By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 29, 2011

SPRING HILL

Life after retirement is different for every professional athlete. For former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Horace Copeland, it's centered on his family: his wife and four children.

The family had lived in Lutz after Copeland retired from the NFL in 2000, after a couple of injury-plagued seasons with the Oakland Raiders. More recently, they moved to Spring Hill, and that's when the former gridiron star started giving back to the community.

From volunteering his time at the Eckerd Youth Challenge Program for at-risk youths to talking to Hernando Youth League football teams, Copeland has been visible across Hernando. Recently, parents and children began to ask him when he was going to put on a football camp.

"I never had any plans to do (a camp)," Copeland said, "but so many people were coming up to me and asking about it, I felt like I kind of owed it to the people around here to try and do something."

At 40 years old and with his son entering Nature Coast Technical High School this fall, Copeland now seems nearly as entrenched in the community as the late Jerome Brown, a fellow University of Miami alumnus, once was.

As he put together the July 22-23 camp at Springstead High School with the help of the Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department, Copeland was able to attract some big names from the world of football. Errict Rhett, Marcus Jones, Leon Searcy and Dean May all came out to help with a turnout of more than 100 kids.

Considering that a similar camp held by NFL tight end Anthony Becht in Weeki Wachee drew only 40 campers earlier this summer in its third year, it was an overwhelming success for Copeland.

"I think this shows the impact that Horace has already made with the people in this community in his short time here," parks and recreation director Harry Johnson said. "When you are able to live here and give back as much as he has, he becomes so visible that people just want to be around him."

Middle and high school coaches in the area were also quick to come out and lend a hand at the camp. Each day, coaches from West Hernando Middle, Powell Middle and Explorer K-8 schools helped teach fundamentals to youth between the ages of 7 and 14.

Sponsors supported the camp as well. Besides Pepsi providing water and Gatorade for campers both days, lunch was provided on the first day by the Hernando County schools, Papa John's, Hungry Howie's and Chick-fil-A. On the final day, employees from Texas Roadhouse came to Springstead to grill hot dogs for the kids. Publix provided the kids with a cake to celebrate the conclusion of the clinic.

Copeland's former teammates and friends were quick to join him, and they all seemed to have a good reason why.

Jones, who was a neighbor of the Copeland family in Lutz, recalls how the wide receiver was a friendly shoulder to lean on when things got tough his rookie season in the NFL.

"From that point on, I always said that if Hi-C (Copeland) needed anything, I would be there for him," said Jones, a Florida State alum who retired from the NFL in 2002 because of knee and shoulder injuries. "I feel like this is the perfect reason to be there for my friend."

Rhett, who starred for the Florida Gators and the Bucs, said he respects the game of football and the kids who play it.

"I think the biggest thing about coming back here is that, whether it's these kids or it's these kids' parents, there's something to watching and listening to players you've seen play on TV show you some things on the field," Rhett said. "When I was little, there were no NFL players or anything like that to show me or tell me the kind of doors that this sport could open for me.

"Football has given me a lot of opportunities. I just want to be able to give those back, and if (Copeland) holds this again next year, I'll be right back here again."

Rhett, 40, lives in South Florida and is a real estate investor. He is also a color commentator for Fox Sports on Florida Gators football games.

More than anything, the man behind the camp, Copeland, embodied the entire experience. The two days were well organized, and parents didn't just drop off their children and leave. Most stayed to watch in the heat and humidity as Copeland and the other former players put the kids through drills and taught them techniques.

"I know sometimes athletes get this reputation for being intimidating or arrogant, but I am just someone who wants to give back and be me," Copeland said.

By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 29, 2011

What's hot: With the eastern winds in the morning, the beaches of north Pinellas County have been very calm, allowing anglers to enjoy great fishing. There have been good numbers of tarpon making the migration north. The silver kings are running just outside the sandbar in the dropoff. Placing a smaller silver mullet under a cork has been effective in hooking up to a 100-plus pounder. The swash channels that run parallel to the beach have been holding good numbers of speckled trout and snook on incoming tides. The best bait has been the smaller sardines found everywhere across the flats and inside the passes.

Tackle: Use smaller hooks such as No. 1 or 1/0 and present the baits tight to the shoreline. Free-lining will net the most fish and disguise the presentation in the clear water. Farther off the beach, in the 12- to 15-foot depths, the small rock piles are holding flounder, grunts, Spanish mackerel and grouper.

Tactic: The most effective rig for flounder fishing around wrecks is to use a sliding weight above the line to leader with around 2 ounces of lead. The smaller pinfish and greenbacks work best when tail-hooked and fishing over the sandy edges.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at jim@captainhud.com or (727) 439-9017.

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — Juan Pablo Montoya said Friday that a crew chief change should not hurt his chances to finally win a NASCAR race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Last week, team owner Chip Ganassi replaced crew chief Brian Pattie with Jim Pohlman, who takes over the No. 42 Chevrolet this weekend on an interim basis. The timing seemed strange to many because Montoya has dominated the past two races at the Brickyard, only to have late mistakes cost him victory.

But Montoya said it doesn't matter when a crew chief change is made.

"Everybody says this isn't a good place to make a change; I think it's as good as any," he said. "What do you do? Do you go to a track where you run bad to make it okay (to make the change)? What's the right place to do it? What's the wrong place to do it?"

Montoya made the Chase for the Championship in 2009, but he was 17th in points last season. This year has also been a bust — he has just six top-10 finishes through 19 races and is 17th in the standings. He had poor finishes the past two races, at Kentucky where he was confused as to where to line up on a late restart, and at New Hampshire, where he ran out of gas near the end.

Although he said his relationship with Pattie was still good, Ganassi called Montoya while he was on vacation last week to inform the driver he was making the move.

"Chip wanted to make some changes. He wanted to go in a different direction, and he asked me, 'Are you okay that I want to go in a different direction?' " Montoya said. "I said, 'Look, I race for you, and I support you 100 percent.' "

Pohlman takes over during a favorable portion of the schedule for Montoya. He was in position to win the past two races at Indianapolis, is typically competitive at Pocono and is the defending race winner at Watkins Glen. If Montoya can win even one of the next three races, he could suddenly find himself in contention for one of the two wild-card slots in the 12-driver Chase field.

He will need to be smart Sunday if he wants to have any chance to add a Brickyard victory to his 2000 Indianapolis 500 win.

He led 202 of 320 laps the past two years but failed to win either race. He was flagged for speeding on pit road during his final stop in 2009 and finished 11th. Last year, he took four tires on the final stop while most of his competitors took two. It mired him in traffic, and he hit the wall and finished 32nd.

"We gave ourselves chances. It's more important to give yourself a chance to win than run 10th every time or 15th every time here," he said. "So I don't mind. Like I say, we haven't taken the trophy home, but we've been good."

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

Swimming

Two more world golds for former Gator lochte

SHANGHAI — Ryan Lochte rescued the United States from possible defeat in the 800-meter freestyle relay at the world championships Friday with a come-from-behind swim about 45 minutes after he won the 200 backstroke. That gave the former Gator four gold medals at the meet, five medals total and the championships' only world record with one event left for him.

"I have a lot of confidence, especially what happened last year," said Lochte, 26, who won six golds to U.S. teammate and good friend Michael Phelps' five at the Pan Pacific champion­ships.

In the 200 back, Lochte won by 1.15 seconds over Japan's Ryosuke Irie. He then carried his teammates in the relay after Phelps and Ricky Berens lost the lead. Lochte trailed France's Fabien Gilot by half a body length until the final 100 meters, when he moved ahead off his second turn. "I don't think there's anybody else we want to have on the end of the relay," Phelps said of Lochte, who grew up in Port Orange near Daytona Beach.

American Rebecca Soni won the 200 breaststroke to go with her title in the 100.

Basketball

NBA players get okay to play elsewhere

The sport's governing body said it will clear NBA players under contract to play in its leagues around the world during the lockout, as long as they return to the NBA when it's over.

FIBA agreed with the league and NBA Players Association officials that players are free to sign anywhere but do so at their own risk of injury.

Nets All-Star Deron Williams has a deal with Turkish club Besiktas — which is also courting the Lakers' Kobe Bryant — and most top players said they would consider playing elsewhere. Players believe that will pressure owners at the bargaining table if they see their players have other options.

Pistons: Lawrence Frank agreed to a three-year deal as coach, the Associated Press reported. Frank, a Celtics assistant last season and a former Nets head coach, is Detroit's sixth coach in 11 seasons.

Jail for ex-player: Former NBA player and Michigan State star Jay Vincent has been sent to jail, five weeks before he gets his sentence in a federal fraud case. Vincent voluntarily revoked his bond and agreed to go to jail before a judge made a decision Thursday in Grand Rapids, Mich. Vincent is awaiting sentencing in a fraud case involving thousands of people who paid to become certified home inspectors.

WNBA: Seimone Augustus and Candice Wiggins scored 16 each as host Minnesota beat Seattle 92-67. … Shannon Bobbitt made a layup at the buzzer to give Indiana a 61-59 win over host Washington.

Et cetera

NHL: The Devils avoided arbitration by signing star wing Zach Parise to a one-year contract that Canada's TSN network said is worth $6 million.

Soccer: The sport's European governing body reduced Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's Champions League ban for criticizing officials after he appealed. Mourinho's five-match ban stands, but two matches instead of one are suspended for three years. Mourinho served one match of the ban last season. He will now miss Madrid's next two Champions League matches instead of three.

Tennis: Tampa resident Mardy Fish beat Igor Kunitsyn 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Farmers Classic semifinals in Los Angeles. He plays Ryan Harrison, 19, who outlasted Yen-Hsun Lu 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. … Wimbledon semi­finalist Sabine Lisicki beating Agnieszka Radwanska 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, Calif. Lisicki meets the winner of the late match between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Track: In his last race before he defends his sprint titles at the world championships next month, Usain Bolt won the 200 in 20.03 seconds in a meet in Stockholm. American LaShawn Merritt was second in the 400 in his return from a 21-month doping ban.

Times wires

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, July 29, 2011

TAMPA

Cutting Derrick Brooks in 2009? Heartbreaking. Releasing Shelton Quarles in '07? Painful. Letting Hardy Nickerson go to Jacksonville in 2000? Infinitely sad.

But, in retrospect, you could make an argument that none of those moves were risky.

And that may not be the case with Barrett Ruud going into 2011.

Please, do not misunderstand that point. I'm not saying Ruud is close to being the linebacker Brooks or Nickerson were. Or even Quarles, for that matter.

This is an argument of specific place and time. Nickerson, Quarles and Brooks were all 35 or older at the time of their departures. In Brooks' case specifically, the Bucs were in a rebuilding mode, and the risk was inconsequential for a team about to go 3-13.

The situation is different for Tampa Bay in 2011. This team sees itself as a contender for the NFC South title. Ruud, at 28, is the unquestioned leader of an emerging defense.

And his potential replacements — third-round pick Mason Foster and USF product Tyrone McKenzie — have a combined total of five tackles on their NFL resumes going into a season where they've been locked out of the team facility all summer.

So the Bucs are essentially taking a known and turning it into an unknown. And that's a risk for a team that already has a handful of other unknowns on defense.

Of course, there's a chance this could all be moot. Ruud has not come to terms with any other team, and the Bucs have not ruled out the possibility that he returns to Tampa Bay.

There's also a chance Foster or McKenzie could make you forget about Ruud by season's end. Sort of the way Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn turned Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton into distant memories a year ago.

Because, let's face it, Bucs general manager Mark Dominik is on a pretty good hot streak when it comes to identifying and securing young talent.

Still, I can't help but wonder if this potential move isn't premature by a year or two.

Now, you might disagree. You might shout that Ruud's impact in recent seasons has been minimal. There is certainly a case to be made for that argument.

Ruud has never been a spectacular player. He does not ring helmets. He does not blow up running backs with regularity. He is a solid player who rarely makes mistakes.

He might even be derisively written off as a JAG — Just Another Guy, in scouting parlance.

But it could be costly to dismiss the importance of a veteran player who understands the defense, does not get caught out of position, and helps a huddle full of younger players make the correct reads and adjustments.

It's interesting that people have gotten caught up in the notion that Ruud does not make a lot of impact plays. He doesn't. But the middle linebacker in the Tampa 2 defense is not necessarily set up for that role.

The disruptive positions in this defense are the under tackle and the weakside linebacker. The middle linebacker is more of a monitor than an enforcer.

You say you don't buy that?

Then let's consider the two most acclaimed middle linebackers in recent Bucs history. Quarles manned the position from 2002-06. He averaged 1.6 sacks per season. Nickerson played here from 1993-99. He averaged 1.28 sacks per season. In Ruud's four seasons as a starter, he has averaged 1.25. Not much of a difference, right?

In pass coverage, Nickerson averaged 1.0 interception per season. Quarles averaged 0.4 interceptions and 2.2 passes defensed. Ruud has 1.5 interceptions and 5.0 passes defensed. Again, not a tremendous difference but Ruud does come out ahead.

Tackle totals are trickier because of differences in the way they have been counted over the years, but Quarles led the team in tackles once in five years at middle linebacker. Nickerson led the team four times in seven years. Ruud has led the team in all four years as a starter.

Again, this is not an argument that Ruud is a better player than Quarles or Nicker­son were. It is simply pointing out that his production has been in line with other players at the same position in this particular defense.

To be fair, there is another important component to the story.

Ruud is a free agent and, presumably, looking for a contract that will be the centerpiece of his career. It could be that he has priced himself out of the marketplace. After all, no other team swooped in to sign him when the moratorium on free agents passed Friday.

But, the truth is, Ruud's value should be higher in Tampa Bay than anywhere else.

He is a known commodity in the locker room, on the field and in the community. And he has patiently waited his turn for free agency. He did not stage a holdout last season, as Donald Penn threatened to do before getting his contract extension.

I'm not saying Ruud is a Pro Bowl linebacker. And I'm not saying the Bucs should hand him a blank check.

I just think it's a risk to let him walk away from this team, at this moment, with so much at stake.

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland — Germany's Caroline Masson shot 7-under 65 Friday to take a surprising one-stroke lead after the second round of the Women's British Open.

Playing in the last group of the day, Masson, 22, had seven birdies without bogey on the Carnoustie Golf Links to move to 11-under 133, one stroke ahead of Inbee Park and Meena Lee.

Masson, competing in only her second season on the European Tour, had four birdies in a front-nine 32.

"I've just had two great days out there, and I'm very happy to be playing so well," Masson said. "I've played really solid, hit the fairways, hit the greens and made some putts. It's been awesome."

Park had nine birdies and a bogey in 64, while Lee, who started the second round of the major with a two-stroke lead, closed with two birdies in 69.

"It was a very solid day," Park said. "I putted pretty good out there and hit it really good, so I'm looking forward to the next two days."

Three players were at 8 under: Dewi-Claire Schreefel, who shot 66, Se Ri Pak, the 2001 champion who shot 64 and Na Yeon Choi, who shot 67.

Seminole's Brittany Lincicome was the highest-placed American at 6-under 138 but was disappointed with her 71. "I just couldn't get anything going (Friday). I had 32 putts out there, which means I wasn't hitting my second shots close enough, or I just wasn't making anything," she said. "But I'm happy with where I am going into the weekend."

Paula Creamer is in a group at 5 under.

PGA: Brendon de Jonge rode a wave of Hokie fever to a share of the second-round lead at the Greenbrier Classic.

De Jonge shot 3-under 67 and was tied with Webb Simpson at 7-under 133 midway through the tournament in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

Among those failing to advance to weekend play were Phil Mickelson, whose streak of making 17 straight cuts ended, and defending champion Stuart Appleby. Both finished 3 over, missing the cut by two.

With shouts of encouragement all around him, de Jonge, a former Virginia Tech golfer, is flourishing for the second straight year at the Greenbrier resort, less than two hours from his college stomping grounds.

"It's a little bit of adrenaline," de Jonge said. "Keeps you going. It's always a little pick-me-up if you're struggling a little bit. It's fun. It's nice to hear 'Go Hokies' on every tee."

De Jonge has played the Old White TPC course many times, and he finished third in last year's inaugural tournament at 17 under. It was one of three third-place finishes in 2010 that helped him earn a career-best $2.2 million.

First-round leader Trevor Immelman made just two birdies, shot 70 and was 6 under.

Champions: Olin Browne followed a record-tying 7-under 64 with a solid 69, to take a one-shot lead at 9-under 133 over a talent-laden leaderboard in the rain-delayed U.S. Senior Open in Toledo, Ohio. Mark O'Meara (68) was one shot back. A 2-hour, 45-minute rain delay in the morning prevented the last seven threesomes from finishing the second round.

Woods commits to year's final major: Tiger Woods has formally entered the PGA Championship, the last major of the year, to be played Aug. 11-14 at Atlanta Athletic Club. Woods has been out for nearly three months recovering from injuries to his left leg. He will return next week in the World Golf Champion­ship event at Firestone.

British Open winner clarke misses cut: Darren Clarke failed to make the cut at the Irish Open in Killarney, Ireland, two weeks after he won the British Open for his first major title.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 29, 2011

Local product of the day

WR Jock Sanders, a former St. Petersburg Catholic High and West Virginia standout, said he was excited to come home for an opportunity with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent. Sanders, a speedy 5-foot-6, 185-pounder, hopes his versatility will land him a roster spot as a slot receiver, return man and/or running back.

"I'm doing them all right now. That's why my head is spinning," he said.

Sanders, who left West Virginia as the school's all-time leading receiver (206 receptions, 14 TDs), was surprised he wasn't drafted but took it in stride. Having gone through a predraft workout with the Bucs and knowing their needs, Sanders picked them over a handful of other teams. He became a quick fan of Josh Freeman. "He's a great quarterback," Sanders said. "He reminds me of my college quarterback, Pat White, a very uptempo guy. I already love him, and I've only been here for two, three days."

Good deed of the day

The Bucs and Children's Dream Fund today will grant a wish for Malcolm Williams, 12, of St. Petersburg, who recently had a stroke, complicated by a previously unknown condition in his vertebral arteries. Malcolm has dreamed of traveling to Hawaii and learning to surf and snorkel. The Bucs will present him with round-trip airline tickets at the afternoon practice.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"I haven't worked with this kind of talent in a long time, and I've worked with some pretty good guys in the past."

Bucs defensive line coach Keith Millard, a former All-Pro with 13 years of coaching experience, on the team's defensive front

Talking Talib

CB Aqib Talib, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a March shooting in Texas and scheduled to stand trial next year, participated in Friday's practice. Talib could be disciplined by the league, but coach Raheem Morris didn't appear concerned about his player's situation. "I coach the guys in the seats, and right now (Talib) is a very good football player," Morris said. "All that (legal) stuff is pending. … It's great to be around him."

Practice makes perfect

The walk-through practice Friday morning was pretty high tempo despite players not having pads and helmets. It was also pretty smooth, which WR Mike Williams credited to the offseason workouts QB Josh Freeman, above, helped organize over the summer. "Our first workout together (in the summer), a lot of people kind of like forgot half of the playbook," Williams said. "We were just out there thinking, 'What do I got on this?' Having those workouts made us come out here and execute (Friday)."

Public practice

When: Today, 2:30-4:35 p.m.

Where: One Buc Place, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., just east of Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Admission: Free

Et cetera: All practices are weather permitting and subject to change. Go to buccaneers.com for updates.

Practice and games schedule

Public practices

Sunday: 5:15-7:15

Monday: 5:15-7:15

Wednesday: 2:30-4:35

Friday: 2:30-4:35

Aug. 6: 7-9 (Raymond James Stadium)

Aug. 9: 2:30-4:35

Aug. 14: 2:30-4:35

Preseason

Aug. 12: at Kansas City, 8, Ch. 13

Aug. 18: Patriots, 7:30, Ch. 10*

Aug. 27: Dolphins, 7:30, Ch. 10*

Sept. 1: at Redskins, 7:30, Ch. 10

Regular season

Sept. 11: Lions, 1, Ch. 13*

Sept. 18: at Vikings, 1, Ch. 13

Sept. 25: Falcons, 4:15, Ch. 13*

Oct. 3: Colts, 8:30, ESPN*, Ch. 28*

Oct. 9: at 49ers, 4, Ch. 13

Oct. 16: Saints, 4:15, Ch. 13*

Oct. 23: Bears (London), 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 6: at Saints, 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 13: Texans, 1, Ch. 10*

Nov. 20: at Packers, 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 27: at Titans, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 4: Panthers, 1, Ch. 13*

Dec. 11: at Jaguars, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 17: Cowboys, 8:20, NFLN*, TBD*

Dec. 24: at Panthers, 1, Ch. 13

Jan. 1: at Falcons, 1, Ch. 13

* Broadcast subject to NFL blackout rules

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 29, 2011

SEATTLE — RHP Alex Cobb went into this season just hoping he'd get a chance to make it to the majors sometime in September.

So to be making his eighth start today, and not having lost any of them, has been a tremendously pleasant surprise.

"I would never have expected that," he said. "I would have been happy with just a September callup and kind of getting my feet wet up here and trying to make this club next year."

Cobb, 23, said the right index finger blister that forced him out of his last start Sunday in Kansas City is healed and shouldn't be a factor today since blisters tend to surface in humid weather.

Cobb talked of adding a cutter to a repertoire that includes a fastball, changeup and curveball during his most recent stint in the minors, but the Rays didn't want him to experiment during the season lest it "dangerously" impact his success.

"He doesn't need to learn that particular new pitch in the middle of the season," manager Joe Maddon said. "First of all, he doesn't need it. Second of all, I'm concerned about that taking away from his changeup or his curveball. I don't know that it won't. … I don't like experimenting when you're having success with a pitch that notoriously can negatively effect your other stuff, especially as a young pitcher. That was my concern."

JASO DELAYED: C John Jaso, on the disabled list since the All-Star break with a right oblique strain, might be at least a couple of more weeks from returning. Jaso has yet to hit off a tee without issues, Maddon said. After that, Jaso will progress to live batting practice, then is likely to need at least a few minor-league rehab appearances.

COME ON DOWN: The bullpen shuttle may be coming to an end. The Rays have compensated for being a man short in their bullpen over the past two weeks by shuffling five relievers into the sixth spot. RHP Mike Ekstrom was the latest, and since he didn't pitch Thursday, he got to accompany the team to Seattle.

But with RHP Juan Cruz close to returning from the DL, perhaps as soon as Tuesday, the shuttle may be grounded. As a result, Maddon said he wasn't sure if they would stay with the current alignment of six starters and six relievers. "That's our plan as of right now," he said. "That could change. … The way this has been working, it's been working like we thought it would. Just that we've had to use it a little bit too often."

Cruz, sidelined since July 18 with a groin strain, is scheduled to make a rehab appearance tonight for Class A Charlotte at Tampa and could be ready after that.

CASEY AT THE BAT: 1B Casey Kotchman returned to Seattle with a .324 average, an increase of 107 points over the .217 he hit for the Mariners last season that would be the third-largest jump in AL history, according to STATS Inc.

Kotchman credited the offseason tear duct procedure that cleared his vision, and extensive work with hitting coach Derek Shelton, plus advice from 1B coach George Hendrick.

But getting to play at home — he was born in St. Petersburg and still lives in Clearwater — also has been a factor.

"I'm spoiled at home, I've got a really good support system. Just knowing the area, I like being around. There's a comfort level," he said.

Kotchman, on a one-year contract, said he hasn't thought about his future but would like to stay with the team if he gets the chance.

MISCELLANY: The Rays will stay in rotation for the Toronto series: LHP David Price, RHP James Shields and RHP Wade Davis.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 29, 2011

SEATTLE — RHP Alex Cobb went into this season hoping he'd get a chance to make it to the majors sometime in September.

So to be making his eighth start today, and not having lost any of them, has been a tremendously pleasant surprise.

"I would never have expected that," he said. "I would have been happy with just a September callup and kind of getting my feet wet up here and trying to make this club next year."

Cobb, 23, said the right index finger blister that forced him out of his last start, Sunday in Kansas City, is healed and shouldn't be a factor today because blisters tend to surface in humid weather.

Cobb talked of adding a cutter to a repertoire that includes a fastball, a changeup and a curveball during his most recent stint in the minors, but the Rays didn't want him to experiment during the season lest it "dangerously" impact his success.

"He doesn't need to learn that particular new pitch in the middle of the season," manager Joe Maddon said. "First of all, he doesn't need it. Second of all, I'm concerned about that taking away from his changeup or his curveball. I don't know that it won't. … I don't like experimenting when you're having success with a pitch that notoriously can negatively effect your other stuff, especially as a young pitcher."

JASO DELAYED: C John Jaso, on the disabled list since the All-Star break with a right oblique strain, might be at least a couple of more weeks from returning. Jaso has yet to hit off a tee without issues, Maddon said. After that, Jaso will progress to live batting practice, then is likely to need at least a few minor-league rehabilitation appearances.

COME ON DOWN: The bullpen shuttle may be coming to an end. The Rays have compensated for being a man short in their bullpen over the past two weeks by shuffling five relievers into the sixth spot. RHP Mike Ekstrom was the latest, and because he didn't pitch Thursday, he got to accompany the team to Seattle.

But with RHP Juan Cruz close to returning from the DL, perhaps Tuesday, the shuttle may be grounded. As a result, Maddon said he wasn't sure if the Rays would stay with the current alignment of six starters and six relievers. "That's our plan as of right now," he said. "That could change. … The way this has been working, it's been working like we thought it would. Just that we've had to use it a little bit too often."

Cruz, sidelined since July 18 with a groin strain, is scheduled to make a rehab appearance tonight for Class A Charlotte at Tampa and could be ready after that.

CASEY AT THE BAT: 1B Casey Kotchman returned to Seattle with a .324 average, an increase of 107 points over the .217 he hit for the Mariners last season. That would be the third-largest jump in AL history, according to STATS Inc.

Kotchman credited an offseason tear duct procedure that cleared his vision, extensive work with hitting coach Derek Shelton, plus advice from 1B coach George Hendrick.

But getting to play at home — he was born in St. Petersburg and lives in Clearwater — also has been a factor.

"I'm spoiled at home. I've got a really good support system. Just knowing the area, I like being around. There's a comfort level," he said.

Kotchman, on a one-year contract, said he hasn't thought about his future but would like to stay with the team if he gets the chance.

MISCELLANY: The Rays will stay in rotation for the Toronto series: LHP David Price, RHP James Shields and RHP Wade Davis.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 29, 2011

SEATTLE — Not that he's watching the clock or anything, but OF B.J. Upton's first response when asked Friday afternoon about the trade situation was, "Less than 48 hours."

Upton's considered the Ray most likely to get traded by Sunday's 4 p.m. nonwaiver deadline. The latest speculation is the Braves, after losing out on OF Hunter Pence to the Phillies, might become more aggressive.

Upton continues to believe he won't get dealt: "I don't think it's going to happen. I'm not going anywhere."

Manager Joe Maddon supported that theory, saying he spoke Friday with executive VP Andrew Friedman, and "nothing's going on."

Maddon compared this year's deadline to past years when the Rays, with a policy of not commenting on trade rumors, are the subject of extensive speculation.

"I talk to you guys every year and it's always the same thing," Maddon said. "Whether we're buyers or sellers, whatever the perception is, our names are bandied about in some things, and nothing ever happens. I'm prepared for nothing happening."

Among other Rays mentioned in trade rumors are 1B Casey Kotchman (Pirates) and starter James Shields (Reds). According to published reports, they offered pitchers Jeff Niemann and J.P. Howell to St. Louis for OF Colby Rasmus.

JASO DELAYED: C John Jaso, on the disabled list since the All-Star break with a right oblique strain, might be at least a couple of weeks from returning. He has yet to hit off a tee without issues, Maddon said. After that, Jaso will progress to live batting practice, then likely will need at least a few minor-league rehab appearances.

COME ON DOWN: The bullpen shuttle might be coming to an end. The Rays have compensated for being a man short in their bullpen over the past two weeks by shuffling five relievers into the sixth spot. RHP Mike Ekstrom was the latest, and since he didn't pitch Thursday, he got to accompany the team to Seattle.

But with RHP Juan Cruz close to returning from the DL, perhaps as soon as Tuesday, the shuttle might be grounded. As a result, Maddon said he wasn't sure if they would stay with the current alignment of six starters and six relievers.

"That's our plan as of right now," he said. "That could change. I'm not going to say that's definitely it. … The way this has been working. It's been working like we thought it would. Just that we've had to use it a little bit too often."

Cruz, sidelined since July 18 with a groin strain, is scheduled to make a rehab appearance tonight for Class A Charlotte at Tampa and could be ready after that.

CASEY AT THE BAT: 1B Casey Kotchman returned to Seattle with a .324 average, an increase of 107 points over the .217 he hit for the Mariners last season that would be the third-largest jump in AL history, according to STATS Inc.

Kotchman credited the offseason tear duct procedure that cleared his vision and extensive work with hitting coach Derek Shelton, plus advice from 1B coach George Hendrick.

But getting to play at home — he was born in St. Petersburg and still lives in Clearwater — also has been a factor.

"I'm spoiled at home, I've got a really good support system. Just knowing the area, I like being around. There's a comfort level," he said. "It was a perfect time to be able to go home and have that level of comfort. … It was nice to have some stability coming off the year that I had at home."

Kotchman, on a one-year contract, said he hasn't thought about his future but would like to stay with the team if he gets the chance.

MISCELLANY: The Rays will stay in rotation for the Toronto series: LHP David Price, RHP James Shields and RHP Wade Davis. ... DH Johnny Damon notched his 2,678th hit, taking over 66th place on the alltime list from Luis Aparicio. ... Ben Zobrist extended his hitting streak to nine games, with a .405 average in that span. ... Evan Longoria leads the AL with 39 RBIs since June 11 (41 games). ... The Rays logged their ninth shutout.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, July 29, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Given one last chance to escape the doghouse, Flying Coal City sped around Derby Lane in a breathtaking way, and history followed.

The McAllister kennel greyhound recorded his 60th career victory Wednesday, but his preceding win was probably just as important. Needing a victory at Grade B to keep his racing career alive, Flying Coal City won the 550-yard race July 23 in a season-best time of 30.28 seconds. His margin of victory was 9 lengths, the same as in Wednesday's milestone Grade A win in 30.36, the meet's fourth-fastest time.

Flying Coal City, a five-time stakes winner and Triple Crown winner in 2010, had dropped to Grade B for the first time in 79 starts after returning recently from another shoulder injury. He finished a troubled second in that July 18 race, so leading kennel owner Malcolm McAllister gave the 76-pound dog a final opportunity before considering possible retirement.

"If he would have run second or third (July 23), I was going to pull his papers," McAllister said. "If he can't win a B, he can't win a stakes race. Now, I'm over the moon. He's definitely back. … He's a monster."

Before his Grade B victory, Flying Coal City had not won since taking the $8,000 Inaugural on Jan. 8, losing a career-high nine straight races. Flying Coal City's wins include 32 at Grade A and 22 in stakes. The 40-month-old male out of a litter by Kiowa Sweet Trey and Flying Crestline has earned $146,356 from 102 starts. He is trained by Barbara McAllister, Malcolm's wife, for owner Vince Berland of Abilene, Kan.

In 2010, Flying Coal City swept the industry's top awards: All-America captain, Rural Rube (best sprinter) and Flashy Sir (top distance dog). McAllister said his multi-distance standout will remain at 550 yards, and he expects him to try to defend his title in the $50,000 Fall Sprint, Sept. 17-Oct. 1.

"I know he's still got the tools," McAllister said. "This dog is going to make up for some (lost) time."

MORE DOGS: Derby Lane's two newest kennels are picking up the pace. Hambleton Racing, formerly Royal Racing Team, won 18 races from July 18-23, tying the track's fifth-highest weekly win total since the 2007-08 meet. During that span, Patriot (2010) and McAllister (2008) have recorded the most weekly wins with 23 apiece. McAllister had 19-win weeks twice (this year and in 2007). Led by trainer Doug Flint for owners James and Helen Hambleton of Solomon, Kan., Hambleton was in fourth place in the 16-kennel standings with 41 victories through Thursday, nine behind McAllister. Alabama Racing, a Daytona Beach-based operation, won a race on the first three performances this week, matching its win total of the previous 27 cards under owner-trainer Patricia Byers. Alabama lost its first 64 starts and later went 0-for-38.

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier can't help himself these days: He likes his defending SEC East Division winners, no matter how many distractions he must handle at quarterback.

Spurrier said that quarterback coach G.A. Mangus will be back despite his arrest this week on a charge of urinating in public in Greenville. Spurrier also said suspended starting quarterback Stephen Garcia has made fundamental lifestyle changes and is poised for a big, big year.

"Times have changed around here," Spurrier said. "I think we all know times have changed."

The Gamecocks went 9-5 a season ago to win the SEC East and play in their first league title game. They were picked to return to the title game at last week's SEC media gathering.

The offense features All-SEC players in tailback Marcus Lattimore and receiver Alshon Jeffery. The defense adds the country's No. 1 college recruit in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. The biggest questions have concerned the quarterback spot.

Garcia, a former Jefferson High standout, was suspended in April by the school for unacceptable conduct at a life-skills gathering — his second suspension this spring and fifth since arriving on campus in January 2007.

Garcia "has changed his lifestyle almost completely," Spurrier said. "He's been on time. No goofing around. He's very serious. He's shown a commitment we haven't seen before. Hopefully that will continue, and I expect that to continue.

"I expect him to be a different person."

An official decision on Garcia's status won't come until at least Monday, Spurrier said. The team opens camp Wednesday.

Pryor mentor cleared: The mentor for former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was investigated and cleared by the NCAA in 2008 of allegations that he improperly acted as a booster while helping the player pick a college, according to records released Friday.

In 2008 the NCAA ruled in favor of Ted Sarniak, a businessman and hometown friend in Jeannette, Pa., who went with Pryor on several recruiting visits. It has not been alleged that Sarniak was involved in any wrongdoing related to the scandal that forced out coach Jim Tressel this year, which preceded Pryor's decision to forgo his senior year.

In April 2010, Tressel received an e-mail from a tipster informing him that Pryor and other players had accepted improper benefits from a tattoo-parlor owner. Tressel didn't notify his superiors at Ohio State, as required by NCAA rules and his contract, but he instead forwarded the e-mail to Sarniak. Asked why he thought first of Sarniak, he told NCAA investigators, "I felt from a safety standpoint that I needed to alert Ted to the gravity of that" (since Pryor was one of the players involved).

Alabama: Starting receiver Darius Hanks will miss the first two games this season under the NCAA participation rule. He is coming off his best season with 32 catches for 456 yards and three touchdowns.

Clemson: The athletic department reported 12 NCAA secondary violations, including two athletes repaying their portion of a hotel room paid for by a former teammate's agent.

Nebraska: Quarterback Cody Green announced he's transferring to Tulsa. Green joins Tulsa the same week QB Shavodrick Beaver said he was transferring from the Hurricane.

Syracuse: Sophomore running back Prince-Tyson Gulley was stabbed several times during a brawl at an on-campus party around 1 a.m. Friday. Police said the injuries are not life-threatening. As a freshman, Gulley was fourth in the Big East in kickoff returns.

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

Royals 12, Indians 0

CLEVELAND — Jeff Francis pitched eight sharp innings and Melky Cabrera hit a grand slam in a game that turned testy. Billy Butler came to the plate right after Cabrera's grand slam in the fourth inning, and Indians starter Carlos Carrasco promptly threw one at his head on the first pitch. Carrasco was ejected. Butler has five home runs during a four-game homer streak.

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

Mets 8, Nationals 5

WASHINGTON — Jose Reyes drove in two runs, and the Mets made Chien-Ming Wang's return to the big leagues two years after shoulder surgery a short one. Wang gave up six runs — four in the first on a walk and four straight hits — over four innings on eight hits overall.

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

Tigers 12, Angels 2

DETROIT — Carlos Guillen's two-run triple, his first since July 9, 2010, highlighted a four-run sixth. Guillen and Victor Martinez finished with four RBIs, while Ramon Santiago added three hits. With one out in the sixth, Martinez gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead with an RBI single. The Angels had won three straight and five of seven. Tyler Chatwood gave up six runs on eight hits and two walks in 5⅓ innings.

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

Braves 5, Marlins 0

ATLANTA — Dan Uggla hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh and Brandon Beachy combined with two relievers on a three-hitter to end the Marlins' five-game winning streak. Uggla extended his hitting streak to 20 games and leads the Braves with 19 homers. He entered July batting .176 but is up to .206 after going 1-for-4 against Florida. Emilio Bonifacio's 26-game hitting streak, the second-longest in Marlins history, came to an end.

Times wires
Friday, July 29, 2011

White Sox 3, Red Sox 1

CHICAGO — Gavin Floyd outpitched Tim Wakefield and A.J. Pierzynski hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh. The White Sox's seventh straight victory over the Red Sox and 14th in the past 16 games between the teams denied the knuckleballer Wakefield, 44, his 200th career win. His wild pitch in the sixth helped set up the tying run on Paul Konerko's sacrifice fly. And he walked Carlos Quentin to start the seventh before Pierzynski hit his fifth homer of the season.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 29, 2011

SEATTLE — Not that he's watching the clock or anything, but outfielder B.J. Upton's first response when asked Friday afternoon about the trade situation was, "Less than 48 hours."

Upton is considered the Ray most likely to get traded by Sunday's 4 p.m. nonwaiver deadline. The latest speculation is the Braves, after losing out on Hunter Pence to the Phillies, may become more aggressive.

Upton continues to believe he won't get dealt: "I don't think it's going to happen. I'm not going anywhere."

Manager Joe Maddon supported that theory, saying he spoke Friday with executive vice president Andrew Friedman, and "nothing's going on."

Maddon compared this year's deadline to past years when the Rays, with a policy of not commenting on trade rumors, are the subject of extensive speculation.

"I talk to you guys every year, and it's always the same thing," Maddon said. "Whether we're buyers or sellers, whatever the perception is, our names are bandied about in some things and nothing ever happens. I'm prepared for nothing happening."

Among other Rays mentioned in trade rumors are first baseman Casey Kotchman (Pirates) and starter James Shields (Reds). According to published reports, the Rays offered Jeff Niemann and J.P. Howell to St. Louis for outfielder Colby Rasmus.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 29, 2011

SEATTLE — The Rays still have a long way to go. And even always optimistic manager Joe Maddon knows that.

But before, and again after Jeff Niemann and a rejuvenated offense produced an 8-0 victory over the Mariners on Friday night, Maddon figured it was the right time, and place, to point out that it's still possible for them to make a run for a spot in the playoffs.

"The 1995 Seattle Mariners," he said, and that was all that was needed. That was a team that was 11 games out of first place on July 30, fell to 13 back on Aug. 2, then roared back to catch, and ultimately defeat in a one-game playoff, the Angels for a playoff spot. That would be the Angels who had Maddon as their first-base coach.

"That stuff can happen,'' he said. "1995 is in my memory bank very strongly. I remember what it felt like. I remember what it tasted like. It can happen. But it only happens if you believe it can happen. If you don't believe it can happen, then it cannot. Period. So I'm a believer. And it's our job, it's my job, to convince these other 25 guys it can happen.''

But Friday, against a woeful Mariners team on a beautiful Pacific Northwest night, they had reason to believe. They won consecuitve games for the first time since early July, and for only the fourth time since May 12, they gained a game on both the Red Sox and Yankees, moving to within 9½ games of first place and seven off the wild card.

"From our perspective, if we can gain one game a week for the rest of the season, I'll take it,'' Maddon said. "That puts us in pretty good shape.''

The Rays' eight-run second-inning outburst — their biggest in more than three years, since a 10-run fifth at Florida on June 25, 2008 — got the attention Friday.

But Niemann — reportedly offered in trade this week — was worthy of applause. He struck out a career-high 11 while holding the Mariners to one hit through six innings and three total while working into the seventh.

"Outstanding,'' Maddon said.

Niemann improved to 5-4 overall, and 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in seven starts since coming off the disabled list following a back strain. His 1.06 ERA for five July starts is a team record for any month.

"It's been fun to get back out there and help the team win,'' Niemann said.

The curveball was a key weapon Friday, and the fastball was pretty good, too. Neither Niemann nor Maddon realized he had that many strikeouts until after the game, which reflected his less-than-stellar command, as he threw 118 pitches over the 6 2/3 innings.

The Rays' outburst started innocently enough against Erik Bedard: a single by Casey Kotchman, continuing a comeback from his dismal 2010 season in Seattle, and after a Kelly Shoppach strikeout, walks to Matt Joyce and Sean Rodriguez to load the bases.

Rookie Desmond Jennings, continuing to show impressive patience at the plate, worked a full-count walk to force in the first run. A single by Johnny Damon scored two and ended the night of Bedard, as well as that of the assembled scouts from contenders seeking a starter.

Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer off reliever Aaron Laffey to make it 6-0. Kotchman's double scored B.J. Upton from first, then Shoppach singled home Kotchman to complete the scoring. The 12 batters were also a season-high, and it made for the first time in 14 seasons the Rays had consecutive games with seven or more runs in a single frame.

"We had a really good inning,'' Zobrist said. "I think we put together some good at-bats and did some good things.''

Niemann was pitching two days after his name surfaced in trade talks, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reporting the Rays offered him and reliever J.P. Howell to the Cardinals for Colby Rasmus but were turned down. With the deadline for nonwaiver deals at 4 p.m. Sunday, there has been a lot of speculation involving the Rays.

Niemann said he wants to stay with the Rays, and acknowledged he was a bit concerned about the possibility of a trade.

"It's something that's definitely floating around the clubhouse; everyone is keeping their eyes or keeping their ears open on things," he said. "But you do your best to not let it bug you and just try to go out there and worry about the game at hand and try to do your best.

"Before, it really was nothing. But then (Wednesday) you find out your name was really actually thrown around. And it … it's not that a big a deal … there's nothing … it doesn't really matter ... it matters not at all."

Friday night, it didn't seem to bother him a bit.

Niemann certainly didn't seem bothered, as he improved to 3-0, 2.15 in four career starts at Safeco Field.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, July 29, 2011

Rays at Mariners

When/where: 4:10 today; Safeco Field, Seattle

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

Starting pitchers

Rays

RH Alex Cobb (3-0. 2.57)

Mariners

RH Michael Pineda (8-7, 3.64)

Watch for ...

Alex the Great: Cobb makes his eighth start, coming off a seven-inning outing at Kansas City, marred only by his early departure due to a blister. He has not allowed a homer in his past 40 innings.

Kid rock: Pineda, 22, may have hit a wall in his rookie season, going 0-2 with a 10.91 ERA in his past three starts. He leads AL rookies in innings (123⅔) and strikeouts (123), and is second in average (.202).

Key matchups

Rays vs. Pineda

None have faced

Mariners vs. Cobb

None have faced

On deck

Sunday: at Mariners, 4:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (9-7, 3.27); Mariners — Jason Vargas (6-9, 4.09)

Monday: Off

Tuesday: Jays, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays —David Price (9-9, 3.76); Jays — Ricky Romero (8-9, 3.08)

Wednesday: Jays, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (9-9, 3.03); Jays — Carlos Villanueva (6-2, 3.60)

Thursday: Jays, 12:1, Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (8-7, 4.62); Jays — Brett Cecil (3-4, 4.71)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

It's a Rays-Sonics world

Rays manager Joe Maddon was among those excited that Friday was Sonics celebration night at Safeco Field, honoring greats from Seattle's former NBA team. But he met one Thursday while dining at Ray's Boathouse. The restaurant owns the Web address rays.com, which the team has been trying to get. Maddon, empowered by team president Matt Silverman, who was also there to "negotiate," asked to speak to one of the owners. Out came former Sonics star Jack Sikma, top. "We didn't get to the negotiation part," Maddon said, "but we had a good conversation." Maddon was even more thrilled to see Spencer Haywood, bottom: "He was one of my all-time NBA players."

Nice start, kid

OF Desmond Jennings, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, is just the fifth rookie since 1987 to have multiple hits in five of his first six games in a season.