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Nationals 7, Cardinals 4

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Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Nationals 7, Cardinals 4

10 innings

WASHINGTON — Danny Espinosa's three-run homer gave the Nationals their sixth straight win. It's their longest streak since seven in a row to close 2009. The Cardinals' Kyle Lohse allowed three homers, two fewer than over his first 91 innings this season.


Here we go again: Rory McIlroy leads U.S. Open after first round

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Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

BETHESDA, Md. — Rory McIlroy is becoming a master at these major championships. At least on Thursday.

Showing no linger effects from a Sunday collapse at the Masters, McIlroy, 22, made the toughest test in golf look like child's play at Congressional with a 6-under 65 to build the biggest 18-hole lead at the U.S. Open in 35 years.

He missed only one green. He was the only player in the 156-man field without a single bogey. And just like that, McIlroy wound up atop the leaderboard after the opening round for the third time in the last four majors.

"It felt like quite a simple 65," McIlroy said. "I didn't do much wrong."

The trouble has been finishing them off. There were questions about how McIlroy would respond after the calamity of his most recent round in a major, when he squandered a four-shot lead at Augusta National with an 80 in the final round. He has been saying ever since that he got over that meltdown a week after the Masters.

"I don't know if it says that I've got a short memory," McIlroy said. "I took the experience from Augusta, and I learned a lot from it. But, yeah, I mean you're going into the U.S. Open. You can't be thinking about what's happened before. You've got to just be thinking about this week, and how you can best prepare, and how you can get yourself around the golf course."

McIlroy was three shots clear of former PGA champion Y.E. Yang and Charl Schwartzel, the South African who captured the Masters two months ago at McIlroy's expense.

"It's a long way to go, but it's nice to get yourself in contention," Schwartzel said. "If you start falling too far behind on a tough golf course, things can get a little bit too far in front of you. You need to stay in there with a chance."

But McIlroy was playing exquisite golf. Starting with a 3-wood, he drilled into the corner of the dogleg on No. 12 that set up sand wedge to 6 feet for his first birdie. He really hit his stride around the turn — an 8-iron to 10 feet on No. 17, another drive and 8-iron into the 15 feet left of the pin on the 18th, and a lob wedge to 6 feet on No. 1.

He became the 10th player to start the U.S. Open at 65 or better, yet only two of them went on to win — Jack Nicklaus in 1980 at Baltusrol and Tiger Woods in 2000 at Pebble Beach. And of the previous eight players to hold a three-shot lead after the opening round — Jerry Pate in 1976 was the last one — only Ben Hogan in 1953 at Oakmont wound up with the trophy.

Tampa Bay Rays: Turn Back the Clock uniforms, Evan Longoria reads

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By Marc Topkin and Joe Smith, Times Staff Writers
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Rays vs. Marlins

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Sun Sports, Bay News 9 Espanol; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

RAYS:

RH Wade Davis (5-5, 4.81)

MARLINS:

LH Brad Hand (0-2, 3.27)

Watch for ...

Wading in: Davis, who has never faced the Marlins, ended a five-start winless streak at Baltimore on Sunday despite allowing four runs over six innings. He is 2-3, 6.81 over past seven starts.

Third's a charm? Hand, called up from Double A on June 6, will make his third start. He has allowed four earned runs over 11 innings.



New old uniforms of the day

The Rays unveiled the 1951 Tampa Smokers uniforms they will wear for their July 2 Turn Back the Clock game against the Cardinals, who will wear 1953-style jerseys. The Smokers were a minor-league team in the Class B International League.

Guest reader of the day

3B Evan Longoria was the special guest at the kickoff of the Reading with the Rays program at the St. Petersburg library. Longoria read two baseball-themed books — My Lucky Hat and Just Like Josh Gibson — to the group of kids. "It was neat," Longoria said. "It was cool to see the little kids. I thought it went well."

Braves 9, Mets 8

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Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Braves 9, Mets 8

10 innings

ATLANTA — D.J. Carrasco's balk won it for the Braves. Diory Hernandez doubled with two outs and took third on Jordan Schafer's grounder that Lucas Duda misplayed. Then Carrasco clearly stopped then restarted his motion.

U.S. Open golf roundup

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Times wires
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Phil Mickelson was all over the map, hitting only five fairways on his way to a 74. He hacked out of grass up his knees on one hole, and on another hit driver from under the trees to get back into play. "Lefty" was nine shots behind first-round leader Rory McIlroy, one of his playing companions.

Mickelson went way left on the par-4 14th with a 2-iron. He was good on the par-4 15th, but then he missed a 3-foot birdie putt. He went way right on the par-5 16th and gouged his second shot from the rough with his driver. He began the day off target, with a tee shot on the par-3 10th (his group started on the back nine) that ended up in the water. He made double-bogey 5 and never did get back to par for the round.

He rarely hit two good shots in a row. He fist-pumped caddie Bones Mackay after sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 second hole, which made some fans think he was ready to take off. Then he hit his tee shot on the par-4 third way left.

"I'm still thinking 3 right now," he told Mackay, even before he reached the ball and found that he had a good lie. Fans left him a wide pathway to the green and encouraged him to hit from the awkward angle. "I've been here a bunch, man," he told them, smiling. Then he made another bogey.

"This actually turned out to be a great day because I played horrific," Mickelson told Newsday. "I started out hitting a good shot into the water, making double. And to hit where I did today and walk away only 3 over, I'm still in it. This could have been a day that (could) easily have been in the 80s, and somehow, I was able to get myself around and be only 3 over."

Hole of the day

No. 10: Par 3; stroke average of 3.26 on Thursday. Notable: An awkward 218-yarder over a lake with a horizontal green that leaves little margin for error. Phil Mickelson, who earlier this week proclaimed that "the average guy can't play that hole," started his round by putting his tee shot in the water and making double bogey. The hole produced 19 birdies and 44 bogeys and double-bogeys. Among the top 10 names on the leaderboard, only Y.E. Yang, left, and Ryan Palmer made birdies there.

You were also wondering about …

British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen shot 69, joining a group that included Sergio Garcia and Ryan Palmer, the lone American among the nine players who broke 70. Defending champion Graeme McDowell had a 70. The top three players in the world — Luke Donald (74), Lee Westwood (75) and Martin Kaymer (74) — combined to go 10-over par.

Not fun for local guy

St. Petersburg native Michael Barbosa, who was studying for the bar exam this time last year, shot 12-over 83. Teeing off on the 10th hole, the 28-year-old amateur bogeyed the first two holes, double-bogeyed the 12th, then had four more bogeys to shoot 44 halfway through. After shooting par on Nos. 1 and 2, he had another four bogeys. His highlight was a birdie on the par-4 No. 8.

With all that room?

On the longest hole on Congressional — the 636-yard No. 9 — the second shots hit by Graeme McDowell and Louis Oosthuizen ended up touching each other.

"Yeah, that's something that you probably will never see again," Oosthuizen said. "Graeme laid up with a hybrid, I laid up with a 3-iron, and we got to the balls and they were touching each other, lying next to each other. You know, on the green you see it now and then, but I've never seen it on the fairway."

McDowell moved his ball so that Oosthuizen could play first.

"Thankful he didn't remove a huge piece of turf," McDowell said. "I didn't know what I was going to do to recreate my lie if he had taken a huge divot. He picked it off the turf quite cleanly."

Information from the Associated Press and New York's Newsday was used in this report.

Former Tampa Bay Rays reliever Dan Wheeler also returns to Tropicana Field

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 16, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — While much of the attention this week surrounded Carl Crawford's return to Tropicana Field, another former longtime Ray made his first trip back as a visitor.

Veteran Red Sox reliever Dan Wheeler, who spent sevens seasons over two stints in Tampa Bay, admitted it was "weird" to be back. But Wheeler, 33, a Rhode Island native in his first season with Boston after signing in the offseason, said he enjoyed spending time the past few days at his home in Belleair Beach, where his wife, Stephanie, and sons Gabe, 6, and Zachary, 3, still live.

"Watch my own TV, sit on my coach, sleep in my own bed," Wheeler said. "Got to see the family. It was nice."

Crawford is, arguably, the best Ray ever. But manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey said Wheeler played a pivotal role in helping change the culture of the organization in the 2006-07 seasons, helping spark two division titles over three years.

"I really believe things started to change, at least where it was tangible and you could see and you could feel it … when we traded for Dan Wheeler," Hickey said. "I think there became just a greater sense of accountability, a greater sense of responsibility to our teammates, a greater sense of professionalism; all the things that you have to have in order to be a successful franchise."

Wheeler also performed well on the mound, ranking fourth in the majors from 2005-10 with 419 appearances and leading all AL pitchers by holding right-handed hitters to a .179 average the past three years.

"If you cover up his name and put his numbers over the past five or six years vs. any right-handed relief pitcher in baseball, it's going to be pretty darn good," Hickey said. "They're going to be top-of-the-list type of numbers."

The Rays declined Wheeler's $4 million option after last season. He signed a one-year deal with Boston, and after struggling earlier in the year, including the first trip to the disabled list of his career, he has allowed one run over his past seven outings.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

After recent success, Tampa Bay Rays' bats hardly make sound

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 16, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays have talked about how important pitching is, and in setting up the rotation so their top three starters faced the Red Sox, they liked their chances.

They just could have used a little help from their bats.

It was Boston's staff that set the tone, shutting down Tampa Bay in convincing fashion to take two of three games, expanding its lead to 5½ games in the American League East.

The Rays batted .155 (14-for-90) with the Nos. 1-4 hitters — who had been so good during a recent string of success — were a combined 2-for-41 with zero RBI. The Red Sox scored just seven runs all series, but they didn't have to do much.

Not with Rays leadoff man Johnny Damon 1-for-12. Not with Ben Zobrist 0-for-10, Matt Joyce 1-for-11 and All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria 0-for-8.

"It doesn't help when the top part of your order, including myself, didn't come through — 1-for-12 for me in this series, 2-for-41 our top four guys, that's not going to cut it against anyone," Damon said. "Being at the top of the order, it's my job to get on base and I didn't do so well this series. They pitched well, that's the bottom line."

Four of the Rays' six runs in the series came Tuesday, when James Shields threw a shutout. But Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett was an infield hit from a perfect game Wednesday, and Clay Buchholz, in an injury-shortened five-inning stint Thursday, allowed just two hits. Buchholz said a key was working a good tempo, having success in the first few innings and, against an aggressive lineup like the Rays, making "quality pitches from jump street."

"We're going to score some runs but our pitching staff, if they throw the ball as well as we can and hold them down, that's the key to everything," third baseman Kevin Youkilis said.

Said Damon: "It seemed like nothing really went right after the first game. … There are going to be many more games against them and hopefully we have a better offensive series."

Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

Tampa Bay Rays fall to Boston Red Sox 4-2

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 16, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays can look back on the series with the Red Sox and feel they measured up well with the American League's best, playing three consecutive tense and tight games that may well be, as manager Joe Maddon expects, a precursor of what's to come during a summer-long race.

Or they can look at the standings after Thursday's 4-2 loss and see they are only three games above .500 at 36-33 and 5½ games out of first place, their largest deficit since the end of the 2009 season.

"I think it indicates that we're right with these guys, absolutely," Maddon said. "Especially coming in like they did, how hot they had been. I think we've proven to ourselves and everybody else that we stand toe to toe with these guys anywhere."

The Rays were the ones calling this a big series, even a huge one, and adjusting their rotation for it. But as close as the competition was — a cumulative 7-6 advantage for Boston — their net result after losing two out of three was losing a game in the standings.

"They've got a very good team. That's why they're 5½ up on us and leading the division," Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon said. "But we've got a lot of baseball left — 90-some games — we definitely can go out and make a splash from here on out.

"It's not the end of the world right now, but we're definitely crushed about this game."

In part, because of how it happened, ace David Price putting them in a 3-0 hole two innings into a five-inning outing he called "pathetic," battling back to 3-2, giving up a ninth-inning homer to Adrian Gonzalez then rallying back with their first two on in the ninth but failing to convert.

And as usual when the Red Sox are in town, it was hard to tell whether that was a good thing or a bad thing for the 23,495 gathered under the tilted roof of Tropicana Field.

Price couldn't have been more excited going into the start and more disappointed after as he had no command of his fastball and not much better when he switched to his breaking stuff.

Price struggled through a 33-pitch first inning, allowed two runs in a sloppy second and lasted only five total, walking a season-high five, and throwing a whopping 106 pitches.

"I didn't command the zone in general with any pitch, so you're not going to get by, especially against a team like Boston," Price said. "It's disappointing. Go five innings, walk five guys, give up three runs. That's pretty pathetic."

Their offense was again part of the problem (with just a .155 average for the series), getting single runs in the second on a double by Sam Fuld and a homer by Casey Kotchman in the sixth. They made a bid in the ninth when Kotchman led off with a double off Jonathan Papelbon and B.J. Upton reached on an infield single.

But pinch-hitter Elliot Johnson lined out on what was supposed to be a bunt, and pinch-hitter Justin Ruggiano struck out looking and Sean Rodriguez struck out swinging.

The Rays — 12-24 against teams over .500, 24-9 against those below — have 13 more games with the Red Sox and are confident they can close the gap.

"They just were better this series," Damon said.

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


John Romano: Tampa Bay Rays' plunking of Kevin Youkilis was necessary

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By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, June 16, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The result mattered. No reason to pretend otherwise.

The Red Sox won the game, won the series and expanded their lead on the Rays in the American League East. If you are a bottom-line person, that's as clear-cut as it gets.

But if you believe there is more to a 162-game season than an avalanche of box scores, then you might have applauded a pitching performance that was less than ideal.

For of the 106 pitches David Price threw in a laborious five-inning outing, there was one that was far more meaningful than the rest.

Before any runs had crossed the plate and any words could be spoken, Price hit Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis in the shoulder with a fastball in the first inning.

Understand, it had nothing to do with a winning home run Youkilis hit Wednesday night. It had everything to do with Youkilis crossing a line, both literally and figuratively, on a meaningless ground ball Tuesday night.

That was when Youkilis kicked Rays first baseman Casey Kotchman on a play that was, at the least, suspicious looking.

"It's not uncommon when a pitcher pitches inside that a hitter can get hit on occasion," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's tantamount to a runner running to first base, and on occasion he may step on a guy's leg."

So was it payback? Was it meant to be a message? Was it an act of solidarity?

Those answers are not important.

It was necessary, and that's what matters.

"If something happens and the next inning somebody gets hit, you pretty much understand what it's for," Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said. "Nobody really talks about it. It's just something that's been a part of the game for a long time.

"And I don't know if Dave's was intentional or not, but there are certain ways to handle things."

In this case, it was a question of accountability. And perhaps justice.

To start with, you have a player of uncommon ability in Youkilis. You also have a player with a reputation for competing with a bit of an edge and acting cranky when things are not going his way.

On Tuesday night, Youkilis had already struck out, hit into a pair of double plays and failed to drive in five runners when he came up in the ninth with the Rays leading 4-0.

When he bounced another ball to third base, Youkilis inexplicably went far inside the baseline on his way to first. He stretched to land on the base with his right foot, and his left foot kicked Kotchman squarely above his left ankle.

Opinions varied in the Rays clubhouse about Youkilis' intent. Kotchman was emphatic that it was not done on purpose. Others were convinced it was intentional. And some people thought it was shady, but not obviously dirty.

So why was it necessary for Youkilis to go down?

Because perceptions matter.

Because slights must be addressed, and dignity must be acknowledged. Because every player in the clubhouse needs to feel as if 24 other guys are willing to protect him.

"If the pitch was intentional, of course we would appreciate that," Rays shortstop Sean Rodriguez said. "I don't know if it was or it wasn't, I don't know what he was thinking. But I know our pitchers would do something on our account without anybody having to ask them. Our pitchers are like that. They'll back you up."

As much as the play itself seemed over the top, Youkilis' reaction was considered even more damning.

He supposedly muttered "My bad" on his way past a fallen Kotchman, but did not appear even a little concerned about taking out the leg of a former teammate.

The next day, Youkilis continued to act as if it was no big deal, saying his "toe kind of just glanced over the top of him." Kotchman, meanwhile, was sporting an ugly bruise and taking anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce the swelling.

Youkilis said after Thursday's game that he did not think Price was throwing at him intentionally but said he was annoyed that the pitch was high.

Price immediately stepped toward the plate, and Youkilis glared back but no words were exchanged.

Plate umpire and crew chief Gary Darling seemed to acknowledge the intent of the pitch when he warned both benches that there would be no retaliation.

Darling, not known for his sunny disposition, abruptly dismissed questions afterward about issuing a warning so quickly.

Youkilis seemed to acknowledge the Red Sox might have liked to have retaliated themselves if Darling hadn't intervened.

"That's a little too early to issue warnings in my mind. It's not the way the game is played," Youkilis said. "Doesn't make it fair for us."

On the other hand, the Red Sox and Rays have another 13 games to go.

Tampa Bay Rays' plunking of Kevin Youkilis was necessary

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By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, June 16, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The result mattered. No reason to pretend otherwise.

The Red Sox won the game, won the series and expanded their lead on the Rays in the American League East. If you are a bottom-line person, that's as clear-cut as it gets.

But if you believe there is more to a 162-game season than an avalanche of box scores, then you might have applauded a pitching performance that was less than ideal.

For of the 106 pitches David Price threw in a laborious five-inning outing, there was one that was far more meaningful than the rest.

Before any runs had crossed the plate and any words could be spoken, Price hit Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis in the shoulder with a fastball in the first inning.

Understand, it had nothing to do with a winning home run Youkilis hit Wednesday night. It had everything to do with Youkilis crossing a line, both literally and figuratively, on a meaningless ground ball Tuesday night.

That was when Youkilis kicked Rays first baseman Casey Kotchman on a play that was, at the least, suspicious looking.

"It's not uncommon when a pitcher pitches inside that a hitter can get hit on occasion," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's tantamount to a runner running to first base, and on occasion he may step on a guy's leg."

So was it payback? Was it meant to be a message? Was it an act of solidarity?

Those answers are not important.

It was necessary, and that's what matters.

"If something happens and the next inning somebody gets hit, you pretty much understand what it's for," Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said. "Nobody really talks about it. It's just something that's been a part of the game for a long time.

"And I don't know if Dave's was intentional or not, but there are certain ways to handle things."

In this case, it was a question of accountability. And perhaps justice.

To start with, you have a player of uncommon ability in Youkilis. You also have a player with a reputation for competing with a bit of an edge and acting cranky when things are not going his way.

On Tuesday night, Youkilis had already struck out, hit into a pair of double plays and failed to drive in five runners when he came up in the ninth with the Rays leading 4-0.

When he bounced another ball to third base, Youkilis inexplicably went far inside the baseline on his way to first. He stretched to land on the base with his right foot, and his left foot kicked Kotchman squarely above his left ankle.

Opinions varied in the Rays clubhouse about Youkilis' intent. Kotchman was emphatic that it was not done on purpose. Others were convinced it was intentional. And some people thought it was shady, but not obviously dirty.

So why was it necessary for Youkilis to go down?

Because perceptions matter.

Because slights must be addressed, and dignity must be acknowledged. Because every player in the clubhouse needs to feel as if 24 other guys are willing to protect him.

"If the pitch was intentional, of course we would appreciate that," Rays shortstop Sean Rodriguez said. "I don't know if it was or it wasn't, I don't know what he was thinking. But I know our pitchers would do something on our account without anybody having to ask them. Our pitchers are like that. They'll back you up."

As much as the play itself seemed over the top, Youkilis' reaction was considered even more damning.

He supposedly muttered "My bad" on his way past a fallen Kotchman, but did not appear even a little concerned about taking out the leg of a former teammate.

The next day, Youkilis continued to act as if it was no big deal, saying his "toe kind of just glanced over the top of him." Kotchman, meanwhile, was sporting an ugly bruise and taking anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce the swelling.

Youkilis said after Thursday's game that he did not think Price was throwing at him intentionally but said he was annoyed that the pitch was high.

Price immediately stepped toward the plate, and Youkilis glared back but no words were exchanged.

Plate umpire and crew chief Gary Darling seemed to acknowledge the intent of the pitch when he warned both benches that there would be no retaliation.

Darling, not known for his sunny disposition, abruptly dismissed questions afterward about issuing a warning so quickly.

Youkilis seemed to acknowledge the Red Sox might have liked to have retaliated themselves if Darling hadn't intervened.

"That's a little too early to issue warnings in my mind. It's not the way the game is played," Youkilis said. "Doesn't make it fair for us."

On the other hand, the Red Sox and Rays have another 13 games to go.

Pelicans set hectic pace

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Friday, June 17, 2011

The Bay Area Pelicans Rugby Club recently completed its regular season in the Division II section of the Florida Rugby Union. But there's no rest for the weary.

The club will host the Cayman Storm Rugby Club on Saturday at Coquina Key Park in St. Petersburg. Kickoff is 3 p.m. The Pelicans previously hosted the Cayman Club in January 2010 and earned a 17-11 win.

While the match is just an exhibition, it will be hard to tell once the game gets going.

"It's a friendly, but really there's no such thing as a friendly,'' said Nick Fraser, a member of the Pelicans. "Once the game gets started it's all about playing hard and trying to win.''

The Pelicans just completed their regular season, which included 14 games against teams from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Jacksonville. Fraser said the team finished in the middle of the standings.

Members of the Pelicans are Sean Letona, Vince O'Shea, Maikali Raikadroke, Tim Madigan, Mark Herter, John Davis, John Mullen, Malakai Tubuvuya (player/coach), Merritt Mclean, Aran Johnson, Rob Brush, Iain Brodie, Russell Hitchens, Stu McConnell, Isaac Daniel, Terry Pledger, Kirk Stanford, Maikey Tuinakauvadra, Veresa Dagaga, Dave Gegenfurtner, Greg Cooper, Mark Hawkins, Craig Chalmers and Jim Orandash.

Fraser said the team is made up mostly of players from the Pinellas County area. Most of them are here from other countries such as South Africa, Australia, England, France and Fiji, where rugby is big. There is turnover every year because some players have transient jobs that take them away from the area.

But each year the team manages to remain competitive.

"Rugby is really big around here,'' Fraser said. "The Pelicans have been around for about 30 years. It's a growing sport. We also have an over-35 team that is very competitive. They played in the Fort Lauderdale Ruggerfest earlier in the year and won the over-35 division. Then we played against the team from Florida in the open final and got beat up by those college kids.''

Golf

The County Golf Association held a better ball tournament June 13 at Wentworth. The regular division gross winners were Jimmy Minskey and Pat Maxon, who shot 70. The senior division gross winners were Larry Vander Bie and Mike Sanderson, who shot 67. The overall net winners were Dan Barbaro and Jim Hammar, who shot 60.

There was also an individual tournament June 9 at the Bayou Club. The regular division gross winner was Marshall Ames, who shot 73. The regular division net winners were Steve Bennett and Pat Maxon, who shot 67s. The senior division gross winner was Mark Wheaton, who shot 71. The senior net winner was Gary McDonal, who shot 68.

Tennis

Katherine Shelton of St. Petersburg won the girls 16 singles division at the Hunter's Green Country Club Rookie Tournament on June 11-12. Shelton defeated Alexandra Gittens 8-2 and top-seeded Jessica Honsberg 8-5 in the round robin tournament. Takuma Walter of St. Petersburg won the boys 10 singles championship.

Sunshine State Games

The Alachua County Festival took place last week in Gainesville. A couple of local athletes won in their respective sports. John Edwards of St. Petersburg won the men's canoe/kayak 500-meter open sprint in High Springs with a time of two minutes, 31 seconds. He also won the C1 men's canoe open class on the 10-mile course with a time of one hour, 38 minutes, 19 seconds. And Missie Hendry and Natalie Moore of the Tampa Bay Synchrays won the duet masters division in synchronized swimming.

Skating

Junior skaters from Astro Skate in Pinellas Park recently returned from the Southern Regional Championships in Port Richey. There were eight skaters who qualified for nationals, which will be held in Fort Wayne, Ind., on July 24-Aug. 7.

Here are the eight skaters and how they placed at regionals: Aimee Bergeron (first elementary girls figures, elementary girls loop, second elementary solo dance), Bridget Budny (first sophomore women's figures, second freshman women's loops, third freshman/sophomore women's free), Joseph Budny (first freshman/sophomore men's figures, freshman/sophomore men's loops, freshman/sophomore men's free), Nicole Ogloza (first sophomore women's loops, sophomore solo dance, junior world class solo dance, international solo free dance, second sophomore women's figures), Joseph Ott (first esquire men's figures), Ruth Ross (first esquire B solo dance, second golden women solo dance), Samantha West (second juvenile girls figures, third juvenile solo dance) and Fred Wheeler (second golden men's solo dance).

Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos stays the course on contract optimism

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Lightning star center Steven Stamkos said Thursday that though there are no updates of his contract talks with the team, he is still optimistic something will get done.

Stamkos, 21, had a league-best 96 goals the past two seasons, including 45 this season. His expiring three-year, entry-level contract paid a base salary of $875,000, and it's expected 2008's top overall draft pick will sign for about $7 million a season.

Stamkos can be a restricted free agent July 1.

"It's going to take care of itself. It's not something I'm losing sleep over," Stamkos said. "Right now, I'm just focused on trying to get back into a training routine. It's been nice to relax, get a couple weeks off. Right now we're just having some fun and (Friday) get back to business."

Stamkos, who just got back from a vacation in Mexico, took batting practice with the Rays on Thursday at Tropicana Field — along with teammates Mike Smith, Teddy Purcell and Nate Thompson — and said he planned to head today to Toronto, where his agents are based.

Smith, a goalie who can be an unrestricted free agent July 1, said that there are no updates on his contract status and he still hopes to re-sign with the team, as does Purcell, a wing who also can be a restricted free agent.

"They're still talking and stuff, and hopefully something will get done pretty soon," Purcell said. "Obviously I want to be back here. It was a good fit for me. Hopefully that will take care of itself."

new scout: Rob Kitamura, 39, was hired as an amateur scout. He spent the past seven years as director of central scouting for the junior Ontario league.

Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.

Diamondbacks 3, Giants 2, 10 innings

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Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

D'backs 3, Giants 2

10 INNINGS

PHOENIX — Justin Upton homered on the first pitch he saw in the 10th and Arizona avoided being swept in the series. Upton's opposite-field home run off Santiago Casilla was his first career walkoff homer and the first home run given up by Casilla this season. Pat Burrell's RBI sacrifice fly in the ninth tied it for the Giants as J.J. Putz blew his third save in 21 opportunities.

Tampa Bay Rays prospect Matt Moore throws no-hitter at Double A

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — LHP Matt Moore had already made a pretty good name for himself among the Rays' top prospects by leading the minors in the strikeouts the last two seasons.

Thursday, he added another impressive line to his resume, throwing a no-hitter for Double-A Montgomery at Mobile, Ala., striking out 11.

"Pretty special," he said.

Moore, who turns 22 on Saturday, said he knew he hadn't allowed a hit because a fan had been heckling him about it from the sixth inning and his teammates weren't talking to him in the dugout. But he didn't appreciate the impact until after C Nevin Ashley and his Biscuits teammates mobbed him.

"I couldn't really appreciate it until they pushed me from the pile," Moore said. "And then I was like, 'Holy cow, that's something special.' "

Moore had never pitched more than 7 2/3 innings before, so he was as concerned with his pitch count (106) as anything.

little interest in kazmir: The Rays have not talked about and are unlikely to have any interest in bringing back LHP Scott Kazmir, who was released by the Angels on Wednesday.

"I don't know if I'm surprised or not surprised. I know he's been struggling," manager Joe Maddon said.

The Rays traded Kazmir, and the more than $23 million remaining on the long-term deal they gave him, in August 2009 for INF Sean Rodriguez and prospects LHP Alex Torres and 1B Matt Sweeney.

The Yankees are considered among the possible destinations. Reached by text message on Thursday, Kazmir said he had "no idea yet" where he would end up.

SEE YA. C.C.: LF Carl Crawford struggled in his first series back as a visitor at Tropicana Field, going 1-for-10 and leaving the bases loaded twice.

"I'm just glad it's over with," Crawford said. "Glad I got in and went through it for the first time. It was cool to come back to Tampa."

Crawford said after Tuesday's opener, when he got a lot of cheers and a smattering of boos, the reaction from the stands sounded like a regular road game. "That's pretty much what it turned into," he said.

DRAFT BREEZE: The Rays signed two of their seven supplemental round picks, No. 52 LHP Blake Snell and No. 56 OF Kes Carter. Snell got $684,000, Carter $625,000, according to Baseball America. Two picks are considered close to signing, No. 42 RHP Jeff Ames and No. 60 OF James Harris, who was at the Trop on Thursday.

MINOR MATTERS: OF/DH Chris Carter took advantage of a June 15 opt-out clause in his contract to be released from Triple-A Durham, where he was hitting .270 with 10 homers and 46 RBIs, second in the International League. RHP Cory Wade did the same earlier this week, signed with the Yankees, was called up to join their depleted bullpen and got the win Thursday. … OFs Josh Sale and Drew Vettleson, the Rays' top picks in 2010, will get their first pro action next week, having been assigned to rookie-level Princeton, W.Va. Both held out until the Aug. 15 deadline to sign, so they didn't play last year.

MISCELLANY: DH Johnny Damon is likely to play leftfield at least a couple of times during next week's NL-rules series in Milwaukee and Houston. … C John Jaso will visit patients in the children's ward at Tampa General Hospital this morning. … Maddon said RHP Wade Davis, who makes his 14th start tonight, is "making progress" and "getting closer to what he looked like at the end of last season, which was very good obviously."

Healthier and more experienced, Florida Gators catcher Mike Zunino is prepared for College World Series

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

GAINESVILLE — You could make a strong argument that Florida catcher Mike Zunino is a prime example of how much different the Gators are today than they were heading into last year's College World Series.

When Florida arrived in Omaha last season, Zunino was nearing the end of his freshman season. And although he was the starter all season, he was battling injuries and still learning the nuances of the college game.

One year later, he is the SEC Player of the Year, a Baseball America first-team All-American, and experienced enough that his pitchers say he's become an extension of head coach Kevin O'Sullivan in his ability to call the game.

That extra experience for Zunino and the entire team is what the Gators believe separates them from the team that went to Omaha last season.

"We were sort of content with just going last year," Zunino said. "It was such a big step, at least for me, knowing that we could get there and being young. But this year we definitely know we have business to take care of. We can't be satisfied with just making it there. We're hoping to make a run for it."

The son of a Major League Baseball scout, Zunino grew up around the game. At the end of last season, he had a dislocated left thumb and a broken right thumb — injuries that forced him to sit out summer ball and focus on his game from a cerebral perspective.

"I had a couple of months just to sit and talk with my dad," Zunino said. "I just sort of went over the season, went over what I wanted to improve offensively and defensively and I think that helped this year.

"I always followed baseball and I used to travel with my dad and go watch games. I've just always been around it and it's something I can talk to him about. He helps me out a lot when it comes to just talking baseball and just being around the game. He always tells me to just take it one game at a time, don't let success get to you, don't let failure get to you, just try to stay even-keel and do the best you can."

That advice has paid off.

Zunino leads the Gators and is among the SEC leaders in batting average (.376), total bases (168), hits (92), runs (72), doubles (22), home runs (18), slugging percentage (.686) and on-base percentage (.444). He has a .996 fielding percentage, with two errors in 524 chances, and has thrown out almost a third of the runners who have attempted to steal on him.

"With him behind the plate, anybody's very, very comfortable," junior pitcher Alex Panteliodis said. "I can throw anything I want and I know that he's a wall back there and he can block it. I don't have to worry about the runners on base because he's very accurate, he can throw anybody out at any given moment. It's just very comfortable. He knows the hitters. I never really shake him off. Whatever he calls I'll throw because I feel comfortable with him calling it."

Experience and familiarity with one another has led the Gators back to the CWS for the second consecutive season. One year after they got knocked out of the CWS in two games, the Gators now admit they were ill-prepared for the experience, a mistake they've vowed not to repeat.

The Gators also believe the kind of season they've survived will give them the necessary edge. Florida has had 18 come-from-behind wins, including in the final game of the Super Regional. And of the eight teams in the College World Series, three are from the SEC East — Florida, Vanderbilt and defending national champion South Carolina.

"I think it certainly makes you battle tested, there's no question," O"Sullivan said. "... Our team goal is to not only get to Omaha but to win it.

"I think we learned a lot last year and all we can do is hope to put ourselves in a little bit better position to have more success out there. But ultimately we still have to play the game and we're playing against some really good clubs."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.


Tampa Bay Lightning's Pavel Kubina cleared to resume full workouts, skating

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

The Tampa Bay Lightning got some good news this week when defenseman Pavel Kubina passed his base-line brain function tests and was cleared to resume full workouts and to skate.

"He's good," general manager Steve Yzerman said Friday. "He's been cleared by the doctors to resume full exercise."

"I can do anything right now," Kubina said.

Even so, Kubina, who has been staying at his Treasure Island home and will return to his native Czech Republic on Monday, said he will start slowly on the tread mill and stationary bike.

Kubina sustained a concussion on April 29 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal with the Capitals when his head bounced off the end-board glass at the Verizon Center after he was elbowed in the back of the head by Jason Chimura. Kubina said it took almost four weeks before he began to feel normal and at one point said he could not even watch Tampa Bay's playoff games from the press box because the sound and lights were like a sensory overload.

Since then, he has made a quick recovery and reports, "When I wake up in the morning I feel normal."

And looking forward to next season.

"I'll be good for training camp," Kubina said, "for sure."

ESPN: Tampa Bay Rays offer most "Bang for the Buck" among MLB teams, second most affordable

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Friday, June 17, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays offer the most "Bang for the Buck" among MLB's 30 teams, according to ESPN The Magazine.

Though ranking 7th among MLB teams and 25th overall among pro sports franchises in ESPN's ultimate standings, the Rays were ranked the second most affordable team in all sports (behind the Angels) and first overall for ticket pricing. (They were 9th for parking prices and 14th for concessions.)

The Rays have ranked in the top three in affordability for five consecutive years, including No. 1 in 2009.

Most of the rankings for the magazine's annual "Ultimate Standings" are based on fan opinion - a survey of fans and then an online poll, and weighted by importance. The Bang for the Buck category - defined as "Wins during the past three years (regular season plus postseason) per revenues directly from fans, adjusted for league schedules" - was calculated by the University of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Marketing Center to determine "how efficiently teams convert dollars from fans to on-field wins (regular and postseason)."

The biggest negative for the Rays had to do with Tropicana Field, as they ranked 111th of the 122 teams in "stadium experience" and 28th among MLB teams, ahead of only the Marlins (who are moving to a new stadium next season) and the A's (who are actively pursuing one). The Rays were ranked 6th best in terms or promotions/giveaways and 47th in fan friendly environment, but 114th in actual stadium quality.

The Rays were 6th overall in the 2010 rankings, 16th in 2009, 75th in 2008, 86th in 2007, 85th in 2006, 73rd in 2005, 77th in 2004, 114th in 2003.

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith shows off baseball prowess

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Lightning goaltender Mike Smith had always dreamed about doing a home run tot.

But until Thursday, he had never hit a baseball (playing only fastpitch softball growing up in Kingston, Ontario). That changed as the Rays, wanting to honor the Lightning's playoff run, invited Smith and teammates Steven Stamkos, Teddy Purcell and Nate Thompson to hit in batting practice and throw out the first pitch before the game with the Red Sox.

And Smith stole the show.

On his last swing, Smith ripped a homer into the leftfield seats, flipping his bat before running the bases and getting mobbed by Thompson, Purcell and Stamkos at the plate. Purcell then surprised Smith during interviews, smothering a towel filled with whipped cream over his face.

"Dream come true," Smith said. "It felt like butter coming off the bat. I've always wanted to try that. Close my eyes and swung, and it went out. I'm pretty proud."

The Lightning players, dressed in full Rays uniforms, loved the experience, from talking with special adviser Don Zimmer and third baseman Evan Longoria (who requested an opportunity to get on the ice), to getting hitting tips from manager Joe Maddon.

"I don't really know what I'm doing," Purcell said. "So I'm just swinging for the fences."

Stamkos, who played shortstop as a kid, hit a few balls to the warning track. He said the experience made him appreciate how difficult the game is, though Smith made it look easy on his homer.

"That," Maddon said, "was well struck."

Tampa Bay Lightning open to trading up from No. 27 draft position

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

It is not necessarily in his plan, and the circumstances would have to be right, but Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said he is open to trading up from his No. 27 draft position.

"Oh, definitely," Yzerman said Friday. "You explore opportunities all the way up to almost until you're picking. Some of those things are really a call at the draft table."

The draft, which begins Friday in St. Paul, Minn., is top-heavy.

As Tampa Bay's head scout Al Murray said, "There are eight to 10 players who are sort of the consensus top guys. ... That next group of probably 40 players is all over the place depending on individual team needs and individual preferences."

Yzerman said he likely would not target one player.

"Because by the time you move up he may be gone if you don't move up a bunch of spots," he said. "So, it's got to be almost a group of players. 'We like this group of players. We might have a chance to get one.'"

Of course, Yzerman wouldn't mind staying at 27, either.

"To trade up just to trade up doesn't make sense," he said. "They're just 18-year-old kids. It's all speculative. But if it's someone we really like and we think we have a chance, we'll move up."

POSTURING OR PESSIMISM: The agent for Lightning forward Sean Bergenheim certainly made it sound as if his client, one of the best stories of the postseason, is on his way to becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Todd Diamond said Friday the sides have "right now agreed to disagree" on a new contract.

Asked if he believed a deal could get done before July 1, when Bergenheim hits the open market, Diamond said, "It's not going to be easy, but stranger things can happen."

Bergenheim, 27, who made $700,000 last season, had 14 goals, 29 points in 80 games, but exploded for nine goals, 11 points in 16 games in the playoffs.

"There's no negativity," Diamond said of the negotiations, "other than putting together a financial package everyone is happy with."

KUBY CLEARED: Pavel Kubina got good news this week, when he was cleared for full workouts and skating.

"He is fully cleared with no restrictions," head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan wrote in a text message.

The defenseman, concussed April 29 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal with the Capitals, said his recovery accelerated the past three weeks. He passed his base-line brain function test on Tuesday.

Kubina, who on Monday will leave his Treasure Island home for his native Czech Republic, said he has started slowly on the treadmill and stationary bike.

"I'll be good for training camp," he said, "for sure."

NO-SHOW: There is a good chance Yzerman will be named NHL executive of the year at Wednesday's NHL Awards show in Las Vegas. But Yzerman, up against Vancouver's Mike Gillis and Nashville's David Poille, said he will not attend.

"I've just got too much to do," Yzerman said. "I've got a (Board of Governors) meeting Tuesday in New York. ... To spend a day and a half to fly out (To Las Vegas) and fly back, it's just not a good use of my time."

TO-DO LIST: One thing Yzerman wants to do is get star C Steven Stamkos signed before July 1, when he becomes a restricted free agent. Tampa Bay would have the right to match any outside offers, but Yzerman certainly doesn't want another team setting the parameters.

"We're definitely still talking and will continue to talk and continue working toward a deal," Yzerman said.

ODDS AND ENDS: Brett Connolly, last summer's top draft choice, No. 6 overall, was invited to Team Canada's summer development camp. ... The Lightning added former Mercyhurst College assistant coach John Rosso as an amateur scout.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

The Florida State League, which has helped launch several MLB careers, will play its 50th all-star game

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Friday, June 17, 2011

CLEARWATER — Jeff Kent played in the Florida State League All-Star Game. So did Ivan Rodriguez and Joe Mauer.

Before they won MVP awards at the major-league level, all three got their start in the advanced Class A FSL. In fact, more than 1,200 players from the league have played in the majors, including 13 now in the Hall of Fame.

Many played in the All-Star game, an annual event that has provided a major glimpse into the future.

Saturday night, the FSL holds its 50th All-Star game at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater.

"It's a big milestone and quite an accomplishment to see so many players who have gone to the majors or have had Hall of Fame careers," FSL president Chuck Murphy said.

Kelly Shoppach was one player. The Rays catcher was selected for the 2002 game while with the Sarasota Red Sox.

Shoppach cannot recall how many hits he had or whether he made any plays in the field. But he does remember this: It was the first time he played in an All-Star game as a professional.

"I know I called my parents when I was picked, and they drove up for the game," Shoppach said. "I was in the home run derby and I had three home runs, which is a lot for me. After awhile, memories like that kind of fade and get replaced by other moments in your career. But it was a fun time."

Shoppach and Jeremy Hellickson are the only current Rays who have played in the FSL All-Star Game. Hellickson started the 2008 game.

"It was great experience for me," Hellickson said. "It was my first All-Star game, and it was an honor to start. It's pretty cool to see all the guys who either played in the All-Star Game or played at that level who are in the big leagues now."

Others don't have many fond memories.

"It was hot," said Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, who played in the 2004 game. "That's the only thing I remember from being in that game."

So who are the next diamonds in the rough from the league?

The best bets are a pair of right-handed pitchers, Dunedin's Deck McGuire and St. Lucie's Matt Harvey.

McGuire was the Blue Jays' first-round pick in 2010 out of Georgia Tech. He ranks fifth in the league in strikeouts with 70.

Harvey was the Mets' first-round pick in 2010. The former North Carolina standout is tied for the league lead in wins with eight and ranks second in strikeouts with 88.

Then there is Charlotte shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, the Rays' top prospect. Lee, acquired from Cubs in the Matt Garza deal, is hitting .356 with nine doubles and 50 runs scored. Lee was among four Charlotte players who were selected.

"A lot of these players will move on to Double-A after this game and could be in the majors in a few years," Murphy said. "It's a fantastic event, and our 50th game is at a premium stadium in Clearwater. It's a big event for us."

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