The unit investigating Nuggets' forward-center Chris 'Birdman' Andersen investigates child porn, Internet luring, child predators and child pornography.

In this photo taken, Sunday, May 6, 2012, Denver Nuggets forward Chris Andersen warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Denver. Douglas County, Colo., Sheriff's Department deputies searched the Larkspur, Colo., home of Andersen on Thursday, May 10, 2012, as part of an investigation being conducted by the department's Internet Crimes Against Children unit. While Douglas County Sheriff's Department officials have not arrested Andersen or issued a warrant for his arrest, the Nuggets have announced that he will not suit up for Thursday night's game against the Lakers. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER — Denver Nuggets reserve center Chris "Birdman" Andersen was excused indefinitely from all team-related activities after sheriff's deputies searched his home Thursday as part of an investigation by the department's Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

The team announced its decision shortly before the Nuggets faced the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of their playoff series. The team said Anderson was excused "as he deals with the reported investigation" and declined further comment.

The 10th-year pro hasn't played in the postseason after averaging 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds during the regular season.

Douglas County Sheriff's spokesman Ron Hanavan confirmed that the search took place. Andersen has not been arrested and Hanavan said no arrest warrant has been issued.

The department began investigating Andersen in February after receiving information from a law enforcement agency in California. Hanavan declined to release details, including the nature of any pending charges, citing an ongoing investigation. He said they're asking that the case, including the search warrant, be sealed.

Andersen answered the door at his Larkspur, Colo., home, about 40 miles south of Denver, and let deputies in, said Deborah Sherman, another sheriff's spokesperson.

"He did cooperate. He spoke with deputies," Sherman said.

The unit investigating Andersen investigates child porn, Internet luring, child predators and child pornography.

The sheriff's office said it recovered property from Andersen's home that investigators believe is connected with the case. Sherman said items typically seized by the unit include computers, hard drives, and thumb drives, though she said she could not provide details on what items were seized from Andersen's home, citing the ongoing investigation.

An arrest is not imminent, Sherman said, saying that it typically takes several weeks to a month for investigators to collect evidence from the seized items.

Mark Bryant, who serves as Andersen's agent and attorney, said: "At this time, I respect the process and I have no further comment to protect the integrity of everyone involved. We'll proceed from there."

A message left at Andersen's home wasn't immediately returned.

"For me right now, I think I'm at a stage where I don't know enough information," Nuggets coach George Karl said before Thursday night's game. "I think we all were advised probably not to talk about it until we know the information. The only thing I will say is I trust Chris. In my years with him, he's been fantastic. I think he's really grown as a person. We're going to support him and stand by him."

Andersen is in his seventh season in Denver, although his playing time dropped dramatically this season as young players gobbled up more minutes.

"He's been dealt a bad hand by me," Karl said. "For a guy that's played great basketball for me and the Nuggets over the years, (he's) kind of been phased out because of the youth movement, and in the middle of the season is not always fair. I personally think Bird is a very good basketball player, can play for many NBA teams. He could play for us someday, if the situation would open itself up again."

Karl said he had a chance to speak with Andersen after the morning practice.

"He was emotional. I was in a state where I didn't think, I didn't want to spend a lot of time on that," Karl said.

As for how the news might affect his team on the court, Karl wasn't quite sure.

"I think enough guys individually have been told what's going on. I don't think we have the full information, the full story to analyze or scrutinize," Karl said. "Like I said before, I trust Bird. I think Bird will figure this out."

Andersen has a history of helping out charities during his time in Denver and New Orleans, where he played from 2004-08. According to the Nuggets' media guide, Andersen raised money for Mount Saint Vincent, a home for troubled and abused children, and was honored at the home's 2009 Silver Bell Ball. He's also involved with Alliance for Choice in Education, which provides scholarships for low-income families to use in private schools.

His middle name is Claus, and he dressed up as Santa to raise money for ACE in 2009, according to his media guide bio. He also helped with hunger initiatives while with the Hornets.

With his colorful tattoos and high-flying, shot-blocking act, Andersen has long been a favorite with the fans in the Mile High City.

Andersen began his career in Denver in 2001, before bolting to New Orleans three seasons later. He had a breakout season with the Hornets in 2004-05, only to have his career derailed by drugs. He was kicked out of the NBA on Jan. 27, 2006, for violating the league's drug policy.

Following a ban that lasted more than two years, Andersen returned to New Orleans late in 2008, playing in five games and blocking four shots.

Andersen then rejoined Denver for the 2008-09 season, providing a spark off the bench and swatting 175 shots in the regular season. His play around the rim helped the Nuggets make a run to the Western Conference finals, where they fell to the Lakers in six games.

Andersen parlayed that big season into a five-year deal he signed with Denver in July 2009.

Tribe plays at Fenway Park against the Red Sox, who have lost eight of nine and are playing before fans who remember their collapse last season. Lindor, 18 and the Indians' 2011 first draft pick, looking good with the Captains. More Indians story links.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerStarting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez and the Indians will try to pin the Red Sox with their ninth loss in the last 10 games tonight in Boston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Indians (18-13) are visiting Boston at the right time.

The Red Sox (12-19) are reeling, having lost eight of their last nine games, creating their own clubhouse issues and hearing it from a disgusted fan base that watched their team fold and ultimately fail down the stretch last season, costing a popular and successful manager, Terry Francona, his job.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Indians coverage includes Paul Hoynes' game story on the Indians' 8-3 win in Boston on Thursday night; Hoynes' Indians Insider; Bill Lubinger's story on "baseball's mound etiquette," and much more.

The Indians got to Boston's cocky pitching star, Josh Beckett, early in Thursday night's game. John Tomase writes about the Indians' win over the Red Sox:

After spending two days in the center of the maelstrom over his decision to hit the links last week when he was ostensibly injured, Beckett had nothing when it mattered, getting shelled for seven runs in 21⁄3 innings in an 8-3 loss to the Indians that redefined ugly.

Afterward, Beckett redefined stubborn in his refusal to even acknowledge a perception problem.

“I spend my off days the way I want to spend them,” he said. “My off day is my off day. We get 18 off days a year. I think we deserve a little bit of time to ourselves.”

After a scoreless first, Beckett completely unraveled in the second (three runs) and third (four runs). He allowed homers to Jack Hannahan and Jason Kipnis, and rockets to pretty much everyone else. He was booed mercilessly as he left the mound, with one fan behind the dugout miming a golf swing as he entered the dugout.

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (3-2, 4.04), coming off a seven-shutout-innings outing in the Tribe's 4-2 win over the powerful Texas Rangers on Sunday, starts tonight against the Red Sox. Boston counters with righty Clay Buchholz, who is 3-1 despite a 9.09 ERA. 

Indians story links

Seven Indians have ties to the Red Sox. (By Sheldon Ocker, Akron Beacon Journal)

Francisco Lindor, the 18-year-old shortstop who was the Indians' first draft pick last June and is playing for the Class A Lake County Captains, is playing impressive baseball. (By Jim Ingraham, News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal)

Which player is the real Shin-Soo Choo? (By Steve Orbanek, Indians Prospect Insider)

The Indians' problems seem mild compared to those of the Red Sox. (By Craig Lyndall, WaitingForNextYear)

How worried should Indians fans be about Ubaldo Jimenez. (By Lewie Pollis, Wahoo's on First)

Around the Indians' farm system on Thursday. (By Tony Lastoria, Indians Prospect Insider)

Indians pitcher Derek Lowe gets the win over his slumping former team, the Red Sox. (By Sheldon Ocker, Akron Beacon Journal) 

Breaking down Game 31: Indians 8, Red Sox 3. (Let's Go Tribe)

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden is ready to compete. Watch video

Browns Quarterback Brandon Weeden press conference 5-11-12

(On what his nerves were like today)- “Me, personally, I didn’t have any nerves. I was just kind of anxious. Last night I stayed up pretty late studying what we were going to be doing today and I felt prepared. There’s nothing really to be nervous about. But it’s your first day of minicamp and you are putting on a new uniform, a new helmet, there’s just a lot of excitement. You are out there with guys that you are really just meeting on the field for the first time. When you turn and hand it to a Trent Richardson, you are like, ‘This dude is the real deal.’ It’s kind of surreal. It was a lot of fun.”

(On what advantage he gets from having previous professional experience)- “I just think you know how to prepare. That’s what I was talking about with one of the receivers who is a second year guy. He said it’s so much more laid back because you can kind of relax, go about your business and if you prepared, you play well. If you don’t, you’re gone. That’s the way you have to go about it. I think that’s the same mentality I had in baseball. If you put in extra work, usually it pays off. It’s the same thing at the quarterback position, you are continually learning and I am always asking questions. Coach (Pat) Shurmur, coach (Brad) Childress and coach (Mark) Whipple they are all throwing in coaching points throughout the day, so I am trying to be a sponge and apply the next time I do the same thing.”

(On when was the last time he was under center this much)- “I don’t want to talk about the last time I was, but it was my junior year and I had hurt my thumb. I ruptured a tendon in my thumb. I just couldn’t take a snap, fumbled the snap against Troy with like two minutes left with the lead. Like I said, I don’t want to talk about that (joking). But that was the last time and we just stayed in shotgun because of my thumb. My senior year the center we had liked being in the shotgun so we kept it that way. So two years ago, my first three years of college I was under center 50 percent of the time.”

(On coach Shurmur talking to him about footwork how much he has worked on his footwork)- “I have been working on it non-stop since the Fiesta Bowl. Every day I am doing some kind of footwork drill, throwing routes, doing five and seven step drops. The one he was talking to me about was that Sprint Right, you try to get momentum going and you kind of have to false-step. They teach you not to false-step, but when you are sprinting right, you have to kind of get your momentum going. He was just trying to help me out and get me on the move a little bit faster.”

(On if he is comfortable under center)- “I feel really comfortable under center. Every center is different, we’ve got (Garth) Gerhart, he is a lefty and we’ve got (Jarrod) Shaw, he is a righty. That is a little bit different, but it’s just a feel thing, a comfort thing. When (Alex) Mack gets here and I start take snaps from him, it’s going to be different. It’s getting comfortable, but I’ll be honest, I like being under center more because you can see what’s going on and you get the ball immediately. If I had to pick one of the two, not that I don’t like being in the shotgun, but I like being under center.”

(On if he has talked to Colt McCoy yet)- “I haven’t, I just got into town yesterday. He hasn’t been around the facility. I met Seneca (Wallace), he came in early right before we went out. I met Seneca today, but I haven’t seen Colt. I don’t know if he is here or what but we left this morning early and we have been so busy since I got into town.”

(On if he plans to win the quarterback competition)- “That’s the approach we are all going to take. I think all of us who are here today plan on having a job. Colt’s been in the system for two years so he understands the offense, I am going to ask him questions. We are going to learn it together and compete. That’s what it’s all about. I think he would answer the same way. We are going to do whatever we can to help this team win games, plain and simple whether it’s me or him. Obviously, I hope I am the guy and I am going to do everything in my power to be that guy, but you have to take it one step at a time. I have to continue to keep learning and see how things pan out.”

(On if he has talked to McCoy on the phone)- “No, like I said, I have been so busy. I got here yesterday. My plane got delayed in Dallas and I got in late anyways, so I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off so we haven’t had a chance to yet.”

(On if he is staying in town or going back to Oklahoma)- “I am staying here. I am here through the month of June. The last OTA is I think the 15th, but I will be here through the month of June.”

(On if there are any transferable skills from when he was on Sports Science)- “I think so. You have to be accurate. When you are throwing for a tight end, for example, you are trying to hit his shoulder. I always aim for the Nike check, that’s the way you envision it. The way that Sports Science did it turned out pretty cool. The way they slowed it down.”

(On hitting the clay pigeons)- “That was kind of a timing deal, it’s like a slant. You try to get the ball and the clay pigeon to meet. I am not going to lie the first one I through I missed by about six feet because the timing was way off. Then I got closer and I think I hit my eighth one and as they showed I think I hit four out of five at one point. I was a lot tougher than I thought going in. They only had 100 clay pigeons so I was kind of nervous I wouldn’t hit one. I was kind of sweating it.”

(On how he ended up doing that)- “I flew to L.A., I think it was about 10 days before the draft. When I got there John Brenkus was like, ‘I have this really cool idea. Hopefully it works.’ Obviously, I was sweating it a little bit because I had never even shot clay pigeons with a shotgun. I didn’t know what to really expect.”

(On the team losing Phil Taylor to injury)- “You hate to lose any guy, especially at that position. That’s a key position on the defense. As a teammate, you hate when anybody goes down. He is a hard working guy. I played against him in college. He’ll fight back and be back in there as soon as possible.”

(On having college teammate Justin Cooper in camp)- “Me and Cooper have been working for five years, but especially these last 14-16 days. We have gone up to the field every day at about 8:30 in the morning and just throw route after route. I always joked with people that I liked throwing the ball to him just as much as I liked throwing it to Justin Blackmon and I wasn’t lying. I love throwing the ball to Josh Cooper. You saw today, he is a great route runner, unbelievable hands, he made me look good on one and we were on the same page on the other. He is a great player, very smart. He came to my room last night and we went through the playbook and we talked through some things. I’ve got a lot confidence in Coop and I am excited for him to be here.”

(On Travis Benjamin’s speed)- “He is freaky fast. The guy can really run. Coach Shurmur was like, ‘Hey, let one rip on a vertical,’ even though it’s single-high safety and it’s not really our read, he said, ‘Let one go and see if he can go get it.’ I did and it was incomplete, but the guy has got another gear.”

(On if he has always been a natural thrower)- “Yeah I have, not that I haven’t worked at it, but even when I first picked up a football I have always been kind of a natural thrower. If we get our feet set, it’s really easy. I was fortunate. When I got to the college level I really took a lot of pride in it - accuracy. I think today I threw the ball fairly accurate, not as good as I can, but it will get better. I have been blessed to be able to throw the football. Even when I played baseball, I through the football every single year, it’s been in my blood.”

(On if he has always had the same motion)- “It has stayed the same for the most part.”

(On how much game tape from last year he has watched and how much the offense may change now with Brad Childress and him here)- “I have watched minimal. When we learn this offense they show examples. It’s on paper then they throw on clips to represent what we are going to see and going through the reads and different looks. We haven’t really got into what we are going to change and what we are going to do. They know my strength is throwing the football, but this offense is awesome. It’s really quarterback friendly. You have complete control of it and I don’t think there is really much to change. It has been this way for a long time and has been successful throughout the NFL.”

(On his goals and what his message to Browns fans would be)- “We are coming with a goal to win games. Obviously our first goal is to get to the playoffs, then go as far as we can and ultimately before it’s all said and done to win a Super Bowl. That’s my goal as a player, before I am done playing I want to win a Super Bowl. I know Browns fans are extremely passionate and I think that’s the way it should be. They have great fans. I have gotten a lot of support on Twitter and throughout here even in the last day in the community. My message would be to come out and support us, stay with us the entire time. There are going to be ups and downs, that’s the way it is with every team, but I can tell you these guys that go to bat every day on Sundays and Mondays or whenever, we are playing our heart out for everybody, especially the people in the stands. We are going to try to do everything we can to win games.”

"He's going to miss a significant amount of time ... more months than weeks," Shurmur said this morning as the Browns opened their rookie minicamp.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerBrowns defensive tackle will miss significant time according to Coach Pat Shurmur after suffering a torn pectoral muscle on Thursday.

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor tore his left pectoral muscle and will undergo surgery next week, coach Pat Shurmur said today.

Shurmur acknowledged that the injury "could be'' season ending. But he cautioned, "I don't want to cancel him out for the year.''

"He's going to miss a significant amount of time ... more months than weeks," Shurmur said this morning as the Browns opened their rookie minicamp. "It's too early to speculate how long that will be. It's just one of those things that happened.''

At a luncheon at the University of Akron, Browns President Mike Holmgren said, "I think there is a chance he can come back and play'' this season.

Holmgren said the Browns might have to wait until final cuts to see which linemen get released, "but in a perfect world you'd like to have the guy in camp with you.''

Taylor suffered the injury while lifting weights at the Browns training facility Thursday.

Injuries of this nature often take at least six months to heal. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson underwent season-ending surgery in each of the past two seasons for two separate torn pectorals. In 2010, Jackson suffered the injury in training camp and missed the entire season. In 2009, he was injured six games into the season and missed the final 10 games.

"By his own admission (Jackson) feels better, stronger than before,'' said Holmgren.

Added Shurmur: "Everybody recovers at a different rate. Our guess is he'll be a fast healer.

"It's unfortunate. We feel bad for Phil. But he's in good spirits and he's going to come back from this thing stronger than ever."

Taylor was the Browns' first draft pick (21 overall) in the 2011 draft. He started all 16 games last season.

The Browns drafted defensive tackle John Hughes in the third round out of Cincinnati and signed defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker in free agency.

Plain Dealer reporter Tom Reed contributed to this report.

CHARDON, Ohio - Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin named new boys and girls basketball coaches on Friday morning to replace retiring coaches who are moving out of state. Chris Poulos will take over the boys program, while Joe Spicuzza was hired as the new girls coach.

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin named new boys and girls basketball coaches on Friday morning, promoting from within the building.

CHARDON, Ohio - Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin named new boys and girls basketball coaches on Friday morning to replace retiring coaches who are moving out of state.

Chris Poulos will take over the boys program, while Joe Spicuzza was hired as the new girls coach.

Poulos, a science teacher at NDCL, previously served as an assistant coach at Westerville South, Lakewood, Normandy, NDCL and Cuyahoga Heights.

Spicuzza, chair of the school's physical education department, has coached at the college and high school levels. In addition to six years as head coach at John Carroll, he has held positions at Kenston, Aurora and Kirtland.

They replace former boys coach David Funk, who led the Lions program to its first district final this past season, and girls coach Wally Kesling, whose team finished the regular season at 5-14.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians.

Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesIs Brandon Weeden the next Chris Weinke?

"We’ll start with what you know: the Cleveland Browns selected quarterback Brandon Weeden in April’s NFL draft. He’s kind of old (he’s 28 years old). He’s tall, 6-4, and has a big arm. He played professional baseball for a few years, then went back to college and played really well, setting school passing records. He then got drafted by a team that kind of needed a quarterback.

Now let’s move to who you may have forgotten: Chris Weinke. Weinke was also kind of old when drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2001 (he was also 28 years old). He’s tall, 6-4, and has a big arm. He played baseball for a few years, then went back to college and played really well, setting school passing records. He then got drafted by a team that really needed a quarterback."

AP Photo/Amy SancettaTribe fans voice their anger at Chris Perez via Twitter when he has a poor outing.

"Indians fans started taking to Twitter to let Perez know exactly how they felt about him losing the game for their team. Not only did fans use his name, but they were tagging him in tweets so that it would show up in his mentions. This is one of my least favorite parts of social media – especially Twitter.

If you want to show frustration, that is one thing. But when you begin directing negative and insulting comments directly at the player, you cross a line that shouldn’t be crossed."

AP Photo/Nam Y. HuhAlonzo Gee should be part of the Cavs roster next season.

"Averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds last season Gee could have been more aggressive on the boards, something the Cavaliers are looking for in a depleted position on their team. Gee was also very quick to go to the hoop before settling for a jumper, something that he failed to develop throughout this season. Not saying that his aggressiveness in getting to the hole wasn’t appreciated this season, but the Cavaliers can look to free agency for a cheaper option."

Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot and sports reporter Dennis Manoloff report on the first day of the Browns rookie mini camp in Berea. Watch video

RB on Browns offense: "When it comes down to it, it is similar to Alabama's program as far as running styles and running plays." Watch video

On his first day:

"It was really just learning different calls that we have. When it comes down to it, it is similar to Alabama's program as far as running styles and running plays. There were just different play calls. Right now, I just have to learn the different terminology. Today, everyone was up and running and everyone is hungry."

On putting on the Browns jersey and hitting the field for the first time:

"It felt good and it's starting to hit me now that I've made it to the NFL. To put on another number and another jersey, because I've been wearing crimson for the last three years and that's what I'm used to, so now I've made it. Now I have to take advantage of the NFL experience."

On being nervous and what was going through his mind when he and Brandon Weeden juggled the first couple handoffs:

"Nothing. You just have to get used to the double numbers and your jersey is kind of slippery. I didn't have double numbers or a slick jersey (at Alabama) and since it's new you have to get used to it. When I finally got used to the handoffs with Brandon and the other quarterback (Darron Thomas), it kind of went with the flow. I knew it was going to be a rough start but as it went on everything smoothed out."

On if he had a moment to think about the reality that he is now in the NFL:

"No, I hadn't taken that moment yet. Football is football no matter where you go and that's how I look at the game. When it comes down to it, I am just ready for this (offseason) program. I am just ready to get everyone to buy into it, including myself. Hopefully we all get on the same page."

On trying to find where he fits in as a leader in the NFL and if it is different:

"Somewhat, but at the same time, everybody's hungry so everybody wants the same thing. Just me, trying to run fast through plays or finish through all of the plays, just being a leader on the field. Even if it's not speaking out loud at first, just showing them that hard work pays off, hopefully I can be a leader like that."

On if he can go 100 percent during this camp coming off of knee surgery:

"Yeah, most definitely I can go 100 percent. I haven't slowed down yet. When people talk about the minor knee scope I had, I say, 'What knee? What are you talking about?' When it comes down to it, I am ready to go."

On if playing for Nick Saban has prepared him well for the NFL:

"Most definitely because he ran an NFL pro-style offense and we had some of the best coaches over there. We had Burton Burns as a running back coach and he coached us up a lot. Coach Saban, with his program, it really got us ready and got us prepared for this experience that I am having here today. Coach (Shurmur) coached for coach Saban so he knows and exactly some of his calls are the same as the calls coach Saban had when he was coaching him."

On if he is having fun with running backs coach Gary Brown:

"Yeah, most definitely. That guy is really down to earth and he makes sure that everyone is staying on the same page. He is making sure that everyone is vibing and keeping together as a family. GB, I call him GB, GB is doing his job, and he is coaching me up good and making sure that I stay on top of all of my work."

On if Coach Brown jokes with him for knocking him down:

"Yeah, most definitely and we try to put that behind us, but you know it's going to come up every now and then. The whole coaching staff is still on him about that and I'm still laughing at him and he is still making jokes about it, so we do joke about it sometimes."

On his impression of Brandon Weeden throwing the ball today:

"Brandon, he has a strong arm. I was about three yards away from him and he threw it hard and I had to put my hands up real fast because he has a real strong arm. People talk about him playing baseball and I can see why he did play baseball. He has a real strong arm. Brandon is catching on to the program pretty good and he is running the offense and the huddle really well. He is speaking out loud and he can do the cadence, so he is doing a really good job."

On if it felt like the start of a new era for the Browns:

"I just felt like it was just football. I haven't been around here so I don't know how it feels to say it's a new Browns this or that. Yeah, we are starting something new here, but for the other people, we have to get together as a team as a whole when our minicamp is over with and then we will get into the real camp. For me, I just feel like we were all out there having fun and playing football and trying to learn the plays."

On the comfort of having former Alabama teammate Brad Smelley in the same backfield during camp:

"Oh it is very comfortable. A guy like Smelley, he does not drop passes and he is always picking up the right blocks and he knows what he is doing. He is actually my roommate right now, so it is very comfortable. Coming from the same school and being with him for the last three years, we look out for each other and that is one thing that we have done at Alabama and it is one thing we are going to carry on over to here and combine our brotherhood with everybody else."

On how he handles the big expectations for him mentally:

"Mentally, I do not listen to what anybody else says, but me, I am going to hold my expectations high, real high, very high. The expectations that they have for me now, I don't think it is high enough for me and I am going to go higher and I am going to go to the extreme. You never set your expectations at a limit and that is just me being a man and being a competitor and an athlete. I think you should always have your expectations high. Being the third pick in the first round, having all of the success at Alabama, for me from this point on I am not going to speak much about what I did at Alabama because that is old. I did that at Alabama and that was my college career. I am trying to make a name for myself in the NFL now."

Football team, in Urban Meyer's first year as coach, will be ineligible for Big Ten championship and bowl games. Basketball team, despite key departures, could still be a league contender. Links to more Ohio State stories.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerOhio State quarterback Braxton Miller and the Buckeyes must settle for playing a potential Big Ten spoiler's role in Urban Meyer's first season as their coach.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 2012-13 Ohio State Buckeyes sports season -- at least for the football and men's basketball teams -- may not attain the high national profile of recent years.

The Ohio State football team, thanks to the memorabilia for tattoos/cash fiasco, will serve its one-year ban from the Big Ten championship game and from a bowl game.

The Buckeyes basketball team has lost power forward Jared Sullinger, who opted to leave for the NBA after his two Ohio State seasons, and four-year starting guard William Buford, who could be an NBA first-round draft pick, as Sullinger surely will. The Buckeyes, for now, are not regarded among the potential national championship contenders, as they were the previous two years.

Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Ohio State coverage.

Regardless of circumstances, the football and basketball teams will still have much to play for.

Brian Bennett writes for ESPN.com that, in coach Urban Meyer's first season at Ohio State, playing the spoiler role might be fun for the Buckeyes:

And no matter how quickly Urban Meyer resurrects Ohio State, the Buckeyes are ineligible for the postseason because of NCAA sanctions.

The good news is that the Big Ten race might provide more thrills than any other power league. For years and years, the championship came down to two or occasionally three teams in the final stretch of the season. Last year, in the first season of division play, six teams had reasonable hopes of reaching Indianapolis with two weeks left to play.

Even with Ohio State not eligible -- but playing the role of serious spoiler once Meyer gets his system running -- we could have a similarly wild dash to the finish in 2012.

Eamonn Brennan takes an early look at 2012-13 Big Ten basketball for ESPN.com, writing:  

Indiana is the early favorite to win the league, but it's hardly a guarantee. At least two other teams, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines, are fully justified in having Big Ten title aspirations. Both teams will arguably have as much talent on their rosters as the Hoosiers.

Buckeyes sports links

A post-spring practice look at Ohio State's defensive backs. (By Tony Gerdeman, the-Ozone.net)

The real story behind Greg Oden's wrist injury during his one season as Ohio State's star basketball center. (By Brandon Castel, the-Ozone.net)

Ohio State's fifth-ranked tennis team (31-3) hosts the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday and Sunday. (By Steve Blackledge, Columbus Dispatch)

Former Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger, 73, becomes the athletic director at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Horizon League partner of Ohio State. (By Bill Rabinowitz, Columbus Dispatch)

Thanks to the one-year postseason ban, Ohio State's football game against Michigan will be bigger than ever. Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer, who led Florida to two national titles, understands the Ohio State-Michigan rivaly, saying, "It's a clear, definitive game. It's so much different than Florida." (By Mark Schlabach, ESPN.com, May 4)

The Indians will look to make it two straight in Boston tonight as they face-off against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes, @hoynsie..

The Indians will look to make it two straight in Boston tonight as they face-off against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Dennis Manoloff @hoynsie or click here for a live game box score. You can also download our Cleveland Indians app for Android to get Tribe updates on your mobile device. Read on for a game preview.

View full sizeAP Photo/Michael DwyerThe Indians will look to take Game 2 of their series against the Red Sox in Boston tonight.

Is a basketball team in the hand better than a hockey team in the bush?

View full sizeDispatch photo by Neal C. LauronWould you trade the Cavaliers to Columbus for the Blue Jackets?

"Sort of wonder--and have no particular view one way or the other--whether the majority of Clevelanders would prefer to ship the Cavaliers south and take the Blue Jackets. Become, like Pittsburgh, a Football, Baseball and Hockey town. Did the whole LeBron James "lets collude and make our own teams" thing turn people off? Does anyone remember that, when the NHL was 8 teams, this was the most successful and intensely supported minor league franchise. Cleveland IS a hockey town for sure. It's an interesting question."

The Cleveland Browns rookies got on the field for the first time as their rookie minicamp began in Berea. Running back Trent Richardson talked with the media after the morning practice. Watch video

"RB Richardson looks likes a fighter jet shot from a catapult at the snap heading into the hole. Whoever is our QB is going to have to work hard on their handoffs. This young man flys past you like a runaway freight train. Beautiful!" - BigShowBacker

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerTrent Richardson ran well today during his first Browns rookie minicamp workout.

"QB Weeden's Footwork: QB Weeden looks clumsy in his handoffs. He also had not done a reverse pivot when dropping back from under center. He does look fine in his straight drops for passing sets. First day, so there is a lot of time to polish the apple; but his inexperience does show.

RB Richardson looks likes a fighter jet shot from a catapult at the snap heading into the hole. Whoever is our QB is going to have to work hard on their handoffs. This young man flys past you like a runaway freight train. Beautiful!

GO BROWNS!!!!! "

They call strong-armed quarterbacks "gunslingers" in the NFL. The Browns' Brandon Weeden has a high-caliber arm worthy of that tag.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerRookie QB Brandon Weeden got a chance to show off his arm for the first time as a member of the Browns on Friday's opening session of rookie minicamp.

BEREA, Ohio -- Brandon Weeden stands to the side of the "trap," a machine that will sling a clay pigeon past him at a speed twice as fast as any receiver on any football field.

Weeden has no firearm, only his ballistic right arm and a football. Suddenly, the "bird" is away, and Weeden whips a pass that sort of Scud-missiles it to smithereens.

Go ahead. Release another one. Make his day.

In a recent episode of ESPN's "Sports Science," Weeden, the Browns' second pick in the first round of the NFL draft, blew a series of clay pigeons out of the air with a hurled football quicker than he might yell "Pull!" to a guard this fall.

Of course, if the Browns' recent blocking prowess is any precedent, the guard might yell back, "Duck!"

Weeden's twist on skeet shooting was one of those harmless stunts athletes do. Masters champion Bubba Watson is a trick-shot artist in golf. So was the legendary Chi-Chi Rodriguez. Tim Couch, growing up in little Hyden, Ky., without enough friends willing to run patterns until the sun set, threw footballs at lamp-posts and into garbage cans. He would put one open can slightly behind another and throw a "fade" into the more distant one.

Between you, me and the lamp-post, being a dead-eye with stationary targets might not have translated real well to football. But maybe Couch's garbage became a consideration with other onlookers when the Browns' made him the first overall pick in the 1999 draft.

For his part, Browns coach Pat Shurmur said, because skeet-shooting is "spatial," Weeden's ability to reduce the targets to powder correlates to accuracy and timing.

The TV show was filmed several days before the draft. Weeden took a few throws to adjust to the speed of the clay pigeons, which reached a top speed of 48 mph. By comparison, the Browns' fourth-round draftee, rookie wide receiver Travis Benjamin, ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. "He's freaky fast," said Weeden.

So 48 mph is probably freaky-deaky, wicked fast. "I missed the first one by about six feet," said Weeden.

Early in the exercise, Weeden inquired how many targets were on hand, just in case. In the manner of bottles of beer on the wall, 99 remained. It turned out that, while the clay pigeons could fly, they couldn't hide.

Eventually, Weeden hit four in five tries.

The real football concern with Weeden isn't arm strength or accuracy. "At Oklahoma State, when I threw to the tight end, it was a shoulder throw. I aimed at the Nike check [the "swoosh"] on the shoulder," Weeden said.

The concern is about taking snaps under center. Weeden spent most of his last two seasons in the spread formation at Oklahoma State. Actually, said the 6-3, 220-pound Weeden, he was in the pro set about half the time in his first two seasons in Stillwater. He did not play very often then, however.

He ruptured a tendon in his thumb on his throwing hand taking a snap under center in the second game of his junior season, leading to two fumbles and an interception in a victory over Troy.

"Hurt thumb, no thumb, whatever, it doesn't matter. I don't care if I don't have a thumb. You've got to take the snaps," said Weeden at the time.

He earned a thumb's-up for the attitude the next week. Also for the execution. Weeden threw six touchdown passes against Tulsa.

On Friday, Shurmur said he saw no problems with the quarterback/center exchange, only a slight misstep on a sprint rollout. It's futile to attempt definitive judgments at rookie camp. The players were in shorts, in seven-on-seven drills, with no contact. Still, when Shurmur told Weeden to "give it a rip" on a deep ball, Weeden flung it a long way, but Benjamin dropped it. Shurmur said the short, slight Benjamin has good hands and would prove it this season.

While the reputation of the Big 12 with quarterbacks is of dinkers and dunkers, with such short-tossers as Graham Harrell of Texas Tech (a free-agent Browns' signee a few seasons ago who didn't stick) and the apparently demoted starter of 2011, Colt McCoy, Weeden said Oklahoma State actually went deep early and often. The Browns took Richardson in the first round instead of Weeden's deep threat, Oklahoma State wideout Justin Blackmon, but the quarterback's possession receiver, Josh Cooper, is in camp in Berea.

"Great hands, great route-runner," said Weeden.

Weeden spent five years in baseball's minor leagues before returning to football. He said he has no further career moves in mind.

"I only did it one time," he said of the skeet exhibition. "Before that, I never even shot clay pigeons with a shotgun."

On Twitter: @LivyPD

Michael Brantley says it doesn't matter if he's hitting first or seventh in the Indians lineup. He just wants to have consistently good at bats.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerMichael Brantley gets high fived by his teammates after driving in three runs against Chicago in the first game of Monday's doubleheader.

BOSTON, Mass. -- The baseball gods can toss a few bloop hits Michael Brantley's way whenever they feel like it. He's due.

If Brantley gets rewarded in such a manner, he could be in the No.7 spot, his home away from home when Johnny Damon is hitting leadoff.

Brantley and Travis Hafner have probably hit in the worst luck of any Tribe players  in the first 31 games of the season.

"Yes, I've gotten a little frustrated," said Brantley. "But my teammates helped me out. They worked on keeping me mentally sound. They've picked me up each and every time because they're seeing it too."

Brantley went 4-for-5 in Thursday's 8-3 victory over Boston. It was the fourth four-hit game of his career.

"I'm swinging the bat very well. I feel my average doesn't reflect how well I've been swinging the bat," said Brantley, who entered Friday's game hitting .256 (31-for-121) with 10 doubles, one triple and 11 RBI. "I feel like I've got a lot of bloopers coming my way."

Brantley opened the season in the leadoff spot, but with the addition of Damon, he's been dropped to No.7 when Damon plays. Brantley is hitting .247 (22-for-38) leading off and .281 (9-for-32) in the seventh spot.

"I like Michael's approach at the plate," said manager Manny Acta. "He gives me good at-bats wherever he is. He's patient. He sees pitches."

Brantley has a .302 on-base percentage and a .355 slugging percentage in 29 games. He's struck out 12 times and walked eight. Ideally, his on-base percentage should be higher to stay in the leadoff spot.

"My goal is go out there and give the best at-bat each and every time and put good swings on the baseball regardless of where I'm hitting," said Brantley. "The game dictates the approach you have at the plate. It's a little bit different (hitting seventh instead of leadoff), but you have to make adjustments in the game."

Some managers would hit Brantley in the ninth spot to pair with Damon when the lineup turns over. Acta does not believe in that strategy.

"I've always tried to put the best hitters first in my lineup," said Acta. "If you're hitting ninth in my lineup, you're probably the ninth hitter.

"That's why when I was in the National League I could never see myself in that trend of hitting the pitcher eighth."

Following that thinking, Jack Hannahan isn't moving out of the ninth spot anytime soon even though he's hitting .300 (27-for-90) with five doubles, three homers and 18 RBI.

"I'm not talking about a week to week basis," said Acta. "A lot of people in the ninth spot have success and people say, "Why isn't he hitting higher?' I'm not going to be changing my lineup every week because one guy is having a good week and another guy is having a bad week."

Regarding Hannahan, Acta said, "Should I flip flop him with Travis Hafner? Based on the configuration of our lineup, that's where he belongs. Based on track record and the guys in front of him."

Tonight's lineup:

Indians (18-13): LF Johnny Damon (L), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), DH Travis Hafner, C Carlos Santana (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), CF Michael Brantley (L), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), 3B Jack Hannahan (L), RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-2, 4.04).

Red Sox (12-19): RF Ryan Sweeney (L), 2B Dustin Pedroia (R), DH David Ortiz (L), 1B Adrian Gonzalez (L), 3B Will Middlebrooks (R), LF Daniel Nava (S), RF Cody Ross (R), C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (S), SS Nick Punto (S), RHP Clay Buchholz (3-1, 9.09).

Indians vs. Buchholz: Kotchman is hitting .545 (6-for-11).

Red Sox vs. Jimenez: Nava is hitting .667 (2-for-3).

Umpires: H Derryl Cousins, 1B Al Porter, 2B Ron Kulpa, 3B Jim Wolf.

Next: RHP Josh Tomlin (2-2, 4.67) vs. Felix Doubront (2-1, 5.29) Saturday at 7:10 p.m. Ch.3 WKYC/WTAM will carry the game.

James is expected to be presented with the trophy Sunday by Commissioner David Stern before Miami hosts Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Indiana.

View full sizeRobert Duyos, MCTLeBron James increased his scoring and rebounding in his second season in Miami, and will be named the league's MVP this weekend.

MIAMI -- Heat forward LeBron James is the NBA's MVP for a third time, putting him alongside some of the game's all-time greats.

A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that James will be announced Saturday as this year's winner of the league's top individual honor, and that he'll be formally presented with the trophy by Commissioner David Stern on Sunday afternoon before Miami hosts Indiana in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league has not announced the results.

James is winning the award for the third time in four seasons. Only seven other players -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone -- have at least three MVP trophies.

James said last week that while another MVP award "would be amazing and would be humbling," it's not what drives him. In his ninth season, James still has not won an NBA title and it's clear that, although he wanted to reclaim the MVP trophy, winning a championship is far and away his top basketball priority.

"What I'm all about is team and ever since I was a kid, I was always taught it's team first," James told the AP on Friday. "My first time playing basketball, we went undefeated and won a championship and Frank Walker Sr. gave everyone on the team a MVP trophy. Right then and there, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to see my teammates reap the benefits as well."

Abdul-Jabbar won the MVP six times, Jordan and Russell five times each, Chamberlain four times. After this weekend, they'll be the only players with more than James.

"I think he's probably as committed as he's ever been in his career," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said this week, asked to summarize James' season. "And he's always been committed. ... We all respond to his energy on the court."

James averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists -- making him only the fourth player with those totals in at least two different seasons, according to STATS LLC, joining Oscar Robertson (five times), John Havlicek (twice) and Bird (twice).

Add James' 53 percent shooting and 1.9 steals per game into the mix, and the club gets even more exclusive. Only Jordan had a season with numbers exceeding what James did this season in those categories -- 1988-89, when he averaged 32.5 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and 2.9 steals on 54 percent shooting.

And Jordan wasn't even the MVP that year, the trophy going to Johnson instead.

"I think LeBron is an MVP candidate every year," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said last month. "It's just who he is. He only does everything. So I don't know what more you can ask from him.

"LeBron, to me, is the favorite every year," Rivers added. "The years he doesn't win it, it'll usually be because people are just tired of voting for him. Statistically, if you go all-around game, I don't know how you don't vote for him every year."

The MVP votes will be revealed Saturday. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant was thought to be James' top competition for the MVP, after winning the NBA scoring title for a third straight season. Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs also had seasons that generated some MVP buzz.

James' teammates also lobbied for him to be defensive player of the year this season, noting that probably no one else in the league routinely plays four positions on offense while sometimes being asked to guard anyone from a point guard to a center on defense. James was fourth in that balloting.

"LeBron has been unbelievable," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said before the playoffs. "He's done it at both ends, every night, offensively and defensively."

Last season's MVP, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, appeared in only 39 of 66 regular-season games this season because of a variety of injuries. His season ended in Game 1 of the Bulls' first-round playoff series against Philadelphia, when he tore a knee ligament.

Many in the Heat organization thought James should have won the award a year ago as well, when he dealt with constant fallout from "The Decision" to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent and sign with Miami, where he, Wade and Chris Bosh formed a "Big Three" that has been celebrated at home and reviled in just about every other NBA arena.

James has said he played more out of anger and to silence criticism than anything else last season. So this season, his mindset changed, with him trying to revert to old ways, first as a superstar-in-waiting at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, then during his seven seasons with the Cavaliers.

It apparently worked.

"I wanted to get back to who I was as a person," James said.

It's the first time that the Heat will be hosting an MVP celebration.

Shaquille O'Neal won his only MVP award before coming to Miami, and James won the 2009 and 2010 trophies with the Cavaliers -- collecting 225 of a possible 244 first-place votes in those seasons.

The NBA MVP trophy is named for Maurice Podoloff, the league's first commissioner. Heat assistant coach Bob McAdoo won the award once, for the Buffalo Braves in 1975.

Taylor's torn pectoral muscle is painful and rare, and will involve a long recovery process -- as linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and area doctors already know well.

View full sizeLisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer"I really think it's related to the amount and the strength that these guys are using to train," Cleveland Clinic Sports Health physician James Rosneck said of the pectoral injury suffered by Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor. "These guys are enormous individuals and trying to move enormous individuals."

BEREA, Ohio -- Chances are, Phil Taylor knew right away. There is nothing subtle about tearing a pectoral muscle.

In most cases, the pain in the shoulder or chest is immediate and intense. It burns. Sometimes, actual tearing can be felt and heard.

"When someone pulls their pec out, they know it," said Michael Salata, an orthopedic doctor at University Hospitals-Case Medical Center.

It's rare, painful and when surgically repaired, can take 6-9 months to heal fully. Taylor, the Browns' second-year defensive tackle, probably already knew all that from D'Qwell Jackson, the Browns linebacker who tore both pectoral muscles in successive years, 2009-10.

Jackson, when reached via text Friday, said he didn't want to comment on Taylor's injury until he knew the extent of it. But he definitely understands the pain -- and even feels it, too, in the case of losing the defensive end for all or part of the season.

"Either way, missing Phil for any period of time is a setback for the team and defense," he said of last year's first-round pick. "He has tremendous upside."

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While Browns coach Pat Shurmur was reluctant to rule Taylor out for the entire 2012 season, both Salata and James Rosneck, a doctor at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health, said that the recovery process from the injury is extensive. Nothing, really, could have been done to prevent it. Neither doctor is involved in Taylor's treatment.

The injury is commonly suffered during weightlifting (as Taylor's was) or when pushing large, heavy forces -- such as linemen on the football field (as Jackson's was). Salata called it a "freak thing" that simply happens when too much force is placed on the pectoral muscle or tendon attaching it to the bone.

In recent seasons, linebacker Mario Williams, defensive end Elvis Dumervil and even NBA players Al Horford and Kwame Brown have suffered the same injury. While rare, it is happening more often as athletes become bigger and stronger and attempt to improve on both fronts.

"It's not just here, it's everywhere," Rosneck said. "And I really think it's related to the amount and the strength that these guys are using to train. These guys are enormous individuals and trying to move enormous individuals."

Salata said he recently treated a patient who tore his pec while "negative loading" a bench press in weightlifting -- one common way the injury is suffered. That is a process when a lifter loads more weight than he typically can handle on his own, and uses a spotter to help lower the bar. In the case of Salata's patient, the spotter lost grip of the bar and lifter's pec tore under the strain.

"They're already straining as much as they can lift, and something happens where it's more than it can take," Salata said.

To repair the tear via surgery -- which has a history of success -- doctors must reattach the tendon to the arm bone. The surgery cannot be performed arthroscopically, which adds to the recovery time. In the case of elite athletes, rehabilitation needs at least six months; three months for the tendon repair to heal, and at least three months to rebuild strength in a muscle that has not been used for a lengthy period of time.

The pectoral muscle is particularly important for linemen, who spend games pushing off opponents, arms extended.

"That's what they do for their job," Rosneck said.

Given the minimum time frame supplied by most doctors in recovery, Taylor would not be ready to return to the football field until November. However, via Twitter (@PhilTaylor98), Taylor implied he expects to return quickly: "Thanks for all the support. Just a bump in the road. Got work hard and come back #Strong."

Leaders are 8-under. Kent State's Ben Curtis trails by three strokes; Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods by six; Cleveland native Jason Dufner by eight.

Associated PressZach Johnson (photo) shares The Players Championship lead with Matt Kuchar and Kevin Na at 8-under par after two rounds.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida -- Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Kevin Na share the lead going into the weekend at The Players Championship.

Tiger Woods at least gets to keep playing.

Johnson (66) and Kuchar (68), who live about 100 miles away at Sea Island, and Na (69) were at 8-under 136. They were one shot ahead of PGA Tour rookie Harris English, who birdied the 17th and 18th for a 67. English also lives at Sea Island.

Woods was in danger of missing his second straight cut until he ran off four straight birdies on his way to a 68. He was six shots behind, 2-under par and tied with Phil Mickelson (71).

Rory McIlroy, the world's No. 1, wasn't so fortunate. He shot 76 and was 4-over for his two rounds. McIlroy has failed to make the cut all three times he has played the TPC Sawgrass.

Kent State's Ben Curtis (71) is just three strokes off the lead at 5-under par. Cleveland native Jason Dufner (71) gets to play on the weekend, now at even par for the tourney, in the last group of scores to make the cut.

UPDATED story with photo gallery: Jimenez allows seven runs and Tribe batters can't get a big hit late as Red Sox end six-game home losing streak.

Jimenez was once again his aggravating self Friday night, as the struggling Red Sox put a beating on him and the Indians, 7-5, at Fenway Park. Jimenez (3-3, 5.18) allowed seven runs on nine hits in 41/3 innings. He walked five, struck out four, threw a wild pitch and hit a batter.

"I'm really disappointed I didn't give the team a chance," Jimenez said. "We scored five runs. If I had done a better job, we probably would have won the game."

The Indians have been working on some mechanical changes to Jimenez's delivery. Sunday looked like a step forward. Friday was at least two steps back.

"Ubaldo couldn't throw enough strikes," said manager Manny Acta. "When he allowed those first four runs [in the first two innings], he was barely throwing 50 percent of his pitches for strikes. You don't have to be a rocket scientist . . . to know you can't survive up here doing that . . . no matter who you are."

It took Jimenez 99 pitches to lose to a Red Sox team that has lost eight of its past 11 games. He threw only 59 percent of his pitches for strikes. The MLB average is 64 percent.

"I don't know which pitcher you guys are waiting for," said Acta when asked about Jimenez's inconsistency. "We just want him to be more consistent in the strike zone. I don't think any of us are sitting here expecting 97 to 100 mph."

Jimenez is out of options and can't be sent to the minors without being exposed to waivers.

The Indians were facing Clay Buchholz, who has been just as bad as Jimenez. He's allowed at least five earned runs in each of his first six starts. The only other Red Sox pitcher to be so bad for so long was Red Ruffing in 1925 -- eight straight starts.

Why is Buchholz 4-1 despite an 8.31 ERA? Because his teammates are averaging 9.64 runs per nine innings whenever he pitches. Friday was the fifth time in seven games that the Red Sox have scored seven or more runs in a Buchholz start.

Still, it would've been nice for the Indians' offense to do something. The opposition was hitting .343 with 47 hits, including 10 homers, against Buchholz. The Indians barely left a bruise, with eight hits and four runs.

The high point of the Tribe's evening came in the second inning, when third-base coach Steve Smith was ejected for arguing after Jack Hannahan was thrown out at the plate by left fielder Daniel Nava on a single by Jason Kipnis. Smith sprinted down the third baseline to the plate to argue with umpire Derryl Cousins and was immediately ejected. It was Smith's second ejection with the Indians and the 11th in his career as a big-league coach.

"I saw Jack arguing, and he's more important to us than me," Smith said.

Replays showed that Hannahan beat the throw but was blocked by catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Acta coached third base the rest of the game.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first on Carlos Santana's RBI single. The inning ended when Michael Brantley bounced out to first with the bases loaded.

Boston took a 2-1 lead in the first. Rookie Will Middlebrooks drove in both runs with a double. Jimenez struck out the side, but he also allowed two hits and two walks and hit a batter.

The Red Sox made it 4-1 in the second. Dustin Pedroia's double drove in both runs.

Boston stretched the lead to 7-1 in fifth.

The Indians scored three times in the seventh to make it 7-4. Johnny Damon and Kipnis started the rally with consecutive one-out singles off Buchholz. Then Asdrubal Cabrera worked Buchholz for a walk to load the bases, and lefty Rich Hill relieved. Travis Hafner drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 7-2.

Hill should've been out of the inning when Santana sent a double-play grounder to third. Middlebrooks, backing up, dropped the ball as Kipnis scored, and the bases remained loaded. Andrew Bailey, another lefty, relieved and retired Shin-Soo Choo on a liner to left. Acta held Cabrera at third because he'd seen Nava throw out Hannahan in the second inning.

Brantley made it 7-4 with a single to center, but Casey Kotchman grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Indians made it 7-5 in the ninth on Brantley's single off Alfredo Aceves. Kotchman singled Brantley to third, but Hannahan struck out on a 3-2 curveball in the dirt and Damon popped up to center to waste another threat, as Aceves earned his sixth save.

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Richardson scores three rushing touchdowns and one on defense to lift the Gladiators to a 69-48 Arena Football League victory over the Milwaukee Mustangs in an East Division clash.

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Richardson scored three rushing touchdowns and one on defense to lift the Cleveland Gladiators to a 69-48 Arena League football victory over the Milwaukee Mustangs in an East Division clash Friday night at the Bradley Center.

"I'm going to give it all to my O-line," he said. "I had big holes. There's nobody really there. All I had to do was make one move and go to the end zone."

All three rushes came from the 2-yard line. He went in untouched on his first one. The rest were bulldozers.

"It all goes to the O-line and to coach," Richardson said. "He calls great plays. I just run them."

John Dutton was 20-of-31 for 250 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

Gladiators (5-3), coming off a bye week, won their second straight on the road and second consecutive one in Milwaukee. They beat the Mustangs 62-58 on July 2 last season.

The Gladiators (5-3), coming off a bye week, won their second straight on the road and for the second time in a row against their East Division foe in Milwaukee. The Mustangs fell to 3-5.

Cleveland coach Steve Thonn said he wasn't surprised by Richardson's effort.

"His motor is always running," Thonn said. "We just knew it was a matter of time until he had a game like this where he caused a lot of things to happen. He did that tonight."

The Gladiators came in as the AFL's top-ranked scoring defense, allowing just 47.4 points per game. They have held their opponents to less than 50 points in five of their first eight games.

The vaunted defense was tested in the first quarter, but then flexed its muscle with two touchdowns over a four-minute stretch early in the second quarter. That was the difference in the game.

Thonn agreed that the two defensive scores were big.

"That first half, that changed the momentum for us," Thonn said.

Dutton connected with Dominick Goodman for a touchdown pass in the first quarter, Thyron Lewis early in the third and Robert Redd in the closing seconds. Derik Steiner also hauled in a touchdown pass from Dutton.

Richardson put Cleveland back on top as he capped a two-play drive with a 1-yard run for a touchdown, his third rushing score of the game. Steiner's 5-yard run for a touchdown came after Gino Guidugli was intercepted and made it 55-42.

Kelvin Rodgers shredded the Gladiators' defense with a spectacular 60-yard kickoff return that pulled Milwaukee to 55-48, but on Cleveland's next possession, Redd pulled in a short touchdown pass that sealed the victory.

Leading, 42-34, after three quarters, Dutton was intercepted by Marcus Everett on Cleveland's opening drive of the fourth. Everett returned the ball to the Milwaukee 24. Guidugli ran it in from the 1.

Then he hit Andrae Thurman, who beat defensive back Dominic Jones, for a two-point conversion to tie it, 42-42, with 9:03 to play.

Richardson spearheaded the Gladiators' offense in the first half when he accounted for 18 points on two 2-yard runs and a blocked field-goal attempt. Dutton was 8-for-13 with a 29-yard touchdown pass.

The Gladiators took the opening kickoff and finished the first drive with Dutton hitting Goodman from 18 yards out.

Joe Totoraitis, Special to The Plain Dealer. Totoraitis is a freelance writer from Milwaukee.