North America's winningest jockey the last two years, DeShawn L. Parker, is riding Startin Something in Saturday's $50,000 Petro Memorial Handicap at Thistledown.

With over 4,000 career wins, jockey DeShawn Parker will guide Startin Something in the Petro Memorial Handicap Saturday at Thistledown.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- North America's winningest jockey will be aboard Ohio's hot young stakes filly on Saturday in the $50,000 J. William Petro Memorial Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile test for Ohio-bred fillies and mares at Thistledown.

DeShawn L. Parker, 42, who does most of his racing at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, W. Va., is in the saddle for Startin Something, owner-trainer Tim Hamm's exciting four-year-old daughter of Musical Dreamer. Parker won 400 races last year and 377 in 2010 to win the North American riding crown two years in a row.

Parker has been acclaimed as the first African-American riding champ since 1895. He rode his 4,000th career winner on May 6 at Mountaineer. The night before Parker, a tall, lanky 5-10 rider from Cincinnati, made six trips to the winner's circle there.

"Parker is a steady, hard-working jockey and simply a good guy," said Hamm, owner of Blazing Meadows Farm in Ellsworth, Ohio. "He's won some Ohio stakes over the years, and is a rock solid jockey. I have him ride for me at Mountaineer whenever he's available."

Scott Spieth had ridden Startin Something to victory in the $50,000 Angenora Stakes and the $50,000 Classen Memorial Stakes -- a pair of six furlong races at Thistledown -- in her two starts this season, but is racing at Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie, Pa. this weekend. Startin Something will face stakes veteran Pay The Man, as well as Honey Be Fleet, Muir Woods, Adreamfordarlene and The War Department. Muir Woods is also from Hamm's stables.

"Both Startin Something and Muir Woods are four-year-olds with a lot of ability," said Hamm. "I think either one has a real shot at the winner's circle."

Belmont is big hit: The Belmont Stakes broadcast by NBC drew 7.67 million viewers on Saturday, a jump of 12 percent from a year ago and a 62 percent increase from the 2010 race on ABC. It was the highest rating for a Belmont Stakes that didn't offer the opportunity to cheer for a Triple Crown winner. The Belmont, Preakness and Kentucky Derby averaged 10.34 million viewers, up 2 percent from 2011.

Sweet Lou at Northfield: Northfield Park had shut down its live Saturday racing to focus on simulcasting the Triple Crown action. This Saturday, harness racing fans will flock to Northfield Park for 11 live races and one of the biggest standardbred stakes races of the season, the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup beamed here from Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville, Ontario.

The race will go off at 9:40 p.m.

After a sensational 1:47.4 mile in an elimination race last Saturday, Sweet Lou has been established the three-year-old pacer to beat in the finals. The field, in order of post position, is: Bettor's Edge (driver Tim Tetrick); Dapper Dude (John Campbell), Time To Roll (Andy Miller); Sweet Lou (Dave Palone), Thinking Out Loud (Randy Waples); State Treasurer (David Miller); A Rocknroll Dance (Yannick Gingras); Warrawee Needy (Jody Jamieson); Pet Rock (Brian Sears); and Simply Business (Ron Pierce).

For Dave Palone, it will be a special trip in Sweet Lou's sulky. Palone is only 46 wins away from becoming the winningest harness racing driver of all time. He's chasing the legendary Herve Filion's 15,180 wins, a total set in 1971.

Northfield Park fans are very familiar with Palone, who does most of his racing at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Washington, Pa. He won the $162,000 Jay Auto Group Cleveland Classic on Dec. 10 at Northfield with Westwardho Hanover. It was the fifth Cleveland Classic victory for Palone, breaking a tie with John Campbell and Walter Case Jr.

Leading the list: While jockey Walter De La Cruz is on the sidelines this week after a recent suspension for interference coming out of the starting gate, the 18-year-old Peruvian rider leads the combined Summit/Thistledown meeting with 29 wins in 88 races. Jeffrey Skerrett won four races last week to tie Alvaro Hernandez-Lopez for second with 20 wins. Richard Rettele is the leading trainer with 18 winners, a notch ahead of Jeff Radosevich's 15 victories. Gerald Bennett is third, saddling nine winners.

East-West All-Star Game  

East-West All-Star Game

What: 40th annual Cuyahoga County East-West All-Star High School Scholarship Football Game.

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Don Shula Stadium at Wasmer Field on the campus of John Carroll University.

Tickets: $5 at the gate (children under 5 are free).

East head coach: Scott Wodtly (John F. Kennedy head coach). Assistant coaches: Joe Brozak (Brush assistant coach), Cecil Shorts II (Brush assistant coach), Damion Creel (Glenville assistant coach), Kahari Hicks (John F. Kennedy assistant coach), Brad Stevenson (Shaker Heights assistant coach) and William Cloud (Richmond Heights head coach). East honorary coach: Retired Gilmour Academy coach Bob Spicer.

West head coach: Joe Zombek (Lakewood assistant coach). Assistant coaches: Chris Gielink (Lakewood assistant coach), Mark McClosky (Lakewood assistant coach), John Lundy (Cleveland Central Catholic head coach), Rick Martin (Strongsville assistant coach), Marty Simon (Olmsted Falls assistant coach) and Chris Milano (Avon assistant coach). West honorary coach: Retired Valley Forge coach Bill McCleave.

Notable: Both teams will wear uniforms donated by the Cleveland Browns for the second consecutive season. The West will wear white jerseys, the East will wear brown jerseys. . . . All former players/coaches from the 40-year history of the game will be recognized during a special halftime program. . . . The game will be dedicated to the memory of longtime West Tech head coach Bob Madison. His widow, sons and family will be present for a special pregame ceremony. Players will wear commemorative "RM" stickers on their helmets during the game. . . . For the first time in the game's history, a female, Lutheran East defensive lineman Chawnte Johnson, will suit up.

What to watch: Last season's 32-23 win by the West featured Kevin Burke (St. Edward), Robbie Plagens (Rocky River) and Sam Stretar (Independence) passing for a combined 315 yards and four touchdowns en route to tying the series at 19-19-1. This year's game could take on a more conservative style. East quarterbacks Benny Walker III (Euclid), Connor Hall (Shaker Heights) and Ryan McSweeney (Trinity) will utilize wide receivers Tres Barksdale (Solon), CJ Germany (Villa Angela-St. Joseph), Eric Anderson (Gilmour Academy), William Woods IV (Shaw), Terrick McKenney (Bedford), Marcus Martin (John F. Kennedy) and Houston Boone Jr. (Euclid). Running backs Tim Harrison (Villa Angela-St. Joseph), Ari Sobel (Beachwood) and DeAndre Rollins (Euclid) will run behind an offensive line featuring Matt Sarosy (St. Peter Chanel), Austin Garcis (Orange) and Austin Stock (Solon). The defensive line, headed by Savion Jefferson (John F. Kennedy) and William Cloud (Benedictine), will clear the way for linebackers Reid Singer (University School), Maurice Lett (Shaw) and Christian Cartwright (Cleveland). Defensive backs Devin Davis (Bedford), Xavier Dowdell (Glenville), Cory Stuart (Solon) and Aykee Henderson (Glenville) will have their hands full because Kyle Perkins (Westlake), Jordan D'Orazio (Cuyahoga Heights), Kentrell Richard (Cleveland Central Catholic), Tim Altieri (Bay) and Jacob Thomas (Normandy) make for big targets for West quarterbacks Alex Zander (Cuyahoga Heights) and Jake Schaeffer (Holy Name). Kahari Dickson (Cleveland Central Catholic), Mark Remy (North Olmsted), Ben Fitchwell (Lakewood) and John Doherty (Fairview) will try to help the West establish the running game if linemen Rody Seballos (Brecksville-Broadview Heights), Zach Sullivan (Berea), Maurice Robinson (Cleveland Central Catholic) and Nate Simpson (Midpark) can use their quickness to neutralize their size disadvantage. The West features standout linebackers Johnnie Karban (Parma), Jake Smolik (North Royalton) and Tyler Mullins (Berea). Defensive linemen Pat Moran (North Olmsted), Zak Lors (Strongsville) and Sie Doe (Lakewood) face a huge challenge in keeping East's front line at bay. If the linebackers can't make the stop, responsibility will fall on defensive backs Joe Dever (St. Edward), Aturo Morgan (Lakewood), Nick Murray (Midpark), Joe Duff (Holy Name), DeAndre Brown (John Marshall), Bobby Barnes (North Royalton) and Zak Baumer (Padua). The West holds the edge if it's a close game because of outstanding place-kicker Tim Schenk (St. Ignatius).

Big 33 Classic

What: 55th PNC Big 33 Classic.

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, Pa.

Tickets: $18, $15, $10 and $5. Call 717-774-3303 or visit big33.org.

Coverage: The game is being streamed live at LiveSportsVideo.com and being shown live on NFL Network. SportsTime Ohio will air the game on tape delay immediately following the Indians game.

Ohio coaching staff: Head coach Bill Albright (Midview) and assistants Tony Carr (Massillon Perry), Brian Castner (Mason), Tiger LaVerde (Kirtland), Travis Moyer (Wynford) and Jim Woodrum (Coshocton).

Notable from last year: The Ohio team made it three straight wins over Pennsylvania with a 50-14 victory, the largest win margin and the most points ever scored by an Ohio team. Youngstown Ursuline's Akise Teague, Ohio's 2011 Mr. Football, received Most Valuable Player honors.

What to watch: The series between the states is tied at 12, including a 6-6 mark since 2000 (Pennsylvania didn't play Ohio in every Big 33 game). There are 10 players from the seven-county coverage area participating in this year's game. Eight of those made The Plain Dealer All-Star Team, led by Glenville's De'Van Bogard. He is listed as a linebacker but accounted for 91 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions as a safety and had an interception in the recent Ohio North-South Classic. Aurora's Anthony Melchiori is an outstanding punter and will try to duplicate his three receptions -- good for 33 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown -- en route to earning North-South Classic Most Valuable Player honor. Ohio quarterbacks Derik Swinderman of Dover and Lima Central Catholic's Tyler O'Connor will have receivers Matt Eckhardt of Avon and Quincy Jones of St. Edward. Eckhardt caught 75 passes last season for 1,389 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Division II state runners-up. Jones caught 31 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns. Wadsworth's Jack Snowball rushed for 2,595 yards and 31 touchdowns, caught five passes for 75 yards, completed 4 of 6 passes for 188 yards and two scores, and returned 11 kickoffs for 326 yards and one touchdown last season. He is also an outstanding blocking back. Snowball will have some familiar faces blocking for him in Manchester's Tony Matteo, Troy Watson of Aurora and Avon Lake's T.K. Burk. Matteo went three seasons without delivering a bad snap, either directly or out of the shotgun, and blocked at 97 percent efficiency. Watson blocked at a 91 percent efficiency, had eight pancake blocks and allowed one sack and one tackle for loss while the strong, quick-footed Burk is out to prove a lot of Division I colleges missed out on a good thing. Christian Hauber was a standout rusher for Division V state champion Kirtland but he'll be more of a force on defense -- his forte -- where he had 92 regular-season tackles, including four sacks and seven tackles for loss. Look for Midview's Arlington McClinton to make his presence felt like he did last season when his long arms, athleticism and speed resulted in 52 solo tackles, eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Local connection: The Pennsylvania team includes Toledo signees Treyvon Hester, defensive lineman, and Corey Jones, wide receiver, both from Penn Hills High; Kent signee Julian Durden, a running back from Montour; and Cincinnati signee Shakim Alonzo, a wide receiver from Woodland Hills.

Open qualifier says Olympic is relentless, but he's feeling "pretty good."

View full sizeThe VindicatorDennis Miller plans a quiet night before Thursday's opening round.

(Editor's note: Canfield resident Dennis Miller is doing a daily diary with The Plain Dealer as he plays in his first U.S. Open this week in San Francisco. He is the director of golf at Mill Creek Park, a Metroparks course in Canfield.)

Dennis Miller

Special to The Plain Dealer

SAN FRANCISCO -- On Tuesday, I played nine holes with Michael Campbell and Retief Goossen. Both former U.S. Open champions. It was awesome.

What a difficult start the first six holes. No. 1 is a 527 yards. No. 3 is a 247-yard par-3. If you are in the rough, you cannot reach the green. The entire course is non-stop relentless. It's been quite an experience.

Everything has been good but my long irons. I have to get some distance. I'm not quite square. My driving seems all right and my putting is okay.

Today I was scheduled to play a round, but instead I practiced for three hours. Put a lot of work on my short game. With the schedule and all the travel, I was a little tired. Tonight I'm going to hang around the hotel and have family coming in. I'm going to soak it all in and get set for tomorrow.

It took 15 hours to get here on Sunday. We had some mechanical trouble in Pittsburgh and Chicago. On Monday I played nine holes and the Golf Channel followed me all day. The greens are fast, the fairways rock hard. It's going to be that way all week.

I was feeling pretty good. A gentleman came up to me and said, "Nice putt."

Even Tiger Woods knows about my putt.

Mickelson, who turns 42 Saturday, has finished second at five U.S. Opens but never first. Woods hasn't won a major since 2008 and is four shy of Jack Nicklaus' 14 majors titles. Mickelson, Woods and Bubba Watson form a group that begins U.S. Open play on Thursday.

Associated PressIt would be no surprise if Phil Mickelson (left) and Tiger Woods (right) both contend for the championship of the U.S. Open, which begins on Thursday.

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips -- hitting .347 against the Tribe in his career -- homered and shone defensively in victory.

View full sizeAl Behrman, Associated PressFormer Indians infielder Brandon Phillips put on another show Wednesday against the Tribe, making this barehanded grab of Lonnie Chisenhall's third-inning grounder and later belting a two-run homer that provided the deciding runs in the Reds' 5-3 victory over the Indians.

CINCINNATI -- Brandon Phillips is a quality major-league hitter against most teams, pure beast against the Indians.

Phillips continued a career-long punishment of his former team Wednesday night, going 3-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and two runs to propel to Reds to a 5-3 victory at Great American Ball Park. For good measure, Phillips was hit by a pitch and made a barehanded play over the middle.

The Reds (34-27, first in NL Central) have won the first two of a three-game series. The Indians (32-29) are 4-4 on a nine-game trip through Detroit, St. Louis and Cincinnati.

After the game, Tribe starter Derek Lowe matter-of-factly ripped into Reds manager Dusty Baker. Lowe said he and Baker have a feud that dates to 2008, when Lowe pitched for the Dodgers and Baker managed the Reds, and that "people almost got fired over it."

Lowe declined to provide details.

"Ask him," Lowe said. "He'll say he has no idea what [I'm] talking about."

Baker was done speaking with reporters long before Lowe finished.

When Lowe led off the fifth, Reds starter Mat Latos threw a first-pitch fastball up and in. Lowe figured it was a purpose pitch and motioned toward Baker, who responded by wagging his finger.

"Three years, I've always come up with men on base," Lowe said. "This is the first time I came up with no one on base. Dusty, I was pointing at him because I knew why it happened, and he shook his finger like he had nothing to do with it."

Lowe fouled out.

When Phillips came up in the bottom of the inning, Lowe hit him on the left arm with his first pitch. Umpire Paul Nauert warned both dugouts.

"I have zero respect for that guy -- not that it matters," Lowe said of Baker. "They've been trying to do this [expletive] for three years. Dusty will deny it, but it has everything to do with him. Go ask him."

Phillips was a second-round pick of the Expos in 1999. The Indians acquired him, along with Lee Stevens, Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore, from Montreal in the Bartolo Colon trade in June 2002. Phillips' flashy style did not sit well with his bosses in Cleveland, especially as someone largely unproven. Eric Wedge, in particular, was not a fan.

The Indians, with Wedge as manager, essentially bailed on Phillips with a trade to the Reds in April 2006. They received a player to be named (right-hander Jeff Stevens). Phillips said he never would forget. And he hasn't. In 37 games against Cleveland, Phillips is hitting .347 (50-for-144) with six doubles, eight homers, 26 RBI and six steals.

Asked about his success against Cleveland, Phillips said: "To tell you the truth, I don't know why. I just try to get my job done."

Phillips spoke with a straight face. Then the cameras were turned off.

"It feels good to beat the team I just came from," he said. "They're a great organization, I wish them the best, but when they come here, we've got to let them know we're here. You always want to be the best team in Ohio."

The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the first. Wilson Valdez drew a one-out walk, moved to second on a grounder and scored on Phillips' single up the middle. Valdez is not supposed to be dangerous, having entered the series with a .188 average and three RBI in limited at-bats over 27 games. But he went 3-for-5 with an RBI and run Tuesday and ignited the Reds on Wednesday.

The Indians were Latos intolerant through 2 2/3, eight up and eight down, until Lowe singled in the third. After Shin-Shoo Choo singled, Asdrubal Cabrera popped out.

The Tribe broke through in the fourth, but it was far from seismic event it could have been. Jason Kipnis led off with a perfectly placed bunt single. The ball reached several feet on the grass, third-base side, and stayed there. Carlos Santana walked on four pitches.

Michael Brantley singled to left, Kipnis stopping at third. Brantley extended his hitting streak to a career-high 20 games, becoming the first Indian since Casey Blake with a streak of 20-plus. Blake had a 26-gamer in 2007.

Johnny Damon fell behind, 0-2, fouled off a pitch, then watched a fastball start inside and veer over the middle. Damon continues to struggle, regardless of circumstance. Casey Kotchman got ahead, 3-1, at which point the Indians needed their first baseman to mash.

Latos challenged with a fastball down the middle, but Kotchman missed a golden-ticket opportunity and fouled it. Kotchman grounded the next pitch to first, where Joey Votto triggered a force at second as Kinpis scored.

Lonnie Chisenhall grounded a 1-1 pitch to second for the final out.

"If you want to win a ball game, you need to score more than one run with the bases loaded and no outs," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "Latos is good; I'm not taking anything away from him. I'm just talking about our approach and execution in that inning. You could be facing Cy Young and, with the bases loaded and no outs, score one or two runs by accident."

The Reds wasted little time regaining the advantage. Phillips led off the fourth with a single. Jay Bruce walked. The runners moved up on a grounder. Ryan Ludwick hit Lowe's first pitch to center for a sacrifice fly. At least Ludwick made an out: He was 9-for-20 with four homers in his career against Lowe to that point.

The Reds made it 3-1 in the fifth on Jay Bruce's sacrifice fly.

Phillips' two-run homer came off Nick Hagadone in the seventh, giving the Reds a 5-2 lead. It extended Great American Ball Park's streak to 58 games with at least one homer, longest active in the majors.

Lowe gave up three runs on five hits in six innings. He walked six and struck out four. "When you give up three runs in six innings in this ballpark, that's pretty good," Acta said. "Derek gave us a chance."

Esmil Rogers worked a scoreless eighth in his Tribe debut.

With two outs in the Tribe ninth, Jose Lopez ripped a 100-mph pitch from Reds closer Aroldis Chapman over the wall in left-center to account for the final margin.

On Twitter: @dmansworldpd

The U.S. national team just completed a five-game 'mini tournament' that revealed a lot about the squad.

AP Photo/Moises CastilloU.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann arrives for a soccer training session in Guatemala City, Monday June 11, 2012.

Jurgen Klinsmann might provoke and inspire when he talks about a U.S. national team that plays with style and proactive vigor, and when he insists that his players intend to measure themselves against the best in the world.

That’s what Klinsmann was hired to do, by and large. While keeping the 2014 World Cup in his sight, he is supposed to be the catalyst for a significant rethink in the way American soccer players are developed and in the way they play the game. Klinsmann’s impact probably won’t resonate nearly as much in two years as it will in '12.

That truth was driven home the past month as a U.S. squad that looks quite similar to the one Klinsmann inherited 10 months ago struggled to impose itself during a five-game “mini-tournament” that ended with Tuesday night’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw in Guatemala. The Americans went 1-1-1 in exhibitions against Scotland, Brazil and Canada, labored to a 3-1 victory over Antigua and Barbuda in their first qualifier and then yielded a late equalizer in Guatemala City.

Among the 23 players Klinsmann called in for the five games, only two are newcomers -- German-born winger Fabian Johnson and reserve midfielder Joe Corona, a Los Angeles native who switched his international allegiance from Mexico (via his father) to the U.S. last fall.

To paraphrase another football coach who was well known for a spirited press conference or two, the U.S. national team is who we thought they were.

That’s why there shouldn’t be too much consternation about Tuesday’s 1-1 draw. The U.S. had tied three of its previous four World Cup qualifiers in Guatemala and, other than a few subtle changes in personnel and tactics, Klinsmann’s team isn’t drastically different from the one Bob Bradley coached in 2006-11.

Revolution doesn’t happen over night.

The U.S. team is expected to gather again in August for a rumored exhibition in Mexico before World Cup qualifying continues in early September with a home-and-home vs. Jamaica. While there’s not a whole lot Klinsmann can do between now and then, the five-game mini-tournament did shed some light on some things that have gone right and a few things that must get better as the coach enters his second year in charge.

First and foremost, the U.S. needs to score more goals. But that’s not a responsibility that can be placed at the feet of one or two players. In Klinsmann’s system, the momentum that creates scoring opportunities starts in the build-up from the back or in the way the U.S. closes down opponents.

Goals come from collective effort and creativity.

“The thing with scoring is that there’s so much that goes into it,” forward Chris Wondolowski said during U.S. training camp. “Every goal, one person scores it, but a lot of time they’re team goals. Whether it’s pressing at the right time and winning the ball in the offensive third, then to the pass, to the cross, to the guy who sets it up.”

Issues in back

Two spectacular saves from goalkeeper Tim Howard on Tuesday enabled the U.S. to escape the Estadio Mateo Flores with at least a point. Throw in the four-goal onslaught by Brazil, and Klinsmann has some genuine concerns in defense.

Center back Oguchi Onyewu struggled mightily against both Brazil and Antigua, and while Clarence Goodson did well in the middle alongside Carlos Bocanegra, the lack of depth is an issue.

Meanwhile, veteran Steve Cherundolo didn’t have much of a spring in his step on the right and failed to offer the overlapping presence Klinsmann’s system requires. At 33, the Hannover 96 captain might be past his peak.

It appears Klinsmann should reconsider center back Tim Ream (Bolton Wanderers) and outside back Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa). Ream would offer some help in possession, freeing up midfielder Michael Bradley to push forward. Lichaj is a force on the flank who could give the U.S. the width it so desperately needs.

Issues in midfield

Klinsmann clearly prefers the central midfield triangle of Bradley, Jermaine Jones and Maurice Edu. The emerging problem with that alignment, however, is it requires an enormous amount of work from the outside backs and withdrawn forwards -- Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey -- who must fill the spaces out wide. They’re not always going to find the right position at the right time.

It also demands too much from Edu and Jones, who are defensive players at heart and who lack Bradley’s consistent competence on the ball.

If Klinsmann chooses to sit either Edu or Jones, he could open up some possibilities pushing forward -- perhaps Jose Torres or even Stuart Holden, if and when he’s healthy. It also could give the coach the option to use a second striker.

Issues up front

The lack of width makes the U.S. attack somewhat predictable and can isolate the lone striker, a role filled over the past month chiefly by Herculez Gomez. Opponents can concentrate on marking him (or Jozy Altidore/Terrence Boyd) without worrying about being stretched. And when the cross finally does come in under the current system, the opponent has only one striker to deal with.

Altidore came into camp late because of a mandate from his club, AZ Alkmaar, and contributed little once he arrived. Klinsmann claimed it was a fitness issue, which is strange and troubling for a player who had such a brilliant, breakout season in Europe.

The good news

Klinsmann has demonstrated some welcome flexibility with his roster and even a willingness to be wrong about players.

There was a time last fall when he wanted nothing to do with Gomez, who just started in two World Cup qualifiers. Klinsmann also once put Kyle Beckerman ahead of Bradley on the U.S. depth chart.

Klinsmann had issues with Donovan as well, especially when the L.A. Galaxy captain pulled out of a trip to Europe in November. But the coach was willing look past that and allowed Donovan to earn his starting job back. He played almost every minute of the mini-tournament, scored a hat trick against Scotland and was involved in two of the three goals vs. Antigua.

“I would hope that any coach in the world keeps an open mind with players because you never know what’s going to happen,” Donovan told Sporting News.

It appears Klinsmann gives every member of the pool the opportunity to play himself into the coach's penthouse or doghouse, which bodes well for the challenging road ahead.

Miller's dramatic 20-foot birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole of sectional qualifying last week has turned his life into a whirlwind.

View full sizeWilliam D. Lewis, The Vindicator"In two weeks this will all be over," says Mill Creek golf professional Dennis Miller of his U.S. Open experience this week in San Francisco and next week's PGA national club pro championship. "I will go back to being a club pro at a Metroparks course in Ohio, and my wife will go back to being a nurse. But, we are going to enjoy every minute of this. That, I can promise you."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's funny how making a 20-foot putt can turn into a life-changing experience.

Dennis Miller found out last week, and he is going to take advantage.

"Hey, in two weeks this will all be over," said Miller. "I will go back to being a club pro at a Metroparks course in Ohio, and my wife will go back to being a nurse. But, we are going to enjoy every minute of this. That, I can promise you. This whole thing has been a dream."

Miller's dramatic 20-foot birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole of a sectional qualifying tournament at Scioto Country Club in Upper Arlington last week has turned his life into a whirlwind of change.

Not only did the putt, which hung on the lip for about four seconds before falling into the cup, earn Miller a spot in this week's U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco -- a nice reward unto itself -- it turned him into an overnight media sensation once the video went national, thanks to the Golf Channel, ESPN and YouTube.

The putt was voted as the ESPN highlight of the day and was repeatedly shown on that network and the Golf Channel for days. His cell phone and the phone at the Mill Creek Park Golf Course in Canfield, which is near Youngstown, have not stopped ringing.

Well-wishers, people offering financial support, media people from across the country and equipment manufacturing reps all have made Miller a busy guy. The Golf Channel called early last week and said that it will be following Miller and his playing partners -- Casey Martin and amateur Cameron Wilson -- throughout the practice rounds and perhaps once the tournament starts.

"I guess we're the 'feel good' group," said Miller. "I'm the club pro from Ohio who got in by winning a playoff and everyone knows about Casey and his efforts. By the way, I support him 100 percent."

Martin, born with a physical condition that makes it difficult to walk long distances, successfully sued for the right to use a cart in competition in 1997. Now the head coach at the University of Oregon, Martin reached the Open for a second time by making a five-foot putt on the final hole in his qualifier out west.

Miller's "dream" will not end soon, no matter what happens at the Open. He also has qualified for the PGA's National Club Pro Championship, which will be played the week after the Open in nearby Monterey. Miller and his family, as well as the family of caddie Kirk Hough, will be on the West Coast until June 27.

"The cool thing is that I will have three days between the Open and the Club Pro Championship to spend with my wife and my son, and we can enjoy California," Miller said.

Not only did it take a playoff for Miller to advance, he got into the qualifier as a third alternate after losing in a playoff in a local qualifier at Beechmont Country Club in May. He arrived at Scioto at 6 a.m. on the day of the section qualifier in case he would be given the chance to play. Seven players failed to show and he was admitted to the tournament.

He went on to shoot par at Scioto (71) and at the Ohio State Scarlet Course (70). That made him one of four players tied at 141 with three qualifying spots available.

He played exceptionally well at both sites. Starting his final round at Scarlet on the 10th hole, he was 2-over at the turn. He made long birdie putts on the second and third holes to get back to even and it started him thinking.

"I felt if I could get a few more birdies I'd have a good chance," he said. "Even if I didn't qualify I'd finish respectably."

He bogeyed the fifth hole but got it back with a birdie on the sixth. He could have avoided the playoff had he made one more birdie. He missed chances of 20, eight and 12 feet over the last three holes and finished at even.

"I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason," said Miller, looking back. "Had I made one of those birdie putts on the last three holes, it would have been a routine birdie and no one would have seen it. Instead, I get into the playoff and there is one Golf Channel camera on the whole course and it's following us.

"I make the birdie on 18, everyone sees it and how it happened and all of a sudden things have changed. In retrospect, I guess I'm glad I missed those birdie putts on seven, eight and nine. Otherwise, none of this would have happened."

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

ESPN's Michael Collins with Dennis Miller

From Rich Rollins and Gene Michael to Steve Stone and Dirk Hayhurst, Kent State baseball stars of the past rellish the Golden Flashes' run to the 2012 College World Series.

Associated Press The Kent State baseball team celebrates the ninth-inning win over Oregon that clinched the school's first ever trip to the College World Series.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Kent State's baseball season usually begins the same way -- with a 16-hour bus trip south.

And the in-travel entertainment, at least when future major leaguer Dirk Hayhurst was a Golden Flash, was the highlight reel from the previous year's College World Series.

"That was the goal. That's why we played," said Hayhurst, who pitched for Kent State from 2000-03 and still holds the school's career records in innings pitched and strikeouts.

"This," he said, "is what all the guys I went there with wanted to accomplish."

As anyone who has remotely paid attention to college baseball knows by now, his old team will finally be on that highlight reel. Kent State made school history this week by reaching the College World Series.

The underdog Golden Flashes (46-18), of the underdog Mid-American Conference, play Arkansas on Saturday in Omaha, Neb., -- just one of eight teams in the country left standing.

The thrill has not been lost on some of the best who ever wore the blue and gold uniform, regardless of age or geography.

"Oh, my God, isn't it awesome?" gushed Rich Rollins.

Rollins, of Bath, starred at Kent State from 1956-60 and became the first Golden Flash to make the majors. He's played in All-Star games and the World Series with Minnesota, but the success of his college team has him bursting.

View full sizePD fileKSU alum Rich Rollins is captivated by the Golden Flashes.

"It's like a happening," he said.

For Rollins, the team's success is also a generational thing. His son, Patrick, also played there, and one of his son's teammates was current Kent State coach Scott Stricklin.

"I don't think I've ever pulled for a team more than I have for this situation right here," said Rollins, who starred at Parma High and the Cleveland sandlot leagues in the 1950"s. "It would be awesome for the whole area. Just awesome."

When Rollins played second base, former Benedictine star and Major League draftee Nobby Lewandowski was on the mound, and Gene Michael, a former star at Akron East and a 10-year major leaguer, was at short.

In fact, Kent State played on Gene Michael Field for 39 seasons before a new one was built in 2005. The old field's namesake is now a New York Yankees scout who is appreciating his former team's achievements from afar.

"I'm tickled to death," said Michael, who hadn't been following the Flashes until Monday's thrilling, last-of-the ninth win over Oregon that sent Kent to Omaha.

View full sizeAP fileSteve Stone believes the Flashes could surprise in Omaha.

Although most of Kent State's competitors in the series are from big conferences with baseball-school reputations, Michael believes Kent's chances are good.

"Anybody can win that," said Michael, who also played basketball at Kent before he was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1959. "Get a couple hot pitchers and you can win that thing."

Steve Stone knows about pitching. When he was Kent State's ace until he graduated in 1970, his catcher and roommate on the road was the late Thurman Munson.

Now a broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox, the Brush High graduate was in the air traveling to his next game when he heard his alma mater had earned a trip to the series for the first time.

"It's nice. It's nice to see," Stone said, "and this, of course, is one of the real exciting things to anyone who was associated at all with Kent State University. I'm very excited for the boys and for coach Stricklin."

Stone has followed the team all season because he's friends with Indians voice Tom Hamilton, whose son, Nick, plays infield for the Golden Flashes. But beyond the personal connection, Stone said he's drawn to this edition of Kent State baseball for its chemistry.

"It truly is a team," said Stone, who won 107 games in 11 major-league seasons, including a remarkable 25-7 record with Baltimore in 1980.

"It reminds me a little bit of the Baltimore teams I played on," he said, "because if you broke out the rosters man for man, we weren't as good as some, but we played as a team."

That togetherness carried Kent State past Big Ten champion Purdue, Southeastern Conference power Kentucky and Oregon, the No. 5 team in the country -- and is stirring pride in some of yesterday's heroes.

Cain pitches the franchise's first perfect game and the 22nd in major league history, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help from two spectacular catches. (With video.)

View full sizeJeff Chiu, Associated PressGiants pitcher Matt Cain delivers a pitch to the Astros' Jason Castro during the ninth inning Wednesday in San Francisco. Cain pitched a perfect game in the Giants' 10-0 victory.

Cain pitched the franchise's first perfect game and the 22nd in major league history, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help from two spectacular catches to beat the Houston Astros 10-0 on Wednesday night.

Cain's 125-pitch gem for San Francisco featured a pair of great plays by his corner outfielders. He got pinch-hitter Jason Castro on a grounder to third for his 27th and final out with the sellout crowd of 42,298 roaring.

"This is incredible right now," Cain said. "It was unbelievable. The guys did a great job making it, in a way, kind of relaxing, because they were able to get on the board early."

It was the fifth no-hitter in the majors already this season and second perfect game.

Another Year of the Pitcher? You bet.

In the very ballpark where Barry Bonds made home run history five summers ago, Cain produced the signature moment for pitchers. It was the 14th no-hitter in club history — Mathewson pitched Nos. 2 and 3 in 1901 and '05, and Marichal and Perry had one apiece.

Left fielder Melky Cabrera chased down Chris Snyder's one-out flyball in the sixth, scurrying back to make a leaping catch at the wall. Cain raised both arms and slapped his glove in delight when Cabrera made the play.

View full sizeAssociated PressMatt Cain, left, celebrates with catcher Buster Posey, center, and first baseman Brandon Belt after the final out.

"Those were unbelievable catches," Cain said. "I mean that right there, that changes the whole thing."

Philip Humber of the Chicago White Sox tossed the majors' last perfecto at Seattle on April 21. This is the second time in three years there have been two perfect games in the same season — before that, the only other time it happened was in 1880.

Cain (8-2) accomplished a feat last done in the Bay Area by A's lefty Dallas Braden on Mother's Day 2010.

Braden tweeted Wednesday night: "What a beautiful game. Congrats 2 Matt Cain & a historic franchise & city. A special memory ill tell someones kids about! #eraofthepitcher."

Not since 1917 have there been five no-hitters in a season by mid-June. The only year that came close was 1990, when Fernando Valenzuela and Dave Stewart each pitched no-hitters on June 29 — the fourth and fifth of the season.

This year, Johan Santana tossed the New York Mets' first no-hitter on June 1 and six Seattle pitchers shut down the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday. Jered Weaver had one for the Los Angeles Angels on May 2.

The Astros were no-hit for the fifth time and first since Carlos Zambrano did so for the Cubs on Sept. 14, 2008.

"Just an incredible night," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We were all pulling so hard."

The Giants made a big commitment to Cain this spring, locking him up for a long haul — and he showed exactly why general manager Brian Sabean has vowed to keep his talented pitchers. In a week when the city's attention turned to golf and the U.S. Open, Cain delivered his most impressive gem yet in his 216th career start.

The 125 pitches were the most ever thrown in a perfect game.

The two-time All-Star who had long been the Giants starter who endured a lack of run support already was rewarded with a new $127.5 million, six-year contract in early April before the season started. This certainly meant as much or more to the homegrown pitcher.

Cain threw 86 pitches for strikes, faced just four full counts and still clocked 90 mph in the ninth. Cain followed up Madison Bumgarner's 12-strikeout gem in Tuesday night's 6-3 win.

"I know when I haven't given up a hit, I'm always conscious of it," Cain said. "Probably the first time through the lineup I felt like I had good stuff. The first time through the lineup I felt like something could happen."

Something special, all right. It was the first no-hitter by San Francisco since departed left-hander Jonathan Sanchez did it July 10, 2009, against the Padres at AT&T Park.

The Astros were no-hit by the Giants for the second time. Marichal did it on June 15, 1963.

Even Cain thought Snyder had enough to clear the fences in the sixth. That's when the Astros realized it might be a long night.

"When the ball I hit doesn't go out and the ball that Schafer hits is caught ... I've never seen a ball hit like that into that gap," Snyder said.

Blanco said of his catch: "I didn't think I was going to make it, but I did."

Ted Barrett became the first umpire to work behind the plate for two perfect games. He also worked David Cone's 1999 perfecto at Yankee Stadium.

"He could put the ball anywhere he wanted," Barrett said. "He knew where he wanted to throw it, and he threw it there. Cone had the big, big backdoor breaking ball. It was against the Expos and I don't think they had faced him before. They were a little bit baffled by Cone's stuff."

Cain pivoted on the mound to watch third baseman Joaquin Arias make a long throw from third for the final out, then the celebration began. First baseman Brandon Belt caught the last throw, tucked the ball in his back pocket for safekeeping and rushed to the mound.

Catcher Buster Posey ran out to Cain, who raised his arm. His teammates jumped the dugout rail as the final out was made, a moment reminiscent of that improbable World Series championship in 2010 at Texas.

"I can't thank Buster enough," Cain said. "I didn't even question once what he was calling."

Cain's wife, Chelsea, fought tears when shown in the stands as the celebration began, then made her way to the dugout for a congratulatory hug and kiss.

Cain had come close already this season — not once, but twice. In his second start of the year, in the team's home opener April 13, he one-hit the Pirates in a 5-0 win, then allowed only two hits over nine innings in the Giants' 11-inning, 1-0 win over Cliff Lee and the Phillies.

"I've had some opportunities in the past. There's really nothing like it," Cain said.

Cabrera, Belt and Blanco each hit two-run homers and the Giants produced an offensive outburst rarely seen at home this season and rarely seen when Cain has pitched.

On this night, he threw nine of his initial 11 pitches for strikes, commanding his repertoire with a dazzling fastball.

Cain, who hit one drive into McCovey Cove alongside U.S. Open golfer Dustin Johnson before the game to show off one of his other favorite pastimes, sat by himself in the dugout between innings.

J.A. Happ (4-7) lost his fourth straight start after giving up eight runs and 11 hits in 3 1-3 innings.

Janie McCauley, Associated Press

"Since there aren't any worthwhile offers on the table, of course the plan "right now" is to keep Colt on the team. Wallace could go down with a freak injury at any point between now and final roster cut downs. Might as well wait until the last possible moment to cut one of them. Plus the WRs need reps and Weeden can't be throwing every practice ball to 15 different WRs/TEs." - Norodom Sihanouk

View full sizeAP Photo/Mark DuncanOne cleveland.com reader says the Browns should hang on to Colt McCoy as long as they can in case of injury.

"Since there aren't any worthwhile offers on the table, of course the plan "right now" is to keep Colt on the team. Wallace could go down with a freak injury at any point between now and final roster cut downs. Might as well wait until the last possible moment to cut one of them. Plus the WRs need reps and Weeden can't be throwing every practice ball to 15 different WRs/TEs."

GRAFTON, Ohio - Midview is getting a new synthetic turf football field thanks in part to a $200,000 grant from the Cleveland Browns through the NFL Grassroots Program. New turf will be installed at Grafton's Adelsberg Stadium, replacing the natural grass field. The new field also will be home to 200 youth football players and a site for USA...

Synthetic turf will be installed at Midview's Adelsberg Stadium, replacing the natural grass field. The new field also will be home to 200 youth football players and a site for USA Football coaching clinics and Punt, Pass and Kick competitions.

GRAFTON, Ohio - Midview is getting a new synthetic turf football field thanks in part to a $200,000 grant from the Cleveland Browns through the NFL Grassroots Program.

New turf will be installed at Grafton's Adelsberg Stadium, replacing the natural grass field. The new field also will be home to 200 youth football players and a site for USA Football coaching clinics and Punt, Pass and Kick competitions.

The grant, awarded by the Browns, the NFL Youth Football Fund and Local Initiatives Support Corporation, is part of $2.5 million in field refurbishment awards allocated this year. The Grassroots Program has constructed or renovated 256 football fields nationwide over the past 14 years.

The Indians (32-30) wasted two homers from Shin-Soo Choo and two hits from their pitchers in finishing a nine-game trip at 4-5.

View full sizeAl Behrman, Associated PressJoey Votto (left, congratulated by Reds teammate Todd Frazier) opened Thursday's onslaught on the Indians pitching staff with a three-run homer in the first inning at Great American Ballpark.

CINCINNATI -- The Reds have been dealing with a stomach virus meandering through the clubhouse this week, but they were the ones who made the Indians double over in pain for three consecutive days.

The Reds notched a sweep Thursday afternoon behind -- who else? -- Brandon Phillips, who went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBI in a 12-5 victory. Joey Votto and Ryan Ludwick also hit long balls for Cincinnati, which finished with a season-high 17 hits.

The Reds are 35-27, first in the NL Central.

The Indians (32-30, second AL Central) wasted two homers from Shin-Soo Choo, three hits from Lou Marson and two hits from their pitchers in finishing a nine-game trip at 4-5. After impressive two-of-threes in Detroit and defending world champion St. Louis, they dropped their compass in the Ohio River.

"Not the way you want to end a road trip, but you've got to give the Reds credit," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "They beat us on both sides of the ball. You have to get ready to play [Friday, against Pittsburgh]. That's all there is to it."

How bad was it for the visitors to Great American Ball Park? Their top two relievers, Vinnie Pestano and closer Chris Perez, never pitched. It would have been fun to see either or both face Phillips.

Cincinnati's second baseman is among the ill. No matter. When Phillips gets an up-close look at the franchise that traded him in April 2006, he's ready to mash. In 38 career games against Cleveland, Phillips is hitting .356 (53-for-149) with nine homers and 30 RBI.

Tuesday night, Phillips went 2-for-5 in a 7-1 victory. Wednesday night, he was 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBI in a 5-3 victory. A quick turnaround Thursday posed no problem. Oh, by the way: Phillips flashed his Gold Glove skills with several superb plays, two coming against Michael Brantley. Denying Brantley came with heightened awareness because a 20-game hitting streak was on the line.

Brantley went 0-for-3 with three grounders to second through five innings. But he smoothly slashed a double to left-center off reliever Alfredo Simon in the seventh, giving him the longest hitting streak in the majors this season. Aaron Cunningham took over for Brantley in center in the bottom of the inning.

"I was glad Michael was able to get it in that at-bat, because I didn't want to keep him out there for nine innings," Acta said. "We've wanted to rest him, but he's got that streak going, which is such a special thing."

The afternoon began with promise. Choo ripped right-hander Mike Leake's second pitch over the center-field wall. It extended the ballpark's streak of consecutive games with a homer to 59, longest active in the majors. No. 2 hitter Asdrubal Cabrera doubled to right and eventually scored on Carlos Santana's grounder.

Cincinnati struck back quickly against right-hander Josh Tomlin. After Chris Heisey led off with a single and Zack Cozart singled, Votto parked a 3-1 fastball at the knees over the center-field wall. In a span of 12 pitches, the Reds had their first lead. They never gave it up.

"I was trying to go with a fastball in, to try to tie him up a little bit," Tomlin said of the Votto at-bat. "It kind of leaked over the middle of the plate. He's a strong guy, a good hitter."

Phillips led off the third with a homer to left. His two-run single in the fourth created a 6-2 cushion and knocked out Tomlin.

"Josh just didn't have it, and they had a very good approach against him, especially the right-handed hitters," Acta said. Tomlin (3-4, 5.56 ERA) allowed 10 hits, walked two and struck out one. He needed 78 pitches to get 12 outs.

"It felt like everything I was throwing up there, they were hitting," he said. "They did what they were supposed to do."

Tomlin did manage to single in two at-bats. It dropped his career average to .570 (4-for-7). Later in the game, Tribe reliever Esmil Rogers singled.

Choo led off the fifth with another homer off Leake to make it 6-3. "He really swings the bat well in this stadium," Acta said. "Every time we come over here, he takes advantage."

The Indians still were viable at that point, but the Reds' five-run fifth against lefty Scott Barnes removed all doubt. Barnes allowed five hits and walked two in one-third of an inning.

Choo was in no mood to wax poetic about his seventh career multi-homer game.

"I don't feel very good," he said. "First, we got swept. For me, and for everybody in the locker room, losing three straight like this is not good. And I had the two homers, but also three strikeouts. The timing isn't there yet."

The Indians get their shot at revenge beginning Monday, when they host the Reds for three. But first comes the Pirates.

By the time the Cavs make the fourth overall pick, North Carolina small forward Barnes, as of now, seems more likely to still be available than Kentucky small forward Kidd-Gilchrist and Florida shooting guard Beal.

Associated PressHarrison Barnes scored 17.1 points per game as a sophomore for North Carolina last season, after averaging 15.7 points as a freshman.

While nothing has changed about the Cavs' love affair with Barnes, things could get very interesting if this scenario wound up playing out on draft night. Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal is also being strongly considered, and it's worth noting that his agent, Mark Bartelstein, has agreed to workouts with only the top four teams so far while denying requests by Sacramento (No. 5), Portland (No. 6) and Golden State (No. 7). Either player would be a quality addition to the young core led by Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving. Barnes helped himself at the combine. He had a maximum vertical leap of 39½ inches (Marquette's Darius Johnson-Odom had the highest mark at 41.5) and ran the fastest three-quarter court sprint at 3.16 seconds. Cleveland has four of the top 34 selections, and ESPN.com reported that the Hornets rejected Cleveland's offer of the fourth, 24th, 33rd and 34th picks for No. 1.

Cleveland will lose a big chunk of its frontcourt scoring with free agent forward Antawn Jamison's expected departure. Nicholson could provide some of that and help in other areas, too, after averaging 18.5 points (while adding a three-point shot) 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in leading St. Bonaventure to the Atlantic 10 championship and its first NCAA tournament appearance in 12 years. He worked out with Melo for Phoenix (No. 13) on Tuesday, according to the Arizona Republic, but is more likely to land in this part of the first round.

North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes and Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal will work out for the Cavaliers on Saturday as the team continues to gather information before deciding on its No. 4 pick.

View full sizeAP Photo/Gerry BroomeHarrison Barnes will work out for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Saturday will be a big day for the Cavaliers as the team prepares for the 2012 NBA Draft.

NBA sources have confirmed that North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes and Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal will be in town to work out for the Cavs, who have the No. 4 pick in the first round.

The question is: Are they working out against each other?

CBSSports.com reported the two were scheduled to work out against each other, but that could not be verified immediately. The two performed extremely well during athletic testing at the recent NBA Combine in Chicago, but Barnes is 6-foot-8, 215 pounds, while Beal is 6-4, 201.

The Cavs certainly have researched the positives and negatives in each player's game, but the team also puts a tremendous value on the interviews with the players as it strives to add athletes with character to what it feels is a strong core of young players.

Barnes, Beal and Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are believed to be among the players under consideration by the Cavs at No. 4. The team also has the No. 24 pick in the first round and Nos. 33 and 34 in the second round.

Summer-league schedule: The Cavs announced their five-game summer-league schedule in Las Vegas. The team will face Charlotte on July 15, the DLeague All-Stars on July 16, Phoenix on July 17, Minnesota on July 19 and New York on July 20. Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving is expected to play for the Cavs, as are any draft choices they make on June 28.

Rumored addition: According to HoopsHype.com, agent Misko Raznatovic says his client, Bosnian forward Mirza Teletovic will sign with either Brooklyn or Cleveland next season, although that report could not be verified. Teletovic averaged 21.7 points and 6 rebounds per game for Vitoria last season, but is not viewed as a strong rebounder or defender.

Breaking down this weekend's series between the Tribe and Bucs at Progressive Field.

View full sizePatrick Semansky, Associated PressPittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen will arrive in Cleveland in the top 10 in the National League in batting average, and the top 20 in home runs and RBI.

Where: Progressive Field.

When: Friday through Sunday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS FM/100.7 on Friday.

Pitching matchups: Indians RHP Justin Masterson (2-6, 4.76 ERA) vs. Pirates RHP James McDonald (5-2, 2.39), tonight at 7:05; RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (6-4, 4.91) vs. RHP A.J. Burnett (6-2, 3.61), Saturday at 4:05 p.m.; RHP Jeanmar Gomez (4-5, 4.71) vs. RHP Brad Lincoln (3-2, 3.15), Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Season series: First meeting. All-time series is tied, 15-15.

Indians update: They are 16-16 at home. In most recent homestand, they went 1-2 against Royals and 1-2 against Twins. ... Tribe was 3-0 against Pirates last season, sweeping a series in June. ... Gomez gave up two runs -- one earned -- in five innings of loss at Cincinnati on Tuesday. In three previous starts, he allowed 17 runs in 15 2/3 innings.

Pirates update: They are coming off a series in Baltimore. ... Pirates feature a dynamic young talent in CF Andrew McCutchen. ... Former Indian Jason Grilli and Joel Hanrahan have formed terrific duo at back end of the bullpen.

Injuries: Indians -- DH Travis Hafner (right knee), 3B Jack Hannahan (back), OF Grady Sizemore (back), RHP Carlos Carrasco (elbow) and LHP Rafael Perez (left lat) are on the disabled list. Pirates -- RHP Jeff Karstens (shoulder), RHP Charlie Morton (elbow), RHP Daniel McCutchen (left oblique), RHP Chris Leroux (pectoral) and SS Gustavo Nunez (right ankle) are on the disabled list.

Next: Homestand concludes with three against Reds beginning Monday.

"Delonte might be an option if the Cavs had a legit shot at building for a championship run this year. No chance that is the case. Build young and for a couple years from now and Delonte does not fit that not to mention the emotional issues the club does not need right now." - WeeWillyL

View full sizeAP Photo/Mark DuncanWould Delonte West fit more on a young team or veteran team?

"Delonte might be an option if the Cavs had a legit shot at building for a championship run this year. No chance that is the case. Build young and for a couple years from now and Delonte does not fit that not to mention the emotional issues the club does not need right now.

Lets see what the draft brings and then add a young spare part or two that might grow into a rotation player."

Here are what blogs from Cleveland and around the country are saying about the Browns, Cavaliers and Indians. Featured today are the NFL Network, Wahoo's On First and Fear The Sword.

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

"Sapp: They have a quarterback now and running back in Richardson. This is what you need to jump-start your franchise. It's the Cleveland Browns. (watch video)"

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerWas sending down Matt LaPorta a mistake?

"The immediate consequence of this move is that the probable best first baseman in the organization is no longer on the team’s active roster. Casey Kotchman simply isn’t cutting it. All the major value metrics agree that he is on pace to be at least about 1.5 wins below replacement—for some perspective, 2.0 WAR represents league-average production and zero would be about an average Triple-A player. To be fair, LaPorta hit .182 (2-for-11) in the only three games he appeared in, but the key words there are “only three games.”

Based on his numbers in Columbus, LaPorta projects for an .877 OPS in the Major Leagues, which would be the best on the team. Even if you expect Kotchman’s numbers to improve as his BABIP rebounds (not necessarily a given seeing as he’s maintained very low hit rates in the past and generally has not been making good contact) and assume that the defensive metrics do not properly reward him for his throw-picking ability at first, there’s no way he matches that. Knock LaPorta’s OPS down as much as 100 points if you wish to account for his alleged Quad-A status and the offensive improvement would easily make up for the defensive downgrade. At the very least there wouldn’t be much to lose by giving him a shot."

"For some reason, Mirza Teletovic wants to decide between playing for the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers. A rumor from HoopsHype.com claimed that the 26 year old forward from Bosnia will come to the NBA and wants to play for either the Nets or the Cavs.

Teletovic spent the last 7 years playing basketball in Europe and averaged 21 points and 6 rebounds over 10 games this past season. He's a 6'9" forward that doesn't really rebound very well and apparently doesn't play defense very well. One thing he can do is shoot the ball. From what I've seen and heard, he's an above average three-point shooter. I know very little about Teletovic, to be honest. I'm kind of confused as to why he's narrowed it down to the Cavs and Nets, but that's what the report says."

Ken Loeri helped Steele's Silver Bullets win five world championships.

View full sizeKen Loeri Jr.

Kenny "Kong" Loeri Jr. won five world championships and won at least 11 all-world honors in professional slow-pitch softball.

Loeri was found dead on May 30 at his apartment in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 53. His family said an autopsy revealed apparent heart disease, but a cause of death has not been reported yet.

"Kenny was an exciting guy," said Mike Macenko, who starred with Loeri on Steele's Silver Bullets. "He was a big, strong guy who could run pretty fast. He was happy-go-lucky, rambunctious, very religious. He was a very likeable guy."

The right-handed right fielder belonged to the Greater Cleveland Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame and the Brooklyn High School Hall of Fame. He won many high school honors in basketball, football and track.

Loeri played tight end in football at the University of Toledo, but a knee injury led him to softball. He delivered beverages and played professionally for Teamsters 293 and other teams. He later traveled widely with the Steele's team and helped the sponsor sell sports equipment, including two lines of bats bearing his name. He eventually moved to West Palm, worked in landscaping sales, coached players with disabilities and helped raise money for cystic fibrosis.

Survivors include his mother, Genevieve, and three sisters. Ripepi Funeral Home handled his arrangements.

"You know, I'm a little tired of these guys yelling and pointing and screaming and making "you can't see me" motions. This group of players haven't won anything. (Lowe won a World Series 8 years ago.)" - Rory

View full sizeAP Photo/Al BehrmanOne cleveland.com reader says players should stop with the strutting and concentrate on playing the game.

"You know, I'm a little tired of these guys yelling and pointing and screaming and making "you can't see me" motions. This group of players haven't won anything. (Lowe won a World Series 8 years ago.)

Being in 1st place in April, May, June, July, or August doesn't count. What counts is being in 1st place at the the end of September and playing in the playoffs. When you win something, then you can strut. Until then, shut up and play the game."

A 3-foot sturgeon put a big thrill in a yellow perch fishing aboard The Holiday party fishing boat off Lakewood's Gold Coast.

Patty WeintraubThe skipper of The Holiday party fishing boat, Elliot Weintraub gets ready to release a 3-foot Lake Erie sturgeon. The prehistoric-looking fish was hooked and landed by Cleveland fisherman Jim Dunn while dunking emerald shiner minnows for yellow perch in 33 feet of water off the Pier W Restaurant on Lakewood's Gold Coast.

 Cleveland fisherman Jim Dunn hooked and landed a prehistoric-looking Lake Erie sturgeon along Lakewood's Gold Coast last week, and party fishing boat skipper Elliot Weintraub of The Holiday said that was the easy part of the rare feat.

"When we brought it aboard The Holiday, I wrapped my arms around the sturgeon so we could quickly put it back in the water," said Weintraub. "I'd never caught one before, and never realized how sharp the armor plates on its back and sides were, or the strength of the fish. I had cuts all over my arms after releasing the fish."

In lieu of scales, sturgeon have armor plates with raised, sharp points that are used for protection.

Dunn was working a perch rig close to the bottom of Lake Erie in 33 feet of water when the sturgeon inhaled his minnow. Once common in Lake Erie, the population of slow-growing sturgeon has been in peril because of dams on its spawning rivers and commercial fishermen trying to eradicate the over-sized, net-busting fish in the late 1800s. Now protected, sturgeon that are caught must be released.   

The largest and most obscure of Lake Erie's fish, sturgeon can grow to more than 6 feet  and 200 pounds. Sturgeon spawn in Lake Erie tributaries, and seem to be making a comeback in Ohio. A 5 1/2-foot sturgeon was caught from the Cuyahoga River a decade ago. 

Wild boar in Ohio: A female wild boar was killed by a vehicle while crossing a roadway near Parkman, in Geauga County. Wildlife officials were called in on Wednesday to check the animal, taking DNA and hair samples that could determine the boar's original territory. The animal, which was pregnant, is most likely a feral pig that escaped from a farm or was purposely let free to establish a local population.

 "We encourage hunters to kill any wild boar they see," said Allen Lea, the district assistant wildlife management supervisor. "Feral hogs cause $1 billion a year in damage to property, crops and livestock around the country. This is the first one we've seen in northeast Ohio, but there are populations of wild boar established in southeast Ohio."

 There are no wild boar hunting restrictions in Ohio.

Dad's Day fishing trip: Trying to figure a gift for Father's Day on Sunday is like fumbling to tie a fishing knot on a blustery day. It can be done, but it's a struggle. 

 After an angling tale from Jacob Samenuk, and advice from local wildlife officials, the top choice has to be taking Dad on a fishing trip for his special day. There are party fishing boats in the Cleveland area - The Holiday on the Cuyahoga River and the Linda Mae and Express at Wildwood State Park Marina - and many more in the Port Clinton area. Some walleye fishing guides also have an open day, or two, coming up.

Samenuk, 11, went on his first Lake Erie fishing trip last weekend, heading out with his father, John Samenuk, aboard Uncle Jim Samenuk's boat, Lucky Strike. Northeast of the Cleveland Crib in 61 feet of choppy water, a fish snared a spinner rig with purple and black willow leaf blades that was tipped with a nightcrawler.

 It was young Jacob's turn at bat, and he cranked in a 29.5-inch, 10-pound walleye. Jacob told his aunt, Leslie Samenuk, he's officially hooked on Lake Erie fishing and can't wait to go again. The fishing forecast for Sunday is blue skies and calm waters.

 Coming up: There is still time to enter the Lake Erie Legends Redbone Fishing Tournament on Friday at the Catawba Island Club on Catawba Island, which benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation . . . The South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association has an open 3-D Archery Shoot on Sunday . . . The Buckeye Retriever Club will have the Hambden Nurseries in Chardon going to the dogs on Saturday and Sunday with a special Spring Hunt Test . . . The Family Fish Fry and Game Dinner Picnic held by the Cleveland Hailer Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is June 23 . . . The Lake Erie Walleye Trail visits Huron on June 23-24 for the Erie Outfitters Open. For details on those events, check Egan's Outdoor Calendar at cleveland.com/outdoors. 

 Lake Erie funding: An amendment by Rep. Randy Gardner of Bowling Green to Ohio's Mid-Budget Review Act is giving the Healthy Lake Erie Fund a $3 million boost. The legislation was signed this week by Gov. John Kasich. The fund is administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to monitor Lake Erie's water quality, provide soil testing in the Western Lake Erie Basin and fund pilot projects to battle the algae crisis in Lake Erie.