Fausto Carmona gives up seven runs, five earned, in four innings. It was his shortest startof the season.

Philadelphia Phillies' Dane K. Sardinha, foreground, runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Cleveland Indians in the sixth inning of an Interleague baseball game Thursday, June 24, 2010, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)
• Box score | Lewis, Valbuena sent down

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Indians interleague blues continue.

Fausto Carmona allowed a season-high seven runs Thursday afternoon as Philadelphia completed a three-game sweep of the Indians with a 12-3 victory at Citizens Bank Park. The Indians are 4-11 in interleague play this year and 1-5 on this nine-game trip through National League ballparks.

The Phillies scored in bunches, putting together a five-run second inning and a five-run sixth. The Indians contributed with sloppy and unfocused play.

As the Phillies were taking a 5-0 lead in the second, rookie catcher Carlos Santana committed a two-run error and center fielder Trevor Crowe thought the inning was over when he caught a sacrifice fly for the second out. Crowe, thinking the inning was, over didn't make a throw back to the infield as Joe Blanton scored the fifth and final run.

Carmona (6-6) allowed nine hits and was removed in the fifth after not recording an out. The four-inning start was his shortest of the season. Two of the seven runs he allowed were unearned.

Hector Ambriz took the fall in the sixth. He allowed five runs on four hits.

Dave Sardinha started the onslaught with a leadoff homer. It was his first in the big leagues. Placido Polanco doubled home a run. Another scored on Jayson Werth's sac-fly to right. Ambriz left with the bases loaded after walking Raul Ibanez. Jensen Lewis relieved and gave up a two-run single to Wilson Valdez, who was in big league camp with the Indians last year.

The win went Joe Blanton (3-5). He allowed three runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings. Blanton struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.

Former Phillie Jason Donald actually put the Indians back into the game with a two-run homer in the fifth to make it a 5-2 game. But Carmona gave up two in the fifth to make it 7-5 and Ambriz collapsed in the sixth.

A brief, but furious thunderstorm delayed the game following a strikeout by Shin-Soo Choo in the eighth. Thunder, rain and lightning hit the ballpark. For a while the grounds crew couldn't keep the tarp on the field.

The delay lasted 1 hour and 37 minutes.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected for the second time in the series against his old club. Unlike Tuesday's ejection, he did not predict this one.

When leadoff hitter Shane Victorino was called out at first for going out of the baseline to avoid Carmona's tag, Manuel argued and was ejected by umpire Greg Gibson.

The Indians scored their third run on Crowe's double in the eighth. Donald, who reached on his third straight hit, scored.

Left-hander Huff made his first appearance for AAA Columbus after being sent there by the Indians. He allowed two runs on 11 hits but no walks.

Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer David Huff is trying to pitch his way back to the big leagues.

FARM REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 5, Red Wings 3 SS Josh Rodriguez (.349, six homers) and catcher Chris Gimenez (.291, nine homers) slugged solo home runs as Columbus (44-30) won at Rochester. LH starter David Huff, making his first appearance since being sent to Columbus by the Indians, pitched 7 2/3 innings to get the win, holding the Red Wings to two runs despite yielding 11 hits. He struck out five and walked none.

Notes: Rodriguez is 9-for-20 (.450) in his last five games, with a double, two homers and seven RBI. Combined with his time at Akron this season, Rodriguez is batting .326 in 138 at bats, with 11 doubles, seven homers, 30 RBI and 28 runs....LF Matt LaPorta singled, doubled and drove in two runs, and is batting .359 (23-for-64) with three doubles, five homers and 14 RBI since sent to the Clippers by the Indians.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 3, Flying Squirrels 2 RH relievers Bryan Price, Connor Graham and Steven Wright each pitched two scoreless innings for the Aeros, and LF John Drennen slapped a RBI single in the bottom of the third inning to snap a 2-2 tie. Price (2-2, 4.45) got credit for the win and Wright picked up his third save.

Notes: DH Tim Fedroff (.240) and catcher Miguel Perez (.333) each lined RBI singles for the Aeros in the second inning....LH starter Nick Hagadone pitched the first three innings, yielding two runs on four hits and three walks, striking out seven. Combined with his time at Advanced A Kinston, Hagadone has fanned 66 batters in 56 2/3 innings. He has, though, walked 45.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Tonight: Lynchburg (29-41) at Indians (36-34), 7:00. Hillcats RH Jordan Hotchkiss (4-0, 1.80) vs. Indians RH Joseph Mahalic (2-1, 3.60).

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, LF Lucas Montero (.250) had 18 stolen bases in 20 attempts. In his last seven games, he was batting .357 (10-for-28) with three doubles and five steals in five tries....RH closer Cory Burns was 0-0 with 10 saves and a 2.13 ERA in 13 relief outings spanning 12 2/3 innings. Including his time at Lake County, Burns was 0-0 with 22 saves and a 2.21 ERA in 27 games, pitching 28 1/3 innings. He had struck out 41, allowed 25 hits -- no homers -- and walked eight.

A Lake County Captains

Captains off Lake County was idle Thursday.

Notes: 3B Jeremie Tice, batting .284 with 18 doubles, one triple, seven homers and 45 RBI, is 10-for-26 (.385) in his last nine games, with four doubles and a homer....catcher Chun Chen, despite going 4-for-31 (.128) in his last eight games, is still batting .318, and in just 195 at bats, has 20 doubles, three triples, six homers and 36 RBI....The Captains (44-25) begin post-All-Star break play on Friday night at West Michigan (26-43).

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Tonight: Batavia (3-3) at Scrappers (2-4), 7:05. Pitchers TBA.

Notes: The Scrappers went into Thursday night's game having been outscored, 36-17....RHP Kyle C. Smith, picked by the Indians in the 20th round of the 2009 draft, had struck out six and allowed just two hits in two relief outings spanning 6 1/3 innings, but had walked eight and allowed six runs (five earned).

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Tonight: Crushers (18-13) at Traverse City (17-14), 7:05. Pitchers TBA.

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, RH starters Josh Roberts (3-0, 1.85) and Matthew Smith (5-1, 1.91) ranked first and second, respectively, among Frontier League pitchers in ERA, and Smith was tied for the league lead in wins....SS Jodam Rivera (.364) and 3B Andrew Davis (.342) ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in batting average.

Think back to when the Cavaliers traded for Mo Williams. Whom did they give up? It was Joe Smith and Damon Jones. That wasn't much for a 17-point scorer, but Milwaukee suddenly thought Williams was too expensive, as he had five years and $45 million left on his contract. Why was that? Partly because they didn't like his defense....

Think back to when the Cavaliers traded for Mo Williams. Whom did they give up?

It was Joe Smith and Damon Jones.

That wasn't much for a 17-point scorer, but Milwaukee suddenly thought Williams was too expensive, as he had five years and $45 million left on his contract.

Why was that?

Partly because they didn't like his defense. Partly because they saw him as a pretty good player, but not great. And partly because they had salary cap troubles.

Williams came to the Cavs and made an All-Star team. Part of that was playing next to LeBron James, who can make any good jump shooter look great in certain games where he's left open. The Cavs and media embraced Williams because he was good-natured, could make an outside shot and was thrilled to be in Cleveland -- everything the brooding Larry Hughes was not.

But Williams' weaknesses were exposed in the playoffs, especially his defense against top-flight point guards. His shooting was streaky, his confidence sometimes shaky.

So the Cavs need to dump the 6-foot-1 guard, right?

Wrong.

Obviously, if Williams is a part of a mega, Chris Paul-type deal, everything written here is null and void.

But simply dumping Williams as Milwaukee did in summer 2008? Bad idea.

At the very least, Williams can be an instant-offense guard coming off the bench. He doesn't need to dominate the ball to be effective, which helps when playing next to James. He did seem to fall in love with his jumper, forgetting that he's savvy enough use his dribble and drive to the basket.

Can he do a reasonable defensive job against Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Paul or other elite points?

You know the answer to that.

What really hurt the Cavs' backcourt defense was Delonte West looking utterly lost in some playoff games. Before his recent run of problems, he was the Cavs' best overall guard, capable of defending the point or opposing shooting guards. He also could play both backcourt spots on offense.

In the four playoff losses to Boston, West shot 2-of-16 in 74 minutes. He was so passive that the coaches stopped using him, despite needing someone to try to slow down Rondo. The Cavs' other guards are Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon.

This backcourt needs a major upgrade, and trading Williams doesn't necessarily improve the situation.

Yes, Williams shot only 41 percent and averaged 13.3 points in the Boston series. In 25 playoff games with the Cavs, he's averaged 15.4 points, shooting only 41 percent. That compares to 16.8 points and 46 percent shooting in the regular season.

Parker started next to Williams all season. In the Boston series, he averaged 8.3 points and shot 50 percent. But he took only six free throws in the six games, averaging 33 minutes of court time. He simply is not a scoring threat.

For the Cavs fans who believe Mo must go, think again.

What the Cavs need to do is keep Williams, and add some better guards so that he's not the only scorer in the backcourt.

The Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch are biting along the Ohio shoreline, although emerging mayflies are slowing the action. White bass have moved into the Avon Point area and a unique bluegill bite has popped up in the Lorain Harbor area.

 The Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch are biting along the Ohio shoreline, although emerging mayflies are slowing the action. White bass have moved into the Avon Point area and a unique bluegill bite has popped up in the Lorain Harbor area and along the Lake Erie shoreline around the docks and shallow rock piles. Inland anglers are doing well catching bass, catfish and walleye on area reservoirs.

The fish consumption advisories have been cancelled at Pymatuning Reservoir.

CLEVELAND AREA
 Yellow perch are keeping anglers busy around Cleveland Harbor, with excellent perch fishing off Cleveland Browns Stadium in 42 feet of water. Anglers are catching a few jumbo perch and lots of smaller perch right now. The perch fishing is good from Huron to Cleveland in 38 to 44 feet of water, with the Cleveland and Lorain areas, especially off St. Anthonys on the west side of Lorain, some of the hot spots.

 Jumbo perch are being caught in the 48 to 50 feet depths off Conneaut.

Walleye are biting from Huron to Fairport Harbor in 48 to 52 feet of water. Walleye are being caught from shallower water, where fishermen are also catching lots of white perch, sheepshead and white bass. Trolling anglers are catching walleye on spinner rigs and nightcrawlers, with pink-purple and a little chartreuse the top colors. Some walleye are being caught on spoons and diving plugs, especially Reef Runner lures. The best depth off Cleveland for walleye has been 65 to 70 feet.

 The rock bass fishing has been very good around Cleveland Harbor casting small jigs with plastic trailers. Largemouth bass are hitting larger jigs with hair and rubber skirts and trailers, as well as plastic lizards. Black-purple jigs have been good, and green lizards. 

 INLAND LAKES, RESERVOIRS
 The largemouth bass fishing is fair to very good on inland lakes, with anglers casting topwater lures early and late in the day, including buzz baits and frog lures. During the day, plastic worms cast to the weed edges and diving plugs casting around the rocky points. Mosquito, Nimisila and Turkeyfoot lakes have been good this week.

Mosquito Lake is still a hot spot for walleye, where jig-nightcrawler rigs cast to weed beds in 3 to 8 feet of water producing good catches. Some anglers are trolling Shad Raps and Hot-N-Tots around the south end of the lake on lead core line. Lots of small yellow perch and a few larger perch are being taken at Mosquito. Pymatuning anglers are taking walleye after dark on jig-nightcrawler rigs and casting diving plugs. Berlin Reservoir walleye are being caught while trolling Hot-N-Tots along the drop-offs in 15 to 20 feet of water. 

 Bluegills and catfish are biting everywhere. Some bluegills are still in the shallow bays after the spawning season. Catfish are taking traditional baits, from nightcrawlers to shrimp and chicken livers, with the bite best after the sun goes down. Good catfish lakes include Spencer and Mosquito. 

 Muskies and largemouth bass are being caught at Leesville Lake, as well as white bass.

WESTERN LAKE ERIE
 The best walleye fishing has been north of Huron, close to the Canadian border. Schools of walleye are constantly on the move there, so look for the packs of boats trolling and casting for walleye in 43 to 45 feet of water. Good catches of walleye have been reported southeast of West Sister Island and east of Middle Sister Island along the Canadian border. 

 The yellow perch fishing has been erratic, but some good catches are reported off the Marblehead Peninsula and around Kelleys and Green islands. The jumbo perch caught earlier in the year are getting harder to find. 

 FISHING TOURNAMENTS, DERBIES
 Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit/Eastern Division (Lake Erie at Sandusky): 1. Ben Sobieray and Craig Gushow (Midland, Mich.); 76.10 pounds; 2. Mike Knippenberg (Hiram, Ohio) and Ryan Buddie (Lakewood), 75.50 pounds, $5,900; 3. Conrad Grubbs (Roulette, Pa.) and Jamie Grubbs (Sheffield, Pa.), 71.77 pounds, $3,800. Big Walleye: Mark Brumbaugh (Arcanum, Ohio) and Mike Gofron (Antioch, Ill.), 11.9 pounds.

Clendening and Piedmont lakes are only a few miles apart, and offer outstanding fishing for largemouth bass, saugeye and muskies.

D'ARCY EGAN/THE PLAIN DEALERA largemouth bass fights to shake the hooks of a surface plug as it dances on the water.

 WHAT

Clendening and Piedmont lakes in Harrison County are fishing favorites from among the 10 reservoirs that make up the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. The MWCD lakes were constructed for flood control on the Muskingum River Watershed.

The lakes are close neighbors in southeast Ohio, but feature different types of fishing. Clendening Lake is known for its outstanding largemouth bass fishery, and offers good angling for saugeye, catfish and panfish. Piedmont Lake attracts muskie fishermen, but the majority of the anglers who launch there are eager to cast for saugeye, a walleye look-alike.

PEACEFUL FEELING
 For peace and quiet - and beautiful, uncluttered shorelines - Clendening and Piedmont lakes are just right for small-boat fishermen. Both lakes restrict boaters to small 10-horsepower motors. Noisy jet skis and high-powered bass boats are not allowed. Pontoon boats filled with fishermen and happy families cruise leisurely around the lake pushed by pint-sized outboards.

The lakes are are a feast for weary urban eyes. The wooded shorelines have minimal development, wildflowers, shore birds, the occasional glimpse of white-tailed deer and turkey, and hiking trails abound.

POSSUM LODGE RULES
 To enjoy an almost wilderness experience, but in complete comfort, sportsmen can book a stay at Possum Lodge. It's located on a gravel road just minutes  from Clendening and Piedmont lakes. The spacious log cabin overlooks 64 acres of woods. Owners Chuck and Nancy Slusarczyk have a small feeding station behind the cabin to lure wildlife into view in the evenings.

Rustic in decor, the cabin boasts air conditioning, satellite television and a modern kitchen. It's conveniently perched on a ridge that receives cell phone signals. The well-appointed cabin rents for $175 a night, $125 in January-March. Guests can enjoy hikes, with the Buckeye Trail meandering past the cabin. Deer and turkey hunting are available. Visit www.possumlodgecabins.com or call 440-537-2026.

PIEDMONT'S PROWESS
 Piedmont Lake's muskie fishing is legendary because of a muskie boated by local resident Joe D. Lykins on April 12, 1972. Still Ohio's state record, the muskie stretched 50-1/4 inches and weighed 55 pounds, 2 ounces, and hangs on the wall at Piedmont Marina.

 Saugeye and catfish are just as popular, though almost a couple of hundred big muskies are still caught each year. A saugeye is a hybrid of a male saugeye and female walleye that is more temperature tolerant than walleye.

PIEDMONT TACTICS
 Clinton Smith at Piedmont Lake Marina said the majority of saugeye are caught on jigs tipped with one-half of a nightcrawler. Smith marked a lake map with likely fishing spots and sent us on our way. The jig-nightcrawler rig worked, though we did not catch a saugeye longer than 15 inches, the length limit in place at Piedmont Lake starting March 1, 2011.

Veteran anglers also troll small spinners and nightcrawlers, diving plugs and small spoons for saugeye. Muskie lures can range from medioum-sizs long a your forearm.

CLENDENING BASS
 Rated as one of Ohio's top lakes for largemouth bass, Clendening doesn't get the pressure other lakes with unlimited horsepower experience every weekend. There is a lot of shoreline vegetation and woody cover where anglers can cast plastic worms and lizards, pitch a jig, toss a Carolina rig or buzz bass with a top water lure.

It always seems to be as hot as blazes when we visit Clendening Lake, so fish early and late in the day. Tie on a topwater lure at dawn or dusk and cast it to the shallows. On this trip, the bass were willing to gobble a Yum Lizard in late afternoon. Pitching the green plastic lizard along the shoreline, a 3-pounder snapped it up when it swam past its shoreline lair on the eastern end of the lake.

A PLACE TO STAY
 Both Clendening and Piedmont lakes have rental campsites, cabins and docks. Motels are in short supply in this neck of the woods.

GET THERE
 To get to Clendening or Piedmont Lake, take I-77 to Rt. 250 East. Just past Urichsville, turn right and go south on Rt. 800 until you see the signs for the lake marinas and boat launches.

INFORMATION
 For maps and descriptions of Clendening and Piedmont lakes, contact the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, 1319 3rd St., New Philadelphia, OH 44663-1305. You can call for maps and information (330-343-6647) or get it all online (www.mwcd.org)
 

Also, Kerry Wood will remain the Indians' closer despite his struggles this season, but Chris Perez's time is coming.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerThe Indians recalled left-hander Aaron Laffey from Class AAA Columbus on Thursday and he'll be the starting pitcher for the Tribe on Friday night in Cincinnati.

PHILADELPHIA -- The losses keep mounting, and players keep changing for the Indians.

After the Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Indians with a 12-3 pounding Thursday, the Indians optioned right-hander Jensen Lewis and second baseman Luis Valbuena to Class AAA Columbus. Left-hander Aaron Laffey and infielder Jayson Nix were added to the 25-man roster.

Laffey, recalled from Columbus, will start tonight against Cincinnati. Nix was claimed off waivers. Manager Manny Acta said Nix and Anderson Hernandez will be in a rotation at second base until a winner emerges.

Valbuena, who won the second base job last year under former manager Eric Wedge, lost it this season. He goes to Columbus hitting .166 (25-for-151) with 13 runs, six doubles, two homers and 14 RBI.

"We did this mostly for Luis," said Acta. "This is a tough level for young guys once they put themselves in such a deep hole."

Said Valbuena: "I don't know what happened to my hitting. I didn't have good luck this year. I'm just going to go to Columbus and work hard and come back here soon."

Lewis (2-2, 3.86) was optioned to Columbus for the second time this season. He struck out 14, walked 13 and allowed 21 hits in 21 innings.

"It was an odd-man-out situation," said Lewis. "I felt like I turned the corner today. I'll just go down and do what I've been doing and try to stay consistent and come back up and put things together."

Lewis threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings Thursday, but the first man he faced, Wilson Valdez, hit a two-run single in Philadelphia's five-run sixth. The runs were charged to Hector Ambriz.

Nix was hitting .163 (8-for-49) with one homer and five RBI this year with the Chicago White Sox. Last season, he hit .224 (57-for-255), but had 12 homers, 32 RBI and 10 stolen bases.

He appeared in 16 games at third base, three at second, two at short and one in the outfield this year. Nix, 27, was Colorado's first pick in the 2001 draft. He was the 44th player taken.

Three arrested: Indians minor-leaguers Beau Mills, Jerad Head and Josh Tomlin were arrested and charged with felonious assault for their part in a June 3 altercation in downtown Akron. The Akron Beacon Journal first reported the story Thursday morning.

Mills and Head, playing for Class AA Akron, turned themselves in after an arrest warrant was issued. They appeared at Akron Municipal Court on Thursday and were released on a signature bond.

Tomlin is pitching for Class AAA Columbus. The team is currently on the road, and authorities are taking Tomlin's statement by phone. It's believed Tomlin joined Mills and Head in Akron on the day the incident happened because Columbus had an off day.

"We're aware of it," said Ross Atkins, Indians director of player development. "We will have no further comment, and our players will have no further comment. We'll let the legal process run its course."

The Beacon Journal reported the incident took place at Whiskey Dick's on West Exchange Street. The paper said the victim suffered serious injuries due to the assault.

Mills was the Indians' No.1 pick in 2007. His father, Brad, is the Houston Astros manager.

Close encounters: Kerry Wood is still the Indians' closer, and Chris Perez is still waiting.

"We haven't gotten to that point yet," said Acta, when asked if he was considering changing closers.

Wood gave up a two-run, walkoff homer to Jimmy Rollins with one out in the ninth Wednesday to turn a 6-5 Tribe lead into a 7-6 loss. Wood is 5-for-8 in save situations. Perez, who filled in for the injured Wood at the start of the season, is 6-for-9 in save situations.

"At some point, we all believe that he [Perez] is going to have that responsibility, but we haven't gotten to it yet," said Acta.

It's no secret the Indians are trying to trade Wood, who is in the last year of a $20.5 million deal. If they took him out of the closer's role, it wouldn't help his trade value.

"We're not doing anything thinking about that kind of stuff," said Acta. "We just can't be changing what we're doing because a guy blew a save. He saved the game in Pittsburgh [Friday], and we were happy about it.

"Those things happen when things get out of hand -- three, four blown saves in a week. Right now, we're not considering anything like that."

If this isn't rock bottom, the Indians can see it from here. They've lost five straight and nine of their past 10 games. To say nothing of their 4-11 record in interleague play.

View full sizeClem Murray / Philadelphia Daily NewsThe Phillies' Jayson Werth slides safely into home as Tribe catcher Carlos Santana misses the throw from third baseman Andy Marte. Santana's error cost the Indians two runs and the Tribe went on to lose Thursday, 12-3.

PHILADELPHIA -- A short but violent thunderstorm, complete with high winds and lightning, hit Citizens Bank Park in the eighth inning Thursday afternoon. Even that act of nature couldn't save the Indians from absorbing every required out of a beating at the arms and bats of the Phillies.

After a 1-hour, 37-minute delay, the umpires made the Indians take the field and complete a 12-3 loss in which the Phillies had not one, but two five-run innings to complete a three-game sweep.

When it was over, all the wind and cleansing rain could not erase the fact that the Indians are a bad ballclub. At 26-45, they are a season-high 19 games below .500. They have lost nine of their past 10 games and are on pace to lose 103 for the season.

On this tour through three National League ballparks, where NL rules preside, every flaw on their roster has been magnified -- no speed, no defense and, with the exception of a mediocre starting rotation, no pitching. They are 1-5 with three games left against the Reds, starting tonight at Great American Ball Park.

"That's a very good team over there," Acta said of the Phillies. "We had our chances on Tuesday [a 2-1 loss] and Wednesday [a 7-6 loss]. We hung in there and didn't take advantage of our chances.

"Today they just blew us up. They hit us around and showed why they've been in the World Series in back-to-back years. That lineup doesn't allow mistakes to go by."

As for the mounting losses, Acta said: "I keep telling these kids they can't get caught up in the winning and losing. I'll wear that. That goes on my baseball card. What I want is for them to continue to work hard and get better."

Acta has worn it before. In 2008, his Washington Nationals lost 102 games. When he was fired last season, they were 26-61 and headed for 103 losses.

Fausto Carmona (6-6, 3.64 ERA) allowed a season-high seven runs in four innings. It was his shortest start of the season.

"I had trouble throwing my sinker and changeup," said Carmona.

The Phillies scored five runs against him in the second, but two were unearned because of catcher Carlos Santana's error. Santana couldn't catch Andy Marte's throw home from third base with the bases loaded as two runs scored.

"So we've found out Carlos Santana is human," Acta said of the hot-hitting rookie.

Later in the second, center fielder Trevor Crowe caught a sacrifice fly from Chase Utley for the second out. Crowe was slow throwing the ball back into the infield, and it appeared he thought the inning was over.

Acta said that wasn't so.

"He was 2,000 feet from home plate," said Act. "He just held the ball."

Hector Ambriz took the fall in the sixth. He allowed five runs on four hits.

Dane Sardinha started the onslaught with a leadoff homer. It was his first in the big leagues. Placido Polanco doubled home a run. Another scored on Jayson Werth's sacrifice fly to right. Ambriz left with the bases loaded after walking Raul Ibanez. Jensen Lewis, optioned to Class AAA Columbus after the game, relieved and gave up a two-run single to Wilson Valdez.

The win went to Joe Blanton (3-5, 6.53). He allowed three runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings. Blanton struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.

Former Phillie Jason Donald had three of the Tribe's six hits. He actually put them back in the game with a two-run homer in the fifth to make it 5-2. But Carmona gave up two in the fifth to make it 7-5, and Ambriz collapsed in the sixth.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected for the second time in the series against his old club. Unlike Tuesday's ejection, he did not predict this one.

When leadoff hitter Shane Victorino was called out at first for going out of the baseline to avoid Carmona's tag, Manuel argued and was ejected by umpire Greg Gibson.

The Indians scored their final run on Crowe's double in the eighth. Donald scored.

Out of three choices, it's safe to say Branyan made the least productive in a game where one run made the difference in the Indians' 7-6 loss to the Phillies.

View full sizeChuck Crow / Plain Dealer file photographIndians first baseman Russell Branyan.

Clubhouse confidential: The way manager Manny Acta sees it, first baseman Russell Branyan had three choices in the first inning Wednesday when Ryan Howard sent a grounder to him with one out and runners on first and third.

He could have stepped on first and thrown home to try and get Placido Polanco at the plate.

He could have thrown to second to start a double play and awaited the relay from shortstop Jason Donald to complete it.

Or Branyan could have stepped on first to retire the slow-footed Howard -- which he did -- removing the force at second, thrown to second where Donald had to tag Chase Utley just after Polanco scored to cut the Tribe's lead to 2-1.

Out of three choices, it's safe to say Branyan made the least productive in a game where one run made the difference in the Indians' 7-6 loss to the Phillies.

No action: Two-thirds of the way through this nine-game interleague trip, it's clear DH Travis Hafner could have stayed home. He's come to the plate five times as a pinch hitter and hasn't gotten the ball out of the infield. He reached first base in his first plate appearance when he was hit by a pitch.

Stat of the day: The Indians are 5-19 in National League ballparks over the past three seasons.

-- Paul Hoynes

UPDATED: Several teams had multiple first-round picks and others were looking to deal picks to save money and cap space. The Cavs had some belief they could get into the draft by writing a check for up to $3 million, but it didn't happen.

View full sizeCraig Ruttle / Associated PressThe Cavaliers reportedly had some interest in Kansas center Cole Aldrich, who was selected 11th overall by the New Orleans Hornets and then dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

Updated at 12:44 a.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavaliers came in with nothing, they ended with nothing.

Draft night always promised to be anticlimactic for the team after they traded away their first-round pick last February in acquiring forward Antawn Jamison from the Washington Wizards. It turned out that way as the Cavs, despite making some efforts, did not acquire a pick in either the first or second rounds.

"There were a few guys we were interested in and we were hoping a few guys would fall and create an opportunity for us," Cavs General Manager Chris Grant said. "That didn't happen."

It was not all that surprising -- the team has not made the draft a major priority for quite some time.

In fact, it was the third time in the past six years the Cavs didn't have a first-round pick, the result of numerous trades to upgrade talent around LeBron James. Last year's selection by the Cavs, the 30th and final pick of the first round, was guard/forward Christian Eyenga, who spent the last year in Europe.

Two other recent first-rounders, forward Luke Jackson in 2006 and guard Shannon Brown in 2007, spent two seasons or less with the team.

There were several teams with multiple first-round picks and others looking to deal picks to save money and cap space. Because of it, the Cavs had some belief that they could get into the draft by writing a check for up to $3 million.

But that didn't happen. Only one pick was sold outright (the Dallas Mavericks bought the Memphis Grizzlies' No. 25 pick), and by then the Cavs had lost interest. Most picks that were traded were attached to a player or a future pick, assets the Cavs didn't want to give up at this point.

The team was interested in several big men, including Kansas center Cole Aldrich, who was taken 11th by the New Orleans Hornets and then dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Cavs also were believed to like Kentucky guard Eric Bledsoe and tried to acquire several picks in the mid-to-late teens in an attempt to get him.

However, the Thunder struck again and made a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers for a future first-round pick to get Bledsoe with the 18th overall selection.

"I think we were close but not real close," Grant said. "We were a couple of positions away, but the draft is a crazy thing and it is an emotional thing."

Overall, it was a highly active day in the NBA, and there was one major deal that affected the Cavs. The Chicago Bulls sent guard Kirk Hinrich and a first-round pick to the Washington Wizards in a pure cap-space-clearing deal. It will get the Bulls an additional $10 million in space and they will have about $30 million to chase free agents starting next week.

The Bulls are expected to attempt to sign James, and with the extra space could perhaps draw another big-name free agent. However, as of now, the Bulls do not quite have enough to sign two maximum-level free agents like the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. But they are significantly closer.

"It doesn't concern me at all," Grant said of the Bulls' moves. "We have a team that won 61 games last year and we have a culture in place and a philosophy in place. LeBron knows how important he is to Northeast Ohio and he's been part of that and built it. Our focus is building our team."

Former Nets coach Lawrence Frank says he thinks Cleveland has the edge in keeping James, but adds that the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets are both positioned well to make a run at signing him.

View full sizeFrank Gunn / The Canadian PressWhy is Chris Bosh smiling? Because he knows that on July 1 his phone will be ringing with some lucrative offers . . . even though he is second-fiddle to LeBron James.

Chasing down rumors about LeBron James' basketball future could be a full-time job. 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.

Speaking as a co-host on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Thursday, Toronto Raptors free-agent center Chris Bosh said:

"Am I waiting on LeBron? Pretty much. I think everyone has to. I have to as well. He's a great player and I would be crazy to think that all the teams that are considering him, they would talk to somebody else first. I think everybody is going to be going at him first.

"They'll probably call him at 12:01. Hopefully, they'll call me at 12:02."

Former Nets coach Lawrence Frank told the New York Daily News he thinks Cleveland has the edge in keeping James.

"Cleveland has done everything right," Frank said. "They have an unbelievable practice facility, they changed their arena, and their payroll increases every year."

But he thinks the Knicks and Nets will represent themselves well when the time comes to woo James.

"Both teams are going to have a great opportunity to get LeBron," Frank said. "Both teams have fan support, and you've got two terrific coaches. You've got great management teams in New York and New Jersey, not just for LeBron, but for a lot of free agents."

If the team can't woo him, Bill Bradley can

Former Sen. Bill Bradley told the New York Post's Marc Berman that the Knicks have asked him to aid in the recruitment of James and/or other free agents.

"I would tell [James] there's no experience like it in the world," said Bradley, a two-time Knicks champion and Hall of Famer. "If you play on a winning team in New York, it's the best experience in sport for any player.

"People understand the game, they applaud the pass that leads to the pass that leads to the score," Bradley added. "You win in New York, it's an incomparable experience. If you lose in New York, it's an incomparable experience also. But that's what it takes."

So crazy it just might work

Columnist Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times refers to James as the "whale splashing in the free-agent pond." He also writes:

"In a matter of a couple of months, the possibility of James coming to Chicago has gone from 'no way in Helsinki' to 'you know, this is so crazy, it might just work.' "

Touchy subject

Orlando General Manager Otis Smith -- obviously fearing one of those tampering fines the league is so fond of -- didn't mention James by name, but when asked if the Magic would reach out to James on July 1, he told the Orlando Sentinel, "Shouldn't teams 1 through 30?"

The Washington Wizards also trade with the Chicago Bulls for veteran guard Kirk Hinrich and the 17th pick in the draft, Kevin Seraphin.

View full sizeCraig Ruttle / Associated PressAs expected, Kentucky guard John Wall was the first player taken during Thursday's NBA Draft.

NEW YORK -- John Wall is ready to go to Washington and clean up the Wizards.

And he's expected to have more backcourt help when he gets there -- whether or not Gilbert Arenas is still around.

The Wizards selected Wall with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft and agreed to a trade for another guard Thursday, hoping they've found players who can help them quickly bounce back from a season that was embarrassing on the court and in the locker room.

"I feel like I had pressure since I became No. 1 in high school and was one of the top players," Wall said. "I always got there hungry wanting to fight hard and compete in every game, so when I step on the court I'm going to take on any challenge there."

The SEC player of the year is the first Kentucky player ever chosen first overall -- and started a record run of Wildcats. He goes to a team still reeling from Arenas' season-ending suspension for bringing guns into the team locker room.

The pick came shortly after a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press that the Chicago Bulls had agreed to trade veteran guard Kirk Hinrich and the 17th pick in the draft, Kevin Seraphin, to the Wizards. Hinrich is a solid veteran defensive guard who could help with Wall's transition to the NBA.

Kentucky, which set a record with five players taken in the first round, put its second in the top five when DeMarcus Cousins was taken by Sacramento.

Kentucky put two more players in the top 18 picks when the Houston Rockets chose Patrick Patterson at No. 14 and Oklahoma City took guard Eric Bledsoe four spots later. Daniel Orton then went to Orlando with the 29th pick, breaking the previous record of four first-round picks from one school.

The Philadelphia 76ers took national player of the year Evan Turner from Ohio State at No. 2.

Derrick Favors became the second freshman taken in the first three picks when the New Jersey Nets chose the Georgia Tech forward. The Minnesota Timberwolves then grabbed Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson, whom the Nets also had considered.

Baylor's Ekpe Udoh also is headed to Northern California, chosen by Golden State at No. 6. Detroit kept up the run of big men by selecting Georgetown center Greg Monroe with the seventh pick, before the Los Angeles Clippers went for Wake Forest's Al-Farouq Aminu.

Butler's Gordon Hayward went ninth to Utah, one spot before the Indiana Pacers would've faced pressure to pick the hometown star. Instead, they chose Fresno State forward Paul George before Kansas teammates Cole Aldrich (New Orleans) and Xavier Henry (Memphis) went with back-to-back picks.

Aldrich's rights were later sent to Oklahoma City along with veteran swingman Morris Peterson for the rights to the Thunder's No. 21 and 26 picks, which became Iowa State forward Craig Brackins and Washington guard Quincy Pondexter.

The draft hadn't even started and already the buzz was on free agency, which opens in a week with LeBron James leading perhaps the deepest class ever. There were even a few chants for the league's MVP, whom the Knicks are expected to make a run at.

Moves were made with July 1 in mind, such as the Bulls' deal with Washington that opened additional salary cap space for perhaps a second top player. Toronto drafted North Carolina's Ed Davis at No. 13, a potential replacement if the Raptors lose Chris Bosh in free agency.

The Cavaliers did not have a selection entering the draft and remained on the sideline over the course of the evening.

Akron native LaShaunte'a Moore, Willoughby native Katie McGregor and Glenville High student Quincy Downing also compete in the meet.

View full sizeDoug Wells / Associated PressBridget Franek, left, of Penn State and a Crestwood High grad, leads runners into the water jump during the first heat of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

Akron native LaShaunte'a Moore (Firestone) qualified first in the first round of the women's 100 with a time of 11.26 seconds. The semifinals and final are today.

Willoughby native Katie McGregor, 32, finished seventh in the women's 10,000 (32:58.62). Amy Begley won in 32:06.45 to claim the title for the second straight year.

In the junior portion of the meet, Glenville's Quincy Downing, a senior this fall, placed 19th in the 800 (1:55.53).

Madison Keys, Anastasia Kharchenko, Piia Suomalainen and Caitlin Whoriskey all advance to the quarterfinals.

Willoughby's Kyle McPhillips lost to Gabriela Paz, 6-3, 6-0, in the second round of the Cleveland Ladies Open at the Chagrin Valley Athletic Club in Chagrin Falls.

Nicola Slater, who knocked off top-seeded Diana Arutyunova, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, will play Yuliana Lizarazo in a quarterfinals match today beginning at 10 a.m. Following that match, Paz will play Sabrina Santamarina, a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Chun-Yan He.

Madison Keys, Anastasia Kharchenko, Piia Suomalainen and Caitlin Whoriskey also advanced to the quarterfinals.

Stetson Allie will take a dugout full of memories with him as his baseball career continues, either at college or as a professional. There are the two state championships he helped win as a member of the St. Edward team while playing for his father, Danny. There are the more than 100 victories he was a part of over...

Thomas Ondrey / PD

Stetson Allie will take a dugout full of memories with him as his baseball career continues, either at college or as a professional.

There are the two state championships he helped win as a member of the St. Edward team while playing for his father, Danny. There are the more than 100 victories he was a part of over the past four years. The home runs he hit. The strikeouts he tallied.

And now, being named The Plain Dealer's Baseball Player of the Year.

Yet, what he said he will remember most is a catch he made. It was the last out in this year's Division I state championship game. He was playing first base and was on the end of an around-the-horn double play in an 8-3 victory over Cincinnati Elder.

"I will never forget catching that ball," he said. "It meant so much to win state for the second time. I remember throwing my glove in the air and being on the bottom of the pile celebrating. It was a feeling I can't describe. Maybe pure happiness."

Allie, a 6-4, 215-pound right-handed pitcher whose fastball was clocked consistently in the mid-to-high 90s, was the most dominant player on the biggest stage in the area.

As a pitcher -- his first year as a starting pitcher -- he went 9-1 with a 1.51 ERA and 134 strikeouts and 25 walks in 60 innings. Arguably, he had one bad outing but managed a one-run victory over Mayfield in the regional final.

Batting third in the Eagles' potent lineup, he hit .500 with 37 hits, 14 doubles, three home runs and 32 RBI.

Allie says he was briefly disappointed when he was not drafted in the first round earlier this month, going instead to Pittsburgh with the second pick in the second round.

"But that only lasted one day," he said. "I realized what I had. I was a second-round draft pick and I have a scholarship to North Carolina. Either way, I am very happy. If I end up going to college, that will be great. If I sign, that will be great, too."

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

Talk about being put on the hot seat. Asked to fill the void of graduated standout Tess Sito and trying to defend its 2009 Division I state softball title with just one senior, Elyria junior Kristen Boros flourished in helping her team compile a 24-6 record, gain a No. 5 ranking in the final coaches state poll, win a...

(Thomas Ondrey / PD)

Talk about being put on the hot seat.

Asked to fill the void of graduated standout Tess Sito and trying to defend its 2009 Division I state softball title with just one senior, Elyria junior Kristen Boros flourished in helping her team compile a 24-6 record, gain a No. 5 ranking in the final coaches state poll, win a conference championship and earn a berth into a regional final.

Boros went 23-4 with a 0.94 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 178 innings.

"I felt a little pressure going into the year, but I knew I had good players behind me, so it wasn't that bad," said Boros, The Plain Dealer's Softball Player of the Year. "I had a very good feeling about this team after we went 4-1 during our Tennessee trip."

Boros was the starting shortstop her first two varsity seasons but was moved to the mound this season.

"Coach [Ken Fenik] told me I'd be pitching most of the games, and I was OK with that," said Boros. "I missed playing short because I feel that's my best position, but you do what's best for the team."

Fenik also had a lot to do with lessening the pressure.

"Winning the conference and district championship was all [Fenik] talked about," said Boros. "He never talked about defending the state championship, and I think that helped all of us.

"If there was pressure, we put it on ourselves because we wanted to exceed the expectations a lot of people had for us. We wanted to be a lot better than people thought we'd be, and I really think we did that. I'm very proud of what we did."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bfortuna@plaind.com, 216-999-4665

If it looks like Colton Buffington is playing tennis to a different drummer, it's because he is. The Westlake sophomore, his worn Demons baseball cap turned backward, bounces around the court with self-help tunes only he can summon, mostly by Guns N' Roses, Rage Against the Machine or Lil Wayne.

If it looks like Colton Buffington is playing tennis to a different drummer, it's because he is.

The Westlake sophomore, his worn Demons baseball cap turned backward, bounces around the court with self-help tunes only he can summon, mostly by Guns N' Roses, Rage Against the Machine or Lil Wayne.

Hey, don't mess with success.

"I'm a die-hard Guns N' Roses fan," said Buffington, who went 22-4 this season and finished third in the Division I singles state tournament. "I feel like going to a beat to calm myself down. The music is about being relaxed."

Buffington is The Plain Dealer's Boys Tennis Player of the Year.

After losing in the state semifinals, he came back to defeat Ethan Dunbar of Cloverleaf in the third-place match. A week earlier, Dunbar had defeated him in the Oberlin district final.

"I was more nervous than I should have been in that semifinal," said Buffington, who led, 3-0, in that match. "I let my emotions get to me. But I settled down and I was able to get Ethan."

After bowing out in the opening round of the state tournament as a freshman, Buffington said his only goal this season was to improve on that showing.

"The difference was getting a little bigger, a little stronger," said Buffington, who will play in USTA age-division tournaments this summer. "I didn't want to go backwards. But I was still the underdog, so I wasn't expected to do anything fantastic."

Turner has the potential to reinvigorate a city that used to be crazy about basketball. Not since Allen Iverson left town the first time have fans been excited about the Sixers.

View full sizeJason DeCrow / Associated PressOhio State guard Evan Turner was the second overall pick, going to the Philadelphia 76ers.

• NBA Draft: Pick-by-pick recap

Rob Maaddi / Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Evan Turner only worked out for one team and already talked like he was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

It's official now.

The 76ers selected the Ohio State star with the No. 2 pick in Thursday night's NBA draft. Despite missing five weeks after breaking two bones in his back, Turner averaged 20.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists while leading the Buckeyes to the final sixteen of the NCAA tournament.

"From the first minute we worked him out, we knew that's who we were going to take," new Sixers coach Doug Collins said.

A versatile player, Turner is expected to be Philadelphia's shooting guard. He joins a rebuilding squad that's coming off a 27-55 season.

When the lottery balls bounced favorably for the 76ers allowing the team to jump from sixth to No. 2, Turner immediately became the organization's top choice.

Collins raved about Turner, the AP Player of the Year, after his visit to Philadelphia last week. And General Manager Ed Stefanski made no secret he loved Turner's game.

"He's so mature as a basketball player and the one thing that's the biggest compliment about a guy is that he makes his teammates better," Stefanski said.

The Sixers are hoping the 21-year-old Turner teams with 20-year-old point guard Jrue Holiday to form a backcourt that will soon turn them into perennial Eastern Conference playoff contenders.

"He obviously knows how to play, and he's an all-around player," Holiday said. "That's what we need."

Stefanski already has made two big moves this offseason. He fired Eddie Jordan after one year as coach and traded underachieving center Samuel Dalembert to Sacramento for Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni.

With the new acquisitions, along with Holiday, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Marreese Speights and Elton Brand, the Sixers certainly could make a playoff push next season.

It's been seven years since Philadelphia won a playoff series.

"We're excited about the future," said Tony DiLeo, the team's assistant general manager/VP of basketball operations.

Turner has the potential to reinvigorate a city that used to be crazy about basketball. Not since Allen Iverson left town the first time have fans been excited about the Sixers. About 1,500 people showed up at the Wachovia Center for a draft party that featured Julius "Dr. J" Erving and Moses Malone.

They roared when commissioner David Stern called Turner's name, and many fans thanked Stefanski when he walked through the crowd.

Turner probably is the organization's most critical pick since Iverson was chosen No. 1 overall in 1996. Iverson went on to win rookie of the year honors, was a four-time scoring champ and league MVP when he led the Sixers to the Finals in 2001.

Turner's game fits in nicely on this team. He's a solid mid-range shooter and can drive to the basket. He's a playmaker and a hustler, and can play point guard or small forward if Holiday or Iguodala run into foul trouble.

"What he brings is the total package," Stefanski said. "He's a winner. He's a tough-minded kid, and that's important as we change the culture."

Turner swept the 2010 college basketball season player of the year awards after claiming the Naismith Trophy and John R. Wooden Award, as well as the Sporting News, USBWA and NABC POY awards. He also was the Big Ten Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player at the annual Big Ten tournament, which the Buckeyes captured with a win over Minnesota.

Collins made it clear he and Stefanski were completely in agreement on Turner. There had been rumors Collins wanted Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors instead.

"Right away, (Turner) was our guy," Collins said.

The Sixers last had the No. 2 pick in 1997. They chose Keith Van Horn and immediately traded his rights to New Jersey as part of a deal that brought Tim Thomas to Philadelphia.

Barring a trade, the Sixers don't have another pick in this draft.

Summit NHRA Nationals comes to Norwalk, Ohio this weekend

The city of Norwalk, Ohio is revved up for the Summit NHRA Nationals this weekend.

At a glance
When: Today through Sunday. Where: Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio.
TV: Same-day coverage of qual- ifying on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. Satur- day and final eliminations at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets: $12-$55. Track opens: 8 a.m. today, 7:30 a.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
Ticket, more info: summitmotorsportspark.com

"The best teams/organizations in any sport don't make moves for the sake of making a move. This draft, save for a few at the top, was full of role players. So should they have made a move into the draft to pick a role player to add to a team already full of role players?" - cunxtyr

View full sizeAmy Sancetta | Associated PressNew Cavaliers GM Chris Grant had an uneventful first draft.

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers remain on the sidelines for 2010 NBA Draft, cleveland.com reader cunxtyr doesn't mind that the Cavaliers didn't buy their way into this year's draft. This reader writes,

"The best teams/organizations in any sport don't make moves for the sake of making a move. This draft, save for a few at the top, was full of role players. So should they have made a move into the draft to pick a role player to add to a team already full of role players?"

"Is anybody else thinking that Eric Wedge wasn't such a bad manager after all? I mean, I hated his style, but at this point, he's got to be sitting back and laughing at Mark Shapiro." - jckvncenz

View full sizeSome Indians fans are wondering if Manny Acta really was an upgrade over Eric Wedge

In response to the story Cleveland Indians hammered in Philadelphia as Phillies complete sweep, cleveland.com reader jckvncenz is kind of missing Eric Wedge. This reader writes,

"Is anybody else thinking that Eric Wedge wasn't such a bad manager after all? I mean, I hated his style, but at this point, he's got to be sitting back and laughing at Mark Shapiro."