Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Phillies 2, Mets 1

PHILADELPHIA — Roy Halladay didn't think he was sharp warming up. Boy was he wrong, as he pitched a seven-hitter to help the Phillies set a club record with their 18th April victory. Halladay threw his first 18 pitches for strikes, becoming the first pitcher to do that since Sid Fernandez on Aug. 6, 1991. "I was just trying to be aggressive. I wasn't overly sharp in the bullpen as far as location, so coming out I was trying to focus more on making good pitches," Halladay said. "That was really it."

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — In December, when the Spurs were breezing through one of the best starts in NBA history, coach Gregg Popovich laughed off the suggestion they might win 70.

"We're not the Chicago Bulls," Popovich said then.

By the end, the Spurs didn't even resemble themselves.

Popovich admitted as much Saturday in San Antonio, where the Spurs returned with the infamy of being the fourth No. 1 seed to lose in the first round and the disappointment of wasting a 61-win season near the end of the Tim Duncan era.

Memphis finished off San Antonio in Game 6 on Friday night. It was a stunning upset that starred the more physical Grizzlies manhandling the Spurs' aging frontcourt, including Antonio McDyess, 36, who will likely retire this summer without an NBA championship ring in his 15 seasons.

The Grizzlies, who pocketed the first playoff wins in franchise history, also stifled an offense that San Antonio revved up this season and was among the NBA's best. On both points, Popovich lauded the youthful Grizzlies.

But Popovich said there's no getting around that the Spurs were never the same after Duncan sprained his left ankle March 21 against Golden State, sidelining him four games. Three weeks later, Manu Ginobili sprained his right elbow and played the Grizzlies wearing a bulky brace.

Including the playoffs, San Antonio finished the season 6-12 after Duncan's injury.

"The only real factor that we wish we could have changed is that we really lost our rhythm at the end of the regular season with Timmy going down for all those game followed by Manu," Popovich said. "It's not an excuse. It's a fact that we didn't really go into the playoffs with that rhythm or that mojo."

BOOZER RESTS: Bulls forward Carlos Boozer sat out his second straight practice because of turf toe on his right foot. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Boozer was feeling better but was "not quite ready to go yet." The Bulls meet the Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 1 Monday in Chicago.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 30, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones looks at the league in the wake of the 2011 draft.

n THREE TEAMS ON THE RISE

Falcons: We're not exactly going out on a limb with the Falcons, considering they went 13-3 last season and won the NFC South. But their gutsy first-round draft maneuver might have landed them the best playmaker in the draft and put them in position to win their first Super Bowl. The Falcons traded five picks (three this year, two next year) in the top four rounds to jump from No. 27 all the way to No. 6 to take Alabama WR Julio Jones, above. The move sent a strong message that the Falcons are all in for 2011.

Saints: After they won it all in 2009, you get the feeling the Saints suffered a hangover in 2010 — and they still went 11-5. Without that "defending champion" moniker hanging over them this season, the Saints might get back to the business of putting together a title contender. They had a good start in the draft with the best first round of any team. First, they got Cal DE Cam Jordan, above, whom many projected as a top-10 pick, with the 24th selection. Then they traded back into the first round and picked up Alabama RB Mark Ingram. (By the way, Bucs fans, notice we've listed two NFC South teams in this category.)

Cowboys: Don't forget, this team went 5-3 in the second half, including victories over the Colts and Eagles, after that dreadful 1-7 start. Coach Jason Garrett now goes into his first full season as head coach, and QB Tony Romo, who missed much of last year with a broken clavicle, will return healthy. And, perhaps, he will stay healthy after the Cowboys selected USC OT Tyron Smith, above, with the ninth pick. Smith, who is only 20 and stands 6 feet 5 and 307 pounds, is expected to start immediately.

n THREE TEAMS ON THE DECLINE

Raiders: The Raiders showed some surprising signs of life last season, going 8-8 after back-to-back 5-11 seasons. But you know how you get stuck in the mud in the NFL? By being a mediocre team and then not having a pick in the draft until No. 48. We're still not 100 percent sold on QB Jason Campbell, and Oakland's best player — Pro Bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha, above — probably will leave for free agency. And, last we checked, that kook Al Davis is still running the show.

Chiefs: This is not to suggest that the Chiefs don't have a future. This is more about believing they weren't quite as good as their 10-6 record of a season ago. That was evident when the Ravens went to Kansas City in the playoffs and blew out the Chiefs, 30-7. The Chiefs need a playmaker, and they might have gotten one with the No. 26 pick — Pitt WR Jonathan Baldwin, above. But many teams left Baldwin off their list because of worries about his attitude. Look, we like the overall picture of the Chiefs, but we wouldn't be surprised to see a step back in 2011 before a move forward in 2012.

Bears: The Bears had serious offensive line problems last season as QB Jay Cutler, above, was sacked 52 times in 15 games. So picking Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi, who will start right away, in the first round was a solid pick. But this franchise still lacks a line-of-scrimmage game-breaker, and kick returner Devin Hester might be hurt by the new kickoff rules. Everything fell right for the Bears in 2010, and they still couldn't beat division rival Green Bay when it counted most in the NFC Championship Game at home. And until Cutler proves us wrong, we just don't believe he's a winner.

n THREE TEAMS THAT MADE STRANGE FIRST-ROUND PICKS

Cardinals: When Kurt Warner retired after the 2009 season, former Heisman winner Matt Leinart was supposed to step in as Arizona's quarterback. But that didn't pan out, and the Cardinals still need a quarterback. All QBs except for No. 1 pick Cam Newton were available, but the Cardinals took LSU CB Patrick Peterson, above, with the fifth pick. Peterson is projected to be an elite corner, and those are hard to find. Maybe he was just too good to pass up, but geez, who is going to play quarterback for this team?

Jaguars: The Jaguars had one of the worst pass defenses in football last season. They could've used a pass-rusher, and there were a slew of those in this year's first round. They could've used a defensive back, and those were there, too, when the Jags picked 10th. So what did the Jags do? They took a quarterback (Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, above), who has taken backward steps since his sophomore year in college.

Steelers: Hard-nosed Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward, above, is exactly the type of player the Steelers turn into superstars on defense. And we predict he will be, in a couple of years, an impact player for the Steelers. But didn't Pittsburgh have more pressing needs? Like cornerback? And, especially, offensive line? The Steelers did go O-line and corner in next two rounds, but it was strange that they didn't use a first-round pick on one of those positions.

Three things that popped into our heads

1 If Auburn QB and Carolina No. 1 pick Cam Newton, left, turns out to be a star, imagine how loaded the NFC South is going to be at quarterback for the next few years. The Saints' Drew Brees, who already owns a Super Bowl ring and has been in five Pro Bowls, seems like an old man, but he just turned 32. He likely has another five or six solid years ahead of him. Atlanta's Matt Ryan turns 26 this month and is 33-13 as an NFL starter. The Bucs' Josh Freeman just turned 23 and led the Bucs to a 10-6 record. The Panthers, meantime, have what they think is a franchise quarterback. No other division comes close to matching this kind of talent at quarterback.

2 The Lions are halfway to building a defensive line that could match some of the all-time great ones, like the Rams' Fearsome Foursome, the Steelers' Steel Curtain and Vikings' Purple People Eaters. Detroit selected NT Ndamukong Suh with the No. 2 pick last season, and Suh was the NFL defensive rookie of the year. Now the Lions have another candidate this season after taking Auburn DT Nick Fairley, above, with the 13th pick. Could the Lions, who haven't had a winning season since 2000, actually be respectable in 2011?

3 Isn't it odd how much skepticism there is about the quarterbacks in this year's draft? First overall pick Cam Newton has his detractors. Jake Locker was considered a reach for the Titans at No. 8. FSU's Christian Ponder, above, was the shock of the first round by going so high (No. 12 to Minnesota). There seems to be a divide in opinion about all the quarterbacks. You have to think that recent busts such as JaMarcus Russell and Alex Smith have the so-called experts second-guessing every quarterback on the board.

Four Super Bowl favorites

Packers: Know what's scary? QB Aaron Rodgers is only 27 years old.

Patriots: Will play 2011 season with a chip on their shoulder. Steelers: Clutch QB and strong defense always a formula for NFL success.

Falcons: Still looking for first postseason victory in the Matt Ryan era.

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Rangers 11, Athletics 2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Colby Lewis pitched eight strong innings and the Rangers hit three homers, including back-to-back shots by Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli in the fourth. Michael Young hit his first homer as Texas tagged Athletics starter Brett Anderson for seven runs in five innings to snap a two-game skid.

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Yankees 5, Blue Jays 4

NEW YORK — Eric Chavez drove in a run and broke up a double play to help lead to three more, making the most of a spot start for the Yankees. Derek Jeter hit a sacrifice fly and Curtis Granderson, Russell Martin and Brett Gardner also drove in runs for New York to back A.J. Burnett, who wriggled out of jams in just about all his six innings.

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Todd Pletcher arrived in Louisville this spring assured of avoiding the thorny question of when he would finally win the Kentucky Derby.

Super Saver's win a year ago provided an answer, Pletcher's first win in 25 tries. Now, though, the trainer faces questions regarding Uncle Mo.

The colt, who was last year's 2-year-old champion, won the first four starts of his career by a combined 27¼ lengths. But a third-place finish at the Wood Memorial on April 9 squelched the buzz.

In addition, it left Saturday's Derby without a clear favorite.

"Winning the Derby is awesome," Pletcher said. "It doesn't change your life in a lot of ways. The feed man still wants to get paid. Your wife still thinks you work too much. And if you get beat in the Wood Memorial, everybody wants to know why."

Perhaps it was the gastrointestinal infection that was diagnosed after the race. Pletcher said Uncle Mo is responding well to treatment, but owner Mike Repole lists him as "50-50" for the Derby.

"Until May 7 comes around and he's at that gate, there's no guarantees in this game," Repole said. "And that doesn't just include Uncle Mo, but … the other 19 starters."

Pletcher knows that well. Last year, he arrived with favorite Eskendereya but lost him six days before the race with a leg injury. In 2009, Derby favorite I Want Revenge was scratched on the morning of the race with an ankle injury.

Rumors have circulated about Uncle Mo's health.

"People are coming down on him. I think we've set him off on a pedestal maybe too quickly," said Graham Motion, who trains Wood Memorial winner Toby's Corner. "I see no reason why the horse couldn't come back and run a big race next time."

Indeed, Secretariat lost the 1973 Wood Memorial but went on to win the Triple Crown.

Dialed In, trained by Nick Zito, has moved into the role of favorite almost by default. He won the Florida Derby, albeit in a slow time.

"I'd almost prefer him to be the second, third or fourth choice because I, like everybody else, worry about favorites," owner Robert LaPenta said. "It's going to come down to, like it always does, who's the best horse that day and who has the most luck that day."

Watch me go: Trainer Kathleen O'Connell said she will select a rider Monday for the Tampa Bay Derby winner who is set to run in the Derby. The colt is scheduled to work out today under Fred Lenclud.

Derby Trial: Machen chased down Dominus in the final strides at Churchill Downs to win the last prep race of the spring. Machen, unlikely to compete in the Derby, ran 1 mile in 1 minute, 35.47 seconds. Travelin Man, which won the Swale on April 3, was the 8-5 favorite and led early before fading to sixth.

Times correspondent Don Jensen contributed to this report.

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Giants 2, Nationals 1

WASHINGTON — Taken out of the starting lineup, slumping former Ray Aubrey Huff drew a bases-loaded walk as a pinch-hitter to force home the go-ahead run, and the Giants overcame Jonathan Sanchez's wild start and Brian Wilson's wild finish. Sanchez walked or hit seven of the Nationals' first 10 batters.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 30, 2011

ARLINGTON, Va. — As Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau watched his team blow a one-goal lead in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Lightning, he believed it was "reverting back to an older day."

"You can't play river hockey," he said.

The Capitals used to do that. For the previous three seasons, Washington, sparked by stars Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin, used a run-and-gun style to rack up a lot of goals and three Southeast Division titles.

But it didn't translate to postseason success. The Capitals advanced to the second round just once, and last year they blew a 3-1 series lead to the eighth-seeded Canadiens in being ousted in the first round.

So after a six-game losing streak in December, Boudreau charged the team with making a somewhat drastic change in style, to a more tight (playoff-type) and defensively aware mentality. The Capitals would, at times, dump the puck and chase. They would take fewer risks. They would be patient.

They ended up winning a lot more one-goal games.

"It was something we needed to do," left wing Jason Chimera said.

But as the Capitals took a 2-1 lead against the Lightning in Friday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Boudreau saw his team become a little more free-flowing, "wanting to make it 3-1 and 4-1 rather than just batten down the hatches and being patient for our opportunities to score."

Said Chimera, "I think (the Lightning plays) a frustrating style of game and guys get frustrated with it and try to do stuff on their own, which is never, ever a good thing. You've got to dump (the puck) in. If you can't get it, big deal. You can make them come all the way, and you've got to have patience.

"You can't try to force things, and when things aren't going your way, you've got to do stuff as a team, not do stuff as individuals out there."

Defenseman Karl Alzner said that is easier said than done, especially in front of a sold-out Verizon Center: "It's even tougher at home because the game we play would not be entertaining at all. And I'd feel bad for people watching the game because it's just boring. But at the same time, if that's the way we play, we have to all do that."

Veteran center Jason Arnott, acquired in February from the Devils, said players bought into the new system "slowly but surely."

"I think they just played that for a long time here, that type of run-and-gun game, and I think the crowd enjoyed it, the fans love it, but they just weren't winning doing it," he said. "If you look at all the winners in the Stanley Cup, you've got to play just as good defense as you do offensively to win it."

By Damian Cristodero and Joe Smith, Times Staff Writers
Saturday, April 30, 2011

WASHINGTON — C Dominic Moore said he, Sean Bergenheim and Steve Downie do not have a cute name for their line.

So Sun Sports television analyst Chris Dingman, a member of Tampa Bay's 2004 Stanley Cup-winning team, suggested the PITA line, as in Pain In The (rear end).

"That's funny," Downie said.

And appropriate. The players on what is considered a third line have eight of the team's 26 playoff goals. And all their goals seem to have been important.

Each of Bergenheim's four have put Tampa Bay ahead. Downie, with two goals, scored the winner in Game 6 against the Penguins in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals and Friday tied Game 1 of the semifinals against the Capitals. Moore, with two goals, got a hustling empty-netter in Game 1 against the Capitals to seal the 4-2 win.

"It's huge what they do," C Vinny Lecavalier said Saturday. "That's what makes the difference, big goals by them. It can change a series, and that's what they did against Pittsburgh. What they did is phenomenal."

Said Bergenheim, "The reason is the mind-set of taking pucks to the net and forcing ourselves in with the puck. In front of the net, we're pretty strong, and in the corners, we give each other good support."

They also have speed, and they mesh. Witness the two Bergenheim goals that have come off a drop pass from Moore from behind the goal line after a give-and-go.

"With the passes (Moore has) made and the work he's made, that's the biggest reason I've scored so many goals," Bergenheim said. "The chemistry we have is good."

And invaluable when an opponent is set on not allowing players such as Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis to beat it.

"If you want to win, it's because guys like that are stepping up," coach Guy Boucher said of his third line. "You never expect those guys to step it up as much, and that's what makes the difference."

LEADER: Boucher said he is not surprised Downie entered Saturday tied for second in the playoffs in points and leading Tampa Bay with nine. He said the right wing, known more for penalty minutes, is a better player than people realize.

"He's a very smart hockey player," Boucher said. "His best thing is he can make plays under pressure. That's a quality not a lot of guys have."

FOUL: Boucher wasn't happy the league did not hand out supplementary discipline to Capitals LW Jason Chimera for his Game 1 elbow to the back of D Pavel Kubina's head.

"It would be wise for me not to comment," Boucher said when asked what he thought of the hit that knocked Kubina's head off the glass and the defenseman out of the game.

GM Steve Yzerman said he was told by Mick McGeough, the NHL officiating supervisor for the series, the league was satisfied with the on-ice roughing call and no further action would be taken.

Chimera said, "I thought it was a clean hit." Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau acknowledged Chimera's elbow was out but said he had not expected extra discipline.

ODDS AND ENDS: Forwards Nate Thompson and Adam Hall and D Eric Brewer did not skate for what the team called body maintenance. F Dana Tyrell (foot) also did not skate. … Boudreau said rookie D John Carlson, injured in Game 1, likely will play Game 2 tonight.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Take a hit, make a play

Lightning C Dominic Moore said he probably never worked as hard for an empty-net goal, or took as much punishment, as he did at the end of Game 1.

Moore, at the goal mouth, didn't just collide with pursuing Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, above, in the 4-2 East semifinal win Friday, he gave Ovechkin enough of a hip check at the goal mouth to launch him into the end boards before flying into the goal post himself.

"I took a right turn at the end," Moore said. "I wasn't going to go for it. (The puck) was going to go wide of the net, and I didn't want to get caught (up ice). But then I saw it had a chance to hit the post, and then I had to take off again."

Number of the day

7 Shots fired by Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin in Game 1 that Tampa Bay blocked.

Tickets

The Lightning has released several hundred club-level seats for Games 3 and 4 and a potential Game 6 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. The price is $187.75 and includes all-you-can-eat amenities. Several hundred unused team tickets of various prices have been released for Game 6 only. Check Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-300).

The series Lightning leads 1-0

Game 1, Lightning 4, Capitals 2: The line of Downie-Bergenheim-Moore comes up big again.

Game 2: at Washington, 7 tonight

Game 3: at Tampa Bay, 6:30 Tuesday

Game 4: at Tampa Bay, 7 Wednesday

Game 5: at Washington, 12:30 Saturday*

Game 6: at Tampa Bay, TBD May 9*

Game 7: at Washington, TBD May 11*

* If necessary

TV: Game 2 on Versus; Games 3 and 4 on Sun Sports; Game 5 on Ch. 8; rest TBD

Radio: Game 2 on 620-AM; Games 3 and 4 on 970-AM; rest TBD

Quote to note

"They've lost one game at home now. I think they'll be charging out there. We'll be bombarded from everywhere. I'd be surprised if that wasn't the case. I expect them to be outstanding."

Coach Guy Boucher, right, on what he expects from the Capitals in Game 2 today

In his ear

Lightning assistant coach Wayne Fleming is not with the team because of his recent brain cancer diagnosis. But he is making a contribution by watching games on television and text messaging and e-mailing his observations and suggestions to the coaching staff between periods — and sometimes during periods. The messages go to video coach Nigel Kirwan, who is in the team offices. Kirwan relays the messages through a headset to assistant Dan Lacroix on the bench. "So, it's like he's there," coach Guy Boucher said. "On top of the X's and O's, there's an inspiration factor right now that has made a difference for our team. That's why I'm saying he's really impressive."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 30, 2011

Rays vs. Angels

When/where: 1:40 today; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Tickets: $12-$255 at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa, $3 surcharge within five hours of game.

Promotion: Joe Maddon bank to first 10,000 kids 14 and younger

Starting pitchers:

Rays

RH Alex Cobb (major-league debut)

Angels

RH Jered Weaver (6-0, 0.99)

Watch for …

First-time jitters: Cobb, who is 23 and has pitched just four games above the Double-A level, is being summoned from Triple A to make the spot start. He was 3-0, 2.05 for the Bulls.

Dream season: Weaver has been virtually untouchable, the fourth pitcher in MLB history to post a 6-0 mark by the end of April. He is 3-0, 2.92 in four starts at the Trop and 4-1, 2.27 overall vs. the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Weaver

Johnny Damon 5-for-30

B.J. Upton 3-for-14

Casey Kotchman 2-for-9

Angels vs. Cobb

None have faced.

On deck

Monday: Off

Tuesday: vs. Blue Jays, 6:40, FSN. Rays — Wade Davis (3-2, 2.73); Jays — Jo-Jo Reyes (0-2, 5.48)

Wednesday: vs. Blue Jays, 6:40, FSN. Rays — Jeff Niemann (1-3, 5.60); Jays — Brandon Morrow (0-1, 3.97)

Thursday: vs. Blue Jays, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (2-2, 4.31); Jays — Ricky Romero (2-3, 3.00)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Historical notes of the day

• The Rays are the first of the 46 teams that started a season 0-6 to finish April with a winning record (15-12). They are also the first team to do so after starting 1-8.

• This is the third winning April in team history; after the other two — 2008 and 2010 — the Rays went to the playoffs.

Promotional item of the day

Manager Joe Maddon was quite pleased with the look of today's giveaway bank, primarily because he thought it looks a lot more attractive than the real thing. "No question, the bank is much better looking than me," he said. "They did a much better job, and I appreciate the designer."

Gift of the day

Joe Maddon sent one of the banks, signed "Mad(don) Money" and stocked with a handful of Canadian coins, over to be placed on the desk of Angels manager Mike Scioscia, his friend and former boss. "I'll get something back at some point," Maddon said. "Maybe shattered, in a bag."

By Rick Frazier, Times Correspondent
Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Old Salt 18th annual Spring King of the Beach tournament had 244 entries. The overall winner was the Long Grub with Kevin Long weighing in a 39.98-pound kingfish. "It was one of the worst days fishing ever when the big one hit," he said.

Second place went to Julie Marie with Randy Sanderbeck weighing in a 31.16-pound kingfish. Third place was Kaenon with Jay Hughes weighing in a 28.84-pound kingfish.

Single-engine division: Knowfish, James Hingley, 31.62 pounds; Quality Wood, Dominik Lipinski, 29.14 pounds; Jaybird, Glenn Carr, 23.04 pounds.

Ladies division: Kelly Lynn, Kelly Ketcham, 21.62 pounds; Teaser, Holly Henenberger, 19.50 pounds; Not Me, Jen Schmidt, 18.90 pounds

Youth division: Go Fish, Peter Grasso, 20.82 pounds; Fish Bones, Blake Goarnieri, 13.58 pounds; Fish Bones, August Bouffard, 11.50 pounds

Spanish mackerel division: Bait Masters, Dawn Aylesworth, 4.90 pounds; Fish fanatic, Josh Simmons, 4.68 pounds; Reel Speed, Joe Ciechowski, 4.54 pounds

Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at captainrick@luckydawg.com or (727) 510-4376.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 30, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Alex Cobb was the predictable mess when he got word Friday that instead of starting for Triple-A Durham in Louisville he would make his major-league debut for the Rays today.

But once the 23-year-old got the plane flights and the hotel rooms and the ticket requests for the 40 or so friends and relatives coming in squared away, and once he made it to the Trop on Saturday, talked to a few of his new teammates and met with Stan Boroski, the assistant to the pitching coach, to go over the hitters, Cobb felt unexpectedly calm.

"I thought it'd be the opposite, but it's actually calmed me down a lot so far," Cobb said. "We'll see how I feel (today)."

The Rays needed a starter after Tuesday's rainout pushed RHP Wade Davis back a day, and Cobb will fill that spot then return to Durham, where he was an impressive 3-0, 2.05, as the Rays made the first of several roster moves over the coming days.

LHP Jake McGee (5.15 ERA, .367 opponents average) was optioned to Durham, where the Rays hope he'll improve with more regular work, and will be replaced after Cobb's start by a another reliever, with the most likely choice RHP Brandon Gomes, who has a 1.35 ERA and six saves in six tries for the Bulls.

3B Evan Longoria is also expected back by Tuesday, with INF Felipe Lopez seemingly most likely to go (more so than 1B Dan Johnson) if INF Sean Rodriguez's dislocated left pinkie doesn't require a trip to the DL. Rodriguez said he regained considerable flexibility Saturday and "most definitely" will be full go by Tuesday.

Cobb gets put in a tough slot, facing Angels ace Jered Weaver, he of the 6-0, 0.99 mark. "Might as well go up against the best, huh?" Cobb said. "I'm just going to take the approach that it's just any other game, any other opponent."

Manager Joe Maddon said he has been impressed with Cobb, who hadn't pitched above the Double-A level, since spring training. "I liked his stuff a lot, liked his composure a lot," Maddon said. "I really do anticipate him to pitch well."

McGee didn't have to be sent down but should benefit, Maddon said. "He has things to work on, and it would be good for him to pitch on a more consistent basis because he's a huge part of our future."

REHAB REPORT: Longoria (left oblique strain) went 1-for-3 with a homer, a walk and two runs in his third rehab appearance for Double-A Montgomery. In three games his is 3-for-11 with two homers. He is scheduled to take today off, play nine innings Monday then rejoin the Rays. … LHP J.P. Howell (left shoulder surgery) makes the fourth of his 10 scheduled rehab appearance today for the Class A Stone Crabs, starting the 1:30 p.m. game in Port Charlotte. He is on track for a mid May return.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: C Kelly Shoppach managed to make two outs in the fifth without swinging the bat. He took a called third strike then was called for interfering with C Hank Conger's throw to second.

MISCELLANY: OF Sam Fuld extended his hitless streak to a career-worst 0-for-18, dropping his average from .350 to .289 in four games. … The Rays are 26-3 on concert days. … The pitchers have started taking batting practice, and LHP David Price took a playful home run trot after knocking a ball into the rightfield seats.

By Andy Villamarzo, Times Correspondent
Saturday, April 30, 2011

DADE CITY — There's not been much that Pasco senior right-handed pitcher Courtney Brandt hasn't been through during her four varsity seasons.

Well, up until Friday night, when Pasco ground out a 2-0 victory over North Suncoast power River Ridge in a Class 4A region semifinal. So the Pirates (25-6) will be making their first region final appearance since 2007, when they reached the Class 4A state championship game.

A region final showing is the one thing Brandt has not experienced in her stint at Pasco. But now it sounds like the Stetson signee is enjoying every second of it.

"We had a big crowd come and follow us (Friday) so homefield advantage is huge," Brandt said.

Pasco, 13-0 at home this season, hosts playoff nemesis Harmony at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

"The whole school is excited and all the athletic teams are coming out and supporting us. Kids at school are asking all the time, when the next game is, when to come and show up and all the signs they're going to make for us. We just love it."

Since that runnerup finish in 2007, getting past the second round at region has been a problem for Pasco. The Pirates bowed out 2-1 in a region quarterfinal against Harmony in 2008, and again to the Longhorns in 2009, 7-6 in a region semifinal. Last year, Pasco fell 12-2 to Zephyrhills in a region quarterfinal.

But Brandt points out that many of the younger players have grown up quickly during this postseason run.

Sophomores Jordan Lane (four home runs) and Kelli Parker (26 RBIs) came up big against River Ridge. Lane, a third baseman, knocked in an insurance run in the sixth inning, and Parker, a centerfielder, made a grab that denied River Ridge's Ana Alberti extra bases.

"I just feel like a lot of our younger players grew up and got a hold of the game better," Brandt added.

"Everyone is focused, and I think that's the difference right now. It was so important for the younger players to grow up because we don't have many older players."

There are three seniors on the roster besides Brandt (219 strikeouts), but the four-year starter has been basically the main cog for the Pirates since she pitched a no-hitter and struck out 13 in her debut as a freshman against Hernando in 2008.

She has had several big moments since her first no-no, and the fireballer is looking forward to Tuesday night and doing a little growing up of her own.

"(Courtney Brandt) will do what she has to do to win Tuesday night," coach Lisa Herndon said. "She doesn't say a lot, but when she does everyone buys in right away. Getting a scholarship like she has, they see that there's a future for her, and some of them want to earn one as well."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 30, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Things really weren't going as planned for the Rays on Saturday afternoon. At least not until the final moment, when third-base coach Tom Foley whispered in Matt Joyce's ear to look for Angels reliever Fernando Rodney to bounce his next pitch.

Rodney did just that, misfiring on a 1-and-2 slider with two outs in the 10th, and Joyce raced home to give the Rays a 2-1 win that was one of their wildest: the first in their 14 seasons on a walkoff wild pitch.

"A crazy game," Joyce said.

To get to that point, a lot happened for the Rays, who finished April 15-12 after their 0-6, 1-8 start. They got another strong start from James Shields, took the lead on Joyce's fifth-inning homer, gave up the lead on a bad break in the ninth and rallied in the 10th.

And by the end of the day, they had two more players, Sam Fuld and Kyle Farnsworth, in the trainer's room and Jake McGee headed to the minors in the first step of a multistage roster shuffle.

"We won the ballgame," Shields said. "That's all that really matters."

That was primarily because of another notable performance by the resurgent Shields, who fell three outs shy of a third consecutive complete-game victory but impressed nonetheless, mixing his changeup, fastball and curve in what manager Joe Maddon called "a nice Shieldsy cocktail we've got working right now."

The eight shutout innings (starting with a perfect four) extended his scoreless streak to a team-record-tying 21, and the 12 strikeouts matched his career high and were one shy of Scott Kazmir's team record.

"I feel really good with my mechanics right now," Shields said. "The way that I feel out there on the mound is translating into my pitches and translating into my results. It's a good feeling right now."

Joyce had gone a career-high 90 at-bats before homering in the third inning Friday. He went two more before hitting another, in the fifth Saturday to put the Rays up 1-0. Shields is used to having a slim lead — he has received an American League-low amount of run support (nine runs in six starts) — and it looked like it might be enough.

But he was up with a couple of pitches to start the ninth, and when Torii Hunter ripped a double on Shields' 109th pitch of the day, Maddon called for Farnsworth. Maddon said it was "kind of like maybe a gut feeling"; Shields said he would have liked to have finished but understood the move in a 1-0 game.

And that's when things got more interesting.

Hunter moved to third when Vernon Wells smashed a ball off Farnsworth's right shin (resulting in a bruise and a large postgame ice pack), then scored when second baseman Ben Zobrist, with the infield in, fielded Howie Kendrick's grounder but couldn't get the ball out of his glove quickly enough to make a play at the plate. It was Farnsworth's first blown save in six chances.

The Rays had a chance in the ninth after pinch-hitter Elliot Johnson led off with a single, but they couldn't get him home. Fuld tried to advance him to second but ended up on the ground after his first bunt attempt glanced off his bat and struck him just above the left eye. (He later saw the trainers for treatment, observation and potential concussion tests; Maddon said he seemed fine.) Fuld finished the at-bat, but the Rays couldn't finish the rally.

Joyce didn't start his 10th inning at-bat well. He told himself he would swing only if Rodney threw him a fastball, then gave in and took a late hack at a changeup, sliced it into left and hustled to second for a double.

"That one worked out for me," he said.

Zobrist lined out, but Casey Kotchman moved Joyce to third with a grounder. Then Joyce — and Foley — took it from there.

"I just told him to be ready," Foley said.

Rodney, who was suspended in 2009 when he threw a ball into the Tropicana Field press box, instead threw this one into the dirt, and the Rays were celebrating all over the field.

"That's what's fun about baseball," Farnsworth said. "You never know what's going to happen."

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Saturday, April 30, 2011

WASHINGTON

Think of the story as a mystery. Sort of a whodunit on ice.

In this case you're trying to figure out how a team of modest talent on defense can be tied for the NHL lead in goals-against average two weeks into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

On the surface it makes no sense. The Lightning is a team top-heavy with offensive talent. A team that began the season with questions in goal and gaps in its defense.

Yet the Lightning knocked off Pittsburgh in seven games in the first round by giving up an average of 2.0 goals per game. And then it held Washington to two goals in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series Friday night.

So can this be as simple as a game of Clue? Can you explain it by crediting Mr. Roloson in the crease with a glove? Or Capt. Brewer on the blue line with a stick?

Or is the truth more complex?

"We've grown," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. "We've reinvented ourselves."

Before going too far, it is important to point out that Tampa Bay is not anyone's prototype of a great defense. The numbers in the Pittsburgh series were skewed because Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were missing. And the Washington series is merely one game old, which means things could change in a hurry.

Still, there is no denying Tampa Bay is a much better defensive team today than it was in October. And yes, much of that is due to the acquisitions of Dwayne Roloson in January and Eric Brewer in February.

There is also the maturation of Victor Hedman, which has been noticeable in the past week. There are the younger forwards who eventually bought into the idea of being two-way players. There is the realization of what Boucher wants and the effort it will require.

"You go all the way back to training camp, and you realize the defense was always going to come first on this team," Vinny Lecavalier said. "With Guy, there was not going to be any other way. Once everybody buys into that, it makes a major difference."

Even so, there is still no simple way of explaining the success. The Lightning is certainly not fast on defense. And these guys are not particularly physical, either.

That's one reason the puck has been stuck in Tampa Bay's zone for minutes at a time in recent games. Lightning defensemen are not proficient at knocking people off the puck, and they don't move quickly enough to intercept it.

For perspective's sake, only five teams have given up 33 shots or more per game in the postseason. Four of those teams have been eliminated. The other is Tampa Bay.

That tells you two things:

No. 1, Roloson has had a very good postseason in the net. No. 2, Tampa Bay has done a good job of forcing opponents into taking low-percentage shots.

The Lightning has done this by getting all five skaters to help out on defense, pushing the puck to the corners and not giving opponents room to maneuver.

There is also the matter of the penalty kill, which has been phenomenal. The Lightning has given up only one power-play goal in eight postseason games and has killed 26 consecutive penalties.

"I thought we were playing good defense before Christmas," Boucher said, "but we would have brain cramps. All of a sudden it'd be like, 'What are we doing out there?' It was never one guy or one general trend. It was just a young team with 10 new players trying to maintain consistency in our defensive game.

"At some point, the shellacs stopped. It's funny, when I listen on TV now, I hear people say, 'Oh, yeah, when they're bad, they're really bad.' Yeah, that was before Christmas. Since Christmas, there have been no shellacs."

The acquisition of Roloson was obviously a key, but an argument could be made that Brewer's arrival had an even greater impact.

In the 39 games before Roloson came aboard, the Lightning was giving up an average of 3.08 goals per game. In Roloson's first 19 games, the average remained steady at 3.11.

Yet, once Brewer arrived in mid February from the Blues, that average dropped dramatically, to 2.29 goals per game in the regular season and 2.0 in the postseason.

"It's more than just one thing. It's a combination of everything," Boucher said. "It's Hedman growing up, it's (Brett) Clark stepping up a notch and (Mike) Lundin being consistent. It's our young forwards — how do I say this? — diminishing their unawareness.

"You get a guy like Roli coming in, and a calming atmosphere sets in, and that helps two or three guys. Then you get an example like Brewer to follow, and all of the sudden one more guy figures it out. It's a trickling effect, a domino effect from guy to guy."

At times, it still seems a bit mysterious. And I suppose that's fine.

Just as long as no opponent can figure it out.

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

AVONDALE, La. — Bubba Watson was asked if his experience was an edge over co-leader Webb Simpson entering the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

"There's no advantage. He wants to win. I want to win," said Watson, a two-time PGA Tour champion but winless in the previous three events in which he had at least a share of the third-round lead.

Watson made a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole for 2-under 70 and a share of lead. Simpson, seeking his first tour title, birdied Nos. 3-7, then closed with 11 pars for 67 to match Watson, who has had at least a share of the lead after all three rounds, at 12-under 204 at TPC Louisiana.

"There's always pressure you put on yourself and then the outside pressure that everybody else seems to put on you," Watson said. "You have to get used to that. So for him … winning his first one might be a little tougher for him, but I'm just as nervous as he is. I might have a half a percentage better chance than he does."

Simpson has a share of the 54-hole lead for the first time.

"I've always slept pretty good, going back to college and amateur days, holding the lead," said Simpson, who tied for second behind Phil Mickelson at the Houston Open on April 3. "But this is why we do what we do. This is why we work out, why we practice, to give ourselves a chance to win on the PGA Tour. I think that will kind of calm my nerves."

John Rollins (69) was one back at 11 under, and 2002 winner K.J. Choi (67) was 10 under with Steve Stricker (68), George McNeill (65), Charles Howell (66), Tommy Gainey (68) and Matt Jones (69).

LPGA: Sixteen-year-old pro Alexis Thompson shot 5-under 67 to share the lead with Song-Hee Kim (70) heading into the final round of the LPGA Classic in Mobile, Ala. Both were at 7-under 209. Thompson, from Coral Springs, received a sponsor's exemption for her first event of the year. Amy Yang (72) was a stroke back. Second-round leader Sandra Gal fell three behind with 3-over 75. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (71) was at 1 under.

ex-brave smoltz misses cut in debut: Former Braves pitcher John Smoltz struggled in his Nationwide Tour debut, missing the cut by 27 strokes at the South Georgia Classic in Valdosta. Smoltz, 43, opened with 12-over 84 after two long weather delays forced him to play 18 holes over two days. In the second round, he shot 15-over 87 to total 27-over 171, nine strokes worse that any of the other 147 golfers who completed both rounds. Smoltz played on a sponsor's exemption.

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer


Saturday, April 30, 2011

Softball region finals

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Admission: $6

At stake: A berth in next week's state tournament in Clermont.

Class 5A

Venice (8-7-1) at East Lake (27-0): The Eagles are not only trying to make their second straight trip to the state tournament, they're trying to join Palm Harbor University (2005) as the only county teams to win state titles while going undefeated. East Lake, ranked No. 2 in the nation in the latest ESPN Rise poll, showed its depth in recent weeks, beating Northeast 15-0 in the region quarterfinals despite not having ace Alyssa Bache, who was nursing an injury. Bache returned with a 13-0 shutout victory over Pinellas Park in the region semifinals. East Lake has allowed 12 runs all season and has 19 shutouts. The offense has been on a tear, as well. The Eagles have scored 12 or more runs in each of their last four games. Venice is in the region final as a district runnerup and struggled to stay above .500. But the Indians have showed they win close games, beating Chamberlain 4-3 in the region quarterfinals and knocking off Sickles 1-0 in the region semifinals.

Class 1A

West Palm Beach Berean Christian (10-7) at Canterbury (19-10): The Crusaders are trying to make their fourth straight trip to the state tournament and win the first state title in school history. To prepare for the teams they will face at the state level, the Crusaders played in more tournaments and against public school teams in higher classifications. Canterbury is led by the pitching duo of Krissy Longstreet and Emily Winesett, who often pitch in the same game. The only concern recently has been the Crusaders' lack of runs. In the region quarterfinals, Canterbury didn't score until the eighth inning and it was on a squeeze play. The Crusaders showed more life on offense in the region semifinals with a 7-3 victory over Sarasota Christian. Berean Christian also has played a tough schedule against bigger programs. After losing three of their last four in the regular season, the Bulldogs have won four in a row. Alison Finn leads the team in hitting (.447) and on-base percentage (.523).

Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

SAO PAULO — Will Power of Australia earned his fourth IndyCar pole in four tries this season and bagged the 200th for Team Penske on Saturday at the Sao Paulo 300.

Power, winner of the inaugural Sao Paulo race last year, will start up front in today's race after a lap of 1 minute, 21.896 seconds on the 2.5-mile, 11-turn Anhembi temporary street circuit.

The track was significantly faster than last year after officials repaved the entire surface to eliminate bumps and removed some curbs that were slowing the cars in some turns. Dario Franchitti's pole time last year was 1:27.735, nearly six seconds slower than Power's.

"What a fantastic job they did of repaving the track," Power said. "I believe that now it has set the standard for street courses. This is the nicest street course I've driven on. I'm very impressed."

American Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport was 0.402 seconds behind and will start second. Hunter-Reay was runnerup to Power in last year's race in Brazil and in qualifying two weeks ago in Long Beach.

NHRA: John Force moved within one of Pro Stock great Warren Johnson's No. 1 qualifying record by racing to his third consecutive top spot at the Spring Nationals in Baytown, Texas. Force earned the No. 1 spot in Funny Car for the 137th time as Friday's pass of 4.097 seconds at 310.27 mph held up. The other three top qualifiers from Friday also held on to their spots — Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ronnie Humphrey (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Times wires
Saturday, April 30, 2011

WASHINGTON — Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval broke a bone in his right wrist and is expected to miss four to six weeks, adding to the concerns for the struggling World Series champions.

An MRI exam Saturday morning revealed the injury to the hamate bone, and head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said Sandoval probably will have surgery Tuesday in Arizona. Groesch­ner said the team isn't sure when, exactly, Sandoval got hurt.

Sandoval felt pain while batting during Friday's 3-0 loss to the Nationals and had an X-ray. The hamate bone is at the base of the hand, where the knob of the bat typically rests when a player is hitting.

Sandoval is hitting .313 with five homers and 14 RBIs.

"It's a tough blow for us," said manager Bruce Bochy, whose club has lost six of nine games.

The Giants already had INF Mark DeRosa, OF Andres Torres and LHP Barry Zito on the disabled list. They've also had their problems hitting of late, getting shut out in two of three games before Saturday and scoring 21 in the nine-game swoon.

Sandoval had been a bright spot, though.

"I feel for Pablo, because we've talked about, many times, how hard he's worked this past offseason to get himself in this kind of shape, condition, that he's in," Bochy added. "And of course, the way he was playing — it was really paying large dividends the way he worked out this offseason. Now he's got to get this taken care of."

SURGERY FOR ZIMMERMAN: An abdominal injury to Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman that surfaced as a minor nuisance in spring training is now a tear that requires surgery and will sideline him for about six weeks.

"It's to the point right now where it hasn't been getting better, to the point where you might as well go in there and fix it," Zimmerman said.

General manager Mike Rizzo said Zimmerman will have surgery in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

OBITUARY: Emilio "Millito" Navarro, believed to be the oldest living professional baseball player, died in his native Puerto Rico. He was 105. The former Negro Leagues star was hospitalized Thursday in the southern coastal city of Ponce after having a small heart attack. Mr. Navarro was elected to the Puerto Rico Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

MCDOWELL case: Braves general manager Frank Wren said the team is still gathering information on allegations that pitching coach Roger McDowell made homophobic comments and crude gestures toward fans before a game in San Francisco last weekend. The Braves will forward results of their inquiry to commissioner Bud Selig.

BREWERS: RHP Zack Greinke, out all season with a fractured rib, is set to make his club debut Wednesday.

INDIANS: DH Travis Hafner, who has a strained tendon in his right foot, will wear a protective walking boot when not in uniform and hopes to avoid the disabled list.

MARINERS: OF Milton Bradley was ejected in the third inning while standing at second base. Bradley was tossed by second-base umpire Gerry Davis after Miguel Olivo was called out on a close play at first.

PIRATES: RH reliever Evan Meek went on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder weakness. LHP Daniel Moskos, the fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft, was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis. … LF Jose Tabata left in the first inning after his right hamstring tightened up as he ran out a grounder.

RED SOX: RHP Clay Buchholz, who has a 5.33 ERA in five starts this season, was scratched from today's start because of an illness and will be replaced by RHP Tim Wakefield, who has a 5.56 ERA in seven relief outings. … RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, pulled in the fifth inning of a poor outing Friday because of elbow tightness, felt fine a day later and tested well in medical exams, manager Terry Francona said.