Times wires
Sunday, August 14, 2011

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora is returning to work for the Giants without a new contract.

In an e-mail to the Associated Press on Sunday evening, Umenyiora said he plans to practice today at training camp and will play this season under the terms of his current contract.

Umenyiora said he rejected the Giants' offer to put incentives in his contract, which will pay him $7.1 million over the next two seasons.

"No deal has been reworked," Umenyiora wrote. "What has been offered has been unacceptable and shows they don't really respect the fact I sacrifice my health for the franchise. I will play under my current deal because I love and respect my coaches, my teammates, the fans, and myself. Not for those incentives."

The nine-year veteran hasn't practiced since reporting to training camp on July 30, a day late. He failed to report on time because he alleged that general manager Jerry Reese told him after last season that the team would rework his contract.

Reese has refused to discuss what was said between them.

Umenyiora, 29, shared the team lead with 11.5 sacks last season and had a league-high 10 forced fumbles.

In other Giants news, an MRI exam showed that placekicker Lawrence Tynes has a bruised right thigh, and coach Tom Coughlin said he wasn't sure how long he will be out.

PRYOR STILL HOPEFUL: Representatives for Terrelle Pryor have had talks with commissioner Roger Goodell's office to make a case for Pryor being declared eligible for Wednesday's supplemental draft, according to ESPN.

"We have been in discussions with the Commissioner's office over the past week to address the NFL's concerns," Pryor's lawyer, David Cornwell, said in a statement. "I am confident that once the NFL has a full understanding of the facts, Terrelle will be part of Wednesday's supplemental draft."

COTCHERY TALKS: New Steelers receiver Jerricho Cotchery, commenting for the first time since his surprising release by the Jets last week, confirmed that he wanted out because he didn't see himself in the team's plans.

"It was time for a change, time for a change of scenery for myself and the organization as well," Cotchery told the Pittsburgh media. "It was time to move on. Future-wise, I didn't really see myself fitting in."

In other Steelers news, starting guard Chris Kemoeatu, who opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list because of swelling in one of his knees, was activated and practiced with the team.

FALCONS: Tight end Anthony Becht, a former Buc, worked out with Atlanta, ProFootballTalk reported. Becht, 34, was out of the league last season.

49ERS: Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who hasn't played in the NFL since 2009, will work out for the club this week, ProFootballTalk reported. Culpepper, 34, the former UCF standout, made three Pro Bowls in nine seasons.

PATRIOTS: Linebacker Niko Koutouvides, who spent the past two seasons with the Bucs, agreed to terms. Koutouvides, 30, has 101 special-teams tackles in seven seasons.

REDSKINS: Shayne Graham was cut, leaving incumbent Graham Gano, a former FSU standout, as the lone kicker at camp. Graham shanked a 29-yarder and missed a 49-yarder Friday against the Steelers.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 14, 2011

TAMPA — The Bucs figured rookie MLB Mason Foster already had so much on his mind, he didn't need another voice in his head.

That's why strong-side LB Quincy Black will continue to wear the helmet transmitter to receive defensive plays from linebackers coach Joe Baker.

Another plus is that unlike Foster, who plays only in the base defense, Black never comes off the field.

Black called the plays in the huddle during Friday's 25-0 preseason win at Kansas City. But while Black was the only player to speak in the defensive huddle, he said Foster was responsible for adjusting the formations and checking to another defense.

"It was interesting. It was fun," Black said. "I've never had anybody talk in my head before during the game. But at the same time, it cuts off when (the play clock) gets down to 15 seconds and you're playing football at that point. They were just relaying the calls to me. We can do it with hand signals, really. But it's one of those deals where you take advantage of the technology because it's there."

Bucs coach Raheem Morris said the decision to have Black wear the helmet communicator helped both players. It was one less thing for Foster to worry about, and Black didn't have to look to the sideline on third down for defensive signals.

"It actually worked out better for (Black), not having to worry about getting the call from the sideline and just going out there and playing fast and physical," Morris said. "It was less of taking something off (Foster's) plate and more about who is the smarter guy to use to call the signals because he's out there every single down."

Black said he likes being one of the linebackers counted on to play every down.

"I can do a lot of different things," he said. "I never pigeonholed myself to be this one particular guy. I'm never going to do that. I'm a linebacker."

STOCKER ON THE MEND: One of the most disappointing aspects of this training camp for the coaching staff has been the inability to see much of rookie TE Luke Stocker.

The Bucs traded up 12 spots in the fourth round of the draft for Stocker, so the former Tennessee star entered camp with high expectations. But he has been sidelined since the first practice with a hip injury. Stocker participated in portions of practice Sunday for the first time, the team easing him back into the fold.

His return to full action can't come soon enough. He caught 39 passes for 417 yards in 2010.

"It's been extremely frustrating," Stocker said. "I got here and, with the lockout, I never really had an opportunity to meet the coaches or be with my teammates. I didn't get a chance to show what I can do. Then, in the first practice I get hurt and I have to sit out.

"But everything's going a lot faster than planned. I'm on a really good track and I'm really close to getting back."

Morris said he did not expect Stocker to play Thursday against the Patriots and called his status week to week.

High marks in K.C.: The Bucs weren't exactly challenged by the Chiefs on Friday.

"I don't want to knock anybody else's program, I don't know what the situation was, I don't know what their effort was," Morris said. "I was just grading our team and what we can do."

According to Morris, the Bucs graded pretty high.

"I liked the fact that we played really hard," Morris said. "We played fast. The guys did play consistent throughout the game, whoever went in there. Twos, threes, it didn't matter …those things were awesome. The things we've got to improve are some of our timing and precision things that you knew we'd be missing a little bit."

Morris said he believed QB Josh Freeman, who went 9-for-13 for 73 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, could've hit more throws. And the defense had a breakdown with the wrong personnel in the game. But that might be nit-picking.

"Some of those issues showed up on game day, but for the most part man, really happy, really pleased with what we did and how we played and how fast they were, how physical we were," Morris said.

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 14, 2011

TAMPA — NFL exhibition games often aren't good indicators of what's to come in the regular season. Still, the Bucs and other teams were watching one particular aspect of the weekend's preseason games with keen interest.

The league's new kickoff rule, which now places the ball at the 35-yard line rather than the 30, had a noticeable impact on teams' kick returns. But the Bucs believe the changes will affect them positively.

Going into tonight's Jets-Texans game, 43 of 130 kickoffs (33 percent) resulted in touchbacks. Tampa Bay, with new kickoff specialist and punter Mike Koenen, had five of them (only the Redskins had as many). In 2010, just 16 percent of kickoffs leaguewide resulted in touchbacks.

"We had 20 percent of the (touchbacks) in the first couple days," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said before Saturday's games. "So I think our game looked different than most games.

"I'm hoping we're out of the norm. That's what I want to be."

He isn't alone.

There's another side to this story. The Bucs ranked seventh in the NFL with 24.3 yards per kick return in 2010 with three proven return men in Micheal Spurlock, Preston Parker and Sammie Stroughter. Now, those players are left wondering what impact the rule change will have on their value.

"I know our guy, he was kicking that thing really well," Spurlock said. "But it's like a gift and a curse. Our guy's kickoffs are going to be a lot better. But on kickoff returns, well … "

Spurlock, who has been released by three teams in his career, can't ignore the obvious. Asked if the rule change will affect some players' job security, he said: "Most definitely. Why would you keep a guy if that's his job and it's not going to be beneficial to the team and you're always getting the ball on the 20?

"So, like I always say, the more you can do, the better. You just have to go out there and, whenever you get the opportunity, take advantage."

Spurlock, Parker and Stroughter each are capable receivers and each could make the team in that capacity and others.

"There's punt return, kickoff return," Dominik said. "All those things can still help guys make the team. And those same players you're talking about are also in the mix at the punt (return) position as well. So, I don't think it hurts them as much, and I don't think everybody is going to get touchbacks all the time. I'm hoping we do."

Regardless, there will be an increase in touchbacks, and that's frustrating to guys who make a living returning kicks.

"You want to get back there and take it to the house every time," Parker said. "It's like quarterbacks. Every quarterback wants to throw a touchdown every time they throw the ball."

That brings up another question: Will kick returners show less discipline with fewer opportunities? That can't be known until there's a larger sample size, but some restraint probably will have to be shown.

"That's going to be one of the big things that's talked about," Spurlock said. "There are going to be guys who get itchy and are going to bring it out. We're going to try our best to stay within the game plan and know that we have a potent enough offense, so if we have to take it 80 (yards), it's no problem."

Actually, it is sort of a problem. That's why the Bucs believe adding Koenen makes them substantially better. When taking possession at their own 20-yard line or farther back, Tampa Bay opponents in 2010 scored just 17 percent of the time. Only 6 percent of those possessions ended with touchdowns.

The Bucs were last in touchbacks last season with one, but if there are more in the fall, as expected, they figure they stand to benefit. And that, Tampa Bay believes, more than offsets what it will lose via its return game.

"We crushed it," coach Raheem Morris said of Koenen's performance Friday. "We were pretty good. I was happy with my kicker."

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report. Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Sunday, August 14, 2011

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Jason Dufner never showed much emotion at the PGA Championship. Not when he had the Wanamaker Trophy in the bag. Not when he threw it all away.

As the sun set on Atlanta Athletic Club, he just seemed numb.

Dufner wound up on the wrong end of one of the greatest comebacks in major championship history Sunday. Keegan Bradley overcame a five-shot deficit with three holes left in regulation then beat Dufner in a three-hole playoff.

"I'm so new at this situation, I don't know if I appreciate it as much as I will," Dufner said, quickly adding, "soon."

Dufner, 34, had not made a cut since late May, and he had never won on the PGA Tour — yet, here he was, on the cusp of winning one of the biggest events of all. He was playing textbook golf for the tough setup, keeping his ball in the fairway better than anyone and rolling the ball with poise and confidence on the greens.

He strolled the grounds like he owned the place, occasionally cracking a bit of a smile but mostly just staring straight ahead, as if this was his destiny.

Dufner went to the 15th tee four strokes ahead of the field and five up on Bradley.

But three straight bogeys by Dufner and two straight birdies by Bradley forced a playoff.

Now Dufner can take his place with all the guys who have endured heartbreak at the majors, from Scott Hoch to Jean Van de Velde.

"Maybe looking back in 10 or 15 years, I'll be disappointed if I never get another chance," Dufner said. "But I have a feeling I'll have more chances in a major to close one out."

McIlroy heads out: Rory McIlroy decided to go on a tennis vacation.

The U.S. Open winner finished his PGA Championship with 74, sending him to 11-over 291 and a tie for 64th. His injured right wrist felt better, and he was simply glad for a few days off.

Though McIlroy, 22, isn't heading home to Northern Ireland, he's off to Cincinnati.

"I hear it's nice up there this time of year," he said with a grin.

Cincinnati is the site of a WTA tournament featuring friend Caroline Wozniacki. The two have been the subject of gossip since they were photographed together a month ago.

McIlroy, though, quickly turned the conversation back to his PGA performance. It was a struggle, he said, since injuring his wrist in the opening round on an ill-considered shot, the ball up against a tree root.

"I basically played 70 holes of this tournament not at 100 percent, so it's always going to be tough," he said.

Rickie's reflections: Rickie Fowler played in all four majors for the first time. And despite only seriously contending in the British Open, he believes he has learned a few things that will help him in 2012.

Fowler closed the PGA Championship with 68, leaving him 51st at 6 over. He was 38th at the Masters, missed the cut at the U.S. Open and took fifth at Royal St. George's last month.

"Definitely learned a bit," he said. "Played good in a couple of Open championships overseas and look forward to getting into some more of those and getting some better finishes than the other majors."

Fowler hoped that would be at Atlanta Athletic Club, instead an opening 74 and a third-round 75 took him out of the mix. Then Fowler turned things around.

"I really didn't want to finish double digits over par," he said. "So I had something to shoot for."

Phil's week: Phil Mickelson never got the stellar round he expected, shooting 70 to finish at even 280 and tie for 19th.

"I felt like I was one good round away, 4 or 5 under par the first three days of getting in it, but just wasn't able to do it," he said. "I just really struggled making birdies here."

Mickelson thought he might have a Sunday run after reaching 2 under heading to the back nine. But then came bogey at 10 and par on the 551-yard 12th hole to take away the momentum.

"I was thinking eagle on 12 and didn't get it done," he said. "I certainly thought there was an opportunity here."

Times wires
Sunday, August 14, 2011

MONTREAL — Top-ranked Novak Djokovic won the Rogers Cup on Sunday for his ninth tournament victory of the year and record fifth in a season in an ATP Masters 1,000 event, beating Tampa resident Mardy Fish 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. The 24-year-old Serb is 29-0 this year on hardcourts and 53-1 overall. He also won the Rogers Cup in 2007.

"I am human; I can definitely assure you of that," Djokovic said. "I guess it's just all about having a positive attitude on the court every day."

The sixth-seeded Fish was the only player to win a set a set against Djokovic in the tournament.

Fish has lost all seven career meetings with Djokovic, but gave the top seed a battle with his awkward mix of baseline and attacking play.

"I put myself in a lot of positions to have chances," Fish said. "I just didn't execute on the big points. There's a reason why (Djokovic) has won so many matches this year."

Fish has been the hottest player of the hardcourt season leading to the U.S. Open this month. He has reached finals in three straight tournaments in the last month, winning in Atlanta.

More Tennis

Stosur latest to fall as Serena Williams rises

TORONTO — Eight weeks into her comeback, Serena Williams not only believes she can be as good as she once was. She can be better.

The 29-year-old American star made a pretty good point by capturing the women's Rogers Cup, dispatching Tampa resident and 10th-seed Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-2.

The victory was the latest step in her comeback from injury and illness that has seen her win two of the four events she has played since being sidelined for 49 weeks.

"Being down the way I've been down and coming back, it was cool. Eight months ago if there was only one tournament I wanted to win, it was Toronto," said Williams, who was unseeded and ranked 80th coming into the event but is now projected to rise to No. 31 in the next ranking.

Williams broke Stosur, 27, to go up 5-4 in the opening set and broke her twice more in the second set, winning the match with her ninth ace.

High school baseball

Jesuit's McCullers wins national honor

Jesuit shortstop/pitcher Lance McCullers won the Jackie Robinson Award, given annually to the nation's top rising senior. McCullers was given the award at the Perfect Game All-America Classic banquet Saturday at the San Diego Hall of Champions.

"It is one of the most amazing feeling and achievements I have ever experienced," he said. "To win … means the world to me since Jackie Robinson was such an amazing player and person."

McCullers, rated the nation's No. 1 2012 draft prospect by Perfect Game, is the third Hillsborough County player to win the award since it began in 2004, joining Mychal Givens (Plant, 2008) and Michael Burgess (Hillsborough, 2006). Other recipients include Justin Upton (2005) and Bryce Harper (2010).

Et cetera

Horses: A study commissioned by the Jockey Club cites casinos, online poker and poor public perception of horse racing as major factors in the decline of the industry. The consulting firm McKinsey & Company presented its findings at the annual Jockey Club Round Table in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The study will form the foundation of a multimillion dollar series of initiatives over the next several years to move the sport forward.

Soccer: Xabi Alonso's second-half goal earned host Real Madrid a 2-2 draw against Barcelona in a first-leg Spanish Supercup match. … Manchester United opened its Premier League title defense with a 2-1 win over visiting West Brom as Ashley Young's cross was deflected into the net by West Brom defender Steven Reid.

Diving: Nick McCrory won the men's 10-meter title at the U.S. championships in Los Angeles. In men's 3-meter synchro, Troy Dumais and Kristian Ipsen easily beat Brandon's Chris Colwill and Drew Livingston.

Golf: Pepperdine's Danielle Kang, 18, became the first player in 15 years to successfully defend the U.S. Women's Amateur title, beating Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn 6 and 5 at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington.

Eduardo A. Encina, Times staff writer; Times wires

Tennis

Tampa's Fish unable to end career O-fer vs. Djokovic

Times wires
Sunday, August 14, 2011

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A rally that ranks among the best. A collapse hardly anyone saw coming. There was even a guy in a red shirt Sunday, pumping his fists with each clutch putt in the final, frenzied hour of the PGA Championship.

In a major filled with unfamiliar names, Keegan Bradley delivered an unforgettable finish.

Bradley was five shots behind with three holes to play after his chip shot raced across the 15th green and into the water, leading to triple bogey. That's when he reminded himself that no lead was safe on the final four holes at Atlanta Athletic Club.

"I just kept telling myself, 'Don't let that hole define this whole tournament,' " he said.

Instead, it led to one of the most stunning turnarounds in a major. Bradley made back-to-back birdies, including a 35-footer with a belly putter that rattled into the cup on the 17th.

Then came a meltdown by Jason Dufner with four holes left. Unflappable all afternoon, he hit his tee shot in the water on No. 15 for the first of three straight bogeys that led to a three-hole playoff.

Bradley birdied the 16th hole in the playoff — his first outright lead of the day — and went on to win by one shot.

The son of a PGA professional in Vermont, Bradley became only the third player in at least 100 years to win a major in his first try.

"It feels unbelievable," said Bradley, wearing red for his alma mater, St. John's. "It seems like a dream, and I'm afraid I'm going to wake up here in the next five minutes and it's not going to be real."

The final major of the year was hard to believe in so many ways.

It was Bradley, a 25-year-old PGA Tour rookie who was ranked No. 108 in the world, who ended America's longest drought in a major that had reached six.

All this after Tiger Woods missed the cut and finished out of the top 100 for the first time in a major, and U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy — the favorite at the PGA — hit a tree root in the opening round and played the rest of the week with his right wrist heavily taped. He tied for 64th and finished 19 behind.

Then came the finish — a rousing rally and a sad collapse.

Dufner played that four-hole finish in 3 under for the week — never once making a bogey — until the final round.

Sunday was different. He made three bogeys in regulation, another on the 17th in the playoff to fall two shots behind, and a birdie on the last hole in the playoff only made the score seem closer than it was. Dufner, now winless in 148 starts, closed with 1-under 69 to finish regulation at 8-under 272. Bradley shot 68.

"Everybody has struggled on them," Dufner said of the final four holes. "Unfortunately, I had the lead and I struggled on them. … That was the deciding factor, and Keegan made a couple birdies there, and I made a couple bogeys."

Bradley, best known until now as the nephew of LPGA great Pat Bradley, moved to No. 29 in the world. He won this year at the Byron Nelson Championship in a playoff, again after the leader faded on the closing holes.

Now Bradley can only hope more major titles will follow.

"I don't want to be one of the guys that kind of disappears," he said. "I would love to be up in a category with the best players and be mentioned with Phil Mickelson, one of my idols. I hope I don't disappear. I don't plan to."

Times wires
Sunday, August 14, 2011

Cardinals 6, Rockies 2

ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols hit the longest home run at 6-year-old Busch Stadium, a two-run drive in the first estimated at 465 feet, and St. Louis overcame an injury to former Ray Edwin Jackson with stellar bullpen work. Jackson left in the sixth inning with an apparent right hamstring injury. The Cardinals took two of three in the series.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 15, 2011

BOSTON — The Rays felt good about their unprecedented haul of 12 of the top 89 selections in the draft when they made them in June. And they feel even better now after a frenzied Monday night in which they completed deals with the four remaining unsigned players before the midnight deadline.

Top pick Taylor Guerrieri, a powerful right-hander who had a commitment to South Carolina, and second selection Mikie Mahtook, an athletic outfielder who was considering a return to LSU, agreed to deals announced moments before midnight.

Infielder Tyler Goeddel, a California high schooler with an offer from UCLA, and left-hander Grayson Garvin, who was considering a return to Vanderbilt, agreed to terms earlier. The Rays spent nearly $10-million on bonuses for the top 12.

"We're thrilled,'' Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. ""We talk a lot about the importance of our farm system for us to have continued success in this division. In our opinion, it's more important for us than it is for any other team in baseball. We feel like we've added a lot of high-impact players to our system. … We feel like we've really strengthened our system and given us a real balance.''

Overall, the Rays signed 20 of their top 21 picks and 41 of 60.

Guerrieri has an impressive arm and stats (6-1, 1.10 as a senior), but his mid-senior year transfer from North Augusta (S.C.) to Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.) High raised some questions about make-up and off-field issues. He was rated the 10th overall prospect by Baseball America but was available when the Rays made their first pick at No. 24. The Rays gave him a $1.6 million bonus (about $400,000 over the recommended slot), and scouting director R.J. Harrison said that after spending time with Guerrieri and his family and doing their due diligence they had no concerns.

"Whatever's in the past we'd like to think is in the past,'' Harrison said. "So we feel real comfortable going forward. We're excited to have Taylor Guerrieri part of our organization, as is he. So we think everything's going to be good.''

Harrison also said there is risk with any 18-year-old and that the Rays player development system is structured to provide guidance.

"Taylor's got very high-end stuff," Friedman said. "Big velocity, and he shows an advanced ability to spin the ball. He has good, clean arm action and the type of body we feel like can develop into a really good major-league starter."

Mahtook starred for LSU his junior season, hitting .383 with 14 homers, 56 RBIs and a Southeastern Conference leading 29 stolen bases, and the Rays made him the No. 31 overall pick. He received a $1.15 million bonus, the slot was $972,000.

"Mikie is a guy that really fits in with the type of players that we value, guys that can impact the game offensively, defensively and on the bases," Friedman said.

Goeddel (GOOD-ell), the 41st overall pick, hit .361 as a senior for St. Francis High School but had only two homers and 19 RBIs while missing a month with mononucleosis. He signed for a $1.5 million bonus, nearly double the slot. "We liked this guy a lot, obviously,'' Harrison said. "With all the picks we had we just felt like we would take a shot and see if we could get something done. … Based upon our evaluations we're really happy to have him.'' Goeddel is the only one of the four late signees who could play this season, potentially in the Gulf Coast League. The others will report to Port Charlotte for the fall instructional league.

"Tyler's a really good-looking young prospect," Friedman said. "There's some projection with him on the body specifically (6-4, 180 pounds), but he's a really gifted defender with a really good approach (at the plate) and swing path, and someone that we feel will develop into an impact player on both sides of the ball."

Garvin, the 59th overall pick, was considering a return to Vanderbilt, where he was named SEC pitcher of the year after going 13-2, 2.48. He signed for $370,000, well under the $614,700 recommended slot, as the Rays had concerns over something in his medical report stemming from a 2009 issue.

Though it was obviously not a major problem as well as Garvin pitched the last two seasons, Friedman said it was "something we felt like was a little bit of a risk" so they worked out what they felt was an "equitable" deal. "Grayson is a guy that has had a lot of success," Friedman said. "He has a good three-pitch pitch mix (90-92 mph fastball, changeup, slider/curve) and a good feel for how to manipulate the baseball and miss barrels (of bats)."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 15, 2011

TAMPA — CB Ashton Youboty was on the Bucs' radar when he came out of Ohio State in 2006, but he didn't find his way onto the team's roster until Monday.

Tampa Bay signed the free agent to a two-year contract with the hope he could add depth and increase the competition in the secondary, where Aqib Talib and Myron Lewis are missing with hamstring injuries.

Youboty spent five seasons with the Bills, who made him a third-round draft pick. His role has been mostly at nickel back, but the Bucs aren't wedded to anything. Youboty is expected to play Thursday against the Patriots.

"The sooner the better," he said Monday, after joining the Bucs for afternoon practice. "I already have a grasp of the base concept. I'll pick up the nickel (position) as time goes by and see what happens."

Youboty, 27, said Buffalo's scheme under defensive coordinator Perry Fewell was very similar, so he's familiar with many of the concepts. He likely will step in and create competition with players such as Lewis, Elbert Mack and seventh-round pick Anthony Gaitor.

Because Youboty's deal contains no guaranteed money, the Bucs aren't under any financial pressure to keep him on the final roster. That probably made the deal very appealing to the Bucs, who were surprised he wasn't already on another roster.

"When a talented guy like Youboty doesn't get picked up, we're going to make room for him and get him on the squad," said defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake, who scouted Youboty before the 2006 draft.

Youboty has played in 43 games, including 13 last season. Whether he can duplicate that in Tampa Bay is up to him.

"We'll just get those guys out there and let them compete," coach Raheem Morris said. "Right now, there's an opportunity to see some other people. We always talk about long-term thinking. … You never know what's going to happen."

McCOY'S RETURN: DT Gerald McCoy missed the preseason opener Friday against the Chiefs with a shoulder injury and is itching to return after also missing the final four games of last season.

"The game is different," he said. "That's where you get the live bullets. In practice, you're going against guys who know all your moves. You see them every day. … Practice is just to work on skills.

"The game is where you flourish and actually get to judge where you're at. (Defensive line) coach (Keith) Millard told me he rarely got to the quarterback in practice because he's going against guys who know all (his) moves and they know what's going to happen. They know all our calls; we know all their calls."

McCoy participated in a full-pads practice Monday with no limitations and seems on pace to play Thursday night against New England.

BIGGER ROLE: Second-year LB Dakoda Watson could be on the field more this season as Morris has included him in the team's so-called "Redskin" defensive package. The 3-3-5 formation allows Watson to line up as an edge rusher, something he did often as a Florida State Seminole.

While Quincy Black performed that role more often last year, Watson will fill it because Black is taking over at middle in nickel packages, including the Redskin. MLB Mason Foster is not a part of nickel packages at this time.

"With someone like me, who likes to come off the edge, I think (Morris) is going to use my ability to help the team as best we can," Watson said. "I'm looking forward to it because I think it'll help me put my best work forward."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3377.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 15, 2011

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Brian Price could need another month to completely recover from surgery to reattach both hamstrings to his pelvis, coach Raheem Morris said Tuesday.

Price, a second-round pick from UCLA in 2010, played in only five games last season before being placed on Injured Reserve. Remarkably, he was well enough to begin training camp but has been mostly limited to individual drills.

Morris indicated Price could miss his second straight preseason game Thursday against the New England Patriots. In fact, Morris said Price may need another month to recover.

"Brian Price will go through (individual drills) and then we'll see where we're at with practice. He's one of those guys we've got to keep monitoring and just keep watching to get him ready,'' Morris said. "He's about a month away from where he wants to be, according to the schedule of the first one. He got those hamstrings ripped off the back of your bone, one at a time. One took about nine months to heal and this one is about seven. So hopefully we can get him going in the right direction.

"You want to make him be ready. You want to force him to be ready. Unfortunately, that's not the case for the hamstrings or the healing process.''

Morris said defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who missed the preseason opener at Kansas City with a rotator cuff strain, will play Thursday against the Patriots. Unfortunately, Price's progress has been much slower. Because of the injury, Price reported to camp several pounds overweight. The Bucs know he has to practice to get into football shape, but they have to be careful not to push his recovery too fast.

"When I'm saying a month away, it's to where the other hamstring starts to look well,'' Morris said. "He told us he felt really good with the other hamstring. So hopefully, another month the one that just got done starts to feel better. We'll just have to see. It's kind of a unique surgery.''

Is he at risk playing right now?

"I don't know, it's hard to say that when you look at those x-rays,'' Morris said. "I don't know. I don't have the M.D. title yet.''

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 15, 2011

The Tampa Bay Buccaners' preseason game Thursday night against the New England Patriots will not sell out by tonight's 72-hour deadline and will be blacked out on local television, according to Bucs officials.

Also, team officials believe the current pace of ticket sales for next week's preseason contest against the Dolphins and the majority of home games during the regular season will also fall short of sellouts. The club is optimistic about the chances for sellouts for the team's two prime-time games.

Under NFL rules, games not sold out at least 72 hours before kickoff are blacked out in the local television market, which extends to markets in a 75-mile radius. Thursday's game will be broadcast on tape delay at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday on Channel 10-WTSP.

The Bucs last season were the only team in the NFL to have all 10 of their home games (preseason and regular-season combined) blacked out.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, August 15, 2011

It isn't the criticism that baffles me. It's the glee.

It isn't the doubt that bothers me. It's the scorn.

It isn't the notion that Tim Tebow's NFL career might turn out to be on the wrong side of ordinary that surprises me. It's the venom.

More and more, as Tebow shows less and less chance of becoming Denver's starting quarterback, the comments surrounding him have become vicious. There are claws on the Internet, and there are teeth on the Twitter comments, and on Facebook, there is a bloodlust.

It no longer seems as if onlookers expect Tebow to fail; it's that they seem to want it to happen. There is a frenzy here, a look-at-me, I-told-you-first, pile on.

And here's the question:

Why?

Don't get me wrong. I'm in the business of criticism myself, and over the years, I have raised an eyebrow so often, I fear that one side of my face looks taller than the other. I get it. Wobbly passes are wobbly passes, no matter whether the shoulder that is throwing them has been knighted or not. Being a good guy doesn't forgive a bad pass.

Still, you get the feeling some people cheer every Tebow incompletion. You get the impression that when Tebow brushes his teeth, some people are pulling for his gums to bleed. It is almost as if, on his way to Sunday school, Tebow keyed the critics' car.

Merril Hoge, the normally reasoned, respected analyst for ESPN, made national news recently by suggesting on Twitter that it is "embarrassing" to think of the Broncos winning with Tebow. A reporter on CBS Sportsline has already declared Tebow to be a bust. And on Facebook, the "I Hate Tim Tebow" group is already up to 3,458 members.

As for me, I don't understand the tenor of the debate.

Not only that, I don't understand the debate at all.

For crying out loud, why is anyone outside of Denver talking about Tebow at all? He's a 24-year-old backup to a bad starter on a bad football team. He has started all of three games in the NFL, and he has thrown as many incomplete passes as completed ones. He hasn't been good enough to be a success, and he hasn't been bad enough to be a failure. Why even bring up his name?

Expectations? No, that isn't it. If you listened to the scouts, there weren't any expectations of Tebow. He was taken with the 25th pick, and most analysts were surprised he went that high.

Given that draft position, how good should Tebow be?

Except for Aaron Rodgers, who was picked 24th by Green Bay, most of the quarterbacks who have gone 20th or later in the first round haven't amounted to much. Over the past 20 NFL drafts, eight other quarterbacks were taken in that range. The names: Jason Campbell, by Washington; J.P. Losman, by Buffalo; Rex Grossman, by Chicago; Patrick Ramsey, by Washington; Jim Druckenmiller, by the 49ers; Tommy Maddox, by Denver; Todd Marinovich, by the Raiders; Tebow, by Denver.

Two questions:

First, do you see any John Elways in that group?

Two, do you remember any of those guys turning the Internet into a screaming match?

No, you don't. There isn't a star in the bunch, and there certainly isn't the same volume surrounding their second seasons. Most of those came and went quietly, except for Grossman, and people only got loud in his name after he thoroughly proved he wasn't the answer for the Bears.

In other words, you can make a case that the understudy role is exactly where Tebow should be. Especially when you consider that the coach who believed in him has been chased off the premises, and that the offseason was a waste, and that the offensive system has changed.

In Denver, people seem to see it differently. A local poll said 92 percent wanted Denver starter Kyle Orton traded in the offseason. If you are asking why Tebow is unreasonably criticized, there are those who suggest it is because he is unreasonably praised.

For some reason, however, there always has been a backlash to Tebow. The world seems divided between those who want to declare him a bust and those who want to carve one for him, between those who can see his virtues and those who will not see past his shortcomings. As they say, it is a small patch of land that lies between two groups of zealots.

It's odd. There is so much of Tebow that fits what we say we want in a role model. He's humble, charitable, hard-working, scandal-free. With Tebow, however, all of that seems to drive people batty. For instance, Tebow isn't the first religious player in the history of the league, but has there ever been anyone who could turn a football discussion into a Holy War so quickly?

Was Tebow hyped in college? Yes, he was. But I covered him off-and-on for four seasons, and he never once chased me down and asked me to write about him.

That never matters, however. With Tebow, the conversation gets louder all the time. About his virtues and his flaws, about his past and his future, about his intangibles and his inconsistency.

At the core of it, you have a young player who is trying to get better. Nothing else.

If he does, or if he does not, the conversation will continue. Bet on loud.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 15, 2011

GAINESVILLE — When offensive lineman Dan Wenger joined the Florida football team this summer, he received a second chance at playing the game he loves, and the Gators received what might turn out to be an invaluable gift.

Wenger played at Notre Dame for four years under then-coach Charlie Weis, now the Gators' offensive coordinator. Two concussions sustained in fall practice before the 2010 season cost him his final year of eligibility at Notre Dame. Wenger was later granted a sixth year of eligibility.

"There are some things in the past that I wish went differently, but that's the way it is," Wenger said. "I'm still here fighting, I've got a second chance at football and I'm here playing, trying to make every day count. This is instilled in me. It's instilled in me to keep fighting, and I'm going to keep fighting."

Florida lost four starters from last year's offensive line. Multiple player injuries hampered the line's ability to work together in the spring to learn a system drastically different from the spread offense. That's where Wenger has proved invaluable.

"It has been very beneficial, especially in the summertime because we can't have any contact as far as football is concerned," coach Will Muschamp said. "So in essence he was a coach on the field. He's a guy that has been in the system three or four years. He understands it, is very smart. … He's been a very valuable part of what we're trying to do and helping some of the young guys. But they are all young because it's the first year for everybody."

In a perfect world, Muschamp would like to have 18 offensive linemen on scholarship. He has 13, which will have to do for now. If the season were to start today, Muschamp said, Xavier Nixon would be at left tackle, Ian Silberman and James Wilson rotating at left guard and Jon Harrison at center backed up by Sam Robey. Matt Patchan and Chaz Green would rotate at right tackle, and Jon Halapio and Nick Alajajian would rotate at right guard.

Wenger, 6 feet 3 and 294 pounds, has been rotating at all three spots while navigating a player-coach role.

"They won't necessarily come to me about coaches, but they'll ask me about stuff in the playbook," he said. "Just the other night we had a few guys on our downtime going over stuff in the film room, helping them out, and we did that a lot all summer. We watched film twice a week, and we were able to just try to get everyone more on the same page so we weren't too far behind coming in.

"I know what it's like coming in with a new offense, coming in as a freshman with Coach Weis' system — your head spins constantly."

Knowing what's at stake and how important their role will be in this pro-style offense, many of the Gator linemen have worked hard to change their bodies to become more physical. And they have spent much more time perfecting technique.

"Coach (Frank) Verducci is a technician," Harrison said. "He's always emphasizing technique, and he's been enforcing that on the offensive line. It actually will help throughout the games; it will help use less energy just because you place more emphasis on your technique."

Senior quarterback John Brantley, who has a lot riding on this offensive line, said he likes what he has seen in fall camp.

"I have a lot of confidence in my O-line," Brantley said. "I've been with them now for a couple of years. They are a close bunch, and I'm close to them. They are all fairly new to playing, but I think they're going to be hungry and ready to learn. I think they are going to do fine."

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Follow her coverage at gators.tampabay.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 15, 2011

BOSTON — The Legend of Sam Fuld was born when the New Hampshire native made a dazzling debut at Fenway Park during the Rays' last visit in April. Today, there's another son of New England set to make his first professional appearance on the hallowed ground, though RHP Brandon Gomes, a rookie reliever and product of Fall River, Mass., does so with more modest expectations.

"I'm not going to get four knocks and make diving plays," Gomes said, "but I'd be happy to go out there and throw up a zero."

Fuld's first Fenway foray was more likely a matter of time, as he had played parts of three seasons in the majors, with the National League Cubs, before being traded to the Rays.

But when Gomes takes the mound — and with three games in two days, there's a good chance — it will be a celebrated achievement given that he hadn't pitched above Double A in four seasons with the Padres before coming to the Rays in the Jason Bartlett trade.

"It's amazing how quickly things change," Gomes said.

Fall River is a hard-scrabble Massachusetts town, 45-60 minutes from Fenway, not unlike Lowell, Mass., which was portrayed so starkly in the movie The Fighter. Gomes grew up like everyone else a Red Sox fan — "It's the culture there," he said — and specifically of Pedro Martinez. He had the opportunity to attend only 8-10 games and shared the same dream of many others to one day be on the field.

His first chance, a high school all-star game, got rained out. He got another, for a practice session anyway, when he played in the Cape Cod League, but didn't make it to the mound. Doing so as a big-league player, with his parents, grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins and a slew of high school buddies watching, will be all the better.

"To be honest with you," Gomes said, "it's going to be really exciting."

Super Sam: Fuld is realistic about a repeat after going 5-for-10, with four extra-base hits, in the two April games. "I think it's going to be hard to top that," he said.

Double-dipping: Rays manager Joe Maddon is not a fan of day-night doubleheaders because of how long the players will be at the field — from roughly 10 a.m. to after 11 p.m. — and because they have to sit around for 2-3 hours between games and get loose for a second time.

"I think it's suboptimal regarding the players and their health, etc.," Maddon said. "I've just never liked the concept. I don't mind (traditional) doubleheaders. You play, take a 20-minute break and you play. But this is kind of crazy."

The games are split so separate admissions can be charged.

Well-armed: With Sunday's rainout and Monday's scheduled off day, the Rays will have the benefit of a fully rested bullpen. Maddon said he'll have everyone available for the matinee then sort out who could work the second game. "You try to win the first game because you have no idea what's going to happen in the second game."

More Moore?: Executive VP Andrew Friedman said the Rays haven't decided yet if top prospect LHP Matt Moore is a possible September callup.

Moore, 22, has dazzled since a late-July promotion to Triple-A Durham, going 3-0, 0.88 in five starts. Before that, he was 8-3, 2.20, including a no-hitter, at Double-A Montgomery.

"We're really pleased with Matt's development," Friedman said. "The question on Matt is one that we'll discuss internally and then with Matt before we do publicly."

A promotion seems unlikely unless the Rays are back in the playoff race and Moore could be used in relief.

Miscellany: The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office on Monday arrested the third and final person sought — Tavarious Marquiz Smith, 15 — in the burglary of the spring home shared by 3B Evan Longoria, LHP David Price and SS Reid Brignac. … RHP Alex Cobb's surgery to remove a blockage in a vein remains on hold after his bad reaction to medication. … OF Brandon Guyer returned to action for Triple-A Durham after missing three weeks with an oblique strain. … Charlotte LHP Kyle Lobstein was FSL pitcher of the week.

By Joel Brandenburg, Times Correspondent
Monday, August 15, 2011

What's hot: When the moon gets full, the gray snapper — also called mangrove snapper — turn on. The snapper react well to chum as they are spawning and feeding. Use a light mono leader about 6- to 12-pound test, with a small 1/0 short shank dark or red hook. Free-line bait into the chum slick so it looks like a regular piece of chum rolling off the back of the boat. In strong currents, if you're not getting bites, put on a small split shot. These snapper are picky. To trick them, fish at night; don't twitch the line, let it flow with the chum; if you must put on a split shot, make it as small as possible; and use very light mono leader, small hook and small cut of baitfish or shrimp.

Joel Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company of Little Harbor Resort in Ruskin can be reached toll-free at 1-877-766-6566 or via e-mail at anabananafishing@earthlink.net.

Monday, August 15, 2011

The final race in the Sunsets at Pier 60 5K series was run under typical sweltering summer conditions Friday evening along Clearwater Beach. The race had 311 runners finishers.

Kenneth City's Mark Benjamin outlasted the heat and the rest of the field to claim the overall championship.

Benjamin, 22, broke the tape in 16 minutes, 37 seconds to win by 20 seconds.

Karsen Callahan, 34 of St. Petersburg, followed closely behind Benjamin and crossed the finish line in second place.

St. Petersburg's Christa Stephens was the top local women's runner after coming in second. Stephens, 27, needed just 19:15 to complete the race.

Lisa Williams, 32 of Largo, was third in 20:40.

Hudson resident Kari Grippo, 15, was the women's champion, beating Stephens by 10 seconds.

Local runners dominated the age group awards. Winning their division were: (F10 and under) Annabella Mowry, Dunedin, 26:25; (M11-12) Jared McFadden, Seminole, 23:31; (F11-12) Julia Siegel, Tarpon Springs, 24:38; (M13-14) Hunter McCann, Treasure Island, 17:53; (M15-19) Tyler Lewis, Largo, 17:48; (F15-19) Kacy Seynders, Palm Harbor, 21:07; (M25-29) Chad Siple, Clearwater, 19:07; (M30-34) Lee Stephens, St. Petersburg, 19:15; (F30-34) Whit Lasseter, Palm Harbor, 22:48; (M35-39) Joe Palmer, Palm Harbor, 19:47; (F40-44) Dawn Sterns, Palm Harbor, 23:18; (M45-49) Keith Sawayda, Clearwater, 19:41; (F50-54) Carol Bancroft, Safety Harbor, 23:44; (M55-59) Ron Murawsky, Clearwater, 21:36; (F55-59) Karen Alexeev, Gulfport, 27:18; (M65-69) Duncan Cameron, Palm Harbor, 23:26; (F65-69) Millie Hamilton, Redington Beach, 29:54; (M70-74) Mark Parish, Clearwater, 29:45; (F70-74) Terri Sullivan, Tarpon Springs, 38:58.

The fourth race signaled the conclusion of the Sunsets at Pier 60 summer 5K series. Karsen Callahan, who won two races and was second in two others, was the overall men's series champion. Callahan had 76 points to outdistance Keith Sawayda and Ron Murawsky (56 points each).

Lisa Williams was the women's series champion with 70 points. She had a win, a second-place finish and two third-place finishes.

Carol Bancroft and Oviedo's Courtney Wagner tied for second behind Williams at 56 points.

Local age group series champions were: (F10 and under) Annabella Mowry; (F11-12) Julia Siegel; (M13-14) Parker Lewis, Largo; (M15-19) Tyler Lewis; (F15-19) Kacy Seynders; (F20-24) Kristen Lemire, Dunedin; (F25-29) Rachel Selkregg, Clearwater; (M30-34) Brian Holmes, Clearwater; (F35-39) Heather Ellison, Clearwater (M40-44) Jimmy Nicholson, Clearwater; (F40-44) Dawn Sterns; (M45-49) Daryl Mullholand, Clearwater; (F45-49) Donna Nesslar, Largo; (M50-54) Ward Edwards, Largo; (F50-54) Julide Burak, Seminole; (M55-59) Dan McClenathan, St. Pete Beach; (F55-59) Karen Alexeev; (M60-64) Jon Feltham, Clearwater; (M65-69) Duncan Cameron; (F65-69) Millie Hamilton; (F70-74) Terri Sullivan; (M75 and over) Jack Gough, Clearwater.

In order to be eligible for a series win, runners had to complete three of the four races.

BEAT THE HEAT 5K: Treasure Island's Hunter McCann narrowly missed out on the overall championship at the Beat the Heat 5K in Thonotosassa on Aug. 6. McCann, 14, was nudged at the line by Tampa 13-year-old Daniel Dean.

Dean's winning time was 16:56. McCann was one second.

McCann also took second in the 1-mile run after clocking in at five minutes, 30 seconds.

Brandon's Ryan Chadderton won that competition in 5:18.

CENTRAL FLORIDA TRIATHLON SERIES: St. Petersburg triathlete John-Gerard Farese placed 10th overall on Saturday at race No. 4 of the 26th annual Central Florida Triathlon Series in Clermont.

Racing on a course that consisted of a 440-yard swim, 10-mile bike and 3-mile run, Farese finished in 56 minutes, 31 seconds, about five minutes off the winning pace.

Farese, 16, was the top runner in the men's 15- to 19-year-old age division.

Largo's Sarah Sykes was fifth among all female participants. Sykes, 16, crossed the finish line in 1:04:51. She was second among triathletes in the women's 15-19 group.

Caroline Condon, 15 of St. Petersburg, also had a strong showing, placing eighth in the women's race and third in the women's 15-19 group after finishing in 1:04:57.

Oscar David Preciado Bo of Medellin, Colombia, was the overall champion in 51:06. Clermont resident Ciara Hopkins, 14, won the women's race in 1:01:02.

Times wires
Monday, August 15, 2011

Gearhead stats

Winner's average speed: 99.417 mph

Time of race: 2 hours, 16 minutes, 2 seconds

Margin of victory: Under caution

Caution flags: Five for 14 laps

Lead changes: 14 among eight drivers

Lap leaders: Allmendinger 1-8; Ambrose 9-16; Ky. Busch 17-29; Ambrose 30-37; Montoya 38-41; J. Gordon 42-44; Ky. Busch 45-57; Keselowski 58-59; Bowyer 60; Ambrose 61-63; Johnson 64; J.Gordon 65-67; Ky. Busch 68-90; Ambrose 91-92

Sprint Cup points

Through 22 of 36 races. The top 10 drivers plus two wild cards (based on wins) through 26 races make the Chase for the Championship.

Driver Pts. Back

Kyle Busch 752—

Carl Edwards 752—

Jimmie Johnson 746 6

Kevin Harvick 738 14

Matt Kenseth 724 28

Kurt Busch 712 40

Jeff Gordon 700 52

Ryan Newman 686 66

Dale Earnhardt Jr. 670 82

Tony Stewart 659 93

Clint Bowyer 634 118

Denny Hamlin * 626 126

Greg Biffle 610 142

Brad Keselowski * 601 151

Paul Menard 599 153

AJ Allmendinger 599 153

Note: Points unofficial; NASCAR posts official points today.

* Wild cards if Chase field were set today; Keselowski has two wins; Hamlin is the highest-ranked driver in spots 11-20 with one win.

Up next

Pure Michigan 400, 1 p.m. Sunday, Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn

TV: ESPN

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 15, 2011

.Up Next

at Red Sox

Today-Wednesday

What's new: The Sox's streak of 11 series without a loss ended over the weekend in Seattle, though they still have the AL's best record. Former Rays All-Star LF Carl Crawford has warmed since his dreadful start, with his average up to .255. So has ex-Rays reliever Dan Wheeler, his ERA down to 4.26, best since April 1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury just joined the 20-20 club. CF 3B Kevin Youkilis has been bothered by a sore back but returned to the lineup Sunday; RF J.D. Drew (left shoulder) remains out.

Key stat: Sox hitters have a .187 average in eight games against the Rays, .288 against everyone else.

Connections: Rays DH Johnny Damon, 1B Casey Kotchman and C Kelly Shoppach are former Sox. … Boston hitting coach Dave Magadan is a Tampa product, third-base coach Tim Bogar was a Rays coach, Crawford and Wheeler ex-Rays.

Series history: Season series tied at 4; Sox lead 139-92 overall, 77-36 at Fenway.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 15, 2011

Rays at Red Sox

When/where: 1:05 and 7:10 today; Fenway Park, Boston

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

Starting pitchers:

Game 1

Rays: RH James Shields (11-9, 2.80)

RED SOX: LH Jon Lester (11-6, 3.32)

Game 2

Rays: RH Jeff Niemann (7-4, 3.43)

red sox: LH Erik Bedard (4-7, 3.55)

Watch for …

Rolling Rays: Shields is coming off two strong outings, logging his eighth complete game and owning a 131/3-inning scoreless streak. Niemann is 6-0, 2.17 in nine starts since coming off the DL. Shields is 6-10, 4.95 vs. Boston, Niemann 2-2, 4.56.

Leaning left: Lester has lost his past two and walked a season-high five Aug. 10 at Minnesota. Bedard, acquired from Seattle after facing the Rays, has two five-inning no-decisions with Boston. Lester is 9-4, 3.82 vs. the Rays, Bedard 11-4, 3.41.

Key matchups

Rays vs. lester

Johnny Damon 8-for-27, 2 HRs

Evan Longoria 9-for-36, 2 HRs

B.J. Upton 9-for-48, 3 HRs

red sox vs. shields

Adrian Gonzalez 5-for-9, HR

David Ortiz 13-for-39, 3 HRs

Dustin Pedroia 13-for-37, 2 HRs

Rays vs. bedard

Johnny Damon 5-for-25

Kelly Shoppach 3-for-10, HR

B.J. Upton 5-for-27, HR

red sox vs. niemann

David Ortiz 2-for-9, HR

Marco Scutaro 3-for-18

Kevin Youkilis 0-for-8

On deck

Wednesday: at Red Sox, 1:35, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (10-10, 3.76); Red Sox — John Lackey (11-8, 6.13)

Thursday: Off

Friday: vs. Mariners, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (8-7, 4.60); M's — Felix Hernandez (11-10, 3.38)

Saturday: vs. Mariners, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (10-8, 3.22); M's — Charlie Furbush (2-1, 4.76)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Slam of the day

Los Angeles Times baseball writer Kevin Baxter ranked the best and worst fan bases, and guess who came out at the bottom: Rays fans. Wrote Baxter (kevin.baxter@latimes.com): "Management gave away tickets to draw respectable crowds during a pennant race last fall. The Rays are good and exciting, but few in Tampa Bay care." He has the Indians 28th and Marlins 29th.

Doubleheader numbers of the day

18 DHs in Rays history.

2-8-7 Rays record in all DHs.

1-6-4 Rays record in split (day-night) DHs.

0-2-2 Rays record in DHs at Boston.

28 Hours in which the three games will be played.

Times wires
Monday, August 15, 2011

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Marcos Ambrose missed his daughter's first day of school. She probably won't mind.

Ambrose, deprived more than once of a NASCAR victory, beat Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch on a two-lap dash to the finish Monday to win the rain-delayed Sprint Cup road course race at Watkins Glen International.

It was his first victory in 105 starts in NASCAR's top series and atoned for a slip-up a year ago on the road course at Sonoma, when he stalled his car under caution while leading with six laps to go and finished sixth.

"I've tried for 2½ years," Ambrose said. "We're going to onward and upward from here. It's a proud day."

Ambrose has won all three Nationwide series races he has entered at Watkins Glen, and in three Cup starts there, he has notched one second and two thirds, including an impressive drive from last to third in 2008.

Finally pulling into Victory Lane was a feeling like no other.

"This is almost surreal," the affable Australian said.

A year ago, Ambrose signed a multiyear deal to drive the No. 9 Ford for struggling Richard Petty Motorsports. That capped a tumultuous summer of 2010 in which he left the No. 47 at JTG Daugherty Racing with one year left on his contract, though he knew he was taking a big risk in difficult economic times.

"There were days, weeks when I was anxious," Ambrose said. "There were times I was sitting around the boardroom table and there was nobody else there. But you've got to roll the dice sometimes."

It was Ford's first victory at Watkins Glen since Geoff Bodine in 1996.

Busch led before a restart with two laps left. But Keselowski, racing with a broken left ankle, dived from third to the lead entering the first turn with Ambrose also passing Busch.

"Those guys didn't care to give me any room," said Busch, who was second to brother Kurt in Saturday's Nationwide race.

Ambrose closed on Keselowski in the chicane and passed him for the lead before the final lap.

Busch finished third, and Martin Truex and Joey Logano rounded out the top five.

The race ended with a caution as David Reutimann and David Ragan crashed violently entering the second turn, with Ragan slamming head-on into the guard rail and Reutimann's car bouncing hard off the barrier and sliding upside down across the track. Reutimann, of Zephyrhills, and Ragan were okay.

SAID, BIFFLE TANGLE: Greg Biffle, who finished 31st, confronted Boris Said in the pits afterward and gave him a couple of quick hits while Said was still in his car. That led to a postrace scuffle in the pits with Said being restrained by his and Biffle's crew members.

"He wouldn't even let me get out of the car. He comes over and throws a few little baby punches and then when I get out, he runs away and hides behind some big guys," Said said. "He is the most unprofessional little scaredy-cat I've ever seen in my life. He wouldn't even fight me like a man after. He needs a whooping, and I'm going to give it to him."

Biffle finished a lap down. Said, in only his second series start this season, was 22nd.