New York completes a three-game sweep as the Indians drop their fifth straight. The sagging Tribe offense has scored 13 runs in the first six games of this road trip.

View full sizeFrank Franklin II, Associated PressIndians left fielder Aaron Cunningham (2) runs out of room as Robinson Cano's two-run home run sails into the stands at Yankee Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

NEW YORK -- It's not that the Yankees don't have their troubles like every other big-league team. It's just that they're better equipped to handle them.

Before they completed a three-game sweep of the Indians on Wednesday with a 5-4 victory, they put No.1 starter CC Sabathia on the disabled list with a strained left groin. During the game, they lost veteran starter Andy Pettitte to a broken fibula in his left leg, courtesy of Casey Kotchman's line drive in the fifth inning.

Down two starters? No problem. The Yankees are putting the finishing touches on a great June (19-5) and own the best record in the big leagues. The will adjust and move forward.

The Indians are not built that way. They need every cell inside all 25 of their players focused on victory to have a chance. If they waiver just a bit, the consequences are dire.

For instance, take the backdoor slider Ubaldo Jimenez threw Robinson Cano in the sixth inning. Jimenez, working with a 3-2 lead, had him set up perfectly. He jumped ahead of Cano 0-2 with a good fastball and splitter in the dirt. Then he went up and in to Cano with a 95 mph fastball, a pitch that drew an angry response from the crowd of over 45,000 at Yankee Stadium.

"I was trying to go inside and get him off the plate and then go outside with the breaking ball," said Jimenez. "I did it, but it just didn't happen."

The backdoor slider Jimenez threw hung on the outside part of the plate for a moment too long. Cano drove it into the left-field seats for a two-run homer and a 4-3 lead. The Indians, who have lost a season-high five straight, never led again.

"It was a really good pitcher's pitch and he's a really good hitter," said Jimenez (7-6, 4.69 ERA). "I think he hit it one-handed."

Cano is batting .308 (88-for-286) with 18 homers and 41 RBI. He has seven homers in his last 10 games and 10 in June.

For the most part on this 10-game trip, the Indians have played like they left their mojo in Cleveland. Wednesday they showed some spunk.

They loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against closer Rafael Soriano on singles by Lonnie Chisenhall and Lou Marson and a walk by Shin-Soo Choo. Pinch-hitter Johnny Damon struck out, but Michael Brantley walked to make it 5-4. They'd worked Soriano to the point where he had to face their best hitter, Asdrubal Cabrera, with the game on the line. Cabrera flied out to left.

Still it was an improvement over their dance with the zombies in Houston and their performance Monday night against the Yankees.

"We played better baseball today," said manager Manny Acta. "I really liked our at-bats in the last push against Soriano. The guys understand we're going through a tough stretch right now and [have to] ride it out."

The Indians took a 1-0 lead on Shelley Duncan's second-inning double. Carlos Santana scored from first after reaching on Alex Rodriguez's error at third. The Yankees moved ahead 2-1 on Eric Chavez's two-run double in the fourth. Cano reached on a one-out single, but Jimenez struck out Mark Teixeira. Raul Ibanez walked and Chavez doubled to the gap in left center.

The Indians reclaimed the lead, 3-2, with two runs in the fifth. After Kotchman's infield single knocked Pettitte onto the disabled list, Cody Eppley relieved. Marson reached on an infield single and Aaron Cunningham advanced the runners with a bunt. Brantley sent a grounder to first. Kotchman, running on contact, bowled over catcher Russell Martin, who hung onto Chavez's throw from first for the second out.

Cabrera, facing lefty Clay Rapada, singled to make it 2-2. Jason Kipnis made it 3-2 with a bloop single to left. With runners on second and third, the Indians had a chance to extend the lead, but Freddy Garcia (2-2) struck out Jose Lopez to end the inning. He was the fourth Yankee pitcher to work that inning.

Garcia, expected to move into the rotation, retired seven straight in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Chavez made it 5-3 in the eighth with a single off Vinnie Pestano that proved to be the winning run.

Parker was a standout player in Israel, where he played for the powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv team before returning to the NBA in 2006.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerAnthony Parker started 197 games for the Cavaliers after joining the team before the 2009-10 season. He averaged 9.1 points per game in his nine seasons in the NBA.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As expected, veteran Cavaliers shooting guard Anthony Parker, 37, has decided to retire after a nine-year career in the NBA, the last three with Cleveland.

Parker averaged 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 51 games last season. More importantly, he provided leadership in the locker room, where he served as a mentor for youngsters Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.

At the end of the season, Parker told reporters he was undecided about his future.

"I wanted to make that decision after the season and make sure that is what I wanted to do," he said in an email. "I'm at peace with it and excited for whatever the future has for me."

Parker, who was a first-round draft choice by New Jersey in 1997, the 21st pick overall out of Bradley, also played with Philadelphia, Orlando and Toronto in the NBA, and was a huge star in Israel, where he played for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He wore No. 18 because it is the symbol associated with life and success in the Jewish faith.

Parker would like to remain involved in the league either through broadcasting or in a front-office role.

"Everything is on the table, so we'll see," he said in the email.

Battle for Ohio: A host of local and state basketball stars will take part The Battle for Ohio charity basketball game at noon on July 7 in St. John Arena in Columbus.

Although player participation is subject to change, Ohio State alum and NBA veteran Brad Sellers, who is the mayor of Warrensville Heights, and Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman will join Buckeye legends and Ohio State alums Clark Kellogg and Ron Stokes as honorary coaches of Team Cleveland and Team Columbus, respectively.

Former Buckeyes Brian Brown, Terence Dials, Jon Diebler, Ivan Harris, George Reese, Damon Stringer and J.J. Sullinger will join Scoonie Penn, Evan Turner and Columbus native Samaki Walker on Team Columbus. Former Buckeyes and Cleveland natives David Lighty, Dallas Lauderdale, Tony Stockman and Damon Stringer, as well as Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson and former Cav Jawad Williams will be joined by Sam Clancy, Julius Juby Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Dru Joyce, Chet Mason, Keith McLeod and Romeo Travis on Team Cleveland.

General admission tickets are $15, $10 for OSU alumni and all area college students with a valid student ID and groups of 10 or more and $5 for children 10 years or under. Tickets can be purchased ohiohomecoming.com/col200 and will be available at the St. Johns Arena box office the day of the game.

Proceeds will include a $5,000 charitable donation from Ohio Homecoming on the winning team's behalf. Team Columbus will play for the Ohio State Athletics' LiFE Sports Initiative and Team Cleveland represents the Greater Cleveland Fisher House Wounded Warriors program.

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

Pro scouts loved Jared Sullinger at Ohio State until the Kentucky game in 2011. But if he's there at No. 24 in the first round, the Cavs have to think seriously about him.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerJared Sullinger has had plenty of reason to duck away from the spotlight ever since the Buckeyes' season ended in the Final Four against Kansas on March 31. An avalanche of pre-draft concerns have reduced him from a sure-thing lottery choice to perhaps the bottom of the first round Thursday, says Bill Livingston.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- NBA scouts loved Ohio State's Jared Sullinger as a freshman, until they didn't.

They fell out of love after 6-10 Josh Harrellson, a second-round New York Knicks' draft choice (No. 45), who averaged 4.4 points as a rookie, played Sullinger better than anyone expected in the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Sullinger got 21 points and 16 rebounds, but Harrellson got 17 and 10 for Kentucky.

Without double-teaming Sullinger in the post except for "digs" (swats) at the ball, the other Wildcats could tighten the screws on William Buford, whose terrible shooting (2-of-16) led to the Sweet 16 upset.

Thus began the downsizing of Sullinger. The key to Ohio State's success the past two seasons, Sullinger has seen his draft prospects slide even more now because of a back problem that sidelined him for two games as a sophomore. He won't be in Newark Thursday night with the projected lottery picks, waiting for his name to be called.

Blessed with good hands, Sullinger is a legitimate 6-9. Whispers had been that he was as short as 6-7. His wing-span is that of a 7-1 player. That is compromised by a lack of lift, though.

Sullinger recently changed his Twitter avatar to the cartoon character Underdog. With the lottery spurning as a spur, Sullinger might increase his already strong rebounding efforts and make a very good living in the NBA. His broad backside and strength are ideal for boxing out and claiming rebounds. Bill Russell used to say he collected 80 percent of his rebounds below the rim. That fits Sullinger's skill set.

Offensively, Sullinger has a soft touch for a 268-pound player. (The weight is an issue. Scouts remember that he was over 280 as a freshman.) He made nearly two of every three shots around the rim in college. Fundamentally sound, Sullinger has the footwork in the post of a seasoned pro. For all that, scoring over NBA height and athleticism will be a significant challenge.

Against Kansas' 6-11 Jeff Withey in the Final Four, Sullinger was only 5-of-19. Withey had the muscle to push Sullinger into untenable angles and the reach to block him from behind in the push-and-shove in the paint.

When Sully tried to force his inside game, the result was more ungainly shots than had been seen since Shawn Kemp had lost his hops and was bulling through the paint with the Cavs. Sullinger clanged shots off the underside of the rim and made wayward flings off the corner of the glass as he tried to draw fouls.

Defensively, he was not quick enough to defend the high pick-and-roll consistently. Statistical surveys say opponents were successful over 40 percent of the time against him in such situations. The pick-and-roll is the bread-and-butter of NBA offenses.

Sullinger shot 40 percent from the 20-foot, 9-inch NCAA three-point line in his second season at OSU. That's a good sign for his NBA chances. The stats say he made 38.5 percent of his jumpers overall, which is not bad for a big man.

But in the Final Four against rallying Kansas, when the ball finally found Sullinger, open on the right wing, with the reeling Buckeyes clinging to a 49-48 lead in the last 7 1/2 minutes, he did not deliver. He aimed, bent his knees, jumped, and shot with a release and follow-through that could have come out of a "how-to" shooting guide.

Airball.

Was Sullinger's dismal miss a matter of fatigue or of pressure? Portent or aberration? It likely was a result of having to play 39 minutes with a flawed supporting cast.

Point guard Aaron Craft wasn't a threat from the outside, so help defense was always nearby. Buford, at one time touted as a possible Ray Allen-like shooter off picks, plummeted in effectiveness because, after Jon Diebler graduated, he did not get as many open looks. He shot poorly in the tournament, with Lenzelle Smith, the third guard, taking up some of the slack. Sullinger's sidekick in the postseason became DeShaun Thomas, who flamed out (3-for-14) against Kansas.

For all those reasons, it says here that Sullinger will be part of an NBA rotation, just probably not a star. He has high basketball intelligence. In the Buckeyes' February funk, he tended to complain about calls and waver in his physical energy. The former means he'll fit perfectly in the NBA. The latter was a problem he overcame during the regular-season stretch drive as well as the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.

What if Ohio State's falling star fell all the way to the Cavs' second pick in the first round at No. 24? It's a tough call for a team with a big OSU fan base. It has risk.

If the Cavs could make a wish, it might be that Sullinger is gone by then.

On Twitter: @LivyPD

Cleveland Cavaliers have been among the teams rumored to be interested in the No. 2 overall pick. For now, Charlotte hasn't received a tantalizing enough offer and still owns the pick.

Associated PressCharlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan stands by general manager Rich Cho (seated left) and team executive Curtis Polk (seated right) while the team hosted some draft prospects for workouts on June 18.

Pat Diulus, who rose to national prominence as a girls high school basketball coach during a career punctuated by run-ins with the OHSAA, died Tuesday after a brief illness. ¶

Pat Diulus, who rose to national prominence as a girls high school basketball coach during a career punctuated by run-ins with the OHSAA, died Tuesday after a brief illness. ¶

Diulus, 67, died at the family home in Seven Hills, longtime friend and assistant coach Dave Tatham said. ¶

Diulus coached Trinity and Regina to a total of nine state championships and nearly 600 victories in a career that spanned 25 years. Both programs became national powers. ¶

In the process Diulus coached a countless number of players who went on to play collegiately, including Vonda Ward, Na’Sheema Hillmon and Semeka Randall. All three earned the coveted Ms. Basketball Award, the most prestigious award in Ohio. ¶

"Pat’s legacy will be more than just a basketball coach," said Tatham, who knew Diulus for 20 years and served as an assistant at both schools. "What a lot of people might not know is the lengths he went to in getting his players college scholarships. His crowning achievement was that every girl that played for him was offered a scholarship. Even the kids who didn’t play that much. He also helped girls from other teams get help. I heard him many times tell a girl that if she got good grades, respected her parents and played hard he would help her find a school." ¶

Guard Keesha Allen was one of those players. ¶

"Coach D was like a father figure to me," said Allen, who was an assistant coach under Diulus at Regina before being named head coach at Lake Ridge Academy. "I’ve known him since I was 13. I would never have gotten to where I am now without his help and influence. This is a very tough time." ¶

Because of his success, Diulus became recognized nationally. He was on a first-name basis with most of the nation’s top college coaches, including Tennessee’s Pat Summit. ¶

"My dad enriched the lives of countless young women through coaching basketball and his legacy of excellence will carry on for years to come," said his daughter, Michelle Moley, who coached alongside her father for years. "It was truly an honor to coach alongside him, but even a greater privilege to love him as a daughter. To those who truly know him best, my dad was so much more than a basketball coach." ¶

Five days after he was asked to resign as head coach at Trinity in 1998 he was hired as coach and athletic director at Regina and went on to win five state championships before the school closed in 2010. The program suffered a severe blow in its final season – just three months before the doors were closed — when the Ohio High School Athletic Association ruled it had used an ineligible player during a sectional tournament game. As a result, the OHSAA declared the game a forfeit, disqualifying the Royals from the tournament. They were heavy favorites to win a sixth state title. ¶

"Pat was a pioneer for girls basketball in Northeast Ohio," said Paul Barlow, head coach at rival Hathaway Brown. "I had a great deal of respect for him. Our teams had some great games and he did a great deal for many young women. He will be missed by the basketball world and all the people whose lives he touched." ¶

Calling hours are scheduled for Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fortuna Funeral Home on Brecksville Rd. A burial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Church of the Assumption in Broadview Heights. ¶

Carlos Santana is not only struggling at the plate, but he has tightness in his right side and back.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerCarlos Santana has been in a prolonged batting slump, and now is dealing with a sore back and ribs.

NEW YORK -- Slumping catcher Carlos Santana has been dealing with a sore right rib cage for the last several days. Things may have taken a turn for the worse Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

Santana, starting at DH, was lifted for pinch-hitting Lonnie Chisenhall in the ninth inning. After the 5-4 loss to the Yankees, manager Manny Acta said Santana's back tightened and forced him out of the game.

"Carlos has some mid-back tightness," said Acta. "Our medical people said he tested OK. We'll have to see how he is Thursday and how he react to the flight [to Baltimore]."

Santana has been getting treatment on his right side for the last several days.

"It just felt tight," said Santana. "But I think I'll be OK."

Santana said he felt the tightness in his last at-bat, a pop up to shortstop in the sixth inning.

Last year Santana was one of the Indians' main power sources, hitting 27 homers with 79 RBI despite a .239 batting average. This year he is hitting .229 minus the run production. He's hit just five homers with 29 RBI. In April, the Indians signed Santana to a five-year, $21 million deal.

Santana took an 0-for-3 Wednesday. He's hitting .162 (11-for-68) with five RBI in June after hitting .233 (21-for-90) in May. He has not homered in over a month (May 15). Acta said the Indians are trying to change Santana's mechanics at the plate. They went him to reduce the movement and leg kick in his stance.

"It's a process," said Acta.

Tough break: Casey Kotchman didn't know until after the game that he'd fractured Andy Pettitte's left fibula when he hit him with a line drive in the fifth inning. Pettitte had to leave the game and will be on the disabled list for at least six weeks.

"You never like to see any player leave the field for an injury," said Kotchman. "It stinks. I'm praying for a quick recovery for him, especially the human being he is."

Before the game, the Yankees put CC Sabathia on the disabled list with a strained left groin. Pettitte's injury leaves two holes in their rotation.

Waiver claim: The Indians claimed right-handed hitting Vinnie Rottino on outright waivers from the Mets on Wednesday. He has yet to be assigned to a team, but it won't be the big-league club.

Rottino, 32, spent time with the Mets and Class AAA Buffalo this year. He hit .182 (6-for-33) with a double, two homers and five homers in 18 games in two different tours with the Mets. He hit .307 (43-for-140) with 10 doubles, one triple, four homers and 25 RBI in 36 games at Buffalo. He played 27 games in left field, six in right and three at catcher for the Bisons.

Rottino was signed by Milwaukee as a non-drafted free agent in 2003. He has played 44 games in the big leagues with Milwaukee (2006-08), Florida (2011) and the Mets (2012).

The Indians added Rottino to the 40-man roster. Right-hander Chris Schwinden was designated for assignment to make room.

On the shuttle: Left-hander Scott Barnes was shaking hands with teammates after Wednesday's game. He reportedly was headed to Class AAA Columbus.

The Indians need a spot on the roster for Zach McAllister, who will join the Indians in Baltimore from Columbus to start against the Orioles on Thursday night. McAllister is taking Jeanmar Gomez's spot in the rotation.

Barnes, in his second tour with the Tribe, pitched 2 2/3 innings against the Yankees on Monday in a 7-1 loss. He allowed one run, walked one and struck out three.

"It was good," said Barnes after the outing. "I went to college at St. John and you're always hearing about the Yankees. It was nice to pitch against them."

Finally: Manager Mike Sarbaugh, Matt LaPorta, Cord Phelps and Russ Canzler were named to the International League All-Star team from Columbus. The game will be played at Buffalo on July 11. ... Andy LaRoche, hitting .234 at Columbus, was released. ... Michael Brantley went hitless (0-for-4) for just the third time in 33 games.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Ever since LeBron James left, the franchise has embraced making bold moves with its roster, so draft night should be interesting.

View full sizePD fileChris Grant has repeatedly displayed a willingness to take a chance when it comes to making deals, and Thursday night shouldn't be anything different, says Terry Pluto.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Will the Cavs make a deal?

Let's see, they are owned by Dan Gilbert. He also owns Quicken Loans and the Horseshoe Casino. Maybe, just maybe, he's a guy who likes to make deals?

That's why I think they'll make a major push to acquire the No. 2 pick from Charlotte, which is open to a trade. I've heard that the Cavs not only offered their two first-rounders (No. 4 and 24) and some other draft picks to New Orleans for the top pick, but they also offered to take on some expensive contracts from the Hornets. The deal was declined, but it shows the Cavs' state of mind -- target a draft pick and go for it.

No one is rated near Anthony Davis of Kentucky, which is why New Orleans has rejected all offers for the top pick. But it's a good guess the Cavs have someone set at No. 2 on their draft board -- probably Florida's Bradley Beal or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky. I expect them to use some of their other picks in hopes of moving from fourth to second to grab that player.

Consider that General Manager Chris Grant used Gilbert's bankroll to swing a deal that brought Baron Davis and eventual No. 1 draft pick Kyrie Irving to the Cavs. He traded Ramon Sessions to the Lakers for the 24th pick in this draft and Luke Walton (taking on salary cap money, as they did with Davis).

The only players left from when Grant became GM in the summer of 2010 are Anderson Varejao and Daniel Gibson. Of course, the rebuilding job was needed after LeBron James went to Miami as a free agent.

In an attempt to salvage something from James' departure, Grant added a second-round pick in this draft (No. 33), and they also have a future second-rounder. It's complicated, but the Cavs also have the rights to two Miami first-rounders between 2013 and 2017.

The point is that Grant has added four first rounders in his two seasons. He has added four second-rounders. He has overhauled the roster, attempting to get younger and rebuild through the draft. They have picks to trade and salary cap room to add contracts. That should add up to something surprising on draft night.

Just wondering

Former Cavs GM Danny Ferry now has the same job with Atlanta. He has been close to Grant -- his former assistant -- for years. Ferry has the No. 23 pick, so flopping picks makes no sense. But he supposedly wants to make a major deal involving players.

Could the Cavs end up as part of a 3-team deal to make that work? They have cap room to do it, and a relationship that already is in place to make something significant happen.

My guess for the Cavaliers...

1. I think they'll end up with Kidd-Gilchrist. Yes, there are major concerns about his jumper, but he did shoot 74 percent from the free-throw line, and attempted 4.8 per game. So he has a decent release and touch from 15 feet, and that means he has something to work with when improving his jumper.

2. I never bought into the supposed fascination with Harrison Barnes. That dates back into last year's draft, when Barnes considered coming out. But this season, Barnes had trouble getting off his own shot. Maybe I'm wrong and they will call his name on draft day, but I doubt it.

3. I do think they have moved back-and-forth between Kidd-Gilchrist and Beal. One of the remarkable parts of Beal's game is averaging 6.7 rebounds as a 6-4 guard in the SEC. Beal has to be very tempting.

About Fab Melo ...

1. ESPN.com and CNNSI both have the Cavs using their second pick in the first round on Melo, the 7-foot Syracuse center. He's a sophomore from Brazil who had some academic problems. He is huge and considered the second-best shot blocker in the draft behind Anthony Davis.

2. The Cavs would love to add a shot blocker, even a raw one. What bothers me about Melo is that he's a so-so rebounder -- 5.8 in 25.4 minutes. You want a guy getting close to a rebound every 3.0 minutes. He also is a poor defensive rebounder as he seldom blocks out. But he is a strong offensive rebounder.

3. Not much offense: 7.8 points. He shot 56 percent, but it's mostly dunks. He doesn't have many low-post moves. He's not awful (63 percent) at the foul line. Syracuse plays all zone, so he'd have to learn man-to-man.

4. I do think the Cavs will consider him because it's hard to find 7-footers who can do anything in this league, where Ryan Hollins keeps getting jobs. I've heard Melo compared to DeSagana Diop, who was the No. 8 pick in the 2001 draft. Just writing that last sentence gives me a headache.

5. My pick at No. 24 remains Andrew Nicholson, the forward from St. Bonaventure.

NBA Draft scribbles...

1. I hear the Cavs are interested in Jae Crowder in the second round. The 6-6, 240-pound small forward from Marquette averaged 17.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and shot 50 percent from the field, 74 percent at the foul line. He is not a great long-distance shooter (34 percent on 3-pointers), but he's the kind of tough, unselfish player who appeals to the Cavs.

2. I don't understand the fascination with Austin (son of Doc) Rivers. He shot only 43 percent. It was 66 percent at the foul line, 36 percent on 3-pointers in one year at Duke. He is athletic, but really needed to stay in school.

3. Just to review, Kyrie Irving shot 53 percent from the field, 46 percent on 3-pointers and 90 percent at the foul line at Duke. Rarely do you see numbers such as that from a freshman.

4. Some fans think I'm making too much about Andre Drummond shooting 29 percent from the foul line. I've covered every draft since 1985, and I don't recall any first-round pick being discussed with that stat. He can double it, and still be at 58 percent -- which is a liability. He also has zero post moves.

5. Taking a 7-footer such as Drummond or Melo late in the first round or the second round makes sense. But not in the top 20, because it will take years for these guys to figure it out.

6. I wouldn't be shocked if the Cavs worked a deal and came up with a pick in the 10-15 range for centers Tyler Zeller or Meyers Leonard. I like Zeller far more than Melo.

7. Not sure what to make of Terrence Ross as a last-minute workout with the Cavs. The shooting guard from Washington averaged 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds. He is projected as a 10-20 pick. He's a 46 percent shooter, 37 percent on 3-pointers. I like his rebounding performance. Like Beal, it shows aggressiveness and toughness. But he doesn't seem to drive well to the basket, scores more from jumpers or turnarounds in the low post. He also is not a good passer.

The college football four-team playoff system is the best compromise of many demands from many sources, according to MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher.

View full sizeBill Haber, Associated PressThe new college football playoff system is a good step forward from the current BCS model, which pitted Alabama and LSU in last season's title game, MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher says.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Given the chance to be entirely selfish, Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher would take the college football playoff system approved Tuesday even further.

Steinbrecher would love to see an eight- or 16-team playoff system.

Surely, the MAC would have its best opportunity at participating in a system expanded to that level. Unquestionably, the MAC would receive a large chunk of money through revenue sharing in that model.

"But I don't think that would be right for the student-athletes," Steinbrecher said. "It doesn't fit within the academic calendar we have, it doesn't fit within the current number of games we play in the regular season. You've got to match the fantasy with the reality."

The long-sought fantasy of college football playoffs became a reality Tuesday when a university presidential oversight committee approved a four-team playoff system that will begin with the 2014 season. The four teams will be chosen by a selection committee -- with the details of who constitutes that committee and how teams will be chosen still to be determined.

Steinbrecher was one of the 11 conference commissioners who met a handful of times since the BCS Championship game in January to come up with a system that might work for everyone.

In the same room, there were representatives from both behemoth conferences with long traditions of dominating the top of the national rankings, and smaller conferences who have long wanted a shot to compete in the big-stage games.

"This whole thing was kind of a fascinating process," Steinbrecher said. "There was an awful lot of give and take throughout the entire process."

The goal was to balance the desires of each conference, the hopes of college football fans who have clamored for a playoff system for years, various bowls that don't want to take financial hits in any championship rearrangement, and even universities that are against extending the college football season beyond one school semester.

And that's not even all of the interested parties.

"Not everybody got everything they wanted. That's just not possible," said Northern Illinois University President John G. Peters, the MAC university representative who voted Tuesday to accept playoffs. "But I think there's enough to satisfy a lot of people. From the perspective of the Mid-American Conference, the opportunity to compete for one of the six bowls involved in the new series and to share proportionately in any enhanced revenue distribution is exciting."

The details still to be hammered out -- including who will select teams for the playoffs and how they will be ranked and chosen -- will determine whether mid-level conferences such as the MAC will experience a palpable advantage with the playoff system.

At worst, Steinbrecher said Wednesday, the four-team playoff proposal is not a step backward.

"I was hopeful for as broad a pool [of games] as possible," Steinbrecher said. That's really what we ended up with. The positive is there's reasonable chances for MAC teams to play into those games if we take care of business on our side on the field."

If there's one thing fans can be sure of, it's that Grant and his staff will explore every option before making a decision.

View full sizeAP fileWill the Cavaliers be able to land the offensive wing they need in Florida's Bradley Beal (left), or will they choose the high-energy Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (right) as a fast-break partner for Kyrie Irving?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- By late Thursday night, all the questions will be answered, the rumors put to rest, the mock drafts mocked.

In a conference room at Cleveland Clinic Courts, sometime between 7 and 8 p.m., the Cavaliers will announce their first selection in the NBA Draft, a crucial piece in their effort to rebuild the team in the wake of LeBron James' departure in 2010.

Will they remain at No. 4, likely choosing between forwards Harrison Barnes of North Carolina and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky? Will they trade the Nos. 4 and 24 picks to Charlotte, as has been rumored, in order to select Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal at No. 2?

Or will they go off the board completely and surprise everyone like they did last year when they made Texas forward Tristan Thompson the fourth pick after taking Duke point guard Kyrie Irving at No. 1?

The Cavs, who also own the third and fourth picks in the second round, are not giving away any hints. General Manager Chris Grant prefers it that way, as did Danny Ferry before him. Last year not even Irving's agent, Jeff Wechsler, knew ahead of time that Irving was the Cavs' choice.

Grant believes that's the best way to keep all his options open. If there's one thing fans can be sure of, it's that Grant and his staff will explore every option before making a decision. It's one reason they're so adamant in acquiring as many assets as possible, such as that No. 24 pick in the trade that sent point guard Ramon Sessions to the Lakers. They give Grant more options as he tries to get his team back in contention for the playoffs.

Owner Dan Gilbert has promised no less.

But, as they did last year, the Cavs have tried to temper expectations. Even if they are fortunate enough to select another player who turns out to be anywhere near as good as Irving, they're still not sure they can make a serious run at the playoffs next season. It takes young players a while to develop, although Irving often made it look like he was a crafty veteran, not a 19-year-old rookie.

Can the Cavs do it again?

After New Orleans makes Kentucky power forward and shot-blocker extraordinaire Anthony Davis the No. 1 pick, Cleveland will be selecting from a group of four top-rated players -- Barnes, Kidd-Gilchrist, Beal and Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson. It's a high-stakes game of musical chairs for No. 2 Charlotte, No. 3 Washington and No. 4 Cleveland. All are good players of great character. All have some flaws. Any of the four would improve those teams, but which is the best fit?

For several years, one of the Cavs' stated goals was to add scoring and improve athletically on the wings -- small forward and shooting guard. That would seem to point to Barnes or Beal over Kidd-Gilchrist, who is more of a defensive stalwart. Robinson seems a less likely choice since the Cavs drafted Thompson last year.

But trying to predict what will happen is a tricky business. Charlotte holds the key. The Bobcats, the worst team in the league last season with a 7-59 record, are thought to prefer Robinson if they keep the pick. But with so many needs, they also have made it known they were willing to deal for additional selections, with the Cavs and Wizards among many other possible suitors.

The rumors and innuendo will reach a fever pitch as the clock approaches 7 p.m. Thursday. With so many things up in the air through the first four picks, it's all but impossible to do anything more than guess what the Cavs might do at Nos. 24, 33 and 34. Take a center? Or a power forward? Take a European player who likely will stay overseas next season? Use them in another trade?

Grant has many options. By Thursday midnight, fans will know which ones he exercised in order to move his team farther along the road to respectability.

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

The experience of competing in the Olympic Trials will be valuable as high school swimmers get a feel for where they stand among their peers and what they have to do to be successful in 2016.. Watch video

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, The Plain DealerFirestone state champion Katie Miller was happy with her performance at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., and plans to be back in four years with a much better chance to make the U.S. team.

OMAHA, Neb. -- Erik Risolvato Jr., hasn't given up on London. And Rio really should be on his mind.

As part of his mental training, Risolvato already has made the U.S. Swimming team and lived the Olympic experience. In the pool, the confident 18-year-old from Lima will take his best shot in the 50 freestyle on Saturday, where he's the No. 21 seed. In reality, he may be Ohio's best chance at swimming in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

"For me, I see this as a steppingstone," Risolvato said at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha this week, where he'll swim his first event, the 100 freestyle prelims, Thursday morning. "If I make the team, it'll be amazing. If I don't, I go train for four years, and then I could have another three, four Olympics. This is not my last show. It's my first one."

With 30-year-old two-time Olympian Mark Gangloff, an Akron Firestone grad, failing to make the team after finishing fifth in 100 breaststroke on Tuesday night, it's unlikely that a native Ohioan will swim in London. Ohio State's Tim Phillips, a West Virginia native who is the No. 3 seed in the 100 butterfly that starts Saturday, and former Buckeye Elliott Keefer, a Cincinnati native who is the No. 5 seed in the 200 breaststroke that starts today, are the most realistic contenders remaining with Ohio connections. The top two finishers in each event qualify for the Olympic team.

Looking ahead four years requires an examination of the current Ohio high schoolers in Omaha, and that starts with Risolvato, who finished first in one individual event and in two relays at the Division II state meet in February. He'll be a senior at Shawnee Hills High School in the fall.

He has established his reputation in the state, but this week he joked that no one knows who he is in Omaha, so he didn't need to grow a mustache to hide his identity like Olympic hero Michael Phelps did entering the week. These trials weren't even on Risolvato's mind before winning the 50 freestyle at the junior nationals last August in the time, 22.74 seconds, that qualified him for the trials. His drop in time, 1.4 seconds in a year, encouraged Risolvato to dedicate himself full-time to the sport to prepare for this, changing his diet, cutting out the Internet and limiting hanging out with friends

"I gave up the life of being a teenager, pretty much," Risolvato said.

Given that focus, and the fact that he's still young in the sport, only swimming full-time since eighth grade, Risolvato doesn't know what the result will be, which is why he's not ruling out another crazy one-second drop that could land him on the team.

More likely is setting up that next step. Phillips, for instance, finished 20th in three different events at the trials in 2008 as a 17-year-old and now is fighting for an Olympic trip.

Risolvato could build that foundation. Katie Miller, 17, who will be a senior at Akron Firestone in the fall, did that by taking 32nd in the 200 individual medley and 40th in the 400 individual medley here. She was laughing with joy after setting a personal best in the 200 IM Wednesday morning.

"I've been watching the finals and stuff like that. That's where I want to be," Miller said.

She already learned from her experience, changing her warm-up routine after she didn't swim as well as she wanted to in the 400 IM. Josh Fleagle, who will be an OSU freshman in the fall and already has been a member of the U.S. Junior national team, has his eyes and ears open as well.

A native of St. Marys, Ohio, who didn't swim in the state meet because he was home-schooled, Fleagle has a 100 freestyle time that would have won a state title. It also broke a 20-year-old state record held by Joe Hudepohl, a Cincinnati native who won relay gold medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Risolvato also broke Hudepohl's 20-year-old 50 freestyle state record.

"After this is over, I just plan on putting my head down and working straight through four years, and I plan on coming back in four years and making the Olympic team," Fleagle said. "I haven't tapped in to what I can do yet, so once I get this in my system and see how it goes and go off to college and get a solid four years in, I'll be around 22 next time and pretty primed to make it."

The Tribe closer is right about the Browns not having won a title since 1964. He's just overlooking the small detail that the Indians' last World Series victory was in 1948.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerWhen Chris Perez opens his mouth, you never quite know what's going to come out.

This is probably not a good time for Chris Perez to say he grew up with a picture on his wall of the '97 Marlins celebrating.

Chris Perez's opinions don't belong anywhere high on the list of what ails the Indians, but his timing is even more off-beat than it was the last time he tweaked the fan base.

Why bother talking about the peculiarities of the Cleveland sports fan while the team's own peccadilloes are so visibly on display?

Here's the deal people would gladly make with Perez:

You don't muse about why we support a Browns' team that doesn't win and hasn't won, and we won't mention that 1964 is more recent than 1948.

You wonder aloud why we can't get over LeBron James? If it makes you feel better, we're not over the trades of back-to-back Cy Young winners, either.

Leave our single-minded ability to hold a grudge out of the discussion. In return, we'll stop calling attention to your team's unhealthy obsession with left-handed hitters.

Stop scratching your head about why we watch games on TV and in bars but aren't knocking over the turnstiles at Progressive Field. And we won't mention Albert Belle's spot in the lineup occasionally belonging to Jose Lopez, designated for assignment on May 1 and the cleanup hitter three weeks later.

You don't mention our lack of passion at the gate and we won't make too much of Manny Acta's flat-lining in the dugout.

We'll try to understand you better, if you take a minute to understand that there's something we dislike even more than LeBron James.

LeBron James in a Yankees hat.

What Cleveland Fan saw from the Indians against the hated Yankees wasn't much. The only resistance in the first two games was Jack Hannahan arguing with umpire Mike DiMuro and getting tossed.

What Cleveland Fan heard from the Indians in New York was its closer tromping over old ground with New York writers while the season settled further into the sludge of mediocrity.

What else? The manager refusing to get the least bit worked up on behalf of Hannahan.

"Mike felt bad after he found out he missed the call," Acta said of DiMuro.

You want Billy Martin to argue calls for you. Instead you got Alan Alda?

After sweeping the Tigers in May, the Indians have gone 11-19. Their 37-37 record would put them in last place and nine games behind the Yankees in the AL East.

In the AL West, they'd be in third place and almost as far behind the Texas Rangers.

In other words, this is not the best time for any Indians player, even one as successful as Perez in 2012, to be talking about not showing up.

Or, certainly, about not getting excited over a first-place team.

SPINOFFS

•Before playing a single NBA game, Anthony Davis, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the draft, wants to cash in on the expressions "Fear the Brow" and "Raise the Brow."

Said Davis, "I don't want anyone to try to grow a unibrow because of me and then try to make money off it. Me and my family decided to trademark it because it's very unique."

Seriously?

Nobody likes hazing but if this one time it includes three veteran teammates and a pair of tweezers I can get behind it.

•Reds' closer Aroldis Chapman struck out Milwaukee's Martin Maldonado for the last out, then did two somersaults off the mound. His Reds' teammates were as upset with his showboating as the Brewers were.

But it was Martin Maldonado, after all.

•The best thing to happen to Chris Perez Tuesday? Aroldis Chapman.

•Every time a big deal is struck in pro sports, somebody says it's not about the money. It's pretty obvious the only reason university presidents okayed a four-team playoff in college football was because athletes promised to hit the books harder than ever.

•Michael Vick and Adam "Pacman" Jones, two guys who've had their share of issues, spoke to players at the NFL's rookie symposium about handling their lives off the field.

If you were part of the Browns' medical team and they asked you to talk about concussions, would you still feel flattered?

•You'd trade up for Bradley Beal if you think he's another Joe Dumars, who was one of the most underrated talents of the Michael Jordan era. If you think he's Ray Allen, that's nice, just not the same.

•This is the year the Indians answer the question: Is it possible to win a division while accumulating the run differential of the Bad News Bears?

•Umpire Mike DiMuro's blown call Tuesday on Jack Hannahan's foul fly ball is just more evidence of why baseball should expand replay. Give the manager's two challenges.

However much time replay requires is currently taken up by the manager arguing with the ump.

Unless the manager is Manny Acta.

•If the Indians say getting Roberto Hernandez, Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner back is like acquiring three players at the trade deadline, stick a dollar dog in each ear and don't listen to it.

•Today is the 15-year anniversary of Mike Tyson chomping on Evander Holyfield's ear. Twice. I still like my idea for renaming Tyson's one-man Broadway play "Book of Maiming" but for some reason Spike Lee hasn't bit.

•May was the 15-year anniversary of another biting incident involving a sports figure. Can you name the person and the incident?

The winner receives a MP3 of Marv Albert's signature "Yesssssss" calls.

•You know those commercials where the ball goes out of bounds in a mad scramble and the kid who last touched it admits to the ref it was off him? That kid was not Yankees' left fielder Dewayne Wise.

In fact, that kid would never make it any pro sport other than golf.

•Venus Williams after losing at Wimbledon: "I don't have time to be negative."

Move to Cleveland, Venus. We'll show you how to make time. It's not that hard.

•Chris Berman will do the second game of the opening "Monday Night Football" doubleheader along with former Browns' quarterback Trent Dilfer. I don't want to say Berman's commentary hasn't progressed over the years but I'm expecting the first touchdown call to start with "Yabba-dabba-do."

•Women's tennis officials are taking steps to eliminate excessive grunting during matches.

So sad that it's come to this. In my old house -- next door to the guy who worked on his race car in the driveway -- I used to count on women's tennis to drown out 15,000 rpm.

HE SAID WHAT?

"I got a good payday but I hate the book." -- author Buzz Bissinger, admitting he did LeBron James' "Shooting Stars" book for all the wrong reasons.

You might think this sums up how I feel about "Spin" except you'd be wrong about the good payday.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Midweek Edition)

"Bud: Remind me why NBA players fist bump after missing foul shots?" -- Tom Hoffner

Human nature. We do the same thing at the PD after leaving participles dangling.

"Hey Bud: Looking beyond LeBron's championship, can anyone seriously doubt Colt McCoy will some day win a Super Bowl with another team?" -- Ron

You mean a bookend to the one he'll win with the Steelers?

"Hey Bud: White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez apparently smoked a cigar in the dugout before a recent game. Have you ever 'lit one up' before you sat down to write your column?" -- Doug, Westlake

No. I wait for evidence that the PD actually printed the column first. Then I light up only after a double somersault.

"Bud: Do you think if you were at one of the big market papers in NYC or L.A. you could actually be dating Mila Kunis instead of writing about it?" -- Nate J, Brunswick

Not according to the terms of the restraining order.

"Hey Bud: Any chance that on top of the wind turbine at Progressive Field someone will add a giant half dome with a slot 12" wide by 3' deep running the diameter from edge to edge? That way it will look like a giant screw slowly turning." -- Patrick McGinty, Bay Village

And for some reason Chris Perez still thinks you people are tough to please.

"Bud: Now that LeBron James has won a championship, do you still wake up in the morning with the same problems you had the day before?" -- Chas K

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

"Bud: Are you organizing a 'cash mob' for the Indians when they return to Progressive Field?" -- SGT Major

Repeat winners get lost in the crowd.

Santana's career batting average is .238 and, even last season, he hasn't driven in runs like a middle-of-the-lineup hitter should. But, he's still just 26, and his career sample is still rather small.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerThe Indians need Carlos Santana to start driving in runs like a middle-of-the-order hitter should.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians catcher Carlos Santana was 0-for-3 in the Indians' 5-4 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday in New York, dropping his batting average to .220.

Santana was in the lineup as the designated hitter. Lonnie Chisenhall pinch-hit for him in the ninth inning. Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes, after the game, wrote about Santana, who has a sore right rib cage and, according to manager Manny Acta, some "mid-back tightness."

Santana also missed time earlier this season with a concussion, so the season has presented its share of challenges.

The switch-hitting Santana is still a young major leaguer, having turned 26 on April 8. He made his major league debut with the Indians on June 11, 2010, then suffered a major knee injury that Aug. 2, sidelining him for the rest of the season.

Santana's .220 BA this season is in 223 at bats, with 11 doubles, five home runs and 29 RBI. As a middle-of-the-order hitter, Santana's one homer per every 44.6 at bats and one RBI per every 7.69 at bats is not close to what the Indians need from him. His slugging percentage, for his customary batting order positions, is a poor .336.

Santana continues to draw walks at an above-average rate, with 42. That helps give him a somewhat respectable on-base percentage of .337. He has struck out 58 times, which projects to 143 in 550 at bats.

Last season, Santana hit just .239, but he compiled 35 doubles, two triples, 27 homers and 97 walks. His on-base (.351) and slugging (.457) percentages were solid.

Santana drove in 79 runs in 552 at bats last season. That one RBI per every 6.99 at bats was below average for a prime run-producing spot in the batting order. That's where Santana's relatively low batting averages can diminish his value, unless he's unusually productive with runners in scoring position, which he has not yet been. He's 13-of-54 (.241) with runners in scoring position this season, and 47-of-217 (.217) in his career.

Santana has a .238 career batting average with a .356 on-base percentage and .430 slugging percentage. Since the first 18 games of his big league career, when he had 20 hits in 58 at bats (.345), Santana has a .231 batting average.

In 925 career at bats, Santana has 59 doubles, two triples, 38 homers, 176 walks and 220 strikeouts. He has driven in 130 runs, meaning, certainly, that he has to improve on his rate of one RBI per every 7.12 at bats.

Santana is a young major leaguer with a rather small career sample. Assuming that his career isn't derailed by injuries and he remains a regular for the Indians or any other team, he should be in his prime for the next several years, at least.

Once Santana settles into his prime, what kind of seasons do you expect him to put together?

The Elyria naitve is contemplating trying to make the Olympic team in the long jump, which could give her a shot at competing in four events in London.

View full sizeTim Warsinskey, The Plain DealerTianna Madison talks to coach Rana Reider during an off day Wednesday at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugne, Ore.

EUGENE, Ore. -- Tianna Madison's next steps are twice as many, but she feels as though she already has arrived.

After qualifying for the London Olympics in the 100 meters last Saturday, Madison runs the 200 prelims today, and has not ruled out competing in the long jump, which begins Friday.

That means, potentially, Madison could attempt four events in London, including the 4x100 relay.

She declined to comment directly on the possibility of joining track royalty as a rare Olympic four-eventer. She instead reflected on a new life outlook that has sparked her remarkable comeback this year.

"The point of changing my life and living by honor, integrity and respect is that you don't have to limit yourself. There are no limits," she told The Plain Dealer after practice Wednesday, an off day for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Her coach, Rana Reider, admitted the four events in London is a possibility, but didn't give it much thought other than to say, "It would be historic."

The long-jump prelims begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, less than 30 minutes after the 200 semifinals. The 200 final is Saturday, and the long jump final is Sunday.

Not wanting to jeopardize Madison's chances in the 200, Reider might hold her out of the long jump.

"When you're running 10.90 [in the 100], the long jump is probably third behind the 200," he said. "We'll visit about it, but it's not high on my priority list."

Madison, 26, was the world long-jump champion as a 19-year-old in 2005, but since then has not competed at that level -- in any event -- until this year.

Madison joined up with Reider last September in Florida and re-emerged as a sprinter. She won a 60-meter bronze medal at the indoor world championships. She was second to Carmelita Jeter in the 100-meter final here.

The highly regarded Reider, who was the USA Track and Field's 2011 Coach of the Year, explains he revamped Madison's running style.

"I basically broke her down completely and taught her how to run the way I want her to run, and I didn't take into account the way she ran before at all," he said, adding that Madison was a quick study.

"She was able to have some success off the bat," he said. "From what she's done this year, she's made huge progress. She's made an honest effort to be the best."

The 200 features Jeter, trials 400 champ Sanya Richards-Ross and five-time U.S. champ Allyson Felix. Madison ran a personal-best 22.37 recently, which ranks her fifth in the world behind Richards-Ross, Kimberlyn Duncan, Felix and Jeter.

"If she runs like she's been running, I think she has a chance to make the team. If we run a [personal best], then we're in the mix," Reider said.

Madison was clear she's content, no matter what happens the rest of this week.

"I've already done all the work," she said. "I've already changed my life for the better. When I line up for that 200, it's not about winning. It's not about making the team.

"In that respect, there's going to be no disappointment no matter what the result is, what place, what time, because I know I would have done everything to get to that point. Nothing bad can come of the results of the 200 or the long jump. I'm just having fun and that's makes all the difference."

Work on the turn is crucial to success in the 200 meters.

View full sizeTim Warsinskey, The Plain DealerTianna Madison works out with coach Rana Reider on Wednesday.

TIANNA MADISON'S OLYMPIC JOURNEY

Olympic sprinter Tianna Madison of Elyria is blogging about her U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials experience, exclusively for The Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com. Madison, 26, qualified for the London Olympics when she placed second in the 100 meters at the Trials last Saturday. She competes in the 200 meters, which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and the long jump on Friday and Sunday.

A 2003 graduate of Elyria High School, Madison was the 2005 world long jump champion.

What I'm experiencing at the US Track and Field Olympic Trials:

Today was a partial rest day that included treatment, both chiropractic alignments and deep massage and facia work on my hips and legs.

As you can probably tell, my writing is different. More straight to the point. What's happening here is I am starting to feel the intensity and focus build for tomorrow (Thursday). I compete in my first qualifying round of 200 meter dash. Please note that I am trying to give you a completely honest assessment of what I'm actually going through. Hence the slight change in writing style.

We also entered the track today. Actual practice. We were inside the big stadium on the competition track.

We immediately got to work on what's called the pre-meet workout. It included strides again, stretching, and some quick footwork all in regular running shoes.

My coach (Rana Reider) threw in a new drill. It was a new jump exercise (plyometrics). He wanted to see how my hips were and legs were responding to the ground. OK, I need a little levity here: I asked him jokingly, "Did you just make that up?" No response ... typical coach non-comment. It was just enough to take the intense edge off of the practice.

So we spiked up. Put the racing shoes on and went to work. I felt absolutely fantastic after the two days of rest and we did some build-ups. These are short burst runs for technique. Each one getting faster.

After only a few of those, off to the curve (or what's know as the turn) we went. Remember, the 100 is straight. The 200 has a curve, or turn, followed by the straight. Also, these beautiful women I compete with are staggered in each lane, so that everyone runs the exact same distance.

The turn is a much different run than the straightaway. I must lean in hard, concentrate on my left (inside) leg, hug the line, tilt my head to the left and let it rip. I actually love the turn. I feel like I'm pretty good at it because it feels natural. The race can be won or lost here. It's physics, believe it or not.

In closing, I would like to thank you for the overwhelming support. As soon as I get the chance, you will hear from me (again).

Please say a prayer for not only me but for all the amazing women I will be competing against. The amount of work they have done to get here is staggering.

Say a prayer for good competition and no injuries for us all.

– Tianna Madison

Five Ohioans have a chance to make the Olympic team in the 3,000-meter event.

View full sizeCharlie Riedel, Associated PressOhio State grad Brian Olinger, left, and Miami (Ohio) grad Dan Huling, second from left, are among the five Ohioans with a shot at making the Olympic team in the steeplechase.

EUGENE, Ore. -- The Buckeye State. The birthplace of aviation and pro football. Home to eight presidents.

Ohio has many claims to fame.

Steeplechase is not high on that list, but in an odd twist of track-and-field fate, five of the nation s best at running 3,000 meters over hurdles and a water hazard have deep Ohio roots.

All five are in the running for Olympic berths in finals today (men) and Friday (women) at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials:

•Miami of Ohio grad Dan Huling is the top men s qualifier after Monday s prelims (8:29.00).

•Ohio State grad Brian Olinger qualified fifth (8:30.08).

•Ohio State redshirt senior Cory Leslie of Huron qualified ninth, a second behind Olinger.

•2008 Olympian Josh McAdams , a Brecksville-Broadview Height High grad who recently became a doctor of optometry, came in at 8:31.15, which was 10th-best.

•Hiram native Bridget Franek , who makes Hayward Field her home as a member of the Oregon Track Club Elite, qualified second among women (9:44.05), behind Emma Coburn (9:43.19).

•Huling, Olinger and Leslie train together in Columbus under the guidance of former Ohio State track coach Robert Gary , a two-time Olympic steeplechaser .

He takes the skill aspect of the steeple very seriously and really likes to coach the technical part. In my mind, he s the best steeplechase coach in the country, Olinger said.

Huling and Olinger feed off each other during workouts.

There are days where he s my equal and days where he might be better, Olinger said. We hold each other accountable and I think it makes us better athletes.

Olinger attempted the Olympic marathon trials in January, but didn t finish.

I joke that it s a love-hate relationship, Olinger said of the steeplechase. It is what I m most familiar with. I ve tried to leave the event a couple times and wound up back in it.

Just Ducky: Not running in the trials, but loving every minute of it is Strongsville grad Colby Alexander , a redshirt freshman for the University of Oregon s cross-country and track teams. He was seventh in the 1,500 at the Pac-12 championships (3:49.25) this spring.

He had a great season, Oregon coach Vin Lananna said.

Alexander said he turned down much bigger scholarship offers for the chance to run at Oregon, and after an injury-plagued redshirt year, he s glad he stuck it out.

You d pretty much be lying if you said it wasn t every runner s dream to run for the University of Oregon, he said. It was a dream of mine. It s reassuring I made the right decision, even if I didn t get that much money. My goal is to be able to run the Olympic Trials, the Olympics and to run professionally. This is definitely the right path.

Highlights include Indians at Baltimore and the NBA draft.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

5 p.m. UNOH 225 qualifying, Speed Channel

8 p.m. UNOH 225, Speed Channel

BASEBALL

7 p.m. LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS vs. West Michigan, AM/1330

7 p.m. Detroit at Tampa Bay, MLB Network

7 p.m. Chicago White Sox at N.Y. Yankees, WGN

7:05 p.m. AKRON AEROS vs. Erie, AM/1350

7:05 p.m. INDIANS at Baltimore, SportsTime Ohio; AM/1100 

EXTREME SPORTS

9 p.m. X Games, ESPN2 

GOLF

9 a.m. The Irish Open, Golf Channel

1 p.m. Senior Players Championship, Golf Channel

3 p.m. AT&T National, Golf Channel

6:30 p.m. United Leasing Championship (tape), Golf Channel 

GYMNASTICS

5:30 p.m. U.S. Olympic Trials, men, NBCSN 

NBA

7:30 p.m. Draft, ESPN 

SOCCER

2:30 p.m. Euro 2012 semifinal, Germany vs. Italy, ESPN 

SOFTBALL

7 p.m. World Cup pool play, United States vs. Puerto Rico, ESPN2

7:30 p.m. Youth, Sparkler Power Pool Championship, CBSSN

10 p.m. Youth, Sparklers/Fireworks All-American Game, CBSSN 

SWIMMING

4:30 p.m. U.S. Olympic Trials, qualifying heats (tape), NBCSN

8 p.m. U.S. Olympic Trials, finals, WKYC 

TENNIS

7 a.m. Wimbledon, early round, ESPN2 

TRACK AND FIELD

9 p.m. U.S. Olympic Trials, finals, NBCSN 

LF Nick Weglarz (.250) hit his 11th home run for the Aeros, but starter Steven Wright (6-5, 1.98) and reliever Loek Van Mil (2.00) combined to give up seven earned runs in seven innings for Akron.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Tides 3, Clippers 1

Starter Chris Seddon (7-5, 3.61 ERA) gave up one earned run in 7 2/3 innings, but host Columbus lost to Norfolk in an International League game Wednesday.

RF Ezequiel Carrera (.261) went 2-for-4 for the Clippers, and 2B Cord Phelps (.268) knocked in their only run.

Before going 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter on Wednesday, 1B Matt LaPorta had reached base in all 11 games he had played since getting optioned to Columbus on June 16.

AA Akron Aeros

SeaWolves 8, Aeros 5

Erie scored five runs in the sixth inning and held on to defeat host Akron in an Eastern League game.

LF Nick Weglarz (.250) hit his 11th home run for the Aeros, but starter Steven Wright (6-5, 1.98) and reliever Loek Van Mil (2.00) combined to give up seven earned runs in seven innings for Akron.

Entering the game, the Aeros had the best record in Class AA ball at 47-30.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Mudcats 4, Keys 2

Jordan Cooper (3-3, 3.99) pitched four strong innings in relief of Danny Salazar (3.00) to help host Carolina defeat Frederick in a Carolina League game.

3B Giovanny Urshela (.265) hit his fourth homer for the Mudcats. Grant Sides (0.00) got the final out for his second save.

A Lake County Captains

Dragons 10, Captains 3

Dayton scored nine runs in the third inning to rout visiting Lake County in a Midwest League game.

Captains starter Felix Sterling (3-7, 5.92) gave up nine runs (four earned) in 2 2/3 innings.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Crosscutters 2, Scrappers 1

Starter Robbie Aviles (4.00) pitched five strong innings and reliever Josh Martin (0-1, 2.25) struck out seven in four innings, but host Mahoning Valley fell to Williamsport in a New York-Penn League game.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 7, Rascals 1

Paul Fagan pitched a complete game as Lake Erie defeated River City in a Frontier League game at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon.

The Crushers (17-20) have won three in a row.

In today's rumor roundup: Who is Dion Waiters, OKC likes Bradley Beal, Houston makes another deal and some of the top prospects meet the media in New Jersey.

AP photoDo the Cavs like Dion Waiters more than they've let on? We'll see tonight.

Waiters in play: While speculation on who the Cavaliers may pick has centered around Bradley Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Harrison Barnes, Syrcause's Dion Waiters could be the surprise pick, ESPN's Andy Katz Tweeted on Wednesday. That would "shake up [the] lottery a bit," much like the Cavs' pick of Tristan Thompson at No. 4 did last year. Yahoo! Sports reports the Cavs' apparent growing fascination with Waiters comes despite not being able to get him in for a workout.

The Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer also heard from two sources Thursday the Cavs were targeting Waiters. Earlier she Tweeted, "Confirmed reports of Terrence Ross coming in to work out for ‪#Cavs‬. Also hearing Dion Waiters is rising. But No. 4 is too high for either."

OKC likes Beal: Bradley Beal in a Thunder uniform is a scary thought, but OKC GM Sam Presti could be trying to make it happen. Presti has made draft day deals 4 out of the last 5 years and could be looking to get into the top 3 tonight, NewsOK.com reported. The Thunder's bargaining chips: Sixth Man of the Year but NBA Finals no-show James Harden and the 28th pick.

Rockets make another deal: Houston continued to move around pieces and acquire assets in an apparent attempt to make a run at Dwight Howard. The Rockets traded center Samuel Dalembert and the 14th pick to Milwaukee in exchange for the 12th pick, Jon Brockman, Jon Leuer and Shaun Livingston, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported. The Rockets now own the No. 12, 16 and 18 picks.

Pau out in L.A.?: After trying to deal him for Chris Paul last year, the Lakers are reportedly shopping center Pau Gasol again. The Lakers are looking for a top 10 pick and an established veteran in exchange for Gasol, ESPN Chicago reported.

Mock Draft: Sporting News' Sean Deveney's latest mock draft has the Cavs taking Harrison Barnes at No. 4 and Feb Melo at No. 24.  

Video: Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, John Henson, Austin Rivers and Tyler Zeller spoke to the media in New York City on Wednesday ahead of Thursday night's NBA Draft in Newark, New Jersey.

Related stories from cleveland.com

• Live pick-by-pick coverage, webcast, and more during tonight's NBA Draft

• Cavaliers narrowing focus as NBA Draft approaches

• Terry Pluto: Cavaliers GM Chris Grant has wheeled and dealed, so why expect anything else on draft night? Terry Pluto

• Bill Livingston: The strange shrinking stature of Ohio State's Jared Sullinger

• Cavaliers' Anthony Parker retires after 9 years in NBA, 6 in Israel: Insider

• Charlotte GM Rich Cho says it will take "something enticing" for the Bobcats to trade the 2nd pick in Thursday's NBA draft

• Prospect profiles | Position reports: C | PF | SF | PG | SG

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"His real problem he is cannot make adjustments. When the count is 0-2/1-2, he is hitting around .160 with 35 strikeouts." - BigLeagueChewey

View full sizeScott Shaw/Plain DealerCarlos Santana has been struggling at the plate this season.

"His numbers are much worse from the right side - as they were in his 1st year. They flipped last year (except his power was not there, but his BA was much higher, 117 points higher).

This year he is back to the 1st year.

His real problem he is cannot make adjustments. When the count is 0-2/1-2, he is hitting around .160 with 35 strikeouts."