The Tribe look to make it two straight against the Detroit Tigers tonight at Progressive Field. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes, @hoynsie.

The Tribe look to make it two straight against the Detroit Tigers tonight at Progressive Field. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes @hoynsie or click here for a live game box score. You can also download our Cleveland Indians app for Android

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerThe Tigers and Indians square off tonight at Progressive Field.

Reliever Vinnie Pestano set a club record Tuesday night by striking out at least one player in his last 22 appearances. He had been tied with Paul Shuey.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerVinnie Pestano pitches for the strikeout.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Vinnie Pestano has a direct approach when it comes to pitching. When he takes the mound, he's does so to strikeout the opposing hitter.

He's not pitching to contact. He's not trying to induce ground balls or fly balls. He there for the K, swinging or called.

In Tuesday's 5-3 victory by the Indians over Detroit, Pestano pitched a one, two, three eighth inning. He struck out Alex Avila for the third out. It gave him at least one strikeout in his last 22 consecutive appearances.

It's not Bob Feller setting the club record in strikeouts with 2,581, but it is a team record. Pestano passed Paul Shuey to claim the record for his own. The streak started on Sept. 25, 2011.

"A record is a record, I guess," said Pestano. "Until somebody else comes along, it's mine."

Pestano (1-0, 2.55, one save) has 24 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings over 20 appearances. Last year Pestano finished fifth in the AL among relievers with 84 strikeouts as a rookie.

"I try to strikeout everybody out that I face," said Pestano, who leads the AL with 11 holds. "I was aware of it. I don't try to pitch to contact. The least amount of opportunity they have to put the ball in play, the fewer amount of hits they're going to get.

"If I can try and keep the ball away from somebody and punch them out, I'm going to try and take that opportunity."

Tonight's lineup:

Tigers (20-22): CF Quintin Berry (L), LF Andy Dirks (L), 3B Miguel Cabrera (R), 1B Prince Fielder (L), DH Delmon Young (R), RF Brennan Boesch (L), SS Jhonny Peralta (R) 2B Ramon Santiago (S), C Gerald Laird (R), RHP Doug Fister (0-2, 1.59).

Indians (24-18): RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), DH Travis Hafner (L), C Carlos Santana (S), CF Michael Brantley (L), LF Johnny Damon (L), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), 3B Jose Lopez (R), RHP Zach McAllister (1-1, 4.34).

Lineup note: The Tigers purchased Berry's contract from Class AAA Toledo and put him in center field and the leadoff spot. Austin Jackson is out with an abdominal strain.  Quintin was hitting .270 (43-for-159) with eight doubles, 11 RBI and 19 steals. Right-hander Collin Balester was designated for assignment to make room for Quintin.

Tigers vs. McAllister: They're hitting .188 (3-for-16) as a team against McAllister.

Indians vs Fister: Choo is hitting .500 (8-for-16) with two homers and five RBI.

Umpires: H Jerry Meals, 1B Gary Darling, 2B Paul Emmel, 3B Scott Barry.

Next: RHP Justin Masterson (1-3, 5.04) will face Detroit's Justin Verlander (5-1, 2.14) Thursday at 12:05 p.m. STO/WTAM will carry game.

National columnist writes that the Tigers are overrated, that the Indians might be just as good, and that the American League Central Division race is wide-open.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, here running the bases, and Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera are among the key players in the American League Central Division race.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- History tells us it's WAY TOO EARLY to entertain such discussion.

Not ancient history, either.

Today is May 23. Last season, after the games of May 23, the Cleveland Indians were 30-15, seven games ahead of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Division race. Cleveland -- ultimately besieged by injuries and simply not then as good as Detroit -- went 50-67 the rest of the way, though, while the Tigers went 71-44 to finish 15 games ahead of the second-place Tribe. During that stretch, the Indians lost 12 of 15 games to Detroit, including the last 10 in a row.

Tonight, the Indians (24-18) play the Tigers (20-22) in just the second of 18 meetings slated for the teams this season. Going into tonight's game, both teams have 120 games left overall. First-place Cleveland holds a four-game division lead over Detroit, and is 3 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Chicago White Sox (21-22).

Detroit went into this season as the strong favorite to again win the Central. Despite the Tigers' so-so start, most observers still regard them as the division's best team, and expect them to eventually take control of the race.

Yet, despite that sentiment, and despite there being four-plus months remaining in the season, ESPN's David Schoenfield writes that the Indians are as good as the Tigers.

....I can't understand why everyone still thinks Detroit is the better team. Mind you, I'm not saying the Indians are better. I just don't see why the Tigers are better. Just because everyone picked them before the season?

And, writes Schoenfield:

I said before the season that I believed the Tigers were drastically overrated. On the Baseball Today podcast late in spring training, I predicted Cleveland would win the division. Unfortunately, when ESPN.com published predictions a few days later, I changed my pick to Detroit. I bought into the hype.

I'm not buying any longer. This division is wide, wide open. (And I haven't even mentioned the White Sox!)

What do you say?

National website predicts the Browns of 2015 will be no better, and maybe worse, than the teams we've usually seen since Cleveland returned as an NFL franchise in 1999. More Browns story links.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerA national website panel predicts that in 2015, it won't be any easier to cheer for the Browns than it has been in recent seasons.

32. CLEVELAND BROWNS

Williamson: Color me skeptical of the Browns' front office -- and this organization isn't exactly patient. Cleveland's front office is now directly tied to Brandon Weeden's future success. I can't say that is the perfect position to be in.

Hensley: With the exception of Trent Richardson, this team lacks playmakers. That's a rough spot to be in when you play defenses like the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals. And don't forget that Weeden will turn 32 during the 2015 season.

UPDATED, story with photo gallery: The Indians scratch out two runs in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie, while the bullpen pitches out of bases-loaded jams in the seventh and eighth innings to beat Detroit for the second straight night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The bases were loaded, the score tied and Vinnie Pestano still needed three outs to end the eighth inning Wednesday night at Progressive Field.

"I've been in those situations before," Pestano said. "You can't curl up and go in the opposite direction. You have to attack."

It didn't sound like much of a bugle call at first, but when the eighth inning finally came to an end, the Indians were on the way to a 4-2 victory over the Tigers at Progressive Field. How's that for some sweet music?

The Indians, beaten 10 straight times at the end of last season by the Tigers, have captured the first series between the two teams this year. With Justin Verlander, last year's AL Cy Young winner and MVP, pitching for Detroit in today's 12:05 p.m. series finale, the Indians will be playing with house money.

But first, Pestano (2-0) had to get through the eighth.

The inning started with Prince Fielder reaching first on an errant throw by second baseman Jason Kipnis, who was shifted into right field. Pestano relieved and gave up singles to Delmon Young and Brennan Boesch to load the bases with the score tied, 2-2.

Pestano struck out Jhonny Peralta. Ramon Santiago sent a slow roller to Casey Kotchman at first, who threw home to force Fielder. Then Pestano struck out pinch-hitter Alex Avila on a 3-2 fastball. Avila, looking for a different pitch, didn't swing as the crowd of 22,000 screamed and stomped.

"Carlos Santana called a slider," Pestano said of his 3-2 pitch. "I thought about it, but then I said if I'm going to get beat, I'm going to get beat with my best pitch. I just threw my fastball as hard as I could."

It was the second straight bases-loaded jam that The Bullpen Mafia escaped. Joe Smith, after throwing a disputed 3-0 strike to Miguel Cabrera with the bases loaded and two out in the seventh, retired Cabrera on a weak grounder to second to end the inning.

"Without those guys in the pen, life would have been very tough for us over the last couple of years," said Indians manager Manny Acta.

The Indians, seven games above .500 at 25-18, won it with two runs in eighth. Kipnis started the rally with an infield single off the glove of lefty Phil Coke (1-1). Asdrubal Cabrera doubled him to third with a shot to the left-field wall.

"A huge hit by Asdrubal," Acta said.

Travis Hafner, whose game-tying, two-run homer in the sixth made the winning rally possible, sent a grounder to Fielder at first. Kipnis, running on contact, scored with a head-first slide as Fielder threw the ball past Avila for an error. Carlos Santana followed with a sacrifice fly to center to score Cabrera, who had moved to third on the error.

Closer Chris Perez completed a strong night for the pen with his 15th straight save. The crowd, as it did Tuesday, gave him a loud ovation as he jogged in from the bullpen. On Saturday, Perez criticized Indians fans for their poor attendance, but it appears all has been forgiven.

"We know it's still early," Perez said. "At this time last year we had an even bigger lead and we all know what happened. But we're starting to play Wahoo baseball. It's starting to come together."

The Indians have won 11 of their past 17 games and lead the Tigers by five games in the American League Central Division.

Detroit took a 2-0 lead off starter Zach McAllister in the sixth. They did it on consecutive doubles, one of the infield variety, while the other sailed over Shin-Soo Choo's head in right field.

Quintin Berry, promoted from Class AAA Toledo before the game, opened with a well-placed bunt that hit the infield dirt and skipped past Kipnis at second base and bounced into short right field. The fleet Berry made it to second easily.

Andy Dirks sent a line-drive double to right that tied Choo in knots. Quintin scored easily for a 1-0 lead.

McAllister retired Miguel Cabrera on a fly ball to right as Dirks advanced to third. Fielder, with the infield in, sent a hard shot to shortstop. Asdrubal Cabrera went down to his knees to make the stop and bounced a throw home.

Santana didn't field the ball cleanly as Dirks slid home for a 2-0 lead.

"I short-hopped him," Asdrubal Cabrera said. "It was a tough play for Santana."

Hafner tied the score, 2-2, with a two-run homer off starter Doug Fister in the sixth. Kipnis started the inning with a single to center. Cabrera followed with a drive to left center that Dirks track down in left center field.

"To me that was the game-changer," Acta said. "Travis hurt himself earlier in the game by getting hit with a foul ball. But he still brought it strong for us."

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Why should the Browns walk away from a 25-year-old quarterback who has started 20 games and should improve in his third season? The only reason to do so is if McCoy creates a distraction with his attitude, and that doesn't appear to be the case.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerUnless Colt McCoy becomes a distraction ... and there's no indication he will ... the Browns have no reason to send him packing.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A large number of media people and fans keep insisting the Browns have to cut or trade Colt McCoy.

Why?

Because McCoy was the starter last year? Because a guy whose career record as a starter is 6-14 and he will "divide the locker room" if rookie Brendan Weeden takes his job?

Or because McCoy will be looking over Weeden's shoulder in practice?

No, he won't, unless McCoy is on a stepladder.

The fact is, watching McCoy and Weeden at the Browns' organized team activities, Weeden is the superior physical specimen. He is taller, wider and has the stronger, more accurate arm.

Anyone can see that, including McCoy and his teammates.

That's critical because players are bottom-line guys. They want to win and win now. If Weeden looks like the better player, they will want him to start -- regardless of how much they respect McCoy, or if they believe McCoy was not given a fair shot.

In pro sports, talent rules.

Is McCoy thrilled with being in camp, knowing the team is committed to Weeden?

Of course not.

Does he sense that, for all the talk of "competition" for the starting quarterback's job, it belongs to Weeden unless something drastic happens?

Yes, he does.

Does he like it?

Obviously not, but he handled questions about it professionally, trying very hard not to say anything controversial.

While he talked about earning a starting job as a high school and college quarterback, this is the first time in his life that McCoy knows someone else will take his spot in the lineup. That's never happened to him.

But it happens to most NFL quarterbacks at some point.

How many times has everyone from Derek Anderson to Frank Ryan to Rex Grossman to Ryan Fitzgerald to Kyle Orton to Vinnie Testaverde to Tim Couch been in and out of the lineup?

Yes, Tim Couch.

In 2002, the Browns were 9-7 and made the playoffs with Couch. But he was injured, and Kelly Holcomb had a huge playoff game during a loss in Pittsburgh. The next season, coach Butch Davis opened the year with Holcomb.

There was no outcry that Couch had to be traded. He stuck around, won the job back and eventually lost it again as his body was turned to raw meat after all the sacks and pounding of his early days with the Browns.

The rarity is the quarterback who starts and remains a starter for the same team for most of his career.

McCoy should realize that, just as he must know that no team was demanding his services -- or he would have been traded already.

So why should the Browns walk away from a 25-year-old quarterback who has started 20 games and should improve in his third season? The only reason to do so is if McCoy creates a distraction with his attitude, and that doesn't appear to be the case.

Besides, it's likely the backup will start some games -- no matter who opens at quarterback. Only once (Couch in 2001) did a Browns quarterback start all 16 games.

Yes, the Browns have Seneca Wallace, another veteran quarterback.

Weeden praised Wallace for being extremely helpful in the early days of camp, a good move for Wallace's career.

But if there is a choice between a 31-year-old Wallace making $3 million a year and McCoy at $550,000 -- remember, these contracts are not guaranteed -- why not go with McCoy? He is younger, cheaper and far more likely to take a step forward in his career than Wallace.

If McCoy is smart, he will "compete" for the starting job, embrace the backup role if that's his assignment, and the Browns would be wise to give him the chance to do so.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist: terrypluto2003@yahoo.com, 216-999-4674

The Carolina Mudcats and Lake County Captains both lose, but the Lake Erie Crushers win.

View full size

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers were idle. Columbus returns to action against the Chiefs tonight at 7 in Syracuse.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 4, Thunder 2 Ben Copeland belted a three-run triple and LHP T.J. House worked seven strong innings, as Akron beat host Trenton, N.J., in an Eastern League game.

House (3-1) lowered his ERA to 3.30, as he held the Thunder to one run on six hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Copeland's six-inning triple broke up a 1-1 tie.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Keys 7, Mudcats 2 Host Frederick, Md., scored seven runs against Carolina RHP Kyle Blair (1-1, 4.26) in 21/3 innings, as it beat the Mudcats in a Carolina League game.

SS Tony Wolters (.211) went 2-for-3 with a double, and LF Delvi Cid (.258) was 1-for-2 with a homer and two RBI.

A Lake County Captains

White Caps 16, Captains 4 West Michigan scored 15 runs in the first three innings to overwhelm Lake County in a Midwest League game at Comstock Park, Mich.

Captains starter RHP Felix Sterling (2-3, 4.89) was touched up for 12 runs, all earned, on just five hits in 2 1/3 innings. He walked five.

DH Jordan Smith (.266) was 3-for-5 for Lake Erie. White Caps DH Dean Green went 3-for-4 with four RBI.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 1, CornBelters 0 Lake Erie received a big two-out double from Adrian Ortiz in the eighth inning that drove in the only run of the game in a Frontier League contest in Normal, Ill.

Lake Erie's Paul Fagan (1-1) tossed seven scoreless innings.

A roundup of Wednesday's games in the MAC Tournament at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon.

View full sizeMatt Bliss, KSUKent State's David Starn.

David Starn, the Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year, held Buffalo scoreless over eight innings in the Golden Flashes' 9-0 opening-round victory at Avon's All Pro Freight Stadium on Wednesday night.

Starn (1.69 ERA) gave up two hits and struck out four for top-seeded Kent State. Eric Dorsch (3.00) pitched the ninth.

MAC Player of the Year George Roberts and third baseman Sawyer Polen combined to go 6-for-9, with three runs scored and three runs batted in. Polen went 4-for-4, with a double and a triple.

The Golden Flashes (38-17) haven't given up a run in the past 30 innings of MAC Tournament play.

Starn has tossed 15 straight scoreless tournament innings dating back to 2011.

Buffalo (18-35) starter Cameron Copping threw 71/3 innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits.

Michael Scarcello had Buffalo's hits, getting singles in the second and fifth innings.

Miami 5, Toledo 0 Shawn Marquardt pitched a complete-game shutout to pace the seventh-seeded RedHawks to the upset of the second-seeded Rockets.

Marquardt allowed five hits and struck out two, while not walking a batter. He raised his record to 7-5.

Eight RedHawks had hits, including first baseman Kevin Bower, who was 2-for-5 and drove in a run.

Miami right fielder Bryce Redeker was 1-for-3 and stole a base.

Toledo dropped to 30-26.

Western Michigan 4, Ohio 2 Casey Webber went 7 innings and allowed two runs on five hits as the Broncos defeated the Bobcats.

WMU's designated hitter, Zach Thoma, went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two doubles, and he knocked in the eventual winning run in the seventh.

Monty Porter pitched 1 1/3 innings for the save.

OU made five errors, hindering a strong performance by Brent Choban, who pitched 8 innings and allowed three earned runs.

WMU is 26-27; OU is 28-28.

Eastern Michigan 4, Central Michigan 3 Jamie Simpson went 3-for-4 and scored three runs to pace the Eagles.

Neil Butara threw 6 1/3 innings for EMU, giving up three runs on three hits with three walks and striking out seven. Relievers Jordan Glover and Joe Battistelli combined to pitch the final 2 innings, with Battistelli picking up the save.

CMU's Zach Cooper went the distance and took the loss, giving up four runs on seven hits and striking out six.

Information from MAC sports information was used in this report.

The iPads will aid athletes' access to OSU library databases, digital textbooks and course materials.

View full sizeAP file

One of the goals, says David Graham, Ohio State assistant provost for student-athlete success, is to help athletes during their team travel. The iPads will aid their access to OSU library databases, digital textbooks and course materials.

Ohio State said the athletic department will pay for the initial iPads while it looks to raise money for the program during the next several years.

-- Doug Lesmerises

The Indians center fielder is putting up some impressing batting numbers since moving into the leadoff spot on May 14.

View full sizeChuck Crow, Plain Dealer file photoIndians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo has taken to the leadoff spot in the Cleveland lineup since he was moved there May 14. He's hitting .394 (13-for-33), with four doubles, one homer, three RBI, five walks and six runs in eight games.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," said manager Manny Acta.

Acta moved Choo into the leadoff spot May 14 against the Twins at Target Field. Since then, he's hitting .394 (13-for-33), with four doubles, one homer, three RBI, five walks and six runs in eight games. He reached base in 19 of his 39 plate appearances to raise his on-base percentage from .361 to .391.

"Manny told me, 'Choo, the last three or four years, you've always had a high on-base percentage. We need somebody on base because Jason Kipnis, Asdrubal Cabrera, Travis Hafner and Carlos Santana are hitting so good. Maybe that will help us score more,' " Choo said.

"I said, 'OK.' "

Choo, hitting .274 (37-for-135), with two homers and 15 RBI overall, doesn't care where he hits.

"Manny is the manager, and he makes the decision," he said. "The most important thing to me is to be in the lineup every day and not be injured."

The flip side of putting Choo in the leadoff spot was dropping Johnny Damon to seventh. Acta talked to both players before making the move.

"It was a good move," said Damon, who has used the time to try and get his swing together in a less-pressurized spot in the lineup.

Acta said he couldn't have taken Choo out of the middle of the lineup in his first two years as manager because of the uncertain health of Hafner, Santana and Grady Sizemore. He said Hafner's improved health, Cabrera's performance in 2011 and the presence of Kipnis in the No. 2 spot have given him the ability to make such a move this year.

"This is the first time we could afford to do it," he said.

Back to third base: Jack Hannahan says he's probably two days away from rejoining the lineup at third base. He missed his ninth straight start Wednesday with inflammation in his lower back.

"I felt a lot better today," Hannahan said. "I did everything today [batting practice, infield and running]. The discomfort is gone. We're on the right track."

Hannahan hasn't played since May 13 in Boston.

"It's taking longer than I thought, but once you get back out there, you want to make sure you can stay out there," he said.

Acta said Hannahan was available Wednesday as a late-inning replacement.

Jose Lopez entered Wednesday's game against Detroit hitting .357 (10-for-28) as Hannahan's replacement. In 2009, Lopez hit .272, with 25 homers and 96 RBI, for Seattle.

"I feel I'm right where I was a couple of years ago with Seattle," Lopez said. "I'm not swinging at a lot of bad pitches like I did last year. Right now, I'm recognizing the pitches."

Mr. K: Vinnie Pestano has a direct approach when it comes to pitching. When he takes the mound, he's there to strike out the opposition.

He's not pitching for contact. He's not trying to induce ground balls or fly balls. He's there for the K, swinging or called.

In Tuesday's 5-3 victory against Detroit, Pestano pitched the eighth, striking out Alex Avila for the third out. It gave him at least one strikeout in his past 22 consecutive appearances to pass Paul Shuey and set a franchise record.

Pestano has 24 strikeouts in 17 innings this year. Last year, he finished eighth among AL relievers, with 84 strikeouts as a rookie.

"I try to strike out everybody that I face," said Pestano, who leads the AL with 11 holds.

Finally: Josh Tomlin will throw a 50-pitch simulated game this morning to test his sore right wrist. If he's healthy, he's expected to rejoin the starting rotation without going on a rehab assignment. . . . Emily Serian will celebrate her 100th birthday Thursday at Progressive Field. The longtime Indians fan, with the help of her family, will throw out the first pitch at the 12:05 p.m. game.

Driver will make her Indy 500 debut on Sunday

Tom Strattman, Associated PressIndyCar driver Katherine Legge celebrates with a crew member on Sunday after qualifying for the Indy 500.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- At the end of qualifying for the 97th Indianapolis 500, no driver has more relieved, and arguably was more impressive, than Indy rookie Katherine Legge.

The native of Guildford, England, did not finish her rookie orientation until Friday, as her Dragon Race Team was in the midst of switching from Lotus to Chevrolet power. Legge's only practice time around the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the hour before Saturday's qualifying and the hour before Sunday's qualifying.

Then she was asked to put the car in the show.

That Legge qualified at 221.624 mph belied her limited time at Indy, and her limited experience on an oval. But it came as no surprise to Jim Griffith, the Polestar team owner, along with his wife, Pam, who gave Legge her start in U.S. racing in 2005.

Griffith downplays his influence on Legge's career, but it says a lot that Legge actually called Griffith, hoping to get his on-track support at Indy during testing and qualifying.

"Ice cream, we taught her how to eat ice cream," Griffith said of the year Legge raced and lived with the Griffiths in their Chardon home and team shop. "She was fun around the house. She actually cooked at times. And she always wanted to be around the shop.

"I think she's done a really good job under the circumstances," said Griffith, who did not have the extra time for Legge at Indy but kept in touch. "She really didn't get much time in the car and did pretty well."

Legge, 31, might be a rookie at Indy, but she has some serious credentials. Racing in the open-wheel Toyota Atlantic Series in 2005 and in Champ Car in 2006 and 2007, she made a name for herself. She won the first two events she raced in Atlantics and three races overall, finishing third in the series championship.

That caught a lot of attention, considering Danica Patrick -- the driver many open-wheel racing women are compared to -- never won one race in her Atlantics career, and Legge's third-place series finish matched Patrick's career best in that series. Legge's quick success led to an immediate step up to Champ Car, which Legge now admits was probably a year too soon.

Still, she made her mark there in the only oval race she's ever run. In 2006 at the Milwaukee Mile, Legge led for 12 laps, 10 of them under green-flag racing.

"I had a very good car at the time, and on the ovals, how good you are is very dependent on how good your car is," Legge said. "The engineers definitely earn their money on ovals. If you have a good car, you can do a good time."

But somebody has to drive the car smartly, and that was Legge, who finished sixth at Milwaukee.

She will get one more hour of Indy 500 practice at Friday's Carb Day, then settle in for Sunday's race.

"She's a quick study," said Griffith, who has six drivers in his Polestar stables and counts Legge as the fourth prot g to qualify at Indy, including 2004 Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice.

"She's a real talent. She has a great a personality. But when the visor goes down, she doesn't give a quarter. She's tenacious. She's not to be put down. She doesn't just want to be in the race -- she wants to win. You actually have to throttle her back a little bit sometimes."

She's been throttled back the last four years. Driving back home in England only fueled Legge's wish to return to the states.

"I missed it," Legge said. "I missed America. I missed open-wheel racing. I missed the people. Driving the cars, racing the cars. And the Indy 500 was something, I thought, I needed to complete."

She spent most of 2011 trying to land the right sponsorship and the right race team. She and four-time Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais landed rides with Jay Penske, son of Indy icon and Shaker Heights native Roger Penske. But the team made the unlucky choice of starting the season with Lotus power.

Penske, like most in the Lotus stable, switched to alternate power in time for Indy. But Legge and Co. did not get their Chevrolet engines until last Friday. Then came the scramble to qualify.

"I must have done something really bad in a previous life," Legge said. "It has definitely been a difficult year."

Now, perhaps, her racing fortunes are about to change. Legge is one of seven rookies in the 33-car field and will start outside of row 10.

"We've got a solid car," she said. "I think we can compete in the middle of the pack. We're not going to fool ourselves and think we are up front, because we haven't had the testing time either as a team or with the Chevrolet [engine] that most of the others have had. As long as we are comfortable in traffic and we can learn every lap of the race, I'll be very happy."

And that would also get her open-wheel racing career back on track.

Shumway and her partner, Sarah Trowbridge, dominate the final from the start, never trail and win by more than a second over the Netherlands.

View full sizeSigi Tischler, Keystone via APMargot Shumway, left, and Sarah Trowbridge row during the Final A of women's double sculls at the Olympic qualification race Tuesday on Lake Rotsee in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Westlake rower Margot Shumway is headed back to the Olympics. Shumway and Sarah Trowbridge of Guilford, Conn., won the double-sculls final Tuesday in the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The pair dominated the race from the start, never trailed and won by more than a second over the Netherlands, with both crews earning Olympic berths.

"It was pretty solid from start to finish," Shumway said. "I felt very focused on what [Trowbridge] was doing. It felt very internal, although we were responsive to the other crews. What we did was set a goal for ourselves, and then we marched down the course to accomplish that goal."

Shumway rowed on a fifth-place women's quadruple-sculls team at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Shumway, 32, rowed for Ohio State and trains in Washington, D.C.

Wrestling: The last U.S. Olympic wrestling berth will be decided June 7 in New York in a mini tournament among Columbus residents Shawn Bunch and Reece Humphrey, as well as Olympic trials champ Coleman Scott, at freestyle 132 pounds.

The 132-pound berth wasn't decided at the trials in April because the United States hadn't yet qualified the weight for the Olympics, which Bunch did three weeks ago by placing third at a tournament in China. Bunch and Humphrey were held out of the trials, which Scott won.

Bunch and Humphrey are training partners at Ohio Regional Training Center in Columbus.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

Justin Meram scores his third goal in the last three games, while Renteria adds an impressive goal of his own.

Justin Meram celebrates scoring his third goal in his last three games.AP File Photo

SEATTLE — Justin Meram and Emilio Renteria scored to lead the Columbus Crew to a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night.

Meram headed a left-footed cross from Dilly Duka for his third goal in the 15th minute. Renteria sealed the win for Columbus (4-4-3) with a 30-yard chip over Seattle goalkeeper Bryan Meredith in the 76th minute for his first goal.

"Not something that I do every time," Renteria said through an interpreter. "I saw the goalie up and thought I could score."

Columbus' Duka (47) and Carlos Mendes (71) received second-half yellow cards. Seattle's Marc Burch received a yellow card in the 85th minute, and Osvaldo Alonso received one in the 88th.

The Crew came in 0-3-3 against Seattle since the Sounders entered MLS three seasons ago. Seattle even beat Columbus in the 2010 U.S. Open Cup final.

"Goals change the game," Crew coach Robert Warzycha said. "They are a very good team. You have to respect what they do at home. We have new and young players that just want to stick together and prove we are a decent team."

The Sounders (7-3-2) controlled play in the opening 20 minutes and final 10 of the first half, spending the majority of the half in Crew territory. Seattle got off 10 shots and six corner kicks in the first half, but converted none.

Alvaro Fernandez typified the Sounders' struggles in the first half just before the end of extra time. David Estrada took a lofted pass on the right of the box and sent the ball over the Crew defense to Fernandez, who headed the ball down on bounce wide of the right post.

Fernandez stood with his hands on his hips, stunned by the missed opportunity. It was the best of several chances for the Sounders in the half.

"Not happy," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said. "I thought we gave up a soft goal in the first half. We've got to do a better job of marking at the back post and we've got to score the goal right before halftime. The opportunity that Fernandez had makes it 1-1 and that changes everything."

Alonso had a chance from the top of the box that was shot right at Columbus goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum. Also, Sounders midfielder Brad Evans missed with a header, and defender Jeff Parke sent a header off a corner kick over the cross bar.

Columbus midfielder and captain Danny O'Rourke was carted off the field in the 44th minute after landing awkwardly.

Gruenebaum made two diving saves against Fredy Montero in the second half to preserve the shutout.

AKRON, Ohio — Brecksville-Broadview Heights' softball team reaped the rewards of turning in a daily double effort Wednesday at Akron's Lee R. Jackson Softball Field. The Bees (24-6) hit and played defense in their 6-1 Division I regional semifinal victory over Willoughby South, earning Saturday's 1 p.m. title-game berth against today's Aurora-Medina semifinal-game winner.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights’ Alexis Mack knocks down a Willoughby South hit in the Bees’ 6-1 semifinal victory at Akron’s Lee R. Jackson Softball Field on Wednesday. Mack started the scoring with an inside-the-park home run. - (Lonnie Timmons III, PD)

AKRON, Ohio — Brecksville-Broadview Heights' softball team reaped the rewards of turning in a daily double effort Wednesday at Akron's Lee R. Jackson Softball Field.

The Bees (24-6) hit and played defense in their 6-1 Division I regional semifinal victory over Willoughby South, earning Saturday's 1 p.m. title-game berth against today's Aurora-Medina semifinal-game winner.

The Rebels (22-6) did little of either, collecting just two hits and committing four errors.

"The girls were pumped up," said Bees first-year coach Rex Mack, whose team took a 4-0, first-inning lead by collecting five of its seven hits and capitalizing on two Rebels errors.

"Eight of our starters are underclassmen, so I don't even know if they realized how important this game was."

Four starters are sophomores, but it was one of the three starting freshmen who got the party started.

Alexis Mack hit a rope on the game's second pitch, which darted past South's center fielder as the coach's daughter kicked it into high gear for an inside-the-park home run.

The Bees plated three more runs on junior Sydney Kimball's triple into the right-center-field gap and consecutive singles by sophomores Janice Kubiak, Nikki D'Anna and her freshman sister, Dani D'Anna.

"We were nervous," said Nikki D'Anna, who had two hits and scored twice. "It was a good nervous because we felt we could do it."

Brecksville tacked on two runs in the top of the third inning off losing pitcher Nicole Motuza, who gave way to senior reliever Adi Morgan for the final three innings. Morgan silenced the Bees with no hits and five strikeouts.

"[Morgan] had a little more movement on her pitches," Nikki D'Anna said. "We practiced a lot for [Motuza], so we knew she's lived on the low and outside corner."

Senior ace Kristen Lang earned the victory despite being lifted for sophomore Bailey Frederick in the sixth inning with one out after giving up two hits, walking five and striking out four.

South scored in the sixth inning on walks to Motuza, Mo Stohlman, Vic Scott and Morgan.

"We just didn't play defense," said Rebels coach Erin Dodson. "We didn't hit, either, but I think a lot of that stems from our first-inning defense.

"It took the wind out of our sails. We were down, and it's just hard to come back against a good team like that."

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

On Twitter: BobFortuna

AKRON, Ohio — Emma Horning might not have the most experience of the left fielders remaining in the Division II state softball tournament, but the Archbishop Hoban Knight came up with the biggest play of her team's season when she threw out a runner at home for the final out in a 2-1 upset victory over Lake Catholic in...

Archbishop Hoban

AKRON, Ohio — Emma Horning might not have the most experience of the left fielders remaining in the Division II state softball tournament, but the Archbishop Hoban Knight came up with the biggest play of her team's season when she threw out a runner at home for the final out in a 2-1 upset victory over Lake Catholic in the Akron Regional at Firestone Stadium on Wednesday night.

With two outs and Katie Pucella on second base after a single and groundout to shortstop, Katlyn Spahar -- the No. 9 hitter in Lake Catholic's lineup -- pulled a single into left field. Pucella was waved around and tried to score, but Horning scooped up the ball and fired it to catcher Maddie Diestel, who applied the tag to seal the win for Hoban (15-15) against the Cougars (23-5).

"It was on the ground, and I was hoping [Pucella] wasn't fast enough to beat out the throw," Horning said. "I just picked it up and threw it to my catcher, hoping that it was on target and hoping she'd make the tag. When I threw it, it felt really good coming off my hand. I was hoping my catcher was standing at home, ready to tag her."

Horning played third before moving into center field for 2011 and part of this season. Then, she moved to left field. She finished the game with the one assist and four put-outs. Horning caught the last two outs of the third inning and the first two in the fourth.

"I wouldn't trade my outfielders, and Emma Horning, she's got to be one of the best left fielders in the three-county area, there's no doubt about that," said Hoban coach Bob Mosher. "She just came up big time, and Maddie Diestel, she put that ball right in there and came up with the big tag. It was just simply awesome, outstanding."

While a defensive gem preserved the win, it was a series of Lake Catholic miscues in the field that allowed Hoban to score the go-ahead run in the fourth inning.

Knights pitcher Kate Boylan reached first when Lake Catholic pitcher Bonnie Zappitelli dropped her leadoff pop-up. Boylan came all the way around on a foul out to third that was followed by an errant throw to second and a relay back to third that rolled into foul territory. Boylan slid into home with Hoban's second run of the game.

"Kate was heads-up," Mosher said. "She just went and I thought they were going to throw her out at third, and they made a bad throw coming into third. That ball rattled around the fence, and she just got up and went. Kate Boylan is a heads-up ballplayer, everything you could ever want in a ballplayer."

"When that happened, I think we were late covering second," said Lake Catholic coach Dale Colagross. "We were late covering second base because that's something we don't do. Then, we started throwing the ball around. That's something we don't do. It's disappointing."

In addition to scoring the eventual game-winning run, Boylan kept the Cougars' bats in check. She didn't surrender a walk and scattered seven hits over seven innings. After giving up two hits in the first inning, Boylan kept the Cougars off the base paths for the next four innings.

Boylan got into a jam in the top of the sixth, when Lake Catholic loaded the bases on three consecutive singles. She got Savannah Karako to ground out to shortstop Natalie Bender for the final out.

"She's a sophomore and has the composure of a senior," Mosher said of Boylan. "She had really nice location on her pitches.

"We managed to throw the right pitches at the right time, got them to put the ball in the air, and that really helped us out. We were able to keep them off the bases, and that was crucial."

Hoban will face the winner of today's 5 p.m. semifinal between Woodridge and Poland Seminary. The final is Saturday at noon.

Matt Florjancic is a freelance writer in Broadview Heights.

Perez was clumsy in how he called out the city for a lack of support. But let's be honest here. The Indians aren't only lagging in attendance. They're dead last.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians closer Chris Perez, left, is getting support from fans who bother to show up at Progressive Field ... but that's not too many, despite the Tribe's first-place record.

Build a winner and they still might not come a year after 30-15 became a 15-game deficit.

In a sports town much edgier than this one, pitcher Jack McDowell once earned the nickname "The Yankee Flipper" by making an obscene gesture to the booing hometown fans.

That was actually the nicest thing they called him.

Chris Perez didn't come close to that.

Quick forgiveness followed in New York for McDowell, who later explained that while the media bashed him for his obscenity, "the fans were the ones who actually brushed it off and really made me feel they were fine afterward."

It didn't hurt that McDowell's best work of the season followed. And that'll be the bottom line for Perez.

Pitch well and they will . . . well, they might still not come, but he'll at least have held up his end.

The same message McDowell received as the 1995 season unfolded greeted Perez as he ran out of the bullpen to cheers Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers. The fact only 15,049 people were in attendance and that some of those wore Tigers' colors helped support his general point. But for one night at least, that was of secondary concern.

Perez was clumsy in how he called out the city for a lack of support. But let's be honest here. The Indians aren't only lagging in attendance. They're dead last. They're dead last by 3,000 per game.

That's not all cold weather. Or the price teams pay for staging games on school nights. I'm sure it will improve, just as it did a year ago. But in the meantime, dead last is difficult to ignore.

While it's never a good idea for a business to criticize its customers, what's the worst backlash possible in this case? The people who aren't coming will continue not coming?

Not unexpectedly, the front office distanced itself from Perez's comments. Just don't believe for a moment everyone in the organization was unhappy that the issue was put out there. The hope was that his words might even beat the drum for a bigger walk-up during the three-game series with Detroit.

Cutting through Perez's misinterpretations of the issue, his message was this:

We're pretty decent this year. We're in first place. We're off to a good start. Again. You know, the kind of good start people said we needed to excite the fan base after so many stumbles out of the gate under former manager Eric Wedge.

Some of the criticism of Perez has been just as clumsy as anything he's said. Namely, Kenny Lofton's smackdown of the Indians closer.

Lofton says the Indians of the '90s connected with fans because they were more involved in the community than the Indians of today.

That's why you loved them?

You mean it wasn't about a great team ending a 40-year stretch of ineptitude?

Or having a lineup filled with All-Stars and dotted with future Hall of Famers?

Or playing in a new park? In one of the highest-scoring eras in baseball history?

Or the fact that for three of those seasons, Cleveland's football team played in Baltimore?

All that apparently was no match for the impact a kid could feel spending Halloween night with Albert Belle.

Belle was a top drawing card in a town that made excuses for his behavior. Why? Because he could mash. Period.

After Perez complained about the low attendance and getting booed merely for putting runners on base, Lofton told WKRK FM/92.3 The Fan that Perez doesn't get it.

"You're in first place for a couple of days and you think you're big time? That's not how it works," Lofton said.

Perez never said anything about thinking the Indians were big time.

The Indians were in first for 95 days last year. That's more than a few days. They're in first again.

They finished 24th in attendance. They're last now.

I'm pretty sure that's not how it's supposed to work, either.

Maybe change your name to Bruce

Calling out Cleveland, Part II.

Did Perez's words rally the troops?

Clubhouses. in my experience, don't speak in a single voice.

Some teammates probably agree with him. Maybe even a few more do after seeing Tuesday's crowd.

Some think he should do his job and not worry about the boos or how many people pay to see the team play in a tough economy.

People pay their money. They can boo if they choose.

In a town so starved for a winner, though, why boo first place in the first place?

Perez wasn't the right guy to ask it, but it's a fair question.

Spinoffs

• According to the police report taken after a disagreement that didn't result in any charges being filed, reliever Joe Smith tried to walk into the Round House Bar in Put-in-Bay without showing his ID. When security personnel asked for it, he told them he played for the Cleveland Indians. I'm not sure identifying yourself as a Cleveland Indians pitcher is the best way to clear up any uncertainty about your age. (See: Fausto Carmona).

• I don't want to say Colt McCoy's tone of voice suggests he knows he's already lost the starting job to Brandon Weeden, but I sounded more confident asking the homecoming queen to my senior prom. And she was running away from me with her fingers in her ears at the time.

• Instead of eliminating the Pro Bowl altogether, the NFL is said to be considering moving the game to New Orleans for this season. If the league really wants to patch things up with the state of Louisiana after the Saints' Bountygate suspensions, it should promise to never bring the Pro Bowl there.

• Justin Verlander, today's starter for the Tigers at Progressive Field, has a cereal called "Fastball Flakes." Last week, we asked readers to name a Ubaldo Jimenez cereal. The winner -- "High Pitch Count Chocula" -- comes from Bill T., of Lakewood. Like all other Spin contributors, he must be proud.

• I believe Roger Clemens used steroids and HGH. I also believe when the tangible "evidence" amounts to decade-old cotton balls and syringes kept in a used beer can in former trainer Brian McNamee's basement, I have a better chance of convincing a jury that Facebook was my idea.

• According to rivals.com, scholarships for long snappers have increased by 20 percent in recent years. Just more proof -- as if you needed it -- that Butch Davis was way ahead of his time.

He said it

"We had them beat. Stunned. So stunned. It's stunning." -- Metta World Peace, after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In five games.

You said it (The Expanded Midweek Edition)

"Bud: Who will be the first pro athlete to have unsuccessful surgery?" -- Joe S.

I don't have a name for you, but Vegas odds say he'll play for the Browns, Indians or Cavaliers.

"Come on, Bud, admit it. Deep down, haven't you always suspected that it was all the fans' fault?" -- Ron

Only the stuff that couldn't be blamed on a negative media by whatever regime was in place in Berea.

"Bud: Some evidence that your column is widely read: I have received feedback from six or so people concerning my little quip you included last week. That's pretty good since I'm not a man about town and have a limited circle of friends."

-- Dave Uible, Rocky River

For most "Spin" contributors, six friends is a "Hands Across America" gathering.

"Bud: Occasionally, Spin readers open the sports page and are devastated to read the words, 'Bud Shaw is off today.' On the following days, have you ever been spotted playing golf?"

-- Chas K., Cleveland Heights

Hard to say. My game isn't something anyone spotting me would instantly recognize as golf.

"Dear Bud: About a year after he left, LeBron told reporters he 'forgave' Cleveland fans for the awful way we treated him. Do you think Chris Perez will be able to find it in his heart to do the same?" -- Ashamed in Chardon

First-time "You said it" winners receive a T-shirt from the mental_floss collection.

"Bud: Doesn't Chris Perez understand that if he wants to leave the Indians, he has to win the Cy Young?" -- Chuck Levin

Repeat winners receive an offer they can, and will, refuse.

"Bud: I know it only will help for a day, but do you think it would a good idea if they put the finish line for the Cleveland Marathon INSIDE the turnstiles at Progressive Field?"

-- Jim Lefkowitz, Pepper Pike

Repeat winners finish behind Onion, Ketchup and Mustard.

To reach Bud Shaw: bshaw@plaind.com, 216-999-5639

On Twitter: @budshaw

Is this the year for the Miami Heat?

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerLeBron James

The Miami Heat can wrap up their series against the Indiana Pacers tonight. And despite the suspensions to Udonis Haslem and Dexter Pittman, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade could continue to prove they are too much for the Pacers.

And if and when the Heat get past the Pacers, can the Sixers, Celtics, Spurs or Thunder beat the Heat?

"Some sloppy defense on both sides tonight. McAllister pitched better than the stats show. He could easily have left after 7 with a shutout. The double on the bunt was just lucky. No way around that. And Choo did his best Damon impersonation in the outfield on the next play. Misplayed a difficult fly, but you expect him to get that one." - Dred

View full sizeAP Photo/Tony DejakZack McAllister held the Tigers at bay last night for the Tribe.

"Some sloppy defense on both sides tonight. McAllister pitched better than the stats show. He could easily have left after 7 with a shutout. The double on the bunt was just lucky. No way around that. And Choo did his best Damon impersonation in the outfield on the next play. Misplayed a difficult fly, but you expect him to get that one.

Smith getting Cabrera after going 3-0 was big. Replay showed it to be a perfect pitch to make it 3-1. Pestano was big rallying with bases juiced and none out. That was the ball game there. Nice rally in the bottom half to win. To be honest, I never had any doubt."

Indians DH Travis Hafner (right shin) is not in the lineup today.

Associated Press fileJustin Verlander is 5-1 with a 2.14 ERA.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner is not in the lineup today after fouling a ball off his right shin Wednesday night.

Tribe right-hander Justin Masterson (1-3, 5.04 ERA) faces Tigers righty Justin Verlander (5-1, 2.14). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. at sun-splashed and warm Progressive Field.

Hafner fouled the ball off his shin early in a 4-2 victory over Detroit. The leg was hurting when he ripped a two-run homer off Doug Fister in the sixth inning to tie the score, 2-2.

"You want to play every game, especially ones like this,'' Hafner said. "but it just hasn't responded well enough. It swelled up during the game and got worse, and I wasn't moving well this morning.''

Asked about his level of concern on a scale of 1 to 10, Hafner said: "I have no idea how to answer that. We'll keep icing it today and see how it feels [Friday]. I don't think it will be very long, though. I'll be fine.''

Hafner said no tests or exams are planned.

Carlos Santana is the Tribe's DH and Lou Marson is catching. Shelley Duncan, who hit two two-run homers off Verlander the previous time they faced each other, starts in left. Johnny Damon gets the day off.

Tribe third baseman Jose Lopez has hit in all nine games (11-for-31) since starting for injured Jack Hannahan. Hannahan remains day to day because of a sore mid-back.

Tribe right-hander Josh Tomlin (DL, wrist) threw a simulated game in the bullpen in the 10 o'clock hour.

Verlander is coming off a one-hitter in a 6-0 victory over the Pirates in Comerica Park. He gave up a single to Josh Harrison with one out in the ninth.

Verlander has worked at least six innings in 51 consecutive starts.   

Lineups:

Indians (25-18) -- 1. Choo rf; 2. Kipnis 2b; 3. Cabrera ss; 4. Santana dh; 5. Brantley cf; 6. Lopez 3b; 7. Kotchman 1b; 8. Duncan lf; 9. Marson c; and Masterson rhp.

Tigers (20-23) -- 1. Berry cf; 2. Dirks lf; 3. Cabrera 3b; 4. Fielder 1b; 5. Young dh; 6. Boesch rf; 7. Avila c; 8. Peralta ss; 9. Worth 2b; and Verlander rhp.

The Tribe look to sweep their three game series with the Detroit Tigers this afternoon at Progressive Field. First pitch is at 12:05 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes, @hoynsie.

The Tribe look to sweep their three game series with the Detroit Tigers this afternoon at Progressive Field. First pitch is at 12:05 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes @hoynsie or click here for a live game box score. You can also download our Cleveland Indians app for Android

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerThe Tribe has been all smiles so far against the Tigers this year.