Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Cardinals 5, Nationals 0

ST. LOUIS — Kyle Lohse threw a career-best two-hitter for his fourth straight impressive outing on the comeback trail for the Cardinals. Lohse is 3-1 with a 2.01 ERA, distancing himself from two injury-plagued years. "I had some tough times beating myself up, trying to figure out what was going on," he said. "It feels good to be back in that groove and being successful again." Lohse had been hindered by a forearm injury that required surgery.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — Harvey Updyke, the avowed Alabama fan accused of poisoning Auburn's iconic Toomer's oak trees, broke his silence on the Paul Finebaum radio show Thursday.

Updyke apologized to his children and the University of Alabama, denying guilt but admitting he called into the radio show as "Al from Dadeville" in January to brag about the poisonings, calling it a "prank."

"It's one of the biggest mistakes I've made," he said. "My wives said I am a crowd-stirrer. I was just trying to upset the Auburn nation."

Updyke, 62, faces a criminal mischief charge. Additional federal charges are a possibility.

"I really think they're going to put me in prison," he said. "I don't want it to be my legacy. I don't want to go to my grave being 'Harvey the Tree-Poisoner.'

"If I was in Auburn's place, I would be upset, too. I just want to tell them that really and truly I'm not a bad person. I'm an Alabama fan. Tommy Lewis in the '54 Cotton Bowl, he come off the bench and tackled the Rice player that was running down the field 20 yards in front of everybody else. They asked him later, 'Tommy why'd you do it?' He said, 'I just had too much 'Bama in me.' All my life, people have told me I cared too much about Alabama."

AUBURN to visit obama: The national champs will be honored on April 29 at the White House.

Bowl updates: The Capital One Bowl will be Jan. 2 and the Champs Sports Bowl was set for Dec. 29, both in Orlando. … Belk Bowl officials said the game in Charlotte, N.C., will begin at 8 p.m. on Dec. 27. Last year USF beat Clemson when the game was called the Meineke Bowl.

If Sheen is immobile in Tampa, here's why

ATLANTA — Actor Charlie Sheen, 45, who will perform at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa tonight, stopped by Georgia Tech's baseball practice Thursday before his show in Atlanta.

He took ground balls, shagged flies and hit about a half-dozen balls to the warning track. Then he received treatment from Yellow Jackets trainer Walt Smith.

"Epic day at the yard," Sheen tweeted. "My ulnar tendon dead. Walt Smith, the genius, fixing it."

Basketball: Miami close on new coach?

CORAL GABLES — George Mason's Jim Larranaga is the leading candidate to become Miami's coach, and he reportedly planned to tell his players Thursday night that he was leaving.

It's not known if Larranaga, 61, who has led George Mason of the Colonial Athletic Association to five NCAA Tournaments in 14 seasons, has been offered the job to replace Frank Haith. He earned $525,000 this past season and could double that at UM.

Coming, going: Shooting guard Alec Burks is leaving Colorado for the NBA draft after a record-setting sophomore season and plans to hire an agent. … Michigan sophomore guard Darius Morris declared for the draft but has not hired an agent.

FSU women's assistant to UCLA: The Bruins hired Cori Close as women's coach, the former Bruins assistant's first head coaching job. She spent the past seven seasons as an FSU assistant.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Matt Kemp hit his second game-ending homer in five days, connecting in the 12th inning Thursday to lift the Dodgers over the Braves 5-3.

Cristhian Martinez surrendered the deciding hit on an 0-and-2 pitch, three innings after Casey Blake tied it in the bottom of the ninth with an RBI single on an 0-and-2 delivery from Craig Kimbrel.

"You can't make mistakes 0-2, and we did today," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Anytime you do that late in the game, you're asking for trouble."

David Ross hit a two-out, two-run single in the top of the ninth to put the Braves ahead 3-2. They rallied with two hits and a walk against Clayton Kershaw, who had held them to two hits through the first eight.

Andre Ethier doubled with one out in the Dodgers' 12th before Kemp's drive to left-center. On Sunday, Kemp hit a two-run homer in the ninth to beat St. Louis 2-1.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, April 21, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG

Forgive the drama and indulge the hyperbole, but I think we have just witnessed one of the most important homestands in Rays history.

Eight days, six victories and one resuscitation of a season.

And before you shout, I know that might be an overstatement. If, in July, the Rays are 10 games behind and their highest-paid players are leaving town in a rummage sale, feel free to remind me how melodramatic this sounds on April 22.

But if Tampa Bay is still playing meaningful games come September, you may want to give thanks for a stretch of victories in April.

Don't believe me? Then you probably don't recall what happened to the Rays in 2009, when they started slowly and kept insisting it was still early. But April eventually turned into May and May turned into June and the season turned into a disappointment.

Or, to put it another way, in the past 15 years, only one team has ever had a losing record in April (the 2005 Yankees at 10-14) and come back to win the American League East.

Which is one of the reasons people say you cannot win a pennant in April but you can lose one.

I recently asked Rays manager Joe Maddon if he bought into that theory.

"I don't buy into any kind of blanket statements in general, but I definitely think it makes it more difficult, especially when you have to climb over people," Maddon said. "Who are we climbing over? If you don't have to climb some severe mountains, i.e. New York, i.e. Boston, then it's somewhat more palatable.

"But when you have to climb those mountains, it makes it a lot more difficult. I learned that in '09."

Just like this season, the Rays were the defending AL East champions in 2009.

And just like this season, they got off to a horrible start.

The Rays were 8-14 and 6½ games out of first on April 29 that year. No one knew it at the time, but they were already dead in the water. They never caught the Yankees. And the stress of playing catch-up all season eventually wore them down.

"Constantly being behind takes a lot out of you; especially in this division," centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "It was definitely important for us to have this week."

You could fill a bookshelf with stories of teams that have rallied late to chase a leader down in September. But dramatic comebacks are rare in the AL East.

In fact, they have been limited to a small handful of modest September charges since realignment in 1905.

Only two teams have ever trailed after Aug. 1 and come back to win the division. The 2010 Rays were 2½ games behind on Sept. 8, and the '05 Yankees were four games back on Sept. 8.

That's it. Every other division winner has essentially coasted to the title.

"It's certainly hard to play catch-up in this division, no question about that," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said earlier this week.

"Fortunately, no one had as good of a start as our bad one. So it's been more bunched."

It is not critical for the Rays to be leading the AL East at the end of April. A winning record isn't even that important as long as they're not too far below .500.

The key is making sure the distance between Tampa Bay and the top of the division is not greater than a handful of games.

Nine games into the season, the Rays were already trailing by five games in the East. To put that into perspective, the greatest deficit they had all of last season was four games.

By winning a pair of games in Boston and taking a four-game series each from Minnesota and Chicago at home, the Rays cut the deficit to a much more manageable number in a little more than a week's time.

Considering it has been done with Evan Longoria on the disabled list and Manny Ramirez on a TSA watch list, the turnaround has been even more remarkable.

The Rays still have one of the weakest offenses in the big leagues but have been carried by pitching and defense, which is exactly the way things were planned.

"Looking down the road, this is going to be very big," Maddon said. "I've talked about it, and I mean it. When you get behind several clubs in this division, it can be really hard, almost nearly impossible, to catch up.

"To get back right into the thick of things this quickly, obviously, permits us to feel good about where we're at."

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL has rejected a law firm's request for a conflict-of-interest waiver to represent a group of "midtier" players seeking to join the antitrust fight against the league.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday that it would be inappropriate to let the firm, which he declined to identify, work with players in a claim against the NFL while one of its partners represents the league in music licensing for shows on NFL Network and NFL Films.

Bryan Clobes, a lawyer for Philadelphia-based Cafferty Faucher, previously said his firm had "discussions about representing some additional players who want to have a voice" in the case. But he said Thursday that the firm the NFL is referring to is not his.

The Sports Business Journal reported Wednesday that a group of about 70 "midtier" players, upset that talks broke off last month, was considering hiring a law firm to get a seat at the mediation table, But Clobes said the number is "nowhere near 70" and the discussions did not indicate dissatisfaction with the representation for the 10 players listed as plaintiffs in an antitrust lawsuit filed March 11 that sought to end the lockout.

Different rules for Commish? Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco received a phone call from Roger Goodell, which resulted in a one-hour conversation. Teams reportedly were told not to have any contact with players during the lockout, but that apparently doesn't apply to the commissioner. Spokesman Aiello told profootballtalk.com that "normal social interaction" is permissible, both for Goodell and for the teams. When asked if that's a slippery slope, Aiello said, "Life is a slippery slope."

Packers: Defensive lineman Johnny Jolly pleaded guilty to a 2008 charge of possessing at least 200 grams of codeine and received probation.

Draft: Retired players will announce each second-round pick. John Lynch will announce the Bucs' pick while another former Buc, Doug Williams, will announce the Redskins' pick.

Obituary: Lynn Chandnois, a special teams star for the Steelers in the 1950s, died Tuesday in Flint, Mich. He was 86.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

tennis

spain's appeal of U.s. davis cup surface nixed

LONDON — Davis Cup organizers unanimously rejected an appeal by Spain on Thursday over the choice of playing surface by the United States for their quarterfinal in July, saying the surface complies with competition regulations.

The Spanish Tennis Federation disputed the use of the surface, known as Indoor Hard Premiere. It said the surface is not on the list of 91 manufacturers approved by the International Tennis Federation and "fraudulently infringes" Davis Cup rules.

But the international federation's three-member Davis Cup Committee gave the Americans the go-ahead, saying the surface is used in more than 30 tour events and two Grand Slam tournaments.

The July 8-10 quarterfinal is in Austin, Texas.

Barcelona Open: Rafael Nadal cruised past Santiago Giraldo 6-3, 6-1 to set up a quarterfinal against Gael Monfils in Spain. Monfils, the seventh seed, beat Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6 (9-7).

Grand Prix: Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki reeled off 10 straight games to rally for a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Andrea Petkovic and a place in the semifinals in Stuttgart, Germany. Tampa resident Sam Stosur defeated second seed Vera Zvonareva 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).

horseS

Rachel Alexandra, Curlin owner dies

Jess Jackson, founder of the Kendall-Jackson winery and a prominent thoroughbred owner whose horses included horses of the year Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, died of cancer. He was 81. Caroline Shaw, a spokeswoman for Jackson Family Wines, said he died at his home in Geyserville, Calif.

As a vintner, he built a multimillion-dollar empire on chardonnay with his popular Kendall-Jackson brand. After ruling a wine empire for 20 years, Mr. Jackson turned his attention to racing, spending $200 million to build a thoroughbred breeding operation in Kentucky and Florida.

In recent years, he was one of racing's leading owners with his Stonestreet Stable. He campaigned two-time horse of the year Curlin after becoming majority stakeholder in 2007, then purchased Rachel Alexandra, the filly who was horse of the year in 2009.

He bought Rachel Alexandra days after her record-setting win in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks, then entered her in the Preakness, where she became the first filly in 85 years to capture the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Rachel Alexandra went on to beat the boys in the Haskell Invitational and the Woodward Stakes on her way to horse of the year honors. She was retired last summer and was bred to Curlin in February.

et cetera

soccer: MLS Los Angeles will decide whether to attempt to re-sign David Beckham based on his ability and not his celebrity and other promotional qualities, league president Mark Abbott said. Beckham, 35, is in the final season of a $32.5 million, five-year contract.

running: Marathon world record-holder Haile Gebrselassie has no strong opinions about whether Geoffrey Mutai's faster time from Monday's Boston Marathon should be recognized as the record, his agent says. Jos Hermens said Gebrselassie, who ran 2 hours, 3 minutes, 59 seconds, in 2008 in Berlin, respects Mutai's 2:03:02 and is inspired to run faster. The international governing body disqualifies the Boston course from records because it is too straight and too downhill.

Times wires

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Rays at Blue Jays

When/where: 7:07 tonight; Rogers Centre, Toronto

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable starters

RAYS: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 4.50)

JAYS: LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (0-2, 6.75)

Watch for ...

Bounce back: Hellickson lost his last start against the Twins but pitched pretty well, giving up four runs over seven innings. It was his longest outing of the season. Hellickson has never pitched against Toronto.

Leaning left: Reyes is coming off back-to-back road losses, including giving up four runs on seven hits in just three innings in his last start in Boston. He has never faced the Rays.

Key matchups:

Rays vs. Reyes

Casey Kotchman 0-for-3

Felipe Lopez 1-for-1

Jays vs. Hellickson

Rajai Davis 1-for-3

Corey Patterson 1-for-1

On deck

Saturday: at Jays, 1:07, FSN. Rays — David Price (2-2, 2.83); Jays — Brandon Morrow

Sunday: at Jays, 1:07, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (1-1, 3.07); Jays — Ricky Romero (1-2, 3.12)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

House guests

RHP Adam Russell, left, has welcomed his older sister, Tracy Galvin, 35, and her kids, Fiona, 4, and Tommy, 1, to his Tampa home the past couple of days. Galvin, a Cleveland resident who has Stage 4 breast cancer, is on a nonprofit-sponsored vacation and has taken her kids to Disney World and the Florida Aquarium. They all feel at home with their uncle. He set up a bed in his office for Fiona. "She asked if (Russell) was going to paint her room pink," said Galvin, on right with Tommy center.

Quote of the day

"We have those heroes night in and night out, it just seems like he's been the hero every night."

3B Evan Longoria, on OF Sam Fuld's impressive all-around play the past couple of weeks

Encouragement of the day

The Rays planned to wear Lightning shirts and hats to Toronto late Thursday, showing support for Tampa Bay, which trails the Penguins 3-1 in the best-of-seven NHL series. Game 5 is Saturday in Pittsburgh. "They've been playing hard, just need breaks to go their way," OF Matt Joyce said. "I see that happening."

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

MILWAUKEE — LF Ryan Braun signed a $105 million, five-year contract extension with the Brewers on Thursday that adds to a seven-year deal he signed in May 2008, meaning the team is committed to pay the slugger $145.5 million through 2020.

"From here on out the only thing that really matters is winning," said Braun, 27, one of five players in history to hit at least 125 homers and post a .300 batting average over the first four seasons of his career, joining Joe DiMaggio, Chuck Klein, Albert Pujols and Ted Williams.

Braun's .308 career average is the franchise's top mark.

"Very rarely does it happen where a player understands his franchise and where it's at and where he wants to be in the future," GM Doug Melvin said.

Braun's deal includes a no-trade provision, and he will defer some of his salary.

Dodgers exec rips Selig over takeover

LOS ANGELES — Newly hired Dodgers vice chairman Steve Soboroff called commissioner Bud Selig's move to take control of the team "irresponsible."

MLB took over day-to-day operations Wednesday because owner Frank McCourt's troubled finances and divorce have seemingly paralyzed the club. Selig is expected to appoint a new head for the team.

"All this momentum is building and then all of sudden this letter comes in and says, 'You don't have any money. You don't have this or that.' I think it was irresponsible," said Soboroff, who was hired this week to improve the fan experience at Dodger Stadium and help with ties to the community.

Expanded playoffs: Selig said he expects the playoffs to expand from eight to 10 teams next season. He said scheduling is a major issue, but "the more we've talked about it, I think we're moving inexorably to that." The matter is subject to collective bargaining.

Diversity Grade: The percentage of black players in the majors dropped again on opening day this year even as the sport again received a top overall grade for racial diversity (B-plus). The grade for gender hiring (B-minus) declined slightly (from B), according to the annual study released by Richard Lapchick's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports at UCF. Baseball received an A for racial diversity in hiring, same as last year. The percentage of black players dropped to 8.5 percent, down from 10 percent and its lowest level since 2007. The percentage of Latino players dropped from 28.4 percent to 27.

Razzed Red: Dusty Baker considered skipping Mike Leake's turn in the rotation, but the Reds manager decided the pitcher wouldn't let his arrest on shoplifting charges distract him. Leake then beat the Diamondbacks 7-4, but the home fans sure had their fun.

Police reports said Leake removed the tags from six T-shirts at a store Monday and tried to leave without paying. The shirts were valued at $59.88, and he makes more than $400,000.

A fan held up a sign Thursday that said, "Mike Leake We Gave You The Bunt Sign Not The Steal Sign!"

Mets: LF Jason Bay (strained left rib cage) was activated from the 15-day disabled list and went 1-for-4 hitting fifth in the lineup.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Up next | Races on major circuits

Nationwide

What: Nashville 300

When/where: Today, practice (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (ESPN, noon), race (ESPN, 3 p.m.); Lebanon, Tenn.

Fast facts: Three-time Nashville winner Carl Edwards is racing, as are Kyle Busch and fellow Sprint Cup drivers Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and David Reutimann. Keselowski won at the track in June. Busch won the 2009 summer race at the track. … Kevin Harvick is skipping the race. Austin Dillon will drive Harvick Inc.'s No. 33.

Standings: 1. Jason Leffler, 233; 2. Justin Allgaier, 231; 3. Elliott Sadler, 228; 4. Ricky Stenhouse, 225; 5. Reed Sorenson, 224

Trucks

What: Bully Hill Vineyards 200

When/where: Today, qualifying (Speed, 5 p.m.), race, (Speed, 8 p.m.); Lebanon, Tenn.

Fast facts: Kyle Busch won at Phoenix in February for his 25th series victory. He won eight times in 16 starts last year. Kasey Kahne won the March race at Darlington in Busch's No. 18 Toyota. … Todd Bodine won at the track in August.

Standings: 1. Johnny Sauter, 150; 2. Matt Crafton, 145; 3. Timothy Peters, 143; 4. Cole Whitt, 143; 5. Ron Hornaday, 141

Sprint Cup

Next: Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400, April 30, Richmond, Va.

News: The NASCAR Hall of Fame added five more to the list of 25 nominees under consideration for the 2012 class. The additions: Martinsville Speedway founder H. Clay Earles, 1970 champion Bobby Isaac, 1966 championship owner Cotton Owens, former NASCAR executive Les Richter, and Wood Brothers co-owner Leonard Wood.

Standings: 1. Carl Edwards, 295; 2. Jimmie Johnson, 290; 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 276; 4. Kevin Harvick, 268; 5. Kurt Busch, 267; 6. Kyle Busch, 257; 7. Ryan Newman, 253; 8. Matt Kenseth, 252; 9. Juan Montoya, 246; 10. Clint Bowyer, 245

IndyCar

Next: Sao Paulo Indy 300, May 1, Streets of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Standings: 1. Dario Franchitti, 122; 2. Will Power, 115; 3. Tony Kanaan, 87; 4. Oriol Servia, 80; 5. Mike Conway, 74

Formula One

Next: Turkish Grand Prix, May 8, Istanbul

News: Driver Robert Kubica expects to leave the hospital within the next 10 days after recovering from multiples injuries in a crash two months ago. He was replaced by German driver Nick Heidfeld on the Renault team after suffering multiple injuries during a rally crash in February.

Standings: 1. Sebastian Vettel, 68; 2. Lewis Hamilton, 47; 3. Jenson Button, 38; 4. Mark Webber, 37; 5. Fernando Alonso, 26

NHRA

Next: Spring Nationals, April 29-May 1, Baytown, Texas

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Del Worsham, 389; 2. Larry Dixon, 312. Funny Car — 1. Robert Hight, 349; 2. Mike Neff, 300. Pro Stock — 1. Greg Anderson, 336; 2. Jason Line, 333. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Eddie Krawiec, 124; 2. Hector Arana, 104

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 21, 2011

TAMPA — Is he hurt?

That's the question that seems to be surrounding Lightning C Steven Stamkos these days. Stamkos did not take part in an optional practice Tuesday, nor did he skate in the optional morning skate Wednesday before Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Penguins.

Stamkos, who rarely skipped optional workouts during the season, and W Ryan Malone, who has an upper-body injury, were the only players not to skate Wednesday morning. Stamkos said coach Guy Boucher told him to take the morning off. Boucher confirmed that.

Stamkos, whose only point in the series is a second assist in Game 3, said, "Everybody has got their bumps and bruises.''

When asked specifically about his health, Stamkos said, "Everything feels good.''

JUGGLING LINES: Boucher has constantly juggled lines throughout the series, often bouncing Stamkos from line to line while rarely rolling the same four lines.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said Thursday that the shuffling of the Lightning lines, as well as the double-shifting of W Marty St. Louis and C Vinny Lecavalier, has thrown off the Penguins.

"There are some difficulties that it presents for our team in matchups when they are rolling their lines like that and giving us different combinations,'' Bylsma said.

ST. LOUIS lady byng FINALIST: St. Louis was named as a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, given to player who best exemplifies sportsmanship. Stars F Loui Eriksson and Red Wings D Nicklas Lidstrom also were named finalists. This is the sixth time St. Louis has been a finalist for the Lady Byng. He won it last year. The award will be presented at the league's awards ceremony June 22 in Las Vegas.

ANOTHER SUSPENSION? Canadian TV network TSN hinted that Penguins F Tyler Kennedy should have been suspended for kicking Lightning D Eric Brewer during a scrum after the whistle in Game 4.

Replays appeared to show Kennedy kicking Brewer in the shin. Earlier in these playoffs, the Ducks' Bobby Ryan was suspended for two games for stomping on the foot of the Predators' Jonathon Blum. But it is believed the league looked at the Kennedy-Brewer incident and decided there would be no punishment.

MINOR MOVES: With RW Steve Downie back for Saturday's Game 5 after a one-game suspension for his Game 3 hit on Penguins D Ben Lovejoy and Malone apparently okay despite speculation about a shoulder injury, forwards Mattias Ritola and Blair Jones were reassigned to AHL Norfolk. … Top prospect Carter Ashton, whose junior season is over, also was reassigned to Norfolk, which is tied 2-2 with Penguins affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in their first-round playoff series.

MISCELLANY: Penguins F Chris Kunitz will return for Game 5 after being suspended one game for his Game 3 elbow to the head of F Simon Gagne. … The Lightning flies to Pittsburgh this morning and is scheduled to practice at the Penguins' suburban practice facility this afternoon.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Twins 3, Orioles 1

BALTIMORE — Jim Thome hit his 591st career homer, 19 behind Sammy Sosa for seventh all-time, to back Scott Baker as the Twins earned a split of the four-game series. Michael Cuddyer also connected for the Twins, who came in with a major-league-low six home runs in 18 games. Baker allowed four hits over seven scoreless innings to go 6-0 with a 2.17 ERA in eight career starts against Baltimore.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 21, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Considering how the bullpen was one of the Rays' biggest question marks entering this spring, its performance so far this season could be considered a pleasant surprise.

But manager Joe Maddon said the part of the group he has really "got to settle in," in terms of picking the right times to get them in and out of games, is LHP Cesar Ramos, LHP Jake McGee and RHP Adam Russell.

On Thursday, the trio had a rough night, turning a three-run deficit into seven during the Rays' 9-2 loss to the White Sox. Rays relievers allowed three runs after having not allowed an earned run in the previous eight games.

"Those add-on runs in the fifth and sixth kind of hurt us," Maddon said. "And that kind of takes the steam out of your moments."

In the fifth, Ramos relieved RHP Jeff Niemann to face left-handed-hitting C A.J. Pierzynski with two outs and one on. And Pierzynski ripped an RBI single to put the Sox up 6-2.

Ramos then walked 3B Mark Teahen and hit LF Juan Pierre to start the sixth, recording one out before Russell was brought in. The first hitter Russell faced, RF Carlos Quentin, hit a two-run double, and the game was broke open.

"Wrong pitch to the wrong batter at the wrong time," Russell said.

McGee, a converted starter in his first full big-league season in relief, gave up a two-out, RBI single in the eighth on a rally sparked by a leadoff walk.

"I've just got to go right at them and get ahead," he said.

DAMON BACK: DH Johnny Damon, who missed three games with a bruised left ring finger, returned and went 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 10 games, the longest of the season for the Rays.

Maddon said Damon looked good, and the veteran was encouraged with his at-bats and how he felt, though he acknowledged he will have to tolerate some pain.

"I don't think I'll be 100 percent for about four weeks," Damon said. "When you crack the bone, it's never great. But (Thursday) I actually felt improvement. I'm going to go out there, keep competing and hopefully good things keep on happening."

AT FIRST: Casey Kotchman made his fourth consecutive start at first base, and though Maddon said part of the reason is because Dan Johnson missed two games with a sore wrist, Kotchman has been earning his time there.

Kotchman, who has been strong defensively, entered Thursday hitting .375 in his previous five starts. The former Seminole High star then went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.

"Quite frankly, Casey has played well the past couple days," Maddon said. "I don't feel smart enough to take him out right now."

TEEING OFF: 3B Evan Longoria (oblique) hit off a tee for the first time since his injury, saying it was a "huge improvement" from where he was a week ago. He also took some ground balls and did some resistance running, saying he has no residual discomfort and hopes to hit tossed balls in the next few days. He is still on schedule for a return the first week of May.

J.P. DUTY: LHP J.P. Howell (shoulder) said he's pumped to begin his planned 10-game rehab assignment today, and he will pitch for the extended spring team in Port Charlotte at Sarasota. He is scheduled to start the game and throw 25 pitches.

"I'm excited, I'm ready to get it going," he said. "The nerves early on were about my arm, and now it's like I'm excited to get to use it."

Maddon said that while back-to-back appearances are set up for Howell's rehab assignment, it would be "somewhat more interesting" to have him pitch four-out outings at first when he rejoins the Rays, likely around mid May.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Mets 9, Astros 1

NEW YORK — David Wright ended his career-worst hitless drought with a homer and a two-run double and the Mets welcomed Jason Bay back to their lineup by ending a seven-game home skid. Bay hit a ground-rule double and later raced around the bases on a rare four-base error in the eighth. Mike Nickeas hit his first major-league home run, and Ike Davis hit one over the apple in center.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Marlins 9, Pirates 5

MIAMI — Scott Cousins hit a grand slam, Brett Hayes added a three-run homer and Mike Stanton a solo shot as the Marlins finished a three-game sweep. Cousins' shot to right-center in the second was his first career homer and came off James McDonald.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — Derrick Rose struggled throughout but still found a way to be the difference-maker in the end.

Rose scored 23, including the go-ahead layup with 17.8 seconds left, to help the Bulls beat the Pacers 88-84 on Thursday and take a 3-0 series lead.

The layup was his only field goal in the second half. Rose, who averaged 37.5 points in the first two games, made 4 of 18 shots as he was blanketed, and at times pummeled, by Paul George and Dahntay Jones.

"It was a little rough out there, but it's basketball," said Rose, who made 13 of 15 free throws. "They had something to prove."

Rose's layup sparked chants of "MVP!" from the thousands of Bulls fans who made the three-hour drive.

Danny Granger, who scored a team-high 21, then missed a 26-footer for Indiana, which couldn't hold double-digit leads in Games 1 and 2 and led by five early in the fourth Thursday.

"We played really tough," Pacers guard Darren Collison said. "Things just didn't go our way."

Bulls 88, Pacers 84

CHICAGO (88): Deng 8-19 3-4 21, Boozer 2-10 0-0 4, Noah 3-6 5-6 11, Rose 4-18 13-15 23, Bogans 3-4 0-0 9, Gibson 3-5 0-0 6, Brewer 0-2 2-2 2, Watson 0-1 0-0 0, Korver 5-6 0-0 12, Asik 0-0 0-0 0, Thomas 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-72 23-27 88.

INDIANA (84): Granger 10-21 0-0 21, Hansbrough 3-12 4-4 10, Hibbert 3-12 0-0 6, Collison 4-8 1-2 9, George 1-9 4-4 6, Dunleavy 2-4 2-2 6, D.Jones 5-9 1-1 11, Foster 1-1 0-0 2, Price 2-9 0-0 4, Rush 0-0 0-0 0, McRoberts 2-2 5-5 9. Totals 33-87 17-18 84.

Chicago 21 21 23 23— 88

Indiana 17 25 22 20— 84

3-Point Goals—Chicago 9-20 (Bogans 3-3, Korver 2-3, Rose 2-6, Deng 2-6, Watson 0-1, Thomas 0-1), Indiana 1-10 (Granger 1-5, George 0-1, D.Jones 0-1, Dunleavy 0-1, Price 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Chicago 51 (Boozer 11), Indiana 52 (George 12). Assists—Chicago 20 (Deng 6), Indiana 11 (Dunleavy, Granger, Collison, George 2). Total Fouls—Chicago 20, Indiana 20. A—18,165 (18,165).

Heat also goes up 3-0

PHILADELPHIA — Dwyane Wade had 32 points and 10 rebounds and LeBron James 24 and 15 as the Heat beat the 76ers 100-94 for a 3-0 series lead.

Wade delivered with a string of big baskets — he was 10-of-19 from the field and 12-for-12 from the free-throw line — in the third and fourth. He drew a foul on a spin move against Jrue Holiday and made two free throws with 51.6 seconds left that sealed it.

"We're a desperate team," James said. "We want to continue to play that way. D-Wade had an unbelievable game."

The Heat trailed by 10 early and by eight after the 76ers' 12-0 run in the third. But in a play that showed the greatness of James and Wade, James stumbled as he made a move and flipped an underhanded pass to Wade for a dunk that cut it to 68-64.

"Luckily, I was able to get rid of the ball before I traveled and D-Wade was able to slam it home," said James, who put Miami ahead for good, 76-75, with a 3-pointer 58 seconds into the fourth. "It's a great play for us, a great team win."

Elton Brand, who scored only 20 in the first two games combined, led Philadelphia with 21.

"I'm a moral person," 76ers coach Doug Collins said. "But I don't like moral victories."

Heat 100, 76ers 94

MIAMI (100): James 8-15 7-10 24, Bosh 8-19 3-6 19, Ilgauskas 5-9 0-0 10, Bibby 1-5 0-0 3, Wade 10-19 12-12 32, Jones 2-3 2-2 8, Anthony 2-6 0-0 4, Chalmers 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 36-79 24-30 100.

PHILADELPHIA (94): Iguodala 3-10 3-4 10, Brand 9-15 3-4 21, Hawes 6-11 0-0 12, Holiday 7-13 2-4 20, Meeks 2-8 0-0 6, Battie 2-2 0-0 4, Williams 5-12 3-5 15, Turner 1-3 0-0 2, Young 1-8 2-2 4. Totals 36-82 13-19 94.

Miami 21 29 23 27— 100

Philadelphia 29 23 23 19— 94

3-Point Goals—Miami 4-12 (Jones 2-3, Bibby 1-3, James 1-4, Chalmers 0-2), Philadelphia 9-21 (Holiday 4-5, Williams 2-5, Meeks 2-6, Iguodala 1-4, Hawes 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Miami 56 (James 15), Philadelphia 45 (Brand 11). Assists—Miami 19 (Wade 8), Philadelphia 24 (Iguodala 10). Total Fouls—Miami 12, Philadelphia 20. Technicals—Philadelphia defensive three second. A—20,404 (20,318).

Timberwolves star honored: Minnesota's Kevin Love won the Most Improved Player award. A year after being a sixth man, the forward averaged 20.2 points and a league-high 15.2 rebounds, and his streak of 53 double doubles was the longest since Elvin Hayes in 1973-74.

Around the league: Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire, who missed the second half of Game 2 with back spasms, did not practice but expects to play tonight. Knicks guard Chauncey Billups, who missed Game 2 with a strained left knee, is questionable. … Saying he was "emotional" and "frustrated," Blazers guard Brandon Roy apologized for comments he made about playing time after Game 2. He played eight minutes and didn't score.

Late Wednesday: Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 11 rebounds to help the host Lakers beat the Hornets 87-78 and even the series at 1. Kobe Bryant scored just 11 for Los Angeles. But he helped slow Chris Paul, who had 20 points and nine assists after 33 and 14 in Game 1.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Royals 3, Indians 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Melky Cabrera hit a bases-loaded, two-run single off Indians closer Chris Perez with one out in the ninth. Perez, who had been 6-for-6 in save opportunities and was unscored upon in 7 2/3 innings, gave up a leadoff double to Kila Ka'aihue. Pinch runner Mike Aviles went to third when Mitch Maier singled. Aviles was thrown out at home on a grounder to third for the first out. Chris Getz walked, loading the bases for Cabrera.

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Garrett Willis couldn't give up on "Old Faithful," no matter how many flashy, new belly putters he tested out this week.

Willis entered the Heritage seeking answers to his poor putting and had planned to park his longtime Scotty Cameron model. But as he walked to the range Thursday morning, Willis just couldn't go through with it and asked his caddie to "go back to my car and get 'Old Faithful.' "

Good thing he did. Willis made six straight birdies on the front nine on the way to 7-under 64 and a one-shot lead in the suspended first round of the Heritage.

"Obviously, very excited about putting this well and having a chance to making the cut for a change," Willis said.

He held a one-stroke edge over Arjun Atwal, Matt Bettencourt, Chad Campbell and Tim Herron, and was two shots in front of Mark Wilson, Camilo Villegas and 2009 Heritage winner Brian Gay.

Luke Donald, No. 3 in the world, led a group at 67 in a round slowed by a rain delay of 2 hours, 16 minutes. Because of the delay, 18 players were unable to finish before dark.

Donald could move to No. 1 with a win.

Willis' only PGA Tour victory came at the Touchstone Energy Tucson Open in 2001, also his first start on tour. It has been a struggle for Willis to keep his pro career going at times. He fell to 228th on the money list in 2005 and regained his playing privileges in 2009 with a 12th-place finish on the Nationwide Tour money list.

The putting problems surfaced this season as Willis has made only two cuts in eight tournaments, shooting 78-78 last week for an early exit in the Texas Open. He's 177th in the tour's putting rankings and got fed up giving away strokes on the green.

"We can't make them all. I'm fully aware of that," he said. "But for some reason some of these guys do week in and week out.

"I made putts today that I normally don't make."

Times wires
Thursday, April 21, 2011

MONTREAL — Michael Ryder scored 1:59 into overtime to give the Bruins a 5-4 victory over the Canadiens on Thursday, tying the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at two games apiece.

Boston came back from deficits of 1-0, 3-1 and 4-3. Andrew Ference made an obscene gesture to the capacity crowd of 21,273 after he drove a slap shot past Carey Price midway through the second to draw Boston within 3-2.

"I think my glove got caught up," Ference said. "I can assure you that's not part of who I am or what I ever have been. It looks awful, I admit it. I completely apologize about how it looks."

First Period —1, Montreal, Sopel 1 (Cammalleri, Desharnais), 8:13. Penalties—Eller, Mon (interference), 14:24.

Second Period—2, Boston, Ryder 1 (Kaberle, Kelly), 2:13. 3, Montreal, Cammalleri 2 (Gionta, Gomez), 6:52. 4, Montreal, Kostitsyn 2 (Plekanec, Moen), 7:47. 5, Boston, Ference 1 (Marchand, Bergeron), 9:59. 6, Boston, Bergeron 2 (Marchand, Seidenberg), 17:04. Penalties—None.

Third Period—7, Montreal, Subban 1 (Wisniewski, Cammalleri), 1:39 (pp). 8, Boston, Kelly 2 (Peverley, Ryder), 13:42. Penalties—Bergeron, Bos (hooking), :32; Seidenberg, Bos (interference), 17:41. First Overtime—9, Boston, Ryder 2 (Kelly, Peverley), 1:59. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—Boston 8-14-12-1—35. Montreal 15-15-6-2—38. Power-play opportunities—Boston 0 of 1; Montreal 1 of 2. Goalies—Boston, Thomas 2-2-0 (38 shots-34 saves). Montreal, Price 2-2-0 (35-30).

Ducks-Predators: Anaheim left wing Jarkko Ruutu was suspended for tonight's Game 5 by the league for a late hit on Nashville's Martin Erat in Game 4 on Wednesday. Ruutu was given an interference penalty in the second. Erat left the game with an upper-body injury and didn't travel to Anaheim for Game 5. Predators coach Barry Trotz ripped into the Ducks, saying they are whining and complaining about being targeted.

Flyers-Sabres: Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said the Flyers were "really doing a lot of whining" after their 1-0 Game 4 loss Wednesday. Among the comments: Flyers captain Mike Richards, who was assessed a five-minute elbowing major for a hit on forward Patrick Kaleta, said the Sabres were allowed "to get away with murder." Said Ruff, "I didn't hear any whining when the power plays in the first game were lopsided (in Philadelphia's favor)." … Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger, out since the regular season with a broken hand, was expected back for tonight's Game 5. Forward Jeff Carter, their top goal scorer in the regular season, is day-to-day with a lower-body injury after being hit by defenseman Tyler Myers on Wednesday.

Thrashers: Former Braves pitcher Tom Glavine said he would like to organize an ownership group that keeps the troubled team in Atlanta. Glavine was drafted in baseball and hockey.

Late Wednesday

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Two goals in two minutes in the third period and the Red Wings were headed into the next playoff round, the Coyotes toward an uncertain future.

Detroit swept the Coyotes out of the playoffs and possibly out of the desert with a 6-3 victory in their West quarterfinal. With the ownership situation still up in the air at two years and counting, the Coyotes played could have been their last game in the desert.

"The frustrating thing is stable ownership gives you an atmosphere where you feel you can be successful," coach Dave Tippett said. "We have scratched and clawed, and I give our group a ton of credit because they dealt with it for two years."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 21, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — After another early exit by right-hander Jeff Niemann on Thursday night, both he and manager Joe Maddon insisted it won't be much longer before he returns to his regular form.

"I think he's on the verge," Maddon said. "He's not far, in spite of what you may think."

Niemann says nothing is physically or mechanically wrong, but he's lacking in location and luck, which was evident in the Rays' 9-2 loss to the White Sox in front of 16,751 at Tropicana Field. It was the most runs Tampa Bay (9-10) has given up all season — equaling the number they had surrendered the past five games combined — and its most lopsided loss.

But while the Rays still felt good in wrapping up a successful 6-2 homestand, getting them back in the American League East race after a 1-8 start, they'll likely feel a lot better when Niemann is back to his old self.

Niemann, who gave up six runs (five earned) and six hits (along with two hit batters) over 42/3 innings, has allowed five or more runs in seven of his past 11 starts, but he said "it's just a matter of time before things start going my way."

"I'm not discouraged by anything, I think he's going to be fine," Maddon said. "With him it's about sharpness, command overall with his pitches, and it's just not there yet. …

"They just didn't pummel him. He wasn't awful by any means."

However, Niemann wasn't the only Ray off his game.

Tampa Bay's typically sparkling defense let down in the first inning, when third baseman Felipe Lopez made a throwing error to first after bare-handing a Juan Pierre bunt, allowing the White Sox's leadoff man to race to third (and eventually score).

There was the Rays' typically sharp bullpen, which allowed three runs, ending an eight-game streak of not allowing an earned run.

Shortstop Reid Brignac was picked off first base, and the Rays stranded many others, going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, including John Jaso hitting into an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play with the bases loaded in the second.

The only thing typical of the Rays was leftfielder Sam Fuld. He continued his impressive play by making another highlight-reel catch in the third, running into the wall in foul territory, nearly flipping over it.

"Once again, Sammy on the spot," Maddon said.

Fuld also had two hits, including a two-run single in the sixth for the Rays' offensive output.

Niemann, who has received just four runs of support in four outings, saw it get away from him in a four-run third inning, in which he threw 37 of his 89 pitches, allowing four hits.

"I made a lot of good pitches," Niemann said, "it's just right now, I'm going through a point in time where every mistake I make gets hit, and even the good pitches I make get hit."

Times wires
Friday, April 22, 2011

Mariners 1, Athletics 0

SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez took a shutout into the eighth inning and Adam Kennedy's homer was all the Mariners needed. Hernandez, last year's Cy Young Award winner, allowed four singles, two by Cliff Pennington and one by David DeJesus and Josh Willingham. He struck out eight and walked three before leaving after a season-high 126 pitches. Jamey Wright took over in the eighth with two outs and Pennington on second and DeJesus on first. Conor Jackson grounded out to end the inning.