By JIM METCALFE

jmetcalfe@delphosherald.com

DELPHOS — St. John’s went toe-to-toe with Midwest Athletic Conference baseball power Versailles for six innings on a pleasant and sunny Tuesday night at Stadium Park.

Alas, baseball is a game of seven innings and the visiting Tigers scored three times in the top of the inning to grab a 5-2 victory.

“We went toe-to-toe with a very good Versailles team. We were right in it until the seventh, when they made some things happen,” Blue Jays coach Ryan Warnecke said. “We were coming off a disastrous Saturday doubleheader loss and we moved some people around defensively. We were much better there; I think we’ve finally found the right combination and hope we can build on this.”

 

By Charlie Warnimont

Sentinel Sports Editor

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OTTOVILLE — Twice Ottoville was down to their final outs in what was a key Putnam County League game for the Big Green.

Both times the Big Green offense responded. Their biggest comeback was in the tenth inning as Ottoville was down to their final out and down two runs. That’s when the Big Green put together a three run rally for a 6-5 PCL win that kept them in the thick of the league race.

The win moved Ottoville to 4-1 in the PCL, a half game back of undefeated Miller City (2-0), who the Big Green host next Tuesday afternoon. Ft. Jennings dropped to 4-9 on the season with the loss.

The win not only kept the Big Green alive in the PCL race, but was the 200th career coaching win for Ottoville coach Tony Castronova. The 200 wins come from his 17 years coaching at Ottoville and two seasons at Lordstown High School in Warren.

 

NBA

In an emotional saga that has dragged on for nearly three years, the Sacramento Kings finally appear to be staying put in California’s capital city.

The NBA’s relocation committee voted unanimously to recommend that owners reject the application for the Kings to relocate to Seattle, the latest — and by far the strongest — in a long line of cities that almost landed the franchise. The committee made the decision over a conference call and forwarded the recommendation to the NBA Board of Governors.

BASEBALL

American League

BOSTON RED SOX—Optioned RHP Daniel Bard to Portland (EL).

CLEVELAND INDIANS—Optioned LHP Scott Barnes to Columbus (IL).

KANSAS CITY ROYALS—Optioned LHP Will Smith to Omaha (PCL).

LOS ANGELES ANGELS—Placed LHP Sean Burnett on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 27. Reinstated RHP Tommy Hanson from the bereavement list. Traded C Chris Snyder to Baltimore for RHP Rob Delaney.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS—Recalled RHP Dan Straily from Sacramento (PCL). Optioned RHP Jesse Chavez to Sacramento. Traded OF Casper Wells to the Chicago White Sox for cash.

SEATTLE MARINERS—Activated OF Michael Saunders 15-day DL. Optioned OF Carlos Peguero to Tacoma (PCL).

TORONTO BLUE JAYS—Announced LHP Aaron Laffey refused an outright assignment to Buffalo (IL) and elected to become a free agent.

National League

CINCINNATI REDS—Placed OF Chris Heisey on the 15-day DL. Recalled OF Donald Lutz from Pensacola (SL).

LOS ANGELES DODGERS—Placed LHP Clayton Kershaw on the bereavement list. Reinstated SS Hanley Ramirez from the 15-day DL.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS—Placed LHP Jose Mijares on bereavement leave. Recalled RHP Sandy Rosario from Fresno (PCL).

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS—Selected the contract of RHP Seth Maness from Memphis (PCL). Optioned LHP Marc Rzepczynski to Memphis.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS—Acivated C Wilson Ramos from the 15-day DL. Optioned C Jhonatan Solano to Syracuse (IL).

American Association

AMARILLO SOX—Signed RHP John Holdzkom and LHP Greg Miller.

EL PASO DIABLOS—Released C Pat Trettel.

LINCOLN SALTDOGS—Signed C Jeremy Mayo.

WICHITA WINGNUTS—Signed LHP Joe Testa.

Can-Am League

NEWARK BEARS—Signed RHP Brian Parker.

NEW JERSEY JACKALS—Signed C Kyle Nisson.

TROIS-RIVIERES AIGLES—Signed OF Jeremy Nowack.

Frontier League

FLORENCE FREEDOM—Signed LHP R.J. Fondon, OF Gary Owens, and RHP Marty Popham. Released RHP Mike Lawlor.

GATEWAY GRIZZLIES—Signed LHP Gregg Downing.

NORMAL CORNBELTERS—Released RHP Ryan Krumlauf.

RIVER CITY RASCALS—Acquired RHP Tommy Mendoza from Southern Maryland (Atlantic) for future considerations.

SCHAUMBURG BOOMERS—Signed OF Blake Helm.

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association

HOUSTON ROCKETS—Recalled C Tim Ohlbrecht from Rio Grande Valley (NBADL).

FOOTBALL

National Football League

ARIZONA CARDINALS—Released G Adam Snyder and G Jeremiah Warren. Agreed to terms with WR Jaron Brown, WR Dan Buckner, OT Joe Caprioglio, LB Kenny Demens, LB Dan Giordano, S Javon Harris, CB Josh Hill, S Tony Jefferson, OT Jamaal Johnson-Webb, LB Korey Jones, WR Javone Lawson, WR Michael Rios, NT Padric Scott, WR Tyler Shaw, CB Prentiss Waggner and CB Ronnie Yell.

ATLANTA FALCONS—Signed K Casey Barth, LB Joplo Bartu, FB Devonte Campbell, LB Nick Clancy, QB Seth Doege, WR Rashad Evans, FB Deon Goggins, OG Theo Goins, DE Cam Henderson, DT Neal Huynh, WR Darius Johnson, OT Terren Jones, WR Martel Moore, DT Adam Replogle, RB Donald Russell, S Troy Sanders, OT Alec Savoie, OT Ryan Schraeder, P Sean Sellwood, C Matt Smith, CB Momo Thomas, DE Brandon Thurmond, RB Ronnie Wingo and LB Paul Worrilow.

BUFFALO BILLS—Traded LB Kelvin Sheppard to Indianapolis for LB Jerry Hughes. Agreed to terms with G Zack Chibane, LB Keith Pough, DE Izaan Cross, CB Nickell Robey, DB Jordan Dangerfield, CB Kip Edwards, CB Jumal Rolle, RB Kendall Gaskins, FB Drew Smith, WR Brandon Kaufman, DT Aaron Tipoti, CB Vernon Kearney, QB Jeff Tuel, WR Kevin Norrell and C Ryan Turnley. Released QB Aaron Corp, OT Adam Grant, K Chris Koepplin and TE Joe Sawyer.

GREEN BAY PACKERS—Released G Joe Gibbs.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS—Waived DE Jerome Long and WR Jerrell Jackson. Fired director of player personnel Terry McDonough, director of pro personnel Louis Clark and regional scout Chris Prescott.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS—Signed CB Jacob Lacey and DE Lawrence Jackson. Waived P T.J. Conley.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS—Released WR Jeremy Ebert, FB Tony Fiammetta, TE Brad Herman, DL Tracy Robertson and DB Malcolm Williams.

NEW YORK JETS—Waived QB Tim Tebow. Signed G Stephen Peterman. Agreed to terms with WR Zach Rogers, WR Ryan Spadola, WR K.J. Stroud, WR Antavious Wilson, TE Chris Pantale, TE Mike Shanahan, OL Dalton Freeman, OL Trey Gilleo, OL Mark Popek, DL Roosevelt Holliday, DL Jake McDonough, DL Spencer Nealy, LB Troy Davis, DB Mike Edwards and DB Rontez Miles.

OAKLAND RAIDERS—Agreed to terms with LB Billy Boyko, DB Adrian Bushell, P Bobby Cowan, C Deveric Gallington, S Shelton Johnson, TE Brian Leonhardt, G Lamar Mady, WR Sam McGuffie, QB Kyle Padron, LS Adam Steiner, DT Kurt Taufa’asau, WR Conner Vernon, OT John Wetzel and RB Deonte Williams.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—Agreed to terms with LB Jake Knott, RB Miguel Maysonet, C Kyle Quinn, DL Isaac Remington, WR Russell Shepard, DL Damion Square, G Matt Tobin, RB Matthew Tucker and P Brad Wing. Released TE Evan Moore.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS—Agreed to terms with WR Jerry Johnson, CB Deveron Carr, TE Evan Landi, CB Rashaan Melvin, WR D.J. Monroe, LB Willie Moseley, OT Brice Schwab, RB Akeem Shavers, G Adam Smith, CB Branden Smith, OT Nick Speller, OT Jason Weaver and WR Tim Wright.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

DALLAS STARS—Named Jim Nill general manager.

ECHL

ECHL—Fined Reading G Mark Owuya an undisclosed amount.

OLYMPIC SPORTS

USA SWIMMING—Named Dana Bonner marketing manager, John Martin sports communications manager, Wendy Peel local marketing manager and Tommy Schield organizational communications specialist. COLLEGE

COLLEGE OF IDAHO—Named Scott Garson men’s basketball coach.

CREIGHTON—Promoted Steve Merfeld to director of player development for men’s basketball. Named Patrick Sellers men’s assistant basketball coach.

MIAMI—Announced sophomore G Barry Larkin will enter the NBA draft.

OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN—Named Brandon Troutman men’s graduate assistant basketball coach.

SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE—Named Anthony Fallacaro director of athletics and recreation.

STANFORD—Announced QB Josh Nunes is retiring from football and FB Geoff Meinken was not going to return for a fifth year of eligibility.

TENNESSEE—Signed athletic director Dave Hart to a one-year contract extension.

TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN—Named Cody Hopkins men’s assistant basketball coach.

VANDERBILT—Announced freshman men’s basketball G A.J. Astroth has decided to transfer.

By TOM WITHERS

AP Sports Writer

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Browns’ first draft under new owner Jimmy Haslam, a fresh front office and coaching staff was anything but ordinary.

It was unpredictable, productive, maybe even a little odd.

Over three days, the team continued its latest rebuilding project by addressing some glaring needs. The Browns picked LSU pass rusher Barkevious Mingo in the first round, acquired veteran wide receiver Davone Bess in a trade from Miami and selected San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden in the third round.

Those were smart, solid moves.

The surprises came Saturday when the Browns pulled off their first trade in 45 years with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, made another deal with Indianapolis to add another late-round pick in 2014, selected a Notre Dame safety coming off a ruptured Achilles and took two Division II players, one who was arrested in October for selling marijuana to a friend on campus.

About the only thing the Browns didn’t do was pick a quarterback despite rampant pre-draft speculation they might take either Geno Smith or EJ Manuel.

All in all, the Browns came away feeling good about what they’d done.

There’s much more to do.

“We’re not asking for a free pass for this year,” CEO Joe Banner. “We expect to improve, we expect it to be conspicuous.”

The Browns began a busy Saturday by finalizing a three-year contract extension with Bess and then began looking ahead to the 2014 draft.

With trade calls coming in from all over the league, Cleveland swapped its fourth-round pick (No. 111 overall) to the Steelers for a third-rounder in ‘14, and then dealt their fifth-round selection (No. 139) to Indianapolis for a future fourth-rounder.

Enemies for decades, the Browns and Steelers had not made a trade since 1968.

Banner, who chuckled about a trade that made hardcore Browns fans wince, said he has no hesitation about making any deal inside the division. In fact, he prefers it.

“You don’t make a trade you don’t think you’re winning, so if you’re winning a trade within your own division, you’re even better than winning a trade in another division,” Banner explained. “Obviously that can burn you from time to time, but if you look at Philadelphia, we traded (Donovan) McNabb. Everybody thought, ‘What are they doing, they’re giving a quarterback to a team in the division?’ We felt we strengthened the Eagles and didn’t do anything to help the competitor.

“We’re not afraid at all of making the trade in the division if we think it benefits us.”

Banner said the Browns went into the draft planning to use all their picks. However, they decided to make the trades for future picks because they could get better value, and because they realize they can’t get everything done in one draft.

While it may give the appearance they’re not projecting to win much in 2013, Banner said that’s not the case.

“We’re not gonna reach all of our goals or fill all of our needs this year,” he said. “But we think we’ll play exciting, aggressive football.”

The trades were unexpected for a team that won just five games last season and underwent another major off-season overhaul. This draft also took place amid uncertainty about the future with Haslam under federal investigation for a fraud scheme at Pilot Flying J, his family’s truck-stop chain.

Banner said Haslam was deeply involved in every aspect of the draft process.

“He asks a lot of very good, very smart questions, good things to make sure we think through,” Banner said. “He’s a very positive energy and force to have around. He was here all weekend and it was great to have him.”

Haslam did not meet with reporters during the weekend. On Thursday night, he addressed season-ticket holders and sponsors, not long before Mingo was taken with the No. 6 overall pick.

In the days leading up to the draft, there were reports the Browns intended to use their first pick on a quarterback, possibly one to replace Brandon Weeden as the club’s starter.

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said nothing has changed regarding the QB situation. Weeden worked with the starters during mini-camp with Jason Campbell as his backup.

“I feel good about the group,” Chudzinski said. “How it plays out, we’ll see in time and we’ll know in time. I’m excited about Brandon and I’m excited about the progress he’s made learning the system. I’ve also been pleased with Jason and the role he’s taken in being there.”

The Browns used their sixth-round pick on Notre Dame safety Jamoris Slaughter, who played just three games last season for the Fighting Irish before rupturing his left Achilles. Slaughter said he’s still recovering but is expected to be ready by the start of training camp.

In the seventh round, the Browns took defensive end Armonty Bryant from East Central Oklahoma. The 6-foot-3, 263-pounder was arrested in October on a felony charge of marijuana distribution in a school zone. But Chudzinski said the Browns feel Bryant is “past his mistakes.”

Bryant assured the team he won’t be a problem.

“Now that I’ve gotten that second chance, I feel like I won’t let anyone down,” he said. “I won’t let myself, the people around me or the Cleveland Browns down. I appreciate them for taking this chance on me.”

With their last pick, the Browns took offensive lineman Garrett Gilkey from Chadron State.

“He’s lined up against guys from Florida State and North Carolina and it didn’t faze him a bit,” Chudzinski said. “He’s a tough guy and has the kind of attitude we want.”