Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Yankees 9, Indians 1
NEW YORK — Derek Jeter, who has four games left on a homestand to reach 3,000 hits at home, had two RBI singles to get within seven, and the Yankees had a season-high 18 hits. "I'd be lying to you if I told you I haven't been thinking about it," Jeter said. "It's impossible for that not to be in your head, because I'm around that all the time. Yeah, I'd love to do it at home."
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Phillies 4, Cubs 3
PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard hit a two-run single off lefty reliever Sean Marshall in the seventh, and the Phillies rallied. Philadelphia trailed by a run and had runners on second and third with no outs when Howard muscled a 2-and-1 slider into center. "I just wanted to hit something to the right side of the field and at the very least get the run home," Howard said.
By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2011
GAINESVILLE — A few hours after Florida's ninth-inning loss to Mississippi State on Saturday in their NCAA Super Region, coach Kevin O'Sullivan was facing a bit of a crisis.
He needed to keep his players focused yet not let them succumb to the pressure of being the No. 2 overall seed favored to reach the College World Series. And he couldn't have them dwelling on what might have been as they headed into Sunday's winner-take-all game against the Bulldogs. So he reached out to Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan and UF offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
It turned out to be one of his best moves of the weekend. Florida overcame a two-run deficit in the seventh inning for an 8-6 win and a second straight trip to the College World Series.
"Coming back from last night, I probably learned more about coaching in the last 24 hours than I have in the last four years," an emotional O'Sullivan said. "For lack of a better term, I had my head in my rear end last night, and I needed to pick myself up because the players were going to look to me. We never meet as a team after a loss. Billy thought it would be a good idea to get the team together last night just to see my face for 10 minutes. And that's what we did. … I took his advice.
"I met with the team (Saturday) night at 7:30 for 10 minutes. Short and sweet. And I think it helped them, just more so to know that yesterday is gone, it's over with and we've got to move forward."
The Gators (50-17) led 4-0 in the second inning, but Bulldogs second baseman Nick Vickerson's hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning.
After the Bulldogs (38-25) took a 6-4 lead, Preston Tucker, a former Plant High standout, hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Gators a lead they never relinquished.
"We had just given up three runs, and everyone was kind of, we weren't down, but everyone was questioning whether or not we could come back, even though we've done it plenty of times this year," said Tucker, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. "So I think it completely changed the momentum, and it carried us on through the next inning."
Daniel Pigott's home run in the eighth inning added security.
Former Alonso star Tommy Toledo (6-3) earned the win after giving up two hits and two runs in 21/3 innings. After Bryson Smith made the last out in centerfield, the Gators mobbed Toledo on the mound.
"It's unbelievable," Toledo said. "To see my teammates run out there like that, there's no better feeling than to go back to Omaha. But that was our goal. We worked together, and that was a great game."
Notable: In the ninth inning, Bulldogs assistant Nick Mingione appeared to trip Gators first baseman Vickash Ramjit as he tried to make a play on a foul ball. O'Sullivan and Bulldogs coach John Cohen had a heated exchange, but both later downplayed the incident.
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Wimbledon classic: 7 p.m. on ESPN Classic. The 2004 men's final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, the first between the top-two seeded men at Wimbledon in 22 years.
Canucks at Bruins: 8 p.m. on Ch. 8. Might this be the last game of the 2010-11 NHL season?
Sports Connection: 11 p.m. on BHSN (Ch. 47). Former major-leaguer Fred McGriff will be in the studio to preview this week's Rays-Red Sox series and the return of former Ray Carl Crawford.
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Dodgers 10, Rockies 8
DENVER — James Loney hit his second career grand slam and hard-throwing rookie Rubby De La Rosa pitched five effective innings before exiting with a forearm cramp, helping the Dodgers finish their road trip 5-5.
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Royals 9, Angels 0
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Vin Mazzaro struck out no one and walked five, three leading off. He got through seven innings anyway as his defense turned five double plays, helping the Royals win the rubber game. "I felt great out there, commanding my fastball on both sides of the plate and running it in on the hands," Mazzaro said. "I gave them some free passes, but I made some good pitches when I needed to and got the groundballs."
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Nationals 2, Padres 0
SAN DIEGO — Danny Espinosa hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the ninth for the Nationals, who won their third straight to take the four-game series after consecutive 2-1 victories. "It felt good to finally get one in," Espinosa said. "It feels even better to win the road trip." Espinosa was robbed of an extra-base hit when rightfielder Chris Denorfia made a leaping catch against the short porch. But pinch-runner Brian Bixler scored anyway.
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2011
BALTIMORE — There was a lot to talk about after the Rays' 9-6 win over the Orioles on Sunday at Camden Yards, from Evan Longoria's inside-the-park home run to Johnny Damon's club record to Wade Davis' bounce-back start.
But for all Tampa Bay did well, manager Joe Maddon said it could have been a "totally different" game had reliever Adam Russell (with a helping hand from Sean Rodriguez) not successfully managed a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the seventh.
"That," Maddon said, "was a huge moment."
With the Rays up 7-3 and the heart of the Orioles order coming up, Russell shook off a single by J.J. Hardy to get Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Vladimir Guerrero to ground out. The Orioles scored two, but it could have been a lot worse, especially if Rodriguez had not made two nice plays at second, including bare-handing a Jones grounder off Russell's glove. With closer Kyle Farnsworth (stomach flu) unavailable and reliever Joel Peralta only to be used in an emergency, it was all hands on deck to stave off an Orioles comeback.
"The bullpen came in and basically said, 'We're not having it,' " Rodriguez said.
In picking up their fifth win in six games, the Rays (35-30) stayed within four of the AL East-leading Red Sox and moved to 6-4 on an exhausting 11-game, cross-country road trip. "That's tremendous," Longoria said.
Tampa Bay headed out Sunday night for Detroit, its fourth and final stop on a 7,000-plus mile character- and confidence-building trek in which the team has overcome a stomach bug spreading through the clubhouse and two cross-country flights while earning two extra-inning wins.
"I know we can't wait to get home," said Damon, a 17-year veteran. "It's been one of the more grueling ones I've ever been a part of in all my years."
Said Longoria: "It has been a tester."
The Rays passed Sunday's test by jumping out to a 3-0 lead, chasing Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz after just 11/3. Matusz, making his third start since coming off the disabled list (intercoastal strain), didn't have the usual zip on his fastball, and Damon said, "We made him pay."
Damon's leadoff homer helped him tie the club record for consecutive games reaching base safely (37), Justin Ruggiano picked up three hits and Longoria's two-run, inside-the-park homer in the eighth provided key insurance runs as the Rays had their biggest outburst since scoring 15 against the Twins on April 28.
Davis settled down after a rocky first, when he gave up back-to-back, two-out solo homers to Jones and Guerrero, to go six innings, picking up his fourth victory in five starts at Camden Yards while snapping his five-start winless streak. "I saw a little bit of improvement," Maddon said. "But he still has ways to go to arrive at the level his skills indicate."
Four relievers combined for the final nine outs, and just in the nick of time. With a severe thunderstorm rolling in and ominous dark clouds overhead during the ninth, J.P. Howell said home-plate umpire Jim Wolf whistled to get his attention, saying, "Hurry up."
Once Hardy flew out, Rodriguez said he and second-base umpire Jim Reynolds were saying, "Double play!" And when Markakis' hard-hit grounder bounced off the mound right to shortstop Reid Brignac, setting up the game-ending double play, Rodriguez said Reynolds yelled, "Yeah!"
And so did the Rays.
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2011
BALTIMORE — Rays 3B Evan Longoria's last inside-the-park home run came in Little League … before Sunday.
"There weren't fences," he said. "You hit one over the guy's head and just run until you can't run anymore."
Longoria accomplished the feat in Sunday's 9-6 win over Baltimore, hustling for a two-run homer off RHP Jeremy Accardo in the eighth inning to become the ninth Ray to do so, and first since Carl Crawford on July 20, 2009.
The play started with a hard liner to center that knuckled from right to left, fooling Orioles CF Adam Jones. Longoria initially saw Jones' glove up and thought it would just be a single. But it ended up getting past Jones, rolling to the wall, and Longoria went for broke.
"As soon as I saw it take a left turn, I just put my head down and ran," Longoria said. "I was pretty much committed to going home, there wasn't any slowing me down around third."
Third-base coach Tom Foley waved Longoria in, and though he was "out of gas," he beat the relay throw with a feet-first slide, smiling all the way to the dugout.
"I had a shot at it," Jones said. "I just missed the ball."
START IT UP: With a leadoff homer Sunday, DH Johnny Damon tied a club record for consecutive games reaching base safely (37), held by Ben Grieve (2001). Damon also matched Dodgers RF Andre Ethier for the longest streak in the league this season.
Damon, the leadoff hitter, is batting .297 over that stretch.
"Hopefully, it's more via base hits and walks instead of fielders' choices and all that stuff," Damon said. "It's a nice little run, hopefully we can continue it."
Maddon said a reason Damon has done it is that he never loses his present-tense focus. "He's a grinder," Maddon said. "With all capital letters."
QUESTION MARK: RHP Kyle Farnsworth, who has 14 saves in 15 chances, said he'll be fine despite catching the same stomach bug that has been spreading around the clubhouse.
Maddon said he found out in Sunday's third inning that Farnsworth was sick. By the fifth he was unavailable, and Maddon said he had "no idea" if he can be used today. "The way this thing has worked, some guys it's 24 hours, some guys 48," he said.
LEANING LEFT: Maddon said part of the reason RF Matt Joyce was out of the lineup was the Orioles started a lefty, Brian Matusz, but he added the Rays were planning on giving Joyce a day off anyway even before he missed Friday's game with post-injection soreness in his left shoulder.
Maddon said with Joyce's shoulder, and the Tigers throwing LHP Phil Coke tonight, Joyce could sit out again as the Red Sox will start three righties Tuesday-Thursday.
IN A GROOVE: Considering how well OF Justin Ruggiano had been playing, and how he accepts his walks, Maddon thought he'd be a good option for the No. 3 spot in the lineup Sunday. Ruggiano delivered, extending his hitting streak to six games with three more hits and picking up a sliding catch in leftfield.
Ruggiano, who has made six consecutive starts, said playing on a regular basis has helped him play more consistently. Maddon acknowledged that Ruggiano's emergence, and the fact that he can hit righties, will impact the playing time of OF Sam Fuld, who has dropped off after his memorable start to the season.
MISCELLANY: RHP Alex Cobb will make what could be his final start tonight before getting sent back to Triple-A Durham, with RHP Jeff Niemann (lower back) getting close to coming off the disabled list. … RHP James Shields flew back to Tampa after Sunday's game in preparation for his Tuesday start against Boston. … INF Elliot Johnson, activated from the disabled list Saturday, started at shortstop Sunday and could again tonight. … The four steals by the Rays in the first inning tied a club record set May 19, 2010, against the Yankees. … RHP Cory Wade was released from Triple-A Durham.
Times staff
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Number of the day
$3.5M Base salary for Auburn football coach Gene Chizik after getting a $1.4 million raise for winning the national championship. That puts Chizik, left, eighth among I-A coaches but only second in his own state. Alabama's Nick Saban makes $5.2 million.
Fake headline of the day
Tampa Bay Rays Reunite Living Members Of 2008 AL Championship Team
— The Onion
Cameos of the day
Yankees sluggers Mark Teixeira, top, and Alex Rodriguez filmed cameos on Wednesday for the HBO show Entourage, according to the New York Post. Both players will play themselves in a story line that has them as possible investors in a fictional Italian restaurant in Queens. The new (and final) season of Entourage debuts July 24.
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
BOXING
TYSON SPEAKS OF HIS MENTOR AT HALL INDUCTION
CANASTOTA, N.Y. — The once-proclaimed "baddest man on the planet" fumbled for words that wouldn't come. Sylvester Stallone knew exactly what Mike Tyson felt.
Both were inducted Sunday in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Tyson for his reign as heavyweight champion, Stallone for his Rocky movie series.
"I've got to be goofy about this or I'll get emotional up here," Tyson warned before trying to honor the late trainer Cus D'Amato, who after Tyson's mother died became his legal guardian and taught him to box.
"I was in reform school because I was always robbing people. All my life I watched these guys. I look at them different," Tyson said as he looked around at a dais that included Jake LaMotta, Leon Spinks and Marvin Hagler. "Why would I want to be like these guys, I always say. I don't know."
Tyson 44, was unable to finish his speech because he became so emotional. If anyone could understand it was Stallone, who penned the script about an underdog boxer from Philadelphia named Rocky Balboa, then played the part in the movies. Rocky, released in 1976, won Academy Awards for best picture and best director.
Mexican champ Julio Cesar Chavez, Russian-born junior welterweight Kostya Tszyu, Mexican trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain and referee Joe Cortez were among the others inducted.
HORSES
Anger after bump at Belmont Stakes
Controversy flared the day after the Belmont Stakes, when John Velazquez accused Rajiv Maragh of careless riding in a chain reaction that nearly knocked Velazquez off Animal Kingdom early in the race Saturday. Velazquez also suggested that Maragh, on Isn't He Perfect, might have deliberately veered left to impede Mucho Macho Man, on whom he lost the mount after finishing sixth in the Preakness. "That's what I think," Velazquez said on a conference call.
MONMOUTH STAKES: Teaks North beat Sleepless Knight by three-quarters of a length to win the $250,000 race at Monmouth Park.
TENNIS
Wozniacki winner in her homeland
Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark won her second straight Sony Ericsson Open title in Copenhagen, 6-1, 6-4 over fourth seed Lucie Safarova.
RAINOUTS: The Queen's Club final in London between Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was postponed to today by rain, as was the Aegon Classic final between Sabine Lisicki and Daniela Hantuchova in Birmingham, England.
SOCCER
Mexico moves on with Gold Cup win
Andres Guardado scored twice as Mexico cruised into the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica in Chicago. Also in Group A play in Chicago, Rodolfo Zelaya scored in each half as El Salvador defeated Cuba 6-1.
MLS: Cristian Nazarit scored on a rebound in stoppage time to lift Chicago to a 1-0 victory at Columbus to end an 11-game winless streak.
ET CETERA
SWIMMING: Sean Ryan won the men's 5-kilometer race and Ashley Twichell took the women's title at the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships in Fort Lauderdale.
Times wires
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2011
.Up next
at Tigers
Tonight
What's new: The Tigers have won nine of 13 to pull into a tie for first place in the AL Central with the Indians. CF Austin Jackson has been a catalyst atop the lineup, with 1B Miguel Cabrera and C Victor Martinez providing pop in the middle of the order. Magglio Ordonez (right ankle) is expected to be activated off the disabled list today. RHP Joaquin Benoit has bounced back after a rough start to have 10 scoreless appearances in his past 11. Tonight is a makeup from a May 25 postponement.
Key stat: Martinez has been tough on Tampa Bay, hitting .378 with eight homers and 43 RBIs in 58 games.
Connections: OF Matt Joyce, DH Johnny Damon and RHP Kyle Farnsworth are former Tigers. Benoit is a former Ray, and OF Ryan Raburn is a Tampa native.
Series history: The Rays are 0-2 against the Tigers this season, both games in Detroit, and lead the overall series 50-48. Tampa Bay is 24-26 in Detroit.
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS — Former MVP C Joe Mauer could return to the Twins this week.
The four-time All-Star and three-time American League batting champion was catching for Class A Fort Myers on Sunday and was set to do the same today and possibly Tuesday, too.
Mauer played catcher three straight games last week before a break Saturday.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said the Twins want Mauer to take live batting practice Wednesday against RH reliever Joe Nathan, who was sent to Florida on a rehabilitation assignment for his strained right elbow.
Gardenhire had said he wanted Mauer to face Triple-A pitching before coming up.
"He can count on one hand how many fastballs he's seen since he's been playing down there (with Fort Myers), and that's kind of one of those reasons you might want to send him to Triple A," Gardenhire said. "He might see some fastballs down there. There are some veteran guys who might know how to mix it up there. Those kids, they'll just be winging breaking balls all over the place."
Mauer could rejoin the team Thursday or Friday, but Gardenhire was noncommittal.
The Twins also plan to send DH Jim Thome to Fort Myers today to start a rehab stint for his strained left quadriceps muscle.
ALSO MENDING: 3B Ryan Zimmerman finished a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse and is expected to rejoin the Nationals on Tuesday. The All-Star has been out since April 9 with an abdominal injury that he had surgically repaired May 3.
COLON TO DL: The Yankees placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the disabled list as expected with a strained right hamstring, the latest blow to an already ailing starting rotation. Colon pulled up lame while covering first base on a grounder in a 4-0 win over the Indians on Saturday. Colon, 38, is 5-3 with a 3.10 ERA, helping solidify a rotation that has lost RHP Phil Hughes to a shoulder injury for most of the season.
ASTROS: RF Hunter Pence was out of the lineup against the Braves with tightness in his lower back.
A'S: LHP Brett Anderson, who went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, will meet with noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews today for a second opinion after an MRI exam couldn't identify his injury.
CARDINALS: The contract of OF Andrew Brown was purchased from Triple-A Memphis, and OF Allen Craig went on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised right knee. … LF Matt Holliday, out since June 1 with tightness in his left quadriceps muscle, hopes to be activated Thursday.
CUBS: RH reliever Kerry Wood has a blister on his right index finger and could be headed to the disabled list for the 15th time in his career.
ORIOLES: The team intends to lighten the workload of prized rookie LHP Zach Britton in an effort to extend his availability into September. Manager Buck Showalter said he will move Britton, 23, back this week from Tuesday to either Friday or Saturday in Washington.
RANGERS: C/1B Mike Napoli went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle on his left side. … Manager Ron Washington pulled SS Elvis Andrus from the game against the Twins in the eighth after he made what seemed to be a lazy throw on a grounder. "I didn't like his attitude," Washington told the Dallas Morning News. … LHP Matt Harrison left his start in the seventh after being hit by a line drive above his pitching elbow, resulting in a bruised triceps muscle.
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Rays at Tigers
When/where: 7:05 tonight; Comerica Park, Detroit
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Starting pitchers
RAYS:
RH Alex Cobb (1-0, 4.24)
TIGERS:
LH Phil Coke (1-6, 4.11)
Watch for …
One more time: Cobb is coming off his first career win Tuesday in Anaheim, when he allowed just one run over 61/3 innings.
Leaning left: Coke is winless in his past eight appearances and allowed six runs and 10 hits in five innings in Texas June 8. He gave up a run in 31/3 innings in a start against the Rays this season.
Key matchups
Rays vs. Coke
Ben Zobrist 2-for-7
Casey Kotchman 0-for-4
Evan Longoria 1-for-3
Tigers vs. CObb
None have faced.
On deck
Tuesday: vs. Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (5-4, 2.85); Red Sox — Tim Wakefield (3-1, 4.84)
Quote of the day
"You have to utilize your entire roster to win a pennant and a championship, and our entire roster came through in this series in Baltimore."
Rays manager Joe Maddon on taking two of three from the Orioles
Quote of the day 2
"That's a feisty (expletive) team. … They've proven that."
Orioles CF Adam Jones on the Rays
Request of the day
After LF Justin Ruggiano robbed J.J. Hardy of a homer with a leaping catch, left, in Saturday's game, LHP J.P. Howell was so grateful that he offered to buy Ruggiano dinner. Ruggiano appreciated the gesture but had another request in mind, asking if Howell (a former University of Texas star) would use the fight song of Ruggiano's alma mater (Texas A&M) as his intro music before one of his home appearances. "I'm thinking about it," Howell said, smiling.
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Best coverage
One of the best things about watching sports on television is when you get that peerless alliance between a network and a specific sport. It's really quite rare, but there are certain networks that simply know how to cover a specific sport better than other networks. There's ESPN and college football. There's HBO and boxing. There's Fox and NASCAR.
And there's NBC and horse racing.
Once again, the best television event coverage of the weekend goes to NBC, this time for its sensational broadcast of Saturday's Belmont Stakes. It really is stunning just how good NBC's horse racing coverage is.
Think about it. We're talking about a two-hour broadcast that is centered on a two-minute race in which the key athletes cannot speak. Yet the two hours fly by and leave you craving more.
Host Bob Costas and every analyst — and there are slew of them — are thoroughly knowledgeable and prepared. The production and planning are first-rate, leaving no downtime during what you would think would be a way-too-long "pregame'' show. The features are topical, not too long yet moving.
There were two highlights in Saturday's coverage. First was analyst Donna Brothers showing how jockeys deal with dirt and mud being kicked into their face by wearing several pairs of goggles and removing the outer one every so often. To demonstrate, Brothers sat on a fake horse while several people literally threw dirt into her face. Simple but innovative. And fun.
The other was a feature on the relationship between Animal Kingdom jockey John Velazquez and retired jockey legend Angel Cordero. Cordero has remained involved in horse racing, especially since his wife was killed in a hit-and-run accident in 2001.
Cordero fell into a deep depression but has found a new purpose in mentoring Velazquez.
"I would say that he saved my life,'' Cordero said.
The worst part about Saturday's race is it was the final Triple Crown race of the year.
Best replacement
Fans who watched the Rays-Orioles series over the weekend on Sun Sports noticed Todd Kalas, below, normally the sideline reporter, filled in for analyst Brian Anderson, who had the weekend off. Rays fans like Kalas, and it's easy to understand why. He's a good guy whose relaxed personality comes through the screen.
Kalas had a solid weekend working with Dewayne Staats. He didn't talk too much, which is actually a compliment. Too many substitute announcers insist on filling every second of dead air. But Kalas is sharp enough to know a good baseball broadcast is often about what is not said instead of just blabbing away for the sake of talking.
Kalas also deserves credit for sticking to what he knows and avoiding what he doesn't know. In other words, he's not a former player with first-hand knowledge of what it's like to be a player in a certain situation.
You could tell he spent the weekend doing homework and reporting and most of his analysis was based on those two things. He still occasionally refers to players by their first names or nicknames too often, but I think I have more of a problem with that than most viewers.
So in the end, Kalas and Staats made the weekend Rays games as enjoyable and professional as always. However, it will be nice to have Anderson back this week because Anderson played the game and can deftly apply those experiences to his role as analyst. Nothing can replace that.
Worst insult
Just last week in this space, I praised NBC hockey analyst Mike Milbury for his outrageous and brutally honest commentary. But there are serious side effects to having an analyst that candid. When your role is to brush up against the line of good taste, you run the risk of occasionally crossing that line.
That's what happened last week when Milbury referred to Vancouver's Sedin twins (Daniel and Henrik) as "Thelma and Louise.''
Nothing wrong with criticizing the Sedins, who have not played well in the Stanley Cup final. But by calling them "Thelma and Louise,'' Milbury was inferring they were playing like less than men. Not only is that an undeserved insult to two players who have shown grit, courage and toughness throughout their careers, it was, when you think about it, an insult to women, too.
It was Milbury trying to be controversial, outrageous and funny, but it came off as unfair, sexist and in very poor taste.
Three media thoughts
1 Shaquille O'Neal's name has surfaced as a possible NBA analyst since he announced his retirement last week. But the biggest fish out there for a network might be Phil Jackson, the legendary coach who is taking at least a season off and maybe more. He's really smart, articulate and has a sense of humor. He seems perfect for an NBA job, especially as a game analyst.
2 The Warriors' gain is our loss. Golden State hired ABC/ESPN analyst Mark Jackson as coach, and now viewers have one fewer really good television analyst.
3 With so much of the Boston-Vancouver Stanley Cup final centering on the goaltending, NBC should have been using top-notch analyst and former goaltender Darren Pang more. He's involved in Versus' pregame and postgame shows but should have more of an intermission presence on the NBC games.
Three things that popped into my head
1 Time never moves more slowly than when I'm watching a college baseball game. Yeesh.
2 Just fewer than 28,000 showed up to watch the U.S. national soccer team play at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night in a meaningful match. Isn't that slightly disappointing?
3 Know what the Miami Heat needs to acquire in the offseason besides another rebounder? A little class.
St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.
Best documentary
This sounds like a tired record: HBO Sports produced another documentary, and it's magnificent. The network seems incapable of putting out even a mediocre documentary, and the latest is among the best it has ever done. McEnroe/Borg: Fire & Ice made its debut Saturday night and explored the rivalry and friendship between tennis legends John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.
The first 45 minutes of the hourlong film didn't reveal much that wasn't known before — except I never knew the stoic Borg had a serious temper (like McEnroe) when he was a young player. Most who are old enough to have seen their classic 1980 Wimbledon final remember just how much of an impact that match had and how great this rivalry was. Those not old enough are in for a special treat.
But the last 15 minutes, which show Borg's abrupt retirement and the special bond between he and McEnroe, is captivating television. I wish I had more than two thumbs so I could give this doc more than two thumbs up.
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
BOSTON — The Bruins know their hopes of getting back to Vancouver and a chance to win the Stanley Cup ride largely on how they play in front of the Canucks' net.
Get traffic in front of goalie Roberto Luongo and start launching pucks his way. It's a simple formula that helped Boston wins Games 3 and 4 at home. But it hasn't translated north of the border.
"Even before (this series), it's worked for us in the last three rounds, too," Boston center Gregory Campbell said. "If he can't see the puck, he can't stop it."
Luongo has allowed two goals at home but 12 on the road. One of the 12 came during the 8-1 rout in Game 3, when Michael Ryder scored with Campbell providing a screen in front.
"Obviously he's proved that he's a great goalie his whole career, and he's going to stop the puck if he sees it," Bruins center Patrice Bergeron said. "I think traffic in front is something that needs to be a lot better."
The Bruins spent part of Sunday's practice digging pucks out of the corner and jostling in front of the net.
"We need to get to the front of the net and win battles," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "If you're going to score goals, you have to win those battles and you have to put the pucks in the net and be there."
Of course, that's not exactly a new strategy.
"That's the way you score in this league," Luongo said. "You've got to get gritty. You've got to … whack away at rebounds; tips, screens, all that kind of stuff. You've got to get your noses dirty to get some goals.
"So for me, nothing changes."
Horton hit: Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome, speaking for the first time since being suspended four games, said he would change little about his Game 3 hit that left Nathan Horton unconscious and out for the series.
"I've got to play on the edge," Rome said. "And I guess that was a little bit over the edge."
Rome said while he sympathizes with Horton, he doesn't believe he did anything extraordinarily dangerous on the hit that came after Horton made a pass near the blue line.
"It's a split-second decision," he said. "I've got to be physical. There has to be some accountability on the part of the player skating with the puck up the middle of the ice, maybe with his head down, not looking."
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
MONTREAL — Jenson Button made six pit stops, served a penalty and had contact with two cars in two separate incidents in Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.
But Sebastian Vettel, who led 68 of 70 laps, made the mistake that counted most.
Button worked his way up from 21st place and took advantage of Vettel's last-lap slide to pass the Formula One points leader on the backstretch and win the rain-soaked race.
"I think even if I hadn't won today, I would have enjoyed the race immensely," Button said. "…Fighting your way through the field is almost as much fun as winning the race."
Button's two run-ins included an early one with McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton which ended Hamilton's race.
The race was stopped for more than an hour because of heavy rain and was slowed by several delays behind a safety car.
24 HOURS OF LE MANS: Audi overcame two spectacular crashes and held off a Peugeot to win the endurance classic in France, giving the German carmaker its 10th title. Andre Lotterer, Marcel Fassler and Benoit Treluyer drove the Audi No. 2 to victory. Audi drivers Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller crashed in separate incidents but both walked away. Olivier Beretta, Tommy Milner and Antonio Garcia won the GTE class for Corvette.
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
LONG POND, Pa. — Jeff Gordon is pushing 40, far removed from the cocky kid who shot to superstardom and helped put NASCAR in the mainstream.
But at any age, Gordon still knows how to win.
Gordon moved into a tie for third on NASCAR's Sprint Cup victories list, winning for the 84th time Sunday at Pocono Raceway. He tied Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip on the career wins list and tied Bill Elliott with five victories on the 2½-mile triangle track.
"There's no doubt, I'm blown away with what I've accomplished," Gordon said.
Gordon won in February at Phoenix and has multiple victories in a season for the first time since 2007. The Phoenix win ended his drought at 66 races. This time he waited just 11.
The four-time series champion, who turns 40 on Aug. 4, trails Richard Petty (200 victories) and David Pearson (105) in wins. Some sources list Allison with 85 wins but NASCAR officially recognizes 84 as his total.
Gordon, completing his 19th season at NASCAR's top level, was winless in 2008 and '10 and, even in the years he made the Chase for the Championship, was never a true threat to bring home the title.
"We were living at the peak of the mountain there for a number of years," Gordon said. "It was awesome. When you're there, you know you're going to get knocked off eventually."
Pole-sitter Kurt Busch was second in the 5-Hour Energy 500, with his brother Kyle third.
But NASCAR said Kyle Busch's No. 18 Toyota failed postrace inspection because the left-front end was too low. His car was to be taken to NASCAR's research and development center.
Denny Hamlin, who led early and has four wins here, ran into tire woes and dropped to 19th. Carl Edwards' points lead fell from 40 to six when a bad engine knocked him out early. He finished 37th.
Gordon made his way around Juan Montoya for the lead on Lap 160 and led the rest of the way except for a brief interval during pit stops.
A change in the Chase format means Gordon, 11th in points, is all but assured of a spot. The top 10 plus two wild cards, based on wins, from spots 11-20 make the Chase. Gordon is the only driver currently ranked 11-20 with a victory.
And now he has two.
When all the pieces are in place, Gordon feels, "I'm as good as I've ever been."
By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 12, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — In a vital home match against NASL bottom-dweller Atlanta on Sunday, FC Tampa Bay twice squandered a one-goal advantage.
Once Tampa Bay grabbed its third lead, the team dug in.
Second-half substitute Aaron King produced the winning goal four minutes before the end of regulation, and Tampa Bay desperately defended as Atlanta pressed late into stoppage time in a 3-2 Tampa Bay victory.
"We've been playing really well … but we just haven't finished out games," King said. "It was excellent to be able to finish out that game in front of a great crowd (Sunday night)."
Before 2,319 at Al Lang Field, Tampa Bay (3-4-4) collected three points in a game that seemed destined to end in a draw.
Tampa Bay made three offensive-minded substitutions with the score tied 2-2, and the team was rewarded when Frankie Sanfilippo, making his team-leading 11th start, sent a long cross from the right wing toward the far post. Waiting on the other end was King, who one-timed a volley with his right foot past goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer (14 saves).
"It was such a good ball that I felt like if my swing was proper, it was going in," King said about his first goal of the season.
King's goal was a relief for forward Mike Ambersley, who scored twice but missed out on a hat trick and a chance to put his team ahead again when his penalty kick in the 70th minute was stopped by Maurer.
"Really happy for King getting his first goal of the year," Ambersley said. "He's deserved it, and what a time to score. He picked me up there, and I owe him a beer."
In a rarity this season, Tampa Bay scored the first goal.
In the 31st minute, midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake dribbled into the box near the goal line and crossed the ball to an unmarked Ambersley, who sent a left-footed volley on a bounce past Maurer.
Atlanta (1-2-8) evened the score three minutes later on a set piece when Ciaran O'Brien's free kick from 35 yards away was headed in by Willie Hunt.
After halftime, Tampa Bay forward Warren Ukah slotted a shot toward the far post in the 54th minute that required a diving save from Maurer. Ambersley, though, pounced on the rebound and scored to give Tampa Bay its second lead.
Atlanta's Jordan Davis tied it in the 64th minute when he blasted a shot into the upper corner of the goal off another set piece.
"We've got to do better not fouling in dangerous positions," Ambersley said. " … We're fouling way too much, and that's just a sign of being a little lazy, I guess."
And for Tampa Bay, defensive lapses on set pieces didn't tarnish this result as has happened in previous games.
King's late winner gave Tampa Bay its first victory in four games, and all three of its wins have come at Al Lang Field. The team plays its next two on the road.
"Whenever we've gone down, they've always fought back," Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill said. "We've got good character on this side."
Bryan Burns can be reached at bburns@sptimes.com.
Times wires
Sunday, June 12, 2011
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State stormed to a 5-0 lead after a half-inning in Sunday afternoon's NCAA super region game and barely looked back in routing Texas A&M 23-9.
The Seminoles (46-18) forced a deciding game in the best-of-three series at 7 tonight (ESPN2) with the winner advancing to the College World Series.
"We know that there's nothing settled," coach Mike Martin said. " … We're excited to be in this position."
FSU's Stuart Tapley had a banner day at the plate and in the field. In the top of the sixth, his solo home run came one pitch after Justin Gonzalez's three-run homer off Dick Howser Stadium's leftfield scoreboard. It was Tapley's sixth homer of the season and second of the day. The back-to-back shots were the first for the Seminoles since March 27 against Wake Forest.
Third baseman Sherman Johnson, a former Tampa Alonso High standout, scored three runs and had an RBI for the Seminoles.
The Aggies (46-20) scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to get within 16-9.
One night after going 1-for-20, FSU's No. 5-9 hitters combined to go 11-for-18 with 14 runs and 17 RBIs and hit all four FSU homers.
In the third, Tapley's two-run homer gave the Seminoles an 8-0 lead. Earlier his diving catch in leftfield ended an inning.
THREE PUNCH TICKETS: Three host teams — defending national champion South Carolina, Texas and Vanderbilt — advanced to the CWS. South Carolina (50-14) defeated Connecticut 8-2, and Vanderbilt (52-10) also completed a sweep, reaching the CWS for the first time by beating Oregon State 9-3 late Saturday. Texas (49-17) topped Arizona State 4-2 to win in three games.
Plancher trial to start
ORLANDO — A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of a former UCF football player who died after an offseason workout more than three years ago is set to begin with jury selection today in Orlando.
Ereck Plancher collapsed in March 2008 at the end of a preseason workout conducted by coach George O'Leary and his staff. An autopsy found that Plancher, 19, died from complications of sickle cell trait, a condition that causes blood cells to become misshapen and disrupt the body's vascular system when it's put under extreme stress. Plancher, whose cousin Moise played at USF, went into cardiac arrest and died at a hospital.
EX-CANE TO VISIT UCF: Running back Storm Johnson, who left the Miami program in the spring, plans to visit UCF on Wednesday, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
FORMER UTE'S SUIT: Former Utah star Jason Kaufusi is suing a medical technology company, saying a postsurgical device implanted into his shoulder to relieve pain caused permanent damage to the joint. Kaufusi, who played defensive end for the Utes from 2000-03, is suing the Stryker Corp., the Deseret News of Salt Lake City reported.
Information from Times wires was used in this report.
