The Indians have lost four in a row. Find out Paul Hoynes' thoughts on the team's recent play and more. Hoynsie talked Indians baseball in his weekly chat earlier today

• Will Carlos Santana be ready for spring training next season?

• When will Travis Hafner be back? Will Jordan Brown be sent down when Hafner's healthy?

• Could we really see Alex White in an Indians uniform this season?

• What's the future look like for David Huff?

• Considering he's 23 and has had little time in the big leagues, should Michael Brantley be getting thrown into the leadoff spot?

Click on the play button below to listen or download the MP3 podcast to listen on the go.

Like most other preseason polls, I have Alabama on top, followed by Ohio State.

Marvin Fong/ The Plain DealerOhio State beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl, and now the Buckeyes are No. 2 on my AP preseason ballot, while the Ducks are No. 12.

Welcome to the most useless preseason ballot of the year. I say that as someone who likes preseason polls a lot. We all need some context when talking about college football in the months before the season starts.

It's just that I submitted this, my AP preseason poll, to the AP 11 days ago, and I won't bother with it again. The AP preseason poll will be revealed on Aug. 21.

For my AP vote this year, I'll be voting with the same method I did last year, which was to base my ballot almost entirely on onfield results, not on preseason rankings or team reputation. Some people thought I was an idiot. Other people thought I was a moron. And a few others liked the idea.

This ballot doesn't vary too much from what we've seen from the preseason coaches poll, the Sports Illustrated preseason preview or several others. Alabama is No. 1, Ohio State is No. 2, Boise State is in the top five, etc.

The things I valued most when evaluating teams was experience and talent at quarterback and on the offensive and defensive lines. The predicted order of finish in conferences as determined by conference media also helped guide me - I figured I'd trust the reporters who know those teams best.

What I didn't look at all was schedule - I wasn't going to rank what I thought was a lesser team with an easier schedule ahead of what I thought was a better team with a tougher schedule. I've also included, in parentheses, each teams' ranking in the coaches poll, ESPN Power Rankings and Sports Illustrated preview.

1. Alabama (1-1-1) - Only 10 starters back, but nine are on offense, including a lot of the line, quarterback Greg McElroy, Heisman winning running back Mark Ingram and receiver Julio Jones. I don't think this is a completely obvious choice, but I'm curious to hear what the argument is for another team.

2. Ohio State (2-2-2) - Experienced offensive line and quarterback, defensive line is talented but not as deep as a year ago, but if you believe the Rose Bowl was a fair indication of the 2010 Buckeyes, it's hard to put the Buckeyes any lower than third. They'll get a long look from me for the No. 1 spot if they beat Miami impressively in week two.

3. Boise State (5-3-3) - The winner of Boise State-Virginia Tech in week one could easily be No. 1 on my ballot. The Broncos have 20 starters back, including quarterback Kellen Moore, but I think Alabama and Ohio State have a little better talent across the board.

4. Oklahoma (8-6-12) - Higher than some have the Sooners, though Phil Steele put them first in his preseason poll. Big 12 media picked Oklahoma to finish ahead of Texas in the Big 12 South Division, though other national polls have the Longhorns ahead of the Sooners.

5. Florida (3-5-7) - This could be a little high, although the Gators are No. 3 in the coaches poll. Only nine starters back, but this is the consensus second-best team in what has been the nation's best conference.

6. TCU (7-7-5) - Sixteen starters back, including QB Andy Dalton, and we'll get a good idea of the Horned Frogs in their opener against Oregon State.

7. Nebraska (9-11-9) - Even without Ndamukong Suh, I think this is the No. 2 team in the Big 12. Fifteen starters back, and third-week game at Washington should be interesting.

8. Wisconsin (12-13-11) - The team I picked to finish second in the Big Ten ahead of Iowa. The Badgers' running game, with John Clay and one of the best, most experienced offensive lines in the nation, could control games. Iowa's defensive line could dominate the same way Wisconsin's offensive line might, and both the Badgers and Hawkeyes have veteran quarterbacks in Scott Tolzien and Ricky Stanzi. Maybe the reason that put Wisconsin slightly ahead in my mind - Tolzien made fewer mistakes last year.

9. Texas (4-4-4) - Only 11 starters back. Like Florida, I think the Longhorns, No. 4 in the coaches poll, are riding reputation a bit. Oct. 2 vs. Oklahoma will tell us what we need to know.

10. Iowa (10-9-6) - Hawkeyes still a great team. I voted them higher than many voters much of last season, caring less about how close some of their wins were and focusing more on that they found a way to win. That's in-season. In preseason subjective voting, you have to wonder if Iowa can survive again if they get in games like that. But if Stanzi cuts down on his picks, which he knows he needs to do, watch out.

11. Virginia Tech (6-8-10) - The Hokies face Boise State in the season-opener, after losing their opener to Alabama a year ago. The winner there will make a case for No. 1.

12. Oregon (11-12-8) - Maybe I'm making too much of replacing quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, but that's one of the reasons I have the Ducks lower than some others do.

13. Arkansas (19-17-23) - They could be the Ole Miss of 2010, the SEC darkhorse that somehow winds up overrated. But with Ryan Mallet at quarterback, my feeling is this is the third-best team in the SEC. But that's only the feeling now.

14. Miami (13-10-15) - Great defensive line, veteran quarterback in Jacory Harris, and the Ohio State-Miami winner in week two will make its own case for No. 1.

15. Stanford (XX-25-23) - One of my more unusual picks, but with the Cardinal returning four offensive line starters and talented sophomore quarterback Andrew Luck, they have a lot of what I'm looking for in a wide-open Pac-10.

16. Southern California (XX-15-17) - Trojans are ineligible for coaches poll because of NCAA sanctions, and with new coach Lane Kiffin, they are incredibly difficult to get a handle on. Still a lot of talent there, but only 11 starters back and no one knows how it will mix together in this new era of USC.

17. Georgia (21-24-XX)

18. Florida State (20-18-25)

19. North Carolina (18-20-13)

20. West Virginia (24-XX-XX)

21. Penn State (14-21-19) - The Nittany Lions were No. 14 in the coaches poll, which I think is a high for a team unsure about its quarterback situation and the offensive line. Running back Evan Royster should help ease the transition for the winner of the QB derby.

22. LSU (16-19-21)

23. Clemson (XX-XX-XX)

24. Pitt (15-14-16)

25. Utah (24-XX-22)

Teams I didn't rank that might make some people angry: Cincinnati (XX-XX-18), Georgia Tech (17-16-14), Oregon State (22-23-20), Auburn (23-22-XX) 

No word yet on whether appeals are planned.

The Reds' Dusty Baker is facing a two-game suspension after this week's brawl with the St. Louis Cardinals.

NEW YORK -- Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto has been suspended for seven games for his actions during a brawl with the St. Louis Cardinals, and both managers were suspended for two games.

Major League Baseball said Thursday that Cueto, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and Reds manager Dusty Baker also were fined undisclosed amounts.

Four other players were fined but not suspended -- Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter and catcher Yadier Molina, and Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips and relief pitcher Russ Springer.

A fight broke out in the first inning of Tuesday's game in Cincinnati. The Cardinals won the game and swept a three-game series to move into first place in the NL Central.

It wasn't immediately clear if appeals were planned.

Baltimore pitcher Brad Bergesen throws a complete-game two-hitter against the Tribe.

View full sizeAmy Sancetta,
Associated PressBaltimore's Brad Bergesen looked like Orioles' great Jim Palmer against the Indians in his first victory since mid-May.

Cleveland, Ohio -- They're cracking the champagne in the Baltimore and offering up toasts to the Indians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Indians because the Tribe's inability to connect against a second-year pitcher and the Bucs for losing to the San Diego Padres.

That combination means that the Orioles, who are on an 8-1 tear since Buck Showalter became manager, no longer have the worst record in baseball. The surging Orioles are now 40-74. The Pirates are at 39-73. The Indians, just in case you're keeping score, are at 47-67.

Birds' pitcher Brad Bergesen threw a complete game two-hitter at the Indians. Leading the Tribe's offensive onslaught: Luis Valbuena, who is hitting a robust .169 and drove in the Indians' lone run in Wednesday night's 3-1 loss.

Jeff Zrebiec's account of the game for the Baltimore Sun began with Bergesen's attempt to convince Showalter to leave him in to finish the game. Turns out, ol' Buck was leaning that way anyway.

When Orioles manager Buck Showalter walked back toward the clubhouse for a bathroom break before the top of the ninth inning, he spotted Brad Bergesen heading the other direction in the tunnel. Not knowing whether his manager had seen him, Bergesen circled back to make sure that he was again in Showalter's view.

The message the pitcher was sending was clear. It was his game, and he wanted to be on the mound when it ended.

. . . "He deserved to have that opportunity there; he worked too hard [not to]," said Showalter, who is 8-1 since taking over as manager. The Orioles (40-74) have won four straight games and clinched their third consecutive series victory for the first time all season.

'Course, it's easy to win when you a bring a giant killer like Bergesen, a guy with a 4-9 record who hadn't won since May, fer cryin' out loud.

Why's and whyfores


Although he came into the game with an ERA of 6.26 (it's now 5.84, courtesy of the Tribe), there might be a reason Bergesen did so well Wednesday night, according to Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon-Journal.

it's not difficult to find rationalizations for the Baltimore Orioles' awful record and the dominance of starter Brad Bergesen, who spearheaded the 3-1 win.

In his previous two starts, Bergesen gave up only three runs in 14 innings to the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, so maybe he has a thing for pitching against Central Division clubs. As for the O's march to 100 losses, if they petition the commissioner to play the Tribe a few more times, they probably won't have the lowest winning percentage in baseball.

Oh, now we get it. It's not what you throw; it's who you throw it against.

Dollars and sense


The website commonsforsale.com is offering a "game-used" Grady Sizemore bat for $6. That's it, just six bucks. Which is really weird because you'd think a nice, hand-turned wooden bat that has never been in contact with a baseball should be worth more.

From The Plain Dealer


When we first started in this business, covering high school sports and the Houston Rockets (it was a weird paper), the comment we most often got was, "Wow, you're lucky! You get to go to every game for free." Would really love to find something of those folks today and say, "Let me introduce you to Paul Hoynes, the Indians beat writer for The Plain Dealer." Yeah, covering sports IS great fun . . . most of the time. But you gotta watch a lot of Cleveland-Baltimore scrums between World Series. Take this from his game story: on the Tribe's 3-1 loss Wednesday night:

Wednesday at Progressive Field it was a pick-'em night viewed by an intimate gathering of 11,155. The options were a lineup featuring three starters hitting .178 or less, or right-hander Brad Bergesen, 0-7 in his last 12 appearances and winless in three months.

Sounds like fun, huh? But Starting Blocks confesses we've never heard Hoynsie complain . . . and we doubt if we ever will.

In addition to an explanation about why the Tribe demoted struggling pitcher David Huff to Columbus, Hoynsie's Indians Insider includes an item about injured catcher Carlos Santana visiting the clubhouse in a brace on his surgically repaired left knee that extended from mid-thigh to his ankle. Santana, who was hurt when White Sox rookie Ryan Kalish slammed into him at the plate, said through intepreter coaching assistant Ruben Niebla, "There might be some adjustments I can make and learn from that when there is going to be a play at the plate."

Gee, ya think?

Carr, his playing number retired by the Cavs and one of college basketball's best guards ever, thinks Sessions will take some pressure off Williams. Also, lots of Joe Tait, and other news, including former Cav LeBron James.

Heather Charles, The StarAustin Carr likes the Cavaliers' addition of point guard Ramon Sessions.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Austin Carr was the Cleveland Cavaliers first-round draft pick, the first, indeed, overall pick in the NBA draft 40 years ago.

Carr, a guard who could get to the basket with ease or pop the jump shot, went on to a productive career with the Cavaliers, who retired his No. 34 jersey years ago. Carr had developed into one of the league's premier scorers until suffering a serious knee injury during the 1974-75 season. AC remained a Cavalier until 1980, often providing Instant Offense despite losing a step after the injury.

Carr is remembered as one of the best college players ever. In his three seasons at Notre Dame, he averaged 34.6 points a game on 53 percent field goal shooting.

The 6-4 Carr holds NCAA tournament records for most points in a game, 61, and for averaging 41.3 points in seven tourney games. Carr's remarkable numbers were without benefit of the 3-point shot, which was not in effect during his college career and only during his final two NBA seasons.

Now, Carr is a veteran analyst for Cavaliers telecasts on Fox Sports Ohio. On the CavFanatic blog, he writes about the Cavaliers' acquisition of point guard Ramon Sessions; about the team without LeBron James; about new Cavaliers coach Byron Scott; about Cavs' radio broadcaster Joe Tait, who will receive the Curt Gowdy Media Award tonight from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

About Sessions, who comes to Cleveland in a trade with Minnesota and had played with Cavaliers guard Mo Williams in Milwaukee, Carr writes:

Sessions is a good defender, at least from what I’ve seen. He’s not afraid to stick his nose in there. He’s a combo-guard, but at the same time, he’s got enough point guard experience to be able to run the team. He’s more of a point guard than Mo. And I’ve always felt that Mo is more effective off the ball. That’s how he was most effective before he came to Cleveland.

With this new offense, this new style, Mo and Sessions should do very well. But the question is: who’s going to defend the basket? And if you want to run, you have to rebound. You have to keep the offensive players out of the middle – if you can – and you’ll need a guy in the middle to slow things down.

I feel that Mo and Sessions can play on the court at the same time, but maybe not for extended minutes. They need to be staggered in the lineup – kind of like they were in Milwaukee. And we still need some size at two-guard.

Cavaliers coverage

Plain Dealer Cavaliers coverage includes a report by Mary Schmitt Boyer about the Hall of Fame inductions; columnist Bill Livingston's commentary on legendary guard Oscar Robertson's view of James joining the Miami Heat, with more Hall of Fame information from Schmitt Boyer on the same page; columnist "Bud Shaw's Sports Spin," featuring his take on the ongoing spat between former Brown Braylon Edwards and former Cavalier James.

The Hall of Fame weekend has a strong Ohio presence. Besides Tait, there's Akron Central High School's Gus Johnson, going into the Hall of Fame for his brilliant NBA career, mostly with the Baltimore Bullets. And, there's Robertson and Jerry Lucas, to be inducted as part of the United States' 1960 Olympics team. Robertson and Lucas were both long ago inducted into the Hall of Fame: Robertson and Lucas as college greats -- and rivals -- at the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State, respectively; both as NBA greats, the primes of their careers being played together on the Cincinnati Royals.

Way to go, Joe

Tait has been the Cavaliers' radio broadcaster for all but two of the team's 40 seasons. Bill Fitch, the Cavs' first coach, suggested Tait as a broadcasting candidate early into the team's first season (1970-71). Tait plans to retire after the 2010-11 campaign. Rick Noland writes about Tait for the Medina County Gazette and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram:

Bill Fitch, the original coach of the Cavs, was at Coe College in Iowa when he first met Tait, then a student at Monmouth College in Illinois.

To pick up a little extra cash, Fitch also scouted for the Coe football team, which played Monmouth on a regular basis.

“This kid was broadcasting the games and eating up all the food in the press room, but he was doing an outstand­ing job,” recalled Fitch, now 78 and living in Montgomery, Texas. “I got to know him, and he was good at what he did.”

Joe Tait remembers

Tait has called nearly 3,100 Cavs regular season games and all of the team's 148 playoff games.

Jason Lloyd does a Q&A with Tait for the Akron Beacon Journal. Among Lloyd's questions, he asked Tait what his favorite season was, and the favorite game he announced. Tait's reply:

My favorite season was the ''Miracle of Richfield'' year in 1975-76. Those who weren't here have no idea why we call it that because we didn't win anything. But it was the first time we had a legitimate shot at winning anything. On top of that, had Jim Chones not broken his foot, we'd have won it all. There's no doubt in my mind we'd have won it all.

The four-overtime win over the Lakers (Jan. 29, 1980) would be the one game I remember most fondly. The Lakers were in championship mode. We ended up with Bill Willoughby, who came out of high school directly to the NBA, Bill was guarding Kareem in the fourth overtime. In spite of it, we won the game, 154-153.

Baseline to baseline

A report by the Akron Beacon Journal's Bob Dyer about a billboard, critical of James, near James' Bath Township mansion.

Nick Carrabine writes about Cleveland's pro sports teams for the News-Herald.

George Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel, about LeBron James' controversial tweet: "Don't think for one min that I haven't been taking mental notes of everyone taking shots at me this summer. And I mean everyone! "

On sportsradiointerviews.com, a transcript of Shaquille O'Neal's interview on the Mike Wise Show (106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.). Sorry, James, Shaq thinks someone's better than you.

Moss, who lives in Broadview Heights, is 2-under after four holes, one stroke behind the leaders.

Scott Shaw, The Plain DealerRob Moss is playing in the PGA Championship for the second time.

Rob Moss, Pepper Pike Club pro, is 2-under par after four holes of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

Moss, a Broadview Heights resident, qualified for the tournament by finishing in a tie for 11th place in the PGA Professional National Championship in French Lick, Ind.

Today, after heavy fog delayed the start of the 92nd PGA Championship by more than three hours, Moss began play on the 361-yard, par-4 with a birdie. He also birdied the 143-yard, par-3 12th hole, between pars on the 618-yard, par-5 No. 11 and 404-yard, par-4 No. 13.

Moss's 2-under is trails only Stuart Appleby and Charles Howell III, who are 3-under after eight and four holes, respectively.

Tiger Woods is 2-under after six holes. Phil Mickelson will tee off at 5:45 Eastern Time.

Browns camp has a different feel about it this season, and it all starts at the top.

John Kuntz,
The Plain DealerEric Mangini, pictured with rookie defensive back Joe Haden, says he will continue to set high standards when it comes to avoiding penalties caused by mental mistakes.

Browns Training Camp, Year II under Eric Mangini . . .

Once in a while, you see a Browns player running laps around the practice field.

There was another $1,700 fine . . . $1,760 to be exact, as rookie T.J. Ward had his cell phone ring during a team meeting.

As usual, Eric Mangini brings up false starts and other penalties a few times each week in a press conference. "We are not going to TRY to do these things right," said the Browns coach. "We WILL do it right."

He meant using the proper alignments, moving on the correct snap count.

"We are a lot better than last year (at this time)," said Mangini. "But we have to avoid self-inflicted wounds. I have very high expectations in this area."

For too long, I heard some Browns coaches (Butch Davis) excuse off-sides and other lame-brained penalties, while others (Romeo Crennel) just seemed to ignore them. Change was needed.

New team president Mike Holmgren still can't figure out how the Browns won games when they had 33 total completions.

In the five victories, they were 33-of-81 passing for a total of 386 yards and one touchdown.

No team wants to play that way, but the Browns showed what discipline can do. That was especially true in the final four games, all victories, none in good weather. The Browns played smarter, tougher and with fewer mistakes than their opponents.

In those five victories, the Browns were penalized 21 times for 183 yards. The opponents? Try 42 times for 220 yards. The Browns had the third-fewest penalties in the NFL at 77, down from 100 in 2008.

Holmgren is counting on a better passing attack this season -- hard to imagine it continuing to decline, since it was the worst in the NFL a year ago. But he also sees something else is obvious to man who spent most of his life at practice with a whistle around his neck.

"Think back to a year ago," Holmgren said, meaning all the turmoil of 2009. "Has Eric changed that much, or have the players?"

Obviously, the players know more of what to expect. They also know Mangini is backed by a strong and experienced front office in general manager Tom Heckert and Holmgren. More veterans with a sense of leadership and discipline have been imported, while the likes of Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis and some other gripers are gone.

Would Holmgren have fined Ward for the cell phone incident?

"Probably," he said. "That's on the list of fines from the league (that can be implemented). Once in a while, I'd let a player go, but then tell him if it happens again -- it will cost him three times as much. But I fined guys. I told them that they work hard to earn their money, and I don't want to take it. But I will."

Mangini is pushing Ward hard because he seems prepared to start the second-rounder at safety. He also loves Ward as a player, consistently praising his attitude and tackling ability.

This is not a repeat of Edwards and the $1,701 fine for not paying for the bottled water at a hotel. Of course, that was about Edwards' 12th violation of rules.

"Eric is a very smart guy who has a philosophy that he believes in and he implements it," said Holmgren. "I like how he talks to the players. He is very articulate, he makes the expectations very clear."

Holmgren said he still wishes his coach "would loosen up a bit." Well, Mike, you should have seen him a year ago. The Eric Mangini of 2010 seems like Jim Carrey compared to the 2009 model.

Holmgren is 62, and a future Hall of Fame coach who led his teams to the playoffs 12 times in 17 seasons. Mangini is 39, entering his fifth season (second with the Browns) with a 28-36 record.

Having Holmgren behind him has made Mangini more relaxed. The two men talk after most practices, Mangini usually initiating the meetings by informally showing up in Holmgren's office.

"As a coach, you can learn and get smarter," said Holmgren. "That happens to all of us."

After taking over the Browns following the 5-11 season, Holmgren went into his meetings with Mangini thinking that he may have to change coaches -- but changed his mind.

"I think this system can work, because we can take care of a lot of things for Eric, and let him do what he does best -- which is just coach," said Holmgren. "And he can be a very good coach."

The linebacker position is the most important in a 3-4 defense. The Cleveland Browns added veterans Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong during the off-season to play with Matt Roth and D’Qwell Jackson, who just injured his pectoral muscle. Head coach Eric Mangini has the group hustling at training camp.

The linebacker position is the most important in a 3-4 defense. The Cleveland Browns added veterans Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong during the off-season to play with Matt Roth and D’Qwell Jackson, who just injured his pectoral muscle. Head coach Eric Mangini has the group hustling at training camp.

See what sports bloggers are saying about Jake Delhomme, Braylon Edwards, NBA players to watch, LeBron as the bad guy and more in today's roundup.

View full sizeThe Plain DealerNo one knows quite what to expect out of Jake Delhomme this season.

Browns

WaitingForNextYear has a roundtable discussion about Jake Delhomme.

Land Loyalty: "I don't know where [Braylon Edwards] came up with that New York type essence growing up in Michigan and playing college ball in Ann Arbor, but apparently him showing up for his first press conference in Cleveland in an Italian suit and a Bentley left an impression on Browns fans that he was never able to shake. This is all ridiculous, of course. While some fans were quick to harp on his shortcomings because he played for that school up north, his inability to live up to his potential while at the same time displaying an 'I'm better than you' attitude is what turned fans off to him." » Read more

No Logo Needed looks at the scarier side of the 2010 Browns season.

Cavaliers

Cavs HQ: "Here's hoping that the Cavalier organization realizes what this means about the size of the Cleveland market and the impact of LeBron James. LeBron James was the Cleveland Cavaliers for the last seven years, and the entire franchise needs a complete rebuild and reboot to recover from his departure. Nobody is interested in watching a team led by Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison. Keep them around if you think it will lead to a better return when - not if - you trade them. But please, please, please don't pretend that you can build a contending team around them." » Read more

Cavs: the blog: "Of course, the other side of LeBron's move to Miami is that he's now a villain to a large proportion of the fan population. We've seen Kobe's Q rating go through the roof after he embraced a 'borderline sociopath' persona — will that be the narrative that takes over if Miami wins it all next season?" » Read more

Cleveland Frowns: "It's worth remembering again that LeBron grew up in poverty in Akron, didn't have a dad, or really even a mom to take him to the Coliseum, the baseball park, or probably much of anywhere else outside of Akron's city limits. In this way, Akron and Cleveland were quite distinct and separate places for LeBron in a way that they weren't for many of us. Which isn't to say LeBron shouldn't get with the program now that he's a hundred millionaire; nor is it to excuse his self-serving view as much as it is to just explain it, and provide a backdrop for the following reminder that there are a lot of people in Akron who are just as mad at LeBron as folks in Cleveland are." » Read more

Stepien Rules gives us 10 players to watch in 2010.

Indians

Cleveland Reboot: "I know I may be in the minority here but this team excites me. In a perfect world, the Indians would be world beaters like it's 1995 all over again. But that's not happening. Dick Jacobs is not going to ride in on a white horse with Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton and Carlos Baerga by his side. We have to make the best of what we have and what we have doesn't appear to be all that bad. So hop on the bandwagon. I assure you that there's plenty of room." » Read more

Chad Ochocinco of the Cincinnati Bengals has never been shy would it comes to trash talking. Chad had a few words about the Pittsburgh Steelers (don't see any problem there) and he had few things to say about the Cleveland Browns (no comment). ESPN.com's James Walker writes that it's no surprise Ochocinco leads the division in quotables. When it comes to...

David Kohl / Associated PressCincinnati's Chad Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco of the Cincinnati Bengals has never been shy would it comes to trash talking. Chad had a few words about the Pittsburgh Steelers (don't see any problem there) and he had few things to say about the Cleveland Browns (no comment).

ESPN.com's James Walker writes that it's no surprise Ochocinco leads the division in quotables.

When it comes to the Cleveland Browns, Ochocinco had this to say:

"Man, these girls are hilarious. I haven't seen football this bad since the last time I seen the Browns play."

The Browns will meet the Bengals in Cleveland on Oct. 3, and on Dec. 19 in Cincinnati. Now when it comes to the Steelers, Ochocinco had it right:

"Man, I haven't seen this many girls on a football field since the last time we played the Steelers. Who gives a [expletive] about the Steelers?"

The Steelers didn't find any humor in Chad's comments, especially Steelers' lineman Max Starks.

The Steelers and the Bengals play on Nov. 8 and Dec. 12.

The game has been moved up to 5 p.m. and will be televised on Channel 3.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerThe Browns' Aug. 28 preseason game at Detroit will now start at 5 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Game time for the Browns' preseason game at Detroit on Aug. 28 has been changed to 5 p.m.

The game, which will be played at Ford Field, was previously scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start. The game will be televised locally on Channel 3. See the Browns' full schedule here.

The left-hander, 19, was acquired from the Detroit organization in exchange for third baseman Jhonny Peralta. Soto's three starts at Lake County have been superb. He was having a fine season, too, for Detroit's Class A West Michigan team.

Octavian Cantilli, The Grand Rapids PressGiovanni Soto pitching for the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps of the Detroit organization on April 11.

FARM REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Tonight: Clippers (68-51) at Syracuse (61-57), 7:00. Clippers RHP Carlos Carrasco (9-5, 4.04) vs. Chiefs RHP Shairon Martis (7-6, 4.09).

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, 2B Cord Phelps (.331) was batting .375 (45-for-120) in his last 32 games....1B Wes Hodges (.272) was 5-for-8 in his last two games....RH reliever Vinnie Pestano (1-2, 10 saves, 1.93) had struck out 49 and walked 12 in 37 1/3 innings....RH reliever Josh Judy (2-0, two saves, 3.16) had fanned 42 and walked 11 in 37 innings....OF Nick Weglarz, one of the Indians' top left-handed hitting power prospects, had been on the disabled list and missed the last nine games with a sprained right thumb. Weglarz, 22, was hitting .286 with 17 doubles, one triple and six home runs in 175 at bats for the Clippers, after hitting .285 with 10 doubles and seven homers in 137 at bats for Akron.

AA Akron Aeros

Tonight: Reading (57-58) at Aeros (58-57), 7:05. Phillies RHP Austin Hyatt (0-0, 0.00) vs. Aeros LHP Scott Barnes (6-8, 4.83).

Notes: LHP Matt Packer is 0-0 with an 0.64 ERA, pitching 14 innings in two games with the Aeros since being promoted from Lake County. Packer was 8-5 at Lake County and leading the Midwest League with a 1.60 ERA, striking out 92 and walking 13 in 95 2/3 innings, while allowing just 77 hits, just four of them home runs....Going into Thursday night's game, catcher Juan Apodaca was 5-for-10 with a home run and five walks since being acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox organization. Apodaca hit a combined .239 with nine doubles, three homers and 26 walks in 176 at bats this season for Boston's Class AA (Portland, Maine) and AAA (Patucket, R.I.)....RH reliever Chen-Chang Lee (5-3, 3.77) had not allowed an earned run in his last 12 games, striking out 24 while allowing six hits and five walks in 17 1/3 innings. Lee had struck out 64 and walked 20 in 57 1/3 innings this season....The Aeros had lost six straight games and nine of their last 11....OF John Drennen (.295) was 7-for-17 (.412) with two doubles and a homer in his last four games....2B Jason Kipnis (.325) was 12-for-36 (.333) with two doubles, two triples, one homer and seven RBI in his last nine games.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Tonight: Indians (55-58) at Salem (65-48), 5:30, completion of Wednesday night's game that was suspended by rain in the fourth inning. Followed by regularly-scheduled game: Indians RHP Marty Popham (2-4, 4.19) vs. Red Sox RHP Caleb Clay (4-11, 4.70).

Notes: RHP Joseph Gardner (9-5, 2.91) is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in his last three starts, fanning 12, walking five and giving up 13 hits in 19 innings. In 18 starts with Kinston and six with Akron, Gardner is 10-5 with a 2.98 ERA. He has struck out 127 and walked 49 in 127 innings, holding opponents to a .198 batting average and six homers....Going into Thursday night's games, 3B Kyle Bellows (.257) was 7-for-18 (.389) with a double, three RBI and three runs in his last four games....LHP T.J. McFarland is back with the Indians after making one start at Akron, where he got a no-decision, giving up six runs (five earned) in four innings. McFarland (10-3, 2.81) was the only pitcher in the league with 10 wins entering Wednesday. Joseph Gardner was in a four-way tie for second with his nine victories. McFarland ranked third in the league in ERA; Gardner, fourth.

A Lake County Captains

Tonight: Captains (65-49) at Fort Wayne (64-51), 7:05. Captains RHP Clayton Cook (5-7, 3.48) vs. TinCaps RHP Matt Lollis (2-0, 1.90).

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, SS Casey Frawley (.266) was 7-for-13 (.538) with one double, one triple, five RBI and four runs in his last three games....3B Adam Abraham (.256) was 35-for-90 (.389) with eight doubles, six home runs and 27 RBI in his last 23 games....RH reliever Preston Guilmet (3-1, nine saves, 2.15) had struck out 53 and walked six in 37 2/3 innings, giving up just 26 hits, including two homers....RH reliever Jose Flores (0-1, two saves, 2.20) had struck out 37 and walked five in 28 2/3 innings, giving up 23 hits, just one of them a home run....LH reliever Francisco Jimenez (6-1, one save, 4.11) had pitched five scoreless innings in his last two games, fanning six while giving up one hit and two walks....LHP Giovanni Soto is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts, striking out 20, walking six and allowing six hits in 18 innings since being acquired from the Detroit Tigers organization in the Jhonny Peralta trade. Including his time this season with Class A West Michigan, Soto is 8-6 with a 2.50 ERA in 18 starts, including two complete game shutouts. In 100 2/3 innings, he has allowed just 81 hits -- including three homers -- while fanning 96 and walking 31. Soto, 19, from Puerto Rico, was drafted by Detroit in the 21st round in 2009. He went to Detroit's Gulf Coast League team, and was 4-0 with one save and a 1.18 ERA in 13 games (six starts), pitching 45 2/3 innings. 

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Yankees 4, Scrappers 1 Kelvin De Leon's 3-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning off Scrappers RHP Julio Ramirez (1-2, 10.24) ended the New York-Penn League game in Staten Island, N.Y. Scrappers left-handed starter Mike Rayl (3.10) gave up one run on one hit, striking out nine and walking three, in 5 2/3 innings. RH Gregorio Rosario pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Rayl. Scrappers 2B Kevin Fontanez (.211) doubled and scored on DH Aaron Fields' (.240) sixth-inning single.

Notes: Rayl is 0-4 despite his 3.10 ERA. He has given up one homer in 52 1/3 innings....3B Giovanny Urshela (.293) was 0-for-4, after hitting .432 (19-for-44) with three homers, three doubles, 12 RBI and nine runs in his previous 11 games.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Tonight: Crushers (36-38) at Normal (Ill.) CornBelters (33-41), 8:05. Pitchers TBA.

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, RH relief pitcher Jeff Cinadr (4-1, three saves, 1.37, .176 batting average-against) was 4-0 with three saves and an 0.43 ERA in his last 19 games, allowing two runs (both earned) on 20 hits in 42 innings. Cinadr was drafted in the 36th round last June by the Tampa Bay Rays. He split time between the Rays' Class A team in Hudson Valley and rookie team in Princeton. He was a combined 2-0 with a 4.94 ERA. Cinadr, 22, graduated in 2009 from the University of Toledo with a degree in bio-engineering....LH reliever Ronnie Morales (0-2, 3.40) was 0-0 with a 1.10 ERA in his last 12 games, striking out 16, walking 10 and giving up just five hits in 16 1/3 innings.

Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson should be back within 3-8 weeks from a strained pec, a source told the Plain Dealer.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerD'Qwell Jackson can get back on the field in 3-8 weeks with a strained pec.

CLEVELAND -- Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson received great news from his surgeon today: he should be back within 3-8 weeks from a strained right pectoral muscle, a source told the Plain Dealer. No surgery is necessary.

Jackson's surgeon, Dr. Frank Cordasco of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, reviewed Jackson's MRI and other tests taken here  Tuesday night and reached the same conclusion as the Browns'  medical staff -- that surgery is unnecessary and that Jackson should be back on the field in a month or two, the source said.

If Jackson heals quickly and makes it back in the Cordasco's minimum of three weeks, he could be ready for the season opener Sept. 12 in Tampa Bay. If it takes the full eight weeks, he should be back by Oct. 10 against the Falcons.

Jackson is at the Browns facility today, but not outside on the practice field. It's huge relief for Jackson, who feared on Tuesday that he might need another surgery to repair the pec. He spent the entire offseason recovering from his torn left pectoral muscle, suffered last October vs. the Steelers.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- For Nate Thurmond, a wrong has been righted at long last. Finally, the late Gus Johnson -- Thurmond's friend, teammate and mentor at Akron Central-Hower High School -- will join Thurmond in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "To me, an injustice has been corrected," Thurmond said from his home in San Francisco. "Gus was...

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- For Nate Thurmond, a wrong has been righted at long last.

Finally, the late Gus Johnson -- Thurmond's friend, teammate and mentor at Akron Central-Hower High School -- will join Thurmond in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

"To me, an injustice has been corrected," Thurmond said from his home in San Francisco. "Gus was one of the best basketball players ever to play in the NBA.

"Gus was a better all-around basketball player than I, and I'm in the Hall of Fame. I always felt a little squeamish about that because, knowing his talents . . . Sometimes people get left behind. Gus only played [10] years. My stats look great because I played 14. But you have to remember the guys who don't play as long.

"Gus should be in the first room of the Hall of Fame. There's no doubt about it."

View full sizeAssociated PressAkron native Gus Johnson averaged 17.1 points and 12.7 rebounds per game in 9 1/2 NBA seasons. Johnson is being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.

The Gus Johnson file

Born: Dec. 13, 1938, in Akron.

Died: April 29, 1987, at age 48 of an inoperable brain tumor.

Height, weight: 6-6, 235.

College: University of Idaho, one season (enrolled at the University of Akron but left before 1959-60 season).

Drafted by: Baltimore Bullets, 1963.

Nickname: Honeycomb.

Highlights: Five-time NBA All-Star, four-time All-NBA Second Team, two-time All-Defensive First Team, 1964 NBA All-Rookie Team. . . . Washington retired his No. 25 jersey in 1986. . . . Averaged 17.1 points and 12.7 rebounds in 9 1/2 NBA seasons, nine of them with Baltimore before closing out his NBA career with Phoenix in 1972-73. . . . Helped the Bullets make the playoffs six times, advancing to the 1971 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. . . . Helped the Indiana Pacers win the ABA title in 1973.

-- Mary Schmitt Boyer

Thurmond is recovering at his home after a right knee replacement and will be unable to attend today's induction ceremonies. But he's videotaping a message to play during the evening's activities.

What will he say about Johnson, who passed away April 29, 1987, at age 48 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor?

"Gus was ahead of his time," said Thurmond, who is 2 1/2 years younger than Johnson. "He was ambidextrous. Most guys didn't handle with two hands. His jumping ability is legendary.

"He was my mentor. He was older than I was. He was a better basketball player. He ended up being a better basketball player all around. No question about that.

"I looked up to Gus. Gus was the kind of guy everybody liked. He could get along with the guy who lived in the street or the pool hall or he could sit down in the minister's house. He was that versatile as a person.

"We had so much fun once we got to the NBA, reminiscing. Here were two guys from a small school in Akron who made the pros. There was a sense of pride in us."

After starring at Central-Hower, Johnson -- whose nickname was "Honeycomb" because his game was so sweet -- enrolled at the University of Akron, but he left before the start of the 1959-60 season. He transferred to Idaho, where he averaged 19 points and 20.3 rebounds in one season before being drafted by the then-Baltimore Bullets in the second round of the 1963 NBA Draft. He was the 11th player taken overall.

The 6-6, 235-pound power forward with the gold star incised on his front tooth became a five-time All-Star in Baltimore and a two-time member of the NBA's All-Defensive team. He helped lead the Bullets to five playoff appearances in nine seasons, including the 1971 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. He played 10 years in the NBA, averaging 17.1 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. He finished his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns in 1972-73 and was a member of the 1973 ABA champion Indiana Pacers.

Like Thurmond, many thought Johnson's selection to the Hall of Fame was long overdue.

"Gus Johnson was one of the greatest players I ever played with or against," former Bullets star Wes Unseld said at the time of Johnson's selection. "He was a ferocious defender and rebounder, and as a young player, I was completely in awe of his ability. He was truly a star ahead of his time."

Johnson's No. 25 was retired by the franchise in 1986 and hangs in the Verizon Center rafters in Washington alongside Unseld's No. 41, Elvin Hayes' No. 11 and Earl Monroe's No. 10, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame.

Added Monroe: "Gus was ahead of his time, flying through the air for slam dunks, breaking backboards and throwing full-court passes behind his back. He was spectacular, but he also did the nitty-gritty jobs, defense and rebounding. With all the guys in the Hall of Game, Gus deserves to be there already."

That he made it this time after being a finalist several times is a tribute to some of his former teammates as well as his brother Perry, daughter Raegan and best friend Charlie Ezrine, who compiled articles, testimonials and references into a packet for the nominating committee.

"Mostly, I tried to keep his name alive," Ezrine said.

He and Johnson hit it off as soon as Johnson arrived in Baltimore -- and the former Akron star soon became a household name.

"Gus was loved in Baltimore," Ezrine said. "Baltimore had Johnny Unitas in football and Brooks Robinson in baseball, and Gus was pretty close to them as a basketball hero. He and Connie Hawkins were the first players to develop the dunk you see in the NBA now. He was before Dr. J. He was flamboyant, but he was a strong and steady ballplayer. He was there for eight or nine years when the team went from terrible to good. Everybody in Baltimore loved him."

Raegan Johnson can understand that.

The former star at St. Vincent-St. Mary and the University of Akron was only 7 when her dad passed away. As the only one of his four daughters to play basketball, she was always proud to hear that her heart and passion reminded folks of her dad's.

But her favorite memory of her father had nothing to do with basketball.

"I remember his smile driving around town [in his gold-trimmed Cadillac]," she said in a telephone interview from Tampa, Fla., where she's raising her two children and helping her uncle Perry, who had a heart transplant in 2006. "I was his shadow. We'd ride around the city, and he'd have to honk the horn and throw his hand up around every corner because everyone knew who it was and respected him."

Perry Johnson, 64, almost eight years younger than Gus, was an All-American at Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh and was inducted into that school's Hall of Fame. He will speak for his brother at today's induction ceremonies.

"He raised me," Perry said. "Everything I learned, I learned from him.

"I know he's just beaming. He worked so hard, and he loved the game so much. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have picked up a basketball."

He admitted when the Hall of Fame spokesman called with the news of his brother's selection, he had to sit down.

Not long after, he got another call that meant almost as much. It was from Thurmond, who told him:

"Now it's really a Hall of Fame."

Moore and fellow tight end Benjamin Watson are emerging as favorite targets for the quarterbacks on the Browns.

View full sizeTracy Boulian / The Plain DealerThe Browns were 4-1 last season in games tight end Evan Moore played in.

How far have the Browns come?

If you break it down to one player, tight end Evan Moore, the answer would be "pretty far."

At this time a year ago, Moore was buried on the Green Bay training camp roster. He broke his hand this week in 2009 and tried to play through it.

"I spent the entire preseason with a hand wrapped up in a club trying to block people and catch the ball," Moore recalled. "I tried [to play] because I knew if I didn't I'd be gone."

The Packers were loaded at tight end and released Moore on the final cut. The Browns signed him to their practice squad two months later. In three weeks, he was activated and led the Browns with 80 yards receiving in his first appearance.

That game against San Diego was the last one the Browns lost. Moore played the remaining four weeks. Though he had only six catches in those games, the Browns won all four. The newfound threat of Moore catching the ball downfield helped unclog the running game.

"I know the games I was in we were 4-1 and it felt great," Moore said. "Everyone was having fun. I don't know what it was like before I got here. People were loving it and the games were exciting. That's the thing that's going to make this thing fun."

So this is where Moore's story picks up. Imagine him being integral in the offense from the beginning, rather than at the end. He and Benjamin Watson have been favorite targets for the quarterbacks in Mangini's second training camp.

"The thing people have to realize, quarterbacks love reliable tight ends," Moore said. "I think we have two or three, maybe even four of them. Good offensive teams like San Diego and Dallas throw to their tight ends all the time."

Throwing to the tight end was not a part of Jake Delhomme's passing game at Carolina, even in his great seasons. Watson, of course, is the undisputed starter. But Moore gives the offense another dependable downfield target. The way he held on to passes last year, you'd never know he broke his hand in camp. He didn't need surgery.

Moore and Mangini agree that Moore is a better player now than when he arrived in November.

"I believe I'm more experienced at this position," said Moore, who played wide receiver four seasons at Stanford, where he earned a master's degree in sociology. "I also believe that in this league, a lot of it is about opportunity. And my role here is a little bit different than it was in Green Bay.

"I think we use some strengths that I have a little bit more to my advantage, just in the passing game in general. That's a good football team over there [in Green Bay]. There wasn't much of a spot for me to fill, so it was almost like beating my head against the wall trying to fill a role that really wasn't my forte. I wasn't able to play to my strengths when I was there."

Moore said he doesn't have any special feelings playing against Green Bay, except to see his family. His parents relocated to Sturgeon Bay, Wis., from southern California so that his father could help his uncle jumpstart a manufacturing company.

"To me, it's like I never played there," Moore said. "It's not like I'm going up to show them. To me, it was a year getting paid to weightlift."

But like any undrafted player, Moore has that inner drive to "show teams that didn't think I was any good three years ago."

Moore wasn't drafted in 2008 because of medical concerns relating to a dislocated hip injury in 2005. He was red-flagged after failing the physical at the scouting combine. Back then, he worked out as a receiver. He's 20 pounds heavier now at 250, but the blocking part of his game is still a work in progress.

"I feel the skills I learned in route-running and coverage reading is really valuable," Moore said. "But when it comes to the run game and some pass protection stuff, there's things that the other tight ends [do] because it's a natural thing to them. They just recognize it just by glancing at it. It takes me an extra second to pick that up because I don't have a lot of experience at it. But I'm working at it and getting better at it."

Like the Browns, he's come a long way in a year.

Westbrook, now with the St. Louis Cardinals, takes advantage of an off day to return to Cleveland and clean out his locker at Progressive Field.

View full sizeAlan Diaz / APCardinals pitcher and former Indian Jake Westbrook was at Progressive Field on Thursday to clean out his locker. Westbrook was traded to St. Louis on July 31. He has no record and a 3.46 ERA in two starts for the Cardinals.

Clubhouse confidential: Jake Westbrook, traded by the Indians to the Cardinals on July 31, was back at Progressive Field on Thursday to clean out his locker. The Cards had an off day. Westbrook will make his third start today for St. Louis when he faces the Cubs.

Westbrook played catch with Bart Swain, Indians director of media relations, during his visit. Wonder if he happened to glance at the wall panel along the right-field line in the upper deck that used to carry his picture and name? It's been painted over and now bears the likeness of manager Manny Acta.

Money matters: Baseball America is reporting that the Indians signed right-hander Cole Cook, 6-6 and 200 pounds, from Pepperdine for $299,000. Cole, a fifth-round pick, is the highest draft pick the Indians have signed since the June draft.

The Indians announced his signing earlier in the week, but said nothing about his signing bonus. The Indians went above slot to get Cole. The MLB's unofficial slotting system had him pegged at $169,200.

Teams must have their draft picks signed by midnight Monday or they go back into the draft.

Stat of the day: The Indians streak of 62 games with one or more extra-base hits ended in Wednesday's game when Baltimore's Brad Bergesen held them to two singles in a 3-1 loss. It was the longest streak in the big leagues this year.

Trevor Crowe, Indians lead Orioles, 3-1, through six innings.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Tribe (47-67) plays host to the Baltimore Orioles (40-74) tonight in the finale of a three-game series at Progressive Field.

Pitching matchups: RHP Jeanmar Gomez (2-0, 1.56 ERA) vs. RHP Kevin Millwood (2-11, 5.84).

In-game updates:

The Indians led, 3-1, through six innings.

Michael Brantley opened the first with a single. Asdrubal Cabrera singled. After Shin-Soo Choo flied out, the runners advanced on Shelley Duncan's grounder.

Trevor Crowe grounded into the hole at short, where slick-fielding Cesar Izturis made a backhand stop, planted on the outfield grass and threw hard and on-target. Crowe barely beat it. Orioles manager Buck Showalter briefly discussed the call with umpire Brian O'Nora.

Crowe entered hitting .314 with runners in scoring position.

The Tribe's three hits in the first were one more than its total from Wednesday night's 3-1 loss to Brad Bergesen.

In the second, Lou Marson drove in Jason Donald from third with a grounder. Donald had led off with a single.

Crowe's RBI double in the fifth made it 3-0. Shin-Soo Choo scored from first. Choo had reached by HBP.

The Orioles scored in the sixth on a two-out single by Ty Wigginton.

Gomez gave up the one run on five hits. His fastball is not high-octane, but it is fast enough to keep hitters honest and features late movement.

Pregame notes:

The Orioles, white-hot under manager Buck Showalter, seek a three-game sweep of the Tribe. It would be their first three-game sweep in Cleveland since April 10-12, 1987.

Baltimore has won four straight and is 8-1 since Showalter moved from the ESPN Baseball Tonight studios to manage his fourth club (Yankees, Arizona, Texas). According to Elias Sports Bureau, Showalter is the first manager in major-league history to win at least seven of his first eight after taking over a team in midseason that was at least 20 games under .500.

The Orioles have won eight in a nine-game span for the first time since April 22-May 2, 2005.

A win tonight would tie Showalter with Davey Johnson (1996) for the best 10-game start as manager of the Orioles.

*In the first two games of the series, the Orioles combined for 26 hits and outscored Cleveland, 17-9. Righty Brad Bergesen threw a two-hitter to win, 3-1, Wednesday night -- Baltimore's sixth victory in 61 games when scoring four or fewer runs.

*Millwood went 9-11 with a 2.86 ERA in 30 starts for the Indians in 2005. He won the AL ERA title.

*Indians left fielder Trevor Crowe is starting in the five-hole for the first time this season.

*The Tribe features nine rookies on its active roster.

*Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo's .342 average at home ranks fourth in the AL.

*Tribe designated hitter Travis Hafner, on the disabled list since Aug. 3 because of right-shoulder inflammation, will take batting practice Friday.

*Cleveland's lineup tonight has zero .300 hitters and one batter with an average above .264 (Choo, .291).

Lineups:

Baltimore (40-74) -- 1. Brian Roberts 2b; 2. Nick Markakis rf; 3. Ty Wigginton 1b; 4. Luke Scott dh; 5. Adam Jones cf; 6. Felix Pie lf; 7. Matt Wieters c; 8. Cesar Izturis ss; 9. Josh Bell 3b; and Millwood.

Indians (47-67) -- 1. Michael Brantley cf; 2. Asdrubal Cabrera ss; 3. Shin-Soo Choo rf; 4. Shelley Duncan dh; 5. Trevor Crowe lf; 6. Matt LaPorta 1b; 7. Jason Donald 2b; 8. Andy Marte 3b; 9. Lou Marson c; and Gomez.

Umpires:

P -- Lance Barksdale; 1b -- Brian O'Nora; 2b -- Tom Hallion; 3b -- Ron Kulpa.