Today's TV and radio sports listings.

Chuck Crow, Plain Dealer file photoIndians manager Manny Acta.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

SUNDAY

Auto racing

NASCAR: Sprint Cup, Aaron's 499, noon, WJW Channel 8

NHRA: Southern Nationals, 7 (tape), ESPN2

Baseball

Indians vs. Texas, 1:05, SportsTime Ohio; WKYC Channel 3

N.Y. Yankees at Kansas City, 2, TBS

L.A. Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 2:10, WGN

Philadelphia at Washington, 8, ESPN

College baseball

Nebraska at Indiana, noon, Big Ten Network

UC Santa Barbara vs. UC Irvine, 5, ESPNU

College softball

Texas at Oklahoma, 1, ESPN

Florida at Alabama, 3, ESPNU

Penn State at Illinois, 3, Big Ten Network

Golf

European PGA Tour: Open de Espana, final round, 8 a.m. (tape), Golf Channel

PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship, final round, 1, Golf Channel; 3, WOIO Channel 19

Champions Tour: Insperity Championship, final round, 7 (tape), Golf Channel

Men's college lacrosse

America East final, 10 a.m., ESPNU

Ivy League final, noon, ESPNU

Motorsports

MotoGP World Championship, 8 a.m., Speed

MotoGP Moto2, 1 (tape), Speed

FIM World Superbike, 2 (tape), Speed

AMA Pro Racing, 11 (tape), Speed

NBA playoffs

Chicago at Philadelphia, 1, WEWS Channel 5

Miami at New York, 3:30, WEWS Channel 5

Atlanta at Boston, 7, TNT

L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9:30, TNT

NHL playoffs

St. Louis at Los Angeles, 4*, WKYC Channel 3

Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7:30, NBC Sports Network

*-joined in progress after Indians game.

Rodeo

Professional Bull Riding Series, 6 (tape), CBS Sports Network

Indians will use nine left-handed hitters against Japanese righty Yu Darvish on Sunday afternoon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians, as expected, will send an all-lefty lineup against Texas rookie right-hander Yu Darvish on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field. It is the finale of a three-game series between first-place clubs.

Darvish, who enjoys rock-star status in his native Japan, is 4-0 with a 2.18 ERA in five starts. But those numbers are a bit misleading: He owns a 0.98 ERA in his past four starts (27 1/3 innings, three earned runs).

Lefties are hitting .263  in 80 at-bats against Darvish and his assortment of nasty pitches; righties, .196 in 46 at-bats.

Darvish opposes a pitcher going in the opposite direction. Indians right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is 2-2 with a 5.02 ERA and coming off a rough outing in Chicago.

The Indians need to get the middle of their order going. Cleanup man Travis Hafner and  Carlos Santana have been struggling and Shin-Soo Choo is hitting .211.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, batting second in manager Ron Washington's lineup, has a least one hit in all 25 games he has played against the Indians.  

Lineups:

Rangers (18-9) -- 1. Ian Kinsler 2b; 2. Elvis Andrus ss; 3. Josh Hamilton cf; 4. Michael Young 1b; 5. David Murphy lf; 6. Nelson Cruz rf; 7. Mitch Moreland dh; 8. Yorvit Torrealba c; 9. Alberto Gonzalez 3b; and Yu Darvish rhp.

Indians (14-11) -- 1. Johnny Damon lf; 2. Jason Kipnis 2b; 3. Asdrubal Cabrera ss; 4. Travis Hafner dh; 5. Carlos Santana c; 6. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 7. Michael Brantley cf; 8. Casey Kotchman 1b; 9. Jack Hannahan 3b; and Ubaldo Jimenez rhp.

Phantom pain is one of the areas examined in this week's Strange But True column.

Mark Duncan, Associated Press fileFormer Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson and Brett Favre chat in 2008 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

What's the flip side of the brain mutating pain by distracting a patient from nerve damage or other problems? For example, in a 2010 playoff game, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre seriously injured his ankle and hamstring. He was taken out of the game briefly but came back and played through the pain, which reclaimed his attention after the game's end.

The brain can create pain, as it does in people's experience of "phantom limb sensations," when it misinterprets the spontaneous central nervous system activity occurring in the absence of normal sensory input, explains David G. Myers in Psychology: Tenth Edition.

Just "as the dreamer may 'see' with eyes closed . . . so some seven in 10 amputees may feel pain or movement in nonexistent limbs. . . . An amputee may even try to step off a bed onto a phantom limb or to lift a cup with a phantom hand." As psychologist Robert Melzack surmises, "the brain comes prepared to anticipate 'that it will be getting information from a body that has limbs.' "

People with hearing loss may experience phantom sounds, ringing in the ears -- "tinnitus." Those who lose vision due to glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes may "experience phantom sights -- nonthreatening hallucinations." Some with nerve damage have had taste phantoms, "such as ice water seeming sickeningly sweet."

As Myers emphasizes: "We feel, see, hear, taste and smell with our brain, which can sense even without functioning senses."

How do you cure an anorexic eel?

When a 3-foot-long green moray eel that had long been kept in a barroom finally outgrew its tank, the bartender donated it to the New England Aquarium.

It soon settled in behind the rockwork of the tank, as eels often do, says veterinarian Beth Chittick Nolan in "The Eel and the Bartender," included in the book "The Rhino With Glue-on Shoes."

For several days, the eel stayed hidden and refused food -- not uncommon especially after a move -- but this behavior continued despite trying to entice it with live bait, etc. They even dimmed lights to simulate the previous barroom habitat. It refused to eat.

In desperation, they summoned the bartender for help. No sooner had he approached the tank than a small head appeared in the far corner, slowly pulled its lean body in front of the man and began undulating in a smooth rhythm. The bartender then hand-fed the eel a piece of fish. From that day, the eel did not refuse to eat.

"Their bond was even more elemental than the eel's hunger for food," Nolan marvels.

OK, all you "nymskulls," you're familiar with synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, acronyms and pseudonyms. But how about some of the lesser-known members of the "nym" family (Greek for "name," or "word") such as aptronyms, ananyms, allonyms and autonyms?

An "aptronym" is a name especially suited to one's profession, says Anu Garg in "The Dord, the Diglot and an Avocado or Two." Examples: astronaut Sally Ride; poet William Wordsworth; football player Jim Kiick; and tennis champion Margaret Court.

An "ananym" reverses letters of another name, such as talk-show hostess Oprah's production company Harpo, or Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) penning many books under the name Theo LeSieg.

With an "allonym," another person's name is adopted as a pen name. For example, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison published "The Federalist Papers" -- essays about the U.S. Constitution -- under the name of the Roman official "Publius." Some literati believe Shakespeare's works were written by various people who used his allonym.

Of course, more regular folks can fall back on an "autonym," which just happens to be a person's real name.

Ubaldo Jimenez works seven shutout innings as Indians defeat Rangers, 4-2, Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field.

Amy Sancetta, Associated PressCleveland Indians starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez delivers against the Texas Rangers in the second inning of a baseball game in Cleveland today.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What appeared to be a starting-pitcher mismatch never materialized.

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, who had been struggling, pitched his best game as a member of the Indians today. He threw seven shutout innings in a 4-2 victory over Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers at sunny but chilly Progressive Field.

Paid attendance: 18,171.

Jason Kipnis extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a homer as the Tribe won two of three against the two-time defending American League champions.

The Indians (15-11) are in first place in the Central. The Rangers (18-10) are first in the West.

Jimenez entered at 2-2 with a 5.02 ERA in five starts. He was coming off a statistical and mechanical mess in Chicago last Tuesday.

Darvish, a rookie from Japan, entered 4-0 with a 2.18 ERA. In his previous three starts, he was 3-0 with three earned runs allowed in 21 2/3 innings.

Darvish was nasty again, striking out 11 and finishing with a quality start (six innings, three earned runs). But he was no match for his counterpart.

Jimenez walked five -- three in one inning -- and struck out six. His fastball settled at 93-94 mph and touched 95. He complemented the four-seamer with a darting curveball, which Texas right-handed batters kept chasing off the outside corner.

The game turned in the third inning.

Jimenez easily retired the first two Rangers, then, without warning, encountered the type of command issues that have dogged him as a member of the Indians. He walked Ian Kinsler on five pitches, Elvis Andrus on four and Josh Hamilton on seven. During the Hamilton at-bat, Tribe manager Manny Acta made a rare jog to the mound to chat with Jimenez and catcher Carlos Santana.

When the dangerous Michael Young stepped in, Jimenez found his groove again. Young was overmatched in grounding to short on an 0-2 pitch.

Johnny Damon led off the Tribe half with a high pop to second. Rangers second baseman Kinsler, sans shades, never located the ball. It fell for a single.

Jason Kipnis laid off a full-count pitch and walked. Asrubal Cabrera, who had looked bad in his first at-bat, ripped a 1-1 pitch down the right-field line. As Damon cruised home, third-base coach Steve Smith decided to challenge the Rangers' defense by pinwheeling Kipnis. The throw was late and off-target for a 2-0 lead, Cabrera stopping at second.

Darvish struck out Travis Hafner and Carlos Santana. Shin-Soo Choo grounded into the hole at short, where Andrus made the stop. But Andrus's whirling throw sailed over first baseman Young's head, enabling Cabrera to score.

The Tribe made it 4-0 when Kipnis led off the fifth with a loud homer to right. It was his fifth long ball.

Jimenez was relieved by Tony Sipp to begin the eighth. Sipp gave up two runs before Vinnie Pestano came in to strike out Nelson Cruz swinging with one runner on base.

Chris Perez worked the ninth for his 11th save. He got pinch-hitter Adrian Beltre to fly to right with a runner on first and one out. Saturday night, Beltre's pinch-hit, three-run homer off Joe Smith in the 11th inning gave Texas a 5-2 victory. 

Both teams threatened in the first.

With one out in the top of the first, Andrus walked and Hamilton singled to left. Jimenez's 0-1 pitch to Young was in the dirt and blocked by Santana. Andrus had a good jump when he took off for third, but Hamilton got a late start to second. Santana pounced and erased Hamilton.

Young whiffed on a 2-2 breaking ball.

Damon led off the Tribe first by turning on Darvish's second pitch and singling sharply through the hole at second. Kipnis walked on five pitches.

Damon and Kipnis did not advance because Cabrera struck out (three pitches),  Hafner popped out (one pitch) and Santana grounded out (three pitches).
 

The university says the 30-year-old Roethlisberger received his bachelor's degree in education and joined nearly 600 students during today's commencement at the campus in Oxford. His wife, parents and grandmother attended.

View full sizeAP fileBen Roethlisberger: A Miami of Ohio grad.

OXFORD, Ohio — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has graduated from Miami University in southwest Ohio, about nine years after leaving for the NFL.

The university says the 30-year-old Roethlisberger received his bachelor’s degree in education and joined nearly 600 students during today’s commencement at the campus in Oxford. His wife, parents and grandmother attended.

Roethlisberger, who’s led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles, played football for Miami from 2001 to 2003 and set several school passing records. An associate dean says the quarterback was four courses short of graduation when he jumped to the NFL. He completed those courses over several years and finished this spring.

Roethlisberger says he felt it was important to finish his classes to illustrate the value of getting an education.

Three veteran O-linemen are headed for the NFL. Nov. 24 vs. Michigan will be final Buckeyes' game of the season. Fickell back to familiar role after interim coach stint. Links to more Ohio State stories.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerOhio State must replace one of the nation's premier centers, Mike Brewster (50), who is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meanwhile, Jack Mewhort (74) is moving from guard to tackle.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State's football and basketball teams are in somewhat of a down time between seasons, but there's usually news of one sort or another about the Buckeyes.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Ohio State coverage includes Jodie Valade's story on the work of former Buckeyes linebacker Mike D'Andrea, the Avon Lake High School graduate who is putting his training ideas into practice as an athletic trainer.

Last Friday, Plain Dealer Ohio State beat writer Doug Lesmerises wrote about the momentum toward a four-team playoff system for the national football championship, and about what the last decade might have looked like with a four-team playoff.

Lesmerises also wrote that a Buckeyes football recruit dropped his commitment to the school after an encounter with a sex offender during a visit to Ohio State.

Tony Gerdeman of the-Ozone.net has completed his post-spring practice overview of the Buckeyes, position group-by-position group.

Gerdeman's final analysis is of the offensive line. The Buckeyes must replace standouts such as left tackle Mike Adams, a second-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers; and center Mike Brewster and right tackle J.B. Shugarts, neither of whom were drafted but have signed free agent contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns, respectively. 

The projected starters at tackle are Jack Mewhort on the left side and Reid Fragel on the right.

Gerdeman writes:

Mewhort has shown himself to be a very solid lineman, starting every game at right guard last year, and with his mobility and size (6-6 310), he sure looks like a capable tackle. In fact, it could be argued that he was only playing guard because there were already solid starters at both tackle spots ahead of him.

Fragel, on the other hand, is a question mark. The coaches have high hopes for him, and they have them for a reason. There is a ton of potential here, but he has to max out that potential in just one offseason of preparation as an offensive lineman.

Buckeyes' season preparation may be motivated more than ever by the inevitable rivalry game against Michigan.

Ohio State was assessed a one-year ban from bowl games as part of the penalties levied for the memorabilia for tattoos/cash scandal. Thus, the Buckeyes' home game against Michigan on Nov. 24 will be their last game of the 2012 season.

Mark Schlabach writes for ESPN.com about how the Ohio State-Michigan game will mean even more to the Buckeyes this season:

None of Ohio State's games in 2012 will be as important as the last one.

"This year's Michigan game is going to be like the national championship game," Buckeyes tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "It will be important for Coach Meyer because it's his first Michigan game. It's our Senior Day. It's our Super Bowl."

Buckeyes story links 

After his brief stint as the Buckeyes' interim coach, Luke Fickell is back in a familiar role. (By Adam Rittenberg, ESPN.com)

Updating the status of a recruit who dropped his commitment to Ohio State after an encounter with a sex offender during a visit to OSU. (By Brandon Castel, the-Ozone.net)

High school linebacker Lewis Neal is still considering the Buckeyes despite his de-commitment. (By Brandon Castel, the-Ozone.net)

John Kuchno helps the Buckeyes sweep Northwestern in a baseball doubleheader. (Columbus Dispatch)

The Buckeyes baseball team maintains its Big Ten Tournament hopes. (By Tony Gerdeman, the-Ozone.net)

Travis Hafner homers and triples in Indians' 8-6 victory over the White Sox on Monday afternoon at Progressive Field.

View full sizeAP Photo/Tony DejakCleveland Indians' Travis Hafner runs the bases after hitting a solo home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Philip Humber in the second inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader on Monday, May 7, 2012, in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Before the Indians played the White Sox on Monday afternoon, designated hitter Travis Hafner told reporters that he was on the verge of returning to form. He was locked in a 5-for-37 slide over the previous 11 games but felt he had found something in his final at-bat Sunday.

 Based on the results of the day game against the White Sox, Hafner might be correct. But even he could not have envisioned how potentially busting loose would manifest itself.

 Hafner homered and tripled -- yes, tripled -- as part of the Indians' 8-6 victory over the White Sox at Progressive Field. Zach McAllister, recalled from Columbus AAA Columbus to make the start, allowed two earned runs in six innings.

 The night game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 7:05, weather permitting. Inclement weather pushed back the first game's first pitch to a 1:31.

 It is uncertain how many of the 9,196 paying customers actually attended, but those who did made noise and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

 Why not? Their team is locked in.

 The Indians (16-11, first in the AL Central) have won five of six. The White Sox (13-16) have dropped five of six.

 With the Tribe trailing, 1-0, in the second, Hafner led off with a rocket into the right-field seats off right-hander Philip Humber. The Indians scored two more in the inning on Michael Brantley's single and Casey Kotchman's fielder's choice.

 After the White Sox pulled within 3-2 in the third, the Indians erupted for five in their half. Brantley and Kotchman had back-to-back two-run doubles and Asdrubal Cabrera walked with the bases loaded.

 Humber, who pitched a perfect game on April 21 at Seattle, gave up eight runs on nine hits in 2 1/3 innings.

 The White Sox cut the deficit to 8-4 in the fourth.

 With two outs in the Tribe sixth, the earth shook at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. Hafner blasted a pitch deep to center and rumbled into third standing up. It was his first triple since May 2007 and gave him three career games with a homer and triple.

 Chicago scored twice in the ninth against Jairo Asencio and had a runner on first with none out. Indians manager Manny Acta, his back-end relievers overworked over the past 7-10 days, opted for lefty Nick Hagadone.

With dozen of birds circling above the field, Hagadone retired two White Sox on flyouts before walking Alejandro De Aza. Brent Lillibridge grounded to second, securing Hagadone's first major-league save and McAllister's first major-league victory.

"The FO needs to do something about the 1B situation and do it NOW. Kotchman is the worst hitter I have seen in the MLs in years. Sorry, but without the Tampa artificial turf, those ground balls are going to be outs all year long. I don't care if they bring up Laporta or move Hannahan over and bring up Chiz to play 3B or even play Donald most days at 3B, just DO SOMETHING about Kotchman." - sadsamjones

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerWith Casey Kotchman struggling at the bat, should the Indians consider bringing up Matt LaPorta?

"The front office needs to do something about the 1B situation and do it NOW. Kotchman is the worst hitter I have seen in the MLs in years. Sorry, but without the Tampa artificial turf, those ground balls are going to be outs all year long. I don't care if they bring up Laporta or move Hannahan over and bring up Chiz to play 3B or even play Donald most days at 3B, just DO SOMETHING about Kotchman."

The Castalia State Fish Hatchery is sending 2,000 surplus rainbow trout to Punderson Lake in Geauga County on Thursday morning.

 A large batch of surplus rainbow trout from the Castalia State Fish Hatchery
is to be released on Thursday at Punderson Lake in Geauga County's Punderson
State Park. 

The state trout truck will be dropping off about 2,000 fish between 11
a.m. and noon at the Punderson campground area. The 10- to 13-inch rainbow trout
weigh about a pound each. They were left over from the annual spring stockings
around the state. 

Trout stockings are also scheduled for the Cleveland Metroparks
Children's Fishing Derby on May 19 at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in
Cuyahoga Heights and May 20 at Berea's Wallace Lake in the Mill Stream Run
Reservation. For additional area lakes that have been stocked with trout in
recent weeks, check the weekly fishing report at cleveland.com/outdoors.

Browns' wide receiver unit is among the NFL's worst, and the most they've done to address the situation is select a wideout with the 100th overall draft pick, Travis Benjamin. Links to more Browns stories.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerWide receiver Greg Little (15) made some plays for the Browns during his 2011 rookie season, but he also dropped numerous passes -- especially during the first half of the campaign.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It remains, arguably, the most baffling question about the Cleveland Browns.

What are the Browns doing about their subpar situation at wide receiver?

ESPN.com asks one big question about each of the NFL's 32 teams.

To the question, "What are the Browns doing at wide receiver," Jamison Hensley replies: 

The short answer: nothing. That is, unless you believe fourth-round pick Travis Benjamin is the next Steve Smith. The Browns ignored wide receivers in free agency and didn't address the position in the draft until the 100th pick (that was Benjamin).

What Cleveland is left with is perhaps the worst wide receiver group in the NFL with Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs, Jordan Norwood and Carlton Mitchell. There are simply no elite playmakers in this group.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Mary Kay Cabot's story that Browns linebacker Scott Fujita denies his involvement in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program while he was with the team, and has reserved the right to appeal the three-game suspension levied on him by the NFL for his alleged involvement; "Terry Pluto's Talkin;' " and, Bill Lubinger's package of stories on quarterback Brandon Weeden, a Browns' first-round draft choice from Oklahoma State: A feature story highlighting Weeden's journey from pitcher to quarterback; what a couple coaches of Oklahoma State opponents say about Weeden, with video; the adjustment Weeden must make, from taking snaps in the shotgun, to lining up directly behind center, with video. And, Mary Kay Cabot's "Hey, Mary Kay!"

Browns story links

The Browns hope Travis Benjamin brings a playmaking ability they so need at receiver. (By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal)

The Browns defend trading up to select Alabama running back Trent Richardson with the third overall pick in the draft. (Sports Xchange on Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report)

Linebacker James-Michael Johnson, a fourth-round Browns draft pick, is determined to make an immediate contribution. (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Trent Richardson's impact on a game goes beyond his ability to run with the football. (By Bernie Kosar, contributor for clevelandbrowns.com)

Various observations about the Browns, including on quarterback Colt McCoy. (By Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository)

Power rankings have the Browns ahead of just two of the 31 other NFL teams. (ESPN.com)

"Are we actually talking Wallace? C-mon man the guy needs to be cut, we can't trade him because nobody will pay him what he makes here. He is not a team player and shouldn't even make camp. Colt is a steal as far as pay goes for a back up. As far as Cribbs comment about WR we are in definte trouble there folks, maybe they can put stick'em on their hands. I hope this kid from Miami can catch and is not just another track star." - hjoinorlando

View full sizeTony Dejak, Associated PressThe Browns should let go of Seneca Wallace, says one cleveland.com reader.

"Are we actually talking Wallace? C-mon man the guy needs to be cut, we can't trade him because nobody will pay him what he makes here. He is not a team player and shouldn't even make camp. Colt is a steal as far as pay goes for a back up. As far as Cribbs comment about WR we are in definte trouble there folks, maybe they can put stick'em on their hands. I hope this kid from Miami can catch and is not just another track star."

Without the top players, our games are poorer. But the insensitive response to player injuries by fans and a representative of Nike is at odds with the increased concern in pro sports for the safety of players.

Nam Y. Huh, Associated PressAn insensitive Tweet from a Nike representative after the season-ending injury suffered by Derrick Rose of the Bulls is at odds with the trend toward increasing player safety.

When Derrick Rose fell to the floor with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, he took the Chicago Bulls' playoff hopes down with him.

Standing nearby in the opening game of a first-round playoff series was Doug Collins, the coach of rival Philadelphia. Collins' own career ended three decades ago, in a time of much more limited medical methods, with the same injury.

"I wanted to give him a hand," said Collins, meaning to applaud. "But I knew I couldn't do that."

After Rose's injury, the designer of the LeBron James shoe for the athletic equipment empire, Nike, took to the social medium Twitter and fired off a disgusting Tweet, mocking Rose for choosing Adidas shoes.

See video of Derrick Rose's season-ending injury.

"You got one guy only getting stronger, and one guy breaking down before our very eyes. You chose poorly Pooh... #shouldasignedwithNIKE #GWS," the loutish Jason Petrie Tweeted.

"Pooh" is a nickname Rose has had since he was a child because, like Winnie the Pooh, he has a sweet tooth. "GWS" means game-winning shots. You know, like the ones James, the guy "only getting stronger," didn't exactly rain in vengeful torrents on the heads of the Dallas Mavericks and before them the Boston Celtics in the playoffs in 2010 and 2011.

A lot of companies would have sacked Petrie for insensitivity and that certain braying arrogance that Nike does so well, as in, for example, James' "What should I do?" response to criticism of the TV disaster movie that was "The Decision."

Not Nike.

A Nike spokesman, not named CEO Phil Knight despite the huge controversy that erupted after the Tweet, called Petrie's remarks "inappropriate." "Inappropriate" was, however, a serious understatement It was outrageous. Petrie should have been fired.

His later "apology," in keeping with Nike's half-baked response, wasn't very apologetic: "Y'all take sh#t too serious! Never want to see anyone get hurt - I hope DRose comes back stronger than ever, he's too good ..."

Apparently, the cloddish audience just didn't understand that Petrie was joshing. All you sobersides need to relax. You're too sensitive.

It's good that somebody is.

When the 76ers series returned to the City of Brotherly Love, where fans once booed Santa Claus at an Eagles game, the crowd gave Chicago center Joakim Noah a hand all right -- cheering in glee when a sprained ankle knocked Noah out of the third game of a series the eighth-seeded Sixers now lead, 3-1. Without the top players, our games are poorer.

But that display really wasn't much of a rival to the incivility of the Browns fans who cheered when quarterbacks Tim Couch and Derek Anderson were hurt in home games. Maybe some were fans of the backup quarterback, always a popular figure until he plays. Or maybe the Browns fans were mad that Santa hadn't brought them a better starter. Whatever, both Couch and Anderson ripped the fans later.

The bad behavior might be a product of too much beer sucked down by a vocal minority of fans. It's not anywhere close to justification, but at least it's an explanation.

At a time when player safety is a growing concern at all levels of sports, when equipment manufacturers should hardly find reason for joy in any player's injury, the response to sports' casualties from a virulent minority of fans and observers is repugnant.

Equipment really is much better than in the past. When Collins was a player, wearing the basketball shoes of the 1970s, he sometimes blew out the sides of his sneakers, his foot simply bursting through their canvas sides from the torque he generated on his sharp cuts. Often sidelined by stress fractures in his feet before the final knee injury, Collins probably was lucky to last as long as he did.

Now, the latest LeBron James shoe, the one Petrie designed, incorporates, says a press release, carbon fibers for extra support. It is the same material that has drastically reduced the incidence of broken poles in pole vaulting. The shoe also features Kevlar, the material used in bullet-proof vests worn by law enforcement officials. (Your joke about the shoe's wearer being bullet-proof in the crunch goes here).

Actually, no amount of protection, not even that afforded by today's advanced technology, can prevent all injuries. New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera suffered a freak injury while shagging fly balls in the outfield last week. He tore the same ligament as he loped on to the warning track as Rose tore when he made a jump stop in the lane.

Rivera, the greatest closer in baseball history, was wearing Nikes.

"I think that if the Cavs think Anthony Davis a the next great player in the NBA, as many people do, then they should consider trading a lot of their current assets to acquire him. Obviously Irving stays but he is about the only asset that would be untouchable. The hardest part about building a great team is acquiring a minimum of two major stars. This may turn out to be the Cavs best chance to ever do that." - rwbbowg

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerShould the Cavaliers trade up to grab Anthony Davis at No. 1?

"I think that if the Cavs think Anthony Davis a the next great player in the NBA, as many people do, then they should consider trading a lot of their current assets to acquire him. Obviously Irving stays but he is about the only asset that would be untouchable. The hardest part about building a great team is acquiring a minimum of two major stars. This may turn out to be the Cavs best chance to ever do that.

The rub is that it's doubtful anyone would trade that pick as things are right now. I'm thinking that Charlotte or Toronto might trade Davis with the right offer on the table. Charlotte might prefer having multiple picks, because they need players at all positions and have traded their future first rounder to Chicago. Toronto might be the one lottery team that thinks they have enough young bigs, with Bargnani and Valanciunus plus a lot of young solid backups. They might covet more draft picks than another big. All the other lottery teams probably wouldn't. "

Fujita has been suspended for three games for his alleged involvement in New Orleans' bounty program, which rewarded players for big hits, including ones that knocked opponents out of games.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita denies his involvement in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita denies his involement in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program, as reported by Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot.

Fujita, whose 10 NFL seasons include four with New Orleans (2006-09) before he signed with the Browns as a free agent prior to the 2010 season, has been suspended by the league and commissioner Roger Goodell for three games for his alleged involvement in the program that encouraged, and paid, Saints' defensive players to make big hits and even knock opposing players out of games.

Cabot writes that not only did Fujita today deny his involvement, but that he also filed a letter reserving his right to appeal his suspension at a later date, pending the resolution of a grievance filed by the NFL Players Association last week, regarding the suspensions.

Cabot writes, quoting Fujita:

"I disagree wholeheartedly with the discipline imposed,'' Fujita said in a statement sent to the Plain Dealer today. "I've yet to hear the specifics of any allegation against me, nor have I seen any evidence that supports what the NFL alleges in its press release. I look forward to the opportunity to confront what evidence they claim to have in the appropriate forum. Until then, I stand by my previous comments.

"I have never contributed money to any so-called "bounty" pool, and any statements to the contrary are false. To say I'm disappointed with the League would be a huge understatement.''

Fujita is one of four players who were levied suspensions. Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has appealed his year-long suspension, the most stern penalty.

Cabot writes, "Fujita said in March that he paid players directly for big hits and plays, but not to hurt opponents and not as part of a bounty pool."

Travis Hafner homers and triples as the Tribe beats the White Sox, 8-6.

Game 1 box score

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Before the Indians played the White Sox on Monday afternoon, designated hitter Travis Hafner told reporters that he was on the verge of returning to form. He was locked in a 5-for-37 slide over the previous 11 games but felt he had found something in his final at-bat Sunday against Texas.

Based on the results of the day game against the White Sox, Hafner might be correct. But even he could not have envisioned how potentially busting loose would manifest itself.

Hafner homered (Hafner's home run video) and tripled -- yes, tripled -- as part of the Indians' 8-6 triumph over the White Sox at Progressive Field. Right-hander Zach McAllister, recalled from Columbus AAA Columbus to make the start, allowed two earned runs in six innings to earn his first major-league victory.

Inclement weather pushed back the first game's first pitch from 1:05 p.m. to 1:31. Exactly how many of the 9,196 paying customers actually attended and stayed for the duration is uncertain. But those who did made noise and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Why not? It is not every day fans will be able to see Hafner play action baseball. In fact, it had been almost 10 years since Hafner homered and tripled in a game. The only other occasions were Aug. 14, 2003, at Minnesota and Sept. 1, 2003, at Detroit.

With the Tribe trailing, 1-0, in the second, Hafner went conventional Pronk, launching right-hander Philip Humber's curveball into the right-field seats. The Indians scored two more in the inning on Michael Brantley's single and Casey Kotchman's forceout.

After the White Sox pulled within 3-2 in the third, the Indians erupted for five in their half. Brantley and Kotchman hit consecutive two-run doubles and Asdrubal Cabrera walked with the bases loaded.

Humber, who pitched a perfect game on April 21 at Seattle, gave up eight runs on nine hits in 2 1/3 innings. He is 1-2 with a 6.83 ERA.

The White Sox cut the deficit to 8-4 in the fourth.

With two outs in the Tribe sixth, the earth stood still at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. Hafner blasted a pitch deep to center, then channeled Kenny Lofton with a stylish dash around the bases. He did not merely make it to third; he cruised into third, standing.

Or so it seemed.

"I was thinking double but was forced into a triple when I saw the way the ball hit off the wall," Hafner said.

It was Hafner's first triple since May 29, 2007, at Boston -- a span of 1,711 at-bats. The former triple jumper at Sykeston (N.D.) High School is now the proud owner of 11 triples in the big leagues.

"I didn't realize it had been so long since my last one," he said. "After a while, they all start to run together."

Indians manager Manny Acta had teased Hafner over the weekend about Rangers first basemen playing so far behind him.

"He's not like this slow donkey you can play behind," Acta said. "It was cool to see that triple. It was fun to see him go. The whole dugout was screaming at him."

The Tribe put the fun on hold in the ninth. Chicago scored twice against Jairo Asencio and had a runner on first with none out. Acta, his back-end relievers needing a rest, opted for lefty Nick Hagadone.

With dozen of birds circling above the field, Hagadone retired two White Sox on flyouts before walking Alejandro De Aza. Brent Lillibridge grounded to second, securing Hagadone's first big-league save.

Closer Chris Perez was throwing in the bullpen, just in case.

"If I had gotten into trouble, Chris might have come in," Hagadone said. "But I couldn't think about that. It was a game I needed to finish, and it felt good that Manny had confidence in me."

The Indians had not had pitchers earn their first career victory and save in the same game since July 18, 1993, when Albie Lopez (win) and Jerry Dipoto (save) did so in a 2-1 victory over California.

Mota, a San Francisco Giants relief pitcher, tests positive for Clenbuterol. Manny Ramirez and Eliezer Alfonzo are the previous players to twice test positive. No player has tested positive a third time, which would result in a lifetime ban.

Associated PressSan Francisco Giants reliever Guillermo Mota was suspended for 100 games on Monday, becoming the third major league player penalized twice for positive drug tests.

The commissioner's office said the 38-year-old right-hander tested positive for Clenbuterol. In November 2006, while with the New York Mets, Mota was suspended for the first 50 games of the next season.

"The Giants are disappointed to learn of Guillermo Mota's suspension," the team said in a statement.

The Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance challenging the suspension that will be heard by an arbitrator. Under baseball's drug agreement, grievances for initial positive tests are heard before a suspension is announced but cases involving second or third positives are argued after the penalty is made public.

Outfielder Manny Ramirez and catcher Eliezer Alfonzo are the only previous players to twice test positive. Ramirez was a star outfielder for the Indians from 1993-2000. Both of his positive tests occurred after he left Cleveland. No player has tested positive a third time, which would result in a lifetime ban.

Mota pitched part of the 2006 season for the Indians. He went 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA in 34 relief appearances spanning 37 2/3 innings, before being sent to the New York Mets as part of a conditional deal.

Mota was 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in nine games for the Giants this year. This is his 14th season in the majors.

Mota has been a setup man and middle reliever throughout his career. He is 39-45 with 10 saves in 726 games while playing with Montreal, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida, the Indians and Mets, Milwaukee and San Francisco.

This is Mota's third season with the Giants. He was with the Mets when he previously suspended and missed the first 50 games of the 2007 season. At the time of that suspension, the identity of the substance causing the positive test was not announced.

Ramirez served a 50-game suspension while with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009, then retired rather than serve a 100-game ban while with Tampa Bay last year. Because Ramirez sat out nearly all of 2011, his penalty was cut to this first 50 games of this season under an agreement between management and the union that allowed him to end his retirement. He agreed to a minor league contract with Oakland.

Alfonzo was suspended for 50 games in 2008 while with San Francisco and for 100 games last September while with Colorado.

Indians defeat White Sox, 3-2, in Game 2.

Rain stopped play in the top of the eighth. The delay began at 9:09 and lasted 1 hour, 25 minutes. 

Tribe right-hander Josh Tomlin had exited with one out in the eighth and runners on first and second. He was relieved by Dan Wheeler before the delay, which came with the Tribe leading, 2-1. Joe Smith entered the game after the delay; Wheeler never pitched.

Smith gave up an RBI single to Alex Rios to tie it. With runners on first and third, Smith fell behind Adam Dunn, 3-1. After taking a strike that he thought was a ball, Dunn tapped to Smith, who triggered a 1-6-3 double play.

Asdrubal Cabrera led off the Tribe eighth with a bloop single into right-center against lefty Matt Thornton. Carlos Santana's bloop to right-center pushed Cabrera to third.

After Travis Hafner popped out, Duncan hit a liner into the left-field corner. Duncan entered at 3-for-20 with runners in scoring position.

Tony Sipp pitched the ninth for the save. He walked pinch-hitter Paul Konerko with two outs. Tyler Flowers hit a bomb foul on the first pitch before striking out.

Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the fifth. Dayan Viciedo singled and moved to third on  Flowers' double into the left-field corner. Brent Morel had an RBI grounder to short, Flowers advancing to third.

With the infield in, Alejandro De Aza grounded sharply to second baseman Jason Kipnis, who made a short-hop pick on the glove side and held Flowers at third. Gordon Beckham grounded to third baseman Jason Donald, whose throw to first was wide but reeled in by Santana stretching toward right field.

The Indians answered with two runs in their half of the inning. The first two batters went quietly against lefty Eric Stults, then No. 9 Lou Marson worked the count full and walked. Marson was hitting .059 and slugging .118 at the time.

With Michael Brantley at the plate, Marson shocked the White Sox -- and probably  teammates -- by attempting to steal. Catcher Flowers had the ball pop out of his hand, but he never would have gotten Marson, who swiped his first bag in his first attempt this season.

Brantley grounded a single through the hole at second to drive in his fourth run of the day. It was Cleveland's second hit off Stults. Brantley took second on the throw through, which proved significant when Kipnis singled to right. Brantley scored easily.

Soon thereafter, rain began to fall in earnest. It intensified in the top of the seventh. 

Stults gave up the two runs in six innings before giving way to Will Ohman.

Tomlin got the first out of the eighth, but walked De Aza and gave up a single to Gordon Beckham. Moments after Tribe manager Manny Acta hooked Tomlin for Wheeler, the tarp was ordered on the infield.

De Aza led off the game with a pop to shallow left. It hung in the air for a while but ended up falling in the middle of a triangle formed by left fielder Shelley Duncan, center fielder Brantley and shortstop Cabrera.

Tomlin bowed his neck and got Beckham swinging, Alex Rios on a pop to second and Adam Dunn on a fly to center. Brantley caught Dunn's ball against the wall near the Tribe bullpen.

Cabrera singled up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the first.

In the White Sox second, Alexei Ramirez led off with a grounder to short. Cabrera fielded cleanly but threw high to Santana. Kosuke Fukudome and Viciedo struck out.

With Flowers in a 1-0 count, Ramirez decided to test Tomlin and Marson. Tomlin's pitch was a ball but Marson's throw to second was a strike, erasing Ramirez.

In 2010, Tomlin's first season, opposing runners were 2-for-3 attempting to steal. Last year, no one attempted in his 165 1/3 innings. This year, runners are 0-for-2.

The White Sox put runners on first and second with one out in the fourth. Ramirez failed to check his swing on a 1-2 pitch and Fukudome grounded to second. Fukudome's ball took a tough hop but Kipnis handled it.

Tomlin allowed two hits, walked one and struck out five through four. The strikeout total was high for Tomlin, but he was facing the White Sox, who entered the night with 235 strikeouts and 85 walks.

The Indians threatened in the fourth. Cabrera and Santana drew one-out walks but were stranded when Travis Hafner struck out and Duncan fouled to first.  

The White Sox recalled Stults, 32, from Class AAA early Monday. He was a non-roster invitee to White Sox spring training.

Jason Kipnis is becoming more comfortable at second base and it shows: Cleveland Indians Insider.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerThere goes Jason Kipnis getting dirty again, sliding safely home on Sunday against Texas.

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis is proving to be more than a quality hitter just trying to survive defensively. He has looked more and more comfortable in the field.

Monday's Game 1 against the White Sox marked his 60th career start and 63rd game at second base in the majors. He transitioned from the outfield in 2010 as a minor leaguer.

"I definitely don't consider myself as an outfielder becoming an infielder anymore," he said. "I view myself as a second baseman. It's not like a switch went off or anything; it's a matter of gaining experience. I think I've covered most of the game situations, so I have a much better feel for what's going on out there. It's more instinctive now."

Kipnis' athleticism helps, especially when it comes to charging the ball. He is quick enough to get to the spot and balanced enough to throw on-target across the body.

"I'd like to think I can get to balls that some other guys can't," he said. "Hopefully, that can make up for any lack of experience."

Kipnis entered Monday's night game against the White Sox with a 16-game errorless streak. He had a 10-game hitting streak snapped in the day game but did manage a walk.

Grime time: Almost from the moment Kipnis debuted with the Tribe in late July of last year, he has been a fan favorite. His skill set and hard-charging style make him easy to get behind, as does his nickname, "Dirtbag." Tribe manager Manny Acta is responsible for solidifying the nickname in public, although Kipnis said he heard it when he was younger.

"I like it," he said, "because it's fun to get the uniform dirty. It means you've been involved in the game, that you've been doing something."

The more the better: Closer Chris Perez's fastball/slider combination was as good last week as it has been in any week since he joined the Indians in June 2009. Not surprisingly, he notched four saves in four opportunities over a five-day span beginning Wednesday against the White Sox in Chicago.

"The more I pitch, the better I feel," he said. " 'Unavailable' is not a word in my vocabulary. I wish I could pitch every day. Rest is what the off-season is for."

Perez entered Monday night with a 2.84 ERA in 14 appearances. He led the majors with 11 saves and had blown one chance -- on Opening Day.

Sizemore update: The Indians hope center fielder Grady Sizemore, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list April 4 because of back surgery, can begin soft-toss by the middle of next week. Sizemore would then graduate to on-field batting practice activities that weekend.

Acta said the presence of Johnny Damon has no bearing on Sizemore's timetable.

"Grady is Grady," Acta said. "He doesn't have a name attached to his side."

Smitty's world: Indians reliever Joe Smith said Michael Young of Texas and Paul Konerko of the White Sox have been the two most underrated players in baseball over an extended period.

The Indians just finished with Young and are currently facing Konerko.

"Neither one of those guys gets enough credit for being such a good hitter," Smith said. "I mean, all they've done, year after year, is rake. And they're more than just offensive players. Konerko plays a good first base, and Young is so versatile."

Smith said that, as much as it is possible, he enjoys facing quality hitters.

"You find out what you've got, what you're made of," Smith said. "You want to see if your best can match up with the best. Either you get them, or they get you."

In the Tribe's 5-2 loss to Texas in 11 innings Saturday night, Smith got Young to fly into a 9-3 double play to end the 10th.

Konerko, a major leaguer since 1997, was at .283 with 402 homers and 1,278 RBI after Monday's first game. Young, a major leaguer since 2000, entered Monday at .304 with 2,096 hits in 1,694 games.

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita maintains his innocence in the Saints bounty program and filed a letter reserving his right to appeal his suspension.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerScott Fujita filed paperwork Monday reserving his right to appeal his three-game suspension for his role in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns linebacker Scott Fujita denied any involvement in the Saints bounty program on Monday and filed a letter reserving his right to appeal his suspension at a later date.

The appeal is pending the resolution of a grievance filed by the NFL Players Association last week challenging the authority of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend the players and hear their appeals.

Fujita, who has been suspended for three games by the NFL for his alleged involvement in the scheme, was one of three suspended players who had the "reservation of rights" letter jointly filed on their behalf Monday by the union. The others were Saints defensive end Will Smith (four games) and Packers defensive end Anthony Hargrove (eight games).

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who has been accused of offering a $10,000 bounty for injuring quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Brett Favre in the 2009 playoffs, directly appealed his one-year suspension, but asked for a delay until the grievances are resolved.

"I disagree wholeheartedly with the discipline imposed," Fujita said in a statement emailed to The Plain Dealer. "I've yet to hear the specifics of any allegation against me, nor have I seen any evidence that supports what the NFL alleges in its press release. I look forward to the opportunity to confront what evidence they claim to have in the appropriate forum. Until then, I stand by my previous comments.

"I have never contributed money to any so-called 'bounty' pool, and any statements to the contrary are false. To say I'm disappointed with the league would be a huge understatement."

In its press release announcing the suspensions last week, the NFL wrote: "The record established that Fujita, a linebacker, pledged a significant amount of money to the prohibited pay-for-performance/bounty pool during the 2009 NFL playoffs when he played for the Saints. The pool to which he pledged paid large cash rewards for 'cart-offs' and 'knockouts,' plays during which an opposing player was injured."

Fujita, a member of the NFLPA's Executive Council and its Health and Safety Committee, had told Sports Illustrated in March that he paid Saints teammates directly for big defensive plays in 2009, but never to injure an opponent and never as part of a pay-for-injury bounty pool.

Browns receiver Josh Cribbs came to Fujita's defense Monday, Tweeting: "Hey @nfl, I wouldn't force @scottfujita99 to take the gloves off if I were you . . . 'Sources' tell me he knows a little too much!!!"

The NFLPA explained in an email why it filed the "reserve rights" letter. "The NFLPA maintains that Commissioner is without jurisdiction either to discipline the players for the conduct alleged or to determine any appeals. . . . These issues must be addressed prior to any further proceedings regarding the appeals."

If Fujita's suspension is upheld, it will cost him three of his 17 game checks totaling about $644,000. He will also be forced to sit out the opener at home Sept. 9 against the Eagles, a Sept. 16 game in Cincinnati and the Sept. 23 home game against the Bills. His first game would be the Sept. 27 NFL Network Thursday Night game in Baltimore.

Fujita, Smith and Hargrove are allowed to participate in off-season practices and preseason games. Vilma's suspension was set to begin immediately, but he's now allowed to participate in the off-season program during the appeals process.

The NFLPA and the four suspended players have maintained that the NFL has provided no evidence that they participated in the bounty system implemented by former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

The union grievances also argue that Goodell does not have the authority to punish players for any portion of the case occurring before the new collective bargaining agreement was signed last August.

The NFL maintains that it shared sufficient evidence of the bounty system with the union and that multiple independent sources corroborated its existence. The NFL has not set a timetable for hearing the grievances.

Shelley Duncan 's RBI double in the eighth inning powers the Indians to a 3-2 win and a sweep of their day-night doubleheader with the White Sox.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerZach McAllister came through for the Tribe on Monday with six solid innings in the first game of a day-night doubleheader to earn his first big-league victory in an 8-6 win over Chicago.

Game 1 box score

Game 2 box score

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Before the Indians played the White Sox on Monday afternoon, Tribe designated hitter Travis Hafner told reporters he was on the verge of returning to form. He was locked in a 5-for-37 slide over the previous 11 games but felt he had found something in his final at-bat Sunday against Texas.

Based on the results of the day game against the White Sox, Hafner might be correct. But even he could not have envisioned how potentially busting loose would manifest itself.

Hafner homered and tripled -- yes, tripled -- as part of the Indians' 8-6 triumph over the White Sox in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Monday at Progressive Field. Right-hander Zach McAllister, recalled from Class AAA Columbus to make the start, allowed two earned runs in six innings to earn his first major-league victory.

Shelley Duncan's run-scoring double in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Indians a 3-2 victory in the second game. Paid attendance: 10,483.

See Shelley Duncan's eighth-inning double

The Indians (17-11) have won six of seven overall. They lead the AL Central by three games over Detroit, which slipped to 14-14 after a ninth-inning loss at Seattle late Monday.

The third-place White Sox (13-17) have lost six of seven.

“What makes me happy is, we’re starting to play better baseball at home,” Tribe manager Manny Acta said. “It seems like we’re getting the hang of it again.”

The Indians have won six of eight at Progressive Field to get to 8-8.

Inclement weather pushed back the first game's first pitch from 1:05 to 1:31 p.m. How many of the 9,196 paying customers actually attended and stayed for the duration is uncertain. But those who did made noise and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Why not? It is not every day fans will be able to see Hafner play action baseball. In fact, it had been almost 10 years since Hafner homered and tripled in a game. The only other occasions were Aug. 14, 2003, at Minnesota and Sept. 1, 2003, at Detroit.

With the Tribe trailing, 1-0, in the second inning, Hafner went conventional Pronk, launching right-hander Philip Humber's curveball into the right-field seats.

Game 1 highlights

The Indians scored two more in the inning on Michael Brantley's single and Casey Kotchman's force-out.

After the White Sox pulled within 3-2 in the third, the Indians erupted for five in their half. Brantley and Kotchman hit consecutive two-run doubles, and Asdrubal Cabrera walked with the bases loaded.

Humber, who pitched a perfect game April 21 at Seattle, gave up eight runs on nine hits in 21/3 innings. He is 1-2 with a 6.83 ERA.

The White Sox cut the deficit to 8-4 in the fourth.

With two outs in the Tribe sixth, the Earth stood still at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. Hafner blasted a pitch deep to center, then channeled Kenny Lofton with a stylish dash around the bases. He did not merely make it to third; he cruised into third, standing.

Or so it seemed.

"I was thinking double but was forced into a triple when I saw the way the ball hit off the wall," Hafner said.

It was Hafner's first triple since May 29, 2007, at Boston -- a span of 1,711 at-bats. The former triple jumper at Sykeston (N.D.) High School is now the proud owner of 11 triples in the big leagues.

"I didn't realize it had been so long since my last one," he said. "After a while, they all start to run together."

 Acta had teased Hafner over the weekend about Rangers first basemen playing so far behind him.

"He's not like this slow donkey you can play behind," Acta said. "It was cool to see that triple. It was fun to see him go. The whole dugout was screaming at him."

The Tribe put the enjoyment on hold in the ninth. Chicago scored twice against Jairo Asencio and had a runner on first with none out. Acta, his back-end relievers needing a day off, opted for lefty Nick Hagadone.

With dozens of birds circling above the field, Hagadone retired two White Sox on fly outs before he walked Alejandro De Aza. Brent Lillibridge grounded to second, securing Hagadone's first major-league save.

Closer Chris Perez was throwing in the bullpen, just in case.

"If I had gotten into trouble, Chris might have come in," Hagadone said. "But I couldn't think about that. It was a game I needed to finish, and it felt good that Manny had confidence in me."

The Indians had not had pitchers earn their first career victory and save in the same game since July 18, 1993, when Albie Lopez (win) and Jerry DiPoto (save) did so in a 2-1 victory over California.

Rain stopped play in the top of the eighth inning of the second game. The delay began at 9:09 p.m. and lasted 1 hour, 25 minutes.

Tribe right-hander Josh Tomlin had exited with one out in the eighth and runners on first and second. He was relieved by Dan Wheeler before the delay, which came with the Tribe leading, 2-1. Joe Smith entered the game after the delay; Wheeler, because of its length, never pitched.

Smith gave up a run-scoring single to Alex Rios to tie it. With runners on first and third, Smith fell behind Adam Dunn, 3-1. After taking a strike that he thought was a ball, Dunn tapped to Smith, who triggered a 1-6-3 double play.

Cabrera led off the Tribe eighth with a bloop single into right-center against lefty Matt Thornton. Carlos Santana's bloop to right-center pushed Cabrera to third.

After Hafner popped out, Duncan hit a liner into the left-field corner. Duncan entered the night at 3-for-20 with runners in scoring position and was 0-for-1 with RISP in the game to that point.

“Shelley needed it, and we needed it,” Acta said. “It was a good matchup for him, and he took advantage of it. We’re getting contributions from just about everybody.”

Duncan is hitting .313 (10-for-32) against lefties.

Tony Sipp pitched the ninth for the save. He walked pinch hitter Paul Konerko with two outs. Tyler Flowers hammered a moon shot foul on the first pitch and eventually struck out.

Smith ribbed Sipp in the postgame clubhouse about Flowers' foul, which sailed past the left-field pole.

"Get ahead in the count, right?'' Smith said. "Doesn't matter if it's 500 feet, as long as it's foul.''

 Smith was not supposed to be available. Acta desperately wanted to rest Smith,  Perez and righty setup man Vinnie Pestano.

 "I'm really thankful Joe Smith decided to pitch,'' Acta said. "And Tony picked us up. If it wasn't Tony on the mound, it was going to be Michael Brantley or somebody else.''

 Smith said: "I felt good enough. There was no reason not to pitch. Those guys needed a break.”

Chicago took a 1-0 lead in the fifth. Dayan Viciedo singled and moved to third on Flowers' double into the left-field corner. Brent Morel had a run-scoring grounder to short, Flowers advancing to third.

With the infield in, De Aza grounded sharply to second baseman Jason Kipnis, who made a short-hop pick on the glove side and held Flowers at third. Gordon Beckham grounded to third baseman Jason Donald, whose throw to first was wide but was reeled in by Santana stretching toward right field.

The Indians answered with two runs in their half of the inning. The first two batters went quietly against lefty Eric Stults, then No. 9 Lou Marson worked the count full and walked. Marson was hitting .059 and slugging .118 at the time.

With Brantley at the plate, Marson shocked the White Sox -- and probably teammates -- by attempting to steal. Catcher Flowers had the ball pop out of his hand, but he never would have gotten Marson, who swiped his first bag in his first attempt this season.

Brantley grounded a single through the hole at second to drive in his fourth run of the day. It was Cleveland's second hit off Stults. Brantley took second on the throw through, which proved significant when Kipnis singled to right. Brantley scored easily.

Soon thereafter, rain began to fall in earnest. It intensified in the top of the seventh.

Tomlin gave up the two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out a career-high eight. He threw 64 of 104 pitches for strikes.

"Josh was unbelievable,'' Smith said. "I wish I'd have gotten Rios to hit into the double play to get him the win. He certainly deserved it.''

 Tomlin was unfazed as rain made for difficult playing and pitching conditions in the latter stages of his outing.

 "Some pitches squirted on me, but it was the same for both teams,'' he said.

 Smith improved to 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA.