Coco Crisp hit a solo home run in the eighth and Jody Gerut delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth, but the Indians still came up short in their bid to sweep the San Diego Padres, falling 3-2 Thursday afternoon. Jake Westbrook pitched a solid game, giving up three runs (only one earned) on three hits in six innings, and the Indians out-hit the Pads 9-3, but they couldn’t complete the sweep.

Things may have turned out different had third-base ump Tim Welke not rung Grady Sizemore up on a check swing in the ninth with two outs and the tying run on first. To have a game end on a call like that is a joke, because it sure looked like Grady held up. Why the hell wasn’t Eric Wedge in Welke’s face after that call?

I’m not sure what to make of new Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith. Sometimes he sounds like a smart guy, and at other times he sounds like an idiot. Yesterday he laid out his plans for the football and basketball programs. His ideas for basketball sounded great, as he wants to start scheduling Cincinnati on the Buckeye basketball schedule. This makes a ton of sense. It’s ridiculous that Ohio State has been avoiding this series. Cincy is a great basketball school and these games will help to elevate the profiles of both programs. Ohio State needs to improve its basketball recruiting, and adding an in-state rival can only help.

On the other hand, Smith said he wants to add Division I-AA Youngstown State to the football schedule. This would be a terrible move. It would significantly weaken the Buckeye schedule in the eyes of voters, hurting their chances to play for a national championship. Smith says, “I am a believer in I-AA football.” How nice. If he believes in it so much, then he should apply for a job at Youngstown State. His current job requires that he protect the interests of Ohio State, and scheduling a I-AA school will hurt the program, not help it. There are plenty of respectable Ohio schools in the MAC that can fill in the schedule. so hopefully he’ll be pursuaded to scuttle this stupid idea.

Don’t look now, but Aaron Boone is heating up. I know, it’s only been a few games, but maybe Shapiro and Wedge just might be proven right for having faith in him. Last night Boone blasted two home runs to power the Tribe to a 6-1 victory over the Padres. Boone is 8 for his last 16 in his last four games and is finally driving the ball. Let’s hope this continues.

Another great sign from last night’s game was the performance of Scott Elarton, who won his first road start since 2001. Elarton has been a different pitcher since his turn was skipped in the rotation, going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in his last five starts.

Finally, Grady Sizemore continues to put together a fantastic season. Last night he almost hit for the cycle, and he is now tied with Ichiro for the leaque lead in triples.