Tampa Bay Rays: Wives lose softball game

June 18, 2011, 8:17 pm

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, June 18, 2011

Rays vs. Marlins

When/where: 1:40 today; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Starting pitchers

RAYS

RH James Shields (6-4, 2.60)

MARLINS

RH Chris Volstad (2-7, 6.07)

Tickets: $12-$255 at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa, $3 surcharge within five hours of game.

Promotion: B.J. Upton bobblehead to first 10,000 kids 14 and under.

Watch for …

Big-game James: Shields is coming off a shutout of the Red Sox on Tuesday. He threw a four-hitter to beat the Marlins on May 22. Overall he is 4-2, 4.78 vs. Florida.

Chris' misses: Volstad is coming off a brutal outing at Philadelphia (8 R, 10 H, including 4 HR in 52/3 IP). He is 1-0, 3.57 in three starts against the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Volstad

John Jaso 3-for-5

Evan Longoria 1-for-7

B.J. Upton 2-for-7

Marlins vs. Shields

John Buck 4-for-14, 2 HRs

Hanley Ramirez 8-for-25, HR

Gaby Sanchez 5-for-7, HR

Mrs. Marlins win

Despite extensive coaching by RHP James Shields, the Rays wives (and girlfriends) lost a pregame softball game to the Marlins wives 6-1. The Rays — fittingly — didn't show much offense, hitless until the fourth when Nicole Johnson (wife of Elliot) singled and finishing with five hits over the eight innings. SS Katelyn Davis (wife of Wade) was the star, singling and making a diving catch. "It was a lot of fun," Shields said.

Quote of the day

"Pretty cool, pretty accurate."

B.J. Upton, on his bobblehead which will be given out today.

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Rockies 5, Tigers 4

June 18, 2011, 8:46 pm

≫ Next: Astros 7, Dodgers 0

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Times wires
Saturday, June 18, 2011

Rockies 5, Tigers 4

DENVER — Ubaldo Jimenez pitched five solid innings before leaving with a right calf cramp and had a two-run single for his first hit of the season for Colorado. Jimenez, who was 13-1 with a 1.15 ERA at this point last season, entered this game 0-5, 7.05 at home. He left in the sixth after giving up a single to Andy Dirks.

Astros 7, Dodgers 0

June 18, 2011, 10:15 pm

≫ Next: Phillies 5, Mariners 1

≪ Previous: Rockies 5, Tigers 4

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Astros 7, Dodgers 0

LOS ANGELES — Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven innings in his second straight scoreless outing since coming off the disabled list, Jason Bourgeois drove in a run and threw out a runner at home plate in place of injured Astros rightfielder Hunter Pence. Rodriguez, who was lifted after 103 pitches, is now 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA over his last seven starts.

Phillies 5, Mariners 1

June 18, 2011, 10:37 pm

≫ Next: Athletics 4, Giants 2

≪ Previous: Astros 7, Dodgers 0

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Times wires
Sunday, June 19, 2011

Phillies 5, Mariners 1

SEATTLE — Shane Victorino had a two-run double and two-run homer and the Phillies beat Felix Hernandez and the Mariners. Hernandez lasted seven innings, allowing the three runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out five. Victorino broke the game open in the seventh when he came up with the bases loaded and hit a ground-rule double down the leftfield line that score two runs. He hit his eighth homer in the ninth.

Athletics 4, Giants 2

June 18, 2011, 10:47 pm

≫ Next: Tampa Bay Rays up next: at Milwaukee Brewers

≪ Previous: Phillies 5, Mariners 1

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Athletics 4, Giants 2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Daric Barton and Cliff Pennington hit RBI doubles in the Athletics' four-run fifth inning to beat the Giants. Barton knocked the ball into the right-centerfield gap with one out in the fifth to drive home Scott Sizemore from first. One out later, Barton scored on Pennington's double to make it 2-2. Hideki Matsui capped the inning with a two-run single.

Tampa Bay Rays up next: at Milwaukee Brewers

June 19, 2011, 3:03 pm

≫ Next: Reds 2, Blue Jays 1

≪ Previous: Athletics 4, Giants 2

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 19, 2011

. Up next

at Brewers

(Tonight through Wednesday)

What's new: The Brewers (40-33), popular picks to contend in the NL Central, are in a first-place tie with the Cardinals partly thanks to their big bats. 1B Prince Fielder (19 homers, 60 RBIs) and OF Ryan Braun (15 homers, 51 RBIs) lead the way for a lineup that is second in the majors in homers (82). The Brewers bolstered their rotation in the offseason by acquiring RHP Zack Greinke (who starts Tuesday) and RHP Shaun Marcum.

Key stat: The Brewers' 25-9 home record is the best in baseball.

Connections: Brewers SS Josh Wilson is an ex-Ray. Rays assistant to the pitching coach Stan Boroski was drafted by the Brewers and spent two years in their minor-league system.

Series history: This will be the first meeting between the teams. Miller Park is the only ballpark the Rays have yet to play in.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Reds 2, Blue Jays 1

June 19, 2011, 3:13 pm

≫ Next: Cardinals 5, Royals 4

≪ Previous: Tampa Bay Rays up next: at Milwaukee Brewers

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Reds 2, Blue Jays 1

CINCINNATI — Former Ray Miguel Cairo hit a two-run homer in the sixth off Carlos Villanueva, stopping Cincinnati's streak of 16 scoreless innings, and the Reds got their first win over an AL team this season after starting 0-5. Former Hernando High standout Bronson Arroyo, who had lost five straight decisions to the Blue Jays, pitched a season-high eight innings. "It feels good," Arroyo said. "They've been beating me around pretty good, but that's a totally different lineup."

Cardinals 5, Royals 4

June 19, 2011, 3:14 pm

≫ Next: Angels 7, Mets 3

≪ Previous: Reds 2, Blue Jays 1

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Cardinals 5, Royals 4

ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals overcame Albert Pujols' wrist injury (4C) to beat the Royals on Skip Schumaker's ninth-inning homer. After leadoff hitter Dan Descalso got thrown out trying to stretch a single, Schumaker connected off Tim Collins, the fifth Kansas City pitcher.

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Angels 7, Mets 3

June 19, 2011, 3:15 pm

≫ Next: Red Sox 12, Brewers 3

≪ Previous: Cardinals 5, Royals 4

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Angels 7, Mets 3

NEW YORK — Tyler Chatwood pitched seven shutout innings and got his first major-league hit, and Erick Aybar hit a bases-loaded triple for Los Angeles. After the game, Chatwood had a printed-out photo of the Angels lineup as it appeared on the scoreboard with his 1.000 batting average. "It's pretty neat to see it up there," Chatwood said. "But … one swing."

Red Sox 12, Brewers 3

June 19, 2011, 3:16 pm

≫ Next: Orioles 7, Nationals 4

≪ Previous: Angels 7, Mets 3

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Red Sox 12, Brewers 3

BOSTON — Kevin Youkilis hit a three-run homer to highlight Boston's six-run first, and Tim Wakefield allowed three hits in eight innings. "I've always said, 'If the offense scores that many runs it makes my job a lot easier knowing I can make one or two mistakes,' " Wakefield said after enjoying a pregame visit by the Stanley Cup champion Bruins.

Orioles 7, Nationals 4

June 19, 2011, 3:17 pm

≫ Next: Twins 5, Padres 4

≪ Previous: Red Sox 12, Brewers 3

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Orioles 7, Nationals 4

WASHINGTON — Mark Reynolds had three hits, including a homer, and Baltimore ended Washington's eight-game winning streak. J.J. Hardy also homered to back starter Chris Jakubauskas, who went five innings and had his first two big-league hits. The Orioles, who had lost six of seven, had their most runs since putting up nine on May 25.

Twins 5, Padres 4

June 19, 2011, 3:18 pm

≫ Next: Braves 4, Rangers 2

≪ Previous: Orioles 7, Nationals 4

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Twins 5, Padres 4

MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Mauer's return was overshadowed by guys named Drew Butera, Matt Tolbert and Rene Tosoni. Butera's single scored former Ray Delmon Young in the ninth as the Twins rallied to their seventh straight win and 14th in their past 16 games. Pinch-hitter Tosoni hit a tying double down the first-base line in the seventh, and Tolbert briefly gave the Twins the lead with a double to left-center.

Braves 4, Rangers 2

June 19, 2011, 3:18 pm

≫ Next: Tigers 9, Rockies 1

≪ Previous: Twins 5, Padres 4

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Braves 4, Rangers 2

ATLANTA — Jason Heyward hit a two-run single in the third inning and Freddie Freeman added an RBI double in the seventh to help Jair Jurrjens earn his ninth victory for the Braves. Atlanta snapped a two-game losing streak, while the Rangers lost for the ninth time in 13 games.

Tigers 9, Rockies 1

June 19, 2011, 3:44 pm

≫ Next: Athletics 2, Giants 1

≪ Previous: Braves 4, Rangers 2

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Tigers 9, Rockies 1

DENVER — Justin Verlander pitched a four-hitter for his second straight complete game, leading Detroit. Verlander has four complete games, matching his total from last season, and is second in the AL to the Rays' James Shields, who has five. Verlander retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced to help the Tigers salvage the finale of the weekend series. Detroit had 13 hits on the day and 37 in the three-game series.

Athletics 2, Giants 1

June 19, 2011, 3:46 pm

≫ Next: Captain's Corner: Good sight an important element of success

≪ Previous: Tigers 9, Rockies 1

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Athletics 2, Giants 1

OAKLAND, Calif. — Landon Powell hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning, his first of the season, and Oakland held on to complete a three-game sweep of the defending World Series champs. Powell, making a rare start in place of catcher Kurt Suzuki, was hitless in two at-bats against San Francisco starter Matt Cain before homering off reliever Jeremy Affeldt. Trevor Cahill earned his first win since May 9, pitching out of jams in the second and third to help the A's extend their season-high winning streak to five.

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Captain's Corner: Good sight an important element of success

June 19, 2011, 3:59 pm

≫ Next: Indians 5, Pirates 2, 11 innings

≪ Previous: Athletics 2, Giants 1

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By Pat Damico, Times Correspondent
Sunday, June 19, 2011

Vision an important element: To set up your strategy for targeting some fish with a fly rod, you must be able to see the fish. Good Polaroid glasses are necessary. To save money, check out Polaroids that fit over prescription glasses. A yellowish-brown lens is best for most saltwater conditions. Also, a hat with a dark brim is preferred. Tilt your head from side to side to visually penetrate the water, avoiding surprises when sightfishing.

Get out before daylight: One of our best tarpon seasons continues. Lighted bridges will harbor tarpon from 20 to 80 pounds. Either anchor or use an electric motor to position the boat to see the shadow line. Many casts to cruising fish will be short, and will require speed and accuracy. Have everything on the boat secured and in place. The best chances for a hookup with tarpon on a fly will be here, though landing one will be difficult because they love to rub lines and leaders against barnacle-encrusted bridge abutments. Use an old line if fly-fishing and a stiff 11-weight fly rod. White flies in size 2/0 will work.

Anchoring technique: When anchored in shallow water near the beach or bridges have a float at the end of your anchor line so it will not sink. Having a quick disconnect arrangement allows you to follow the fish quickly and return to the same spot after the fight. Put your boat name on the float.

Fly fisherman Pat Damico charters out of St. Pete Beach and can be reached at captpat.com or (727) 504-8649.

Indians 5, Pirates 2, 11 innings

June 19, 2011, 4:02 pm

≫ Next: Tampa Bay Rays: Casey Kotchman says Sam Fuld's defense makes opponents sick; J.P. Howell backs the wrong horse in College World Series

≪ Previous: Captain's Corner: Good sight an important element of success

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Indians 5, Pirates 2

11 innings

CLEVELAND — Cord Phelps hit his first big-league homer in the 11th, a three-run shot that lifted Cleveland to its third straight win. The AL Central leaders improved to 23-12 at home by pulling out a game that was delayed by rain in the eighth for 1 hour, 57 minutes.

Tampa Bay Rays: Casey Kotchman says Sam Fuld's defense makes opponents sick; J.P. Howell backs the wrong horse in College World Series

June 19, 2011, 4:51 pm

≫ Next: White Sox 8, D'backs 2

≪ Previous: Indians 5, Pirates 2, 11 innings

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 19, 2011

Rays at Brewers

When/where: 8:10 tonight; Miller Park, Milwaukee

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

RAYS:

RH Jeff Niemann (1-4, 5.74)

BREWERS:

Chris Narveson (4-4, 4.48)

Watch for …

Standing tall: Niemann will make his first start since coming off the disabled list (lower back strain). He had struggled to begin the season, allowing at least five runs in three of his first six outings. He has never faced the Brewers.

On point: Narveson is coming off back-to-back wins, including eight shutout innings against the Cardinals and, in his last outing, a victory over the Cubs. He has fared better at home, going 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA in six starts.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Narveson

Sam Fuld 0-for-1

Brewers vs. Niemann

Yuniesky Betancourt 0-for-7

Mark Kotsay 0-for-2

Josh Wilson 0-for-6

On deck:

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

Wednesday: at Brewers, 2:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (7-6, 3.61); Brewers — Shaun Marcum (7-2, 2.85)

Thursday: Off

Friday: at Astros, 8:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (6-5, 4.57); Astros — Wandy Rodriguez (5-3, 2.88)

Saturday: at Astros, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (1-4, 5.74); Astros — Bud Norris (4-5, 3.26)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Quote of the day 2

"That was probably the loudest the crowd has been all year. It was almost piercing out there."

RHP James Shields, on the Trop crowd of 26,761 in the ninth inning.

Gator bait

LHP J.P. Howell, a former University of Texas standout, had an orange Gators jersey hanging in his locker Sunday morning, a product of a lost bet with equipment and home clubhouse manager Chris Westmoreland over the Gators' 8-4 win over the Longhorns in the College World Series. "It breaks my heart, man," Howell said.

Quote of the day

"It's crazy. Guys think they got extra-base hits and they end up throwing up around first base because they see the guy catch the ball."

Rays 1B Casey Kotchman on two more dazzling diving catches by LF Sam Fuld in the eighth.

White Sox 8, D'backs 2

June 19, 2011, 4:51 pm

≫ Next: Dodgers 1, Astros 0

≪ Previous: Tampa Bay Rays: Casey Kotchman says Sam Fuld's defense makes opponents sick; J.P. Howell backs the wrong horse in College World Series

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

White Sox 8, D'backs 2

PHOENIX — Phil Humber pitched effectively into the eighth, Paul Konerko homered for the third straight game and A.J. Pierzynski hit a three-run double to lift Chicago. Konerko's solo homer tied Harold Baines for 56th on the career list with 384. Alex Rios hit a solo shot off Josh Collmenter and Alexei Ramirez drove in two on groundouts.

Dodgers 1, Astros 0

June 19, 2011, 4:53 pm

≫ Next: James Shields' complete game lifts Tampa Bay Rays to 2-1 win over Florida Marlins and series sweep

≪ Previous: White Sox 8, D'backs 2

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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Dodgers 1, Astros 0

LOS ANGELES — Former Ray Dioner Navarro homered off reliever Wilton Lopez in the eighth inning, and Los Angeles avoided a three-game sweep. After a scoreless duel between Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda and Houston counterpart Bud Norris, Navarro hit Lopez's 2-and-0 pitch into the pavilion seats in right-center. Kuroda went in having pitched consecutive scoreless outings of at least seven innings.