By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, August 7, 2011

TAMPA

L ook at the football field as you would a game of chance. Where every yard gained in field position is like tilting the odds a little more in your favor.

So it makes sense that the farther an offense has to drive, the fewer points it tends to score. This was, in fact, a mathe­matical reality for the Buccaneers defense in 2010.

And it explains why Michael Koenen is a rich man today.

Of all the hundreds of free agents on the market last month, the Bucs targeted a punter and kickoff specialist to the tune of $19.5 million over six years. The deal makes Koenen one of the highest-paid punters in the NFL, and it makes the Bucs a better team in 2011.

"People say, 'He's just a pun­ter.' But that misses the point. He kicks the ball off, too, and he booms it. So we got two for one," said special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes. "He's going to help our field position every game with touchbacks and punts inside the 10."

So what are we talking about here specifically?

Will Koenen make you leap out of your seat every Sunday? Will his name be chanted inside of Raymond James Stadium? Will he have you scrambling for the record books?

Um, not so much.

But will he have a noticeable impact by season's end?

Most definitely.

The Falcons were the No. 1 team in the NFL in defensive field position following kickoffs in 2010, and Koenen was a huge part of that. Falcons opponents began drives, on average, from the 22.2-yard line. Bucs opponents began, on average, from the 27.4.

If you figure a team has five kickoffs per game, that means the Falcons had a 25-yard advantage in field position every week compared to the Bucs.

And there's a chance that impact could grow in 2011.

Koenen was tied for third in the NFL in touchbacks with 23 last season; the Bucs finished last with one. And now the kickoff is being moved from the 30-yard line to the 35, which will increase the number of touchbacks around the league.

If Koenen had that extra 5 yards at his disposable last season, he would have put 83 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone.

This not only impacts starting field position and limits the possibility of returns for touchdowns, but it also saves wear and tear on kicking teams.

"There's not as much contact, not as many collisions," Stukes said. "Gives everyone a little more life."

The same is true in the punting game, where Koenen provides better hang time and forces more fair catches than you typically see in an NFL game.

He has never led the league in punting average or even net average, but that has not been the priority. Koenen has been one of the best in the fringe red zone — punts within 55 yards of an opponent's end zone — which means sacrificing distance by avoiding touchbacks.

Over the past three seasons, his ratio between touchbacks versus punts inside the 20 (12-72) is among the best in the league.

"My first couple of years, it was more of a grip-it-and-rip-it mentality, but you have so much more potency if you can put teams inside the 20," Koenen said. "My third or fourth year, it really clicked for me. They kind of drilled it into my head this idea of 40-40. Average 40 yards a punt and 40 yards net, too.

"Just limit or even take away the return possibilities."

Koenen and the Falcons took this attitude to new heights in 2008, when they set an NFL record by allowing 49 yards in punt returns for the entire season.

Yet Koenen averaged a relatively mediocre 40.7 yards per punt that season.

"As a punter, you're gauged on your yardage. When you look at my stats, you're not blown away because I don't average 48 yards a punt," Koenen, 29, said. "I had to learn to get over that. I had to get past the feeling that people are looking at you and thinking you're not a very good punter. When I got comfortable knowing that I'm still having an impact and that my identity is wrapped up in helping the team win, then it became easy."

His value in Atlanta became obvious when the team reserved its franchise tag for him in 2009, guaranteeing him one of the highest contracts for a punter in the league.

That was a different world for a kid who played in obscurity at Western Washington University and went undrafted despite leading the nation in punting average as a sophomore. Koenen made the Falcons in his first training camp in 2005 and was briefly the placekicker, too, in '06, before settling in as punter and kickoff specialist.

"I could have never imagined seven years ago that I would be where I'm at today," Koenen said. "But I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a trend.

"Field position is so important, and I think punting has been overlooked as a weapon."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 7, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — There was a balk that, upon further review by the umpires, wasn't a balk. A double that, after a reversed call, wasn't a double.

And a Johnny Damon blast that looked so much like a walkoff homer teammates were hopping the dugout rail to celebrate that wasn't anything more than a long out.

But of all the things that weren't as they seemed in Sunday's 5-4, 10-inning loss at Tropicana Field to the A's, most disappointing — and damning — for the Rays was that David Price wasn't David Price.

On a day when they needed their ace left-hander to step up in maintaining their slight post­season hopes, Price stepped out on them, giving up a rare lead twice and, by throwing 110 pitches, failing to last five innings.

"Just to be himself," manager Joe Maddon said. "Just to go out there and throw his normal game, you're looking at probably seven innings solid. That's what you think."

Price would have thought so, too, and the frustration was obvious as he dressed quietly, with little in way of explanation for his latest failure. He feels fine, his mechanics are good, there's no issue with his catchers or the umpires.

"I have no idea," Price said. "I've got to pitch better. I've got to figure it out. I've got to do something, man."

The Rays — 59-54, and still 10 games off the AL wild-card pace — led 1-0 and 3-1, but Price gave it back in an ugly fifth, capped by Hideki Matsui's homer.

"Just terrible," Price said.

He was off from the start, allowing the leadoff man on in each of his five innings and throwing 73 of his 110 pitches from the stretch, and few of them well. Of the seven hits he allowed, five were to left-handers, in 10 at-bats; coming in he had allowed lefties only a .154 average (21-for-136).

"He was not right," Maddon said. "Command overall was not normal, velocity looked kind of okay. Just did not have a good feel for it today. You knew it was not going to get better."

Actually it got worse as Price left after putting two more on in the fifth, and J.P. Howell's wild pitch allowed the A's to take a 4-3 lead. Evan Longoria provided some relief when he homered off old mate Grant Balfour to tie it with two outs in the seventh, but then the umpires stepped in.

Having already waved off a balk call with two Rays on in the fourth because they decided Trevor Cahill actually had stepped off the mound, home-plate umpire Mike DiMuro then reversed Tim Welke's fair call on Ben Zobrist's shot down the rightfield line, taking away a promising double and one of the Rays' last chances. Zobrist eventually popped out.

Damon's fly, with one on and two out in the ninth, carried to the rightfield wall — and caused the Rays who were celebrating prematurely back into the dugout. And after rookie Jake McGee left a fastball over the plate that Josh Willingham knocked over the leftfield fence, they had one more chance, Zobrist hustling and Casey Kotchman hitting their way on, but B.J. Upton popped out and Matt Joyce's liner up the middle was snagged by shortstop Eric Sogard.

"We've had a tough time winning close games," Longoria said. "We've got to find a way to win those games."

Price relishes the chance to pitch big games, but with just one win in his past eight starts, and an overall 9-10 record, he can't seem to do anything to help.

"It stinks," he said. "It's been a frustrating month and a half. So it's got to change."

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

Times staff
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Anniversary of the day

It was 23 years ago today — Aug. 8, 1988 — that the first night game was played at Chicago's Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs. But the game was rained out after four innings with the Cubs leading the Phillies 3-1. Doesn't a part of you wish Wrigley still had no lights?

Birthday wishes

Happy 30th birthday to tennis star Roger Federer, who was born on this date in 1981 in Binningen, Switzerland. Now Federer, who hasn't won a major since the 2010 Australian Open, sets his sights on the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 29. The last man 30 or older to win a major was Andre Agassi, who took the 2003 Australian Open at age 32.

Fake headline of the day

Marlins Expect More Sellout Games Next Year In New 8-Seat Ballpark

The Onion

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Summer patterns: Offshore fishing during the summer can be a challenge. The water temperature can get to the point in the shallows that simply makes the fish move offshore to find their comfort zone. This warmer water also puts fish such as grouper and snapper into a different feeding pattern, with them feeding aggressively during the morning and late afternoon and the rest of the day being a small snack here and there.

Where to look: Target depths of 100 feet or more during the next few months as the water temperatures on the bottom in these depths can be 15-20 degrees cooler than the surface. Having live and frozen baits ensures good offerings for both feeding patterns.

Pelagic action: A huge freshwater mass from the Mississippi river is covering the middle of the gulf, and though the forecast is for it to move south, it is moving slowly. Your best bet for trolling is in depths of 500 feet or less, where the blue water is.

What's hot: Blackfin tuna fishing has been very good in 140 feet to about 250 feet. A well full of fresh cigar minnows or threadfin herring have been producing many 25- to 30-pound fish, with a few pushing more than 30 pounds. Look on wrecks and big ledges in these depths. Chumming with sardines usually works but live chumming ensures a better bite. We have also been getting some fish on the troll. Smaller baits such as Mold crafts and Billy Baits have been producing well.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at fintasticinc.com or (727) 642-3411

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Worst criticism

Maybe Tim Tebow cannot play quarterback in the NFL. And, as a 2010 first-round pick of the Broncos, he's certainly open to scrutiny and criticism. But doesn't it seem as if most critics are especially harsh when it comes to Tebow? Don't the attacks seem personal? Don't they seem more nasty than the critiques of other inexperienced players? It feels as if some want Tebow to fail.

The latest is ESPN NFL analyst Merril Hoge, below left, who comes off as having an agenda against Tebow, above. Aside from disparaging comments on ESPN and ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning show, Hoge fired off nine tweets on Twitter, most beyond normal criticism of a player, such as:

"It's embarrassing to think the broncos could win with tebow!!''

"QB play is not just about who works hard gives rare rare college speeches or who is a good guy!!''

"College credentials do not transfer to NFL. raw raw speeches do not work!''

(We're assuming Hoge meant "rah rah'' speeches, not "rare rare'' or "raw raw.'' And while we're at it, is Hoge actually suggesting that Tebow won a Heisman and two national titles at Florida simply by giving good pep talks?) After Tebow responded to Hoge's comments, Hoge said he hoped Tebow would prove him wrong and wished him luck.

Still, nine messages on Twitter? That seems excessive. It feels out-and-out mean. In the end, Hoge is paid to give strong opinions, but he comes off in this case as either trying to make headlines or having something personal against Tebow.

Worst conflict

Speaking of ESPN's Merril Hoge, he wrote on Twitter about attending the wedding of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, left. (Hoge played for the Steelers but not with Roethlisberger).

Isn't this a major conflict of interest? An NFL analyst attending the wedding of a player he talks about from time to time? Why should viewers trust anything Hoge ever says about Roethlisberger when they know he was close enough to the Steelers QB to be invited to his wedding?

Best statistic

Here's another example why it's so fun and educational to listen to Rays games on the radio. After Rays starting pitcher David Price struggled Sunday, announcers Dave Wills and Andy Freed pointed out how Price was in trouble all game. Producer Chris Mueller quickly figured out that of Price's 110 pitches, 73 were from the stretch. Of the 37 pitches out of the windup, 24 came to batters leading off the inning.

That's terrific insight and par for the course for the Rays radio crew.

Best network

Just last week in this space, I wrote how the MLB Network is the mandatory destination for baseball fans when news is developing, such as a no-hitter or a bottom-of-the-ninth rally. The network produced more must-see TV Friday night moments after a brawl broke out in the Phillies-Giants game. Numerous camera angles, great analysis and some laugh-out-loud humor covered all the bases, once again, on breaking news.

Setting up shop

ESPN's College GameDay — the best sports preview show on television — has announced sites for its first three broadcasts of the college football season. The show will make its season debut Sept. 3 from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Oregon faces LSU in the Cowboys Classic. On Sept. 10, the show heads to Ann Arbor, Mich., where Michigan hosts Notre Dame in the first night game at Michigan Stadium. Then Sept. 17, Tallahassee hosts the show in anticipation of the showdown between Florida State and Oklahoma, which should be the nation's No. 1 team at the time.

Three things that popped into my head

1 It's always fun to sit down and watch the Yankees and Red Sox play each other until you look at the clock and realize you've been watching for two hours and it's only in the fourth inning.

2 Did you know the Pirates are 1-11 since losing that 19-inning game on a bad call against the Braves on July 28?

3 The NASCAR season already feels long and we still have another 3½ months to go.

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.



Best interview

G olf caddie Steve Williams might have given the greatest caddie interview in the history of television Sunday — partly because we don't remember a caddie ever being interviewed. Major kudos to CBS for grabbing Williams, fired by Tiger Woods last month, after Williams carried the bags for WGC-Bridgestone winner Adam Scott. If CBS was hoping Williams would say something interesting, it hit a gold mine. Williams called it the "greatest week of my life'' and said it was the "best victory of my career.'' Read those quotes again and then realize this was a guy who carried Woods' clubs for 13 major championships. Think he still isn't bitter about being axed by Woods? CBS deserves the Best Hustle Award for the juiciest television moment of the weekend and the best golf moment of the year.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Sunday, August 7, 2011

In positions to score

Field position was a near perfect barometer of an opponent's ability to score against the Bucs in 2010. Scoring average increased on almost every 10-yard increment on the field. The greatest impact was between an opponent's 21-30 and an opponent's 31-40, where scoring more than doubled:

Opponent'sTotalAvg. pts. field positiondrivesscored

Opponent 1-10170.82

Opponent 11-20370.97

Opponent 21-30451.17

Opponent 31-40282.46

Opponent 41-50172.64

Tampa Bay 49-40134.23

Tampa Bay 39-3042.50

Tampa Bay 29-2017.00

Tampa Bay 19-1017.00

Tampa Bay 9-100.00

Note: Drives near the end of a half or at the end of games when opponents were trying to run out the clock were discounted.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 7, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays don't know what is causing numbness in RHP Alex Cobb's right hand and an overall "dead-arm" feeling, and the impressive rookie won't get back on the mound until they do or the symptoms subside.

Cobb was placed on the 15-day DL Sunday, forcing the Rays to revert back to a five-man rotation sooner than planned, with LHP Cesar Ramos recalled from Triple-A Durham to restore the bullpen to full strength.

Cobb said Sunday his arm hadn't felt right in the two-three days leading up to Saturday's start, but he didn't make much mention of it until after the game. He ended up at St. Anthony's Hospital, where tests by Drs. Koco Eaton and Mike Reilly ruled out anything life-threatening such as a blood clot but didn't reveal a cause.

"My arm is not normal, there's obviously something wrong that the tests didn't show," Cobb said. "There's different things that they're looking for that only time's going to tell. A few days off here, and if it goes away then it's something minor like inflammation or something. If it continues then we'll have to look further into it."

Manager Joe Maddon said Cobb, 23, will be shut down "until we feel very comfortable that he's okay" but they "don't anticipate anything negative long term" and "absolutely" expect him to pitch again this season.

Maddon also expressed concern that Cobb didn't tell them about his condition before taking the mound. There apparently was ample time, as Cobb, who pitched July 30 in Seattle without incident, said his arm first started "feeling a little weird" when the Rays got home: "Since that off day (Aug. 1), I'd been noticing something was not right."

Specifically, Cobb said he doesn't "have a feel for the ball in my hand," but also that "it goes up my whole arm, it's not just the fingers. It almost feels like a dead arm kind of deal, something along those lines."

Though relieved the tests showed it was nothing serious, Cobb was also frustrated. "I almost wanted them to find something just so we knew what it was and get it over with and do the proper treatment for it," he said.

PITCHING IN: The Rays had hoped to stay with their six-man rotation at least through the Aug. 16 day-night doubleheader in Boston. But with Cobb out they'll switch back to five, Maddon said, then likely summon a starter from Triple A at that time. The byproduct is that they'll go back to using rookie RHP Jeremy Hellickson on a regular basis and decide later how best to keep his innings limited. He could be shut down early if they aren't back in the postseason race.

CATCHING ON: C John Jaso, on the DL since the All-Star break with an oblique strain, is headed to Durham on a rehab assignment that is currently mapped out for at least two weeks. … Jose Lobaton (left knee sprain) may soon join him but is not ready for full workouts.

NO JAKING: LHP Jake McGee relishes the chance to pitch in tight situations, but it didn't turn out well Sunday as he gave up the winning homer to Josh Willingham to open the 10th.

McGee threw five fastballs, all between 94-96 mph, to get the count full, but when he threw a sixth (at 95 according to mlb.com data), Willingham was ready and knocked it into the leftfield seats.

"That was a tough one," McGee said. "I threw a lot of fastballs and he got me on the last one. I wanted to go in off the plate and I kind of left it over the plate."

MISCELLANY: Since reaching base in seven consecutive plate appearances, CF B.J. Upton is 0-for-9. … The Rays lost the season series to Oakland 5-2. … Senior broadcasting director Larry McCabe confirmed that pre- and postgame radio host Rich Herrera will return to the air Friday; Durham's Neil Solondz fills in starting tonight.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer
Sunday, August 7, 2011

VERO BEACH -- USF's football team opened practice here on Sunday afternoon, but did so without two reserves who are no longer with the team, in sophomore running back Dontae Aycock and freshman defensive end Brandon Wilkinson.

"It happened really just before we left," said coach Skip Holtz, who had lost just three scholarship players to transfers since the end of his first season. "Both of the situations are very cordial where we're trying to help both of them out in any way, shape or form that we can."

Holtz said that Aycock, a Chamberlain graduate who sat out last season after transferring from Auburn, simply no longer wanted to play football, while Wilkinson didn't want to wait to see playing time and will be transferring to a I-AA school or junior college. While at Chamberlain, he won the Guy Toph Award, given to the top player in Hillsborough County, but his college career may have ended without playing at down at either school.

"(Aycock) was struggling a little bit with his weight this summer ... just really questioning right now that football's in his heart," Holtz said. "He's a different situation than Brandon in that he's decided not to play the game anymore, not to transfer anywhere else. He's done a great job academically since he's been here, especially the last semester or two. He wants to focus on getting his degree, but doesn't feel like football's in his heart so he's not going to play anymore."

Wilkinson, from Venice, came to USF in January 2010 and redshirted last season, but was still undersized and not in a position to be in the rotation at defensive end, even though the Bulls have only three players with significant college experience at the position.

"(Wilkinson) wants to get on the field ... he doesn't feel like he can wait his turn as a redshirt freshman," Holtz said. "He wants to go to a I-AA or a junior college where he can play immediately and possibly get back into the recruiting deal again. ... We understand what he wants and wish him the best."

With Aycock remaining on campus, Holtz was asked if the door was an open for a return at a later date, but he said it's unlikely.

"I didn't close it and I certainly didn't open it," he said. "He is in school. Legally, could he come out and play and be a part of it? Sure. I don't want a merry-go-round here when we're in the fall. I don't want people getting on and off and on and off."

THIS AND THAT: USF's offensive line has worked with guard Chaz Hine at center primarily this fall and Danous Estenor as a starting guard. ... Receiver Chris Dunkley, sitting out this season after transferring from Florida, has turned heads in his first four practices.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Rays vs. Royals

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers:

Rays:

RH Jeremy Hellickson (10-7, 3.15)

Royals:

RH Luke Hochevar (8-8, 4.95)

Watch for …

Jeremy the kid: Hellickson took a no-hitter into the sixth in his last start at Seattle on July 31 and is 3-0, 3.08 in his past four starts.

Hot hand Luke: Hochevar has won three straight and is 4-0 (though 4.91) over his past seven.

Good deeds of the day

OF Sam Fuld, who has Type 1 diabetes, will tour the USF Diabetes Center this morning and meet with young patients there, as well as USF president Judy Genshaft. … OF Matt Joyce on Tuesday takes customer Jean Mason on a shopping spree, and presents a donation to Feeding America Tampa Bay, at the Pinellas Park Sweetbay store.

Quote of the day

"I can't even lie to you right now and tell you what it is."

Rookie RHP Alex Cobb, on the unknown nature of his arm problem.

Stats of the day

16-15 Rays record in one-run games

9 HRs allowed by David Price in his past seven starts, same as his first 17

2 Hits for Johnny Damon in his past 28 at-bats

Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Tennis

Veteran takes legg mason

WASHINGTON — Radek Stepanek won his first ATP title since February 2009, upsetting Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4 at the Legg Mason Classic on Sunday. At 32, he is the tournament's oldest champion since Jimmy Connors was 35 in 1988.

The unseeded Stepanek entered the U.S. Open tuneup ranked 54th in the world but won six matches, including three against seeded players.

"We are like a wine: The older we are getting, the better we are," Stepanek said with a smile. "It's a great feeling to be able to compete with the young guys and still beat them."

Monfils, ranked No. 7, reached the final by beating Tampa resident John Isner 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) in a match delayed 2½ hours by rain and ended at 1:15 Sunday morning.

Mercury Insurance Open: Agnieszka Radwanska, No. 14 in the world, won her first tournament since June 2008, defeating No. 3 Vera Zvonareva 6-3, 6-4 in Carlsbad, Calif. She won despite being hampered by a nerve problem in her right shoulder.

Soccer

Man U wins opener

Nani scored in injury time to cap Manchester United's comeback and 3-2 win over Manchester City in England's season-opening Community Shield game at Wembley Stadium. The Premier League champion trailed 2-0 before Chris Smalling tapped in Ashley Young's 52nd-minute free kick and Nani lifted the ball over goalkeeper Joe Hart in the 57th. The Portugal wing then stole the ball near midfield, ran unchallenged into the penalty area and deked Hart to score.

Vuvuzelas banned: Officials in Cali, Colombia, banned vuvuzelas at the Under-20 World Cup after residents complained of the noisemakers made infamous at the 2010 World Cup. The move comes a day after officials in Pereira, Colombia, did the same. Cali hosts two more games, Pereira three more.

NBA

Report: Hawks sold

The Hawks and Philips Arena have been sold to California developer and pizza chain owner Alex Meruelo and the team will stay in Atlanta, the Associated Press reported. A news conference is set for today to introduce Meruelo, who, if approved by the league, would become its first Hispanic majority owner. The current owners recently sold the NHL's Thrashers to a group that moved them to Winnipeg.

Little League

New Tampa seeks first

New Tampa (2-0), which has clinched a berth in Wednesday's semifinals of the Southeast Regionals, can clinch first place in its pool by beating South Carolina (0-2) at 10 a.m. today in Warner Robbins, Ga. The winner of the tournament advances to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Et cetera

NHL: The Sharks got C James Sheppard from the Wild for a 2013 third-round pick, the third trade by the teams this offseason.

Horses: Sean Avery beat favored Trappe Shot by a nose to win the Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Tar Heel Mom won the Honorable Miss Handi­cap by 5¾ lengths. … Pender Harbour won the Breeders' Stakes turf race at Woodbine in Toronto. Luis Contreras became the first jockey to win the Canadian Triple Crown with two horses.

Times staff, wires

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Stephen Strasburg spent the past 11 months doing more than just rehabilitating his elbow. He spent it getting in better shape.

If anything, that should make him an even more powerful pitcher than he was as a rookie, a daunting prospect for National League hitters in years to come.

The Nationals' most prized possession was on target and up to speed Sunday in his first rehab start since having elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in September. Twenty-five of 31 pitches were strikes, his fastball was in the upper 90s and he struck out four while allowing one run over 12/3 innings for Class A Hagerstown in a 7-5 loss to Greensboro.

"When you've got the adrenaline going out there, you don't really know how you're going to feel as far as being able to throw the ball where you want to throw it," Strasburg said. "I went out there and it seemed like once they said 'Play ball,' I kind of just got that feeling back real quick."

More telling is the fact that Strasburg says his delivery is feeling better than it did pre-surgery.

"It honestly does; I get on top of the ball a lot better. I'm able to drive the ball down into the zone a lot better, a lot more efficiency," he said. "Before, I just wasn't in as good a shape. … I think the biggest reason I broke down is because I just got tired. I wasn't necessarily prepared for a full season."

Strasburg, 23, hadn't faced a batter in a live game situation since grabbing his right wrist following a pitch to the Phillies' Domonic Brown on Aug. 21, 2010. Strasburg had surgery Sept. 3, ending his rookie season with a 5-3 record and a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts, including a debut in which he struck out 14 Pirates.

RADIO HOST RIPPED: Giants manager Bruce Bochy criticized a nationally syndicated radio host for what he said was a "racist" comment about RH reliever Ramon Ramirez.

Tony Bruno referred to Ramirez as an "illegal alien." He also called Bochy a "coward" in a Twitter post after Friday night's benches-clearing brawl between the Phillies and Giants. The mayhem came after Ramirez plunked Shane Victorino in the lower back in the sixth inning of the Phillies' 9-2 victory.

Bruno's show is broadcast on San Francisco area station KNBR 1050-AM. He later deleted his tweet and apologized for his "stupid and insensitive" post, though he again called Bochy a coward, and criticized all managers who order pitchers to throw at hitters.

He originally tweeted: "gutless (…) Giants. Bochy is a coward for having his illegal alien pitcher hit a guy since mighty Frisco boys …"

Ramirez is from the Dominican Republic. He said he is in the U.S. legally and wouldn't be able to work in the majors otherwise.

METS STAR HURT: SS Jose Reyes left the game against the Braves with stiffness in his left hamstring, the same spot that landed him on the disabled list last month. New York INF Daniel Murphy also came out of the game with a painful-looking leg injury. Murphy was spiked when Atlanta rookie Jose Constanza stole second base in the seventh inning.

A-ROD HEALING: Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, who hasn't played since July 7 because of a torn meniscus in his right knee, might start a minor-league rehab assignment Friday. Rodriguez is working out at the minor-league complex in Tampa and has been pleased with his progress. In other Yankees news, DH Jorge Posada, who is 3-for-18 this month, was not in the lineup for the game against the Red Sox.

INDIANS: RF Shin-Soo Choo, on the disabled list since June 25 with a broken left thumb, is set to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Lake County today.

PADRES: 3B Chase Headley fractured his left pinkie finger in Saturday night's game and is day to day.

RED SOX: RHP Kevin Millwood, 36, who signed a minor-league contract in mid May, cleaned out his locker at Triple-A Pawtucket and apparently has left the organization after not getting a promotion.

Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

White Sox 7, Twins 0

MINNEAPOLIS — Jake Peavy won for the first time in more than six weeks with eight shutout innings, and Chicago swept a three-game series in Minnesota for the first time in more than seven years. Brent Lillibridge, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez and Alex Rios homered for the White Sox, who had lost 29 of 36 to their nemeses until winning three at Target Field this weekend.

Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Reds 8, Cubs 7

CHICAGO — Ryan Hanigan hit a tiebreaking single in two-run eighth inning, and Cincinnati snapped Chicago's seven-game winning streak. Centerfielder Marlon Byrd slipped while chasing Joey Votto's shallow pop fly to start the eighth. Votto scored on Todd Frazier's double to tie it.

Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

D'backs 4, Dodgers 3

PHOENIX — Cody Ransom made his first career homer a memorable one, lifting a two-run shot off All-Star Clayton Kershaw in the seventh inning to help Arizona rally and avoid a three-game sweep. Kelly Johnson hit two-run homer to the pool deck in right-center off Kershaw in the first inning, and Ransom's shot to left put the Diamondbacks back ahead. Ian Kennedy won his sixth straight start as Arizona stayed within a half-game of the NL West-leading Giants.

By Greg Auman, Times staff writer
Sunday, August 7, 2011

VERO BEACH — Skip Holtz does not mind that traditionally, this is a baseball facility.

USF's second-year football coach chose to have his team run routes and make tackles in an outfield 135 miles away from campus.

For decades, this was Dod­gertown, the training ground of Koufax and Drysdale, the starting points for O'Malley and Lasorda. So if the Bulls and Vero Beach Sports Village seem an odd match, well, Holtz loves odd matches.

Take the rooming, in which 105 players stay in the villas where Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider stayed. Holtz pairs one offensive and one defensive player whenever possible. The traditional social circles of position and class are gone in Vero, where the primary goal is bringing players closer together.

"A lot of thought goes into it," Holtz said. "We look at it from a leadership standpoint, from a camaraderie standpoint. We put some sophomores with some seniors. We try to cross as many lines on this team as we can."

So the line of scrimmage is an invisible one, and Holtz will routinely quiz players about their roommates during meetings: Does he have any brothers or sisters? What high school did he play at?

There are football benefits to sharing a room with someone who approaches the game from the opposite perspective as well.

"It's nice to have someone on the other side of the ball you can talk to about football, but also to get to know personally," said senior cornerback Quenton Washington, who is paired with redshirt freshman receiver Deonte Welch. "You see them on a daily basis, but you don't always get a chance to talk to them. This is really my first time really hanging out with (Welch)."

Last year, when Holtz brought the Bulls to Vero, it was a more fractured team after the offseason firing of longtime coach Jim Leavitt. So the two weeks were as much about healing as anything. A year later, that's not an issue, but Holtz wants to quickly forge a bond between his returning leaders and young talents who will have to step up if USF wants to win its first conference championship.

USF pays $150 per person per night for lodging, food and use of the facilities, a total of about $250,000 over 12 days. Athletic director Doug Woolard said he was convinced of the difference it could make this fall.

"We want to try to put our football team in the best position possible to be as successful as we can," Woolard said. "It felt like that experience last year was so valuable to them that we wanted to provide that same opportunity for them again this year."

And while 11 practices are the obvious means toward building a better team for the Sept. 3 opener at Notre Dame, Holtz mixes in nonfootball activities. Last year featured an informal Olympics with a home run derby in historic Holman Stadium, free-throw shooting, golf chipping and even Hula Hoops.

The goal is by the time the Bulls return to campus Aug. 18 — with just more than two weeks of preparation still remaining for Notre Dame — players have friends all over the locker room and Holtz has a chemistry that would have been tough to create during an on-campus camp.

"It's a great idea. It forces you to basically bond with a person you're not used to seeing on the defensive side of the ball — the so-called enemy," said junior receiver Evan Landi, who is paired with junior linebacker Sam Barrington. "It's good to learn about them, and you get out of your comfort zone a little bit.

"We're going to need everyone on offense and defense, so it's good to come together as a team like that."

Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

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Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Angels 2, Mariners 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ervin Santana pitched into the ninth inning of his fourth straight outstanding start, and Mark Trumbo homered off Felix Hernandez to lift Los Angeles. Santana, who pitched a no-hitter two starts earlier, won his duel with Hernandez, the defending AL Cy Young Award winner whose 12 strikeouts were one shy of his career high. Santana lost his shutout bid on Mike Carp's one-out homer in the ninth, and manager Mike Scioscia pulled him two outs short of his third straight complete game. Santana is 5-0 in eight starts since June 21.

Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Cardinals 8, Marlins 4

MIAMI — Matt Holliday drove in three runs with two two-out singles, Albert Pujols homered and St. Louis rallied to complete its first four-game series sweep on the road since 2004. In a single series, the Cardinals matched their longest winning streak of the season.

Times wires
Sunday, August 7, 2011

NASHVILLE — Titans corner Cortland Finnegan said via Twitter on Sunday that he left camp to deal with an undisclosed personal matter, isn't upset with his contract and will return today.

"My absence had nothing to do with a holdout yet a personal matter that Titan officials were aware of. I am grateful for being a Titan," Finnegan wrote in one post. "I am also thankful for my current contract and direction of team."

Finnegan, an All-Pro in 2008, had two interceptions while starting every game last season but drew more headlines for an onfield fight with Texans star receiver Andre Johnson.

Finnegan, 27, did not attend a special teams practice Saturday. General manager Mike Reinfeldt said afterward the team tried unsuccessfully to reach him and was surprised he left. But Finnegan tweeted the Titans knew of his absence.

"Being absence from a team function doesnt mean holdout or your unhappy Family issues come up I'm human thank you Nashville for understanding," Finnegan posted on Twitter.

Finnegan is in the last year of his contract and due to earn about $3.7 million. But the sides have been discussing a new deal. Neither the Titans nor Finnegan's agent immediately responded to messages seeking comment.

Giants lose top pick: Giants rookie corner Prince Amukamara will miss up to two months with a broken left foot. He is expected to have surgery, but it hasn't been scheduled. The 19th overall pick ended a weeklong holdout by signing Friday. On Saturday, his second practice, he got tangled up with a receiver.

Bears: Citing a desire to avoid an injury, starting running back Matt Forte said he is considering sitting out Saturday's preseason game as he and the team negotiate a new deal. He's set to earn $550,000 in the final year of his rookie contract. The team had no comment because, he said, he hadn't talked to it about the possibility.

Bills: Starting corner Drayton Florence will miss Saturday's game with a sprained ankle sustained Saturday while going for a pass.

Falcons: Backup running back Jason Snelling agreed to re-sign for one year.

Jets: Receiver Plaxico Burress participated in his first practice since signing. The workout was brief as he nurses a sore left ankle that he hurt while running routes Wednesday.

Patriots: Longtime Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis agreed to a one-year deal, ESPN.com reported. The Patriots didn't comment, but Jets coach Rex Ryan said, "The fact that he chose them … there's no way I'm going to wish him well." In 11 seasons, Ellis had 72½ sacks, third in franchise history behind Joe Klecko (77½) and Mark Gastineau (107½).