Browns' 4-3 defense has yielded yardage, but often (besides, unfortunately, late minutes of opening loss) frustrated opponents' offenses.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerBrowns' free safety Mike Adams (20) and cornerback Joe Haden (23) celebrate Adams' interception of a Chad Henne pass in the last minute of Cleveland's 17-16 win over Miami.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns are over .500 three games into the season for the first time since 2002.

A major reason -- maybe, the primary reason -- for the Browns' 2-1 start is their 4-3 defense.

The defense, with a nice blend of young players and veterans, has come through in the clutch twice -- in Sunday's 17-16 home win over the Miami Dolphins, and in the 27-19 win over the Colts in Indianapolis last Sunday.

The Browns' defense failed to hold a late lead in the season-opening 27-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. Otherwise, including the first 3 1/2 quarters of that game, the Browns' defense has made it difficult for its opponents to capitalize on most of their scoring opportunities.

The Dolphins, Colts and Bengals' offenses have often moved the ball against Cleveland, but too often -- from their standpoints -- had to settle for a field goal try or no points at all against the resistance of a defense led by first-year Browns' coordinator Dick Jauron.

Thus, the "bend-but-don't-break" label often tagged to the 1960s Browns defenses might, decades later, apply to these guys, too.

Yes, the comparison is premature. But to watch a defense occasionally come through at crunch time is refreshing. Hey, going into this season, the Browns were 64-128 since re-joining the NFL as a franchise in 1999.

Who is, so far, the Browns' Most Valuable Player on defense?

The Browns' defense came to the rescue Sunday, pressuring Chad Henne all game and stopping the Dolphins in the final 36 seconds.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns safety Mike Adams gathers in the game-clinching interception as Miami's Brandon Marshall is out of the play in the final seconds Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. "It's a challenge," Adams said of the defense's final stand. "Obviously you don't want to be in that position, but it's a challenge. That's why we're on defense; we've got to step up to the plate when something goes wrong."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With 36 seconds until glory, the Browns defense gathered for one inspirational moment, hoping one last bit of advice might propel them against Miami. In truth, there was only one thing they could all say.

"Don't give them anything," safety T.J. Ward recalled. "Don't give them an inch. Don't let them breathe."

That was the only option after a horse-collar penalty on Dimitri Patterson gave the Dolphins 15 yards after the kickoff return -- on top of a celebration penalty after the TD the Browns had scored to put them ahead, 17-16. All of which meant Miami would start from the Cleveland 47, and the Dolphins kicker, Dan Carpenter, has a powerful leg that can boot 45-yard field goals reliably.

The defense didn't want to allow Miami to get any closer than 37 yards from the end zone. Four plays later, as safety Mike Adams intercepted Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne on fourth-and-10, they could all finally breathe again.

"We knew that we had to play to the best of our ability, we couldn't give up the edge," cornerback Joe Haden said. "So basically everybody gutted up and did their job. The D-line was putting pressure on [Henne], sacking him, hitting him the whole game. And the DBs, we weren't even giving them any room."

With the offense showing up for only the final two minutes Sunday, the defense came to the rescue. They did it with a young and promising line that sacked Henne five times, a talented Haden who shadowed and slowed Miami's star receiver Brandon Marshall (four catches, 43 yards) and a persistence despite being on the field nearly twice as much as the offense.

"They did some things that you need to do when offensively we weren't quite clicking," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. "At the end there, to spot them 30 yards in penalties and then shut them down ... that's great stuff."

The defense, for one, never had any doubt. Henne couldn't connect on three pass attempts before Adams' pick.

"You were scared?" Adams incredulously asked. "It's a challenge. Obviously you don't want to be in that position, but it's a challenge. That's why we're on defense; we've got to step up to the plate when something goes wrong."

Everything seemed to be going wrong for the offense for most of the game, as Miami controlled the ball 37:51 of the 60 minutes. The Browns' time of possession was the lowest they've recorded in a win since having the ball for 19:10 in a victory over New Orleans in 1999.

"I'm not gonna lie, I was a little winded," Haden said. "But we've gotta suck it up and just keep fighting no matter how long we're out there."

The youthful defensive line, which starts two rookies in tackle Phil Taylor and left end Jabaal Sheard, was still active, despite the added time on the field, and Taylor suffering a strained MCL. It registered four of the five sacks, with end Jayme Mitchell and tackle Ahtyba Rubin logging 1.5 sacks apiece.

"If we keep playing like we're playing, people are going to know about us," said Taylor, who said his knee felt fine. "People already know about us from watching film, but if we keep playing the way we're playing, we're going to be one of those dominant forces."

On Sunday, at least, they already were.

How important was it for the Browns to win a game in the manner they did Sunday? Even though he led the game-winning drive, should we be concerned about Colt McCoy's accuracy? Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerChad Henne was under pressure much of the day against the Browns on Sunday.

How important was it for the Browns to win a game in the manner they did Sunday? Even though he led the game-winning drive, should we be concerned about Colt McCoy's accuracy?

Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• What did you think of the Browns' front four in this game on defense?

• What can the coaching staff do to address the Browns' slow starts offensively?

• If Montario Hardesty shows the ability to be a No. 1 back, does that change the Browns' thinking in regards to extending Peyton Hillis?

• Should the Browns consider replacing Sheldon Brown as the second cornerback?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Watch video as Costello and DeLeone talked about their careers in Cleveland, including playing for coaches Paul Brown and Sam Rutigliano. Costello also recalled playing in the 1964 NFL Championship Game, while DeLeone remembered the 1980 playoff game against the Raiders, forever known as the "Red Right 88" game. Watch video

Is this the start of the Braxton Miller era at Ohio State.

Marvin Fong / The Plain DealerOhio State Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller (5) looks to stiff arm Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Ray Polk (26).

Bob Hunter of The Columbus Dispatch writes how the start of the Braxton Miller era (if you want to go there) looks like the beginning of the Troy Smith era.

Hunter writes how Smith eventually won the Heisman Trophy after starting this way, but Hunger wonders if the Miller era might not be over before it really gets started.

No freshman quarterback can probably be expected to hold up under that kind of use, particularly one like Miller who was injured every year in high school. But then, both Fickell and Miller admitted that some of his runs were potential pass plays on which the quarterback saw a hole and took off, much like a young Smith.

But the Buckeyes had better figure out how to solve their passing woes, too, Hunter writes. They can’t expect to win against quality opponents when their quarterback completes 5 of 13 passes for 83 yards.

Around the Horse Shoe

Miller earns praise in first start, writes Mike Markey in The Toledo Blade.

OSU's running attack helps Braxton Miller in his first start.

Michigan State comes to Columbus on Saturday packed with Ohioans.

Michigan State's defense is eager for Ohio State.

"I'm a Colt fan, but he played nothing like I expected. The urgency and will to move the chains wasn't there until the final drive and, although it was good enough Sunday, any other team would have slammed us. A win is a win, but if those hiccups aren't corrected soon, we are sitting ducks for the top tier teams." - brownsorno1

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain DealerColt McCoy struggled on Sunday until the Browns' final drive.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns' drive to beat Miami Dolphins shows Colt McCoy is a gamer, says Mary Kay Cabot (SBTV), cleveland.com reader brownsorno1 still has some concerns about McCoy and the Browns. This reader writes,

"I'm a Colt fan, but he played nothing like I expected. The urgency and will to move the chains wasn't there until the final drive and, although it was good enough Sunday, any other team would have slammed us. A win is a win, but if those hiccups aren't corrected soon, we are sitting ducks for the top tier teams."

"Sizemore. I mean, it's almost funny in a sad sort of way. Obviously there's only one thing to do: pick up his pricey option and assume he's going to be a picture of health next season." - vineman

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore's health has made the Tribe's decision on his option that much more difficult.

In response to the story Down and out for the third time, Grady Sizemore's season is over with ailing knee: Indians Insider, cleveland.com reader vineman knows exactly what the Indians should do with Sizemore. This reader writes,

"Sizemore. I mean, it's almost funny in a sad sort of way. Obviously there's only one thing to do: pick up his pricey option and assume he's going to be a picture of health next season."

Vote in this week’s You Pick the Game contest to select one football game for The Plain Dealer to cover on Friday night. Cast your vote in the poll on this webpage to decide which game you want The Plain Dealer to cover this week.

Avon Lake's Dontez Smith evades the arms of Avon's Ryan Rogers on a run during an August 25 game. Avon Lake is one of 10 teams included in this week's You Pick the Game contest. - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

Vote in this week’s You Pick the Game contest to select one football game for The Plain Dealer to cover on Friday night.

Cast your vote in the poll on this webpage to decide which game you want The Plain Dealer to cover this week.

Voting is open until noon Thursday. The winner will be announced in Friday’s Sports section.

"The NBA and MLB just don't get it. The NFL has a hard salary cap and is laughing all the way to the bank. I will continue to spend much more of my entertainment dollar on the NFL as it is truly competitive." - berniebrown

View full sizeAPNBA commissioner David Stern.

In response to the story Cleveland Cavaliers players considering players-only workouts in Columbus as NBA cancels 43 exhibition games, cleveland.com reader berniebrown thinks the NFL is the only league that gets it. This reader writes,

"The NBA and MLB just don't get it. The NFL has a hard salary cap and is laughing all the way to the bank. I will continue to spend much more of my entertainment dollar on the NFL as it is truly competitive."

MAC commissioner says no way Toledo will get victory despite bad call.

APToldeo running back David Fuellen (22) is chased by Syracuse's Mikhail Marinovich (54).

TOLEDO, Ohio -- The head of the Mid-American Conference says there's no way to take away Syracuse's overtime win over Toledo despite a blown call on an extra point.

Mid-American commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said Monday that NCAA rules say there's no route to reverse the outcome once the game is declared over.

Toledo athletic director Mike O'Brien asked the Mid-American Conference to call for the Big East Conference to give Toledo the victory after a Big East official admitted that replay officials made a mistake in the Orange's 33-30 victory Saturday.

Video shows that Syracuse missed a late extra point but the officials ruled it good. Replay officials allowed it to stand.

Toledo then kicked a tying field goal to force overtime, but the Orange came back with a field goal to win.

"Thank you, Manny! Only one team will win it all and it usually isn't us, but there were many great moments that true fans appreciated. From April, when every move you made seemed to be golden, through when you put Thome at 3B. Classy. This year's journey was a blast." - gotribe37

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain DealerThe Indians had many memorable celebrations this year, including this one after a walk-off grand slam by Carlos Santana.

In response to the story A grateful Manny Acta thanks Tribe fans: Indians Chatter, cleveland.com reader gotribe37 has good memories from 2011. This reader writes,

"Thank you, Manny! Only one team will win it all and it usually isn't us, but there were many great moments that true fans appreciated. From April, when every move you made seemed to be golden, through when you put Thome at 3B. Classy. This year's journey was a blast."

"I absolutely love Haden. The guy will be grouped with Revis, Champ Bailey and Cromartie by the end of the year. The Browns haven't had a corner like him since Minnifield and Dixon." - brownsorno1

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerJoe Haden is beginning to establish himself as a solid cover corner.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns' bend-but-don't break defense: Who is the MVP after 3 games? Poll, cleveland.com reader inkster thinks Joe Haden is fast on his way to becoming one of the best corners in the game. This reader writes,

"I absolutely love Haden. The guy will be grouped with Revis, Champ Bailey and Cromartie by the end of the year. The Browns haven't had a corner like him since Minnifield and Dixon."

The Cleveland Browns Pat Shurmur, Colt McCoy and Montario Hardesty talk about the game winning drive late in the fourth quarter to beat the Miami Dolphins 17 - 16 on Sunday. Hosted by Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot. Watch video

Browns running back Peyton Hillis was back with the team in meetings today after sitting out Sunday's game with strep throat.

Joshua Gunter | The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis was back with the team today after suffering from strep throat and a high fever.

BEREA -- Browns running back Peyton Hillis was back in team meetings today after sitting out Sunday's game with strep throat and weakness from a fever and throwing up on Saturday.

"My understanding in talking to the trainers is that he feels better today,'' said coach Pat Shurmur.

Shurmur said Hillis spent Saturday night at the team hotel with the rest of the team and that the Browns hoped he'd be ready to play Sunday.

"He was in all the meetings,'' said Shurmur. "He was getting better. He got really sick in the middle of the week, then he was getting better, so he was at the team hotel on Saturday night. We were hoping he’d get a good night's sleep and then get better. Then it didn’t happen.  We were going through the process of getting him ready to play and he felt like he couldn’t go.  I made the comment yesterday, with his illness, I felt like if he couldn’t play, the best thing for him to do was go home and get better.''

Shurmur declined to share his pre-game chat with Hillis: "We visited. That’s obviously between the player and the coach. He couldn’t go.''

In other Browns news:

* Cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebacker Chris Gocong both suffered strained groins during the Dolphins game and might be limited in practice. 

* Left tackle Joe Thomas suffered a little bit of a knee strain during the game "but our understanding is that he'll be fine. I just want you to be aware of it in case he may be a little bit limited early in the week.''

* Right tackle Tony Pashos will get more reps this week "and will make an effort to come back even stronger than he did last week.''

* Defensive tackle Phil Taylor's knee, which originally thought to be an mcl sprain, is fine, Shurmur said.

*  Receivers Mohamed Massaquoi (ankle) and Josh Cribbs (groin) came through the game no worse for the wear, Shurmur said.

The Plain Dealer High School Football Top 25 Records through Sunday. Previous week's rankings in parentheses.

The Plain Dealer High School Football Top 25

Records through Sunday. Previous week's rankings in parentheses.

1. St. Edward, 5-0 (1): At Youngstown Ursuline on Friday.

2. Solon, 5-0 (2): At Medina on Friday.

3. Mentor, 5-0 (3): Hosts No. 14 Brunswick on Friday.

4. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 5-0 (4): Fighting Irish eyes were smiling in a 17-14 nonleague win over neighborhood rival Archbishop Hoban. Hosts Akron Garfield on Friday.

5. St. Ignatius, 4-1 (5): Hosts No. 11 Glenville on Saturday.

6. Maple Heights, 5-0 (6): Idle.

7. Walsh Jesuit, 3-1 (7): The Warriors defeated Lake Catholic, 14-12, in a huge North Coast League Blue Division game. At Canisius (N.Y.) on Saturday.

8. Avon, 5-0 (8): At Rocky River on Friday.

9. Lake Catholic, 4-1 (9): At No. 16 Benedictine on Friday.

10. Chagrin Falls, 5-0 (10): At Wickliffe on Friday.

11. Glenville, 2-2 (11): At No. 5 St. Ignatius on Saturday.

12. Aurora, 4-1 (13): At No. 22 West Geauga on Friday.

13. Wadsworth, 5-0 (14): At No. 25 Green on Friday.

14. Brunswick, 5-0 (15): The Blue Devils kept their unbeaten status intact with a last-second 35-34 victory at Garfield Heights. At No. 3 Mentor on Friday.

15. Hudson, 4-1 (16): Hosts Garfield Heights on Friday.

16. Benedictine, 5-0 (17): Hosts No. 9 Lake Catholic on Friday.

17. Elyria, 4-1 (12): Hosts Valley Forge on Friday.

18. Ravenna, 4-1 (18): At Springfield on Friday.

19. Copley, 4-1 (19): At Cloverleaf on Friday.

20. Cleveland Heights, 5-0 (20): Hosts Shaker Heights on Saturday.

21. Eastlake North, 5-0 (22): At Madison on Friday.

22. West Geauga, 5-0 (24): Hosts No. 12 Aurora on Friday.

23. Midview, 4-1 (25): Hosts Bay on Friday.

24. Kirtland, 5-0 (-):The Hornets jumped into the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division driver's seat with a win over Cuyahoga Heights. At Berkshire on Friday.

25. Green, 4-1 (-):The Bulldogs' defense has surrendered just 46 points in their four victories. Hosts No. 13 Wadsworth on Friday.

Dropped out: University School, Ellet.

The Browns need some early success to overcome the tsunami of losing that has sunk this franchise since 1999.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerIf Pat Shurmur is being frank -- and accurate -- in stating that the Browns are that far away from resolving their many weaknesses, that doesn't mean that winning two of the first three games has no significance, says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Know why the Browns are 2-1? Because they keep beating bad teams.

Over and over, I've heard that. Yes, the Browns are 2-1, but the three teams that they've played are a combined 1-8. All of that is true, but it brings up two questions:

1. What would you rather have them do, lose to bad team?

2. Aren't the Browns a bad team?

The Browns have been a bad team ever since they returned in 1999. They've had two winning seasons. They played in one playoff game and lost. They are 14-34 in the last three years.

So the complaint about beating bad teams is strange. At this point, any victory has meaning -- especially because the Browns don't appear to be fooled by their best start since 2002. Coach Pat Shurmur went from saying his team made a "boatload of mistakes" to now a "freighter" to required to haul all the video tapes of missed assignments and other football indiscretions.

Those words came after Sunday's 17-16 victory over the Dolphins. Don't be surprised if Shurmur hauls out a reference to the entire Pacific fleet after the next game. He knows his West Coast offense and quarterback Colt McCoy waver from erratic to inconsistent. He's upset because there have been too many penalties, and the defensive stupor that cost the Browns a chance to beat the Bengals still gnaws at him.

The defense has been respectable, but does not dominate.

No one should confuse this with a playoff team, not in the powerful AFC North. If it hasn't already, reality will strike starting in December when four of their final five games are against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

But if anything is ever to change, they need some early success with their rookie coach who has implemented a new offense and defense. They must show they can make some adjustments, as they did after the opening game loss to the Bengals. They were flagged for 11 penalties, and seven were unforced -- jumping offside, illegal formations and too many men on the field.

In the last two games, there have been only three such errors. You can make it four, if you want to count the "excessive celebration" penalty, which seemed rather subdued. That is a very positive sign.

They are a team using a dozen players who are in their first two pro seasons. That's critical. The Browns were 9-7 with mostly a veteran roster in 2002. The next four years, they were 5-11, 4-12, 6-10 and 4-12.

One of the keys to this season is making sure the key draft choices and younger players spend a lot of time on the field. The idea isn't simply to raise the record from the usual 5-11 to 7-9 or 8-8. It's to make sure the Browns find out about McCoy, Peyton Hillis, Greg Little, Montario Hardesty and so many others. They are starting two first-rounders and two second-rounders picked by General Manager Tom Heckert on defense, and four more of his picks on offense.

Are they the real thing? This season is a good time to find out -- and also win some games in the process, be it against bad teams or anyone else.

Ubaldo Jimenez faces Doug Fister in Detroit

View full sizeMatt Strasen | Associated PressUbaldo Jimenez is 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA against Detroit this season.

Get updates on Twitter from @hoynsie and @dmansworldpd in the box below.

• MLB scoreboard.

Two days after Syracuse took a tainted 33-30 nonconference football win over Toledo, the Rockets still want some justice.

View full sizeMAC photo"I share the frustration and regret with our Toledo coaches, student-athletes, administration and supporters of the Rockets football program," MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement Monday over the controversial finish of the Toledo-Syracuse game. He added that there's "no recourse" to changing the 33-30 loss for the Rockets.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two days after Syracuse took a tainted 33-30 nonconference football win over Toledo, the Rockets still want some justice.

After Syracuse scored a touchdown with 2:07 left in regulation, Orange kicker Ross Krautman pulled the point-after kick left. The field officials ruled the kick good, and even though replays showed the football crossing in front of the left upright, Big East Conference replay officials in the press box upheld the call.

Instead of leading, 29-27, Syracuse was ahead, 30-27. Toledo would kick a field goal to tie the game at 30 and send it into overtime, where the Rockets lost after throwing an interception.

Following the game, the Big East admitted the PAT had failed, but did not change the score. Sunday, UT athletic director Mike O'Brien and coach Tim Beckman called for the score to be reversed and asked the MAC to stand behind them.

The Big East has stood behind the NCAA rule book, stating once the officials (who made the original mistake) say the game is over, the score stands. The NCAA has not been heard from.

On Monday afternoon, MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher issued a statement:

"Since the conclusion of the Toledo-Syracuse game, I have been in communication with Big East Commissioner, John Marinatto, along with Rogers Redding, Secretary-Rules Editor of the NCAA Football Rules Committee. By rule, once the game is declared over, the score is final and there is no recourse to reverse an outcome. ...

"I share the frustration and regret with our Toledo coaches, student-athletes, administration and supporters of the Rockets football program. Immediately following the game, Bill Carollo, Coordinator of Officials of the Midwest Football Officials Alliance (MAC, Big Ten, Missouri Valley), reviewed the play and was in contact with Big East Coordinator of Officials, Terry McAuley, and both officials agreed that the ruling on the field and replay official both failed to make the correct call.

"As disappointing as this situation is, we are confident that proper action will be taken by the Big East Conference."

On Monday, Syracuse coaches expressed disappointment in the outcome but did not offer to give up the victory. The Big East, noting the NCAA rules, washed its hands of the situation.

Beckman, when pressed during the weekly MAC teleconference, still said something needs to be done.

"We had an opportunity to make a correction, and the correction was not made," Beckman said. "I think people need to be accountable, if it's seen and shown it was an improper call. I think the call was wrong. This is an opportunity now for somebody to say, hey, we made a mistake, the final outcome should be 30-29 for the Rockets."

East pride: The MAC's East Division may have two of the worst teams in the league, but also three of the best. The Temple Owls speak for themselves, following an impressive win over Maryland. Ohio (3-1) looks to be strong, and may not be hard-pressed again until November, when the Bobcats play Temple, Bowling Green and rival Miami.

Bowling Green (3-1, 1-1) is the third strong team. The Falcons are coming off an impressive 37-23 victory over Miami, but could be undefeated if it had made a conversion kick in a game against Wyoming, which BG lost in overtime. Coach Dave Clawson and his team will get a huge challenge this week at West Virginia.

RedHawks at the crossroads: Right now the MAC's mystery team is defending league champ Miami (0-3, 0-1). The RedHawks have lost to Missouri, Minnesota and Bowling Green, and now must prepare for a home game against Cincinnati (3-1).

There is some anxiety in Oxford.

"There is a lot of angst," said assistant Miami coach Zak Willis. "We're very concerned, frustrated, about where we are. We lost on the last play, basically, at Minnesota. At Missouri we thought we played well enough to win, we didn't. It's going to be a challenge. We need to find ourselves very quickly, and play well this weekend and try to get a win."

The Indians have several relievers eligible for arbitration, but Manny Acta expects them all to return next season.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerChris Perez will join Joe Smith and Rafael Perez as Indians relievers eligible for arbitration before the 2012 season.

DETROIT, Mich. -- The best part of the Indians this season has been the bullpen. It's a good thing, because the core of the pen is young and nowhere near free agency.

The not-so-good part is closer Chris Perez and set-up men Joe Smith and Rafael Perez are eligible for arbitration this winter. Lefty Tony Sipp could qualify as a Super Two player. They could all be in line for substantial raises. The only one who won't be is rookie Vinnie Pestano, and that has nothing to do with performance and everything to do with service time.

As manager Manny Acta said before Monday's game against Detroit, one of the reasons there is volatility in bullpens from one season to the next is because owners don't especially like to pay big money to relievers who aren't closing games. Breaking the bank for a match-up lefty to make 70 appearances and pitch 60 innings is an area where many teams feel they can save money.

In other words, find a replacement in the farm system.

Acta doesn't think that would happen to the Tribe's bullpen next season.

"The bullpen's performance can go back and forth when you have moving parts," said Acta. "But Raffie Perez and Tony Sipp are going to be back next year. We're anticipating Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano and Joe Smith will be here next year. That's the core of our bullpen."

The Tribe's pen entered the final series of the season at 27-20 with 38 saves and a 3.54 ERA, third-best in the AL.

Update pending: Head trainer Lonnie Soloff is scheduled to give an update on Grady Sizemore on Tuesday. Sizemore, who last played Thursday, has been shut down for the remainder of the season because of soreness in his right knee.

He's been on the disabled list three times this year.

Reasoned response: Josh Tomlin knows Acta and Soloff did the right thing by not letting him pitch again this season. Still, being unable to make a final appearance in his first full big-league season was difficult.

"I absolutely wanted to pitch," said Tomlin, who made the last trip of the season to Detroit with the team. "I really wanted to get back out there, but this is the smart thing to do. They didn't want anything to happen where I might end up missing next year as well."

Tomlin went 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 26 starts before a sore right elbow ended his season following an Aug. 24 start against Seattle. He rehabbed with the intention of pitching again, but when the Indians dropped out of the race in the AL Central, they ended Tomlin's season.

"My goal this year was to pitch 200 innings and get deep into games," said Tomlin. "As a fourth or fifth starter, I felt my job was to give the bullpen guys a break whenever I pitched."

Tomlin threw 165 1/3 innings, averaging just over six innings per start. In the first 37 starts of his career -- he's never made a relief appearance with the Tribe -- Tomlin pitched at least five innings every time out. The streak ended against Seattle when he lasted only 4 2/3 innings.

"I'm happy with the season I had," said Tomlin, "and my elbow feels great."

Finally: Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was back in the lineup Monday after leaving the second game of a day-night doubleheader Saturday against the Twins with a bruised right elbow.

"I'm fine," said Cabrera.

Acta said there was no thought of shutting Cabrera down.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

The Tigers ripped the Indians for the eighth straight time on Monday. In the process, Doug Fister carved up the Tribe's lineup.

View full sizeCarlos Osorio, Associated PressDetroit's Alex Avila got the Tigers out to a quick lead when he slid past Indians catcher Lou Marson in the second inning following teammate Ryan Raburn's triple at Comerica Park.

DETROIT, Mich. -- It's over for Ubaldo Jimenez. The rest of us have two games to go to put this odd season behind us.

At times inspiring, at times maddening, the Indians stand at 80-80 after their most lopsided loss of the season Monday night at Comerica Park. Once again, the Tigers were the hammer and the Indians the nail in a 14-0 defeat administered by right-hander Doug Fister and the bats of manager Jim Leyland's lineup.

There are a couple of different ways to dissect the Tribe's eighth straight loss to Detroit.

There's the Jimenez-Fister angle. The Tigers acquired Fister on July 30th from Seattle. The Indians acquired Jimenez from Colorado on July 31. Fister is 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA since the trade. Jimenez is 4-4 with a 5.10 ERA since the deal.

When the Indians acquired Jimenez, they were in second place in the AL Central, 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers. They are still in second place today after being eliminated on Sept. 16, but trail the Tigers by 13 games.

If you think that's hopeless, how about the Indians trying to hit Fister? He's 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA against them. In his last two starts, Fister has 22 strikeouts in 16 innings. For the season, he's struck out 38 Indians in 39 innings.

"Fister just carved us up pretty good," said manager Manny Acta. "He continues to pitch very well against us."

If the Fister-Jimenez angle doesn't appeal to you, try this one. Forget this season, Jimenez is going to be just fine next year. The Indians say the most important thing they've seen from him since the deal is that he's healthy.

"I think he's going to be fine for us," said Acta. "I think the stuff is there. He has to tinker with some things here and there and that's what the off-season is for.

"The arm strength is there. The secondary pitches are there. We're expecting him to be fine for us."

There has been a cloak of mystery around Jimenez since the trade. He was slowed by a groin injury in spring training. Then a thumb problem arrived. The Indians put him through an extensive physical before approving the trade, but his 11 starts have been uneven.

Jimenez says a winter of rest and condition will cure that.

"I'm going to have everything 100 percent," said Jimenez. "I'm going to have my velocity. My breaking ball. It's going to be a different season."

Jimenez went 10-13 with a 4.68 ERA overall. Against the Tigers he went 2-3 with a 6.35 ERA (20 earned runs in 28 1/3 innings). They scored six runs on nine hits in five innings against him Monday. On Aug. 21, when the Indians were still in the race, they peppered him for eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.

"He's had a couple of tough outings against them," said Acta. "Eventually he's going to have to figure them out because we play them 18 times a season."

Detroit scored all its runs against Jimenez with two out. Ryan Raburn hit a two-out triple in the second for a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers made it 4-0 with three runs in the third. The inning unraveled when Cabrera failed to backhand a routine grounder to short by Delmon Young with two out in the third. It was ruled a hit, but should have been an error because Cabrera usually makes that play in his sleep.

Miguel Cabrera followed with an RBI single and Alex Avila added a two-run double.

The Tigers made it 6-0 in the fifth. Don Kelly hit a leadoff double, but Jimenez retired the next two batters. Victor Martinez doubled home Kelly and came around to score on Avila's single.

When asked if he was glad if his season was over, Jimenez said, "When you're out of the playoffs, you're glad it's over. Especially for me, it's been a long season."

The Tigers settled things with eight runs on eight hits in the eighth against relievers Corey Kluber and Josh Judy. The big hits were a three-run homer by Young and a two-run double by Andy Dirks off Judy. It gave Dirks two hits and three RBI in the eighth.

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