By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays will call up Brandon Gomes to join their bullpen for Tuesday's game.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — When the Rays traded SS Jason Bartlett to the Padres during the winter, they saw a chance to bolster their depleted relief corps.

Tonight, three of the pitchers they got in the deal will be together in the bullpen, as RHP Brandon Gomes has been called up and will join LHP Cesar Ramos and RHP Adam Russell.

Gomes, 26, will be making his major-league debut. After back-to-back seasons with the Padres' Double-A team, he made a solid impression on the Rays in spring training and got off to an impressive start at Triple-A Durham.

The 5-foot-11 right-hander posted a 1.35 ERA and .208 opponents average, struck out 22 and walked five in 131/3 innings and converted all six save opportunities he had.

The Rays could use help in middle relief. Gomes essentially takes the place of LHP Jake McGee, who was sent down Saturday to make room for the one-day callup of RHP Alex Cobb, who started Sunday and was sent back down.

With LHP J.P. Howell expected back in mid May, the Rays will have about two weeks to evaluate Gomes and to further evaluate Russell and Ramos.

The Rays also got INF Cole Figueroa, hitting .253 at Double-A Montgomery, in the deal for Bartlett, who is hitting .222 for the Padres.

ANOTHER MOVE: The Rays will have to make room today to activate 3B Evan Longoria off the DL. Veteran INF Felipe Lopez, who hit .222 in 24 games and created issues by flinging a bat and not hustling twice, seems most likely to go.

TOUGH START: SS Reid Brignac couldn't have been more confident and excited by the chance to take over the starting job after the Bartlett trade. And he couldn't be more disappointed with what he called "probably the worst month I've ever had professionally."

Not only is his average just .212 and he has 15 strikeouts and three walks, but he is the only player in the majors with at least 50 plate appearances who doesn't have an extra-base hit.

"I know I'm struggling right now, and I know I'm capable of doing a lot better, and it's at the point where I might be pressing more a little bit more than I need to at times," he said. "But I'm starting to feel a lot better. … And I know what it is (chasing too many pitches) and that's most important, that I understand it before I can fix it."

MISCELLANY: Tonight's game moves to FSN due to the Lightning playoff game. … As of Monday, the Rays had no changes to their rotation.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

USF Bulls senior Randy Fontanez was honored as the Big East Pitcher of the Week after throwing eight scoreless innings Friday in the Bulls' 2-0 win against St. John's. His gem Friday set the tone for a three-game sweep of the Red Storm that saw USF pitchers allow just three runs in 29 innings.

Bulls junior first baseman Todd Brazeal was named to the league's weekly honor roll after batting .455 for the week with two home runs and five RBIs.

Fontanez is second in the Big East with 39 strikeouts in conference play, and his four league wins is second only to Connecticut's Matt Barnes, a likely first-round draft pick. His 2.14 ERA also ranks among the league leaders in conference play.

USF (22-21) next plays Tuesday night at home against Central Florida before resuming conference play with a three-game series at first-place Connecticut starting Saturday.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

Tampa Bay Rays 2B/RF Ben Zobrist won the AL Player of the Week award, making it three straight such honors for the Rays.

Johnny Damon shared the award two weeks ago, and James Shields won it last week.

It's the first time a team has won three straight since June 2007, when the Tigers had three in a row.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

TAMPA — Lightning coach Guy Boucher said coaches made it pretty clear to players following Sunday's 3-2 overtime victory over Washington that they didn't want to see them at all on Monday's much-needed day off.

But Tampa Bay's break will be brief, as it hosts Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Tuesday and Wednesday at the St. Pete Times Forum. Considering the Lightning is coming off an exhausting, seven-game series with the Penguins and is in a stretch of seven games in 12 days, Boucher acknowledged it'll be a "very difficult" challenge to cull the energy on back-to-back days.

"Rest is a weapon and it's something we need," Boucher said. "It's been very, very tough for us. I'll be honest, guys gave everything they had (Sunday), and it was about time we scored that goal, because I don't think we could have gone another period like that."

While the Capitals won their first-round series over the Rangers in five games, giving them almost a week to rest, Tampa Bay had one day in between rounds, and got back home around 2:30 a.m. Monday morning.

"You could feel it, myself personally, you could feel it throughout (Sunday's) game," said center Steven Stamkos, who was recently named to Men's Fitness' 25 Fittest Guys in the World. "The legs were getting a little heavy, but we found a way and that's all that matters."

Boucher has tried to manage the situation, with the team likely not practicing as much throughout the series; they already don't often hold morning skates as it is. Boucher also has players on shorter shifts during games, including late in the Penguins series, going down at times from 35-40 seconds to 15- to 20-second bursts.

But that doesn't help veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson, 41, who has played nearly every second of the team's first nine playoff games, and been spectacular at that. Boucher doesn't plan to rest Roloson for either of the home games the next couple days, saying he wants to stick with the hot goaltender, and pointing out how well he takes care of himself off the ice.

Roloson has started on back-to-back days five times this season, losing six of the 10 games, including allowing five goals on 23 shots in an 8-1 loss to the Penguins following a shutout of the Capitals the day before.

"I never look at his age because if you look at his shape, he's in the top two in terms of health, shape and conditioning on the team," Boucher said. "So I'm going to be scared of a lot more guys before him."

Several players said it's important to take advantage of the rare days off, with defenseman Brett Clark pointing out they need to avoid distractions, and remained focused. Center Nate Thompson said that, in the playoffs, adrenaline can help you get through it, but you can't let the emotions and sold-out crowds get the best of you.

But Stamkos puts it best:

"As long as you can walk, you're going to play."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

Lightning coach Guy Boucher said coaches made it pretty clear to players after Sunday's 3-2 overtime victory over Washington that they didn't want to see them at all on Monday's much-needed day off.

But Tampa Bay's break will be brief, as it hosts Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals tonight and Wednesday at the St. Pete Times Forum. Considering the Lightning is coming off a seven-game series with the Penguins and is in a stretch of seven games in 12 days, Boucher acknowledged it'll be a "very difficult" challenge to cull the energy on back-to-back days.

"Rest is a weapon, and it's something we need," Boucher said. "It's been very, very tough for us. I'll be honest, guys gave everything they had (Sunday), and it was about time we scored that goal, because I don't think we could have gone another period like that."

While the Capitals won their first-round series over the Rangers in five games, giving them almost a week to rest, Tampa Bay had one day between rounds and got back home about 2:30 a.m. Monday.

"You could feel it, myself personally, you could feel it throughout (Sunday's) game," said center Steven Stamkos, who was recently named to Men's Fitness' 25 Fittest Guys in the World. "The legs were getting a little heavy, but we found a way, and that's all that matters."

Boucher has tried to manage the situation, with the team likely not practicing as much throughout the series; the team doesn't often hold morning skates as it is. Boucher has players on shorter shifts during games, including late in the Penguins series, going down at times from 35 to 40 seconds to 15- to 20-second bursts.

But that doesn't help veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson, 41, who has played nearly every second of the team's first nine playoff games and been spectacular. Boucher doesn't plan to rest Roloson for either of the home games the next couple of days, saying he wants to stick with the hot goaltender and pointing out how well he takes care of himself off the ice.

Roloson has started on back-to-back days five times this season, losing six of the 10 games, including allowing five goals on 23 shots in an 8-1 loss to the Penguins after a shutout of the Capitals the day before.

"I never look at his age because if you look at his shape, he's in the top two in terms of health, shape and conditioning on the team," Boucher said. "So I'm going to be scared of a lot more guys before him."

Several players said it's important to take advantage of the rare days off, with defenseman Brett Clark pointing out they need to avoid distractions and remain focused.

Center Nate Thompson said that, in the playoffs, adrenaline can help players get through it, but they can't let the emotions and sold-out crowds get the better of them.

But Stamkos puts it best:

"As long as you can walk, you're going to play."

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

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

The Lightning has been outshot in each of its nine playoff games and 322-227 overall.

It is last among the 16 playoff teams with an average 25.2 shots. Its average 35.8 shots allowed entered Monday third worst.

Coach Guy Boucher said he is not worried the disparity will catch up to his team.

"No, I mean, we don't really look at the shots," he said Monday. "We look at the chances for and against, and we've been right on par with that since the beginning of the playoffs."

In fact, Boucher said scoring chances have been relatively equal except for "one or two games" in which Tampa Bay had penalty trouble. That is what happened in Sunday's Game 2 as the Capitals had 12 shots on six power plays en route to a 37-23 shot advantage.

If not for G Dwayne Roloson, the Lightning would not have had a chance in its 3-2 overtime victory.

C Vinny Lecavalier said Tampa Bay players deserve fault for passing up shots.

"Especially in the second period (Sunday when the Lightning was outshot 16-3) and a couple of chances at the end of the third period, a couple of two-on-ones where we could have shot but tried to make passes," he said. "Maybe we have to get back a little bit more to shooting at the net and going for rebounds and getting more opportunities and creating more chaos."

Even so, Boucher said he does not want his players watching the shot clock.

"The reality is, it's not the number of shots we allow, it's the number of scoring chances," he said. "So we focus more on that for the playoffs and it's paid off."

LAZY: Much has been made about the Lightning's ferocious penalty kill that has killed 45 of 46 power plays and 30 straight. But Tampa Bay's 46 times shorthanded entered Monday the most in the playoffs by eight.

As Boucher said after his team gave the Capitals six power plays in Game 2, "That can't happen."

Worse, C Steven Stamkos said, "It's something we addressed before the game, but something we didn't pay attention to at the beginning. We were undisciplined with our sticks. We can't be kidding ourselves. Our penalty kill has been great but we can't give them so many opportunities."

"The more opportunities they get, it could be a game-changer," Lecavalier said.

What bothers Boucher most are the stick fouls; hooking, high-sticking and tripping, which accounted for four of Tampa Bay's six Game 2 penalties.

"They're lazy penalties and careless penalties," Boucher said.

The coach said that during the regular season he could sit players who took bad penalties for a shift or two. But with injuries to LW Simon Gagne (head), D Pavel Kubina (head) and F Dana Tyrell (foot), "we need everybody on the ice. I have to find another way to make sure we stay out of the (penalty) box."

STILL OUT: Boucher said chances are "slim" that Gagne and Kubina will play Game 3.

FRUSTRATED: The Capitals power-play woes are not new.

Washington is 0-for-11 against Tampa Bay and just 3-for-27 in the postseason.

"We're trying," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "We're trying different things. We're trying to make things work. Obviously, it's not. ... We've just got to keep going at it."

ODDS AND ENDS: A goal and assist for Marty St. Louis in Game 2 were his first points in four games. ... St. Louis and Lecavalier entered Monday tied for second in the playoffs with 10 points. ... Lecavalier led with three winning goals. ... Boucher said Tyrell would be playing if not for his foot injury, sustained during a practice in Pittsburgh. "A bad one," Boucher said.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

. Up next

vs. Blue Jays

Tonight-Thursday

What's new: Since the Rays left Toronto on April 24, a lot actually: 2B Aaron Hill went on the DL, OF Travis Snider and INF Chris Woodward were sent down, OF Rajai Davis came off the DL and 1B/DH David Cooper was called up to make his debut.

Not new: RF Jose Bautista remains the AL's most dangerous hitter, though he did leave Sunday's game with neck tightness. He has reached base in 24 of his 25 games and leads the AL in batting (.357), homers (9), walks (30), OBP (.530), SLG (.762) and OPS (1.292).

Key stat: The Blue Jays are second in the AL with 33 steals, more than halfway to their 2010 total of 58.

Connections: Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch is a Dixie Hollins High grad and former Rays bat boy, RHP Shawn Camp and Bautista former Rays players, 3B coach Brian Butterfield a former Eckerd College assistant.

Series history: Tied 112-112 overall; Rays lead 63-46 at the Trop.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent
Monday, May 2, 2011

What's hot: The spring snook bite has started to be more consistent with good numbers off the spoil islands and just off the beaches. Clearwater Pass has schools of smaller males with a few larger breeders mixed in to feed in the strong current. The snook are still dark from holding in the backcountry, and with clear skies, they look like a dark grass patch over the sand. The redfish bite has been great on incoming tides with most of the fish being oversized. Many schools are in shallow grass flats with a few large, sandy potholes. These depressions are areas that current will flow through more strongly and bring a variety of baitfish and crabs for game fish to feed.

Tactics: The best all-around bait for snook and redfish is a hearty pinfish that will hold near the bottom. A tail-hooked pinfish will swim away from an angler and cover more ground. When fishing the beaches along swash channels, open the bail and let the pinfish work down the ditch. A nervous bait will swim more quickly and indicate a predator nearby. Twenty-five-pound fluorocarbon leader will have enough stealth and abrasion resistance for bigger snook. Just lighten the reel's drag to alleviate extra tension on the line. When fishing around mangroves for redfish, place a cork about 2 feet above the hook and let the pinfish swim into the shade.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at jim@captainhud.com or (727) 439-9017.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, May 2, 2011

There is a calm to the franchise these days. In the most stressful of situations, in the most pressurized of moments, the Lightning seems to possess the comfortable feeling of a team that believes things will work out.

It does not matter if the team is behind 3-1 in a series against Pittsburgh and others are telling them the odds that are against them.

It does not matter if they lead Washington two games to none and people are reminding them they are halfway to the third round (they could reach the three-quarter mark tonight).

It doesn't matter if an opponent scores early to take a lead or late to force an overtime. These days, the Lightning seems to trust itself to find the proper outcome.

This, as much as anything, is Steve Yzerman's gift.

Yzerman, the team's rookie general manager, has returned self-assurance to this franchise. This is no longer a chaotic, reactionary front office. With every game it wins, the Lightning looks more and more like the GM who built this team on the fly.

These days, Yzerman sits a long way from the ice he used to control, and he makes his living with a pen instead of a stick. He watches intently, mostly quietly, and when Vinny Lecavalier scores the winning goal in overtime against the Caps, he does not leap around in celebration along with his co-workers bounding around him.

Yzerman is calm, after all. He is in control. He enjoys today, because he is a competitor, and he ponders tomorrow, because that is his job.

"I don't know if satisfaction is the right word,'' Yzerman said. "We're pleased with the start we're off to, but to get this organization where I want it to be, we've still got a lot of hard work to do and a lot of good decisions to make.

"We're early in the second round, and the only thing that matters is Game 3. It's good for the team, and it's good for the fans. But for me, the big picture and the long term are important. I'm enjoying this, but we want to build a perennial playoff contender. We don't want to be fooled by one good year.''

For a general manager, for the guy in charge of tomorrow, it is the only approach that makes sense. Frankly, it is the attitude that has made Yzerman the best by-gum general manager the NHL had this season.

Even now, there are voters deciding such things. Yzerman is a finalist in the voting for NHL General Manager of the Year, and the only question is why there is any question about it.

Put it this way: Vancouver's Mike Gillis improved his team from 103 points last year to 117 this year. Nashville's David Poile went from 100 last year to 103 this year. In other words, neither of them had to exactly raise the dead this year.

Yzerman had himself quite a year. He convinced Marty St. Louis that things would be different, and they have been. He assured Vinny Lecavalier that the head games of the previous administration would cease, and they have. He convinced Guy Boucher that this was the right NHL coaching job for him.

He brought in Simon Gagne, who has earned 83 percent of his paycheck in these playoffs. He needed a goaltender, and he saw past Dwayne Roloson's birth certificate and made a deal. He needed a defenseman, and he brought in Eric Brewer.

As important as any of that, however, is that Yzerman — and new owner Jeff Vinik and new coach Boucher — brought a sense of order with them. Suddenly, the Lightning looked smart again, organized again, calm again. That they accomplished it so quickly — a 23-point improvement from last year, a 37-point improvement from two years ago — is amazing.

"Any great leader has a vision,'' Boucher said. "He's certainly lived up to the vision he's put forth. That's a real trait of Steve's. He doesn't jump into decisions. He takes his time, weighs the pros and cons and the intangibles that make a difference.''

"He's meant a lot,'' Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "He's bringing that culture that he built in Detroit as a captain. Everything has structure. Everything is done the right way. That's why we've had success.''

If Yzerman were to win this GM award, it should be pointed out that it wouldn't exactly be the biggest plaque on the wall. Still, if the NHL is going to give out such an award, if it's a yearly trophy rather than a lifetime achievement award, it seems as if it should get into the proper hands.

Around here, that's Yzerman. Remember, last year's playoff run ended when former GM Brian Lawton decided to start firing assistant coaches.

In his first year, Yzerman showed the knack of knowing when to make a move and when to ride out trouble. In his first year, he made the Lightning matter again.

Most of all, in his first year, Yzerman made you trust him with the years to come.

Around here, that's a heck of a deal for a general manager.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

The Florida Gators women's basketball team picked landed a huge recruit for its 2012 class on Monday, with an oral commitment from Kentucky star power forward Sydney Moss.

Sydney Moss is the daughter of NFL veteran wide receiver Randy Moss.

A 5-foot-11 power forward, Sydney Moss has the athleticism to also play point guard. She chose the Gators over Louisville, Dayton, West Virginia, Xavier and Kansas.

As a sophomore, Moss helped lead Boone County (Kentucky) High to the Sweet 16. She averaged 22.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

Capitals at Lightning: 6:30 p.m. on Sun Sports. It's either a 3-0 stranglehold for the Lightning or a tight 2-1 series lead after this one.

Max Kellerman Face Off: 10:45 p.m. on HBO. The HBO boxing analyst interviews Jean Pascal and Bernard Hopkins about their upcoming fight.

Jimmy Kimmel Live: Midnight on Ch. 28. Former professional tennis player Andre Agassi, above, is one of the scheduled guests.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

WASHINGTON — On first glance, Victor Hedman made a bad play.

The Lightning defenseman late in the third period Sunday flubbed an attempt to clear the puck from the defensive zone. Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin scored, and Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at the Verizon Center went to overtime.

Had the mistake occurred earlier in the season, Hedman would have been so rattled —despite almost laughable extenuating circumstances — "he would have had trouble playing the rest of the game," coach Guy Boucher said.

But Sunday, Boucher said, "He came back even stronger."

A significant indication Hedman, 20, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2009 draft, finally has figured it out.

Not bad timing with the Lightning heading into Game 3 tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum with a two games to none lead over Washington in their best-of-seven series. Really, though, the 6-foot-6, 229-pounder with the long reach and fluid skating style has been headed in the right direction for a while.

"He has really progressed this year," Boucher said. "What I like is that in big games he is really good. He's one of those kids who wants more, and under pressure he seems to be even better."

"I just feel more comfortable managing the puck in my own end and making good outlet passes," Hedman said, "I'm trying to make the simple plays. I just feel more comfortable with what I'm trying to do out there."

The key was finding a balance between Hedman's offensive instincts and his defensive responsibilities; difficult for a player who in his native Sweden was expected to put up points.

"It takes time to figure that out," Tampa Bay defenseman Brett Clark said. "He's picking his spots when he can jump (into the rush). Earlier in the year maybe he'd jump too often and get caught (up ice). He's just coming into his game."

Hedman had three goals (one fewer than his rookie season) and 26 points in 79 games. In the playoffs he has two assists in nine games. Though he is minus-5, he is even in his past four games as he realized that in his first NHL postseason, "You have to bring your 'A' game every night."

He is a mainstay on the penalty kill, his average 22:19 of ice time is second on the team, his 27 blocked shots are third and his five takeaways lead his fellow defensemen.

Does he miss the thrill of an offensive rush?

Not at all," Hedman said. "I still feel like I'm contributing even if you're not scoring points. You block shots, you're killing penalties, you're still part of the success of the team."

Hedman did flub the clearing attempt that led to Ovechkin's tying Game 2 goal. But he was at a disadvantage.

Having lost his stick, he took one from teammate Adam Hall, also on the ice. Trouble was, Hall shoots right-handed. Hedman left. So, when Hedman tried to clear the puck, he shot forehand with a stick facing backhand.

"The curve was going the other way, and it was a much shorter stick than I was used to," Hedman said. "I tried to hit it as hard as I could, but it stopped at the blue line, and it came back and scored. It was a tough goal to give up."

That Tampa Bay won 3-2 in overtime meant Hedman could laugh at it. That Hedman tied his playoff high with five blocked shots meant Boucher could be philosophical.

"Whatever happened, he's going to look back and see he's gotten better," the coach said. "When his best game was demanded and needed, he gave us that."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011

Elias fact of the day

The Rays in Sunday's opening frame became the second team this season to have five RBI singles in an inning, joining the Cardinals, who did so Thursday at Houston. It didn't happen during the 2010 season.

Rays vs. Blue Jays

When/where: 6:40 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Starting pitchers:

RAYS

RH Wade Davis (3-2, 2.73)

Blue JAYS: LH Jo-Jo Reyes (0-2, 5.48)

Tickets: $9-$210 at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa, $3 surcharge within five hours of game.

Watch for …

Wading in: Davis has been on a roll, winning three straight while posting a 1.74 ERA and .224 opponents average. He is 2-1, 2.49 in three starts (all in 2010) vs. the Blue Jays.

Jo-Jo show: Reyes hasn't won in his past 23 big-league starts, going back to June 2008 with Atlanta, and hasn't looked good this season: 33 hits and 9 BBs in 23 IP for a .411 OBP. He allowed four runs over seven innings in his only start vs. the Rays on April 22.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Reyes

Johnny Damon 1-for-3

Sam Fuld 3-for-4

Kelly Shoppach 1-for-3

Blue Jays vs. Davis

Jose Bautista 1-for-9

Yunel Escobar 4-for-6

Adam Lind 1-for-8

On deck

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)

Friday: at O's, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (3-3, 3.95); O's — Zach Britton (5-1, 2.63)

Saturday: at O's, 1:10, Ch. 13. Rays — James Shields (2-1, 2.14); O's — Jeremy Guthrie (1-3, 2.53)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"It's been overall a pretty positive vibe, a pretty positive feeling to watch these guys really just go out and make it happen night in and night out."

Rays 3B Evan Longoria, on his pending return

Stat of the day

Rays scoring by innings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 X Total

Opp. 13 6 14 1118 8 12 12 8 3 105

Rays 2113 10 1211 17 8 8 17 3 120

Number of the day

38 Percent of swings in which C Kelly Shoppach has missed (of 121 total), highest in the majors by a non-pitcher, minimum 10 games played.

Times wires
Monday, May 2, 2011

Athletics 5, Rangers 4

10 innings

OAKLAND, Calif. — Hideki Matsui hit Darren Oliver's first pitch of the 10th into the rightfield seats as the Athletics took three of four from the AL champions. Ex-Ray Grant Balfour walked the bases loaded in the top half but struck out pinch-hitter Yorvit Torrealba.

Times wires
Monday, May 2, 2011

CHICAGO — As former Bears safety Dave Duerson apparently feared, a medical examination of his brain found the telltale signs of a degenerative brain disease linked to taking repeated blows to the head, researchers at Boston University said Monday.

"Dave Duerson had the classic pathology of (the brain disease) and severe involvement of all the things that affect judgment, inhibition, impulse, mood control and memory," said Dr. Ann McKee, a co-director of the Center for Study of Traumatic Encephalopthy at the Boston University School of Medicine, who examined Duerson's brain for all types of abnormalities.

"When you look at it microscopically, it's undisputable."

Duerson left a note asking that his brain be donated to science after shooting himself in the heart in February. Scientists found that the brain tissue had atrophied and contained abnormal brown protein deposits, called "tau," the hallmarks of chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE.

In another message he left loved ones, Duerson, 50, wrote about his failed business deals and family problems, about seeing stars, blurry vision and struggling to spell simple words. Family, financial and behavioral problems might, in some cases, be symptoms of CTE.

About two dozen retired players have been found to have CTE, but none acted upon his suspicion of it like Duerson.

His death reminded the football community that for all the reform in the management of concussions and other on-field brain trauma in recent years, the damage to past players remains hauntingly irreversible.

"We hope these findings will contribute more to the understanding of CTE," the NFL said in a statement.

Duerson's son, Tregg, said Monday: "It's my greatest hope that his death will not be in vain and through research his legacy will live on so others won't have to suffer in the same way."

simms trial begins: A driving-while-high case against Titans backup quarterback Chris Simms was built out of a big misconception, his lawyer told jurors.

Authorities say Simms told a police officer he'd been smoking marijuana before being stopped July 1 in Manhattan in his Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle. Simms' lawyers say he said one of his passengers had been smoking the drug.

Prosecutors and police say there was ample evidence that Simms, a former Buc and the son of former Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was in no shape to drive when pulled over at a sobriety checkpoint at about 1 a.m.

He made a tire-squealing, "wild" turn just before the checkpoint, Officer Francisco Acosta testified. He said Simms slurred his words, walked unsteadily and said there wasn't any marijuana in the car because "he smoked it all."

After Simms was taken to a police station, he passed out on a holding-cell floor, prosecutor Alexandra Glazer said.

An alcohol breath test came back negative, and Simms declined a urine test that could have shown drug use, if any.

Labor update: The league filed an 18-page brief with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis, saying the lockout should remain in effect permanently while appeals play out.

The league cited Pro Bowl players Ray Lewis and Wes Welker in suggesting some players were all too happy to have extra time off.

Welker said recently at a youth football camp, "Let's do a lockout every year," according to the NFL's filing.

Said Lewis after an autograph signing, according to the league: "To me, this is probably the greatest window of opportunity I've ever had in my life. It's been 25 years of my life that I've never had a summer to myself."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer; Times wires
Monday, May 2, 2011

Day of reflection for Boudreau

Sunday's death of Osama bin Laden brings strong, personal memories of the Sept. 11 terror attacks for Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau.

Scott Burnside of ESPN.com points out that Boudreau, in his autobiography, Gabby: Confessions of a Hockey Lifer, talks about how he originally was supposed to be aboard the plane that hit the South Tower at the World Trade Center in New York in 2001.

Boudreau, then coach at the Kings' AHL affiliate in Manchester, N.H., was instead asked by then-Kings coach Andy Murray to come to L.A. a day earlier. Boudreau tried to get his friend Ace Bailey to join him on the earlier flight, but it would have been expensive, so Bailey kept his original itinerary. Bailey and fellow Kings scout Mark Bavis were among those killed aboard United Flight 175.

Boudreau acknowledged Sunday's events but told Burnside: "I'm not thinking about that right now. I'll let the rest of the world think about it."

Tickets

Games 3, 4 and 6 at the St. Pete Times Forum are technically sold out. Potentially unused team tickets might be released at various times, so periodically check with Ticketmaster.

The series Lightning leads 2-0

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

Game 2, Lightning 3, Capitals 2 (OT): Lecavalier's winner helps Tampa Bay shake off Ovechkin's late OT-forcing goal.

Tonight: at Tampa Bay, 6:30, Sun Sports

Wednesday: at Tampa Bay, 7, Sun Sports

Saturday: at Washington, 12:30, Ch. 8 *

May 9: at Tampa Bay, TBD, TBD *

May 11: at Washington, TBD, TBD *

* If necessary

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

Quote to note

"Basically, it's walking on a tightrope. If you think you're high and you look down, you start wobbling. If you look up because you think you're not good enough, you'll start wobbling, too. But if you look ahead and focus on the task and what you need to do and keep it a very narrow focus, you tend to do things the right way."

Lightning coach Guy Boucher on managing expectations

Times wires
Monday, May 2, 2011

ST. LOUIS — Cardinals 3B David Freese will have surgery on his broken left hand and is expected to miss nine to 12 weeks, his latest extended setback.

Freese was hit in the hand by a pitch from Braves RH reliever Scott Linebrink in the sixth inning Sunday. Freese was batting .356 with a .394 on-base percentage and a .471 slugging percentage in 25 games.

Freese was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday, and INF/OF Allen Craig was activated from the DL.

"We'll make do," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "It's just a tough break for David. We're going to miss him. Brutal."

Freese's surgery today will likely require a metal plate to speed the healing. The Cardinals hope Freese will be back in the lineup before August.

"Things happen. That's all I can say," Freese said. "Obviously it's happened continuously for a couple years now, but I'm not going to look in the past. I'm going to keep going, keep plugging away."

Craig, who can play all four corner positions, was activated before the start of a four-game series against the Marlins. General manager John Mozeliak said Craig would likely have been activated in any case, but he's down the list of potential third-base fill-ins because he hasn't gotten that much work at third.

Daniel Descalso started at third Monday night, and La Russa can use Nick Punto and Tyler Greene, although Punto was hobbled by tightness in his left hamstring after getting removed in the fourth inning Sunday. Albert Pujols played third base for the first time since 2002 after Freese's injury Sunday but is unlikely to see any more action there.

"Probably not something we would like to do," Mozeliak said. "But clearly it's always an option."

Freese was limited to 70 games last season by injuries to both ankles and didn't play after June 28.

ASTROS: LF Carlos Lee rejoined the team in Cincinnati after staying in Houston a day before to have tests on an injured rib.

ATHLETICS: LHP Dallas Braden had a setback in his first throwing session since going on the disabled list April 18 with left shoulder inflammation, and he'll be re-examined by team doctors.

METS: RHP Jenrry Mejia, one of the team's top prospects, has a torn elbow ligament and has been told he needs surgery. Mejia, 21, was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA in five starts this season at Triple-A Buffalo.

PHILLIES: OF Domonic Brown, a former Pasco High standout, was activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Brown, who fractured his right hamate in March, isn't on a timetable to return to the majors.

RANGERS: Minor-league RHP Andrew Doyle was suspended 50 games for a second drug violation.

RED SOX: RHP Josh Beckett was clear to start Wednesday after a 25-pitch bullpen session went well. … RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, who left last Friday's start with right elbow tightness, is set to return to the rotation Friday.

REDS: RHP Homer Bailey, who has been out since mid March with a shoulder injury, is scheduled to come off the disabled list Thursday and start against the Astros. … 3B Scott Rolen, on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, is unlikely to be activated when eligible Friday and has no timetable for his return.

WHITE SOX: RHP Jake Peavy, whose return from shoulder surgery was delayed two weeks ago, is set for a minor-league rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Charlotte and could return to the rotation next week.

YANKEES: RHP Phil Hughes tested negative for vascular and circulatory conditions as a possible cause for his dead arm and diminished velocity. … All-Star 2B Robinson Cano sat out with a bone bruise in his left hand. Cano said he hopes to play tonight.

Times wires
Monday, May 2, 2011

Nationals 2, Giants 0

WASHINGTON — Tom Gorzelanny pitched eight sharp innings against a struggling Giants lineup, and Michael Morse and Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in runs for the Nationals. Gorzelanny hadn't lasted eight innings since Aug. 12, 2007, when he pitched a shutout for the Pirates against the Giants. Monday, he gave up Aaron Rowand's double leading off the game and single in the third as well as Cody Ross' single in the eighth. Madison Bumgarner took the hard-luck loss for the defending world champions, who are 15th in the NL in runs.

Times wires
Monday, May 2, 2011

Braves 6, Brewers 2

ATLANTA — Alex Gonzalez hit a three-run go-ahead double, and the Braves finally solved Yovani Gallardo, who began the day 3-0 with a 0.96 ERA in five career starts against them. Atlanta knocked Gallardo out in the sixth when Gonzalez cleared the bases then scored on Nate McLouth's single. The four runs Gallardo gave up in the sixth matched his total over 371/3 innings in his career against the Braves.