a little bit rough to finish the round that way. But I was playing well and putting the ball well."

Especially the second half of his round.

Fowler had a three-putt bogey from 6 1/2 feet at the par-3 16th before a birdie at No. 17 that got him to 1 under halfway through his round. He then got on a roll after making a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first hole.

Toms shot 31s on both nines, starting on the back and wrapping up both sides with long birdie putts. His 27-foot putt at No. 18 started a stretch of three consecutive birdies, and he punctuated his round with a 29-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole.

Four days earlier, Toms forced a playoff with K.J. Choi at TPC Sawgrass with a rare birdie at the 18th hole. But Toms then missed a short par putt at the famed No. 17 island hole that would have extended play.

While an impressive rebound round for Toms, it will take more than that to fully satisfy Toms. He wants to prove to himself that he can win again.

"I had times back in the early 2000s where I won by a bunch. You know, played with the lead a lot of times and was able to maintain it and increase that. Until I'm able to do that again, I'll still have that doubt," Toms said. "But I do feel good about my game certainly. I'll just keep plugging along, maybe get one here sometime soon."

Reavie, playing on a major medical exemption after reconstructive right knee surgery last season, needs to win for a much different reason. To keep his full PGA Tour exemption for the rest of this season, Reavie has to make at least $464,707 over this and his next two tournaments. If he is still among the top three at the end of play Sunday, he will make at least $421,600.

"I had knee surgery and missed nine months, so it's just great to be out there," Reavie said. "It swells up some, but it's not from the golf. It's from the walking. I wake up the next day and feel great. It's much better than it was."

If Browns rookie receiver Greg Little attends the next players-only practice session, he's likely to skip the on-field work in the absence of an injury-protection agreement.

Former North Carolina receiver Greg Little is eager to join his Browns teammates as soon as he can.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns rookie receiver Greg Little didn't attend "Camp Colt II" last week at Baldwin-Wallace in Berea because of a family commitment, but might participate in off-field activities if there's another one, his agent said.

"Greg is ready to get in there and start building that camaraderie with his teammates," said Andy Ross, Little's representative. "He's been talking to the guys on the phone and things like that."

Ross said that if the Browns players hold another camp during the lockout -- which they have tentative but undisclosed plans to do -- he and his colleagues will probably advise Little not to participate in on-field drills because of the injury risk. Rookies have yet to sign their first contracts and would not be protected in the event of injury.

Under terms of the old collective bargaining agreement, rookies would normally sign an injury protection agreement before participating in a minicamp, but such agreements can't be signed during the lockout. The only draft pick to participate in last week's offensive skills camp was former USC tight end Jordan Cameron. Stanford fullback Owen Marecic was also invited, but couldn't attend because he was still in classes.

"It's an issue we plan to discuss with Greg when the next opportunity comes," Ross said. "We hope to have a labor agreement in place by that time."

One unnamed NFL general manager told Sports Illustrated last week that he was waiting for the first torn anterior cruciate ligament at one of these players-only camps. But Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Monday he's thrilled the players are practicing together and learning the new scheme.

Ross said Little would be happy to participate in film study, weight-room workouts, conditioning and other team activities. McCoy, who organized the sessions, has been teaching the fundamentals of the West Coast offense, including showing films of Shurmur's offense from last season. The players have also spent time together attending Indians games and other activities.

"After not playing for a year, Greg is very, very hungry to get in there and start working with his teammates," said Ross. "Greg is one of the hardest-working players I've ever been around and he hasn't taken a day off since he was drafted."

Ross said Little felt comfortable keeping his family commitment last week, because under the rules of the old collective bargaining agreement, rookies wouldn't have been permitted to participate in team activities -- except for a minicamp the weekend after the draft -- until after May 16. Those rules were in place because players are still in classes in May.

He said Little -- who sat out all last season at North Carolina after accepting impermissible agent benefits -- has been running hills every day in Portland, Ore., and that he has also returned to Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona, where he did his pre-combine training.

"Greg is in tremendous shape and ready to go," said Ross.

The day he was drafted, Little said he was already well-versed in the West Coast offense, which he ran at North Carolina.

"It's the same terminology, the same verbiage, exact same calls, everything," said Little. "I think it's going to be such a smooth transition to where when I met with the Cleveland Browns, I knew a lot of their terminology already. I think that's one of the things that I'm really excited about as well."

Little also already knows receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who hosted him on an unofficial visit to Georgia.

"He's someone I kept in contact with a little bit during the recruiting process. He's a really great guy and I admire him as a player as well because I got to see him play in high school and some in college as well as watching him in the NFL. I admire him and [Brian] Robiskie and [Josh] Cribbs, all of those guys. I think I'm really a part of a great wide receiver group who are great guys."

McCoy, who likes to keep the camps quiet, said after the draft that he hopes Little will be able to shake off the rust.

"A guy like Greg, we'll have to see," said McCoy. "He sat out the whole season and missed a year of football. Obviously, he's big and physical. Hopefully he can play some and produce."

Brian Ruiz leads a visitor through Lincoln-West's halls toward the gymnasium, calling out to classmates in English and Spanish with his trademark smile that never leaves his face. "I want to show you my baby," the Dominican Republic native says jokingly, reaching into his bat bag and pulling out a black maple Louisville Slugger, a gift from friend and...

Lincoln-West center fielder Brian Ruiz is batting .588 and has driven in 21 runs in just 10 games. - (Joshua Gunter l PD)

Brian Ruiz leads a visitor through Lincoln-West's halls toward the gymnasium, calling out to classmates in English and Spanish with his trademark smile that never leaves his face.

"I want to show you my baby," the Dominican Republic native says jokingly, reaching into his bat bag and pulling out a black maple Louisville Slugger, a gift from friend and Indians farmhand Alex Lavisky. "This is my love."

In a day and age when kids view a wooden bat as if it belongs in the artifacts room at the Hall of Fame, Ruiz is the aberration.

"He's probably the only kid in Ohio using a wooden bat," said Lincoln-West coach Tom Casselberry. "But, I'm not about to try and change him. I tried once, and he wouldn't change. You can't argue with success."

Success and Brian Ruiz have gone hand-in-hand during an abbreviated spring that has put a severe crimp in many schedules with the persistent rain. The center fielder is batting .588 and has knocked in 21 runs in just 10 games, leading the Wolverines to a spot in the Division I district semifinals.

Just because Lincoln-West plays in the Senate Athletic League, don't scoff at Ruiz's statistics. Most of his at-bats have come against schools such as Padua, Lake Catholic and Twinsburg.

"He is one of the most underrated players to come out of this area in a long time," said St. Ignatius coach Brad Ganor, whose team faced Ruiz last year. "He's got size, strength and the ability to handle the bat in just about any hitting count. He is a very tough out."

Lincoln-West's appearance in the district tournament is believed to be the first in almost 25 years by a Senate school, a fact not lost on the team's star player. The Wolverines are scheduled to face Midpark today at Berea in a Division I district semifinal.

"We want to let people know about Lincoln-West," he said. "I know their history is not so good. We want to change that."

Change is a common word in Ruiz's life. He works constantly at becoming more American, and he works just as hard at baseball.

"His work ethic is incredible," said Chris Check, a former assistant at South Alabama and Baldwin-Wallace, who has worked with several high school players in the area and has taken Ruiz under his wing. "If I told him to do 8,000 sit-ups, he would. If I told him to scale a building, he would. He will do anything you ask as long as he feels it will help him improve."

Ruiz moved here with his mother, Roda, and several of his siblings from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when he was 14. He spoke no English, had never seen snow and the only person he knew outside his immediate family -- his father, Ramon, remained in the Dominican -- was his grandmother, Athagracia Tejeda. He rarely left the house during his first winter here.

"It was so cold, and the snow was so big," he said. "I couldn't go outside and play. I stayed in the house the whole time."

His grandmother bought him a bicycle in the spring, and he used it to familiarize himself with the city. "I rode all over to learn about Cleveland," he said. "I would go for long times, all over. At first it was hard because I had many new things to learn, and I missed my people back in the Dominican. Now, I love Cleveland. It is my home, and the U.S. is my second country.

"We moved here because my mom wanted a better life for us in America. She worked two jobs, at a department store and a Mexican restaurant, so that we could live here. I love it. America is like an open door for young people like me. I can speak two languages now, though my English is not so good."

When assured his English was fine, Ruiz smiles and his deep, dark brown eyes seem to sparkle. He repeatedly apologizes when he's stuck for a word or a phrase. He is incredibly polite. His handshake is firm. Then there's his illuminating smile.

"This is a good kid, a great kid," said Robin Guerrero, who teaches English as a Second Language at Lincoln-West and has had Ruiz in class for three years. "He is extremely motivated. It has been challenging for him, but he has worked to meet those challenges. He knows his shortcomings, and when he needs help, he is not afraid to ask. He is very resourceful in that way. And, he is a gentleman. He's the first in line to help out."

Casselberry echoed Guerrero's assessment. "He works with some of his teammates," the coach said. "I saw him the other day working with one of our softball players. I know that he's worked with some little kids, and I know that he helps out a lot at home. He is a very caring kid."

While at times he struggles with the language, Ruiz knows where he belongs.

"I'm old-school," he said. "I work hard. I know that you have to work hard to get anything in life. My mother taught me that."

Old-school, indeed. Ruiz wears No. 24, but it's not for the player you might think. While he appreciated the talents of Manny Ramirez, he wears the number in honor of Willie Mays.

"He was a five-tool player, and that's what I want to be, just like Willie Mays," Ruiz said. "He was a great player. He hit more than 600 homers and batted over .300. No steroids."

Like many kids in the Dominican, Ruiz grew up playing baseball in the street. He didn't play an organized game until he was 12 or 13. When he did, he played in the same league that produced Cardinals All-Star Albert Pujols.

"We played anywhere we could with whatever we could find," he said. "We got a sock and wrapped tape around it for a ball. We had no gloves, no real bats. But, we played all day, every day."

Because of his limitations early on, Ruiz struggled academically, but several of his teachers say he is improving. Unable to qualify academically for a four-year school, he accepted a full scholarship from the Community College of Baltimore County, in Catonsville, Md. Dan Blue, a Cuyahoga Heights native, is the head coach.

While large schools are rarely seen at Lincoln-West's games, scouts from professional teams -- including the Indians -- have had no trouble finding Brookside Park. Casselberry said bird dogs from Colorado, Toronto, Seattle, Kansas City, San Diego, California, Cincinnati and St. Louis have watched Ruiz play.

"He has a chance to get drafted," said Check. "He has life in his bat. He's got the size and the loose arm. He will be a project, but he has some things that you can't teach."

Ruiz quietly harbors hopes of being drafted next month. Yet, he realizes he is not an automatic. Hence, he said he would be satisfied attending college.

"You know what?" he said. "I would be the first one in my family to go to college. My mother told me the other day that if I am lucky enough to become a professional player, it would make her very proud. But, she also said that when I decided on college, that made her very proud, too. That made me happy that I was able to make her proud of me."

If that's not old-school, nothing is.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

Getting to know Brian Ruiz

Name: Brian Emilio Ruiz.

Born: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Birth date: Sept. 11, 1992.

Age: 18.

School: Lincoln-West.

Sport: Baseball.

Position: Center fielder.

Height: 6-3. Weight: 181.

Bats: Right. Throws: Right.

Family: Parents Ramon Ruiz and Roda Frias; brothers Emanuel Ruiz (14) and Tirso Pena (7); sisters Ruthdelania Carnacion (21) and Tisbeth Pena (5); grandmother Athagracia Tejeda.

Favorite food: Italian.

Favorite school subjects: Math and science.

Favorite players: Willie Mays and Albert Pujols.

Glove: Mizuno Pro.

Bat: Louisville Slugger, 33-inch black maple C243.

-- Tim Rogers

The one thing the Indians were worried about in spring training was injuries because they didn't have a lot of depth among their top players. Well, the injuries are starting to mount.

View full sizeJohn Sleezer l Kansas City Star via MCTTravis Hafner is nursing an injury to his right rib cage and has not played the past two games.

Travis Hafner was in his third round of batting practice before Wednesday's game against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. He took a swing like any other swing, but it did not end well.

"It was just one swing in BP," said Hafner, after the Indians' 8-2 loss to Chicago on Thursday. "I took one swing, and it was really painful. Then I couldn't swung anymore."

Hafner didn't play Wednesday or Thursday as Chicago swept the Indians. The Indians haven't identified the injury, but Hafner said: "It's a possible oblique [strain]. We're not sure yet. We'll get it checked out when we get back to Cleveland."

The Indians, who lead the American League Central at 26-15, returned home after Thursday's loss. If the injury is a strained oblique muscle, Hafner could be on the disabled list for between four and six weeks.

"One of the big things was how it felt [Thursday] morning," said Hafner. "It wasn't worse. That's kind of encouraging."

Hafner will get an MRI today in Cleveland.

"I've never had anything like it," said Hafner. "I'm not sure if it's a DL thing or not."

Hafner is hitting .345 (39-for-113) with eight doubles, five homers and 22 RBI.

GM Chris Antonetti and manager Manny Acta spent a lot of time in spring training saying that the one thing they feared was injury because of their limited depth of quality players and the difficulty in going outside the organization to acquire more talent.

It appears they weathered the first wave of injuries to starting pitchers Mitch Talbot and Carlos Carrasco in good form. Center fielder Grady Sizemore (right knee) went on the disabled list Monday. Now they are dealing with injuries to Hafner and Travis Buck (turf toe).

Luis Valbuena was recalled from Class AAA Columbus. Reliever Justin Germano was designated for assignment to make room.

"We're in the middle of a tough part of the schedules where we're facing good pitching and good teams," said Antonetti.

Tonight, the Indians open a three-game series against the National League Central-leading Reds at Progressive Field. The resurgent Red Sox arrive Monday for a three-game set. Then the Indians play the AL East-leading Rays, a solid Toronto club and the AL West-leading Rangers.

He's back: Valbuena was hitting .270 (31-115) with 18 runs, 10 doubles, four homers and 21 RBI for Columbus. He played 17 games at shortstop, six games at third base, four in the outfield, four at DH and one at second base.

He hit .324 (12-37) with runners in scoring position for the Clippers.

"I've been playing all over and I like it," said Valbuena.

Valbuena opened last year as the Indians' starting second baseman, but quickly lost the job. He hit .191 (53-for-275) with 22 runs, 12 doubles, two homers and 24 RBI.

Germano was 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in nine appearances as the Indians' long man. They have 10 days to trade, release or put him on waivers.

The Germano move leaves Acta with a six-man bullpen. It's unclear how long he will stay with that.

New citizen: Acta, a citizen of the United States and Dominican Republic, knows how Orlando Cabrera feels. He became a U.S. citizen in 1999.

"I know Orlando is very happy and excited," said Acta. "I went through it. It is a great moment. We all appreciate the type of life that we can live here."

Cabrera, a native of Colombia, lives in South Carolina.

Ambassador Baerga: Former Tribe second baseman Carlos Baerga will represent the Indians next month at the amateur draft. The draft starts June 6, and the Indians have the eighth overall pick.

Finally: Outfielder Ezequiel Carrera was taken out of the Columbus lineup Thursday. He could be headed to Cleveland today if Buck or Hafner goes on the disabled list. Carrera is hitting .317 (45-for-142) with 33 runs, five doubles, 17 RBI and 15 steals in 17 attempts. . . . Asdrubal Cabrera was leading AL shortstops in homers (seven), RBI (27), runs (27) and hits (48). . . . ESPN's "Monday Night Baseball" will feature the Indians and Red Sox at Progressive Field. Former Indians Aaron Boone and Rick Sutcliffe will be part of the broadcast team. . . . The Indians reported the wrong attendance for May 11 vs. the Rays. It should have been 16,336.

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

Tim Thomas made 31 saves for his first playoff shutout this season and second overall, Andrew Ference and David Krejci scored, and the Bruins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Goaltending and defense finally prevailed and the Boston Bruins took full advantage.

Tim Thomas made 31 saves for his first playoff shutout this season and second overall, Andrew Ference and David Krejci scored, and the Bruins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

"Tonight's game probably resembled a lot more of what I think everybody expected from this series, two teams that make it hard for you to score," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "I thought our team was very good in regards to that. We made some stronger plays and better decisions and seemed a little bit more aware out there of what was going on. Comparing it to last game, where I thought it was pretty sloppy, I thought we bounced back well."

Thomas and Tampa Bay's Dwayne Roloson entered the series as the top two playoff goalies this season. And then, surprisingly, the teams combined for 18 goals in the first two games.

"That felt more like a normal game," Thomas said. "That felt like the game we played most of the season. Playoffs are always faster and more energy and a few more scoring chances than a regular-season game, but that was Boston Bruins hockey."

The Lightning scored five times in both earlier games, but a lack of traffic in front of Thomas helped prevent an encore performance.

"Offensively, I don't feel that we paid the price," Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis said.

Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period of Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference final playoff series on Thursday, May 19, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Ference made it 2-0 at 8:12 of the third on a shot from the point that trickled between Roloson's legs and into the net.

"We're not a team big on talking about buying in, we just buy in," Ference said.

Game 4 is Saturday in Tampa.

"It came down to one mistake here and there," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. "Their goaltender is still going to be great and ours, too. It's going to come down to those, one little detail that will make the difference."

Boston got a lift with the return of Patrice Bergeron after he missed two games because of a concussion sustained when he was hit by Philadelphia's Claude Giroux in the final game of the second round.

"I thought I stayed pretty positive in the process," Bergeron said. "It's behind me. I'm looking forward."

While Bergeron did not add to his two goals and 10 assists in 11 playoff games this year before the injury, the alternate captain made his presence felt on faceoffs, winning 18 of 28.

"You could see the difference he makes," Julien said. "I really liked the way he played. His line was definitely better, and that certainly helped us."

"He's back and he definitely made a difference for us, like he always does and like he has been this whole playoffs," Thomas added. "He's been one, if not, the best player on our team."

Bruins rookie Tyler Seguin, who had three goals and three assists in the first two games, was held off the scoresheet. After sitting out the first two rounds, the 19-year-old Seguin was inserted into the lineup to replace Bergeron in Game 1 and has seven points overall.

Krejci was alone in the low slot and opened the scoring on a backhander just 1:09 into the first. Boston is 7-0 during the postseason when scoring the first goal of the game.

"Getting the first quick goal definitely helped the whole team, and not just sitting back in the third, but going out and getting that second goal made us able to stay relaxed and calm throughout the whole game," Thomas said.

Krejci was briefly shaken up late in the first when he was hit in the neutral zone by Tampa Bay defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron, who received a minor penalty for elbowing.

Tampa Bay center Steven Stamkos had three shot as the Lightning outshot Boston 10-8 during the first. Bruins captain Zdeno Chara made a nice defensive play during the period to break up a Tampa Bay 2-on-1.

Thomas made a strong save in the first on St. Louis' shot from the low right circle. The goalie stopped 15 shots in the third.

"They played good defensively and Thomas played good when he had to," Stamkos said.

Roloson finished with 23 saves.

"Both goalies made huge saves," Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg said. "This just felt more normal. I think both teams got more towards the type of game they wanted. I think it was a lot more typical and expected from us."

Notes: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman attended the game. ... Tampa Bay D Pavel Kubina didn't play and hasn't resumed practicing. Kubina has been out since the first game of the conference semifinals against Washington when his head went into the glass on a hit. ... Bruins LW Milan Lucic played with a sore right foot and had an assist. ... Krejci has six goals and 11 points over his last seven games.

For more Cinesport video on cleveland.com, go here.

OKC's bench of James Harden, Eric Maynor, Nick Collison and Daequan Cook teamed with Kevin Durant to build a healthy lead late in the fourth quarter, then made it hold up for a 106-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.

DALLAS -- Thunder coach Scott Brooks had a big decision to make. With Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on the line, he either had to stick with a lineup of four reserves who were playing well or switch to the group he usually trusts late in the fourth quarter.

He bet on the backups. And now the series is headed back to Oklahoma City all tied up, thanks to his gutsy call.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant waves to the crowd as he walks off the court after Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, May 19, 2011, in Dallas. The Thunder won 106-100. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

James Harden, Eric Maynor, Nick Collison and Daequan Cook teamed with Kevin Durant to build a healthy lead late in the fourth quarter, then made it hold up for a 106-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.

"We've always felt confident in the bench," Brooks said. "They really did a good job. But it's always a team effort when you win."

All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook sat alongside Brooks as Maynor guided the Thunder's offense down the stretch. Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins cheered on Collison as he tried to slow Dirk Nowitzki. And while Durant was the lone starter mixed in with the backups, he was their offensive liability - he made 2 of 6 shots, compared to 9 of 11 for the other guys.

"If you tell me they leave Westbrook out in the whole fourth quarter and we don't get stops to win, that would have been tough," Nowitzki said. "But you have to give Maynor credit. ... Their reserves came out swinging and really took it to us."

Harden and Durant are part of Brooks' typical crew of closers. Sometimes Collison. So Maynor and Cook were the exceptions. But there was never really a chance - or a reason - for Brooks to make a change.

Oklahoma City went into the fourth quarter leading by one following a four-point play by Harden in the final seconds of the third quarter. The guys who were asked to protect that slim lead never gave it up. They even stretched it to 10 with 3:15 left following a 14-5 spurt capped by a tough jumper from Harden.

Brooks ended up not making a change until he had to - Collison fouled out with 37 seconds left. Brooks' only other move was taking out Cook for the last 13 seconds.

"You can't mess that chemistry up," Durant said. "Coach made a good decision."

By slowing Nowitzki and the Mavericks down the stretch, the Thunder reserves did something that Kobe Bryant and the Lakers couldn't.

Dallas erased a pair of fourth-quarter deficits during a sweep of the two-time reigning NBA champs last round. Those wins were part of a seven-game streak the Mavs had been riding. They also had been 6-0 at home this postseason.

Like the Eastern Conference finals, this series is essentially starting over. The scene shifts about 200 miles up Interstate 35 for Game 3 on Saturday night, and Game 4 on Monday night. A return trip to Dallas for Game 5 on Wednesday night is guaranteed, too.

"It should be fun back at our place," Durant said.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle complained about his defense after Game 1 , but it seemed like coach-speak, something to gripe about for the sake of griping. He's got their attention now, though, after seeing the Thunder make 56 percent of their shots. Dallas came into this series not having allowed more than 97 points in any playoff game, and Oklahoma City has shattered that in both games.

"Scoring 100 points in a playoff game should be enough to win," Carlisle said. "Not if you're giving up 106, 112. Give them credit. They played an attacking, desperate game. Their bench was dominant when they played."

In Game 1, Dallas' reserves outscored Oklahoma City's 53-22. In Game 2, the Thunder won the battle of the backups 50-29.

Harden scored 23 points. In the fourth quarter, he made 4 of 5 shots, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Maynor finished with 13 points, Cook eight and Collison six.

Durant still led the Thunder with 24 points. DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Kidd made things a lot tougher for him than in the opener, when he scored 40, but he was still spectacular at times. He had a first-quarter dunk that's worth going to YouTube to see again and again, and a behind-the-back dribble to clear space for another key basket in the third quarter.

Westbrook scored 18 points, making 7 of 15 shots.

Nowitzki went from scoring 48 in the opener to having only 13 points through three quarters. He didn't even score in the third period, taking just two shots in nearly 9 minutes. He scored 16 in the fourth quarter to finish with 29.

He was still efficient, making 10 of 17 shots, but he had to earn everything, with bodies flying at him before and during every possession. The Thunder also got physical without drawing many fouls. The big German took only 10 free throws, down from 24 in the opener. He even missed one, and it was a biggie - part of a series of three shots with 36.7 seconds left. It could have pulled the Mavericks within three.

"I think we did a better job of making his catches a little tougher," Collison said. "We didn't use our hands as much. We wanted to challenge his shots and hope he missed them."

Notes: Oklahoma City continued its streak of avoiding consecutive losses this postseason. Counting the regular season and playoffs, the Thunder are 26-6 in the game following a loss. ... Nowitzki's missed free throw ended a stretch of 39 straight makes dating to Game 2 of the second round. ... The Thunder allowed six 30-point quarters through their first 12 playoff games. They did it four times in the first five quarters of this series, but clamped down after that. ... Dallas' last loss was in Game 4 of the first round, when it blew a 23-point lead over the final 14 minutes against Portland. ... This was the first time all season the Mavs lost when Nowitzki took at least 10 free throws. They had been 17-0.

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The Indians have announced that the second game of the annual 'Showdown of Ohio' is sold out. Tickets remain available for the tonight's game as well as for Sunday.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerThe Indians are expecting big crowds this weekend at Progressive Field.

Which one player would you chose to have a statue outside of Cleveland Browns Stadium?

Plain DealerBernie Kosar shakes hands with Art Modell after Kosar signed a contract with the Browns in 1985.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, says the Los Angeles Lakers should have a statue of him outside of the Staples Center.

He's probably right.

But in football, and when it comes to the Cleveland Browns, many former players and coaches deserve the honor.  But you can only pick one.

"Would anyone seriously consider blaming Irving for being friendly with James? This story says they have been friends for three years. If you were a 16-year-old aspiring pro basketball player and LBJ wants to be your friend, can you honestly say you wouldn't have done the same thing Irving did?" - bucklefron

View full sizeAP Photo | Bob LeveroneKyrie Irving.

In response to the story Possible Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick Kyrie Irving discusses relationship with LeBron James, cleveland.com reader bucklefron doesn't mind that Kyrie Irving is friends with LeBron James. This reader writes,

"Would anyone seriously consider blaming Irving for being friendly with James? This story says they have been friends for three years. If you were a 16-year-old aspiring pro basketball player and LBJ wants to be your friend, can you honestly say you wouldn't have done the same thing Irving did?"

Oklahoma City rises with help from their bench.

APOklahoma City Thunder guard Kevin Durant.

 Much has been made of Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks' decision to bench four starters, including starting point guard Russell Westbrook, during a fourth quarter that resulted in a victory for the Thunder.

Yes, Kevin Durant and four scrubs held on for a 106-100 victory in Game 2. Now the series is tied 1-1, as the two teams will play games 3 and 4 in Oklahoma City

On Yahoo.com:

The Thunder won because coach Scott Brooks had the courage to stick with what was working. More than anything, he had the courage to let his backup point guard, Eric Maynor, close the game instead of his All-Star.

Brooks said his decision had more to do with Maynor than Westbrook, and there’s truth in that. Teaching points are made in the regular season – not Game 2 of the conference finals.

Intentional or not, Brooks delivered a lesson to these young Thunder, writes Yahoo's Johnny Ludden --- Production matters more than status. Brooks trusts his guys, and he’s going with whoever will help him win. For a young coach, these are the kind of moments that win territory in the locker room.

“Coach made the right decisions down the stretch,” Kendrick Perkins said. “He rolled with guys when they were rolling.”

For nearly the entire fourth quarter, the only OKC starter on the floor was Durant. James Harden scored 23 points on just nine shots. Nick Collison helped body Nowitzki and anchor OKC’s defense. Daequan Cook also hit some big shots. But even Brooks admitted only “very rarely” has he sat Westbrook down the stretch in favor of Maynor.

Thunder's bench is number one

Oklahoma City's reserves outscored the Mavericks' backups 50-29 in Game 2. It's rare for the Mavs' bench to get outscored.

DallasNews.com:

"I can't remember the last time we lost the battle of the bench," Mavericks backup point guard J.J. Barea said. "It was going to happen at some point and it happened tonight, and I give them a lot of credit."

April 23 in Portland was the last time another team's bench bested the Mavericks' reserves. The Trail Blazers used 24 points from Brandon Roy to outscore the Mavericks' backups 31-27. That was also the Mavericks' last postseason defeat, 84-82 in Game 4 of the first round.

Needed help

The Chicago Bulls pummeled the Miami Heat in Game 1 behind a load of offensive rebounds, hustle and grit.

The Heat didn't have an answer to what the Bulls threw out them, but they may have found a solution in Udonis Haslem. He finished with 13 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes.

ESPN's Michael Wallace writes how LeBron got most of the national attention following the game, but it was Haslem who was the key to the most pivotal win of the season.

“He's the player of this game,” Wade said of Haslem. “We don't win this game without him. That's our warrior, our heartbeat of the team. And he showed it today.”

 

Tough battle

Chicago Tribune reporter K.C. Johnson tells us what we already know when he writes that the series between the Heat and Bulls is going to be a tough one.

Anyone who forgot how tough the Heat can be got an in-your-face reminder in Game 2 on Wednesday. James and Wade showed why they're complete players, and Miami evened the Eastern Conference finals with a rebounding and defensive performance as strong as the Bulls' from Game 1.

 

"Greg Little is a remarkable athlete. Unfortunately, the NFL owners have imposed a lockout and Little has no contractual relationship with the team. Camaraderie is good, but I'm sure his agent is giving him very good advice: avoid injury." - YTown Joe

View full sizeBob Donnan | US PresswireGreg Little.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns rookie receiver Greg Little misses 'Camp Colt,' might attend next one for off-field activities only, cleveland.com reader YTown Joe doesn't mind Greg Little missing "Camp Colt." This reader writes,

"Greg Little is a remarkable athlete. Unfortunately, the NFL owners have imposed a lockout and Little has no contractual relationship with the team. Camaraderie is good, but I'm sure his agent is giving him very good advice: avoid injury."

"I'm a big Cord Phelps fan, but the reason he didn't get the call is that this will almost certainly be a very short term thing. Valbuena should quite quickly get recycled back down I-71 for a reliever once Orlando Cabrera is back. When Phelps does get the call, and he's kicking on that door as hard as he can, he should be up for a longer period." - tribefever32

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerCord Phelps.

In response to the story Travis Hafner still active, Luis Valbuena arrives: Cleveland Indians daily briefing, cleveland.com reader tribefever32 thinks Cord Phelps will be here soon, it's just not the right time now. This reader writes,

"I'm a big Cord Phelps fan, but the reason he didn't get the call is that this will almost certainly be a very short term thing. Valbuena should quite quickly get recycled back down I-71 for a reliever once Orlando Cabrera is back. When Phelps does get the call, and he's kicking on that door as hard as he can, he should be up for a longer period."

The first Brown who should be honored with a statue outside Cleveland Browns Stadium is Paul Brown, reporter Tony Grossi says. Watch video

Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright, who are working toward the weekend (with apologies to any of those who might be reminded of the Loverboy tune of a similar name) by talking to Plain Dealer Browns writer Tony Grossi.

Kyrie Irving is number one.

AP Photo | Bob LeveroneKyrie Irving.

Kyrie Irving will more than likely become the number one pick in the NBA Draft and News-Herald reporter Bob Finnan writes how in two of the previous three NBA drafts, upper-echelon point guards and picked No. 1.

History will probably repeat itself when the Cavaliers select Irving with the number one pick next month.

"It would definitely be an honor being in such company as John Wall and Derrick Rose," Irving said on Thursday at the NBA draft combine.

"They are really special players. I want to be as special or close to their range."

Number one or not, Irving is not concerning himself with being the No. 1 pick, writes Finnan.

"Right now, I just want to go to any organization that wants me," Irving said. "Right now, I'm just working hard every day in the gym and when I do work out for the teams privately, then I'm just going to give it my all and show the type player I am."

The real number one

Kyrie Irving is number one in just about every mock draft, but Arizona forward Derrick Williams knows who is truly number one when it comes to the draft.

On SI.com, Williams says he's the best player in the draft.

Williams also deemed himself "the most NBA-ready guy" in this draft pool, and the part about whether he is right was very different from the part about the ease with which he made these proclamations. This is your chip-on-your-shoulder talent of 2011, the player who stops short of being disrespectful but blows way past brash when it comes to his self-perception.

Kyrie Irving

Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer writes about the relationship between LeBron James and Duke's Kyrie Irving . . . Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com also writes how Irving considers LeBron a good friend.

CSU's Norris Cole hopes he caught Joe Dumar's eye.

Amy Sancetta / Associated PressNorris Cole

Cleveland State guard Norris Cole is participating in the NBA Draft Combine, and it reminds him of a tryout of sorts he had during the college basketball season.

That's when Cole was in Detroit for a game with CSU, and Pistons president Joe Dumars was in the house.

On DetNews.com:

"I saw Joe Dumars walk in and it amped me out even more," Cole said Thursday at the NBA Draft Combine. "When you see a Hall of Famer walk in there, your game has to be at its finest."

Cole was the Horizon League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. In one of his biggest games, Cole, considered a second-round pick, had 41 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists in a game against Youngstown State.

Dumars certainly had to be impressed.

"I can affect the game on both ends, not just offense," Cole said. "I think being a complete player, as a point guard, can separate me from the rest."

 

With injuries piling up and the Reds and Red Sox on the horizon, the Indians are facing a stiff test in this young season.

View full sizeChris Sweda | Chicago Tribune | MCTFausto Carmona and the Indians are coming home on a 2-game losing streak.

The Indians have been the story of this young baseball season thus far. Jumping out of the gate hot for the first time since "The Era of Champions," Manny Acta has the Wahoos playing a brand of baseball this city has begun to embrace. I like to call it "Actaball." It is good pitching – both starting and relieving - moving runners, timely hitting, and solid defense across the diamond. We've been fortunate enough to see a lot of that over these first 40-plus games.

It has been said that you can't truly judge a team until 40 games minimum. Others say they go by the holidays as checkpoints in a season. Next week is the first one – Memorial Day. I truly believe this Indians team is for real. However, there is some cause for concern.

With the way this team is constructed, injuries could be a real issue if they pop up at the wrong time. I hate to say it, but that time could be sooner rather than later, if not now.

Grady Sizemore is back on the disabled list with a right knee issue. This is separate from the left knee problem that was surgically repaired last season that cause him to miss the last four and a half months of 2010 and the first three weeks of 2011. When he was back in the lineup, it looked as though the old Grady had returned. In 18 games, he was hitting .282 with six homers and 11 RBIs while playing center field with his usual reckless abandon. He was placed on the DL retroactive to last Wednesday and it is not known if he will need a rehab assignment or not before returning.

Losing Grady is one thing – they were winning without him earlier this season – but to compound that with the potential loss of Travis Hafner to the DL would be a serious blow to the Wahoo attack. Hafner has had a renaissance season and "Pronk" has returned. His .345 batting average would be fifth in the majors if he was eligible for the league leaders (player must have 3.1 plate appearances per team game. Hafner has 3.09 PA/game). He has driven in 22 runs in 113 ABs and has flashed his old power stroke.

Replacing either a rejuvenated Sizemore or Hafner would be difficult enough.  It is an extremely tough task to replace them both at the same time. 

To make matters worse, Travis Buck, who was called up to replace Grady after tearing up AAA (21 RBIs in 18 games) was scratched last night because of turf toe. Buck had become the primary left fielder with Michael Brantley shifting over to center. This leaves Acta with a paper thin bench. Last night, with Hafner and Buck both unavailable and Orlando Cabrera in South Carolina becoming a U.S.citizen, the five through nine were Shelley Duncan, Matt LaPorta, Jack Hannahan, Austin Kearns, and Adam Everett.

That is not going to win you a lot of games, especially against right-handed pitching.

This could be danger time for the Tribe. The worry is Hafner has a strained or pulled oblique muscle and will require a DL stint. If that happens, and I were Acta, I'd be playing Carlos Santana at first, DH'ing LaPorta, and giving more PT to Lou Marson behind the plate. Shelley Duncan needs to be used strictly against against left-handed pitching and as a pinch hitter. He gets exposed when he is forced into playing regularly, which has happened at times this year. 

Kearns is lucky that both Buck and Sizemore are injured, because I believe he is on his ninth life here in Cleveland. Once both are healthy, someone is going to have to go. With Duncan and Kearns essentially the same guy, there is no need to keep both around. Duncan is a clubhouse leader (yes, it's true) and their best pinch hitting option against a late inning lefty reliever. Kearns has been ice cold since the Indians sent him to the Yankees last season.

In the meantime, the Indians face a brutal schedule in the next few weeks. This weekend, the 25-19 Cincinnati Reds come to town to start interleague play. They are just a half game behind the first place St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. After that, the Boston Red Sox make their second visit to Progressive Field. No doubt they will be out for revenge after the Tribe swept them in April. Then the Wahoos hit the road to face the first place Tampa Bay Rays for three and a solid Toronto Blue Jays club for three more before coming home to match up with another first place team, the Texas Rangers.

Not having a healthy lineup is going to be brutal against the gauntlet of a schedule  the Indians have coming up. Hopefully, Sizemore, Hafner, and Buck all return soon.

We could be approaching the most important stretch of the Indians' season. They have responded so well thus far. Maintaining this five game lead between now and the end of the Texas series June 5^th might be the toughest challenge of the season. It also could be the key to whether this ends up being as good a season as what the Indians have teased us with so far.

Indians place DH Travis Hafner on disabled list and send down INF Luis Valbuena. Reliever Frank Herrmann and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera called up from Columbus.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerTravis Hafner could be sidelined 4-6 weeks with a possible strained oblique muscle.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have placed designated hitter Travis Hafner on the disabled list because of an abdominal injury.

Reliever Frank Herrmann and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera were recalled from Class AAA Columbus. Infielder Luis Valbuena, who had been promoted Wednesday, returned to Columbus.

Hafner injured his core during a batting-practice swing Wednesday in Chicago as the Tribe was preparing to play the White Sox.

Hafner was scheduled for an MRI scan today.

"I've never had anything like it,'' he said Thursday of the injury.

Hafner said it was a possible oblique strain. If so, he could be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

The Indians' two highest-paid position players are on the DL. Center fielder Grady Sizemore has a right-knee problem. 

Hafner is hitting .345 (39-for-113) with eight doubles, five homers and 22 RBI.

Herrrmann, a Harvard graduate, takes the bullpen spot of Justin Germano, who had been designated for assignment to make room for Valbuena.

Sporting News college football writer Dave Curtis talks with Cinesport's Noah Coslov and says it's not 'if,' but 'when' will colleges start paying players.

The Big Ten threw out the idea of paying college athlete's stipends of between $2,000 and $5,000 to cover living expenses. As usual, this sparks the debate of whether NCAA athletes in big-time sports should be paid.

Sporting News college football writer Dave Curtis talks with Cinesport's Noah Coslov and says it's not 'if,' but 'when' will colleges start paying players.

Cinesport video: Sporting News college football writer Dave Curtis 

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