"I have no idea what happened last year with this guy, and right now I don't care. One thing I know is that Robiskie is saying all the right things and Mangini is praising him. It's a good start, and that's all we can ask this early in the year." - ccice9

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain Dealer Fans would like to see more of this from Brian Robiskie in 2010.

In response to the story Cleveland Browns receiver Brian Robiskie has praise tossed his way by coaches, cleveland.com reader ccice9 is ready to turn the page on Brian Robiskie and look ahead to 2010. This reader writes,

I have no idea what happened last year with this guy, and right now I don't care. One thing I know is that Robiskie is saying all the right things and Mangini is praising him. It's a good start, and that's all we can ask this early in the year.

The City of Akron, the University of Akron, area businesses and - most of all - fans participate in what planners describe as "a spectacular community-wide event to show LeBron James how much he means to our region."

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerLeBron James, flanked by Cavaliers teammates, holds the NBA MVP trophy he was awarded at the University of Akron's Rhodes Arena on May 2.Akron was long known as the "Rubber Capital of the World," the international hub of the tire-building industry with Goodyear, Firestone, B.F. Goodrich and other venerable companies.

Firestone Country Club's South Course has, arguably, been featured on television more than any course in the world, the home of televised weekly two- and three-player matches in the 1960's and 70's and host to numerous PGA Tour events.

The Professional Bowlers Association was founded in Akron in 1958.

The last 11 years, though, since his freshman year at Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, it's been LeBron James shining the spotlight on the city. The lifelong Akron resident has become an internationally-recognized athlete as a Cleveland Cavaliers forward and two-time NBA MVP.

James could be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and choose to play elsewhere. Akron, Cleveland and all of Ohio, and Cavs fans everywhere, hopes he stays put.

Community and business leaders in Akron, including mayor Don Plusquellic, have put together a "LeBron Appreciation Day" (lebronday.com website here) for Saturday, June 19 at InfoCision Stadium, the University of Akron's one-year old football stadium.

"Our goal for this event is to bring together as many people as possible to send a unified message of support to our hometown hero LeBron James," reads the website.

Julie Oddo, InfoCision Stadium vice-president of valued accounts, says planners hope James will attend the event.

"We are working on that," she said. "We're very hopeful he'll be part of the day when we honor him for all that he's done for Akron and Cleveland."

Oddo said admission to the event will be free.

"We're excited," she said. "It's family-friendly and fan-friendly. Wer're going to have lots of activities - basketball shooting, contests and drawings. Kids and fans events."

Community and business leaders will meet for lunch in an InfoCision Stadium suite on Tuesday to develop more plans, Oddo said.  

A quiet day means little movement on the LeBron-O-Meter front, though recent coaching candidate rumors make us a little nervous.

It's been mostly quiet on the LeBron rumor front today, so we're feeling OK about -- wait. Kelvin Sampson? Really?

Deep breath. ... All right. Yahoo! first reported it and The Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst confirmed it that the Cavaliers have an interest in the former college coach (currently an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks). Of course, it appears he's only an option if the Cavs can't land one of the big names out there, but Kelvin Sampson?

On to other issues. We're not too concerned about the rally Clippers fans held to lure LeBron James to their team. Though we are pleasantly surprised to find that there are, in fact, 75 Clippers fans. No word on if Penny Marshall was in attendance.

Meanwhile, guess who was back in Cleveland last night attending the Drake show? The King himself. It may not mean anything, but we'd rather have him here than hanging out someplace else. Who says there's nothing to do in Cleveland?

And this just in, the city of Akron has scheduled a "LeBron appreciation day" to be held at InfoCision Stadium on June 19. If you can turn your back on Northeast Ohio after something like, you just may be a cyborg sent from the future.

So for today, we're sticking with 'Keep 'em Guessing.' But seriously. Kelvin Sampson?

"How many of you remember that, instead of re-signing Omar and keeping him as a veteran leader, Dolan and Shapiro dumped him and suggested he was done? Several Gold Gloves later he's still playing."

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerSome fans think the Indians pulled the trigger too early on letting Omar Vizquel leave.

In response to the story Where does Omar Vizquel rank among all-time shortstops? Poll, cleveland.com reader randyosu can't get over the team's decision to let Omar walk. This reader writes,

How many of you remember that, instead of re-signing Omar and keeping him as a veteran leader, Dolan and Shapiro dumped him and suggested he was done? Several Gold Gloves later he's still playing.

"Let's start with one, then go from there. Short of that, he's the best AAU, shoe company player in the NBA." - Rustbelt

View full sizeMarvin Fong | The Plain DealerLeBron James has the individual hardware, but an NBA title has eluded him so far.

In response to the story LeBron James: How many titles must his teams win to assure his standing among the best ever? Poll, cleveland.com reader Rustbelt thinks we're getting ahead of ourselves if we're asking that question. This reader writes,

Let's start with one, then go from there. Short of that, he's the best AAU, shoe company player in the NBA.

"I'd prefer the Big Ten just ignore Notre Dame. Let that arrogant school continue to position itself into an irrelevant one. They're clinging to images of themselves from 100 years ago. No one other than Notre Dame alums really care about Notre Dame."

View full sizeBahram Mark Sobham/Associated PressSome Big Ten fans don't want the conference to even consider Notre Dame as part of expansion.

In response to the story To be (Big), or not to be: Big Ten's expansion road map and the Notre Dame question, cleveland.com reader mightybk1 couldn't care less about Notre Dame's tradition. This reader writes,

I'd prefer the Big Ten just ignore Notre Dame. Let that arrogant school continue to position itself into an irrelevant one. They're clinging to images of themselves from 100 years ago. No one other than Notre Dame alums really care about Notre Dame.

While the Indians contemplate changes in the second half, Luis Valbuena, Matt LaPorta and Lou Marson are getting their chance now.

Ed Zurga / Associated PressIndians starter Fausto Carmona gave up a two-run home run to Nick Swisher in the second inning Friday night at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.

NEW YORK, New York -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Yankees tonight in the first of four games at Yankee Stadium.

 Pregame notes:

 Game 46: Manager Manny Acta says the Indians are anticipating bringing some players to the big leagues after the All-Star break.

 "It's not a secret that we have a few guys in Triple-A that we want to take a look at in the second half," he said. "We continue to monitor the progress of those guys with what's going on up here with our injuries.

 "Some guys are going to get a chance right now."

 Second baseman Luis Valbuena, first baseman/outfielder Matt LaPorta and catcher Lou Marson are getting their chance now. Valbuena, hitting .144, started at second base tonight against the Yankees.

 LaPorta (.210, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and Marson (.200, 0, 3) did not start. They've had their share of offensive problems.

 "We knew these three guys would struggle at some point, but we didn't anticipate them struggling at the same time," said Acta.

 Acta said LaPorta will play two of the four games against the Yankees. Marson is the starting catcher except when Fausto Carmona starts. When he pitches, as he did tonight, Mike Redmond catches him.

 As to who will get a look in the second half, Carlos Santana, for certain, is one of the players. Michael Brantley is another.

 Reason why: Lots of discussion on why Trevor Crowe laid down a sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning Wednesday with runners on first and second, no one out and Chicago leading the Indians, 5-4.

 After the bunt, White Sox closer Bobby Jenks intentionally walked Shin-Soo Choo, the Indians best hitter, to load the bases. Then he struck out Austin Kearns and retired Russell Branyan on a fly ball to left to end it.

 The Indians entered the ninth trailing, 5-1, but they scored three runs as the first five batters reached base to make it a one-run game.

 Acta had a choice -- let Crowe, with a limited track record, bat against a proven closer. Or let Kearns, one of the Indians most reliable hitters, bat. He was convinced the White Sox would not let Choo bat no matter what Crowe did.

 Lineups:  Indians (17-28): CF Trevor Crowe (S), RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), DH Travis Hafner (L), LF Austin Kearns (R), 1B Russell Branyan (L), 3B Jhonny Peralta (R), 2B Luis Valbuena (L), C Mike Redmond (R), SS Jason Donald (R) RHP Fausto Carmona (4-2, 3.45).

 Yankees (28-19): SS Derek Jeter (R), CF Curtis Granderson (L), 1B Mark Teixeira (S), 2B Robinson Cano (L), RF Nick Swisher (S), DH Juan Miranda (L), LF Brett Gardner (L), 3B Ramiro Pena (S), C Chad Moeller and RHP Phil Hughes (5-1, 2.72).

 Umpires: H Kerwin Danley, 1B CB Bucknor, 2B Doug Eddings, 3B Dana DeMuth. DeMuth, crew chief.

 Next: LHP David Huff (2-6, 5.25) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.86) Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

"Fausto isn't going anywhere. Teams scout players all the time, even if they're not available. The Indians have too much of an investment in Carmona and he is signed somewhat long-term already." - plinth857

View full sizeChuck Crow | The Plain Dealer Fausto Carmona is 4-2 with a 3.45 ERA so far in 2010.

In response to the story Fausto Carmona's version of 'Lost' takes a plot turn the Cleveland Indians like, cleveland.com reader plinth857 doesn't believe the rumors that the Indians could trade Carmona this season. This reader writes,

Fausto isn't going anywhere. Teams scout players all the time, even if they're not available. The Indians have too much of an investment in Carmona and he is signed somewhat long-term already.

"Kobe went five years with the media not thinking he was a winner because Shaq was the man for all of them. Well, I don't think that was fair, but until he won without Shaq, those critics didn't shut up. Until LeBron wins, this conversation probably won't stop." - ken3114

View full sizeThe Plain DealerUntil LeBron James walks off an NBA floor with the Larry O'Brien trophy, fans and media will question his will to win.

In response to the story LeBron James not 'a winner'? National media is nuts, says Dennis Manoloff (Starting Blocks TV), cleveland.com reader ken3114 thinks this will be a discussion until LeBron finally breaks through. This reader writes,

Kobe went five years with the media not thinking he was a winner because Shaq was the man for all of them. Well, I don't think that was fair, but until he won without Shaq, those critics didn't shut up. Until LeBron wins, this conversation probably won't stop.

"I want Robiskie to succeed but I would have rather had Brian Hartline as a Brown. He was the better of the two." - The Express

View full sizeAP Photo/Al GoldisWhich former Buckeye will end up a better pro? Brian Robiskie (seen here celebrating with Terrelle Pryor) or Brian Hartline?

In response to the story Brian Robiskie making an impact at Cleveland Browns OTAs - video, cleveland.com reader The Express thinks the Browns picked the wrong Ohio State receiver. This reader writes,

I want Robiskie to succeed but I would have rather had Brian Hartline as a Brown. He was the better of the two.

•While it's seemingly impossible to escape stories/rumors about free-agent-to-be LeBron James, the two-time MVP himself has been keeping a low profile. Saturday, however, the Cavaliers' forward will appear at the Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City to help judge a dunk contest sponsored by one of James' sponsors, Sprite. James is expected to appear around 6 p.m. The...

View full sizeNathan Denette / AP via The Canadian Press The Raptors' Chris Bosh will take part in a "superstar summit" -- along with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Joe Johnson -- in discussions about their NBA futures.

•While it's seemingly impossible to escape stories/rumors about free-agent-to-be LeBron James, the two-time MVP himself has been keeping a low profile.

Saturday, however, the Cavaliers' forward will appear at the Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City to help judge a dunk contest sponsored by one of James' sponsors, Sprite. James is expected to appear around 6 p.m.

The dunk contest is open to anyone 18 and over.

Also judging is former NBA star Darryl Dawkins, whose backboard-shattering dunks were the stuff of legends when he played in the NBA from 1975 to '89.

Dawkins came to the NBA out of high school, and was a media-savvy big man who liked to name his dunks.

Dawkins was briefly the property of the Cavaliers on Oct. 8 1987, when they acquired him from New Jersey before sending him, and "Dinner Bell" Mel Turpin, to Utah for Kent Benson and Dell Curry. Today, Curry is best-known as the father of NBA rookie and former Davidson star Stephen Curry.

The winner of today's dunk contest gets $1,000 and an opportunity to compete in the championship event during NBA All-Star Weekend next year.

•Dwyane Wade's comments to the Chicago Tribune that he, LeBron James and Joe Johnson will gather to discuss their NBA futures -- coupled with an ESPN report that Chris Bosh will be part of any such "summit" -- has intensified speculation about where the potential free agents will continue their careers.

Besides James' Cavaliers, Wade's Heat, Johnson's Hawks and Bosh's Raptors, teams such as the Knicks are paying close attention.

Marc Berman writes for the New York Post that a meeting among the players would be "good for the Knicks.

"The Knicks' only shot at James is if he can convince Bosh -- or Wade or Johnson -- to come along for the ride. The Knicks is the only club that has cap room to sign two maximum contracts -- with $34 million in space.

"Even if James stays in Cleveland or heads to Chicago, the Knicks would take any pair -- Wade and Bosh, Johnson and Bosh, even Johnson and Wade."

•The Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst broke a significant story Thursday evening when he tweeted that Celtics assistant coach and defensive game-planning whiz Tom Thibodeau is now being represented by Creative Artists Agency and William Wesley. The partnership is creating a buzz, because James, Wade and Bosh are represented by CAA, and Thibodeau is one of the NBA's star head coach candidates.

Wesley, known as "Worldwide Wes," recently joined CAA after building a reputation as basketball's most powerful facilitator of alliances between players, coaches, front office executives, agents and entertainers.

Marc Berman had speculated in print that if Thibodeau would hook up with CAA, Wesley might steer Thibodeau toward Chicago. The Bulls need a coach after firing Vinny Del Negro, and are considered among the top contenders to sign an elite free agent.

However, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com points out that Thibodeau joining CAA "could complicate matters since the Bulls are one of the only teams in the NBA that do not negotiate with coaching agents."

•Not in the rumor category, but:

Community and business leaders in Akron, including Mayor Don Plusquellic, have put together a "LeBron Appreciation Day" for June 19 at InfoCision Stadium at the University of Akron.

James, a lifelong Akron resident, led St. Vincent-St. Mary to three prep state championships and a national title, and enjoys promoting the city.

"Our goal for this event is to bring together as many people as possible to send a unified message of support to our hometown hero LeBron James," reads the lebronday.com website.

Julie Oddo, InfoCision Stadium vice-president of valued accounts, says planners hope James will attend the event.

"We are working on that," she said. "We're very hopeful he'll be part of the day when we honor him for all that he's done for Akron and Cleveland."

Oddo said admission to the event is free.

"We're excited," she said. "It's family-friendly and fan-friendly. We're going to have lots of activities -- basketball shooting, contests and drawings. Kids and fans events."

•A few dozen Clippers fans marched outside the Staples Center on Thursday night before the Lakers hosted the Suns in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

According to the Associated Press, the fans chanted, "We want the King" and "L-B-J." Fan Darrell Bailey, who calls himself "Clipper Darrell" and is known for taunting opposing teams, marched at the front of the group, shouting "LeBron versus Kobe, four times a year!" into a megaphone.

The Clippers, who have a nice young nucleus and the salary cap space to sign a major free agent, have a 730-1,370 record and have won 11 playoff games in their 26 seasons in Los Angeles.

While it's seemingly impossible to escape stories/rumors about free-agent-to-be LeBron James, the two-time MVP himself has been keeping a low profile. Saturday, however, the Cavaliers' forward will appear at the Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City to help judge a dunk contest sponsored by one of James' sponsors, Sprite. James is expected to appear around 6 p.m. The...

While it's seemingly impossible to escape stories/rumors about free-agent-to-be LeBron James, the two-time MVP himself has been keeping a low profile.

Saturday, however, the Cavaliers' forward will appear at the Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City to help judge a dunk contest sponsored by one of James' sponsors, Sprite. James is expected to appear around 6 p.m.

The dunk contest is open to anyone 18 and over.

Also judging is former NBA star Darryl Dawkins, whose backboard-shattering dunks were the stuff of legends when he played in the NBA from 1975 to '89.

Dawkins came to the NBA out of high school, and was a media-savvy big man who liked to name his dunks.

Dawkins was briefly the property of the Cavaliers on Oct. 8 1987, when they acquired him from New Jersey before sending him, and "Dinner Bell" Mel Turpin, to Utah for Kent Benson and Dell Curry. Today, Curry is best-known as the father of NBA rookie and former Davidson star Stephen Curry.

The winner of today's dunk contest gets $1,000 and an opportunity to compete in the championship event during NBA All-Star Weekend next year.

Helio Castroneves needs a win in Sunday's Indianapolis 500 to become the fourth man to win the race four times.

Indianapolis Some would say the difference between Affirmed and Alydar in the chase for the 1978 Triple Crown was jockey Steve Cauthen.

Sticking with that theory, consider Helio Castroneves the difference between the Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi race teams for Sunday's 94th Indianapolis 500.

Drivers for those teams are considered the only realistic threats to win Sunday's race at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Each team has three drivers in the field, with Townsend Bell, Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon racing for Ganassi and Will Power, Ryan Briscoe and Castroneves drivingfor Penske.

Those six drivers have combined to win the Indy 500 five times, three by Castroneves, an overwhelming favorite to become the fourth man to win the race four times.

A Castroneves victory would give Shaker Heights native Roger Penske, 73, his 16th Indianapolis 500 win. That is far and away the most any team owner has won at The Brickyard.

Penske won his first Indy in 1972, just three years after his first appearance as a team owner.

Castroneves, who won in 2001, 2002 and 2009,is trying to tie Indy legends Al Unser, Rick Mears and A.J. Foyt with four wins at The Brickyard. At 35 and racing for Penske, Castroneves conceivably could pass those three in victories by the end of his career.

Some might think Castroneves would feel a bit of pressure. But one of the keys to the success of Penske's team is that it seems to thrive on pressure. It's a teamwide attitude, from those who call the race to the drivers to the pit crews.

"It has to do with executing, and the people have to be able to thrive on pressure," Penske Team President Tim Cindric said. "I know we got a guy in the seat that you can put in any position, any situation."

That would be Castroneves, who has the patience on the track to wait when others might charge, the focus to go when others might hold back, and the trust in others to help him maximize his talent. In the 2009 race Castroneves jumped from out of contention into a chase for the checkered flag when his crew got him in and out of pit stops faster than the cars he was chasing.

"When I needed those guys most, boom, they're right there," he said. "I know we have the guys to make it happen again."

So Castroneves seems to have a solid shot at notching win No. 4. He will start on the pole after qualifying at 227.970 mph, next to his teammate, Power (227.578 mph) with Franchitti (226.990 mph) on the outside of the first row in the 33-car field.

"Helio seems to be kind of on his own planet," said suburban Columbus driver Graham Rahal, who will start seventh on the inside of the third row.

"I don't really know why. It's strange. He's so much quicker than his teammates, even, that it's a little bit strange. He seems to go 222 (at race pace) on his own. I don't see anybody else that's able to do that."

Friday's last day of practice solidified everyone's initial thoughts. Castroneves seemingly did not push himself, other than to test his machine in traffic, where he weaved in and out like a boxer in training. Castroneves still posted the fifth-fastest speed of the day at 224.753 mph. The top two practice speeds were posted by the Ganassi teammates, Franchitti and Dixon, at 225.574 mph and 225.159 mph. Power was next at 224.993 mph followed by Top 5 interloper Bruno Junqueira at 224.898 mph.

But that was practice. With it all on the line, Castroneves is expected to be out front, and zooming. He has the best team and the best crew and clearly the best car. In other words, he will be very hard to chase down.

"A good car in clean air is always going to be good," Cindric said. "Once you get a fast car out front, it's hard to catch him, for sure."

Advertising Age argues this week in an online story that market size does not affect endorsement potential in the NBA and NFL. It proves once again that the New York Knicks need LeBron James far more than he needs them.

Being in Cleveland has not had a negative impact on LeBron James' attractiveness to advertisers. This ad features a likeness of James and Yao Ming in an Olympic-themed ad in 2008.

But it was not.

Then there was Jason Kidd, playing in the nearby Meadowlands with a New Jersey Nets team he took to back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals and lost both. Kidd made a great eye test commercial for a credit card company, in which he faced the other way and read the chart's letters with the "eyes in the back of his head." In the same ad, he also alerted teammate Richard Jefferson that Jefferson's car was being towed on the street behind him.

That was probably the only memorable commercial starring Kidd.

Kidd and Ewing are two certain future Hall of Famers, who, when playing in New York -- the supposed cradle of endorsement wealth -- managed to get enough commercials to edge "diddly squat" as their marketing share by a nose.

It turns out, according to an article in the online edition of Advertising Age that "geography is irrelevant," at least in the view of Darin David, an advertising executive who evaluates the appeal of potential endorsers.

The size of the market was important "30 years ago," the story argues, but not so much now.

It means that, as aggravating as that New York Yankees cap perched on LeBron James' head was during the Indians-Yankees game here three years ago, New York is not the marketing bonanza many fans think it is.

With the Indians playing the Yankees this weekend in New York, now is the time to note that baseball -- the only major team sport without a salary cap -- is different. The story cites the "disparity in exposure and competitiveness" between big-market and small-market teams in baseball as the underlying reason for geography's much larger role in creating marketing possibilities in it.

But competitive parity, says Ad Age, lessens the dominance of big markets in the NFL and NBA.

In the NFL, although both top conference seeds played in the Super Bowl last season, the very presence of the team that won it all, the New Orleans Saints, actually buttressed the parity argument.

In the NBA, the Boston Celtics' presence in the playoff final four is a surprise, but the Phoenix Suns' getting there is flabbergasting. Can we have a show of hands for those who thought at the All-Star break, when Amar'e Stoudemire was on the trading block, that the Suns would get this far? Anybody?

The Suns' signature player, point guard Steve Nash, is a fascinating man, at times outspoken, often engaged in liberal political causes. This might make him a little too divisive for national advertisers.

But the thrust of the story is still accurate. The endorsement hog of our time in team sports is the football's likable Peyton Manning, who plays in Indianapolis. In the clever commercials, Manning projects a genial, self-deprecating image.

Maybe even winning doesn't matter all that much, although the endorser's team has to be in the mix, as the Cavaliers have been with James.

The visibility conferred by television appearances on a good team, plus a personality a little sunnier than that of the glowering Ewing, have more importance than market size.

The story notes that James' impending free agency serves to hype his endorsement possibilities by keeping his name in the news cycle constantly. But it neglects to say, purely in terms of his potential basketball contract, that the Cavs can pay him considerably more than any other suitors.

Another point the story misses is that the big untapped markets are all overseas now. Kids buying sneakers in China, Brazil and India don't care where their hero plays.

Here, of course, where the hometown roots of the global icon seem to be strong and deep, that matter is a little larger concern.

UPDATED: The Aeros, Captains and Crushers lose on Friday, but the Kinston Indians defeat Winston-Salem, N.C., in a Adavnced Class A game.

View full sizeJordan Brown

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 11, IronPigs 7 Columbus scored 11 runs on 14 hits to outlast Lehigh Valley (Pa.) in Columbus on Friday. Jordan Brown of Columbus was 2-for-4 and had five RBI. Brian Buscher clubbed his fourth home run of the season for Columbus. Carlos Carrasco (3-2) was the starter and winner. The right-hander gave up seven runs (six earned) and 11 hits in seven innings.

AA Akron Aeros

Mets 2, Aeros 1 John Drennen singled in Jared Goedert in the top of the ninth inning, but Akron's late rally fell short at Binghamton, N.Y. Alex White (1-1) started for Akron, and gave up both Mets runs, one of them earned, in six innings.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 8, Dash 5 Kinston scored two runs in both the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings, and defeated Winston-Salem, N.C. Jason Kipnis stroked a run-scoring double and Kyle Bellows brought home a run with a triple in the seventh. In the eighth, the K-Tribe's Lucas Montero knocked in a run with a triple, and Jordan Henry completed the late-inning flurry with a run-scoring single to center. Rob Bryson (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the victory. Cory Burns pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save.

A Lake County Captains

Loons 2, Captains 1 Lake County pitchers Matt Packer and Francisco Jimenez held the Great Lakes Loons to two runs on four hits in the Midwest League loss. Packer (2-3) pitched five innings, and was the starting and losing pitcher. Lake County scored its only run in the eighth inning, when Jason Smith singled in Casey Frawley.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Kings 6, Crushers 5 Matt Maloney matched a Frontier League record by hitting three homers as the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Kings knocked off visiting Lake Erie in 10 innings.

Laffey, currently being used as a reliever, might become a starter if the Indians take Justin Masterson out of the rotation.

View full sizeChuck Crow / PDAaron Laffey

The Indians, of course, would have to be realistic about their expectations for Laffey. Depending on how stretched out Laffey has managed to keep his arm in the pen, it would be foolish to think he could go more than five innings in his first few starts.

Laffey, a starter throughout his career, hasn't pitched more than three innings at a time since the start of the season. Overall, he's thrown 24 1/3 innings in 19 appearances.

Manager Manny Acta said no deadline has been set on how long Masterson will stay in the rotation.

First impression: Indians pitching coach Tim Belcher on his first look at new Yankee Stadium: "It just looks like they put a new coat of paint on the old one. Not bad for $1 billion."

Estimated cost for new Yankee Stadium was $1.5 billion.

Stat of the day: The Yankees have outhomered the Indians, 52-28, this season.

-- Paul Hoynes

Fans will get an idea of just how long Grady Sizemore will be on the disabled list Sunday when the Indians give their first official statement on his much-examined injured left knee.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore has been on the disabled list since May 19 because of knee troubles.

NEW YORK -- The Indians will go public Sunday with what they know about Grady Sizemore's left knee and how they're going to treat it.

Surgery is a possibility.

Sizemore has been touring the country getting opinions on the knee that put him on the disabled list May 19. He came to New York with the Indians on Thursday night and was examined by a doctor Friday. Sizemore was not at Yankee Stadium for the game.

View full sizeChuck Crow / PDTrevor Crowe, above, has been filling in for Grady Sizemore.He visited Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo., earlier in the week. Steadman is a respected knee surgeon.

Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, said the Indians received the opinion of several doctors. Sizemore bruised sliding into a base in April and reinjured it diving back into first base on May 16 against Baltimore.

Last season Sizemore played injured much of the year. He required surgery on his left elbow and left groin in September.

Trevor Crowe has replaced Sizemore in center field. He went into Friday's game hitting .260 (13-for-50) with one home and seven RBI.

Eyes to the future: Indians manager Manny Acta said the Indians are anticipating bringing some players to the big leagues after the All-Star break.

"It's not a secret that we have a few guys in Triple-A that we want to take a look at in the second half," he said. "We continue to monitor the progress of those guys with what's going on up here with our injuries.

"Some guys are going to get a chance right now."

View full sizeChuck Crow / PDOutfielder Michael Brantley.Second baseman Luis Valbuena, first baseman/outfielder Matt LaPorta and catcher Lou Marson are getting their chance now. Valbuena, hitting .144, started at second base Friday.

LaPorta (.210, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and Marson (.200, 0, 3) did not start.

"We knew these three guys would struggle at some point, but we didn't anticipate them struggling at the same time," said Acta.

As to who will get a look in the second half, catcher Carlos Santana, for certain, is one of the players. Outfielder Michael Brantley is another.

Squeeze play: LaPorta, unlike Valbuena and Marson, is losing playing time to Austin Kearns in left field and Russell Branyan at first.

When asked whether he would benefit more from playing every day at Class AAA Columbus compared to semi-regularly in Cleveland, Acta said, "The experience up here is priceless. This guy did enough damage in Triple-A last year, in the amount of at-bats he had, that we felt he was ready to come over here. It's not like he's only playing once a week. He's got over 100 at-bats (105).

"If it gets to a point where the kid is getting buried and isn't getting enough at-bats, then we'll probably have to take another step. But right now, we feel he's getting enough reps up here."

Reason why: A lot of people wanted to know why Crowe put down a sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning Wednesday with runners on first and second, no outs and Chicago leading the Indians, 5-4.

After the bunt, White Sox closer Bobby Jenks intentionally walked Shin-Soo Choo, the Indians' best hitter, to load the bases. Then he struck out Kearns and retired Branyan on a fly ball to left to end it.

The Indians entered the ninth trailing, 5-1, but they scored three runs as the first five batters reached base to make it a one-run game.

At that point, Acta had a choice -- let Crowe, with a limited track record, bat against a proven closer in Jenks. Or let Kearns, one of the Indians' most reliable hitters, bat. He was convinced the White Sox would walked Choo if Crowe didn't reach base.

In the Bronx: Acta on the Yankees, "It's a very good ballclub. They represent a challenge to everybody, not just us. They're the defending champs. They're built to win."

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

Yes, Robinson Cano buries the Indians with a grand slam in the seventh inning off Tony Sipp in the Yankees' 8-2 win at New York, but Tribe starting pitcher Fausto Carmona continues to show encouraging signs.

View full sizeBill Kostroun / Associated PressIndians relief pitcher Tony Sipp watches the game get away from him in the seventh inning as the Yankees' Robinson Cano rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam, giving New York an 8-2 lead.

There were more than 40,000 people in the seats at new Yankee Stadium. There was a clip of Mick Jagger playing Yankees scoreboard games between innings. The place vibrated with the kind of energy that felt like a living thing.

View full sizeBill Kostroun / APThe positive of an 8-2 loss for the Indians is pitcher Fausto Carmona, who stayed cool and got out of trouble in the sixth inning. In short, it was everything Indians baseball isn't. Yes, that included Robinson Cano's seventh-inning grand slam that overshadowed another step forward in the remaking of Carmona and helped the Yankees steamroll the Indians, 8-2, in the Bronx.

Charlie Nagy, the old Indians right-hander, calls Yankee Stadium the biggest stage in baseball. He's right.

Which made Carmona's sixth inning all the more impressive. The Indians trailed, 2-1, but that was before the Yankees first three batters reached base on Mark Teixeira's walk and singles by Cano and Nick Swisher.

Carmona (4-3, 3.69 ERA) forced home a run by walking Juan Miranda and gave up a sacrifice fly to Brett Gardner to make it 4-1. If this was 2008 or 2009, Carmona would have been done. He might not have even made it that far, but Friday night he didn't look into the dugout for help or hang his head in self pity.

What he did was strike out Ramiro Pena in an 11-pitch at-bat and induce Chad Moeller to hit into a force play to end the inning with the game still within reach.

"I thought Fausto battled for us real well," said manager Manny Acta. "He really impressed me by the way he worked himself out of that inning. He gave us a chance for six innings."

Acta wasn't here last year, but he'd talked to enough people to know the chances of Carmona getting through an inning like the sixth last season were slim.

"All I heard from the rumors were at times like this last year that he'd crumble and things would get worse," Acta said. "He was able to slow the game down a little and just get back in control and get out of that inning."

Russell Branyan cut the Yankees lead in half, 4-2, with a leadoff homer off Phil Hughes (6-1, 2.70) in the seventh, but the Indians would get no closer.

Tony Sipp started the seventh with 15 1/3 straight scoreless innings, but the Yankees rolled him for a four spot on Cano's slam. Derek Jeter opened the inning by beating out an infield single behind second, Curtis Granderson doubled and Teixeira walked to load the bases. Cano hit Sipp's first pitch into the second deck in right field.

The four earned runs were more runs than Sipp had allowed all season. The left-hander entered the seventh having allowed three earned runs in 19 1/3 innings.

"Anything can happen in baseball on any day," Sipp said. "I was just fortunate enough to have a run like I did. Games like this bring you back to reality."

Swisher hit a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole in the second to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead against Carmona. It should have only been a solo homer, but umpire C.B. Bucknor called Cano safe on a leadoff single that should have been an out. Replays showed Jason Donald's throw from short clearly beat him to the bag.

It was not a good night for Bucknor, who called Donald out at first in the seventh on what appeared to be an infield single.

The Indians' Jhonny Peralta made it 2-1 with a two-out double off Hughes in the fourth.

Hughes started the game with five straight strikeouts. But the play of the game belonged to Indians center fielder Trevor Crowe, who stole an extra-base hit from Miranda in the fourth with a diving, back-to-the-play catch on the warning track in center.

The Indians have lost nine of their past 11 games.

"We don't keep count here," said Acta, when asked if he felt the season was slipping away from his team. "That's your job. We just show up and play hard every day. We still have over 100 games to play."

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

COLUMBUS -- Colton Buffington faced three opponents Friday. He beat the heat and two challengers.

Westlake sophomore Colton Buffington returns a shot to Ruben Geearaet, a junior from Centerville, in the morning round of the Division I boys tournament Friday in Columbus. Buffington won, 6-1, 6-0.



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(Impactactionphotos.com)

COLUMBUS -- Colton Buffington faced three opponents Friday.

He beat the heat and two challengers.

Battling the sweltering conditions at Ohio State's Stickney Tennis Center, the Westlake sophomore took care of junior Ruben Geearaet of Centerville, 6-1, 6-0, in the morning round of the Division I boys tournament. With the heat of the day bearing down in the afternoon, he was more impressive in holding off rival Nicky Wong of Lexington in three scorching sets, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.

Buffington, 16, admitted the future did not look bright when he was down, 2-0, with Wong serving in the third game.

"This isn't good is what I was thinking," said Buffington, who defeated Wong earlier this season. "I had to make some big plays. He returns really far back and I took advantage of it."

Rallying to break Wong for a 6-5 lead, Buffington won it on four straight points, finishing it with an ace.

"At 5-4, I was supposed to hold serve. At 5-5 it was time to be aggressive. I was in shape and he was slowing down. In between [matches] I sat in the air-conditioning in the car. I didn't come out until 10 minutes before."

All the two-match winners had to deal with the conditions as best they could.

Cloverleaf senior Ethan Dunbar did it by shortening his Division I matches against Mason freshman Miguel Cepeda (6-0, 6-1) and Thomas Worthington junior Casey Cempre (6-1, 6-3). Dunbar had his first serve working most of the time.

"Aces are free points and that's good in the heat," said Dunbar, who stands 35-0 on the season. "I like the heat actually. I moved my feet and played pretty well."

Dunbar will face senior Kevin Metka from Worthington Kilbourne in today's semifinals.

"I don't mind waiting," he said. "I'm excited to get back out there."

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy junior Alex Aleman will be out there today to take on talented junior Chris Diaz from Columbus Bishop Watterson. Aleman, part of CVCA's Division II state doubles champions, had that bushed look after plugging through for wins against junior Mason Bourbon of Cincinnati Wyoming (6-2, 6-2) and senior Ben Brocker of Poland Seminary (6-4, 6-3).

"I was drinking a ton and it was hard to play in it," said Aleman. "It was hard to breathe. Brutal. It was hard for everyone. I've been pushing myself. I can't get tired for the second match of the day. I was pleased with the way I served."

CVCA will go for its second straight doubles title with the brother combination of Lou and Will Konstan, the latter replacing Aleman. After taking care of Kettering Alter in the morning, the Konstans handled the University School duo of senior Nick Smedira and sophomore Billy Lennon, 6-3, 6-4.

"We're halfway there and to make it to the second day is a blessing," said Lou Konstan. "You get lightheaded and kind of distracted with the heat. We were definitely in shape. We did pretty good at poaching, picking off points."

Northeast Ohio players suffered their share of disappointment during the one-and-done day.

After winning their Division II morning match, Beachwood senior doubles Mark Goldberg and Ricky Bortz had their season come to an end as Gahanna Columbus Academy won decisively, 6-1, 6-1.

Goldberg, the runner-up in doubles (2008) and singles last year, poured out his emotions for a few minutes as he was consoled by his father and coach, Gregg. He will continue his tennis career next year at Lehigh University.

Also in Division II doubles, Hawken School seniors David Gerson and Charlie Marx, along with the Bay duo of Curtis Lockhart and Peter Scanniella, lost their opening matches.

Junior Sam Ubersax from Orange lost his Division II singles opener.

In Division I singles, juniors Tommy Marx and David Gabriel, both from Shaker Heights, along with junior Nolan Marks from Kenston were eliminated in the opening round.

The Walsh Jesuit pairing of juniors Garrett Cona and Matt Spittler handled Hilliard Davidson in the morning, but were ousted by Toledo St. John's during a three-set afternoon struggle, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-5. Hudson's Steven Boslet and Patrick O'Hanlan won their opener, but could not get past Upper Arlington.

Both of Solon's tandems, Andrew Branstetter-Liam O'Brien and Evan Schrode-Zach Singerman, dropped morning matches.

The semifinals begin at 9 a.m.

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

Case Western Reserve's Obinna Nwanna won the decathlon in the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships and B-W's Steve Price, a North Olmsted native, finished 10th.

BEREA, Ohio — One decathlete from a Cleveland college was competing to become the national champion in the 10-part event while another from a different Cleveland college was striving to attain All-America status in the event Friday at Baldwin-Wallace in Berea.

Case Western Reserve's Obinna Nwanna won the decathlon in the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships and B-W's Steve Price, a North Olmsted native, finished 10th.

Nwanna stood in third place after Thursday's first five events, while Price sat ninth, one spot from the podium and an All-American trophy.

"I am usually a first-day guy," Nwanna said. "I usually get most of my points in those first five events and if I am sitting in a decent spot in the middle of the whole event, I have a good shot at winning. Winning this title is the highlight of my career."

Price finished 66 points behind the eighth-place finisher.

B-W's Kim Chinn, seeded 10th for the steeplechase, surprised with a second-place finish.

In the men's 110-meter hurdles, Salisbury's Cory Beebe (Cloverleaf) qualified for today's final by winning his heat in 14.27. The Medina native qualified in the 400 hurdles Thursday.

Elise Johnson of Williams College (Mass.), a Trinity High grad, qualified for the 100 hurdles final in 14.11.

"It was nice to have a cheering section here for me and coming back this week allowed me to see my new nephew for the first time. Knowing that the nationals would be here gave me the extra push to do well enough in the other meets this season to get here," Johnson said.

Norm Weber is a freelance writer in Broadview Heights.