By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 20, 2011
Rays at Brewers: 8 p.m. on Sun Sports. Know what player I miss watching? Milwaukee's Stormin' Gorman Thomas.
Cubs at White Sox: 8 p.m. on WGN. Know another player I miss? White Sox knuckleballer Wilbur Wood.
Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel: 10 p.m. on HBO. Four new stories, including Tiki Barber's NFL comeback attempt, and the story of boxing trainer Ann Wolfe.
By Brent Gaskill, Times Correspondent
Monday, June 20, 2011
What's hot: Shark fishing in the passes has provided steady action recently. Anchoring over natural hard-bottom outcroppings during periods of good tidal flow has led to the best success. Boat position has not been critical as it would be for grouper or snapper fishing because chum has lured sharks in from a distance.
Tactics: Begin by hanging a frozen chum block off the transom. Supplement the slick with a steady flow of fresh cut bait. Periodically throw a few live baits into the mix that will scurry around and excite a bite. Two nose-hooked baits can be free-lined back in the current and placed in rod holders while two more weighted baits can be dropped to the bottom. The sharks have varied in size from 2 to 4 feet with an occasional 5- to 6-footer.
For the kids: Kids love catching sharks. It could be the thrill of flirting with something potentially dangerous or conquering a perceived villain. The Discovery Channel has helped fuel their curiosity and enthusiasm with an annual Shark Week special. For most children, shark fishing becomes a teachable moment. To feel the power of the fight and touch a live shark's skin at boat side is unforgettable.
Brent Gaskill runs Summer Vacation Charters out of the St. Petersburg area and can be reached at captbrent@summervacationcharters.com or (727) 510-1009.
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 20, 2011
TAMPA — Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is the latest NFL hopeful to work out at USF with ESPN analyst Jon Gruden. Pryor threw passes to Bulls players on Monday afternoon with ESPN cameras filming.
Gruden brought several top quarterbacks to Tampa before the draft, including No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton of Auburn of the Carolina Panthers, and USF's practice fields were used for the on-field instruction part of Gruden's QB Camp, which gave a closer look at a strong draft class of quarterbacks.
ESPN says the one-hour Pryor episode will air at 9 p.m. June 30 on ESPN, with a rebroadcast immediately after at 10 on ESPN2. The show will have a different format from the other Gruden QB shows, with Rece Davis hosting and other segments to update the NCAA investigation at Ohio State and other storylines surrounding Pryor.
Pryor, the most prominent player in an NCAA investigation that ultimately cost coach Jim Tressel his job, is preparing for the NFL's supplemental draft. He said he spent six hours Monday morning watching and breaking down video with Gruden — a major part of the ESPN show — and said the chance to work with the former Bucs coach was a great opportunity.
"There's too much to learn from him. I enjoyed the time," Pryor said. "He's a great coach and a great mentor. I'm just trying to get better."
Pryor said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has asked him not to speak with the media about his draft preparations. He said he was returning to Miami: "I've got some training to do."
Gruden, who had his sons and some teammates of his son Deuce from Carrollwood Day School meet with Pryor, declined an interview request as he left USF's practice fields.
Pryor talked with USF coach Skip Holtz and some of his assistants (including defensive coordinator Mark Snyder, who was on Tressel's staff for the 2002 national championship) after the workout, along with Bulls quarterback B.J. Daniels.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
WIMBLEDON, England — Back on one of tennis' top stages, Venus Williams cut a familiar figure Monday at Wimbledon, from her latest original, somewhat see-through outfit to her trademark booming serves and aggressive groundstrokes.
Williams smacked seven aces at up to 118 mph, totaled 23 winners to five unforced errors and overwhelmed 97th-ranked Akgul Amanmuradova 6-3, 6-1 in the first round at the All England Club.
The seven-time major champion recently was off the tour for about five months with a bum hip and missed the French Open. This is only her fourth tournament in nearly a year.
"It's a good place to start. And this is kind of like a home for her. She loves it," said Williams' hitting partner, David Witt. "She feels confident out here, and in women's tennis, 'confident' goes a long way."
There sure was nothing shy about a playsuit Williams called "trendy": white and sleeveless, with a deep "V" neckline, a triangle cut out in the back, a gold belt and gold zipper.
"Jumpers are very 'now,' " she explained, "as is lace."
Williams' outfit and her superb play generated the most buzz on Day 1.
"I do realize I don't have as many matches," said Williams, only 5-2 this season and 9-3 since July. "So, yeah, for sure, I know I need to kind of come out firing. Been pretty good at that in the past, and (Monday)."
Williams next faces Kimiko Date-Krumm, 40, whose 6-0, 7-5 defeat of British wild-card entry Katie O'Brien was her first victory at Wimbledon since reaching the 1996 semifinals.
Others reaching the second round included 10-time major champion Rafael Nadal, whose parents sat in the Royal Box during his 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over 90th-ranked Michael Russell; No. 4 Andy Murray; and No. 10 Mardy Fish of Tampa.
It was Nadal's first chance to play the tournament's opening match on Centre Court, an honor given to the defending men's champion, and something he called a "big emotion." Bad knees forced Nadal to withdraw in 2009, a year after he won Wimbledon for the first time.
Nadal now faces another American, 69th-ranked Ryan Sweeting of Fort Lauderdale, who rallied past Pablo Andujar 3-6, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 ( 7-1), 6-1.
The most significant development probably was the rain that began falling at about 5 p.m., resulting in the suspension of 14 matches in progress and the postponement of 17 others.
More rain is forecast today.
Times staff, wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
ST. LOUIS — Concluding a news briefing about Albert Pujols' injury that killed the mood at Tony La Russa's charity golf event, the Cardinals manager let down his guard.
"I'm going to go find a place to cry," La Russa said.
Pujols will be out an estimated six weeks with a fractured left wrist from a first-base collision on Sunday. The Cardinals, tied for first in the NL Central, are left to absorb another devastating blow in a season marred by injuries.
"You can't replace a player of his magnitude," general manager John Mozeliak said. "It just seems like we've had to deal with one injury after another.
"We still have to find ways to win games, and that's what we'll do."
The team announced the results of an MRI exam and CT scan Monday, one day after Pujols was injured during a home game against the Royals. The injury is a non-displaced fracture of the left radius bone, and his arm is in a splint.
Mozeliak said he hoped to have Pujols back by the beginning of August. The three-time NL MVP, who left the Rays unimpressed in an infamous predraft workout at Tropicana Field in 1999, will miss the three-game series at Tampa Bay July 1-3.
"I like playing teams at full strength," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "You want to beat everybody with their best players; you do. Furthermore from the fans' perspective, having a chance to see him play there, for a lot of different reasons of course I'd rather have him still be in the lineup.''
The Cardinals anticipated no lingering effects from what the general manager described as a small fracture. Mozeliak said Pujols' left shoulder was sore, but no structural damage was found.
Though his .279 average, .355 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage are well below his career numbers, Pujols was starting to heat up after a slow start and went 3-for-3 with a homer in his last at-bat Sunday. He is batting .317 with eight of his 17 home runs in 17 games in June.
Dodgers TV deal nixed
LOS ANGELES — Commissioner Bud Selig rejected a proposed television deal between the Dodgers and Fox that voids a recent divorce settlement between team owner Frank McCourt and Jamie McCourt.
In a statement, Selig said the TV contract would further divert Dodger assets to McCourt's "personal needs."
"Given the magnitude of the transaction, such a diversion of assets would have the effect of mortgaging the future of the franchise to the long-term detriment of the club and its fans," Selig wrote.
The McCourts reached an agreement Friday that was contingent on Selig's approval of a TV deal reported to be worth up to $3 billion. Under the settlement, Frank McCourt would receive $385 million upfront. However, the settlement terms showed about $150 million would be used toward paying attorneys' fees, existing debt and an account that would be monitored by the divorce judge.
FAN ATTACK: The main suspect in the brutal beating of a Giants fan outside Dodger Stadium was sent back to prison for 10 months for a parole violation. Giovanni Ramirez, 31, has been in custody since May 22, when police arrested him in connection with the attack on Bryan Stow.
ATTENDANCE HIKE: Sellouts at Wrigley Field, Fenway Park and the Oakland Coliseum helped baseball to its biggest weekend crowds in three years. Nearly 1.65 million fans saw games Friday through Sunday. That made for the top attendance during a regular 45-game weekend since Sept. 26-28, 2008.
ASTROS: RF Hunter Pence, out for a third straight game because of a sprained left elbow, is expected to return to the lineup tonight.
CUBS: CF Marlon Byrd, out since a May 21 beaning left him with facial fractures, said he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment next week.
MARLINS: A knee injury to OF Chris Coghlan, the former NL rookie of the year and East Lake standout, voided his demotion to the minors and put him on the 15-day disabled list.
PADRES: First-base coach Dave Roberts said he got clean scans at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston following his treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
REDS: RHP Johnny Cueto was scratched from his start against the Yankees because of a stiff neck that bothered him when he threw the ball.
ROCKIES: CF Dexter Fowler was activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
ROYALS: C Jason Kendall, trying to come back from September shoulder surgery, began a rehab assignment at Rookie League Surprise.
YANKEES: 3B Alex Rodriguez has a left shoulder strain, according to ESPN.com, but he and manager Joe Girardi downplayed the injury.
Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
BELFAST, Northern Ireland — His picture is everywhere. You can see it in the window of fish shops, or on cupcakes at bakeries.
These are good times for Rory McIlroy, lauded by one politician as "our Celtic Tiger."
And when the U.S. Open champion returns home to Northern Ireland this week, the player described as golf's heir apparent to Tiger Woods can expect an open-top bus parade.
McIlroy's record-shattering win Sunday at Congressional gave his country a second straight victory in the tournament, drawing tributes from British Prime Minister David Cameron and enrapturing his hometown of Holyfield.
Residents packed the Holywood Golf Club to watch him play. And right in the middle of the jubilation was McIlroy's uncle Colm, who toasted his nephew's victory by spraying champagne over the 18th tee.
"The pressure he was under was immense," Colm said. "The way he won it — he just took the whole field out basically, won by eight shots, broke all U.S. Open records. The rest of them were just spectators."
The victory united politicians in a country scarred by sectarian violence for decades. Usual business in the Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended to let members pay tribute.
"I stand here tired but elated," said Democratic Unionist Party legislator Peter Weir, who represents Holywood.
Another politician, Karen McKevitt, likened McIlroy's game to that of Tiger Woods: "We have got our own Tiger. Our Celtic Tiger."
The 22-year-old golf star could even provide an economic jolt for an island beset by economic woes — ironic, because Ireland's boom just a few years ago led to the economy being labeled a "Celtic Tiger."
"This is, apart from a personal triumph, a great victory for tourism in Northern Ireland," Ulster Unionist legislator Leslie Cree said. "He is going to be a great ambassador for sport and a great ambassador for tourism."
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
CHICAGO — Today in Chicago, two representatives from each NFL team are scheduled to attend what should be the most significant league meeting since the lockout began.
But the meeting isn't so significant that it is expected to end the lockout.
The main purpose of the meeting is to update and survey team owners and executives on progress made in recent negotiations between small groups led by commissioner Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the decertified NFL Players Association.
After months of contentious talks, courtroom debates and insults, the two sides have worked together and moved forward in recent weeks. They still have many miles to go, however, and several owners are known to have strong questions.
Today, issues such as revenue sharing, a rookie wage scale, the salary cap, free agency requirements and health benefits are expected to be discussed and debated at length.
That's a lot of ground.
The meeting was going to conclude today, but the league has told participants to be prepared to continue Wednesday if needed.
The hope is that Goodell and his team of negotiators will leave empowered to get a deal done in the near future. For that to happen, 24 of the 32 owners will have to be on board with the major issues. Nine dissenters could kill a potential deal.
The NFL and NFLPA are more motivated than ever, in part because the season is drawing near, and in part because both sides fear what could happen if the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on the NFL's request to permanently block an injunction that lifted the lockout. One of the judges warned both sides they would not be happy with a decision if it comes to that.
The best-case scenario is that a new collective bargaining agreement is in place by July 4 so free agency can begin no later than July 15 and training camps can commence as scheduled.
The first preseason game, between the Bears and Rams in Canton, Ohio, is scheduled for Aug. 7.
No talks with the players are scheduled until after the owners' meeting.
BENEFITS LAWSUIT: A group of NFL Hall of Famers is backing a class-action lawsuit against the league, demanding better benefits for former players. Defensive end Carl Eller is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Several other former players joined him at a news conference. "We've earned the right to have a livable pension," said former Bills and Browns guard Joe DeLamielleure, who has had a long list of surgeries.
BRONCOS: Linebacker Jason Hunter was struck in the left upper chest by a kitchen knife hurled at him by his girlfriend during an argument over cell phones on April 27, but no charges will be pursued, according to the Associated Press. Hunter's agent, Robert Walker, said the player required several stitches and "is well."
EAGLES: Linebacker Akeem Jordan was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and battery after an incident Sunday, the Harrisonburg (Va.) Daily News-Record reported. No details were available.
SEAHAWKS: The team's stadium will be renamed CenturyLink Field. The telecommunications company bought Qwest in April; Qwest purchased naming rights to the stadium in 2004.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 20, 2011
MILWAUKEE — RHP James Shields was honored to get a share of a second American League player of the week award after his pair of complete games, but it's become clear the true reward he's seeking for his stellar start is a spot on the AL All-Star team.
"If I get picked it would be a really, really big honor for me," Shields said. "That's one of the things that I've strived for, is to be able to make an All-Star team in my career. And if that happens I would definitely be happy about it."
The next issue, though, would be whether he'd be available to pitch.
The Rays are in the process again of tweaking their rotation, and under some of the plans they're considering Shields would pitch the final game before the break, July 10 at New York. That would make him ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game, though he would still be considered part of the team and participate in the festivities in Phoenix.
Shields, with a 7-4 record, 2.40 ERA (that ranks second in the AL) and a major league-most five complete games, has a good case to be either voted in by the players or selected by AL manager Ron Washington, of Texas.
Manager Joe Maddon has been campaigning for him, but Shields isn't going to politick. "I'm not one to beg for the All-Star Game, there's no doubt about it," he said. "I'm going to go ahead and let my numbers speak for itself."
Shields shared the weekly honor with Detroit RHP Justin Verlander.
JOHNNY BE GOOD? DH Johnny Damon started in leftfield Monday, but his status for the rest of the NL-rules week will be determined on a game-by-game basis. Maddon said the decision is balancing keeping Damon's bat in the lineup against the possibility of weakening the defense too much or wearing down Damon, 37.
"We'll try to get him out there as often as possible and see what it looks like," Maddon said. "It'll be a day-by-day call to see how he's doing and see how it's all working out."
Damon said he welcomed the opportunity: "I'm comfortable with it."
HICKEY ABSENT: Pitching coach Jim Hickey was not with the team due to a fire at his St. Cloud home that Maddon described as "pretty significant."
No one was hurt in the Sunday blaze, which started in and was contained to the garage, but it created smoke and soot damage throughout the house. Hickey's family had to relocate to a relative's home.
Assistant Stan Boroski filled in for Hickey on Monday. Hickey is expected to rejoin the team today.
DRAFT BREEZE: The Rays signed SS Jake Hager, the third of their three first-round draft picks, and two compensation-round choices, No. 42 RHP Jeff Ames and No. 60 OF James Harris. … Scouting director R.J. Harrison plans to meet Wednesday in South Carolina with top pick RHP Taylor Guerrieri.
MINOR MATTERS: INFs Derek Dietrich and Phil Wunderlich and Ps Eliazer Suero and C.J. Riefenhauser will represent Class A Bowling Green in tonight's Midwest League All-Star Game. … Double-A Montgomery LHP Matt Moore will start the Southern League All-Star Game. … Triple-A Durham OF Brandon Guyer, hitting .323 overall, was named International League batter of the week for his .409 performance, and Class A Charlotte 2B Tyler Bortnick won Florida State League honors. … Bulls RHP Jay Buente was placed on the DL due to arm fatigue. … OFs Josh Sale and Drew Vettleson, the Rays' top 2010 picks, will make their pro debuts tonight when rookie-level Princeton opens its season vs. Burlington.
MISCELLANY: Hellickson nation hit the road again, with about 35 of RHP Jeremy Hellickson's friends and relatives expected to make the seven-hour drive from their native Des Moines, Iowa, for tonight's game. … Monday was the one-year anniversary of the last hit by a Rays pitcher, a David Price single at Florida.
Monday, June 20, 2011
OMAHA, Neb. — North Carolina freshman left-hander Kent Emanuel pitched the first complete-game shutout at the CWS in five years, a 3-0 victory that eliminated Texas.
Emanuel allowed four singles in his third win of the NCAA tournament and first career shutout.
Jacob Stallings hit a two-run single in the third and Ben Bunting finished a four-hit day with an RBI double in the ninth for the Tar Heels (51-15), who play Florida or Vandy on Wednesday. The winner of Tuesday's late UF-Vandy game next plays at 2 Friday.
Texas (49-19) went two games and out for the second time in 25 CWS appearances since 1966 and for the fourth time in its record 34 trips to Omaha. The last time was in 2000.
"We did some amazing things with this team. It's tough to leave now," Texas shortstop Brandon Loy said.
Emanuel (9-1) walked one and struck out five. North Carolina's Robert Woodard pitched the last shutout here, against Clemson in 2006. The last freshman to do it was LSU's Brett Laxton in 1993 against Wichita State.
"We wanted him to go back out there. Kent would have probably tried to strangle me anyway if I tried to take him out,'' Tar Heels coach Mike Fox said.
The Longhorns went three-up, three-down in 11 of 18 innings against Florida and UNC.
They twice ran themselves out of innings Monday. Jonathan Walsh was doubled off in the second and Mark Payton in the fourth.
"Any time we can end the inning on double play and get two for one is always big," Emanuel said. "That's just credit to our outfielders. Those are two uncommon double plays, and I was fortunate to have two of them.''
wittels case dismissed: A court in the Bahamas dismissed a rape case against Florida International baseball star Garrett Wittels and two friends who were accused of sexually assaulting two American teens at the Atlantis resort. Prosecutors said they had no case. Wittels, known for a 56-game hitting streak, declined comment. Defense lawyer Richard Sharpstein said the accusations stemmed from an apparent attempt to extort money from the resort.
plancher trial: A former University of Central Florida wide receiver testified that teammate Ereck Plancher gasped for breath, fell to his knees as his eyes rolled back into his head and struggled before collapsing during his final workout. Anthony Davis said that UCF coach George O'Leary ordered all water and trainers out of the indoor fieldhouse during the practice on March 18, 2008. He also testified during the wrongful death trial in Orlando that the coach was yelling obscenities at Plancher as he told him to get up after falling during an obstacle course drill. Plancher's parents say in the wrongful death lawsuit that the UCF Athletics Association is responsible for their son's death. They are trying to prove that coaches pushed him excessively at the practice despite knowing he had sickle cell trait. Attorneys for athletic association said Plancher died from a congenital heart defect and that water and trainers were available during the workout.
gators robbed: Gainesville Police are investigating a burglary at a home that Florida football players Chris Rainey and Moses Jenkins share, in which Rainey's 2008 national championship ring was stolen. According to police, a friend of the players discovered the back door of the home had been kicked and the home ransacked Sunday morning. Jenkins and Rainey were not at home at the time.
Football: West Virginia University said former coach Bill Stewart will receive $1.65 million in a settlement agreement that is dated June 10, the same day he resigned. Coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen was introduced as head coach that day.
Basketball: Rotnei Clarke, Arkansas' leading scorer last season, has been granted a release from his basketball scholarship so he can speak to other schools.
Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.
Times staff, wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
OMAHA, Neb. — Florida's Preston Tucker continued his torrid College World Series, hitting a three-run homer and tying a school season record with his 23rd double as the Gators took a 3-1 lead against Vanderbilt before weather postponed the game Monday night.
The winner's bracket game will resume at 11 this morning (ESPN) with Vanderbilt batting with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
Tucker, a junior from Plant High, homered in the fourth off Grayson Garvin, the SEC pitcher of the year who was the 59th overall pick by the Rays in this month's major-league draft.
Tucker's home run was his 15th of the season and fifth in the postseason. He now has 18 RBIs in just eight NCAA postseason games this year.
Freshman All-American Karsten Whitson started for UF and was replaced by Stephen Rodriguez in the fifth.
The winner of Florida-Vandy is off until Friday. The loser plays North Carolina on Wednesday.
In Monday's early game, North Carolina freshman left-hander Kent Emanuel pitched the first complete-game shutout at the CWS in five years, a 3-0 victory that eliminated Texas. Emanuel allowed four singles in his third win of the NCAA tournament and first career shutout.
Jacob Stallings hit a two-run single in the third and Ben Bunting finished a four-hit day with an RBI double in the ninth for the Tar Heels (51-15).
Texas (49-19) went two games and out for the second time in 25 CWS appearances since 1966 and for the fourth time in its record 34 trips to Omaha. The last time was in 2000.
"We did some amazing things with this team. It's tough to leave now," Texas shortstop Brandon Loy said.
Emanuel (9-1) walked one and struck out five. North Carolina's Robert Woodard pitched the last shutout here, against Clemson in 2006. The last freshman to do it was LSU's Brett Laxton in 1993 against Wichita State.
wittels case dismissed: A court in the Bahamas dismissed a rape case against Florida International baseball star Garrett Wittels and two friends who were accused of sexually assaulting two American teens after a night of drinking at the Atlantis resort. Prosecutors said they had no case. Wittels, known for a 56-game hitting streak, declined comment. Defense lawyer Richard Sharpstein said the accusations stemmed from an apparent attempt to extort money from the resort.
plancher trial: A former UCF receiver testified that teammate Ereck Plancher gasped for breath, fell to his knees as his eyes rolled back into his head and struggled before collapsing during his final workout. Anthony Davis said that UCF coach George O'Leary ordered all water and trainers out of the indoor fieldhouse during the practice on March 18, 2008. He also testified during the wrongful death trial in Orlando that the coach was yelling obscenities at Plancher as he told him to get up after falling during an obstacle course drill. Plancher's parents say in the wrongful death lawsuit that the UCF Athletics Association is responsible for their son's death. They say coaches pushed him excessively at the practice despite knowing he had sickle cell trait. Attorneys for the Athletics Association said Plancher died from a congenital heart defect and that water and trainers were available at the workout.
gators robbed: Gainesville Police are investigating a burglary at a home that Florida football players Chris Rainey and Moses Jenkins share, in which Rainey's 2008 national championship ring was stolen. According to police, a friend of the players discovered the back door of the home had been kicked in and the home ransacked Sunday. Jenkins and Rainey were not at home at the time.
Football: West Virginia said former coach Bill Stewart will receive $1.65 million in a settlement agreement that is dated June 10, the same day he resigned.
Basketball: Rotnei Clarke, Arkansas' leading scorer last season, has been granted a release so he can speak to other schools.
Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
Orioles 8, Pirates 3
PITTSBURGH — Nick Markakis had three hits and Jake Arrieta moved into a tie for the American League lead with his ninth win for Baltimore. Arrieta, who added his first major-league hit, became the first Orioles pitcher to reach nine wins by June 20 since Sidney Ponson in 2003. Baltimore averages 6.5 runs when Arrieta starts.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
Yankees 5, Reds 3
CINCINNATI — Alex Rodriguez started New York's four-run first with an RBI single, and rookie Ivan Nova handled the NL's most prolific offense for eight innings. The Yankees have won nine of 11, moving to a season-best 13 games over .500 at 42-29. Closer Mariano Rivera gave up Scott Rolen's RBI single and Chris Heisey's RBI forceout before striking out pinch-hitter Edgar Renteria to end it.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
ATLANTA — Tim Hudson pitched eight scoreless innings and hit his second career home run in the Braves' 2-0 victory over the Blue Jays on Monday night.
Hudson struck out a season-high eight, including the 1,600th of his career. He took Ricky Romero deep to make it 2-0 with two outs in the seventh.
Toronto has lost two straight and five of seven.
Hudson retired 20 straight before Mike McCoy walked to lead off the ninth and advanced to second on Yunel Escobar's infield single.
Closer Craig Kimbrel struck out Corey Patterson, Jose Bautista and Adam Lind to end it.
Bautista, who began the game leading the majors with a .483 on-base percentage, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts to snap a streak of reaching base in 24 games.
Toronto hadn't been shut out since losing 9-0 at home to Detroit on May 7. But the Blue Jays were nearly punchless against Hudson, who had gone 1-4 with a 5.80 ERA in his previous seven starts, a streak that began with a one-hit home shutout of Milwaukee on May 4.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
Rockies 8, Indians 7
CLEVELAND — Jason Giambi's gigantic three-run homer in a six-run fifth inning against Fausto Carmona lifted the Rockies, who handed the Indians their first loss in seven interleague games this season. Giambi's 440-foot shot helped Colorado win for the fifth time in six games and get back to .500 for the first time since May 25.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
Red Sox 14, Padres 5
BOSTON — Adrian Gonzalez drove in three runs with a single and double in a 10-run seventh against his former team, leading the Red Sox. Gonzalez, traded by the Padres in the offseason, drove in the go-ahead run with a one-out double in the seventh. After Kevin Youkilis flied out, the Red Sox scored nine more.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
AUTOS
REPORT: RED BULL OUT OF NASCAR AT END OF 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The owner of energy drink Red Bull plans to leave NASCAR at the end of this season, AP reported Monday.
According to AP, multiple people familiar with the decision say a team official traveled to Michigan Speedway and told industry leaders Sunday of the impending move.
Red Bull is both owner and sponsor of a two-car Sprint Cup series entry. The team has struggled since its 2007 debut and consistently has been plagued by rumors and speculation that the Austrian ownership group will leave.
"Red Bull Racing Team is currently seeking outside investors as we evaluate next steps in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series," the team said in a statement.
Kasey Kahne, who is already moving to Hendrick Motorsports at the end of this year, posted on his Twitter page that he had heard the news. Teammate Brian Vickers is in the final year of his contract.
NHL
Lidstrom returns to Red Wings
Nicklas Lidstrom is coming back for a 20th season with the Red Wings, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $6.2 million. "The reason it took so long was I wanted to make sure I found the motivation," Lidstrom, 41, said in a conference call. The Swede is a Norris Trophy finalist for the 11th time and has already won the award for the NHL's top defenseman six times.
BRUINS: Playoffs MVP and Stanley Cup winner Tim Thomas had his playoff beard shaved off for charity, but he kept a moustache. He was shaved at the Boston headquarters of Gillette, which donated money to charity for the event.
CANADIENS: Left wing Max Pacioretty, more than three months after suffering a serious concussion and a fractured vertebra on a hit from Boston's Zdeno Chara, re-signed a two-year extension.
FLAMES: Goalie Henrik Karlsson re-signed for two years, $1.725 million.
MAPLE LEAFS: Ex-Islanders coach Scott Gordon was named an assistant.
SOCCER
Under scrutiny, Warner quits FIFA
Jack Warner quit as a FIFA vice president and soccer's governing body dropped a bribery investigation of him, saying the "presumption of innocence is maintained." Warner and Asian soccer chief Mohamed bin Hammam were suspended last month amid the gravest corruption crisis to rock the scandal-hit organization. The two were accused of offering $40,000 cash payments to Caribbean voters during bin Hammam's failed presidential campaign to unseat Sepp Blatter. Warner, of Trinidad and Tobago, also quit as the head of CONCACAF, the regional association which includes the United States.
ET CETERA
CYCLING: Doctors treating Juan Mauricio Soler in Switzerland said they are slowly waking the Colombian from his induced coma, which might take days if all goes well. Soler, 28, is stable and his recovery is proceeding as expected, but there are concerns about the extent of his brain injuries and whether he will suffer any lasting damage from his crash during the Tour of Switzerland last week.
NBA: Center Enes Kanter and guard Brandon Knight are working out for the Cavaliers, who have the Nos. 1 and 4 overall picks in this week's draft. Kanter's visit was his second with the Cavs, who have not publicly said whom they will take with the first overall selection Thursday. Duke point guard Kyrie Irving is their expected choice.
Times wires
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
Cubs 6, White Sox 3
CHICAGO — Carlos Zambrano kept his cool after a tough first inning, former Ray Carlos Peña hit a three-run homer and Starlin Castro drove in three runs as the Cubs rallied. The first matchup of six this season between the crosstown rivals with losing records drew 36,005 to U.S. Cellular Field. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was ejected in the sixth inning after apparently arguing that a ball hit near the plate by Alexei Ramirez should have been ruled foul.
Times wires
Monday, June 20, 2011
Rangers 8, Astros 3
ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton hit a two-run triple, Adrian Beltre had two RBI singles and the Rangers scored in each of the first three innings to build a quick 7-0 lead. Mitch Moreland led off the eighth with a homer that landed halfway up in the second deck of seats in rightfield, a drive estimated at 455 feet. Derek Holland pitched into the eighth for his first win at home in nearly two months.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 20, 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 Jeremy Hellickson (7-5, 3.09)
BREWERS: RH Zack Greinke (6-2, 5.23)
Watch for …
Joltin' Jeremy: Hellickson made just one mistake in his last start vs. Boston, but it was a big one, a three-run HR to Kevin Youkilis. He has pitched well overall, though also benefitting from run support: He is 10-1 when the Rays score three or more.
Z is for Zack: Greinke, the former Royal, had won five straight before a rough outing last week in Chicago; the Brewers are 7-2 in his starts since he came off the DL. He is 1-4, 3.58 in 11 games (eight starts) against the Rays.
Key matchups
Rays vs. Greinke
Johnny Damon 8-for-25
Casey Kotchman 0-for-11
B.J. Upton 3-for-16
Brewers vs. Hellickson
Yuniesky Betancourt 0-for-1
On deck
Wednesday: at Brewers, 2:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (7-6, 3.61); Brewers — TBA
Thursday: Off
Friday: at Astros, 8:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (7-4, 2.40); Astros — Wandy Rodriguez (5-3, 2.88)
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Challenge of the day
The last time RHP Jeremy Hellickson batted in a game was six years ago, for his Des Moines (Iowa) Hoover High team in the season finale against Urbandale. Tonight, he'll step in again — against Brewers ace and 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner RHP Zack Greinke. "I've been looking forward to hitting," Hellickson said. "Just not against a Cy Young winner. But it'll be fun."
Related quote of the day
"Nightmarish."
Manager Joe Maddon, on what it will be like for Hellickson to bat tonight.
Number of the day
38 Stadiums the Rays have now played in, with an 11-24 record in their first road visits (plus 2-1 in their three "home" parks — the Trop, Disney and the Tokyo Dome).
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 20, 2011
MILWAUKEE — Jeff Niemann looked pretty good through the first five innings Monday in his return for the Rays, allowing just a trio of singles, showing a good fastball and a sharp curve, even coming off the mound to make a dazzling play on a squibber.
But it was what Niemann did after he got in a bit of a mess in the sixth inning that was most impressive, and encouraging, as the Rays made their first visit to Miller Park a success with an 8-4 victory that extended their winning streak to four.
"It was a really, really strong first day back," manager Joe Maddon said. "That exceeded my expectations, it really did. I didn't anticipate that stuff, that sharpness, that deep into the game."
After loading the bases on a one-out single followed by two walks, Niemann showed the kind of performance the Rays need from him this season and had been lacking since he went on the disabled list with a shoulder strain last season, as he stepped up and shut the Brewers down to preserve what was then a 1-0 lead.
Niemann bounced back to strike out Mark Kotsay (looking at a curve) then, after falling behind 3-and-1, getting Yuniesky Betancourt on a fly to right on his 36th pitch of the inning and his biggest pitch of the night.
"At that point, that was the game right there," Niemann said. "You're going to have some tense moments out there and to be able to come away and get out of that without any runs, it was huge."
His teammates took it from there, expanding the lead to 5-0 in the seventh, adding three more on an Evan Longoria homer in the eighth then hanging on to improve to 40-33, one shy of their season-high mark of eight games over .500.
"When you win 8-4 it's very pretty," Maddon said.
They were having such a good time, Maddon had outfielder Sam Fuld, who had pinch-hit, go to the mound to warm up for the eighth, stalling for time until Cesar Ramos was ready to come in. (Though maybe he should have stuck with Fuld as Ramos and Joel Peralta allowed two runs.)
"I wasn't quite sure what the heck I was doing out there," Fuld said.
Niemann was making his first start since May 4, sidelined with a lower back strain, and hadn't been pitching particularly well before the injury (1-4, 5.72).
But he gave them reason to be encouraged, allowing four hits over his six shutout innings, striking out five, though walking three, and throwing 85 pitches.
"Today was a good day," Niemann said. "Everything felt great."
His sixth-inning escape was the second act of a most entertaining inning, capped by the ejections of Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum and manager Ron Roenicke. Leadoff man Nyjer Morgan started it when he appeared to be hit by a Niemann pitch, but home-plate ump Bob Davidson ruled that he leaned into it, starting the parade of protests.
Freed from the Trop, the Rays rang up the runs, taking a 1-0 manufactured lead in the first then expanding it with four in the seventh and three more in the eighth.
With usual DH Johnny Damon in leftfield so he could remain atop the lineup, the Rays grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first. Damon walked, moved up on a bunt and a flyout then scored when the Brewers failed to turn a double play on B.J. Upton's grounder to short.
The 1-0 advantage stood until the seventh, when they scored four.
Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.
