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It's no easy task to handicap this year's Indianapolis 500 field

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With questions about equipment, engines and some of the faster drivers lacking experience at Indianapolis, this year's race is full of question marks.

indy500-grahal-franchitti-may26.jpgGraham Rahal, left, talking to Dario Franchitti on Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, says this year's race is perhaps the most unpredictable one he's been involved in at The Brickyard.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Pick a number between 1 and 33 and somewhere in there will be the winner of the 96th Indianapolis 500.

As Carb Day, the final day of practice before the race, wrapped up on Friday, predicting the winner, or even which drivers in the 33-car field would contend for victory in the 200-lap race, was a head-scratcher for several reasons:

•The new cars have yet to be tested over 500 miles.

•The new six-cylinder engines being used by Chevrolet and Honda have yet to be tested over 500 miles.

•The heat. The forecast calls for temperatures of 94 degrees with 54 percent humidity on Sunday, which means it will be well over 110 degrees on the track. The hottest Indy 500 on record is the 1937 race, when temperatures hit 92 degrees.

• Now add in all the new parts; gear boxes, tires, brakes and suspensions, again all untested over the race distance.

"There is a little bit of a question mark for everybody," said Columbus native Graham Rahal, 23, who finished third at Indy last year.

Based on performance this month, anyone in a Chevrolet, and anyone driving for Roger Penske or Michael Andretti, have to be considered the favorites. Six drivers from those two teams occupy the first two rows on the grid. From pole-sitter Ryan Briscoe (who qualified at 226.484 mph), to Will Power in the fifth spot to three-time winner Helio Castroneves outside the second row, Penske is covered. Three Andretti drivers -- James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti -- will start second, third and fourth.

Even back in the field, Rahal, Tony Kanaan, former Indy winner Dario Franchitti, and rookie Josef Newgarden have solid chances to win.

"I think it's a guessing game," said Rahal, starting 12th, outside the fourth row under Honda power for Chip Ganassi Racing. "It's the first time [that when] people ask me, 'Who do you think is the favorite? Who is going to win?' most of the time you have an idea. Here, this year, I have no clue. I really couldn't tell you."

History says the same thing.

It was 25 years ago, 1987, when Chevrolet power made its modern-day appearance at the Speedway in a race remembered as one of the best in history.

Roberto Guerrero stalled in the pits with the race seemingly in hand, only to see Al Unser Sr., racing in a year-old car, take the checkered flag for his fourth Indy 500 title. Only two cars were on the lead lap at the finish, Guerrero and Big Al. Only nine cars were running on the track.

None of them was a Chevrolet.

Mario Andretti started on the pole in a Chevy, then went on to lead 170 of the 180 laps he raced. But electrical problems did him in and he finished 10th, still the highest Chevy in the 1987 field where engine woes did in most of his bow-tie peers.

That's just a cautionary tale for those who believe a driver from one of the powerhouse Chevy teams has an advantage. "It's going to be interesting to see where everybody is at," said team owner Chip Ganassi. "In years past, the heat has favored teams with experience here and drivers with experience here."

But more than that is expected to come into play. The aerodynamics of the new cars have drivers wary of leading late in the race. The tow -- the jet stream behind the leading car -- actually makes the trailing cars faster, allowing them to build up speed before moving out to pass those cars in front of them with relative ease.

"If you can see the person, it's already affecting you," Castroneves said.

Said Rahal: "It's tricky. When you get behind eight or nine guys, you lose about 600 pounds of downforce, all of a sudden, it's a handful compared to the old cars.

"But man. If you get a tow on someone, it goes pretty good. If you're the leader with two laps to go, and there is someone behind you -- I'll take it if I'm in that position -- but I'm just saying, it's going to be pretty hard to win it.

"If it's a restart with a couple (laps) to go, I think you're toast. Even if you are just leading with a couple to go, you better hope you've got a gap. I don't think you'll get a leader running away (with the race)."

EA Picks: Look for a race-long battle between Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal. Absolutely no love lost between these two and neither wants the other in front of him, even for a lap if it can be helped. But down the stretch the old vets will step up and the guess here is Tony Kanaan will win his first Indianapolis 500.

He is starting eighth on the grid. During Friday's last practice TK had a solid fast lap of 220.193 mph. Yet there is a consensus in the garage that speed will not win this race as much as position. Leading and winning are expected to be two different things in the final laps of the race.

"Whoever is leading the pack is always going to be a sitting duck," Castroneves said. "I guarantee when it gets to the end of the day it will be exciting for the fans and (the media), but a bit stressful for us."

Surprise, surprise: After eating Chevrolet's dust most of the month, Honda used Carb Day to show it will not go down without a battle. Three of the four fastest speeds posted Friday were delivered by Honda drivers, led by former Indianapolis winners Franchitti (222.360 mph) and his teammate, Scott Dixon (222.274 mph).

"It's always nice to come out of practice feeling confident," Dixon said. "I feel pretty happy."

Franchitti was pleased, yet cautious. "I think we have a good setup for race day," he said. But he added, "It's definitely going to be slippery, and it's going to be a hot day."

The third Honda in the top four belongs to Takuma Sato, who is with Rahal/Letterman/Lannigan Racing. The only Chevrolet driver in the top four was Andretti (221.702 mph).


OHSAA state boys tennis: Area players reach Saturday's semifinals in singles, doubles

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Columbus -- If you played tennis against Max Kan on Friday, it was pointless. The Orange junior, a newcomer to the high school tennis scene, did not lose a game during two Division II state tournament victories at the Ohio State Varsity Tennis Center. That has been the norm this spring as Kan has lost only one game during...

Orange junior Max Kan did not lose a game Friday during his two Division II state tournament victories at the Ohio State Varsity Tennis Center. - (ImpactActionPhotos.com)

Columbus -- If you played tennis against Max Kan on Friday, it was pointless.

The Orange junior, a newcomer to the high school tennis scene, did not lose a game during two Division II state tournament victories at the Ohio State Varsity Tennis Center. That has been the norm this spring as Kan has lost only one game during the entire run of the tournament.

"I was pretty nervous the first match," said Kan, who certainly did not show any jitters in dispatching junior Logan Henize of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, 6-0, 6-0. "The opposition is pretty good and it took a lot of effort."

Kan, 18, was not declared eligible by the Ohio High School Athletic Association until late April. The native of Uzbekistan had been home schooled and attended the Roddick Lavalle Academy in San Antonio, Texas, last year.

"He hits a very heavy ball with a lot of spin on it," said Orange coach Julie Mitchell. "These hard courts are fine with him."

Kan, whose given name is Maksim, continued his superb play in the quarterfinals as he took care of sophomore Joel Montgomery of Worthington Christian in the same shutout manner.

Kan will face freshman Asher Hirsch from Cincinnati Country Day in this morning's semifinals.

The area had a mixed bag of success in Division I singles. Northeast Ohio was assured of one player in today's finals as Westlake senior Colton Buffington and Walsh Jesuit sophomore Aaron Sandberg won two matches in their bracket.

Oberlin district champion Buffington had some rough moments before taking care of Reynoldsburg freshman Cameron Raglin, 6-4, 6-2, in the morning. But he was on game in shutting out Shaker Heights senior Peter Smetona in the afternoon.

"The first match I had some nerves, then I played my game," said Buffington, who improved to 28-0 this season. "The goal in the second game was to get in and get out of the sun as fast as I could."

Sandberg, who played doubles last year, put in a pair of solid efforts in knocking off sophomore Dugan Delp of Toledo Central Catholic, 6-1, 6-4, and junior Stuart Little of Upper Arlington, who was on last year's doubles championship team.

"My ground strokes were doing really well and I felt ready," said Sandberg, who turns 16 on May 30. "It is kind of nerve-wracking with all the stuff going on around you. I like to keep a good attitude and keep moving."

Sandberg has lost to Buffington twice this year, including a week ago in the district semifinal. The other semifinal will match two-time finalist Zach Mueck from Mason, who bested St. Ignatius freshman Nathan Griffin in a quarterfinal, against Jeffrey Schorsch of Perrysburg.

Schorsch put an end to the title dreams of Cloverleaf sophomore Jacob Dunbar, 6-4, 6-2. Dunbar opened with a 6-1, 6-3, win against Wilmington senior Marc Sodini, but played from behind much of the match against Schorsch.

"Jeffrey played very well and there wasn't much I could do," said Dunbar, who wound up 32-2 for the year. "He played aggressive and I always seemed to be on the defense. I just couldn't get any offense."

Hudson junior Steven Boslet lost his Division I opener to Mueck, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.

Experience paid off in Division II doubles as returning teams from Gilmour Academy and Hawken reached the semifinals.

After losing the first set on a tiebreaker to Cincinnati Indian Hill, Gilmour senior Mike Riley and sophomore Weston Noall found their groove to win the next two sets in the quarterfinal, 6-3, 6-4.

Cheering them on were the Hawken duo of senior Daniel Lubarsky and Siddarth Ahuja, who won a second-set tiebreaker in their quarterfinal against Gahanna Columbus Academy 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).

Gilmour plays the returning finalist team from Lima Central Catholic in its semifinal and Hawken meets Toledo Maumee Valley Country Day.

The University School team of senior Daniel Huang and sophomore Lukas Zalesky lost a tough three-set quarterfinal match to LCC.

In Division II singles, University School senior Billy Lennon lost his opening match to sophomore Patrick Wildman of Country Day, 6-0, 7-6 (7-2). Hawken sophomore Dhruv Yadav lost his opener to senior Matt Wareti of Bexley, 6-3, 6-3.

There was limited success in Division I doubles, with the Revere duo of senior Peter Harris and sophomore Noah Hendrickson winning their opener before bowing out in the quarterfinals to Cincinnati Sycamore.

The Copley teams of Andrew Ong-Jarad Pennington and Austin Aten-Alan Du, along with Mayfield's pairing of Shouta Fukamachi-Alex Rinaldi, were ousted in the first round.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

Northeast Ohio's Stipe Miocic ready with punch lines, ready for punches at UFC 146

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The Northeast Ohio-based fighter who is fast-tracking his way through the UFC heavyweight division competes for the first time on the pay-per-view part of a card when UFC 146 presents an all-heavyweight night from the MGM Garden in Las Vegas this evening.

sti.JPGView full sizeStipe Miocic, right, will face Shane Del Rosario tonight in Las Vegas.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Stipe Miocic is getting good at this whole interview thing.

The Northeast Ohio-based fighter who is fast-tracking his way through the UFC heavyweight division competes for the first time on the pay-per-view part of a card when UFC 146 presents an all-heavyweight night from the MGM Garden in Las Vegas this evening.

The main event is champion Junior dos Santos (14-1) vs. Frank Mir (16-5).

Miocic has gone from being a rookie on the undercard in UFC 136 in October 2011, to winning "Knockout of the Night" for his first-round KO of Philip De Fries in UFC on Fuel TV in February, to this bout against Shane Del Rosario (11-0).

Miocic's one-liners in interviews now come about as quickly as those powerful kicks that helped stave off Joey Beltran in his debut and the punches that felled De Fries in February.

"So, Stipe, any nagging injuries that you'll be dealing with in Vegas?"

"Just my heart. Women are always breaking it."

(Cue laugh track.)

"So, Stipe, you've won a $50,000 bonus for your knockout of the night against De Fries, and seem to be rocketing toward a title fight. Any plans to quit your job as an emergency medical technician for Valley View and Oakwood?"

"I'm never leaving. The only downside is I have to shave."

(Reprise the laugh track.)

Comedy lovers aren't Miocic's only fans.

"This kid is ripping things up in the heavyweight division," UFC President Dana White said. "He's undefeated, 2-0 in the UFC already, has great hands, can wrestle and is athletic. It is going to be very interesting to see how far this guy goes in the UFC.

"The UFC 146 Pay-Per-View is stacked -- top to bottom -- with the best heavyweights in the world. Stipe has a huge chance on a huge stage to blast his way to the top of the division in his third UFC fight."

Besides being funny, Miocic, now 8-0 in his pro career, also is a quick study, which is a good thing. He's the UFC's last-minute opponent for Del Rosario.

This whole card, which originally was to pit dos Santos against Alistair Overeem (36-11), is a more than a smidgen snake-bit. Del Rosario was supposed to go up against 13-6 Gabriel Gonzaga. But Overeem's absence because of a failed drug test meant a shift in the card, so Gonzaga was to face Roy Nelson (16-7). Nelson's first opponent, Antonio "Big Foot" Silva (16-3), was moved into the spot vacated by Mir and will square off against former heavyweight title holder Cain Velasquez (9-1).

When all that was in order, Gonzaga suffered a training camp injury, so now Nelson will fight 21-3-0 Dave Herman.

Miocic doesn't care. That whole trickle-down thing is irrelevant to him, he said in an interview in his gym, StrongStyle Martial Arts and Fitness Works in Independence.

"It was a last-minute thing," Miocic said. "I was working out, and Greg [Kalikas, his manager] called. They asked me to do it, and I did it."

His main coach, StrongStyle owner Marcus Marinelli, analyzes each fight and determines aspects of his game on which Miocic needs work. This time, it has been keeping his hands up and moving to his left. Miocic said that should help mitigate the damage Del Rosario can do with a big left hand and powerful left kick.

Miocic acknowledges he's moving up in the UFC realm -- he's excited about being on his first pay-per-view card -- but he realizes he's a few wins away from a title shot.

"I just want to work hard and have good fights," he said.

And maybe avoid professional heartbreak, at least.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: cyarborough@plaind.com, 216-999-4534

DH Travis Hafner skips trip to Chicago with sore knee: Cleveland Indians Insider

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Hafner is resting a sore right knee in Cleveland. He's not expected to play against the White Sox this weekend at U.S. Cellular Field.

hafner-insider-knee-may26.jpgView full sizeTravis Hafner has a sore right knee and the DH is not expected to play until next week.

CHICAGO -- DH Travis Hafner, a big part to the Indians' good start, has a sore right knee and is not expected to play against the White Sox this weekend at U.S. Cellular Field.

Hafner did not travel with the team to Chicago. He received an MRI followed by a cortisone shot in the right knee on Thursday.

Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, said Hafner complained of right knee soreness Wednesday while being treated for a bruised right shin after fouling a ball off the shin during his first at-bat in a 4-2 victory over Detroit. Hafner later hit a two-run homer in the game.

"We're hopeful that the medication [shot] and rest is sufficient for full resolution of the symptoms," said Soloff.

Soloff said Hafner, 34, irritated the medial meniscus cartilage in his right knee. The meniscus acts as a "shock absorber" in the knee.

Hafner told Soloff that his right knee was sore when he reported to Progressive Field before Wednesday's game, but he didn't think it was serious.

Asked about the possibility of surgery, Soloff said, "In the event that the medication and rest isn't sufficient, that introduces a different scenario and we'd provide an update on that early next week if it went that route."

Hafner is hitting .242 (32-for-132) with six doubles, one triple, six homers and 23 RBI. He has played in 39 of the Tribe's 44 games.

"The fact that he's been able to play regularly this year gives us stability in our lineup," said manager Manny Acta. "He's a presence. He changes the way the opposition pitches to other guys in our lineup.

"He's a threat every time he's up. He brings a dimension that a lot of hitters don't have. Even when he's not hitting, he's walking. So he's always on base."

Hafner, with 26 walks and 25 strikeouts, has a .380 on-base percentage.

Soloff talked to Hafner on Friday.

"He said he's feeling better," said Soloff. "He said he's able to walk on the knee. I take that as a good sign."

Hafner has been on the disabled list five times since 2008. Three of those times dealt with an injured right shoulder.

Shelley Duncan started at DH Friday against Chicago. Acta said he'll also use Johnny Damon, Carlos Santana and Jose Lopez at DH in Hafner's absence.

No word: Reliever Juan Carlos Oviedo told reporters in the Dominican Republic that he's received his U.S. visa and can rejoin the Miami Marlins in August after serving a reported eight-week suspension from MLB for playing under the false name of Leo Nunez.

GM Chris Antonetti said he does not think that will affect right-hander Roberto Hernandez's attempt to acquire a visa after he was arrested in January after applying for a visa while using the identity of Fausto Carmona.

"We were informed from the start that they would be handled as two independent cases," said Antonetti. "We are hopeful this will be resolved sooner rather than later, but we appreciate the complicated nature of the matter."

To avoid the reported suspension that Oviedo faces, Hernandez renegotiated his contract with the Indians, taking a big cut in pay. Whether that is enough to appease the U.S. State Department has yet to be determined.

Roster move: The Indians, short on infielders, have recalled shortstop Juan Diaz from Class AA Akron and optioned right-hander Zach McAllister to Class AAA Columbus.

Josh Tomlin (sore right wrist) won't be activated until Monday when he starts against Kansas City at Progressive Field. McAllister had taken Tomlin's spot in the rotation.

Diaz is expected to be optioned to Akron when Tomlin is activated.

"I'm very surprised to be in the big leagues," said Diaz.

Diaz is hitting .232 (32-for-138) with seven doubles, three homers and 18 RBI in 34 games with Akron. The switch-hitter is batting .330 (30-for-91) against right-handers with an .849 OPS.

McAllister has made four starts for the Indians in two different trips to Cleveland this year. He's 1-1 with a 3.96 ERA. He has 22 strikeouts and has allowed six walks and 29 hits in 25 innings.

"Zach has proved himself to be a quality major-league starter," said Antonetti. "We're at one of those rare junctures of the season where we have too many starting pitchers. It doesn't happen often, but we believe Zach will be back here sometime this season."

Finally: Jack Hannahan, who missed his 11th straight game Friday, is expected to start at third base Saturday against right-hander Jake Peavy.

OHSAA track and field: Gilmour Academy's girls win Division III regional; Villa Angela-St. Joseph's boys second

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NAVARRE, Ohio — One team came from nowhere and the other won't go away. In a nutshell, that describes the Division III Regional Track and Field Meet Friday at Fairless High School. Last year, the boys from Villa Angela-St. Joseph were barely a blip on the regional radar screen, scoring seven points and qualifying nobody to the state meet....

Gilmour Academy's Briah Owens. - (PD file)

NAVARRE, Ohio — One team came from nowhere and the other won't go away. In a nutshell, that describes the Division III Regional Track and Field Meet Friday at Fairless High School.

Last year, the boys from Villa Angela-St. Joseph were barely a blip on the regional radar screen, scoring seven points and qualifying nobody to the state meet. That was a far cry from the glory days of the past that saw the Vikings take regular trips to Columbus.

But things are different under first-year coach Dan LaRocco, who led VASJ to a second-place finish by the narrowest of margins, 51-50, at the hands of Cortland Maplewood. LaRocco and his coaching staff were left alone to gather the runner-up trophy, as the three seniors and one junior were on their way to their prom.

"I'm so happy for these guys," LaRocco said. "I knew I only had one year with them so I wanted to get the most out of them that I could."

The team that won't go away is the Gilmour Academy girls, who were supposed to be in a down year but won their fifth consecutive regional crown and their seventh overall. The Lancers dominated with 60 points to 39 for runner-up McDonald.

Trinity finished in a tie for third with 34 points.

"I don't know if we could have a down year," said Gilmour sophomore distance runner Halle Markell, who ran legs on the winning 4x800 and 4x400 relays and was second in the 3,200 and third in the 1,600. "It's all about what you put into it. We have a smaller team, but we have a lot of heart."

That heart was front and center in the meet's final event. The Lancers had the team title clinched before the 4x400 relay, but that didn't stop junior anchor Briah Owens from making up about 35 meters down the final homestretch to out-lean Trinity's Nicole Kontur at the line. Owens also qualified in the 100 and 200 dashes, and Alexis Anton ran on both winning relays and qualified in the 800 and 1,600.

"These are quality kids who have been there," coach Jeff Klein said. "They've been to the state meet before and they wanted to go back. It was an amazing effort by a bunch of girls who would not be denied."

The same could be said of the boys from VASJ, except that none of them have been there before. The school is more known for its exploits on the basketball court, so when the basketball season ended prematurely, it was time to turn to track.

"When we came out of basketball, we were disappointed," said C.J. Germany. "We knew we wanted to leave a legacy and we knew we could do it in track. Our basketball coach [Babe Kwasniak] always says you can't win on talent alone, but we've proven that we can do it with just our talent in the sprints."

The margin of error is small for the Vikings, as they compete in only four events, the 100 and 200 dashes and the 4x200 and 4x100 relays.

Germany combined with fellow seniors Marcellus Embry Jr. and Rodney Burse and junior Devon Bolden to dazzle the field in the relays, setting an all-time Division III state record of 1:28.01 in the 4x200 and missing the meet record by just .02 with a time of 42.95 in the 4x100. In addition, Burse and Bolden placed 2-3 in the 100 and Embry and Germany finished 1-3 in the 200.

To the obvious question of what he has been doing so well with his athletes this year, LaRocco had a one word answer, "Caring." Then he continued, "We have a low athlete-to-coach ratio, so everyone gets cared about. Last year, they couldn't even get the coach to ride the bus."

LaRocco, who competed for Trinity High and Baldwin-Wallace, said he has been so focused on developing the team's talent that he hadn't been paying attention to what the efforts might accomplish.

"It wasn't until two weeks ago at St. Ignatius at the boys All-Catholic meet that I realized what we could do," he said. "And it was [Trinity assistant coach] Kevin Gorby who told me. Before that, it never occurred to me."

It's difficult handicapping state meets a week in advance, but historically, if a team scores more than 40 points, it can expect to be in the hunt. It appears the Vikings have the ability to score at least that many points.

While they may not have had the thrill of winning a team title, many area athletes were just as excited to earn a trip to the state meet by placing in the top four. The girls from Trinity won the 4x200 relay and were second in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

Other area girls to qualify were Chanel's Chelsi Collins in the 100 and 200, Deanna Gesicki of Independence in the 400, Berkshire's Suzanne Koziol in the low hurdles and Hawken's Alexandra Markovich in the 3,200. The Cuyahoga Heights girls qualified in the 4x200 relay, as did Elyria Catholic in the 4x100 relay.

Area boys were led by a rarity, a freshman winning a regional title. Brian Calvey of Independence held a slight lead coming off the final turn in the 400 dash and held on to win with a fine time of 49.20.

Other area boys to qualify were Chanel's 4x100 relay, Berkshire's Matt Pelletier and Independence's Ryan Polman, both in the 3,200, and the 4x400 relay from Cuyahoga Heights.

Joe Magill is a freelance writer from Cleveland.

Jared Goedert hits grand slam in Columbus Clippers victory: Minor League Report

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The Captains and Crushers also win on Friday.

Jared Goedert.JPGView full sizeClippers DH Jared Goedert.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 9, Chiefs 6 DH Jared Goedert (.318) hit a grand slam, and 2B Cord Phelps (.284) had four hits for Columbus in an International League victory Friday in Syracuse, N.Y. Jason Donald (.333), C Matt Pagnozzi (.232) and SS Gregorio Petit (.219) also homered for the Clippers. LHP David Huff (3-1, 3.08 ERA) allowed three runs in six innings for Columbus.

AA Akron Aeros

SeaWolves 7, Aeros 3 Akron LHP T.J. McFarland (8-2, 2.69) allowed seven runs, eight hits and one walk in five innings during an Eastern League loss in Erie, Pa. CF Tim Fedroff (.314) drove in two runs for the Aeros. C Michel Hernandez (.333) had three hits for Akron, and RF Thomas Neal (.307) had two hits. Aeros RHP Loek Van Mil (0.82) hurled three scoreless innings of relief.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Dash 7, Mudcats 5 Carolina LHP Francisco Jimenez (4-2, 3.95) gave up six runs, nine hits and two walks in five innings in a Carolina League loss against visiting Winston-Salem (N.C.). Jimenez struck out three. Mudcats RF Carlos Moncrief (.245) homered, doubled and drove in two runs. Carolina 1B Jesus Aguilar (.300) tripled and had two RBI.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 7, Whitecaps 4 DH Luigi Rodriguez (.291) and CF Zach MacPhee (.255) each had three hits and two RBI as Lake County defeated host West Michigan in Midwest League play. Captains RHP Joseph Colon (5-4, 2.93) allowed two runs in six innings. Lake County RF Jordan Smith (.263) and manager David Wallace were ejected in the first inning after Smith took a called third strike with the bases loaded and they argued with home plate umpire Ben Guttenberger.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 8, RiverHawks 2 RF Robby Kuzdale drove in four runs, and DH Russ Moldenhauer had three hits as Lake Erie defeated host Rockford (Ill.) in Frontier League action.

No. 1 seed Kent eliminates Buffalo, awaits its next foe: Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament

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Kent must now wait for Central Michigan and Miami to play today.

kent state logoView full size
Top-seeded Kent State scored four runs in the second inning to defeat Buffalo, 8-3, in the Mid-American Conference baseball tournament in Avon, and advanced to today's final round.

Kent must now wait for Central Michigan and Miami to play today. Central Michigan defeated Miami, 11-10, on Friday, setting up a rematch today. The winner plays Kent for the championship.

Kent starter Tyler Skulina gave up three runs on five hits in the first to Buffalo, but then settled down, allowing only two hits over the next six innings before he was forced out by a 50-minute rain delay.

George Roberts slashed a two-run double for Kent in the second.

The Golden Flashes' rally was aided by two hit batsmen, a Buffalo error and two walks.

The tourney is being played at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon, the home of the Lake Erie Crushers of the independent Frontier League.

Buffalo 10, Western Michigan 8 Buffalo's bats came alive for the second game in a row as the Bulls defeated the Broncos in a 9 a.m. game.

Buffalo batters were hit by pitches leading off the inning three separate times. Alex Baldock went 3-for-4 with five RBI for Buffalo.

Bulls starting pitcher Mike Burke threw eight innings, limiting the Broncos to two runs on eight hits. Burke struck out four and walked only one.

Western Michigan closed out its season 26-29.

Central Michigan 6, Eastern Michigan 4 One day after setting Central Michigan's career hits record, Nate Theunissen blasted a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Chippewas a victory over Eastern Michigan, in the second elimination game of the day.

The home run was the second of the day for Theunissen, who also had one in the seventh to tie the game at four.

Eastern Michigan's pitching staff set a single season school record, collecting their 389th strikeout of the season.

The Eagles finish the season at 25-31.




MAC Baseball Tournament

At All Pro Freight Stadium, Avon

Friday's scores

Elimination games

No. 8 Buffalo 10, No. 5 Western Michigan 8

No. 3 Central Michigan 6, No. 6 Eastern Michigan 4

Winner's bracket

No. 1 Kent State 8, No. 8 Buffalo 3

No. 3 Central Michigan 11, No. 7 Miami 10

Today's games

Games start at either noon or 1 p.m.

More information: Mac-sports.com

-- From staff reports

Cleveland Indians stymied in loss to Chicago White Sox lefty Jose Quintana

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The Indians, following a three-game sweep of the Tigers at Progressive Field, are out-pitched, out-hit and out-played in a lopsided loss to Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field.

Gallery preview

CHICAGO, Ill. — If the Indians don't find a way to neutralize left-handers, this could become a trend.

What's to stop other teams from doing what the White Sox did Friday night when they recalled lefty Jose Quintana from Class AA Birmingham to replace injured lefty John Danks so he could face the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field?

Quintana, making his first big-league start, pitched six innings as the White Sox thumped the Indians, 9-3, to cut their lead in the American League Central to 2 1/2 games.

How did the White Sox settle on Quintana, who has bounced from team to team in six minor-league seasons? They saw what he could do against the Indians in the first game of a doubleheader on May 7 when he relieved Phil Humber in the third and pitched 5 scoreless innings in his big-league debut.

How long has it been since a White Sox reliever did something like that? Try 1921.

The Indians won that game, 8-6, but they were outpowered, outpitched and outplayed Friday night.

Quintana (1-0, 1.54 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked three on 107 pitches.

The Indians, whose best hitters bat left-handed, are 4-9 when the opposition starts a left-hander. They're 22-10 against right-handed starters.

Pretty soon every AL team will have a minor-league lefty on call for when the Indians come to town.

Manager Manny Acta used five right-handers, including two switch-hitters, against Quintana, but it did little good. Lefties Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Kipnis had three of the four hits he allowed.

In explaining why Quintana has had success against the Tribe, Acta said, "First of all he throws left-handed."

Besides losing, the Indians saw shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera leave after seven innings with a tight left hamstring. Catcher Carlos Santana took a foul tip off the mask in the eighth and left because he was dizzy.

Add those two injuries to the news on Friday afternoon that DH Travis Hafner will most likely miss the Chicago series with a sore left knee, and it will be interesting to see if the Indians have to dip into the minors for reinforcements for today's game.

"We'll see how those guys are when they come to the park Saturday," Acta said Friday night.

When Quintana wasn't getting the Indians out, Chicago's hitters were hitting the ball out of the ballpark. Chicago hit five home runs Thursday night in an 11-8 victory over the Twins. They added three more Friday, two of them coming off starter Jeanmar Gomez (3-2, 3.94).

"Jeanmar wasn't very aggressive in the strike zone," said Acta.

Gomez is 0-2 against the White Sox this year. He has allowed 14 earned runs on 15 hits and eight walks in 12 1/3 innings. Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski homered off him, while Dayan Viciedo homered off Jairo Asencio in the seventh.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first as Choo hit a leadoff double, took third on Kipnis' single and scored on Santana's groundout.

Gomez held the lead for two batters before Dunn hit a two-run homer over the fence in center for a 2-1 lead. Pierzynski made it 3-1 with a leadoff homer in the second. In the 10 games the Indians and White Sox have played, Pierzynski has four homers and 12 RBI. He has four homers and 19 RBI against everybody not wearing an Indians uniform.

The Indians made it 3-2 in the third as Choo and Kipnis struck once again. Choo hit his second straight double as De Aza whiffed on a chance to make a diving catch in left. Kipnis moved him to third on a fly ball to the track in center.

Cabrera singled to left for his 20th RBI.

Chicago put the game away with three two-out runs in the sixth. De Aza's two-run single was the big hit.

Asencio started the seventh with two outs, but Alex Rios reached on an infield single. After a wild pitch put Rios on second, center fielder Aaron Cunningham made an ill-advised dive for Pierzynski's single to center and turned it into an RBI triple. Viciedo followed with his two-run homer for a 9-2 lead.

Shelley Duncan made it 9-3 with a homer in the ninth. It was his fourth of the season.

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie


OHSAA track and field: Solon boys and girls win Division I regional titles

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AUSTINTOWN, Ohio — Solon girls track coach Brian Sabol came to the Division I regional track meet at Austintown Fitch High School with a simple goal: "Make sure they know we are here." When the Comets boarded the bus outside Falcon Stadium on Friday night, they were doing so as regional champions after scoring 87 points. They finished with...

Solon's Therese Haiss. - (Chuck Crow, PD file)

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio — Solon girls track coach Brian Sabol came to the Division I regional track meet at Austintown Fitch High School with a simple goal: "Make sure they know we are here."

When the Comets boarded the bus outside Falcon Stadium on Friday night, they were doing so as regional champions after scoring 87 points. They finished with four individual event championships and two relay titles and defeated second-place Shaker Heights by 53 points.

"We did a real nice job last week at districts, and I felt like we had a chance to do something special this weekend and the girls ran well," Sabol said after being presented with the regional championship trophy. "We did everything we could. We threw well, we jumped well, we ran well, and things kind of came together for us."

Sabol said the team's balance is what "has led to all of our success."

"We are pretty strong in all aspects," Sabol said. "We can run, we can jump, we can throw. We're pretty strong, so somebody may have a bad day, but we can make it up somewhere else. In my opinion, it is the epitome of a team. They win as a team."

The Comets got a strong effort from runners Jelvon Butler and Therese Haiss.

Butler won the 200-meter event in 24.51 seconds, 0.18 seconds ahead of Chardon's Stephanie Ferrante, while Haiss took the championship in both the 1,600- and 800-meter individual events. Haiss and Butler joined with Paige Yaeger on one of Solon's relay teams.

"I think I ran well for the conditions, but I think my times were a little slow," Haiss said of running in the nearly 90-degree heat. "I like to know that I did my part to help the team. If I hadn't done as well, I would not feel like I contributed as much, but I know I play a major role on my team. They count on me, and I like to help them get there."

Yaeger was competing after battling an illness all week.

"Paige accomplished things today that I was worried about," Sabol said. "She has been sick about half the week and anchored two winning relays and gave me everything she had. There was a time I didn't know if she was going to be able to run that 4x400. The heart and dedication she showed to her team was awesome."

Khoury Crenshaw served as an anchor for the Solon boys track team, who also took home a regional championship Friday. Crenshaw won both the 100- and 200-meter events and also qualified for next week's state championship meet with Solon's 4x100-meter relay team.

"He's unbelievable," Solon coach Dan Iwan said of Crenshaw. "He's definitely one of the best runners in the state. He gets overshadowed sometimes by some real talented athletes in Cleveland, but he's looking forward to running against those guys. He's a tough kid, and he's looking forward to the challenge."

Crenshaw clinched Solon's team championship by winning the 200-meter run. According to Iwan, Crenshaw showed the most emotion after finding out the 200 locked up the championship.

"It's just a great feeling," Crenshaw said. "I just love putting the team on my back, as we say. It's a little nerve-racking, at times, but once you overcome that and accomplish that, then, it feels pretty good. It feels great. It's just a great accomplishment. I'd like to progress from here and take it down to state."

Earlier in the competition, Twinsburg sophomore Garrett Crichlow won the 1,600-meter run. Crichlow earned his first state-championship meet invitation with a winning time of 4:15.97 in a field of qualifiers that featured three juniors and nine seniors among the 16 student-athletes.

"As a freshman, I went out too hard and didn't have enough for the end," Crichlow said. "I was ecstatic after my race. It was very hard [to set the pace] because I've never done that. I always ran with somebody, but it's fun."

Matt Florjancic is a freelance writer in Broadview Heights.

 

Seattle Sounders' Osvaldo Alonso disciplined for 'excessive force' in Columbus Crew game

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The league said Alonso left his feet and showed his studs, endangering Crew midfielder Cole Grossman during Wednesday's game.

Bryan MeredithSeattle Sounders FC's goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, left, watches as Columbus Crew's Eddie Gaven, left, tries to get a shot off against the defense of Sounders' Osvaldo Alonso, second from right, and Jeff parke, third from right, in the first half of an MLS Soccer match on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, in Seattle.

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Soccer suspended Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Osvaldo Alonso for two games and fined him Friday for using what it termed excessive force during a game against the Columbus Crew.

The league said Alonso left his feet and showed his studs, endangering Crew midfielder Cole Grossman during Wednesday's game.

The league also suspended LA Galaxy midfielder Hector Jimenez for one game and fined him for a similar infraction during the Galaxy's game Wednesday against the San Jose Earthquakes. The referee issued Jimenez a red card, which carries an automatic one game suspension, so he will miss a total of two games.

The amount of the fines was not disclosed.


First place on the line when Cleveland Gladiators host Philadelphia Soul on Sunday

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The Soul is in first place in the AFL's American Conference East Division, one-half game clear of the Gladiators.

gladiators logo.jpgView full size

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Gladiators coach Steve Thonn is not inclined to elevate one game's importance over that of another. He made an exception this week as the Gladiators prepared for Sunday afternoon's game against the Philadelphia Soul at The Q.

The Soul (7-3) is in first place in the AFL's American Conference East Division, one-half game clear of the Gladiators (6-3).

"Whoever wins this game is in the lead in this division," Thonn said, "so we don't want to say, 'Hey, it's just like any other game,' and go that route. It's a big game, and our guys know it's a big game. We really can't hide it."

Jeramie Richardson, a fullback/defensive lineman for the Gladiators, has been forced to put on hold his friendship with several Soul players.

"They don't even want to talk," he said. "The only thing I heard from one of them was, 'Don't come out trying to start fights.' Well, you're coming to our house. You're going to have to fight us to take it. You're going to have a fight on your hands."

Game officials are tasked with ensuring that the fight is fierce competitiveness, not literal. It will not be easy.

"We know this game is pretty much make-or-break for the division, so we want to break them, point blank," Richardson said. "We're going to break 'em."

In their previous meeting, April 1 in Philadelphia, the Gladiators prevailed, 68-62. Hard-hitting does not even begin to describe it.

"It started with pushing and shoving during introductions," Cleveland quarterback John Dutton said, "and went all the way to the final whistle. I'm looking forward to another big, physical game. They're physical, and so are we. We play our best when it's a game like that."

Dutton performed superbly in the victory, completing 29-of-39 passes for 305 yards and nine touchdowns. He threw one interception and was not sacked.

"I know they'll come in here fired up given that we beat them at their place," he said. "But we've got a lot on the line, too. We're trying for the division lead, and we're playing at home."

As good as Dutton and his receivers can be, the game likely will come down to Cleveland's top-ranked scoring defense (46.0 points) against Philadelphia's top-ranked scoring offense (68.0 points).

"They have a very well-rounded offense, which is going to be a huge challenge for our defense," Dutton said. "I know our guys will be up for it."

One of Cleveland's leaders on defense, middle linebacker Tim Cheatwood, is not sure how much significance the April 1 game will hold for either team. Cheatwood had an interception and a fumble recovery to help the cause.

"Both teams are able to watch film," he said. "It's how you react when you get on the field, how many plays you make. There are only so many plays you can run in arena, only so many defenses you can run -- man or zone. It's about who's aggressive and makes plays."

The Gladiators have won three straight, the most recent a 53-34 conquest of Tampa Bay last weekend at The Q.

The Soul is coming off a 65-47 loss at Spokane, Wash. It is coached by Ohio State product and former Chicago Bears defensive back Doug Plank.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

Indianapolis 500's unknown factors have drivers, teams going in circles

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Predicting the winner, or even which drivers in the 33-car field will contend for victory in the 200-lap race, is a head-scratcher for several reasons.

dario franchitti.JPGView full sizeDario Franchitti climbs into his car Friday during the final day of practice for the Indianapolis 500. The 96th running of the race is Sunday.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Pick a number between one and 33, and somewhere in there will be the winner of the 96th Indianapolis 500.

As Carb Day, the final day of practice before the race, wrapped up Friday, predicting the winner, or even which drivers in the 33-car field will contend for victory in the 200-lap race, is a head-scratcher for several reasons:

• The new cars have yet to be tested over 500 miles.

• The new six-cylinder engines being used by Chevrolet and Honda have yet to be tested in the same distance.

• The forecast calls for a temperature of 94 with 54 percent humidity Sunday, which means it will be more than 110 degrees on the track. The hottest Indy 500 on record is the 1937 race, when the temperature hit 92.

• Add in all the new parts: gear boxes, tires, brakes and suspensions, again all untried at this distance.

"There is a little bit of a question mark for everybody," said Columbus native Graham Rahal, 23, who finished third at Indy last year.

Based on performance this month, anyone in a Chevrolet -- and anyone driving for Roger Penske or Michael Andretti -- has to be considered the favorite. Six drivers from those two teams occupy the first two rows on the grid. From pole-sitter Ryan Briscoe (who qualified at 226.484 mph) to Will Power in the fifth spot to three-time winner Helio Castroneves outside the second row, Penske is covered.

Three Andretti drivers -- James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti -- will start second, third and fourth.

Even back in the field, Rahal, Tony Kanaan, former Indy winner Dario Franchitti and rookie Josef Newgarden have solid chances to win.

"I think it's a guessing game," said Rahal, who is starting 12th, outside the fourth row, under Honda power for Chip Ganassi Racing. "It's the first time [when] people ask me, 'Who do you think is the favorite? Who is going to win?' -- most of the time you have an idea. Here, this year, I have no clue. I really couldn't tell you."

History says the same thing.

It was 1987 when Chevrolet power made its modern-day appearance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a race remembered as one of the best.

Roberto Guerrero stalled in the pits with the race seemingly in hand, only to see Al Unser Sr., racing in a year-old car, take the checkered flag for his fourth Indy 500 title. Only two cars were on the lead lap at the finish -- Guerrero and "Big Al." Only nine cars were running on the track.

None of them was a Chevrolet.

Mario Andretti started on the pole in a Chevy, then went on to lead 170 of the 180 laps he raced. But electrical problems did him in and he finished 10th -- the highest Chevy in a field in which engine woes eliminated most of his peers.

That's just a cautionary tale for those who believe a driver from one of the powerhouse Chevy teams has an advantage.

"It's going to be interesting to see where everybody is at," said team owner Chip Ganassi. "In years past, the heat has favored teams with experience here and drivers with experience here."

But more than that is expected to come into play. The aerodynamics of the new cars have drivers wary of leading late in the race. The tow -- the jet stream behind the leading car -- actually makes the trailing cars faster, allowing them to build up speed before moving out to pass cars in front of them with relative ease.

"If you can see the person, it's already affecting you," Castroneves said.

Said Rahal: "It's tricky. When you get behind eight or nine guys, you lose about 600 pounds of downforce. All of a sudden, it's a handful compared to the old cars.

"But, man, if you get a tow on someone, it goes pretty good. If you're the leader with two laps to go and there is someone behind you -- I'll take it if I'm in that position -- but I'm just saying it's going to be pretty hard to win it.

"If it's a restart with a couple [of laps] to go, I think you're toast. Even if you are just leading with a couple to go, you'd better hope you've got a gap. I don't think you'll get a leader running away [with the race]."

Alexander's picks: Look for a race-long battle between Andretti and Rahal. There's no love lost between these two, and neither wants the other in front of him -- even for a lap. But down the stretch, the old veterans will step up, and the guess here is Kanaan will win his first Indianapolis 500.

He is starting eighth on the grid. During Friday's last practice, Kanaan had a fast lap of 220.193 mph. Yet there is a consensus in the garage that speed won't win the race as much as position. Leading and winning are expected to be two different things in the final laps.

"Whoever is leading the pack is always going to be a sitting duck," Castroneves said. "I guarantee when it gets to the end of the day, it will be exciting for the fans and [the media] but a bit stressful for us."

Surprise, surprise: After eating Chevrolet's dust most of the month, Honda used Carb Day to show it won't go down without a battle. Three of the four fastest speeds posted Friday were delivered by Honda drivers, led by former Indianapolis winners Franchitti (222.360 mph) and his teammate, Scott Dixon (222.274 mph).

"It's always nice to come out of practice feeling confident," Dixon said. "I feel pretty happy."

Franchitti was pleased but cautious.

"I think we have a good setup for race day," he said, adding, "It's definitely going to be slippery, and it's going to be a hot day."

The third Honda in the top four belongs to Takuma Sato, who is with Rahal Letterman Lannigan Racing. The only Chevrolet driver in the top four was Andretti (221.702 mph).

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

OHSAA track and field: St. Edward wins Division I regional but loses relay team; Lorain takes girls title

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AMHERST, Ohio — Midway through the Division I regional track meet Friday, St. Edward coach Steve Stahl stood in the pouring rain to cool off. It wasn't the heat and it wasn't the humidity that had him so hot. It was anger.

Rocky River's Madi Connelly, right, loses her footing on the rain-soaked track as she gets passed on the final stretch by Medina's Anna Boyert in the girls 800-meter run in the Division I regional finals Friday in Amherst. Connelly finished 11th. - (Gus Chan, PD)

AMHERST, Ohio — Midway through the Division I regional track meet Friday, St. Edward coach Steve Stahl stood in the pouring rain to cool off.

It wasn't the heat and it wasn't the humidity that had him so hot. It was anger.

On a day that ended with St. Edward claiming the Division I boys championship at Amherst, the Eagles were lamenting the loss of their top-ranked 4x200-meter relay. St. Edward withdrew from the final because two runners were late to the meet.

The Eagles beat Berea for the regional title, 88-56, another significant milestone for their rise under Stahl. They entered the postseason among the favorites to win the state meet next weekend, but now face a much different challenge without their favored 4x200 relay.

"We're not finished by any means. There's just no room for error now," Stahl said.

St. Edward wasn't the only team that saw its path to a potential state title altered on Amherst's green track. It was a strange meet from beginning to end. Blistering heat the first 90 minutes was followed by driving rain for the 300 hurdles and girls 800, and there were two lightning delays totaling 90 minutes.

Berea senior Donovan Robertson withdrew from the 100 and 200 dashes to concentrate on defending his state titles in the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles. He won the hurdles in 13.61 (meet record) and 37.09. He joined the Braves' 4x400 relay, which he anchored, running from sixth place to first in 3:20.93.

Had Robertson been able to achieve his longtime goal of winning or placing high in four individual events at state, Berea would have been a stronger contender for the team title.

"It was a hard decision. To run all four events would just kick my butt at state," Robertson said.

Lorain's hope for state girls hardware was dealt a big blow when its winning 4x200 relay was disqualified because of an exchange outside the zone. Lorain won the meet with 64 points, 12 ahead of Medina.

The rain appeared to be a factor when Rocky River junior Madi Connelly fell with about 40 meters remaining in the 800. She was running among the top four, but finished 11th. The top four earn state berths. Connelly later advanced to state on the fourth-place 4x400 after anchor Sarah Lesiecki made a late pass.

Brunswick senior Brianna Neitzel won the 100 (12.28) and 400 (56.30) and, after an hour delay, anchored the runner-up 4x400. She was hoping to be at her prom by 8:30 p.m. Her last raced ended at 9:15 p.m.

"I've got a bucket of water in my car," she joked when asked how she was going to get ready.

St. Edward was in no joking mood and appeared motivated by its 4x200 debacle. Several sources said starter Quincy Jones and an alternate arrived after the 4x200, which was the sixth final of the day. Jones later was allowed to run in the 4x100 following a team vote.

Senior Anthony Young, who was ready to run the 4x200, said it was a difficult decision to let Jones back on the team.

"I was mad. I just took my anger out in the (4x100)," he said. "We'll just have to bounce back and get ready for next week."

Young won the 100 (10.80) and 200 (21.69) and anchored the 4x100 from third place to first (42.30).

"We have to bring our 'A' game and come ready to go next week. Me and (shot put and discus winner) Aaron Zedella have to step up and (sprinter) Shawn Crawford has to come ready, even though he's only a freshman," Young said.

Lorain standouts Melody Farris and Alicia Arnold advanced in four girls events. Farris was second in the 100 hurdles, but ran a powerful race to win the 300 hurdles after runners were forced to stand in their lanes for five minutes in the rain.

She and Arnold ran on the winning 4x100 (meet record 47.37) and 4x400 relays. Arnold was second in the 100 and won the 200.

"We had to redeem our team because they were really upset. This whole meet, we were running for our (4x200)," Arnold said.

Medina senior Anna Boyert won the 800 and 1,600 before the rain came, while temperatures spiked in the 90s.

Rocky River senior Elyse Bierut ran a strong 3,200 and won in 10:47, two seconds off her PR.

"I feel like I'm in good shape," she said. "I wanted to run faster and I feel like I could have had we not had the delay."

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

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

OHSAA baseball: Chardon's inspiring run ends with loss to Massillon Perry in Division I regional final

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CANTON, Ohio — The Chardon baseball team huddled together one last time, just inside the third baseline at Thurman Munson Stadium, their heads bowed, their arms thrust skyward and their hands joined together as one. This was not how the Hilltoppers and their devoted legion of fans envisioned the ending to the most remarkable season in school history. Not...

CANTON, Ohio — The Chardon baseball team huddled together one last time, just inside the third baseline at Thurman Munson Stadium, their heads bowed, their arms thrust skyward and their hands joined together as one.

This was not how the Hilltoppers and their devoted legion of fans envisioned the ending to the most remarkable season in school history. Not with their dreams falling one game short, not with their hopes of a state title -- or even an appearance in Thursday's state semifinals -- dashed in a 5-2 loss to Massillon Perry on Friday in the Division I regional championship game.

But that is the reality, and the kids from Chardon know as much about dealing with adversity and reality as well as any following a February school shooting that killed three students and injured three others.

"I will remember every single day of this season," said senior third baseman Tanner Dovsek, who gave the Hilltoppers an optimistic start when he hit the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning for a triple over the left fielder's head and scored on a single to right by Jake Kirsh. "I will remember every single inning. I've never been so close to a group of guys like this. I'm glad I got to go through this with them because they mean so much to me. I wouldn't choose any other people."

Dovsek had one of eight hits off Perry starter and winner Gary Lawrence, who struck out 14 by mixing a 90 mph fastball and a nasty curve.

"He did a great job," Dovsek said of Lawrence, who improved to 4-2 by striking out everyone in the Hilltoppers' lineup at least once. "For a pitcher to be able to throw a curveball and leave us like a deer in the headlights and then come back with a fastball . . . he just did a great job."

The Hilltoppers (24-4) had a 2-0 lead through two innings, even though starter Jeff Seufer (8-1) didn't have his best stuff and had given up four hits.

Then came the third inning, which became a combination of Perry's offense -- the Panthers had 13 hits on the day -- and some physical and mental errors on Chardon's part. Perry, which will take a 21-10 record into Thursday's state semifinals against Westlake at 4 p.m. at Huntington Park in Columbus, scored four times on five hits, one walk, two physical errors and one mental error when a pop foul fell safely between Kirsh and first baseman Jake Happ.

"We made some errors we normally don't make in a game," said Chardon interim coach Dave Toaddy. "Unfortunately, it just kept festering on and on. It was a weird inning. Things didn't go our way. Things went their way. Credit to them for making it to next week."

Lawrence was brilliant, the direct opposite of last week's district semifinal win over rival Massillon Jackson when he allowed two hits, but hit five batters, in 5 1/3 innings.

Friday, he struck out the side in the second and third innings and had two whiffs in the first, fourth, fifth and seventh. He did not permit a runner to reach third base after the third inning. He walked two -- none after the third inning.

Kirsh, Reilly Hawkins and John Martillotta had two hits for Chardon.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

Saturday, May 26 television and radio sports listings for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

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Highlights include Indians at White Sox and Chicago at Columbus Crew.

jason-kipnis3.jpgSecond baseman Jason Kipnis and the Indians visit the Chicago White Sox today at 4 in a game that will be televised on SportsTime Ohio and broadcast on WTAM/1100-AM.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

8 a.m. Monaco Grand Prix qualifying, Speed Channel

10 a.m. Coca-Cola 600 practice, Speed Channel

11 a.m. History 300 qualifying, ESPN2

1 p.m. Coca-Cola 600 "Happy Hour Series," Speed Channel

2:45 p.m. History 300, WEWS

8 p.m. Global Rallycross Championship, ESPN2

BASEBALL

2 p.m. Detroit at Minnesota or San Diego at N.Y. Mets (1 p.m. start), MLB Network

4 p.m. INDIANS at Chicago White Sox, STO, WGN; AM/1100

7 p.m. Philadelphia at St. Louis, Tampa Bay at Boston, Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh, Colorado at Cincinnati, or L.A. Angels at Seattle, WJW

7:05 p.m. AKRON AEROS at Trenton, AM/1350

7:05 p.m. LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS at Lansing, AM/1330

10 p.m. Houston at L.A. Dodgers or Milwaukee at Arizona, MLB Network

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Noon Atlantic 10 final, CBSSN

3:30 p.m. Big Ten Tournament semifinal, BTN

7 p.m. Big Ten Tournament final, BTN

COLLEGE SOFTBALL SUPER REGIONALS

Noon Team to be determined vs. Team to be determined, ESPN

2:30 p.m. Team to be determined vs. Team to be determined, ESPN

5 p.m. Team to be determined vs. Team to be determined, ESPN

7:30 p.m. Team to be determined vs. Team to be determined, ESPN

10 p.m. Team to be determined vs. Team to be determined, ESPN

GOLF

9 a.m. BMW PGA Championship, Golf Channel

3 p.m. Crowne Plaza Invitational, WOIO

3 p.m. Senior PGA Championship, WKYC

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

Noon DII regional final, Keystone vs. Team to be determined, AM/930

Noon DI regional final, Elyria vs. Team to be determined, AM/930

MEN'S COLLEGE LACROSSE PLAYOFFS

2:30 p.m. DI semifinal, Team to be determined vs. Team to be determined, ESPN2

5 p.m. DI semifinal, Team to be determined vs. Team to be determined, ESPN2

NBA PLAYOFFS

Time TBA

8 p.m. game 7, Philadelphia at Boston, ABC

SOCCER

2:30 p.m. MLS, Los Angeles at Houston, NBCSN

7 p.m. MLS, Chicago at COLUMBUS, FSO

8 p.m. Men's national teams, U.S. vs. Scotland, NBCSN

TENNIS

5 a.m. (Sunday) French Open, first round, ESPN2


Catcher Carlos Santana on 7-day DL with concussion: Cleveland Indians daily briefing

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The Indians have lost Travis Hafner, Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana to injuries in their last three games. Yes, that means the heart of the lineup has been knocked out.

Cleveland Indians beat Marlins, 2-0Catcher Carlos Santana (right) is on the disabled list with a concussion.

CHICAGO, Ill. -- In the last three games the AL Central-leading Indians have lost DH Travis Hafner, catcher Carlos Santana and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to injuries. That's not a good thing.

Santana was placed on the seven-day disabled list before Saturday's game against Chicago with a slight concussion. He was hit in the mask by an Alex Rios foul tip Friday in the eighth inning and had to leave the game because of dizziness.

The Indians purchased the contract of catcher Luke Carlin from Class AAA Columbus. He joined the club early Saturday. Left-hander Rafael Perez (left lat) was moved to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Carlin on the 40-man roster.

Perez is still eligible to come off the disabled list on June 25.

So in three games, the Indians have lost their No.3 hitter (Cabrera), No. 4 hitter (Hafner) and No. 5 hitter (Santana).

Cabrera left Friday's game in the seventh inning with a tight left hamstring. The hamstring was still tight Saturday. Rookie Juan Diaz, who made his big-league debut Friday when he replaced Cabrera, started at short Saturday.

The Indians said they didn't want to call up Jason Donald, their most experienced shortstop from Class AAA Columbus, because Diaz was only going to stay a couple of days until Josh Tomlin was activated to start Monday against Kansas City. Diaz was recalled from Class AA Akron on Friday.

Hafner irritated the medial meniscus in his right knee during Wednesday's victory  over Detroit. He did not make the trip to Chicago after receiving a cortisone shot in the knee Thursday.

He will be tested Monday when the Indians return home to see how the knee has responded. Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, said if the knee does not respond to the shot, rest and rehab, surgery might be necessary.

Acta's main concern since he became Indians manager in 2010 was the lack of depth behind his key players. When asked if this was his worst nightmare, he said, "It is. We don't have the depth of some clubs to absorb some of these injuries.

"We're not talking about losing a back-up player. We're talking about our three, four and five hitters. Last year we lost our whole outfield plus our designated hitter. But we have to fight. We just can't throw our hands up in the air and say, "Here we go again.'"

Today's lineup:

Indians (26-19): RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), CF Michael Brantley (L), 2B Jason Kipnis (L), DH Jose Lopez (R), 1B Casey Kotchman (L), LF Johnny Damon (L), 3B Jack Hannahan (L), SS Juan Diaz (S), C Lou Marson (R), RHP Derek Lowe (6-2, 2.15).

White Sox (24-22): CF Alejandro De Aza (L), 2B Gordon Beckham (R), DH Adam Dunn (L), 1B Paul Konerko (R), RF Alex Rios (R), C A.J. Pierzynski (L), LF Dayan Viciedo (R), SS Alexi Ramirez (R), 3B Orlando Hudson (S), RHP Jake Peavy (5-1, 2.39).

Indians vs. Peavy: Choo is hitting .438 (7-for-16) with one homer and two RBI.

White Sox vs. Lowe: Kosuke Fukudome is hitting .400 (4-for-10).

Umpires: H Ted Barrett, 1B Marvin Hudson, 2B Tim McClelland, 3B Brian Runge.

Next: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (5-3, 5.02) will face Chicago's Gavin Floyd (3-5, 4.66) Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET. STO/WTAM will carry the game.

On Memorial Day weekend, Bill Livingston remembers Bob Feller and everything he stood for

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Memorial Day weekend brings thoughts of the colorful stories and patriotic sacrifices of Indians legend Bob Feller and his generation.

feller-livingston-may27.jpgView full sizeBob Feller lived, and fought, through some of the most difficult times in our nation's history. Here he is shown preparing to be discharged from the Navy after the end of World War II.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- He would sit in the third row at the end of the middle section of the press box at Progressive Field.

It is a seat no one else will ever sit in because such a local and national legend had warmed it for so long. When something was on his mind, Bob Feller would wave you over to sit and talk about it.

"We had a saying when we'd slaughter pigs on the farm back in Iowa. We'd say we used every part of the pig but the oink. Baseball is selling every part but the oink," said Feller, who wanted such goings-on to stop.

The issue several years ago was a plan to put advertisements for the upcoming movie, "Spider-Man 2," on the bases at major-league parks. It didn't seem that big a deal to me, considering the walking billboards NASCAR drivers resemble and the ads that cluttered the fences of major-league parks in years gone by.

But the opposition of traditionalists such as Feller meant the idea never really got started. Major League Baseball quickly scrapped the idea.

That was Feller. He knew Babe Ruth; pitched to Ted Williams; lived through the Great Depression, the biggest economic mess the country was ever in; and fought in World War II, the biggest conflict in which it was ever engaged. But, even though he was in his 80s when Spider-Man tried to cobweb the bases, Feller stayed as current as each morning's news.

Because sports are mostly a pleasant break from the demands of everyday life, I usually only talked to Feller about baseball. When Jaret Wright was quite the young phenom in 1997, Feller showed me how to throw the overhand curveball that had made Bob such a devastating pitcher. It complemented one of the fastest balls ever thrown. Three times, it made him utterly unhittable in big-league games. Feller thought Wright needed to develop that pitch.

"It's like pulling down a window shade," Feller would say, reaching back, far over his head. That "out" pitch for Feller, of course, would have been a wild pitch, diving into the dirt 55 feet from the rubber, for most men.

I did talk to Feller about his service in the Navy before the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in 1991. Feller had enlisted the day after the 1941 Japanese attack, in the prime of his career, although, with his father dying of brain cancer, he did not have to because he was the sole support of his family.

Extraordinary in what he did over 60 feet, 6 inches of a manicured diamond, Feller always emphasized the comparative ordinariness of what he did as a gun captain of the battleship Alabama.

He never liked being called a war hero.

"The heroes are the ones who didn't come home. I was a survivor," he said.

On the Pearl Harbor Day of my lifetime, the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, I called Feller for his reaction. He did not disappoint. Noting that it is impossible to stop some suicide attacks, he said that was because "they think they'll come back after they die as a daisy or petunia or whatever the hell it is they believe."

Politically, religiously and unequivocally incorrect -- that was Feller.

The day after Feller died in December of 2010, I appeared on "NewsHour" on PBS to talk about him. I was honored. Although I disagreed with him on many subjects, Bob Feller was the greatest American I ever knew.

Yet when Veterans Day neared in 2011, another war veterans piece I had planned went unwritten. I rummaged around the house for an information packet Feller's son, Steve, had sent me months before about a planned congressional salute to his father and others. I had misplaced it and was too embarrassed to contact Steve again. I feebly rationalized not writing about it, telling myself it was football season, which was far more interesting than some politicians' resolution.

Now another national patriotic holiday, Memorial Day, draws near. The Indians will be playing the Royals on Memorial Day Monday at the ballpark with the empty third-row seat in the press box. Amid the hot dogs and fireworks, many Americans will remember those who did not come back from war.

Along with a lot of Indians fans, I'll think of one who did. Feller lived here until he died at the age of 91, occasionally riling us, sometimes making us smile, and best of all inspiring us.

Freedom wasn't free in Bob Feller's day, and it won't be free tomorrow or the days after that, either. We occasionally need to be reminded of that. I know I do.

Cleveland Indians' prospect Francisco Lindor is wowing them down on the farm

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The shortstop's power and leadership skills are surprising even the Indians, who had high hopes when they picked him in the first round of last year's draft.

lindor-indians-may27.jpgView full sizeThe future is bright for Lake County Captains shortstop Francisco Lindor.

The Indians were within minutes -- maybe exactly a minute -- of losing Francisco Lindor.

Last August, two months after selecting him eighth overall in the Major League Baseball Draft, the clock inched toward a midnight signing deadline. Without a deal, the 17-year-old high school shortstop with a glove as smooth as a creamy milkshake and the plate reactions of a coiled rattlesnake would be off to Florida State on a baseball scholarship.

"It came down to 11:59," Lindor said.

And $2.9 million.

Nine months later, the Indians' 11th-hour investment -- one considerably higher than the draft position dictated -- is showing some nice early returns.

The organization's top-rated prospect by Baseball America -- with the Indians' Class A Lake County Captains for now -- ranks among the Midwest League's top hitters and appears more comfortable adjusting from high school star to professional ballplayer with each passing game.

After flying home to suburban Orlando, Fla., for family reasons earlier this month, the switch-hitting Lindor (pronounced Lin-DOOR) returned to Eastlake and went on a tear, going 8-for-16 with a home run and seven RBI. Last week, his average had fallen to .301 after having been as high as .327 on May 17.

In a 4-1 defeat of the Great Lakes Loons on May 15, Lindor's catch and snap throw turned a slow bouncer to the first baseman into a 3-6-3 double play that many shortstops would have just held for the forceout at second.

Oh, he also stepped in as interpreter for a fellow Puerto Rican teammate's postgame interview.

This was after the Indians had named him their Minor League Player of the Week.

Brad Grant, the Indians' director of amateur scouting, acknowledged that Lindor, who played just five professional games with the team's Mahoning Valley rookie league affiliate last season, may be exceeding even the organization's lofty expectations.

"I knew defensively he'd be able to hold his own. The offensive start was a little bit of a surprise," Grant said. "To be doing what he's doing and having multiple hits and hitting for power every night, that's a little bit surprising. And the leadership side of him, too. I didn't know at 18 he'd be the field general that he is."

Two Dayton Dragons pitchers, charting pitches in seats behind home plate at a recent Captains game, had each faced Lindor earlier in the series. They raved about his ability to make solid contact wherever the ball was pitched and how fluid he was in the field.

"He's only 18," one said, "and he's too good for this league."

Lindor will not be a Bryce Harper, the 19-year-old right fielder whom the Washington Nationals drafted No. 1 overall in 2010, paid a $6.25 million bonus and rushed to the major leagues this season.

Asdrubal Cabrera, the Indians' All-Star incumbent at shortstop, is signed through 2014, which allows Lindor time to ripen. Indications from the Indians are that he will stick with the Captains all season.

From the smile glued to his face, how he bounced around second base like a happy puppy and raced to first after the catcher dropped a third strike, location seems irrelevant as long as he's on a diamond somewhere.

"I love it," Lindor said. "I don't even think there are words to describe baseball, that's how big it is."

"I've never seen someone smiling and joking around on the field like he does," said Captains outfielder Bryson Myles. "It's like he's a little kid out there."

Given the maturity and selflessness he has displayed on and off the field -- Captains manager Dave Wallace said his work ethic is unmatched -- it's easy to overlook that he's just a teenager, with braces and a high school girlfriend and big boyhood dreams.

The dream

Lindor was 9 when the financially strapped Montreal Expos played 22 home games of the 2003 season in Puerto Rico. He remembers the thrill of seeing the Texas Rangers come to town, with stars Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez and Ruben Sierra.

He was struck by how the players carried themselves, especially how orderly and professional they were, even as they stretched and warmed up before games.

But Lindor, who started playing organized baseball at age 4, learned more watching major-league games on television with his father, Miguel, a former semi-pro player who would ask him questions during games.

" 'What do you think they will do in this situation? What pitch do you think he's going to throw?' " Lindor said his father would say. "And if I didn't know the answer, he would tell me."

The dream of playing Major League Baseball sucked him in, but not for the lifestyle.

"When I was young -- I'm not gonna lie -- I wanted to be on TV," he said in an interview recently. "I wanted to see myself on TV and I wanted people to see me on TV. That was one of the reasons why I played."

Another incentive, according to reports, was to help pay his family's medical bills. His father suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a younger step-sister has multiple sclerosis. (Lindor didn't want to talk about his family's medical issues and his father, through Lindor's agent, declined an interview request.)

Lindor was 12 and didn't speak a word of English when his father and stepmother moved the family from Caguas, Puerto Rico, to Central Florida and enrolled him at Montverde Academy, an international boarding school known for academics and baseball.

Annual tuition is $11,000 for day students and $35,000 for borders. To afford it, Lindor at first commuted from home, and his stepmother often worked 14-hour days as a Disney Vacation Clubs supervisor, according to Baseball America. Eventually, Lindor was granted financial aid that allowed him to live at the school for free.

During his sophomore year, sports agent David Meter had caught wind of him and dropped by a game to see for himself. Lindor, hitting right-handed, drove a ball over the right-center field fence in his first at-bat.

"I think my grandmother could have spotted him that night," said Meter, who became his agent.

By Lindor's senior year, coach Tim Layden's phone was buzzing with calls from major-league scouts. They wanted to know more about the shortstop, leadoff hitter and team captain who led teammates to the field for pre-game stretches before the coach even got there.

Indians' scout Mike Soper, who covers South Florida and Puerto Rico, had zeroed in on Lindor after watching him at a baseball showcase as a 10th-grader.

Soper noticed a lean athletic kid "with really good action," meaning he was a natural in the field, with solid, flowing footwork. Conversations revealed the boy also worked hard, was extremely focused and simply loved playing.

"This kid to me," he said, "was really like the perfect storm."

One of the guys

The Indians went against their grain by taking a high school player in the first round for the first time since 2000. They also agreed to pay Lindor more than they ever had for a non-pitcher taken in the draft.

Last week, the coaches had scribbled a reminder to the players on a greaseboard in the Captains' locker room: "Clubhouse dues $25 due by 5/15."

Below the message, a teammate had added, "Lindor's dues $400* cash!"

The sea between "bonus baby" and the minor-league masses is vast, and Wallace, who also managed Lindor last season at Mahoning Valley, has seen his share of first-round egos in 10 years of professional baseball.

One of his first impressions of the new hot shot came after a Mahoning Valley game at an old ballpark in Vermont. Players are expected to help load the bus, and although Lindor was a freshly minted millionaire, he didn't act like one.

"Francisco was just making multiple trips, grabbing laundry bags, whatever he could to help out," Wallace said. "It really spoke volumes to me and to the staff and to his teammates."

Myles, drafted five rounds after Lindor, met the young shortstop at Mahoning Valley and was immediately struck by his humility and team-first attitude. He didn't expect that.

"To be honest," Myles said, "he's probably the greatest teammate I've ever played with."

"Because I got picked in a different round than them?" Lindor said. "It doesn't make me different. I'm in the same place they are. Why would I have to be treated different?"

But top prospects are treated differently. They're not only rewarded big paydays, but given the patience not allotted others on the roster. Clubs -- especially small- and mid-market teams like the Indians -- can't afford to be wrong on top draft picks, so they will run out the string for as long as they can before acknowledging a bad investment.

It's way too early for judgment day on Lindor. There are enough Class A heroes whose weaknesses are eventually exposed to fill 1,000 Progressive Fields.

But one National League scout who recently took in a Captains' series left impressed with the speed of Lindor's game and his power at the plate, especially for his 5-11, 180-pound stature.

And Indians manager Manny Acta, after taking in a Captains game on a recent off day, noticed Lindor's "great body language" and self-confidence, regardless of the game situation.

"The only real concern would be his size," the scout said. "Can he hold up in (a major-league) schedule?"

Another question might be whether he will actually play shortstop in the major leagues or be shifted to second base as teams often do. Lindor, who has been working closely with Travis Fryman, the Indians' roving infield coordinator, just wants to get there.

"If I would make it to the bigs tomorrow and they say, 'You're going to be a right fielder' -- take me, I'll go. I don't care," he said. "If they say, 'You're going to be the DH, you're never going to field again, you're going to make it to the bigs tomorrow' -- take me. I don't care, let's put it that way.

"Of course, I work hard to be a shortstop. I train to be a shortstop. I train to be one of the best shortstops that has ever played. But if they tell me tomorrow that, 'You're going to make it to the bigs at another position' -- go ahead, do what you do."

White Sox pound Derek Lowe, Cleveland Indians, 14-7

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Derek Lowe gives up eight runs on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings as White Sox beat Indians. Chicago moves to within 1 1/2 games of first place with lopsided victory.

Michael BrantleyView full sizeCleveland Indians center fielder Michael Brantley catches a fly ball hit by Chicago White Sox's Alex Rios during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, May 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Derek Lowe picked a bad time to have his worst start of the season.

With a lineup minus Carlos Santana, Travis Hafner and Asdrubal Cabrera because of injuries, the Indians needed a strong start Saturday from Lowe if they were going to have a chance against Jake Peavy and the White Sox.

But Lowe allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings as Chicago pounded the Indians, 14-7 [Box score], at U.S. Cellular Field. The victory moved the White Sox to within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Indians in the AL Central.

The White Sox, winners of eight of their last nine games, took a 4-0 lead in the first. It would have been more, but center fielder Michael Brantley robbed Alex Rios of a three-run homer with a catch at the fence.

Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski drove in runs with a single and double, respectively. Dayan Viciedo added a two-run singled with two out. Pierzynski has 14 RBI against the Indians this year.

The Indians rallied to a 5-4 lead with five runs in the third. Brantley hit a three-run double off Peavy and Jason Kipnis followed with a two-run homer. It was the first of two homers by Kipnis to give him a team-high eight for the season.

Chicago stormed back to take a 8-5 lead against Lowe in the third. Adam Dunn and Konerko opened the inning with doubles to make it 5-5. Rios singled home Konerko
to give Chicago a lead in never relinquished.

After Pierzynski flied out to left, Viciedo hit a two-run homer to make it 8-5. It was his third homer in as many games and Chicago's 10th in the last three games. After a single by Alexei Ramirez and a fielder's choice by Orlando Hudson, Jeremy Accardo relieved Lowe.

Lowe (6-3, 3.25) entered the game with the lowest ERA in the AL at 2.15. He had allowed just 14 runs in 58 2/3 innings before Saturday.

The Indians made it 8-7 on Kipnis' second two-run homer off Peavy (6-1, 3.07)
in the fifth. The Tribe scored seven runs on six hits against Peavy, but it couldn't stop Chicago from scoring.

The White Sox put the game away with four runs in the seventh off Joe Smith. Rookie shortstop Juan Diaz and first baseman Casey Kotchman were charged with errors in the inning as Smith allowed four hits.

Tony Sipp gave up a two-run homer to Rios in the eighth to complete Chicago's scoring.

Konerko went 4-for-4 with three doubles and a walk to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. In the streak, he's hitting .571 (24-for-42).

 

Cleveland Indians pounded again as Chicago completes three-game sweep

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Ubaldo Jimenez and the Indians were no match for Paul Konerko and the red-hot White Sox. Jimenez allowed seven runs on seven hits in four innings. Chicago is 8-4 against the Tribe this season.

Ubaldo JimenezCleveland Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez wipes his face after Chicago White Sox's Adam Dunn walked to first during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, May 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

CHICAGO -- One moment the possibilities seem endless. The next, there is only darkness.

Welcome to Wahoo Baseball.

Three days after sweeping the Tigers, the Indians were swept out of U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday in a 12-6 loss to Chicago. That's called breaking even the hard way.

The Indians were beaten from every conceivable angle in the three-game series. Chicago outscored them, 35-16. They outhit them, 42-26. They out- Paul Konerko'ed them by a bunch.

Konerko went 7-for-12, with one homer and six RBI, in the series. Overall, he has a 13-game hitting streak in which he's batting .565 (26-for-46), with four doubles, five homers and 15 RBI.

"He hit everything," said left fielder Johnny Damon. "When he wasn't hitting the pasture, he was hitting the bleachers."

It was Konerko who turned a tie game into a blitz with a three-run homer off Ubaldo Jimenez in the fourth inning. Jimenez, in another laborious start, opened the inning with two quick outs, but Gordon Beckham singled and Adam Dunn walked.

Pitching coach Scott Radinsky came to the mound for a visit.

"We were just trying to give Ubaldo a breather," said manager Manny Acta. "He was facing a tough hitter."

Right now, there isn't a tougher hitter on the planet. Jimenez had Konerko down in the count, 1-2. It didn't matter.

"He fouled off some tough pitches," Jimenez said. "We went back to the slider, and I left it out over the middle of the plate."

Konerko turned the 2-2 pitch into a three-run homer to center. Konerko's 400th homer with the White Sox turned a 4-4 tie into a 7-4 lead. Along the way, the Indians have been Konerko's personal pitching machine.

He has 44 homers and 165 RBI during his career against the Indians. No active player has more against the Tribe. On the all-time list of homers against the Indians, according to STATS, Konerko is tied for 10th. The top three are Babe Ruth with 82, Ted Williams, 79, and Lou Gehrig, 73.

Asked if he was thinking about changing the Indians' scouting report against Konerko, Acta said: "I don't think we're the only ones who have an issue with Paul Konerko. He's just a professional hitter, and he has been for years."

The sweep pushed the White Sox to within a half-game of the first-place Indians, who have been on top of the division for the past 34 days.

Gallery previewSo where do the Indians go from here?

"Our division is balanced," Acta said. "We've always said that. That's why you can't be doing backflips in May.

"Yes, so what? We swept the Tigers three days ago. Now Chicago swept us. You just have to stay positive and try to come out and win every single game, regardless of where you're at," Acta added.

Jimenez (5-4, 5.79) gave up three runs and threw 26 pitches in the first. Then something unexpected happened. Damon hit a three-run homer off Gavin Floyd (4-5, 5.02) in the second to tie the game. It was Damon's first homer since he joined the Indians May 1.

"It just seemed like we caught the White Sox at the wrong time," Damon said. "Missing our three, four and five guys makes it tough as well. It was a tough series, but we also remember we're in first place, and we start another series Monday."

DH Travis Hafner didn't make the trip to Chicago because of a sore right knee. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and catcher Carlos Santana were knocked out of Friday's game due to injuries.

Jimenez, who was checked on the mound for cramping on his left side in the second inning, put Chicago back in front in the third when he gave up a two-out RBI single to Alexei Ramirez. Michael Brantley answered with an RBI single in the fourth to make it 4-4, but the rest of the day belonged to Chicago.

It added three more runs in the fifth after Jairo Asencio relieved Jimenez. Asencio gave up two doubles, two triples and hit a batter before ending the inning. Two of the outs he was credited with were made on the bases.

In the sweep, the White Sox hit .478 (22-for-46) with runners in scoring position to improve to 8-4 against the Tribe this year.

"We can't get out of here fast enough," Damon said.

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