Times staff, wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Sophomore DE Sharrif Floyd must sit out one additional game and arrange repayment of about $2,700 to charity before he can play for Florida again, the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff determined.

Florida athletic officials ruled Floyd ineligible just before Saturday's game against Florida Atlantic for violations of NCAA preferential treatment rules, including receiving $2,500 cash over several months from an individual not associated with the university.

"It is important to note that Sharrif brought this matter to our attention, and we reported the facts to the NCAA this past February," Florida AD Jeremy Foley said in a statement

Steve Gordon, president of the Student Athlete Mentoring Foundation, said his organization helped Floyd pay for multiple unofficial visits in an effort to help him make a reasonable decision in choosing a school to attend. According to the NCAA, Floyd used the money for living expenses, transportation and other expenses, and transportation and lodging related to unofficial visits. The NCAA says UF was not one of those schools.

Floyd's father was shot and killed when he was a toddler. He left an abusive home when he was a sophomore in high school and for a time lived with a teacher at George Washington High in Philadelphia.

"I'm angered, disgusted and extremely disappointed that Sharrif will have to miss two games,'' coach Will Muschamp said. "In my opinion, Sharrif is getting lumped into what is bad about college athletics. His issue was not related to sports agents, University of Florida boosters or his recruitment to Florida or anywhere else. Sharrif is what is good about college athletics — his life is about survival, struggle, disappointment and adversity. I have recruited kids that did not know where they would sleep that night or what they would eat. Growing up, Sharrif was one these kids. … The NCAA stated that he received preferential treatment; there is nothing preferential about his life.

"The toughest day that I have had as a head football coach at Florida was the day that I had to tell Sharrif that he could not play in our game vs. FAU last week. I took away part of his family. … He had tears in his eyes and said, 'What have I done wrong?' I told him he did nothing wrong."

UM: Update on Harris

CORAL GABLES — Stephen Morris did not necessarily lose Miami's starting quarterback job because of Monday night's opening loss to Maryland.

Jacory Harris locked it up weeks ago.

Coach Al Golden said Harris edged Morris during August practices. Morris started the opener after Harris was ordered to sit out one game by the NCAA following an investigation that confirmed allegations of him taking extra benefits.

"Jacory won the job in camp," Golden said.

Harris was named the starter once again on Wednesday.

"My natural instinct is to say, 'Let them compete,' " Golden said. "And then I evaluated it. Kind of slept on it Tuesday night. And then informed both of them. It was primarily because of the body of work that Jacory put together in training camp, his experience and obviously what we saw in the game."

Harris is expected to address reporters today.

Times wires

FSU: WR still out

TALLAHASSEE — Despite returning to Florida State's practices this week, WR Willie Haulstead will miss his second straight game after dealing with the after-effects of a concussion suffered during the preseason.

"He woke up and had some of those lingering effects, so (he) is out," coach Jimbo Fisher said. "That'll be day to day or week to week. However."

The Seminoles want to be patient about Haulstead's return.

His absence for the second straight week means another player has the opportunity to contribute. Last week, sophomore Greg Dent and true freshman Rashad Greene had touchdown receptions.

Notable: One day after the Seminoles had one of their better workouts, they appeared to continue the trend. "For the most part, we're focused," Fisher said.

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Dodgers 7, Nationals 4

WASHINGTON — Tony Gwynn hit a tiebreaking two-run double off Drew Storen in the ninth and the Dodgers' bullpen bailed out starter Chad Billingsley, who gave up five hits in a four-run third. Dee Gordon added a run-scoring single and set a career high with his four-hit game.

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Braves 6, Mets 5

Game 1

NEW YORK — Chipper Jones doubled and homered hitting in the No. 2 slot for the first time since 1996 as the Braves ended a three-game skid. Jones' 48th homer against the Mets tied the score in the third inning. "We got some productivity up there," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 8, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — For the Rays to actually make it to the playoffs at this point would take feats — a run by them and a collapse by the Red Sox — of near historic proportions.

But before the Rays can even get to that part, they have to get close. And that's the opportunity in front of them this weekend, essentially a last-gasp chance to whittle the Red Sox's 6½-game lead by taking two of three or, to make it more realistic, get a sweep.

"From here on out we have to win every single game," Sunday's starter James Shields said. "It's just do-or-die right now for us."

If they do do and sliced the margin to 3½ games by Sunday, from there their theory is the Red Sox might start feeling their presence.

"We could still make it really interesting," said Wade Davis, who starts tonight. "It could still be an interesting ending here if we could put some pressure on them and win all these games."

"It's a psychological warfare right now as much as anything," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "There's actual numbers involved, but it's the psychology of the whole thing. I've talked about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where they're running away from these guys and they just can't get away. Who are those guys chasing us? Who are those guys? I want to be, 'Who are those guys.' "

And if the Rays were to narrow the gap, with four more head-to-head games next weekend in Boston among their remaining 20, the Sox could also start to feel the weight of their fatalistic-by-nature nation.

"Let their fans sweat a little bit, it's all for good baseball," said Rays DH Johnny Damon, a former Red Sox star. "There shouldn't be as much pressure on us, definitely a lot more on them. Players do know how it feels to play under a lot of pressure; that fastball down the middle seems a little tougher to hit, executing that pitch is a little tougher to do."

The Rays lead the season series 6-5, and the key has been their pitching. In the 11 games, the Rays have held Boston batters to a .168 average and 3.79 runs per game. In the Sox's other 131 games heading into Thursday, they've hit .289 averaged 5.62 runs. Since June 30, 2008, the Rays hold a 33-23 edge, plus 4-3 in the 2008 ALCS.

"We go into (tonight's) game with full confidence against them," Shields said. "They know we're a challenge to them. We've done pretty well over the last couple years against them. We face them a lot, there's no reason why we can't beat them. As long as we play our game, pitch as well as we have been and get some hitting going, I think we're going to be fine."

Sox manager Terry Francona said Thursday that he "expected" the Rays to still be in contention despite all their changes and "it would have been a surprise if it were the other way."

And while he wouldn't place any more importance on this series, it was notable the Red Sox rested first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and leftfielder Carl Crawford on Thursday against Toronto.

If the Rays are going to make it at least interesting, it has to start this weekend.

"That's what our job is right now, to let them know we're still not going away," Shields said. "I think they know this next series is a big series for them as well, so it should be an interesting series and a fun one."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 8, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Replacing four-time All-Star LF Carl Crawford was going to be hard enough for the Rays, with their first plan to make Johnny Damon the primary leftfielder and use Manny Ramirez on occasion.

It became even more difficult — "almost impossible," manager Joe Maddon said — when Ramirez "retired" eight days into the season and Damon was deemed more fit for the DH role.

But five months and six players later, the Rays believe they have covered the hole rather well.

"For as difficult as it may have seemed in advance, I think we've done pretty good with it actually," Maddon said. "We weren't as void of ability out there as I thought we may be, or comparatively speaking with what Carl had done."

The Rays have done it in shifts, with Sam Fuld (67 starts) providing most of the early coverage, Justin Ruggiano (20) getting hot for a few weeks and rookie Desmond Jennings (34) taking over in late July. Damon (11), Matt Joyce (eight) and rookie Brandon Guyer (two) have also filled in.

Collectively, Rays leftfielders have hit .252 in 142 games, with 19 homers, 60 RBIs, 34 steals and a .750 on-base plus slugging percentage. In 113 games for the Red Sox (with a stint on the DL), Crawford has hit .250 with 11 homers, 53 RBIs, 17 steals and a .686 OPS.

Maddon said the key was Fuld's fast start, which saw him hitting .350 four weeks into the season and filling a highlight show with his leaping catches.

"We didn't know exactly what we had in Sam at that particular juncture," Maddon said. "It's not like we had an absolute Plan B. Sam turned into a nice Plan B, especially at the beginning of the year. … So we kind of got lucky with the fact that Sam did as good as he did."

After Fuld leveled off, and Ruggiano had a couple of good weeks, Jennings provided stellar play, hitting .302 with nine homers, 21 RBIs, 15 steals and a .936 OPS.

"In advance of those three guys doing well this year, it seemed almost impossible," Maddon said. "But I think what Sam did early on and particularly what Desmond is doing now, it makes the adjustment a little bit easier for us."

PITCHING IN: RHP Wade Davis is eager to face the Sox tonight, having failed to beat them in three previous attempts, with an 11.12 ERA in the process, and unhappy about being bumped from a scheduled August start.

"It's a good opportunity to face them and get a win," he said.

The challenge comes at a good time, Davis said: "I feel great. I feel the best I have all year right now. Good in-between days, good recovery. I've been stronger and recovering faster. I feel really good about everything."

Davis is 9-8 with a 4.50 ERA overall, though better recently. In his past six starts, he is 1-1 with a 4.17 ERA and the Rays have won five of the games.

"I've been better at (using) different pitches as far as executing them and understanding each pitch a little better instead of throwing them as hard as I can," he said.

Makeup date: The Rays will play a day-night doubleheader at the Yankees on Sept. 21 to make up an Aug. 14 rainout.

MINOR MATTERS: Durham RHP Chris Archer struck out a Triple-A career-high 11 but allowed four runs in the first two innings, and five runs and seven hits in 5⅔ innings overall, as the Bulls lost 8-3 to Columbus (Indians) to fall into an 0-2 hole in the best-of-five International League playoff series. Game 3 is tonight in Columbus, with LHP Alex Torres starting for the Bulls. … Class A Bowling Green opened its best-of-three Midwest League playoff series with a 6-3 loss at Fort Wayne (Padres). RHP George Jensen took the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits in five innings. RHP Victor Mateo is scheduled to start Game 2 tonight at home.

MISCELLANY: Maddon said C Jose Lobaton is expected to be ready tonight, having left Tuesday's game after tweaking his left knee. … 2B/RF Ben Zobrist joined Milwaukee's Ryan Braun as the only players with 50 homers, 50 steals and 100 doubles over the past three seasons.

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

TORONTO — Ricky Romero won for the seventh time in nine starts, J.P. Arencibia hit a three-run homer and the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 7-4 on Thursday.

Edwin Encarnacion and Eric Thames added solo shots as the Blue Jays won back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at Baltimore.

Rookie David Cooper went 3-for-4 and had two RBIs for Toronto, back to 72-72.

Boston lost for the fourth time in five games and failed to gain ground on the AL East-leading Yankees, who lost to Baltimore. The Red Sox are 2 1/2 games back.

Romero came in 2-6 with an 8.08 ERA in 11 career starts against the Red Sox, including an 0-3 record and 10.62 ERA in five home starts. But the left-hander turned his luck around, allowing three runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings.

A two-out error by Kelly Johnson and a base hit by Marco Scutaro brought Dustin Pedroia up as the tying run, but Frank Francisco struck him out to end it.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 8, 2011

TAMPA — Yeah, he said it, they're going to be the best team in the NFC South.

Raheem Morris has spawned some terrific sound bites as he enters his third season as Bucs coach. "It's the race to 10." "We're the best team in the NFC. Yeah, I said it." "We're a youngry team."

After improving from 3-13 to 10-6, at least nobody doubts if Morris can back the smack.

But in the rough-and-tumble NFC South, in which the Bucs were looking up at the Falcons and Saints last season, 10 wins doesn't guarantee a postseason berth.

Like every year, Morris says the goal is to win the division. Furthermore, he's convinced the Bucs can accomplish it in 2011.

"Once you have an opportunity to get into the playoffs, you never know what can happen," Morris said. "With us, our whole deal is the only way we're guaranteed to get in — after winning 10 games and not getting in — is to win the division.

"We showed we can play with anybody. We know that. We have the ability to do that; good teams, bad teams. We've gotten beaten by good teams and beaten handily by some good teams. But we've also beaten some good teams. So you never know."

A year ago, the Bucs' 23-20 overtime loss to the Lions proved to be the one that knocked them from the postseason.

"It was a tiebreaker between us and Green Bay (for the wild card), and they went in and won the tournament," Morris said. "They're the champions, and they deserved it. They have a great young quarterback (Aaron Rodgers), a good young football team. We'll see those guys at some point. Right now, we have to be about winning championships. That starts with the division championship."

BIG PLAY TRIPLETS: In the preseason, Josh Freeman did not throw for a touchdown, Mike Williams did not catch a touchdown and LeGarrette Blount did not run for a touchdown.

What's more, Blount gained just 2.1 yards per carry and big plays on offense didn't materialize. Should Bucs fans be worried?

"I think our timing is a little off; for the running game at least. And it's been breakdowns by one player here or there," C Jeff Faine said. "It's not a repeat offender or anything. It's just a hair step away and somebody grabbing (Blount's) foot a little bit. But as the season goes, I think we'll get it going.

"I think getting out there and grinding out a complete game and having a chance to put some work out there and letting these guys get a rhythm; those big defensive linemen seem like they weigh a little less as the game wears on."

BY THE NUMBERS: The Bucs projected starting lineup today includes 19 players who began their careers with Tampa Bay. The exceptions are Faine, TE Kellen Winslow and S Sean Jones. By comparison, three of the NFL's most successful franchises — the Packers, Colts and Steelers — feature at least 18 starters who have spent their entire career with the team.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, September 8, 2011

It begins quietly, just an inkling that all is not lost.

A few victories in a row, perhaps. Maybe a key injury on another team, followed by a walkoff homer at a time when few people are paying attention.

Before you know it, the Red Sox are in town and you've got yourself a full-blown case of pennant fever. So it is with the best of intentions, that I suggest to you now:

Take two strikes and call me in the morning.

The three-game series with the Red Sox beginning tonight at Tropicana Field may be thrilling. It may be must-see baseball. It may even be a three-game Rays sweep.

But do not expect it to be the start of a new October.

I do not say this to be a party pooper or a contrarian. And it is not because I have too little faith in the Rays or too much respect for the Red Sox. It is simply because I trust history. And history pretty much says it ain't going to happen.

The Rays are 6½ games behind the Red Sox for the AL wild card with 20 games remaining, and that kind of comeback is about as common as a profitable newspaper.

Sure, it helps that Tampa Bay has seven games remaining against Boston. And it helps that Red Sox ace Josh Beckett has a bum ankle.

But it would help a lot more if the Rays had given some recent indication their offense was capable of coming through against good pitching. In the past month, the Rays have faced contending teams (New York, Boston, Detroit and Texas) on 15 occasions, and they could only manage an average of 2.67 runs per game.

Look at it this way:

This is the time of year when we begin talking about magic numbers for teams in contention. Okay, so Tampa Bay's magic number is 27. That means, if the Red Sox stumble to an 8-11 finish, the Rays would still have to go 16-4 to finish ahead of them.

On the plausibility scale, that falls between "Holy crap!" and "Thanks for your support on the stadium, Mr. Selig."

The lure, of course, is that it has happened before. Happened memorably. Happened gloriously or regrettably, depending on your point of view.

Happened just enough times that you cling to the stories and recite them like liturgy.

The collapse of the 1964 Phillies, when manager Gene Mauch panicked and started pitchers Jim Bunning and Chris Short in 13 of the last 20 games.

The charge of the 1951 Giants, culminating in Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard 'Round the World on the season's final day at the Polo Grounds.

The demise of the 2007 Mets, whose seven-game lead evaporated in 17 games, including 300-game winner Tom Glavine getting bombed in the season finale.

Yes, they are part of baseball lore, but they are also aberrations. Long shots. Maybe 100-1 or greater.

Even some of baseball's greatest comebacks have not required this much ground to be made up in such a short period of time. The Yankees were a half-game behind the Red Sox at this point in 1978. The Mets had already passed the Cubs by now in 1969. The Braves and Giants were separated by one game with 20 to go in 1993.

In other words, a Rays comeback should have been in full gear by now. They were 7½ games behind in the wild card 10 days ago and 7½ games back 10 days before that.

The frustration is Tampa Bay's blueprint almost worked. The starting pitching has been as good as any in the American League, the defense has been stellar and the rebuilt bullpen was adequate. The Rays knew the offense would be below par, but they didn't expect it to be quite this inefficient.

Manager Joe Maddon remains confident because he lived through a historic late-season turnaround with the Angels 16 years ago, but he does not hide from the possibility that a weak offense may have cost the Rays a shot at the pennant.

"We thought we'd get more offense. We did," Maddon said. "We thought Manny (Ramirez) would supply a lot of that. And just by him being there, the protection he would have provided for (Evan Longoria), and what that could have done for Longo.

"And it never happened. There were guys we were counting on that just didn't show up the way we'd hoped."

The irony is the Rays will probably be home for October, but they could have been a heck of a dark horse if they could have just gotten in the race.

"It just stinks because I know we're a good enough team that if somehow we could sneak in there, with our pitching and our defense, we would have a chance to win," DH Johnny Damon said. "But that's why you play 162, and you have to be consistent throughout."

So enjoy the Boston series. Enjoy the final 20 games of the regular season, and enjoy checking the standings each morning.

Just don't get your hopes too high.

It will only make the end more painful.

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Orioles 5, Yankees 4

10 innings

BALTIMORE — Robert Andino singled home the winning run in the 10th after tying it in the eighth as the Orioles won for the second time in as many days in extra innings. "Definitely, it's a lot of baseball in a short period of time," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

Times staff, wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Soccer

FC tampa bay game postponed

FC Tampa Bay's match at Puerto Rico on Saturday was postponed until Sept. 21 because of the anticipated arrival of Tropical Storm Maria on the island.

The change shortens the club's four-game road swing and means Tampa Bay won't play again until Sept. 17. That home game will now begin a string of three games in eight days to end the regular season.

Tropical Storm Maria is forecasted to reach Puerto Rico on Saturday night with 40 mph winds.

Tampa Bay was scheduled to fly from Minnesota to Puerto Rico today but will instead return to Tampa.

The club clinched a postseason berth Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Minnesota, but it can't get any higher than a No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Puerto Rico clinched the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye with a 1-1 draw with Montreal on Wednesday.

More soccer

Colombia names Alvarez new coach

Leonel Alvarez was named Colombia's national team coach. Hernan Dario Gomez resigned last month after striking a woman in a Bogota bar.

Colombia opens its qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup on Oct. 11 against Bolivia.

"We are going to put all our effort toward the objective of returning to the World Cup," Alvarez said. "Believe me, it is an immense honor, a great pleasure."

Colombia has not played in the World Cup since 1998 in France.

Stadium opens: Juventus opened its new stadium with a friendly against Notts County, the English club that provided its white-and-black jerseys more than 100 years ago. The 40,200-seat facility, which cost $168 million, is on the outskirts of Turin, Italy.

Pro basketball

NBA owners, players meet, plan more talks

NBA owners and players met for a second consecutive day and plan to have larger groups attend a session Tuesday, with negotiations at what commissioner David Stern says is "getting to be an important time." Both will update their members on the state of the talks next Thursday, not long before a decision would have to be made if changes in the NBA calendar are needed.

More nba: A task force established by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson recommended a rough plan Thursday to raise $400 million to build a downtown arena, a key step in the city's efforts to keep the Kings. The Think Big Sacramento committee proposed combining user fees with public money and private investment. … Darquan Lynneral Swift, 20, was sentenced to 97 years in prison for shooting and critically injuring Grizzlies guard Antonio Burks during a dice game behind a vacant complex in Memphis in 2009. Burks testified that Swift shot him in the stomach and then tried to shoot him in the head but the gun jammed. Another man was injured, and several others were robbed.

Et cetera

Track: Yohan Blake ran a personal-best 9.82 seconds to win the 100 meters at the Weltklasse meet in Zurich. The Jamaican, 21, won the event at the world championships last month after training partner Usain Bolt was disqualified. Asafa Powell of Jamaica was second in 9.95, and former FSU standout Walter Dix was third in 10.04. Grenada's Kirani James won the 400 in a personal-best 44.36 to repeat his world championships victory over Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt of the United States. American Jennifer Suhr won the pole vault at 15-5¾.

Boxing: Vitali Klitschko will fight only two or three more bouts before retirement, the WBC heavyweight champion's trainer said. Fritz Sdunek told Die Welt newspaper that the 40-year-old boxer "is not getting any younger and his political activity in Ukraine requires a lot of time and energy."

Olympics: Leo Rautins stepped down as coach of the Canadian men's national basketball team after it was eliminated from qualifying for the 2012 Olympics. Canada last qualified for the Olympics in 2000.

Horses: Saturday's $342,875 Cane Pace, the first jewel in harness racing's Pacing Triple Crown, has been moved to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., because of flooding in the Tioga Downs area in Nichols, N.Y.

Times staff writer Eduardo A. Encina; Times wires

Times staff, wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Records released by Ohio State say three football players suspended for the opening game against Akron violated NCAA rules by taking $200 at a Cleveland charity event this year.

The records released Thursday night indicate the students gave varying accounts for why they received the money and who they received it from.

Two of the athletes said they believed the money was for working at the event while a third said he believed he was receiving money from a teammate.

The source of the money is unclear.

Running back Jordan Hall, defensive back Corey Brown and defensive back Travis Howard were identified as having improperly received the money during a joint Ohio State-NCAA investigation on Aug. 31.

On Thursday, Ohio State interim coach Luke Fickell said he and his staff had not yet decided what to do with the players. But he spoke as if the suspended players would have to earn playing time and would not step right back in as starters.

Cowboys win big: Brandon Weeden connected with Justin Blackmon on two short touchdown tosses, Joseph Randle ran for two scores and No. 9 Oklahoma State used an early burst of offense to beat visiting Arizona 37-14.

The Cowboys (2-0) scored on their first three drives to open a 21-0 lead in the first 16½ minutes.

Randle had 121 yards rushing and nine catches for 99 yards, and Blackmon had 128 yards on 12 receptions to extend his NCAA record streak to 14 straight games with at least 100 yards receiving.

Weeden had 397 yards passing, one less than Arizona's Nick Foles in a duel between the nation's top two passers from the first week of the season.

The Wildcats (1-1) played without Juron Criner, who was the Pac-10's top receiver last season. He had an appendectomy Monday, and it's unclear whether he'll return for home games the next two weeks against No. 6 Stanford and No. 12 Oregon.

Hampton 23, Florida A&M 17: The Rattlers dropped to 1-1, falling to the host Pirates (2-0).

Longhorn network: The Longhorn Network, which is struggling to pick up national distribution on cable, will broadcast five games for the new University of Texas-San Antonio football program that is led by former Miami coach Larry Coker.

Arkansas: To mark the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks on the United States, War Memorial Stadium has painted a patriotic pig on its turf for Saturday's game against New Mexico. The Razorback logo is typically red, white and black, but Saturday will feature a red, white and blue razorback.

LSU: Suspended receiver Russell Shepard will be eligible to return for the fourth game, at West Virginia. The starter was suspended indefinitely before the opener for breaking an NCAA rule that bars discussing ongoing investigations with teammates.

Penn State: Coach Joe Paterno, 84, hopes to avoid the press box and be on the sideline for Saturday's game against Alabama. But he is still not fully recovered from getting run into by a player at practice last month, and doctors advised him to stay in the press box, where he coached last week's opener.

unlv: Coach Bobby Hauck got a two-year extension that keeps him at the school through 2014 at his current annual salary of $350,000. Hauck is in his second year with the Rebels, who went 2-11 last year and lost their opener last week at Wisconsin, 51-17.

Basketball: Gators reinstate forward Murphy

GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Billy Donovan reinstated junior forward Erik Murphy following his arrest and subsequent plea agreement after he was charged with burglary in April.

"Erik Murphy has served his punishment,'' Donovan said in a statement. "We're all disappointed with what transpired, but there's no question Erik has learned a great deal through the whole process and understands what a great opportunity and privilege it is to play college basketball."

Murphy and forward Cody Larson were suspended on April 12 after each was arrested on felony burglary charges. Police said the two tried to break into a car in St. Augustine. The charges were reduced to misdemeanor criminal trespass, and Murphy agreed to a plea deal in July.

He paid $440 in restitution, performed 50 hours of community service and was ordered to complete a substance abuse evaluation program.

Larson remains suspended. He has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor trespass charges, and his case is pending.

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning had his third neck surgery in 19 months Thursday and will miss not only the Colts' opener but possibly the season.

The four-time NFL MVP hasn't missed a game in 14 seasons, with 227 consecutive starts at quarterback, including postseason.

"Rehabilitation from such surgery is typically an involved process," the team said in a statement, calling the procedure uneventful. There is no time line for Manning's return, it said, and he will remain on the active roster "until we have a clear picture of his recovery process."

The Colts could have put Manning on injured reserve to open a roster spot, but that would have meant him not playing at all during a season that ends with the Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

Manning had an anterior fusion procedure to treat a nerve problem that bothered him after his previous surgery, May 23.

Kerry Collins will replace Manning on Sunday against the Texans, making him the first Colts quarterback other than Manning to start a game since Jim Harbaugh on Dec. 21, 1997.

Chargers: The team said enough tickets have been sold so their home opener against the Vikings on Sunday won't be blacked out. Last year three of its first four home games were blacked out, snapping a string of 48 straight sellouts.

Cowboys: Cornerback Mike Jenkins returned to practice, a day after limping off with a knee injury, and the former USF standout appears likely to play in the opener Sunday night against the Jets.

dolphins: Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson re-signed, five days after the team cut him. Miami needed a reinforcement because rookie Daniel Thomas hurt his hamstring Wednesday and sat out practice Thursday. He is day to day, coach Tony Sparano said.

Jaguars: About 5,000 tickets were left for the home opener Sunday against the Titans, and the team was granted a 24-hour blackout deadline extension.

Jets: Coach Rex Ryan said he was not advocating fan violence when he said "it's probably not recommended" that Cowboys fans wear team gear to MetLife Stadium on Sunday for the opener. "I would like to see our stadium just in our colors," he said.

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

MILWAUKEE — There are certain conveniences provided by a 10-game lead in the NL East, the Phillies' advantage over the Braves after Thursday's games.

So caution, and perhaps an abundance of it, will prevail. That is why 2B Chase Utley stayed in Philadelphia to see a concussion specialist Thursday. He will remain there likely through the weekend, and his return to the lineup is unknown. The second baseman was plunked on the back of the helmet by a pitch against the Braves on Wednesday. MLB's concussion protocol dictates two days of rest.

An IMPACT test, used to determine the severity of concussion symptoms, will be conducted, and the Phillies will await those results. The test will compare readings from a baseline exam Utley took earlier this season.

With Utley down, the Phillies activated SS Jimmy Rollins from the disabled list even though they know he's not yet ready to rejoin the lineup. They can do that because of expanded rosters, and they will ease Rollins (strained groin) back slowly, likely in a pinch-hitting role. There is no timetable for his full return.

Astros buyer irked: Jim Crane is becoming impatient at how long it's taking MLB to approve his purchase of the Astros. He told the Houston Chronicle that his contract with current Astros owner Drayton McLane on a $680 million deal has a deadline of Nov. 30. Crane believes the approval may be being held up to pressure him into agreeing to move the Astros from the NL to the AL. He said he would consider such a move, but that it's a complicated decision.

$1.2B bid for Dodgers a stunt? Ryan Kirkpatrick, an attorney for Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, dismissed a $1.2 billion bid for the team as a "publicity stunt," according to documents filed this week in Los Angeles Superior Court. McCourt remains steadfast in his intention not to sell the Dodgers, the Los Angeles Times reported. McCourt received the offer Aug. 30, from a group headed by Los Angeles Marathon founder Bill Burke and funded in large part by financial institutions owned by the Chinese government. Frank McCourt has not responded publicly to the Burke bid.

Game 2 washout: The second game of Thursday's Dodgers-Nationals doubleheader was postponed because of rain. The game will be replayed only if needed to decide a playoff race at the end of the season. The Dodgers won the first game 7-4.

Drug suspensions: Three minor-leaguers were suspended for 50 games each after failing drug tests. Philadelphia OF Zachary Collier (Class A Lakewood) tested positive for an amphetamine. RHP Alejandro Montas and C Gustavo Parra both tested positive for stanozolol and will begin their 50-game bans upon signing with a major-league organization.

Brewers: 2B Rickie Weeks (left ankle sprain) was activated from the DL, but manager Ron Roenicke plans to limit Weeks to pinch-hitting.

Dodgers: OF Andre Ethier (right knee), whose 30-game hitting streak was the second longest in team history, was shut down for the season. "I'm just trying to figure this whole thing out right now and figure out a way to get it better where it won't affect me for spring training," he said.

Giants: OF Aaron Rowand and INF Miguel Tejada, both designated for assignment last week, were put on waivers for the purpose of their unconditional release. Rowand's 2011 salary is $12 million and he was due the same salary in 2012. Tejada, 37, had a one-year, $6.5 million deal.

Mets: RHP Jason Isringhausen will be sidelined for several days because he has a herniated disk in his lower back. Isringhausen, 39, said there is numbness in one foot and he will likely get a shot to his nerve.

Nationals: Manager Davey Johnson said he was resting 2B Danny Espinosa, who this week set a team record with seven straight strikeouts, because he was mentally tired. … C Ivan Rodriguez, who was on the DL for nearly two months with an oblique strain, will be limited to pinch-hitting for the rest of the year.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Braves 5, Mets 1

Game 2

NEW YORK — Julio Teheran gave flashes of his potential in earning his first big-league win and the Braves swept a doubleheader made necessary when the threat of Hurricane Irene postponed two games in August. Chipper Jones had a sacrifice fly and RBI double in the nightcap.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Florida State Racquetball doubles championships were held Aug. 26-28 at the Sarasota Bath and Racquet Club. There were 135 participants, and plenty of local players fared well.

In the mixed open doubles bracket, Sara Noyes of St. Petersburg teamed with Mike Harmon of Sarasota to win the championship. Noyes and Harmon, who played together only one other time before the state tournament, defeated Susan Pfahler and Curtis Winter of Jacksonville. They have qualified for the regional tournament Sept. 23-25, also in Sarasota.

Other local winners in the tournament were Alfredo Hernandez and Jim Yore of Clearwater, who won the men's Elite Division. Sal Perconi of St. Petersburg paired with Marc Burns to win the men's 60-plus division. Karen Weins of Palm Harbor and Sue Criner of Clearwater won the women's A-plus division. And Karen Bouchard of Dunedin and Tom Bevelock of Sarasota won the mixed 40-plus group. George Eveland and Ken Beatty of St. Petersburg came in second in the men's 50-plus division and Janet Tyler of Palm Harbor and Mary Lyons of Jacksonville came in second in the women's open division.

Golf

The County Golf Association held an individual tournament Sept. 1 at Seminole Lake Country Club. The regular division gross winner was Pat Maxon, who shot 74. The regular division net winner was Manny Gonzalez, who shot 65. The senior gross winner was Jim Montali, who shot 67. The senior net winner was Jim Barrie, who shot 65.

• The Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association held its first tournament of the season Aug. 19 at Plantation Palms in Land O'Lakes. In the boys 9-11 nine-hole bracket, Dayton Chadwick of Seminole won by shooting 39. In the boys 16-18 group, which was 18 holes, Austin Stephens of Pinellas Park was third with 83. Alden Davis of Chiefland was first with 75. In the girls 13-15 age group, Madison Glennie was third with 88. Summer Moser of Lutz won with 80. In the boys 11-13 age group, Matthew Zloto of Tarpon Springs lost in a playoff to Robert Hall of Tampa after both shot 96.

Tennis

The East Lake Fall Jr. Rookie Tournament was held Sept. 3-4 at East Lake Woodlands Country Club. The boys 16 singles winner was Jordan Mark, the 14 winner was Erich Klopfer, the 12 winner was Ethan Kramer and the 10 winner was Harrison Povey. The girls 14 singles winner was Ansley Rathgeber, the 12 winner was Seneka Epasinghe and the 10 winner was Jaela Bandes.

Volleyball

Local college volleyball teams have started their seasons, and they are off to a good start.

St. Petersburg College has slipped into the National Junior College Athletic Association's top 20. The Titans are ranked 19th with a 5-1 record. Locals on the team include Nicole Dunn of Countryside High, Staci Cundiff of Seminole High, Marisa Moralobo of Indian Rocks Christian and Carmen Kubes of Largo High. The team is coached by Scott White, who is in his fifth season.

• Clearwater Christian College, which won its 10th national championship last season, is off to a 6-0 start after winning a Labor Day tournament in Clearwater. The team is made up of players from around the country. The only local player on the team is Sarah Wild, who is from Clearwater.

• Eckerd College won three games at the University of Tampa Classic and was 3-1 before hosting the Eckerd College Classic. Taylor Whaley of St. Petersburg is the only Pinellas County athlete on the team.

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

Phillies 7, Brewers 2

MILWAUKEE — Cole Hamels pitched a four-hitter and Hunter Pence's triple keyed a six-run sixth for the Phillies. Hamels gave up solo homers to Yuniesky Betancourt and Corey Hart, but he kept Milwaukee from mounting big innings. The Phillies had one hit off Chris Narveson the first 5⅔ innings, then broke through for six runs by getting seven consecutive batters on base to chase the Milwaukee starter in the sixth.

Times wires
Thursday, September 8, 2011

NEW YORK — At one point, Andy Roddick looked up and saw a fan scaling a chain-link fence behind tiny Court 13, hoping to catch a peek of his victory Thursday.

At another point, a baby's loud cries provided a distraction at the 584-seat venue. "At least," Roddick deadpanned later, "there wasn't a baby crying on the fence."

It was that sort of day at this unusual U.S. Open.

Rain finally gave way to sun after two days of washed-out matches and only 15 minutes of play, but chaos still reigned. A crack near a baseline in the tournament's second-biggest stadium let water seep through, halting Roddick's already twice-delayed match against David Ferrer until they were moved to a court often used by juniors.

And because of the showers, the U.S. Tennis Association extended the tournament, delaying the men's final by 24 hours, to Monday. The women's final was shifted from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon.

Amid Thursday's goings-on — which also included complaints about the schedule before and after it was changed; talk by Roddick and other players about forming a union; and treatment by a trainer for Novak Djokovic and his opponent, who eventually quit, then apologized to Djoko­vic — plenty of tennis was played.

Roddick, defending champion Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Tampa resident John Isner won to reach the quarterfinals, Isner for the first time in a Grand Slam. On the other side of the draw, top seed Djokovic got to the semis, and Roger Federer's nighttime quarterfinal with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was — surprise! — delayed by rain. It eventually resumed, and Federer won 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Serena Williams, top seed Caroline Wozniacki, Tampa resident Sam Stosur and Angelique Kerber made the women's semis, which were moved from today to Saturday night.

The 21st-seeded Roddick and fifth-seeded Ferrer got in less than 10 minutes of play before Roddick pointed out a damp spot in Louis Armstrong Stadium that made the court dangerous to play. He and Ferrer headed back to the locker room while workers spent an hour trying to dry the area. At 12:30 p.m., the players returned with tournament referee Brian Earley to inspect the area.

Roddick pointed out that the spot still was wet and said to Earley, "Can you tell us why you brought us out here? … How hard is it to not see water? … What are we doing here?"

As he walked to the sideline, Roddick shook his head and said: "I'm baffled right now. Absolutely baffled." He shoved his racket in his bag and walked off the court as some fans jeered.

"The court was no good," Ferrer, a Spaniard, said later. "Andy's reaction was normal. If I didn't have the same reaction it's because I don't speak good English."

Roddick, Ferrer and Earley then spoke in a hallway. "Put us on 13," Roddick said. "Thirteen's open. Let's go play. I don't care where we play."

Within minutes, the decision was made to switch courts, and the match resumed a little before 1 p.m. Not much more than two hours later, Roddick was high-fiving front-row spectators after wrapping up his 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory.

"I thought the atmosphere was great. People packed in," said Roddick, who plays Nadal next.

Djokovic reached his sixth consecutive major semifinal and improved to 62-2 in 2011, advancing when his opponent, No. 20 Janko Tipsarevic, stopped playing while trailing 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (3-7), 6-0, 3-0. Tipsarevic had his left hamstring bandaged by a trainer at 5-0 in the third set.

Djokovic saw a trainer for treatment on a bloody left big toe after sliding for a drop shot in the fourth set's first game. He and Tipsarevic are friends, and they met for a long hug at the net when Tipsarevic conceded; he said he told Djokovic he was sorry.

Times wires
Friday, September 9, 2011

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers won the opening-night duel with Drew Brees, and the Packers made a goal-line stand on the final play to beat the Saints 42-34 Thursday night.

Packers rookie Randall Cobb caught a touchdown pass and ran a kickoff back 108 yards for a score in the third quarter, tying an NFL record for the longest kickoff return in history.

Rodgers threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Brees threw for 419 and three TDs, including a score to Jimmy Graham that cut the lead to eight with 2:15 left.

After a punt, Brees took the Saints to the Packers 9 and spiked the ball with 3 seconds left. A.J. Hawk was then called for pass interference, and the ball was placed at the 1. But the Packers' defense surge, led by end Ryan Pickett of Zephyrhills, swarmed rookie tailback Mark Ingram short of the goal line.

Cobb's return tied the record set by Ellis Hobbs in 2007. They are the second-longest plays in NFL history, behind ex-Seminole Antonio Cromartie's 109-yard missed field goal return in 2007.

Times wires
Friday, September 9, 2011

White Sox 8, Indians 1

CHICAGO — Brent Morel hit two homers and Paul Konerko had a grand slam to lift the White Sox. Morel hit a solo shot off David Huff in the third and a three-run homer off Frank Herrmann in the seventh, both on the first pitch. It was Morel's first career multihomer game and his four RBIs were a career high. Konerko's 10th career grand slam tied Robin Ventura's White Sox record and capped Chicago's seven-run seventh.