By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 10, 2011
Godfrey Myles, a Florida Gators linebacker from 1987- 1990, died today after suffering a heart attack earlier this week, the University of Florida has confirmed.
He was 42.
Myles was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1991 draft, and was primarily a special teams player and backup linbacker. He played with the Cowboys from 1991- 96.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 10, 2011
For Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, the heavy lifting began Thursday, when he really got down to the business of signing Tampa Bay's free agents.
Yzerman said he is working off a list "because every contract I do is going to affect the next one."
No surprise, then, the list begins with the players who will command the most money: center Steven Stamkos and top-four defenseman Eric Brewer.
None of Tampa Bay's 12 restricted or unrestricted free agents has been told he will not return next season, Yzerman said. But he admitted, "I probably can't bring everybody back."
That said, "I've told a few guys I've got a few contracts I've got to do first before I can make a decision on you."
Stamkos, 21, who has a league-best 96 goals the past two seasons, will cost about $7 million a season. He will be a restricted free agent if not signed by July 1. Tampa Bay could match any outside offer, but those tend to jack up the price.
Brewer, 32, an unrestricted free agent who made $4.5 million last season, won't come cheap, either. Top-four defensemen are in great demand around the league, and his strong postseason, in which he had a goal and seven points in 18 games while averaging a team-high 25:36 of ice time, solidified his value.
"He played very well for us," Yzerman said. "We intend to offer him a contract. It all comes down to how much we can afford to pay for the position and how much the player is asking. We haven't had those discussions yet. But at my end of the year meeting, he indicated he enjoyed playing here in Tampa and is interested in exploring signing an extension with us."
As for Stamkos, both sides have said they want a deal.
Yzerman said he has been playing "phone tag" with Stamkos' agent Don Meehan but reiterated, "We want (Stamkos) to be a Lightning player for a long time and our intention is to reach an agreement that works for all the parties involved."
For the Lightning, that means also being able to sign goalies Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith, and wings Sean Bergenheim and Teddy Purcell. Wing Simon Gagne, who had a good second half of the season and playoff, but also had injury issues, might be one of those players further down the list.
Yzerman also has to be cognizant of potential free agents for whom he might want to bid; Brad Richards anyone?
"Before we can worry about any potential player," Yzerman said, speaking generally, "I have to know how much money I have left over."
Making it a bit easier is an expected payroll increase promised, Yzerman has said, by owner Jeff Vinik. Tampa Bay's salary cap hit last season was about $55 million. Next season's league cap is expected to be as high as $63.5 million, up from $59.4 million.
Whatever the numbers, Yzerman said his process began Thursday.
"I have calls in to three or four agents," he said. "We're getting the ball rolling."
"Who do I start with?" Yzerman said, laughing and bringing the conversation back to Stamkos. "I'm just going to pull a name out of a hat."
Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tampa Bay Rays rightfielder Matt Joyce was scratched from tonight's lineup with what the team called "post-injection soreness" in his left shoulder, which had bothered him the past week and a half.
Joyce, who ranks second in the league in hitting, was replaced by Justin Ruggiano, but says he expects to return to the lineup Saturday.
Joyce said with the team having an offday Thursday, he stayed in L.A. and had a cortisone shot taken, which resulted in some lingering soreness today. He said manager Joe Maddon suggested he back off a day, and Joyce added he could pinch-hit tonight if need be.
"It was something that I actually felt in the offseason, and had the same shot right before spring training and was good to go," Joyce said. "Same thing, it started flaring up, take another shot and good to go."
Manager Joe Maddon isn't concerned about it, saying it was just a one-day thing.
By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 10, 2011
GAINESVILLE — In his most recent outing against Mississippi State in April, Florida sophomore pitcher Hudson Randall survived just 2 1/3 innings, giving up nine hits and six runs. So needless to say, he was eager to get another shot at the Bulldogs.
Friday afternoon, Hudson pitched a postseason career-high eight innings, giving up just one earned run on a season-high 115 pitches to help Florida to an 11-1 victory over MSU in the first game of the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional.
"I was a little more anxious coming out," Randall said. "It pumped me up a little bit more because they tattooed me over in Starkville. And I missed pitching against them in the SEC Tournament, so I was really excited to come back out and give it another go."
Florida has outscored its opponents 34-1 in the first three innings of NCAA Tournament play. The Gators jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead against freshman pitcher Evan Mitchell, who walked three of the first nine batters.
Florida (49-16) and MSU (37-24) will play the second game of the best-of-three series today at noon. The Gators fully expect it to be much tougher.
"This job is not over, and we've talked about that already," Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "We don't carry over any wins from (Friday) to (Saturday). We'll be ready to play. We will not overlook them."
Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.
Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
Childress will pay, but he's not sorry
The fallout from last week's Richard Childress-Kyle Busch incident continued Friday with Childress taking responsibility for punching Busch but also taking NASCAR to task.
Childress, left, who was fined $150,000, won't apologize to Busch.
"I am passionate about my race teams, our fans and I let my emotions get … come in front of my passion," said Childress, 65. " … I agree that NASCAR should have done something with me. I don't agree (with how NASCAR handled) the situation that happened on the cooldown lap."
In Saturday's truck series race at Kansas Speedway, Busch was racing Joey Coulter of Richard Childress Racing for position late in the race. Afterward, Busch bumped Coulter's truck. Busch was already on probation for an incident at a Sprint Cup race in May with Kevin Harvick of RCR but was cleared by NASCAR in the Childress incident. According to reports, Childress got Busch in a headlock and punched him several times.
Spencer chides Childress for hits
Jimmy Spencer, once suspended for punching Kurt Busch, believes Childress was wrong to attack Kurt's younger brother Kyle. "Richard Childress stepped over the line … he let his temper lead him to assault someone," Spencer, now an analyst for the Speed Channel, said this week. "That's a big black eye on the sport. The fans and others in the sport may think it's funny, but these major (sponsors) cannot be happy having a car owner represent them who assaults another person." Spencer was suspended one race in 2003 for punching Kurt Busch after a race at Michigan, punctuating a long feud. Spencer now says he was wrong.
Audi on pole for Le Mans
Audi's Benoit Treluyer clinched the pole for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which starts this morning, with a lap of 3 minutes, 25.738 seconds on the 8.4-mile circuit in France. Defending champions Romain Dumas, Timo Bernhard and Mike Rockenfeller will start second, also for Audi, which has won six of the past seven titles in the endurance race.
Elsewhere
Alex Tagliani will start on the pole for the first of tonight's two IndyCar races at Texas Motor Speedway after a lap of 215.186 mph around the 1.5-mile Fort Worth track. The field for the second race will be set by random draw. … Clint Bowyer started on the pole and led wire-to-wire for his first win in Tony Stewart's dirt-track charity race Wednesday at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. J.J. Yeley was second and Tampa's Aric Almirola third. The event has raised more than $3 million for various charities since 2005.
Times wires
More pain for Indianapolis 500 runnerup Hildebrand
Bad luck just keeps following J.R. Hildebrand. Less than two weeks after a final-turn crash cost him an Indianapolis 500 victory, the IndyCar rookie injured his left knee during a fitness promotion for tonight's Twin 275s in Texas. Panther Racing, his team, confirmed the injury but said it wouldn't provide details. Multiple reports said Hildebrand, left, tore his ACL. He's still slated to drive this weekend and qualified the car Friday. He'll line up 11th for the first of two races. "It's a hassle, but I've got good means of dealing with it this weekend and it's not going to be an issue down the road," he said. Hildebrand was injured Wednesday trying to clear a hurdle on an obstacle course. IndyCar driver Ryan Briscoe also participated in the event.
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 10, 2011
Cubs at Phillies: 4 p.m. on Ch. 13. This game is going out to 59 percent of the country. Kenny Albert and Tim McCarver call the action.
Belmont Stakes: 5 p.m. on Ch. 8. Did you know the first Belmont was in 1867?
McEnroe/Borg Fire & Ice: 10 p.m. on HBO. A look back at the legendary tennis rivalry between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.
By Dave Zalewski, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 10, 2011
What's hot: It appears it'll be a great summer for kingfish. We've found them in several areas instead of being incidental catches while bottom fishing. The 10 Fathom curve (60 feet), with its ledges, jumbled rock areas and wrecks, holds the majority of the bait and kings.
Tactics: Many fish we caught have been stragglers from huge bait piles of Spanish sardines, hardtails and blue runners. Catching the bait with Sabiki rigs using a 3- or 4-ounce sinker is relatively easy. Presenting them is more complex. Downriggers can be used with a clip near the weight near the bottom. A 2- to 4-ounce trolling weight can be used at mid depth. A nose-hooked bait can be deployed on the surface. A stinger rig should be used no matter the depth. Initial light drag settings should be employed to prevent breakoffs.
Tips: Slow troll around bait piles with lines far enough out that they pass through the bait. Bait piles might not be visible from the surface, so watch the depth finder.
Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach. Call (727) 397-8815.
Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
LONG POND, Pa. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. needed an extreme makeover on his sagging career. New shop. New crew chief. New team.
Now comes the best part for NASCAR's most popular driver.
Better results.
His winless drought is stuck on 106 races entering Pocono Raceway and the three-year mark of his last victory is closing in. Earnhardt, though, might finally have his career back on track after a string of underachieving seasons at Hendrick Motorsports.
His next win, especially if it comes soon, won't be a stunner because he has been one of the hottest drivers in the sport, boosting both his morale and his spot in the standings.
"We're not satisfied. We want to win races," Earnhardt said Friday. "I know those guys are itching to win and get into Victory Lane."
He's getting close.
Earnhardt thought he was going to win at Martinsville Speedway until Kevin Harvick passed him with four laps left. Earnhardt settled for second, which started a string of three top 10 finishes.
Then came heartbreak at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He led on the final lap before his gas tank ran dry; he finished seventh. Last week at Kansas, he was second again, giving him seven top 10s this season — one fewer than his 36-race total from a year ago.
Earnhardt has battled the frustration of being so close to taking the checkered flag with the pride of knowing he's running at the front of the pack. He has not won since Michigan in June 2008, his first season with Hendrick Motorsports.
Earnhardt was 12th in points that year, then finished 21st last year and 25th in 2009.
In any other sport, those kind of results can get you booed out of town.
But Earnhardt's legion of diehards have never wavered in their support, even as he slumped, and few sounds in sports can match the roar from the stands when No. 88 zooms into the lead.
They have reason to cheer this year.
Earnhardt pointed to all the changes at Hendrick for the reason he's third in points. His partnership with crew chief Steve Letarte, who previously called the shots for Jeff Gordon, has been an instant success. When the car struggles or falls a lap behind, they still find a way to keep the race from getting out of hand.
"I feel like it's a good relationship and going pretty good," Earnhardt said. "Just trying to protect it and keep it going that way."
Team owner Rick Hendrick has long tried to find the right formula to make Earnhardt as successful, or least in the same league, as teammates Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
Earnhardt remains upbeat that his first win in three years is on the way.
"It's great, it's not frustrating," he said. "I'm running good. That's great. It's where you want to be. Close. It's not winning. It's better than running damn 25th and 30th every week, I'll tell you that."
He's not satisfied, though. Earnhardt knows he has to win a race for fans and critics to believe he's really a contender.
Breaking through Sunday might prove he's for real. He's 0-for-Pocono — Earnhardt has five top fives in 22 races on the triangular 2½-mile track. But in his past five he hasn't finished better than 12th.
"We've had a lot of good runs, but the last couple of years haven't been that awesome," Earnhardt said.
If not Sunday, maybe next week at Michigan. His last win came there on June 15, 2008. Earnhardt has to believe his time to celebrate is near.
"I don't know that I've been the kind of person to be certain about anything," he said. "I'm not an assuming kind of person. I probably never felt that way."
Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tennis
Tsonga ousts Nadal at Queen's Club
LONDON — Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Rafael Nadal 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-1 Friday in the quarterfinals at Queen's Club.
Tsonga had 25 aces and kept the French Open champion off-balance with his powerful baseline game.
"Probably after losing the second set, mentally I lost my concentration," said Nadal, who won his record-tying sixth French Open title Sunday. "The negative thing is I lost. The positive thing is I have few days off and can stop a little bit mentally."
Meanwhile, American Andy Roddick beat Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-2, and second-seeded Andy Murray received a walkover when Marin Cilic (ankle) withdrew.
More tennis: Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki eased into the Sony Ericsson Open semifinals with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Alberta Brianti in Copenhagen, Denmark. … Philipp Kohlschreiber beat defending champ Lleyton Hewitt 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 to reach the Gerry Weber Open semifinals in Halle, Germany.
Et cetera
NFL: The head of the sports and entertainment firm that wants to build a stadium in downtown Los Angeles has been in talks with officials from five teams about the venue, the Associated Press reported. Anschutz Entertainment Group president and CEO Tim Leiweke has spoken with representatives from the Vikings, Chargers, Raiders, Rams and Jaguars but conceded, "We're not packing any (moving) vans right now," Leiweke said.
Soccer: Suriname federation president Louis Giskus acknowledged getting $40,000 in cash at a meeting that is being investigated in a FIFA bribery scandal involving former presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and suspended FIFA vice president Jack Warner. … The Mexican government said its beef doesn't contain clenbuterol, hurting the defense of five players suspended from the Gold Cup team after testing positive for the banned substance.
Swimming: Four-time Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans, 39, told the Associated Press she has been training for the past six months with an eye on qualifying for next year's Olympic trials. … Alex Meyer and Eva Fabian won the 10K races at the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships in Fort Lauderdale to earn places at the world championships, the trials for the 2012 London Games.
Cycling: American Philip Zajicek, 32, received a ban for life after admitting to multiple doping violations in a case stemming from an investigation into EPO and human-growth hormone trafficking from China, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said.
Times wires
Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
Finals
Mavericks 3, Heat 2
Game 1: Heat 92, Mavericks 84
Game 2: Mavericks 95, Heat 93
Game 3: Heat 88, Mavericks 86
Game 4: Mavericks 86, Heat 83
Game 5: Mavericks 112, Heat 103
Sunday: at Miami, 8, Ch. 28
Tuesday: at Miami, 9, Ch. 28 *
* If necessary
MIAMI — LeBron James came to South Beach last summer for the chance to be a champion. He arrived back here Friday just hoping to be a survivor.
The Mavericks have a 3-2 lead in the Finals and can win their first title Sunday.
"I guess they have momentum in the sense they came home and won two games. But each game is its own," Miami guard Dwyane Wade said Thursday night. "Every game has been pretty much a possession here, a possession there. Either team can come in and say they can be up different than what they are. So we're confident."
So are the Mavs, who hung in for four games until their offense started clicking. They get two chances to close out the Heat but stressed the importance of doing it on the first try.
"Game 6 is Game 7 for us," guard Jason Terry said. "We want to play like there's no tomorrow. If we do that, I have no doubt in my mind we can be successful. We must come out aggressively."
Wrapping it up on Miami's floor would be sweet revenge for Terry and Dirk Nowitzki, part of the team that lost to Miami in the 2006 Finals, including the clinching Game 6 in Dallas.
That remained the Heat's biggest moment until July, when James and Chris Bosh signed. The Heat threw a bash, their three superstars posing and dancing on stage while drawing some ridicule around the league.
There's no dancing now, especially with Wade's sore left hip.
He said he'll be fine in time for Sunday and will benefit from an extra day off.
James' reputation, meanwhile, has absorbed its own wound. He rebounded from his eight-point Game 4 with a triple double in Game 5. But it came with only two points in the fourth quarter. He has totaled just 11 points in the five fourth quarters.
"We've just got to push through it. At this point, we have no choice," James said. "We've got two games left, and we worked hard all year to get homecourt advantage. So we have to take advantage of it."
Ratings: Thursday's game drew a preliminary overnight rating of 12.6. The only higher Game 5 over the past seven years was last year's 12.8 between the Celtics and Lakers. Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned into a program. Overnight ratings measure the country's largest markets.
By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 10, 2011
Arena Football
tonight
Storm (4-7) vs. Pittsburgh (7-4)
When/where: 7:30; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa
TV/radio: BHSN; 1250-AM
Quick count: The Power is in its inaugural Arena Football League season, but this is the second go-round for a franchise in Pittsburgh. The first? The franchise now known as the Tampa Bay Storm, which was called the Pittsburgh Gladiators from 1987-90. The Gladiators were one of the four original AFL franchises when the league formed. … NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann is a co-owner of the Power. He is expected to be in attendance tonight. … The Power enters the game on a four-game winning streak and is atop the East Division of the American Conference. … Pittsburgh is coached by Chris Siegfried, who was the Jacksonville Sharks' offensive coordinator last season. Pittsburgh's quarterback is Bernard Morris, a backup at Jacksonville in 2010 under Siegfried. … Morris, a dual threat QB who came on for an injured Aaron Garcia in a 49-47 Sharks win against Tampa Bay last season, has thrown for 1,357 yards and rushed for 213 in six games this year. … The Storm released former USF QB Grant Gregory on Thursday and signed defensive back Marcus Jefferson.
Brandon Wright, Times correspondent
Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
MEMPHIS — Robert Karlsson keeps playing better and better at TPC Southwind. The Swede could be on track for his first PGA Tour title if he keeps it up.
Karlsson is focused only on his next round.
"That's a question we'll discuss when it happens," Karlsson said.
Karlsson shot 5-under 65 Friday to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the St. Jude Classic. He started a stroke behind first-round leader David Mathis and carded six birdies and a bogey to reach 9-under 131. Karlsson, who lost here a year ago in a playoff with Lee Westwood, has played his first six career rounds at the course under par with this his lowest score yet.
"It's actually a bonus that I did well here last year," said Karlsson, who is ranked 23rd in the world and has 11 career European Tour titles.
"But this year is a new year, and even now most likely going to be in the lead after two days makes no difference. We've come halfway, and who knows. I might finish 55th. You never know. You've got to keep going, especially on punishing golf courses like this."
Colt Knost (68) and Keegan Bradley (67) were tied for second. John Merrick (69) was 5 under, and Fredrik Jacobson (65) and Harrison Frazar (65) were another stroke back.
Brandt Snedeker shot 66 to top the group at 3 under that included Mathis (72). With 83 making the cut at 2 over, David Toms (5 over) and Sergio Garcia (7 over) were among those who made an early departure for the U.S. Open at Congressional.
LPGA: Mindy Kim maintained her two-stroke lead in the State Farm Classic, following her opening career-low 64 with 5-under 67 to reach 13-under 131 in Springfield, Ill.
Kim had seven birdies — four in a row on Nos. 12-15 — and two bogeys at the Panther Creek course.
Top-ranked Yani Tseng (66) and Shanshan Feng (65) were tied for second.
Kim, winless in two seasons on tour, said she has struggled with focus after bad holes but thinks she's managing herself better on the course. The American proved it Friday, quickly rebounding from bogey on the par-4 10th — her opening hole of the round.
"I would just get angry. I mean if I made a stupid bogey, which, on No. 10, it really was," Kim said. "Honestly, in the past I just didn't practice in my offseason. I would just hang out with my friends, and I think I did a little too much of that.
This offseason, I cut out a lot of time for golf."
Amanda Blumenhurst (67) was 9 under, and Seminole's Brittany Lincicome shot 69 to join Paula Creamer (68) and Jennifer Johnson (67) at 8 under.
Defending champion Cristie Kerr (67) topped a large group at 7 under. Michelle Wie was eight strokes back at 5 under, following an opening 72 with 67.
Champions: Bob Tway was walking from the putting green to the first tee at Rock Barn in Conover, N.C., when he saw Mike Goodes shoot 28 on the front nine. "After playing the pro-am, we knew we had to shoot low," Tway said. "But then when you see someone shoot 28, I think it kind of shocks you in that, 'Ooh, we're going to have to shoot really low.' " No problem for Tway, especially when you have only 23 putts. He birdied No. 18 for 9-under 63 to open a one-shot lead over Goodes, Tommy Armour III, Joe Ozaki and Mark Wiebe after the first round of the Greater Hickory Classic.
Times staff, wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn's Gene Chizik received a hefty new contract that makes him one of college football's highest-paid coaches.
The deal is worth $3.5 million a year through 2015, with incentives worth $1 million more, the school said Friday. Chizik, 49, a Clearwater native, was rewarded for leading the Tigers to their first national title since 1957 in just his second season.
He made $2.1 million last season but received $1.3 million in bonuses after the 14-0 season.
"We believe that we have the best coach in college football," athletic director Jay Jacobs said.
Chizik, a former Auburn and Texas defensive coordinator, is 22-5 in two years with Auburn.
"I want to thank president (Jay) Gogue and Jay Jacobs for their leadership and vision and believing in the direction that we have established for the Auburn football program," Chizik said.
The raise doesn't quite push Chizik close to Alabama's Nick Saban, who makes $4.7 million a year with bonuses. Other well-paid coaches (all yearly): Texas' Mack Brown ($5 million), Oklahoma's Bob Stoops ($4.3 million), LSU's Les Miles ($3.75 million) and Arkansas' Bobby Petrino ($3.56 million).
Stewart out at W.Va.: West Virginia coach Bill Stewart resigned over "conduct detrimental to the university," and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, considered the coach in waiting, will be promoted, the school said. Stewart is part of an NCAA infractions case against the program, charged with "failure to monitor."
Ex-Gator Myles dies: Godfrey Myles, 42, a Miami native who played linebacker and safety for Florida from 1987 to 1990, died Friday after suffering a massive heart attack Wednesday, UF said. Mr. Myles was a team captain and first-team All-SEC selection at safety in his senior season in 1990 after being a Sporting News honorable mention All-American at linebacker in 1989. He was a third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1991 and was primarily a special teams player and backup linebacker with them until 1996.
Pryor saga: The relationship between former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Columbus businessman Dennis Talbott, who is accused of giving Pryor money for signed memorabilia, dates to at least 2008, ESPN reported. Pryor and Talbott played golf together several times that year, before Pryor began his first season with the Buckeyes. It wasn't clear who paid for the $80- to $100-a-round guest fees at the private course at which Talbott was a member, but it would be an NCAA violation if Talbott had. On Tuesday, Pryor gave up his senior season amid an NCAA investigation.
Michigan: Receiver Darryl Stonum was sentenced to two years probation for operating while visibly impaired. Stonum, suspended indefinitely after his arrest May 6, was ticketed for driving with a suspended license Thursday.
Troubled programs: Outgoing athletics director Mike Hamilton, former basketball coach Bruce Pearl and former football coach Lane Kiffin are part of a Tennessee contingent that will meet with the NCAA's Committee on Infractions today to defend themselves and the university against 12 charges of major violations after two years of being investigated. Pearl was fired in March, and Hamilton said Tuesday that he will resign this month. Kiffin left Tennessee in January 2010 after news of a possible investigation into the football program was made public and is now coaching at USC. … Boise State met with the NCAA Committee on Infractions to discuss violations by its football program, men's and women's tennis and track and field. The school issued self-imposed penalties over 22 infractions.
Basketball: Missouri will play Missouri Southern in an exhibition Oct. 30 in Joplin, Mo., to benefit victims of a tornado May 22. Proceeds from the "One State, One Spirit Classic" will support rebuilding efforts.
Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.
Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 10, 2011
Panama
Nickname: Los Canaleros
Manager: Julio Dely Valdes
Best Gold Cup finish: Runnerup in 2005
The skinny: Panama makes its fourth consecutive Gold Cup appearance and fifth overall. … Blas Perez and Luis Tejada, left, are the most accomplished and effective scoring options. … Tejada scored once and assisted on Perez's strike in the team's Gold Cup opening 3-2 win against Guadeloupe. … Panama led Guadeloupe 2-0 before a red card late in the first half left the Gwada Boys a man down. … Panama extended its lead to 3-0 but had to fend off a second-half rally to win 3-2.
Guadeloupe
Nickname: Gwada Boys
Manager: Roger Salnot
Best Gold Cup finish: Semifinals in 2007
The skinny: Guadeloupe opened the tournament with a 3-2 loss to Panama. … Guadeloupe played with 10 men for the second half after Mickael Tacalfred, above, drew a red card in the 36th minute. … Brice Jovial, who came on as a substitute, scored twice in a 14-minute stretch against Panama.
Canada
Nickname: Maple Leafs
Manager: Stephen Hart
Best Gold Cup finish: Champions in 2000
The skinny: Though it has been more than a decade since their last Gold Cup championship, the Maple Leafs are the only other team besides the United States and Mexico to claim the title. … The Maple Leafs feature a number MLS stars, including Dwayne De Rosario, above (New York) and Will Johnson (Real Salt Lake). … Canada lost 2-0 to the United States in the Gold Cup opener for both teams on Tuesday in Detroit.
Brandon Wright, Times correspondent
Group C
By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 10, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — As Randy and Patty Floyd dined with friends at Derby Lane, Arthur Weaver, then the track president, stopped by their table.
"Mr. Weaver thought Randy was a (major-league) ballplayer, and one of Randy's friends was (Reds catcher) Johnny Bench," Patty said. "We said, 'No! No! No!' After that, he bought us a round of drinks. We just got tickled about that."
The occasion, which took place more than three decades ago on the Floyds' first visit to Derby Lane, has stayed with Patty. She mentioned it after M's Free Agent won the $8,000 T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge on June 4.
"This means a lot to us," said Patty, who owns Floyd & Porter kennel with her husband and Lamar Porter of Plant City.
"Stakes wins are all special because they're so few and far between."
It was the kennel's first win in the 15-year-old T.L. Weaver, named for the Derby Lane founder and Arthur's grandfather. Arthur, who died in 2004, is the father of track president and chairman of the board Vey Weaver.
M's Free Agent became the first member of his litter to win a stakes, edging Hi Noon Renegade by a length. He has 31 wins from 107 starts for trainer Cal Holland.
The 38-month-old male was sired by Extruding Dream, a 2006 All-American and Flashy Sir winner (top distance dog).
He is out of M's Mary Freeman, the nation's third-leading dam this year. The winning time of 30.56 seconds over 550 yards was M's Free Agent's second fastest over his past 41 races and earned $3,200.
"That's like winning seven Grade A races," said Brian Baldwin, who works in the kennel with his wife, Paula.
"The (purse) points have gone down so much over the years, you need to get a piece of the stakes pie to keep going."
M's Free Agent's litter has amassed 138 wins from 576 starts and $91,630 in purse money.
"It's been a nice, nice litter," Patty said. "Free Agent is a happy boy who likes to get out and go."
Floyd & Porter had not won a stakes since 2007, when Brady Thomas captured Night of Stars XX. Brady Thomas was part of the most successful litter ever for the Floyds. Including Hometown Boy, Legends Field and Miss Merle, the litter combined for 259 wins in 899 starts and $263,743 in purses from 2005-09.
Brady Thomas was a two-time second-team All-American and four-time stakes winner. Hometown Boy is the only dog to go unbeaten in winning the $64,000 Sprint Classic and holds Tampa Greyhound's 550-yard record of 30.01.
Early openings: Oldsmar's Tampa Bay Downs (10:30 a.m.), St. Petersburg's Derby Lane (11) and Tampa Greyhound (11:15) open early today for the Belmont Stakes undercard.
By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 10, 2011
TAMPA — A little more than a year ago, Juan Agudelo wasn't even a blip on most U.S. soccer fans' radar. Today, Agudelo could score the goal that helps the Yanks into the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup.
Agudelo and his teammates will try to win their second 2011 Gold Cup game in as many matches tonight when the United States takes on Panama at Raymond James Stadium in Group C pool play. Canada and Guadeloupe meet at 6 in the first half of the doubleheader.
"This will be my first time playing against (Panama)," Agudelo said. "From the youth level, when we played Caribbean teams it can be tricky at times because of their pace and work ethic."
Agudelo, 18, has energized the U.S. fan base in his brief time with the team. The national team's recent difficulty scoring goals from the striker spot has been well-documented. At the 2010 World Cup, U.S. strikers produced no goals.
"This past year has been good, and I'm really happy," said Agudelo, a native of Barnegat, N.J., and a rising star with the New York Red Bulls of MLS.
Agudelo made an immediate splash against South Africa in November 2010, scoring the winner in his first appearance with the U.S. team. With that strike, the then 17-year-old became the youngest player to score for the senior national team.
"I feel like the path I'm going on … I wouldn't have picked a better path," Agudelo said. "I'm just concentrating on the future now. I don't like to look back and think this may have happened too fast."
Agudelo also got the equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Argentina in March and looked impressive in his Gold Cup debut, helping the Americans to a 2-0 win against Canada on Tuesday.
"I thought (the attack against Canada) was really good at times," Agudelo said. "We're looking for more of those chances against Panama."
The United States' biggest weaknesses are Agudelo's greatest strengths — speed and creativity. Strikers Jozy Altidore and former national team star Brian McBride acted more as target forwards over the past decade, using their size and strength. Forward Charlie Davies infused some needed speed but hasn't seen any national team action since being severely injured during an October 2009 car crash.
"(I bring) some pace up front and some strength," Agudelo said. "Just different qualities that help me help the team get points."
A victory against Panama all but assures the United States of advancing out of Group C and into the June 18-19 quarterfinals. The winner and runnerup in each of the three pools, plus the two best third-place teams, reach the knockout round. Panama has yet to defeat the United States, going 0-8-2 all time. But that doesn't mean it has been a cakewalk.
The United States and Panama played to a scoreless tie in the 2005 Gold Cup final, with the Americans winning 3-1 in penalty kicks. And the U.S. team knocked Los Canaleros out in the 2007 and 2009 Gold Cup quarterfinals with narrow 2-1 wins.
"Panama's an organized team and a physically talented team," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "We've learned from the 2007 and 2009 games that they're a team you always have to play well against."
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 10, 2011
BALTIMORE — RF Matt Joyce was scratched from Friday's lineup due to "post-injection soreness" in his left shoulder but expects to return today against the Orioles.
Joyce said his left (nonthrowing) shoulder had bothered him for about a week and a half, and he stayed in Los Angeles on Thursday to get a cortisone shot. Joyce, who entered Friday second in the American League in hitting at .338, said manager Joe Maddon suggested he back off for a day.
"We figured we had an off day (Thursday) and tried to take advantage of it," said Joyce, who was replaced by Justin Ruggiano.
"Came in (Friday), and it was still really sore. It was sore from the shot, not from the injury. I don't know if you can call it an injury."
Joyce said he had a similar shot before spring training and could get another if the soreness comes back.
"These shots normally clear him up for a long period of time," Maddon said. "I don't know how it's going to be addressed in the future. But for right now, he should be fine for (today)."
BACK ON TRACK: 3B Evan Longoria returned to the lineup after not starting three games due to strep throat. He said he feels "back to normal" and is ready to put all of his injuries behind him.
Longoria missed most of the first month with a strained left oblique. He tweaked it Saturday, forcing him to not start Sunday. He said while "it'll be a day-in and day-out grind to keep it healthy," he feels fine, and "I'm not going to make any excuses for it."
"It seems to be one thing after another right now," said Longoria, who is hitting .252 with four homers and 13 RBIs. "I've never been a negative kind of guy, and at this point, I'm not going to be negative about it. It just so happened that I had a little trouble with the oblique and then got sick, and we're looking at four days where I don't get to play.
"I'm just happy to be back right now, and I've got an opportunity. We've got 100 games or so left. I've still got a lot of time to hopefully make up some ground and help this team."
STANDING TALL: RHP Jeff Niemann, who is on the DL with a lower back strain, was with the team in Baltimore to get treatment and throw in front of pitching coach Jim Hickey, saying his rehab is going well.
Niemann said his last start for Triple-A Durham, on Wednesday (when he gave up four runs and seven hits in four innings), was "very encouraging" and he "felt strong the whole time." Niemann will make one more start with Durham early next week, likely throwing about 90 pitches, and hopes to be back with the Rays after that.
"Everything is feeling good right now," Niemann said. "Back feels good and strong."
MEDICAL MATTERS: INF Elliot Johnson, on the DL with a left knee sprain, played five innings at shortstop Friday for Durham, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Maddon said Johnson will be in Baltimore today, when they will decided about activating him.
TAKEN AWAY: Due to a scoring change, DH Johnny Damon lost a hit and RBI on May 28 against the Indians. 1B Matt LaPorta was charged with an error on the ninth-inning play. Damon's leadoff walk Friday, however, extended his streak of reaching base to 35 games.
Late start: The start of Friday's game was delayed for 1 hour, 8 minutes by rain.
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.
Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
Marlins 6, Diamondbacks 4
MIAMI — Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton hit two-run homers for the Marlins, who ended an eight-game losing streak. Morrison connected in the first. Stanton made it 4-0 in the sixth, and John Buck hit Joe Saunders' next pitch over the wall in right. Arizona has lost four of five.
Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
Mets 8, Pirates 1
PITTSBURGH — Dillon Gee became the first Mets rookie starter to be 7-0. Gee is the majors' first rookie starter to do so since the Angels' Jered Weaver in 2006 and has given up one or no earned runs in three of his past five starts. The Pirates have lost two straight since reaching .500 in June for the first time since 2005.
Times wires
Friday, June 10, 2011
NEW YORK — CC Sabathia finally satisfied Yankees fans' bloodlust, hitting David Ortiz with a pitch Thursday. But Ortiz and the Red Sox had the last laugh, winning the game 8-3 to complete a three-game sweep.
Ortiz appeared a likely target after homering in the series' first two games. He irked the Yankees by admiring one, which came after a brushback.
Boston's Josh Beckett had already hit Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez when Ortiz came up in the fourth. Sabathia's first pitch, a fastball, nailed Ortiz in the hip.
"The ball just got away from me," the lefty said.
Ortiz slowly walked to first as the crowd chanted "CC! CC!" When the inning ended, Sabathia shot a glance toward Ortiz before heading to the dugout, where his teammates met him with fist-bumps, high-fives, handshakes and back slaps.
"Jeter always gives me a pound after every inning," Sabathia said.
After the game, Ortiz seemed more angry at the media — for playing up the possibility of trouble — than Sabathia.
"Finally got hit," Ortiz said in a short rant that included profanity.
As for the game itself, which started after a 3½-hour rain delay and ended at 1:43 a.m., the Red Sox were boosted by a seven-run eighth. They outscored New York 25-13 during their second three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium in a month. The Red Sox lead the season series 8-1.
"There's a lot of baseball to be played until we see them again," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "And how we play the next 11/2 months or two months until we see them will have a lot to do with where we're at."
More Yankees: RH reliever Joba Chamberlain will have ligament replacement surgery (also known as Tommy John surgery) on his elbow Thursday and miss at least a year. He went on the DL on Wednesday with a stiff elbow, and an exam Thursday revealed the torn ligament. Also, C Russell Martin missed his second game with a stiff back. Girardi said he hopes Martin will be able to play this weekend.
Mauer better: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said C Joe Mauer, limited to nine games this season because of weakness in his legs, is feeling "real strong" in his rehab. Mauer caught Friday at Class A Fort Myers and is scheduled to work out today and catch again Sunday. From there, the team hopes to determine the next step of rehab. Meanwhile, 1B Justin Morneau sat with a sore left wrist and pinched nerve in his neck that affects his shoulder. He is day to day.
Braves: LF Martin Prado went on the DL with a staph infection in his right calf. Manager Fredi Gonzalez believes it stems from a skin burn Prado got on a slide.
Dodgers: CF Matt Kemp was scratched because of a tight left hamstring and is day to day.
Indians: OF/DH Travis Buck was scratched after he and his wife were in a taxi crash in New York on Friday morning. Both went to a hospital for precaution, and manager Manny Acta said Buck had "a little bit of whiplash" and was "a little dazed." There was no update on his wife. Also, DH Travis Hafner said he felt good after his first batting practice since going on the DL with a strained muscle on his right side on May 20. He is scheduled to hit again Sunday.
Mariners: Slumping RF Ichiro Suzuki got the night off. Ichiro, hitting .252 this year and .149 since May 19, had played in 255 consecutive games.
Nationals: RH reliever Cole Kimball went on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
Pirates: RH reliever Evan Meek went on the DL with tendinitis in his right shoulder. He missed about four weeks earlier this season for the same injury.
Draft: The Padres became the first team to sign a first-round pick, doing so with 2B Cory Spangenberg, the No. 10 pick. Terms were not disclosed.
