Times wires
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Dodgers 10, Pirates 3

PITTSBURGH — Matt Kemp hit a three-run homer and the Dodgers broke out of a lengthy hitting slump. Los Angeles had a season-high 15 hits, three each by Jamey Carroll and Aaron Miles, and won for just the second time in seven games. Andrew McCutchen hit two home runs for the Pirates.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Times wires
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

DETROIT — Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula scored less than two minutes apart in the third period, and the Red Wings rallied for a 3-1 victory over the Sharks on Tuesday, forcing a decisive seventh game after trailing 3-0 in their Western Conference semifinal series.

San Jose must win at home Thursday to avoid becoming the fourth NHL team to lose a best-of-seven series after leading 3-0.

San Jose's Logan Couture scored early in the third, but Zetterberg tied it with 9:22 remaining, and Filppula scored the winner with 7:28 left. Darren Helm added an empty-net goal.

"I thought we had a little dip there for three or four minutes after they scored," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "(Goalie Jimmy Howard) had to make a couple of saves. But we got our game going again, and we were right back on top of them."

Sharks coach Todd McLellan said his team was lucky to be in the game in the third.

"I thought one team skated and the other team didn't skate at all. That was pretty evident right through the first two periods," said McLellan, whose team was outshot 32-12 through 40 minutes. "We started to find some legs in the third. We were fortunate that our goaltender (Antti Niemi) gave us a chance to even be remotely involved in the game in the third period."

First Period—None. Penalties—Boyle, SJ (holding), 3:59; Demers, SJ (elbowing), 11:13; Hudler, Det (holding), 11:13; Kronwall, Det (holding), 14:19; Setoguchi, SJ (hooking), 14:51.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Mitchell, SJ (roughing), 4:35; Datsyuk, Det (holding, roughing), 4:35; Marleau, SJ (boarding), 10:39; Holmstrom, Det (goaltender interference), 11:32; Murray, SJ (tripping), 19:10.

Third Period—1, San Jose, Couture 5 (Heatley), 3:54. 2, Detroit, Zetterberg 2 (Kronwall, V.Filppula), 10:38. 3, Detroit, V.Filppula 2 (Datsyuk), 12:32. 4, Detroit, Helm 3, 18:55 (en). Penalties—Abdelkader, Det (holding), 13:14; Thornton, SJ (slashing), 19:50; Pavelski, SJ (roughing), 19:50; Couture, SJ (roughing), 19:50; Cleary, Det (roughing), 19:50; Stuart, Det (roughing), 19:50. Shots on Goal—San Jose 6-7-12—25. Detroit 18-14-13—45. Power-play opportunities—San Jose 0 of 4; Detroit 0 of 5. Goalies—San Jose, Niemi 6-5-0 (44 shots-42 saves). Detroit, Howard 7-3-0 (25-24).

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

CLEVELAND — There was a lot the Rays did to try to win Tuesday's rain-delayed game against the Indians, rallying three times to even the score.

But they did even more to lose it, from a rough start by Ohio native Andy Sonnanstine to a worse ending, Kyle Farns­worth walking Michael Brantley to force in the winning run in the ninth to seal the 5-4 walkoff walk defeat.

That was the season-high 11th walk for the Rays, who also made defensive miscues that allowed two runs to score in the sixth and missed several signs.

"Too many walks. And we made some mistakes that we can't make, also," manager Joe Maddon said. "They scored three runs — one on a passed ball, one on a bases-loaded walk and one where we failed to cover second. So out of the five runs they scored, three we kind of gave to them. And that's not our game."

The loss dropped the Rays to 20-15 and out of first place and snapped their team record-matching eight-game road winning streak.

The final inning didn't start well, as Joel Peralta walked Shin-Soo Choo on four straight balls then fell behind Carlos Santana, who eventually singled, sending Choo to third.

Maddon tried to manage the Rays out of the mess, intentionally walking Travis Hafner to load the bases then bringing in Elliot Johnson to switch to the five-man infield. They got one out when Reid Brignac made a leaping stab and fired home.

But Farnsworth went from 0-and-2 on Brantley to a full count to walking off the mound in defeat, allowing his first walk of the season to the 48th batter he faced.

"It was a fastball, and I threw it in the dirt," said Farnsworth. "It's just one of those things. You just got to hang with 'em."

The game — delayed 1:35 at the start more by the threat than actual rain — went back and forth, the Indians going ahead, the Rays battling to tie and turning three double plays to keep it close.

Grady Sizemore knocked Sonnanstine's third pitch over the rightfield wall. Matt Joyce, who finished the night leading the AL with a .356 average, tied it with an impressive counter shot in the fourth.

Sonnanstine allowed another homer to Brantley, and Joyce tied it again in the sixth, with a double that scored Ben Zobrist.

The Indians went ahead again with two in the sixth as the Rays got a little sloppy. That was after rookie reliever Brandon Gomes loaded the bases on a single and two walks and Juan Cruz knocked down but couldn't hold on to a liner, getting only the force at the plate.

A ground ball up the middle scored one run, as Zobrist grabbed it but Sean Rodriguez, starting at short, couldn't/didn't cover the base in time. "He still would have beat the throw even if I'm on the bag," Rodriguez said. "That's just a tough play."

Another scored on a passed ball by John Jaso, though at least it was somewhat amusing as Cruz's pitch bounced up and knocked a ball out of home plate umpire Dale Scott's bag, and it landed closer to the plate than the one Jaso chased after.

But the Rays came back and tied it again. Kelly Shoppach delivered one run on a pinch-hit single, and Evan Longoria tied it with a homer in the eighth.

Sonnanstine, making his first start in place of injured Jeff Niemann, didn't last as long as the weather delay, working only 31/3 innings, primarily because he walked five (the third straight Rays starter to do so), allowing two runs on four hits while throwing 68 pitches. He was fortunate that was all the damage, as the Rays turned a double play to get him out of further trouble in the first, and Travis Hafner was just foul on a drive that would have been a three-run homer in the third.

Maddon said the lack of command was his biggest issue: "It looked like he had his normal stuff, just not throwing it where he wanetd to.''

"I don't think the rain delay helped, but the command needs to be better,'' Sonnanstine said. "Other than the walks I felt like I competed in some tough situations and was happy about that.''

Sonnanstine grew up less than an hour from Cleveland but probably should keep his return visits social, as he is now 0-3 with a 9.68 ERA in four starts here.

"It's very frustrating," he said. "I'd like very much to perform well in front of family and friends and a lot of people who have touched my life and helped me get to where I am today. It's very frustrating.''

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 6

10 innings

TORONTO — Rookie David Cooper hit a one-out sacrifice fly in the 10th as the Blue Jays prevented the Red Sox from reaching .500 for the first time this season.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Cardinals 6, Cubs 4

CHICAGO — Daniel Descalso hit a two-out, bases-loaded single in the eighth off Kerry Wood and Albert Pujols had four hits, helping Chris Carpenter get his first win of the season for the Cardinals. Carpenter allowed 13 hits, all of them singles, over seven innings to get his first victory since Sept. 30 in his eighth start this season.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Brewers 8, Padres 6

MILWAUKEE — Jonathan Lucroy tied career highs with three hits and three RBIs and Shaun Marcum won his fourth straight decision, lifting the Brewers. Milwaukee built an 8-0 lead off Padres starter Clayton Richard, with every Brewers starter getting at least one hit, before having to hold on late.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

CHICAGO — Derrick Rose had 33 points, Luol Deng added 23 and the Bulls beat the Hawks 95-83 on Tuesday in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to take a 3-2 series lead.

Taj Gibson had 11 points, all in the fourth quarter. Rose also scored 11 in the fourth, when Chicago outscored Atlanta 26-15.

"Taj, man, he just doesn't know how good he is right now," Rose said. "Still young, still trying to learn the game, but he came in and did what he's supposed to do."

Chicago is one win from its first conference final since 1998, the year Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen wrapped up their second title three-peat.

Rose, the league's youngest MVP, hit 11 of 24 shots and had nine assists. In Game 4, he needed 32 shots to score 34.

That offset another strong night by Atlanta's Jeff Teague. Filling in for injured Kirk Hinrich, Teague delivered his third 21-point game of the series.

The Bulls led by 15 in the first quarter but trailed 70-69 early in the fourth before going on a 9-0 run. Rose started it when he drove to his left for a layup, fed Gibson a no-look pass in transition for a three-point play and added a layup to make it 78-70.

"We've prepared ourselves all season for moments like this," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "The playoffs are like this. They're hard-fought, a grind. You have to overcome things."

Bulls 95, Hawks 83

ATLANTA (83): Smith 6-14 4-4 16, Horford 6-13 0-0 12, Collins 0-0 0-0 0, Teague 8-11 5-7 21, Johnson 6-15 2-2 15, Crawford 1-9 0-0 2, Pachulia 5-6 3-4 13, Williams 1-2 0-0 2, Wilkins 0-0 0-0 0, Armstrong 0-0 0-0 0, Powell 1-1 0-0 2, Sy 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-71 14-17 83.

CHICAGO (95): Deng 8-18 7-7 23, Boozer 4-11 3-3 11, Noah 0-2 0-0 0, Rose 11-24 10-13 33, Bogans 4-7 0-0 11, Asik 0-0 0-2 0, Watson 1-2 0-0 2, Gibson 5-5 1-3 11, Korver 0-0 0-0 0, Brewer 2-3 0-0 4, Butler 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-72 21-28 95.

Atlanta 21 21 26 15— 83

Chicago 32 16 21 26— 95

3-Point Goals—Atlanta 1-12 (Johnson 1-5, Teague 0-1, Smith 0-2, Crawford 0-4), Chicago 4-14 (Bogans 3-5, Rose 1-5, Deng 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Atlanta 39 (Horford 10), Chicago 45 (Boozer 12). Assists—Atlanta 20 (Teague 7), Chicago 21 (Rose 9). Total Fouls—Atlanta 21, Chicago 16. Technicals—Smith, Atlanta defensive three second, Boozer, Chicago defensive three second. A—22,980 (20,917).

Thunder ties series in triple OT marathon

OKLAHOMA CITY — Less than 14 hours after a marathon in Memphis, the Thunder and Grizzlies tried to mix in some rest with a bit of working out.

The Thunder trailed Game 4 by 18 in the first half Monday night before rallying to take a 10-point lead in the fourth. But Memphis tied it on a late 3-pointer by Mike Conley.

Oklahoma City had chances to win in the final seconds of regulation, the first overtime and the second overtime before Kevin Durant finally took over to help tie the series at 2.

"It was a great win for us," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said Tuesday. " … It was a crazy environment."

Durant had six of his 35 points in the third overtime, and the Thunder scored the final 10 points. Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook scored 40. Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph scored 34.

BYNUM SORRY, SUSPENDED: Lakers center Andrew Bynum expressed remorse for his flagrant foul on Mavericks guard J.J. Barea during Sunday's Game 4, which finished Dallas' sweep of Los Angeles. Bynum will be suspended for five games next season. The league also fined him $25,000 for ripping off his jersey while heading to the locker room, so the suspension will cost more than $700,000. Bynum said, "I want to actually apologize to J.J. Barea for doing that. … All I can say is, I've looked at (a replay), it's terrible, and it definitely won't be happening again."

EXECUTIVE HONOR: Heat president Pat Riley and Bulls general manager Gar Forman shared the league's executive of the year award. Each received 11 votes; one executive from each of the 30 teams voted.

PACERS: Larry Bird is staying as team president after meeting with owner Herb Simon in Los Angeles. Bird was in the final year of his contract.

WARRIORS: The team plans to interview former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown and Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey for its coaching job, ESPN.com and the Contra Costa (Calif.) Times reported. The post might not be filled before the draft, June 23.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Orioles 7, Mariners 6

13 innings

BALTIMORE — Matt Wieters singled in the winner with two outs in the 13th, capping an Orioles comeback. After the Mariners went up in the top half, Baltimore scored twice against Brandon League.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Reds 7, Astros 3

HOUSTON — Homer Bailey pitched seven scoreless innings, Jay Bruce had a two-run homer and Joey Votto drove in three runs for the Reds. Bailey made his 2011 debut last week against the Astros, also a win. Votto had doubles in the first and second innings to drive in his runs and Bruce connected off starter Brett Myers in the first.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Rangers 7, Athletics 2

ARLINGTON, Texas — Colby Lewis pitched neatly into the eighth inning and slumping Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer for the Rangers. Lewis got 16 outs on fly balls and threw a season-high 115 pitches for Texas, which had lost seven of nine and 11 of 15. Beltre, who was given a night off Monday and had gone 4-for-31 over his previous nine games, connected in the fifth to chase starter Brett Anderson.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Mets 4, Rockies 3

DENVER — Mike Pelfrey hit a tiebreaking two-run double and held the Rockies to three solo homers, lifting the Mets. New York had lost all five games to Colorado this season but finally put together a couple of rallies against its new nemesis to counter home runs by Troy Tulowitzki, Seth Smith and Carlos Gonzalez.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Tigers 10, Twins 2

MINNEAPOLIS — Victor Martinez had three hits and four RBIs to lead the Tigers, who have won four straight and seven of eight overall. Jhonny Peralta's two-run homer in the second inning ended Francisco Liriano's bid for back-to-back no-hitters, and the left-hander's outing was over after three innings due to an illness. Brennan Boesch drove in two for the Tigers.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Angels 6, White Sox 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Alberto Callaspo drove in three runs and Maicer Izturis homered to lead the Angels. Joel Pineiro allowed two runs and eight hits over 72/3 innings in his third start. The right-hander, whose season was delayed because of a sore shoulder, struck out five and walked one in his home debut. White Sox starter John Danks gave up six runs and 10 hits in five innings, raising his ERA to 4.50. The left-hander has lost his first six decisions.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Giants 1, D'backs 0

SAN FRANCISCO — Cody Ross hit a game-ending RBI single, Tim Lincecum pitched another gem and the Giants earned their fourth straight victory. Ross' line-drive single down the third-base line off David Hernandez scored pinch-runner Darren Ford from second and sent the Giants pouring out of the dugout in celebration for their third last at-bat win in four games. Lincecum struck out nine and took a no-hitter into the sixth in another dominating start.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

All signs continue to point to the USF Bulls bringing in former Florida receiver Chris Dunkley this fall, as his coach at Pahokee High School said Wednesday morning that there is nothing to wait on except for USF receiving his formal transcript from Gainesville.

"Honestly, I believe it's going to happen with USF," said coach Blaze Thompson, noting that he continues to get calls from other programs interested in the former five-star recruit, who redshirted in his only season with the Gators.

Thompson said Cincinnati called about Dunkley on Wednesday, joining West Virginia and Marshall as schools that have expressed interest in Dunkley. Thompson said Dunkley has his final grades for the spring semester -- a grade-point average between 2.5 and 2.6, he said, which is enough to meet the NCAA requirements to transfer and accept a scholarship elsewhere. He said USF has confirmed his spring grades with Florida and is awaiting his official transcript, potentially the final hurdle to Dunkley signing scholarship papers with the Bulls.

Dunkley, 5-foot-11 and 174 pounds, was rated as the No. 8 receiver in the nation by Scout.com in 2009, choosing Florida over schools like Alabama, Georgia, Miami, West Virginia and Michigan.

USF is also in the mix for another Gators transfer, Bradenton Manatee running back Mike Blakely, who enrolled in Gainesville in January only to find the head coach, offensive coordinator and running backs coach had all changed from the coaching staff he signed with. USF has received a release to speak with Blakely, and Manatee coach Joe Kinnan said Wednesday morning that Florida granted Blakely a release to all schools except the rest of the SEC, Florida State and Miami.

Blakely, rated a four-star recruit by both Rivals and Scout, was one of the state's top running back recruits a year ago. Much like Notre Dame transfer Spencer Boyd, Blakely would have a full four years of eligibility at USF after sitting out his first season with the Bulls.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

A limited number of general admission tickets remain for new Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp's appearance at the Tampa Gator Club's Gator Gathering Thursday night. General admission tickets are $20.

The event will be held at the Raymond James Stadium (West Club) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Muschamp is expected to speak at 6:30 p.m.

Walk-ups will be allowed, but be aware that you may have to stand during the speech.

For more information on the event, go to the Tampa Gator Club website.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Will Muschamp grew up a huge Florida fan, regularly attended Florida football games with his family, loved former UF safety Tony Lilly, and by his own admission bled orange and blue.

But during his nine years growing up in Gainesville, Muschamp never attended one of the annual booster gatherings where Florida coaches give speeches and sign autographs.

Now he's not only attending, he's the star of the show.

Muschamp will continue his 10-city tour at a Gator Gathering Thursday in Tampa. He will be at Raymond James Stadium (West Club); he is scheduled to speak at about 6:30.

Muschamp's first Gator Gathering in Lakeland last month drew more than 1,000 fans. He received two standing ovations (when he took the stage, and following his speech), and he's been well-received all over the state.

The attendance numbers, he said, show that Florida fans are, well, fanatical.

"I'm glad they are," Muschamp said. "It just shows the passion and energy. I've said it before, I've been in the Swamp before on the wrong sideline. There's no better place to play college football than that environment you walk into. And a lot of that goes to the passion that our fans have."

When former Florida coach Urban Meyer first took over, he attended a record-number 22 booster club functions in his first season. Although the event was cut back drastically in subsequent seasons, it became too much of a chore for Meyer. In his final season he was on sabbatical and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio spoke at all Gator Gatherings.

Although it's still early in his tenure, Muschamp insists he considers traveling to meet and speak with fans and boosters a privilege. And the first-year Florida coach doesn't take the responsibility lightly.

"I think it's great," he said. "You want to be at a place like this. You want to coach at a place like Florida. The passion and the energy and the enthusiasm. When they get upset, heck I'm usually upset, too. I get it. I understand the expectations. I've got high expectations, too."

This may be his first job as a head coach, but Muschamp is not a rookie speaker on the booster circuit. As the head coach in waiting at Texas, he said he did "an awful lot" of speaking engagements with fans and boosters, which may explain why he has been so well-received so far.

"I think it's important to get out and see everybody," Muschamp said. "A lot of these folks are the ones sitting in the stands buying the tickets. So I think it's important to get out and see them."

When this is all over, Muschamp and his family will take a few weeks in the summer to hang out on the beach, spend time together and rejuvenate.

Yes, in that beach house he co-owns with Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher. The two now lead teams at schools that are bitter rivals but their friendship is intact and there are no plans for either to give up the house.

"We're fine," Muschamp said.

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Follow her coverage at gators.tampabay.com.

By Ernest Hooper, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Durant baseball coach Butch Valdes always says he's a teacher first, coach second.

This season, he has taught his players a lot about resiliency.

The Cougars (16-10) enter tonight's Class 5A Region Final against Lakeland High with quality pitchers, timely hitters, solid defense and a resolve steeled by repeatedly recovering from disappointment.

After Jefferson bounced the Cougars from the Saladino Tournament with a 10-1 victory in March, they bounced back with a 10-6 victory against Bloomingdale in their first game after the tournament.

After a crushing 1-0 loss to Armwood in April, they woke up the next morning and knocked off Plant City, then the district's top seed.

And after losing to underdog Riverview in the district championship game, the Cougars produced two playoff wins — including a 6-4 win over Riverview in a region semifinal rematch.

"If you look back at it, we've rebound and come back fighting the next game all season," said Valdes, a longtime high school assistant now in his third year as Durant's head coach. "They just go back to work. They don't quit, and they don't stop working.

"They weigh everything out and realize what they need to do."

Valdes credits this latest surge to practicing a simple fundamental, putting the ball in play and being smart on the base paths. It didn't hurt that he got a go-ahead two-run homer from Tyler Danish in the region semifinal win over Riverview.

• • •

Pitchers Trey Oest and Emilio Ogando also have aided Durant's playoff run. Ogando, a hard-throwing left-hander, threw a complete game shutout in the Cougars' 2-0 victory over Spring Hill Springstead in the regional quarterfinal last week.

He'll get the start tonight at Joker Marchant Stadium, spring training home of the Detroit Tigers.

"He's one of our stud horses right now," Valdes said of Ogando (.283, 1.99 ERA).

"He's throwing the ball real well, and he's swinging the bat real well."

Oest (.295, 11 RBIs) also is a threat on the mound and at the plate. He'll start at first base tonight.

Lakeland (24-4) will counter with a team typically among the state's best. Dreadnaughts coach Bob Gendron will go with pitcher Brad Lavozzetta (9-1), a right-handed junior Gendron calls "our money guy."

Offensively, Lakeland will look to lead-off hitter Kevin Wortman, (.493, .657 on-base percentage) to be the catalyst, while University of Central Florida commitment Eric Barber (.376, 32 RBIs) brings power from the No. 3 spot.

With a 13-4 victory against Lake Wales in the quarterfinal and a 7-4 win over Winter Haven in the semifinal, Gendron feels good about the way his team is playing.

"Everybody talks about peaking at the right time, and that's become reality for us," Gendron said. "We're not as familiar with Durant, so that makes this game a little more intriguing, but our guys are definitely ready to go. They're chomping at the bit."

Valdes recognizes the challenge Lakeland presents, but he gains confidence from the fact that Durant played in one of the state's toughest districts and has faced the county's best throughout the season.

Earlier this season, the National Association for Sports and Physical Education named Valdes the Southern District high school physical education teacher of the year.

Before coming to Durant, Valdes helped the Turkey Creek Middle School PE program earn national recognition.

He really is a teacher first, and after tonight's game, he may be teaching the Cougars how to handle a trip to the state final four in Port St. Lucie.

Ernest Hooper can be reached at hooper@sptimes.com.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Steve Duemig, the popular afternoon drive host on WDAE 620-AM, is staying with the station.

Despite saying he was "not happy'' with how he was treated during contract negotiations, Duemig, known as "The Big Dog,'' signed a new deal on Wednesday afternoon. Terms are not known, but it's believed to be a multi-year deal.

Duemig's former contract was set to expire on Sunday and the two sides did not appear close to an agreement earlier this week. During his show Wednesday and just before signing the new deal, Duemig expressed his disappointment on how Clear Channel, which owns WDAE, handled the contract talks. But he said he "would get over it and move forward.'' He also added that he is happy to be staying at WDAE.

Duemig, 56, has been a local sports talk show host in the area since 1990 and has been with WDAE since it became an all-sports station in 1996. He has mostly hosted WDAE's weekday afternoon slot from 3 to 7 p.m., which has become the area's most-listened-to sports-talk show.