Join beat writer Zack Meisel for a live chat and updates as the Indians and White Sox continue their three-game set Tuesday evening at U.S. Cellular Field.
CHICAGO -- Join beat writer Zack Meisel for a live chat and updates as the Indians and White Sox continue their three-game set Tuesday evening at U.S. Cellular Field.
Game No. 137: Indians (67-69), White Sox (65-71)
First pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET
TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM, WMMS
The Indians and White Sox will not begin Tuesday's game on time, as rain showers approach the south side of Chicago.
CHICAGO -- The Indians and White Sox will not begin Tuesday's game on time, as rain showers approach the south side of Chicago.
It rained for most of the day in Chicago, but had cleared up prior to the originally scheduled first-pitch time of 8:10 p.m. ET. The White Sox grounds crew had removed the tarp from the infield, but rolled it back on at about 8:05 p.m.
A White Sox spokesperson said the rain is expected to arrive around 8:30 p.m. ET and last for approximately 30-45 minutes.
Carlos Carrasco is slated to pitch for the first time in more than two weeks for the Tribe. Chicago will counter with rookie southpaw Carlos Rodon.
Update: The game is expected to begin at 9:10 p.m. ET.
"It was an exciting, surreal moment," Alomar said. "We saw the process. The core players signed multi-year contracts. Players developed together. Then we got some winning, veteran players like Eddie Murray, Orel Hershiser, Tony Pena and Dennis Martinez. That really gave us the confidence that we needed, to have a couple of veterans who had been there before."
CHICAGO -- Sandy Alomar remembers Jeff Huson's pop-up traveling through the night sky.
"That was the slowest ball I've ever seen come down," Alomar said.
The baseball settled into Jim Thome's glove near third base and the Indians clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time in 41 years.
"It didn't really hit until we got that last out," Alomar said. "We had such a big lead. The drought was so long that it was so exciting to officially be part of the postseason."
Tuesday marked the 20-year anniversary of that evening, when the Indians topped the Baltimore Orioles, 3-2, to move to 86-37. They finished the year at 100-44, with a 30-game lead on second-place Kansas City. Even after they clinched, they kept their foot on the throttle.
On that Friday night in early September, Orel Hershiser tossed 6 2/3 strong innings, Eddie Murray socked a two-run single and Jose Mesa shut the door in the ninth for his 40th save. Alomar was behind the plate for the final out. Thome squeezed the baseball in his glove and joined his teammates in the center of the diamond.
"It was an exciting, surreal moment," Alomar said. "We saw the process. The core players signed multi-year contracts. Players developed together. Then we got some winning, veteran players like Eddie Murray, Orel Hershiser, Tony Pena and Dennis Martinez. That really gave us the confidence that we needed, to have a couple of veterans who had been there before."
The team celebrated on the field and then raised a flag in center to signify the achievement. As Kenny Lofton pulled it, the team honored Steve Olin and Tim Crews, a pair of relievers who died in a tragic boating accident two years earlier.
"We remembered all that," Alomar said. "It was a tough '93, but '95, we brought it all together."
After, the players retreated to the clubhouse to continue the celebration.
"That was incredible," Alomar said. "I think we stayed there for two hours in the locker room and the next day we played hard. There was a lot of champagne, a lot of cigars. We knew we had to stay focused. Even though we clinched so early, we still had the intensity every single game after that."
The Indians advanced to the World Series, but they fell short against the Atlanta Braves in a series that lasted six games.
"1997 was good, too, but the first time was [better] because we hadn't done it in so long," Alomar said. "It was rewarding. I can't believe time goes that fast. It's unbelievable."
That sounds painful: Abraham Almonte was scratched from Tuesday's lineup because of folliculitis. He has an inflamed hair follicle under his left arm. The center fielder was originally slotted into the order in the eighth spot. Michael Martinez instead started in center.
Sick day: Shortstop Francisco Lindor rested on Tuesday. Francona said the rookie was "a little bit sick" on Monday.
"He fought through it," Francona said. "A couple times during the game, I said, 'If you need to come out of this game, tell me.' I know he was feeling it. I was kind of looking for a day to give him anyway, because he's played every game and every inning."
Mike Aviles started at shortstop and batted second.
Venus and Serena Williams, 15 months apart in age, have been playing tennis against one another all their lives.
Venus and Serena Williams, 15 months apart in age, have been playing tennis against one another all their lives. This joint activity has brought them happiness and strength, and it has made their blood bond even more unbreakable. It's also sometimes made their lives rather difficult.
"I used to always win," Venus said this week. "In the early days."
Forgive Venus for getting a little sentimental. Her younger sister almost never loses anymore -- to Venus or anyone else. Serena came into their U.S. Open quarterfinal match Tuesday night with a 52-2 record for the year and just three wins away from a rare calendar-year Grand Slam.
There is also the fact that this tournament was the last realistic chance the 35-year-old Venus had to score another major championship. When she and Serena took the court for their match, they knew that the winning sibling would face 43rd-ranked Roberta Vinci in the semifinals. The veteran Italian, the beneficiary of a busted-up quarter of the draw, has never before reached a Grand Slam Final Four. She's 0-4 in her career against Serena, 0-3 against Venus. So an express ticket to the final awaited the winner of the Serena-Venus showdown.
Back in the early 2000s, there were loud whispers that the Williams sisters decided who would win before they took the court to face each other. The very idea of it, born of jealousy (and worse) when Serena and Venus were ranked first and second in the world, is ridiculous and insulting, but the rumor circulated far and wide. It didn't help that the siblings were clearly uncomfortable playing one another with the world watching and so much on the line. They had a lot more fun battling for points on the cracked public courts in Compton, California, in the early days.
Serena is still number one in the world and somehow getting better with age. Venus, suffering from Sjogren's Syndrome, is down to 23rd. Whatever their discomfort with playing each other, they've always given their all. There are no greater, more determined competitors in tennis. And that competitive spirit was very much in evidence Tuesday night.
Serena usually takes a while getting into matches, but not on this night. She knew she had to come ready to play, and she did. Right from the start, she blasted serves, crushed forehands. Venus, also hyper-focused, followed suit. It felt like we had rewound to 2002, when they faced one another in five of six major finals.
Venus clearly had decided that her best bet was to try to overpower her sister. She figured it just might throw Serena off her game; the younger Williams isn't used to an opponent taking her groundstrokes early and upping the tempo.
Venus succeeded at pushing Serena back, but this strategy depended on Venus putting a high percentage of first serves in play. That didn't happen in the fifth game, and Serena walloped every second serve she saw. She took the first break.
That was how long it was possible to believe Venus might win. With the little extra confidence the break offered, Serena moved up in the court and began beating Venus to the punch. She ran out the set, 6-2.
Venus hasn't been a top player for half a dozen years, but the 5-time Wimbledon champion has looked like her old self at this U.S. Open. She could have gone away in the second set: that happens to a lot of Serena's opponents after they lose the first set. But while everyone in the stands figured they'd get to have dinner at a reasonable hour, Venus still believed she could win. She stayed right up on the baseline and kept hitting big, and to the crowd's surprise, it worked. She broke at 2-1 and quickly held for 4-1. Venus' ability to hold onto a strong level of play in the second set seemed to surprise Serena: the current holder of all four major titles suddenly lost her way. Her rhythm disappeared, and she buckled under Venus' groundstroke barrage. The older sister won the set 6-1.
But Serena, as she has done so many times, ultimately re-focused in the third set. Her serve once again fell into place, and so did her courage on big points. Venus continued to play well, but she couldn't keep up with a locked-in Serena, not in the third set of a major tournament. Serena began to hit the lines with full-throated blasts. Not even Venus at her best, or anyone else, can do anything about that. Serena roared to a 4-1 lead. Venus fought on, pressing hard to put some doubt back into her sister's head. It wasn't quite enough, and Serena closed it out with an ace, taking the set 6-3. The sisters hugged at the net, smiling, both of them relieved it was over.
"I don't think anyone wants to be a spoiler," Venus said earlier this week. "I think people love to see history being made. No one is out to be a spoiler, but at the same time, you're focused on winning your match."
Venus didn't have to worry. Nothing was spoiled Tuesday night. Strike that. Tennis fans were spoiled.
-- Douglas Perry
Get highlights from across Northeast Ohio's high school sports scene for Tuesday, September 8, 2015.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are high school sports highlights from Tuesday. See below for information on how you team’s accomplishments can be recognized in these daily roundups.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Gilmour 16, Beachwood 47: Sophomore Cory Bouchek's time of 12:01 led the Lancers to victory. Freshmen Tyler Clark and Tim Diemer finished second and third in 12:06 and 12:10 for Gilmour.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Gilmour 15, Beachwood 50: Hannah Markel and Alannah Barton led the Lancers finishing 1-2. Markel's time was 13:29 while Barton checked in at 13:48. Leah Roter led the Bison with a time of 14:12.
BOYS GOLF
Brecksville 158, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 162: Jimmy Heneye, Andrew Craig and Shane Strongosky each shot 39 to lead the Bees. Lions sophomore Charlie Toman shot a 39 to lead NDCL.
Holy Name 174, Normandy 185: Luke Vollman (40) and Mitch Andrus (41) led the Green Wave. Sam Smith's 38 was the low score for Normandy.
Lutheran West 160, Fairview 211: Kyle Stevens led the way for the Longhorns with a 36. Justin Sassano's 46 paced the Warriors.
GIRLS GOLF
Hawken 191, West Geauga 235: Isabella Joseph's 42 led the Hawks while Ryan Covitt and Dorothy Lowenstein each shot 49. Alyssa Pecharka led West Geauga with a 50.
Medina 198, North Royalton 213: Meleanna Santivasci's 43 led the Bees while Kathryn Cassidy carded a 48. Erica Emch led North Royalton with a 51.
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 169, Magnificat 183, St. Joseph Academy 205.
Padua 180, Strongsville 187: Michaela Thomas shot a 42 and Nikki Johnson carded a 45 to lead the Bruins. Alyson Wohleber's 39 was the low score for the Mustangs.
BOYS SOCCER
Hudson 2, North Royalton 1: Drew Saxer scored a goal and assisted on Jack Sarkisian's score as the Explorers knocked off the Bears. Cory Smigel netted a goal for North Royalton.
Independence 9, Cuyahoga Heights 2: Evan Collins netted a hat trick with three goals while Wyatt Kunevicius added two more scores for the Blue Devils. Collins added an assist on a corner kick. All nine Independence goals came in the first half.
Lake Catholic 3, Highland 0: The Cougars scored twice in the first half and went on to defeat the Hornets.
Max Hayes 6, Rhodes 3: Valery Jahome netted a hat trick for the Lakers with three goals while Ryan DeLeon added a pair and Sileye Djigo a single tally.
Orange 10, Painesville Harvey 2: Gabe Sugerman scored four goals and added two assists to lead the Lions.
St. Martin de Porres 1, First Baptist Christian 0: Ivan Tello's second-half goal led St. Martin to victory.
Western Reserve Academy 9, Lake Center Christian 1: Matt Waldeck and Sam Lafontaine scored two goals apiece for WRA.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gilmour 2, Cleveland Heights 0: The Lancers struck for a pair of goals in the first half.
GIRLS TENNIS
Hathaway Brown 5, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 0: The Blazers swept the Royals in a third-round match of the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Division II tournament. Hathaway Brown's record improves to 11-0 in dual matches.
Medina 5, Elyria 0: Emily Speckman led a Bees sweep with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 2 singles.
Mentor 3, Chardon 2: Elizabeth Garjup won a third-set tiebreaker, 7-5 to give the Cardinals the deciding points.
Parma 5, Brush 0: Kailin Breedlove defeated Hannah Peterson in three sets at No. 2 singles.
Solon 4, Twinsburg 1: Hannah Caplin defeated Anishka Singh at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-3.
St. Joseph Academy 4, Gilmour 1: Katie Decker and Anna Marie Martin won in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 for the Lancers at No. 2 doubles.
Willoughby South 4, Lake Catholic 1: Angie Adams won at No. 1 singles, 7-5, 6-1, to lead the Rebels.
VOLLEYBALL
Andrews Osborne 3, St. Martin de Porres 0: Andrews Osborne swept St. Martin, including a close 25-22 third game.
Brooklyn 3, Keystone 2: The Hurricanes rallied after being down 0-2 to take the match with a decisive 15-13 fifth game.
Brunswick 3, Shaker Heights 0: Ally Badowski had 11 kills and Molly Grzybowski added 11 assists to lead the Blue Devils.
Kenston 3, Madison 0: The Bombers swept the Blue Streaks including a tight 25-21 second game.
Laurel 3, Garfield Heights 0: The Gators swept the Bulldogs, including a 27-25 second set.
North Ridgeville 3, North Olmsted 2: Elise Jarachovic's nine kills led North Olmsted, but it was not enough as North Ridgeville rallied to win a decisive fifth game and take the match.
Solon 3, Mentor 0: The Comets stayed unbeaten at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in Greater Cleveland Conference play.
Westlake 3, Midview 2: Lexi West had 13 kills and 4 aces while Libby Paul's 6 aces led the way for the Demons.
How your team can be included in these roundups
These roundups are based on box scores and game notes entered in cleveland.com’s database by school or team representatives. If your team is not participating in the box score program please contact your athletic director or coach and encourage them to do so. They can obtain instructions and database login information from High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis at kdavis@cleveland.com.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon allowed one run in seven innings and Rob Brantly hit a three-run homer as the Chicago White Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians, 7-4, Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Tribe righty Carlos Carrasco, in his first start since Aug. 21, gave up four runs in 2 2/3 innings. Michael Brantley...
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon allowed one run in seven innings and Rob Brantly hit a three-run homer as the Chicago White Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians, 7-4, Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Tribe righty Carlos Carrasco, in his first start since Aug. 21, gave up four runs in 2 2/3 innings.
Michael Brantley and Jose Ramirez homered for the Indians.
The teams split the first two of a three-game series that wraps Wednesday night.
Here is a capsule look at Indians Game 137 after a DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:
The Central problem: The Indians (67-70) face seemingly insurmountable odds in the race for the second AL wild card. The main reason for the predicament is poor performance within the Central Division.
The Tribe owns losing records against each of its four Central opponents: Chicago (6-9), Detroit (5-10), Kansas City (5-7) and Minnesota (5-7).
If the Indians were merely .500 within the division instead of .389 (21-33), they would be 73-64 and essentially in the second wild-card spot. But they aren't. And it is reality because the opponents have been better, not because of some fluke.
(For all of the talk in certain circles about how bad the White Sox are, they can possess the same record as the Indians with a victory Wednesday -- 67-71.)
Too good: Rodon allowed five hits, walked one and struck out eight in posting his sixth consecutive quality start. He threw 70 of 112 pitches for strikes. He dominated using primarily a power fastball/slider combination.
The White Sox led, 7-1, after seven.
Rodon's MLB debut, April 21 against the Tribe in Chicago, was a struggle. He relieved starter Hector Noesi and gave up two runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out one.
Rodon (7-6, 3.94 ERA) has handled the Indians since. He is 3-for-3 in quality starts, allowing a combined two runs in 19 1/3 innings.
Unfortunately for the Indians, Rodon figures to be a pain for years. He turns 23 in December.
Tale of two halves: The second inning decided the outcome. The Indians surrounded Rodon, who threw 30 pitches, but failed to score; the White Sox shocked Carrasco with three hits and three runs in a span of five pitches.
In the top of the inning, the Indians loaded the bases with two outs for Jason Kipnis. Rodon fell behind, 3-0, with one of the balls almost an HBP. Kipnis took a fastball for a strike on the outside corner, then fouled a fastball that was running inside -- easy to take when watching on television, not so easy when facing Rodon. After another fastball fouled, Kipnis grounded a fastball sharply toward the hole at second, where Carlos Sanchez fielded seamlessly and threw to first for the out.
Kipnis, so good for so long, finished 0-for-5 and is 5-for-41 with 10 strikeouts, two doubles and two walks since Aug. 29.
In the bottom of the inning, right-handed Avisail Garcia batted with none on and one out. He hit the first pitch to left for a single. Righty Trayce Thompson, in a 1-1 count, singled to left. Lefty Brantly smoked the first pitch to right to give the White Sox a 3-0 lead.
All three of the hits came against fastballs with good velocity (95 mph, 97, 97) but not enough tilt.
Carrasco (12-10, 3.70) allowed a homer to Jose Abreu in the third.
Cookie off his game: Here are the outcomes of each plate appearance against Carrasco:
First inning
(L) Adam Eaton -- pop to left-center (3-2 fastball/96).
Skinny: Nine-pitch AB; Eaton was down, 0-2. Center fielder Michael Martinez made the catch.
(R) Alexei Ramirez -- grounder to short (0-0 fastball/98).
(R) Jose Abreu -- swinging strikeout (1-2 slider/92).
Skinny: Outside corner at shoes.
(14 pitches)
Second inning
(L) Melky Cabrera -- swinging strikeout (2-2 slider/86).
(R) Avisail Garcia -- single to left (0-0 fastball/95).
Skinny: Soft liner barely eluded shortstop Mike Aviles moving to his right. Garcia's first career hit against Carrasco (now 1-for-10).
(R) Trayce Thompson -- single to left (1-1 fastball/97).
Skinny: Thompson shot an inside-corner pitch into hole.
(L) Rob Brantly -- three-run homer to right (0-0 fastball/97).
Skinny: Brantly ambushed Carrasco, smoking a pitch over plate at thighs with tailing action onto swing plane. Carrasco simply made it too easy on him. Brantly notched his first hit in majors this season (now 1-for-5 in three games) and fifth in three-year career.
(R) Mike Olt -- grounder to short (1-1 fastball/96).
(L) Carlos Sanchez -- walk (3-0 fastball/94).
(L) Adam Eaton -- swinging strikeout (0-2 slider/86).
Skinny: Down and in.
Third inning
(R) Alexei Ramirez -- swinging strikeout (1-2 slider/90).
Skinny: Another nasty slider, this time down and off the outside corner.
(R) Jose Abreu -- homer to left (0-1 changeup/90).
Skinny: Abreu showed terrific barrel awareness against pitch on inner third just below knees. More credit to Abreu than blame on Carrasco.
(L) Melky Cabrera -- walk (3-2 fastball/95).
(R) Avisail Garcia -- swinging strikeout (1-2 breaking pitch/84).
(R) Trayce Thompson -- walk (3-2 fastball/95).
(Lefty Giovanni Soto relieves Carrasco.)
Soto retired Brantly on grounder to short.
The semifinal match-up offers two great teams -- and a lot of personal drama.
Her opponents' eyes bulge in disbelief every time. It just seems impossible that Sara Errani's serve could be coming toward them so slowly.
The ball bloops over the net, sometimes at little more than 60 miles per hour -- and that's her first serve. The weak stroke has created a ceiling for her performance: she's 0-5 against Maria Sharapova, 0-6 against Petra Kvitova, 0-9 against Serena Williams.
But that's singles. In doubles, the diminutive Italian is one of the very best in the business.
The serve isn't as much of a liability when there's another player filling up space on her side of the court. And the rest of her game is perfectly built for doubles: The 28-year-old can hit sharply angled backhands both cross-court and inside-out. She has quick, brutally accurate hands at the net. Her topspin lob has made more than one net-rusher consider another line of work.
She and fellow Italian Roberta Vinci won five major championships together between 2012 and 2014, completing the career Grand Slam at Wimbledon last year. The long-time close friends then stunned the tennis community by suddenly ending their partnership early this season.
Errani has now taken on another Italian, Flavia Pennetta, as her partner. Pennetta, who won the 2011 Australian Open doubles title with the now-retired Gisela Dulko, could be even better suited to Errani than Vinci was.
Pennetta stands in close to the net as Errani winds up for what's been accurately called "a hot mess of a serve that defies description and logic." Pennetta dares the returner to whack the ball right at her, but that rarely happens. Opponents know she will redirect their cannon-ball return for a winner and then glare at them until they flush with rage or embarrassment, or both.
Pennetta, at 33, has had a remarkable late-career resurgence in singles. She reached her first major semifinal two years ago at Flushing Meadows. Last year, she won Indian Wells, which many consider the unofficial "fifth major." On Wednesday morning, she plays Kvitova for another spot in the U.S. Open semifinals.
Now she wants to re-surge in doubles too. Like Errani, who reached the 2012 French Open final in singles, Pennetta's groundstrokes are impenetrable. She's expert at angling the ball out ever wider, a little more with each shot, until the opponent feels forced to go for a crazy, low-percentage winner or, worse, stays with the exchange and falls victim to a poach at net.
Seeded 11th based on reputation rather than results (they only started playing together last month), Errani and Pennetta on Tuesday careened into the U.S. Open semifinals with an entertaining 6-0, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Lara Arruabarrena and Andreja Klepac.
Errani and Vinci, so close they vacationed together, clearly had fun out on court. They celebrated winners like entertainers at a child's party and chatted animatedly during changeovers. Errani and Pennetta, however, are more standoffish with one another. Pennetta, trying to be the good partner, aggressively exhorts Errani when the breeze carries away one of the younger Italian's Betty Boop serves. Errani usually ignores her, turning away.
Now things get interesting. In the Final Four they face Wimbledon champions and top seeds Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza. Hingis and Pennetta reached the U.S. Open doubles final last year, and Pennetta seemed happy with the partnership.
"When I stopped playing with Gisela it was very difficult for me," Pennetta said last fall. "I changed partners a lot, trying to find the good feeling, the good one -- and I think I found her."
Hingis didn't have that same feeling. She unceremoniously dumped Pennetta early this season in favor of Mirza, whose heavy forehand better serves Hingis' strengths.
Asked in March about the split, Hingis tried to be diplomatic, never one of her strong suits. She blamed Pennetta for continuing to play singles as well as doubles. "It is such a tough decision obviously," she said. "We made finals, won a couple of events, but sometimes it's like the finish line -- our doubles matches, it was always like at the limit," she said. "We won tournaments, but it was like huffing and puffing every time. She played awesome in the U.S. Open. That was our best tournament. That's why it was so hard to take that decision. But (this season) we didn't go past the third round in any tournaments."
Pennetta hasn't expressed any hard feelings about being fired by Hingis, the Hall of Famer who came out of retirement to find fresh thrills in doubles. She hasn't publicly expressed anything at all about the split. But no doubt she will be keen to defeat her ex-partner and the woman who replaced her.
As for Errani: she is seeking to prove she doesn't need Vinci, the senior member of their partnership, to win majors. Since their split, Errani's singles has been shaky, with a second-round loss at Wimbledon and third-round defeat at the U.S. Open. Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Vinci, freed from going deep in doubles at major after major, has just reached her first career Grand Slam semifinal in singles.
-- Douglas Perry
The Southwestern Conference grew to 10 teams starting in 2015 and all the football teams in the conference are playing nine of their 10 games against conference opponents.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Anytime a new big-name product hits the market, the first thing most people do is read reviews.
We want to know the good and the bad about everything. When the good outweighs the bad, you often go with the purchase.
How about an early review of the new nine-game conference schedule of the revamped Southwestern Conference? The SWC added Avon, Lakewood, Midview and North Ridgeville over the off-season after losing Brecksville, giving the conference 10 teams.
Week 2 was the start of the conference season, making the SWC the only conference in Northeast Ohio to start conference play this early.
Since it's unique to the area this season, here's a review of the SWC's 9-game conference schedule. Share your take in the comments section below.
Positives
Creating new rivalries
The addition of four new teams into the SWC means rivalries like Avon-Avon Lake among others will count for something extra every season.
Four teams started the season in the cleveland.com Preseason Top 25, and three are in the Top 10 after two weeks.
The combination of talented teams and how close they are means more rivalries will develop pretty quickly.
"There's going to be some great atmospheres to play high school football in," Midview coach DJ Shaw said. "I think as a high school kid, that's all you can ask for. They're all very good teams and it'll be a very competitive league."
Light travel
If you're a fan of an SWC team, you won't have to drive more than 40 minutes to get to any game this season. Depending on your location, Lakewood, Berea-Midpark and Amherst may be the longest drives of the season.
Brecksville's departure means Lakewood becomes the furthest team out east in the SWC. Amherst is the furthest to the west, and Midview is furthest to the south.
Such short travel times means it should be easy for fans to see all of their teams' road games.
Negatives
Lack of schedule variety
Going into every season knowing 90 percent of your team's schedule, you know that there will not be as many new faces to see in a season.
Teams will have to pick their non-conference game carefully and jump right into conference play after one week. That means the adjustment period to get ready for more meaningful games shrinks down much more.
"I think we've all gotten used to playing three non-conference games which gives you a little bit of a chance to look at personnel, maybe, kind of feel your team out, give your younger kids some reps," North Olmsted coach Tim Brediger said. "There always kind of seemed like by Week 3 or 4, you have a real identity. Now, you have to have that going into Week 2."
For example, North Olmsted's non-conference schedule in 2014 included current SWC members Lakewood and North Ridgeville. The Eagles also played Valley Forge and Bay out of conference.
In 2015, North Olmsted's lone non-conference opponent was Valley Forge.
Playoff picture is muddy
The conference shuffling in Northeast Ohio wasn't the only change teams made this offseason. The Ohio High School Athletic Association changed its regions as it does every two years, although it had to do so twice this summer.
As a result, eight of the 27 teams in Division II, Region 4 — nearly one-third of the region — play in the SWC. The exceptions are Berea-Midpark and Lakewood, who are in Division I, Region 1.
That means that computer points will be at a premium and second-level points will be limited as well. How that plays out is the big question this season.
"With playoffs, I would say a seven-game conference schedule seems to be better because you're bringing in more outside points," Shaw said. "You hope that your conference does really well in non-conference and everybody's 2-1 or 3-0. But that's not the case. So we were hoping everybody's at least 1-0 coming in."
The verdict
With the quality of teams in the SWC, a nine-team conference schedule was a good decision. How it works with the playoffs will be a big question mark that needs to play itself out over this season and the next few seasons.
The nine-game schedule works for now because the conference is so deep that every week for nine weeks, there will be at least one quality game in the schedule.
It may affect the playoff picture, although only time will tell how much.
For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact reporter Tim Bielik on Twitter (@bielik_tim), by email (tbielik@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.
Browns coach Mike Pettine focuses while Ray Farmer and Andy Moeller are suspended: Crowquill
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Despite a number of distractions, Browns coach Mike Pettine says his focus is on the New York Jets as he prepares his team for the season opener on Sunday.
Can Pettine and the team block out the suspensions of general manager Ray Farmer and offensive line coach Andy Moeller?
Farmer began his four-week ban this week for texting the sideline last season. Moeller is suspended indefinitely after a woman filed a complaint that Moeller assaulted her at his home over the weekend. The charges are being investigated.
Crowquill, by Plain Dealer artist Ted Crow, appear three times a week on cleveland.com.
Packers win title, Andrew Luck earns league MVP, Danny Shelton gets NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
BEREA, Ohio - A year ago, I saw my Super Bowl pick come within one brain cramp of a title.
No love for you, Russell Wilson. Not after that interception on the goal line against the Patriots, which cost Seattle a second straight championship. All the Recovery Water on the planet isn't getting you back to a third straight Super Bowl. The Packers aren't collapsing this time around the way they did in the NFC Championship Game.
It says here Aaron Rodgers meets Andrew Luck in a dream quarterback matchup in Super Bowl 50.The Packers finish the job and party with the Lombardi in San Francisco. Luck takes solace in winning league MVP honors, perhaps his first of many.
AFC
East Division champion
New England Patriots
North Division champion
Baltimore Ravens
South Division champions
Indianapolis Colts
West Division champion
Denver Broncos
Wild-card teams
Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins
NFC
East Division champion
Dallas Cowboys
North Division champion
Green Bay Packers
South Division champions
Carolina Panthers
West Division champion
Seattle Seahawks
Wild-card teams
Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings
AFC Championship
Indianapolis over Baltimore
NFC Championship
Green Bay over Seattle
Super Bowl, Feb. 7, 2016, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Green Bay over Indianapolis
Awards
NFL Most Valuable Player
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis
NFL Coach of the Year
Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Amari Cooper, Oakland
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
Danny Shelton, Browns
Carrasco lasted only 2 2/3 innings in his first start since Aug. 21. The right-hander, sidelined for nearly three weeks with shoulder bursitis, retired the White Sox in order on 14 pitches in an efficient first inning. Chicago struck for three runs in the second.
CHICAGO -- On a night in which Carlos stood atop the mound and stymied the opposition and Brantly clubbed a three-run homer, the Indians fell flat against the White Sox.
That's Chicago hurler Carlos Rodon, not Tribe starter Carlos Carrasco.
And that's Chicago catcher Rob Brantly, not the Tribe's Michael Brantley, though Cleveland's left fielder did smack a two-run homer to right in the eighth inning.
The Indians dropped a 7-4 decision to Chicago on Tuesday, as the Tribe's faint postseason hopes were dealt a blow by a team in a similar position.
Carrasco lasted only 2 2/3 innings in his first start since Aug. 21. The right-hander, sidelined for nearly three weeks with shoulder bursitis, retired the White Sox in order on 14 pitches in an efficient first inning. Chicago struck for three runs in the second.
Avisail Garcia and Trayce Thompson socked one-out singles and Brantly deposited Carrasco's first offering -- a 97-mph fastball -- into the seats in right field. The long ball was Brantly's first since July 9, 2013 and it slapped the Indians with a seemingly insurmountable deficit.
After all, Rodon had the Tribe's number in his previous two starts against the club. In those outings, he held Cleveland to one run across 12 2/3 frames. On Tuesday, he limited the Tribe to one run on five hits. He tallied eight strikeouts in seven innings.
The Indians loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning, but the club's shortcomings with the bags packed persisted. Jason Kipnis harmlessly grounded to second, as the team's batting average with the bases loaded this season fell to .175 (17-for-97).
From there, the Indians mustered only two hits over the next five innings. By the time Brantley clubbed a two-run blast to right in the eighth, the White Sox had scored seven times.
Carrasco departed after a pair of walks in the third. Jose Abreu, who tallied three hits in four trips to the plate, tagged him for a solo shot to left with one out in the inning. He threw only 58 pitches.
What it means
Tuesday's defeat marked the Indians' fourth loss in their last 13 games. The Indians (67-70) sit three games below the .500 mark. They have not held an even record since April 10, when they were 2-2.
Cleveland is 21-33 against the American League Central. Aside from a season-ending series against the Boston Red Sox, the remainder of the club's games are against division foes.
All the way to the north side
Jose Ramirez belted a pinch-hit homer to left to lead off the ninth. The ball traveled an estimated 447 feet and left his bat at 107 mph.
Running on Yan
White Sox second baseman Carlos Sanchez swiped second base in the second inning. He tried to dip his hand into the cookie jar for a second time in the sixth, but Tribe catcher Yan Gomes threw him out. Initially, Sanchez was deemed safe, but a one-minute, 15-second review overturned the call.
Mother Nature's tease
First pitch was delayed by one hour and four minutes because of a threat of rain. That precipitation didn't arrive until the grounds crew removed the tarp from the infield.
Old stomping grounds
Gavin Floyd logged a scoreless inning against his former team. Floyd pitched for the White Sox from 2007-13.
Terry Francona turned to six different relievers to cover the final 5 1/3 innings.
They came, they saw
An announced crowd of 11,990 watched the affair at the ballpark, though only a few hundred stayed for the late innings.
What's next
The Indians and White Sox will reconvene at U.S. Cellular Field for their series finale on Wednesday. Josh Tomlin (4-1, 2.55 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Tribe. The right-hander has strung together five strong starts since returning from spring shoulder surgery. On Friday, he tossed a complete game against Detroit in which he limited the Tigers to one run on four hits. The White Sox will counter on Wednesday with righty Jeff Samardzija (9-11, 4.87), who has held the Indians to one run over 14 innings in a pair of encounters this season.
Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed report on what happened in Berea Wednesday as the team prepares for the Jets. Also, videos with Terrelle Pryor and Pettine on OL coach Andy Moeller allegedly being involved in a domestic violence situation. Watch video
BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed take a look what happened in Berea during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 as the team gets ready for the season opener against the Jets in New York.
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Running back Montee Ball was cut Sunday by Denver after he made their 53-man roster.
BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns are one of several teams that have expressed interest in free-agent running back running back Montee Ball, a source told Northeast Ohio Media Group.
Nothing appears imminent with the Browns, but he's on their radar if they decide to add another back.
A 2013 second-round pick out of Wisconsin, Ball was cut Sunday by the Broncos after he made their 53-man roster.
Ball, represented by Neil Cornrich, has several options and is deciding which way to go.
If the Browns don't sign Ball, they might promote running back Shaun Draughn from the practice squad for Sunday's opener against the Jets.
They're also counting this week on Duke Johnson, who was cleared from his concussion.
"I think if (Johnson) had gone out there and taken every rep (in preseason), we'd be a lot more confident about putting him out there for extended snaps,'' said Browns coach Mike Pettine. "But I can't lie and say that doesn't factor into it some. But if he's cleared to go and puts a solid couple of days together here, there's no reason to think that he's not going to play a significant role in the game."
Ball rushed for 559 yards, four TDs and a 4.7-yard average in 16 games as a rookie in 2013, but was slowed by a groin injury last year. In five outings last season, he rushed 55 times for 172 yards and a TD.
Broncos Executive Vice President of Football operations John Elway complimented Ball when he initially made the 53-man roster.
Coaches tried to sub out Thomas near the end of blowout win over the Steelers unaware of his league-high streak.
BEREA, Ohio - Joe Thomas stood momentarily eye-to-eye with his potential replacement last October before uttering a single curse word and sending his substitute back to the sideline.
Poor offensive Vinston Painter was just following orders. Had Thomas done the same one of the NFL's most impressive ironman streaks would have ended.
The eight-time Pro Bowler confirmed Wednesday the Browns tried to replace him near the end of the team's 31-10 win over the Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on Oct. 12, 2014. Coaches were looking out for his welfare in a game that saw the club lose center Alex Mack to a broken leg. They had no idea about Thomas' consecutive-snap streak - the league's longest active mark - that stands at 7,917 heading into Sunday's season opener.
"I just don't think many people knew about (the Browns trying to sub him out) because it happened so fast," Thomas told NEOMG. "That's not something you're usually watching in a huddle."
The future Hall of Famer is as team-oriented as they come, always supporting his coaches and the club's agenda despite years of losing. He admits, however a streak that began with his first NFL snap in 2007 is a point of pride.
Thomas said he told the story of his near replacement for the first time in the spring for a team podcast, which debuted Wednesday.
"Our offensive line coach sends in my backup to take me out of the game not knowing there's any streak or anything like that because that's not something we talk about or coaches think about ... ," Thomas said on the podcast.
The left tackle has played through three torn MCLs and a pair of high ankle sprains with the Browns. He could make it through a few more snaps against the Steelers.
Of course, that's not quite how Thomas phrased it to Painter.
"We're both standing in the huddle, ready for the quarterback to call the play and I just turned at him and I looked at him and pointed to the sideline and I swore at him, 'Get the **** out of here.' He was so confused because he didn't know what he did wrong."
Thomas cleared up the confusion after what was an emotional game for the captain. Mack had been carted off earlier in the contest, ending the center's consecutive snap streak of 5,279. Thomas admitted to crying several times during the game over his friend's injury.
The left tackle's longevity stands in stark contrast to the constant turnover with the franchise. Mike Pettine marks Thomas' fifth head coach, while Josh McCown becomes his 15th starting quarterback.
It's easy to see how Thomas' iron-man mark might not be known by coaches who just started working with him.
"Really the only people who knew about it up until a year or two ago was myself and Alex Mack," Thomas said.
Rest assured, no subs will be sent in for Thomas any time soon.
Terrelle Pryor watched fellow former Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller light it up for Ohio State, but thinks he can be successful too. "An athlete's an athlete,'' he said. Watch video
BEREA, Ohio -- Browns coach Mike Pettine couldn't help but notice converted Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller's devastating spin move, sideline tiptoeing, soft hands and multiple touchdowns against the Hokies Monday night.
Was it foreshadowing for his own converted Buckeye QB Terrelle Pryor?
"I had it on in the background while I was working, caught some of it,'' said Pettine. "Saw more highlights than anything else.''
But Pettine wasn't about to predict the same sensational debut for Pryor, who missed most of preseason with a strained hamstring and made the team without catching a pass. In fact, the Browns are in 'show me' mode with their newest receiver, who earned a spot by a leap of faith.
"Terrelle is here because he showed that promise and that potential, but once you make the 53 that you have to be a productive member of the team,'' he said. "It's hard to just have that be a project for a year. We're looking for the returns on that investment to be sooner than later.
"He's shown that he's capable of it, but for him, it's about being consistent, knowing what to do, being available from a physical standpoint and then going out there and executing. He's going to get every opportunity in practice to do that."
Miller, who caught a 54-yard TD pass and spun his way to a 53-yard TD run, set the bar high for former Ohio State quarterbacks playing receiver, but Pryor is confident he also has what it takes.
"I really think at the end of the day, an athlete's going to be an athlete -- period,'' he said. "So if you're athletic and you're an athlete, with the right coaching, which I have -- I have great coaches in this building, great teammates -- you should be able to convert and convert pretty easy.
"Obviously, there's little nuances, different things you've got to learn. But I'm an athlete. I hold myself to the highest standard, and I'm sure the coaches do as well. So that's all I'm trying to do is get better every day and work on my craft."
That's not to say Pryor was inspired by Miller's performance.
"It was good to see him do it, but I don't really look to the next man,'' said Pryor, who's currently fourth on the depth chart. "I really focus on myself, focus on my health and my craft. It shows you how versatile he is, though, absolutely.'
"I think he's phenomenal. He came in well as a receiver and he did a little bit more stuff out of the backfield, just some quarterback stuff. He looked pretty versatile and electric. He's a Buckeye. That's what Buckeyes do, man.''
Can he put a spin move on a defender like Miller did midway through his 53-yard TD run?
This is an NFL type move right here from Braxton Miller.
https://t.co/7ayaykP5Bh
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 8, 2015"No, I cannot move sideways like that,'' Pryor said. "Straight ahead, make one move, go straight ahead I can do."
Pryor, who runs in the 4.4s, also cautioned that the NFL is a whole different ballgame.
"I just look to make plays and try to get the ball in my hand,'' he said. "Obviously it's the NFL level, so it's more gameplanning and people understand that and know who's on the field at all times.''
So will it be a bigger challenge for him than it was for Miller against the unranked Hokies?
"I don't know, you're going to have to ask Braxton when he comes here next year,'' Pryor said with a laugh.
Pryor was back home in Jeannette, Pa. on Saturday with his one-year-old son when he found out he made the 53-man roster. He was on the bubble heading in, and had no idea how it would go.
"It's a blessing for the coaching staff, coach Pett and (wide receivers coach) Joker (Phillips) and (general manager) Ray Farmer and the line up to the top of the front office to give me the opportunity and I won't let them down,'' he said. " I can't even say (I worried). I just believe in what the coaches believe, so I'm just going to prove them right.''
During the preseason finale in Chicago, Pryor was a jack-of-all-trades, taking two Wildcat snaps and running for 5 and 4 yards, serving as the personal punt protector and lining up at receiver, where he blocked aggressively downfield.
"It was fun just doing little different things, being versatile,'' said Pryor. "It's always good to switch it up and give defenses different problems. It was a great. I haven't been in a game situation.
"It was unfortunate that I didn't get to play in a lot of preseason games. Once that happens, once I touch the ball, and (they) see what I do with the ball, things change. So we'll see once I start playing.''
Pryor -- who changed from No. 87 to No. 17 -- isn't even sure if that will be Sunday against the Jets. He's listed fourth behind Brian Hartline, Travis Benjamin and Dwayne Bowe -- and it's yet to be determined if he'll be active.
"I don't really look into that,'' he said. "I look at it as I'm coming off injury, and when I get back on the field and I start getting in the groove with the guys, anything can happen.''
Even though he was still struggling with the hamstring in Chicago, he made an impact every rep, whether it was blocking or running.
"I know to give myself a chance to even make the team, I had to go show something,'' he said. "I was in a little pain, but it's something I had to do. Anytime I get on the field, I want to make some type of play to change the game.
"I go hard and I work my butt off. So I think my mentality is just like a killer instinct. Whoever's in front of me, I try to embarrass him. I try to do whatever I possibly can to beat that guy and don't let him stop me. That's just how my mindset is and how it always will be."
Whether he's lining up at receiver, quarterback, tight end, punt protector or wherever they decide to put him, he'll embrace the role.
"You've got to do that to help the team until you prove yourself,'' he said. "Some of the best receivers that I did research on, some of the guys did the same stuff as I'm doing, playing special teams and doing stuff, and then eventually they got to where they're at and they didn't have to do it. I still got a lot of stuff I've got to prove. I have plays I've got to make.''
Pryor said he switched to No. 17 because he likes lower numbers and not because he hasn't abandoned his quarterback dreams.
"No, I didn't think about it,'' he said. "17 was the lowest (he could get). But I don't really look too far into numbers. It's going to be the player to make it.''
Pryor said he never felt a backlash from teammates who supported departed receivers like Josh Lenz, who worked hard and produced all summer.
"I have great teammates,'' he said. "They're welcoming, and I can't really speak on the situation with that touchy subject, however you want to call it. It really has nothing to do with me. It's not going to change where I'm at right now. It's not going to change where they're at. I just look forward to getting on the practice field with my teammates and trying to get better."
Pryor acknowledged that if he gets on the field Sunday, he'll have to oppose some of the top cornerbacks in the business in Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and former Brown Buster Skrine.
"Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, I don't think it really gets that much better than those two guys, especially Joe,'' said Pryor. "I go against those guys every day. Today I probably had like 15-20 reps against Joe.
"I think the magnitude of his athletic ability and his prowess as a corner, he's just a phenomenal athlete and a phenomenal cornerback. So working with him and getting some good work with him, when I'm ready, I'll be ready for anybody I feel like."
Even though he's got a tough act to follow.
"I just want to get better. I can't wait until Saturday, against Hawaii, to showcase more talent," Miller said Wednesday. "It was devastating what happened to my shoulder (last year) and stuff like that, and all the emotion that's hit me, just being back up there with the guys and making plays and high-fiving with everyone on the sideline, it just felt like I didn't miss a beat." Watch video
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State students walked to classes Tuesday and Wednesday and spun around each other in effort to recreate what Braxton Miller did to Virginia Tech's defense.
Miller didn't get to see it.
"I only take classes online now," Miller said. "I already graduated, so I'm not on campus like that."
OK, so maybe Miller saw his play all over EPSN.
"The thing is," Miller said. "I ain't got cable, man."
Hopefully he's got the Internet.
Because it was literally impossible to go through the last two days without seeing Miller's impressive spin move on his 53-yard touchdown run in Ohio State's 42-24 win vs. the Hokies on Monday night.
"I saw it on Facebook, I saw it on Snapchat, I saw it on Instagram, I saw it on Twitter," Ohio State offensive lineman Chase Farris said.
You saw it everywhere, even here.
Miller does have the Internet, and he saw it go viral. Cleveland Cavaliers megastar LeBron James Tweeted about it. So did Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. Torrey Smith. Justin Tuck. Michael Carter-Williams. Dwyane Wade. They all did.
It was Miller's re-coming out party, his official arrival back to the college football world. And as quickly as he fell out of the spotlight, one spin move put him back into the conversation as most explosive playmaker in college football.
Good thing Miller has the Internet.
"It's a cool thing," Miller said. "Everyone was hitting me up and stuff like that. It's cool to see that when I do something good on the field, people notice it."
He's waited a long time to get back to this point.
"I just want to get better. I can't wait until Saturday, against Hawaii, to showcase more talent," Miller said Wednesday. "It was devastating what happened to my shoulder (last year) and stuff like that, and all the emotion that's hit me, just being back up there with the guys and making plays and high-fiving with everyone on the sideline, it just felt like I didn't miss a beat.
"I felt blessed. I felt like I want to do it again."
Yes. Doing it again. That's what the entire world wants.
What's funny is that for all the attention Miller is getting for the spin move, he doesn't even think it was the best move he's made in a game. Can you guess his top movement?
"Penn State," he said.
Yes. Penn State in 2013. That one-yard touchdown run where he froze a defender by hesitating, stepped back, then exploded forward to dive in the end zone.
Miller's quick adaptation to a new position has been nothing short of incredible. To go from quarterback to H-Back right before fall camp, learn the offense from a new perspective, learn how to run routes, how to catch, how to see the field differently, and perform the way he did in week one? After only a month?
The key now is to get better, if you can believe Miller can. He said he's had to learn patience, especially because he doesn't get to touch the ball every play like he did when he was quarterback.
But big things are expected from Miller. And big things -- maybe even bigger than his spin move -- are also on the way.
"Playing this position, you have to be patient," Miller said. "Half of the time you're not even touching the ball. But Coach Meyer is going to get the ball in playmakers hands, so you just have to be patient."
One game down, is this how Urban Meyer plans on using his quarterbacks this season? Watch video
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Fourth quarter, game in hand, now it's time to bring in the other guy. Is that how J.T. Barrett's season is going to play out for Ohio State?
That's what happened Monday night at Virginia Tech, when Cardale Jones started, guided the offense through a second-quarter lull, and finished with a couple touchdowns before Barrett came in for some mop-up duty.
It's a strange role to consider for a guy who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting last year. So maybe Urban Meyer will find ways to get Barrett more involved if Jones is going to be the full-time starter.
"It's delicate, man. I don't know," Meyer said Wednesday when asked if this is the blueprint for Ohio State's quarterbacks.
"I know J.T. had one rush for 40 yards and one pass for a touchdown, he was engaged, he was leading the team. He knew he wasn't going to take the first snap and talked to the team before they went out. There might be packages that I'm gonna put in, we talked about that today, with the quarterbacks, with maybe J.T. I don't know."
* Inside the numbers -- Jones and Barrett vs. Virginia Tech
Barrett played most of the fourth quarter, keeping an option for a 40-yard gain, then throwing a touchdown pass to Michael Thomas on the next play. Those were the only two plays Barrett got to showcase anything. It was over, there was no need to put him in harm's way.
Jones got the start because Meyer felt he deserved it after winning the national championship, and he wasn't beat out for the job in Meyer's eyes. He size was a valuable weapon against a good Virginia Tech pass rush and a coverage scheme that dared the Buckeyes to throw it over the top.
He performed well enough for Meyer to hold off on putting Barrett in earlier, though Meyer admitted after the game that he thought about giving Jones the hook.
This week against Hawaii is a different animal.
For Jones it would be his first start in Ohio Stadium, but the depth chart the Buckeyes released on Wednesday still had an "OR" between their names. Ohio State can start either guy and not sweat it because the Buckeyes are favored by 40 points. Would that change the plan?
"I really don't know. A lot of it depends," Meyer said. "I don't want jump too far ahead, let's go beat Hawaii. Whoever I think and we think can drive us down and score a touchdown. I knew the defense we played (on Monday) was gonna be a zero, and a big dude is gonna have to stand in there, and it worked. A couple times (Jones) had to go over the top of people and make a play. J.T. has incredible skill too. We're trying to score and win a game."
Here's a definite: They'll both play against Hawaii.
And Meyer will have to keep answering questions like this as long as there's an "OR" on the quarterback spot on the depth chart.
By Bauer's own account, the stat line hasn't always reflected the quality of his pitching on a particular night. All in all, the occasionally extreme variation in his production from start to start indicates he has plenty of room to grow.
CHICAGO -- Trevor Bauer has experienced a season of ups and downs, eight- and nine-inning masterpieces and early exits.
By his own account, the stat line hasn't always reflected the quality of his pitching on a particular night. All in all, the occasionally extreme variation in his production from start to start indicates he has plenty of room to grow.
"Obviously, the game's about results, right?" Bauer said. "You have good results. You have bad results. If you have good results, you're good. If you have bad results, you're bad. And, a lot of times, the quality of pitches that you make in a game where you have bad results can be better than the quality of pitches you make in a game where you have good results.
"So, it's tough, because you know, ultimately, at the end of the day, your job is tied to getting results, not executing quality pitches. But, executing quality pitches is the best way to get to consistent results. So, it's tough to balance the two, but you try to look at the quality of my pitches getting better and more consistent. I guess the hope is, ultimately, that leads to more consistent and better results."
Bauer's outing against the White Sox on Monday was a microcosm of his season as a whole. He walked the first three batters of the second inning on 12 pitches. He walked a fourth hitter later in the frame. Yet, he rewarded manager Terry Francona for demonstrating some patience. Bauer limited Chicago to two runs that inning, the only two he surrendered in seven frames.
"I think if you look at a lot of my games," Bauer said, "I have moments like that, where I just lose the ability to throw strikes for whatever reason. Whether it's physical or mental, I don't know. It's been something that's happened to me at times throughout my life. It's not something that's new this year. It hasn't happened this year in that long a stint. Usually, it's like four to six pitches."
In Bauer's first start of the season, he held Houston hitless over six innings. He walked five and struck out 11. At the end of May, he boasted a 2.97 ERA. He rattled off a stretch of five starts from May 14-June 4 in which he posted a 1.75 ERA, with 36 strikeouts in 36 innings and an opponent batting average of .180.
His season took a detour to the south in the second half. He lasted a combined five innings in a pair of starts against the Yankees and Red Sox in August. He exited after only 1 1/3 frames against Toronto last week. He appeared headed for a similar fate on Monday before resurrecting his performance against Chicago.
When he looks back at his 28 outings this season, Bauer sees a pitcher who has improved since April, no matter what the numbers might suggest.
"I definitely feel like I'm a better pitcher now than I have been," he said. "Sometimes, results don't reflect that, but I think subjectively, I'm definitely better."
Bring the pain: Abraham Almonte returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday. He was dealing with a sore lump under is left arm. He said the pain decreased late Tuesday. Earlier that day, he felt it when he swung the bat. He said it has bothered him for about three days.
"[Bench coach Brad] Mills said it looked like a finger was sticking out," Francona said. "So, they gave him some medicine and it started working."
Francona said he did not take a look at the lump, which was estimated to be about the size of a golf ball on Tuesday.
"I didn't really want to," Francona said. "[Mills] said it was not real pretty."
Testing, testing: The Indians will meet with Corey Kluber in Cleveland on Thursday. The right-hander, sidelined by a strained right hamstring, has been completing workouts in the pool and throwing regularly. He is expected to run sprints later this week.
"My guess is that he'll be ready to pitch fairly quick," Francona said, "just because he feels really good. Obviously, he's champing at the bit, so we'll let it run its proper course, but as soon as he's ready to pitch and allowed to pitch, we'll pitch him."
Kluber last pitched on Aug. 29.
Victorious: Triple-A Columbus won the first game of its playoff series against Norfolk, 5-2, on Wednesday.
Power hour: Jose Ramirez is listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. On Tuesday, the diminutive infielder resembled White Sox slugger Jose Abreu -- who stands at 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds -- at the plate. Ramirez socked a 1-1 pitch by Zach Duke for a solo home run into the left-field seats at U.S. Cellular Field in the ninth inning. MLB's Statcast measured the blast at 447 feet.
"He hit all of that," Francona said. "I don't think any of us knew he could hit a ball that far -- probably himself included. That ball was killed."
Does Francona fear Ramirez might try to duplicate the feat moving forward?
"That ball was killed. Golly, man," Francona said. "That shocked everybody. [But] no, he doesn't usually come out of swing very often, so he'll be OK."
Of course, Ramirez slapped another homer to center field on Wednesday.
The Indians' five pinch-hit homers this season are their most in a year since 1996.
Browns rookie running back Duke Johnson has been cleared from his concussion and is ready to face the Jets in the opener Sunday. Watch video
BEREA, Ohio -- Browns running back Duke Johnson stood in front of the big, green Hulk figurine in his locker and promised that the Browns aren't expecting too much from him as a rookie.
"No such thing,'' he said.
So you're up for whatever comes your way?
"I am,'' he said.
Just like The Hulk looking over your shoulder there?
"Just a reminder to myself of what I can be,'' he said.
What drew him to the superhero?
"The way he can do things and not be stopped regardless of who's in front of him,'' said Johnson.
The Browns are certainly hoping that's the case when they trot the Miami product out against one of the premier defenses in the NFL Sunday against the Jets, despite the fact he's coming off a concussion and missed most of the preseason with a strained hamstring.
Since the start of 2013, the Jets defensive line, led by Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison and Sheldon Richardson, have held opponents to the lowest per carry average (3.56) in the NFL and the second-lowest yards per game (90.7) during that span.
"If he had gone out there and taken every rep, we'd be a lot more confident about putting him out there for extended snaps, but I can't lie and say that it doesn't factor into it some,'' said coach Mike Pettine. "If he puts a solid couple of days together here, there's no reason to think he's not going to play a significant role in the game."
Johnson returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a concussion in the third preseason game in Tampa Aug. 29. He said it's the first one he's ever had.
"I know it's part of the game,'' he said. "I'm just blessed I haven't had to go through it in my years of playing. I knew it would come eventually. I was just hoping I could stay away from them."
Despite the extended time off, he's not afraid of he'll have to knock off the rust.
"Rust? I'm 21, I don't think I have rust yet,'' he said. "I'm too young for that. We have one of the top defenses in the NFL and we go out there and compete against them every day and I think if I can go against them I can go against anybody."
All summer, Johnson has maintained that the hamstring won't be a setback. He throws the concussion in there now too.
"I think I can step right in,'' he said. "I've prepared myself. My teammates and coaches also prepared me even though I was not there. I was able to prepare for the game mentally and take some reps after practice and get in more conditioning."
The Browns had hoped Johnson could return kicks, but it remains to be seen if he'll handle that chore coming off the concussion. Currently, Marlon Moore and Justin Gilbert are listed ahead of him. Gilbert, however, might be inactive with his strained hip flexor.
"As of now, I'm still practicing it. We're still working through it. It's on the coaches. It's not my call, but right now I'm working on it in practice."
Johnson was just getting warmed up in Tampa when he suffered the concussion. He carried the ball once for four yards.
"I enjoyed my first game out,'' he said. "I can relate to the speed. I was enjoying it and having fun and it happened. At the end of the day, football is football. No matter what way you squeeze the lemon, it's still a lemon at the end of the day."
Johnson acknowledged that his mom, whose image is tattooed on his shoulder, was upset about the concussion.
"I think everyone was worried in my family as a whole,'' he said. "But once I talked to them and calmed them down, it was fine after that."
He said he's not worried about the long-term effects of concussions.
"Nope, not at all.''
He's confident he and Isaiah Crowell, the only other halfback on the 53, will be a formidable duo. The Browns might also promote Shaun Draughn off the practice squad and have inquired about 2013 Broncos second-round pick Montee Ball.
"I think we have the potential to be a major 1-2 punch if we apply stuff the right way and trust what the coaches are telling us,'' Johnson said.
He took Terrance West's trade in stride.
"Like the vets always say, that's the nature of the game,'' said Johnson. "You win some, you lose some. You don't really harp on things we can't really control. ''
Johnson knows he'll have to be on top of his game, including on blitz pickups.
"They're very good, especially the D-tackles,'' he said. "They're the ones we have to work about the most just because they play very hard and they're tough and strong in the middle. They also drafted a guy in the first round. He's no slacker, either. He's a rookie, but their front seven is something we really have to hone in on."
Fortunately for Johnson, he's thinking green.
Francisco Lindor (3-for-5, HR, 3B) and Jose Ramirez (second HR in two nights) helped the Indians defeat the White Sox, 6-4, Wednesday in Chicago. The Tribe won the series, 2-1.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Francisco Lindor went 3-for-5 with one homer and one triple and Jose Ramirez homered as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox, 6-4, Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Tribe closer Cody Allen gave up a run in the ninth but secured his 30th save.
Here is a capsule look at the game after a DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:
Staying alive: The Indians finished 5-4 on a trip to Toronto (1-2), Detroit (2-1) and Chicago (2-1).
No question the Indians (68-70) could have used more victories given their status as extreme long shots for the second AL wild card. But at least they didn't bury themselves with a terrible trip and render the rest of the season moot.
As it stands, the Tribe is 5.0 behind Texas for the second wild card, with traffic in front. The Rangers lost in Seattle late Wednesday.
Eighteen of the Indians' remaining 24 games are at home, where they are below .500 for the season but have performed much better in recent weeks.
Special player: Shortstop Lindor tripled to center and scored in the first; flied to left in the third; homered to right in the fifth (0-0 fastball up); singled to left in the seventh; and flied to right in the ninth.
Lindor created the triple with hustle and yet another sleight of hands on the head-first slide, the latter to avoid the tag of third baseman Tyler Saladino.
In 50 games since the All-Star break, Lindor is batting .354 (70-for-198) with 14 doubles, two triples, six homers, 25 RBI and 31 runs in 50 games. He owns seven three-hit games.
Overall, Lindor is batting .309 with an .805 OPS and, of course, making a significant impact defensively.
Hip hip Jose: Third baseman Ramirez homered for the second straight night, bumping his season's total to four.
As a right-handed batter and pinch-hitter Tuesday, he dropped the barrel on a 1-1 pitch from lefty Zach Duke and sent it deep into the left-field seats. It came in the ninth and was the final run in a Tribe loss, 7-4.
As a left-handed batter Wednesday, he led off with fifth against righty Jeff Samardzija. After the count went to 1-1, Fox SportsTime Ohio analyst Rick Manning said: "I'm a little surprised we don't see Jose try to bunt a little bit more, to utilize his speed.''
Ramirez took a ball, then zipped a fastball barely over the wall in center to give the Tribe a 3-1 lead.
Manning said: "Go figure. I'm just kidding about bunting, Jose. You keep swinging hard and hitting home runs.''
Slumping Samardzija (9-12, 4.89 ERA) allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.
His counterpart, Josh Tomlin, gave up three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. All of the runs came via three homers. Tomlin is 5-1 with a 2.85 ERA.
Play of the game not involving Lindor or Ramirez: The Indians led, 4-3, with Abraham Almonte on first and Lonnie Chisenhall on second and one out in the eighth. Chris Johnson faced former Indian Matt Albers.
Johnson punched a 3-2 fastball through the hole at second for a single. As third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh prepared to stop Almonte, White Sox right fielder Trayce Thompson took a peek and over-ran the ball. Almonte and Chisenhall scored and Johnson stopped at third.
Ramirez grounded to second and Roberto Perez struck out to keep the uprising at two runs.
