Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Cubs 5, Dodgers 1

LOS ANGELES — Carlos Zambrano outpitched former teammate Ted Lilly with eight solid innings, and the Cubs scored all of their runs on homers by Geovany Soto, former Ray Carlos Peña and Marlon Byrd. Zambrano gave the Dodgers a dose of payback after his 7-3 loss to them April 24 at Wrigley Field. Lilly allowed three or more home runs for the first time since July 4, 2001, with the Cubs, when Reds hit four off him.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Braves 8, Brewers 3

Game 1

ATLANTA — Tommy Hanson pitched six three-hit innings, Martin Prado had three RBIs and the Braves broke it open with a four-run sixth in the doubleheader opener. A day after rain wiped out the second game of the series, the teams played two in temperatures that dipped into the 40s.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

International Talk Live: 5 p.m. on MLB Network. Hosts Chris Rose and Kevin Millar discuss the hot baseball topics of the day.

Classic Kentucky Derby: 8 p.m. on ESPN Classic. A look back at some of the more recent classic Kentucky Derby races.

Sports Connection: 11 p.m. on BHSN (Ch. 47). A postgame report from the Rays-Blue Jays at Tropicana Field and the latest on the Lightning.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Soccer

Rout puts Man U in Champions final

MANCHESTER, England — After rolling past Schalke, Manchester United has a chance to avenge its loss to Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final.

Anderson scored twice as it beat Schalke 4-1 on Wednesday for a 6-1 aggregate victory in the Champions League semifinals.

Manchester United will seek its fourth title when it plays Barcelona, also a three-time champion, at Wembley Stadium on May 28. Barcelona won the 2009 final 2-0 in Rome.

"Barcelona plays extremely good football. It's going to be difficult," United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar said. "We have to make sure we learned our lesson from (two years ago); be better prepared and deal with them in a different way."

United coach Alex Ferguson used a lineup with mostly backups, retaining just three players from the starting 11 that lost to Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend. United, up by three points in England's top league, faces second-place Chelsea on Sunday.

Still, United had no problems with the German club. It had the largest margin of victory in the tournament's home-and-home, total-goals semifinal since AC Milan defeated Real Madrid 6-1 in 1989.

"I didn't sleep last night thinking about it," Ferguson said. "They did me proud."

Tennis

Federer ekes one out; Nadal, Djokovic cruise

Roger Federer rallied from down 5-2 in the third to beat Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (15-13), 6-7 (1-7), 7-6 (9-7) while Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic easily extended their win streaks to reach the round of 16 at the Madrid Open. Federer, No. 3 in the world, saved a match point in winning in 2 hours, 56 minutes and faces Xavier Malisse. Nadal, ranked No. 1, beat Marcos Baghdatis 6-1, 6-3 for his 35th consecutive win on clay and faces Juan Martin del Potro. Djokovic, ranked No. 2, moved to 28-0 this year by beating Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-4 and faces Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Clijsters out: Kim Clijsters, out since hurting her ankle while dancing at a wedding last month, withdrew from next week's Italian Open, a warmup for the French Open, which begins May 22.

Et cetera

Hockey: The Blues' Patrik Berg­lund scored twice to help Sweden end the first round of the world championships with a 6-2 win over the United States in Slovakia. The United States finished second in its group to qualify for the next round-robin stage, which starts Friday against Canada.

Figure skating: U.S. pairs champs Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin split a week after finishing sixth at the world championships. No reason was given. Yankowskas said she will look for a new partner while Coughlin said only he wants to stay involved in skating.

Politics: New Jersey's supreme court didn't halt the printing of Democratic primary ballots as ex-track star Carl Lewis was in court trying to become eligible for the state senate race June 7. He was taken off because he has not been a state resident for four years.

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nobody wanted to be No. 1.

No. 20 wasn't too popular, either.

Dialed In avoided both — the inside rail and far outside — at Wednesday's post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby.

He was made the 4-1 favorite for Saturday's race after drawing the favorable No. 8 post, prompting owner Robert LaPenta to cheer. Uncle Mo was the second choice in a full field of 20 horses.

Ten horses have won from the No. 8 position; the last, 50-1 shocker Mine That Bird two years ago.

"It's a big thing, and he deserves it," two-time Derby winner Nick Zito said of his horse's favored status. Dialed In has won three of four career races.

Three times in the past seven runnings the favorite has worn the garland of roses, most recently Big Brown in 2008.

"So far, so good," Zito said. "If he has another couple of good days we'll be happy. Things are doing all right."

Things haven't been quite so right for Uncle Mo, who drew the No. 18 post, three slots from the outside. The colt is being treated for a gastrointestinal infection, which was blamed for his stunning first-ever defeat in last month's Wood Memorial.

Owner Mike Repole has said if Uncle Mo isn't sufficiently recovered, he won't run in the 1¼-mile Derby. Trainer Todd Pletcher, however, said Uncle Mo might be able to win at less than his best.

"But we're committed to bringing him over there at 100 percent, anything less than that, we won't accept," he said.

Uncle Mo, last year's 2-year-old champion, jogged a mile around the dirt track at Churchill Downs and later stood in the starting gate to familiarize himself with the surroundings. He is scheduled to gallop today.

"I've always said I think he's the best horse of his generation," Pletcher said. "We proved that last year and identified what we thought was the reason for the poor performance in the Wood. I think if he shows up and he's the Uncle Mo from the Breeders' Cup or the Champagne or even the Timely Writer, he's the horse to beat."

Uncle Mo would have to overcome history. One horse since 1900 has come out of the No. 18 hole to win, Gato Del Sol in 1982.

Still, Pletcher and Repole were relieved to have avoided the rail.

"We had this overlying fear we were going to get the 1," the trainer said. "Once it was anything besides that, we were happy."

JOCKEY HURT: Jockey Robby Albarado was hospitalized for treatment of a facial injury after his mount tossed him off before the third race at Churchill Downs. Albarado was aboard Smoke'n Al when he got thrown forward and the horse stepped on him during the post parade.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball believes the Dodgers do not have enough money to make their end of May payroll, the Associated Press reported.

The Los Angeles Times first reported that the Dodgers lacked the cash to make the May 31 payroll. If the Dodgers don't have the money, MLB would step in and make payroll, the AP reported.

MLB is investigating the team's finances under owner Frank McCourt.

"We've been assured that all their obligations will be met," union head Michael Weiner told the AP.

Commissioner Bud Selig and the man he appointed to monitor the Dodgers, Tom Schieffer, were to meet today. McCourt said in a statement to the AP that he blamed the commissioner's office for any financial issues.

"The fact that we had obligations coming due in 2011 was no surprise to us and no surprise to Major League Baseball," he said.

McCourt has publicly complained that Selig has refused to approve a 17-year contract with Fox that could be worth more than $3 billion, a deal that would include a front-loaded payment of about $300 million. His lawyers sent a letter to MLB putting his complaints in writing, a precursor to a possible lawsuit.

In more Dodgers news, RF Andre Ethier was pulled from the starting lineup because of an inflamed left elbow, putting his 29-game hitting streak on hold, and closer Jonathan Broxton won't pitch until after an MRI exam of his aching right elbow.

BLUE JAYS: RF Jose Bautista, out with neck spasms, might be ready to return to the lineup Saturday. 2B Aaron Hill, on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring, had six at-bats in an extended spring training game and could be activated Sunday.

METS: RH reliever Pedro Beato went on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his pitching elbow. The contract of LHP Mike O'Connor was purchased from Triple-A Buffalo.

PADRES: 2B Orlando Hudson went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. INF Logan Forsythe, a 2008 first-round pick, was recalled from Triple-A Tucson.

PHILLIES: LHP J.C. Romero, out since April 19 with a right calf strain, was activated, and RHP David Herndon was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

RANGERS: Cuban defector Leonys Martin finalized a $15.5 million, five-year contract, and the speedy centerfielder could be in Texas' lineup before the end of this season.

REDS: OF Fred Lewis, out all season with strained muscles in his right side, was activated, and OF Jeremy Hermida was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. … RHP Johnny Cueto, out since mid March with a triceps injury, is scheduled to come off the disabled list and rejoin the rotation Saturday. RHP Mike Leake will likely head to the bullpen.

TIGERS: RHP Joel Zumaya is scheduled to have exploratory elbow surgery next week and is expected to miss the season. The reliever hasn't pitched since fracturing his elbow June 28.

TWINS: DH Jim Thome went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle. Backup OF Jason Repko also went on the DL with a sore quadriceps.

YANKEES: RHP Phil Hughes, out with a tired arm, felt better after receiving a cortisone shot in his shoulder last week but is still at least six to eight weeks away from rejoining the rotation.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department wants to know why the NCAA doesn't have a Division I-A football playoff system and says there are "serious questions" about if the BCS complies with antitrust laws.

In a letter released Wednesday, the department's antitrust chief, Christine Varney, asked NCAA president Mark Emmert why a playoff system isn't used in football, unlike in other sports; what steps the NCAA has taken to create one; and if Emmert believes there are aspects of the BCS system that don't serve the interest of fans, schools and players. "Your views would be relevant in helping us to determine the best course of action," she wrote.

Varney noted the attorney general of Utah has said he plans an antitrust suit against the BCS.

The NCAA said it will respond when it receives the letter.

Boise State: The school self-imposed penalties for 22 violations. It will have three fewer football practices before openers in 2011 and 2012 and have three fewer scholarships over the next two seasons. The violations, committed over the past four years, include coaches organizing low-cost summer housing and transportation for potential football players, and tennis and track athletes getting meals and housing. The NCAA can accept the punishments or hand down stiffer ones after a hearing set for June 10.

'cane suspended: Miami defensive tackle Jeffrey Brown was arrested and charged with sexual battery and suspended indefinitely. Police in Coral Gables said Brown, who redshirted last season, forced sex on an intoxicated woman in her dorm room on April 30. He was being held on $10,000 bond.

Basketball: The rules committee recommended two changes to take effect this season. For men, it wants an arc 3 feet from the basket from where a defender cannot take a charge. For the women, it wants to move the 3-point line back 1 foot to 20 feet, 9 inches, the same as the men's. … Gonzaga starting point guard Demetri Goodson will transfer in order to play football. No destination has been determined. … LSU has an oral commitment from 5-foot-11 point guard Anthony Hickey, who was named Kentucky's Mr. Basketball. … Florida women received an oral commitment from Boone County (Ky.) High power forward Sydney Moss, the daughter of NFL receiver Randy Moss.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

TAMPA — The favorite has been flabbergasted.

The top-seeded Capitals, who entered Wednesday's Game 4 down three games to none in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Lightning, were having trouble explaining how they were on the brink of an early playoff exit for the fourth consecutive season.

As the pressure mounted, coach Bruce Boudreau was asked Tuesday if he's worried if his job is on the line. (For the record, he said it was a "stupid question.") Whether a change is coming remains to be seen, but Washington took responsibility for the hole it put itself in.

Boudreau said his team panicked during Tuesday's 4-3 loss, that the fifth-seeded Lightning outworked it while rallying from a third-period deficit. Defenseman Karl Alzner said it got "complacent" after taking a one-goal lead. Superstar Alex Ovechkin said the Capitals had "all three games in our hands but we lost all three."

That's what has been frustrating to Washington; that it has outshot — and in some cases outplayed — Tampa Bay but blown leads in two games partially due to self-inflicted mistakes. (A bad line change led to Tampa Bay's overtime winner in Game 2). Alzner said the Capitals have yet to play a full 60 minutes and pointed to a resilient Lightning team that has become opportunistic.

"They never say die," Alzner said. "They're doing all the things you need to do to be successful, and we're not doing enough of them right now."

This was supposed to be, as Lightning coach Guy Boucher called it, "David vs. Goliath," the four-time defending Southeast Division champion Capitals against the "new kids on the block." Boucher said before the series that Washington was the "powerhouse," and boasting firepower such as Ovechkin and Alexander Semin, if the Capitals lost the series, it would be considered a "failure."

This Capitals team was supposedly more prepared for a playoff run than its predecessors, having altered its style midseason to a defensive-minded, tighter game. It was at its best in the third period this season and 29-0-3 when it had a lead going into the final 20 minutes. That was before Tampa Bay outshot it 15-5 and overcame a 3-2 deficit in Tuesday's Game 3.

"I think overall we know exactly what they're going to do," Boudreau said. "In the end, it becomes one-on-one battles, winning loose pucks and the will to get the pucks. And I think they might have been a little stronger than us in the third periods in all three games in that department. And that's been the difference."

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

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

TAMPA — Ever since veteran defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron was inserted into the lineup in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, Tampa Bay has yet to lose.

The Lightning is 7-0, including coming back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Penguins and sweeping the top-seeded Capitals.

"I'd like to believe it's only me," Bergeron said, laughing. "I'm not that dumb."

But in Wednesday's 5-3 victory over Washington, Bergeron played a pivotal role. His power-play goal, a sizzling slap shot from the high slot 5:07 into the third, gave the Lightning a two-goal lead and proved to be the winner.

And it put a big smile on the face of Bergeron, who hadn't scored in more than two months.

"It was great," he said. "That's why we're here. That's why we put on the jersey. It's an awesome feeling."

It was the kind of goal — and moment — the Lightning envisioned when signing Bergeron, 30, as a free agent in January. Bergeron, a power-play specialist with a spectacular shot, gave Tampa Bay another weapon with the man advantage. And Bergeron, coming off surgery for a torn right ACL, picked the Lightning because he believed it could lengthen his shortened season with a playoff run.

But he scored just two goals in 23 games, the second on Feb. 19, and was getting frustrated. It didn't help that he was a spectator for the first four postseason games due to a back injury.

"It wasn't easy," Bergeron said. "But I wasn't healthy."

However, Bergeron picked a good time to strike, sending a shot through the blocker side of Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth on Wednesday.

"That's why we went and got him," coach Guy Boucher said. "That perfect, knee-level shot that I saw him do last year many times with the Canadiens."

Bergeron finally cracked the Lightning lineup for Game 5 against the Penguins as Boucher decided to go with seven defensemen and 11 forwards, a setup he used often during the regular season. And the fact Bergeron came up with a huge goal Wednesday didn't surprise Boucher but instead symbolized what he believed the playoff run has been all about: Everybody contributes.

"What makes (the goal) important is that there's a guy who hasn't scored in a while. And when you get that, it certainly has a tendency to give you wings and make the players feel that we're even stronger than we were a minute before," Boucher said.

"I'm really happy for him, and the players were really happy for him, too. You could see it on the bench."

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

By Greg Auman and Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writers
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — It's only one small part of the Rays' turnaround from an 0-6 start, but Tampa Bay catchers have markedly improved against opposing baserunners, throwing out a would-be basestealer four games in a row for the first time since 2005.

Rays catchers failed to throw out the first 15 opponents who tried to steal, then threw out eight of the next 17, including John Jaso throwing out Adam Lind in the eighth inning of Tuesday night's walkoff win against the Blue Jays.

Jaso said the credit for the improvement should also go to the pitching staff, which has made an effort to get the ball to the plate more quickly to take pressure off the catcher.

"It's good to hear when you come into the dugout and the pitcher is saying, 'I had a feeling he was going and I tried to quicken it up.' That is a good feeling," Jaso said. "That takes a lot of pressure off us. To see that runner almost to the bag by the time we're exchanging the ball, we try to speed things up and that's when we get into trouble."

Rays manager Joe Maddon agreed, saying the key to catching a baserunner often isn't the throw to second but the pitch that precedes it.

"When a pitcher's slow to the plate … right away, man, you're going overdrive, the alarm goes off, all the sudden your mechanics break down and it's a bad throw," he said. "So it really begins with the pitcher. Everybody always wants to criticize catchers. Sometimes it is the catcher's fault, of course it is. For the most part, you steal bases off the pitcher. We send runners based on the pitcher, not based on the catcher."

LUCKY BREAK: The Rays were fortunate to play this series with Toronto without having to face Jays star Jose Bautista, who entered Wednesday's game leading the AL in average (.357) and home runs (nine) but has sat out with neck spasms.

"Right now, he's one of the most dangerous hitters in either league. There's no question about that," Maddon said. "(Tuesday) night's game probably was impacted by him not playing, no doubt. I kept saying how many games we could won had Longo (Evan Longoria) been present. I don't know. That's why roster depth is so important. … You're going to miss somebody good at some point. You've got to be able to fill in that gap."

MISCELLANY: In the fourth inning Wednesday night, Toronto announced it was scratching today's scheduled starter Ricky Romero due to a mild strained oblique muscle. The Jays will start rookie RHP Kyle Drabek, the son of former major-leaguer Doug Drabek, who has never faced the Rays. … 1B Casey Kotchman stole second base in the fifth inning, his first with the Rays. In 682 career games, Kotchman has just 10 steal attempts, but he has been successful on nine of them. … The announced attendance of 10,099 is the Rays' second-lowest of the season at Tropicana Field. The lowest came April 14 with 10,042 against the Twins; Tuesday's game is now the third-lowest at 10,248.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.

By Greg Auman and Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writers
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays RHP Jeff Niemann, pulled in the fourth inning of Wednesday's loss to Toronto as a precaution due to tightness in his back, said he'll be evaluated today to determine the severity of the injury.

"It just kind of kept getting tighter and tighter … it kind of just kept gradually getting worse and worse out there," said Niemann, who gave up six hits and three runs and dropped to 1-4 with the loss. "The decision was to come out. … The big day is (today). (We'll) see where we are and go from there."

Niemann spent time on the disabled list late last season with a strained shoulder. He hasn't had the same success on the mound this spring with a 5.74 ERA. His previous start had been his best this season, holding Minnesota to two hits and one run in seven innings.

On Wednesday, his velocity was down around 90 mph — manager Joe Maddon said he prefers it in that range — and he gave up a two-run homer to Blue Jays 1B Adam Lind in the first inning.

"The back tightened up and he just did not feel like he could go back out there, so we had to do something," Maddon said. "There was no indication of that until that moment. … He gave up the home run to Lind but otherwise he was in pretty good shape."

GLAD FOR A HIT: LF Sam Fuld was mired in a 2-for-36 slump when he came up with two on and two outs in the ninth, trailing 3-1. He hit a single off the glove of Jays 2B John McDonald, bringing in a run and putting the tying run at third base for the Rays.

"I've been obviously struggling a little bit, trying to get a few hits," Fuld said. "I didn't really care how I got on. I just wanted to keep the rally going."

Fuld's batting average peaked at .396 on April 18, but it since has dropped to .264 as he has hit .155 over his past 14 games.

LINEUP SHIFT: Maddon tweaked his lineup, moving Ben Zobrist into the No. 2 hole and moving Johnny Damon down to No. 3 for the first time this season, with Evan Longoria batting cleanup in his second game back from the disabled list.

Zobrist reached base twice on a walk and a double, scoring the Rays' first run, and Damon went 2-for-4. Longoria didn't get many pitches he could hit, drilling a double off the wall in leftfield and walking twice.

MISCELLANY: In the fourth inning, Toronto announced it was scratching today's scheduled starter, Ricky Romero, due to a mild strained oblique muscle. The Jays will start rookie RHP Kyle Drabek, who has never faced the Rays. He is the son of former major-leaguer Doug Drabek. … 1B Casey Kotchman stole second base in the fifth inning, his first steal with the Rays. In 682 career games, Kotchman has just 10 steal attempts, but he has been successful on nine of them. … The announced attendance of 10,099 is the Rays' second-lowest of the season at Tropicana Field. The lowest came April 14 with 10,042 against the Twins; Tuesday's game against the Jays is now the third-lowest at 10,248.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Pirates 7, Padres 4

SAN DIEGO — Ryan Doumit's grand slam highlighted a six-run third, and Kevin Correia beat his old team as the Pirates took two of three in the series. Pittsburgh has won five road series, one more than all of last season, and has 11 road wins. Last year the Pirates didn't get their 11th until June 28. The Padres are a major-league-worst 5-13 at home.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Phillies 7, Nationals 4

PHILADELPHIA — Vance Worley pitched six sharp innings and Raul Ibanez homered and had three hits for the Phillies. Worley, filling in for the injured Joe Blanton, struck out a career-high seven in his fourth start in the majors. NL East-leading Philadelphia has won 10 of 13. Ibanez is 5-for-7 since snapping an 0-for-35 slump with two doubles Tuesday.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Tigers 4, Yankees 0

DETROIT — Max Scherzer pitched eight dominant innings and Magglio Ordonez homered for the first time this season to lead the Tigers. Ordonez went in batting .169 with one extra-base hit in 77 at-bats but had two hits, including a two-run homer in the third that gave Detroit a four-run lead. Scherzer allowed a leadoff single to Derek Jeter in the first then retired 10 straight, striking out four in a row at one point. The Tigers have won their past two games since a seven-game losing streak.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Giants 2, Mets 0

NEW YORK — Tim Lincecum struck out 12 to give him 29 double-digit strikeout games, passing Christy Mathewson for most in Giants history, and former Ray Pat Burrell hit a tiebreaking single. Burrell, who has career bests of 42 homers and 106 RBIs against the Mets, put San Francisco ahead in the sixth as the world champions won two in a row for the first time since April 18-19.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

NEW YORK — Titans backup quarterback Chris Simms was acquitted Wednesday of driving while high on marijuana, winning a case he said stemmed from a police officer's mistake.

"I'm really just happy it's all over with," a relieved but politely indignant Simms said as he left a Manhattan courthouse with his wife, Danielle. "I love the NYPD, and I'm mad that this happened."

Jurors, who deliberated for about an hour in the misdemeanor case, declined to comment.

Simms, 30, a former Buc and the son of former Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was arrested around 1 a.m. July 1 at a police sobriety checkpoint in downtown Manhattan. He was heading home to New Jersey after going out to dinner with his wife and two friends.

A police officer told jurors that Simms' vehicle reeked of marijuana and that Simms was "like a zombie." Officer Francisco Acosta testified that Simms slurred his words and said there wasn't any marijuana in the car because "he smoked it all."

Simms denied the allegations, and he said the officer misunderstood his remark.

"The comment I made to the officer is that there was someone in the car who smoked marijuana," said Simms, who didn't testify. "I said, 'You're way off base. I'm 30 years old, and I already have a 4-year-old at home.' "

Talib case moving forward in Texas

TAMPA — A Dallas County grand jury on May 18 will hear evidence in the Texas shooting incident two months ago involving Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib, according to his attorney, Frank Perez.

Talib is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

Garland, Texas police say Talib attempted to pistol whip Shannon Billings, the live-in boyfriend of Talib's sister, Saran, on March 21. According to arrest warrants, Talib's mother, Okolo, arrived at the scene and fired several shots at Billings. That's when Talib acquired the handgun from his mother and also fired shots at Billings, who was not injured.

Okolo Talib also faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.

The Bucs are expected to release Talib, but NFL teams are not allowed to make transactions during the lockout.

mendenhall clarifies: Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall wrote a "clarification" of his comments made on Twitter regarding the death of Osama bin Laden.

In a blog post, he wrote that he does not support bin Laden, and that he aimed clear things up for himself and the team.

On Monday, Pittsburgh's leading rusher 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. … "

On Wednesday, he wrote: "I am not in support of bin Laden, or against the USA. I understand how devastating 9/11 was to this country and to the people whose families were affected. … Nothing I said was meant to stir up controversy."

Mandich honored: The Dolphins said Jim Mandich, their longtime broadcaster and former tight end who died last week at 62, will be inducted into the team's honor roll. About 2,500 attended a tribute Wednesday, including Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. Mandich will be the 22nd honor roll member. Also attending were Dolphins Hall of Famers Bob Griese, Nick Buoniconti, Dwight Stephenson and Larry Little.

Tafoya leaves mnf for NBC: In a move that had been rumored, former Monday Night Football sideline reporter Michele Tafoya has left ESPN to join NBC's Sunday Night Football in the same capacity.

bills: As the team reorganizes its personnel department, chief scout Tom Modrak was fired.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Rays vs. Blue Jays

When/where: 1:10 p.m. today; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Starting pitchers:

RAYS: LH David Price (3-3, 3.95)

BLUE JAYS: RH Kyle Drabek (2-1, 4.45)

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

Watch for …

No Bautista: Jays slugger Jose Bautista had two home runs off Price the last time they faced off and has a .421 lifetime average against him, but he will remain sidelined by neck spasms. He's expected to return this weekend.

Bouncing back: Price is coming off one of his worst starts, giving up a career-high 12 hits and lasting just 41/3 innings (matching his shortest home start ever) in an 8-5 loss to the Angels. He has won seven of his eight career starts against the Blue Jays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Drabek

None have faced

Blue Jays vs. Price

Aaron Hill 4-for-20

Adam Lind 5-for-24, 7 Ks

Juan Rivera 4-for-12, HR, 3 RBIs

On deck

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, 4.76)

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Tribute of the day

The travel theme for the Rays' trip to Baltimore will pay tribute to the military unit responsible for the death of Osama bin Laden. Players and coaches will wear shirts that read "Navy SEAL Team 6. "Just a tribute to their teamwork that enabled them to carry out their mission," manager Joe Maddon said. "Teamwork being involved in what we do on a daily basis, you see the Lightning doing right now, you see the Bucs do, and you see the military do. The military is such a big part of our community here. It's such a tribute to them, their training and their attitude, the difficult odds they're working against all the time."

All in the family

B.J. Upton's walkoff home run Tuesday came a few hours before brother Justin hit an eighth-inning homer to give the Diamondbacks a 4-3 win over the Dodgers. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time brothers hit winning homers on the same day was Sept. 28, 1996, when Sandy Alomar hit one for Cleveland and brother Roberto did the same for Baltimore.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

TAMPA — Another solid regular season sent down the drain by another postseason failure.

The Capitals thought this was the year they would finally get over the hump and win their first Stanley Cup, but they became the first No. 1 seed to be swept out of the first or second round of the playoffs since the current playoff format began in 1994.

"Not really much you can say," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "They're down in the dumps. I'm down in the dumps."

The Capitals overhauled their system this season from a wide-open team to one that relies on defense. Along the way, the Capitals, who have won four consecutive Southeast Division crowns, acquired veterans to provide leadership in hopes of finally breaking through in the playoffs after losing Game 7s at home each of the past three seasons.

Now one has to wonder if Boudreau, who is 17-20 in the playoffs, and GM George McPhee will lose their jobs and if the team will undergo massive changes.

"I hope not," captain Alex Ovechkin said. "This locker room is unbelievable. Everyone supports one another. I hope this team will be the same next year. … I don't know what to say."

GIVING CREDIT: The Capitals beat the Lightning four times in six regular-season games, including once in a shootout. In winning this Eastern Conference semifinal in a four-game sweep, was the Lightning just a flat-out better team?

"They just beat us in four straight, so I think they were," Boudreau said. "It wasn't by a big margin, but we're still done in four games, so I'd have to say they were better."

WHO ARE THOSE GUYS? The Capitals will have a long offseason to relive the sweep, and it won't be Tampa Bay's stars who keep popping up in their nightmares.

"I don't know if we got beat by (Marty) St. Louis and (Vinny) Lecavalier as much as the other guys," the Capitals' Mike Knuble said. "They were out of their minds."

Knuble was talking specifically about Sean Bergenheim, Steve Downie and Dominic Moore. Those three forwards combined for six goals and seven assists in the four games.

MISCELLANY: The Lightning once again played without LW Simon Gagne and D Pavel Kubina. Neither has played since leaving Friday's Game 1 with apparent head injuries. There is no timetable for their returns. … The Capitals were without D Mike Green, who suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday's Game 3. ... The Lightning outscored the Capitals 6-2 during the third periods of the series.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Staying dedicated

Lightning players said they dedicated their first-round playoff victory over the Penguins to assistant coach Wayne Fleming, right, who is recovering in an Irvine, Calif., hospital after surgery for a malignant brain tumor. But D Randy Jones said, "The dedication didn't stop because we were done with Round 1. We're playing this entire playoffs for Flemmer. He's in a pretty big battle right now and we're doing whatever we can to support him. He's in our thoughts and prayers, and we're playing for him. This is a big family and he's part of it. Your thoughts and prayers are with him, and you're thinking about him, but he'd want us to focus 100 percent and work hard, and that's what we have to do."

Back at you

With the Capitals, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing this semifinal series three games to none and on the verge of another early playoff exit entering Wednesday, coach Bruce Boudreau was asked if he believed his job was on the line. "Is your job on the line?" Boudreau retorted. Presumably the answer was no. "Then I don't want to answer that."

Quote to note

"You focus on what that team has done in the past and what they've been, and you'll be lost in what you're supposed to do now. If the Red Sox would have thought that their 40-year (World Series championship) drought was going to last another 100 years, they never would have won. I'm a big believer in today is today. It's a choice we make to act on it."

Lightning coach Guy Boucher, on being in the moment

Three stars

SEAN BERGENHEIM: The Lightning wing continued his hot postseason with a pair of second-period goals. He leads the Lightning with seven.

DOMINIC MOORE: The Lightning's so-called checking center added to his point total with three assists. He has nine helpers in the postseason.

STEVE DOWNIE: The Lightning wing had two more assists and is tied with Teddy Purcell for the team lead with 10.

Number of the day

3 Players since 2003 with more multigoal playoff games than Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier's six: The Sharks' Patrick Marleau (seven), the Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg (eight) and the Blackhawks' Marian Hossa (eight).

Tickets

An announcement about Eastern Conference final tickets will be made shortly. Whether the Lightning plays the Bruins or Flyers, it will again be the lower-seeded team and host Games 3 and 4 and a potential Game 6. Dates are to be determined.

The series Lightning wins 4-0

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.

Game 4, Lightning 5, Capitals 3: Lightning gets two more goals from Sean Bergenheim, both in the second period; the first gives it a lead it never relinquishes.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

BOSTON — Zdeno Chara and David Krejci scored in the opening 63 seconds, and the Bruins added two more goals in a 95-second span in the second to beat the Flyers 5-1 Wednesday and take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

It's the same position Boston was in last year before losing four straight games — and the series — to the Flyers.

"We're happy, but we can't get too high in the playoffs," said Patrice Bergeron, who set up Chara's goal 30 seconds into the game for his 10th assist of the postseason. "We're going to celebrate, but we're going to get right back to work and make sure we work Friday because Philly is not going to quit."

Tim Thomas made 37 saves for Boston, which hasn't reached the conference final since 1992. Whoever wins this series will have home-ice advantage against the fifth-seeded Lightning.

Brian Boucher stopped 16 shots for the Flyers before he was replaced with 4:46 left in the second after Daniel Paille and Nathan Horton scored to make it 4-0. Sergei Bobrovsky made seven saves the rest of the way.

"It's not the start that we envisioned. You want to get off to a good start, and it didn't happen," Boucher said. "It's my job to try to stop the puck, and after that, we settled down a bit. It's 2-0, and it got away from us there late in the second. It's definitely disappointing."

The Bruins came back to Boston after taking the first two games in Philadelphia to steal home-ice advantage and jumped right on the Flyers.

Boucher made the initial save on Boston's first charge, but the puck wound up in the net. Bergeron dug it out and passed it in front to Chara, who slapped it into the net just 30 seconds in. Only 33 seconds later, with the crowd still celebrating the first goal, Horton helped set up Krejci to make it 2-0.

The goals were the fastest allowed by the Flyers at the start of a playoff game in franchise history. It was the fastest a team had scored two goals to start a playoff game since the Red Wings did it in 61 seconds against Phoenix in 1998, according to STATS LLC.

First Period—1, Boston, Chara 1 (Marchand, Bergeron), :30. 2, Boston, Krejci 5 (Lucic, Horton), 1:03. Penalties—Lucic, Bos (goaltender interference), 9:00; Bergeron, Bos (hooking), 19:44.

Second Period—3, Boston, Paille 1 (Campbell, Boychuk), 13:39. 4, Boston, Horton 5 (Krejci, Chara), 15:14. 5, Philadelphia, Meszaros 2 (Powe, Carcillo), 16:26. Penalties—O'Donnell, Phi, major (fighting), 3:31; Horton, Bos, major (fighting), 3:31; van Riemsdyk, Phi (high-sticking), 7:05; Timonen, Phi (hooking), 17:29.

Third Period—6, Boston, Chara 2 (Krejci, Seidenberg), 18:38 (pp). Penalties—Richards, Phi (hooking), 18:06; Coburn, Phi (cross-checking), 18:14. Shots on Goal—Philadelphia 12-14-12—38. Boston 10-12-6—28. Power-play opportunities—Philadelphia 0 of 2; Boston 1 of 4. Goalies—Philadelphia, Boucher 4-4-0 (20 shots-16 saves), Bobrovsky (15:14 second, 8-7). Boston, Thomas 7-3-0 (38-37). A—17,565 (17,565).

Setoguchi's OT goal puts Sharks up 3-0

DETROIT — Devin Setoguchi scored 9:21 into overtime to cap a hat trick and give the Sharks a 4-3 victory over the Red Wings and 3-0 series lead.

Detroit allowed Dan Boyle to tie it with 4:08 left in regulation. And it failed to capitalize when Setoguchi went to the penalty box 5:14 into overtime. San Jose made it pay. Joe Thornton got the puck to Setoguchi at the top of the right circle for a wrister that beat Jimmy Howard.

Nicklas Lidstrom scored in the first for Detroit. It was his 29th playoff power-play goal, breaking Denis Potvin's record for defensemen and tying Mario Lemieux for fifth overall. His assist in the second was his 128th in the playoffs, tying Doug Gilmour for fifth.

First Period—1, San Jose, Setoguchi 2 (Thornton, Pavelski), 12:57 (pp). 2, Detroit, Lidstrom 2 (Zetterberg, Holmstrom), 19:38 (pp). Penalties—Clowe, SJ (interference), 6:29; Helm, Det (high-sticking), 11:55; Draper, Det (roughing), 16:07; I.White, SJ (tripping), 18:44.

Second Period—3, Detroit, Eaves 3 (Helm, Draper), 13:59. 4, San Jose, Setoguchi 3 (Boyle, Thornton), 14:49 (pp). 5, Detroit, Datsyuk 3 (Zetterberg, Lidstrom), 18:17 (pp). Penalties—Rafalski, Det (interference), 14:16; Setoguchi, SJ (holding), 16:33.

Third Period—6, San Jose, Boyle 1 (Wellwood, Mitchell), 15:52. Penalties—Hudler, Det (hooking), 6:22. First Overtime—7, San Jose, Setoguchi 4 (Thornton), 9:21. Penalties—Setoguchi, SJ (holding), 5:11. Shots on Goal—San Jose 11-8-16-3—38. Detroit 12-14-8-7—41. Power-play opportunities—San Jose 2 of 4; Detroit 2 of 4. Goalies—San Jose, Niemi 6-2-0 (41 shots-38 saves). Detroit, Howard 4-3-0 (38-34). A—20,066 (20,066).

Around the league: Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid, who crashed headfirst into the boards, spraining his neck, in Game 2, sat. … Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger missed his second game with what Philadelphia's 610-AM reported is a herniated disc. But center Jeff Carter returned after missing five games with a knee injury. … Predators center Steve Sullivan will sit tonight with a lower-body injury.