Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

Marlins 2, Giants 1

MIAMI — Ricky Nolasco allowed one run in eight innings and the Marlins ended a seven-game skid. Florida improved to 4-0 this season vs. the Giants. The erratic Marlins had been 0-7 on their homestand, but Nolasco outpitched All-Star Matt Cain. The Giants set an NL record for consecutive solo homers when Pablo Sandoval hit one in the first inning. Their past 20 homers have been solo shots, breaking the record of 19 set by the Phillies in 1914.

Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

Woods heading home

Tiger Woods' stunning downfall has gotten worse: He missed the cut at the PGA Championship. And it wasn't even close. The player who once dominated golf headed home after shooting 10-over 150 at Atlanta Athletic Club, coming up short of the cut by six strokes. Double bogeys at Nos. 11 and 12 ruined any hopes he had of making it to the weekend. With one final bogey for 3-over 73, Woods finished out of the top 100 for the first time in a major.

He hit into 22 bunkers. He put four balls in the water. His five double bogeys were the most he ever made in one tournament.

"That's not going to add up to a very good score," Woods said.

This was only the third time he has missed the cut in a major as a professional, after the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot (shortly after the death of the his father) and the British Open at Turnberry two years ago.

He was on the sideline for three months because of an injured leg and returned a week ago at Firestone, proclaiming himself fully fit and ready to go for his 15th major title.

That will have to wait.

Woods, 35, is dropping out of public view again, with his next tournament set for November in Australia.

As for what just happened?

"It's a step back in the sense I didn't make the cut," Woods said. "But it's a giant leap forward in that I played two straight weeks and I'm healthy. It's going to be great for my practice sessions coming up. Now I'll be able to work and get after it."

Scrambled leaderboard

The variety of names that danced across the leaderboard became, at some point, discombobulating.

For every Steve Stricker who tumbled came a Jason Dufner who excelled. Then mix in a Keegan Bradley and a D.A. Points and a Scott Verplank.

Bradley, a PGA Tour rookie, and Dufner, a journeyman who has never won on the tour, share a one-stroke lead at 5-under 135. Bradley, playing in his first major, shot 6-under 64, and Dufner, who had missed the cut in five of his past six events, closed with 65.

And there are big names lurking, from Jim Furyk (65—136) to Adam Scott (69—138) to Lee Westwood (68—139).

"I'm playing some good golf," said Bradley, nephew of LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley. "When you're playing well, it seems easy."

Stricker entered Round 2 with a two-stroke lead after his bogey-free 7-under 63 — tied for the lowest score ever in a major.

But one of the game's steadiest putters struggled Friday, lipping out a couple of short attempts and ceding the lead with four bogeys on the front. He slumped to 4-over 74 and was two back.

"I was on the other end of the spectrum (Friday) where it was tough going all the way around," he said. " … The way we got there wasn't ideal, but we're still in there, only a couple back, and anything could happen on the weekend."

Furyk (65), Points (67), Verplank (69) and John Senden (68) were one shot behind.

McIlroy presses on

If he had it to do over again, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy would not have picked a fight with a tree root.

"It was a mistake in judgment," he said.

McIlroy walked away from the mishap on the third hole Thursday with a strained tendon, but it wasn't enough to keep him from resuming the PGA Champion­ship — despite some soreness in his right wrist. And the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland, who closed eight shots back, has not ruled out winning.

"If I don't think I could contend, I probably wouldn't be playing," he said. Told that he could do no further damage to the wrist, McIlroy had it heavily taped. He then shot 3-over 73 — which included triple bogey on No. 17 — and finished at 3-over 143. "If it wasn't a major, I probably would have stopped (Thursday)," he said.

Rough cut

Tiger Woods missed the cut, but he wasn't the only big name on the list.

Defending PGA champ Martin Kaymer and Dustin Johnson didn't make it, and neither did Stewart Cink and Ernie Els, both winners of the British Open. Rising Australian star Jason Day, second at the Masters and U.S. Open, also missed the 4-over 144 cut line.

Clarke's quick getaway

Darren Clarke left the PGA Championship in a much different way than from his last major tournament. A month ago at the British Open, Clarke was the toast of Europe, a Northern Irishman who had persevered at age 42 to win his first major. On Friday at Atlanta Athletic Club, Clarke moved quickly from the scoring tent to the clubhouse, ready to bolt as soon as possible after missing the PGA cut, finishing at 14-over 154.

"I need a huge rest," he said. "I'm going to get one."

He wasn't sure when he'd return to golf, how he'd spend his time off or where he'd vacation. Clarke was clearly miffed about his early exit so soon after winning his first major. Clarke didn't make a birdie in 36 holes. He opened with 8-over 78 and had hoped he might be able to stick around for the weekend. Instead, he shot 6 over in the second round.

Now Clarke hopes to disappear for a while.

"I won't pick up the clubs for 10 days," he said. "I won't even look at them for 10 days. So I'm just mentally tired."

Compiled from Times wires

Late start penalized

Brandt Snedeker was fully prepared for an 8:20 a.m. start time. One problem: He was scheduled to tee off 10 minutes earlier.

Snedeker was on the putting green warming up when he was told he had to tee off at 8:10. He sprinted to the first hole, but it was too late. The punishment? A two-stroke penalty to start his round of 3-over 73 that left him at 7-over 147 and out of the cut.

"What can I say? It's embarrassing," Snedeker said. "I feel like I'm a 2-year-old showing up late for class."

Snedeker won the RBC Heritage title in April and had hoped to contend for his first major title. But this mistake didn't help.

"I'm not the first guy to do it; I won't be the last guy to do it," he said. "I certainly never thought it would happen to me. Live and learn."

Out of the mix

Two-time U.S. Open winner Retief Goosen, who shot 5-over 75 in the opening round, withdrew because of illness. Goosen, left, has had a tough year at the majors: He withdrew from the British Open, missed the cut at the Masters and tied for 23rd at the U.S. Open. J.B. Holmes (illness) and Rocco Mediate (arm) withdrew as well, though they were likely to miss the cut. Holmes opened at 10 over and Mediate at 9 over.

A tough turnaround

2003 PGA Champion Shaun Micheel was in the chase for his second Wanamaker Trophy after opening with 4-under 66.

But Micheel couldn't keep that going, shooting 78 in the second round and barely making the cut at 4-over 144, nine shots back. He had bogey or worse on eight of his first 11 holes but recovered with eagle on the par-5 fifth and birdie on the seventh.

"It was just a frustrating day," he said. "I'm more mad, really, at the mistakes that I made."

Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

Reds 5, Padres 3

CINCINNATI — Jay Bruce hit a three-run homer with two out in the eighth to lift the Reds. Logan Forsythe's tiebreaking RBI single put the Padres in front in the top half of the eighth, but the Reds rallied in the bottom half against Josh Spence. Bruce also doubled in a run in the fourth for Cincinnati, which has won three straight.

Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

Nationals 4, Phillies 2

PHILADELPHIA — Livan Hernandez pitched 6⅔ strong innings and drove in two with a pair of singles as he outpitched All-Star Cole Hamels. The streaking Phillies were coming off a franchise-best 9-1 road trip, but Hamels lasted just five innings, his third-shortest outing this season. He allowed three runs, six hits and tied his season-high with four walks. Hamels gave up two runs or less in 14 of his previous 15 starts.

Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

Tigers 5, Orioles 4

BALTIMORE — Wilson Betemit homered, rookie Andy Dirks had a career-high four hits, and the Tigers overcame two homers by J.J. Hardy. Dirks went 4-for-4 and singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth. Acquired in a July 20 trade with Kansas City, Betemit had three hits and is 9-for-17 in his past five games. Alex Avila scored twice to help the first-place Tigers maintain their four-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central.

Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

ATLANTA — Dan Uggla hits a pair of solo homers off Carlos Zambrano to extend his hitting streak to an Atlanta-record 32 games and lead the Braves to a 10-4 victory over the Cubs on Friday.

Uggla passed Rico Carty's 31-game streak in 1970 for the longest in Atlanta Braves history when he led off the second with his 25th homer.

Zambrano gave up eight runs and eight hits, including a career-worst five homers, in 4 1/3 innings.

Zambrano was ejected in the fifth after throwing two inside pitches to Chipper Jones, the second going all the way to the backstop. The brush-back pitches followed homers by Freddie Freeman and Uggla.

Jones and Jose Constanza also went deep against Zambrano.

Tommy Holmes holds the franchise record with a 37-game streak as a member of the Boston Braves in 1945.

Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

Angels 5, Blue Jays 1

TORONTO — Ervin Santana won his fifth straight start, losing his shutout on a homer with one out in the ninth, and Vernon Wells homered. Santana threw a seven-hitter for his third complete game in four starts. Wells went 1-for-4 in his first game in Toronto after 12 seasons there. He was asked beforehand how he expected the fans to treat him. "Hopefully it'll be a good reaction," he said. "If not, I'll get in the box and try to hit a homer." Wells got a standing ovation before he hit the first pitch out.

Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

Indians 3, Twins 2

CLEVELAND — Matt LaPorta and Carlos Santana hit RBI doubles in the eighth and the Indians won in their last at-bat at home for the 14th time this year. Cleveland trailed 2-1 when Travis Hafner singled with one out in the eighth off Carl Pavano. Glen Perkins relieved and Santana hit a double to right-center to score pinch-runner Michael Brantley with the tying run. With two outs, LaPorta dropped one in front of Ben Revere in left for the go-ahead run.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 12, 2011

NEW YORK — Manager Joe Maddon didn't have it all right.

Sitting in the dugout before Friday's 5-1 victory over the wild-card-leading Yankees and ace C.C. Sabathia, he ticked off a formula for how the Rays could win.

They've got to pitch really well, he said, and David Price took care of that, holding the mighty Yankees to six hits over eight solid innings.

They've got to catch the ball on defense, he said, and they did that over and over, most noticeably Desmond Jennings in left and Sean Rodriguez at second. The Rays threw out a runner at the plate as well.

But it was the offense Maddon missed on.

Given Sabathia's gaudy numbers — 16-6 record, 2.81 ERA — and the general state of the Rays offense, Maddon said "you try to take your best guess" on who to throw out there. He said they would "have to take advantage of moments where we can score some runs with outs."

Instead, the Rays racked up their runs by hitting the ball out a season-high five times.

The win came in the opener of a pivotal road trip to New York and Boston as the Rays try to get back in the postseason race. They improved to 64-54 and moved within 7 ½ games of the second-place Yankees in the AL East standings, the closest they've been since July 29.

"A good start," third baseman Evan Longoria said.

The homer barrage was certainly stunning, the most they've hit since September at Boston, and the most Sabathia has ever allowed in a game.

"Against that pitcher you just don't expect it, you don't expect it to happen," Maddon said afterward. "Just happy that it did."

And surprising, since they didn't come from the usual suspects.

First baseman Casey Kotchman had one leading off the third, which wasn't that surprising since it was his fourth in his last 10 games, after four in his first 93. But six pitches later, Kelly Shoppach, who used to catch Sabathia when both were in Cleveland, did the same, hitting his seventh homer despite a .175 average. And three batters later, DH Johnny Damon, who hadn't gone deep since June 28, popped one over the rightfield wall to make it 3-0.

The Yankees closed to 3-1 in the fourth, but the Rays weren't done.

Next was shortstop Elliot Johnson, who was in the lineup rather than lefty-swinging Matt Joyce. It turned out to be one of Maddon's best guesses as Johnson led off the fifth with his first homer since June 22.

Longoria joined the party in the eighth. Though it was his 18th homer overall and his 13th in his last 45 games, it was something of a milestone as well — his 100th as a Ray, surpassing Fred McGriff for fourth place on the franchise list.

It was the fourth time the Rays have hit five solo home runs in a game, and the second time that it was the only way they scored, beating Texas 5-4 on May 4, 2004, on blasts by Julio Lugo, Geoff Blum (two) and Tino Martinez (two).

This was the fifth time Price and Sabathia squared off and the fifth time the Rays won.

Price delivered what Maddon said was "his best outing in a while,'' the result of not only better fastball command but also more effective use of his off-speed pitches.

Price had lost three straight decisions and had won only once in his previous eight starts.

And the Rays played their good defense at the right moments.

First, as the Yankees were rallying in the fourth. Robinson Cano scored on Andruw Jones' double to deep right-center, and Nick Swisher was coming around to follow him. But rightfielder Ben Zobrist relayed to Rodriguez, who fired home, where Shoppach used his left leg to keep Swisher off the plate.

Then in the seventh with a man on, rookie Jennings made a sliding catch to end another threat.

In the eighth, Rodriguez went down to his left to snare a Derek Jeter grounder to start a double play.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, August 12, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Make of it what you will. Scoff at it if you must. When it comes to one-liners, crack 'em if you got 'em.

After all, it was a preseason game. A glorified practice. A dress rehearsal. After all these years, you know such games are not to be trusted and even the best of moments are not to be remembered.

On the other hand, it could have been worse.

The Tampa Bay Bucs could have looked as wretched as the Kansas City Chiefs.

They did not. The Bucs opened Friday with a tidy, promising little 25-0 victory, which, we can all agree, is better than the other way around. Winning is always better than losing, and playing well is preferable to playing poorly, and youngry is better than yugly.

Like many of you, I have a lot of years invested in poking fun at preseason football, the NFL's version of a rock band's sound check. There have been too many August wonders and too many years when preseason success faded away on the other side of Labor Day.

Still, you could argue that this is one of the most intriguing preseason openers the Bucs have had — and given the circumstances, maybe the most important.

Oh, the first one, back in '76, was probably interesting before the losing began. And the opener in 2003, when the Bucs went to Japan after winning the previous Super Bowl, had everyone tuned in. And every new coach the Bucs have hired probably thought his opener was important, too.

For this team, Friday night's game, preseason or not, had a little bit of weight to it. For one thing, the entire offseason had been squandered, and the Bucs' coaches have a lot of catching up to do. They needed a good first step to help show that last year wasn't a fluke, that Josh Freeman really is ready to sneak onto the list of elite quarterbacks, that the young pass rush holds promise, and that Mason in the Middle is ready to be a linebacker in the NFL. They needed the new kickoff artist/punter to show why he's worth a winning lotto ticket every year. They needed the offensive line to be solid, and the receivers to be flashy, and the defense to be better.

First impressions?

Check. And check, and check and check. Check, check, check. And furthermore, check.

Here's a question:

Did this game help you to buy in? Even a little?

It should have. The Bucs pretty much bass-drummed the Chiefs, who spent much of 2010 being Tampa Bay's mirror image. Last year, the Chiefs followed their second-year coach from four wins to 10. (The Bucs followed theirs from three to 10). They had a young quarterback who improved to a 93.0 rating, largely by reducing his interceptions from 16 to seven. (The Bucs' Freeman improved to a 95.5 rating as he reduced his picks from 18 to six.) The Chiefs' fans wanted a glimmer of hope out of this game, too.

Instead, the Bucs overwhelmed the Chiefs. As they say about Kansas City, everything was up to date.

The checklist?

1. Josh Freeman: Freeman didn't force the issue often, except for one throw that barely missed connecting with Mike Williams in the end zone. He did hit 9 of 13 attempts, including a crisp 14-yard pass to Sammie Stroughter on third and 4. He also ran for a touchdown, which probably took about a year off Raheem Morris' life expectancy.

Want to know the best thing Freeman did? He managed not to get his thumb broken, which he did in last year's preseason opener against Kansas City.

2. Mason Foster: For those used to seeing the Bucs' middle linebacker play every play, it might have looked odd to see Foster leave the field in nickel packages. Nevertheless, Foster always seemed to be moving forward, and he recovered a fumble and had a nice hit on the sideline. He has a ways to go, but you could see what the Bucs see.

3. Adrian Clayborn: He was active all night, and there didn't seem to be a lot of rookie to him. A fine start.

4. The young receivers: Williams didn't do a lot, and Arrelious Benn didn't play. But Dezmon Briscoe turned the game into a bid for the No. 2 wide receiver job. Hint to Benn: Heal quickly, young man.

5. The offensive line: It looked sturdy, which should be a relief to Freeman. And everyone else. On Freeman's 16-yard pass to Briscoe, he had enough time in the pocket to read a book. Maybe enough to write one.

6. Mike Koenen: Is it too soon for this guy to ask for a raise? The kicker had three touchbacks on his first four kicks, and the Chiefs did the Bucs a favor by bringing the other kick out. They were stopped at their 8-yard line.

7. Josh Johnson: Is there any thought to making him the team's third-down scatback? And if not, why not?

At this point, you are allowed to shrug and roll your eyes. No one is suggesting the Bucs clinched the playoffs Friday. In the preseason, however, all a team can do is play well. All it can suggest is that it has the potential to have some holes filled. All it can say is "maybe."

Friday night, the Bucs managed to be interesting.

In a preseason game, what else can you expect?

Special to the Times
Friday, August 12, 2011

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — New Tampa's hopes of reaching the Little World Series in Williamsport, Pa., crumbled in a nightmarish sixth inning Friday night against a Georgia team that had made a habit of pulling off comeback wins at the Southeast Region tournament.

Warner Robins, Ga., saved its most dramatic rally for the region championship game, scoring four in the final inning to secure a trip to Williamsport.

Jacob Giles drove home two runs to tie it, and Logan Morris doubled home two more for the lead.

"What a battle, what a game," New Tampa manager Andy Trujeque said to the crowd of 10,000 after the game. "What a great bunch of young men we had. You never quit, you battled to the end, and I will remember this for the rest of my life."

New Tampa took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Ethan Thomas reached on a Georgia error to lead off the inning, and Aaron Guiang was hit by a pitch before Bryce Martin walked to load the bases with no outs.

Conor Grady put New Tampa up with a fielder's choice to score Thomas. Clayton Coringrato made it 2-0 with a single to centerfield to score Guiang.

Thomas was strong on the mound throughout and kept the lead through the fifth inning. He allowed just one hit while striking out 10, but he walked Jacob Arnett to start the sixth.

Thomas was replaced by Coringrato, and Georgia got its four runs on two big hits. With one out, Giles lined a shot off the glove of rightfielder Grady to score two.

Then Morris came through with a two-out double over the rightfielder's head to send the hometown pro-Georgia crowd into a frenzy.

"What a summer we've had since June 15, and we've been going ever since," Trujeque said. "To my coaching staff, thanks for the hard work, and to the parents, thank you for everything. It has been a terrific summer."

The World Series begins Thursday.

Friday's victory marked the third time Warner Robins has sent a team to Williamsport since 2007. It won the champion­ship that year.

"We're just so excited, and we're so thrilled to be going to Williamsport," Morris said. "I can't believe we're going to the World Series.

"It's all about team. We just never quit, and we always keep fighting and coming back."

Times wires
Friday, August 12, 2011

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Bills traded receiver Lee Evans to the Ravens for a fourth-round pick Friday.

Evans, 30, is a seven-year veteran with two 1,000-yard seasons. But he's coming off his worst season, 37 catches for 578 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. Still, he is expected to step into the No. 2 role behind Anquan Boldin for Baltimore, which released receiver Derrick Mason and tight end Todd Heap last month.

"He … gives us significant downfield presence," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "He's the type of person you want on your team. He brings leadership and maturity to the locker room."

The move allows Buffalo to provide additional playing time to its young receivers, including Stevie Johnson, former Hurricane Roscoe Parrish and former Gator David Nelson.

"We have six or seven really promising young receivers," Bills general manager Buddy Nix said. "Unless somebody got hurt, you were going to have a good player that you were going to have to let go."

The deal was not well received by Buffalo veteran cornerback Drayton Florence.

"Sad day for the bills," he tweeted. "Are we trying to win now or later????"

Evans posted a note on his website thanking the Bills' owner, Ralph Wilson, and their fans. But after seven nonplayoff seasons, he said he is eager to head to Baltimore.

"This is a very exciting time for me and my family," he wrote. "I can't wait to get started."

Broncos: Kicker Matt Prater faces a charge of drunken driving and fleeing the scene of an accident. Police in Greenwood Village, Colo., said he was involved in a minor, noninjury accident in a hotel parking lot Aug. 2. A pretrial hearing was set for Oct. 5.

Jets: Receiver Plaxico Burress, who had hoped to play Monday, will not after an MRI exam revealed a sprained left ankle. Center Nick Mangold, who left Thursday's practice after a goal-line drill, is day to day with a stinger that caused temporary numbness in one of his arms.

Panthers: Jimmy Clausen, who started 10 games last season, and Cam Newton, April's top overall pick, will take snaps with the first-team offensive line tonight. Coach Ron Rivera said Clausen will start but didn't say how many series each will play.

Grossman shines

LANDOVER, Md. — Rex Grossman, battling John Beck to be the starter, went 19-of-26 for 207 yards and a touchdown to help the Redskins beat the Steelers 16-7. Beck sat with a sore groin. The touchdown, an 8-yarder to Santana Moss in the second quarter, came against Pittsburgh's second unit. The Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger played one series, going 2-of-3 for 22 yards.

Game highlights: Bengals rookie Andy Dalton was hit by Ndamukong Suh on his first snap, resulting in an interception during a 34-3 loss at Detroit. The second-round pick finished 11-of-15 for 69 yards. Suh also slammed him to the turf late in the first quarter after he got rid of the ball, drawing a penalty.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 12, 2011

Public practice

When/where: 2:30-4:35 p.m. Sunday, One Buc Place, Tampa

Preseason

Thursday: vs. Patriots, 7:30*

Aug. 27: vs. Dolphins, 7:30*

Sept. 1: at Redskins, 7:30

All games on Ch. 10; * — subject to NFL blackout rules

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kregg Lumpkin had one measly rushing attempt for the Bucs in 2010. That one run, for a grand total of zero yards, was hardly enough to draw conclusions from.

But Lumpkin got a bigger dose of action Friday night in the Bucs' preseason opener against the Chiefs, giving his coaches reason to think he could be their solution as a third-down and change-of-pace back behind starting RB LeGarrette Blount.

Lumpkin carried six times for 24 yards and caught two passes for 10. But bigger than his numbers was the skills he showed. He displayed the ability to make tacklers miss and change directions, and showed soft hands as a receiver out of the backfield.

Those are important attributes for third-down backs, who must have diverse abilities and be willing pass-protectors when the need for picking up blitzers arises.

Earnest Graham, still slated to be the fullback, is looking to take on more of a tailback role, and he got the chance briefly in the second quarter, ripping off a 13-yard run that helped position the Bucs for a field goal.

Blount, who desires to play on third down this season, didn't get much of a chance to do so.

MISSING IN ACTION: Several prominent Bucs didn't play. The most notable were starters: DT Gerald McCoy (shoulder), CB Aqib Talib (hip), TE Kellen Winslow (knee) and WR Arrelious Benn (knee).

Outside of McCoy, each was held out as a precaution. All should return for Thursday's home game against New England.

Also missing: CB Myron Lewis, who the team disclosed has a mild hamstring injury; FB Erik Lorig (Achilles'), TE Luke Stocker (hip) and DT Brian Price (pelvis).

WR Raymond Webber, an undrafted free agent, was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

KOENEN'S DEBUT: Free agent kicker and punter Mike Koenen, who signed a six-year, $19 million contract two weeks ago, showed his value by pounding the ball off the tee.

He kicked off four times, recording three touchbacks. His other kick, the opening kickoff, ended with an ill-advised decision by Kansas City's Shane Bannon to bring the ball out of the end zone. Bannon was corralled by defenders at the Chiefs' 8-yard line.

With the NFL's new rule pushing kickoffs up to the 35-yard line, Koenen is likely to have a majority of his kickoffs result in touchbacks.

Koenen was successful in his lone punt attempt, too. With the Bucs facing fourth-and-2 at the 50, he boomed a high-arcing punt, allowing the coverage team to speed downfield. That left the Chiefs' Quinten Lawrence with little choice but to call for a fair catch at the 10.

RIGHT TACKLE: James Lee's holding penalty negated a pass completion that would have set up a first-and-goal in the third quarter.

Lee also missed a block in the second quarter that resulted in a Chiefs defender blowing by him, leaving QB Josh Johnson scrambling.

Lee has been relegated to No. 2 right tackle behind Jeremy Trueblood, who started. Coach Raheem Morris has said he considers the two to be in a position battle, but at first glimpse, Trueblood will remain No. 1.

THE OTHER JOSH: Johnson got expanded playing time and put up impressive numbers. He finished 7-of-12 for 108 yards and a 116 rating, playing most of the second and third quarters.

The fleet-footed Johnson also led the Bucs in rushing, carrying five times for 57 yards, including a 24-yard scramble to the Chiefs' 4.

Johnson was his usually elusive self, making defenders miss and getting out of bad situations in the backfield.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 12, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As Bucs coach Raheem Morris knows, sometimes you just have to let the babies grow up.

That will be the Bucs' approach again this season, especially on defense.

Sure, they might fall down, the way rookie linebacker Mason Foster pounced on a fumbled snap on his second series Friday.

They will run into things, the way rookie defensive end Adrian Clayborn kept bumping Chiefs quarterback Tyler Palko out of the pocket.

Of course, there are safety concerns.

Just ask the Chiefs after the Bucs' 25-0 win at Arrowhead Stadium.

Tampa Bay's young and hungry ("Youngry," as Morris puts it) defense produced two fumble recoveries and a safety (all during the first half) and flew around the field like it had been doing it for years.

It was a dominating performance especially considering the lack of an offseason because of the lockout and after only a couple of weeks of practice for first-year players. (Though Kansas City has barely worked out in pads and not scrimmaged in an attempt to avoid injuries.)

Start with Foster, the third-round pick from Washington who became the first rookie to begin a game at middle linebacker for the Bucs in nearly a decade.

Foster recovered a fumbled snap by Matt Cassel at the Kansas City 9 early in the game. That set up quarterback Josh Freeman's 5-yard touchdown run two plays later.

On the next defensive series, tackle Al Woods forced a fumble by running back Jackie Battle that was recovered by safety Sean Jones. The turnover led to the first of two field goals by Connor Barth.

Morris and general manager Mark Dominik have drawn criticism for not replacing linebacker Barrett Ruud, who led the team in tackles each of the past four seasons, with a veteran free agent after he signed with the Titans.

But the 6-foot-1, 240-pound Foster did not waste any time making his mark.

In addition to the fumble recovery, he closed in on Palko like a heat-seeking missile and leveled him near the Tampa Bay sideline on third and 4, 2 yards shy of the first down.

"I thought I did well," Foster said. "I flew around and hustled and made a couple plays. I'm excited. It's a great start."

Not only did the Bucs defense force turnovers, it changed the scoreboard.

Palko was sacked by end Michael Bennett and linebacker Dekoda Watson for a safety to give the Bucs a 15-0 lead with 4:56 remaining in the first half.

How dominating was the Bucs defense, which played without defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (shoulder) and cornerback Aqib Talib (hip), who were held out for precautionary reasons?

The Chiefs were limited to six first downs (three in each half), outgained 353-137 (199-77 in the first half) and had the ball for only 20:33 compared with the Bucs' 39:27 (20:43 to 9:17 in the first half). They also failed to convert their first six third downs and finished 1-for-10.

Freeman, playing in his hometown before 350 friends and family members, was solid but not spectacular, finishing 9-of-13 for 73 yards.

Dezmon Briscoe, a second-year pro from the University of Kansas who played in the final game last season, led the Bucs with four catches for 60 yards, all during the first half.

"It was awesome," Freeman said of his homecoming. "I grew up watching games in this very stadium. It was surreal.

"The offense came out and moved the ball well. We got (running back LeGarrette Blount) going. It wasn't as great as we'd like it to be. But a lot of guys made plays, and we got a lot accomplished."

With Freeman putting on a ball cap early in the second quarter, the game turned into the Josh Johnson show.

In addition to completing 7 of 12 passes for 108 yards, including a touchdown to Micheal Spurlock, Johnson was the Bucs' leading rusher with five carries for 57 yards.

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Saturday, August 13, 2011

Cardinals 6, Rockies 1

ST. LOUIS — Kyle Lohse worked into the seventh after a week between starts, and Albert Pujols followed up a 4-for-4 game with two hits and the go-ahead RBI for the Cardinals. David Freese had two hits and three RBIs, two of them during a five-run sixth that chased Aaron Cook. Matt Holliday returned after missing two games with a lower back injury and had an RBI double. Colorado has scored only one run for Cook in his past three starts.

Times wires
Saturday, August 13, 2011

Royals 5, White Sox 1

CHICAGO — Billy Butler and Melky Cabrera homered, and Bruce Chen continued his mastery of the White Sox, giving up one hit over six innings. Chen is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts against the White Sox this year. Butler homered in the sixth and had an RBI single in the first. Cabrera broke the game open with a three-run homer in the ninth as the Royals ended four-game skid.

Times wires
Saturday, August 13, 2011

Brewers 7, Pirates 2

MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder hit back-to-back homers in the eighth, and Zack Greinke improved to 8-0 with a 3.36 ERA in 10 starts at Miller Park this year for the NL Central-leading Brewers. The Pirates are 11 games back in the NL Central and continue their skid out of contention with their 14th loss in 17 games.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, August 13, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bucs receivers coach Eric Yarber was asked this week about Dezmon Briscoe, the second-year receiver who has played in all of two regular-season games.

Given Briscoe's inexperience, Yarber's choice of words was odd.

"He's such a polished receiver, even though this is only his second year," Yarber said.

That's because, less than an hour's drive from Arrowhead Stadium, Briscoe was a three-year starter at Kansas, where he had 3,240 yards in three seasons.

"He started three years, and he's caught over 200 balls," Yarber said. "So the game is not too big for him. He's seen a lot at an early age."

More evidence of this came Friday night.

Briscoe led the Bucs in receiving with four catches for 60 yards in their preseason-opening 25-0 win against the Chiefs, including a 21-yard strike down the center of the field from Josh Freeman.

With Arrelious Benn (knee) sitting out as a precaution, Briscoe got the start. It continued his rise from practice-squad player for most of 2010 to a receiver who likely will have a clearly defined role this season.

In training camp, Briscoe has made impressive plays, showing his speed and agility. Though his performance Friday didn't dazzle, Briscoe reinforced that he is a precise route runner with sure hands for whom the Bucs will have to find room among their growing list of playmakers.

"I came into training camp to make sure I made the team," Briscoe said. "I think I've established that already. Wherever they put me at, I'm willing to take that role.

"I'm not a selfish guy. I just want to come in and contribute to this team."

Briscoe said he believes the Bucs can accommodate him while also allowing Benn, Mike Williams and others to thrive.

"We're not selfish at all around here," he said. "We all just want to win."

The more Briscoe plays, the deeper his relationship with Freeman becomes. A trust is being built between them that stems from Briscoe's reliability in practice. It has even helped them overcome their playful rivalry that began when they played for hated foes Kansas and Kansas State (Freeman).

"When I first came in, we had a little controversy with the Kansas-Kansas State thing," Briscoe joked about Freeman. "But we're pretty good friends now. I think he looks for me a little more now."

Times wires
Saturday, August 13, 2011

Diamondbacks 4, Mets 3

PHOENIX — Ian Kennedy won his seventh straight start to become the NL's second 15-game winner. He allowed a run on six hits in seven innings to tie the Phillies' Roy Halladay for the most wins in the NL. Justin Upton homered, Cody Ransom doubled in two runs and Kennedy helped himself with an RBI double as Arizona pulled two games ahead of the Giants in the NL West.

Times wires
Saturday, August 13, 2011

Dodgers 1, Astros 0

10 innings

LOS ANGELES — Matt Kemp's double won it for the Dod­gers. Casey Blake led off with a double, and Andre Ethier was intentionally walked to set up Kemp. One inning earlier, Los Angeles failed to score after loading the bases with no outs. Houston fell 30 games out of first for the first time since losing the next-to-last game of the 1991 season. It last finished at least 30 back in 1975 (43½ games).