Putting on the All-Star 'brake'

The Tribe, 41-53, went into the break after a disappointing loss to the White Sox.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Milton Bradley wasn't in a talkative mood. He didn't seem too interested in running, either.
Cleveland's enigmatic center fielder added another chapter to a first half tinged with impressive stats and tainted with controversy during the Indians' 7-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Bradley had two RBIs, but he failed to score what would have been the go-ahead run in the fifth inning with some questionable baserunning on Shane Spencer's double.
Compounding the issue were some vague answers from Indians manager Eric Wedge, who thought Bradley might be hurt as well as Bradley's refusal to discuss the matter.
"The All-Star break is coming at the right time for him," Wedge said.
It's also perfect timing for the White Sox.
First-half struggles
Chicago ended a disheartening first half with a sliver of hope, and a much wider margin to overcome in the AL Central.
Tony Graffanino hit a three-run homer in the eighth off Alex Herrera to snap a 4-4 tie and help the disappointing White Sox, picked by many to win the division, get just their second win in seven games.
"It was a big win, and we finished a frustrating first half on a high note," Graffanino said. "We can't do anything about the past. We have to come out next week interested and excited, and stay that way."
Chicago went 3-7 on a three-city trip and entered the break at 45-49 -- not the record the White Sox envisioned after adding ace Bartolo Colon this winter to an already powerful lineup.
"It was a pretty ugly first half, but there's still time," Frank Thomas said. "It will be good to get away for a few days then come back and play some real baseball."
Magglio Ordonez, one of three White Sox who will get to play on their home field in Tuesday night's All-Star game, hit a three-run homer as Chicago took a 4-0 lead in the first.
Damaso Marte (4-1) pitched two scoreless innings and Tom Gordon put two on in the ninth before getting his third save.
Young lineup
Jody Gerut homered for the Indians, who started six rookies Sunday and reached the break at 41-53 -- one game worse than they were after 94 games last season.
Cleveland closed the unofficial first half by going 34-33 after a 7-20 start.
"I definitely see hope," Gerut said. "We've got room to grow, but as long as we continue to learn, we'll be fine."
Paul Konerko singled to open the eighth off Rafael Betancourt (0-1). Joe Crede sacrificed and Herrera walked pinch-hitter Carl Everett.
Following a double steal and strikeout, Graffanino connected on a 1-2 pitch for his fifth homer -- and first since May 21.
In the fifth, Bradley was on following his two-run single when Spencer doubled high off the wall in left, missing a homer by inches. Bradley appeared to get caught watching the shot and only made it to third.
He was left stranded there when Travis Hafner struck out looking.
Discussion
Wedge, who benched Bradley earlier this season for not hustling, had a talk with his combative player before the sixth.
"He wasn't running well there, and I wanted to make sure he was OK," Wedge said.
"His knees were barking a little bit. I was ready to take him out, but he wanted to stay in."
Bradley, who seems to enjoy getting under people's skin, declined to comment.
After showering, he dressed, ducked around a partition in the clubhouse and walked away from a group of reporters who waited a half-hour for him.
It was just the latest brouhaha involving Bradley, who played poorly in the past week after being snubbed for the All-Star team despite being one of the league's top hitters this season.