By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
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. More than 1,200 players who spent time in the FSL have played in the majors, including 13 who are in the Hall of Fame.

Many played in the league's All-Star Game. Tonight, the FSL holds its 50th All-Star Game at Bright House 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.

Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach is among the All-Star alumni. He 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 (from Texas)," Shoppach said. "I was in the home run derby, and I had three home runs, which is a lot for me. After a while, memories like that kind of fade and get replaced by other moments in your career. But it was a fun time."

Shoppach and pitcher Jeremy Hellickson are the only current Rays who have played in the 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 fond memories of the game.

"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."

Who are the next top prospects 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 draft pick in 2010 (11th overall) out of Georgia Tech. He ranks fifth in the league with 70 strikeouts. Harvey was the Mets' first-round pick (seventh overall) 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, one of the Rays' top prospects. Lee, acquired from Cubs in the Matt Garza deal last offseason, is hitting .356 (first in the league) with 50 runs scored (third). Lee was among four Charlotte players who were initially selected. Two were added to replace players who were promoted.

"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 big event for us."

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com.

The name game

Some of the top major-leaguers who played in the Florida State League, including the All-Star Game, over the past 50 seasons:

First base: Jeff Bagwell (1989 Winter Haven), Carlos Delgado (1992 Dunedin), Ryan Howard (2003 Clearwater), Eddie Murray (1974 Miami), Frank Thomas (1989 Sarasota)

Second base: Rod Carew (1965 Orlando), Jeff Kent (1990 Dunedin), Pete Rose (1961 Tampa), Chase Utley (2001 Clearwater), Lou Whitaker (1976 Lakeland)

Third base: Adrian Beltre (1997 Vero Beach), Howard Johnson (1979-80 Lakeland), Scott Rolen (1995 Clearwater), David Wright (2003 St. Lucie)

Shortstop: Derek Jeter (1994 Tampa), Cal Ripken (1979 Miami), Jimmy Rollins (1998 Clearwater)

Catcher: Johnny Bench (1965 Tampa), Gary Carter (1972 West Palm Beach), Joe Mauer (2003 Fort Myers), Mike Piazza (1990 Vero Beach)

Outfield: Kirk Gibson (1978 Lakeland), Willie McGee (1978-79 Fort Lauderdale), Larry Walker (1986 West Palm Beach), Vernon Wells (1999 Dunedin)

Pitchers: Rollie Fingers (1965 Leesburg), Catfish Hunter (1964 Daytona), Ferguson Jenkins (1962-63 Miami), Randy Johnson (1986 West Palm Beach), Jim Palmer (1967-68 Miami), Nolan Ryan (1967 Winter Haven)

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 17, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — If the past is an indicator, more is in the future for this year's St. Petersburg Derby winner than a blanket, a trophy and a $13,000 paycheck.

"(The Derby) is certainly a prestigious title," Derby Lane director of racing Jerry Miller said. "I don't think there's any dog looking for a stud or breeding career that wouldn't like to have it as one of its (racing) lines."

Qualifying for the Derby, the final stakes race of the track's 2010-11 season, begins tonight in Races 4, 6, 8 and 10. The top four finishers in each race advance to Wednesday night's semifinals. The first four dogs in those races advance to the $30,000 Derby. The others run in the $10,000 Consolation Derby, both June 25. First post tonight is 7:30.

Since 2000, the collective group of winners in the Derby has gone on to fame and fortune. Tmc's Remedy, the 2010 winner, was a two-time All-America selection with $172,233 in career earnings. Boot Scootin Gal, back-to-back Derby winner in 2000-01, won 69 of 265 starts. Extruding Dream, the 2006 champion, captured the Flashy Sir award as the nation's top distance performer. He also was an All-America choice along with 2005 winner Its Dust Em and 2002 champ Kiowa Sweet Joe.

Together, the 10 dogs combined for 375 victories from 1,379 starts and $679,513 in purses.

With 2010 All-America team captain Flying Coal City of McAllister kennel inactive with a shoulder injury, Miller believes at least 10 dogs have a chance to win the 660-yard event.

"(Kennel owner) Malcolm (McAllister) took a hit when he lost Coal City," Miller said. "But he's developed some pups like Flying Marvelous and Flying Masago."

Flying Marvelous, an 18-month-old female, has won five of six career starts, including all four at 660 yards. She starts in Race 8 tonight. McAllister's other entries are Flying Eyelet (Race 4) and Flying Masago (Race 6). Miller said McAllister's youthful dogs remind him of the victory by Abernathy kennel's Magic Finch in the $80,000 Distance Classic on April 9. Magic Finch entered that event with only 16 career starts.

"That was a perfect example of getting a young dog to run at the right time," Miller said.

Magic Finch, a 25-month-old female, is entered in Race 8. It will be her first start in nearly two months after being sidelined with an injury. Other top contenders: Fall Juvenile winner and Distance Classic runnerup Uss Gazillionair (Lester Raines kennel) and Gold Trophy Juvenile third-place finisher Tortuga Trophy (D'Arcy) in Race 6; and Gold Trophy runnerup Kentucky Fire (Cal Holland) in Race 10.

Six of the past 11 Derby winners have been females.

"Traditionally, you see the males dominate the sprints," Miller said. "But the distance course is probably the best bet when it comes to being unbiased as far as the males and females go."

By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 17, 2011

What's hot: Flounder and hogfish are filling stringers for many divers. Large flounder are hiding in self-made sand blankets just off the wrecks and the pipeline. Many divers tend to focus their attention on the structure and forget to look away from the bait and other darting fish to look for flounder. Flounder are still being found, unusual for this late in the year.

Flounder tactic: It's tempting to spear a flounder with your speargun, but hold off. Stab the flounder in the back of the head with your knife, but turn your knife so the blade faces the side of the fish and not the tail. This way, when the fish tries to pull away, it will not force the knife to cut down through the tail and allow the fish to pull off. The payoff comes when the vibrations from the stabbed flounder stimulate a hiding snapper, hogfish or grouper and brings it to you. Flounder settle down fast, and you can pick them up after you spear the other fish.

Boat show: The Tampa Bay Boat Show continues today and Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. I am giving one free spearfishing seminar each day at 12:30 p.m. Stop by for a seminar or stop by my booth. Admission is free; it's $5 to park. See tampabayboatshows.com for details.

Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at CaptainBillHardman@gmail.com or (727) 344-3483.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

Yankees at Cubs: 4 p.m. on Ch. 13. Fox's Game of the Week has two legendary franchises playing in a classic stadium. Joe Buck and Tim McCarver call the action.

Lords of Dogtown: 4 p.m. on IFC. It's a classic 2005 film about a group of Californians who revolutionized skateboarding in the 1970s.

Boxing: 10:30 p.m. on HBO. The main event is a 12-round WBC light middleweight title bout between Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (36-0-1, 26 KOs) and Ryan Rhodes (45-4, 31 KOs).

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

OMAHA, Neb. — As the College World Series opens today at new TD Ameritrade Park after 61 years at Rosenblatt Stadium, fans may need to brace for another possible change: a lot less offense.

Offensive numbers are down in baseball because of new bat standards that went into effect this season.

According to Division I statistics through the end of the regular season May 22, the overall team batting average dropped from .305 last season to .282. Home runs were nearly cut in half, from an average of 0.93 a game to 0.52, and scoring average was down from 7.01 runs a game to 5.62. Team ERAs went from 5.97 to 4.70, and 886 shutouts were pitched, up from 525 a year ago.

The new metal bats must meet a standard — the Ball-Bat Coefficient of Restitution — and are designed to lower ball speeds off the bat. The change was made to make the game safer and to tone down a game that had become overly offensive.

Bowl schedule: Football's bowl schedule features 35 games over 23 days next season, starting Dec. 17 and ending with the BCS title game Jan. 9 in New Orleans. No games will be played on traditional bowl date Jan. 1 because it falls on a Sunday, when the NFL plays a full schedule to close its regular season.

basketball: It's all but certain the Michigan State-North Carolina men's game on Veterans Day will be played aboard the USS Carl Vinson, the aircraft carrier that carried Osama bin Laden's body to a burial at sea, organizers said. The carrier, back from deployment, is in Coronado, Calif., near San Diego.

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

Cubs 3, Yankees 1

CHICAGO — Doug Davis, who entered the game 0-5 with a 5.90 ERA in six starts, shut down the Yankees. The Cubs have won four of five since dropping a season-high 14 games under .500. Davis' 71/3 innings were his most since going eight on Oct. 4, 2009. He allowed singles to Robinson Cano (fourth) and Eduardo Nunez (fifth) before leaving after Nick Swisher's double. Closer Carlos Marmol struck out Alex Rodriguez to end the eighth, then got through the ninth for the save.

By Eduardo A. Encina, Times staff writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

Tonight

FC Tampa Bay at Carolina

Records: Tampa Bay 3-4-4, 13 points; Carolina 9-1-1, 28 points

When/where: 7; WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.

Live streaming: Online at fctampabay.com

Previous meetings: NASL leader Carolina has beaten Tampa Bay twice this season by a combined 5-2. The RailHawks scored twice in the second half to win 3-1 May 7 at Al Lang Field and returned to St. Petersburg two weeks ago to win 2-1, their first goal coming after a controversial PK call.

Last time out: Led by two goals by F Mike Ambersley, Tampa Bay beat Atlanta 3-2 on Sunday. … Carolina extended its unbeaten streak to a club-record 10 games with a 1-0 win over Edmonton.

News of the week: Tampa Bay announced it will play its first international friendly July 14 against Bolton of the English Premier League. … Ambersley was named NASL offensive player of the week, the first Tampa Bay player so honored.

Skinny: This is Tampa Bay's 12th game but just its fourth on the road. The club is 0-1-2 away from Al Lang Field. … D JP Rodrigues (knee) is out. M Chad Burt (foot) and M Takuya Yamada (groin) are questionable. … D Omar Jarun will miss this game while playing with the Palestinian national team. … Ambersley leads the team with five goals. No other player has more than one. … The Railhawks lead the NASL by nine points over second-place Edmonton. Tampa Bay is in sixth in the eight-team league, one point out of fourth. It is 3-0-2 against teams beneath it in the standings but winless (0-4-2) against teams above it. … Railhawks M Nick Zimmerman is a Tampa native and a 2005 Wharton High graduate.

Eduardo A. Encina, Times staff writer

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Probation is over for Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick, but the NASCAR drivers aren't ready to shake hands and make up.

Asked how much the end of the penalty would change his driving, Busch said "Zero."

"It didn't matter being on it or being off it," he said Friday before practice for Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. "I try to race the best I can each and every week, as hard as I can and as clean as I can."

The drivers, fined and disciplined for a run-in after the May 7 Sprint Cup race at Darlington, were again told to cool it last week at Pocono. Harvick said afterward he wanted Busch to know he had one coming.

"Fine with me," Busch said. "It's not my problem. I race my race car, he drives his. You saw how I raced."

The two have not spoken to each other since NASCAR sat them down before the May 15 race at Dover.

Harvick seemed to back off his threat Friday. "A lot of these things, you go out on the racetrack and things happen, and you do what you think is right at the right time," he said.

NASCAR fined the drivers $25,000 each and placed them on probation for an altercation following the Darlington race. The two made contact during the race, and Harvick wrecked with teammate Clint Bowyer.

Afterward, Harvick parked in front of Busch on pit road, climbed from his car and threw a punch into Busch's driver-side window. Busch then used his car to bump Harvick's out of the way.

"Obviously, probation ties your hands a little bit on certain things," Harvick said. "But you still go out and race as hard as you can and do the things you need to do."

Officials radioed each man's crew during last week's race at Pocono, when Harvick forced Busch down the track as the two were fighting for position.

This week their trailers are parked next to each other because placement is determined by series points. Harvick is fourth, Busch fifth.

Defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said fans won't be the only ones watching for continued fireworks between the two.

"I have no idea what's going to happen," he said, "but I'm sure we'll all be very entertained."

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

ST. PETERSBURG — Rookie RHP Alex Cobb knows tonight's start against the Marlins likely will be his last before getting sent back down to Triple-A Durham.

With RHP Jeff Niemann out with a lower back strain, Cobb expected his big-league stint to be temporary.

But what both Cobb and the Rays learned from his four-start stint into the majors was significant: He'll be back.

"He understands he belongs here," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's going to pitch here for a long time. He's going to be a very productive major-league pitcher."

Maddon said the Rays knew Cobb (1-0, 3.57) had a 90s fastball to go along with an "excellent" straight changeup and "swing-and-miss" curveball. But it wasn't until the Rays saw him bounce back from some struggles, including a rocky debut, that Maddon saw the "really good (mental) makeup" he had heard about.

"When you're in the minor leagues, you always ask the guys who have been (in the majors), 'What's it like?' " Cobb, 23, said. "And it's hard for somebody to explain to somebody what the difference is between the minor leagues and big leagues. Being able to experience it gets rid of all the doubts of, 'Are you good enough to be up here?' "

BOBBY'S BACK: Bullpen coach Bobby Ramos returned after missing four games with bronchitis, though he admitted he was nervous because he didn't know for a while what was wrong.

"I was down for the count," he said. "But I'm feeling a lot better."

Ramos said he felt symptoms off and on for about four weeks and was lethargic. He finally saw an ear, nose and throat specialist, who diagnosed him and got him the proper medication.

"It wasn't good. It was a struggle," Ramos said. "I don't know about full strength, but I'm back."

FAMILIAR FACE: Marlins LHP Randy Choate, a Ray from 2009-10, was happy to be back at the Trop, saying there are certainly things he misses about being with Tampa Bay.

Choate, 35, was open to returning in the offseason but respected the Rays' decision to go in another direction. He signed a two-year contract with Florida.

"They were like a family to me the past two years," Choate said of the Rays. "They put me in a position that really helped me establish myself in what I do. Their clubhouse, the way they make it from (executive vice president Andrew Friedman) on down, it was relaxed but with being accountable.

"I feel good here (with Florida). I feel I fit in. But I'm saying the whole attitude from the top all the way down (with the Rays) is different from any other clubhouse in any other organization."

HIGH PRAISE: Maddon, on Marlins slugging RF Mike Stanton (.237 average in June): "This guy could be a superstar. There's no question."

MISCELLANY: The Rays set their rotation for next week's Brewers series. Niemann, expected to be ready to come off the disabled list Monday, will be followed by RHP Jeremy Hellickson and LHP David Price. … The state champion Alonso High baseball team was recognized before Friday's game. Star RHP Jose Fernandez, Florida's first-round pick (14th overall), wore Marlins gear.

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

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

Joe Gibbs Racing back in hot water

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Four days after NASCAR penalized Kyle Busch's race team for a height infraction at Pocono Raceway, Joe Gibbs Racing was back in the doghouse again.

In Friday's opening inspection at Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR found unapproved oil pans on all three Toyotas — the No. 11 of Denny Hamlin, the No. 18 of Busch and the No. 20 of Joey Logano — owned by Joe Gibbs, above.

It wasn't that the pans had been deemed illegal, but they had never been submitted for NASCAR's approval. The pans on the Gibbs cars were heavier than typical.

NASCAR required Joe Gibbs Racing to replace the pans before practice. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the illegal pans will be checked Monday at NASCAR's research and development center in Concord, N.C. Penalties are possible, Tharp said, but it's unlikely any sanctions would involve points because the infractions didn't happen during a race.

Patrick stays put — with IMG, that is

Danica Patrick said she is sticking with sports management giant IMG in the wake of agent Mark Steinberg's split with the company. Patrick hasn't made a decision on her future but says her agents are free to listen to offers. Many racing contracts contain clauses that prohibit drivers from negotiating new deals with rival teams until a specific date, but Patrick said she's under no such restrictions. "That's open," Patrick said at the Milwaukee Mile, site of Sunday's IndyCar race. "My agents are working."

Elsewhere

A Michigan high school basketball player who died this year after making a winning shot will be honored at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. Travis Kvapil's Ford will carry the logo of the Wes Leonard Heart Team on its rear quarter panels. Members of Leonard's family and the foundation will be guests of the No. 38 team at Sunday's Sprint Cup race. … This week's cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix Formula One race means the inaugural Indian Grand Prix is Oct. 30 in New Dehli. The Bahrain race, postponed in March amid anti-government protests, was reset for Oct. 30 but then canceled. … Brandon Bernstein led Day 1 of Top Fuel qualifying at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn., with a 3.859-second run at 312.50 mph. Bob Tasca (Funny Car) and Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) also topped their divisions.

Times wires

Exchange of the week

Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 Formula One champion, and two-time Sprint Cup champ Tony Stewart swapped rides at a test in Watkins Glen, N.Y., in the rain Tuesday. "It's just amazing what the capabilities of the car are," said Stewart, who has open-wheel experience from his IndyCar days. "I told the guys on pit road that it's probably going to make my crew chief a little more stressed during the weekends now because I'm going to want it to handle like that all the time. That was truly the experience of a lifetime."

Number of the week

3 Years, as of Wednesday, since Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s most recent Sprint Cup victory. The series this weekend is back at the site of that win on June 15, 2008: Michigan International Speedway.

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

LOS ANGELES — Jamie and Frank McCourt agreed Friday to have a one-day trial Aug. 4 to determine if title to the Dodgers is in his name or if it should be considered community property in their divorce.

If Jamie prevails, the team, stadium and surrounding property will be sold and the proceeds split. If Frank prevails, Jamie will get $100 million.

A judge previously deemed invalid a postnuptial marital agreement that gave Frank sole ownership of the team. That cleared the way for Jamie to seek the sale of the team and half the proceeds under California's community property law. All other aspects of the contentious divorce have been settled, Frank said.

In April, MLB assumed control of the franchise because, commissioner Bud Selig said, it was concerned about the team's finances and how the franchise was being run.

The McCourts' agreement anticipates league approval of a 17-year TV contract with Fox, Frank said. That deal is reportedly worth $3 billion, including $385 million up front. MLB declined to comment.

Despite Frank's pledge that none of the up-front TV-deal money would be used toward the divorce, the settlement terms show otherwise. About $50 million would be placed in an account subject to a judge's orders, $10 million would be used for attorneys' fees, and about $80 million would be used for paying off the Dodgers' debt.

Marlins demote East Lake's Coghlan

ST. PETERSBURG — Marlins OF Chris Coghlan, an East Lake High graduate and the 2009 NL rookie of the year, was sent to Triple A. Coghlan, who turns 26 today, is hitting .230 with a .296 on-base percentage.

"He took it hard," manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "He knows he belongs here. We believe Chris Coghlan needs to work on his swing. We all know he's a way better hitter than he's been showing. We really believe if he goes back to basics and with less pressure, he'll be fine."

Coghlan hasn't been the same since tearing the meniscus in his left knee while delivering a pie in the face to a teammate while celebrating a win July 25, Rodriguez said. "I know what I'm seeing right now. That's not the Chris Coghlan I know," Rodriguez said.

Crawford, Youkilis leave: Red Sox LF Carl Crawford and 3B Kevin Youkilis left Friday's game against the Brewers early. Crawford left in the first after tweaking his left hamstring while beating out an infield single. Youkilis left in the fifth with a stomach illness.

More Red Sox: Closer Jonathan Papelbon's suspension stemming from bumping an umpire June 4 was reduced from three games to two. He sat Friday and also will do so today. Also, SS Jed Lowrie went on the DL with a strained left shoulder.

Braves: RHP Tommy Hanson went on the DL with inflammation in his right shoulder. An MRI exam showed no structural damage. Also, 3B Chipper Jones didn't start against the Rangers, one night after straining an adductor muscle in his right leg. He is day to day.

Brewers: RHP Shaun Marcum left in the second vs. Boston with a strained left hip flexor but hopes to make his next start.

Indians: DH Travis Hafner was activated after missing 28 games with a strained right oblique muscle. Also, 1B Matt LaPorta left in the third against the Pirates with what the team called a right lower-leg injury sustained while caught in a rundown.

Orioles: Results of an MRI exam on RHP Jeremy Guthrie, who left Thursday's start with a sore back, were "as good as one could have hoped," team president Andy MacPhail said. His status for his next start, set for Tuesday, had not been determined.

Rockies: C Jose Morales went on the DL with a broken right thumb two days after being hit by a foul ball.

Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

Indians 5, Pirates 1

CLEVELAND — Carlos Santana homered and Josh Tomlin bounced back from three consecutive rocky starts to earn the win. Santana broke a 2 for 26 slump by hitting his eighth homer, a solo shot in the fourth that made it 2-0. He added a bases-loaded RBI single in a three-run eighth. Pittsburgh had a four-game winning streak end and failed to move three games over .500 for the first time since being 40-37 on July 1, 1999.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer
Friday, June 17, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays' two opponents during this home­stand couldn't be more different: the best-in-the-AL Red Sox and the free-falling Marlins.

"It just had a different vibe to it," manager Joe Maddon said of the Florida part, which began Friday.

But what Maddon liked about the Rays' 5-1 win over Florida was how they played with the same type of effort in what turned out to be a tightly contested game for most of the night. By handing the Marlins their 15th loss in 16 games in front of a gathering of 15,708 at Tropicana Field, the Rays (37-33) remained 51/2 games behind Boston, which took two of three games at the Trop this week.

"It kind of takes off some of the stress," second baseman Sean Rodriguez said. "But any time you lose to the Yankees or Boston, it's kind of like a little pin. You still feel it."

Rodriguez had a big day, picking up a two-run homer in the second and a two-run double in the eighth to tie a career high with four RBIs. It was nearly as many hits as the Miami native had in his previous 11 games combined (3-for-28). Catcher Kelly Shoppach also homered off rookie lefty Brad Hand, who made his third big-league start.

"I was fortunate enough to be able to get the opportunity to do something, and I came through," Rodriguez said.

Right-hander Wade Davis (6-5) gave the Rays a chance with a solid six-inning outing, though it was far from easy. He escaped a 32-pitch first inning unscathed and got himself out of a couple tough jams, allowing just one run, his fewest since April 20.

"I think he's building along," Maddon said. "He's not at the point where he needs or wants to be yet. But it is progress."

Maddon said though Davis didn't have command of all his pitches, he saw better velocity (93 mph). Davis believed the most encouraging sign of progress came in the fifth inning, after he gave up a solo homer to John Buck.

Rodriguez saved a run with a backhanded snag of an Omar Infante groundout up the middle. But after a two-out walk to Logan Morrison put runners on first and third, Davis found himself in a situation in which he has made bad decisions previously this season.

Maddon recently challenged Davis to put more thought into pitch selection at certain moments while having conviction. And he did that with a 3-and-2 curveball to Gaby Sanchez that resulted in an inning-ending flyout.

"I think it's more of a self-conviction thing," Davis said. "And that's what Joe was trying to get to. Don't underthink it. Put a little more thought into the time and moment, especially when the game is on the line. That's been one of the biggest things."

The Rays' bullpen again came through with three scoreless innings. Joel Peralta pitched a scoreless seventh. J.P. Howell got two outs in the eighth. And Kyle Farnsworth got Mike Stanton — tied for fifth in the National League with 16 home runs — to pop out with two on to end it before finishing with a 1-2-3 ninth, his 15th save in 16 chances.

"That was absolutely huge," Maddon said of Farnsworth's four-out save. "So many good things about (Friday's) game."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

BETHESDA, Md. — In one of those can't-miss moments in sports, thousands of fans covered the hill behind the 10th green at Congressional. They spilled onto the clubhouse veranda, pressed their faces against the windows and lined the balcony railing to watch Rory McIlroy deliver a performance never before seen in the U.S. Open.

"It was Tiger Woods of 11 years ago," golfer Ian Poulter said.

In some respects, it was better.

McIlroy, the sympathetic figure at the Masters, was as close to perfect as golf allows Friday during an assault on the record book. The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland became the first player in the 111 years of the U.S. Open to reach 13 under par, and despite a double bogey into the water on the final hole, his 5-under 66 was enough set the 36-hole scoring record at 131.

He had a six-shot lead over 2009 PGA champion Y.E. Yang (69), matching the U.S. Open record set by Woods in 2000 at Pebble Beach for the largest margin at the halfway point.

"It's very near the best I can play," McIlroy said.

Not since Woods destroyed the field at Pebble Beach in 2000 for a record 15-shot victory has anyone made golf look this easy, at least for two rounds.

McIlroy hit a wedge from 114 yards some 15 feet behind the flag on No. 8, then watched it roll down a slope and into the cup for eagle.

He tied the U.S. Open record of 12 under — reached by Woods in 2000 and Gil Morgan in 1992, both at Pebble Beach — on the par-5 16th with a 4-iron from 223 yards that settled 8 feet from the cup.

"I told him, 'I don't think you'll see a better golf shot,' " said his caddie, J.P. Fitzgerald.

Then came the 17th, when McIlroy hit a 7-iron from 175 yards, barely cleared the bunker and left him 15 feet below the hole for another birdie to go to 13 under.

Only four other players have reached 10 under or better at any point in a U.S. Open: Morgan, Woods, Jim Furyk at Olympia Fields in 2003 and Ricky Barnes at Bethpage Black in 2009. None of them was there after two rounds. As for 13 under?

"I didn't see 13 under on this golf course after any day," golfer Brandt Snedeker said.

McIlroy knows better than to start celebrating before Sunday. At Augusta National two months ago, he led by four shots going into the final round of the Masters and shot 80, the kind of collapse that isn't easily forgotten.

"It's been two very, very good days of golf," McIlroy said. "I put myself in a great position going into the weekend. But I know more than probably anyone else what can happen. So I've got to stay really focused and try and finish this thing off."

The second round was halted for 42 minutes because of thunderstorms, and Yang held it together on the stronger back nine to at least stay in range.

The South Korean is no stranger to big deficits in the majors. In the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine, he trailed Woods by six shots going into the weekend and wound up winning by three.

"I'm not going to chase anyone," Yang said. "I'm just going to play my game."

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

cycling

rider hit curb, spectator before crashing into fence during race

GENEVA — Juan Mauricio Soler hit a curb near a traffic circle, tumbled onto a spectator and smashed into a fence during a crash that left him with brain injuries and multiple fractures, a fellow rider said Friday.

Soler, 28, remained in an induced coma at a hospital in St. Gallen, Tour of Switzerland spokesman Christoph Arnold said. Soler's team, Movistar, said the rider remained in intensive care in "stable though serious" condition but swelling on his brain had reduced. The next couple of days are crucial, team doctor Alfredo Zuniga said.

"All of a sudden there was a footpath with a (2-inch) edge dropping down to the road level," Australian rider Baden Cooke told the Associated Press in an e-mail. "(Soler) had no time to brake at all."

The Colombian hit a fence about 2 feet from the road.

"The fence did not move at all, so Soler took the full impact," Cooke said.

nba

Owners soften stance on players' key point

Owners relaxed their insistence on nonguaranteed contracts in a new collective bargaining agreement, but players said that isn't enough because the league is still seeking a hard salary cap.

Even so, the proposal by the owners during a 4½-hour meeting in New York was perhaps their most significant movement yet as the sides try to agree to a new deal before the current one expires June 30.

"We think it's significant. Very significant, actually," commissioner David Stern said.

Stern said the meeting, which Knicks star Carmelo Anthony attended along with the players' executive committee, was the first time the players had expressed strongly their objection to the issue of nonguaranteed contracts. So the league made a proposal closer to the current system, which allows players and individual teams the right to negotiate guarantees between themselves.

Rubio headed to Wolves: Ricky Rubio is making his long-awaited move to the NBA and will join the Timberwolves next season. The 20-year-old Spanish guard ended two years of speculation, saying, "I have finally decided to start the journey" to the NBA. The Timberwolves chose Rubio with the No. 5 pick in the 2009 draft. His $6 million buyout clause at his first Spanish team, Joventut — of which an NBA team could pay only $500,000, under league rules — made him stay in Spain until the buyout came down to a more manageable $1.4 million.

et cetera

Swimming: Michael Phelps continued his inconsistent year, easily winning the 100-meter butterfly but finishing second in the 100 free at the Santa Clara (Calif.) International Grand Prix. The 14-time Olympic gold medalist and world-record holder won the fly in 52.41 seconds. Park Taehwan of South Korea won the 100 free 0.69 of a second ahead of Phelps. Former Gator Ryan Lochte was a distant eighth in both events.

Soccer: The director of Mexico's Gold Cup team, Hector Inaturri, said his squad will win the regional tournament with or without replacements for the five players dropped after testing positive for a banned substance. The sport's world governing body approved the request to replace the players and asked CONCACAF, the regional governing body, to implement it. Mexico plays a quarterfinal against Guatemala today in New Jersey.

Boxing: Floyd Mayweather Jr. was a no-show for a court-ordered deposition in Las Vegas in a federal lawsuit alleging he defamed rival Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao's lawyer said.

Tennis: Rain washed out play at Eastbourne, England. The tournament will attempt to play all four semifinals today, with finals to follow. In the women's event, Petra Kvitova plays Daniela Hantuchova, and Tampa resident Sam Stosur faces Marion Bartoli.

Times wires

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

Rays vs. Marlins

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

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

Starting pitchers

RAYS:

RH Alex Cobb (1-0, 3.57)

MARLINS:

RH Ricky Nolasco (4-2, 4.23)

Watch for …

Swan song: Cobb, likely making his final start before going back to Triple-A Durham, has done a nice job filling in for injured RHP Jeff Niemann. He allowed one run over 52/3 innings in a no-decision against the Tigers on Monday. He has never faced the Marlins.

Bounce back: Nolasco is winless over his past four starts and got roughed up in his last one, allowing nine runs over three-plus innings against Arizona. He is 2-2, 8.38 in four starts against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Nolasco

Evan Longoria 2-for-7

B.J. Upton 1-for-7

Ben Zobrist 2-for-2

On deck

Sunday: vs Marlins, 1:40. Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (6-4, 2.60); Marlins — Chris Volstad (2-7, 6.07)

Monday: at Brewers, 8:10. Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (1-4, 5.74); Brewers — Chris Narveson (4-4, 4.48)

Tuesday: at Brewers, 8:10. Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (7-5, 3.09); Brewers — Zack Greinke (6-2, 5.23)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Good deed of the day

C John Jaso and team mascot Raymond, right, visited Tampa General Hospital on Friday morning to talk with pediatric patients and staff.

Wives Citrus Series Showdown

The Rays' wives take on the Marlins' wives in a softball game at 5:30 p.m. today at Tropicana Field. Both big-league teams will take early batting practice to accommodate.

Quote of the day

"I'm pretty much comparable to CC, right?"

Marlins LHP Randy Choate, a Ray from 2009-10, joking about his return to Tropicana Field coming right after Carl Crawford's

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

Kids overcome county sourpusses

Children from two families put up a lemonade stand on private property — a neighbor's yard on a corner across from a spectator entrance to Congressional — to raise money for a cancer charity. They received three visits from Montgomery (Md.) County officials Thursday, twice with a warning. The third time, a citation was issued for operating the stand without a permit. The fine: $500 and a required court appearance. This particular stand could create a safety hazard in an area where police want to keep fans and traffic moving, county spokeswoman Bonnie Ayers said. A deal was worked out. Friday, the stand was moved, and the citation was rescinded. The county waived the need for a permit, which would have cost about $38. A homemade sign at the old location announced: "Grand Reopening: 25 Feet Down." By mid afternoon, the children had raked in a good haul, including a $250 check from a man who had heard of their plight.

More Blue than Rory

Rory McIlroy is making the Blue Course at Congressional look almost easy. At the other end of the spectrum, there are golfers such as St. Petersburg native Michael Barbosa, left, and Cheng-Tsung Pan, a fellow amateur playing in his first U.S. Open. Barbosa, who was studying for the bar exam this time a year ago and shot 12-over 83 on Thursday, was still on the course at No. 17 when play was suspended Friday. The 28-year-old was 10 over on the day and 22 over overall, last in the 156-man field.

Pan, who attends the University of Washington, followed his 74 with 78 Friday. "McIlroy is 11 under right now, and I'm 10 over? Twenty-one shots difference? That's a lot," said Pan, 19. "And the course is hard, as everyone knows. But there's still a way to play these courses, so I think I'll work harder in the future, just trying to get better."

What golfers are saying about McIlroy

"I personally won't look at the leaderboard all weekend because there's no point." — Brandt Snedeker, tied for third, nine shots back

"It's only two days. I'm not going to give it to him yet." — Zach Johnson, former Masters champ, who is tied for third

"It's crazy, isn't it? Pretty incredible what he's done so far." — Steve Stricker

"He's striking it flawlessly and putted great on the greens. His first two rounds were very impressive." — Phil Mickelson, McIlroy's playing partner, who shot 69 to finish at 1-over 143

"We'll see what Rory does. He's had leads before." — Lee Westwood, 12 strokes back

Times wires

Older and out

Ernie Els stood along a wall adorned with photos from his 1997 U.S. Open victory. He wasn't in the mood to reminisce, not after missing the cut in the championship's return to Congressional in Bethesda, Md. "Fourteen years ago I was in a different position," said Els, left. "Missing the cut now, I'm a little bit older, I'm (turning) 42 this year, and obviously things aren't going my way right now. … I'm just as low as I've ever been."

Els' rounds of 73 and 75 put him two shots below the cut line, projected to be at 4-over 146 when the suspended second round concludes this morning with 21 players finishing.

2009 British Open champion Stewart Cink and Adam Scott are certain to miss the cut after each bogeyed his last hole to go to 5 over. 2003 U.S. Open winner Jim Furyk (149) is also done, as is former Gator Camilo Villegas (149), the only player who had made the cut in the last 12 majors.

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

Angels 4, Mets 3

NEW YORK — Peter Bourjos hit a tiebreaking double and made a great catch to help Joel Pineiro nail down his 100th major-league win. Rookie Jordan Walden walked his first two batters in the ninth, then struck out the next three to end the game. The Angels improved to 27-10 in interleague road games since 2007, the majors' best mark.

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

CINCINNATI — Adam Lind homered for the fourth consecutive game Friday, a tiebreaking two-run shot in the seventh, to help the Blue Jays beat the Reds 3-2.

Jose Bautista's double tied it at 1 in the seventh. Lind then hit the next pitch over the wall in center, his sixth homer in his past 10 games. He is the 11th Blue Jay to homer in four in a row and first since Edwin Encarnacion from Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

That three-batter span decided it.

"Hit batter, stolen base, double, home run — that was the ballgame," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "If you went to the bathroom, you missed the whole ballgame. It happened very quickly."

Since recovering from a stiff back and returning from the disabled list on June 4, Lind is batting .413 with eight homers and 17 RBIs.

"I quit trying to feel my way out there," he said. "I wasn't swinging with a lot of authority out there."

Jo-Jo Reyes got the win despite allowing two solo homers, including Drew Stubbs' inside-the-parker.

Frank Francisco gave up a single in the ninth before finishing for his seventh save in 10 chances.

Times wires
Friday, June 17, 2011

Rangers 6, Braves 2

ATLANTA — Colby Lewis and Nelson Cruz shook off slumps, and Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer for the Rangers. Cruz, who had been 0-for-18 with 10 strikeouts, drove in three runs with two doubles. Lewis recovered after two losses in which he gave up 15 runs on 17 hits. This time he gave up two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 with 10 strikeouts.