Rupp, 31, played the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Associated PressMike Rupp (17), then with the New Jersey Devils, checks the Pittsburgh Penguins' Maxime Talbot during a game on Dec. 26, 2008.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mike Rupp, a Lakewood St. Edward graduate, has signed a free agent contract with the New York Rangers, according to a report.

The New York Daily News cites the Canadian network Sportsnet as the source for Rupp's deal with the Rangers. Rupp, 31, leaves Pittsburgh after playing the last two seasons for the Penguins. New York reportedly signs Rupp to a three-year, $4.5 million deal.

Rupp has played in 497 National Hockey League regular season games over eight seasons. The 6-5, 230-pound forward was originally taken by the New York Islanders with the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He didn't sign, and stayed in the Ontario Hockey League with the Erie Oilers.

The New Jersey Devils used the 76th overall pick to take Rupp in the 2000 draft. He has played in the NHL with New Jersey (2002-04), the Phoenix Coyotes (2003-04, 2005-06), the Columbus Blue Jackets (2005-06) and New Jersey again (2006-09) before going to the Penguins.

Rupp has scored 49 goals and delivered 40 assists in regular season play. In 43 playoff games, he has two goals and six assists. 

Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News writes about Rupp's signing with the Rangers:

"Welcome Mike Rupp to #NYR," Rangers goaltender Martin Biron wrote on Twitter. "I've seen a lot of him in front of my net the last few years. I'm really happy to have him on my side now."

Adding size to the Rangers' lineup at 6-5 and 230 pounds, Rupp had 181 hits this past season, and also could help the Blueshirts a bit in the faceoff circle, where he won 82 of 162 draws. He's mostly a winger, though, and you have to wonder if this could mean the end of Ruslan Fedotenko's tenure on Broadway.

Cruz: 'He's fighting a completely different person' this time around.

AP file photoUrijah Faber, right, will try to take the UFC bamtamweight championship from Dominick Cruz on Saturday night in UFC 132.

Perhaps the two sides in the NFL and NBA disputes should heed the advice of Dominick Cruz, who defends his title in the first bantamweight championship fight in UFC history against his old nemesis, Urijah Faber, at UFC 132.

"Bottom line, fighting fixes everything," Cruz told reporters in a conference call to preview the fight. "Once we punch each other in the face, the fight fixes everything."

There is the proverbial -- expected? -- bad blood between the two. Has been since Faber beat Cruz with a guillotine choke in WEC 26 in March 2007. At the time, Faber -- "The California Kid" -- was WEC's featherweight champion.

Don't expect 'em to go furniture shopping together after this fight, either.

"For the record, the last time we fought, we didn't become friends afterwards," said Faber. "That's because like I said, Dominick was (upset) he lost so quickly."

And it was quick. Early in the first round.

Whether this one will be over that quickly is anyone's guess. When the two fought in '07, it was at 145 pounds. Faber said bantamweight -- 10 pounds less -- is his natural fighting weight. But for Cruz, the reverse is true: He's a natural featherweight. And yet he, not Faber, is the UFC bantamweight champ.

That is because Cruz dropped down and won the title in the WEC. When the WEC was folded into the UFC in the December 2010 merger, and UFC added the division, it was with the WEC title holder in place.

Natural weight or not, the move is a good one for Faber, who didn't fare well in his last fight as a featherweight. He dropped a unanimous decision to current UFC featherweight title holder Jose Aldo. Though the fight went the full five rounds, judges' cards of 49-45, 49-45, 50-45 showed Aldo was a clear winner.

Faber's drop to the bantamweight division may have resuscitated his career. There were whispers in the community that the 32-year-old was done. But at the lighter weight, he won handily over Takeya Mizugaki, with a first-round submission last November in WEC 52. He took a unanimous decision over Eddie Wineland in the first UFC bantamweight battle.

But 29 fights -- Faber is 25-4-0 in his career -- can take a toll on anyone's body. At 26, with a record of 17-1-0, Cruz has yet to endure the punishment Faber has taken, simply by virtue of the difference in the lengths of their careers.

Cruz admitted that he was beaten in that '07 fight. Ah, then comes the infamous "but":

"It's been four years. Everything is different in this fight, and he's fighting a completely different person," Cruz said, noting improvement in his kicks, ground game, wrestling and even a more physically mature body.

Faber said his training regimen and even his trainer have changed since that night.

"My first fight under a full training camp with my trainer, Master Thong, was the Jens Pulver fight, and everyone got to see my hands and how they improved," Faber said. "And the other side of this is I'm smaller and faster and at my more natural competition weight and I've improved."

The undercard of the fight features what could be the last UFC battle of Tito Ortiz's long career. His loss to Matt Hamill in UFC 121 prompted a phone call from UFC brass asking him to retire. The 36-year-old Ortiz, a former lightweight titleholder with a record of 16-8-1, hasn't won a fight since beating then-38-year-old UFC legend Ken Shamrock in 2006.

A loss to up-and-coming Ryan Bader, 28, with a 12-1-0 record, could (and probably should) spur White to cancel the remaining three fights on Ortiz's six-fight contract.

Ortiz literally begged to keep his job and his career going during that post-Hamill-fight phone call, he told the London Telegraph. If he loses this fight and gets another call, his best bet may be a mano-a-mano session with White.

After all, once they punch each other in the face, it'll all be fixed anyway. Right?

See press conference video here.

Coach Chuck Lyons was known for dapper clothes and a city championship.

View full size

Many people considered Charles E. "Chuck" Lyons one of the best-dressed, best-looking and all-around best coaches in town.

Lyons died June 21 at the Cleveland Clinic at age 73. He had struggled for years with several health problems.

The East High basketball coach was known for good looks and a wide wardrobe of suits and shoes. But Manny Leaks, who rose from East High to the National Basketball Association with Leaks' guidance, said, "He went so much deeper than his looks."

Lyons helped Leaks in many ways: strapping weights to Leaks' ankles to strengthen them, teaching him to play with more muscle, and having him practice tipping rebounds into the basket over and over.

Arnold Pinkney, long-time political leader, often treated Lyons' players to dinner at Lancer's to beef them up for games. He said the coach was a firm disciplinarian and a clever user of substitutions, keeping players fresh during games.

Lyons was raised in Fort Wayne, Ind., and was twice named all-state in basketball. He played at Purdue University and earned a bachelor's of science degree.

He joined East Tech High School in 1959 as a science teacher and assistant basketball coach. Three years later, he became a teacher and head coach at East.

His Blue Bombers won the city championship over West Tech in 1968, and he was named area coach of the year by the Cuyahoga County Basketball Coaches Association.

Lyons earned a master's in education at Case Western Reserve University and more credits at Cleveland State University. After 1971, he stopped coaching and focused on teaching at Central Catholic High School and Martin Luther King Junior High School.

He lived in Cleveland and later Shaker Heights. He liked to paint and to play ping-pong and pool.

Survivors include his wife, the former Fredda Patterson, and their son, Damon. R.A. Prince handled his arrangements.

James misses a jump shot -- surprise -- grabs the long rebound and drives the baseline for a dunk, when...

APCount the basket, but no "and one," for James.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James, the former Cleveland Cavalier who now plays for the Miami Heat, showed up at a youth basketball camp in Philadelphia earlier this week.

The eight-year NBA veteran got matched up with campers in a contest of "Knockout," which, unfortunately for James, showcases one of the erratic aspects of his game -- trying to knock down the outside shot.

James, possibly suffering flashbacks to the Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, bricked a jumper. He hustled for the rebound, drove the baseline -- must not have been late in the game -- and converted a shot within his range, a dunk.

James comes down from his throw-down and knocks down a rather passive, under-sized defender, the only kind, it sometimes seems, that James can score against. Give James the hoop, though -- not a charge. No referee around, though, to plead for an "and one."

Sources are trying to confirm if that's DeShawn Stevenson laughing in the background.

Video: Youtube.com video of LeBron James driving the baseline at a Philadelphia basketball camp, and running into a youngster after dunking:

Djokovic ousts Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in semifinals; defending champion Nadal defeats Andy Murray. Djokovic vs. Nadal on Sunday.

Associated PressNovak Djokovic celebrates his Wimbledon win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

WIMBLEDON, England -- Having ensured his first trip to a Wimbledon final and first turn at No. 1 in the rankings with a thrill-a-minute victory, Novak Djokovic dropped to his back at the baseline, limbs spread wide, chest heaving.

Moments later, he knelt and kissed the Centre Court grass, while his entourage bounced giddily in unison, huddling in a tight circle up in Djokovic's guest box.

Clearly, it meant so much to all of them that Djokovic beat 12th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-7 (9), 6-3 Friday in an entertaining and engaging semifinal filled with diving volleys and showmanship. What would mean even more: If Djokovic, who is 47-1 in 2011, can beat defending champion Rafael Nadal for the title Sunday at the All England Club.

As a kid in war-torn Serbia, Djokovic recalled, "I was always trying to visualize myself on Sunday, the last Sunday of Wimbledon. Being in the Wimbledon final — it's 'the thing' for me."

Top-seeded Nadal extended his winning streak at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament to 20 matches by ending the latest so-close-yet-so-far bid by a British man at Wimbledon, eliminating No. 4 Andy Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. It's the third consecutive year Murray has lost in the semifinals.

The last British man to win Wimbledon was Fred Perry in 1936, and the last to even reach the final was Bunny Austin in 1938; since then, the host country's men are a combined 0-11 in semifinals.

"I feel sad for Andy," said Nadal, who showed no signs of being hampered by the aching left heel that he's numbing with painkilling injections as he seeks a third Wimbledon championship and 11th Grand Slam trophy overall.

No matter Sunday's result, the Spaniard will be overtaken in the ATP rankings Monday by two-time Australian Open champion Djokovic, who'll rise from No. 2.

It will be the first time since February 2004 that a man other than Roger Federer or Nadal has been No. 1.

"Both of them are incredibly consistent with their success and so dominant the last couple years. They don't give you a lot of chances to become No. 1," said the 24-year-old Djokovic, beaten in last year's U.S. Open final by Nadal. "So I guess you need to lose only one match in seven months to get there. If you can do that, then well done."

Yes, Djokovic deserves to hear a "Well done!" or two for his surge, which he says stems in part from the confidence and pride he gained while leading Serbia to its first Davis Cup title in December. His two wins against France during the final series at Belgrade started a 43-match streak that ended with a semifinal loss to Federer at the French Open a month ago.

Otherwise, Djokovic has been perfect. He won the first seven tournaments he entered this year — including the Australian Open in January — and beat Nadal in four finals.

"His total game is really complete," said Nadal, who is 16-11 against Djokovic, including 5-0 at Grand Slam tournaments. "Good serve, very good movements. ... His eyes are very fast, and he can go inside the court very easy playing very difficult shots."

That sounds like a pretty accurate scouting report for Nadal, too. He, though, was merely very good at the outset against Murray, who was downright excellent while winning the first set with high-risk, high-reward shotmaking and nearly perfect serving.

Yet their semifinal changed complexion completely early in the second set, with Murray ahead 2-1, and Nadal serving at 15-30. On his heels, Nadal sent back a floater that should have set up an easy winner, but Murray flubbed a forehand, pushing it long. Instead of a break point for Murray, it was 30-all, and the Scot missed forehands on the next two points, too, starting a seven-game run for Nadal.

"Probably," Nadal said, "the turning point of the match."

Murray's take? "I was going for it," he explained. "Against Rafa, you have to go for big shots. I slightly over-hit that one."

APRafael Nadal (left) and Andy Murray (right) shake hands after Nadal's Wimbledon semifinals win.

As Nadal seized control — making a hard-to-believe total of three unforced errors in the last three sets, 28 fewer than his opponent — all those cries of "Come on, Andy!" from some of the 15,000 or so of Murray's flag-waving countrymen in the stands began to morph from words of support to words of supplication.

"It's tough. But I'm giving it my best shot each time. I'm trying my hardest. That's all you can do," said Murray, a three-time runner-up at other major tournaments. "I can't explain exactly how I feel."

Djokovic had trouble explaining his joy after joining Tsonga in putting on quite a display in Friday's first semifinal.

The highlight-reel points were numerous, starting in the sixth game, when Tsonga dove to his right for a forehand volley that Djokovic stretched to volley back. Somehow, Tsonga sprang up in time to knock home a volley winner, drawing a smile and applause from Djokovic. Tsonga walked toward the Royal Box — where past Wimbledon champions Bjorn Borg and Goran Ivanisevic were among the guests — and raised his arms overhead, basking in the raucous applause.

At 1-1 in the third set, both players wound up on the turf, with Tsonga diving to his left for a backhand volley, Djokovic sprawling as he stretched for a shot, and Tsonga then launching himself back to his right for another tumble, only to see his last shot land long.

Four games later, they were at it again, with both men ending up face-down on the grass.

"This is the only surface you can really dive," Tsonga observed, "because on the others, if you dive, you go directly to the hospital."

In the end, the outcome hinged on Djokovic's steadiness — he made only 13 unforced errors, 16 fewer than Tsonga — and a remarkable ability to extend points, often sliding as if there were clay underfoot, his legs nearly doing the splits.

"I can beat everybody today, but not Djokovic," said Tsonga, who upset six-time champion Federer in the quarterfinals, "because he just played unbelievable. He was everywhere."

On Wednesday, Tsonga became the first man to overcome a two-set deficit against Federer in a Grand Slam match, and he dug himself that same hole against Djokovic. But when Tsonga saved two match points — with an overhead winner, then a 123 mph ace — en route to winning the third-set tiebreaker, suddenly this match no longer seemed so lopsided.

"I tried to talk to myself on the changeover between sets," Djokovic would say later, "and tried to focus and be calm and hold my emotions, not allow him to come back."

Djokovic is quite an excitable character, one who gained attention a few years back with his spot-on impersonations of top tennis players — YouTube is filled with clips of him lampooning Nadal and others — and whose temper occasionally flares, such as when he mangled a racket by whacking it on the ground three times during a match last week.

He also used to run into problems in the latter stages of majors, either because of a dip in play or quitting because of injuries or allergy problems, and was 0-2 in Wimbledon semifinals before Friday.

But against Tsonga, he collected himself at the start of the fourth set, taking the first eight points and a 2-0 lead with a service hold, then break.

Soon enough, Djokovic was closing out the victory with a 118 mph service winner — the serve is the part of Djokovic's game that's improved the most this year — then reveling in the moment.

"When I finished the match, I didn't know how to show my emotions. I was really happy. This is one of those moments where you can't describe it with the words," Djokovic said. "You remember all your career, all your childhood, everything you worked for."

Last of a three-part series. COLUMBUS -- Ohio State lost more than two regular-season games just twice in Jim Tressel's 10 seasons in Columbus -- during his first season in 2001 and in the transition year of 2004 that helped lead to the undefeated regular season of 2006. In the final part of a three-part series of 12 questions...

Last of a three-part series.

COLUMBUS -- Ohio State lost more than two regular-season games just twice in Jim Tressel's 10 seasons in Columbus -- during his first season in 2001 and in the transition year of 2004 that helped lead to the undefeated regular season of 2006.

In the final part of a three-part series of 12 questions about Ohio State football, the big picture is examined, and the guess is that it will include three losses.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerTwo first-year coaches going head-to-head adds a little spice to the 2011 Ohio State-Michigan game.

1. What kind of season will this be?

A: If Ohio State fans can separate the football from the NCAA issues, slightly adjust their thinking and have an open mind, this could be the most exciting season for the Buckeyes in years.

Six teams from prognosticator Phil Steele's preseason top 40 -- No. 12 Nebraska, No. 23 Wisconsin, No. 24 Penn State, No. 28 Michigan State, No. 31 Miami (Fla.) and No. 39 Illinois -- are on the OSU schedule. That's six Saturdays when OSU fans should wake up a bit on edge, not knowing how the day will end. Exciting.

After years of people wondering if the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry was losing its luster, the Luke Fickell-Brady Hoke matchup of first-year head coaches will provide a jolt, and after Tressel's dominating 9-1 run, spice up Nov. 26. Exciting.

Following a record-tying six straight Big Ten titles, the Buckeyes should not be favorites to add title No. 7. Add a little underdog edge. Exciting.

Yet the expectations shouldn't change. When I asked this week if fans or players should happily settle for something like 9-3 in all this confusion, the Buckeyes glowered.

"Every season we have the goal to win the Big Ten championship and the national championship," senior center Mike Brewster said. "That's not going to change regardless of what happened or who's here or who's not here."

Too often in recent years, anything short of a national title left OSU fans with an idea of what could have been. On some level, that has been true in every season since 2005, a six-year stretch that saw Ohio State go 66-11, yet not win a national title.

After everything that has happened, I don't think Ohio State fans will feel that way after the 2011 season. And that may allow everyone to enjoy the journey more.

2. What teams can give Ohio State real trouble?

A: You can argue the Buckeyes' visit to Nebraska on Oct. 8, in terms of a combination of opposition talent and atmosphere, will be the toughest road challenge they have faced in more than a decade. Only the USC trip in 2008 and Wisconsin at its best might compare.

That would have been the case even if Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor were still around, because adding Nebraska to the Big Ten (which became official Thursday) is a game-changer. Too often in recent years, there weren't enough teams in the Big Ten able to challenge the Buckeyes, even if Ohio State was only good and not great.

With Wisconsin adding quarterback transfer Russell Wilson, Hoke reshaping Michigan, Michigan State's backfield and Penn State's experience, the rest of the league might finally be catching up, even if Ohio State doesn't wind up taking a huge step back.

3. Can Ohio State win the Big Ten?

A: Sure. At the moment, my range of potential records goes from 11-1 to 7-5, with the game at Nebraska the common loss. But Nebraska is in the Legends Division, and those losses won't hurt as much. The Leaders Division should come down to games against the three best division foes -- at Illinois on Oct. 15, home against Wisconsin on Oct. 29 with Ohio State coming off a bye week, and home with Penn State on Nov. 19. Those games are all in the second half of the season, at which time the new quarterback, whomever it is, and Fickell should be much more comfortable. I think Ohio State has a shot to go 6-2 in the Big Ten and still win a Leaders Division tiebreaker. Then the new Big Ten title game in Indianapolis on Dec. 3 would be a tossup, assuming sanctions don't keep the Buckeyes from playing in it.

4. So what will the Buckeyes' record be?

A: Try 9-3 for now. That would include losing one early game -- either at Miami or against Michigan State -- during the five-game suspensions of Mike Adams, DeVier Posey and Dan Herron. Then the Nebraska loss. And one other game to either Wisconsin, Penn State or, egads, Michigan.

Clubhouse confidential: The Ohio Cup was displayed behind home plate for the pregame festivities at Great American Ball Park. Following their three-game sweep of the Reds in May, the Indians need to win just one game this weekend to claim the cup. If the Reds sweep this weekend series, however, they will retain possession of the cup even though...

Clubhouse confidential: The Ohio Cup was displayed behind home plate for the pregame festivities at Great American Ball Park. Following their three-game sweep of the Reds in May, the Indians need to win just one game this weekend to claim the cup.

If the Reds sweep this weekend series, however, they will retain possession of the cup even though this year's series would end in a tie.

The Indians have not won the season series since 2005 when they went 4-2 against the Reds.

The new Bambino: Encouraged by hitting a long foul ball down the right-field line last Saturday against the Giants at AT&T Park, Fausto Carmona was testing his swing in the clubhouse before Friday's game.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians starting pitcher/power hitter Fausto Carmona.

A teammate told him, "Fausto, just throw a shutout and bunt."

Carmona, who starts today against the Reds, laughed and said: "Bunt? I'm a power hitter."

Stat of the day: Carlos Carrasco, Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia lead the big leagues with seven victories each since May 17.

Scouting service owner Will Lyles told Yahoo! Sports that Kelly approved $25,000 fee that sparked NCAA investigation and was in constant contact as Lyles provided Oregon with recruiting assistance that may have violated NCAA rules.

Associated PressOregon's football program, with coach Chip Kelly (photo), is being investigated by the NCAA for its contacts with a scouting service.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Don't fault anyone for considering the 2010 college football season as tainted.

National champion Auburn was led by a controversial quarterback, Cam Newton, who dodged being ruled ineligible thanks to a questionable NCAA ruling.

Ohio State lost just one game on the scoreboard, but could have all its wins vacated in the wake of its "memorabilia for tattoos/cash" violations by several players. The coverup cost coach Jim Tressel his job.

Auburn won the BCS national championship game over Oregon, which is now the focus of yet another NCAA investigation.

Will Lyles, a scouting service owner who apparently influenced several key high school players to attend Oregon, told Yahoo! Sports that Ducks coach Chip Kelly personally approved a $25,000 payment to Lyles' company.

That scheduled payment, which has not been made as the potential scandal grows, led to an NCAA investigation which continues. Lyles said he and Kelly were in regular contact while Lyles influenced recruits toward Oregon in ways that might have been in violation of NCAA rules.

Charles Robinson and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports write a lengthy report on the Oregon football program's controversy, including: 

In a wide-ranging, multi-day interview, Lyles said Kelly “scrambled” in late February and asked Lyles to submit retroactive player profiles to justify the $25,000 payment to his company, just days before the transaction was revealed in a March 3 Yahoo! Sports report. Lyles also provided details of his fledgling company – Complete Scouting Services (CSS) – as well as the extent of his relationship with numerous Texas high school stars and his role in Ducks’ recruitment of certain prospects.

Lyles insists Oregon did not make a direct request or payment to steer recruits to Eugene. However, he now says Oregon did not pay him for his work as a traditional scout, but for his influence with top recruits and their families and his ability to usher prospects through the signing and eligibility process. That dual role as mentor to prospects and paid contractor to Oregon is believed to be a focus of the NCAA probe.

“I look back at it now and they paid for what they saw as my access and influence with recruits,” Lyles said. “The service I provided went beyond what a scouting service should … I made a mistake and I’m big enough of a man to admit I was wrong.”

Calls and text messages to Chip Kelly’s two cell phones were not returned.

Oregon spokesman Dave Williford said the university maintains its stance that there was no wrongdoing, and that comment will be withheld until the NCAA’s investigation has been resolved.

Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana homer off Bronson Arroyo to give Justin Masterson the rarest of things -- a lead.

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Indians lead the Reds, 4-0, Friday night at Great American Ballpark after three innings.

They gave Justin Masterson an unaccustomed lead on homers by Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana off Bronson Arroyo.

Sizemore made it 1-0 in the second on a drive to right center field. It was his eighth homer and his first since June 8 against Carl Pavano of the Twins.

Cabrera and Santana hit consecutive homers in the three-run third. Cabrera drove a 1-2 pitch 421-feet into the seats in right center for a two-run homer and a 3-0 lead. It was his 14th homer of the season. Cabrera entered this season with 18 homers in his big league career.

Santana followed by driving a 0-1 pitch into the Indians' bullpen down the right field line for his 12th homer. It was his fifth homer in his last 16 games.

Arroyo entered the game having allowed 21 homers for the season.

Masterson came into the start looking for his first win since April 26. The Indians have scored 22 runs for him in his l1 starts since that victory. So Friday night was indeed unique.

Not to be outdone, Masterson singled sharply to start the third. He was erased on a fielder's choice.

Nebraska's sports program includes one of the nation's most tradition-laden football teams, which hosts Ohio State on Oct. 8.

Associated PressFans watch Nebraska's marching band in Memorial Stadium, where the Cornhuskers have played football since 1923.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Big Ten at least now has an even number of schools on its roster.

Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1990, giving the storied conference 11 members.

Today, Nebraska boosts the league to 12 schools with its official entry. The Cornhuskers leave the Big 12, which now has 10 schools, as Colorado left for the PAC-10.

Nebraska is especially known for its football program. A highlight of the Cornhuskers' first Big Ten season will be on Saturday night, Oct. 8, when they host six-time defending conference champion Ohio State.

Nebraska football won Associated Press poll championships in 1970, 1971, 1994 and 1995, and an ESPN/USA Today poll title in 1997.

The BCS national championship game was first played following the 1998 regular season. Nebraska has played in one BCS title game, losing to Miami (Fla.), 37-14, in the Rose Bowl following the 2001 regular season.

Nebraska has won eight men's gymnastics national championships. Other Cornhuskers national titles have been won in women's bowling (five), women's volleyball (three) and women's track and field (three).

The University of Nebraska is located in the state's capital city, Lincoln.

Click here for the Lincoln Journal Star page that directs readers to stories about Nebraska joining the Big Ten.

Also, the Corn Nation, "For Nebraska Cornhuskers Fans," has been counting down the days toward the Cornhuskers' entry into the Big Ten.

Stewart Mandel writes for Sports Illustrated's SI.com about Nebraska football joining the Big Ten.

AS Nebraska joins the Big Ten, its football team is cutting long ties with tradition and rivalries, writes Jerry Kinnen for CBSSports.com.

After our friend moved here from Chicago almost 11 years ago, he taught us about love and loyalty every day. He will be missed.

Simon was from Joliet, Ill., but we met him in the suburbs of Chicago almost 11 years ago. You could hold him in your hand then, although it turned out it was he who had the hold on us.

He was such a rookie then that, while taking walks, he chased leaves on the sidewalk. He was small, but he had a big heart, and he knew how to love with all of it.

He came from a long line of runaways. It was bred into him. But he was smart enough to know when the going got good, the good stopped going.

He stole silently out the half-open gate in the back yard one day. An uproar ensued when we discovered he was missing. Fresh mounts were summoned, and search parties rushed outside, only to find him waiting patiently by the front door. "You've got it made," my wife's brother told him. He had known that for years.

On his first full day here, he attended a Little League doubleheader. Once he was a Clevelander, he stopped following the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears and Bulls, and the Northwestern Wildcats. (He was never much for cats.)

Red-haired, he became a natural Buckeye. Maybe it was the scarlet thing. He would have pulled for the Cincinnati Reds, too, but he knew this was a Chief Wahoo family. Refusing to choose between Progressive Field and the Reds' Great American Ball Park, he instead favored the Metroparks.

He had a mild temperament, but he also had his quirks. He harbored a deep dislike for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He would become visibly miffed when "Caddyshack" was on TV and Bill Murray couldn't catch the Bushwood Country Club gopher. He felt all rodents were expendable.

It was a family rule that when he was on "squirrel watch," he was allowed to sit on the kitchen table and look out the window at the back yard. A fair-minded guy, he would noisily warn a squirrel that he had spotted him. Then he would storm down the stairs of the deck and give futile chase until his prey climbed a tree and made faces at him from its safety.

He could not be deterred by a bad batting average. He was 0-for-his-lifetime, but he came to play every day.

The Huskies, Bulldogs, Terriers and Salukis were his other favorite teams. When the UConn Huskies won the national men's basketball championship over the Butler Bulldogs, he cheered for both.

Most of all, the Cavaliers were his team. He considered himself one of them.

He was here for the years Randy Wittman and John Lucas coached, for the pingpong ball magic that brought LeBron James, for Paul Silas, for Mike Brown, and for Byron Scott. He saw Carlos Boozer come and go. When James took his talents to South Beach, Simon tried to bury the pain. But he would worry at it, because he knew it was a bone of contention among fans.

He was quiet, he seldom spoke out of turn, and he was an interested observer of the human comedy. His watchful, tranquil eyes saw James turn from civic hero to villain, and DeShawn Stevenson do the reverse. He couldn't understand how we gave our hearts away so easily, only to take them back so resentfully.

Then again, he didn't understand deception or betrayal either. Loyalty was one of his best qualities.

So was love.

A party animal, he once went to a Plain Dealer staff get-together. He was here for our kids' graduations, celebrating each of the milestones with us. He was here for our daughters' weddings. He was a beloved friend in good times and bad.

But for over a week now, he has been gone.

Like so many other Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Simon suffered from congestive heart failure in his old age. Medication only held off the inevitable for a year. X-rays showed a hugely swollen heart. Since he died, we have done many things with only half of ours.

Orlando Cabrera, thought to be on his way out when Cord Phelps arrived from Class AAA Columbus, is hitting his way back into a significant role in the Indians offense.

View full sizeRoss D. Franklin, Associated PressOrlando Cabrera, above, is hitting .309 with two homers and six RBI since Cord Phelps arrived on June 8. On this nine-game interleague trip, he's hitting .400 with one homer and two RBI.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — When Cord Phelps arrived from Class AAA Columbus to share second base with Orlando Cabrera on June 8, it was not a good sign for Cabrera.

Cabrera, 36, wasn't hitting and his defense was shaky. He said the move surprised him because the Indians were still in first place.

Phelps has had his moments, good and bad, since the promotion. Cabrera, meanwhile, is starting to look like the guy who hit .282 (28-for-99) with two homers and 16 RBI in April.

Cabrera is hitting .309 (17-for-55) with two homers and six RBI since Phelps arrived. On this nine-game interleague trip, he's hitting .400 (10-for-25) with seven runs, three doubles, one homer and two RBI. He tied a career high with four hits in Wednesday's 6-2 victory over Arizona and won Monday's game with a ninth-inning homer.

"Right now, I need to step up with Shin-Soo Choo [broken left thumb] going down," said Cabrera after Wednesday's victory. "We've got so many great hitters on this team that it feels weird when we don't get 10 or 14 hits a night. I'd just like to see us keep this going [15 hits Wednesday] at least for a month, and see where it takes us."

View full sizePDAsdrubal Cabrera is the Indians' most likely candidate for the All-Star Game.

Phelps has made four starts at second on this trip, but three of them came when manager Manny Acta had the luxury of starting Cabrera at third. With Lonnie Chisenhall called up from Columbus to play third on Monday, Cabrera has started the past four games at second.

"Orlando is swinging the bat very well," Acta said. "I think he's benefited from not playing every day.

"But the way he's swinging the bat right now . . . we have to take advantage of that. He's playing very good baseball."

Tick tock: Asdrubal Cabrera, the prime candidate to represent the Indians at the All-Star Game, will find out Sunday if he made it when the teams are announced at noon on TBS.

Cal Ripken, Dennis Eckersley and David Wells will analyze the All-Star selections on TBS.

Asked if he was thinking about a possible selection, Asdrubal Cabrera said, "I'm not thinking about it, I'm just waiting."

Condolences: Tribe closer Chris Perez left the team Thursday after the death of his grandmother in Gainesville, Fla.

He was placed on the bereavement list and won't rejoin the team until Sunday. Acta said Vinnie Pestano and Tony Sipp will split the closer's duties until Perez returns. Perez is the only Indians pitcher with a save this year.

MLB's bereavement rules say a player must stay on the list for at least three days.

Right-hander Josh Judy was recalled from Class AAA Columbus to fill the roster spot.

Judy is 2-2 with 12 saves and a 3.30 ERA in 27 relief appearances at Columbus and has a 1.08 ERA since May 13. He has not allowed an earned run in his past eight appearances.

This is Judy's second time with the Indians this season. He was called up May 21 and made his major-league debut against the Reds on May 22 in Progressive Field, allowing two hits in one scoreless inning. It was his only appearance before returning to Columbus.

Perez pitched the ninth inning Wednesday despite the Indians' four-run lead after they scored in the ninth.

"Part of the reason we pitched him was because we knew he'd be leaving the team," said Acta. "The other reason was that he was already hot [warmed up]."

Finally: Acta says the Indians won't know if first baseman Matt LaPorta (right ankle) will need a rehab assignment until he starts taking batting practice. He was scheduled to take BP this weekend in Cincinnati, but his ankle is still sore. Look for LaPorta to start hitting next week when the Indians return home for their last seven games before the All-Star break.

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

Twitter: @hoynsie

Things have come full circle for Cavaliers veteran Antawn Jamison. The first NBA lockout occurred just as he was entering the league as a rookie, and the second is starting before the final year of his contract.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz, The Plain DThe Cavs' Antawn Jamison says NBA players are more unified than during the lockout in 1998.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Things have come full circle for Cavaliers veteran Antawn Jamison.

The first NBA lockout occurred when he was entering the league as a rookie, and the second is starting before the last year of his contract.

The difference between the two situations is striking, Jamison said.

"I think the biggest difference [is] the first go-around we were so divided as players, and the owners saw that," Jamison said toward the end of last season. "They knew certain players were going to break.

"I think on this go-around, pretty much all the players are unified in knowing that we're going to prepare for the worst. This is what we feel is right for us. It's a business. The owners feel they have rights to do certain things. But I think the players union is definitely a lot tighter than what it was when I first got to the league."

Jamison left North Carolina after his junior season in 1998 and was the fourth pick in the draft by the Toronto Raptors, who traded him to Golden State for the draft rights to Vince Carter and cash.

While he would have cautioned players to reconsider entering the draft this year because of the labor uncertainty, he didn't have second thoughts about declaring his intentions 13 years ago.

"At that particular time . . . a lockout had never occurred in the NBA," Jamison said. "I was thinking, 'They'll figure something out. It can't happen now.'

"Unfortunately it did and we missed half the season."

Jamison did not endure particular hardship during the layoff. His parents were working, and he got what he called a "nice advance" to tide him over. He spent most of the time working out at North Carolina.

But he definitely felt the lockout set him back in his development.

"It set me back a lot," he said. "Not being able to do a lot of things, it was kind of difficult.

"There's nothing like going through a summer league, getting some games under your belt, playing against great competition, dealing with the coaching staff, implementing what they want to do on both ends of the floor. That really makes a difference. For these young guys . . . it definitely prevents them from really getting the opportunity to be the best they can possibly be."

Things didn't get any easier once play resumed in February 1998, either, when rookies found themselves playing three games in three nights to get in a 50-game season.

"At the most [in college], I played 30 games," Jamison said. "Just dealing with the travel [was rough]. I've been in the league 13 years, and I'm still not adjusted to the type of travel we do. Going through those things is kind of tough. It's tough making the adjustment, period. But to do it after a lockout is definitely tough."

Jamison and fellow veteran Baron Davis have talked about hosting workouts, similar to the ones Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has organized during the NFL lockout.

Jamison said last season he also urged his young teammates to save their money, just like the veteran players did when he was coming into the league.

"It's definitely my duty to help these guys out as much as possible," he said.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

Also, Strongsville graduate Anthony Gallas has two hits, including his first homer, in a victory for the Class A Kinston Indians.

View full sizePD fileKinston's Anthony Gallas, shown in May while with the Lake County Captains. Gallas had two hits, including a homer, in Kinston's victory Friday night.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Mud Hens 3, Clippers 1 RH Zach McAllister (8-3, 2.97) threw a complete game but took the loss as Columbus dropped the International League game in Toledo.

McAllister allowed three earned runs on nine hits and one walk. He struck out four.

3B Jason Donald (.307) had two hits for the Clippers.

AA Akron Aeros

SeaWolves 11, Aeros 9 Aeros LF Ben Copeland (.353) hit two home runs, but host Erie (Pa.) scored five unearned runs en route to winning the Eastern League game.

Copeland's homers were his first with the Aeros.

RH starter Joe Gardner (3.89) pitched 2 innings and allowed six runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks.

RH reliever Tyler Sturdenvant (1-1, 9.00) took the loss after coughing up five earned runs on seven hits in two innings.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 5, Pelicans 3 LF Anthony Gallas (.220), a Strongsville High grad, had two hits, including his first homer for Kinston, as the K-Tribe won the Carolina League game in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Gallas hit .314 with six homers and 21 RBI in 57 games at Class A Lake County before being promoted last month.

Lefty Drew Pomeranz (2.06) started for Kinston and threw 51/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven.1/3

A Lake County Captains

Captains 7, Silver Hawks 4 3B Giovanny Urshela (.224) had two hits, including his seventh homer of the season, and knocked in three runs to lead host Lake County past South Bend in Midwest League play.

J.D. Reichenbach (4-1, 3.58) started for the Captains and pitched 51/3 innings. The left-hander gave up two runs (both earned) on six hits. He walked none and fanned four.

RH Dale Dickerson (1.67) pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save of 2011.

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission finds that getting international teams to Cleveland to participate in the Continental Cup is the greatest obstacle.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerGeorge Nanchoff, director of global recruitment for the Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival, monitors the action Friday during soccer games in Willoughby.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — George Nanchoff, the director of global recruitment for the Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival, gives new meaning to, "waiting to exhale."

From start to finish, getting international teams on site, in Cleveland, to participate in one of the three sports (baseball, basketball and soccer) is a lesson in everything from politics to medicine.

Asked at what point he is able to feel relieved that all the international teams expected are here, Nanchoff replied, "July 4." That is one day after the event is over.

"It's mind-boggling," said Nanchoff, a former soccer player at the University of Dayton. "We start with more than 120 countries, writing letters to all the ministries of sports, all the ministries of education."

Nanchoff and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission work to help teams get cleared to participate -- but wanting to be in Cleveland, having all the paperwork to participate in Cleveland, and purchasing airline tickets to get to Cleveland does not guarantee a team makes it to Cleveland.

Teams can be denied entry to the U.S. at the final hour.

"Three years ago it was the H1N1 virus," Nanchoff said. "We lost about six teams, and you know how quickly that happened at the start of the summer."

This year, getting the Pakistan baseball team on board was a coup for Nanchoff. Then all of a sudden, no go.

"The whole bin Laden thing," Nanchoff said, referring to Navy Seals killing Osama bin Laden on May 2 in Pakistan.

"They were set. But after that their visas were denied. We lost them."

After years of trying to get teams from Africa, this looked to be a breakout year for the Continental Cup. Three teams were in line. One is only half here.

"There was a team from Rwanda, orphan girls, they got all these organizations to help them," Nanchoff began. "Then, they couldn't come up with the airline tickets. Hopefully, they will be able to come next year.

"Uganda, for example, got everything in order. Booked their airlines. But one part of their team is here and another part of the team is stuck in Dubai, half way around the world.

"It's a challenge for us, and a huge credibility factor. Internally, we understand all the dynamics involved but that is not the case with the general public. They look and say, 'Four or five countries pulled out,' when the real issue is they couldn't get in."

While technology has made the world a much smaller place, getting around it is not that easy. Legal entry into the U.S. can be a challenge, at least for sports teams.

"What people don't understand, they think when we recruit teams that somehow they just end up here," Nanchoff said. "But the other parts of it make it a very deliberate process. A visa costs from $150 to $180 just to get an interview in some countries. You have to have your passport before you apply for the visa interview. Then that visa can be another $150.

"Before 9/11, decisions [for visa approval] were made by each individual U.S. embassy. Now, everything runs through Homeland Security. It makes your head spin. You're rolling the dice. Luck. Then on top of that, say you get it, now you need the background checks to measure up. That's another variable you are dealing with."

After hosting the event for six years, Nanchoff said the Sports Commission has built credibility with Homeland Security so that letters in support of teams from other countries carry some weight. "Now there is a better chance," Nanchoff said.

"Three years ago we had three teams apply for visas from Colombia and not one got in. Last year we had three apply, one got in.

"This year we had five teams apply, all five got in."

Taking another run at getting the Pakistan baseball team for next year will be on the to-do list.

"Absolutely," he said. "Sometimes, it takes time. Philippines, it took three years. Colombia, it took three years. Africa took five years."

One year, three years, maybe five. But ultimately, it can happen.

"When some of these teams actually walk through the door, sometimes, it is just unbelievable," Nanchoff said.

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

At 21, eighth-seeded Kvitova is the youngest Wimbledon champion since Sharapova was 17 in 2004.

Associated PressPetra Kvitova celebrates her Wimbledon singles championship win over Maria Sharapova.

WIMBLEDON, England -- One might reasonably have expected Petra Kvitova, not Maria Sharapova, to be betrayed by nerves in the Wimbledon final.

This was, after all, Kvitova's first Grand Slam championship match, while Sharapova already owned three major titles, including one from the All England Club. So Kvitova decided to pretend she was heading out on Centre Court to play in the fourth round.

That mindset worked. So, too, did nearly everything Kvitova tried once play began, particularly her big, flat left-handed groundstrokes that pushed Sharapova back on her heels. In a surprisingly lopsided final, Kvitova beat the higher-seeded, yet shakier, Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 Saturday to win Wimbledon for her first Grand Slam trophy.

"I was surprised how I was feeling on the court," Kvitova said, "because I was focused only on the point and on the game and not on the final."

If there were those who wondered how the eighth-seeded Kvitova would handle the setting and the pressure, her coach did not.

Indeed, David Kotyza had an inkling his new pupil possessed the right stuff to win titles shortly after they began working together about 2½ years ago. That's because he was wowed by the several pages of handwritten answers Kvitova supplied for a questionnaire he gave her back then — and has kept to this day.

"I was really surprised about how she thinks about tennis, how clever she is. She told me her advantages, disadvantages, what she has to improve," Kotyza said, then pointed a finger to his temple and added: "Her brain is a big advantage for this game."

When she was a kid growing up in Fulnek, Czech Republic — population: 6,000 — and practicing an hour or so after school each day, Kvitova didn't count on becoming a professional tennis player. She simply wasn't that good, yet. Clearly, she's a quick study.

Before Wimbledon in 2010, Kvitova's career record on grass was 0-4. She is 16-2 on the slick surface since, including a run to the semifinals here last year before losing to Serena Williams.

At 21, Kvitova is the youngest Wimbledon champion since — you guessed it — Sharapova was 17 in 2004. Kvitova is also the first Czech to win the tournament since Jana Novotna in 1998.

Plus, Kvitova is only the third left-handed woman to win the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. The last was Martina Navratilova, who won her ninth Wimbledon title in 1990, a few months after Kvitova was born.

"I'm thrilled for her. She played brave tennis, and she deserved to win. She was by far the better player," said Navratilova, who was born in Czechoslovakia and sat near Novotna in the Royal Box on Saturday. "I don't think this is the only time she'll win here. It's very exciting. A new star."

That last phrase was being uttered by many people around the grounds after Kvitova managed to make Sharapova look rather ordinary.

APMaria Sharapova after her Wimbledon Finals loss to Petra Kvitova.

Consider: Until Saturday, Sharapova had won all 12 sets she played over the last two weeks. But, as Sharapova's coach Thomas Hogstedt summed up afterward: "One played well. The other didn't play well. Maria didn't play as good as she can."

That was, at least in part, Kvitova's doing.

She compiled 19 winners, most by zipping her heavy forehands and backhands from the baseline, where her 6-foot frame and long arms helped her get to seemingly out-of-reach balls.

"She created offensive opportunities from tough positions on the court," Sharapova said. "Sometimes it's just too good."

Kvitova also broke Sharapova five times, anticipating where serves were headed.

It helped that Sharapova double-faulted six times, although at least those were fewer than the 13 the Russian hit in the semifinals.

"She performed incredible. Sometimes, when you don't know what to expect and you don't know how you're going to feel, sometimes you play your best, because you have that feeling of nothing to lose," said the fifth-seeded Sharapova, who was playing in a major final for the first time since right shoulder surgery in October 2008. "She went for it, absolutely."

What really was odd was seeing the experienced and normally gritty Sharapova bothered by distractions such as the swarms of tiny greenflies that showed up Saturday or the occasional clap or yell that came from the stands during points.

Even more stunning was the way Sharapova crumpled at key moments. One example: She double-faulted twice in a row to lose serve and fall behind 4-2 in the first set. Sharapova turned her back to the court and gave herself a little lecture, then smacked herself on her left palm with her racket.

Kvitova — now 4-1 in tournament finals this year — broke again to begin the second set, capping that game with a running forehand that caught the back edge of the baseline. The women exchanged four consecutive breaks in the middle of that set, before Kvitova — not Sharapova — gathered herself.

Ahead 4-3, but trailing 15-30 while serving, Kvitova hit three straight service winners to get to 5-3.

"She served quite hard. Her second serve was pretty big as well. She was going for it, for the second serve," Sharapova said. "I felt like I could have reacted a little bit better."

Credit Kvitova also for being at her steadiest in the most resolve-testing moments. She served out both sets at love, including with a 105 mph ace on match point.

What was running through her head right then?

"I have to do it now," she would say later.

After that last point — one last nerve-free point — Kvitova raised both arms, then dropped to her knees. A raucous celebration ensued in her guest box, including some overzealous chest-bumping that left one man knocked off his feet. Kvitova's allotted seats were completely filled — with her coach, parents, two brothers and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, among others — while Sharapova's section had only her agent, coach, hitting partner and fiance, New Jersey Nets guard Sasha Vujacic.

"When you lose in the final, you feel like the biggest loser in a way, but Maria is on the right track. She's working hard," Vujacic said. "She needed a lot of time to come back, and I think if she stays on the same road, there are many good things ahead of us."

Now there will be similar expectations of Kvitova.

Kotyza, her coach, said Kvitova's best quality probably is that "she's just an ordinary girl. She's standing with both feet on the ground. And I think it's very, very important for ... these matches. Because she's 'OK, just hit the ball, and we will see.'"

Asked after Saturday's victory when she first realized she might one day win a Grand Slam title, Kvitova smiled, tucked some strands of hair behind her ear and replied: "Probably yesterday."

Travis Buck will probably miss the next two to three games with a strained left hamstring.

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Outfielder Travis Buck will miss at least two to three games as he recovers from an injured left hamstring.

"It's a mild strain," said manager Manny Acta. "Lonnie Soloff (head athletic trainer) says we should know more in a couple of days."

The Indians, counting Saturday, have nine games left before the All-Star break. They don't think Buck's injury is serious, but it will be interesting to see how long they'd play shorthanded. The Reds series ends Sunday with the Yankees and Toronto headed for Cleveland for the final seven games before the break.

Buck strained the hamstring on his way to first base Friday in the fifth inning after hitting a two-run single.

"I was thinking double and just as I went to switch gears, I felt it," said Buck. "We've got nine games left before the break and I'd like to play in as many as I can."

Acta said Buck was available only in an "emergency situation."

After a long slump, Buck was 6-for-14 on this nine-game trip when he was injured.

Today's lineups:

Indians (43-37): LF Michael Brantley (L), 2B Orlando Cabrera (R), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), 1B Carlos Santana (S), CF Grady Sizemore (S), 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (L), RF Austin Kearns (R), C Lou Marson (R), RHP Fausto Carmona (4-10, 5.89).

Reds (42-41): CF Drew Stubbs (R), 2B Brandon Phillips (R), 1B Joey Votto (L), Scott Rolen (R), RF Jay Bruce (L), LF Jonny Gomez (R), C Ryan Hanigan (R), SS Paul Janish (R), RHP Home Bailey (3-2, 3.86).

Him vs. me: Phillips is 3-for-6 against Carmona. Asdrubal Cabrera is 2-for-4 against Bailey.

Lefties are hitting .274 (17-for-62) with three homers and righties are hitting are hitting .216 (16-for-74) against Bailey. 

Lefty righty: Lefties are hitting .280 (65-for-232) with eight homers and righties are hitting .270 (47-for-174) with seven homers against Carmona.

Lefties are hitting .274 (17-for-62) with three homers and righties are hitting are hitting .216 (16-for-74) against Bailey. 

Umpires: H Ron Kulpa, 1B Jim Wolf, 3B John Tumpane.

Umpire note: Derryl Cousins was scratched from the umpire rotation because of illness.

Quote of the day: "They're like sleeping in a soft bed. Easy to get into and hard to get out of," Johnny Bench, Reds Hall of Fame catcher, on hitting slumps.

Next: RHP Mitch Talbot (2-4, 4.96) will face Cincinnati right-hander Mike Leake (7-4, 3.89) Sunday at 1:10 p.m. STO/WTAM will carry the game.

Frank Herrmann and the rest of the bullpen lead the Indians to a 3-1 victory over the Reds after Fausto Carmona leaves the game after two innings because of an injury.

"Did you hear that, Sipp?" said Joe Smith, to fellow reliever Tony Sipp. "We're stars of the game."

The bullpen, following the early departure of starter Fausto Carmona because of injury, allowed one run over seven innings to secure a 3-1 victory over the Reds. Michael Brantley isn't a reliever, but he shared the pen's spotlight because without his three-run homer in the third, the game would have had a different outcome.

The Indians are 4-4 on this treacherous nine-game interleague trip. It began with a three-game sweep by the Giants, but the Indians took two out of three from Arizona and have won the first two games of this three-game set against the Reds. Somehow, someway, they are still in first place in the AL Central after going 10-17 in June.

"It can't get any worse for us than it was in June," said manager Manny Acta, whose team is 2-0 in July. "We're moving forward."

Carmona left in the third after taking a nasty spill on his way to first base following a sacrifice bunt attempt. Not only did he strain his right quadriceps muscle, which will probably put him on the disabled list, but after the game he looked like a guy who'd dumped his Harley-Davidson and was being treated for a bad case of road rash.

He had bandages on his right quad and left arm. The index and middle finger of his right hand were taped together. The webbing between the two fingers was split in the second inning when he knocked down Homer Bailey's come-backer for the third out.

"I'll let you know how I'm feeling tomorrow," said Carmona.

Said Acta: "He's going to be re-evaluated [today]. . . . He actually got a double whammy. Before he went to the plate, the ball hit by Bailey split his fingers. We didn't know if he was going to continue to pitch, but he said he was OK."

Lou Marson started the third with a single. Carmona tried to bunt him to second. Third baseman Scott Rolen grabbed the ball and threw to Paul Janish at second in an attempt to force Marson, but Janish was off the bag. Marson was safe, as was Carmona, as he started stumbling a few feet before first and tumbled over it.

Josh Tomlin pinch-ran for Carmona. Before head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff could slap a Band-Aid on Carmona, Brantley hit a 2-0 pitch from Bailey into the Indians' bullpen in the right-field corner.

At the start of the at-bat, Brantley got the sign to bunt with two on and no one out. When the count went to 2-0, Acta let him swing away. It was the Tribe's fourth homer of the series and Brantley's first since June 6.

The bullpen, operating without closer Chris Perez, who was attending his grandmother's funeral in Florida, started its run with three scoreless inning from Frank Herrmann. He'd gone 10 days without pitching, but retired nine of the 10 batters he faced.

"Frank Herrmann saved the day for us," said Acta.

Said Herrmann (1-0): "I was definitely fresh. It's fun being on a good team, but it's even more fun to contribute. I've never gone 10 days without pitching.

"You can go two ways with it. You can go, 'Oh, woe is me. The manager doesn't have faith in me.' Or you can wait until you get an opportunity, take the ball and force the issue."

Rafael Perez and Smith followed with a scoreless inning each. Smith, pitching in front of his hometown crowd, struck out Brandon Phillips to end the seventh.

Sipp got the ball to start the eighth, but Joey Votto hit a leadoff homer to make it 3-1. Rolen followed with a long double to left. When Jonny Gomes walked with one out, Acta called for Chad Durbin. Unlike Herrmann, Durbin had one appearance since June 20. It came Friday night.

Durbin retired Ryan Hanigan on a fly ball to center and struck out pinch-hitter Chris Heisey to end the inning.

"Durbs has been huge for us all year with inherited runners," said Smith, who has not allowed an earned run in his last 19 appearances.

Vinnie Pestano pitched the ninth for his first save of the season. It was not a relaxing inning on the shores of the Ohio River. Pestano ended it by striking out Rolen with runners on the corners.

"When Chris comes back, he can have this job," said Pestano.

Chris Perez is scheduled to return today.

"That makes us even better," said Smith.

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

Twitter: @hoynsie

Indians, featuring six Hall of Famers, outlasted Red Sox and Yankees in historic pennant race, then topped the Boston Braves in the World Series.

Plain Dealer filePlayer-manager Lou Boudreau (in car, left), his wife, Della, and Indians owner Bill Veeck in a line of cars with the Indians as they parade -- here in Public Square -- through Cleveland after winning the 1948 World Series.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians fans think of the 1948 squad as the last Tribe team to win the World Series.

Baseball experts think of it as one of Major League Baseball's all-time best teams.

The Sporting News, which for decades centered its coverage on baseball and was considered the most authoritative publication on the sport, continues -- in celebration of its 125th anniversary -- its "Great Sports Debates" series.

This month, TSN features its list of MLB's 10 greatest teams. A voting panel of current and former managers, coaches, players, executives and journalists ranks the 1948 Indians as the ninth-best team ever, including that Indians team in a photo gallery with links to videos and stories.

Baseball-Reference.com details the 1948 Indians season, featuring comprehensive statistics and a game-by-game log that links to every boxscore during that dramatic season -- including the Indians' 8-3 one-game playoff win over the Red Sox in Boston to win the American League pennant, and Cleveland's four-games-to-two World Series win over the Boston Braves (including play-by-play of every World Series game).

The 1948 Indians featured six Hall of Famers: pitchers Bob Feller, Bob Lemon and Satchel Paige, outfielder Larry Doby, second baseman Joe Gordon and shortstop Lou Boudreau, who had also become the Indians manager at age 24 in 1942 and still held the job.

The Indians roster included other all-star caliber players, and pitcher Gene Bearden, who compiled 20 of his 45 big league wins that season -- including the playoff decision over the Red Sox -- and then won a World Series game, too.

Trophy Boy cruised to a 3 1/2-length victory under Luis Gonzalez, Ohio's top stakes rider this year, in the $75,000 Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup on Saturday afternoon at Thistledown.

 Heavily-favored Trophy Boy showed plenty of speed early and late to post a 3 1/2-length victory in the $75,000 Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup on Saturday afternoon at Thistledown.

The test for Ohio-bred three-year-olds was the seventh Ohio stakes win of the year for  jockey Luis Gonzalez, who pushed Trophy Boy to the front of the eight-horse field as Ranger Rob challenged on the outside. Opening a 3 1/2-length lead at the half-mile, Gonzalez slowed the pace, allowing Elroy J to get within a head at the 3/4-mile pole. Trophy Boy responded sharply, widening his lead the rest of the way to take the 1 1/8-mile stake in 1:53.68.

Trophy Boy has won three of four career starts and $89,088. The bay colt by Medallist paid $2.80, 2.10, 2.10. Incantation ($4, 3) was second, with Elroy J ($4.40) third. 

 A homebred from Meadow Springs Farm in Pleasant Plain, Ohio, and trained by William Cowan, Trophy Boy easily avenged the first loss of his career, which came in the $50,000 Green Carpet Stakes, a 1 1/6-mile turf race at River Downs on May 29. Master Rocket, a 17-1 long shot, pulled off that upset and tried to do it again in the Gold Cup, but faded to fifth.

 The Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup was renamed this year to honor the late Daniel C. Stearns III, a popular veterinarian who was past president of the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners and served on the Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund. For a decade he was president of the Ohio-Waterford Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Associations. Stearns was also the breeder of such stakes winners as Able Craft.