The Indians hit .197 and were outscored, 23-9, in losing three out of four to the Yankees in June. The Tribe's only win was a 1-0 decision when Carlos Carrasco and the bullpen combined on a five-hitter.

Where: Progressive Field.

When: Tonight through Wednesday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio will do the series, WKYC Channel 3 on Wednesday; WTAM AM/1100.

Pitching matchups: RHP A.J. Burnett (8-6, 4.05) vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (9-4, 3.86) tonight at 6:35 p.m.; LHP CC Sabathia (11-4, 3.05) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (8-4, 3.54) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. and RHP Phil Hughes (0-1, 13.94) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (6-6, 2.85) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

Season series: The Yankees lead the Indians, 3-1, this year. The Yankees lead, 1,074-847, overall.

Indians update: The Indians hit .197 and were outscored, 23-9, in losing three out of four to the Yankees in June. The Tribe’s only win was a 1-0 decision when Carlos Carrasco and the bullpen combined on a five-hitter.

Yankees update: They hit .336 with five homers against the Tribe in June. Derek Jeter, six hits shy of 3,000, could be activated for the series. He strained his right calf against the Tribe.

Injuries: Indians — RHP Fausto Carmona (right quad), RF Shin-Soo Choo (left thumb), 1B Matt LaPorta (right ankle), RHP Alex White (right middle finger) and OF Trevor Crowe (right shoulder) are on the disabled list. Yankees — SS Jeter (right calf), RHP Hughes (right shoulder), 3B Eric Chavez (left foot), RHP Rafael Soriano (right elbow), RHP Joba Chamberlain (right elbow) and RHP Jeff Marquez (right shoulder) are on the disabled list.

Next: Toronto arrives for a four-game series Thursday to take the Indians to the All-Star break.

— Paul Hoynes

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif., wolfed down 62 hot dogs and buns during the 10-minute contest, winning his fifth straight title.

Associated PressAn exhausted five-time hotdog eating champion Joey Chestnut, right, accepts his trophy after he wins his fifth Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship with a total of 62 hot dogs and buns, Monday, July 4, 2011, at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. marked the 235th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with parades, fireworks, barbecues — plus presidential campaigning, a White House birthday and competitive eating.

On New York's Coney Island, the annual Nathan's Famous July Fourth hot dog-eating contest brought out the biggest names in competitive eating for a clash that was short in timespan but high in calories.

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif., wolfed down 62 hot dogs and buns during the 10-minute contest, winning his fifth straight title. Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas chowed her way to victory in the first-ever women-only contest, eating 40 hot dogs, one shy of her 2009 total.

Sidelined since June 13 with a calf injury, Derek Jeter was activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday to continue his quest to reach 3,000 career hits. Jeter is batting first and playing short in manager Joe Girardi's starting lineup as the Yankees open a three-game series with the Indians.

AP PhotoDerek Jeter is back in the lineup for the Yankees tonight.

CLEVELAND — On a tradition-filled day, Derek Jeter is back playing shortstop and batting leadoff for the New York Yankees.

It doesn't get much more fireworks and hot dogs than that.

Sidelined since June 13 with a calf injury, Jeter was activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday to continue his quest to reach 3,000 career hits. Jeter is batting first and playing short in manager Joe Girardi's starting lineup as the Yankees open a three-game series with the Indians.

Indians vs. Yankees: Live box score

"It feels great to be back," Jeter said. "To be out three weeks is tough when you want to be out there playing. But in retrospect, it was probably the right thing to do."

Girardi didn't hesitate writing Jeter's name at the top of his lineup card.

"It's easy to put him back in there. It's like he never left," Girardi said. "You just put him right back in there."

The Yankees' captain, named to his 12th All-Star team on Sunday, needs six more hits to become the 28th major leaguer to reach 3,000. Although he has struggled this season, batting just .260 in 62 games, Jeter is also just a few swings from becoming the first player in New York's storied history to eclipse 3,000 — a distinction that would separate the 37-year-old from all previous pinstriped greats.

Jeter said he hasn't spent a moment dwelling on the milestone, which will only add to a Cooperstown-worthy resume.

"At this point, I just want to go out and play a game," he said. "I mean it's been three weeks between hits."

Jeter said he has not spoken with Girardi about getting any rest or if the Yankees will hold him out of a game so he can reach 3,000 hits at Yankee Stadium.

"I want him to get to 3,000 as soon as he can," Girardi said. "I'm going to manage him more from a physical standpoint than 3,000 hits."

Jeter's absence was felt way beyond the boxscore.

"You miss his leadership and his consistency on a daily basis," Girardi said.

As he dressed before the game, Jeter quietly chatted with former major leaguer Bobby Bonilla, who now works for the players' union. Alex Rodriguez walked into the Yankees' clubhouse after getting a haircut and faked being surprised when he walked up to Jeter, who shared a hug with his teammate.

Jeter was eligible to come off the DL last week, but needed more time to strengthen his calf. The AL East-leading Yankees went 14-4 without him and young shortstop Eduardo Nunez showed he may be the one who one day replaces Jeter. Nunez went 7 for 8 with a homer and three doubles in two weekend games against the Mets.

Jeter said it wasn't disappointing to see the Yankees thrive without him.

"I wish they went 18-0," he said. "We did a great job, especially in interleague play. Hopefully, it will continue."

Jeter signed a three-year, $51 million contract this winter but he is clearly on the decline. There has been renewed debate about how long the Yankees should wait before moving one of the most popular players in Yankees history out of the top of the lineup. Jeter said he doesn't feel any pressure to perform in the season's second half to silence critics.

"I don't try to prove anything to anyone," he said. "I try to help my team win. There's been constant questions. It's nothing new to me. I try not to pay attention to it (criticism) and try to improve."

Asked what he needed to work on this season, Jeter said, "Everything."

"I need to be a little more consistent than I have been," he said. "I can't change anything that has happened in the past. I've been criticized before. I take it as a challenge."

Girardi said the time off could serve Jeter well.

"A lot of times guys come back and they get their legs back under you," Girardi said. "I hope it works out that way."

Jeter spent the weekend on a rehab assignment with Double-A Trenton. On Sunday, he went 1 for 2 with a bunt single, a walk and a throwing error in six innings. He came away pleased that he was able to test his calf at the plate, on the bases and in the field.

"I feel good," he said.

Josh Tomlin could have been in huge trouble in the first inning as Derek Jeter reached first when Lonnie Chisenhall failed to pick up a slow roller down the third baseline. The Tribe rookie was charged with an error. Then Tomlin walked Curtis Granderson . . . Tomlin's first walk in four starts. But the Tribe right-hander carefully worked...

Josh Tomlin could have been in huge trouble in the first inning as Derek Jeter reached first when Lonnie Chisenhall failed to pick up a slow roller down the third baseline. The Tribe rookie was charged with an error. Then Tomlin walked Curtis Granderson . . . Tomlin's first walk in four starts.

But the Tribe right-hander carefully worked through the heart of the Yankees' lineup -- retiring Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano on fly balls and Alex Rodriguez on a pop up.

Tomlin had his worst outing of the season in New York on June 12 -- 12 hits and six earned runs in five innings as the Tribe lost, 9-1.

So Tomlin wanted to stay out of trouble early.

He did just that, retiring the next nine batters after the first two reached base.

The Yankees had a lineup with four players with at least 50 RBI -- Rodriguez, Cano, Granderson and Teixeira.

Because of injuries to left-handed hitters Shin-Soo Choo (thumb surgery) and Travis Buck (sore hamstring), the Indians were forced to play Shelley Duncan at first base and Austin Kearns in right field against right-hander A.J. Burnett. Duncan is hitting .224 against right-handers, Kearns .164. The other option was to catch Lou Marson and play Carlos Santana at first base, but Marson is batting .161 against righties.

Asdrubal Cabrera had the only hit for the Tribe, a single in the first inning. After relegated to pinch hitting during a nine-game trip through NL parks, Travis Hafner was back at DH for the Tribe and walked in his first at-bat.

Jeter, six hits away from 3,000 for his career, is 0-for-2 through three innings (reached on error, fly out to center).

Indians first baseman Matt LaPorta said he is ready. His bosses want to wait one more day before making the call. LaPorta, on the disabled list since June 18 because of a sprained right ankle, did a little bit of everything in a pre-batting practice workout Monday afternoon. The Indians opened a three-game series against the Yankees on Monday...

Indians first baseman Matt LaPorta said he is ready. His bosses want to wait one more day before making the call.

LaPorta, on the disabled list since June 18 because of a sprained right ankle, did a little bit of everything in a pre-batting practice workout Monday afternoon. The Indians opened a three-game series against the Yankees on Monday night.

"Matt looked really good," Tribe manager Manny Acta said. "He's going to go through a full team workout [today], then we'll decide whether he's going to go for a rehab [assignment] or be activated right away."

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerMatt LaPorta hasn't played since spraining his ankle June 17 against the Pirates.

LaPorta hit, ran and fielded with no hesitancy. He had taken batting practice at Progressive Field while the Indians were on a nine-game trip that ended Sunday. On Monday, he ran the bases for the first time since spraining the ankle during a rundown.

"The ankle feels good, all things considered," he said. "I'm surprised and thankful it's come back as fast as it has. It's nice to be able to do baseball activities again."

LaPorta is hitting .242 with eight homers and 31 RBI in 59 games.

Smitty's world: Indians reliever Joe Smith entered the night at 2-1 with a 0.95 ERA. He had given up three earned runs in 281/3 innings of 30 appearances.

Smith owned the second-lowest ERA in the majors among those with at least 25 innings, trailing Antonio Bastardo of Philadelphia. Bastardo was 3-0 with four saves and a 0.90 ERA (30 innings, three earned).

The key for Smith, a sidearmer, has been throwing to a target over the plate rather than setting out to work the corners. Natural movement of his pitches takes the ball to the corners and outside the zone, leading to uncomfortable swings. When Smith nibbles, batters can gauge that the pitches will not be strikes and are able to lay off.

Smith has credited bullpen coach Scott Radinsky for helping convince him to go with what first instinct says is dangerous.

Last season, his second with Cleveland, Smith walked 24 in 40 innings as part of a 3.83 ERA. So far this season, he had walked 10.

"Smitty's always had good stuff," Tribe closer Chris Perez said. "Now he's a lot more confident. He's making the hitters hit his pitches, regardless of count."

Two of the earned runs against Smith came in a road loss to the Angels on May 8. With two outs, Smith gave up two infield singles and a two-run double.

Numbers game: Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter entered Monday with 2,994 hits. Along the way, he has been a tough out regardless of circumstance. Here are select splits through Sunday:

• Overall average -- .312 (2,994-for-9,584).

• Against LHP -- .334; against RHP -- .305.

• Home -- .318; road -- .307.

• Day -- .317; night -- .310.

• Grass -- .315; turf -- .292.

• Indoors -- .281; outdoors -- .316.

• Pre-All-Star Game -- .306; post-All-Star Game -- .320.

• Jeter's lowest average in any full month is .296 (May).

Acta is among Jeter's many fans. Acta appreciates the professionalism as much as the production.

"I can't wait for him to get it done," Acta said of the 3,000-hit milestone, "because has anybody represented the game in our era better than that guy? He's one of the few legends who is still playing. If MLB opens a school to teach players how to act and how to conduct themselves, he and Tom Glavine and a few others I've run into in my career should be teaching the classes. He's great for the game."

Jeter's first hit was May 30, 1995, against Mariners right-hander Tim Belcher. Belcher is the Indians' pitching coach.

Fireworks: Monday marked the fifth anniversary of the Tribe's 19-1 beat-down of the Yankees at Progressive Field. The Indians had 45 total bases.

Travis Hafner went 3-for-5 with two homers, four RBI and four runs. Grady Sizemore was 3-for-3. Hafner and Sizemore are the only holdovers from a starting lineup that included Todd Hollandsworth.

Finally: Tribe third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall, who batted seventh against Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett, played his first game at Progressive Field. The bottom third of Cleveland's lineup, which also included No. 8 Shelley Duncan and No. 9 Austin Kearns, entered with a combined three homers and 22 RBI.

Ah, summer, when high school football players relax at the beach and make a few bucks mowing lawns. Yeah, right. When they're not at daily "voluntary" weight-lifting sessions, kids are participating in team camps or increasingly popular 7-on-7 tournaments. Nationally, red flags are flying. Nike, Under Armour, the NFL, IMG and video game namesake John Madden are connected with...

Ah, summer, when high school football players relax at the beach and make a few bucks mowing lawns.

Yeah, right.

When they're not at daily "voluntary" weight-lifting sessions, kids are participating in team camps or increasingly popular 7-on-7 tournaments.

Nationally, red flags are flying.

Nike, Under Armour, the NFL, IMG and video game namesake John Madden are connected with large 7-on-7 tournaments where top players from across the country are on display in Florida, Oregon, Alabama and elsewhere. The Browns are hosting the NFL's National 7-on-7 Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

The idea usually is to promote players in front of college recruiting analysts, who rate players and sell evaluations and videos on the Internet or directly to colleges. The camps frequently take place on college campuses where the athletes are being recruited.

The non-contact, pass-oriented 7-on-7s can help kids who are under the radar, particularly defensive backs, but they also are becoming a racket much like AAU basketball for the big recruits.

Of concern are third-party "street agents" who organize some of the events and make bank as well. The worry is they are steering players to certain colleges.

One potential example that caught the eye of NCAA investigators was the revelation this spring that Oregon paid more than $28,000 to two "scouts" with connections to Oregon recruits, according to published reports. One of the scouts runs an elite 7-on-7 football camp that was attended by other Oregon recruits.

The all-star camps are particularly popular in the South, and the Southeastern Conference recently sent a strong message by banning all-star 7-on-7s from its campuses. The NCAA should follow suit and make it a nationwide rule.

"The college football coaches are trying to be proactive in the third party influences in recruiting that have so much ruined AAU basketball," Brackey Brett, Mississippi State's associate athletic director for compliance, told The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association and other state associations have strict rules that limit time teams spend in summer camps such as 7-on-7s, but there's nothing on the books about individuals attending summer all-star events away from school. Baron Flenory, a national 7-on-7 organizer being investigated by the NCAA, suggested recently one way to clean up the national events is to loosen rules so high school coaches can be more involved and keep the camps above board. That's not a solution, either, and it's probably another reason colleges should be more proactive.

"There are in-between people getting involved starting 7-on-7 camps, and they are literally putting kids up on auction blocks so people can get a look at them," Penn State football coach Joe Paterno told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "And there are guys who are soliciting kids to go to a camp and getting paid to bring certain kids to camps.

"You don't want those people involved in our game."

This spring, we asked readers to tell us their best memory at an Indians game. More than 600 responded. The five finalists and winner were featured during the week leading up to Opening Day. All season, The Plain Dealer will publish other fan memories -- one each day the Indians are scheduled to play. Here is today's essay by Chuck Morrow of Broadview Heights:

This spring, we asked readers to tell us their best memory at an Indians game. More than 600 responded. The five finalists and winner were featured during the week leading up to Opening Day. All season, The Plain Dealer will publish other fan memories -- one each day the Indians are scheduled to play. Here is today's essay by Chuck Morrow of Broadview Heights:

It was April 20, 1948. I would be 10 in three months and was in the fourth grade. It was about noon, and someone came into the classroom and told my teacher I was to report to the principal's office. I got a little scared, but the principal simply said that I was excused for the rest of the day and that someone was waiting for me outside.

It was my Uncle Ed, my mom's younger brother. He had tickets to the Indians home opener with the St. Louis Browns and had come to take me. We would be in a crowd of over 70,000 fans. It would be my first visit to Cleveland Stadium, one that would spark a lifetime love affair with baseball.

Bob Feller pitched a two-hitter in that opener and won, 4-0. Feller went on to win 19 games that season. The Indians would win 97 games, the American League pennant in a playoff and only the second World Series title in the team's history and draw more than 2.5 million people. Bob Lemon would pitch a no-hitter later that summer, win 20 games and win two World Series games, including the clincher. He became my favorite player.

Two years later, my Class F baseball team would be the Bob Lemons, and his number 21 graced my back. All summer, my friends and I would ride down to Brookside Park with our lunches and play baseball all day. We were always trying to emulate our favorite players. I played sandlot baseball until I was 24 and softball into my 50s and have never lost my love of the game.

But that Opening Day in 1948 was magic, and it began a relationship with my uncle that would last a lifetime. He is 85 now and lives in Florida, where he has been for the last 30 years. I have made it a practice to visit him and my Aunt Mary at least once a year. The years have taken their toll on him. He seldom drives now and has difficulty walking. But his eyes light up when we reminisce and recall that long ago day when we saw a baseball game and cemented a lifetime bond.

My grandson is now very close to the age I was when my uncle took me to my first baseball game. He has developed a love for the game and has been playing for two years. I recently gave him a large poster containing a 100-year history of the Indians. It adorns the wall in his bedroom.

The Indians lead the Yankees, 4-2, after seven innings after Austin Kearns' three-run two-out home run in the bottom of the seventh. It was Kearns' first home run since August 22, 2010, when he was playing for the Yankees. Kearns entered the game batting .196 with no homers and two RBI in 102 at-bats. His home run went to...

The Indians lead the Yankees, 4-2, after seven innings after Austin Kearns' three-run two-out home run in the bottom of the seventh. It was Kearns' first home run since August 22, 2010, when he was playing for the Yankees.

Kearns entered the game batting .196 with no homers and two RBI in 102 at-bats. His home run went to right field, off the Yankees' A.J. Burnett -- it was his 112th pitch of the game.

Shelley Duncan drove in the Tribe's first run -- also in the seventh -- with a single to right field.

Josh Tomlin left the game after seven innings, holding the Yankees to two runs and three hits. Tomlin did not allow a hit or a run until the top of the seventh.

Tony Sipp took the mound in the top of the eighth for the Tribe.

Bob Vecchione, formerly the deputy executive director for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, takes over today as the executive director for the Westlake-based organization. NACDA, in its 47th year, is the professional organization for more than 6,500 college athletic administrators across the United States and Canada. In January, it was announced that Vecchione would lead NACDA...

Bob Vecchione, formerly the deputy executive director for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, takes over today as the executive director for the Westlake-based organization.

NACDA, in its 47th year, is the professional organization for more than 6,500 college athletic administrators across the United States and Canada.

In January, it was announced that Vecchione would lead NACDA when longtime Executive Director Mike Cleary stepped down last Thursday. Vecchione is in his 19th year with NACDA.

Before joining NACDA, Vecchione was an assistant athletics director-media relations for two years for men's sports at the University of Minnesota, where he was also the executive director of the 1992 Twin Cities Final Four Organizing Committee.

Extension for Mitchell: Dennis Mitchell has agreed to a five-year contract extension to remain as Akron's head track and field coach through the 2015-16 season. Mitchell just completed his 16th season at Akron. In the past six years, Mitchell, who oversees both the men's and women's indoor and outdoor teams, has guided UA to 13 Mid-American Conference Championships while earning the league's Coach of the Year honors 14 times.

  By Marge Fernbacher Special to The Plain Dealer View full sizeLYNN ISCHAY/PLAIN DEALERMargie Engle wins the 2010 Chagrin Valley Hunter Classic. The Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic begins Friday and will run through July 23 at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field show grounds in Moreland Hills. The 46th running of the $30,000 Cleveland Grand Prix, feature event of...

By Marge Fernbacher

Special to The Plain Dealer

View full sizeLYNN ISCHAY/PLAIN DEALERMargie Engle wins the 2010 Chagrin Valley Hunter Classic.

The Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic begins Friday and will run through July 23 at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field show grounds in Moreland Hills.

The 46th running of the $30,000 Cleveland Grand Prix, feature event of the five-day Classic, is scheduled for July 17 at 2:30 p.m. Ten-time Cleveland Grand Prix winner Margie Engle of Wellington, Fla., is expected to defend her title in the Cleveland Grand Prix, and will also compete in other events.

The horse show's opening weekend is an unrated event designed to give less experienced riders a chance to compete in a major-league show. Opening weekend also includes a special section of classes for riders with disabilities.

Regular horse show competition, rated AA by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, starts July 13 with a complete schedule of events in three rings. Other special events during the first AA-rated competition include the $10,000 U.S. Hunter Jumper Association International Hunter Derby after 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and hunter and jumper classics Sunday morning.

A second AA-rated competition July 19-23 will introduce a new event, the $25,000 Chagrin Valley PHA (Professional Horsemen's Association) Grand Prix.

Show ring gates open at 8 a.m. daily. There is no admission charge through July 14. General admission tickets on July 15-16 are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. For the Cleveland Grand Prix on July 18, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children. For information, visit the Classic's website, clevelandhorseshow.com or call 330-903-9915.

Much-maligned Austin Kearns hit his first homer of the season, a three-run shot in the seventh inning, to help the Indians defeat the Yankees, 6-3, Monday night at sold-out Progressive Field.

The Austin Kearns bandwagon has rolled out of the garage. All are welcome to board.

Even the cynics. Especially the cynics.

Oft-maligned Kearns hit his first homer of the season, a three-run shot in the seventh inning, to help the Indians defeat the Yankees, 6-3, Monday night at sold-out Progressive Field.

"That's what we've been able to do -- find heroes just about every day," Indians manager Manny Acta said.

The Tribe, first in the AL Central, is 45-38 overall and 25-14 at home.

The Yankees, first in the AL East, slipped to 50-33.

Tribe right-hander Josh Tomlin (10-4, 3.78 ERA) no-hit a star-studded lineup for six innings, crafted a quality start, set a modern-day record and held Derek Jeter hitless. Tomlin gave up two runs on three hits in seven innings. He has worked at least five innings in 29 starts to begin his career, breaking the mark of 28 set by Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2007.

But Tomlin would have exited the ballpark disappointed if not for some Independence Day pyrotechnics from Kearns.

The Indians entered the seventh having been two-hit by right-hander A.J. Burnett. They trailed, 2-0.

With one out, Grady Sizemore walked. Orlando Cabrera struck out. During Lonnie Chisenhall's at-bat, Sizemore advanced to second on a wild pitch. On Burnett's eighth pitch of the at-bat, Chisenhall walked.

Shelley Duncan fell behind, 0-2, before battling back to 2-2. He poked a fastball away into right for a single to drive in Sizemore and send Chisenhall to third.

Kearns, who was 0-for-2 but had hit the ball hard twice, lined a 1-0 fastball away over the right-field wall for a 4-2 advantage. It was his first homer since Aug. 22, 2010 -- when he was a member of the Yankees, against Seattle, after a midseason trade from Cleveland.

"The guys in front of me had some great ABs," Kearns said. "I knew I hit it well, but you don't know for sure until you see it go over."

Kearns improved to 2-for-12 with two homers against Burnett. On May 21, 2002, while a rookie with the Reds, Kearns hit his first career grand slam off the Marlins' Burnett.

"Funny game," said Kearns, who is hitting .200 with five RBI in 105 at-bats.

Curtis Granderson pulled New York within one when he homered off normally lights-out Vinnie Pestano in the eighth. No shame there: Granderson has hit 23 long balls.

Carlos Santana answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning against righty Cory Wade. Santana's 13th came when he muscled a 2-1 breaking ball over the left-field wall.

Santana almost missed the game because of an upset stomach. The Indians announced him as a game-time scratch, then rescinded it moments before the first pitch.

"I didn't want to start him and lose him," Acta said. "He pulled through."

Santana, grimacing in his locker afterward, said, "It still doesn't feel that good, but it got better during the game."

All-Star Chris Perez pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save in 21 opportunities.

Mark Teixeira ended Tomlin's no-hit bid by leading off the seventh with a single up the middle. Teixeira had been 0-for-7 career against Tomlin.

After Alex Rodriguez struck out swinging, Robinson Cano reached on a dribbler to third. Nick Swisher stayed on a changeup away and plugged the gap in left-center for a two-run double. Swisher was stranded at third.

"I left the pitch up and he made me pay for it," Tomlin said.

Tomlin might have won the game in the first.

Jeter led off with a slow roller toward third baseman Chisenhall, who failed to field it cleanly for an error. Granderson walked -- Tomlin's first walk in four starts and his fifth since May 1.

Tomlin was staring at all sorts of trouble before a number of fans had found their seats. But he got All-Star-snub Teixeira to fly to center, All-Star Rodriguez to pop to second and All-Star Cano to fly to center.

"Josh deserved that win," Acta said. "To be able to hold down that amazing lineup for six innings, then give up only two runs, is something. He doesn't back down from anybody."

Burnett did not have a no-hitter going through six, but he was nasty nonetheless. He had given up two hits -- a single and double by Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera had an ice pack on his right knee in the clubhouse after the game.

Jeter finished 0-for-4 to remain at 2,994 career hits. He was activated from the disabled list (right calf) earlier Monday. He entered as a .370 hitter in 60 games at Progressive Field and a .343 hitter in 124 games against the Indians.

Notable: The Indians announced after the game that an MRI scan of righty Fausto Carmona's right quadriceps revealed a "moderate" strain. He was injured Saturday in Cincinnati and is on the 15-day disabled list.

H e flirted with another for a while, fearing his first love would abandon him. Things all worked out in the end, however, and Kenston outfielder Patrick Porter, The Plain Dealer's Baseball Player of the Year, is about to begin another chapter in his athletic career.

By Tim Rogers Plain Dealer Reporter

ALLISON CAREY/PLAIN DEALERChoosing football or baseball was more than just a toss-up decision for Patrick Porter. Baseball is his first love.

He flirted with another for a while, fearing his first love would abandon him.

Things all worked out in the end, however, and Kenston outfielder Patrick Porter, The Plain Dealer's Baseball Player of the Year, is about to begin another chapter in his athletic career.

"Until last spring, I was thinking I was going to end up playing football in college," said Porter, a two-sport star. "Baseball has always been my first love but I really wasn't hearing from that many schools. It wasn't until late last winter that I started getting baseball interest."

Better late than never. Porter signed a national letter of intent with Ohio State in March.

Division I colleges such as Syracuse, Marshall and Toledo had shown football interest after the 6-0, 200-pound senior earned second-team All-Ohio honors as a running back and safety.

Porter went on to have a fantastic senior season this spring -- earning All-Ohio honors again -- and he credits signing with the Buckeyes for part of it.

"After I signed I was just able to go out and play and not worry about college," he said. "I was relaxed. I had no worries."

Porter, the only junior selected to The Plain Dealer All-Star team in 2010, batted .561 this spring with an area-leading eight home runs, 35 RBI, 12 doubles and five triples. He stole 22 bases, scored 47 runs and did not commit an error in the outfield.

Over the past two seasons, in which Porter helped the Bombers compile a 34-18 record and win a pair of Chagrin Valley Conference titles, he batted .517 with 14 homers and 68 RBI while committing one error.

CLEVELAND -- I knew it was a dumb question, but I asked it anyway, "Did you think about a no-hitter?" "Me?" Josh Tomlin said, then laughed. "They didn't have a hit for six innings," I said, with they being the New York Yankees. "Nah," said Tomlin. "I was just trying to get through the game. I don't think about...

CLEVELAND -- I knew it was a dumb question, but I asked it anyway, "Did you think about a no-hitter?"

"Me?" Josh Tomlin said, then laughed.

"They didn't have a hit for six innings," I said, with they being the New York Yankees.

"Nah," said Tomlin. "I was just trying to get through the game. I don't think about no-hitters."

"Come on," I said. "You must have thrown one before."

"Nope," said the Indians pitcher. "This is the closest I've ever come."

"What about college?" I asked.

He shook his head -- no.

"High school?" I asked. "Junior high?"

"Never," he said.

At that moment, Tomlin was handed a ball and the scorecard from the Tribe's 6-3 victory over the Yankees. He held New York to two runs in seven innings, raising his record to 10-4 as his ERA dropped to 3.78.

This was Tomlin's 29th major-league start and he's pitched at least five innings in all of them -- the most of any player to start a career since 1919. So he should keep the ball and prize the scorecard.

If any player symbolizes this Tribe team, it's Tomlin. They Indians aren't supposed to be AL Central Division contenders and Tomlin sure isn't supposed to be a 10-game winner before the All-Star break.

"He's a guy who doesn't have a rocket arm, who's not supposed to be tall enough," Tribe Manager Manny Acta said. "To go out there and battle like he did against this [Yankees] lineup, he should be proud."

Generously listed at 6-1, Tomlin's fastball is about 88 mph, well below the big-league average. He looks more like the guy who picks up the towels in the dressing room than the guy who picks up victories on the mound.

"I loved the atmosphere," he said regarding sold-out Progressive Field. "I want to pitch games like these."

He means big games against the AL's winningest team with the most feared lineup. He was promoted to the Tribe last season, he beat the Yankees here, 4-1, in his first big-league game.

And he even means coming back against this same Yankees team that spanked him for six runs and 12 hits in five innings in a 9-1 loss in New York three weeks ago.

"It means a lot to see him make adjustments and come back and beat these guys, as talented a lineup as you'll see," Acta said, who also didn't seem especially surprised by it.

Tomlin has a way of figuring things out, of beating the opposition and the odds.

He never forgets that he was the 581st pick in the 2006 draft. Only twice in his pro career did he break camp in his team's starting rotation -- that was in 2009 at Class AA Akron and this spring with the Tribe.

He had a 51-24 record in the minors, and he's now 16-8 in his big-league career. Not sure how he does it, but Tomlin keeps winning. He knows nothing is ever promised to him, nothing can be taken for granted at age 26.

" . . . he has four pitches, and throws them all for strikes," Acta said. "He doesn't walk guys. He battles. Every game, you know what you get from him."

Here's some big news: Tomlin walked a batter Monday.

It was his first walk in four starts, his first since June 12.

He walked two guys in June. And two in May. And has walked only 13 in 16 starts this season.

For a baseball purist, he's a delight. First pitch changeups and curves for strikes. Fastballs that slice the outside corners at the knees, cutters that slip directly into the hands of a left-handed batter crowding the plate.

Tomlin delivers "comfortable ofers." That means a batter thinks he had a good swing at a very tempting fastball, but grumbles as he head back to the dugout after hitting a lazy fly ball or a hapless pop up. By the end of the game, he's 0-for-4.

As Acta said, "Josh continues to amaze."

And the same can be said of these Indians in 2011.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and union chief DeMaurice Smith will resume meetings, with owners and players present, on Thursday. Those talks could last into weekend if a contract agreement appears imminent

Associated PressNFL commissioner Roger Goodell (left), players union executive director DeMaurice Smith (right) and representatives from both sides are continuing labor contract talks this week.

NEW YORK, New York -- Lawyers for the NFL and the players are meeting for two days to sort out paperwork that could speed the process in reaching a new labor contract.

"The owners will not open the doors without a signed document in place," a person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "So this paperwork is important to get done" on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a judge has directed that details of the court-ordered mediated negotiations not be disclosed.

The 1993 collective bargaining agreement was slowed by the volume of paperwork.

Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith were not at Tuesday's meeting at a Manhattan law firm's headquarters. On Thursday, Goodell and Smith will resume their meetings, with owners and players present. Those talks could last into the weekend if a new CBA appears imminent; the sides did not get together on weekends during negotiations over the last month.

"If things are really close, you could say working through the weekend is possible," the person said. "But they would need to be really close. If not, they will probably take the weekend off and go back to work next week. But time is running out."

Indeed, training camps for the Rams and Bears are scheduled to open in less than three weeks. Those teams are supposed to play in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 7.

"We haven't had a real NFL team around here since '95. Why would we miss one more year? It's amazing what you can do on a beautiful autumn afternoon along the lake besides watching inferior football. Wouldn't it be great if the fans could hold their own lockout? It could never happen - there are too many folks living their lives vicariously through watching overpaid, spoiled knuckleheads." - StanleyLaurel

View full sizeAssociated PressRoger Goodell (left) DeMaurice Smith (right) are still trying to work out a labor deal.

In response to the story NFL lockout 2011: League, players meet all day, but no deal is imminent, cleveland.com reader StanleyLaurel could live without the NFL for a year. This reader writes,

"We haven't had a real NFL team around here since '95. Why would we miss one more year? It's amazing what you can do on a beautiful autumn afternoon along the lake besides watching inferior football. Wouldn't it be great if the fans could hold their own lockout? It could never happen - there are too many folks living their lives vicariously through watching overpaid, spoiled knuckleheads."

Jeff Staker of the Washington Golf Learning Center shows ways you can slow down your body and still square up the face of the club. Watch video

Local pros solve your golf problems in a weekly instruction video at cleveland.com/golf with Plain Dealer columnist Bud Shaw and videographer David I. Andersen.

This week, PGA professional Jeff Staker of the Cleveland Metroparks' Washington Golf Learning Center shares tips on how to avoid hitting the ball off the toe of the golf club.

Need help with your game? Explainyour problem to golf@plaind.com in an email. We will select one each week. All the videos dating back to 2010 are archived.

GM Chris Antonetti says front office and ownership will do everything possible to maximize the Indians opportunity to reach the postseason.

Chuck Crow, Plain Dealer fileGM Chris Antonetti says opportunity is knocking and it's time to act.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's not exactly a headline that the Fourth of July came and went with the Indians still in first place in the AL Central.

But it's clear this isn't a one-night stand. The Indians have been tied or in sole possession of first place since April 7 in 83 of a possible 89 days.

In light of that, GM Chris Antonetti told reporters Tuesday that the front office and ownership consider this a legitimate chance to reach the postseason for the first time since 2007.

"The plan is to win games, reach the postseason and win championships," said Antonetti. "You have certain opportunities to do that. This year, the way we've played. . .this is one of those opportunities. We're going to do everything we can to maximize that opportunity."

Antonetti said owners Larry and Paul Dolan have encouraged him to find way to improve the team. The one thing they did not give him was an open checkbook.

"There is that balance, where we have to say at what expense long term and what will we have to give up (to improve the team)," said Antonetti. "We recognize that there's going to have to be some compromise that if we're going to be giving up young players who have the potential to be good down the road. We understand there will be some cost associated with improving the team, we have just have to find what that right balance is."

Specifically, the Indians are looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder who can improve their offense.

Tonight's lineups:

Yankees (50-33): SS Derek Jeter (R), CF Curtis Granderson (L), DH Mark Teixeira (S), 3B Alex Rodriguez (R), 2B Robinson Cano (L), RF Nick Swisher (S), 1B Jorge Posada (S), LF Brett Garner (L), Francisco Cervelli9 (R) and LHP CC Sabathia (11-4, 3.05).

Indians (45-38): LF Michael Brantley (L), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S), DH Travis Hafner (L), 1B Carlos Santana (S), 3B Orlando Cabrera (R), CF Grady Sizemore (S), RF Austin Kearns, 2B Cord Phelps (S), C Lou Marson, RHP Carlos Carrasco (8-4, 3.54).

Him vs. me: Granderson is 3-for-9 with a double and an RBI against Carrasco. Kearns is hitting .263 (6-for-22) with a double and triple against Sabathia.

Lefty righty: Lefties are hitting .297 (54-for-182) with four homers and righties are hitting .189 (32-for-169) with three homers vs. Carrasco. The Yankees have three lefties and thee switch hitters in their lineup.

Lefties are hitting .211 (24-for-114) with one homers and righties are hitting .263 (101-for-384) with four homers against Sabathia. The Indians have three right-handers and three switcher hitters in the lineup.

Umpires: H Jeff Nelson, 1B Marty Foster, 2B Bill Welke, 3B Mike Estabrook.

Quote of the day: "Hell, if I didn't drink or smoke, I'd win twenty games every year. It's easy when you don't drink or smoke or horse around," Yankee Hall of Famer Whitey Ford.

Next: RHP Justin Masterson (6-6, 2.85) will face Yankee right-hander Phil Hughes (0-1, 13.94) Wednesday night. Hughes will be activated before the game. STO/Ch. 3/WTAM will carry the game.

LaPorta goes through his second full workout Tuesday and says he feels fine.

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians first baseman Matt LaPorta, who sprained his right ankle June 17 against the Pirates and went on the disabled list the next day, should soon be back on the field for the Tribe.

LaPorta went through his second full workout Tuesday and said he felt fine. Indians first basemen hit .294 (15-for-51) with three homers and nine RBI in LaPorta's absence (through Monday).

Replacement time: Acta said right-hander Zach McAllister will make his big-league debut Thursday against Toronto. McAllister is 8-3 with a 2.97 ERA at Class AAA Columbus.

The Indians need a starter because Fausto Carmona was injured Saturday when he tripped and strained his right quadriceps muscle running to first base against Cincinnati. The Indians could have gone with Jeanmar Gomez, but he threw eight innings on Sunday for the Clippers and the Indians didn't want to use him on short rest.

Stat of the day: Of the 2,359 games Derek Jeter has played in, there has been just one in which the Yankees had already been mathematically eliminated from postseason play. That was Sept. 26, 2008.

It seems, too, that any season and under any circumstances, the game against some school to the north of Columbus looms as the season's biggest.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerJoe Bauserman could be the quarterback for Ohio State during what may not be an ordinary season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State begins its 12-game regular season schedule with a home game against Akron's Zips on Sept. 3.

And, no matter how many of them the Buckeyes win, that 12 games might be it. The NCAA is expected to levy sanctions on the Buckeyes football program in the wake of the memorabilia for tattoos/cash scandal, and the ensuing coverup that led to Jim Tressel's departure as coach.

Ohio State fears that one of the penalties for the indiscretions will be a bowl game ban for at least one year, maybe longer.

Regardless of potential sanctions. the Buckeyes will play some big games this season -- just not as big as if a national championship or major bowl berth was at stake.

Tony Gerdeman ranks, in his opinion, the order of importance for the games on OSU's schedule, including, at No. 3....

3. Nebraska (October 8)
This is one of the games of the year in college football, and if Ohio State isn't given a postseason ban, it could be a preview of the Big Ten Championship Game in December. Luke Fickell gets the Tat Four back for the first time in this game, and since they won't have to replace a quarterback, the change shouldn't have any negative ripples on the field. The Buckeyes are 2-0 against the Huskers, but the two teams haven't played since 1956, and never in Lincoln. A win at Nebraska could be the loudest statement Fickell's team makes this season, and the echos may be heard well beyond November. The winning coach in this game could very well be OSU's man in charge for the next decade.

Continue to check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Ohio State coverage. On Friday, PD Ohio State beat writer Doug Lesmerises looked at what's ahead for the Buckeyes in 2011.

Post patterns

Catching up with Ohio State's two-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin. By Brian Bennett on ESPN.com.

A "guide to smarter NCAA rule-breaking," by Andy Staples on Sports Illustrated's SI.com.

The Big Ten mailbag, by Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com.

Urban Meyer should be the next permanent Ohio State coach, writes Pete Fiutak for collegefootballnews.com/scout.com.

Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock feels comfortable with Luke Fickell as the Buckeyes coach, by Brandon Castel for the-ozone.net.

Ranking the Big Ten linebacking units, by Adam Rittenberg on ESPN.com.

Outfielder Austin Kearns finds solace in his three-run homer against the Yankees on Monday, but he knows he has to do more in a new role as a bench player. Watch video

Until his three-run homer helped beat the Yankees, 6-3, on Monday night, Kearns had one more RBI than pitcher Josh Tomlin.

This is Kearns' first full season as a bench player and it has not gone well. Fans keep asking why he's still here. Monday night was an indication why, but Kearns isn't listening to outside voices.

"I expect a lot out of myself," Kearns said. "I'm my biggest critic. I don't really let that come into play."

Kearns hit .272 (82-for-301) with eight homers and 42 RBI last season with the Indians before they traded him to the Yankees.

"It's not easy to be a bench player and go out there and play well," manager Manny Acta said. "It's not expected to have guys on the bench hitting .330. They wouldn't be on the bench then. They'd be playing every day.

"This guy has been around for a while. We respect what people think or say. The fact is this guy has never been a bench player up until the day we traded him to the Yankees."

Kearns played for Acta when he managed the Washington Nationals.

"I understand this is a new role for me, but whether I'm [playing] every day or once or twice a week, you're still expected to get it done," Kearns said. "Obviously, it's been a struggle. I'll just try to build on [Monday night] and have some good at-bats."

Acta remains a fan.

"I tell you what, he's solid in the clubhouse, he's solid defensively, he runs the bases well," Acta said. "You just have to be patient and understand. Whoever comes here to be a fourth outfielder, if Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Brantley and Grady Sizemore are healthy, they're really going to ride some pine."

View full sizeChuck Crow, The Plain DealerIndians outfielder Austin Kearns knows he's not playing well, but hopes to build on Monday's big three-run homer.

Kearns is keeping his role as simple as possible.

"The biggest thing is that you have to realize that if you get a chance to play, just concentrate on what you can do that day to help out," Kearns said. "If you're struggling, you just can't get it back all in one day. Just try to simplify things as much as possible."

Window of opportunity: It's good to know GM Chris Antonetti believes in his ballclub.

"The plan is to win games, reach the postseason and win championships," Antonetti said. "You have certain opportunities to do that. This year, the way we've played. . . . this is one of those opportunities. We're going to do everything we can to maximize that opportunity."

Antonetti said owners Larry and Paul Dolan have encouraged him to find ways to improve the team. The one thing they did not give him was an open checkbook.

"There is that balance, where we have to say at what expense long term and what will we have to give up [to improve the team]," Antonetti said. "We recognize that there's going to have to be some compromise that if we're going to be giving up young players who have the potential to be good down the road. We understand there will be some cost associated with improving the team, we have just have to find what that right balance is."

Specifically, the Indians are looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder who can improve their offense.

The Indians have been in first place in the AL Central for 84 of the past 90 days.

Good news: Acta and Antonetti are confident Alex White will again pitch for the Tribe this season. After three promising starts, White went on the disabled list in May with a strained ligament in the middle finger of his right hand.

White, the Indians' No.1 pick in 2009, just returned to Cleveland from rehabbing the injury in Goodyear, Ariz.

"I've been playing long toss at 105 feet," White said. "The next step will be 120 feet. Then I'll go to the mound."

Hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham was expected to examine White's injury Tuesday or today.

Finally: Travis Buck, who hasn't played since straining his left hamstring Friday against the Reds, could be available today.