GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Josh Tomlin isn’t putting much stock in his quality spring training performance thus far.

Tomlin

The numbers say Tomlin (0-0, 1.13 ERA in three exhibition appearances) is leading his race with Jeanmar Gomez (0-1, 6.31, four games) and David Huff (1-0, 7.45 ERA, four games) for the final spot in the Indians’ rotation.

But the 26-year-old Whitehouse, Texas, native isn’t listening.

“I don’t look at box scores. I don’t look at ERAs or walks or strikeouts, none of that stuff,” said Tomlin, a 19th-round draft pick of Cleveland’s in 2006. “I really don’t think any of that stuff has anything to do with that decision anyway. I feel like I just gotta go out there and work on things and get ready for the season. They’ll make that decision when the time comes.

“I feel good. The ball feels good coming out of my hand right now. It’s probably going a little bit better than I expected. Hopefully I can continue that.”

All three of the candidates have big league experience on their side.

Huff, 26, has been in and out of Cleveland’s rotation the past two years, making 38 starts from 2009-10, but not performing well enough to have already secured a spot for this season.

Both Tomlin and Gomez were ushered up from Triple-A Columbus late last year and performed admirably in their initial brush with major league hitters.

But only Tomlin has four pitches in his arsenal — two- and four-seam fastballs, cutter and curveball — and he has displayed more of a knack at emerging from jams on the mound than his two counterparts.

“It’s because of his repertoire,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He’s got four pitches that he has command of. When your repertoire isn’t as good as his, (hitters) can just zero in on one or two pitches.

“For him to be successful up here, he has to use all his pitches and not fall in love with any of them.”

Tomlin, a soft-spoken southern man, remains humble when discussing his well-rounded stuff.

“I think all (three) of us have good pitches,” he said.

“Everybody locates. Everybody is a big league pitcher. Everybody knows how to get guys out on this level.
“I don’t think anybody has a leg up right now.”

Tomlin’s brief stint in Cleveland last year was mostly positive. He went 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA in 12 starts, which included a sparkling big league debut in which Tomlin allowed just a run on three hits over seven innings in a 4-1 victory over the vaunted New York Yankees at Progressive Field.

Tomlin allowed only three baserunners in the outing, just the second Cleveland pitcher to accomplish as much in at least seven innings in his major league debut. Scott Lewis did it in 2008.

“I was happy to get that opportunity, get up there and get that experience,” Tomlin said of his big league baptism. “Hopefully that builds off this year, whether that’s making the team or starting out at Triple-A. Just knowing exactly the kind of approach guys take against you and how guys take swings off you. I think that was a good experience all the way around.”

There could be much more major league experience awaiting Tomlin should he win the job and open the season as the Indians’ No 5 starter.

“I’ve always had the mentality that if I take care of business, then things will come to me regardless,” Tomlin said. “I just try and control what I can control and that’s it.”

Next up

Today, 4:05 vs. Reds at Goodyear Ballpark (no television or radio).

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenhimer@chroniclet.com.

ELYRIA — With the strains of their school’s alma mater ringing in their ears, Elyria Catholic’s girls basketball players left Wednesday afternoon for Columbus and the Division III Final Four.

The Panthers (24-2) were sent off enthusiastically by other students, faculty, family, friends and the Panthers pep band after a rally in the Coliseum. They left in a bus pulling a trailer to accommodate a small mountain of luggage and other belongings.

Principal Amy Butler conducted the program and recounted notable performances this school year by teams and athletes in other sports. Coach Eric Rothgery spoke to the crowd after players and coaches were introduced by student body president Ryne St. Marie.

More photos below.

As the ceremony ended, students and others gathered at the east end of the basketball court and sang the alma mater.

At 3 p.m. Friday, the Panthers will take on top-ranked, undefeated Oak Hill (24-0) in a state semifinal in Value City Arena on the Ohio State campus. Oak Hill is making its third Final Four appearance in seven years. No previous EC girls basketball team has ever advanced as far.

The Panthers will practice today at Harvest Prep, a private Christian school in nearby Canal Winchester, which is partly in Franklin County and partly in Fairfield County. The team will also practice Friday morning.
The school has been alive with excitement all week.

“This is one of the best mornings I’ve ever come to work,” Butler said by phone Monday. The Panthers advanced to the state semifinals after winning their first regional championship Saturday in Cuyahoga Falls.

“The mood is so positive,” she said. “We’re trying to keep a lid on it, there’s been so much excitement.”

Development coordinator Michelle Wisnor said she believes the Panthers’ success will benefit the school’s fundraising initiative.

“It does make a difference,” she said. “There’s no doubt that when things are good, donations tend to increase. People have pride and want to contribute to a successful program.”

Tickets on sale

Elyria Catholic will sell tickets for the girls Division III state basketball semifinal today from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Tickets are $8.

Contact Bob Daniels at 329-7135 or basketball@bobdaniels.info.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Josh Tomlin isn’t putting much stock in his quality spring training performance thus far.

The numbers say Tomlin (0-0, 1.13 ERA in three exhibition appearances) is leading his race with Jeanmar Gomez (0-1, 6.31, four games) and David Huff (1-0, 7.45 ERA, four games) for the final spot in the Indians’ rotation.

But the 26-year-old Whitehouse, Texas native isn’t listening.

“I don’t look at box scores. I don’t look at ERAs or walks or strikeouts, none of that stuff,” said Tomlin, a 19th-round draft pick of Cleveland’s in 2006. “I really don’t think any of that stuff has anything to do with that decision anyway. I feel like I just gotta go out there and work on things and get ready for the season. They’ll make that decision when the time comes.

“I feel good. The ball feels good coming out of my hand right now. It’s probably going a little bit better than I expected. Hopefully I can continue that.”

All three of the candidates have big league experience on their side.

Huff, 26, has been in and out of Cleveland’s rotation the past two years, making 38 starts from 2009-10, but not performing well enough to have already secured a spot for this season.

Both Tomlin and Gomez were ushered up from Triple-A Columbus late last year and performed admirably in their initial brush with major league hitters.

But only Tomlin has four pitches in his arsenal — two and four-seam fastball, cutter and curveball — and he has displayed more of a knack at emerging from jams on the mound than his two counterparts.

“It’s because of his repertoire,” said Indians manager Manny Acta. “He’s got four pitches that he has command of. When you’re repertoire isn’t as good as his, (hitters) can just zero in on one or two pitches.

“For him to be successful up here, he has to use all his pitches and not fall in love with any of them.”

Tomlin, a soft-spoken southern man, remains humble when discussing his well-rounded stuff.

“I think all (three) of us have good pitches,” he said. “Everybody locates. Everybody is a big league pitcher. Everybody knows how to get guys out on this level.

“I don’t think anybody has a leg up right now.”

Tomlin’s brief stint in Cleveland last year was mostly positive. He went 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA in 12 starts, which included a sparkling big league debut that saw Tomlin allow just a run on three hits over seven innings in a 4-1 victory over the vaunted New York Yankees at Progressive Field.

Tomlin allowed only three baserunners in the outing, just the second Cleveland pitcher to accomplish as much — Scott Lewis the other in 2008 — in at least seven innings in his major league debut.

“I was happy to get that opportunity, get up there and get that experience,” said Tomlin of his big league baptismal. “Hopefully that builds off this year, whether that’s making the team or starting out at Triple-A. Just knowing exactly the kind of approach guys take against you and how guys take swings off you. I think that was a good experience all the way around.”

There could be much more major league experience awaiting Tomlin should he win the job and open the season as the Indians’ No 5 starter.

“I’ve always had the mentality that if i take care of business, then things will come to me regardless,” Tomlin said. “I just try and control what I can control and that’s it.”

Today, 4:05 vs. Reds at Goodyear Ballpark (no television or radio). Fausto Carmona (3-1, 5.25) vs. Mike Leake (0-0, 9.00).

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenhimer@chroniclet.com.

Johnson

U.S. Marshals have arrested the Elyria man accused of taking his girlfriend’s 7-year-old son Monday. The child was found safe, but Johnson remained at large.

Gregory Johnson, 42, was arrested today, according to Deputy Tony Keffer, U.S. Marshals Service task force coordinator for Lorain County. Johnson had been named fugitive of the week while he was on the run.

According to Marshals, information was obtained today by the Violent Fugitive Task Force that Johnson was hiding out in Riverside Estates on the west side of Cleveland near West 28th Street. The task force immediately responded to the area and located the car that was used during the kidnapping.

Officers kept surveillance on the vehicle throughout the morning and arrested Johnson after he got in the vehicle about 11:30 a.m.

An Amber Alert was issued for David Bruce early Monday morning after Johnson took him and his girlfriend’s car from their Bell Avenue apartment. Bruce was found a little after 6 a.m. Monday after Johnson left him at the Cleveland Greyhound Station.

“This was great police work by the officers working this investigation, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Roberto Robinson said in a news release. “We are thankful that the child is safe and that this fugitive is now in custody.”