Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Dick Ebersol, who has run NBC Sports since 1989 and engineered the network's bids to acquire the rights to more Olympics than any other, resigned Thursday when he said he could not come to an agreement on a new contract.

His decision comes several months after Comcast's takeover of NBC Universal. He denied that he clashed with his new bosses.

Ebersol, 63, intends to stay at NBC until the end of June. He said he wanted "to make a really cool deal" with Comcast executives: "We just couldn't get to the same place."

Ebersol's departure raises questions about whether Comcast will be less aggressive about acquiring the rights to the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2016 Summer Games, which will be negotiated in June. ESPN and Fox are expected to be bidders.

This year Comcast named Ebersol to run the NBC Sports Group, which consists of NBC Sports, the Golf Channel, Versus and Comcast's regional sports networks.

Over the past 22 years, Ebersol acquired, then dropped NBA rights; retained, did not renew, then reacquired NFL contracts; went into a partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment to create the XFL, a bizarre football league; brought Major League Baseball back to NBC, then got out; and became a key member of the Olympic movement.

Mark Lazarus, president of the NBC Sports Cable Group, will replace Ebersol, who also teamed with Lorne Michaels while at NBC in the mid '70s to develop Saturday Night Live.

Times staff
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Tonight

Storm (3-6) at Spokane (4-5)

When/where: 11; Spokane (Wash.) Arena

Radio: 1250-AM

Skinny: This is a rematch of last year's ArenaBowl XXIII, which the Shock won 69-57. … Spokane's starting and backup quarterbacks were injured in last week's 71-49 win over Dallas, with two receivers stepping in under center to finish the game. The Shock's offensive line is a strength, giving up just nine sacks, but Tampa Bay linebacker Cliff Dukes leads the AFL with eight. … Storm receivers Huey Whittaker, Hank Edwards and Amarri Jackson are on pace to top 1,000 yards this season, led by Whittaker, who is tied for sixth in the AFL with 80 receptions and 10th with 881 yards. … Tampa Bay leads the league in kick-return average (19.7); Spokane is second in kick-return yards (1081).

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Mets 1, Nationals 0

NEW YORK — The Mets' Dillon Gee threw hitless ball until pitcher Livan Hernandez grounded a clean single with two outs in the sixth, and Justin Turner hit an RBI single in the fourth for the only run. Gee gave up two hits in 72/3 innings, Hernandez getting his hit on the first pitch. "As pitchers, we know that's going to be the best pitch we get," said Gee, who in September held the Nationals without a hit until Willie Harris homered leading off the sixth inning.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 19, 2011

MLB Network Countdown: 1 p.m. on MLB Network. A look at the most controversial calls in baseball history.

Friday Night Fights: 9 p.m. on ESPN2. The main event is a welterweight bout between Anges Adjaho (17-5, nine knockouts) and Joel Julio (36-4, 31 knockouts).

Running the Sahara: 10 p.m. on ESPN Classic. The 2008 film starring Matt Damon about three men who run the African desert.

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

MIAMI — The season began with forward Udonis Haslem inspiring the Heat with his words. He gave a passionate speech in the locker room nearly seven months ago, talking about how desperately he wanted to win a championship to honor his recently deceased mother.

Now Haslem is inspiring the Heat with his play. Or, perhaps more accurately, simply by playing.

The former Gator scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final against the Bulls and had two dunks — the first was his first basket since Nov. 20 — to begin and end a 10-0 run. That was the final margin Wednesday in an 85-75 win that tied the series at a game apiece.

"Huge. Huge," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "He was the player of the game. No question about it."

LeBron James fought off a cold for game highs of 29 points and 10 rebounds, plus scored nine points in a late 11-2 spurt that sealed the win.

But the spark came from one of the two Miami players left from the 2006 championship season.

"It's kind of hard to be patient when you work so hard to get back," Haslem said. "But I understand, we've had a formula that's been working for us. My teammates have done a tremendous job of getting us to this point. So I just had to be patient."

He'll be in the rotation Sunday for Game 3, the Miami native's first home game since having surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left foot sustained Nov. 20.

"That's what we've been waiting on since November," James said of Haslem's impact. "I'm happy for him. Just putting in the time and the effort, just getting back, getting back to game shape, feeling healthy, feeling confident. He helped change the game for us."

Heat executive and former All-Star Alonzo Mourning marveled at what saw from Haslem in Chicago. "U-D is a proven veteran and champion. It was just a matter of him being healthy again," Mourning said. "Now you see that he's healthy. He's not really thinking about his body anymore. He's out there reacting, using his talents."

"We really shouldn't care who's out there," Bulls guard Derrick Rose said. "We still have to play the same way. But he came (up) huge for them, shooting the ball well, rebounding the ball well. There was too many hustle plays that we didn't get."

When the Heat began the fourth quarter with Mike Miller, Haslem, James, Wade and Chris Bosh, it was the first time the unit had played together since Haslem was injured.

That always was the lineup Miami envisioned for a game's climactic moments. No one smaller than the 6-foot-2 Wade on the perimeter. A lot of active length inside. It worked as dreamed defensively. "Like we had been playing together all along," Haslem said.

Coach Tom Thibodeau gave the Bulls Thursday off. He said Chicago will have to "do a whole lot better down there" in Miami for Game 3.

rockets: Center Yao Ming said his surgically repaired left ankle is healing properly and he would like to remain with Houston. Yao, 30, said he will know during the summer if he can play next season. He becomes a restricted free agent July 1.

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

DALLAS — Kevin Durant scored 24 and James Harden added 23, leading the Thunder to a 106-100 victory over the Mavericks on Thursday night, tying the Western Conference final at one game each.

Durant was as tough to guard as ever, but the real difference was Harden and the bench coming up big, especially down the stretch.

The guard had a four-point play in the final seconds of the third quarter that put Oklahoma City up by one. Then he and fellow reserves Eric Maynor, Nick Collison and Daequan Cook teamed with Durant in the fourth.

The Thunder's unusual set of finishers outscored the Mavs' by five. They broke the game open with a 14-5 stretch capped by a tough jumper by Harden near the free-throw line; it put Oklahoma City up by 10 with 3:15 left. Dallas got as close as four the rest of the way.

Oklahoma City continued its streak of avoiding consecutive losses this postseason. The series shifts to the Thunder's homecourt — about 200 miles up Interstate 35 — for Game 3 on Saturday night.

Dirk Nowitzki didn't dominate as he did in the opener, scoring 29. He had 16 in the fourth, but it wasn't enough as Dallas saw its seven-game winning streak end and dropped to 6-1 at home in the playoffs.

Nowitzki took only 10 free throws, down from 24 in the opener. He missed one, and it was a biggie — part of a series of three shots with 36.7 seconds left.

Tyson Chandler had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Jason Kidd added 14 points and seven assists for Dallas. However, the Mavericks' bench wasn't up to its usual scoring punch.

Point guard Russell Westbrook bounced back from a tough opener to score 18, but he watched the fourth quarter from the Thunder bench.

Thunder 106, Mavericks 100

OKLAHOMA CITY (106): Durant 11-23 2-3 24, Ibaka 2-4 2-2 6, Perkins 2-2 0-0 4, Westbrook 7-15 3-4 18, Sefolosha 1-3 2-2 4, Harden 6-9 7-8 23, Collison 2-2 2-4 6, Maynor 5-9 3-3 13, Cook 3-3 0-0 8, Mohammed 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 39-70 21-26 106.

DALLAS (100): Marion 4-13 1-2 9, Nowitzki 10-17 9-10 29, Chandler 5-10 5-6 15, Kidd 4-10 2-2 13, Stevenson 1-6 2-2 5, Terry 3-9 2-2 8, Stojakovic 3-6 0-0 8, Barea 4-8 0-0 11, Haywood 1-1 0-0 2, Mahinmi 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-80 21-24 100.

Oklahoma City 26 33 18 29— 106

Dallas 31 26 19 24— 100

3-Point Goals—Oklahoma City 7-18 (Harden 4-7, Cook 2-2, Westbrook 1-2, Maynor 0-1, Sefolosha 0-1, Durant 0-5), Dallas 9-27 (Barea 3-5, Kidd 3-8, Stojakovic 2-5, Stevenson 1-6, Marion 0-1, Terry 0-2). Fouled Out—Collison. Rebounds—Oklahoma City 41 (Collison, Harden 7), Dallas 43 (Chandler 13). Assists—Oklahoma City 17 (Harden, Durant, Westbrook 4), Dallas 18 (Kidd 7). Total Fouls—Oklahoma City 24, Dallas 22. Technicals—Durant. A—21,051 (19,200).

abdul-jabbar's anger grows: Former Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said his frustration over not having a statue of himself outside Staples Center symbolizes his "fractured" relationship with the franchise. "I don't expect my relationship with the team to continue," said Abdul-Jabbar, who has been a special assistant coach for the Lakers for six seasons. He complained about taking a pay cut in 2009, and added: "They don't really value my presence there like they value other people. … If you look at how they've dealt with Magic (Johnson) over the years and how they've dealt with me, there's a big disparity." Lakers spokesman John Black said in an e-mail that Abdul-Jabbar "has been made aware … for quite a while that … (his) would be the next statue erected."

rockets: Center Yao Ming said his surgically repaired left ankle is healing properly and he would like to remain with Houston. Yao, 30, said he will know during the summer if he can play next season. He becomes a restricted free agent July 1.

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

BALTIMORE — Bob Baffert and Nick Zito like their positions heading into the Preakness.

Their horses, Midnight Interlude and Dialed In, respectively, each had excuses after failing to win the Kentucky Derby, and both Hall of Fame trainers know how to come back and win the Preakness.

Baffert did it last year when Lookin At Lucky finished sixth as the beaten favorite in the Derby before rebounding two weeks later to win the Preakness.

It has been a lot longer since Zito won in Baltimore, although he's just as eager for a rematch with Animal Kingdom in Saturday's Preakness.

Animal Kingdom's Derby victory was just the third win — and first on dirt — of his career. As a result, he has hardly scared away the competition at Pimlico, set to run 1 3/16 miles.

Dialed In was the 5-1 favorite in the Derby but trailed the field and couldn't make up enough ground, finishing eighth.

Zito blamed the lack of pace in the race for not setting up Dialed In's late-running style.

"You don't like to say, 'Throw out the Derby,' but a lot of horses have done that over the years, whether they don't get a break the way the race is run or they have traffic problems," Zito said.

"In our case, we didn't get a break the way the race was run. We've got a lot of people starting to give him credit for the race he ran."

Uncle Mo progressing: Trainer Todd Pletcher said Uncle Mo is making good progress in the recovery from stomach problems that knocked him out of the Kentucky Derby. Last season's 2-year-old champion was scratched the morning before the race because of a lingering gastrointestinal infection. Uncle Mo was sent to WinStar Farm in Kentucky for treatment. "He's gained 30 pounds so far, so it's going smoothly," Pletcher said. "We're letting him dictate when he may be ready to come back in."

Obituary: Dianne Carpenter, the only woman to saddle two starters in the Kentucky Derby, has died. She was 68. Ms. Carpenter died of cancer May 4 in Biloxi, Miss., according to trainer Garry Simms, who worked as an assistant under her before opening his own stable. Ms. Carpenter trained and owned Biloxi Indian, who finished 12th in the 1984 Derby. She also saddled Kingpost, 14th in the 1988 Derby.

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

NORMAN, Okla. — Police were investigating if drugs had a role in Thursday's death of Oklahoma linebacker Austin Box, and a witness told authorities he believed his friend overdosed. Box was 22.

Authorities said an autopsy is pending.

As a junior in 2010, Box missed the first five games with a back injury then started the final five.

According to the report by El Reno, Okla., police, an officer arrived at Box's house and made contact with John Cobble. Cobble is a friend of Box and son of Tom Cobble, Box's high school coach in Enid, Okla. On the tape of the 911 call, a man who identified himself as J.T. Cobble said Box was not breathing and "takes pain pills."

In addition, the report says Cobble told the officer, "he believed (Box) had overdosed."

Box was first taken to an El Reno hospital then to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, about 30 miles away. Mercy said "out of respect for the family," it would not release information.

Men's basketball

A former Wake Forest student said the school brushed off her allegation of sexual assault by a basketball player to protect the program. According to a report filed with Miami police in 2009, Margaret Hurt said guard Gary Clark sexually assaulted her in a hotel bathroom after an NCAA Tournament game while teammate Jeff Teague waited outside.

Speaking on NBC's Today show, she said Wake did not adequately pursue her allegation "because that was a way that they got their money." The interview was part of a story on how colleges respond to allegations of sexual assaults.

Clark finished his senior season in March. Teague plays for the NBA's Hawks.

Police investigated but, citing lack of evidence and witnesses, did not bring charges. The school's judicial board cleared the players. Michael Grace, a lawyer for the players, said both are "stunned and outraged by the allegations." President Nathan Hatch said "the university's response, as well as our character, has been misrepresented." Citing federal privacy laws, the school declined further comment.

RADFORD: Coach Brad Greenberg, 57, has resigned as coach after four seasons. He's the brother of former USF and current Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg.

Softball: Florida and Florida State open play today in the NCAA tournament UF (47-9), the No. 4 seed, hosts a four-team double-elimination region and faces Bethune-Cookman at 6. FSU (30-26) faces UAB at 2:30 in Athens, Ga. … Pasco-Hernando Community College beat Labette (Kan.) 5-2 and Kirkwood (Iowa) 5-1 at the Division II junior college national tourney in Normal, Ill. PHCC faces Kankakee (Ill.) in the semifinals of the winners' bracket of the double-elimination tournament at noon today.

Baseball: Tampa lost 4-1 to Harding in its opener of the Division II South Region in Pensa­cola. The Spartans (35-16) face Southern Arkansas in an elimination game at 10 a.m. today.

Men's Golf: Senior Bank Vong­vanij shot 4-under 68 to lead Florida (6-under 282) to the first-round lead at the NCAA region tournament in Ocala. Vongvanij was two shots behind leader Jack Dukeminier of Oregon. The tournament concludes Saturday.

Men's tennis: Florida (20-9) fell 4-2 to Kentucky in the NCAA round of 16 in Stanford, Calif.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 19, 2011

TORONTO — A 2010 spring training summit with manager Joe Maddon, politely described as blunt and forceful, was considered the impetus for C John Jaso making the necessary improvements to his game that got him to the big leagues.

Jaso was summoned to Maddon's office Thursday for another session, albeit not as forceful, about his recent play, which has been lacking focus at times.

"Primarily just a refresher course kind of a thing," Maddon said.

Jaso has looked lackadaisical at times, letting a foul pop drop Wednesday, missing several signs, even failing to toss his mask far enough away when chasing popups twice in the last week. Also, 27 of the potential 32 basestealers against him have been successful, and he is hitting just .217.

"Just talking about things in general, stuff that I've been watching," Maddon said. "Controllable components, things he can control."

Maddon said it was not as intense as the 2010 spring session: "This was more educational, with some good give-and-take."

Jaso was on the bench Thursday but expected to be in the lineup tonight. Prospect Robin­son Chirinos has just a .200 average at Triple A, though Jose Lobaton is hitting .346.

ROSTER SHUFFLE: LHP J.P. Howell is set to be activated from the disabled list today, and RHP Rob Delaney seems likely to go to make room.

Delaney (13.50 ERA through three appearances) can be optioned to Triple A while RHP Adam Russell (1-1, 3.60 in 16), the other likely candidate, is out of options and would have to be exposed to waivers.

There is also a possibility the Rays could make another move, calling up another position player to increase their depth and versatility, especially for the NL-rules weekend series, perhaps at the expense of seldom-used 1B Dan Johnson. OFs Brandon Guyer and Desmond Jennings, who are on the 40-man roster, and Justin Ruggiano, who isn't, would be among the options.

SHORT STORY: Reid Brignac is not pleased, obviously, with Maddon's plan to split playing time at shortstop between Brignac and Elliot Johnson.

But he's more upset with himself over his poor play, specifically a .179 batting average and a .212 on-base percentage, that put him in that position.

"Ain't nobody could be more disappointed than me," Brignac said. "But it's part of the game and what I have to do is focus on my opportunities and take advantage. Recently I haven't been doing that, so it might be a little wake-up call or something for me."

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: With no DH for the weekend series in Miami, Johnny Damon will play leftfield tonight, his first start there since April 17, and first such appearance since April 29.

Maddon will spend extra time going over potential extra moves, such as pinch-hitting for the pitcher and making double switches, but he said it's not that foreign giving all the maneuvering he normally does.

Overall, the Rays are 48-68 in NL parks, though 23-22 under Maddon.

SITTING SAM: LF Sam Fuld's 10-for-83 skid that dropped his average from .350 to .233 will get him two-day break from the lineup. Maddon said it wasn't fatigue as much as a product of the schedule, with the Jays starting LHP Ricky Romero on Thursday and the plan to play Damon tonight. "He tells me he's fine, and I think he is," Maddon said. "Everything else looks good. It's just the fly ball that hurts him once in a while."

MISCELLANY: 2B/RF Ben Zobrist's streak of reaching base ended at 23 games. ... Thursday was the 22nd time a Rays starter worked at least seven innings, matching Oakland for most in the majors. ... RHP Alex Cobb improved to 5-0 with a 1.31 ERA at Triple A.

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

SEATTLE — Former Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir began his second month in exile Thursday, marking the occasion with his fifth start at the Angels' extended spring training camp in Arizona.

It has been clear since the Angels put Kazmir on the disabled list because of "lower-back soreness" on April 8 that they would stretch out his rehabilitation process for as long as possible.

Considered a solid young left-hander in 2008, Kazmir, 27, slumped to 9-15 with a 5.94 ERA in 2010, striking out a career-low 93 and giving up a career-high 25 homers. The velocity of Kazmir's fastball, once near 94 mph, was down. His mechanics were out of whack. In his only major-league start this season, he gave up five runs and five hits in 1⅔ innings at Kansas City on April 3.

But Thursday, there were indications of a possible thaw between the Angels and Kazmir, who is being paid $14.5 million this season. He gave up one hit in 6⅔ innings in a 101-pitch outing.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Kazmir's next start probably will be in a minor-league game, starting a clock in which the Angels will have 30 days to recall him or release him.

"After this one, we'll see if he's ready to pitch in a game situation, on a full rehab," Scioscia said. "Then we'll be able to evaluate him and see exactly where he is."

Nats confront umpires

NEW YORK — The Nationals' 1-0 loss to the Mets ended with manager Jim Riggleman, C Ivan Rodriguez and third-base coach Bo Porter on the field hollering at the umpires after a disputed call at first base.

GM Mike Rizzo also confronted the umps in a tunnel underneath the stands. MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said the commissioner's office was looking into the issue.

After Laynce Nix doubled with one out in the ninth, Jayson Werth followed with a one-hopper that Mets 3B Justin Turner snagged, but his throw appeared to pull 1B Daniel Murphy off the bag. Werth also seemed to beat the play.

First-base umpire Phil Cuzzi called Werth out. Riggleman came out to argue, then eventually took his beef to plate umpire Manny Gonzalez, a minor-league callup. "I wanted to see if maybe from his angle he could see it better, maybe the first baseman coming off the base. He's got a good look at that. He refused," Riggleman said.

After the final out, Riggleman, Rodriguez and Porter kept up the argument as the umpires walked to their locker room.

Cubs at Fenway: When the Cubs play tonight at Fenway Park, it will be their first visit since the 1918 World Series. "I think it's going to be a big ticket," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. Sure enough, a front-row seat for Sunday's nationally televised game was available for $860 on StubHub.com.

L.A. STORY: Former Dodgers CEO Jamie McCourt asked a judge to order the sale of the club, saying her ex-husband has badly mismanaged the franchise since he fired her nearly two years ago and brought the franchise to the "brink of financial ruin." The request comes less than a month after commissioner Bud Selig appointed former Rangers president Tom Schieffer to oversee the Dodgers after questions arose about the team's finances.

Brewers: LF Ryan Braun, the NL homer leader with 12, left the game vs. the Padres in the fifth with a sore left shoulder.

Indians: DH Travis Hafner was sidelined again because his right side was still sore.

Orioles: 1B Derrek Lee (left oblique strain, 15-day) and 2B Brian Roberts (concussion, seven-day) were put on the DL.

Phillies: RHP Joe Blanton was scratched minutes from his start against Colorado because of soreness in his right elbow.

White Sox: RHP Jake Peavy reported nothing more than normal soreness after his 111-pitch, three-hit shutout of the Indians on Wednesday. "All is normal," said Peavy, who had surgery on a detached lat muscle near his right shoulder 10 months ago.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 19, 2011

. UP NEXT

at Marlins

Tonight-Sunday

What's new: The Marlins have been off to a surprising start, doing it with some relatively unheralded contributors, such as 1B Gaby Sanchez (.319, seven homers, 26 RBIs), OF Logan Morrison (.316-5-12, with a .415 on-base percentage) and closer Leo Nunez (MLB-best 15-for-15 in saves). Having a rotation led by Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco helps. SS Hanley Ramirez has been a disappointment, hitting .217 overall and .163 vs. right-handers, as has free agent RHP Javier Vazquez (2-4, 7.55 ERA).

Key stat: The Marlins have 12 one-run wins (most in the majors) and 13 come-from-behind wins (second most).

Connections: Marlins LHP Randy Choate is a former Ray; RHP Ryan Webb (Clearwater Central Catholic) and OF Chris Coghlan (East Lake) are Tampa Bay high school products. … Rays INF Sean Rodriguez grew up in the Miami area.

Series history: Marlins lead 40-33 overall, 23-15 at Pro Player/Dolphins/Land Shark/Sun Life Stadium.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Cubs 5, Marlins 1

MIAMI — Casey Coleman had a career-high seven strikeouts in 5⅔ shutout innings and the Cubs completed a two-game series sweep. Coleman walked five but retired five batters with runners in scoring position and lowered his ERA from 7.22 to 6.03. Marlon Byrd hit a two-run homer, his second in two nights vs. Florida.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 19, 2011

TAMPA — If the first two games of the Eastern Conference final between the Lightning and Bruins was must-see TV, Game 3 was more like C-Span.

It was stick-in-the-mud hockey. It was slow-motion hockey. Quite frankly, it was boring hockey.

"Neither team would give the other team anything," Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said.

Get used to it. It probably is the type of hockey we will see for the rest of the series.

"I can't read the future, but if was a betting man, I would think so," said defenseman Andrew Ference, whose third-period goal put Boston up 2-0. "Both teams went back to their styles."

That style is grind-it-out, watch-your-back, take-few-risks hockey that places emphasis on keeping the puck out of your own net instead of offense. The result was a measly two goals — both by Boston — after the teams combined for 18 and about a gazillion scoring chances in the first two games.

Tuesday's 6-5 pond-hockey game was replaced by Thursday's plodding 2-0 affair that saw a lot more dumping and chasing than shooting and scoring.

"This was more of a playoff game between two teams who pride themselves on defense and playing tight," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said.

Bruins coach Claude Julien estimated his team allowed the Lightning nine quality scoring chances in the third period alone of Game 2. The Lightning didn't appear to have that many in all of Game 3. The Bruins clamped down after taking a 1-0 lead 1:09 into the game. The Lightning was almost as stingy.

Aside from a defensive breakdown on the first goal and a seeing-eye puck that squirted through goalie Dwayne Roloson's pads in the third, the Lightning turned in one of its better defensive efforts of the playoffs. Boston had only 25 shots, its fewest this postseason.

This disciplined style is not as thrilling as Game 1 and, especially, Game 2, but the teams are interested in victories, not entertainment value, at this time of the year.

"I saw them talk after last game, and I saw us talk. And I think both teams felt the exact same way," Ference said. "(The first two games are) not a way to win a series and continue in the playoffs. This game was more like it."

Tom Jones can be reached at tjones@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Jason Giambi looked like the old Giambino, becoming the second-oldest player to hit three homers in a game and tie his career high with seven RBIs, leading the Rockies past the Phillies 7-1 Thursday.

"It's nice to contribute and get an opportunity to play," said Giambi, who started at first base because Todd Helton had a stiff back, and adjusted his stance to more upright. "It's exciting, something you dream about."

Giambi, 40, went deep in his first three at-bats. The former AL MVP entered 3-for-26 (.115) with one homer.

With two chances to match the majors' record of four homers in a game, Giambi struck out twice, looking in the sixth and swinging in the ninth.

"I was up there letting it fly, giving it some whacks," said Giambi, who hit a three-run shot in the first off Kyle Kendrick, a two-run shot off Kendrick in the third and a two-run shot off Danys Baez in the fifth.

Stan Musial is the oldest player to hit three in a game (41, vs. Mets, July 8, 1962).

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 19, 2011

TAMPA — Though many are likely surprised with the Lightning's one-year turnaround from out of the playoffs to the Eastern Conference final, commissioner Gary Bettman is not among them.

And a big reason why Bettman believes Tampa Bay is, and can continue to be, successful is the mix of GM Steve Yzerman and owner Jeff Vinik, both in their first seasons with the team.

"Perhaps the most important thing for any hockey team or any sports team is ownership," Bettman said Thursday at the St. Pete Times Forum, where he attended Game 3 between the Lightning and Bruins.

"Tampa has one terrific owner. He's a hockey fan, he's smart, he's a good business person, he has the resources, he has the commitment, he knew what he was getting into and hires the right people.

"I said to Jeff just now, because he was a guest on my (weekly satellite radio) show … 'Okay, so you're a rookie owner and look how well you're doing. What's the secret sauce?' There's no secret sauce. Actually, (Vinik) is the secret sauce."

One of the "right" people Vinik hired was Yzerman, a longtime Red Wings captain who spent several postretirement seasons learning the management side in Detroit before coming to Tampa.

"He was part of a successful organization in Detroit, so it's no surprise that he's creating a successful organization here in Tampa," Bettman said. "He's really smart, very thoughtful, very cerebral. Anybody who spends time with him knows that they are in the presence of somebody special."

bruins' BERGERON BACK: Bruins star C Patrice Bergeron returned to the lineup Thursday after sustaining a concussion in Game 4 of the East semifinal sweep with the Flyers. "I felt pretty good out there," he said. "I was confident I was ready." Bergeron, who had been one of the team's top scorers (12 playoff points) and faceoff men, started, logged 19:13 of ice time and won 18 of 28 faceoffs.

MIND GAMES? The Lightning praised Bruins rookie C Tyler Seguin, the second overall pick in last year's draft and who racked up six points in his first two playoff games, Games 1 and 2 against the Lightning. But Bruins coach Claude Julien believed there was more to the Lightning's flattery of Seguin. "I don't think they're worried so much about Tyler more than they want to flatter him, and we know that there are mind games that teams play," he said.

IN AND OUT: D Randy Jones was out of the lineup and C Blair Jones in. Jones was plus-1 with an assist in five playoff games. He refused to use the ankle injury that sidelined him the final two months of the regular season as an excuse. "If I'm good enough to be out there and play and lace them up, then there are no excuses and no restrictions," Jones said. "Has it affected me? I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to notice that."

MISCELLANY: C Dana Tyrell (foot) participated in warmups, and Boucher said he's "ready to go." But he missed his 10th straight game. … Boucher said D Pavel Kubina (upper-body injury), injured in Game 1 against the Capitals in the semifinals when a Washington elbow bounced his head off the glass, hasn't skated yet and "we're going to wait."

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Commissioner Gary Bettman denied a sale that would move the Thrashers to Winnipeg has been completed. Thursday, Toronto's Mail and Globe reported an agreement was done and would be announced Tuesday.

"I can tell you that with certainty that there is no deal for this team to move," Bettman said. "Am I predicting that there will never be or that there won't be at some point in time? No."

Bettman added the league will consider moving a team only when there is no owner willing to keep it in its current city.

True North Sports and Entertainment, which is in talks to buy the Thrashers, said the report is "not true."

Atlanta Spirit has tried to find a buyer to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta for two years, and local governments have shown no interest in financially helping the team. The Thrashers are still planning an event for season-ticket holders Saturday. And fans are planning a rally before it.

"It will be interesting to see how many people show up at the rally," Bettman said.

An announcement would end several months of speculation that the Thrashers or Coyotes, the league's other financially troubled team, would move to Winnipeg. The city lost its team, called the Jets, to Phoenix in 1996. Since then, a new arena has been built.

The league owns the Coyotes. And the Glendale, Ariz., City Council voted to pay it $25 million to run the city-owned arena, keeping the team in place for at least one more season.

The Thrashers would be the second team to leave Atlanta. The Flames moved to Calgary before the 1980-81 season.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that if the move goes through, Winnipeg would play in the Northwest Division. The Wild would move from the Northwest to the Central, and the Blue Jackets would replace Atlanta in the Southeast. Nashville would stay in the Central because it is in the Central time zone. Columbus being in the Eastern time zone eases travel and TV issues.

Blackhawks: Goalie Corey Crawford, 26, agreed to a three-year extension. Financial terms were not disclosed. This season, his 33 wins led rookies.

Oilers: The team and city of Edmonton reached a deal to finance a $450 million arena. The city will provide $125 million and the Oilers $100 million, and $125 million will come from a user-paid facility fee. Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel said the sides will approach the provincial and federal governments for the remaining $100 million.

Canucks: Wing Mikael Samuelsson will have surgery for a torn adductor tendon and sports hernia. He has not played since Game 5 of the West semifinals.

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Red Sox 4, Tigers 3

BOSTON — Former Ray Carl Crawford hit a bases-loaded, walkoff single in the ninth to lift the Red Sox to their season-high sixth straight win. After blowing a 3-1 lead in the eighth by giving up back-to-back homers to Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera, Boston rallied to complete a two-game sweep. J.D. Drew and David Ortiz each homered for Boston, and Josh Beckett pitched six solid innings. He was pulled before the seventh with tightness in his neck.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 19, 2011

If you give a hoot …

The Rays are opening a new party area at the Trop, called the Hooters Owls Den suite, which has been remodeled to resemble a traditional Hooters restaurant. It will serve Hooters fare such as wings and buffalo shrimp, and will be staffed by Hooters girls.

Rays at Marlins

When/where: 7:10 tonight, Sun Life Stadium, Miami

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

Starting pitchers

Rays

RH Andy Sonnanstine (0-1, 3.92)

Marlins

RH Anibal Sanchez (3-1, 2.90)

Watch for ...

Sonny's day: Sonnanstine makes his third start in place of injured RHP Jeff Niemann, going a combined 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA, compared with 0-1, 2.19 in six relief outings. He has pitched well against the Marlins, with a 3-0, 3.31 mark. And he gets to hit, a bonus given his .318 career average.

Bell-ringing: Sanchez has great stuff, seeming to flirt with a no-hitter about once a month. (He had one in September 2006.) He hasn't allowed a run in his last two starts, and just six over his last five. He beat the Rays in a June 2010 start at the Trop.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Sanchez

Johnny Damon 1-for-3

B.J. Upton 1-for-3

Casey Kotchman 4-for-5, HR

Marlins vs. sonnanstine

Chris Coghlan 1-for-5

Hanley Ramirez 4-for-16

Mike Stanton 2-for-4

On deck

Saturday: at Marlins, 4:10. Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (5-3, 3.59); Marlins — Javier Vazquez (2-4. 7-55)

Sunday: at Marlins, 1:10. Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (4-2, 2.26); Marlins — Josh Johnson (3-1, 1.64)

Monday: at Tigers, 7:05. Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (5-2, 3.18); Tigers — Phil Coke (1-5, 3.88)

Tuesday: at Tigers, 7:05. Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (4-4, 3.47); Tigers — Justin Verlander (4-3, 2.96)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Longo video catching on

The video of the Rays 3B Evan Longoria "saving" a reporter with a bare-handed catch has gone viral, with close to 3 million hits on YouTube.com (see http://tinyurl.com/695973v). Longoria said the video — "It's still real, by the way" — was shot with a handheld camera in one take in about five minutes, after a six-hour shoot for another Gillette commercial. "It's funny how when we talk about something going viral, it really does," Longoria said. "Once it gets on to Twitter and YouTube, it goes from a small snowball to an avalanche pretty quickly."

Times wires
Thursday, May 19, 2011

White Sox 8, Indians 2

CHICAGO — Gavin Floyd pitched seven solid innings and Carlos Quentin hit his ninth homer as the White Sox rocked Fausto Carmona for the second time this season. Floyd allowed a run and five hits as Chicago swept the two-game set. Carmona, who was 6-0 against the White Sox from 2008-10, gave up eight runs and seven hits. On opening day in Cleveland, he surrendered 11 hits and 10 runs in three innings of a 15-10 loss.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Underappreciated

Fredrik Modin, 36, retired Thursday. The high point of his career was 1999-2006, when he had 116 goals and 229 point in 363 games for the Lightning, for which he was an alternate captain, part of a line with C Brad Richards and Marty St. Louis, and a force on defense. Despite that, Modin, right, a member of the 2004 Stanley Cup team, never got the recognition he deserved from the Tampa Bay area media or fans. Perhaps it was his quiet demeanor or that he was overshadowed by big-name talent. Whatever the reason, Modin was one of the most underrated players in franchise history. "For us he wasn't underrated," Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier said. "He was a huge part of our team. He was a great leader and great for us."

Roped off

With so many reporters covering the East final, the Lightning is serious no one even inadvertently steps on its team logo on the floor of the St. Pete Times Forum locker room. It's so serious, it barricaded the logo behind several metal poles connected by those nylon strips that funnel you toward the tellers at your bank. "We're just trying to properly respect the precedent set down by our Stanley Cup champion team of 2004," Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett wrote in an e-mail. "It's easier to put a subtle reminder in place than continually ask people for that respect."

Three stars

TIM THOMAS: The Bruins goalie bounced back after allowing nine combined goals in the series' first two games to pick up his first shutout of the playoffs, making 31 saves.

DAVID KREJCI: The Bruins center scored the game's first goal, his team-high seventh of the postseason, and was strong in the faceoff circle, going 13-for-18.

PATRICE BERGERON: The Bruins center, returning to the lineup after missing two games with a concussion, was his steady self in playing 19 minutes, 13 seconds, and he dominated the Lightning in the faceoff circle, going 18-of-28 .

Cheap Trick time

The rock band Cheap Trick will perform on the west plaza of the St. Pete Times Forum after Saturday's Game 4. The concert is free. Fans without a ticket to the 1:30 p.m. game can watch on a big screen on the plaza and stick around for the show.

Tickets

Saturday's Game 4 and a potential Game 6 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa are sold out. Unused team tickets might be released on game days. Check with the box office at (813) 301-6600 and Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-3000).

The series

Bruins lead 2-1

Game 1, Lightning 5, Bruins 2: Three goals in 1:25 of the first spark Lightning.

Game 2, Bruins 6, Lightning 5: Bruins score five in the second.

Game 3, Bruins 2, Lightning 0: Bruins get the edge in tight defensive game.

Saturday: at Tampa, 1:30, Ch. 8

Monday: at Boston, 8, Versus

Wednesday: at Tampa, 8, Versus *

May 27: at Boston, 8, Versus *

Radio: 970-AM, except Wednesday, which is 620-AM

* If necessary