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Tampa Bay Rays defeat New York Yankees 5-1

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 7, 2011

NEW YORK — The night was draped in history, and the Rays had plenty to talk about after Thursday's 5-1 win over the Yankees.

Not Derek Jeter's milestone march to 3,000 hits, which is now two shy after his 1-for-5 night. This was of the more recent variety, and a much bigger deal to them, as Jeff Niemann looked to have regained his crisp 2010 pre-injury form.

"That's the Niemann we know," Rays infielder Sean Rodriguez said. "And that's the Niemann we know he's going to be."

Niemann did most of the work, allowing Jeter a first-pitch double and nothing else and giving up just six hits overall as he worked into eighth. And the Rays carried over Wednesday's offensive explosion in Minnesota, rapping 12 more hits.

Ben Zobrist sparked them from the leadoff spot in Johnny Damon's absence, going 3-for-3 and just missing a milestone of his own, a double shy of the cycle. B.J. Upton drove in three runs, including his team-leading 14th homer. And the Rays played some dazzling defense, highlighted by Rodriguez's diving stop at third to rob Jeter.

The focus was on the Yankees shortstop, but the Rays had other things in mind. The win was a big one, the opening of not just their four-game series at soldout Yankee Stadium, but a crucial All-Star break-spanning stretch of 11 games against the two teams they are chasing, the Yankees and the Red Sox. They improved to 49-39 and knocked the Yankees out of first, pulling within 3½ games of Boston.

"These next 10-11 … they're definitely big games," Niemann said. "And we all know that."

The Rays have been waiting, and hoping, for Niemann to rediscover the form he showed in the first four months of last season, when he was 10-3 with a 3.12 ERA. But he was shelved for three weeks with a shoulder strain and didn't come back nearly as strong, going 2-5, 9.82. He started this season poorly as well, 1-4, 5.74, then went on the DL for six weeks with a lower back strain. But he has won three of four, with a 2.82 ERA.

Thursday was his best outing, and it came as the Rays put another starter, Wade Davis, on the disabled list.

Niemann mixed an overpowering fastball and his killer curve. He was in command and control, moving the ball around. He pitched aggressively. He kept his pitch count under control.

"That was like the Jeff Niemann prior to the injury last year," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "First time I've said that. All those kinds of things he did today that he used to do prior to his injury — the first one — that's what I really liked."

Niemann said he felt the same way.

"That's huge," he said. "That's what we're trying to do; get back to where we were when we were having consistent success and hopefully roll that into the second half."

A key to the Rays' success has been scoring first, and Zobrist got them going with a leadoff triple, scoring on DH Evan Longoria's single, then homering in the third. When Upton hit a two-run homer in the fifth, the Rays had a 5-0 lead and the game in hand.

Jeter's bid for history wasn't much of a concern.

"It's about us playing our game properly, beating these guys and really shorting the lead going into the second half," Maddon said. "With all due respect, he's going to get it. This is more about what we're doing."


Rangers 6, A's 0

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Times wires
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Rangers 6, Athletics 0

ARLINGTON, Texas — Derek Holland rebounded from his shortest outing ever with a four-hit shutout and Josh Hamilton had four RBIs for Texas. Holland had allowed five runs while getting only two outs Saturday vs. Florida. Hamilton drove in a run in each of his first four at-bats (groundout, single, two sacrifice flies). This was the makeup of a May 11 game that was rained out after Texas built a 7-0 lead through four innings. Rich Harden gave up five runs over five innings.

Brewers 5, Reds 4

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Times wires
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Brewers 5, Reds 4

MILWAUKEE — Rickie Weeks hit a three-run homer for a 5-2 lead in the fifth inning and then the Brewers' bullpen held on. LaTroy Hawkins gave up a run in the eighth, and John Axford allowed a leadoff homer in the ninth to Ramon Hernandez. Hawkins then put runners on the corners with two outs before getting Brandon Phillips to ground out.

Tigers 3, Royals 1

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Times wires
Thursday, July 7, 2011

Tigers 3, Royals 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ryan Raburn hit a two-run homer for the Tigers. Max Scherzer, whose career high of 12 wins was set last season, picked up No. 10 on his fourth try. He left with two on and two out in the seventh, but Phil Coke got Mike Moustakas to fly out to center. With two on and two out in the ninth, Moustakas flied out to left. The rookie, considered one of the majors' top prospects, is hitless over his past 15 at-bats.

Fan dies in 20-foot fall

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Times wires
Friday, July 8, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers said a fan died Thursday after falling about 20 feet while catching a ball tossed his way by Josh Hamilton during a game against the A's.

The victim's name was not disclosed.

During the second inning, Oakland's Conor Jackson hit a foul ball that ricocheted into leftfield. Hamilton retrieved the ball and tossed it into the stands.

"They were yelling for the ball," said Safawna Dunn, who was sitting behind the man and his young son.

TV replays show the man apparently catching the ball before falling head-first and landing behind a 14-foot wall that supports a video board for replays and scores.

"He went straight down. I tried to grab him, but I couldn't," said Ronnie Hargis, who was sitting next to the victim. "I tried to slow him down a little bit."

Hamilton was unavailable for comment.

"I think as any of us would be, Josh is very distraught over this," team president Nolan Ryan said, "as the entire team is."

Giants 2, Padres 1

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Times wires
Friday, July 8, 2011

Giants 2, Padres 1

SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Zito won his third straight start since coming off the disabled list and Eli Whiteside homered for the Giants. Zito allowed one run and four hits over eight innings and struck out a season-high seven. He did not walk a batter and retired 14 of the final 16 hitters he faced. Pablo Sandoval extended his career-high hitting streak to 18 games as San Francisco won its second straight over its division rival after losing the first two games of the series.

Angels 5, Mariners 1

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Times wires
Friday, July 8, 2011

Angels 5, Mariners 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jered Weaver got his 11th victory, and fellow All-Star selection Howie Kendrick extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a run-scoring double in the Angels' 11th win in 14 games. Weaver tuned up for a possible start in Tuesday's All-Star Game with his eighth career complete game and his fifth straight victory during a nine-game streak without a loss. Seattle's Doug Fister had his seventh straight winless start, yielding seven hits and three runs in six innings.

Diamondbacks 4, Cardinals 1

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Times wires
Friday, July 8, 2011

Diamondbacks 4, Cardinals 1

ST. LOUIS — Justin Upton hit a two-run homer and Joe Saunders threw five scoreless innings to lead the Diamondbacks, who won for the fourth time in six games. St. Louis, which lost for the fourth time in six games, fell into a first-place tie with Milwaukee in the National League Central. Saunders allowed one hit, struck out one and walked four. Upton hit his 15th homer.


Dodgers 6, Mets 0

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Times wires
Friday, July 8, 2011

Dodgers 6, Mets 0

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw allowed five hits over eight innings and the Dodgers parlayed extra-base hits by Matt Kemp, Juan Uribe, Aaron Miles and Dioner Navarro into a five-run sixth inning to snap a five-game losing skid. The loss ended the Mets' four-game winning streak. Kershaw struck out nine and walked two in his last start before he pitches in his first All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Will Muschamp packs his Florida Gators coaching staff with NFL experience

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 8, 2011

GAINESVILLE — With 15 years of collegiate coaching experience on his resume, the expectation when Will Muschamp became the Florida football coach in December was that he'd look to the collegiate ranks to fill his coordinator positions, most likely at Texas, where he had been an assistant.

But Muschamp's brief tenure in the NFL led him to other ideas. He went searching among the pros instead.

Florida's top two assistants, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, are former NFL assistants and part of a growing trend of veteran NFL coaches migrating to the college ranks.

"I had the opportunity to meet some excellent coaches in the NFL, and I knew when I got my opportunity to be a head coach, I wanted to hire Dan," said Muschamp, who was on the Dolphins' staff in 2005. "He's as good a front coach as I've ever been around."

Along with Weis — whose resume includes Super Bowl championships and coaching one of the NFL's great quarterbacks, the Patriots' Tom Brady — Muschamp's staff also includes offensive line coach Frank Verducci, who was an assistant with four NFL teams over eight seasons and for one year at Notre Dame; and defensive line coach Bryant Young, a four-time 49ers Pro Bowl player.

And the Gators aren't alone. Miami, Illinois, Oklahoma State and Boston College have hired former NFL assistants for the upcoming season.

There was a time when an NFL assistant leaving for the collegiate level was unusual. But NFL labor issues and rising salaries for college assistants have turned the tables.

For Weis, who first left the NFL to become Notre Dame's head coach in 2005, it was ultimately family and love of the college game that prompted his return after serving as Chiefs offensive coordinator in 2010.

"I really like this age group," Weis, 55, said. "I've got a kid who is going to be a freshman in college. I think I've been around this age group for quite some time. I think I get it. … I really like recruiting, and I think that the one thing you need to understand is an 18-year-old kid is not the same as a 22- or 23-year-old walking out the door. As any parent would know, probably the No. 1 thing that happens when your kid goes to college is they grow up. An 18-year-old kid is not like a rookie in the NFL."

Motivating Quinn, 40, was that he and Muschamp had worked together with the Dolphins and a desire to try his hand at the collegiate level again.

"When it came to an opportunity to come to a place like this, it really was easy for me," said Quinn, who left the Seahawks, where he coached the defensive line.

The lure may be even greater for schools in the SEC, which has become known as an NFL training ground. In April's NFL draft, 38 players (15 percent of the 254 selected) were from SEC schools. Last year 49 players were from the SEC. In total this year, the SEC had 10 of its players taken among the first 32 selections, including five of the first six picks of the draft.

Mississippi's new offensive coordinator is former NFL quarterbacks coach David Lee. LSU's new special teams coach is former Giants assistant Thomas McGaughey, who was with New York when it won the Super Bowl.

SEC talent is ensuring the league is getting top-level assistants, not just guys trying to escape a bad NFL situation.

"When I got the job and announced Dan as the defensive coordinator, I got a text message from (Pro Bowl defensive end) Jason Taylor, and he said, 'How in the world did you pull this off?' " Muschamp said. "Jason told me on the text, 'He's the best D-line coach I've ever had.' "

For years Georgia coach Mark Richt wouldn't even entertain the idea of hiring an NFL assistant — until last year when he was contacted by Todd Grantham, who had been in the NFL more than a decade, about the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator job.

"I normally don't hire from the NFL," Richt said. "A lot of times those guys are on two-year contracts. If they get fired after a year, they're looking to come back (to college) for a year, and the next year a job comes up (back in the NFL), and they are gone. (Grantham) convinced me he wanted to be coaching in college ball again."

It worked so well, Richt has added Kirk Olivadotti as linebackers coach. Olivadotti spent a decade as an assistant with the Redskins but has also coached at the college level.

Muschamp agrees that having prior college experience is important. "All of these guys have college backgrounds," he said. "They're not just pro guys."

Although his college background doesn't include the SEC, Quinn said he believes the experience gained from the NFL can't be underestimated in making the transition.

"I don't know if anything can prepare you for being a coordinator in the SEC without having done it," Quinn said. "But my experience the last 10 years certainly prepared me to play in big games and be involved in that way."

Which is what Muschamp and a lot of other college coaches are banking on.

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

Florida Gators' Jaye Howard, Xavier Nixon named to preseason watch lists

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 8, 2011

Florida Gators defensive tackle Jaye Howard is among 87 players listed on the preseason Bronko Nagurski Watch List.

The award is presented annually to the nation's best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Every NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision conference and Notre Dame are represented on the list, which inlcudes linemen, linebackers and defensive backs.

The 6-foot-3, 302 pound Howard played in 11 games last season for the Gators, with eight starts. He missed the Georgia and Vanderbilt games with a right ankle sprain. A redshirt senior, he has played in 31 games as a Gator, including 12 starts, with 66 tackles (43 solo, 23 assisted), 15.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery.

Five finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 17, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those finalists, who will also be part of the FWAA All-America Team.

Howard and teammate Xavier Nixon are among 65 players named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, given to the nation's best collegiate interior lineman.

The Watch List includes only tackles, guards and centers on both sides of the ball. Only six defensive tackles are on the list, with the rest comprised of offensive linemen.

Nixon, a junior, played in 12 games in 2010, with eight starts.

The Outland Trophy winner will be chosen from three finalists who are part of the FWAA All-America Team. Three finalists will be chosen on Nov. 21.

The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third oldest award in major college football. The winner of the 66th Outland Trophy, named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn and Kansas at the turn of the century, will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8 on ESPN.

Tampa Bay Rays-New York Yankees game officially postponed

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 8, 2011

Tonight's game between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees has been rained out, putting Derek Jeter's pursuit of 3,000 hits on hold.

The game will be made up on Sept. 22, a mutual off day for the teams.

Since there will not be a doubleheader on Saturday, Jeremy Hellickson will be skipped in the rotation, with David Price starting Saturday and James Shields on Sunday.

Youth pastor-turned-Dunedin Blue Jays closer just pitches and prays

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By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 8, 2011

LAKELAND — Wes Etheridge does not have the typical build of a dominating closer. He is long and lean at 6 feet 1, 185 pounds. And he has one true pitch in his arsenal, a fastball that isn't that fast (87 mph on his best day).

But the Dunedin Blue Jays right-hander flummoxes hitters by making his fastball sink at the end, the ball often eluding the bat when it is flying forward. A lot of his pitches result in infield dribblers. Just one has flown out of the park this season.

"I just pitch, and I pray," Etheridge said. "I basically put my trust in God and have faith that I'm going to get the batter out."

Faith has guided Etheridge along his unlikely path to baseball prominence: from a 12th-round draft pick of the Brewers in 2007 to becoming a youth pastor to becoming one of the top closers in the minor leagues.

This season Etheridge is 30-for-30 in save opportunities and not only leads the Class A Florida State League in saves but all minor-league baseball. He is one save shy of the Dunedin season record and eight of the FSL record.

In 41 relief appearances overall, he is 1-0 with a 1.27 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 422/3 innings.

"I was nervous at first getting back into baseball," Etheridge said. "But as I've stepped back and looked at it, God has really put me in a perfect position."

Etheridge did not feel that way during his first experience in professional baseball. Midway through his second season in the Brewers organization, Etheridge fractured an ankle. Rehabilitation gave him time to reflect on his career path.

He decided he was called upon to do something else. So in 2008 he retired to become a youth pastor.

"I was almost happy that the injury happened," said Etheridge, who pitched collegiately at Cal Irvine. "My head wasn't really into the game. I never gave the Brewers my full effort, and I have some regrets about that because it wasn't fair to them."

In 2009, Etheridge enrolled at Liberty University, a Christian school based in Lynchburg, Va., and took online courses. But that didn't give him enough personal experience. So he took classes at the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, Calif. He also started a youth group.

But that still wasn't enough to keep him satisfied.

"I didn't feel like the youth group was progressing," Etheridge said. "My career was not moving forward. It was just stagnant."

Then Etheridge received a phone call from his friend Dan Millwee.

"Wesley wasn't getting what he needed being a youth pastor," Millwee said. "He needed a purpose in life. I told him he needed to be out there with what he knew. He really needed to go back to baseball. That is what God wanted for him."

Etheridge needed more convincing. He talked to his mother, Wendi, who was never fond of the baseball lifestyle.

The family grew up with the game. Wes started playing at 4. His father, also named Wes, has been a youth coach for more than 30 years. There were long road trips, missed meals and time away from each other.

"Our lives have constantly revolved around baseball," Wendi said.

"But Wes has always had a love for the game. That's just what he knows. God gave him a second chance to make a career in baseball. And how many people really get a second chance in baseball, especially one like his?"

The Brewers still held Etheridge's rights, so he reported to spring training last year. He was cut on the final day.

Then Blue Jays scout Steve Springer got Etheridge a tryout with Maui (Hawaii) of the independent Golden Baseball League.

"They said they didn't have much money (in Maui)," Etheridge said. "But I thought it was great. I would have gone there for free. Still, I didn't know if I was going to make the team."

Etheridge not only made the team, he thrived. He went 10-0 with a 1.76 ERA in 15 starts. He continued to pitch well in the Venezuelan winter league.

The Blue Jays were impressed enough to invite him to spring training. They eventually signed him to a minor-league contract and converted him into a closer.

"I just have a different fire this time around," Etheridge said. "I'm enjoying everything about being a baseball player and pitching. I love the bus rides, being on the field all the time, all the things that can make it a hard lifestyle."

At 26, Etheridge is older than all but one of his teammates. And his ascension in the organization could be delayed because of a logjam of closers in the Blue Jays' system.

For now, that doesn't matter to Etheridge.

"A lot of guys get wrapped up in that stuff," he said. "There's still stuff I can work on at this level. Besides, the Blue Jays gave me a chance. They are the only team that came to me. I have to be happy.

"It truly has been a blessed season."

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

Tampa Bay Lightning, Teddy Purcell expect pre-arbitration deal

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 8, 2011

The arbitration hearing for the Lightning and right wing Teddy Purcell is July 20 in Toronto. Both sides have said they expect to reach a contract deal before the hearing takes place.

Purcell, 25, who made $750,000 in 2010-11, had a breakout season with career highs of 17 goals, 34 assists and 51 points in 81 games. He also had five goals and 17 points in 18 playoff games.

FLEMING UPDATE: Assistant coach Wayne Fleming still is in a California hospital getting chemotherapy and radiation treatments, said general manager Steve Yzerman, who added that Fleming also is rehabbing to "improve his motor skills" after April brain cancer surgery.

Yzerman has said Fleming's job is waiting for him.

"All things considered," Yzerman said, "he's doing well."

Some riders ready to take to the hills

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Times wires
Friday, July 8, 2011

CHATEAUROUX, France — Finally, the mountains.

After seven days of narrow, sinewy roads and sometimes fierce rain, Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck await a change of scenery. They made it through the crash-marred first week of the Tour de France relatively unscathed. Although the hills in today's eighth stage are far less daunting than later climbs in the Pyrenees and Alps, they will be welcome.

"It will be a relief after several nervous and dangerous stages," Schleck said.

Sprinter Mark Cavendish won Friday's seventh stage. Thor Hushovd kept the yellow jersey.

Contender Bradley Wiggins was knocked out of the race after breaking his left collarbone in a crash that took down several riders about 23 miles from the finish.

Cadel Evans remained in second place, 1 second behind Hushovd. Schleck was 12 seconds behind in seventh, and Contador was 1:42 off the lead in 24th place.

After Thursday's treacherous rainfall, described by Evans as the worst he had seen on seven Tours, riders again set off under a heavy shower Friday on the 135-mile trip from Le Mans to Chateauroux.

The rain was brief, soon turning to sunshine, and it appeared the stage would be a pleasant stroll through the French countryside as the pack let an early four-man breakaway go.

Then two crashes came out of nowhere, the second one taking down Wiggins, the Sky team leader who finished fourth overall in 2009, and American Chris Horner, who fractured his nose but finished the stage.

Horner was later diagnosed with a concussion and a bruised calf, and his RadioShack team was to decide today if he can keep racing.

"Another day, another crash," RadioShack's Yaroslav Popovych sang as he reached the team bus.

Outside Sky's team bus, the mood was downcast.

"Really bad day for the team," Sky teammate Geraint Thomas said. "We were lucky until now."


Captain's Corner: Tarpon tips

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By Jay Mastry, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 8, 2011

What's hot: Though we are not seeing as many tarpon rolling on the surface as a month ago, a good flow of fish remains along the gulf beaches. Thursday morning we jumped nine and released three at the end of the incoming tide and in the first couple of hours of the outgoing, just off the beach at Longboat Key. We jumped four and let one go before seeing a tarpon roll. "Blind" fishing can be effective when stalking tarpon during the late season. If the fish aren't showing well, anchor in a depth in which you've previously seen them.

Technique: All our bites were on fresh dead shad fished on the bottom, but other baits could also be effective. Ladyfish, mullet, pinfish and grunts would be distant second choices. Live baits including greenbacks, whitebait, pinfish and crabs suspended beneath corks can work at times. Chumming with chunks of shad will also help draw tarpon.

Change of scenery: On July 4 we loaded two boatfuls and trailered 62 miles from St. Petersburg to Bayport in Hernando County for scalloping. Another eight-mile run by boat to Homosassa put us in the fertile grounds. By noon we had our 20-gallon limit while snorkeling in 7 feet. All that's required is a mask, a snorkel, fins and a catch bag. The shallow water lets kids in on the action, too.

Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 321-2142.

McAllister greyhound kennel method works to perfection

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By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 8, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Welcome to McAllister kennel.

First, a couple of rules before entering the Derby Lane building: Leave personal issues outside, and don't crank up a radio inside.

Those are the standards set by owners Malcolm and Barbara McAllister, whose results at the greyhound track have been second to none. Since joining the roster in 2005, McAllister has won three kennel championships and 19 stakes races.

"The morale in the kennel has to be happy-go-lucky," Malcolm said. "It's the dogs' home, not ours. You need to concentrate more on what you're supposed to be there for: the dogs."

Malcolm, 64, a native of London, and Barbara, his wife of 25 years who is the kennel trainer, know the power of focus. In late April, McAllister trailed Patriot in the 16-kennel standings by 25 victories. When the six-month meet ended June 30, McAllister had its latest title by a 288-287 margin. The difference was a win by Grade A sprinter Kiow Aloe Randy in the meet's final performance.

"Quality prevailed over quantity," Malcolm said. "We get good dogs, obviously, and they always say you should never have more dogs than your wife can handle. That's why we keep the kennel kind of low. We're running 38 to 40 active against 68 (by some other kennels)."

McAllister made 1,583 starts to Patriot's meet-high 2,163. A McAllister championship appeared unlikely on April 27, when Patriot held a seemingly safe wins lead. McAllister standout Flying Coal City was plagued by shoulder injuries, and his only win from eight starts came in the $8,000 Inaugural on Jan. 8. But meet wins leader Flyin Carnoustie (25 victories) picked up the slack, and young pups including Flying Marvelous and Flying Masago — all owned by Vince Berland of Abilene, Kan. — became forces.

Trailing 188-163 in victories, McAllister went on a tear. In the next 42 performances, the kennel won 76 races, with at least one victory on all but three cards. McAllister collected wins on 19 consecutive performances from May 9-25 and overtook Patriot on June 1. McAllister never vacated the top spot after that.

"I got a new supply of blood in my kennel," Malcolm said. "(Dogs) broke their maidens and went up the (graded) ladder pretty quick. That was like 30 or 40 wins right there."

McAllister led kennels in Grade A and stakes victories with 76, two ahead of Capabal. McAllister had a win percentage of 18.2 and an in-the-money percentage of 57.7, with purses being paid to the top four finishers in each race.

McAllister's first two titles were back-to-back when Derby Lane recorded statistics over 12 months. McAllister set a track record in 2007-08 with 643 victories. The following season, McAllister tied Filipelli & O'Donnell at 517. McAllister has finished no lower than fifth in any of the past six meets.

Appeals court backs lockout

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Times wires
Friday, July 8, 2011

NEW YORK — The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday threw out a judge's order lifting the lockout, handing the league a victory as players and owners returned to negotiations.

The ruling was issued shortly after commissioner Roger Goodell and players association chief DeMaurice Smith opened a second straight day of labor talks in Manhattan.

The court vacated an April 25 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson that the lockout should be lifted because players were suffering irreparable harm. The appeals court had put that order on hold and said in its ruling Nelson ignored federal law.

"While we respect the court's decision, today's ruling does not change our mutual recognition that this matter must be resolved through negotiation," the league and union said in a joint statement. "We are committed to our current discussions and reaching a fair agreement that will benefit all parties for years to come and allow for a full 2011 season."

The appeals court ruling allows the players' antitrust lawsuit to move forward.

Judge Kermit Bye, the dissenter in the 2-1 decision, urged settlement of the dispute to avoid a ruling "both sides aren't going to like."

During nine hours of negotiations Friday, the rookie wage scale and finalizing the free agency rules were discussed, the Associated Press reported. Owners want to increase the number of unrestricted free agents on which they can exercise the right of first refusal.

Camp cancellation: The Giants became the third team, joining the Ravens and Jets, to cancel their out-of-town training camp when they informed officials at the University at Albany (N.Y.) and Mayor Gerald Jennings they would not return this year because of the uncertainty surrounding the labor problems. If a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, the Giants will train at their headquarters in East Rutherford, N.J.

Staph case: An state appeals court ruled in favor of former Browns player LeCharles Bentley, saying the team can't force NFL arbitration to halt a lawsuit on his career-ending staph infection. The Ohio 8th District Court of Appeals said the issue is not related to the collective bargaining agreement and can be handled in county court. The team is accused of persuading Bentley to rehabilitate a knee injury at its site and failing to tell him about unsanitary conditions and other players who had contracted staph. The team had argued that state and federal laws support arbitration over litigation.

Ohio State penalizes self but pays Tressel

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Times wires
Friday, July 8, 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State's 2010 Big Ten football championship, its 12-1 season, its victories over rival Michigan and in the Sugar Bowl — all gone. Coach Jim Tressel is out, and so is star quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Left behind: two years of self-imposed probation. The question now is whether it will be enough to save Ohio State from more severe NCAA penalties.

In response to NCAA violations committed by players who traded autographs and memorabilia for cash and tattoos, and by a coach who covered it up, Ohio State issued its official response Friday. Athletic director Gene Smith hoped it would appease the NCAA.

The measures taken included vacating all the wins from last season. "All I know is that this is significant," Smith said. "A lot of people may not view it that way externally, but this is significant. When you think about all the other athletes who participated in those games, those records will be gone."

Tressel found out in April 2010 that his players were taking improper benefits. Despite contractual and NCAA obligations to report it, he didn't tell anyone for more than nine months.

Ohio State, which earlier said it had asked for Tressel's resignation May 30, said Friday it had now agreed to call the coach's departure a retirement. The school also said Tressel did not have to pay a $250,000 fine. Instead, he will receive the last month of his base pay ($54,000) and has agreed to cooperate at the NCAA infractions hearing Aug. 12, and he and the school agreed they wouldn't sue each other.

Last month school president E. Gordon Gee said Tressel "will pay the fine."

West Virginia gets two years' probation

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The NCAA accepted West Virginia's self-imposed sanctions that include two years' probation for major rules violations under former football coaches Rich Rodriguez and Bill Stewart.

The report by the NCAA said three failure-to-monitor violations occurred involving out-of-season coaching and the use of noncoaching staff.

The Mountaineers will lose a scholarship for the upcoming season and have recruiting restrictions and staff reductions. The probation, which will end in July 2013, doesn't include postseason play.

Georgia: Senior running back Caleb King, an expected starter, was declared academically ineligible for 2011.

Obituary: Neil Dougherty, who coached TCU basketball for six seasons, died Tuesday in Indianapolis. He was 50. Mr. Dougherty most recently worked for iHoops, a joint NBA-NCAA youth venture. The iHoops website said Mr. Dougherty died while he was running.

NASL game preview: FC Tampa Bay at Puerto Rico Islanders

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By Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 8, 2011

Tonight

FC Tampa Bay at Puerto Rico Islanders

When/where: 8:05; Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Records: Tampa Bay 4-5-5 (17 points); Puerto Rico 6-4-4 (22 points)

How to follow: Live stream at fctampabay.com

The series: This is the second of four meetings. Tampa Bay lost at home April 17, 2-0. Islanders MF Jonathan Fana scored both goals.

Last time out: Tampa Bay scored a season-high in a 4-2 win over rival Fort Lauderdale on Monday. MF Pascal Millien scored and had two assists, and earned NASL offensive player of the week honors. F Aaron King had a goal and an assist. F Mike Ambersley scored his fifth goal in five games. D Andres Arango scored his first goal of the season. … Puerto Rico needed a goal from Fana in the 90th minute to beat Atlanta 4-3 on Monday.

Skinny: The Islanders are the NASL's only team unbeaten at home (3-0-2). … They have a four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2). … Tampa Bay is 4-1-2 when scoring first. … Fana, second in the league with eight goals, will miss tonight's game to play with the Dominican Republic team in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matches this weekend. … Ambersley has seven goals. … Tampa Bay signed F Kerry Baptiste this week and bought out the contract of D Omar Jarun.

Eduardo A. Encina, Times staff writer

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