By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

MLB Network Countdown: 1 p.m. on MLB Network. A look at the 50 greatest finishes in MLB history.

Sports Connection: 11 p.m. on BHSN (Ch. 47). Rock Riley hosts the show live from the St. Pete Times Forum and Game 4 of the Lightning-Caps series.

Cheap Seats: 11 p.m. on ESPN Classic. The old hilarious comedy show makes light of the 1994 and 1995 Spelling Bees.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

PITTSBURGH — Rashard Mendenhall created a stir with comments made on his official Twitter page regarding Osama bin Laden's death.

The Steelers running back on Monday tweeted: "What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side …"

Mendenhall, who said God should be the only judge, made a reference to the Sept. 11 attacks.

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style." Mendenhall later deleted this tweet.

Team president Art Rooney II released a statement.

"I have not spoken with Rashard, so it is hard to explain or even comprehend what he meant with his recent Twitter comments. The entire Steelers organization is very proud of the job our military personnel have done and we can only hope this leads to our troops coming home soon."

Mendenhall, who profiles himself as a "conversationalist and professional athlete" on his Twitter page, also turned some heads in March when he supported a comment by Vikings running back Adrian Peterson comparing the NFL to "modern-day slavery."

LOCKOUT: A federal appeals court agreed to a speeded-up schedule to hear the league's appeal of the order that lifted the lockout a week ago.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis set a June 3 hearing, with 30 minutes of oral argument for each side before Judges Duane Benton, Kermit Bye and Steven Colloton.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson issued her injunction stopping the lockout last week. The league appealed to the 8th Circuit, and the same three-judge panel issued a temporary stay on Friday.

The lockout was put back in place by the owners a few hours later. The 8th Circuit is still deciding whether to make the stay more permanent.

WORKOUTS GO ON: Saints quarterback Drew Brees secured access to Tulane's facilities and called on teammates to join him for the workouts. Nearly 40 did, taking cues from their on-field leader as the lockout prevents them from training on team property or contacting coaches.

Normally, organized workouts and minicamps would happen in May and June but aren't during the lockout. So many players are gathering in some form.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez invited teammates to join him in California for what he's calling Jets West Camp. Broncos safety Brian Dawkins has organized workouts as have Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne and Falcons linebacker Coy Wire and right tackle Tyson Clabo with their teams.

DORSEY RETIRES: Ken Dorsey, the quarterback who led Miami to the 2001 national championship, retired. Dorsey, 30, spent last season with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts after six years in the NFL. He plans to become a high school coach.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The reasons for the Rays' rotation shuffle were to keep top starters LHP David Price and RHP James Shields on a more regular schedule and limit the innings of rookie RHP Jeremy Hellickson.

But an interesting byproduct is that Price and Shields are now lined up to face the first-place Yankees on May 16-17 at the Trop.

The Rays moved up Price (to Thursday) and Shields (to Friday in Baltimore) so they have only five days between starts instead of six and moved Hellickson back (from Thursday to Saturday) to essentially skip one start. The disruption was created by the off day April 25 followed by the rainout April 26 and the need for a spot starter Sunday.

"We wanted to optimize the use of Price and Shields," manager Joe Maddon said. "It's about keeping them about as close to their schedule as possible and really only interrupting one guy in a more severe manner, but I think Helly can handle it."

Maddon said they will stay in the new order — Price, Shields, Hellickson, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann — through Monday's off day in Cleveland.

FRIEDMAN'S DAD EYES ASTROS: Executive VP Andrew Friedman's father, Kenny, is heading a group of Houston investors seeking to buy the Astros but admittedly playing from behind.

Another Houston businessman, Jim Crane, has an exclusive negotiating window with team owner Drayton McLane. Kenny Friedman, a lawyer who also heads the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, told Houston media he has the necessary financial backing and has been approved by MLB. "I'm going to continue to keep pushing until someone tells me not to," he told mlb.com.

Even if his group were successful, it would not necessarily mean that Andrew Friedman would leave the Rays — though, coincidentally, there has been speculation that Crane would try to hire him. Friedman, like other top executives under Stuart Sternberg's ownership, doesn't have a contract.

GOMES CALLED UP: RHP Brandon Gomes, one of three relievers acquired from the Padres in the Jason Bartlett trade, made an impressive debut, allowing only a walk in two innings. And he got the ball, courtesy of 3B Evan Longoria, as a souvenir.

Gomes arrived at the Trop with a big smile after a whirlwind 24 hours since getting word of his unexpected promotion from Durham. "It's amazing how quick stuff turns around," Gomes said. "I was in Double A all year last year and just like that in the big leagues."

Gomes, 26, did his part with an impressive showing in his first experience at Triple A, posting a 1.35 ERA and 22/5 strikeout/walk ratio in 131/3 innings, plus going 6-for-6 in saves.

The Rays plan to use him in middle relief. "I have a lot of confidence in this guy," Maddon said. "I know his experience is limited with mostly Double A and a little bit of Triple A, but I think he's kind of a tough guy, and I think he's going to be okay."

LOPEZ SENT OUT: To make room for Longoria, veteran INF Felipe Lopez was designated for assignment, giving the Rays 10 days to release or trade him or pass him through waivers.

Maddon said he hopes Lopez stays in the organization, and the Rays expect him to accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham if he clears waivers.

Maddon also said he wanted it known that Lopez's two incidents of lack of hustling to first, the second leading to a one-day benching, had "zero to do with the decision." More so, they have more use for 1B Dan Johnson.

LONGO ON THE MOVE: Longoria was back in his familiar, and favored, No. 3 spot in the order against Jays LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, but Maddon is still contemplating dropping him to cleanup against right-handers.

The idea is to put a hitter with a high on-base percentage (Matt Joyce, .432 vs. RHP? Casey Kotchman, .436?) in front of Longoria to "optimize his chances of driving in runs," Maddon said. "That's all I'm trying to figure out."

MISCELLANY: LHP J.P. Howell leaves today for Durham, where he's scheduled for five appearances to complete his rehab from shoulder surgery, the last May 16. … C John Jaso and RHP Joel Peralta will be at All Children's Hospital today to visit patients and hand out pillows as part of Rays Kids Spirits Day. … Class A Charlotte RHP Alex Colome was named FSL pitcher of the week.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Physically fit

Lightning C Steven Stamkos, right, is one of the world's 25 fittest men, says Men's Fitness magazine, along with celebrities such as Dr. Dre, David Beckham, LeBron James and Liam Neeson. There was no interview and no photo shoot, Stamkos said, and he didn't even know about the article until two days ago, which kind of tells you how much research the magazine did. Still, Stamkos said, "It's kind of cool seeing your name with A-list celebrities."

First of many

Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier and wife Caroline on Monday had a small gathering at their Davis Islands home that included Tampa Bay players Nate Thompson and Teddy Purcell to celebrate the first birthday of daughter Victoria. The big surprise, Lecavalier said, was supposed to be the "huge" cake. "We figured she would just put it all in her face," he said of Victoria. "But she ended up crying. She was overwhelmed with everyone around her."

Three of a kind

As if the two sticks Marty St. Louis, right, took in the mouth in Game 2 vs. the Capitals weren't bad enough (neither resulted in a penalty), the Lightning wing Monday had three teeth cemented into his mouth. Those teeth were loosened by a stick blade in Game 1 against the Penguins, resulting in a double root canal. Monday's procedure was performed by team dentist Sam Caranante. The good news? "No root canals this time," St. Louis said.

Three stars

SEAN BERGENHEIM: The Lightning wing scored the game's first goal and nearly got another on a shorthanded partial breakaway in the third.

ALEX OVECHKIN: The Capitals wing was dangerous every time he had the puck, scored a power-play goal that put his team up 3-2 in the second and assisted on another goal.

VICTOR HEDMAN: The Lightning defenseman was strong again and assisted on Steven Stamkos' goal that made it 3-3 in the third.

Tickets

Tonight's Game 4 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa is sold out, but potentially unused team tickets might be released. Check Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-300).

The series Lightning leads 3-0

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

Game 2, Lightning 3, Capitals 2 (OT): Vinny Lecavalier gets the winner.

Game 3, Lightning 4, Capitals 3: Goals by Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone in the third erase 3-2 deficit.

Tonight: at Tampa Bay, 7, Sun Sports

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

Monday: at Tampa Bay, TBD, TBD *

May 11: at Washington, TBD, TBD *

* If necessary

Radio: Game 4 on 970-AM; rest TBD

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Phillies 4, Nationals 1

PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels pitched a five-hitter, and Raul Ibanez doubled twice to stop an 0-for-35 slump for the Phillies. Jayson Werth went 0-for-3 with a walk in his first game in Philadelphia since signing with the Nationals. He was mostly booed when he came up in the first, but he turned the jeers into cheers when he took off his helmet and tipped it to the crowd. Hamels pitched his eighth career complete game.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Rays vs. Blue Jays

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

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

Starting pitchers:

RAYS:

RH Jeff Niemann (1-3, 5.60)

Blue JAYS: RH Brandon Morrow (0-1, 3.97)

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

Watch for …

Standing tall: Niemann is coming off a confidence-building outing in Minnesota, where he allowed 1 run over 7 IP and got his first win. He is 3-2, 4.99 in five starts vs. the Blue Jays.

Tough task: Morrow is incredibly tough on the Rays, though not quite as much April 23 (10 K in 51/3 IP) as his August 2010 start (17 K, 1 H in 9 IP). He is making just his third start due to a DL stint (elbow). Overall he is 2-2, 1.95 in nine games vs. the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Morrow

Reid Brignac 0-for-10

B.J. Upton 1-for-20

Ben Zobrist 2-for-13

Blue Jays vs. Niemann

Edwin Encarnacion 0-for-6

Adam Lind 8-for-21, HR

Juan Rivera 1-for-4

On deck

Thursday: vs. Jays, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (3-3, 3.95); Jays — Ricky Romero (2-3, 3.00)

Friday: at O's, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (2-1, 2.14); O's — Zach Britton (5-1, 2.63)

Saturday: at O's, 1:10, Ch. 13. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (2-2, 4.31); O's — Jeremy Guthrie (1-4, 3.00)

Sunday: at O's, 1:35, Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (3-2, 2.77); O's — Brad Bergesen (0-3, 4.88)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Tweet of the day

@DAVIDprice14: my flip into home was my best FIFA celebration … the front flip roll with the "shoootteerrr" fingers … MARCUS

From LHP David Price, "correcting" an @SPTimesRays tweet describing his entertaining trot after a batting practice thusly: "flips bat, cartwheels around 1st + 2nd, slides into 3rd, somersaults across plate."

Quote of the day

"The Babe's back in town."

Manager Joe Maddon on the return of No. 3-wearing Evan Longoria

New (old) face at the Trop

Former Devil Rays All-Star closer Roberto Hernandez was in a Rays uniform — with his old No. 39 — the first of occasional appearances as an adviser to the bullpen crew. "I told him any time you can get out here, I want you to come out and just walk around and talk to the guys and impart some of your knowledge," manager Joe Maddon said. "I just want him to go out and interact."

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tigers 4, Yankees 2

DETROIT — Scott Sizemore had three hits in his return to the major leagues, helping the Tigers snap a seven-game losing streak. Sizemore was called up from Triple-A Toledo to try to bolster the top of Detroit's struggling lineup, and for one night at least, the move paid off. Leadoff man Austin Jackson hit a double and a triple, and Sizemore hit a double and two singles batting behind him. Brad Penny pitched six innings without allowing an earned run.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

BOSTON — Jon Lester struck out 11, Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz hit consecutive homers and the Red Sox beat the Angels 7-3 on Tuesday night to pull within one game of .500.

Boston, which improved to 6-0 against Los Angeles this season, is 12-6 since a 2-9 start. The Red Sox have won 15 of their past 16 against the Angels.

Lester gave up just Mark Trumbo's second-inning homer that put Los Angeles ahead. He struck out 10 or more for the 15th time in his career.

Dan Haren allowed just two hits until the Red Sox got four in the sixth and two more in the seventh as they rallied for a 3-1 lead.

Gonzalez and Ortiz hit Boston's first consecutive homers this season to start the eighth. Three batters later, Marco Scutaro hit a two-run drive over the Green Monster.

Boston brought on closer Jonathan Papelbon with a 7-1 lead in the ninth. Papelbon gave up three straight hits, including Erick Aybar's RBI double, then allowed Trumbo's sacrifice fly before getting the final two outs.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Astros 10, Reds 4

CINCINNATI — Pitcher J.A. Happ singled in a run in a six-run fourth, the Astros' biggest inning this season, and Houston left the Reds with their first losing record in nearly a year. The defending NL Central champs fell to 14-15, same as they were last May 7.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

DETROIT — Kyle Wellwood and Ian White already had much in common before the playoffs.

Both Sharks were relatively unheralded February acquisitions who helped San Jose turn its season around. Wellwood's arrival let coach Todd McLellan establish well-defined forward lines. White immediately stabilized the defense.

But now, as the Sharks attempt to match last year's success and grab a 3-0 series lead over the Red Wings tonight at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, the two have even more in common.

Both have been strong in the postseason, chipping in key goals and competing well enough at each end of the ice to share the team's top plus-minus rating at plus-6.

And both are poised to add their names to the long-standing list of everyday skaters who elevate their game once the playoffs arrive, a Stanley Cup tradition.

"Special player," is McLellan's standard term for Wellwood. "Tremendous asset," is how the coach described White on Tuesday.

Wellwood has a goal and three assists in this postseason. That goal in the first round beat Kings goalie Jonathan Quick in San Jose's clinching Game 6 victory.

White, who missed one game with a head injury, has a goal, in a 2-1 victory over Detroit in Game 2, and five assists. His six points put him in a group of five defensemen tied for second in the postseason going into Tuesday.

"This is the only opportunity I've had so far to make a contribution in the postseason, and I've always known I had the game to succeed and help teams win," said White, who is in the playoffs for the first time in his fifth NHL season. "It's nice to finally get a chance."

Wellwood, who was born across the border from Detroit in Windsor, Ontario, and grew up a Red Wings fan, had 13 points in 22 playoff games with the Canucks. A small-framed athlete who plays a crafty game, he said his style might be better suited for the postseason rather than the 82 games that precede it.

"There's more strategy, there's more teamwork, there's more puck possession — and players that have those skill sets kind of have an easier time in playoffs," he said, suggesting that players who specialize in grind-it-out hockey might be slow to adjust.

White, 26, who started the season with Calgary before being traded in November to Carolina, took the more conventional route to San Jose when he was acquired Feb. 18 for a second-round draft pick.

Wellwood, 27, began the season in Russia. The Sharks claimed him on waivers required by the league after St. Louis signed him to a one-year contract when he wanted to return to the NHL.

McLellan praises Wellwood for his knack for holding onto pucks, great vision, defensive responsibilities and hockey smarts.

"That's what's kept me in the league, the ability to see the game and predict what's going to happen and stay in good position," Wellwood said.

As for White, he said he was probably a little eager entering the playoffs for the first time.

"But it didn't take long to get settled out there," he said. "You handle the puck a little bit and get a first shift in. There's so much electricity in the buildings that it's easy to feed on it."

COYOTES: The league has exercised its option to take $25 million from the city of Glendale, Ariz., to cover the team's losses this season.

The city had placed the money in escrow a year ago at the NHL's insistence to cover such losses if the sale of the team had not gone through by the end of this season.

The city said the NHL took the funds Monday. The league bought the team out of bankruptcy in September 2009 with the intent to find a buyer to keep the team in Arizona.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

NASHVILLE — Ryan Kesler capped a three-point night with his power-play score 10:45 into overtime, his second goal of the game, to give the Canucks a 3-2 victory over the Predators on Tuesday night.

Nashville's Shea Weber, a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman, was called for hooking Kesler 40 seconds before the deciding goal.

Fans in the sellout crowd reacted angrily, throwing towels and other debris onto the ice.

Kesler scored his first two goals of the postseason and had an assist, and Chris Higgins had a goal for Vancouver.

The Canucks, the Presidents' Trophy winners in the regular season, bounced back from a 2-1, double-overtime loss in Game 2 and regained home-ice advantage.

Game 4 is Thursday in Nashville.

Joel Ward and David Legwand scored for the Predators, who matched the Canucks' energy but not their shots. Vancouver outshot Nashville 40-26 through regulation.

Predators forward Steve Sullivan left after suffering an apparent knee injury in a collision with Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis with 3:10 left in regulation.

First Period—1, Nashville, Legwand 3 (Suter, Spaling), 10:18 (sh). Penalties—Smithson, Nas (roughing), 9:38; Lapierre, Van (interference), 12:29; Smithson, Nas (high-sticking), 19:42.

Second Period—2, Vancouver, Kesler 1 (Ehrhoff, D.Sedin), 1:00 (pp). Penalties—Fisher, Nas (tripping), 5:22; Lapierre, Van (slashing), 8:08; Kesler, Van (high-sticking), 18:22.

Third Period—3, Vancouver, Higgins 3 (Kesler, Edler), 3:03. 4, Nashville, Ward 4 (Erat), 13:18. Penalties—None. First Overtime—5, Vancouver, Kesler 2 (Samuelsson, Ehrhoff), 10:45 (pp). Penalties—Weber, Nas (hooking), 10:05. Shots on Goal—Vancouver 15-9-16-7—47. Nashville 8-4-14-4—30. Power-play opportunities—Vancouver 2 of 4; Nashville 0 of 3. Goalies—Vancouver, Luongo 6-4-0 (30 shots-28 saves). Nashville, Rinne 5-4-0 (47-44). A—17,113 (17,113). T—3:01. Referees—Chris Lee, Tim Peel. Linesmen—Scott Driscoll, Brad Kovachik.

Two new Sharks making most of playoff chance

DETROIT — Kyle Wellwood and Ian White already had much in common before the playoffs.

Both Sharks were relatively unheralded February acquisitions who helped San Jose turn its season around. Wellwood's arrival let coach Todd McLellan establish well-defined forward lines. White immediately stabilized the defense.

But now, as the Sharks attempt to match last year's success and grab a 3-0 series lead over the Red Wings tonight at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, the two have even more in common.

Both have been strong in the postseason, chipping in key goals and competing well enough at each end of the ice to share the team's top plus-minus rating at plus-6.

And both are poised to add their names to the list of everyday skaters who elevate their game in the playoffs, a Stanley Cup tradition.

"Special player," is McLellan's standard term for Wellwood. "Tremendous asset," is how the coach described White on Tuesday.

Wellwood has a goal and three assists in this postseason. That goal in the first round beat Kings goalie Jonathan Quick in San Jose's clinching Game 6 victory.

White has a goal, in a 2-1 victory over Detroit in Game 2, and five assists. His six points put him in a group of five defensemen tied for second in the postseason going into Tuesday.

"This is the only opportunity I've had so far to make a contribution in the postseason, and I've always known I had the game to succeed and help teams win," said White, who is in the playoffs for the first time in his fifth NHL season. "It's nice to finally get a chance."

COYOTES: The league exercised its option to take $25 million from the city of Glendale, Ariz., to cover the team's losses this season. The city placed the money in escrow a year ago at the NHL's insistence to cover such losses if the sale of the team hadn't gone through by the end of this season. The city said the NHL took the funds Monday. The league bought the team out of bankruptcy in 2009 with the intent to find a buyer to keep the team in Arizona.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

MIAMI — LeBron James walked toward Mario Chalmers in the final minute with a content look.

He punched his teammate twice in the chest. Fitting, because James and the Miami Heat have now landed two blows against the Celtics.

James had 24 of his 35 points in the second half, Dwyane Wade scored 28 and the Heat used a late 14-0 run Tuesday to pull away and beat the Celtics 102-91 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

"Now the mental discipline begins," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "This thing is just getting started."

Chris Bosh had with 17 points and 11 rebounds for Miami, which leads the best-of-seven 2-0.

Boston tied the score at 80 on a pair of free throws by Paul Pierce with 7:10 left. The Celtics missed their next six shots and Miami pulled away, taking command of both the game and the series.

"That's our staple. We know the only way for us to win games, especially in the playoffs, is to play defense," James said. "Everyone has each other's back. If one guy gets beat, another steps up. They made a run, a heck of a run … but we just kept grinding, kept playing our principles, and we finally wore them down."

Rajon Rondo played through a balky back to score 20 points and add 12 assists for Boston, which got 16 points from Kevin Garnett and 13 from Pierce. The Celtics have only rallied from an 0-2 deficit in a best-of-seven series once.

Jeff Green scored 11 and Delonte West added 10 for the Celtics, who got only seven from Ray Allen on 2 for 7 shooting.

Even for a franchise with such fabled history as the Celtics, an 0-2 deficit represents a colossal challenge.

This is the ninth time Boston has dropped the first two games in a best-of-seven series. The only time the Celtics won was against the Lakers in the 1969 Finals.

"Nothing we can do about it," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We've got a third game and we've got to take care of that. Whatever the past is, it is. They've won two games at home. But we can't allow them to play like this, or it's going to be tough at our place."

To win this series, Boston will need to prevail four times in a five-game span — which it did in the first round against Miami last year, then again in the second round vs. James and the Cavaliers in the East semis.

"This is a great team we are going against right now," James said.

Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal (calf) sat out after scrimmaging in practice on Monday.

Heat 102, Celtics 91

BOSTON (91): Pierce 5-11 2-2 13, Garnett 8-20 0-0 16, J.O'Neal 2-7 4-5 8, Rondo 7-16 6-8 20, Allen 2-7 2-2 7, Davis 2-7 2-3 6, Green 4-6 1-2 11, Krstic 0-1 0-0 0, West 4-4 0-0 10, Wafer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-79 17-22 91.

MIAMI (102): James 14-25 5-8 35, Bosh 5-10 7-11 17, Ilgauskas 1-5 0-0 2, Bibby 3-6 0-0 8, Wade 8-20 11-13 28, Anthony 1-2 4-4 6, Jones 0-1 0-0 0, Miller 1-1 0-0 3, Chalmers 1-5 0-0 3. Totals 34-75 27-36 102.

Boston 26 16 25 24— 91

Miami 27 20 25 30— 102

3-Point Goals—Boston 6-11 (West 2-2, Green 2-2, Allen 1-2, Pierce 1-4, Rondo 0-1), Miami 7-16 (Bibby 2-4, James 2-4, Miller 1-1, Wade 1-3, Chalmers 1-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Boston 49 (J.O'Neal 9), Miami 51 (Bosh 11). Assists—Boston 18 (Rondo 12), Miami 15 (Bosh 4). Total Fouls—Boston 24, Miami 22. Technicals—Boston Coach Rivers. A—20,104 (19,600).

Late Monday: Mavs rally to stun Lakers

When Kobe Bryant drained a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up by 16 points in the second half Monday, nobody would have been surprised if the Mavericks packed it in. After all, these perennial underachievers aren't exactly known for their playoff tenacity.

But their stirring comeback against the two-time defending champions showed that Dirk Nowitzki and his Mavs just might be capable of creating whole new reputations this spring.

Nowitzki scored 28 and hit two go-ahead free throws with 19.5 seconds left, Jason Kidd forced a crucial turnover moments later, and the Mavericks escaped with a 96-94 victory in Game 1 when Bryant missed two late chances to steal it back for the host Lakers.

Jason Terry scored 15 and Nowitzki had 14 rebounds for the Mavericks, who erased that huge third-quarter deficit before the dramatic finish to open the perennial playoff teams' first postseason meeting in 23 years.

The Mavericks trailed 92-87 with 3:32 to play, but finished on a 9-2 run.

"I thought we did a great job hanging in there," Nowitzki said. "It wasn't looking good, but we talked about in the huddle. Just stick with it, try to get some stops, don't turn the ball over, and get a shot up every time. Just at least give ourselves a chance to make it."

ROOKIE HONOR: The Associated Press reported that Clippers forward Blake Griffin will be named Rookie of the Year today. A formal announcement from the league isn't due until today but the team announced a news conference at its training complex for the presentation of a major award, and Rookie of the Year is the only one left.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Giants 7, Mets 6

10 INNINGS

NEW YORK — Ex-Ray Aubrey Huff ended an 0-for-20 slump with a leadoff homer in the 10th for the Giants, who had lost eight of 11 and been shut out three times in six games.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

CHICAGO — Francisco Liriano lugged a 9.13 ERA to the mound Tuesday night, along with zero career complete games — majors or minors — and wound up throwing the sixth no-hitter in Twins history.

Liriano issued six walks and threw 123 pitches, but he kept sending the White Sox hitters back to the dugout in frustration in Minnesota's 1-0 victory at Target Field.

"I can't explain it. I feel so nervous and so happy right now," Liriano said. "I can't explain my feeling right now."

Liriano survived a rocky ninth inning that began when Brent Morel grounded to shortstop and Matt Tolbert made a one-hop throw that first baseman Justin Morneau scooped. Juan Pierre walked, and Alexei Ramirez popped to shortstop.

Liriano fell behind Adam Dunn 3-and-0 then got a pair of strikes. After a foul ball, Dunn lined out to Tolbert.

"I thought it was a base hit," Liriano said. "When I saw him catch it, I was so excited."

Catcher Drew Butera ran to the mound and bear-hugged Liriano as the rest of the Twins mobbed the left-hander.

It was the Twins' first no-hitter since Eric Milton defeated the Angels 7-0 on Sept. 11, 1999.

Jason Kubel connected for a fourth-inning homer off White Sox starter and former Ray Edwin Jackson as the Twins snapped their six-game losing streak and climbed past Chicago out of the AL basement.

"As a manager, I take it as a loss," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said after his team lost for the sixth time in its past seven games. "As a player, they might take it another way."

Liriano might have been pitching for his job.

Before the game, manager Ron Gardenhire told the media that Kevin Slowey will likely come off the disabled list this weekend when the team is in Boston. The Twins have Slowey penciled in for a long-relief role.

"That's the plan," Gardenhire said. "But that could change in two days."

Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson called Liriano into the manager's office Friday in Kansas City. They showed him a graphic that displayed his erratic release point. They scolded him for saying he had a hard time gripping the baseball in his previous start against the Rays, who knocked him out after three innings in their 8-2 win, and reminded him how good he can be.

Liriano issued a walk in each of the first two innings but got Dunn and Alex Rios to ground into inning-ending double plays.

The White Sox walked twice more in the fourth, but that threat ended when Carlos Quentin flied out to centerfield.

In the seventh, Liriano got the kind of standout defensive play that seems to accompany every no-hitter. Quentin hit a chopper down the third-base line, but Danny Valencia fielded a tough hop with a backhand stop and made a strong throw across the diamond for the out.

The Twins gathered in front of the dugout to high-five Valencia.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

TAMPA — Quite simply, it was a Steven Stamkos type of goal — a wicked wrister from 43 feet that lifted the net just inside the post and just under the crossbar.

It was the type of goal that Lightning fans had grown accustomed to seeing from the 21-year-old star over the past two seasons. It was the type of goal that maybe a dozen or so players in the NHL are capable of scoring. But it was also the type of goal that Stamkos really hadn't delivered since who knows when.

Stamkos saved his best goal of these playoffs for the most critical moment of Tuesday night's Game 3 victory against the Capitals. With Tampa Bay trailing 3-2 just more than five minutes into the third, Stamkos scored his fourth — and, by far, his prettiest — goal of the postseason. Riding the momentum of Stamkos' goal, the Lightning scored 24 seconds later for a 4-3 lead which held up to give Tampa Bay a commanding 3-0 series lead.

"That," Lightning left wing Ryan Malone said, "was a rocket."

"(Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman) made a great play and kept the puck (in the zone)," Stamkos said. "I got the puck in the slot and took a couple of strides. I just tried to shoot the puck as hard as I could against the grain. I thought I might catch him going the other way."

He did. With Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth moving to his left, he could only flail his arm helplessly to his right as puck raced by his blocker.

"A great job," Neuvirth said.

"I maybe had a little extra adrenaline on that one," Stamkos said. "It was nice to get one."

Coming into these playoffs, there were concerns about Stamkos. He had scored 45 goals — second-most in the NHL — but had only five in the final 28 regular-season games, and just two in the final 13. He continued to look out of sorts in the playoffs until scoring two goals in the Game 5 victory against the Penguins in the first round. Since then, he has been a different player. In a good way.

"He's come a long, long way very, very fast," said Lightning coach Guy Boucher, who added that he was about to put Stamkos out for the last 30 seconds of Tuesday's game had there been a line change.

"That says a lot," Boucher said. "I'm real proud of him."

Stamkos said his comfort level is "night and day" compared to when these playoffs began. That was evident by his laser goal that could pan out to be the pivotal goal of this series.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

TAMPA — Sean Bergenheim liked the sound of the Lightning locker room Tuesday night.

There was little to indicate the team had just earned a 4-3 victory over the Capitals in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

There was no hooting or hollering despite a dramatic third-period comeback in which goals in 24 seconds from Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone overcame a 3-2 deficit and sent the sellout crowd of 20,613 at the St. Pete Times Forum into delirium.

"Because this is far from over," Bergenheim said.

"We were happy, but after a few minutes we were already back to that fact that we have a game (today). Everybody has done that, from the faces and the reactions I see here."

With a three games to none lead over the No. 1 seed in the East, the Lightning can sweep the best-of-seven series with a win tonight. But center Nate Thompson preferred to talk about a "cushion."

Only three teams — the 1942 Maple Leafs, 1975 Islanders and 2010 Flyers — have overcome 3-0 deficits to win a series.

Coach Guy Boucher even toned that down.

"Boston was up 3-0 (to Philadelphia last year) and they lost, and they were a very good team," he said, "so it's going to be very difficult to get that fourth one. It's our job to make sure we're focused and not at all emotional about the end result."

Still, for the first time, the Lightning — which also got goals from Bergenheim and Vinny Lecavalier, and 29 saves from Dwayne Roloson — snatched a game from Washington. It was outshot for the 10th straight time, 32-30, but had a 15-5 advantage in the third period after a second in which the Capitals had a 14-7 advantage and scored three times for a 3-2 lead.

Washington's last goal, from Alex Ovechkin, came on a five-on-three power play. It was the Capitals' first power-play goal in 13 tries and snapped a Lightning streak of 32 straight kills.

But Stamkos, after a smart pinch by defenseman Victor Hedman to keep the puck in the offensive zone, scored 5:23 into the third period with a wrist shot so quick, it must have created a sonic boom. Malone scored at 5:47 when a centering pass from Thompson banked in off his left leg. They are the two quickest goals in the team's playoff history.

"We'll take 24 seconds or 19 minutes and whatever it takes," Malone said. "We know if we stick to our game plan and our structure, we create chances. We believe sooner or later it's going to come."

"They are uncanny when they want to get a goal," Washington right wing Mike Knuble said of the Lightning. "It's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch. It's just like they think, 'We know we're going to score.' I don't know what it is; it leaves you flabbergasted."

The Capitals were frustrated by Knuble's first-period goal that was disallowed because too many men were on the ice, and that they could not get a shot off in the game's final 1:47 after pulling goalie Michal Neuvirth.

Thompson, Bergenheim, Eric Brewer, Mattias Ohlund and Adam Hall were on the ice for the final minute, and Thompson and Hall combined to win 3 of 5 defensive zone faceoffs.

"Just keep everything to the outside and block shots and get the puck down the ice," Thompson said of the team's mind-set. "It's desperation time."

After which it was time to celebrate. "A one-minute celebration," Boucher said.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

TAMPA — The lessons of a lifetime must serve him well now. The bywords he has used so often as a coach have to get him through.

You grind. You scrap. You work. You do not give in when the pressure builds. You do not worry what the odds are.

Now, in the fight of his life, Wayne Fleming plays on. When you consider the game he has coached, when you consider the lessons he has taught, what else would you expect?

In the moments following Tampa Bay's 4-3 victory over Washington on Tuesday night, Tampa Bay won again. Coach Guy Boucher was barely off the ice when he was told Fleming had made it through a daylong surgery in Irvine, Calif., to remove a malignant brain tumor and was alert and speaking. Seconds later, when Boucher stood in front of his team, he told it first about Fleming. They talked about the game later.

"When you consider the operation he had, it's extremely positive,'' Boucher said. "As far as Wayne, any positive is big.''

For Fleming, there is still much to be determined about his condition. Still, he is in the Lightning's thoughts, and if you believe the players, he is still in their games. Fleming, 60, has become the favorite crusty uncle of this team, the guy with the sharp tongue and the golden heart. And, yes, the guy whose presence is still felt inside of the locker room.

"Every day," Boucher said. "We miss him every day."

Even now the Lightning players will tell you how Fleming has motivated them, pushed them, inspired them. This is his playoffs, too, and this is still his penalty kill unit that has defused 50 of 52 threats this postseason. Otherwise, one can only imagine how many text messages he might have sent.

Game after game, night after night, play after play, he texts. Before Tuesday, he had texted different players with different messages. He texts video coach Nigel Kirwan, who in turn forwards Fleming's observations to Boucher.

"He texts all sorts of things," Boucher said. "Congratulations. X's and O's. 'This guy is too high.' 'That guy might be sleeping a little bit.' "

And is he usually correct?

"Always," Boucher said.

A puck is waiting for Fleming, by the way. When the Lightning beat Pittsburgh in Game 7 in the first round, Boucher made sure to collect the puck for Fleming, just to remind him of his ongoing contributions.

"We talk about it as a team," Boucher said. "You can't hide it. The man is going through hell. It's all about fighting and believing. I know this: If it comes down to fight, he'll beat it."

Again, what else would you expect? Fleming coached the penalty kill, after all, which is sports' ultimate underdog unit. The very nature of a penalty kill is overcoming odds, standing up to pressure, overcoming difficult situations. Yeah, this qualifies.

A man spends 30 years on a sheet of ice and there are a lot of ways to define him. You could talk about Fleming's knowledge, or the stories he tells, or the places he has been.

Or you could put it this way: Tuesday morning, every player who talked about their assistant coach did the darndest thing. He smiled.

"He's the life of our locker room," Steven Stamkos said.

"He's a great man, a caring man," Marty St. Louis said. "He'll make you laugh if you're having a bad day."

As descriptions of a man's character go, that one isn't bad, is it?

It was late in the regular season when Boucher began to notice a difference in Fleming. He went home sick one day, and he was dizzy the next, and something seemed wrong. Still, Fleming knew about his tumor two weeks before he told Boucher. Even then, he didn't want the players to know about his condition because he didn't want it to be a distraction.

It is a sobering collection of words, "cancer" and "brain surgery." Still, he is a hockey man. For three decades Fleming has traveled the globe to wring a little bit more out of his players. He has worked for six NHL teams, and in Switzerland and Germany and Russia. He has won a gold medal in the Olympics.

With the Lightning and Boucher, their impossibly young head coach, Fleming has been a perfect fit. Oh, Boucher worried at first, because some coaches grow more rigid as their experience grows. By his nature, Boucher skates outside of convention, and he didn't want an assistant who would hold him back.

Fleming is the opposite. He loves hockey outside the box, and the two have melded perfectly. Fleming is his older adviser — his Monte Kiffin, if you will.

Tuesday morning, Boucher imagined what instructions Fleming would have for his surgeon.

"He would say, 'I'll see you later, and I'll be standing up,' " Boucher said, grinning.

Fleming is funny that way, sly and dry, witty enough to get his digs in before the victim realizes he has been dug.

"He's the kind of guy who will say "That's a smart, smart idea,' " Boucher said. "And then he won't say anything else, and finally you realize 'He's laughing at me.' Or he'll say, 'That's a good idea. Let's see how many times that doesn't work.' "

Boucher talked to Fleming on Sunday night. He texted him Monday and again Tuesday morning. Good luck, he said. Everyone is praying for you, he said. He used the words people use when words aren't big enough.

Now that he is talking, Fleming will soon choose words of his own.

Anyone want to guess how long it will take him to get around to talking about hockey?

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

TAMPA — Dwayne Roloson slides across the net to block a point-blank shot with the toe of his right skate, and you start to wonder.

Marty St. Louis fights to control the puck in the corner before sending a precision pass to Vinny Lecavalier in front of the net, and you begin to ponder.

A group of tired, happy hockey players stand at mid ice with their sticks aloft in victory, and you finally allow yourself to imagine the unimaginable.

Why not Tampa Bay?

And why not now?

It has been so long since the Lightning had a starring role in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the tendency was to approach this postseason with raised eyebrows and lowered expectations.

But after watching them outhustle, outsmart and outscore the No. 1 seeded Capitals for a third consecutive game, perhaps it is time to reassess possible destinations for this somewhat rag tag group of Lightning players.

"There's never a better time than now," said St. Louis, who now has five goals and six assists this postseason. "The higher you shoot, the better result you're going to get. You can't be content. You have to set your goals high.

"That's the way a lot of guys think in here."

Now it's not like anyone in the Lightning locker room is looking beyond Game 4 tonight. In fact, they are almost fanatical in their insistence that this series is not over, despite Tuesday night's 4-3 victory and Tampa Bay's 3-0 series lead.

But it would probably be fair to say there is a new confidence in the locker room. A sense that something special has been discovered, and it has led to a new outlook on the future.

For, make no mistake, this is a new level. A completely different gear. The Lightning had one six-game winning streak during the regular season, and that one involved three shootouts and opponents from places such as Columbus, Atlanta, Florida and Toronto.

This, on the other hand, is a six-game winning streak in April and May. Against two higher-seeded teams, including the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference. With four of those games on the road.

"I just sense that all the boys are in the boat right now. There's nobody swimming on his own anymore. Everybody is inside, and we're all rowing in the same direction," St. Louis said. "That's what it feels like.

"When you do that, you get places. And we've done that. But every day we have to get back into that boat again and row together. You miss one guy, and that boat might not go straight."

If you're still doubtful, think about what it takes to win in the postseason.

Hot goaltender? Check. Proven scorers? Check. Excellent special teams? Check. Role players emerging from the shadows? Check.

This is Roloson playing Nikolai Khabibulin. It is Sean Bergenheim playing Ruslan Fedotenko. This is St. Louis and Lecavalier playing, well, St. Louis and Lecavalier.

"We're learning, and we're bonding," Bergenheim said. "It's a pretty obvious thing that happens in the playoffs especially when guys haven't played much playoff hockey before."

What's most remarkable is how this team has suddenly learned to play when the air is thin and the nerves are twitching. Remember how this team struggled early on in the third period of the Pittsburgh series? The Lightning gave up the winning score in the third period or overtime in three of the first four games of that series.

Those are the type of losses that are supposed to devastate a young team. The kind of losses that are called learning experiences for next season.

Yet this Lightning team is learning on some kind of super curve. During this six-game winning streak, Tampa Bay has scored the winner in the third period or overtime in three games. In two others, the Lightning has held tight to a one-goal lead.

"They are uncanny when they want to get a goal," Capitals wing Mike Knuble said. "It's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch.

"It leaves you flabbergasted."

You can say the Lightning has been incredibly fortunate, and who could argue that?

Go back to the Pittsburgh series and you can point out Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were on the shelf.

In this series, the Capitals have had two goals disallowed, and the Lightning has had three goals scored on ricochets off skates.

But you can also say the Lightning has been the more composed team. You can say the Lightning has been the better-coached team. You can say, after three consecutive victories, the Lightning has gotten exactly what it earned.

"We have a lot of character in this room. We all believe in each other. We know we can come back from anything," forward Nate Thompson said.

"But listen, guys, this is still far from over."

True, but that doesn't mean you can't wonder about what's still ahead.

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