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Late Tribe rally falls short

A ninth-inning Ryan Ludwick homer wasn’t enough as the Indians fell to the Twins 6-4 Saturday afternoon. Of course, hindsight is 20/20 but I didn’t understand why Kevin Millwood, who was brilliant again through most of his outing today, was back on the hill in the eighth with a pitch count up over 100. Sure, aside from a three-run homer to Lew Ford in the sixth, Millwood dominated the Twins lineup all afternoon but if you’re down 3-2 in the eighth and your starter has already eclipsed 100 pitches, it’s time to turn it over to your bullpen, especially this early in the season. Instead, Wedge kept Millwood in and, after allowing a single and a walk to the inning’s first two hitters, Millwood surrendered what proved to be a decisive three-run home run to Torii Hunter. Again, it’s easy to criticize after the fact but in that situation, I think Wedge needs to pat Millwood on the back for another job well done and then call on his deep bullpen to keep the score close.

Cavaliers falling fast

Honestly, at this point I’m not even sure I want the Cavs to make the playoffs. Following Friday’s 111-119 loss to Washington, a loss that dropped the Cavaliers to eighth in the East and just one game ahead of the Nets, I seriously wonder if this team could even squeeze off one measly win in an opening-round playoff series with someone like Miami or Detroit. Tonight’s boxscore looks all too familiar, with LeBron stuffing the stat sheet in a full 48 minutes (38 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) while guys like Jeff McInnis, Ira Newble and Eric Snow failed to contribute anything of significance and Z delivered an overwhelmingly mediocre performance, fouling out in 19 minutes with just eight points and one rebound. Who did Zydrunas have so much trouble with? Brendan Friggin’ Haywood.

This is getting absolutely ridiculous. Where’s this team’s sense of urgency, its kill-or-be-killed mentality? Three games left, two of those against Detroit and Boston. It ain’t looking good, Cavs fans.

Another one-run loss

These one-run losses are getting painful. Tonight’s 3-2 loss to the Twins was especially painful considering the Tribe actually hit Cy Young winner Johan Santana pretty well, with Victor Martinez and Ryan Ludwick each launching solo homers in the bottom of the second inning. They had several other chances to take control throughout the game but ended up leaving seven men on base while dropping to 4-6 on the season. Let’s hope for a rebound Saturday afternoon.

Browns eyeing Edwards, Pollack and Campbell

ESPN Insider is reporting that the Browns will likely take Braylon Edwards with the #3 pick if he’s available, while Mel Kiper has them picking QB Alex Smith. I like the idea of getting Edwards. Most experts have him rated as the best overall player in the draft.

If the Browns trade down, they reportedly covet Georgia DE David Pollack who would fit in as a rush linebacker in Crennel’s 3-4 scheme. I love this potential pick. Reading Pollack’s bio on ESPN I was reminded of former OSU great Chris Spielman. Pollack’s motor never stops running, and he’s a real football player, not just an athlete. He doesn’t have ideal size, but he performs on the field. He could fill a role similar to Tedi Bruschi in New England.

Finally, ESPN is reporting that the Browns like Auburn QB Jason Campbell in the second round if they don’t pick a QB in the first round. I’m not as excited about this pick. I think Frye would be a better choice.

Is Z part of the problem?

Kenny Roda is in rare form today on WKNR. He’s ripping Z and the Cavs for last night’s loss, pointing out how Z’s limitations on defense were exploited by the Knicks. Comments from the Knicks after the game support Kenny’s argument, and it raises the issue of whether the Cavs should resign Z for top dollar, or whether they would be better off acquiring an athletic center that can rebound, run the floor and play good defense (assuming, of course, that they also get a shooting guard).

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