Inside The Ropes With . . . Rory Sabbatini Sabbatini won the Honda Classic earlier this year and entered the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational ranked 19th in the FedEx Cup standings and 19th on the PGA Tour's all-time earnings list with $24.1 million. Born: April 2, 1976, Durban, South Africa. Ht/Wt: 5-10, 165. College: University of Arizona. Turned pro: 1998. Q:...

Inside The Ropes With . . . Rory Sabbatini

Sabbatini won the Honda Classic earlier this year and entered the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational ranked 19th in the FedEx Cup standings and 19th on the PGA Tour's all-time earnings list with $24.1 million.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerRory Sabbatini's favorite golf movie is "Dead Solid Perfect," which is what this birdie attempt on No. 17 wasn't Thursday at Firestone.

Born: April 2, 1976, Durban, South Africa.

Ht/Wt: 5-10, 165.

College: University of Arizona.

Turned pro: 1998.

Q: Favorite course ever played?

A: Kapalua on Maui -- just because it's Maui.

Q: Career aces?

A: One -- at the Par 3 contest at the Masters a few years ago.

Q: Favorite club in bag?

A: 4-iron.

Q: Preferred activities away from golf?

A: Watching movies and spending time at the lake house in Texas.

Q: Favorite golf movie?

A: "Dead Solid Perfect."

Q: Over "Caddyshack" or "Tin Cup"?

A: Yes. I think "Dead Solid Perfect" is probably the most entertaining and closely accurate depiction of life on tour.

Q: Best golf advice you received growing up?

A: Hit it as far as you can, then, when you get older, learn to control the line.

Q: Wildest thing you've witnessed on a course?

A: When I used to live in Arizona, I saw a family of bobcats. The cubs were playing on the green. They ran as soon as we approached.

Q: What is one goal you set for your life that you have not achieved?

A: Being content.

The Q What is the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you on a golf course? Hunter Mahan: "I had these pair of pants and the zipper broke, so my zipper was down for about 15 holes at Cog Hill [near Chicago] one year." Aaron Baddeley: "One of the most embarrassing was playing Augusta, first round, playing with Tiger,...

The Q

What is the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you on a golf course?

Hunter Mahan: "I had these pair of pants and the zipper broke, so my zipper was down for about 15 holes at Cog Hill [near Chicago] one year."

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerHunter Mahan once played 15 holes with his pants zipper down.

Aaron Baddeley: "One of the most embarrassing was playing Augusta, first round, playing with Tiger, 16th hole, par 3, shanked it. Made par still, but shanked it. Full-on shank."

Heath Slocum: "I know I've skulled a bunker shot over a green, hit a kid. Then you've got to walk up to the crowd, try to hit the shot again. You've got the kid sitting there in pain. It's not much fun."

Rory Sabbatini: "Whiffin' it. You try and hit a shot from under the trees and start thinking you can pull it off and next thing you know you completely miss the ball and you stand there and the ball's still in the same place."

D.A. Points: "I was playing my rookie year on tour at Flint [Mich.] in the Buick and I missed a green with a sand wedge and I hit in the bunker. I hit a bad bunker shot and, just disgusted, I kind of slammed my sand wedge into the bunker and, not knowing, I splashed sand all over three older gentlemen sitting in lawn chairs right behind the bunker. I mean just completely covered them. I was obviously mortified and embarrassed. I started giving them everything I had in my bag. I signed gloves and balls and I asked them if they wanted tees, I was so embarrassed."

One round does not a return to dominance make, but Tiger Woods planted more than a few seeds Thursday afternoon on Firestone Country Club's South Course. Woods, in his first competitive golf since mid-May, shot a 2-under 68 in the first round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron. Woods had been sidelined because of left-leg issues. The leg appeared...

One round does not a return to dominance make, but Tiger Woods planted more than a few seeds Thursday afternoon on Firestone Country Club's South Course.

Woods, in his first competitive golf since mid-May, shot a 2-under 68 in the first round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

Woods had been sidelined because of left-leg issues. The leg appeared to be fine, as did most of his swings and putting strokes. The combination left him and his camp about as happy as they will get with a 2 under in a non-major.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerTiger Woods shot 2-under 68 Thursday at Firestone, his first competitive round since mid-May.

"It feels great," Woods said. "As with anybody who's been off and been injured, first time back, I was a little nervous to see what would happen. But my practice sessions were good, so there was no reason why I should be worried out there. I went out and just let it go, let it rip."

Actually, Woods did not let it rip -- at least not by Woods standards. But the ball still rocketed off his club face, the result of a revamped swing under coach Sean Foley.

"My swing used to be more of a wipey swing, so I wasn't getting full transfer of energy," he said. "Now I'm swinging easier and getting more ball compression at impact. I'm not even hitting it hard yet."

Woods' only legitimate "problem" Thursday was a good one to have. He struck the ball so solidly that his distance control suffered. Seven of his approaches landed long by various lengths.

"To be able to hit with that much flush feeling through the golf ball, and the speed I had, was fun," he said. "For me to hit the ball as far as I'm hitting with these lofts is pretty interesting."

When Woods felt nerves on the first tee, he said it was "awesome." They were the nerves of competition that had been missing for what seemed like forever. Never mind that the first shot found the right trap: He was off and running with what he hopes will be his final comeback.

Woods found the trap off the tee on No. 2, as well. He made a second straight par.

At the par-4 third, he sank a 17-footer for par. If he had missed there, the round might have taken a different turn.

"I didn't want to go 1 over through three when I should have been under par through three, because [par-5] No. 2 is playing short, as hot as it is," he said.

Much like a serviceable quarterback, Woods continued to manage the game on the front side as he knocked off some rust. He missed a short but tricky birdie putt on No. 5, then tacked on four more pars. A clutch putt saved him at No. 9.

The huge gallery following Woods, and the affable Darren Clarke, finally got the opportunity to cut loose in earnest when Woods birdied the par-4 10th.

While one fan yelled the obligatory, "You the man!" another yelled, "You're in the red!"

Woods sank a short birdie putt at the par-4 11th, and the fans sensed a train coming. Alas, Woods missed a couple makeable putts before staggering with a bogey at No. 14.

At the monstrous par-5 16th, Woods sent his drive into the right rough. He used a fairway metal to hit a hard slice through branches and into the middle of the fairway. The crowd roared -- but it wasn't the Tiger Roar.

The Tiger Roar came moments later when he drilled a long putt for birdie.

Woods closed with two pars and a smile. He looked like a guy who had just begun to scratch the surface. Check that: re-scratch.

"I've got the competitive feel now," he said. "I know what it feels like to get into the flow of the round, the rhythm of playing and walking, and just the flow of playing tournament golf, which is way different than zipping around in shorts and a cart."

Woods said it helped to play with his friend Clarke. The two conversed on numerous holes.

"We had a good time," Woods said. "He and I go way back."

Clarke, though, failed to capitalize on the mojo. Even with an eagle on the par-4 eighth, Clarke shot 7-over 77. His drive on No. 18 bounced off the cart path and in and out of a spectator's shorts.

After hitting his second shot in someone's backyard, Ryo Ishikawa saves par at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerGolfer Ryo Ishikawa was forced to hit from behind a picket fence 55 yards from the 18th green Thursday but still managed an up-and-down for a par.

We have all been there but few of us have been able to finish like young Ryo Ishikawa did Thursday in the opening round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

The 19-year-old from Saitama, Japan, regarded as one of the up-and-coming stars with already 11 international victories, had an adventure on the 18th hole en route to a 3-under 67.

He hit his drive 313 yards into the light rough on the left side of the hole, which played to 469 yards. He attempted to hit a cut to the green, but said he caught a flier and that's when things got interesting.

The ball failed to cut and flew way over the left side of the green. It bounced off the roof of a hospitality tent before coming to rest against a hose lying in a garden full of woodchips in the backyard of a condominium on the other side of the cart path.

He was given relief but the spot he chose was close to a picket fence and a lamppost. He was 55 yards from the hole but it proved to be no problem as he hit a flop shot to about 11 feet and made the putt to save par.

"I don't think any player ever hit his ball to that place and I don't think any player has ever recovered from that place," Ishikawa said through interpreter Ai Yoshida. "I was very lucky, but I am very satisfied with my round. I had some mistakes but I also had some good pars."

Recovery mode: Arjun Atwal, the first Indian-born player to win a PGA Tour event, recovered from a rugged start to shoot 2-under 68 in his first appearance at Firestone.

Atwal hit trees on the left side of the first fairway with his two first shots of the tournament but escaped with a bogey and went on to make six birdies, including five on the back nine. Atwal qualified for the Bridgestone by winning the 2010 Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C., when he opened with a course-record 61 and went on to become the first player in 24 years to win a PGA Tour event as a Monday qualifier. Narrow escape: South African Louis Oosthuizen escaped serious injury after being involved in an automobile accident near the course Tuesday. The 2010 British Open champ was a back-seat passenger in a rental car driven by his caddie when it was struck by a car that had run a stop sign. Oosthuizen, paired with Aaron Baddeley for the first two rounds, said he suffered whiplash but it did not prevent him from playing.

"We were all just a bit stiff, especially the day after," he said before opening with a 1-over 71. "We were quite fortunate, really." Take what's available: Sean O'Hair flirted with making an eagle on the famed 16th hole, which played to 658 yards when his third shot from 103 yards hit the flagstick on the fly. Unfortunately, the ball ricocheted to about 16 feet. O'Hair missed the birdie putt and went on to shoot 2-over 72. Silver star: Fuzzy Fausnight, who manages the 55th hole on the second floor of the clubhouse, is celebrating his 25th year as a Firestone employee. Fausnight, who began working at Firestone as a youngster, has worked 33 professional events at Firestone and remains one of the world's best storytellers. He began his career selling hamburgers in the old Garden Room. The short side: Before Thursday, Bill Cole never knew the feeling of a golf ball shooting up and down his pants. Cole, tracking the late-afternoon pairing of Tiger Woods and Darren Clarke, was far away from the fairway at the 18th hole when Clarke teed off. The wayward shot struck the cart path inches from Cole and disappeared into his shorts. The ball came out, rolled and rested on dirt at the edge of the path.

"I was in shock," said Cole, of Stow. "I heard the bounce and was looking around for the ball. Then I felt something in my shorts. It was wild."

Clarke took a drop and punched out. He eventually bogeyed the hole.

"What would have happened if the ball had stuck in my shorts?" Cole said. "I guess it would have been an unplayable lie."

The future of Firestone High School boys basketball coach Joe Wojcik has not yet been determined despite the fact an opening for the position has been posted by the Akron City School District. Wojcik, who posted a 34-32 record in three seasons, was informed his supplemental contract will not be renewed because of undisclosed allegations, but the coach is...

The future of Firestone High School boys basketball coach Joe Wojcik has not yet been determined despite the fact an opening for the position has been posted by the Akron City School District.

Wojcik, who posted a 34-32 record in three seasons, was informed his supplemental contract will not be renewed because of undisclosed allegations, but the coach is going to fight it through arbitration.

"There were a few parents who approached me and the coach on some issues, but I'm not going to detail those issues," said Akron Superintendent David W. James. "We posted the opening right around July 1 because it was our intention not to renew Mr. Wojcik's supplemental contract."

The hiring of a new coach is on hold.

"We had 20 individuals apply for the job, but nothing can be done until an arbitration hearing is held," said Joe Howard, the district's program manager for athletics.

An arbitrator has been chosen but a date for the hearing has not yet been scheduled.

James and Howard hope the hearing is soon.

"The arbitration process usually takes no more than six weeks," said retired Akron Educational Association President Bill Siegferth.

Siegferth, who also chose not to detail the allegations, works part time for the AEA.

"The allegations were investigated and reviewed by general counsel and coach Wojcik was found not guilty," said Siegferth.

Wojcik led the Falcons to a 13-10 record last season and a Division I district semifinal appearance.

"The arbitration is over the process of the way the coach was not being allowed to return to the position," said Siegferth. "The board is saying it's not renewing his supplemental contract, but we're saying he was terminated.

"When something like this happens, the person accused has the right of being told of what the allegations are and the right to have a hearing.

"None of that happened in this case."

Wojcik, a business teacher at Ellet High School, had no comment when reached by phone.

Indians manager Manny Acta is not opposed to using closer Chris Perez in the ninth inning or later of a tie game when the Indians are on the road.

Boston -- Indians manager Manny Acta is not opposed to using closer Chris Perez in the ninth inning or later of a tie game when the Indians are on the road.

He did it once this year on April 13 against the Angels. Perez, with the score tied, 3-3, started the 10th inning and pitched 11/3 scoreless innings. The Indians lost, 4-3, in the 12th when Chad Durbin gave up a run.

The idea of a manager using his closer on the road in a non-save situation is to extend his team's chances of winning the game. If Acta had waited to use Perez against the Angels until the Tribe had a lead, his best reliever would have never left the bullpen.

Acta could have used Perez on Tuesday and Wednesday in the ninth inning against Boston. In each game, the score was tied going into the bottom of the ninth. On Tuesday, he went with Vinnie Pestano, who gave up a walkoff single to hitter Jacoby Ellsbury to beat the Tribe, 3-2.

On Wednesday, Joe Smith took a 3-3 tie into the bottom of the ninth. He retired the first two batters before Ellsbury hit a game-winning homer to straightaway center field.

"I've done it in the past," said Acta. "The majority of the time I do it is when the heart of the order is coming up."

Pestano and Smith faced the bottom of the Red Sox lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"When I use the closer in that situation, I want him to face the toughest part of the lineup," said Acta. "Sometimes if you're saving your closer for just a save situation, there's a chance that if you bring another guy in from the bullpen, he might not survive that inning because you're on the road. Then what are you going to do with your closer?

"We've done it. I'm not afraid to do it. The main thing is to try and win the ballgame."

Acta said he rarely uses his closer in a tie game on the road in the ninth inning. He will wait for the right spot in extra innings.

"I'm not going to save my closer until the 14th inning, just waiting for the save," said Acta. "But in that situation Wednesday night, we'd used Tony Sipp [in the eighth], but we still had Smith."

Hot stuff: When Acta moved rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis into the No. 2 spot in the lineup on Saturday, he said was trying to find a spark to re-ignite an offense with a dead battery.

The battery is still dead, but Kipnis is trying his best to recharge it.

The left-handed hitting Kipnis, who started Sunday against Kansas City, homered in four straight games from the No. 2 spot before the streak ended Thursday in Boston. Here's what Elias Sports Bureau says about Kipnis' homer streak:

Last Indians rookie to homer in four straight games: Al Rosen in June 1950. Rosen and Kipnis are the only rookies to do it in club history.

Kipnis is the first player in major-league history to homer in four consecutive games within two weeks of his debut.

Kipnis is the first Indians second baseman in franchise history to homer in four straight games.

The last rookie to homer in four straight games was Pittsburgh's Garrett Jones in July 2009.

Kipnis' fourth homer in as many games came in his 10th career game. The last player to do that was Minnesota's Graig Nettles, who homered in four straight games within his first 10 big-league games. Land of the DH: Ubaldo Jimenez, who has spent his entire career in the NL where the pitcher hits, will make his AL debut against Texas and the DH Friday night.

"I'm ready for it," he said. "Now I'm going to be facing nine hitters instead of eight and a pitcher. The strategy is different, but when you think about it, you don't have to hit, you don't have to run the bases. You can focus on pitching." Choo update: Shin-Soo Choo took early batting practice Thursday to test his surgically repaired left thumb.

"He didn't let it go, but he did OK," said Acta. "He's probably one or two [BP sessions] away from letting it go, but there was no pain, no stinging sensation in his thumb."

Choo will hit again today in Texas.

Michael Brantley (right wrist) will try to take batting practice today. If his wrist is OK, he's expected to start. Finally: Travis Buck accepted his outright assignment to Class AAA Columbus. He could have refused and become a free agent.

Justin Masterson continued to pitch well at his old ballpark and Jacoby Ellsbury was nowhere to be found in the ninth inning Thursday night, which could only mean good things for the Indians.

Boston -- Justin Masterson continued to pitch well at his old ballpark and Jacoby Ellsbury was nowhere to be found in the ninth inning Thursday night, which could only mean good things for the Indians.

Masterson allowed three runs on five hits in six innings as the Indians beat Boston, 7-3, at Fenway Park.

He is 3-0 with

a 1.95 ERA against the Red Sox since they traded him to the Indians for Victor Martinez on July 31, 2009.

"They're a great team with a great offense," said Masterson. "It's always nice to pitch well against a team like that."

The Indians won the season series, 6-4, against Boston and cut Detroit's lead in the AL Central to three games. The Tigers lost to Texas, 5-2, Thursday afternoon.

"I've never felt better about splitting a series," said manager Manny Acta. "We pitched our butts off and played our hearts out. We were in every game."

In his career at Fenway Park, Masterson is 10-2 with a 3.57 ERA.

"This park and these fans fire you up whether you're on their team or not," said Masterson.

Masterson (9-7, 2.63) struck out nine, including four in the second inning, and walked one on a season-high 118 pitches.

The Indians won the first and last game of the series. In between they lost 3-2 and 4-3 decisions when Ellsbury beat them in the ninth inning with consecutive game-winning hits.

Carlos Santana gave the Indians a 5-3 lead with a booming two-run homer in the sixth off Franklin Morales (0-1). It was Santana's 16th homer, but just his second batting right-handed. The drive to deep left-center field followed Travis Hafner's double off the top of the wall in center.

Santana, after striking out four times Wednesday, went 3-for-4 with two RBI.

"That's what baseball is all about," said Acta. "He came in early before the game, worked on some things and bounced back. That's what you like to see from young players."

Hafner's RBI double in the seventh made it 6-3. Hafner, not moving well on a sore foot, was replaced by pinch runner Lonnie Chisenhall. Pronk went 3-for-4 with two doubles.

Kosuke Fukudome added an RBI double in the ninth. Fukudome, in his best game since the Indians acquired him from the Cubs, went 3-for-5 with an RBI. "We needed some production from the middle of the lineup and that's what we got," said Acta.

Masterson pitched his way out of trouble in the sixth when rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis dropped a potential double play feed from third baseman Jason Donald to put David Ortiz on second and Carl Crawford on first with one out. Masterson retired Josh Reddick on a liner to left and struck out Jason Varitek.

"I just told myself those two guys on base were not going any farther," said Masterson. Said Hafner, "Masterson has been a horse all year. He's been dominant."

The bullpen, beaten in the ninth inning Tuesday and Wednesday, protected the lead Thursday. Vinnie Pestano pitched 11/3 scoreless innings. Tony Sipp, making his fifth appearance in the six games, retired the last two batters in the eighth. Chris Perez, in need of work, pitched the ninth.

In the third, Santana scored Asdrubal Cabrera on a bloop single to right for a 3-2 lead against lefty Erik Bedard. Kipnis kept the inning going when he took out Dustin Pedroia with a clean hard slide at second on Cabrera's potential inning-ending double play grounder to short.

Reddick made it, 3-3, with a two-out homer off Masterson in the fourth. It was just the fifth homer Masterson has allowed this season, four by left-handed hitters. Masterson entered the game with the lowest percentage of homers allowed per nine innings in the AL.

Boston took a 2-0 lead against Masterson in the first. Ellsbury started the game with a single and scored on Adrian Gonzalez's double off the Green Monster in left center field.

Ortiz scored Gonzalez on a single to right.

In the second, Masterson struck out four straight. Reddick started the inning by striking out and reaching first on a wild pitch. Masterson proceeded to strike out the next three Red Sox.

"I've never done that before," he said.

The Indians tied the score, 2-2, with two runs in the second. Matt LaPorta drove in one with an infield single and Austin Kearns delivered the other with a groundout to first.

MMA INSIDER It's time to stop kicking around Ortiz By Chuck Yarborough Plain Dealer Reporter When Tito Ortiz walked into the octagon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on July 2 to face Ryan Bader, most in the crowd and on pay-per-view thought it was the beginning of the last 15 minutes of his storied career. Ortiz had...

MMA INSIDER

It's time to stop kicking around Ortiz By Chuck Yarborough Plain Dealer Reporter

When Tito Ortiz walked into the octagon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on July 2 to face Ryan Bader, most in the crowd and on pay-per-view thought it was the beginning of the last 15 minutes of his storied career.

Ortiz had had to beg for his job. The Fertitta brothers, Frank and Lorenzo, who between them own 90 percent of the company, had called and urged him to retire. Ortiz turned to UFC President Dana White, who owns the remaining 10 percent and was his manager before the Fertittas took over, for help. White reluctantly granted it. Really, only one person thought Ortiz wasn't done: Ortiz.

One-hundred-sixteen seconds into the fight, another person was persuaded, the victim of Ortiz's stunningly adroit and rapid guillotine choke: Bader.

Ortiz hadn't won a fight since October 2006, when he stopped then 42-year-old Ken Shamrock with a first-round technical knockout in UFC Fight Night 6.5 in Hollywood, Fla., in their third meeting. After that came four losses and a draw, public spats with his girlfriend, former porn star Jenna Jameson, and legal issues. Ortiz was getting more pixels on celebrity websites like tmz.com than he was ink in fight magazines.

Oh, that draw? UFC 73, when Ortiz squared off against top light heavyweight contender Rashad Evans. Who, coincidentally, is the man he will fight at 9 p.m. Saturday in UFC 133 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Evans, 31, has been out with injuries for 14 months. This particular fight was supposed to be between Evans and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. But Jones suffered a hand injury, so it became Evans vs. Lyoto Machida, the only man who has ever beaten Evans. Then Machida had to pull out with an injury.

Ortiz, now 36, went begging to White for a second chance; this time, it was White who called Ortiz to step up. That's why, barely a month after winning over Bader, Ortiz is stepping back into the octagon. But it wasn't an easy decision.

In a conference call with reporters, Ortiz explained that he took the fight on such short notice to repay the favor.

"It took me days to think about it," Ortiz said. "Of course I talked to Jenna and then I talked to my training partners. I talked to my coach and we kind of sat down and said, 'You know what? Let's do this. Here's an opportunity we're never going to have again.'

"Dana asked me to help him out . . . and I want to show them what a businessman for them I am, and I stepped up," he said.

There is that, of course. Ortiz and the now retired Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture saved the UFC when the Fertittas and White bought it as Zuffa a decade ago. His public troubles had put a pretty big blemish on those accomplishments. Ortiz doesn't want to go out that way.

But he acknowledged he's closer to the end of his career than the beginning -- at least as far as time in the octagon is concerned (he owns a gym and a clothing line, as well as several other fight-connected businesses). Just not yet.

"Like with Liddell, when Liddell was running as champion, he was 36. When Couture was running as champion, he was 36," Ortiz said. "Why do I got to go? Just because I lost a few fights by a split decision and decisions and draws?"

But when he decides to go, Ortiz said it will be his call, not that of the media, fans or even White and the Fertittas.

"When it's time for me to retire, you guys'll know. It'll be soon, you know, the next couple of years possibly," he said. "I'm not going to be 40 years old fighting -- no way. I have made other businesses, of course, and I'm a businessman.

"But my heart is in fighting right now," he said. "I love to fight. I want to compete against the best guys in the world and am being given that opportunity by competing with Rashad Evans. When I've filled this story that I have in my mind right now, I want to get a title on my waist, man. That's my goal."

That will be easier said that done. He will have to beat Evans -- no cinch -- then take on current champion Jones, who returns from a hand ligament injury in September in UFC 135 to face Quinton Jackson, whom Evans decisioned last May.

On July 1, few would have given Ortiz even the benefit of the doubt. Today, even though he is going into this fight as a 4-to-1 underdog, it might not be a bad bet to back him.

Thirteen Ohio-bred 2-year-old thoroughbreds will clash at Thistledown on Saturday in the $50,000 Kindergarten Stakes, and making it a more wide-open affair is the absence of the potent filly Motego.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerWatch live and simulcast horse racing at Thistledown in North Randall.

Thirteen Ohio-bred 2-year-old thoroughbreds will clash at Thistledown on Saturday in the $50,000 Kindergarten Stakes, and making it a more wide-open affair is the absence of the potent filly Motego.

Young colts and fillies have clashed twice in Ohio-bred stakes at River Downs, with Ron Dewolfe's Motego dominating the $50,000 Hoover and the $50,000 Tah Dah stakes with 17-length and 4½-length victories. A daughter of Yonagusta out of Crafty Crypto, Motego's grand-dam is Crypto's Redjet, a two-time Ohio Horse of the Year.

In the Kindergarten Stakes, trainer Tim Hamm's Blazing Meadow Farm is sending out five 2-year-olds, including Operation Bling, second to Motego in the Ta Dah Stakes on July 23. Trainer Ivan Vazquez is saddling Not an Altar Boy and Midnight Vader, who were runners-up to Motego in the Hoover Stakes on July 10.

Completing the field are Mr Sox, Activate, Kira's Wink, Raise a Lil Cain, Red Franchise, License to Bling, Monetary Reward, Paige's Prize, Private Cause and Bakers Haulover.

Hambletonian at Thistle: Harness racing's biggest 3-year-old trotting event of the season, the $1.5 million Hambletonian at New Jersey's Meadowlands Racetrack, will only be simulcast in this region to Thistledown on Saturday.

The North Randall thoroughbred track will open its gates 15 minutes early at 11:15 a.m. to present the entire Hambletonian program, which also includes the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

Thistledown begins its live racing program at 1:50 p.m. Saturday.

Trotter to watch: Manofmanymissions is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the Hambletonian, trotting after his eighth win in a dozen career starts.

Troubled early in the season by an abscess in his left front hoof, the colt has since won a division of the Stanley Dancer Trot by more than six lengths in 1:52.1 at the Meadowlands, as well as an elimination race (1:52.4) leading to Saturday's Hambletonian.

Winner of the 2010 Breeders Crown as a 2-year-old, Manofmanymissions has $567,400 in career earnings. He is trained by Erv Miller and driven by Miller's brother, Andy Miller. Completing the 10-horse Hambletonian field are Broad Bahn, Fawkes, Chapter Seven, Whit, Whisky Tax, Opening Night, Magnum Kosmos, Luckycharm Hanover and Paster Stephen.

The early favorite in the Hambletonian Oaks is Crys Dream, driven by Luc Ouellette.

Campbell in Hambo: Hall of Fame driver John Campbell, 56, juggled a decision whether to jump back in the sulky or retire after breaking his shoulder and knee in a crash while racing at Harrah's Chester (Pa.) in late May.

Racing won out, and Campbell was back at the Meadowlands a week ago to try to qualify his horse, Live Jazz, for Saturday's Hambletonian. While Live Jazz didn't make it to the Hambo, Campbell will be in the race. He will drive Opening Night for his brother, Jim Campbell, in the final.

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

The monsters of the catfish world will soon be a challenge for Buckeye anglers, with Hoover Reservoir in Columbus becoming a new home for trophy blue catfish later this year. Catfish are popular game fish around Ohio and anglers are happy with the arrival of blue catfish that will grow to trophy size. “They’re eating machines, and grow quickly,”...

D'Arcy Egan, The Plain DealerCatfish are popular game fish around Ohio and anglers are happy with the arrival of blue catfish that will grow to trophy size.

The monsters of the catfish world will soon be a challenge for Buckeye anglers, with Hoover Reservoir in Columbus becoming a new home for trophy blue catfish later this year.

Catfish are popular game fish around Ohio and anglers are happy with the arrival of blue catfish that will grow to trophy size.

“They’re eating machines, and grow quickly,” said Scott Hale, inland fisheries program administrator and acting executive administrator of fish management research for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. “The state record is a 96-pound blue catfish caught from the Ohio River in 2009. The world record is 143 pounds.”

Those weights are far heavier than Ohio records for flathead (76.5 pounds) and channel (37.65 pounds) catfish.

About 13,000 blue catfish more than a foot long are taxing the capacity of the Hebron Fish Hatchery, near Buckeye Lake in central Ohio. The blue cats and more than 20,000 yearling blue catfish (in the 6-inch range) are due to be released in Hoover Reservoir in a couple of months when the water cools.

“They’re growing so fast, the hatchery guys would like to get them out of there before they eat themselves out of house and home,” Hale said with a laugh.

Blue catfish are native to the Ohio River, but are not found in the many reservoirs around Ohio. The inaugural blue catfish stocking program last year at Dillon Reservoir in southern Ohio was a bust. Dillon Reservoir was constructed for flood control, and when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the flood gates last winter after heavy rains, the blue catfish surprised fisheries experts by making a run for it.

“We had acoustic telemetry devices attached to some of them, so we knew they were heading toward the Ohio River, where they’re a native fish,” Hale said. “We plan to introduce them to other Ohio reservoirs down the road, like we have with our muskie program, but only those reservoirs in the Ohio River watershed and where we’re confident they won’t escape.”

Hoover Reservoir supplies water to Columbus, not flood control. The 2,818-acre lake has more than enough gizzard shad to ensure the blue cats have plenty to eat. In the wild, the big cats are open-water feeders and quickly pack on the pounds.

Ohio’s blue catfish will have a southern accent, coming from Kentucky. They are also a popular game fish in Tennessee, Missouri and Arkansas.

Perch in spotlight: The fall season for Lake Erie yellow perch is right around the corner, and so is the biggest perch event of the year. The Lake County PerchFest will bring a perch fishing tournament, perch dinners and a beach festival to Fairport Harbor on Sept. 9-11.

Fish fry expert Chris Bennett is again in charge of dunking breaded perch fillets in canola oil, the best oil for frying perch, Bennett said.

The PerchFest fishing derby is Sept. 10-11. The derby is for both pier and boat anglers, with a $5 entry, $1 for kids. Bait shops in the Fairport Harbor area are selling the permits. For information, visit perchfest.net or call 1-800-368-LAKE.

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

The windy weather will calm today in time for weekend fishing, and Lake Erie yellow perch are biting around Cleveland and Lorain. The walleye bite is good off Lorain, and in deep water off Conneaut and Ashtabula. Portage Lakes have been good for large-mouth bass, with catfish curing the summertime blues on most inland water. Cleveland area Bumpy Lake Erie...

D'Arcy Egan, the Plain DealerThe windy weather will calm today in time for weekend fishing, and Lake Erie yellow perch are biting around Cleveland and Lorain.

Cleveland area

Bumpy Lake Erie is supposed to settle down for weekend fishing. Look for good catches of yellow perch from the Gold Coast to Bratenahl and off Euclid Hospital and Wildwood State Park in 38 to 45 feet of water. White bass are hitting off the East 72nd Street power plant, chasing in-line spinners and spoons and taking emerald shiner minnows or white-doll flies under a popping float.

Central Lake Erie

Walleye are being caught from the Huron area off Old Woman’s Creek to Lorain and Avon Lake. Trolling and drift-and-cast anglers are doing best in 18 to 22 feet of water west of Cranberry Creek. Lorain area anglers are trolling double-bladed spinner rigs in pink and purple tipped with nightcrawlers in 25 to 28 feet inside of the Lorain Sand Bar and off Avon Lake. The deep-water walleye bite along the Ohio-Ontario border north of Vermilion is heating up again.

The top walleye fishing off Geneva, Ashtabula and Conneaut has been in 70 to 74 feet of water. Anglers are trolling minnow-style plugs and nightcrawler/spinner rigs behind diving planers to target suspended fish. Yellow perch fishing has been very good in 42 to 52 feet of water north of Fairport Harbor, but anglers are going 15 to 16 miles out for fair walleye catches.

Yellow perch are being caught in 34-41 feet of water off the Lorain Lighthouse, Sheffield Lake and Avon Lake, with perch again hitting close to the lake bottom. Perch are being taken between Huron and Vermilion in 28-32 feet of water, especially off The Castle and the Ruggles Reef area just east of Cranberry Creek.

Smallmouth bass are being caught in 15 to 25 feet of water all along the Lake Erie shoreline and around major harbors. Bass are taking drop-shot rigs, jigging spoons and soft plastic lures on Carolina rigs.

White bass are also being caught off the Eastlake power plant breakwater, and the Mentor Headlands breakwater. The fishing has been best early and late in the day. Look for schooling white bass breaking the surface to chase emerald shiner minnows.

Inland lakes, reservoirs

Fair to good catches of largemouth bass have been reported on many inland lakes. Casting topwater lures, especially frogs, to lily pads and weed beds has been a good bet. Topwater lures are good early and late in the day. During the day, cast crankbaits or diving plugs out on points and drop-offs. Turkeyfoot, Mogadore and West reservoirs in the Portage Lakes have been good for bass. Bluegill and crappie has also been good with jigs tipped with minnows or maggots on slip bobbers in about 8 feet of water.

Warm weather has slowed the fishing at Mosquito Reservoir. Bigger catfish and some walleye are being caught in the deep water of the south end of the reservoir while trolling spinner-nightcrawler rigs. Some yellow perch and bluegill are being caught close to shore.

Bluegill are in the spotlight along the causeway at Pymatuning Reservoir, taking maggots, waxworms and small worms under a float. A few walleye are also taking jigs tipped with nightcrawlers along the causeway, and south of Stocker Island in 15-18 feet of water while trolling spinner rigs and nightcrawlers. Perch are also being caught off Tuttle Point and the south end of the lake. Spinnerbaits and jerk baits are taking a few muskies around the Jamestown Boat Launch and Jamestown Campground in deeper water. Catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers and golden shiners or chub minnows.

Western Lake Erie

Walleye fishing has been fair, with catches reported around the Niagara Reef complex and north of West Sister Island trolling spinner rigs and nightcrawlers and spoons. Drift-fishing anglers are also casting smaller spinner rigs tipped with a half of a nightcrawler to target bottom-hugging walleye. Some walleye have been caught west of Middle Island on the Ohio-Ontario border.

Perch fishermen are reporting fair catches between Marblehead and Kelleys Island, southwest of Green Island and northwest of Kelleys Island.

From a horse track to a drag strip, the Ohio high school state cross country meet is on the move to a venue where no course currently exists and a cross country race has never been held. The Ohio state meet, one of the nation’s largest and most festive events of its kind, is moving in November to National...

The Ohio High School Athletic Association broke off its 26-year run at Scioto Downs horse racing track in Columbus because the track plans to install slot machines. - (Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer)

From a horse track to a drag strip, the Ohio high school state cross country meet is on the move to a venue where no course currently exists and a cross country race has never been held.

The Ohio state meet, one of the nation’s largest and most festive events of its kind, is moving in November to National Trail Raceway, a drag racing facility near Hebron and about 15 miles east of Columbus.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association broke off its 26-year run at Scioto Downs horse racing track in Columbus because the track plans to install slot machines.

The OHSAA does not want to run the meet while gambling is present, and Scioto Downs officials told the OHSAA they won’t shut off the machines to accommodate the state meet.

In June, Gov. John Kasich approved a deal that will bring slot machines to Ohio’s seven horse tracks.

The OHSAA had been preparing to move the meet to National Trail next year. In a 9-0 vote on Thursday, its Board of Control approved the switch for the Nov. 5 state meet.

“Scioto Downs has told us they are going to install slot machines, but they don’t know exactly when,” OHSAA spokesman Tim Stried said. “It could be tomorrow or it could be a year from now, and that uncertainty led us to speed up our process to go to National Trail.”

The state meet, first run in 1928, has been at Scioto Downs since 1985 and last year it drew more than 12,000 fans, making it the largest high school or college cross country meet in the nation.

Meet Director Terry Oehrtman said construction on a spectator-friendly, 5,000-meter course on the raceway grounds probably will not begin until Sept. 1, which he said might not allow enough time to run a test event before the state meet Nov. 5.

“It’s an exciting time, but it’s also a nervous time,” said Scott Borne, president of the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches.

Oehrtman said the course will be flatter than Scioto Downs, and fans in some areas of the uncovered grandstands will be able to see all of the course except a 600-meter section in the woods.

The course will cross paved areas of the facility. The finish will be in front of the main grandstand, closer to fans than it was at Scioto Downs.

Greater Cleveland has dominated the state meet’s three boys and three girls divisions in recent years. In addition to Magnificat, other area team champs last year were St. Vincent-St. Mary’s girls, Woodridge’s boys and Independence’s boys. The Medina and SVSM boys were runners-up.

“I think Scioto gave us somewhat of an advantage because our guys were familiar with it there,” said Independence coach Craig Polman, who returns another strong team. “With a new course, there’s a little bit of a learning curve.”

Is Ohio State's No. 16 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll too high or too low? The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises talks with CineSport's Noah Coslov about that as well as the Buckeyes' quarterback situation, what would it take for this season to be considered a success, new coach Luke Fickell and more.

AP PhotoLuke Fickell

Is Ohio State's No. 16 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll too high or too low? The Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises talks with CineSport's Noah Coslov about that as well as the Buckeyes' quarterback situation, what would it take for this season to be considered a success, new coach Luke Fickell and more.

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

Follow Doug Lesmerises on Twitter: @PDBuckeyes

The Browns resume their morning practice schedule today, donning the pads for a 8:45-11 a.m. session that's open to the public in Berea.

The Browns resume their morning practice schedule today, donning the pads for a 8:45-11:15 a.m. session that's open to the public in Berea.

It will be the first full practice for No. 1 pick Phil Taylor and free agents, who had to wait for the CBA to be formally ratified before getting some time on the field on Thursday.

Can't make it to Berea? Read live tweets below from Plain Dealer Browns beat reporters @TonyGrossi and @Mary Kay Cabot as they describe the action on the practice field, fill you in on the latest news and post photos and more from 76 Lou Groza Blvd.

Today's open practice runs from 8:45-11:15 a.m. The team will hold an open scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium tomorrow starting at 2 p.m. Get the complete training camp schedule here.

• See more photos from training camp or post your own

• Watch videos from Berea

• Phil Taylor fits in well with Browns teammates

• New CB Dimitri Patterson plays nickel back: Browns Insider

• Browns add 13 players as CBA is ratified: Training Camp Log

Akron, Ohio -- Tiger Woods tees off for his second round at the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone County Club at 9:50 a.m. at 2-under, 68. He is 6 strokes behind the leader, Adam Scott, who shot a -8, 62. Scott tees off at 10:10 a.m. Follow updates from The Plain Dealer on Twitter as reporters Dennis Manoloff, Tim...

Akron, Ohio -- Tiger Woods tees off for his second round at the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone County Club at 9:50 a.m. at 2-under, 68. He is 6 strokes behind the leader, Adam Scott, who shot a -8, 62. Scott tees off at 10:10 a.m.

Follow updates from The Plain Dealer on Twitter as reporters Dennis Manoloff, Tim Rogers, Bill Lubinger and the Starting Blocks team follow Tiger along with the rest of the field throughout the weekend, bringing you updates from almost every hole with some photos along the way.

WGC-Bridgestone Invitational coverage:

• Check the latest leaderboard

• Photo galleries from Firestone Country Club

• WGC-Bridgestone Invitational: What you need to know | More coverage »

"I think the Browns are going to surprise some people with their defense. When you read the quotes from the players, they seem hungry and enthusiastic." -hongkongfan

Lisa DeJong, The Plain DealerThe Browns hope Phil Taylor (98) can stop the run on the defensive line.

I think the Browns are going to surprise some people with their defense. When you read the quotes from the players, they seem hungry and enthusiastic. If the right side of the offensive line stays healthy and productive, they will be able to control time of possession and keep the defense fresh.

Browns know it's hard to compete for a playoff spot without doing well in the division.

Associated PressBaltimore's Joe Flacco delivers a pass over the rush of Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.

The NFL regular season is quickly approaching. And this year, as in any other, it's hard to make the playoffs if you do not control your division.

On today's Starting Blocks TV, Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi talks about how he thinks the Browns will regret not taking an offensive playmaker in Alabama WR Julio Jones during this year's draft.

Tony says he is taking a wait-and-see approach before he predicts how the Browns will do against the AFC North this season.

But how do you think the Browns match up? How many games will they win this season against their AFC North Division rivals? That's our question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Plain Dealer Browns reporter says Phil Taylor may be a fine addition, but team still lacks TD-makers. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough.

The Cleveland Browns finally have their team together after the remaining players joined practice on Thursday. Now that the roster complete for the most part, it's time to take stock of how the Browns match up against the division. How many games do you think they will win against the AFC North this season? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest is Plain Dealer Browns reporter Tony Grossi, who reported in from Berea during practice. Chuck asks Tony about whether new punter Richmond McGee is a long-term solution.

Also, Tony answers fan questions from his weekly Hey, Tony! feature. He weighs in on questions about whether the Browns will receive compensation for losing CB Eric Wright to the Detroit Lions; whether they will lock up some of their core players like OT Joe Thomas and RB Peyton Hillis to long-term deals; and why the Browns might regret trading down and not taking WR Julio Jones in this year's draft.

SBTV will return Monday with Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff talking golf and Indians.

Fowler eagles the par-4, 442-yard third hole to get to 8-under for share of lead with first day leader Adam Scott.

View full sizeAssociated PressRickie Fowler hits from the 18th tee Friday during the second round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.

AKRON, Ohio - Rickie Fowler has shot to the top of the leaderboard early Friday at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.

The Plain Dealer's coverage team is all over the course tweeting updates all day, including tweets throughout Tiger Woods' round, which began at 9:50 a.m. Look for @sblocks and @dmansworldpd. 

Fowler eagled the par-4, 442-yard third hole moments ago to get to 8-under to share the lead with first day leader Adam Scott. Scott opened with nine pars to stay at 8-under.

Fowler, who began the second round on the back side, logged three straight birdies on Nos. 13-15. He bogeyed 17 and birdied 18 for a 3-under side. Fowler scored par on No. 1 and birdie on the par-5 second hole before the eagle.

Jason Day, who entered the day in second place at 7-under, tees off at 1:50 p.m.

Woods began his round the same way as Thursday, scoring par on the first four holes, this time on the back side. But then Woods struggled a bit, posting consecutive bogeys on Nos. 14 and 15. He recovered with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 before scoring par on Nos. 18 and 1. 

Woods is tied for 23rd at 2-under.

Phil Mickelson, tied for 17th at 3-under, tees off at 1:50 p.m. U.S Open champion Rory McIlroy, tied for 23rd at 2-under, goes off at 1:40 p.m.

• Check the latest leaderboard

Pat Shurmur has other ways of getting the ball to Josh Cribbs.

 BEREA -- Observations from the morning practice ...

 * Josh Cribbs confirmed what we reported about coach Pat Shurmur in March. "He's not a big fan of the Wildcat," Cribbs said. "But he is a big fan of getting me the football." Cribbs stopped short of detailing the plans for getting him the ball, but he did say he could be running patterns out of the backfield "more times than not." Cribbs had a pretty good day catching the ball Friday as a conventional receiver. He also took a pitchout from Colt McCoy and fired a sideline completion to Brian Robiskie.

 * Greg Little rebounded with a decent day catching the ball after suffering some drops on Thursday, when Shurmur worked him hard in red zone drills.

 * Unheralded Branndon Braxton is emerging as an offensive tackle to watch. He's been the top backup to both Joe Thomas on the left and Tony Pasos on the right. Newcomer John Greco is breaking in at right guard.

 * New punter Richmond McGee looks to be the first candidate to hold on placekicks. Seneca Wallace and Jordan Norwood also are candidates. Entrusting McGee with the holder role is a sign the Browns may envision McGee as the full-time replacement to injured Reggie Hodges. All depends on the preseason games, of course.

 * Cornerback Joe Haden was held out after tweaking a hamstring on Thursday. Undrafted rookie defensive end Jabari Fletcher was carted off the field with a sprained knee after a player rolled over him.

 * Another day without running back Montario Hardesty getting any work on the field. He has not practiced since the Browns put on their pads at the beginning of the week. Shurmur continues to say it's the plan to ease in Hardesty with caution. He looks a bit frustrated. Also missing were WR Mohamed Massaquoi (foot), WR Jordan Norwood (hip), TE Jordan Cameron (hamstring) and LB Sidney Tarver (undisclosed).

 * Excellent defensive work by safety T.J. Ward defending a short pass in the end zone to tight end Ben Watson. Ward deflected the tightly thrown ball.