Times wires
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Mariners 7, White Sox 4
10 innings
CHICAGO — Miguel Olivo hit a go-ahead two-run double in the 10th to lift the Mariners. Justin Smoak started the rally with a leadoff bloop double off Sergio Santos. Adam Kennedy walked, then Olivo, who had a solo homer in the eighth against his former team, drove in both runners with a grounder just inside third base.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
ANAHEIM, Calif. — There was a time, not too long ago, when right-hander Alex Cobb didn't know if his stuff could work in the big leagues.
"Growing up all you hear is how difficult the major leagues are, and you kind of get it sunken into your head that you're not going to be able to compete at that level," Cobb said. " I thought my (minor-league) numbers were okay, but I wasn't getting any publicity. I thought the scouts were seeing something I didn't."
Now there isn't any question.
And Cobb has a major-league victory to prove it.
Cobb, 23, earned his first on Tuesday, working into the seventh as the Rays beat the Angels 4-1 in his third big-league start, then getting the obligatory beer shower from his teammates.
He said it didn't sink in until later Tuesday, when he was out eating with some relatives and he saw the crawl on ESPN listing him as the winner. "I thought that was pretty cool," he said.
He was reminded again in an emotional phone call with his father, Rick, then again Wednesday morning when his phone was loaded with text messages from family and friends . "There's been a lot of support," he said.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Rays chose OF Justin Ruggiano for promotion last month because they felt he was best suited for a reserve role. And once he showed he could handle not playing, he has started playing better.
And enjoying it more.
"This is the most fun I've ever had playing," he said.
Ruggiano, 29, made three consecutive starts in Anaheim and made the most of it, going 5-for-12 with four RBIs (including a homer) and several good defensive plays.
"He's on the verge right now," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's really in that stage three of development, 'I belong here' kind of stuff. I kind of like how he's looking. We talked about it a lot with him in spring training. He really matured."
He showed it, despite being taken off the 40-man roster (to make room for Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez), by starring again after opening his fifth straight season at Triple-A Durham, and that led to his May 20 promotion ahead of prospects such as Brandon Guyer and Desmond Jennings.
"He's come back and he's kind of a different cat," Maddon said. "He understands this a lot better, he understands his role. The inter-action is a lot easier. He's grown up a lot."
Ruggiano said he learned to be more appreciative of the opportunity to be in the big leagues rather than concerned with whether he was playing that day: "It's really just like an overall happiness of being here right now, and that's how I go about every day. Regardless of whether I'm in the lineup or not, I'm excited and I'll do whatever it takes to help the team win."
REMEMBER WHEN: RHP Jeremy Hellickson pitched in Baltimore May 7 and, despite getting the victory, wasn't happy with his performance, lasting only five innings as he walked five.
"I think it was just one of those days," Hellickson said. "I know that's not what kind of pitcher I am. I know I'm not going to walk that many guys again — hopefully not. I was pretty upset with my performance."
So all he's done in the five starts since then is make amends, averaging seven-plus innings, walking only 11 total, and going 4-1, 1.53 in the process, picking up AL Pitcher and Rookie of the Month honors.
"I definitely took something from that," said Hellickson, now 7-3, 2.64 overall. "I know I've commanded my pitches a lot better than I did that game. It's just a matter of throwing the ball where you want to and executing."
ABOUT WEDNESDAY NIGHT: After blowing a 3-0 eighth inning lead, the Rays won 4-3 in 10 innings, taking the lead when John Jaso scored on Reid Brignac's squeeze bunt. That was after Jaso, on second (and with Evan Longoria on first) with no outs, made a mad dash for third on the previous pitch when Brignac pulled back on what was a sacrifice bunt attempt.
Maddon said only that Jaso "saw something" and was definitely on his own.
"I can't give away all my secrets," Jaso said. "I guess I kind of saw an opening in my head. That was kind of one of those plays where it looks great tonight but if I was out I'd look really, really dumb. So I'm just kind of glad it all worked out.
RHP Kyle Farnsworth, though issuing his second walk of the season, finished for his 13th save and lowered his ERA to 1.17.
REHAB REPORT: INF Elliot Johnson, who sprained his left knee May 23 in Detroit, was to play the first of two rehab games for Triple-A Durham on Thursday. Johnson has been going through full workouts and could be activated Saturday.
MINOR MATTERS: LHP Matt Moore was one of four Montgomery Biscuits named to the June 21 Double-A Southern League All-Star game, joined by RHP Marquis Fleming, C Stephen Vogt, and 3B Daniel Mayora. ... Class A Charlotte 2B Tyler Bortnick and RHP Alex Colome were added to the South squad for the June 18 FSL All-Star Game, joining four teammates.
MISCELLANY: Longoria, out of the lineup the last three games with a severe flu, said he felt fine after his 10th-inning appearance Wednesday and expects to start tonight. .... Todd Kalas will be in the TV booth this weekend with analyst Brian Anderson off. ... The Rays had played 20 series in Anaheim before logging their first sweep on Wednesday.
By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
GAINESVILLE — They have been in this position before, one year ago to be exact. Two victories stand between the Florida baseball team and consecutive trips to the College World Series.
Having made the journey last season and fallen short, the Gators — who are ranked No. 1 in at least two polls this week and are the No. 2 overall national seed — are determined to give themselves another shot at the national title. They hope to rely on home-field advantage and familiarity of their opponent.
"Everybody is really looking forward to getting back and we're going to do all we can to do that," OF Daniel Pigott said. "And the younger guys are feeding off what the younger guys are telling them. (We've told them) there's nothing like it. There's no experience like it. You'll remember it for the rest of your life. It's two games away and this is the time of the year that you've got to bear down."
To experience that feeling again the Gators must go through a familiar foe. Florida (48-16) will host Mississippi State (37-23) in the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional beginning Friday. The Gators and Bulldogs have met four times since April with Florida going 3-1. The Gator players believe familiarity at this time of the year beats facing a new opponent.
"It's exciting anytime you play an SEC team in regionals," outfielder Preston Tucker said. "Fortunately we've played them four times already so we know what to expect. Everyone is excited and looking forward to it."
Although Florida defeated the Bulldogs 18-0 on April 9, three of the four games have been decided by two runs.
"I think there's positives and negatives," Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "They know us, we know them. We know each other's tendencies. I don't think there's anything wrong with being familiar. But at the end of the day, it's going to come down to who makes pitches, who gets timely hits and who plays defense. That's what it's going to come down to. … But State's got an older club. They've got at least seven or eight of their starting nine are seniors or redshirt juniors. The only underclassman they've started on a consistent basis is (C.T.) Bradford. So they've got a lot of experience, they've got a lot of SEC at-bats underneath them, so it's going to be a big challenge for us, it's no question."
Florida will begin the series with its ace, sophomore Hudson Randall, who is 9-3 with a 2.38 ERA — giving up 10 walks and eight home runs.
Florida most likely will still be without first baseman and closer Austin Maddox, who injured his right foot chasing a foul ball last weekend. But sophomore pitcher/designated hitter Brian Johnson, who missed the NCAA Regional with a severe concussion he sustained when he was accidentally hit in the head by catcher Mike Zunino in the SEC Tournament, is expected to return.
It was Johnson's seventh-inning grand slam in the first game of the SEC Tournament that propelled Florida to a 7-5 come-from-behind win over Mississippi State. It was a game, the players said, that greatly boosted the Gators' confidence heading in the postseason. Johnson is 7-1 this season with a 2.92 ERA.
"I anticipate hopefully that everything goes well and he'll be able to go," O'Sullivan said. "He was out here (Wednesday) and he went through full practice, threw a bullpen, took BP, looked great. He's fully rested. … You get to this point in the year, a guy throws 80-85 innings, it's not a bad thing that he gets a week or 10 days off. I think it's a good thing."
Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Rays like to do the math.
And as they sift through statistical permutations and algorithmic anomalies, looking for ways to improve their inconsistent and impotent offense, there is one basic equation that doesn't add up.
They either need to strike out less, or walk more.
The Rays have been among the American League's top "fan clubs" even during their 2008-10 run of success, ranking first or second each of the three seasons in strikeouts. But they balanced that with free passes, ranking in the top three in walks each of those seasons.
But this season, not so much. While Rays hitters have struck out the second most in the American League, they've drawn the second fewest amount of walks, a significant decrease — down nearly 30 percent, from 672 last season to a projected 478 — that is a major reason for their offensive issues.
"To our culture," manager Joe Maddon said, "it's very important."
Less clear is what, if anything, they can do about it, since they say the drop-off is more the result of having different players than players doing things differently.
"Sure I'm concerned about it," hitting coach Derek Shelton said. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned because of the fact that the number is so different.
"But...we're not talking about anything different or teaching it any different. In fact, we're probably actually talking about it more because of the fact that we have to learn how to do it."
Part of the problem is the players they no longer have, veterans like Carlos Pena, who was good for nearly 100 walks a season, and Carl Crawford and Jason Bartlett, who drew around 50 each for the last two seasons.
And another is that in their place are less experienced (and less patient) hitters like infielders Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac, who don't walk much, and outfielder Sam Fuld, who can but hasn't been. Plus, opening day first baseman Dan Johnson wasn't and replacement Casey Kotchman isn't.
Stacking the numbers worse, several returning players, such as B.J. Upton, Ben Zobrist and John Jaso, aren't walking as much as they had in the past.
Not coincidentally, the Rays are on pace for a nearly 17 percent drop in runs from last season.
"We scored so many runs last year and a lot of that had to do with us getting on base via the walk and we lost some of that culture, particularly with Carlos," Maddon said. "We don't have the same DNA we've had the past couple years with those big numbers."
Convincing young players, especially those battling for playing time, to walk more can be hard. Also a factor is an overall sense that many of the Rays hitters, from Evan Longoria on down, are trying to do too much and pressing at the plate.
Maddon calls is patiently aggressive. Shelton prefers selectively aggressive. Either way, it's as much a matter of getting the hitters to swing at the right pitches as it is not swinging at the wrong ones.
"It's not as much about trying to get more walks, it's accepting the walks," Maddon said. "It's about not expanding your strike zone, about organizing your strike zone and making the pitcher come to you.
"When you permit the pitcher to throw to a wider plate by just chasing (pitches) — whether up, down, in or out — that makes them a whole lot better pitchers and that takes away from our ability."
Said Shelton: "It's important for us to walk more, but it's more important for us to stay within our hitting zones and swing at the right pitches. And when we do that the walks will come."
Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com
Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
TAMPA — Less than 24 hours earlier, FC Tampa Bay rookie goalkeeper Jeff Attinella would have been happy with a ticket to the U.S. men's national team's Gold Cup soccer game against Panama on Saturday.
But the 22-year-old USF and Countryside alum found himself in the net Thursday morning at One Buc Place, defending speeding shots from the likes of national team players Clint Dempsey and Freddy Adu.
As the national team prepares for Saturday's match at Raymond James Stadium, Attinella was invited to participate in the team's practices Thursday and Sunday.
It all happened quickly for Attinella, who has played well in goal with FC Tampa Bay, making two shutouts in six games after starter Daryl Sattler suffered a season-ending injury.
FC Tampa Bay executive vice president Perry Van Der Beck received a call from national team assistant coach Mike Sorber, a longtime friend who went to the same high school as Van Der Beck in St. Louis.
Sorber was looking for an extra keeper to participate in training. FC Tampa Bay happened to be off, and Attinella, who heard about the invite at 2 p.m. Wednesday, was a perfect fit.
"It's an enormous opportunity," Van Der Beck said. "Training with these guys, he's trying to get to this level. It was a tremendous opportunity. I said go for it."
Attinella jumped at the opportunity.
"When I found out I was excited, just the idea that I got to share the field with some of these guys and guys that I've watched," Attinella said.
"I think Clint Dempsey is one of the best players in the world. He hit an upper 90s shot on me. Even though I got scored on, it would have been nicer to say I saved it. But it's still nice to say I experienced that."
The speed of the game was much different, Attinella admitted.
"It doesn't look that hard on TV when they hit the ball," he said. "I've played a lot of places but when you're playing with the national team, these guys can hit a ball. Where I've been you have time to think about it. Here it's got to come naturally."
Attinella, who said it's his goal to one day play for the national team, said he went to star goalkeeper Tim Howard at the end of practice and asked for advice. Howard told him to keep getting games under your belt and make sure you're always getting better.
"He said (former national team keeper) Kasey Keller told him the same thing when he went to England," Attinella said. "Getting advice from someone like that, how many times in my life will I have that? I'd be stupid not to. Even to pick his brain for the two minutes like I did is something that 24 hours ago I would have said, 'Yeah right, maybe I'd be lucky enough to get his autograph after the game.' But I got to be on the same field as him."
Attinella said he will practice with the national team again Sunday — FC Tampa Bay plays later that night -— and said he'd like to get back here again.
"It's a once in a lifetime …," Attinella said, then stopped. "Wait, hopefully it's not a once in a lifetime experience. I hope I get here one day, but for the time being it's definitely a once in a lifetime type of experience."
By Rick Frazier, Times Correspondent
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Week 2: Bert Waterman won the second weekend of the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup by releasing two silver kings from the Redington long pier. James Roehm maintained the landlubber and overall lead by releasing one tarpon.
Aaron Crisp, David Elmore and Colin Feinberg released one tarpon.
Logan Clark, competing in the junior division, released three.
Elmore also won the Dave Crisp Memorial Day trophy by releasing two, and Ashley Epperson won the Joy Cup by releasing one.
Week 3: Mary Quinette won the week and jumped to the top of the overall leaderboard by releasing four tarpon. She is the women's division leader, too.
Whitney Harper came in second with one release, and Mike Clark finished third by releasing one as well.
David Elmore and Doug Dawson also released one fish.
Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 510-4376.
By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The silver king
Dobiesz and his fishing partners headed to the bridge for a reason. Tampa Bay Watch's Tarpon Rodeo was just a few weeks away, and they hoped a little "pre-fishing" might give them the edge when the tournament gets under way Saturday.
Seasoned anglers such as Dobiesz know fish travel with a purpose. Some are on their way into the bay to spawn. Others are headed out to sea to perform the same biological function. Then there are the predators who hang around the major intersections, hiding in the shadows, waiting for the chance to pounce.
Tarpon, for example, love to use the bridge supports as ambush points. They lie just out of sight, and when an unsuspecting fish swims by … wham!
These thick-bodied brutes probably know which pilings provide the best cover. But unfortunately for us humans, once you are under the bridge, everything looks the same.
Die-hard tarpon anglers eventually learn which sections of the bridge are more productive. But if you don't have that luxury, then you must get the fish to come to you.
The pit stop
There is a reason why they build fast-food restaurants at freeway exits. People in a hurry don't have time to look for food. They want to pull over, grab a bite and be on their way.
Fish aren't much different. They don't want to work too hard for a meal. They want a nice, convenient snack so they can get back to their fishy business. But unfortunately for fish, there are no billboards along the side of the road directing them to the nearest eatery.
You can have the biggest, fattest, most delicious-looking finger mullet in all of the seven seas on the end of a line. But unless the tarpon know where to find it, you are out of luck.
That's why the fishing gods invented chum. Sliced-and-diced fish occur naturally in nature. Every time a Spanish mackerel slashes its way through a school of bait, tiny pieces of fish drift with the current.
If enough predators feed at the same time, then the tiny heads and tails of oily fish form a slick that drifts with the tide, alerting other predators and scavengers that dinner is served.
The chum king
Chum comes in all varieties and can be store bought or homemade. Capt. Brent Gaskill likes to freeze the leftover bait from his charters then cut it up the next day to "match the hatch."
"That way, you are chumming with the same fish that are swimming around the boat," he said. "You get a good chum slick going, and you will attract fish from miles around."
On a boat, you can do one of two things, fish or cut bait. Anybody can fish, but you have to be skilled with a knife to create a good chum slick.
"Beautiful," Gaskill said, admiring my technique. "What a trail of chum. We'll have tarpon in no time."
Dobiesz, meanwhile, hovered over the rod next to my chum-cutting station. As I sliced and diced, I wondered why he picked that spot. Then the rod bent over under the weight of a fish.
"Just lucky, I guess," he said.
To learn more about Tampa Bay Watch go to www.tampabaywatch.org.
ST. PETERSBURG — At dawn beneath the Sunshine Skyway bridge, which crosses the mouth of Tampa Bay, boats jockey for position. During the summer months, the channel that runs beneath the span is a veritable highway for marine life. Dolphin, sea turtles, sharks … you name it. If it swims, sooner or later, it passes through. For the boater, the trick is to anchor on or near one of these major thoroughfares. But with dozens of choices, deciding where to set up is part skill, part luck and usually frustrating. And on every boat, there are three of four baited fishing poles secured in rod holders. The trick for the angler is to stand next to the rod that gets hit first. "When it comes to fishing," quipped Norm Dobiesz, "I'd rather be lucky than good."
Times staff
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Conservation
Artist/scientist scheduled to talk in st. Petersburg
Celebrated marine artist, scientist and conservationist Guy Harvey will make an appearance from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Bealls department store, 7899 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., St. Petersburg. Harvey, renowned for his colorful T-shirts, is focused on protecting sharks, bluefin tuna, grouper and other sportfish populations that are being overfished around the planet.
Alligators
State commission expands hunting
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission added approximately four hours of hunting per day to the alligator season during its meeting Wednesday in St. Augustine. The change takes effect for this year's season, which runs from Aug. 15 to Nov. 1. Previously, alligators could be hunted from one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise. Now, it will be 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Some hunters wanted hunting to be allowed 24 hours a day, as done in Georgia and South Carolina, the Palm Beach Post reported. But the FWC, the Post reported, compromised after others said hunting would create conflicts with anglers and others using lakes and rivers during the day and biologists said expanded hours should not have an adverse impact on the alligator population.
Round 2 of permits gets under way
The FWC began the second phase of distributing permits to hunt alligators Wednesday and will continue to do so through 11:59 p.m. Monday. Applicants are limited to one permit. Those who purchased a permit during the first phase cannot apply.
Seminar
Beginners can learn about kayak fishing
Neil Taylor will conduct a kayak fishing seminar for beginners from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. June 23 at Bill Jackson's, 9501 U.S. Highway 19 N, Pinellas Park. For details, call (727) 576-4169.
Times staff
Solunar table
AM PM major minor major minor
6/10 12:15 6:20 12:30 6:50
6/11 1:05 7:10 1:20 7:35
6/12 1:50 8:00 2:10 8:30
6/13 2:45 8:50 3:00 9:20
6/14 3:35 9:45 3:55 10:15
6/15 4:30 10:40 4:50 11:10
6/16 5:25 11:45 5:55 0
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
He said it
"Do we get more than one guy to make decisions on whether guys are fined and that stuff? If there is going to be that much overhaul in the (labor) rules, we might as well change the whole thing. Really, he is a dictator"
Seahawks and former Plant High WR Mike Williams, on ESPN.com, talking about commissioner Roger Goodell
He said it, too
"Just give me a training camp. Maybe I've rubbed people the wrong way as far as saying the things I've said in my life and in my career. But if any team needs me to help try and win a championship in any capacity, I'm waiting."
Former NBA star Allen Iverson, 36, to ESPN, about wanting to make a comeback
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Bruins at Canucks, Game 5: 8 p.m. on Ch. 8. You get the feeling that the team that wins this game will win the Cup.
Friday Night Fights: 9 p.m. on ESPN2. Welterweights Kenny Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs) and Thomas "El Frances'' Dulorme (11-0, 11 KOs) highlight the co-main events.
Sports Connection: 11 p.m. on BHSN (Ch. 47). Former Rays pitcher and Northeast High star Doug Waechter will be in studio.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Times wires
Thursday, June 9, 2011
NEW YORK — Talk about a tough crowd.
Dissed by the owner of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom one day, dismissed as the third betting choice for the Belmont Stakes another, Preakness winner Shackleford is still considered an underdog for Saturday's final leg of the Triple Crown.
What's trainer Dale Romans to think about his long, lanky 3-year-old colt?
"He's not getting the respect he deserves," Romans said Thursday at Belmont Park, where racing was canceled for the day because of temperatures approaching 100 degrees. "Let's see what happens after the race."
Shackleford has been getting the cold shoulder for months, having been sent off at odds of 68-1, 23-1 and 12-1 in his past three races.
"Every race he's run in he's been a long shot, and he's run well in every one of them," Romans said of Shackleford's starts since a fifth-place finish in the Fountain of Youth on Feb. 26. "And he's improved with every race. There are very few horses that have moved forward the more work they did. A lot stay the same, but he keeps getting better."
At 1½ miles, the Belmont is the longest and most grueling test a 3-year-old will face. It's a distance horses have yet to run and are unlikely to do so again. Pedigree reveals which horses are bred for distance, and that's likely why Animal Kingdom's owner Barry Irwin is ignoring Shackleford — the son of a sire known for producing sprinters.
"I can't see a horse by Forestry going a mile and a half," Irwin said after volunteering that he wasn't worried about Shackleford.
That's okay with Romans. Pedigree notwithstanding, he's figuring Shackleford will set a moderate pace then try to hold off his 11 rivals. The plan nearly worked in the Derby, and worked to perfection in the Preakness.
Conspicuous absence: For the first time since 1993, the Hall of Fame trio of trainers D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert and Nick Zito will not have a horse in the Belmont.
They have combined to win seven Belmonts since then — Lukas leading the way with four. Zito has won twice and Baffert once.
Of the 12 trainers in this year's race, only Todd Pletcher owns a Belmont win: the 2007 edition when the filly Rags to Riches beat Curlin, the eventual horse of the year, by a head.
Stay Thirsty is the 11th Belmont runner for Pletcher, the five-time Eclipse Award winner as the nation's leading trainer.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Rays at Orioles
When/where: 7:05 tonight; Camden Yards, Baltimore
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Probable starting pitchers
Rays
RH Jeremy Hellickson (7-3, 2.64)
Orioles
RH Jake Arrieta (7-3, 4.93)
Watch for ...
Jeremy the kid: Hellickson is 6-1, 1.74 over his past seven starts, allowing a .178 average. He has faced the Orioles more than any team, going 3-0, 1.25 in four games (three starts).
No Jaking: Arrieta, the Orioles' winningest pitcher, has six quality starts in eight games at home but is 4-2, 5.23 in them. In three starts against the Rays, he is 1-1, 5.19 with a win his last time out.
Key matchups
Rays vs. Arrieta
Matt Joyce3-for-7, HR
Evan Longoria2-for-9
B.J. Upton2-for-8, HR
Orioles vs. Hellickson
J.J. Hardy1-for-5
Nick Markakis2-for-11
Luke Scott2-for-9
On deck
Saturday: at Orioles, 7:05. Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (6-5, 3.52); Orioles — Jeremy Guthrie (2-8, 3.71)
Sunday: at Orioles, 1:35. Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (4-5, 4.71); Orioles — Brian Matusz (1-0, 2.45)
Monday: at Tigers (makeup game), 7:05. Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (1-0, 4.24); Tigers — Phil Coke (1-6, 4.11)
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Pajama party stars of the day
Among the more interesting looks for Wednesday's overnight sleepwear-themed flight to Baltimore were, from left, Ben Zobrist (wife Julianna had a matching tie-dyed outfit), B.J. Upton (in full Adidas apparel), David Price and TV man Todd Kalas.
Triple-doubles goal of the day
With three more doubles, Johnny Damon will join an elite group: the 11th player in history with 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 home runs and 2,500 hits. The other 10 are Hall of Famers: George Brett, Goose Goslin, Rogers Hornsby, Willie Mays, Paul Molitor, Stan Musial, Babe Ruth, Al Simmons, Robin Yount.
Records of the day
15-17
The Rays with Evan Longoria starting.
17-12
The Rays without Longoria starting.
Times wires
Thursday, June 9, 2011
MEMPHIS — David Mathis is leading a PGA Tour event for the first time, and pressure is not one of his concerns.
His focus is on three more days of golf.
Mathis matched his best round on the PGA Tour, shooting 5-under 65 Thursday to grab the lead at the St. Jude Classic. The 37-year-old North Carolina native is in his only second year on the tour and had to play his way back by finishing 13th on the Nationwide Tour money list last year.
He jumped to the top of the leaderboard late in the first round, finishing with six birdies and one late bogey. He hadn't shot 65 on tour since 2009 when he went that low three times.
"I don't feel stressed or uncomfortable in the position," Mathis said. "I know there's tons of golf left. I'm just trying to keep poise about me I guess I would say while I play and recognize that, 'Hey, there's lots of holes to play between now and Sunday,' and so just take it for what it is."
Robert Karlsson, who lost a four-hole playoff here a year ago, shot 66 and was tied with John Merrick, Kris Blanks, Colt Knost and Kevin Kisner.
Retief Goosen and Boo Weekley were among a group with 68s. Defending champion Lee Westwood opened with 69.
Mathis credited a visit with his coach, Patrick Kelley, this week for helping straighten out his line when putting. He noticed the difference almost immediately when he started on the back nine and rolled in a 9-footer to save par.
LPGA: Mindy Kim shot a career-low 64 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill.
Sarah Kemp and Jiyai Shin were tied for second at 6 under at the Panther Creek Country Club. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome, last week's winner at the ShopRite Classic, birdied the final hole to finish at 67 and in a tie for fourth with Yani Tseng and Juli Inkster.
Kim's round featured birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 before bogey on the par-4 ninth for 32 on the front nine. She matched it on the back stretch with birdies on 11, 12, 14 and 17.
Kim, who has three top-10 finishes this year, has the lead at an LPGA event for the first time, and she was nervous.
"I did not expect this at all," she said. "I hit the ball great today. I hit everything close. I think that's what made (the round)."
Lincicome, who won for the first time in two years last week, shot 4-under 32 on the back nine. She started the round with two birdies but bogeyed No. 9 before turning it up for the final nine holes.
Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer were in a large group at 4 under, and defending champion Cristie Kerr was 2 under. Michelle Wie was at par 72.
Times wires
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sprint Cup
What: Pocono 500
When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 11:30 a.m.); Sunday, race (TNT, 1 p.m.); Long Pond, Pa.
Fast facts: Car owner Richard Childress, 65, was fined $150,000 on Monday for assaulting Kyle Busch after the trucks race Saturday at Kansas Speedway. Childress apparently approached Busch, placed him in a headlock and punched him several times. … Greg Biffle won the Pennsylvania 500 at the track in August. … Sam Hornish is filling in for Travis Kvapil in Front Row Motorsports' No. 38 Ford. Kvapil is racing in the trucks event in Texas.
Standings: 1. Carl Edwards, 485; 2. Jimmie Johnson, 445; 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 444; 4. Kevin Harvick, 442; 5. Kyle Busch, 425; 6. Kurt Busch, 414; 7. Matt Kenseth, 412; 8. Tony Stewart, 393; 9. Clint Bowyer, 391; 10. Ryan Newman, 382
Trucks
What: WinStar World Casino 400k
When/where: Today, race (Speed, 9 p.m.); Fort Worth, Texas
Fast facts: Todd Bodine is the only series driver to win six times at one track. He won four times last year en route to his second season championship. … David Mayhew will drive Kevin Harvick's Chevy.
Standings: 1. Johnny Sauter, 302; 2. Cole Whitt, 290; 3. Austin Dillon, 272; 4. Matt Crafton, 270; 5. Timothy Peters, 255
IndyCar
What: Firestone Twin 275s
When/where: Today, practice, qualifying (Versus, 6 p.m.); Saturday, races (Versus, 8:45 p.m.); Fort Worth, Texas
Fast facts: The doubleheader is the first in major open-wheel racing since Rick Mears swept a CART event in Atlanta in 1981. CART and USAC had 17 doubleheaders from 1967 to 1981. … Half the usual points will be awarded in each race in the dual event that replaces the Firestone 550k. There will be an hour between races, and drivers will have a blind draw to determine starting spots for the second race. … St. Petersburg resident Dan Wheldon, who won the Indy 500 two weeks ago, will be an analyst on Versus' TV coverage.
Standings: 1. Will Power, 194; 2. Dario Franchitti, 178; 3. Oriol Servia, 150; 4. Tony Kanaan, 135; 5. Scott Dixon, 129
Formula One
What: Canadian Grand Prix
When/where: Today, practice (Speed, 2 p.m.); Saturday, practice, qualifying (Speed, 2 p.m.); Sunday, race (Ch. 13, 1 p.m.); Montreal
Fast facts: The race, a fixture at the track since 1978, returned to the schedule last year after being dropped in 2009. … The Bahrain Grand Prix has been canceled, with local organizers announcing they would not pursue plans to stage the rescheduled event on Oct. 30. The Bahrain GP was originally scheduled to open the season in March but was canceled due to political unrest. Last week, F1's governing body announced a new date in October, sparking criticism.
Standings: 1. Sebastian Vettel, 143; 2. Lewis Hamilton, 85; 3. Mark Webber, 79; 4. Jenson Button, 76; 5. Fernando Alonso, 69
Nationwide
Next: Alliance Truck Parts 250, June 18, Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Mich.
Standings: 1. Reed Sorenson, 488; 2. Elliott Sadler, 486; 3. Ricky Stenhouse, 482; 4. Justin Allgaier, 477; 5. Aric Almirola, 442
NHRA
Next: Thunder Valley Nationals, June 17-19, Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway
Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Del Worsham, 714; 2. Spencer Massey, 650. Funny Car — 1. Mike Neff, 707; 2. Jack Beckman, 609.4. Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line, 642; 2. Greg Stanfield, 585. Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Karen Stoffer, 380; 2. Andrew Hines, 337
Times wires
Thursday, June 9, 2011
BOSTON — Although Roberto Luongo is receiving much of the blame for Vancouver's two-game meltdown in Boston during the Stanley Cup final, his teammates refuse to allow the goalie to take the heat alone.
Most of the 12 goals he allowed in just more than five periods were not his fault, defenseman Kevin Bieksa said Thursday. Luongo will rebound for tonight's Game 5, captain Henrik Sedin promised.
If only the Canucks had provided that much support to Luongo on the ice, maybe they wouldn't be headed home with their series lead evaporated.
"These were the same questions Boston got after they lost (the first) two games, and they found a way," Sedin said. "We need to do the same thing."
No matter what Vancouver says, Boston's Tim Thomas has outplayed his fellow Vezina Trophy finalist. Luongo allowed seven goals among the last 23 shots he faced in Boston. He was fidgety after Wednesday's 4-0 loss in Game 4.
"We have two out of three with home-ice advantage, and that's what we've worked for all season," he said.
Thomas, meanwhile, allowed just one goal in two home games. For the series, he has stopped 141 of 146 shots.
"I think we're giving Thomas too much respect," Bieksa said. "He's leaky. Pucks go through him. We've seen it all year. We just need to put more pucks on him."
The Canucks' problems in front of Luongo stem from injuries — even if, as all teams do during the playoffs, they refuse to disclose them.
Center Ryan Kesler, the leader of their defensive line, has played with a fraction of his usual disruptive force while apparently nursing an injury. Puck-moving defenseman Christian Ehrhoff has an injured shoulder preventing him from shooting the puck with his usual vigor.
And those are just the players healthy enough to suit up. The Canucks' biggest loss has been Dan Hamhuis, the versatile veteran defenseman who hasn't played since hurting himself delivering a check in Game 1.
Without Hamhuis and suspended defenseman Aaron Rome, the Canucks offense was hampered in Game 4 by an inability to move quickly up the ice in transition. Vancouver's aggressive offense is built on its cadre of mobile, puck-moving defensemen. But it no longer has the manpower to do everything it desires.
"We didn't expect to sweep these guys," Bieksa said. "We have to focus on the positives and can't hang our heads.
"If we come out the next game and score three goals in the first (period), no one will remember these games."
Lightning will not replace ill assistant
TAMPA — Lightning assistant coach Wayne Fleming will have a job waiting for him when he recovers from brain cancer treatment even if he cannot rejoin the team for the start of next season, general manager Steve Yzerman said.
"Everything is subject to change. But right now, my intention is to leave (the position) open," he said. "When Wayne is healthy enough to rejoin the coaching staff, he'll rejoin the coaching staff."
Fleming, 60, is rehabbing in California, where he had surgery and is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
"He's progressing," Yzerman said. "He's seen some positive progress, but it's slow."
As for his plan to wait for Fleming, Yzerman said, "It's the right thing to do. We're playing a man short right now. We'll be fine."
Drury out? The Rangers plan to buy out the final season of Chris Drury's contract, New York's Daily News reported. Doing so would make the center an unrestricted free agent and save $3.3 million against the salary cap. Drury, who signed a five-year, $35.25 million contract in July 2007, scored just one goal in 24 games this season, which was interrupted by a broken finger and arthroscopic knee surgery.
Canadiens: Andrei Kostitsyn signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million. The wing, who could have become a restricted free agent, had 20 goals and 25 assists this season.
Leafs: Goalie James Reimer signed a three-year deal worth $5.4 million. Reimer, 23, who could have become a restricted free agent, went 20-10-5 after being called up Jan. 23.
Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.
Times staff, wires
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Times wires
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Labor talks
Barkley, dilfer say owners will prevail in nba, nfl negotiations
RENO, Nev. — Charles Barkley and Trent Dilfer don't have many encouraging words for players in contract negotiations with the NBA and NFL.
The basketball Hall of Famer and the former Bucs quarterback told reporters Thursday while promoting Lake Tahoe's celebrity golf tourney that they expect the owners to prevail in labor talks in both sports. They say the players unions won big victories over the owners during their era and now the current crop of multimillionaires will have to pay the price.
Barkley expects an NBA lockout, which he said will be devastating. He said owners are "going for the jugular this time."
Dilfer said the closer the NFL players get to the regular season, the worse deal they will get.
MORE NFL: Titans receiver Kenny Britt was arrested again in New Jersey, a day after appearing in court for a previous arrest on traffic charges. Police said he was charged with resisting arrest after two plainclothes officers suspected he was carrying a marijuana cigar and attempted to handcuff him at a Hoboken car wash Wednesday evening. … Joe Perry and John Henry Johnson, part of the 49ers' "Million Dollar Backfield" who died this year, are having their brains examined by researchers studying head injuries in sports.
Storm
Thin at QB, Storm looks at Grothe
TAMPA — The Storm will carry only two quarterbacks for Saturday's home game against Pittsburgh, with former starter Grant Gregory released Thursday to make room for cornerback Marcus Jefferson.
Gregory, a former USF backup, had the starting job until he injured his foot five games ago, giving way to current starter Brian Zbydniewski.
The Storm brought in Matt Grothe, another USF alum, for a tryout but isn't expected to make a decision about signing him until next week. "I'm looking forward to it and hopefully can get on the field," said Grothe, who is fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his USF career during the 2009 season. "They told me they'd talk to everyone else and try to make room for me."
Soccer
Positive tests cost Mexico five players
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Five players for Mexico, including goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and defender Francisco Rodriguez, tested positive for a banned substance and are out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Decio de Maria, secretary general of the Mexican soccer federation, said the two starters in last year's World Cup tested positive for clenbuterol, along with role players Edgar Duenas, Christian Bermudez and Antonio Naelson "Sinha." De Maria said he believes the positive results come from contaminated beef. Mexico, which played Cuba on Thursday, is a CONCACAF favorite.
Gold Cup: Randall Brenes scored in the closing seconds of stoppage time to give Costa Rica a 1-1 draw with El Salvador in Charlotte, N.C.
Et cetera
Surfing: Three-time world champion Andy Irons had several drugs in his system when he died of a heart attack at age 32 in a Dallas-area hotel room seven months ago, though the main cause was sudden cardiac arrest due to severe blockage of a main artery. The autopsy report said Xanax, methadone, cocaine and a trace amount of methamphetamine were found in his system.
Running: Usain Bolt ran the fastest time in the world this season, 19.86 seconds, in a victory in the 200 meters at a Diamond League meet in Oslo, Norway.
Tennis: Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray reached the quarters at Queen's Club in London.
Iditarod: Alaska Troopers called off the search for a former Iditarod musher missing more than a week. Melanie Gould, 34, was last seen May 31 buying gas near her home in Talkeetna.
Greg Auman, Times staff writer; Times wires
By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, June 9, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — For a moment, forget the politics. Forget the legal issues, the tax ramifications and the conspirators across the bay.
Forget about all the emotional land mines that surround the issue of a baseball stadium in Tampa Bay, and ask yourself a simple question:
How will this end?
Because everything else is just wind and whistles. It is the bottom line that matters, and it is the only thing we should be focusing on this morning.
My crystal ball is not always perfect, but I do know this:
It will not end well for St. Petersburg.
Not the way things are currently going.
Circumstances around Tropicana Field are growing more gloomy with every turn of the calendar, and St. Petersburg leaders think rose-colored glasses are the solution.
I'm sorry, but I just don't buy it.
This story will not have a happy ending if the final chapter involves Mayor Bill Foster blocking the front door with a lease in one hand and a campaign button in the other.
For what relationship ever works when one person refuses to let the other leave?
I'm not suggesting St. Petersburg shouldn't fight for the Rays. And I'm certainly not saying the city shouldn't make the most of its lease at Tropicana Field.
But taking an intractable — and, yes, adversarial — approach to the question of where the Rays end up playing is not going to solve this problem.
All it will do is make ownership less committed to Tampa Bay and to the future of the team. The Rays will suffer. The fans will suffer. Ultimately, St. Petersburg will suffer.
I mean, do you seriously believe the city can hang a few new curtains at Tropicana Field, and Rays owner Stu Sternberg will suddenly decide the place looks charming?
In the history of professional sports, what owner has ever happily accepted defeat on a stadium issue? In the past, they simply moved away. And if they can't move, they sell. And then the process starts all over again with the next guy.
So let's return to the issue of the bottom line.
What is the best St. Petersburg can hope for? That the Rays stay put in a stadium Sternberg detests and attendance miraculously goes through the dome? If you believe that, I've got a .159-hitting catcher I'd like to trade you.
The reality is over the past decade Tampa Bay is 29th out of 30 teams in attendance. And the only team worse — the Marlins — is building a new stadium.
You can argue Tampa Bay attendance was on an upswing from 2008-10, but this season it has dipped to 2007 levels. And, trust me, it will get worse.
Whether you believe him or not, Sternberg says the team was losing money when he increased the payroll in 2009-10. So the payroll was cut substantially this season, and the only thing keeping the Rays out of last place is the prowess of GM Andrew Friedman.
So if Sternberg continues to keep the payroll low — and why wouldn't he if he's unhappy with the city — attendance will continue to drop and his reasons to leave will grow.
This is the point the mayor and other leaders fail to acknowledge. The city doesn't benefit if the stadium is empty, and it just makes the rest of the world think we're goobers.
And the longer it continues, the easier it will be for Sternberg or some other owner to break the lease. The debt service will be paid off, and a judge will be hard-pressed to find many economic or cultural damages for a city that doesn't seem to care about its team.
So why not get ahead of this thing now?
Why not control the team's search for a new stadium? Let Hillsborough County present its best offer, but make it clear that nothing happens without St. Petersburg's approval.
If Pinellas County has a solution in the Gateway or Carillon or Derby Lane areas, then the Rays will be able to compare the deals side by side.
And if the team decides its best chance for survival is in downtown Tampa, then St. Petersburg will have to be handsomely compensated in exchange for releasing the team from the lease.
In the end, it may be the best thing for everyone.
The Rays will be nearer the community's corporate center, St. Petersburg will have money for redevelopment in the midtown area, and the market won't look so depressed and downtrodden in the nation's eyes.
Is all of that possible? I honestly don't know.
An awful lot would have to go right. Someone would have to come up with a lot of money for a stadium, and to pay off St. Petersburg as well. Perhaps that would make Gateway the more attractive solution in the long run. Or maybe we'll discover the stadium is not worth the expense.
The point is someone needs to be discussing it.
Because talking tough is not necessarily a leader's greatest quality. Listening can be, too.
