Don't worry about tiny Travis Benjamin and his 5-foot-10 frame as an NFL receiver. He says he's ready to play. Watch video

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer"There's not one player on the field that's not physical," says rookie receiver Travis Benjamin. "Every time, every play has contact. I'm used to it."

BEREA, Ohio -- Let it be known here and now that Travis Benjamin is more than just a speedy athlete.

The pint-sized, slight-framed, 5-10 Benjamin isn't exactly out to prove that he's more than a slippery rookie receiver for the Browns. Still, when called to play in a physical manner, Benjamin hasn't yet backed down from anyone in training camp.

He showed some grit again Wednesday as he battled cornerbacks and safeties to come up with any pass thrown his way -- including an end zone bullet from Colt McCoy that required him to fight rookie defensive back Emanuel Davis to catch the ball.

"Even though I might be small in size, I've been playing football ever since I've been young and mostly all of the guys are bigger than me," Benjamin said. "I've got to keep that mindset that I've got to play big."

So far, it's working. Benjamin has been playing well enough that coach Pat Shurmur has noticed him, saying the first-year player is earning field time by his performance.

"We knew he had the skill to be able to play in this league," Shurmur said. "I think if both [Benjamin and rookie receiver Josh Gordon] progress like they're doing, at the pace they're going now, they'll be major contributors."

Benjamin was the only receiver drafted by the team in April, before it picked up Gordon in the supplemental draft, and there were questions about whether he could compete at the NFL level. But the Miami product has been holding his own in training camp.

Part of that comes from off-season practice he had in Miami with fellow Hurricane products Andre Johnson and Santana Moss. Benjamin worked on sharpening his route running and preparing to catch the ball before he's even turned to face it.

But the physical part of the game, the part everyone worries about when glancing at Benjamin's skinny frame, is the part that has come naturally.

"That's all a part of football -- being physical," he said. "There's not one player on the field that's not physical. Every time, every play has contact. I'm used to it."

So don't worry about Benjamin. He's fine with the physical part of the game, and feels as if he and Gordon are ready contribute to a receiving corps searching for sure hands.

"It's very exciting knowing we can help Josh [Cribbs], knowing we can help Mohamed [Massaquoi], knowing we can help Greg Little," Benjamin said. "And with Trent [Richardson] back there running the ball, it's going to be a blast for us on offense this year."

Filling in for Phil: The Browns are still trying to come up with a rotation that might substitute for injured defensive tackle Phil Taylor, who is expected to miss much of the season with a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery in May.

So far, the Browns have come up with a patchwork system that includes rotating rookies Billy Winn and John Hughes with veterans John Paxson and Brian Schaefering.

"I would say on our roster, we're going to have to roll a few people in there," Shurmur said. "We're trying to find the right combination."

Linebackers impressive: Of all the positions at camp, Shurmur said he has been most impressed with the display of the linebacker group since the Browns began practicing in full pads.

"It's kind of all in a pile when we evaluate them," Shurmur said. "We say, 'Let's see how they do when you put the pads on.'"

Newcomers Emmanuel Acho and James-Michael Johnson have shown potential, but Shurmur said, "the list goes on and on of young linebackers. For the most part, that group has done a good job."

Injuries: Defensive lineman Frostee Rucker sat out Wednesday's practice with an undisclosed injury, but is not expected to miss much time. Shurmur also said tight end Evan Moore should be able to participate in training camp soon.

Sold out: The Browns announced Wednesday that home games against Philadelphia (Sept. 9), Buffalo (Sept. 23) and Pittsburgh (Nov. 25) are sold out on a single-game basis.

Single-game sales opened Wednesday and in addition to the sellouts, the Oct. 14 game against Cincinnati had fewer than 1,000 tickets remaining. Three-game ticket plans are still available.

The Ubaldo Jimenez trade was celebrated for its boldness but now even that is questionable, Bud Shaw writes in his Spin column.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerUbaldo Jimenez was supposed to be the sign that the Indians were serious about contending -- in 2011, and for the next couple of years after that. Today, that sign looks like a "Wrong Way" warning, says Bud Shaw.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When treading water gives you a sinking feeling...

Monday was the one-year anniversary of the Ubaldo Jimenez trade. Miss Manners says the appropriate gift for such an occasion is paper. In this case, the Indians have inadvertently asked for a "Dear John" letter from their fan base.

The worst move would've been to become sellers at the trade deadline a year after dealing their two top prospects to Colorado and declaring a two-year window open to them. They didn't do that. The second worst was doing nothing at the deadline after doing next to nothing over the winter and as little as possible with the signing of Johnny Damon.

The Jimenez trade became even more of a muddled statement when the Indians failed to add to the playoff chase again in 2012.

The rich teams can cover the mistakes they make in the free-wheeling signing of free agents. The poor teams bottom feed in free agency. That's not often a killer (or a huge help). What is a killer is missing on maximizing big trades (Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabathia).

Where does the Jimenez trade fit? Did it make them gun-shy this time around? Or just reduce the bait they had to make a deal?

You'd say it's not quite a complete disaster based on what pitchers Drew Pomeranz and Alex White have done in Colorado. But not having one or both of those prospects to either help a bad rotation or to bolster a pennant chase this season has contributed to the status quo heading into August.

A year later, Jimenez is part of an under-performing starting rotation that in the short term turns to Columbus (Corey Kluber) for resuscitation and in the longer term needs Roberto Hernandez to pitch like Fausto Carmona of 2007.

View full sizePD fileNot all of the Indians' woes in 2012 fall on Chris Antonetti (with manager Manny Acta), but it's clear that there weren't a lot of successful personnel decisions made since the end of the 2011 campaign.

Not everything falls on the head of GM Chris Antonetti. To say things didn't go according to plan is like saying Damon doesn't have a gun for an arm. Zach McAllister is the Indians' best pitcher. Michael Brantley is the cleanup hitter.

That's great news if you're the Columbus Clippers. Jose Lopez was the cleanup hitter, three weeks after he was designated for assignment.

By the time this trade deadline rolled around, the Indians had too many needs to fill and not enough trade pieces to fill them without giving up core players.

Some of that was under-performance. But Antonetti shares the blame for not landing Josh Willingham in the off-season and betting instead on Grady Sizemore. While he made the right kind of deal last year in obtaining Jimenez, all indications are it was for the wrong guy. The Jimenez trade only made sense if the front office and ownership agreed the playoff chase was on, even at the risk of deficit spending, through 2014.

Antonetti is dealing with legitimate constraints for sure. These windows of contention seem tighter fits as the years go by.

And there remains the issue of a fan base that seems ever closer to throwing open its own window and screaming that it's not going to take it anymore.

SPINOFFS

Eight Olympic badminton players were sent home from London for trying to lose to get a better draw in the next round. They let the shuttlecock fall in front of them. They deliberately served it out of bounds.

Presumably because they thought wearing flip flops and holding a beer cozy would look too obvious. ...

View full sizeAP fileWhen it comes to all-time greatest Olympians, Bud Shaw would prefer a high-flying Carl Lewis -- or Jesse Owens, for that matter -- over Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps winning his 19th medal doesn't make him the greatest Olympian in history. It makes him the winningest Olympian in history.

Remember when British decathlete Daley Thompson won the gold in 1984 and wore a T-shirt questioning Carl Lewis' sexuality to the post-event press conference? It read, "Is the world's second greatest athlete gay?"

Lewis would rank ahead of Phelps in my book, as would Jesse Owens. I don't care about anyone's sexuality. I'm just pretty sure the world's greatest Olympian isn't a swimmer. ...

With baseball and softball gone from the Olympics, any sport routinely played at a picnic should also be under consideration for expulsion. I know that's not what officials with the U.S. Cornhole and Jarts Association wants to hear. ...

The worst Olympic sport since doubles luge: synchronized diving. Whatever the arguments on its behalf, they stall on one critical cross-examination question: Why stop at two? ...

Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen was asked about the doping suspicions following her after she swam much faster than her previous personal best -- including swimming her final 50 in the 400 IM faster than U.S. men's star Ryan Lochte did in his event.

"It's a little unfair," she said, in what has to be the strongest denial since Jerry Sandusky agreed to that interview with Bob Costas. ...

NBC paid $1.18 billion for the TV rights. And critics want them to put the Games on live at noon? Spoiler alert: That's not going to happen...

I fully expect that when I die I'll see a white light drawing me to heaven and hear a continuous loop of ESPN analysts discussing the dynamics of a Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow quarterback tandem coming from the opposite direction. ...

Players at the New Orleans' Saints practice facility walked in to find a 30 x 30 banner of suspended coach Sean Payton looking agitated. The message: "Do Your Job."

That's a change from last year's picture of Dog The Bounty Hunter. ...

Lars Anderson, the Tribe's newest acquisition is said to have "plate discipline and gap power." What were the chances it would be left-handed gap power? ...

If you can get interested -- let alone excited -- watching the U.S. men's Olympic basketball play Tunisia, you probably swat flies with a wrecking ball. ...

So if the Chicago Cubs were willing to pick up so much of Alfonso Soriano's salary as everyone kept saying, why didn't any team take him? ...

Braylon Edwards, coming off his poorest season, signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Not sure if he has a "Seattle essence" or if that's Eau de Desperation we smell on him at this point of his career. ...

Bovada is supplying new World Series odds to reflect the deals made at the trade deadline. The Indians are now listed at 75-1, same as the Phillies -- who are 15 1/2 games out of first and just traded Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino.

And, as Charlie Manuel would say, things of that sort. ...

HE SAID IT

"They need to change this now. People who are watching right now will be turning off in droves and losing even more interest." -- John McEnroe, not on the Indians' season but instead on Olympic badminton teams throwing games to improve their draws in the next round.

YOU SAID IT

(The Expanded Midweek Edition)

"Hey Bud:

"Ubaldo Jimenez said that the trade rumors were unnerving last year. Did you find it unnerving having Shaw's Spin banished to page C10 on Sunday?" -- Doug, Westlake

I'm just happy when I wake up and it hasn't been optioned to the Columbus Dispatch.

"Hey Bud:

"What if the Indians spent a lot to get a really good free agent in the off-season? What if we spent the money to keep really good players from leaving? What if we signed players who are not injured?" -- Amy, University Heights

As if.

"Bud:

"Is 'Lars' Norwegian for 'Can't Hit Curveball'?" -- Jim Corrigan

That's a common error in translation. It's actually Norwegian for Matt.

"Bud:

"If a Browns player becomes disoriented after scoring a touchdown, can that be called a Happy Daze?" -- James D, Richmond Heights

What's this "touchdown" thing you speak of?

"Hey Bud:

"With the great response you've received, have you ever thought of going big time with an Awards Program like The Spinnies?" -- Russ

No. I would need to rent out an appropriately-sized venue and you just can't find a telephone booth these days.

"Bud:

"Did I read correctly? The Indians traded a comedian to the Red Sox for the Metallica drummer?" -- Tom Goodsite, Kirksville, Mo.

First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.

"Dear Bud:

"Was it Abraham Lincoln who said, 'Better to remain trade-less and be thought a fool than to make a trade and remove all doubt'?" -- Vince G., Cincinnati

Repeat winners get a T-shirt in four score and seven years.

"Bud:

"I thought they took the slides out of Progressive Field?" -- Peggy Good

Repeat winners get snowed.

On Twitter: @budshaw

The Indians fell to 0-5 on this nine-game trip with a 5-2 loss to Kansas City on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Kent State grad Nate Reinking never saw this Olympic opportunity coming, but when it did he focused on the chance to play for Great Britain's basketball team in London. Watch video

LONDON – Making the Olympic team as a 38-year-old for another country? Nate Reinking never could have planned that.

Instead, the Galion native and 1997 Kent State grad, who scored more than 1,400 points with the Golden Flashes, somehow stumbled into this role as the veteran shooter of Great Britain's Olympic basketball team. The Brits lost their first two games of the Olympics and play 2-0 Spain today at 3 p.m. EST in a game crucial to the host country's chances of advancing out of pool play.

Reinking spoke with the Plain Dealer outside the Olympic Village before play started and tried to explain how he got here.

REINKING: “This is beyond my wildest dreams. I finished at Kent State and I wanted to play pro ball. I didn't have the opportunity to get to the NBA. So I took my first chance over here in England. It was my first job and it's just one of those things. After the first couple years I was like maybe five years and I'll shut it down, and then one year kept going into the next.”

Reinking has played in Europe for 16 seasons, nine of them in England, most recently in Sheffield. The turning point was playing for Chris Finch in Belgium and then Germany, who in 2006 became the coach of Great Britain's national team. By then, Reinking had dual citizenship, which also made him more valuable to European pro teams. He got it by how long he'd played in Great Britain. The chance at the Olympics kept him coming back.

REINKING: “This is the only thing that has kept me going. I love to play, but I also miss home. So I always debated that. You're overseas playing and doing what you love, but there's always a piece of you still sitting in Ohio with your family and friends.

“My life has been over here. My wife is from England. But I mean, it's still not home. You make it your home, and now being part of the national team it's more a part of who you are. But where you're from is always a special place.”

Reinking has no trace of a British accent. His wife of eight years, Nikki, is prepared to move back to the United States after the Games, when he may be ready to hang it up. Reinking would like to get into college coaching.

REINKING: “I could keep playing and I love to play, but I just look at this as the pinnacle. I'm not going to get an NBA contract, so this is the pinnacle for my career, so ending on that would top it off.

“Right now the plan is to go back to Ohio, take a long vacation somewhere, got to some football games and basketball games and kind of hang out.”

For the Games, is this an American playing for Great Britain, or a Brit with roots in the United States?

“I wouldn't define it, I wouldn't define myself. I just know both places are special to me, and I'll give my heart for this country during these Games. But I was born and raised in the States and that's going to be special, too.

“I don't know if it's going to sink in until I'm maybe siting on my parents' porch in Ohio and thinking about it. It's a surreal experience, sitting on our balcony overlooking the Olympic Stadium. People at home say you're living the dream, and they don't see what it takes to stay over here and all the sacrifices. But when I sit back after all this is over, you experience so much that your world view is indescribable compared to growing up in a small town in Ohio.”

Olympic tennis at Wimbledon is a tournament for the people. It is NOT Wimbledon. It just happens to be AT Wimbledon.

Maria Sharapova of Russia pulls her ponytail as she plays against Sabine Lisicki of Germany at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, in London, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

LONDON – The champagne on the concession stand bar menu for 47.50 pounds and up (the most expensive of the four available brands is 75 pounds) may say otherwise, but Olympic tennis at Wimbledon is a tournament for the people.

It is NOT Wimbledon. It just happens to be AT Wimbledon.

"Less stuffy," said British fan Paul Akrill, there with his wife and three children.

The children themselves were proof of that. Young kids were everywhere Wednesday at the world's most hallowed tennis grounds, when they're typically not part of the strawberries and cream scene. (The strawberries and cream were still available, by the way.) The Akrills were shocked and pleased that the ticket for 2-year-old Henry was just 2 pounds and he was allowed anywhere. Wimbledon lets the youngsters on the ground, but those 5-and-under are kept out of the feature courts.

"He's more interested in the chips," Cathryn Akrill said, "but we want to be able to tell him when he's older that he was at Wimbledon at the Olympics."

It may be hard to prove it. The Wimbledon Shoppe was taken over by Olympics gear, and there was not a single item – T-shirt, towel, keychain, pin, potholder – that had both the words Olympics and Wimbledon on it. That can't be an accident.

"Wimbledon is more formal. The Olympics are more chill," said an employee. "I don't think they want to be associated with that."

Chill may have been an understatement. As players spoke to reporters after their matches on a landing a story above the grounds, fans shouted congrats and encouragement. Players said that never happens at Wimbledon.

There were purple Olympic banners everywhere. A lot of purple. Bright purple. Wimbledon is all green.

The brass band that typically provides Wimbledon music around the grounds was absent, replaced at times by the same rock and pop on the speakers that the Olympics is playing everywhere. And both Roger Federer and Great Britain's Andy Murray talked of how quickly the fans started the wave this week. It takes a lot more at Wimbledon. Serena Williams earlier called the scene "bananas."

Not only is there a different set of people, there are thousands fewer of them. Empty seats have been an issue throughout the Games, and it held true at Wimbledon. Federer, Williams and her sister Venus, Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic and Lleyton Hewitt account for 20 Wimbledon singles titles, and all of them were in singles action Wednesday.

Yet there were empty seats for Federer at Centre Court, while on Court 2, Venus Williams lost 7-6, 7-6 before seats that were half-empty, in front of a bakery stand selling traditional cornish pastries that was preparing to close early for a lack of customers. Employees there were expecting to be shipped to other venues for the rest of the Games.

Cathryn Akrill said her family was shocked to get a table to themselves in a cafe that her parents, who attend Wimbledon every year, have never been able to get in to. Officials have said they'll address the empty seats, but on this day, those inside were disappointed with who wasn't there. Not at who was there.

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot to Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, in London, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Wimbledon fans are tennis fans. Olympics tennis fans are sometimes tennis fans – three guys in Swiss T-shirts said they got their seats to come watch Federer a year ago – but are often Olympic fans that applied for tickets to anything and just happened to win the Wimbledon lottery.

So Murray's Mound, the hill in front of the giant video screen dubbed for Britain's best tennis hope, wasn't nearly as crowded as usual. And on the screen, players wore the bright colors of their nation, not limited this time by Wimbledon's rules of white.

Wimbledon's rules help make it what it is – one of the most stories sporting events in the world. A break just this once is just fine.

The winners may very well be the same they were for Wimbledon, with seven-time champ Federer losing in doubles but advancing to the quarterfinals on the men's side, as did Djokovic and Murray. Five-time champ Serena Williams said after her 6-1, 6-0 destruction of Russia's Vera Zvonareva that she's ahead of where she was a month ago.

"I played better than any match I played at Wimbledon," Williams said. "I was just playing unbelievable. I felt like I'm here to have fun, there's nothing to lose, there's no pressure on myself."

With this crowd at this tournament, she fits right in.

Highlights include extensive Olympics coverage, Indians at Kansas City and first-round play at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational from Akron.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

BASEBALL

Noon AKRON AEROS at Portland, AM/1350

7 p.m. LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS at West Michigan, AM/1330

7 p.m. Philadelphia at Washington, MLB Network

8:10 p.m. CLEVELAND INDIANS at Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio; AM/1100

GOLF

11:30 a.m. Cox Classic, Golf Channel

2 p.m. WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Golf Channel

6:30 p.m. Reno-Tahoe Open, Golf Channel

3 a.m. Boxing, CNBC

4 a.m. Men's basketball, France vs. Lithuania, NBCSN

5:30 a.m. Women's field hockey, U.S. vs. Australia, NBCSN

7 a.m. Tennis, Bravo

7:15 a.m. Men's volleyball, Serbia vs. Germany, NBCSN

8:45 a.m. Men's beach volleyball, NBCSN

9 a.m. Swimming; men's basketball; men's volleyball;

boxing; tennis; beach volleyball (tape), Telemundo

9 a.m. Men's water polo, Montenegro vs. Serbia;

Romania vs. Hungary, MSNBC

9:35 a.m. Women's field hockey,

China vs. Netherlands, NBCSN

10 a.m. Swimming, WKYC

10:15 a.m. Canoe/Kayak, WKYC

10:30 a.m. Women's beach volleyball, NBCSN

10:30 a.m. Swimming, WKYC

11:30 a.m. Women's beach volleyball, WKYC

11:30 a.m. Men's basketball, Brazil vs. Russia, NBCSN

11:45 a.m. Men's volleyball, Poland vs. Argentina, MSNBC

12:30 p.m. Swimming, WKYC

12:45 p.m. Cycling, WKYC

1:20 p.m. Men's water polo, U.S. vs. Britain, WKYC

1:30 p.m. Equestrian, MSNBC

1:30 p.m. Table tennis, NBCSN

2:20 p.m. Rowing, WKYC

2:20 p.m. Archery, NBCSN

2:30 p.m. Men's handball, Serbia vs. Denmark, MSNBC

3 p.m. Men's volleyball, U.S. vs. Brazil, WKYC

3 p.m. Boxing, NBCSN

4 p.m. Badminton, MSNBC

4:45 p.m. Shooting, NBCSN

5 p.m. Men's handball, Sweden vs. Israel, MSNBC

5 p.m. Boxing, CNBC

5:15 p.m. Men's basketball, U.S. vs. Nigeria, NBCSN

7:15 p.m. Events TBA, NBCSN

8 p.m. Women's gymnastics, all-around final;

swimming finals: men's 200 back; men's 200IM relay,

women's 200 breast, women's 100m free;

men's beach volleyball, U.S. vs. Czech Rep.;

rowing, women's eights final (tape), WKYC

Midnight Women's gymnastics; swimming (tape), Telemundo

12:35 a.m. Women's canoeing; men's table tennis; (tape), WKYC

SOCCER

10:30 p.m. Real Madrid at Los Angeles Galaxy, ESPN2

There's another Cleveland connection today in the form of boxer Terrell Gausha, whose second fight is this afternoon. Watch video

Fishing isn't an Olympic sport, but it should be. I'd be there every day.

Next best thing is whitewater kayaking and canoeing, and I'm there today having as much fun as I can without getting in a boat.

Naturally, I found a Cleveland connection in the form of Earl Dawson, whose mum had a pen pal from Cleveland after World War II. Earl was fishing and watch what happens at the end of the video.

There's another Cleveland connection today in the form of boxer Terrell Gausha, whose second fight is this afternoon. He faces Vinjender Singh, an Indian television and movie star.

Middletown judo fighter Kayla Harrison's Olympics is today.

The second Ryan Lochte-Michael Phelps duel in the pool is today in the 200 IM, and Missy Franklin has a backstroke final. Those are the big fish in that water. Catch the outcome later on www.cleveland.com/olympics.

Cleveland’s Terrell Gausha, right, is back in the ring for his second Olympic fight against Vijender Singh, who is a mainstream media star in India.

AP PhotoCleveland’s Terrell Gausha, right, is back in the ring for his second Olympic fight against Vijender Singh, who is a mainstream media star in India.

Cleveland’s Terrell Gausha, right, is back in the ring for his second Olympic fight against Vijender Singh, who is a mainstream media star in India. They meet in a block of fights that begin at 3:30 p.m. Gausha’s fight should appear during CNBC’s boxing coverage between 5 and 8 p.m., or it could be shown live on NBC.

U.S. gymnasts in finals

Jordyn Wieber was left in tears when she didn’t qualify for the gymnastics all-around ompetition.

Now, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas chase medals, while Wieber watches. The event begins at 11:30 a.m., with coverage on NBC in prime time. Russia’s Victoria Komova was the top qualifier.

Harrison chases gold

Middletown native Kayla Harrison isamedal favorite in the 172-pound weight class, with the day beginning at 4:30 a.m. and the gold-medal match at 11 a.m. MSNBC offers a block of judo coverage at 4:30 p.m.

Lochte-Phelps finale

Ryan Lochte won the first showdown in the 400 IM, and now Michael Phelps dives back into the pool with him for the 200 IM. The coverage will be shown in prime time, but the race goes off at 3:19 p.m.

Also see: Aug. 2 television schedule

Crushers also win, 5-4, over Rockford.

Clippers idle

Columbus returns to action today against the Tides at Norfolk, Va., in International League play.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 5, Sea Dogs 3

Akron opened the fourth inning with six straight singles en route to scoring five runs in the frame, and RHP Paolo Espino (6-2, 3.13 ERA) struck out 11 in six innings to lift the Aeros at Portland, Maine, in Eastern League play Wednesday.

1B Adam Abraham (.257), SS Juan Diaz (.260) and DH Nick Weglarz (.240) all drove in one run with bases-loaded singles, and two more scored on ground outs.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Mudcats 5, Pelicans 0

LHP Mike Rayl (7-8, 4.35) allowed four hits and one walk over seven innings and struck out two as host Carolina toppled Myrtle Beach (S.C.) in Carolina League play in Zebulon, N.C.

RHPs Kyle Blair and Grant Sides each went an inning to complete the shutout.

SS Ronny Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with two RBI and scored once. DH Todd Hankins (.250) hit his first homer of the season.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 7, Whitecaps 2

2B Jose Ramirez (.338) went 4-for-4, including a triple, and scored twice to help power visiting Lake County over West Michigan in Midwest League play in Comstock Park, Mich.

SS Francisco Lindor (.269) was 3-for-5, scored twice and drove in one. 1B Jerrud Sabourin (.302) had a double and three RBI.

LHP Elvis Araujo (5.9, 5.06) threw five innings for the win, allowing five hits and walking five while giving up two runs, one earned.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 6, Lake Monsters 1

C Charlie Valerio (.295) had three hits, including a two-run homer and a double, and scored three times as Mahoning Valley beat Vermont in New York-Penn League play in Burlington, Vt.

LHP Geoffrey Davenport (1-2, 4.08) got the win in relief of RHP Jacob Lee, allowing two hits and one walk in four innings while striking out three.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 5, RiverHawks 4

Daniel Bowman’s two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning capped Lake Erie’s come-from-behind victory over Rockford (Ill.) in Frontier League play in Avon. The Crushers scored four times in the ninth for their fifth walk-off victory in their past eight games.

The Indians designated veteran right-hander Derek Lowe for assignment after Wednesday's game to make room for rookie Corey Kluber.

View full sizeOrlin Wagner, Associated PressTuesday's short performance appears to be the last for Derek Lowe as an Indian.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Time ran out on struggling right-hander Derek Lowe. The Indians designated him for assignment after Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium.

Lowe, 39, was dropped to make room for rookie right-hander Corey Kluber, who will face face Kansas City on Thursday night in his first big-league start. Lowe used to be one of the best closers in the American League, but the Indians decided against putting him in the pen — which is getting overcrowded with starters.

The Indians have already put starter Josh Tomlin in the pen to make room for Kluber. When asked if Tomlin could be optioned to Class AAA Columbus so he could continue to start, while Lowe takes his spot in the bullpen, Acta said Tomlin will stay in the pen for the rest of the year.

"There would have to be an emergency for Tomlin to start again," said Acta.

Lowe could have taken rookie Cody Allen's spot in the pen, but the Indians didn't want to carry two long relievers.

With Lowe is no longer in the picture, the Indians' next starter will come from among Jeanmar Gomez (4-2, 3.54), David Huff (5-5, 5.15) or Chris Seddon (11-5, 3.44). They are all currently at Columbus. If the Indians went that route, they would need a pitcher for two starts before Roberto Hernandez's three-week suspension ends Aug. 10. Hernandez could then join the rotation.

Lowe (8-10, 5.52) lost his last four starts. He opened the season at 6-1, but went 2-8 with a 8.28 ERA in his last 13 outings. In the second half last season with Atlanta, Lowe went 4-10 with a 6.20 ERA.

He allowed 204 base runners (156 hits, 45 walks, three hit by pitches) in 119 innings.

The Indians acquired Lowe from Atlanta for on Oct. 31 for minor-league reliever Chris Jones. They are paying $5 million of his $15 million salary this year.

Life in the pen: Tomlin said he was told Tuesday of his changed status.

"I'm disappointed, but I haven't pitched up to the team's expectations or mine," he said, carrying a 5-8 record with 5.81 ERA.

The Indians have always thought Tomlin, who won 12 games in the rotation last year, could move into the pen if he struggled. He pitched in relief in the minors.

New guy: Kluber (11-7, 3.59 ERA) has struck out 128 in 125 1/3 innings at Columbus.

"They're very happy with the way he's been attacking the strike zone, especially with his fastball," said Acta. "Last year, pitching ahead with his fastball was a bit of an issue. He's been using a two-seam fastball that has helped him a lot."

Acta said Kluber is going to get a "legitimate" opportunity in the rotation.

Paternity list: The Indians placed DH Travis Hafner on the paternity list. He returned to Cleveland, where his wife, Amy, gave birth to an eight-pound boy Wednesday. Vinny Rottino was recalled from Columbus to take Hafner's spot on the roster. Hafner can stay on the paternity list for up to three days.

Rottino, 32, was claimed on waivers from the Mets on June 27. Rottino, a right-handed hitter, was hitting .299 (35-for-117) with nine doubles, one triple, four homers and 32 RBI in 30 games at Columbus. He played 14 games in the outfield, eight at first base and one at catcher. Rottino was 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts.

Acta said he'll start Thursday against left-hander Bruce Chen.

"We'll probably throw Vinny out there and see what he can do," said Acta. "He played very well at Columbus. He's got a lot of energy."

Overall, Rottino is hitting .304 (78-for-257) with 19 doubles, two triples, eight homers and 57 RBI in 66 games at Triple-A Columbus and Buffalo. This is his third trip to the big leagues this year. The first two were with the Mets in May and June where he hit .192 (6-for-33) with a double, two homers and five RBI in 18 games.

Finally: Former Indian Jeremy Guthrie was scheduled to face his old club Thursday, but the Royals switched to Chen. The Tribe is 10-22 against left-handed starters and 1-6 against Chen since 2010.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

HUDSON, O. - Hudson's 5-11 senior forward Hannah Boesinger recently gave Youngstown State her oral commitment.  Boesinger, who averaged 14.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 2.1 assists and 1.6 blocks last season, also had offers from Ursuline and Maryville.

HUDSON, O. - Hudson's 5-11 senior forward Hannah Boesinger recently gave Youngstown State her oral commitment.

 Boesinger, who averaged 14.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 2.1 assists and 1.6 blocks last season, also had offers from Ursuline and Maryville.

 "I feel real good about how the Youngstown coaching staff is turning the program around and it's only 50-60 minutes from home,'' said Boesinger.

"They also have a very good pre-pharmacy program and that's what I want to go into.''

Money from coin sales would be used to expand the Hall of Fame's collection of football memorabilia, and fund its educational programs.

Sabrina Eaton/The Plain DealerWadsworth Republican Rep. Jim Renacci and former San Diego Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow - now the athletic director at Ohio's Central State University - pitch the need to issue commemorative coins to benefit Canton's Pro Football Hall of Fame

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted a bill authored by Wadsworth GOP Rep. Jim Renacci that would allow the U.S. Mint to issue commemorative coins whose sales would benefit the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum in Canton.

If it becomes law, the legislation would permit the Treasury Department to issue up to 50,000 $5 gold goins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half dollar coins to honor the facility's 50th anniversary. Renacci's office says minting the coins won't cost taxpayers a cent because some of the sale proceeds would cover production costs.

Renacci said the Hall of Fame would use the money to expand its collection of football artifacts and "also allow the Hall to continue its many and varied programs that benefit children and our community."

The measure - which passed the House on a non-controversial voice vote - must still pass the U.S. Senate before it becomes law. It is currently pending before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Ohio native Kayla Harrison won a gold in Judo at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games Thursday.

Only two male Team USA boxers out of nine remain in London.

Doug LesmerisesCleveland middleweight Terrell Gausha after losing a close fight at the Olympics on Thursday.

Updated with Atlas quote at 6:25 p.m.

LONDON – Cleveland native Terrell Gausha lost, 16-15, to India's one-name boxing star Vijender in a second-round middleweight fight at the Olympics Thursday.

Gausha trailed, 4-3, after the first round, with the second round tied at 5 and the third round tied at 7. Friends and family were frustrated with the referee's decision to step in with a reminder for Gausha to keep his hands up late in the third round when he appeared to be ready to continue a combination. His coaches felt he executed the gameplan they wanted and should have been awarded a close win.

NBC analyst Teddy Atlas thought Gausha gave away the first round, but then clearly won rounds two and three, and he thought the decision was terrible.

"I thought (Gausha) was another casualty of this inept, corrupt thing we call Olympic boxing," Atlas told the Plain Dealer.

But a smiling Gausha, who bowed to the crowd after his defeat, showed no bitterness and didn't linger on the fact that his Olympics are over.

“I gave it everything,” he said. “I did everything they told me to do. I think it was working for me, but unfortunately I didn't get the decision. But that's nothing to hold my head down about.”

As he waited for the decision, Gausha pumped his left fist in the air to a crowd that had been backing Vijender most of the fight, with the chants of “India” outnumbering the counters of “U.S.A.”

“I knew it was a close fight, but I was hoping I got the nod,” Gausha said. “I didn't feel bad because I knew I did everything I could, and the world was watching.”

Gausha was the aggressor through most of the fight, setting up his right hand behind his jab again and again. Vijender countered with several successful combinations, and the two weren't afraid to stand in the middle of the ring and trade punches.

The second round, scored as a tie, was the one in which Gausha from the outside appeared to have an advantage, but again he just shrugged his shoulders. Though his mother and sister, dressed in Gausha T-shirts, were upset by the decision, Gausha said he wants to go back to Cleveland and then take his daughter to Disney World. He'll do it with no regrets.

Only two of the nine Team USA male boxers remain in the Olympics. Cincinnati's Rau'shee Warren, the best medal hope coming in, had a bye in the first round and fights for the first time Friday.

Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren talked with the media following the afternoon walk through by the players. Holmgren spoke about the sale of the team to Tennessee businessman Jimmy Haslam III, whom he will meet for the first time tomorrow. Watch video

The ownership change adds even more sizzle to a fan base already excited about the Browns. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- They can't wait.

That's what you feel when at Browns training camp. The fans can't wait to see rookie Brandon Weeden play quarterback in something resembling a real NFL game. They can't wait to watch Trent Richardson carry the football.

And they can't wait to see if the Browns have actually found a few receivers. Greg Little, Travis Benjamin, Josh Gordon and some others have made some superb catches in training camp.

Now, the team has a new owner in Jimmy Haslam. Most fans just want to know that Haslam will keep the franchise here, and that he can deliver a team worth watching. It's highly unlikely the team will move, because virtually every recent franchise shift has been about finding new stadiums for teams. The stadium issue is settled here with a lease through 2029.

Meanwhile, so much has changed in just a few months. There's the drafting of Weeden and Richardson in the first round. Then came the estimated $1 billion sale to a Knoxville-based family that owns 550 truck stops across the country. Guess an agitated Mike Holmgren was indeed telling the truth last December when he insisted this was "not business as usual" for the Browns.

OK, the team president was talking about coming to an end of a 4-12 season along with the controversy over how the Browns handled Colt McCoy's concussion. But this is not business as usual.

In 1999, Al Lerner bought the expansion Browns for $530 million. Randy Lerner took over in 2002, after his father died from cancer. Fans know the story. Randy didn't really want center stage. He didn't even want to be owner, period. He is a sincere fan who used to hang out at training camp as a kid.

But in his 10 years as sole owner, Randy Lerner's Browns had one winning season, four head coaches, three general managers and eight different opening day starting quarterbacks. They could never find the right coach, general manager, quarterback or draft picks. It really did seem that the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. That was especially true with a 18-46 record over the last four years.

But this season, there is a real sense of change for the better. The recent emphasis on drafting offense is part of that. But so is Lerner selling to Haslam. The NFL still has to approve the sale, but it's a done deal.

Haslam has been a minority owner of Steelers since 2008. The league knows him and has done all the financial background checks already. He'll sell his share in the Steelers before taking over the Browns.

There will be much speculation about the future of the top Browns executives. Holmgren is expected to be gone, replaced as president by former Philadelphia Eagles executive Joe Banner. As for General Manager Tom Heckert and the coaching staff, who knows? A lot will depend upon what happens during the season.

I like what Pat Shurmur said Thursday: "I have no fear. I have no fear about any of that because I trust my coaches, I trust the players. ... I've watched the work that they're doing and I have no fear. I think we're moving full steam ahead. ... My concern is getting this team ready to play."

The players rarely see owners and care primarily that their checks don't bounce and they have a chance to win. Coaches know their fate is usually determined by the players. That's why optimism is real at Berea.

The talent level has risen. The coaching staff is more organized because they've added a few key assistants to a core group that has been together for a year.

You watch Weeden throw and he has the best arm of anyone in an orange helmet since Vinny Testaverde. We'll see what happens on game day, but his arm strength and nice passing touch is real. Richardson should be a big time back, and those receivers ... OK, no Pro Bowlers, but a couple with real promise.

In the past for the Browns, what seemed new turned out to be old again.

This time, new really is new -- and perhaps even new and improved.

Statement from Randy Lerner

AP fileRandy Lerner

The following is a statement from Randy Lerner, released by the Browns this evening:

On behalf of my family and as trustee for the Lerner Family Trust, which holds the shares of the Cleveland Browns, I have agreed to sell the Browns to Jimmy Haslam and his family.    

I was approached regarding Mr. Haslam's interest several weeks ago.  While as a fiduciary I have always felt it was my responsibility to listen to offers, I had not been approached with a proposal that felt as natural and complete as Mr. Haslam's. He had done a lot of work on the Browns and the City of Cleveland and first and foremost gave me his personal assurance the team would remain in Cleveland.

As I was at first overwhelmed, I asked for a few days to consider the proposal during which time I consulted with my mother and sister. Over this short period we agreed that the proposal was strong, the buyers made sense and the time was right for us to move on.       

Going forward, we anticipate that the League will meet and vote on the deal and the closing is expected to follow shortly thereafter. During this time the organization will operate as it has in the past with all senior executives in place.  

While a statement like this is certainly part of the process, it couldn’t possibly capture my feelings towards the Browns and the many people whom I feel very strong about.  Those feelings therefore will need to be expressed in person.  Notwithstanding, I feel a deep debt of gratitude to the loyal and passionate fan base, as well as the people I’ve met and worked with over the years. It has been a privilege to be involved with the Cleveland Browns and my only hope is that the Haslam family has the best of luck and that the Browns are restored to their rightful place among NFL Champions.

With the PGA Championship looming, Phil Mickelson has a lot of work to do and little time to do it, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes.

View full sizePhil Long, Associated PressA sustained stretch of mediocre golf has bedeviled Phil Mickelson during the middle of the golf season, extending into Thursday's 1-over 71 at the Bridgestone Invitational.

AKRON, Ohio -- Phil Mickelson believes you can bend statistics in the direction you want to take them when discussing what we've officially diagnosed as an acute stage of Mickelson Malaise.

If true, that would make them significantly more agreeable than the golf balls Mickelson hit off several of Firestone South's tees Thursday. This first day of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational brought a 1-over 71 for Mickelson, who has now played 10 consecutive over-par rounds on Tour -- the longest stretch by far in his career as golf's Indiana Jones.

"That can be a little misleading," Mickelson said, standing behind the scorer's trailer at Firestone. "It was Olympic Club [the U.S. Open]. It was the British Open..."

What? No Big Met or Mallard Creek on his schedule?

He did shoot two rounds in the mid-60s at the Scottish Open, a non-Tour event. But his troubles aren't the work of the old Lefty going rogue when situations call for safer plays. This is a general downturn in most every aspect of his game.

Thursday, for instance, Mickelson put his driver back in the bag at one point on his second nine after touring Firestone's trees, cart path and rough. He missed No. 2 in the left trees, the ball finding the cart path and then a home at the bottom of deep rough. He tried to advance it with a fairway wood but hit a grounder up the middle.

"Nice once in a while when they hit a shot like I do," a spectator said with a different take than the usual "Get in the hole" Mickelson hears from adoring galleries.

Another difference: We make 9 and he makes 5. Mickelson parred the hole but was back in the trees again on No. 3 and wasn't so fortunate. With limited room to elevate his short iron to the green 130 yards away, his ball clipped the top of the first tree, carried two more but hit the upslope of the bank and bounced back into the pond.

A drop. Chip. Two putts. Double bogey. He went from 1 under to 1 over and never saw red numbers again.

"I had a good week of practice and spent a lot of time on my irons," Mickelson said. "Today, those were by far the highlight of my round. The driver was just terrible."

Mickelson is two months removed from Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament, where he withdrew after a first-round 79, citing fatigue. Even though he says he feels fine and allows only that he's not as "mentally sharp," what's happened since the Memorial qualifies as a full-blown Rip Van Winkle.

He tied for 65th at the U.S. Open, where he lost the first ball he hit and began bogey, bogey, bogey. Then he missed the cut at a relatively easy Greenbrier Classic where a rookie, Ted Potter Jr., won in a playoff after shooting 16 under. At the British, Mickelson didn't just miss by a little. He shot a second-round 78 to finish 11 over.

So it can be a little misleading to call his 10 consecutive Tour rounds over par a little misleading. The conditions in the first two days at Royal Lytham were hardly the lore of harsh British Opens past.

With 2012's final major next week -- the PGA at the Ocean Course in Kiawah -- Mickelson doesn't seem appreciably closer to finding it than he did at the British when he finished with four double bogeys and four birdies and declared he had "a way to go."

"The next couple of days will be a good test to see how my game progresses," Mickelson said Thursday. "Will I get mentally sharper? Will I get better touch on the greens? I've got some work to do."

Mickelson pulled driver on No. 8, his next-to-last hole of the round, and hit it 361 yards down the middle. He made birdie from six feet above the hole. On No. 9, his drive carried 317 in the middle of the fairway. He hit an iron to within 10 feet but missed the putt.

Counting him out has always brought its own risk. The galleries lifting his spirits as he tours Firestone should carry him on as they always do, holding on to their hats and/or covering their heads.

On Twitter: @budshaw

Cleveland-born Kellermann was a star quarterback at Miami (Ohio), then was cut by the Cowboys before becoming a standout safety for the Browns.

The Plain DealerSafety Ernie Kellermann was a 1968 Pro Bowl selection and was named second-team all-pro by the Sporting News the next season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.

No. 95, Ernie Kellermann, safety, 1966-71

Ernie Kellermann was born in Cleveland, then followed a rather unlikely path to become a standout safety for the Browns.

Kellermann graduated from Bedford St. Peter Chanel High School in 1961, before heading to Miami (Ohio) University. There, the left-handed throwing Kellermann was a three-time all-Mid-American Conference quarterback. The Dallas Cowboys picked him in the 12th round of the 1965 draft, and switched him to defensive back, before cutting him late in training camp.

The Browns signed Kellermann during the 1965 campaign, and placed him on the taxi squad, an approximate equivalent of today's practice teams.

A year later, Kellermann not only made the Browns' regular roster, but he became a starter early in the season. He played both safety positions for Cleveland over the next six campaigns, starting in the 1968 season Pro Bowl and earning some all-pro recognition in 1969.

Kellermann was a sure tackler and fine pass defender. He intercepted 17 passes for the Browns, and another one in postseason play. Kellermann played superb games for the Browns in their 31-20 and 38-14 playoff game wins over the Cowboys in 1968 and 1969 -- as Cleveland held the potent Dallas offense to 39 percent passing in the two contests and to 3.4 yards per running play.

The Browns cut Kellermann prior to the 1972 season. He joined the Cincinnati Bengals for that season, playing as a valuable reserve, then started for the 1973 Buffalo Bills before retiring.

Previously: No. 100; No. 99; No. 98; No. 97; No. 96.

Video: About four minutes into Part 2 of the 1969 Browns' highlight film, Ernie Kellermann (24) returns an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in the Browns' 20-7 win over the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 7 in Cleveland:

The Indians will look to avoid a sweep in Kansas City, as Corey Kluber will make his Major League debut for the Tribe against the Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes, @hoynsie.

The Indians will look to avoid a sweep in Kansas City, as Corey Kluber will make his Major League debut for the Tribe against the Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. Get game updates on Twitter from Paul Hoynes @hoynsie or click here for a live game box score. You can also download our Cleveland Indians app for Android to get Tribe updates on your mobile device. Read on for a game preview.

View full sizeAP Photo/Orlin WagnerThe struggling Indians will look to avoid a sweep tonight in Kansas City against the Royals.