NEWS » former players and coaches, w

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Even on a night when the Reds stranded runners willy-nilly, they still came away with a lopsided win. Says a lot about how theyre playing these days. Xavier Paul singled home a pair of runs in the first inning, and Cincinnati completed a two-game home sweep of the Cleveland Indians with an 8-2 victory on Tuesday night that was free of any up-and-in acrimony. The intrastate rivals headed to Cleveland for two more games. The Indians lead the all-time series 42-41. The Reds have won 14 of their past 17 games overall, leaving them with the second-best record in the majors at 33-19. They trail NL Central-leading St. Louis. "As a team, were feeling great," Paul said. "Were pitching real well and hitting real well, and weve finally started to win some games on the road, which is great." Cleveland has dropped five straight -- matching its season high -- and seven of eight. Mat Latos (5-0) handled a slumping lineup, allowing one run in 6 1-3 innings. The Indians have been outscored 33-14 during their losing streak. "The last two starts, everything has felt good," Latos said. "My mechanics have been in sync with my arm feeling great. I had some good stuff against a good-hitting lineup." The Reds had 18 hits, one shy of their season high, but stranded 12 runners. Cincinnati repeatedly wasted chances before pulling away in the seventh. "We had a lot of opportunities," manager Dusty Baker said. "I didnt like the way the game was going. We were leaving them out there." Pauls two-run single put the Reds ahead 3-0 in the first against Zach McAllister (4-4). The Reds added four in the seventh against Clevelands struggling bullpen, with Derrick Robinson and Zack Cozart contributing RBI singles. Clevelands slump is in some ways reminiscent of last season. The Indians were playing well at midseason then, but won only five games in August to fall flat. Is this starting to feel familiar? "No, not at all," said McAllister, who gave up three runs in 5 1-3 innings. "Its a completely different team than last year, a completely different attitude. Its an exciting team." There was one lingering issue from Cincinnatis 4-2 win in the series opener: Would the Indians retaliate for Aroldis Chapmans inside pitches? The Reds closer threw two of them up-and-in to Nick Swisher while closing out the game on Monday, resulting in stares. Cincinnatis Brandon Phillips and Shin-Soo Choo were hit on Tuesday, but went to first without complaint or warning from plate umpire Chad Fairchild. The series matching teams from Ohios north and south has taken on an edge for the second straight year. Last year, Indians starter Derek Lowe got hit by a Latos pitch and gestured toward Baker. Baker acknowledged that he had Latos pitch inside because Lowe had hit Joey Votto in a game three years earlier. Choo, who came from Cleveland as part of the off-season trade for Drew Stubbs, homered in the series opener and had another solid all-around game on Tuesday. He ran down two fly balls on the warning track and opened the Reds first inning with a double. Cozart followed Choos double with a bunt single, and Votto singled home a run. Pauls single made it 3-0, matching the most earned runs that McAllister has allowed in a game this season. Stubbs singled with one out in the fifth -- only Clevelands second hit -- and stole second. Michael Bourn singled off Vottos glove at first base, cutting the lead to 3-1. The Reds failed to score despite getting at least two runners aboard in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings before breaking it open by sending nine batters to the plate in the seventh. NOTES: Indians closer Chris Perez, who went on the 15-day DL before the start of the series, had an MRI that found mild tendinitis. He wont throw for at least five days. ... SS Asdrubal Cabrera had his seven-game hitting streak snapped. ... McAllister has gone at least five innings and given up no more than three earned runs in his past 12 starts. ... Choo has been hit by a pitch 14 times this season, most in the majors. ... RH Justin Masterson, who has won three of his past four starts, goes for Cleveland on Wednesday against RH Bronson Arroyo, who is 3-0 in his past three starts with a 1.33 ERA. John Randle Vikings Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Brian ONeill Womens Jersey . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. http://www.thevikingsshoponline.com/Youth-John-Randle-Vikings-Jersey/ . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Brett Favre Jersey . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. Dru Samia Youth Jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- More than 200 Penn State football lettermen petitioned the university on Tuesday for the return of an iconic bronze Joe Paterno statue that was removed in the summer of 2012 in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case.The former players and coaches, who span every decade since the 1950s, also made two other demands: return the wall that rested behind the statue and celebrated Penn State accomplishments, and issue a formal apology to Paternos widow.Joe Paterno has been cast in a negative light, the letter writer, former tight end/punter Brian Masella, told ESPN, and were trying to correct that narrative. The university has ignored us over and over again.The university released a statement in response to the letter, saying, We appreciate the passion of our former Penn State lettermen for Coach Joe Paterno and the football program, and thank them for their input and many contributions/achievements. We recognize that this is emotional for many in the Penn State community, many of whom differ, yet feel strongly about this issue.The Universitys leadershipp has clearly indicated that there will be a time and place to acknowledge Coach Joe Paternos many contributions.ddddddddddddAny plans by the president to reach out to the Paterno family will be done privately.The statue has been a lightning rod of controversy since its removal four years ago. Fans continue to leave flowers and knickknacks at the former site of the statue, and many see the statue as a symbol of Paternos legacy.Masella said the lettermen are not looking to compromise and would not be satisfied if the statue appeared elsewhere on campus, such as the All-Sports Museum inside the football stadium. The statue is currently out of sight in what the university has previously referred to as a secure location.Our feeling is it should go back where it was located on Porter Road, Masella said.Former Penn State players who added their names to the letter include Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny and 1973 Heisman winner John Cappelletti. ' ' '