Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
White Sox 3, Nationals 0
CHICAGO — Jake Peavy pitched four dominant innings in his first career relief appearance, lifting Chicago. Peavy, who has made 238 starts, combined with starter John Danks, Brian Bruney and Sergio Santos on a two-hitter that snapped Washington's five-game winning streak. White Sox pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts. Chicago scored on Carlos Quentin's sacrifice fly in the first and Ramon Castro's two-run single in the eighth.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Angels 6, Dodgers 1
LOS ANGELES — Tyler Chatwood pitched seven strong innings, fellow rookie Mark Trumbo homered and Vernon Wells added a three-run shot as the Angels clinched their second straight Freeway Series win. The Angels have won 10 of their past 13 games at Dodger Stadium and improved the AL West's only winning road record to 24-19.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Mets 14, Rangers 5
ARLINGTON, Texas — Lucas Duda matched a Mets record with three doubles, Carlos Beltran snapped out of a slump with three hits and New York had season highs for runs and hits (17). The Mets led 3-0 after four batters against Alexi Ogando, who lost his third straight start without making it past the fifth inning. New York's Jonathon Niese improved to 5-2 with a 2.36 ERA in his past eight starts.
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Watching Evel Knievel on ABC's Wide World of Sports.
Joe Garagiola and Tony Kubek.
Rolling the ball back to the pitcher's mound at the end of the inning.
Howard Cosell with the halftime highlights on Monday Night Football.
After an exchange of punts, moving to action later in the game on the Sunday morning Notre Dame highlight show with Lindsey Nelson and Paul Hornung.
Scheduled doubleheaders.
Home Run Derby. Not ESPN, but the 1960s TV show.
Watching hockey with no ads on the boards.
Baseball players wearing stirrups.
World Series day games.
The Boston Garden.
Arguments in tennis.
Bad Braves games on TBS.
Atlanta's hockey team — the Flames, not the Thrashers.
Old athlete commercials such as Mr. Coffee (Joe DiMaggio), Beautymist pantyhose (Joe Namath) and Miller Lite beer (Bob Uecker and others).
Electric football.
Bud Collins' pants.
Chewing that stale gum while putting baseball cards in your bicycle spokes.
Max "The Clown Prince of Baseball" Patkin.
The sport of boxing.
White tennis balls.
Those little cars with helmets that drove relievers in from the bullpen.
ABC's Superstars competition.
Bowling For Dollars.
Morganna, the Kissing Bandit.
Oscar Gamble's hair.
Straight-on kickers.
Pat Summerall calling tennis' U.S. Open.
Sport magazine.
John Facenda's voice and Sam Spence's music on NFL Films.
Speedboat races on Lake Maggiore.
That manual scoreboard in the corner of the court at North Carolina's Carmichael Arena.
The ABA red, white and blue basketball.
The White Shadow.
3-D baseball cards inside Kellogg's Frosted Flakes.
Old goalie masks, such as Gerry Cheevers' mask with stitches.
Catchers wearing their hat backward under their mask.
Earl Anthony, Dick Weber and the Professional Bowlers Association with Chris Schenkel.
Watching the St. Pete Cards and the sailboats in the distance from the bleachers at Al Lang Field.
NFL Follies.
Alcoa Fantastic Finishes.
Baseball statistics in the Sunday paper.
Tearaway jerseys.
Monday Night Baseball on ABC.
Outdoors Vikings home games.
"The Rowdies, the Rowdies, the Rowdies are … a kick in the grass."
Helmetless hockey players.
Swinging two bats on deck.
Sponsorless bowl games.
Rock 'em, Sock 'em Robots.
The Montreal Expos.
George Michael's Sports Machine.
Nicknames for NFL defenses (Steel Curtain, Purple People Eaters, Doomsday, Fearsome Foursome, Killer B's).
The net above the Green Monster.
The old Milwaukee Brewers logo — an M and B that formed the shape of a glove.
The World Hockey Association.
Quarterbacks who punted.
Watching college marching bands on TV at halftime.
Mattel's handheld computer football game.
Four-man rotations.
The syndicated game show with athletes called Sports Challenge with Dick Enberg.
"Super Toe" football-kicking toy.
The worn-out path between the mound and home plate.
When sports stars would appear on shows such as The Brady Bunch and The Munsters.
The Len Dawson and Nick Buoniconti years on HBO's Inside the NFL and its theme song.
Outside chest protectors on umpires.
NFL coaches wearing suits.
We are spoiled today. We have state-of-the-art arenas, elaborate television graphics, authentic-looking video games, satellite dishes, high-definition TVs and a dozen events to chose from every night. Clearly, sports are better today for us fans than they were in the past. But aren't there things from the past that you miss? The subtle things about sports? The old TV shows? The simpler stuff of the "old days"? Today, we look back at some of the things we miss about sports and ask that you tell us what you miss, too. Here's what we miss:
What do you miss?
Surely, there are things in sports that you miss, too. We want to hear from you. Send an e-mail with some of the things you miss to tjones@sptimes.com. Be sure to include your first and last name and where you live. We will run some of the best answers in an upcoming edition of Two Cents.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, June 25, 2011
ST. PAUL, Minn. — If ever a player needed a fresh start, it was Bruno Gervais.
The odd man out most of last season with the Islanders, the defenseman knew New York was not bringing him back. He also is coming off his worst pro season, in which he had six assists in 53 games, was minus 14 and was slowed by a broken cheekbone and a loss of confidence.
So Gervais was in a happy place Saturday when he found out he was acquired by the Lightning for future considerations.
"I'm really excited," Gervais said by phone. "Sometimes a fresh start is the best thing you can have, and there's nothing better than starting fresh with a solid organization like Tampa Bay. From the top to the bottom, everything there seems to be heading in the right direction."
It was the second straight day in which Tampa Bay diverted attention from the draft at Xcel Energy Center, though getting two more Russian-born players to make it three of the eight taken in the draft was noteworthy.
Friday it signed defenseman Eric Brewer to a four-year contract. Gervais, 25, doesn't have nearly the star power, but he provides depth and from 2008 to 2010 with the Islanders had six goals and 36 points.
"He's a player who can do it all," coach Guy Boucher said. "I'm not saying he can do it all at the top level, but he's got quite a few tools. Wherever he's going to fit in our lineup, I can't tell you. … One thing's for sure: If we say at worst he's a seventh defenseman, we have a very good seventh defenseman."
Gervais also should be relatively cheap to sign. The potential restricted free agent made $740,833 last season.
As an aside, what is it with the Lightning and Islanders reclamation projects? Tampa Bay already rescued goaltender Dwayne Roloson and resuscitated forwards Sean Bergenheim and Nate Thompson.
"There seems to be some kind of connection there," said Thompson, who is good friends with Gervais and roomed with him his first year in New York. "Hopefully when he comes down, he will play well for us."
The familiarity with Thompson should help Gervais, as should assistant coach Dan Lacroix, who had the same job with New York while Gervais was there.
"He's a good all-around (defenseman)," Lacroix said. "He's smart, and he makes a good pass and has a high compete level."
So what happened to him?
It was a combination of things, Gervais said. He wasn't in the retooling Islanders' plans from the start of last season, and when he did get to play, and was playing well, he broke a cheekbone in a November fight with New Jersey's Colin White.
The lack of playing time snowballed into a lack of confidence, and Gervais, who said he prides himself on being a two-way player who battles defensively and also joins the rush, "stopped playing the way I can do it."
"Last year was very frustrating," he said. "But I learned a lot more from that about staying focused and keeping yourself above water. I'm looking forward to turning things around. It's going to be fun to join a team that wants to win."
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, June 25, 2011
ST. PAUL, Minn. — It was not by chance the Lightning drafted three Russian players, a huge number considering only eight Russians were among the 210 players drafted.
"We talked about it as a strategy," GM Steve Yzerman said Saturday as Rounds 2-7 completed the two-day draft. "These are high-end players."
There has been a hesitation recently throughout the league to draft Russians because of the pressure it is perceived they feel to stay home and play in the KHL. But Al Murray, Tampa Bay's director of amateur scouting, said of the team's draftees, "They've all indicated to us they want to be National Hockey League players."
The Lightning believes it hit future home runs with first-round pick C Vladislav Namestnikov, second-round pick W Nikita Kucherov and fifth-round pick D Nikita Nesterov.
"All three we had very highly ranked on our list," Murray said. "We see three guys who, had they not had last names ending in 'ov,' would have been drafted in the second round at the latest."
Namestnikov is almost more North American than Russian. Though born in Russia, he and his family moved to Detroit when he was 8 months old, and he plays for London of the junior Ontario league.
Kucherov, 18, had a record 21 points in this year's under-18 world championship. He will next season play for Russia's CSKA senior team. Nesterov, 18, a puck-moving blue-liner, played for the Chelyabinsk junior team last season and next might play for Tri-Cities of the junior Western league.
Nesterov was adamant he wants to play in the NHL.
"I would like to play for Tampa Bay in North America," he said through translator and agent Garry Greenstin. "My goal is to play in the NHL."
"There is a lot of hesitation with these players to bring them over, which is understandable," Yzerman said. "But we feel that the three we selected are a good gamble. We believe they will be here, and they will be here sooner rather than later.
"Any player you pick in the second round is three or four years away. In three or four years, if they're good players, they'll be here. All the good ones eventually come over from Russia."
SMALL WONDERS: In a league with players who generally have gotten a lot bigger, the Lightning drafted five skaters averaging 5 feet 11, 168 pounds, including LW Matthew Peca (5-8, 155).
"We wanted the best players," Murray said. "We had some bigger guys that were ahead of some of the guys on our list, but other teams took them.
"You can reach back and take some bigger players who aren't as talented or take guys you feel have a real high talent level. In the case of the guys we took, who are smaller players, we feel they have elite talent level."
NUMBERS: The four-year contract signed Friday by D Eric Brewer breaks down like this: $3.75 million next season, $4 million in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and $3.75 million in 2014-15 for a total of $15.5 million.
ODDS AND ENDS: Qualifying offers to keep negotiating rights of restricted free agents are due Monday. … Tampa Bay's rookie camp is scheduled for July 6-13 at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. … Canada led the draft with 79 players selected. The United States was next with 64.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Lightning draft choices
Vladislav Namestnikov
Round: 1 (27 overall)Pos.: CAge: 18Ht./Wt.: 6 feet, 166
Skinny: Ranked by NHL Central Scouting as No. 11 North American skater. Has playmaking ability and is responsible defensively. Needs to improve strength and heighten compete level, but Lightning sees a solid two-way player. Had 30 goals, 68 points in 68 games last season for OHL London.
Nikita Kucherov
Round: 2 (58)Pos.: WAge: 18Ht./Wt.: 5-10, 163
Skinny: No. 17-ranked European skater. Highly skilled. Blossomed at this year's under-18 world championship with 11 goals, record 21 points in seven games as Russia won bronze. Can be soft. Had 27 goals, 58 points and 81 penalty minutes in 41 games last season for Russian CSKA junior team.
Nikita Nesterov
Round: 5 (148)Pos.: DAge: 18Ht./Wt.: 6 feet, 183
Skinny: No. 32-ranked European skater. Best at moving the puck. Al Murray, Tampa Bay head of amateur scouting: "He can skate the puck out of trouble and be a one-man breakout if he needs to be, but if somebody is head, he gets the puck." Had five goals, 19 points and 71 penalty minutes last season for Chelyabinsk (Russia) junior team.
Adam Wilcox
Round: 6 (178)Pos.: GAge: 18Ht./Wt.: 6 feet, 171
Skinny: Delaying a commitment to University of Minnesota to play again for USHL Green Bay so he can play regularly instead of sitting behind the Gophers' No. 1. Was 16-6-1 in 24 games with Green Bay last season with 2.20 GAA, .922 save percentage. Quick. Good rebound control. Was 28th-ranked North American goalie. Says he fell in love with goaltending at age 4 when cousin Alex Stalock, Sharks goalie prospect, one day for three hours shot rubber pucks at him while playing in a mini-stick rink in his basement.
Matthew Peca
Round: 7 (201)Pos.: CAge: 18Ht./Wt.: 5-8, 155
Skinny: Lightning thinks so much of Peca (no direct relation to former NHLer Michael Peca), it traded negotiating rights to Marc-Andre Pouliot to Phoenix for 201st pick to take him. Peca, who is unranked, is committed to Quinnipiac University. Is highly skilled and a fast skater. Had 26 goals, 72 points in 50 games last season for CCHL Pembroke.
Ondrej Palat
Round: 7 (208)Pos.: WAge: 20Ht./Wt.: 6 feet, 174
Skinny: Unranked. Had 39 goals, 96 points in 61 games last season for QMJHL Drummondville. Al Murray, the Lightning director of amateur scouting: "We think he has the talent to seriously challenge for a spot maybe in the American Hockey League. He falls through the cracks because he is (20) years old. The draft tends to be an 18-year-old draft. ... But when we got the extra pick (the Peca pick), it was a very easy decision to bring him in."
Damian Cristodero, Times staff writer
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, June 25, 2011
HOUSTON — RHP James Shields has pitched himself into position to make the American League All-Star team. But the Rays' plans will leave him in a position where he won't be able to pitch in the July 12 game.
Manager Joe Maddon confirmed that Shields is scheduled to start the Rays' final game before the break, July 10 at Yankee Stadium. Under MLB rules, pitchers who work that day can be named to the team but are ineligible to pitch and are replaced on the active roster.
"It appears to be his day as of right now," Maddon said. "The Rays are much more important. … We have set this thing up for a while."
Shields said he was okay with the plan, which also has him in line to face the Red Sox and Yankees coming out of the break. "I'd rather win a bunch of ballgames for this team," he said. "Obviously I'd love to pitch in the All-Star Game if I make it, but it is what it is. I'm not going to cry over it. It would definitely be an honor just to be able to make the team."
The Tigers have said they have a similar schedule for their ace, Justin Verlander.
The Rays have some wiggle room. Shields (8-4, 2.29) is scheduled to get an extra day's rest before the July 10 game, following starts Wednesday at home and July 4 at Minnesota. If the Rays kept him on a straight five-day schedule, he would start July 9 in New York and could pitch in Phoenix.
HOME BOY: RHP Jeff Niemann, a Houston native, has the pressure today of pitching at home. He also has the burden of keeping the Rays' pitchers from going hitless through interleague play. They are 0-for-19 with 14 strikeouts. "I'll go up there and take hacks, that's one thing I can guarantee,'' he said. "I can't guarantee any contact, though.''
HELPING HAND: RHP Adam Russell is trying to draw attention to a cause connected to his sister, who has breast cancer. The Food and Drug Administration is considering withdrawing approval of a medicine she used in chemotherapy, Avastin.
Russell opened a Twitter account (@AdamRussell36) to encourage people to sign an online petition, which can be accessed at fameds.org, to convince government officials to keep the drug available and covered by insurance. His sister, Tracy Galvin, is headed to Washington, D.C., this week to participate in a protest.
"I'm using any outlet I can to try and help her because I know it's worked for her, and I know it's worked for many women," Russell said.
MISCELLANY: With a second-inning single, Johnny Damon moved past Jimmie Foxx to take over 72nd place on the all-time hits list at 2,647. … Second-round draft pick RHP Lenny Linsky signed, putting eight of the Rays' top 12 picks under contract. … Friday's game was the first in modern MLB history in which three pitchers with the same last name appeared for one team: Wandy, Fernando and Aneury Rodriguez. … Short-season Class A Hudson Valley RHP Jason McEachern worked 62/3 no-hit innings Friday before being removed due to a pitch count at 74.
Waechter puts happy face on retirement
HOUSTON — Doug Waechter would rather have been pitching somewhere Saturday night. But after a third arm surgery, and a lack of sincere interest from any major-league organization, he instead was at Ferg's Sports Bar across from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg for an unofficial retirement party.
Waechter, 30, got to pitch parts of four seasons for his hometown Devil Rays, then parts of two others for the Marlins and Royals, with some time in the minors. But when it looked like the best the St. Petersburg native could do this year was an independent league, he decided it was time to stay home with his wife and help raise their two young children.
"I know how lucky I am," Waechter said by phone. "I got to do a lot of things a lot of people don't get the opportunity to do. It was a great ride, and I had a blast doing it."
Waechter said he plans to join a brother selling orthopedic devices ("I've spent enough time in operating rooms," he joked) and may do TV work with Bright House Sports Network. He said he has not filed official retirement papers.
"The arm is held together now with duct tape," he said. "Or at least that's what the scouts are saying."
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Travelers Championship
At Cromwell, Conn.
Third round
Fredrik Jacobson 65-66-63— 194 -16
Bryce Molder 65-66-64— 195 -15
James Driscoll 69-64-64— 197 -13
Ryan Moore 64-70-64— 198 -12
John Rollins 65-68-65— 198 -12
Blake Adams 66-66-66— 198 -12
Andres Romero 64-67-67— 198 -12
Webb Simpson 66-65-67— 198 -12
Nick Watney 65-65-68— 198 -12
John Merrick 67-66-66— 199 -11
Kevin Streelman 66-70-63— 199 -11
Brendan Steele 68-64-67— 199 -11
D.J. Trahan 69-62-68— 199 -11
a-Patrick Cantlay 67-60-72— 199 -11
Johnson Wagner 65-63-71— 199 -11
J.J. Henry 68-67-65— 200 -10
Hunter Mahan 71-63-66— 200 -10
Aaron Baddeley 67-67-66— 200 -10
Tommy Gainey 66-69-65— 200 -10
Colt Knost 67-68-65— 200 -10
Brandt Snedeker 70-63-67— 200 -10
David Mathis 67-65-68— 200 -10
Michael Thompson 67-65-68— 200 -10
Brian Davis 65-67-68— 200 -10
Bo Van Pelt 66-65-69— 200 -10
Alexandre Rocha 65-66-69— 200 -10
Vaughn Taylor 65-66-69— 200 -10
201 — Spencer Levin, 67-68-66; Martin Laird, 68-67-66; Brandt Jobe, 65-69-67; Paul Stankowski, 67-68-66; Sean O'Hair, 66-67-68; Ricky Barnes, 68-65-68; Tom Gillis, 66-69-66; Heath Slocum, 70-63-68; Carl Pettersson, 68-68-65; 202 — Jerry Kelly, 69-66-67; Chris Couch, 65-69-68; Chris Stroud, 66-69-67; Charley Hoffman, 67-67-68; Tag Ridings, 65-68-69; Chris DiMarco, 66-66-70; Ian Poulter, 68-68-66; 203 — Fran Quinn, 71-63-69; Joe Durant, 67-68-68; D.J. Brigman, 68-67-68; Zach Johnson, 65-68-70; Aron Price, 69-66-68; Morgan Hoffmann, 68-67-68; David Hearn, 66-67-70; Tim Petrovic, 66-69-68; 204 — David Toms, 69-66-69; Bubba Watson, 66-69-69; Michael Putnam, 65-70-69; Bud Cauley, 68-67-69; Vijay Singh, 67-68-69; Joseph Bramlett, 68-67-69; Jhonattan Vegas, 69-67-68; Keegan Bradley, 71-65-68; Briny Baird, 70-66-68; 205 — Scott Verplank, 67-69-69; Ben Crane, 66-70-69; Shane Bertsch, 67-63-75; 206 — J.B. Holmes, 68-67-71; Michael Bradley, 65-69-72; Carl Paulson, 69-66-71; Dean Wilson, 68-68-70; Steve Flesch, 68-68-70; Nate Smith, 71-65-70; 207 — John Daly, 69-67-71; Padraig Harrington, 69-67-71; Lee Janzen, 66-67-75; Daniel Summerhays, 69-67-75; Zack Miller, 70-66-76.
Wegman's LPGA Championship
At Pittsford, N.Y.
Third round
Yani Tseng 66-70-67— 203 -13
Cindy LaCrosse 70-69-69— 208 -8
Morgan Pressel 69-69-70— 208 -8
Hee Young Park 69-69-72— 210 -6
Cristie Kerr 72-72-67— 211 -5
Meena Lee 68-73-70— 211 -5
Stacy Lewis 69-72-70— 211 -5
Paula Creamer 67-72-72— 211 -5
Mika Miyazato 72-72-68— 212 -4
Katie Futcher 75-68-69— 212 -4
I.K. Kim 73-70-69— 212 -4
Maria Hjorth 71-71-70— 212 -4
Azahara Munoz 70-71-71— 212 -4
Momoko Ueda 72-69-71— 212 -4
Pat Hurst 70-67-75— 212 -4
208 — Cindy LaCrosse, 70-69-69; Morgan Pressel, 69-69-70; 210 — Hee Young Park, 69-69-72; 211 — Cristie Kerr, 72-72-67; Meena Lee, 68-73-70; Stacy Lewis, 69-72-70; Paula Creamer, 67-72-72; 212 — Mika Miyazato, 72-72-68; Katie Futcher, 75-68-69; I.K. Kim, 73-70-69; Maria Hjorth, 71-71-70; Azahara Munoz, 70-71-71; Momoko Ueda, 72-69-71; Pat Hurst, 70-67-75; 213 — Suzann Pettersen, 72-72-69; Candie Kung, 71-71-71; Inbee Park, 73-69-71; Tiffany Joh, 71-70-72; Amy Yang, 70-69-74; 214 — Pornanong Phatlum, 71-72-71; Karrie Webb, 74-69-71; Katherine Hull, 70-72-72; Jimin Kang, 71-70-73; Angela Stanford, 68-72-74; 215 — Jeehae Lee, 74-72-69; Paige Mackenzie, 72-73-70; Yoo Kyeong Kim, 72-72-71; Hee Kyung Seo, 71-73-71; Amy Hung, 69-73-73; Karin Sjodin, 72-70-73; Heather Bowie Young, 72-70-73; Stacy Prammanasudh, 68-73-74; Reilley Rankin, 73-68-74; Minea Blomqvist, 69-69-77; 216 — Laura Davies, 75-71-70; Natalie Gulbis, 71-73-72; a-Danielle Kang, 74-70-72; Jennifer Song, 72-72-72; Michele Redman, 73-70-73; 217 — Haeji Kang, 74-72-71; Brittany Lincicome, 74-72-71; Jennifer Johnson, 69-76-72; Sun Young Yoo, 73-72-72; Juli Inkster, 74-70-73; Na Yeon Choi, 73-70-74; Hee-Won Han, 71-72-74; Anna Nordqvist, 73-70-74; Catriona Matthew, 73-69-75; 218 — Se Ri Pak, 78-68-72; Lorie Kane, 73-72-73; Beatriz Recari, 71-74-73; Mi Hyun Kim, 75-67-76; 219 — Julieta Granada, 73-73-73; Eun-Hee Ji, 70-76-73; Grace Park, 73-73-73; Jiyai Shin, 75-71-73; Sarah Kemp, 74-71-74; Mindy Kim, 70-75-74; Dewi Claire Schreefel, 73-72-74; Leta Lindley, 72-72-75; Michelle Wie, 72-72-75; 220 — Kristy McPherson, 72-74-74; Taylor Leon, 75-70-75; Sarah Jane Smith, 73-72-75; 221 — Kyeong Bae, 72-74-75; Sophie Gustafson, 73-72-76; M.J. Hur, 70-75-76; Ryann O'Toole, 69-76-76; Silvia Cavalleri, 75-69-77; Jennie Lee, 72-71-78; Jenny Shin, 72-70-79; Shanshan Feng, 75-66-80; 222 — Sherri Steinhauer, 73-73-76; Christel Boeljon, 73-72-77; 224 — Becky Morgan, 75-71-78; Karen Stupples, 72-74-78; 225 — Diana D'Alessio, 68-77-80.
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Yani Tseng made the mistake of grabbing the trophy before the end of a major tournament once already this year — and lost.
With a five-shot lead after the third round of the LPGA Championship on Saturday, the top-ranked Tseng doesn't intend to make the same mistake again.
"When I see a trophy, I just figure I want to grab it," Tseng said, recalling the episode at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April. That's when she grabbed the trophy as she stepped to the first tee upon opening the final round, then proceeded to squander a two-shot lead in finishing second to Stacy Lewis.
"It just did not work out at Kraft, so I better not touch it this time," Tseng said, smiling. "That's how I learn."
The way she's playing, Tseng has reason to be patient in a bid to win her fourth career major and eighth tournament. She pulled away from the field with 5-under 67 that has her at 13-under 203 at Locust Hill Country Club outside Rochester.
Morgan Pressel (70) and Tampa resident Cindy LaCrosse (69) were tied for second, and Hee Young Park (72) was seven shots behind Tseng. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (71) is tied for 41st at 1 over.
Tseng, who turned 22 in January, is a round away from becoming the youngest to win four major tournaments. Tiger Woods and Se Ri Pak were 24 when they won their fourth.
"That sounds pretty good. I'm working on that," Tseng said. "(Today), I'm just going to go there and smile all day and then play smart."
PGA: Fredrik Jacobson sank a 31-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to finish with 7-under 63 at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., taking a one-shot lead at 16-under 194 after his third consecutive bogey-free round. The shot on 18 came after Bryce Molder tied for the lead with a 38-foot birdie on No. 17. Molder finished at 15 under.
CHAMPIONS: Mark Wiebe shot 4-under 68 in the second round of the Dick's Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, N.Y., taking a two-shot lead over Palm Harbor resident John Huston in a bid for his second straight tour victory. Wiebe was at 11-under 133 at En-Joie Golf Club two weeks after winning at Rock Barn.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
WIMBLEDON, England — Serena Williams has been known to say she isn't satisfied with this or that aspect of her game, even after easily winning, say, 6-3, 6-2.
So it was somehow refreshing to hear Williams praise herself after a victory by that score over 26th-seeded Maria Kirilenko at Wimbledon on Saturday.
Yes, only five matches since returning to the tour after nearly a full year off because of a series of health scares, Williams produced a performance worthy of the 13-time Grand Slam champion she is. After hitting 10 aces and compiling a 32-9 edge in winners, Williams termed her showing the "best I've played since I came back."
"I was a little more consistent, and I played my game more," said Williams, trying to become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1991-93 to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles. "Wasn't as tight and nervous and uptight. I was able to relax more today."
She was part of a parade of past champions who breezed into the fourth round. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova were straight-set winners, too. Top-seeded woman Caroline Wozniacki, seeking her first Grand Slam title, and two-time Australian Open men's champion Novak Djokovic, who is 44-1 in 2011, also moved on.
No. 10 Mardy Fish, a Tampa resident, advanced to face No. 6 Tomas Berdych. Fish moved on when Robin Haase retired in the fourth set with a leg, back and knee ailments.
"It's lonely," said Fish, the last American man in the field. "It doesn't feel great. … You know, I want the guys here."
There were two upsets of some significance.
Robin Soderling, seeded fifth, was dealing with stomach problems and bowed out against 158th-ranked Bernard Tomic 6-1, 6-4, 7-5. Tomic is the first 18-year-old to reach the men's fourth round at Wimbledon since Michael Chang and Goran Ivanisevic in 1990.
"I was very calm, but inside I was bursting. I tried not to show it to him. He was getting a bit frustrated," Tomic said.
No. 9 Gael Monfils lost to 93rd-ranked Lukasz Kubot of Poland 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Kubot is the first man from Poland to make it this far at Wimbledon since Wojtek Fibak in 1981.
Men, Singles, Third Round — Tomas Berdych (6), Czech Republic, d. Alex Bogomolov Jr., U.S., 6-2, 6-4, 6-3; Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, d. Gilles Muller, Luxembourg, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 6-0; Mardy Fish (10), U.S., d. Robin Haase, Netherlands, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 1-1, retired; Juan Martin del Potro (24), Argentina, d. Gilles Simon (15), France, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (5), 7-5; Lukasz Kubot, Poland, d. Gael Monfils (9), France, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3; Roger Federer (3), Switzerland, d. David Nalbandian (28), Argentina, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4; Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12), France, d. Fernando Gonzalez, Chile, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; David Ferrer (7), Spain, d. Karol Beck, Slovakia, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3; Bernard Tomic, Australia, d. Robin Soderling (5), Sweden, 6-1, 6-4, 7-5; Michael Llodra (19), France, d. Yen-hsun Lu, Taiwan, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1; Mikhail Youzhny (18), Russia, d. Nicolas Almagro (16), Spain, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3; Xavier Malisse, Belgium, d. Jurgen Melzer (11), Austria, 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-0; Novak Djokovic (2), Serbia, d. Marcos Baghdatis (32), Cyprus, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Women, Singles, Third Round — Caroline Wozniacki (1), Denmark, d. Jarmila Gajdosova (27), Australia, 6-3, 6-2; Maria Sharapova (5), Russia, d. Klara Zakopalova, Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-3; Dominika Cibulkova (24), Slovakia, d. Julia Goerges (16), Ger., 6-4, 1-6, 6-3; Peng Shuai (20), China, d. Melinda Czink, Hungary, 6-2, 7-6 (5); Marion Bartoli (9), France, d. Flavia Pennetta (21), Italy, 5-7, 6-4, 9-7; Petra Cetkovska, Czech Republic, d. Ana Ivanovic (18), Serbia, 6-3, 7-6 (0); Sabine Lisicki, Ger., d. Misaki Doi, Japan, 6-4, 6-2; Serena Williams (7), U.S., d. Maria Kirilenko (26), Russia, 6-3, 6-2; Tamira Paszek, Austria, d. Francesca Schiavone (6), Italy, 3-6, 6-4, 11-9.
Men, Doubles, Second Round — Christopher Kas, Ger., and Alexander Peya, Austria, d. Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares (13), Brazil, 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2; Robert Lindstedt, Sweden, and Horia Tecau (8), Romania, d. Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut, France, 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (4); Arnaud Clement, France, and Lukas Dlouhy, Czech Republic, d. Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes (3), India, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1), 6-4; Juan Ignacio Chela and Eduardo Schwank (12), Argentina, d. Matthias Bachinger and Frank Moser, Ger., 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (6), 6-3; James Cerretani, U.S., and Philipp Marx, Ger., d. Daniele Bracciali, Italy, and Frantisek Cermak (16), Czech Republic, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4; Kevin Anderson, South Africa, and Julian Knowle, Austria, d. Max Mirnyi, Belarus, and Daniel Nestor (2), Canada, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (7), 6-3; Wesley Moodie, South Africa, and Dick Norman (11), Belgium, d. Jamie Delgado and Jonathan Marray, Britain, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-2.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Athletics 4, Phillies 1
PHILADELPHIA — Trevor Cahill pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning and Adam Rosales homered for Oakland. Cahill and Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels had a nice and easy duel going in a game that breezed by until the Phillies rallied late. Cahill, who allowed one run or fewer for the 10th time, won his second straight start after losing five straight and spoiled Hamels' bid to win his 10th game. Scott Sizemore's RBI single in the fourth made it 2-1.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Track and Field
Gator Dashes to 400 at U.S. Championships
EUGENE, Ore. — Gators sophomore sprinter Tony McQuay won the men's 400 meters by blowing past former Olympic and world champion Jeremy Wariner over the final 100 meters at the U.S. championships Saturday.
The win over Wariner, who faded but held off Greg Nixon for second, had McQuay making bold predictions for the world championships in August.
"I want to break the world record," said McQuay, who finished in 44.68 seconds. "I've got my mind set on that."
American Michael Johnson holds the mark, 43.18.
McQuay was runnerup at the NCAA championships.
Allyson Felix captured the women's 400, setting up the possibility she might compete in two events at worlds.
Felix has a spot in the 200 as the defending world champion. She has yet to decide whether she will attempt the difficult 200-400 double at worlds in South Korea.
She held off Francena McCorory, winning in 50.40 seconds.
Obituary
Ex-CNN anchor Nick Charles dies
Nick Charles, who drove a taxi while in college and became CNN's first sports anchor, died Saturday two years after being diagnosed with bladder cancer, the cable network reported. He died at his Santa Fe, N.M., home, his wife, Cory, said. He was 64.
Mr. Charles began at Atlanta-based CNN on the network's first day in 1980 and teamed with Fred Hickman for almost 20 years on Sports Tonight, a highlight show. He later called fights for Showtime and Top Rank.
Softball
Gators aid national squad in sweep
Catcher Brittany Schutte hit a three-run homer and RBI double, and leftfielder Michelle Moultrie doubled as the Gators duo contributed to the U.S. national team's 12-0 six-inning victory in the nightcap of an exhibition doubleheader against the junior national team at Plant City Stadium. Ashley Holcombe, Kaitlin Cochran and Lauren Gibson each hit three-run homers in a 13-1 seven-inning victory in the first game.
Et cetera
Boxing: Marlen Esparza won her sixth straight title at the U.S. national championships in Colorado Springs, Colo., outpunching Tyrieshia Douglas for the women's flyweight crown and qualifying for the Olympic trials next year. … Felix Sturm (36-2-1, 15 knockouts) retained his WBA middleweight title with a split-decision win over challenger Matthew Macklin (28-3, 19 KOs) in Cologne, Germany. Two judges awarded it 116-112 for the defending champion; the other scored it 115-113 to Macklin.
Greyhounds: Storm Rush of Royal Racing Team overtook Uss Gazillionair in the final yards to win the $30,000 St. Petersburg Derby at Derby Lane. In the $10,000 Consolation Derby, Magic Finch of Abernathy Kennel beat Kentucky Fire.
NBA: Raptors G Leandro Barbosa, 28, exercised his contract option to return next season.
NFL: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger says he might eventually need surgery on a broken right foot that bothered him during last season's run to the Super Bowl. After talking with doctors at the end of the season, Roethlisberger, 29, opted to let it heal rather than have a procedure right away.
Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The league will be dramatically realigned for the 2012-13 season, a move spurred by the Atlanta franchise's move to Winnipeg, the Sporting News reported Saturday.
Winnipeg, which is about 70 miles north of the Minnesota border, will play next season in the Eastern Conference division in which Atlanta played, the Southeast, which also includes the Lightning, Capitals, Panthers and Hurricanes.
The Jets were going to be put in a more compatible group after the season, but the league, also knowing that Western Conference teams Detroit, Nashville and Columbus would like to be in the East, decided realignment would be the best thing to do, the Sporting News said.
The leading plan calls for the league to be divided into four divisions, two with eight teams and two with seven teams, it said. The divisions would be time zone-based, Yahoo Sports reported. The plan is expected to be finalized at December's Board of Governors meeting.
"I'm just happy we're discussing it," Columbus general manager Scott Howson said.
The Blue Jackets plan a proposal that would place Columbus in the East, Howson said. He said he hopes the league would be open to the idea of 16 teams in one conference and 14 in the other.
"We're going to work something up over the summer and see if it has any legs," he said.
Carolina GM Jim Rutherford said it's a good time for realignment. "There's some tinkering that could help realignment," he said.
Draft roundup: After Rounds 2-7 were completed on the second of the two-day event in St. Paul, Minn., it was obvious talent is flowing from Sweden.
Twenty-eight Swedes were selected overall, third behind Canada (79) and the United States (64). A record four Swedes were taken in the top 10 and a record-tying six in the first round, matching the totals from 1993 and 2009. Rounding out the top five countries in selections were Finland (nine) and the Czech Republic and Russia (eight each). Fourteen countries had at least one player taken.
More by-the-numbers: The top junior league in the United States produced 25 picks, behind the Ontario league (46) and ahead of Quebec major junior (22). … Ten Minnesota high school players were take on Day 2. … Pittsburgh strengthened its position on the list of U.S. areas producing players outside of New England and the Midwest. Four players from Pittsburgh were taken in the first 64 picks, including first-rounder J.T. Miller by the Rangers (15th overall).
Flames: The team sent veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr to the Sabres after he waived his no-trade clause, clearing space under the salary cap for it to re-sign left wing Alex Tanguay to a five-year, $17.5 million contract. Regehr has spent his entire 12-year career with the Flames. The whole deal: The Flames sent Regehr, right wing Ales Kotalik and their second-round draft pick in 2012 to the Sabres for defenseman Chris Butler and center Paul Byron.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Blue Jays 6, Cardinals 3
ST. LOUIS — Carlos Villanueva pitched six solid innings, and Juan Rivera's three-run homer was the only hit in a five-run third for Toronto. St. Louis starter Jaime Garcia kept his home ERA at 0.88 because four of the runs in the fifth were unearned thanks to third baseman Daniel Descalso's two-out throwing error. But the left-hander gave up Rivera's sixth homer the next at-bat and walked three in the inning.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
OMAHA, Neb. — The good news for South Carolina is it needed only one game to eliminate Virginia on Friday, so it has an extra day to prepare for Florida in the World Series final.
The bad news is the defending national champs need that extra day — and maybe one more.
It took them 13 innings to beat the Cavs 3-2. One of their top pitchers, freshman closer Matt Price, threw 90 pitches over a season-high 52/3 innings.
"What are the chances of rain on Monday?" South Carolina coach Ray Tanner said, laughing. "We're certainly going to be able to use two days (off). But a third might not be bad."
The Gamecocks might get that third day. The forecast for Monday calls for a 40 percent chance of scattered storms. Rain caused the suspension of a game Monday and a 68-minute delay Tuesday.
"We have to try to get Matt turned around as best we can in the next few days and go from there," Tanner said. "At this point, you just try to figure it out as you go and do the best you can with it."
Tanner said he was leaning toward starting freshman Forrest Koumas in Game 1. Koumas last pitched June 6, the final game of the double-elimination regional.
"He pitched one of his better games against the Gators (this season)," Tanner said. Koumas looked good for six innings March 26, allowing two hits and an unearned run. Florida won by getting a run off Price in the seventh. (Florida took two of three in the series.)
Another option is junior Michael Roth, who has allowed one earned run in 141/3 innings in the NCAA tournament, none over 71/3 innings Monday against Texas A&M.
Florida also didn't need a second game to reach the final, taking care of Vanderbilt 6-4 on Friday.
UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan hasn't named a starter for Monday. Sophomore Hudson Randall and freshman Karsten Whitson are available. Randall earned the win in the Gators' CWS opener, against Texas on June 18. Whitson started against Vanderbilt two days later.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
SONOMA, Calif. — The winding road course in Sonoma is a perfect fit with the serenity and peacefulness of the Northern California wine country.
All that charm went to the wayside last year when 43 stock cars abandoned the idea that racing around the twisting 11-turn, 1.99-mile Infineon Raceway requires finesse and patience.
What ensued was a demolition derby as drivers ran each other over, knocked cars out of the way and collected names for retribution. The man at the center of the brouhaha was Jeff Gordon, the prince of the valley.
"Disaster. It was just one of those terrible days where I made a lot of mistakes, no doubt made a lot of people unhappy and been trying to move on from it ever since," Gordon said of last year's race as the drivers return for today's Toyota/Save Mart 350. "Thanks for bringing it up, though."
Although the five-time Sonoma winner finished fifth last season, he left a trail of angry drivers, with Kurt Busch at the head of a line that included Clint Bowyer, Martin Truex and Elliott Sadler.
"It was an off-day for Jeff," Busch said. "He apologized to a handful of guys afterward and for some reason (he) pinpointed me, excluded apologizing to me."
Countered Gordon, "I've tried to apologize to the ones that I really made mistakes with. There were some racing incidents that went on that day that was just racing, and that you just move on and race one another however you race one another."
Busch, a year later, believes he was owed an apology.
Defending race winner Jimmie Johnson, the five-time reigning champion, said road-course racing breeds an aggression and style different from a regular race. NASCAR races on road courses twice a year.
"When you're in the center of the pack, it's just an energy that exists when somebody makes a questionable move on you and your excitement level goes up, and now you make a move on a guy and it just kind of breeds this style of racing and we're going to see it," Johnson said. "The passing zones, drivers are so aggressive in defending the passing zones and braking zones that you have to find a different way by or just bomb it in there and eight-tires-are-better-than-four mentality and hope that you make it."
It will be easy for tempers to explode today, which is why Kyle Busch is trying to take a more Zen focus into the race.
"You definitely have to be a lot more forgiving in different corners," Kyle Busch said. "There's a little bit of give and take out there in different areas and on particular points on the race track."
But Tony Stewart is willing to wager today will be exciting in a way he doesn't want to see.
"I can promise you, there will be a lot of guys that will just crash each other just because they think they can," Stewart said. "I'll bet anything I've got in my pocket that in the last two or three laps, somebody dumps somebody just doing something stupid. So there's no doubt in my mind that'll happen."
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Reds 10, Orioles 5
BALTIMORE — Joey Votto homered twice and drove in five runs for Cincinnati in a game that featured nine home runs. Votto hit a three-run drive in the third inning and put the Reds ahead for good with a two-run shot in the fifth. He matched his homer total for his previous 19 games. Former Ray Jonny Gomes, Scott Rolen and Drew Stubbs also connected for the Reds, whose five home runs were a season high.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Pirates 6, Red Sox 4
PITTSBURGH — Lyle Overbay hit a three-run homer as Pittsburgh spoiled pitcher Tim Wakefield's homecoming by knocking Boston out of the American League East lead. The Pirates won their fourth straight. Boston lost its fourth straight and is 0-for-16 with runners in scoring position in two losses to Pittsburgh.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Royals 3, Cubs 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chris Getz drove in the go-ahead run with two outs in the eighth, and Kansas City snapped a season-worst six-game skid. Getz's bouncer was deflected by pitcher Jeff Samardzija to shortstop Starlin Castro, but Castro's throw to first was late, and Jeff Francoeur, who had walked, scored. Samardzija retired one of the five batters he faced.
Times wires
Saturday, June 25, 2011
CHICAGO — Davey Johnson is poised to take over as manager of the Nationals, replacing Jim Riggleman, who abruptly resigned Thursday.
GM Mike Rizzo told Fox on Saturday that Johnson has agreed to terms, but there are still contract details to be worked out before an announcement can be made.
It will be Johnson's fifth managerial stop and first since he managed the Dodgers in 2000. He has been a senior adviser with Washington since 2009.
Johnson, 68, managed the Mets, Dodgers, Reds and Orioles over 14 seasons and compiled a 1,148-888 record. His 1986 Mets team won the World Series over the Red Sox, and his clubs finished first or second 11 times.
Though he hasn't managed in the majors for 11 years, Johnson did skipper Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
"I think Davey is a great baseball guy," Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman said after Friday night's win over the White sox.
"A lot of us were around him in spring training," he added. "We've got a good team here. We've got a great group of guys and whoever is the manager, whether it's Davey or whoever it is, they're going to be real happy with what we have here."
Riggleman resigned abruptly Thursday after the Nationals beat Seattle, unhappy that Rizzo declined to have a conversation about picking up his option for 2012. Former Rays bench coach John McLaren was the interim manager Friday night and again Saturday.
INDIANS LOSE CHOO: Shin-Soo Choo will see a hand specialist at the Cleveland Clinic on Monday, and the Indians rightfielder expects to have surgery on his broken left thumb, likely sidelining him for six weeks and possibly more.
Choo's thumb was smashed when it was hit by a pitch by Giants LHP Jonathan Sanchez on Friday night. Choo was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and Travis Buck was called up from Triple-A Columbus.
JETER CAN WAIT: Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he won't rush SS Derek Jeter back from a strained right calf, even though he's eligible to come off the disabled list next week. Girardi also doesn't plan to rest 3B Alex Rodriguez unless he asks for a day off to rest his ailing right knee and provided no timetable for RHP Phil Hughes' return.
DELMON HURT: Twins LF Delmon Young, a former Ray, left the game on a stretcher after spraining his right ankle when he jammed his leg and foot into the base of the wall in the fifth inning against the Brewers. Young grabbed for his knee as he fell and put no weight on the leg as he was helped onto a stretcher and carted out of the stadium.
CARDINALS: The club signed first-round pick Kolten Wong, a second baseman out of Hawaii.
DODGERS: Steve Soboroff, hired by owner Frank McCourt to oversee improving the fan experience at the stadium, resigned after two months on the job. Team spokesman Josh Rawitch said Soboroff cited Major League Baseball's oversight of the team as the reason.
GIANTS: LHP Jonathan Sanchez went on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left biceps after a recent string of erratic starts. LHP Barry Zito was activated and could start during a doubleheader Tuesday at the Cubs.
PHILLIES: RHP Roy Oswalt, who went on the 15-day disabled list Friday, has a mild bulging disc in his back and likely won't return until August. … RH reliever Ryan Madson, who hasn't pitched since June 18, is day to day with numbness in his pitching hand.
RANGERS: SS Elvis Andrus will be out of the lineup at least through the weekend because of a sprained left wrist.
WHITE SOX: LHP John Danks left his start in the second inning with a strained right oblique muscle. Danks was running to back up third base on a fly to rightfield with a runner on second when he pulled up and grabbed his right side.
