By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 15, 2011

Tonight

Storm (6-10) vs. Georgia (9-7)

When/where: 7:30; St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa

TV/radio: BHSN; 1250-AM

The skinny: Now that the Storm has been eliminated from postseason contention (only the third time in franchise history, joining the 2006 and 2008 teams), Tampa Bay hopes to play spoiler. The Force is seeded third in the American Conference playoffs and second in the South Division, sharing a 9-7 record with Orlando. … Tampa Bay signed QB Matt Grothe this week. The former USF star is expected to back up Danny Southwick. But with the playoffs out of reach, there's a good chance Grothe might get some playing time. … The Storm also signed WR/DB Colin Nelson and WR/RB Tavious Polo on Thursday. Tampa Bay released DB Marcus Jefferson to make room on the roster. … After raising its playoff hopes by winning four of five games midway through the season, including victories against likely postseason-bound Pittsburgh and Orlando, Tampa Bay has lost three straight. … Tulsa beat the Storm 70-33 last week and led by 50 going into the fourth. … The Force, which was the Alabama Vipers last season, beat Tampa Bay 60-49 on June 4. … Tampa Bay must win one of its final two to prevent tying the team record for fewest wins in a season. The 2002 team went 6-8.

Brandon Wright, Times correspondent

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 15, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The greyhound that once committed a costly turn of the head turned 3 years old Friday. He is the top dog at Derby Lane, a career winner of 53 races and has been the wagering favorite in 30 of his past 32 starts.

He is called "a darn nice dog" by track director of racing Jerry Miller.

But Flyin Carnoustie runs with an asterisk. The McAllister kennel sprinter has an "interfered" racing line, which makes him ineligible for Derby Lane stakes races and will have a lasting impact after he retires.

"It's affected his stud career," kennel owner Malcolm McAllister said. "Who's going to breed to a dog with a ticket? They'll think the pups will be the same as their daddy."

A ticket for interference — also known as a strike — is issued by track judges when a greyhound turns his head in a race and makes contact with another dog. When that happens, Miller said the dog is taken off the active list and must school to the satisfaction of the judges before returning. The greyhound can no longer be entered in stakes races and, if it receives a second ticket, must leave Derby Lane.

Flyin Carnoustie was the track's leading winner for the meet that ended June 30. He won 25 of 40 starts to finish two victories ahead of Hi Noon Renegade of Nova kennel. His career-best time of 30.32 seconds at 550 yards was the eighth fastest.

Flyin Carnoustie is on pace to challenge for the North American yearly win title, a feat never experienced by breeder Vince Berland of Abilene, Kan. Last season, his Flying Coal City fell one short of tying Where's Big Cash (49 wins) for that crown.

The interfering incident occurred in 2010 during the final qualifier of the $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile. Rounding the final turn, Flyin Carnoustie was last among eight dogs when he came in contact with Ww's Cast Off. Flyin Carnoustie wound up eighth, 14 lengths behind, and was denied a spot in the final.

"He was 25 (lengths) back when the judges gave him the call," McAllister said. "(The dogs) were butting heads, but when puppies lose sight of the lure, they go to playing around.

"It did not interfere with the outcome of the race. It did interfere with him being eligible for any future stakes races."

Flyin Carnoustie was 22 months old when ticketed in his 40th lifetime start. Barbara McAllister, Malcolm's wife and the dog's trainer, said: "When dogs are a maiden or juvenile, judges should give them more leniency to see if they're fighting, because they're puppies."

A male out of a litter by 2006 All-America sprinter Dragon Fire and Flying Snap On, Flyin Carnoustie has shown perfect behavior in 88 subsequent starts.

"(The incident) is a shame because he has behaved himself for a quite a long time now," Miller said. "It seems to have been something he did foolishly early in his career."

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

Ageless Watson comes up aces

Tom Watson refuses to be a ceremonial player, and the 61-year-old showed that when he turned things around with a hole-in-one on the sixth hole.

The five-time British Open champion drilled a 4-iron from about 160 yards into the wind. He never saw the ball bang against the pin and disappear, and he paused slightly even after hearing a sudden burst of cheering from fans surrounding the green.

He raised his arms, turned and took a bow for a packed grandstand behind him.

"I didn't see it," said Watson, who has 15 career aces. "You can't see it go in. I just saw it on the replay in there. It was a slam dunk. If it missed the flag, it would've been 30 feet by. But it was lucky. They're all lucky when they go in. But that's what I was aiming at."

The oldest player in the field shot par 70 and closed at 2-over 142, six shots back.

Though he has struggled with his putting over the first two days, Watson isn't about to give up.

"If my putting was a little bit better, I'd give myself at least an outside chance, let's put it that way," he said.

Mickelson finding form

Phil Mickelson arrived with 17 previous British Open appearances, one top-10 finish and, by his telling, a completely different attitude about this event.

"I just wanted to start fresh because I've loved links golf," he said. "I just had to really enjoy the challenge of it more."

Through two rounds, Mickelson is enjoying it as well as at any point in recent memory. He shot 1-under 69 to close at 1-under 139, three back.

"It's fun to be in contention at any major," he said. "But it's fun for me to be in contention at the Open Championship because I haven't been here that often."

The only time Mickelson contended at the Open was 2004, when he finished third at Royal Troon.

At the top

A player from Northern Ireland charged up the leaderboard. Just not the one many might expect.

Darren Clarke shot his second straight 2-under 68, taking a lead role heading to the weekend.

Once the face of Northern Ireland golf, Clarke became an afterthought when first Graeme McDowell then Rory McIlroy claimed major championships. Maybe it's time for the old guy to get his title, too.

"It would mean an awful lot," said Clarke, 42. "But obviously, this is only after two rounds. There's an awful long way to go yet."

Clarke, whose wife died of cancer in 2006, recently moved back to Northern Ireland from London. "It's a lot easier to play better whenever family life and stuff at home is much better, much more stable again."

Clarke rolled in a 90-footer for eagle at the seventh and closed his round with birdie at the 18th to tie Lucas Glover for the lead at 4-under 136. Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, followed an opening 66 with a solid 70.

"I didn't hole as many putts as I did (Thursday)," Glover said. "But I'm happy to grind out even par."

The United States has gone five straight majors without a title — its longest drought of the modern Grand Slam era.

Meanwhile, McIlroy won't run away with this championship as he did last month at the U.S. Open, but the 22-year-old wasn't complaining. He shot 1-under 69 and was at even 140.

"It was a grind," he said. "It would be nicer to be a couple better, but I'll take that going into the weekend."

Still in the hunt

First-round co-leader Thomas Bjorn was in danger of falling out of the mix when he bogeyed three straight holes at the start of his round. But the Dane pulled himself together, playing 1 under the rest of the way for 72 that left him one stroke off the lead.

"It wasn't the prettiest of days golfwise, but I'll take where I stand in the championship," he said.

And Tom Lewis, 20, who became the first amateur to lead the Open since 1968, looked more his age in the second round, bogeying the final two holes for 74 that dropped him three strokes off the pace. Still, the Englishman made it to the weekend — his primary goal.

"If you asked me that two days ago, I would have taken it," Lewis said. "But at this moment, it doesn't feel so good."

Unkind cut

Lee Westwood, above, was full of bluster and confidence on the eve of the British Open. He said he had the patience to conquer Royal St. George's and win his first major. But a second-round 3-over 73 sent a frustrated and irritable Westwood tumbling out of the tournament at 4-over 144, a stroke below the cut. The second-ranked Englishman, who refused to talk to reporters, wasn't the only big name out before the weekend. Top-ranked Luke Donald (75—146) exited, as did former winners Padraig Harrington (71—144), Ernie Els (76—148), Mark Calcavecchia (79—148) and Ben Curtis (74—151).

Notable

All four current major champions reached the weekend. PGA champion Martin Kaymer (69) was at 137, with Masters winner Charl Schwartzel (67) another stroke back. U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy (69) closed at even 140, and defending British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (70) was at 142. … With No. 1-ranked Luke Donald missing the cut, it marked the second time this year the No. 1-ranked player missed the cut in a major. Kaymer was No. 1 when he failed to qualify for the weekend at the Masters. … Of the 71 players remaining, only 13 occupy positions in the world's top 30. And two of the leftovers are amateurs — 20-year-old Englishman Tom Lewis (1-under 139) and 21-year-old American Peter Uihlein (2-over 142).

Quote of the day

"Everybody would be bald because they'd be pulling their hair out."

Tom Watson, on what would happen if the PGA Tour played links golf all the time

Compiled from Times wires

Schwartzel's bounces

Masters champion Charl Schwartzel was feeling better about his chances after 67 in the second round left him two back at 2-under 138. He's not sure he hit the ball any better than he did Thursday, but the bounces seemed to go his way. The South African's 3-wood into the par-5 14th was headed for trouble to the left when it struck a spectator in the head and bounced back toward a bunker. He wound up making par. "It was actually a good break," he said. "I felt sorry for the guy, but it's one of those things."

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

MADISON, Miss. — For nearly four hours, Troy Matteson tried to figure out ways to kill time as thunderstorms rolled across Annandale Golf Club. Turns out it was worth the wait.

Matteson birdied his final three holes after the delay to shoot 6-under 66 and share the lead at the PGA Tour's Viking Classic with George McNeill at 12 under.

Matteson finished his round, but McNeill was on No. 18 when the final delay was called because of lightning in the area.

"It's kind of weird — I usually don't play that well coming off a rain delay like that," Matteson said. "Somehow the greens are standing up to the rain."

McNeill was 7 under through 17 holes and will resume play today on the 18th fairway.

Celebrities in Tahoe: Actor Jack Wagner made seven birdies to jump out to the first-round lead with 29 points in the modified Stableford scoring system at the Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe in Nevada.

Southern Amateur: Tarquin McManus took a one-stroke lead heading into the final round at Innisbrook's Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor. McManus shot 5-under 66 to close at 7-under 206.

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 15, 2011

TARPON SPRINGS — Louis Pappas can improvise.

He can dissect defenses.

And he can flat-out throw a football.

What the Tarpon Springs senior cannot do is dodge the computer-printout prejudices colleges have when evaluating quarterbacks. After all, college programs measure quarterbacks not only by how many yards they can throw but by increments of height.

That is where Pappas falls short. He is just under 6 feet 1. His height hangs over him like a dark cloud because colleges treat short quarterbacks like they have a virus.

This spring Pappas lived in maddening limbo, wondering whether a college would take a chance on him. None came through with a scholarship.

So Pappas decided to go to them.

He has been on a whirlwind tour over the summer, visiting as many Division I-AA schools as possible to show off his skills at camps. There were stops at Eastern Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky. There were camps at Charleston Southern, Furman, Presby­terian and Wofford. There are trips planned for Sanford and Troy, as well as North Texas and Oklahoma State.

"I think this is something that will help me in the long run," Pappas said. "I can send a tape out and I might look great on film, but coaches always want to see what you look like in person."

In today's high-pressure world of college football, potential recruits try to gain an edge by mailing letters, sending out a DVD of highlights or investing in recruiting services.

Pappas chose to be more proactive. To market himself to schools, he wanted to attend as many camps as possible to be under the coaches' chins. But this was not a mad summer scramble to gain exposure. Pappas and his father, Louis Jack Pappas, went through a detailed game plan. They were touring only schools that already showed interest and focused on ones that operated out of a spread offense.

"We sat down and mapped things out," Louis Jack Pappas said. "We wanted to get on the road so coaches could physically see him. That was our main motive."

Louis Jack Pappas, 51, was a standout linebacker for Tarpon Springs from 1975-78. He earned a football scholarship to Florida, playing tackle three seasons before blowing out a knee.

His recruiting process was quite different from his son's.

"I knew things had changed, but I had no idea it would be this hectic," Louis Jack Pappas said. "Recruiting was pretty vanilla back then. There were no verbal offers or kids committing early. You had three big schools that might look at you, and they would send a guy to watch a game your senior year. You would visit a school after your senior season and make a commitment then.

"It's a wild ride now. And it's not a cheap process. We've spent about $2,000 this summer going to all these schools and camps. But Louis has got to see a lot of campuses, and it's a one-time deal in his life."

Showcase camps are essentially job interviews. Pappas attempts to impress coaches and scouts by scoring well on a battery of physical tests. A poor performance at one camp could result in scratching that school off his potential suitors. A strong performance in another could boost his stock, resulting in a scholarship.

With so much at stake, Pappas has sharpened his combine-test skills such as proper footwork and mechanics by working with former Maryland and Arena Football League quarterback John Kaleo since January.

"There's a lot of pressure that comes with doing well at these camps," Kaleo said. "A bad day at a camp or a combine and you've wasted a trip at that school. This is a position that's all about transparency. Everyone gets to see the good and the bad.

"Everyone wants to be a quarterback, and you'll have a thousand hands raised by kids saying they want to be one. When you tell them what being a quarterback entails, about 95 percent can't handle it. Louis has demonstrated that he can. He has thick skin."

Kaleo understands Pappas' frustrations about his size. The 6-foot Kaleo was passed over by major programs and had to prove himself at Montgomery-Rockville College in Maryland, where he was the 1990 National Junior College Athletic Association player of the year and led the nation in every passing category. He went on to break passing records at Maryland and played 14 seasons in the AFL.

"A lot of schools out there are looking for that 6-4 guy," Kaleo said. "It's hard, but I think colleges recognize that Louis is a passer. He'll get the opportunities to show what he can do."

Sometimes even a strong performance is not enough to sway coaches. Pappas said he did well at a camp at Western Kentucky, but the coaches said he did not have the size they were looking for in a quarterback.

"It's tough at times because I know I have the ability and there are other guys who are getting offers or committing to schools," Pappas said. "But I know that putting in the work will eventually pay off."

Pappas has not received a scholarship offer. Many of the schools he visited typically give offers later in the year.

For Pappas, there are still schools to visit, 7-on-7 tournaments to attend and workouts with the Spongers.

"The thing I'm most amazed with is there is no down time for kids anymore," Louis Jack Pappas said. "Football is 12 months a year. It's grueling. But we think the reward will be there at the end."

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

FRANKFURT, Germany — With two World Cup titles and three Olympic gold medals, the United States has history on its side in Sunday's final against Japan.

With their lightning-quick passing and slick combination play, the Japanese may well have a grip on the future of the game.

The physical, sweeping game of the Americans stands in sharp contrast with the close, possession-oriented game of Japan, turning Sunday's match into an intriguing clash of styles.

The United States beat Japan in two pre-World Cup friendlies, but that will count for little in the final.

"They're a different team here in the World Cup," United States captain Christie Rampone said. "It brings a different level."

The accolades for Japan have been coming in from all angles, comparing its style with that of Barcelona and even Brazil's "beautiful game."

Japan has sought to develop that flair for years, but only this time does it have the confidence to execute it at the highest level. Japan coach Norio Sasaki said his team was ready to reach the Olympic semifinals three years ago in Beijing and "this time we said, let's go to the final."

Twice he delivered.

The cup is also within reach, he said.

"It's definitely not impossible," Sasaki said. "It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win this and beat the No. 1 team in the world."

Japan's breakthrough victory came in the quarterfinals last weekend when it beat host Germany, the two-time defending champion, in extra time.

"It proved things like that are possible," Sasaki said.

Undivided attention: A week ago, there were so few people following the Americans they could hold their daily media sessions around a small table in their hotel lobby.

Now they need an entire ballroom.

The frenzy of attention surrounding the U.S. women is something they've never experienced, and it has the potential to fire them up — or heap even more pressure on what is already the biggest game of their careers.

"I don't think it's a distraction," goalkeeper Hope Solo said. "We've had the mentality from Day 1 that we came here for one reason. Our one and only goal was to win this tournament, and I think people are staying pretty true to that."

About 100 journalists from all corners of the world turned out for the team's availability Friday.

"It's just amazing that this team has been able to capture the heart of America, because normally we can't do that," midfielder Megan Rapinoe said. "That's just been an amazing feeling. We're just taking it all in."

Cheering section: Jill Biden and Chelsea Clinton will be part of a U.S. delegation heading to Germany this weekend to cheer on the U.S. women.

The White House says the vice president's wife and Clinton, as well as the U.S. ambassador to Germany, will attend Sunday's match.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

LOURDES, France — The most grueling stage yet of the Tour de France looms in the Pyrenees in what promises to be the race's first major turning point.

"It's going to be one of the key days," two-time runnerup Cadel Evans said. "There'll be fireworks, don't worry."

The test comes a day after Norway's Thor Hushovd won Friday's 13th stage and France's Thomas Voeckler kept the yellow jersey.

It gets serious now, with Evans ready to take on defending champion Alberto Contador and the Schleck brothers.

Contador's right knee is still bruised but healing. The Schleck brothers, Frank and Andy, are racing with or against each other, depending on who is to be believed. Evans, an Australian, is gliding over obstacles with the cool of a surfer negotiating crushing waves.

Today's stage is the third consecutive day in the Pyrenees. The 105-mile ride from Saint-Gaudens to Plateau de Beille starts with a sharp climb up Col de Portet d'Aspet followed by two ascents up Col de la Core and Col d'Agnes. It finishes with a 10-mile climb to Plateau de Beille, a famed ascent that has a reputation for making or breaking contenders.

Although Evans and the Schlecks took some time off three-time champion Contador in Thursday's 12th stage, the damage was not enough to seriously hurt Contador's chances.

"I will have to see my legs hold up and what the others do," the Spaniard said. "But if I get the chance, I will attack."

The contenders let others do the attacking on a 95-mile run that started from Pau and ended in Lourdes, home to one of the most famous Catholic shrines. Hushovd powered to the ninth individual stage win of his career.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 15, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays resumed play Friday with a clear missive, detailed by manager Joe Maddon and reinforced in meetings and repeated conversations, that to remain contenders for a playoff spot they need to be more productive offensively.

They got off to a good start, opening a crucial seven-game post-All-Star-break stretch with a 9-6 win over the division-leading Red Sox and setting a season high for runs scored at home along the way.

The Rays rapped only 11 hits but, in taking advantage of six walks, made them count. The biggest came early, a second-inning grand slam by Ben Zobrist as they built a 7-2 lead then hung on before a Tropicana Field crowd of 25,729.

David Price worked the first six innings for his first win since June 22, and the Rays used five relievers from there. J.P. Howell got probably the biggest out, striking out dangerous David Ortiz with one on and one out in the eighth, and Kyle Farnsworth got the last four.

The win improved the Rays to 50-41 and pulled them within five games of first place.

The Rays haven't scored enough consistently, but when they have been successful, it's usually a product of scoring first. They're 37-9 when they do so — and 13-32 when they don't.

They got one in the first, on B.J. Upton's RBI single, and after the Sox tied it on Darnell McDonald's homer, four in the second, on Zobrist's team-record fifth grand slam (and their first since last September). They got then two in the third, on Sam Fuld's single and Zobrist's bases loaded walk, to take a 7-2 lead.

They extended it to 9-3 when Casey Kotchman homered in the sixth, and then pretty much hung on from there.

Price wasn't particularly sharp, throwing a season-high 121 pitches while lasting only six innings, and allowing a career-high tying three home runs. But he left with the Rays leading 7-3, and that was good enough as five relievers combined to finish.

Price had gone three starts without a win, last earning a W on June 22 at Milwaukee. He followed up with a solid start against Cincinnati, but had back-to-back rough outings, by his high standards anyway, against the Twins and Yankees, where he earned the infamy - and then a lucrative memorabilia signing deal - by giving up Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit.

The Rays also flashed some leather, as leftfielder Sam Fuld charged in on Dustin Pedroia's first-inning single in the first, spun around and fired to second to easily keep him from stretching it to a double.

The Sox had won their last six games, and 10 of 11, before the All-Star break. They've survived a rough start and a series of injuries thus far, but a depleted rotation - with Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka all out - could make them vulnerable.

They certainly looked that way Friday, when lefty Andrew Miller couldn't get through three innings, allowing seven runs while throwing 85 pitches, walking five and giving up five hits.

Facing a season-high six-game deficit, the Rays resumed play with an opportunity to impact their chances, good or bad, playing their first seven games against the two teams they are chasing, the Red Sox and Yankees.

"It's perfect," manager Joe Maddon said before Friday's game. "It should bring out the best in us very soon, very quickly. I like it. I like it a lot actually."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Noting that "progress has been made," NFL owners and players wrapped up more talks Friday without a full agreement to end the league's four-month lockout, but they are determined to keep pushing over the weekend.

NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith expects to speak with commissioner Roger Goodell in the next couple of days, while the legal and financial teams continue working. After about eight hours of negotiations in New York, the league and players issued a joint statement, saying: "The discussions this week have been constructive and progress has been made on a wide range of issues."

They did not reveal any details, citing a gag order imposed by the court-appointed mediator, U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

Friday's talks moved beyond economic issues to cover remaining areas where gaps need to be bridged, the Associated Press reported. That included player health and safety matters.

The aim was to build upon the significant steps made Thursday, when the framework for a rookie salary system was established, including that first-round draft picks will sign four-year contracts with a club option for a fifth year. On another financial matter, the per-team cap figure for 2011 will be in the range of $120 million in salaries plus about $20 million or so in benefits, the AP reported.

The owners learned Thursday that the NFLPA set up $200,000 in "lockout insurance" for each player if the 2011 season were lost entirely, a policy that cost at least $10 million and was taken out nearly a year ago, according to SI.com and the AP.

The sides are to meet with Boylan on Tuesday, and the owners have a special meeting set for Thursday in Atlanta, where they potentially could ratify a new deal.

Teams likely will have a window to attempt to re-sign their own free agents before those players would be allowed to sign elsewhere.

Gas theft: Former Eagles running back Reno Mahe surrendered to Utah authorities to face a criminal theft charge. Mahe, former BYU football player Tevita Ofahengaue and three others are charged with using a code to steal more than $15,000 in gasoline in 2010 from a construction company in a Salt Lake City suburb, according to court documents.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

With a deal to end the NFL's four-month lockout virtually complete, teams and some players began preparing Friday to return to work even as lawyers and financial experts raced to finalize the accord's details.

Experts representing the sides are scheduled to work this weekend and negotiators are planning to reconvene Monday, amid widespread expectation that the deal will be finished in time for the league and players to present it to their court-appointed mediator Tuesday. Owners are scheduled to meet Thursday in Atlanta and could vote to approve the deal then.

The sides issued a joint statement Friday saying talks had been constructive and progress had been made. But various reports said a handshake deal was even closer to completion than the statement indicated, with a tentative agreement all but in place and only a few details remaining.

The deal is expected to be finished and announced next week in time to preserve a full preseason, barring any unexpected setbacks, the Washington Post reported.

Players and front-office personnel prepared for the expected opening of training camps by the end of July. Giants receiver Ramses Barden wrote on Twitter that he had his "cleats laced up for the first time since November. Heart beating outta my chest."

Friday's talks moved beyond economic issues to cover remaining areas where gaps need to be bridged, the Associated Press reported. That included player health and safety matters.

The aim was to build upon the significant steps made Thursday, when the framework for a rookie salary system was established, including that first-round draft picks will sign four-year contracts with a club option for a fifth year. On another financial matter, the per-team cap figure for 2011 will be in the range of $120 million in salaries plus about $20 million or so in benefits, the AP reported. Also, teams likely will have a window to attempt to re-sign their own free agents before they would be allowed to sign elsewhere.

Gas theft: Former Eagles running back Reno Mahe surrendered to Utah authorities to face a criminal theft charge. Mahe and four others are charged with using a code to steal more than $15,000 in gas in 2010 from a construction company in a Salt Lake City suburb.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

TORONTO — Yankees C Russell Martin isn't upset at the Blue Jays for stealing signs. He's upset with himself for not noticing sooner. Martin said Toronto relayed information from second base to the batter in its 16-7 victory Thursday.

"You move your head one way, it's a fastball. You move your head the other way, it's a slider," Martin said after the game. "It was pretty blatant. It's just an easier game when you know what's coming."

But Friday, Martin made it clear he didn't consider Toronto's behavior to be out of bounds.

"I was more angry at myself for figuring it out too late," said Martin, who didn't change signs until the fourth. "(Stealing signs is) part of the game. And it's a fun part of the game, too."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi, a catcher when he played, also said he didn't have a problem.

"If it's coming from the bullpen or someone's got binoculars or it comes from the stands, that's out of bounds," he said. "But if it's the players and the competitiveness of the players, that's inbounds."

Bautista out: Toronto 3B Jose Bautista, whose 31 homers lead the majors, sat with a sore right ankle and is day to day. He caught a spike in the dirt while sliding into third Thursday.

Angels: LF Vernon Wells was scratched because of an undisclosed illness.

Braves: Martin Prado was activated after missing five weeks with a staph infection in his right calf. An All-Star at second base last year, he will play third for at least two weeks as Chipper Jones recovers from a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Brewers: RH reliever Francisco Rodriguez, acquired Tuesday from the Mets, agreed to restructure his $17.5 million option for 2012. Previously, it vested when he finished 55 games. Now both sides must agree to exercise it. If not, Rodriguez gets a $4 million buyout, up from $3.5 million.

Giants: LF Pat Burrell went on the DL with a strained right foot. … Jim Riggleman, who resigned as Nationals manager last month, was hired as a scout.

Orioles: An X-ray revealed DH Vladimir Guerrero has what the team called a "small crack" in a bone in his right hand. It hopes he misses just a few games.

Red Sox: LF Carl Crawford, out since June 18 with a strained left hamstring, went 1-for-2 in his first rehab game at Triple A. He's set to play again tonight and return Monday. … DH David Ortiz appealed the four-game suspension he received for his part in last week's bench-clearing melee with the Orioles. That allows him to play until his hearing, which hasn't been scheduled.

Reds: RH reliever Jose Arredondo went on the DL with a strained right forearm.

Twins: CF Denard Span will begin a rehab stint at Triple A on Sunday. The graduate of Tampa Catholic has been out with a concussion sustained in a collision at home plate June 7.

Seminole signs: Former Florida State LHP Sean Gilmartin, whom the Braves drafted 28th overall, signed for a bonus of $1.134 million.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

Pirates 4, Astros 0

HOUSTON — Jeff Karstens pitched a five-hitter, and Andrew McCutchen tripled and drove in two runs for the Pirates. Karstens, who threw his second career complete game, needed just 83 pitches to become the first Pirate to win five straight decisions in a season since Matt Capps in 2006. He has an ERA of 2.34 this season and has dominated Houston, going 3-0 with an 0.41 ERA in three starts.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

Reds 6, Cardinals 5

CINCINNATI — Brandon Phillips hit a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth off Fernando Salas to rally the Reds. St. Louis went up 5-4 in the eighth on Albert Pujols' two-run homer before Salas blew his third save in 19 chances.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

Phillies 7, Mets 2

NEW YORK — John Mayberry Jr. singled and doubled to drive in five runs, the second game in a row in which he established a personal-high for RBIs, and Raul Ibanez contributed a homer and a diving catch in leftfield. Vance Worley pitched shutout ball into the sixth inning.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

TORONTO — Brandon Morrow won his fourth consecutive decision and Yunel Escobar had three hits as the Blue Jays again roughed up the Yankees for their fifth consecutive win, 7-1 Friday.

Morrow has not lost since June 11 against the Red Sox and is 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA over his past six starts.

Escobar had three hits, a walk and two RBIs. He singled home a run in the first, doubled in the third, walked and scored in the fifth and hit an RBI single in the eighth to left.

Toronto, which scored eight in the first on its way to Thursday's 16-7 win, opened the scoring in the first when Eric Thames doubled and scored on Escobar's single.

New York tied it with a run in the second when Jorge Posada scored on a base hit by Eduardo Nunez.

The Blue Jays broke the tie by scoring twice in the fourth. Consecutive doubles by Travis Snider and Edwin Encarnacion brought home the first run, and Encarnacion later scored on Jose Molina's two-out single to center.

Freddy Garcia lost his second straight start, allowing six runs, five earned, over five innings.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

Indians 6, Orioles 5

BALTIMORE — Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore homered and Lonnie Chisenhall singled in the tiebreaking run in the sixth to hand the Orioles their ninth consecutive loss. That ties Buck Showalter's longest skid as a major-league manager. Showalter, with his fourth team over 13 seasons, also lost nine in row with Texas in 2003.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

White Sox 8, Tigers 2

DETROIT — Gavin Floyd allowed six hits into the eighth inning, outpitching Justin Verlander. Carlos Quentin had three hits and three RBIs for the White Sox, who scored four runs off Verlander in the third, more than the Detroit ace had allowed in any start since May 24. Verlander threw six innings, his shortest outing since that same date. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer and added a single for his 1,500th career hit.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

Braves 11, Nationals 1

ATLANTA — Martin Prado had two hits, including a homer, and the Braves routed the error-prone Nationals for the 10,000th win in franchise history. Freddie Freeman drove in three runs with two hits, including a two-run double in the seventh. First baseman Michael Morse, who had one error for the season, made three of the Nats' five errors.

Times wires
Friday, July 15, 2011

SANDWICH, England — Darren Clarke marched along bumpy fairways on a wild ride at Royal St. George's that was filled with blunders and brilliance and one final birdie that brought the kind of ovation he had not heard in a decade at the British Open.

Right behind him was American Lucas Glover, far more steady in closing with eight pars.

When a sun-baked and wind-blown second round ended Friday, they shared the lead in a major that is living up to its proper name. The Open Championship is every bit of that: Seven shots separated first from worst going into the weekend.

"There's still two days of tough golf and tough weather ahead of us," said Northern Ireland's Clarke, who finished with 2-under 68 to tie Glover (70) for the lead at 4-under 136.

The eclectic mix of contenders includes amateur Tom Lewis, 20, who shared the first-round lead and was three back, and Tom Watson, 61, who put on another memorable show with a hole-in-one and was six behind.

More coverage, 3C

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 15, 2011

Rays vs. Red Sox

When/where: 4:10 today; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers:

Rays

RH James Shields (8-7, 2.33)

Red Sox

RH John Lackey (6-8, 6.84)

Watch for ...

Bounce back: Shields has lost three in a row despite allowing a combined six earned runs. He's 6-9, 4.71 in 17 starts against Boston and threw a complete-game shutout against it June 14.

Johnny on the spot: Lackey snapped a three-game skid his last time out with 62/3 scoreless innings against Baltimore. He has fared well against Tampa Bay, 11-4, 3.75 in 16 starts.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Lackey

Johnny Damon 18-for-50

Evan Longoria 5-for-18

B.J. Upton 3-for-21, HR

Red Sox vs. Shields

David Ortiz 12-for-36, 3 HRs

Dustin Pedroia 13-for-34, 2 HRs

Kevin Youkilis 3-for-35

Memory of the day

As memorable as RF Matt Joyce's first All-Star Game was, including hitting a single with his father "absolutely ecstatic" in the stands, he said the most fun was hanging with other stars. He chatted with Yankees 2B Robinson Cano before the Home Run Derby and with Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez and Rangers OF Josh Hamilton at dinner. He talked hitting with White Sox RF Carlos Quentin. "It was funny because he was asking me questions," Joyce said. "I was like, 'Wait a minute here, buddy. I don't know if I'm the guy to ask.' "

Quote of the day

"They've done a remarkable job, especially considering all the changes that have taken place. And they've got the perfect guy running the show."

Tim McCarver, Fox analyst and former big-league catcher on the Rays and manager Joe Maddon

Guest of the day

Former Florida football coach Urban Meyer chatted with Rays manager Joe Maddon, Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg and Red Sox manager Terry Francona during batting practice.