None of the Tribe's farm teams manage to get a victory on Saturday.

View full sizeAPCord Phelps of the Columbus Clippers.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Tides 3, Clippers 1 Columbus 2B Cord Phelps (.268) hit his 12th homer of the season to provide the Clippers' run in an International League loss Saturday in Norfolk, Va.

Columbus left-handed starter David Huff (4.97) allowed one run on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Lefty Scott Barnes (0-3, 3.35) gave up two runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief and took the loss.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros at Fisher Cats, ppd. Akron's Eastern League game in Manchester, N.H., was postponed. The game will be made up today as part of a doubleheader beginning at 12:35 p.m.

Advanced A Carolina Mudcats

Hillcats 10, Mudcats 2 Carolina right-handed reliever Kyle Blair (6.65) got pounded for six runs in 3 1/3 innings as the Mudcats lost the Carolina League game in Zebulon, N.C.

Right-handed starter Jordan Cooper (6-5, 4.13) took the loss after allowing four runs in 5 innings.

RF Bo Greenwell (.333) led the Mudcats' offense with two hits.

A Lake County Captains

Silver Hawks 7, Captains 6 South Bend (Ind.) scored two runs off Lake County righty Manuel Carmona (0-1, 3.26) in the top of the ninth to win the Midwest League game in Eastlake.

Captains C Jake Lowery (.222) hit his fourth homer of the season and 3B Leonardo Castillo (.204) hit his third.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

ValleyCats 8, Scrappers 3 Tri-City scored five runs in the second inning off Mahoning Valley righty Robbie Aviles (0-2, 7.17), and won the New York-Penn League game in Troy, N.Y.

LF Logan Vick (.200) and SS Robel Garcia (.239) each had two hits and a run batted in for the Scrappers.

Four years after a disappointing finish and failing to medal, Gray keeps her concentration and sets a world record.

View full sizeRebecca Blackwell, Associated PressJamie Lynn Gray celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's 50-meter rifle 3 positions event.

LONDON — The gold medal and the world record already belonged to Jamie Gray, so on her final shot of the 50-meter three position rifle event at the London Olympics, something even greater was at stake Saturday.

Four years earlier in Beijing, Gray had fired an off-target 8.7 (out of a maximum 10.9) with her final bullet in a competition where anything under 10 is a disappointment.

"You never want your last shot to be a bad one. You always end it with a 10. It's hard to leave the range when you don't have a good shot," Gray said.

The shot dropped her out of the medals and into fifth place, and she was forced to leave the range that day on a bad shot, carrying that 8.7 through a tearful walk with a coach and then every day for the next four years. Everyone in the rifle world knows about the last shot in Beijing. Gray never escaped it. In praising Gray after her win Saturday, bronze medalist Adela Sykorova of the Czech Republic referenced Beijing while saying through an interpreter that Gray deserved this one.

"I dreaded that last shot for four years," Gray said. "I've worked for four years taking that shot over and over in my head."

She carried it with her to every competition, turning the last shot in every final into the last shot in the Olympics. She carried it through training in Minneapolis and Germany and Phoenix and Los Angeles and Denmark as Team USA prepared for the wet and rainy conditions that came in London on Saturday.

The 28-year-old wife of U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit shooter Staff Sgt. Hank Gray, she carried it through her training in Georgia with that team.

The last shot arrived Saturday after Gray had broken the world record with her qualifying score through 60 shots -- 20 each lying down, standing and kneeling -- and was prepared to add to the record in the 10-shot final.

On her next-to-last shot, she fired an 8.9. She was off. And it was almost time to leave the range.

"It's just another shot," Gray said, "but it can be more than that."

So with the gold in the bag, the right shot still was needed.

"Our sport is a little quirky," Team USA shooting coach Dave Johnson said, "but this is like jumping your highest on the last jump or running your fastest in the last race. You're just really putting it on there, that athletic statement of 'I'm finished now.' "

So Gray did as she does on every shot, turning her head to the side for 10 seconds of relaxed belly breathing, taking her time, and pulling the trigger.

There was a puff of white smoke, and then a score on that maximum 10.9 scale.

A 10.8.

Gray pumped her fist. And then she left the range.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

Bolt has not been as dominant since setting the world record in 2008, so Dillard, who won gold in the 100 meters in 1948, believes the Jamaican star might have difficulty repeating as champion.

View full sizeAnja Niedringhaus, Associated PressYohan Blake, above, will challenge countryman Usain Bolt for the gold medal in the 100 meters.

LONDON — Harrison Dillard is wondering what everyone else is wondering at the Summer Olympics today.

"I saw [Usain] Bolt in Beijing, and as they say, 'I don't believe what I just saw' when he ran the 100 meters. I'm wondering if he can do it again," Dillard said last month.

"It" is Bolt's 100-meter final gold-medal performance. His world-record time of 9.58 seconds is the iconic moment of the 2008 Beijing Games.

Dillard's opinion matters because, at 83, the lifelong Clevelander is the oldest living Olympic 100-meter champ, having won gold at the 1948 London Olympics. Dillard is back in London today to watch the 100. He has been following the event closely since Jesse Owens won in 1936.

Dillard noted that Bolt has been nowhere near his 2008 level the past two years, giving rise to speculation that he's not 100 percent. Back and hamstring injuries are in his recent past, but the real thorn in his side is countryman Yohan Blake, the 22-year-old reigning world champion who beat Bolt at the Jamaican Olympic trials.

Another Jamaican, former world-record holder Asafa Powell, is a contender with a history of recent injuries. Oft-injured American Tyson Gay, who held the world record in 2009, and 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin also are the main challengers.

"Those are four guys that will try to make Usain run," Dillard said. "Usain might have to do it again [9.58] to win it again."

Americans Ryan Bailey (9.88 seconds) and Gatlin (9.97) had the top first-round times Saturday. Blake ran a 10-flat, Powell 10.08 and Bolt stumbled early during his 10.09 trip. Germany's Dwain Chambers (10.02) and Ben Meite of the Ivory Coast (10.06) also bear watching.

"Somebody seems to come out of the woodwork every Olympic games," Dillard said.

View full sizePDHarrison Dillard

Some would say Dillard was that man in 1948. He failed to qualify in his best event, the 110 hurdles, and pulled a mild upset in the London 100 final. The race is remembered in part for the finish and what happened after. It was the first time a photo finish was used to determine the winner.

Dillard's memory of the race is uncanny, down to the texture of the crushed brick track. He gave a lengthy description of the event in a recent Plain Dealer video interview.

"The starter was a very short gentleman, about 5-foot-3, 5-foot-4. He wore that white sleeve and with the gun upraised [Dillard points his trigger finger to the ceiling]. He had a prominent Adam's apple, and he was swallowing to keep himself under control, and keep his voice under control so that any nervousness that he was feeling didn't get carried over to the athletes.

"The gun went off. I got that perfect start that my coach [at Baldwin-Wallace College], Eddie Finnigan, and I had talked about for weeks. Pictures showed from that first step on, certainly from that second step, I was in front."

Dillard replays the race almost meter-by-meter. His early lead shrank as teammate Barney Ewell was closing fast.

"I'm keeping my eyes straight ahead and I see a couple white jerseys. I thought, 'That's got to be Barney Ewell,' " Dillard said. "I remember running through the tape. The tape struck me across the chest. Now, keep in mind, it was cotton yarn and cotton stretches, and that thing could stretch up to two feet before it pops.

"But at the same time, I saw this white jersey on my left, I'm in lane six and Barney Ewell is in lane two. He's going at that tape also. I think before that tape dropped, he did hit it, and as a consequence he thought that he had won the race."

Ewell began clapping his hands over his head.

"There was another guy in that race, Lloyd LaBeach [of Panama]. After we got through the tape, and Barney started jumping up and down, Lloyd said, 'No, mon, you no win. Bones win,' "said Dillard, whose nickname was "Bones" because of his skinny frame.

"They produced that electric-timing photograph, and it showed I won the race by almost 2 feet. My teammate, my roommate, Barney Ewell, being the great athlete that he was, gave me a big hug and said, 'Nice going, Bones.' "

Another page in 100-meter history will be turned today, and Dillard, as he does every four years, braces himself for the inevitable comparisons -- not with him, but with his hero, Owens, who won four historic golds in front of the Nazis in 1936. (Dillard won two golds in 1948 and two more in 1952).

Dillard welcomes those moments, especially with respect to current record holder Bolt, whom Dillard has met.

"You can argue," Dillard said. "I guess I'm prejudiced because of Jesse, the circumstances in which he did what he did, even though probably a hundred guys have run faster than that, nobody has ever done what he did under those conditions. To me, that means a great deal. For that reason, I might say Jesse, he was the greatest ever. But as far as fast, nobody has run as fast as Usain Bolt."

Unless they do today.

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

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Great Britain wins three track and field gold medals Saturday on a night that rocks Olympic Stadium.

LONDON — Brits at Olympic Stadium on Saturday night went home hoarse after cheering on what one gold medalist called "the greatest night in British athletic history."

"And I got to be a part of it," said long jumper Greg Rutherford. "A lot of people have talked about us inspiring a nation and that's what this is all about. And I think three gold medals has got to help somebody. There's got to be kids out there that think, 'Wow.' "

Rutherford, heptathlete Jessica Ennis and 10,000-meter runner Mohamed Farrah each won gold as Great Britain claimed three of the six events in track and field Saturday, after winning just one track and field gold at the entire 2008 Olympics. "Inspire a generation" graces banners all over London as a slogan for the Games, and the phrase jumped off the fabric and into the stadium. The victory by Ennis was almost assumed but Farah and Rutherford were more surprising, but not exactly coincidental.

Home advantage was in effect.

"If it wasn't for the crowd, I don't think that would have happened," Farah said. "They give you that lift and that boost."

Farah was so inspired, he took training partner Galen Rupp of Team USA along for the ride.

"Just to be able to learn from him and have somebody like that encourage you all the way has been neat for me," Rupp said. "I wouldn't be here without him."

Great Britain won three other gold medals Saturday, two in rowing and one in the team pursuit in women's cycling, jumping its gold total at the Games from eight to 14.

It was the three final British golds in about a 30-minute period that brought the night together.

"To win three gold medals this evening has been unbelievable, and we've got a lot of events to go," said Ennis, the only one of the three to have her medal ceremony on Saturday.

Farah smacked his hands on his bald head four times after crossing the finish, clearly in disbelief. Rutherford swaggered around the stadium in a flag after besting Australia's Mitchell Watt and Will Claye of the USA. When Ennis climbed the podium, she was too busy fighting back tears to sing along to "God Save the Queen," but the tens of thousands around her did the singing for her. If the Queen wasn't saved Saturday, she may never be.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

In terms of experience and personality, Jimmy Haslam is better equipped to deal with the NFL's demands than Lerner.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Well, that was a quiet week, wasn't it? Let's start talkin' ...

About Jimmy Haslam ...

The new Browns owner easily won over the majority of the fan base with his enthusiasm, something that was always difficult for Randy Lerner to display in public -- and that will always be mentioned as the team changes ownership.

To Lerner, the Browns were an honor and a burden. He grew up a Browns fan, but not wanting to be an owner. His father's death in 2002 pushed Lerner into the owner's chair. He came across as painfully shy at news conferences. Then, he simply stopped appearing at them. Some fans took that to mean he really didn't care about the franchise.

Lerner did care. But he just couldn't find a business model that worked for him, or a public role that fit.

If the Browns had won, no one would care if they ever heard a single word from the owner. He would have been praised for staying out of the way and letting the football people do the job. But they had one winning season in his 10 years as owner.

Enter 58-year-old Jimmy Haslam. He worked as a teenager is his father's business, what we now know as Pilot Flying J. At 14, he was pumping gas and cleaning windshields at a Pure Gas Station. He climbed the business ladder over the decades, becoming a very public and well-known businessman in Tennessee. His brother, Bill Haslam, was the mayor of Knoxville and is now governor.

Jimmy Haslam said his best friend is Bob Corker, a U.S. senator from Tennessee. They were college roommates. Haslam worked for Corker's election -- as he also did in his brother's political campaigns. Haslam knows the public battles that come with running for office and running a major business.

He is in the world of retail and selling, and will bring those skills to the Browns.

I asked Haslam about his greatest fear when buying the team. He said it would be failing to turn the team into a winner, because the fan base so deserves one. I don't think he's scared or intimidated by the task. He just knows it's an enormous challenge. It's also played out in stadiums, on television, radio and the newspapers. The criticism will come and it will be sharp.

In terms of experience and personality, he is better equipped for that than Lerner. He knows a lot of people are counting on him. He believes things can change here, and he can be a part of it.

About the Browns on the field ...

1. The coaches are excited by Brandon Weeden's play. When he struggled early, they thought it was due to the rookie worrying so much about the new offense, the new receivers and simply adjusting to the pro game. As his comfort level has begun to rise, his passes have been on target.

2. And yes, the coaches are very pleased with Colt McCoy, but they view him in the context of being a solid backup. I don't have the exact numbers, but it seems clear at most practices that McCoy is getting nearly twice as many snaps as Seneca Wallace. Weeden obviously is receiving the most as he practices primarily with the starters.

3. Not much has been said, but Ben Watson has been impressive at tight end. Watson had three concussions last season. In 2010, he caught 68 passes, so he can be a big part of the offense. The depth at tight end is encouraging, as Jordan Cameron continues to impress -- although the Browns want him to concentrate on his blocking. Evan Moore hasn't shown much. Alex Smith is in camp, but he's mostly a blocker. Seventh-rounder Brad Smelley has a very good chance to make the team because he can play tight end, H-back and special teams. He even could play a little slot receiver.

4. Montario Hardesty seems healthy and certainly is in better shape. He has shown some speed and ability to make sharp cuts, something that was not evident in the past two seasons as he battled injuries. But will he stay healthy? The key could be whether he can help on special teams, which is what he'll need to do to keep a roster spot as a reserve running back.

5. Brandon Jackson is a very capable receiver out of the backfield, something he was expected to be before last season's injuries after catching 43 passes for Green Bay in 2010.

6. The coaches aren't surprised by the speed of Travis Benjamin. That was expected when they picked him in the fourth round. But he also is "quick," meaning he changes direction swiftly. He also has shown good hands, especially on low passes.

7. Pat Shurmur on Josh Gordon: "Physically, he's like a tight end running around but athletically, he fits into the wide receiver mold." The Browns are anxious to watch the 6-4 Gordon on some fade patterns in the end zone where he has a chance to out-leap a defensive back.

8. This email came from Craig Gerlock: "While the Browns' performance with the Lerner family as owners has been lackluster and frustrating at times, I would still like to extend my thanks to the Lerners for their charitable support of the Cleveland Clinic. It was in walking the halls of the Cleveland Clinic, after the doctors of the clinic saved my father's life in February, that I saw the Lerner name on the walls of the clinic. While the Browns fan in me may look forward to the new ownership team, the 'Dad fan' in me has a thank you to extend to the Lerner family today."

About the Cavaliers ...

View full sizeAP fileC.J. Miles (34) should give the Cavaliers some bench depth at the wing positions after signing a free-agent contract with the team, says Terry Pluto.

1. The Cavs signed C.J. Miles to a two-year deal, and they are intrigued by the 25-year-old who has been in the NBA for seven years, playing most of it for former Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. He clashed with coach Tyrone Corbin last season, averaging 9.1 points, shooting 38 percent from the field and 31 percent on 3-pointers.

2. The Lakers and other teams had an interest in Miles. Obviously, no one was offering big money, or the 6-6 shooting guard/small forward had a sincere interest in playing for Byron Scott and with Kyrie Irving. He worked out for the Cavs at their practice facility in June, met some of the players and came away impressed.

3. Miles saw playing time available. Rookie Dion Waiters is set at shooting guard, but they really have no one of consequence behind him. Restricted free agent Alonzo Gee is the starting small forward, along with Omri Casspi. The Cavs were interested in signing a "younger free agent" with a fair amount of experience. That's why they preferred Miles to Carlos Delfino, who will be 30 on Aug. 29. They considered both players.

4. Over the past three years, Miles averaged 10.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 23 minutes a game, shooting 42 percent from field and 33 percent on 3-pointers. While he shoots 78 percent at the foul line, he only goes there about twice a game.

5. Yes, the Cavs do have Kelenna Azubuike, who was part of the Tyler Zeller deal (for salary cap purposes). They have no idea if the 6-5 guard can play after major knee issues. He's played only 12 games in the past two seasons. He has averaged 10.5 points a game, but also had the dreaded microfracture knee surgery.

6. The Cavs are very pleased with how Irving is recovering from surgery on his hand. They expect him to be ready by training camp.

7. So far, the Cavs and Gee have been far apart in contract talks. Gee's agent saw the three-year, $20 million offer by Toronto to restricted free agent Landry Fields. The contract was so zany, the wealthy Knicks declined to match it. He averaged 8.8 points and shot 46 percent from the field -- only 56 percent at the foul line. But the Cavs have no interest in three years for Gee unless the dollars are very modest.

8. The Cavs view Gee as a starter for now, but a reserve on a good team. Signing Miles also is an indication that they are willing to let Gee sign a one-year, $2.6 million qualifying offer for 2012-13, then become an unrestricted free agent next summer -- unless they can strike a compromise.

9. The Cavs say Waiters is working hard with a strength coach and knows he's got to be in better condition by the opening of camp. Irving has been telling several new Cavs what to expect from "Camp Scott," where the coach pushes the players very hard the first few days.

10. Samardo Samuels arrived at the summer league in the best condition of his two-year career. With the addition of Zeller and Jon Leuer to a frontcourt that already had Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao, Samuels does not have a guaranteed spot. The Cavs also are expected to bring 6-foot-10 Michael Eric (from Temple) to training camp.

About the Indians ...

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerJustin Masterson was considered by most Indians fans -- and the front office -- as one of the more reliable members of the starting rotation when the 2012 season began. But his struggles have matched the troubles caused by a very disappointing segment of the team.

1. This could have been the summer owned by the Indians. After July 1, the Tribe played 16 home games. They had three crowds above 30,000, four more above 25,000 and only two under 20,000. This is not the old days of a sellout every night, but they were averaging nearly 26,000 in their last 16 games. They were 8-8 at home, and playing close to .500 overall.

2. The point is the fans were beginning to pay attention, and larger crowds probably were looming. Then came ... this! Heading into Sunday's game in Detroit, the Tribe is 0-8 on this road trip. It's been embarrassing, being outscored, 64-20, at division rivals Minnesota, Kansas City and Detroit. Only the Tigers are having a decent year.

3. When the team returns home Monday, there still will be some nice crowds attached to promotions. But the casual fan who may have started to become engaged with the team in the last six weeks has every right to be discouraged. The team can't spent much time demanding bigger crowds, given how it has played. And a certain football team opens its season soon.

4. The Indians are last in attendance, averaging 20,486. Next comes Tampa Bay (20,609) and Oakland (20,973). The fans became disheartened watching Johnny Damon and Derek Lowe disintegrate. At least Lowe was good for two months. The Damon experiment was doomed to failure because a 38-year-old trying a comeback with no spring training ... well, fat chance that would work. And the fans knew it.

5. The real culprit is the starting pitching. Looking back at my preseason preview, I picked the Tribe at 76-86 because of concerns about the starters, especially Ubaldo Jimenez. But I was shocked that Jeanmar Gomez collapsed. I thought Lowe could be close to a .500 pitcher. And I thought Justin Masterson could have a breakthrough season.

6. The struggles of Jimenez and Lowe have covered up how Masterson has a 7-10 record with a 4.78 ERA. In six starts since July 1, his ERA is 6.02. Masterson and Jimenez are tied for the AL lead with 11 wild pitches. Jimenez was first in walks, Masterson was fifth. The starting rotation is been in such shambles that Lowe is tied with Masterson for the team lead with 13 quality starts (at least six innings with three or fewer earned runs).

7. Lowe was cut after having an 8.80 ERA in his last 12 starts. But guess what? Boston is interested in signing him. Pitching is that hard to find.

8. When Aaron Cunningham was mercifully sent to Columbus, I had forgotten the Indians traded Cory Burns for him. Burns was a ninth-rounder in the 2009 draft, and he was just promoted to San Diego. The side-arming reliever had a 2.63 ERA for Class AAA Tucson. He has a 2.20 ERA in his minor league career.

9. The one good thing about this trip has been Cody Allen, who has allowed only one hit in 7.1 innings (entering Saturday) since being promoted from Columbus. He was a 23rd round pick out of High Point University in 2011, so it's an amazing rise. With a 95 mph fastball, he could stick in the bullpen.

10. The first Indians Hall of Fame Benefit Luncheon will be at the Progressive Field Terrace Club on Aug. 11 starting at 11 a.m. This event will feature 2012 inductee Gaylord Perry along with Hall of Famers Sam McDowell, Andre Thornton, Mike Hargrove, Sandy Alomar and Kenny Lofton. The cost is $50 per person. Tickets can be purchased at indians.com/hoflunch. Proceeds benefit Cleveland Indians Charities and the Baseball Heritage Museum in Cleveland.

Looking for high school football slogans ...

I will be writing a story on the different high school slogans used by football teams this season. If you have one, I'd love to hear it. And also, why it was picked. I'm especially looking for input from coaches. Email it to me at tpluto@plaind.com

Power sets a course record Saturday with a qualifying lap of 123.825 mph. Points leader Ryan Hunter-Reay will start eighth.

View full sizeJay LaPrete, Associated PressWill Power walks back to the garage area Saturday after qualifying first for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington.

LEXINGTON, Ohio — Will Power was the hottest driver on the IndyCar circuit early in the season, winning three straight races, but that was followed by a slump in which he finished eighth or worse in five of the next six events.

Now he looks to be on the move again. Power won the pole for today's Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, setting a course record Saturday with a qualifying lap of 123.825 mph. This comes on the heels of his third-place finish at Edmonton, Alberta, a race in which he started 17th.

Power is third in the points standings, 26 behind leader Ryan Hunter-Reay and three behind No. 2 Helio Castroneves, with four races left. Hunter-Reay (eighth) and Castroneves (13th) will start well back of Power today on a tight, 13-turn, 2.25-mile circuit.

"I had such a slump there for a while," Power said. "It was just a bad run. It wasn't pace or anything. Sometimes you just have a bad [stretch]. Milwaukee is the only place I felt we weren't on the pace. But everywhere else, I felt we were good enough to finish up front."

Now Power is in position to set the stage for a fantastic points finish. Passing is always at a premium at Mid-Ohio, and with an 80 percent chance of rain, a wet track could make it even more delicate and increase the importance of Power's No. 1 starting position.

"I think this track is really, really slick in the wet," said Scott Dixon, the defending race winner who qualified fifth and was one of 12 drivers to top the old qualifying record of 121.927 mph. That group includes Hunter-Reay but not Castroneves, who had a rough day that included a bout with the flu.

"I've been in the position Hunter-Reay is in right now," Power said. "That's not a big gap . . . but it can be. If he [finishes] in front of you a couple of more times, you're done."

But if Power can close the points gap, then, game on.

The morning practice session went as expected. With rubber down after a full Friday of running, no fewer than nine drivers topped the qualifying speed record. The lone negative was a fender bender for Castroneves. He ran into the back of Mike Conway as Conway left the pits, then went to the media trailer to check out his wrist.

"I hit him in the back and the steering knob kind of whiplashed, and I hit my hand," said Castroneves, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner. "Thank God, it's not broken. It's just a bruise, and now we'll go qualifying."

But qualifying didn't go well for Castroneves, and now the focus is on Power, as he attempts to make a dent in Hunter-Reay's points lead.

Diverse opportunity: A.J. Foyt Racing announced that Chase Austin, 22, will attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 next year. If he makes the field, he will become the third black racer to drive in the 500, joining Willy T. Ribbs (1991, '93) and George Mack (2002).

Austin has competed in IndyCar's support series, Indy Lights. Foyt, a four-time Indy winner, said he and his son, Larry, have followed the Kansas native for years.

"I think he'd be good to go to Indy with," the elder Foyt said of Austin. "I think he'll do a fine job for us."

Austin has been connected with "diversity initiatives" in several different racing disciplines, including NASCAR. He said the connection with Foyt Racing and Starting Grids Inc., a minority-run, motorsports marketing and promotions firm, make this a concrete opportunity. Starting Grids clients include Wyatt Gooden, of Cleveland.

"This gives us time to prepare," said team manager Larry Foyt. "This program is bigger than racing."

Said Austin: "I have been in several of these [diversity projects] and have learned, unless it fits right from the top down -- the series, the team manager, the crew chief -- it's not going to succeed," as he pointed to the Foyts and Starting Grids owner Chris Miles. "This fits right."

American LeMans: Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr won at Mid-Ohio for the second year in a row in the sixth round of the American Le Mans Series. The duo led for 108 of 123 laps in their Honda Performance Development ARX-03a. The drivers haven't lost an ALMS race since finishing second at the season-opening race in Sebring, Fla., in March.

Saturday, Graf and Luhr finished a lap ahead of Dyson Racing's duo of Chris Dyson and Guy Smith in their Lola-Mazda coupe.

The GT battle went down to the wire, with Corvette Racing's Tommy Milner and Oliver Gavin winning by 0.283 seconds. It was the third victory of the season for the Corvette duo, this one over the No. 45 Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Jorg Bergmeister and Patrick Long.

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

Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot answers readers questions.

View full sizeThe Plain DealerBrowns President Mike Holmgren, right, on the practice field with new owner Jimmy Haslam, center.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: When did Mike Holmgren and the rest of the Browns' front office find out about the sale of the Browns? And if they knew about it before the draft do you think it had an impact on them drafting Brandon Weeden and then Josh Gordon? With the sale of the team they are pressed for more of a win-now mentality and that could be a reason for these selections. -- Tom M., Berea

A: Hey, Tom: I think Mike Holmgren knew about it when rumors first surfaced in June and other high-level staffers probably knew at least a few weeks before Lerner's statement that talks were under way. Perhaps they were willing to take a little more of a risk on Gordon with the future uncertain.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: Looking back on it, do you think Randy Lerner's push to trade up for Robert Griffin III this off-season had to do with the fact that he was in negotiations to sell the team? Was he trying to drive up the price? I know Dan Gilbert would not have paid what he did for the Cavs if not for LeBron James. -- Tony Waugh, Brunswick

A: Hey, Tony: I doubt it. I don't think Lerner got serious about selling the team until May. That's when Jimmy Haslam got word from the NFL that an unidentified owner was willing to sell.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: How's Marcus Benard been performing? I hope well, for we will always cherish him after he sacked Ben Roethlisberger three or four times in that win over the Steelers in Cleveland. -- Gavin Irvine, South Bend, Ind.

A: Hey, Gavin: Benard has been filling in at right end with Frostee Rucker sidelined the past four days with an injury. It's a great opportunity for Benard and he's been active.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: Is there any way to get Joe Banner's phone number? I'd like to call him about playoff tickets. -- Roger Neiswander, Chardon

A: Hey, Roger: Let me get mine first and then I'll give you the number.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: I read somewhere that Mr. Haslam has minority ownership in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wouldn't that be a conflict of interest to be a majority owner of the Cleveland Browns? -- Lou Marconi, Raleigh, N.C.

A: Hey, Lou: Haslam has already begun the process of divesting his 12.5 percent interest in the Steelers and he's already using his Terrible Towel as a dishrag.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: Everyone is talking about how bad our guards are. Jason Pinkston was a rookie and while Shawn Lauvao was in his second year, he was essentially a rookie as well because of his injury. My question is just how long does it take for an NFL guard to develop, and is this a make-or-break season for Lauvao? -- Ty Patterson, Tucson, Ariz.

A: Hey, Ty: Both will be better in their second full seasons as starters, but Lauvao will have a rookie in Mitchell Schwartz starting next to him at right tackle and will have to play like a veteran this season.

Q: Hey, Mary Kay: The Browns better keep Colt McCoy and either trade or release Seneca Wallace. McCoy is a better QB. When Wallace had his chances last year he did not perform like a experienced QB. -- Dan Grisso, Clarksburg, W.Va.

A: Hey, Dan: Still not sure which way this is going to go yet, but coach Pat Shurmur seems to be warming up to McCoy as the backup. Depends on what kind of offer they receive, if any.

-- Mary Kay

Plain Dealer Indians beat writer answers readers' questions.

View full sizePD fileJason Knapp

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Where are Jason Knapp and Carlos Carrasco in their respective rehab processes? -- Jeremy Cronig, Shaker Heights

A: Hey, Jeremy: Knapp is recovering from a second shoulder operation. He has not pitched in a game for two years. His career is probably over. The Indians expect Carrasco to be ready for spring training in 2013. He's pitching in simulated games in Goodyear, Ariz., and could be pitching in minor-league games later this month.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: This current coaching staff seems to take a "sit-back-and-watch" approach. Could there be a change with Sandy Alomar taking over as manager? -- Dan, Columbus

A: Hey, Dan: I've heard no rumblings about a managerial change.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: How would you feel if Manny Acta was replaced by Sandy Alomar? -- Johnny D'ambrosia, Garfield Heights

A: Hey, Johnny: I wouldn't be in favor of it. I think Alomar will get a chance to manage in the big leagues, but Acta is signed through 2013 and I think he's done a good job.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: In order to contend next year, it seems to me that the Indians need to sign three productive free agents: two hitters, preferably right-handed, and a veteran pitcher. It also seems that they will have about $30 million taken off the books with the anticipated departures of Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Derek Lowe, Casey Kotchman, Johnny Damon, Kevin Slowey, etc. Do you think they can fill those needs? -- Joe Eversole, Pelham, Ala.

A: Hey, Joe: If you realistically think ownership is going to let the front office add $30 million to the core of this team for next year, you haven't been paying attention. As we've seen in the past, the Dolans don't operate that way.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Why aren't the Indians trying to trade Ubaldo Jimenez and get back all of the talent they lost in the deal last year? With so many teams looking for pitching help, we could get some key pieces back. -- Mike Graham, San Diego

A: Hey, Mike: Maybe your TV reception is a little fuzzy all the way out there in San Diego, but remember this -- other teams have scouts, too.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think Roberto Hernandez is a legitimate option for the Tribe in 2013, or will they quickly decline the option to avoid any distractions that could potentially come with his return to the team? -- Todd Archer, Baltimore

A: Hey, Todd: He's a legitimate option as long the Indians don't find out his real, honest-to-goodness name is Ricky Ricardo.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Why did the Indians trade a semi-decent prospect for a weak hitting waiver-type utility player in Brent Lillibridge? -- Kent Wilson, Cleveland

A: Hey, Kent: If the "semi-decent prospect" the Indians sent to Boston for Lillibridge was so good, why didn't you mention him by name? Never heard of him, right?

To refresh your memory, he's Jose De La Torre, a 5-9, 175-pound soft-throwing right-hander who will be 27 in October. He went 7-1 with a 2.80 ERA in 27 appearances, including one start, at Akron.

Good numbers, yes, but, at 26, he should be 7-1 at Class AA against much younger and inexperienced competition.

Q: Hey, Hoynsie: How does General Manager Chris Antonetti expect to earn credibility when he says things like: "The most important thing is for the guys we have here to play to their collective ability. We have a talented roster capable of competing in this division." -- Sandy Berman, Cleveland

A: Hey, Sandy: What did you want him to say: "OK, that's a wrap. Everybody break for lunch."

-- Hoynsie

Highlights include extensive Olympics coverage, the final round of the Bridgestone Invitational from Akron, and Indians at Detroit.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING

12:30 Honda 200, WEWS

1 p.m. Pennsylvania 400, ESPN

6 p.m. Northwest Nationals (tape), ESPN2

11 p.m. FIA World Rally (tape), Speed Channel

BASEBALL

1:05 p.m. CLEVELAND INDIANS at Detroit, SportsTime Ohio; AM/1100

1:35 p.m. AKRON AEROS at New Hampshire, AM/1350

2 p.m. L.A. Angels at Chicago White Sox, TBS

4 p.m. Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers, WGN

7 p.m. South Bend at LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS, AM/970

8 p.m. Milwaukee at St. Louis, ESPN

GOLF

Noon BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL, Golf Channel

2 p.m. BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL, WOIO

2 p.m. Cox Classic, Golf Channel

4 p.m. 3M Championship, Golf Channel

7 p.m. Reno-Tahoe Open, Golf Channel

MOTORSPORTS

3 p.m. FIM World Superbike (tape), Speed Channel

NFL

8 p.m. Arizona vs. New Orleans, NFL Network

SOCCER

7 p.m. MLS, Dallas at Portland, NBCSN

9 p.m. MLS, Los Angeles at Seattle, ESPN2

TENNIS

4 p.m. Citi Open final, ESPN2

----------------------------------------

OLYMPIC TV SCHEDULE

NBC

6 a.m.-9 a.m. -- Women's marathon. Live

9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. -- Tennis (men's final). Live

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. -- Women's basketball (U.S. vs. China). Live

1:30 p.m.-2 p.m. -- Equestrian.

2 p.m.-3 p.m. -- Women's water polo. Live

3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. -- Women's volleyball (U.S. vs. Turkey). Live

4:30 p.m.-5 p.m. -- Cycling. Live

7 p.m.-Midnight -- Track & field, gymnastics, diving, beach volleyball.

===

12:35 a.m.-1:35 a.m. Monday-- Track & field, badminton.

1:35 a.m.-4:30 a.m. Monday -- NBC Primetime repeat.

CNBC

8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. -- Boxing. Live

3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. -- Boxing. Live

===

3 a.m.-4 a.m. Monday -- Boxing.

MSNBC

7 a.m.-9 a.m. -- Men's tennis. Live

9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. -- Table tennis.

9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. -- Women's water polo. Live

12:15 p.m.-1 p.m. -- Wrestling.

1 p.m.-2 p.m. -- Beach volleyball. Live

2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. -- Men's field hockey (Britain vs. Australia). Live

3:30 p.m.-4:20 p.m. -- Women's water polo. Live

4:20-5:15 p.m. -- Wrestling.

5:15 p.m.-6 p.m. -- Women's handball (Denmark vs. France). Live

NBCSN

5:30 a.m.-6:30 a.m. -- Cycling. Live

6:30 a.m.-7 a.m. -- Men's badminton.

7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. -- Tennis (mixed doubles final). Live

8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. -- Women's volleyball (China vs. Korea).

10 a.m.-11:50 a.m. -- Synchronized swimming. Live

11:50 a.m.-12:15 p.m. -- Shooting.

12:15 p.m.-2 p.m. -- Tennis (women's doubles final). Live

2 p.m.-3 p.m. -- Beach volleyball. Live

3 p.m.-3:30 p.m. -- Men's badminton.

3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m. -- Weightlifting.

4:15 p.m.-6 p.m. -- Women's volleyball (Italy vs. Russia, Brazil vs. Serbia). Live

===

4 a.m.-5:45 a.m. Monday -- Men's basketball (Australia vs. Russia). Live

5:45 a.m.-7:15 a.m. Monday -- Women's field hockey (U.S. vs. South Africa). Live.

Telemundo

9 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Men's tennis, women's marathon, boxing, beach volleyball.

===

Midnight-2:30 a.m. Monday -- Review from previous day.

The prestigious USGA event has attracted an international field of 156 golfers to the par-72 course that will play at 6,512 yards.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Golf and more golf.

If you did not get your fill of the game the past week at Firestone Country Club, you can continue feasting on it when the 2012 Women's Amateur takes center stage all this week at The Country Club in Pepper Pike. The prestigious United States Golf Association event has attracted an international field of 156 golfers to the par-72 course that will play at 6,512 yards.

Opened in 1930, the course hosted the 1935 U.S. Amateur won by Lawson Little. You will get the best of both golf worlds this week as the tournament format calls for stroke and match play. The field will be pared to 64 players after two rounds of stroke play Monday and Tuesday. Match play will follow, with the champion determined next Sunday in a 36-hole final.

And it is all free.

Two-time champion Danielle Kang from California won the title last year when she defeated Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn at the Rhode Island Country Club, 6 and 5. Jutanugarn, 18, will return and is ranked No. 10 in the Women's World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Her 16-year-old sister, Ariya Jutanugarn, is ranked No. 2 and last week defended her title at the Junior PGA Championship.

In all, 15 of the world's top 25 players will be in the field.

It includes top-ranked Lydia Ko, 15, of New Zealand; Hyo-Joo Kim, 17, of Korea (3); Minjee Lee, 16, of Australia (4); Breanna Elliott, 20, of Australia (9); Jaye Marie Green, 18, of Boca Raton, Fla. (11); Stephanie Meadow, 20, of Northern Ireland (12); Austin Ernst, 20, of Seneca, S.C., (13); Celine Boutier, 18, of France (15); Whitney Hillier, 21, of Australia (16); Casey Danielson, 17, of Osceola, Wis. (22); Su-Hyun Oh, 16, of Australia (23); Chirapat Jao-Javanil, 19, of Thailand (24); and Lisa McCloskey, 20, of Houston (25).

Australia's Lee won this year's Girls Junior title to join Ariya Jutanugarn on a USGA trophy.

There are six other players with USGA titles to their names.

Amy Anderson, 20, of Oxbow, N.D., won the 2009 Girls Junior; Mina Hardin, 51, of Fort Worth, Texas, won the 2010 Senior Women's Amateur; Martha Leach, 50, of Hebron, Ky., won the 2009 Women's Mid-Amateur; Ellen Port, 50, of St. Louis, won the 1995, 1996, 2000 and 2011 Women's Mid-Amateur; Meghan Stasi, 34, of Oakland Park, Fla., won the 2006, 2007 and 2010 Women's Mid-Amateur; and Emily Tubert, 20, of Burbank, Calif., won the 2010 Women's Amateur Public Links.

Numerous USGA runners-up and six members of the 2012 USA Curtis Cup team will compete. Ten players were in this year's U.S. Women's Open.

Players with Ohio roots include Amy Meier from Ohio State, Caroline Powers of Bowling Green, Emily Ransone of Hilliard, winner of this year's Delaware Women's Amateur and Samantha Swineheart of Lancaster. Kendall Prince recently transferred from Ohio State to Arizona.

Players to watch

Amy Anderson, 20, Oxbow, N.D., won the 2009 junior girls championship; member of the Curtis Cup team.

Breanna Elliott, 20, Australia, is ranked No. 9 in the world amateur rankings.

Mina Hardin, 51, Fort Worth, Texas, won the 2010 senior women's amateur.

Ariya Jutanugarn, 16, Thailand, won the 2011 junior girls championship. Ranked No. 2 in the world amateur rankings.

Moriya Jutanugarn, 18, Thailand, was the 2011 women's amateur runner-up and is ranked No. 10.

Lydia Ko, 15, New Zealand, is ranked No. 1 in world rankings.

Hyo-Joo Kim, 17, Korea, is ranked No. 3 in world rankings.

Martha Leach, 50, Hebron, Ky., won the 2009 women's mid-amateur tournament.

Minjee Lee, 16, Australia, won this year's girls junior championship.

Tiffany Lua, 21, Rowland Heights, Calif., is a member of the Curtis Cup team and was on the 2010 team.

Brenda Pictor, 56, Marietta, Ga., is the oldest qualifier. She has competed in 17 USGA championships.

Erica Popson, 21, of Davenport, Fla., member of the Curtis Cup team.

Ellen Port, 50, St. Louis, won the 1995, '96, 2000 and '11 women's mid-amateur titles.

Ashlan Ramsey, 16, Milledgeville, Ga., was this year's women's amateur public links runner-up.

Meghan Stasi, 34, Oakland Park, Fla., won the 2006, '07 and '10 women's mid-amateur titles; member of the 2008 Curtis Cup team.

Latanna Stone, 10, Valrico, Fla., is the third-youngest qualifier in USGA history.

Emily Tubert, 20, Burbank, Calif., won the 2010 women's amateur public links championship.

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

Follow our team on the course on Twitter as the world's best golfers take on Firestone Country Club once again today for the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

The world's best golfers take the South Course at Firestone Country Club once again today for the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Jim Furyk maintains the lead going into Sunday's round. Find out if he can hang onto it today or if someone else will step forward.

You can follow the action all tournament long with coverage from The Plain Dealer at cleveland.com/golf and on Twitter. Follow our team of in Akron including Tim Rogers (@timrogerspd), Bud Shaw (@budshaw), Bill Lubinger (@BilllLbinger), Dennis Manoloff (@dmansworldpd) and Kristen Davis (@CleveHSsports).

Be sure to get in on the discussion by using hashtag #wgc.

The Indians lose their eighth straight game Saturday night and they are almost no-hit in the process.

There is no life in their eyes, arms, gloves or bats. There is only defeat, loads and loads of defeat.

The losing streak is at eight games and counting following a 6-1 loss to Doug Fister and Detroit. Fister looked like a no-hit pitcher until Ezequiel Carrera tripled with two out in the sixth. He ended up a four-hit pitcher with his first complete game of the season.

The Tribe has never gone winless on a trip of nine or more games, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Come today, they could make history.

In the ninth and final game of this bad dream, left-hander Chris Seddon will make his first start for the Indians and his first start in the big leagues since Sept. 29, 2007. He'll be facing 10-game winner Max Scherzer.

How do you think that's going to turn out?

The Indians started this series with their No. 1 and No. 2 starters in position to break the streak. Justin Masterson gave up seven runs on 10 hits in four innings in Friday's 10-2 loss. Ubaldo Jimenez (8-11, 5.29) allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks in 51/3 innings. Four of the hits went for extra bases and three of the walks turned into runs.

Is it any wonder that the starting rotation, thought to be a building block for the future way back in spring training, is 0-8 with a 12.08 ERA (51 earned runs in 38 innings) on this trip?

Jimenez and Masterson went a combined 0-4 with a 10.97 ERA (26 earned runs in 211/3 innings) on this trip.

"I have never seen a streak of non-quality starts like that," said manager Manny Acta. "Even in Washington, when we were rebuilding in 2007 and had to hold a tryout camp at the start of the year to find a rotation, I can't remember anything like this. Hopefully, the kid [Seddon] can come up here and stop it."

Seddon, 28, is no kid. Reliever Jeremy Accardo was designated for assignment after the game to make room for him.

While the rotation buckled, the offense did next to nothing for yet another game. No pitching, no hitting and a silent locker room. That's what Zombie Baseball is all about.

The Indians have been outscored, 64-20, on this trip. They are hitting .189 (50-for-264) as a team and averaging just over two runs per game.

Acta said before the game that he didn't question his hitters' passion or intensity because the starting pitching has continually put them in a hole early in the game. No argument there.

The Indians have been outscored, 26-3, in the first three innings. Still, the offense has produced just 14 extra-base hits in these eight games.

"We had to play catch-up baseball again," said Acta.

Detroit took a 2-0 lead in the second as Jimenez walked Prince Fielder to start the inning and gave up a triple to Brennan Boesch. Fielder thundered home and that may have jarred the heavens in the ensuing rainstorm.

After Delmon Young's sacrifice fly made it 2-0, a heavy, but brief rain fell and play was halted for 37 minutes. Jimenez returned after the cloudburst and avoided the Tigers' bats until the fourth, when they scored three more times.

Fielder once again started the inning, this time with a single. Jimenez wild-pitched him to second, but retired the next two batters. It didn't matter because he could not get out of the inning.

Jimenez walked Alex Avila and gave up a two-run triple to former Indian Jhonny Peralta. It was Peralta's third triple of the season and gave him 39 RBI.

Omar Infante singled home Peralta despite a fine pick and throw by Jason Kipnis from behind second base.

Jimenez gave up his final run in the sixth on Infante's sacrifice fly. He walked Young to start the inning, who eventually came around to score. Jimenez put the leadoff batter on base in five of the six innings he started.

The Indians robbed Fister of a shutout in the ninth. Carrera started the inning with his second triple and scored on Kipnis' liner that deflected off Fister.

The loss dropped the Indians to 81/2 games out in the AL Central. They were 31/2 off the pace when the trip started. Has this ruined their season?

"No, we have two months to go," said DH Jose Lopez. "The season is over on the last day. Maybe this happens to Detroit. Maybe it happens to Chicago. We're not done yet."

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

Andy Gruenebaum made six saves for the Crew (8-8-4), who failed to build on a two-game win streak for the third time this season. They haven't won three straight league matches since winning four in a row in May 2010.

Columbus Crew

WASHINGTON — Chris Pontius scored four minutes after halftime to lift D.C. United to a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew and give United its seventh-straight home victory.

Pontius' team-leading 10th goal pushed United (11-7-3) within one win of tying the club record of eight straight home wins, set in 1998. Three of those victories came via the league's shootout format, which was eliminated after the 1999 season.

Andy Gruenebaum made six saves for the Crew (8-8-4), who failed to build on a two-game win streak for the third time this season. They haven't won three straight league matches since winning four in a row in May 2010.

United remains in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Crew failed to make up ground on fifth-place Chicago — and the conference's final playoff spot.

Nick DeLeon set up Pontius' goal, darting around the right corner of the defense and evading two defenders before driving in a low cross. Long Tan reached it, Gruenebaum dove to block Tan's backheel effort, and Pontius drove in a rebound from close range.

Pontius nearly scored his 11th nine minutes later when he struck a strong effort from just inside the penalty area and forced Gruenebaum into a reflex save. Later, he appeared to have another clear look on goal, only to blast DeLeon's cross well high.

The Crew increased pressure on United's goal inside the final 15 minutes, but it rarely translated into clear opportunities.

D.C.'s Bill Hamid needed to make just three saves, none of which was difficult.

Pontius has now scored in four of United's last six games, with all 10 of his strikes coming since playing in his first full match of the year against New York on April 22.

He was used primarily as a substitute for United's first six matches after breaking a tibia toward the end of the 2011 season.

Team spokesman Marco Rosa says details of Urso's death are still being determined. Police in Columbus did not immediately return a call seeking more details. Urso had been injured and Rosa says he was not with the team for its 1-0 loss Saturday to D.C. United in Washington.

View full sizeAP PhotoColumbus Crew midfielder Kirk Urso, right battles for the ball with Toronto FC forward Ryan Johnson during first half MLS soccer action in Toronto on Saturday March 31, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Crew says midfielder Kirk Urso has died.

Team spokesman Marco Rosa says details of Urso's death are still being determined. Police in Columbus did not immediately return a call seeking more details.

Urso had been injured and Rosa says he was not with the team for its 1-0 loss Saturday to D.C. United in Washington.

The 22-year-old Urso had been in his first season with the Crew. A native of Lombard, Ill., he had played on North Carolina's NCAA title-winning team last fall and for the U.S. under-17 World Cup team in 2007.

Maroney's rare mistake opened the door for Sandra Izbasa and she took advantage of it Sunday, winning the title on vault.

Russian bronze medallist gymnast Maria Paseka, left, Romania's gold medallist gymnast Sandra Raluca Izbasa, center, and U.S. silver medallist gymnast McKayla Maroney stand during the podium ceremony for the artistic gymnastics women's vault finals at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

LONDON — McKayla Maroney's feet skidded out from under her and a look of shock crossed her face.

The Olympic gold medal that everyone was certain was hers was gone.

The world champion's rare mistake opened the door for Sandra Izbasa and she took advantage of it Sunday, winning the title on vault. Maroney claimed the silver medal, and looked downright surly as she stood on the medals podium.

Russia's Maria Paseka won the bronze.

Earlier Sunday, Zou Kai won his fifth career gold medal, defending his title on floor exercise. He already had one gold from China's victory in the men's team competition last week, and has three more from the Beijing Games. He's got a chance to duplicate his Beijing three-peat on Tuesday, when he tries to defend his Olympic title on high bar.

Maroney was considered all but a lock for the gold medal, which would have given the U.S. women three in the first three gymnastics events. She won her world title last year by almost a half-point, and topped qualifying here by a similar margin. She was so impressive in Tuesday night's team final that U.S. coach John Geddert suggested they rename her vault "The Maroney."

"Man, that thing is beast!" all-around champion Gabby Douglas said earlier Sunday. "How she gets so high, I'm so amazed. When she does it at camp, the table literally shakes."

Her first vault was the Amanar — a roundoff onto the takeoff board, back handspring onto the table and 2.5 twisting somersaults before landing — and she did it better than the woman for whom it's named. She got such great height off the table the folks in the first few rows had to look up to see her, and her form was perfect in the air, legs pencil-straight, body tightly coiled.

She took a hop on her landing, and came down out of bounds. But even with that 0.3 deduction, she still scored 15.866, including a whopping 9.666 for execution.

Another vault like that, and the gold was hers.

But she appeared to land the second one on the back of her heels. Her feet slid forward and she dropped to the mat with a loud "plop!" The crowd gasped, and Maroney looked stunned. She's as consistent as a Swiss watch on vault, never making errors in training or in competition.

She scored just a 14.3, giving her an average of 15.083. Coach Arthur Akopyan tried to console her, but Maroney simply stared straight ahead, knowing her chance to add an individual gold to the one she won with the Fierce Five was gone.

Men: Tiebreak gives Berki pommel horse gold over Smith

This time, a tiebreak cost Louis Smith even more.

Four years after a tiebreak dropped him from second to bronze, Smith had to settle for second instead of gold in pommel horse. He and Krisztian Berki finished with identical 16.066 scores, but Berki got the gold because his execution score of 9.166 was a mere .10 points better. With the Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, sitting in the front row, just a few feet away from him, Smith stared at the scoreboard with a look of astonishment.

Still, it wasn't a bad day for the British. Four years after Smith gave them their first individual gymnastics medal in a century, they got another — two, actually, with Max Whitlock taking the bronze. As the two left the arena, Smith flashed a "V for victory" sign at a TV camera.

Results Sunday of the artistic gymnastics event from the Summer Olympics:

Men Floor Exercise Final

1. Zou Kai, China, 15.933.

2. Kohei Uchimura, Japan, 15.800.

3. Denis Ablyazin, Russia, 15.800.

4. Enrique Tomas Gonzalez Sepulveda, Chile, 15.366.

5. Jacob Dalton, Sparks, Nev., 15.333.

6. Alexander Shatilov, Israel, 15.333.

7. Flavius Koczi, Romania, 15.100.

8. Marcel Nguyen, Germany, 14.966.

Pommel Horse Final

1. Krisztian Berki, Hungary, 16.066.

2. Louis Smith, Britain, 16.066.

3. Max Whitlock, Britain, 15.600.

4. Alberto Busnari, Italy, 15.400.

5. Cyril Tommasone, France, 15.141.

6. Vitalii Nakonechnyi, Ukraine, 14.766.

7. David Belyavskiy, Russia, 14.733.

8. Vid Hidvegi, Hungary, 14.300.

Women Vault Final

1. Sandra Raluca Izbasa, Romania (15.383, 15.000), 15.191.

2. Mc Kayla Maroney, Long Beach, Calif. (15.866, 14.300), 15.083.

3. Maria Paseka, Russia (15.400, 14.700), 15.050.

4. Janine Berger, Germany (15.133, 14.900), 15.016.

5. Oksana Chusovitina, Germany (15.100, 14.466), 14.783.

6. Yamilet Pena Abreu, Dominican Republic (14.566, 14.466), 14.516.

7. Brittany Rogers, Canada (14.766, 14.200), 14.483.

8. Elsabeth Black, Canada (0.000, 0.000), 0.000.

Andy Murray had Centre Court rocking Sunday, winning gold for the home team and beating Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in the tennis final at Wimbledon.

Britain's Andy Murray, center, walks past the Swiss team after defeating Switzerland's Roger Federer to win the men's singles gold medal match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, in London, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

WIMBLEDON, England — Andy Murray had Centre Court rocking Sunday, winning gold for the home team and beating Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in the tennis final at Wimbledon.

The result was a royal rout. Murray swept nine consecutive games, breaking Federer's serve four times in a row.

The victory marked a breakthrough for the Scotsman, who has lost all four of his Grand Slam finals, three against Federer.

For Federer, the drubbing marked another Olympic disappointment. Playing in the games for the fourth time, he sought a victory to complete a career Golden Slam but still earned his first singles medal.

From the start, there was no doubting spectators' loyalty. The retractable Centre Court roof opened shortly before the final, and Federer walked onto the sun-splashed grass to a standing ovation. Then Murray entered, and the roar tripled.

At the far end of the All England Club, thousands of happy fans with grounds passes enjoyed a carnival atmosphere on the picnic hill known as Murray Mount while watching the match on a huge video screen.

Federer wore red and Murray blue in the most colorful tournament ever held at Wimbledon. Their tactics were also in sharp contrast.

Murray returned aggressively to repeatedly put on Federer on the defensive when serving. Federer tried to come forward more than in any match this summer, but Murray answered with a succession of crisp passing shots for winners.

The fans loved it, waving Union Jacks of all sizes. "An-dy! An-dy" they chanted. They applauded when Federer won a point, but they roared when Murray won one.

And the bounces seemed to go Murray's way. One of his service breaks came when he hit winners that clipped the net cord on consecutive points. But then the net, after all, was British.

Federer showed little frustration as the match slipped away. Instead, it was Murray tossing his racket in the second set when he made a rare error.

Otherwise, the usually dour Scotsman had little to get upset about. When he netted an easy forehand on break point early in the match, he laughed at his mistake.

Murray won with plenty of flair and a succession of spectacular shots. A lunging backhand pass in the corner had fans on their feet. And he erased a break point with an acrobatic leaping overhead, followed by an improbable reflex volley winner after Federer fired at him from point-blank range.

Murray fell behind 15-40 serving in the opening game but rallied to hold, and from 2-all he took charge, winning every game until 5-0 in the second set.

Federer struggled to hold but had his chances to break, including in the third game of the second set. He held six break points but Murray erased them all and won the game on the 20th point on an errant Federer backhand, one of many.

Williams' sisters win 3rd Olympic doubles gold

Serena Williams followed her own Golden Slam by teaming with big sister Venus on Sunday to continue their dominance of Olympic women's doubles tennis.

The American sisters beat Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4 under the roof on a rainy afternoon at the All England Club for their third Olympic doubles gold. Venus — with her red, white and blue braids pulled back into a bun — closed out the match with a backhand volley winner after the Czechs saved a pair of match points.

Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams of the United States celebrate their victory against Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic in the gold medal women's doubles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

"We all talk about this, 'We have so many medals,' but to be able to add to that, it's like an unbelievable feeling," Venus said. "You know that in that count, there you are. It feels amazing."

On Saturday, Serena beat Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-1 for the singles gold. She joined Steffi Graf as the only women to complete the Golden Slam — winning the Olympics and the four majors.

When the Americans in the crowd at Centre Court broke into a chant of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" as the players left the court, the sisters each pumped their fists, turned around to wave, then slapped a high-five. The medal ceremony had to wait for the outdoor bronze-medal match, which was delayed by rain.

Serena became tennis' first double gold medalist at an Olympics since Venus won singles and doubles at the 2000 Sydney Games. The sisters also won the doubles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Now they each have a record four Olympic tennis gold medals, and the sisters didn't drop a set through their five doubles matches at the London Games.

The Williames also became the first tennis players to win Olympic gold indoors since the 1912 Stockholm Games, a match played in a pavilion on wood courts painted black.

Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead Sunday morning in his room at the club's training camp at Lehigh University. He was 29.

FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2001 file photo, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, right, reacts to the crowd as he and his sons Garrett, left, and Britt, center, walk off the field after the Eagles beat the New York Giants 24-21, in Philadelphia. Garrett Reid was found dead Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in his room at training camp at Lehigh University. Police say "there were no suspicious activities." (AP Photo/Chris Gardner, File)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, was found dead Sunday morning in his room at the club's training camp at Lehigh University. He was 29.

The police chief at Lehigh, Edward Shupp, said a 911 call was made at 7:20 a.m., and that Garrett Reid was deceased upon a policeman's arrival at the campus dormitory.

"There were no suspicious activities," Shupp said.

The Eagles practiced after gathering for a team prayer, but Andy Reid was not present. Assistants Marty Mornhinweg and Juan Castillo ran the team's walkthrough, and will oversee the Eagles until Reid returns.

The afternoon session Sunday was to go on. However, owner Jeffery Lurie canceled his annual state of the team address that was scheduled for 1 p.m.

"This news is heartbreaking for everyone in the Eagles family," Lurie said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to Andy, his wife, Tammy, and their children."

No cause of death had been determined.

"What I can tell you is this morning we were contacted by the Lehigh campus police department and (were) requested to respond for the discovery of a deceased male," said Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek. "We are conducting an investigation with the cooperation of the Lehigh campus police department and I personally pronounced Mr. Reid deceased at the scene."

Garrett and his younger brother, Britt, each had drug problems in the past.

He and Britt were arrested on drug charges after two separate traffic accidents in 2007. Garrett Reid was imprisoned off and on through 2009.

Garrett Reid had rebounded from his troubled past and was assisting the Eagles' strength coaches at camp. Many of the coaches stay in the Lehigh dorms.

"This is a tough morning for all of us in the Eagles family," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "Garrett grew up with this team and this makes this news even harder for us to process."

In his early 20s, Garrett Reid said he "got a thrill" out of being a drug dealer in a lower-income neighborhood just a few miles from his parents' suburban Villanova mansion.

"I liked being the rich kid in that area and having my own high-status life," Reid told a probation officer, according to court testimony in November 2007. "I could go anywhere in the 'hood. They all knew who I was. I enjoyed it. I liked being a drug dealer."

At his sentencing hearing, Garrett Reid told the judge: "I don't want to die doing drugs. I don't want to be that kid who was the son of the head coach of the Eagles, who was spoiled and on drugs and OD'd and just faded into oblivion."

Andy Reid, the father of five, took a leave of absence from the Eagles during the 2007 offseason to spend more time with his family. Reid is in his 14th season in Philadelphia. He's led the Eagles to nine playoff appearances, six NFC East titles, five conference championship games and one Super Bowl loss.

"We've been with Andy for a long time. He's always been strong for us; we're going to be strong for him right now," Roseman added. "As a father and a friend, we're all hurting."

Here are some suggestions on how the Indians can end their eight-game losing streak.

Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerJoe Smith: "We stink right now."

DETROIT, Mich. -- So how do you break and eight-game losing streak? Here are some ideas from the Indians, who took just such a streak into Sunday's game against Detroit at Comerica Park.

-Shelley Duncan: "My dad (former pitching coach Dave Duncan) always said that the best way to end a losing streak was for somebody to go out and throw a three-hit shutout."

Tribe starters are 0-8 with a 12.089 ERA (51 earned runs in 38 innings) on this trip.

-Utility man Brent Lillibridge: "It's all about pressure. We have to score a couple of runs early to put the pressure on the other team. Our starters have to put a couple of zeroes up early and we have to score."

In the first three innings of this trip, the Indians have been outscored, 26-3.

-Manager Manny Acta: "What we need is a well pitched ballgame. That's what usually ends losing streaks."

The best start the Indians have produced in the last eight games belongs to Zach McAllister. He allowed four earned run on five hits in six innings Wednesday in a 5-2 loss to Kansas City.

-Reliever Joe Smith: "We have to do something big early. Whether it's a good start by one of our pitchers or we score three or four runs in the first inning.

"We can't come back. We always score late. It's one of those things when we get behind early, you can really see us get down on ourselves. It's no secret we've been playing horrible.

"We just need somebody to go out there and have a big start for us, hopefully, score a couple of runs early and turn it over to us (the bullpen) and we do our job. Then we can get out of this."

The Indians were 3 1/2 games out of first place in the AL Central when they started this trip. They had just taken two out of three from second place Detroit.

"I don't think anyone saw this coming after that series with Detroit," said Smith. "We still have 55 games to go, but we've got to win today. We have to win today and get on a little streak.

"We haven't won more than four games in a row. It would be nice to take one from Detroit. Then go back home and play Minnesota."

The Twins started the Tribe's eight-game slide with a three-game sweep at Target Field.

"That was embarrassing," said Smith. "We've got to wake up. We stink right now. We have to wake up and start playing our kind of baseball."

Today's lineups:

Indians (50-57): 2B Jason Kipnis (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), 1B Carlos Santana (S), CF Michael Brantley (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), LF Ezequiel Carrera (L), 3B Brent Lillbridge (R), C Lou Marson (R) and LHP Chris Seddon (first start of season).

Tigers (57-50): CF Austin Jackson (R), 3B Omar Infante (R), 3B Miguel Cabrera (R), 1B Prince Fielder (L), LF (R), C Alex Avila (L), SS Jhonny Peralta (R), RF Brennan Boesch (L), C Gerald Laird (R), 2B Danny Worth (R) and RHP Max Scherzer (10-6, 4.62).

Umpires: H Joe West, 1B Sam Holbrook, 2B Andy Fletcher, 3B Rob Drake. West, crew chief.

Indians vs. Scherzer: Choo is hitting .611 (11-for-18) with one homer and four RBI.

Tigers vs. Seddon: No Tigers hitters have faced Seddon in the big leagues.

Next: The Indians open a three-game series against the Twins on Monday night at Progressive Field with RHP Zach McAllister meeting Twins lefty Scott Diamond (9-5, 2.93) at 7:05 p.m. STO/WTAM will carry the game.

The Centerville native was watched by her family, including her brother Nick, the former Ohio State Buckeye and current New York Jet All-Pro.

Doug LesmerisesHolley Mangold, with her bandaged right wrist, after finishing 10th the super heavyweight weightlifting at the Olympics on Sunday.

Doug LesmerisesHolley Mangold and her family after she completed her Olympic weightlifting competition Sunday

DOUG LESMERISES

Plain Dealer Reporter

LONDON – Ohio's Holley Mangold tore a tendon in her right wrist two days before leaving for London and wasn't close to her best in weightlifting's super heavyweight category at the Olympics on Sunday.

The Centerville native and former Ursuline College student had a combined total of 240 kilos (529 pounds) and finished 10th out of 14 lifters. That wasn't close to her best, with 105 kilos in the snatch and 135 in the clean and jerk. Had she been healthy, she was aiming for 120 kilos and 150 kilos.

But the time she was injured and forced to a Columbus emergency room, it was too late for Mangold to be replaced on the U.S. roster and she said she never considered dropping out because she was taking up a spot on the team.

“This is the Olympics,” Mangold said.

Mangold had trouble sleeping Saturday night, fearing that she would not be able to make a single weight. So completing the two lifts that she did was an Olympic achievement itself.

Doug LesmerisesFormer Ohio State center and current New York Jet Nick Mangold came to London to watch his sister, Holley, in the Olympics.

Her family, including brother Nick, the former Ohio State lineman and current New York Jet, watched from the stands.

“She could have easily ducked out and said the wrist isn't doing it,” Nick said, “but she stuck through it and did a pretty good job. I'm proud of her for what she has done.”

Jim Furyk has opened a three-stroke advantage through 10 holes Sunday afternoon in the final round at Firestone Country Club.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DealerJim Furyk eyes his tee shot on the fifth hole Sunday during the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron.

AKRON, Ohio - Jim Furyk is on the final stretch in his quest to become a wire-to-wire winner at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Furyk has opened a three-stroke advantage through 10 holes Sunday afternoon in the final round at Firestone Country Club.

Furyk, 2 under on the day, stands at 13 under. Keegan Bradley, playing in the same threesome, got to 10 under with a birdie on 10. Louis Oosthuizen, who began the day one stroke back, now trails by four after three bogeys through 10 holes.

Following a 2 hour, 48 minute rain delay before the lead group went off, Furyk began the day with three straight birdies. His only blemish on the day is a bogey on the par-4 sixth.

Steve Stricker (2 under through 13) is fourth, followed by Justin Rose (2 under) and Rory McIlroy (1 under) tied for fifth.

Cleveland native Jason Dufner scored an eagle on the par-5 second hole but was unable to make a charge and is tied for seventh, eight strokes off the lead.

Tiger Woods played his best round of the week at 4 under and ended 4 under overall, where he is tied for ninth.