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Cardinals 4, Braves 3

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Cardinals 4, Braves 3

ST. LOUIS — Lance Berkman had a single, RBI double and walk, reaching base seven straight times over two games, and the Cardinals inched within 5½ of the Braves in the NL wild card. Jaime Garcia pitched six efficient innings and Rafael Furcal had two hits and his 300th career steal for St. Louis, which has won the first two games of a three-game series.


No. 18 Florida Gators rout UAB Blazers 39-0

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

GAINESVILLE — By halftime of Saturday night's game against Alabama-Birmingham, Florida had amassed 308 yards of offense and 16 first downs, allowed 8 yards in the second quarter and led by 25 points.

It wasn't the test coach Will Muschamp had hoped for as the Gators prepare to face SEC foe Tennessee this week, but Florida fans didn't seem to mind.

Running back/receiver Chris Rainey had a career-high 162 total yards, including a 19-yard touchdown run with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter, and John Brantley was 12-of-19 for 195 yards to lead Florida to a 39-0 victory at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in front of 87,473.

Muschamp's shutout tied for the quickest for a first-year coach. Galen Hall also had one in his second game in 1984. And it was Florida's first shutout since Nov. 18, 2006, 62-0 over I-AA Western Carolina.

Florida (2-0) has now won 24 consecutive nonconference home games. The Gators move into the heart of their season when they host Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

After a somewhat conservative offensive approach in the season opener, the Gators opened up big. Brantley connected with Quinton Dunbar for a 40-yard pass on the opening play to set up Florida's first score, a 24-yard field goal by Caleb Sturgis.

The lopsided score a week after a 41-3 victory against Florida Atlantic leaves the looming question of really how good are the Gators.

Muschamp had hoped to face more adversity than either of the Gators' first two opponents provided.

But even without much opposition Saturday, Florida had issues the coach said must be addressed quickly.

It had seven penalties for 40 yards in the first half and had to settle for field goals on three of five trips in the red zone. Several of those penalties were procedure calls on the offense.

"We just really looked out of synch on our substitutions," Muschamp said. "And we can't settle for field goals in our red zone."

With senior running back Jeff Demps out with an injury early in the second quarter, Rainey carried the load early.

But then the Gators opened up it up to others as offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said he hoped to do.

Mike Gillislee had 11 carries for 79 yards, and all-purpose player Trey Burton had six for 46. Each also scored.

Freshman fullback Hunter Joyer, a former Wesley Chapel High standout, scored the Gators' first touchdown, a 3-yard carry with 2:09 remaining in the first quarter. It was Joyer's first career carry.

The defense, which is still a work in progress due to injuries and position battles, was solid. UAB had just 27 offensive plays in the first half compared with 40 for the Gators. Blazers quarterback Bryan Ellis, who threw for more than 3,000 yards last season, was 14-of-25 for 132 yards but couldn't get them in the end zone.

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic to meet again in U.S. Open final

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

NEW YORK — Facing two match points against a beloved player whose name is in the history books, Novak Djokovic clenched his jaw, nodded and flashed an ever-so-slight smile.

"I would lie if I say I didn't think I'm going to lose," Djokovic said.

Might as well go down swinging, then, right?

He turned violently on a wide, 108 mph serve from Roger Federer for a crosscourt forehand winner that barely nicked the line. The fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium, ready to explode for a Federer victory, instead found themselves taking a cue from Djokovic, who raised his hands, asking them to pump up the volume and give him a little more love.

About 10 minutes later, those fans were dancing with Djoko as he boogied at center court to celebrate an epic U.S. Open semifinal win, one in which he dug out of a two-set hole, then saved two match points to beat Federer at the tournament for the second straight year.

Top-seeded Djokovic won 6-7 (5-7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 Saturday to improve to 63-2 on the year. This was his second career comeback from two sets down; Federer lost a two-set lead for the second time in three months after going 178-0 lifetime when up two before this year's Wimbledon quarterfinals.

Next, Djokovic faces defending champion Rafael Nadal in a rematch of last year's final. No. 2 Nadal beat No. 4 Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in the later semifinal. Djokovic is 5-0 against Nadal this year. All the meetings have been in tournament finals, including Wimbledon.

"I didn't find the solution (to beating Djokovic) yet," Nadal said. "I will try my best. … I think I played a fantastic match (in last year's final). I will try the same."

Nadal's four-set win over Djokovic last year made him the fourth man to win three Grand Slam titles in a year since the start of the Open era. Djokovic could become the fifth, though he said regardless of what happens, the comeback win over Federer will always stand out.

"It was definitely the biggest win of this year, one of the biggest wins of the career under the circumstances," Djokovic said. "Roger was in control, playing better. I switched gears and played much better over three sets."

So much better that after the fourth set, the prospect of third-seeded Federer ever getting a match point seemed bleak.

Djokovic — who spent the first two sets shaking his head, commiserating with the folks in his players box, even folding his hands in mock prayer — turned things around suddenly and unexpectedly.

He got an early break in the third to capture the momentum. After winning that one, he placed 16 of 20 of his first serves in during the fourth set and tore off his first 15 service points to easily push the match to the distance.

Federer said Djokovic is the best version of the kind of players he faced as a kid: those who start taking huge chances when they believe they have nothing else to lose.

"Then to lose against someone like that, it's very disappointing, because you feel like he was mentally out of it already," Federer said. "Just gets the lucky shot at the end, and off you go."

Triple-A stars Russ Canzler, Dane De La Rosa to join Tampa Bay Rays today

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — INF/OF Russ Canzler and RHP Dane De La Rosa will join the Rays today, rewarded for their strong seasons at Triple-A Durham with promotions and the opportunity to be part of the late playoff push.

At least one other pitcher is expected to be added — either LHP Alex Torres or touted prospect LHP Matt Moore — as the Rays will need a starter sometime after the Sept. 21 doubleheader in New York. Manager Joe Maddon acknowledged that Moore was "a possibility" but said the decision had not been made, which sounds like it could depend where the Rays are in the race then.

Canzler, 25, will be making his major-league debut, having starred in his first season above the Double-A level, hitting .314 with 18 homers, 83 RBIs and 62 extra-base hits for the Bulls to win International League MVP honors. He seems likely to be used as a pinch-hitter or potential DH.

"I was told he could really hit a fastball," Maddon said. "We're going to have to work on really improving his defense in certain spots, but overall the offense is good."

Because Canzler has to be added to the full 40-man roster, the team will drop someone today.

De La Rosa, 28, appeared in one game during a three-day July stint with the Rays. Also in his first season at Triple A, he went 6-5 with six saves, a 3.20 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 70⅓ innings over 52 games. He is likely to be used in blowout or extra-inning situations.

"He's had a good season; he has good stuff, I know that," Maddon said.

BY ANY NAME: RHP James Shields has taken on a new nickname, Complete Game James, with his record-setting performance this season, finishing what he has started 11 times.

But his previous moniker — Big Game James — is more applicable today as he squares off with Red Sox ace LHP Jon Lester.

"I think it's a big moment, no matter what (happened Saturday); we definitely have to win (today)," Shields said. "I'm going to try to step my game up. I've got to face Lester, so it's going to be a tough little battle for us.

"If I go out there and pitch my game the way I've been pitching all season long, I think I'll be all right."

Shields has some swelling from a sty in his left eye but said it will not impact his performance today.

IN REMEMBRANCE: The Rays have a series of events planned today to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The schedule, with gates opening at 11:40 a.m., includes a series of displays, including a steel beam from the World Trade Center; a messages wall; a video tribute; onfield ceremonies honoring Tampa Bay area first responders; and a ceremonial first pitch by Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Mark Bogush, who, with his K9 partner Marley, was dispatched to the WTC site after the attacks.

PITCHING IN: Shields said he and the other starters have made sure LHP David Price is well aware he is the only member of the rotation without a complete game this season. "We've kind of given him a little hard time about that," Shields said. The 15 complete games are second only to the Phillies, who have 17. The Rays are the fifth AL team since 2000 to have that many, joining the 2000 and 2008 Blue Jays, 15; 2001 Tigers, 16; and 2003 A's, 16.

UPTON'S ISSUE: CF B.J. Upton said the reason he nearly missed the ninth inning of Friday's game was some odd cramping that affected his left hand, left forearm and the toes on his left foot. "Very weird," he said.

MISCELLANY: Maddon admitted that C John Jaso played his way into Saturday's lineup after his strong Friday game. … TV pre-, post- and in-game host Todd Kalas will rejoin the team Monday; he has been at a family function. … INF Sean Rodriguez was hit by a pitch for a team-record 15th time. … DH Johnny Damon went into Saturday's game needing one stolen base to become the ninth player in history with 200 homers and 400 steals.

Tampa Bay Rays closer Kyle Farnsworth to rest tender elbow

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Closer Kyle Farnsworth will be out at least a few days — and potentially longer — due to a recurrence of tenderness in his right elbow.

After struggling in the ninth inning, allowing back-to-back homers, Farnsworth and the Rays acknowledged the potentially troubling problem, which prevents him from finishing his pitches.

"We're going to try to give it a couple days and hopefully it gets better,'' Farnsworth said.

Farnsworth was sidelined for several days the last weekend of August with a similar issue and has pitched five times since, allowing nine hits, including three home runs. He had allowed only two home runs in his first 57 appearances.

"It definitely got better, and then it got a little worse, now it's definitely become an issue,'' Farnsworth said. "Not too bad of an issue, but something that I can't finish my pitches on.''

Manager Joe Maddon said he could tell from watching Farns­worth that something wasn't right: "You could just see there wasn't the same jump on his pitches.'' He said they will give Farnsworth — who had converted 23 of 29 save opportunities — a few days to rest and then re-evaluate. In the interim, they will use relievers based on matchups.

ON THE WAY UP: INF/OF Russ Canzler and RHP Dane De La Rosa will join the Rays today, rewarded for their strong Triple-A seasons with promotions.

At least one other pitcher is expected to be added — either LHP Alex Torres or touted prospect LHP Matt Moore — as the Rays will need a starter sometime after the Sept. 21 doubleheader in New York. Maddon acknowledged that Moore was "a possibility" but said the decision had not been made, which sounds like it could depend where the Rays are in the race then.

Canzler, 25, will be making his major-league debut after hitting .314 with 18 homers, 83 RBIs and 62 extra-base hits for Durham to win International League MVP honors. He seems likely to be used as a pinch-hitter or potential DH. Because Canzler has to be added to the full 40-man roster, the team will drop someone today.

De La Rosa, 28, appeared in one game during a July stint with the Rays. He went 6-5 with six saves, a 3.20 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 70⅓ innings over 52 games at Durham.

BY ANY NAME: RHP James Shields has taken on a new nickname, Complete Game James, with his record-setting performance this season, finishing what he has started 11 times.

But his previous moniker — Big Game James — is more applicable today as he squares off with Red Sox ace LHP Jon Lester with a chance for a sweep.

"I think it's a big moment ... we definitely have to win (today)," Shields said. "I'm going to try to step my game up. I've got to face Lester, so it's going to be a tough little battle for us.

"If I go out there and pitch my game the way I've been pitching all season long, I think I'll be all right."

Shields has some swelling from a sty in his left eye but said it will not impact his performance today.

IN REMEMBRANCE: The Rays have a series of events planned today to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The schedule, with gates opening at 11:40 a.m., includes a series of displays, including a steel beam from the World Trade Center; a messages wall; a video tribute; onfield ceremonies honoring Tampa Bay area first responders; and a ceremonial first pitch by Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Mark Bogush, who, with his K9 partner Marley, was dispatched to the WTC site after the attacks.

MISCELLANY: INF Sean Rodriguez was hit by a pitch for a team-record 15th time. … The Rays won their 20th straight when scoring at least five runs. … Maddon acknowledged that C John Jaso played his way into Saturday's lineup after his strong Friday game. … TV pre-, post- and in-game host Todd Kalas will rejoin the team Monday; he has been at a family function.

Florida Gators honor Sept. 11 victims, first responders

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

GAINESVILLE — On the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Florida dedicated a portion of its pregame and all of its halftime ceremonies to remembering the event.

Six Gators with family military ties ran out of the tunnel carrying American flags. Local first responders were honored, and members of the school's chorus sang God Bless America following a video and moment of silence for those who lost their lives.

Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis donned an FBI baseball cap.

During that week in 2001, college football officials wrestled over what should be done about the games. They eventually postponed them. Florida coach Will Muschamp said he finds it difficult to think back to that day and what it was like for himself and everyone else in America.

"That's a tough deal," Muschamp said. "Obviously, it was an attack on our country, and then to go through what I know a lot of people close to me went through with that, it's just a tough deal. And to have to think back through all of that happening, it seems like it was yesterday to me."

Muschamp, who was the linebackers coach at LSU in 2001, said football was far from coaches' minds during that week.

"Getting your team ready really was an afterthought after that happened," he said.

"It was more about circling the wagons and understanding why it happened, explaining it to young men why something like that happens. And you can't think rationally with irrational people. And what happened was totally irrational."

MAKING HIS MARK: Following the Gators' season opener against Florida Atlantic, Muschamp had high praise for FB Hunter Joyer, a graduate of Wesley Chapel High, for his blocking. Saturday, Joyer made his mark in a different way.

On his first career carry, Joyer scored from 3 yards to give the Gators a 13-0 lead.

Joyer became the fourth Gator since 2008 to score a touchdown on his first career carry, joining Javier Estopinan in 2008 and Trey Burton and Jordan Reed in 2010.

BACK IN STRIDE: After missing nearly all of last season with a back injury, Florida K Caleb Sturgis connected on field goals of 24, 35, 28 yards during the first half. It was the first time he kicked three in a game since Mississippi State in 2009.

FINALLY: Florida scored 54 points, had 41 first downs, went 7-for-8 in trips to the red zone and forced eight opponent punts over two games before former walk-on David Lerner finally got his opportunity to punt Saturday night. Lerner's 32-yarder midway through the second quarter was the first of the season for the Gators.

Backup gives Auburn another wild victory

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — Ryan Smith went low and came up big.

The backup safety stopped quarterback Chris Relf at the goal line on the final play to preserve Auburn's 41-34 win over No. 16 Mississippi State on Saturday.

Relf kept the ball on an option and seemingly had an open lane to the end zone, but Smith brought down the 240-pound QB to save Auburn, which needed two late touchdowns to beat Utah State last week.

"We'd prefer to win games a lot different than we are," said coach Gene Chizik, whose team has won a nation-high 17 in a row. "But there's something to be said when you can fight down to the end when it doesn't look good."

It was Smith's first tackle of the season and fourth of his career.

"You don't really have time to think," the sophomore said. "You just make the play. I knew he was going to keep the ball. He had been keeping it all day."

Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen said he would have gone for two and the win if Relf had scored.

"We gave him two choices (pass or run), and he made the right call," Mullen said. "Chris said, 'I feel great about this run call.' It looked like he had it, and the kid made a heck of an open-field tackle."

Relf said he fell an inch shy.

"We didn't come up with the big inch," he said. "I should have made the play."

Tide handles Lions

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — A.J. McCarron was poised and efficient, throwing for 163 yards and a touchdown to lead No. 3 Alabama past No. 23 Penn State 27-11.

McCarron started the Tide's first game but had to share the job with Phillip Sims. Saturday, he was 19-for-31 with no turnovers and hit Michael Williams through traffic for a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

"We still have a competition," coach Nick Saban said. "We really do feel like we have two very good players, and we want both guys to continue to develop. But I thought A.J. did a nice job."

Penn State entered with its own quarterback competition. But Robert Bolden and Matt McGloin combined to go 12-of-39 for 144 yards (McGloin 1-of-10 for no yards).

"We certainly deserved a whooping," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "I think we've just got a lot of work ahead of us."

Tenn. 45, Cincy 23: Tyler Bray threw for four touchdowns and a career-high 405 yards and ran for a score for the host Vols. Bray was 34-of-41 for Tennessee, which had lost six in a row to nonconference BCS teams. "I wouldn't necessarily call it easy," said receiver Da'Rick Rogers, whose 15-yard catch in the second quarter made it 28-14. "I would call it routine."

Kentucky 27, Central Mich. 13: Josh Clemons' 87-yard run in the third gave the host Wildcats their first lead. It was Kentucky's longest run ever by a freshman and longest by anyone since Bernie Scruggs' 88-yarder on Oct. 24, 1970. "We thought he had good speed," said Kentucky coach Joker Phillips, whose team trailed 13-6 at halftime. "But we didn't know if he had that type of speed."

Miss. 42, Southern Ill. 24: Jeff Scott scored four touchdowns for the host Rebels, who led 35-10 early in the third quarter. The sophomore rushed for scores of 37 and 4 yards and returned a punt 67 yards for a score over the game's first 5:51. He added a 7-yard run in the third.

Defensive end's two touchdowns lift Gamecocks

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

ATHENS, Ga. — Melvin Ingram, a 276-pound senior defensive end, scored two touchdowns to help No. 12 South Carolina beat Georgia 45-42 and take the upper hand in the SEC East.

Looking like the running back he was in high school, Ingram went 68 yards on a fake punt. He also returned a fumble 5 yards.

Jefferson High graduate Stephen Garcia was 11-of-25 for 142 yards and a touchdown for the Gamecocks, who also got Antonio Allen's 25-yard interception return for a touchdown and Stephon Gilmore's 56-yard fumble return that set up a touchdown.

"Really, it was three defensive scores; and the (fake) punt, too. So that's basically four defensive touchdowns," coach Steve Spurrier said. "Georgia outplayed us. Give 'em credit. Sometimes, it happens like that. Somebody was looking out for us."

Georgia got four touchdown passes from Plant High graduate Aaron Murray but couldn't overcome its mistakes.

"When we look at the film, there will probably be some things that cause us to slam the projectors against the wall," coach Mark Richt said. "But just as many times, we'll probably say, 'That was awesome. I think we have all the ingredients to be a really fine team, ultimately."

Marcus Lattimore, who rushed for 176 yards, put the Gamecocks ahead for good at 38-35 with a 3-yard run with 3:28 left.

On the first play of the ensuing series, Jadeveon Clowney, among the nation's most touted recruits when he signed in February, burst through the line and threw down Murray, who lost the ball. Ingram batted it toward the end zone, picked it up and ran it in.

"Whatever my team needs me to do," Ingram said.

Georgia is the only team to open the season with consecutive games against ranked teams. Last week, it lost 35-21 to Boise State. And the pressure seems to be building on Richt, who is under fire with Georgia coming off its first losing season in 14 years. After the fake punt, he flung his headset and play card onto the field.

"There's a lot of games left to play," he said. "There's no question we're still in the SEC race."


Phillies 3, Brewers 2, 10 innings

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Raul Ibanez reached second after a small bobble. Carlos Ruiz laid down a crucial bunt. It is the little things the Phillies keep excelling at as they run away with the National League.

Ibanez doubled and scored on LaTroy Hawkins' throwing error in the 10th, and Philadelphia beat the Brewers 3-2 Saturday night for its sixth straight win.

"It worked out well for us," Ibanez said. "This team is always trying to find a way to win, however that is, sometimes it's not exactly how you plan it, but it works out."

The NL East-leading Phillies clinch a playoff berth today with a win and a Cardinals loss. Philadelphia can complete a four-game sweep today.

"Hopefully we do," starter Cliff Lee said. "It's not like we felt like we had to come in here and sweep them to make a statement, it's just playing the way we play, and it's kind of the way it's turned out."

Phillies 3, Brewers 2

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Raul Ibanez doubled and scored on LaTroy Hawkins' throwing error in the 10th, and the Phillies beat the Brewers 3-2 on Saturday night for their sixth straight win.

NL East-leading Philadelphia is on pace for its best season in franchise history and would clinch a playoff berth today with a win and a loss by the Cardinals.

Hunter Pence and Placido Polanco homered for the Phillies, who are now 12 games ahead of Atlanta.

Casey McGehee scored in a plate collision with Carlos Ruiz and drove in another off Phillies starter Cliff Lee to end his scoreless innings streak at 302/3. But Milwaukee lost its fifth straight as its NL Central lead shrank to six games over St. Louis.

In the 10th, Ibanez led off with a double and scored when Ruiz laid down a bunt. Hawkins took a bad angle then fired well over Prince Fielder's head at first.

COLLEGEEXTRA

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Saturday, September 10, 2011

Sunday, September 11, 2011 , Section X | 

TOP

25

Char. South.

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Saturday, September 10, 2011

Sept. 17

vs.

Oklahoma

7:30 or 8 p.m.

Sept. 10

FSU 62,

Charleston Southern 10

(2-0, 0-0)

Sept. 3

FSU 34,

Louisiana-Monroe 0

(1-0, 0-0)

Oct. 15

at

Duke

TBA

Oct. 8

at

Wake Forest

TBA

Sept. 24

at

Clemson

TBA

Nov. 3

at

Boston College

8 p.m., ESPN

OCt. 29

vs.

N.C. State

TBA

oct. 22

vs.

Maryland

TBA

Nov. 26

at

Florida

TBA

Nov. 19

vs.

Virginia

TBA

Nov. 12

vs.

Miami

TBA

62

10

Tampa Bay Rays: Joe Maddon picks team's next travel theme; Rays AL East's hottest team over past month

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Rays vs. Red Sox

When/where: 1:40 today; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Tickets: $19-$300 at box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa; $3 surcharge within five hours of game.

Promotion: Rays fire helmet to first 10,000 kids 14 and under, mini-American flag to first 30,000 fans, Sept. 11 tribute and ceremonies.

Starting pitchers:

Rays

RH James Shields (14-10, 2.77)

Red Sox

LH Jon Lester (15-6, 2.93)

Watch for …

Shields up: Shields is coming off his MLB-best 11th complete game and going for his career-high 15th win. He hasn't had much success against the Sox: 1-2, 3.52 this season, 6-11, 4.84 overall.

Leaning left: Lester is basically the last man standing among Sox starters. He has allowed one earned run or none in his past five starts, going 4-0, 1.16. He is 10-4, 3.65 vs. Rays, 4-0, 2.92 at the Trop.

Xxxxxxx

asdfl;adfljljkh

Hot stuff

AL East standings since 8-8:

Rays 21-10 —

Yanks 18-12 2

R.Sox 15-17 6.5

Jays 15-17 6.5

O's 14-19 8

Fashion accessory of the day

The Rays on the next road trip will break out their new personalized team letterman sweaters, the latest brainstorm from manager Joe Maddon. "I think it's the right time for it; it's very cool," Maddon said. "I honestly believe … that's going to be a popular item and that every ballclub is going to want one on their web site." The Rays don't, yet anyway, have plans to sell them.

Tampa Bay Rays come back after blowing lead, beat Boston Red Sox 6-5 in 11 innings

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Maybe the Rays really do have something special working.

Because Saturday night, they scored a huge victory in spite of themselves, winning the exact kind of game that had slipped away so many times this season, pockmarked by a long list of wasted opportunities, topped by a blown save.

But this time, they came out on top, winning 6-5 in 11 innings when Evan Longoria singled in Desmond Jennings to spark their team-record 12th walkoff celebration of the season.

Even better, it was the struggling Red Sox who were trudging off.

With the win, the Rays continued their amazing march back into contention, moving to within 4½ games of the Red Sox — the closest they've been to the wild-card spot since July 16 — though with only 18 games left. They also improved to a season-best 16 games over .500 at 80-64, the result of a 21-10 streak since Aug. 8 that is the best of the AL East teams as they made up 51/2 games in the wild-card race.

The Sox, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in their past seven games and the eight time in 10 September dates.

"I really believe, we all believe, that we have a solid chance to do this," Rays manager Joe Maddon said before the game. "And that's the only way that we can. If there's any doubters, it's not going to happen."

Jennings started the rally off Boston's Daniel Bard with a drive to right-center that landed just out of the reach of diving centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. After B.J. Upton grounded to first, Longoria lined a single to center for the fifth walkoff hit of his career.

Rookie Brandon Gomes, a native of Fall River, Mass., was the winner as the Rays' seventh reliever.

The Rays were two outs from victory in the ninth when closer Kyle Farnsworth allowed back-to-back home runs on two-strike pitches to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ellsbury.

Dustin Pedroia followed with a double — hustling out of the box and sliding in headfirst to beat centerfielder Upton's throw to second — and Adrian Gonzalez walked. Maddon pulled Farnsworth, and lefty Cesar Ramos came through in a treacherous situation, getting dangerous David Ortiz to ground into a double play, Sean Rodriguez hanging in to make the turn and Casey Kotchman a scoop on the back end.

For much of the night, before a boisterous and split red-blue Tropicana Field crowd of 24,566, it appeared the Rays were going to win in spite of themselves. They wasted numerous opportunities, leaving nine men on and going 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, and they got only six innings from starter Jeremy Hellickson.

Maddon went to the bullpen often, using four relievers to get the first six outs. And when Farns­worth, who had converted 23 of 28 saves, got the first out of the ninth, it appeared they would survive.

But Farnsworth, who had elbow issues a few weeks ago and blew a save in his last outing, gave up a homer on an 0-and-2 pitch to Saltalamacchia then on a 1-and-2 pitch to Ellsbury, who with 26 homers continues to build his candidacy for the American League MVP award.

The offense was a team effort for the Rays, as they scored single runs in five innings. So was the pitching.

Jake McGee got one of the biggest outs, protecting a 5-3 lead by retiring Gonzalez on a weak grounder with a man on to end the seventh. J.P. Howell got one, too, striking out ex-Ray Carl Crawford with a man on in the eighth, and Juan Cruz did the same to Jed Lowrie, and leaped off the mound.

Fill-in starter Kyle Weiland failed to do much for the Red Sox, lasting only four innings.

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

A look at the 12 Sprint Cup contenders in the 2011 NASCAR Chase for the Championship

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By Jim Tomlin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Kyle Busch

Drives: No. 18 Toyota

2011 wins: Four

New points: 2,012

Cut to the Chase: Busch has hit a few milestones this season: He led the regular season in wins, hit 100 wins in NASCAR's top three series and earned his first victory at Michigan (plus the inaugural Cup race at Kentucky). Now he seeks one more, the biggest one: a first Cup title. But he has only won one race during the 10-race Chase for the Championship and that was as a rookie in 2005, when he wasn't in the Chase.

Kevin Harvick

Drives: No. 29 Chevrolet

2011 wins: Four

New points: 2,012

Cut to the Chase: There might not be a better charger than Harvick, who has 13 top-10 finishes this season despite being 25th in the series in average start position (19.9) with a best start of seventh in the Daytona 500. He has been pretty consistent and tied Kyle Busch for the series lead in victories (four) with his win Saturday night at Richmond. Harvick is the bright spot in a down season for Richard Childress Racing.

Jeff Gordon

Drives: No. 24 Chevrolet

2011 wins: Three

New points: 2,009

Cut to the Chase: His gutsy drive to career victory No. 85 last week at Atlanta gave the four-time series champion a boost and further cemented thoughts that Gordon might be ready to climb to the top of the sport again at age 40. (Wow, can the former "Boy Wonder" really be that old?) This is his best season since 2007, when he won six times and was second in points behind teammate Jimmie Johnson.

Matt Kenseth

Drives: No. 17 Ford

2011 wins: Two

New points: 2,006

Cut to the Chase: Wins this season at Texas and Dover bode well for the 2003 series champion as both are Chase tracks. But he has no top-five finishes this season at the other six tracks where the series returns during the Chase. Kenseth went into Richmond as the only multi-time winner this season among the Roush Fenway Racing stable. He only owns one win during the Chase (in 2007 at Homestead).

Jimmie Johnson

Drives: No. 48 Chevrolet

2011 wins: One

New points: 2,003

Cut to the Chase: What to make of the five-time defending Cup champion? He has not been his dominant self this season, then again, nobody has really dominated. He only has one win, at Talladega, but went into Richmond leading the series in average finish (9.8) and top-10 finishes (17). The bottom line is he's the champ and the best Chase driver alive until somebody takes it away from him.

Carl Edwards

Drives: No. 99 Ford

2011 wins: One

New points: 2,003

Cut to the Chase: The man chosen by many in the preseason as the one to dethrone Johnson looked the part for much of the season as Edwards led the points for most of April and all of May, and was in the top two into mid August. He hit a bad patch in the summer but heading into Richmond he seemed to be coming around. He had back-to-back top-10 finishes for the first time since June.

Kurt Busch

Drives: No. 22 Dodge

2011 wins: One

New points: 2,003

Cut to the Chase: Penske Racing had a midseason shakeup after Busch complained loudly about the state of things on the team. Since then Busch has run solidly (a bumpy stretch in August aside) and teammate Brad Keselowski has been the sport's hottest driver. Since winning the Cup title in 2004, Busch has only won one Chase race (2009 in Atlanta), but he also owns at least one victory in each of the past 10 seasons.

Ryan Newman

Drives: No. 39 Chevrolet

2011 wins: One

New points: 2,003

Cut to the Chase: Newman has put together a consistent run to the Chase; he has been in the top 10 in points after every race but the opening Daytona 500. He's due for a good finish at a restrictor-plate track after how well he has run on them this year; perhaps next month, Talladega will be kind to Stewart-Haas Racing for once. And Newman's win this year came at Loudon, site of the second Chase race.

Brad Keselowski

Drives: No. 2 Dodge

2011 wins: Three

New points: 2,000

Cut to the Chase: As a wild card, he doesn't receive the three points per win like the drivers who finished the regular season in the top 10 in points. But after his breakthrough season — three victories, including two on a broken ankle — the 27-year-old has stamped himself as a contender at several types of tracks. One win came on a 1.5-mile track, one on the oddball Pocono layout and one at the Bristol bullring.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Drives: No. 88 Chevrolet

2011 wins: None

New points: 2,000

Cut to the Chase: Coming into Richmond, no Chase contender was in worse form than Junior. Forget breaking the 118-race losing streak, how about a top-10 finish? Earnhardt had just one top 10 in 11 races entering Saturday and that was a ninth place at Pocono. And he had led 50 laps all season, by far the fewest of anyone in the Chase. He still has Hendrick Motorsports power behind him though.

Tony Stewart

Drives: No. 14 Chevrolet

2011 wins: None

New points: 2,000

Cut to the Chase: By a lot of measures this is the worst season of Stewart's career, yet history suggests that counting him out is a bad idea. This is only the second time that he has gone this deep into a season without a win (in 2008 he was winless until race No. 30, at Talladega). But Stewart's a great finisher. Of his 39 Sprint Cup victories, 12 have come in races 27-36 of a season, including Fontana last year.

Denny Hamlin

Drives: No. 11 Ford

2011 wins: One

New points: 2,000

Cut to the Chase: He also doesn't get victory bonus points because he's a wild card. Hamlin, who came so close to the Cup title last season before finishing second, has been second-best on his team this year as Kyle Busch has been the top dog at Joe Gibbs Racing. And after compiling at least 18 top-10 finishes in each of his first five full seasons, he had nine entering Saturday. He has four career Chase wins.


Now it's time to hit the spotlight for Florida State

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By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Saturday, September 10, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — One year. They say it over and over, as if it were an eternity.

It's been one whole year since Florida State players traveled halfway across the country only to be embarrassed by Oklahoma in front of God and ABC.

One year since the worst defeat in their memories. One year since their pride was smacked from sideline to sideline. One year to wait for retribution.

What they are too young to understand is the rematch against the Sooners — now six days away — carries a significance far greater than simple payback.

This is the game that has been missing from Florida State's resume for far too long: The game with national title ramifications. The game to convince America that FSU is back.

No. 1 Oklahoma visits No. 5 Florida State on Saturday, and for three hours nothing else will matter.

"I'm pretty sure the atmosphere is going to be crazy," said fullback Lonnie Pryor. "That's pretty much the reason you play college football.

Florida State completed a two-week prerequisite course Saturday night by cruising past Charleston Southern 62-10 a week after dropping Louisiana-Monroe 34-0.

The scores are impressive, but the results mean little. The season doesn't really begin until the Sooners show up for the biggest game at Doak Campbell Stadium in years.

Yes, the 'Noles played for the ACC title in 2005 and '10, but those games hardly registered outside of local markets.

This is different.

This is the first time since the start of a half-decade decline that the rest of the country has had reason to be titillated by an FSU game. Florida State has faced some highly ranked teams in recent seasons but never one that has created this kind of fervor.

This feels like the opener in 2004 when No. 4 FSU traveled to No. 5 Miami.

Or 2003, when UM was No. 2 and Florida State was No. 5.

Or the final weeks of 2000, when the No. 3 'Noles beat No. 4 Florida and then lost to No. 1 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

This can be the kind of night that is remembered for generations.

"They know what's ahead of them," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "They know it's a big team we're going to play. It's going to be a great football game."

So are the Seminoles ready? Are they better prepared than last season, when they were losing 34-7 by halftime?

"We know we've got to execute this time," said quarterback EJ Manuel. "When you play a great team, they're not going to make mistakes, so you can't make mistakes, either."

The 2011 version of FSU should be better, but do not base your expectations on the past two weeks.

You can't complain about consecutive blowouts, even if they were against future accountants and architects. But you also can't trust those scores to tell you anything compelling or important. Or have you forgotten 2008?

The last time the Seminoles opened the season with back-to-back sparring partners, they outscored Western Carolina and Chattanooga 115-7. And then lost to Wake Forest.

The truth is, Florida State is going to have to play better to beat Oklahoma. Manuel missed too many deep passes and locked in on too many primary receivers. The offensive line had too many penalties and showed little indication it could run-block.

Here's one way to look at it:

FSU's quarterback was bigger than both defensive ends from Charleston Southern.

So shouldn't the Seminoles have been able to run the ball a little better? Shouldn't the offensive line, where the 299-pound left guard is considered the skinny one, be capable of bulldozing a JV opponent?

Because it didn't happen that way. Charleston Southern had its safeties playing close to the line, so the Seminoles opted to throw the ball far more and never established a ground game.

The final stat line says FSU rushed for 170 yards, but that's a lark.

James Wilder Jr., a former Plant standout, had a 41-yard run on the final play of the game, but it would have been called back if Charleston Southern hadn't decline the penalty while running to the exits.

The second-longest run of the night was a 35-yard reverse for receiver Bert Reed.

"We had our ups and downs in the running game," said Pryor. "But it got a little better from last week."

So now the Seminoles begin preparations to restore the reputation this program held for nearly two decades. The reputation Bobby Bowden built. And the reputation that eventually cost Bowden his job when he could no longer live up to it.

It has been one year since FSU was hammered by Oklahoma.

It's been a lot longer since the rest of college football cared.

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com.

Harvick slides into tie at top

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

RICHMOND, Va. — Kevin Harvick snapped out of his slump in time to storm into the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Harvick picked up his fourth win of the season Saturday night by winning at Richmond International Raceway. The victory ties Kyle Busch for most in the Sprint Cup Serie, and puts the two rivals at the top of the Chase standings.

The 10-race Chase begins next Sunday at Chicago. The field will include Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will race for the championship for the first time since 2008.

But Earnhardt making the 12-driver field was no gimme: He struggled most of Saturday night and limped into the Chase with a 16th-place finish.

Earnhardt and Denny Hamlin, who both started the night clinging to spots in the finalists field, sustained damage that required multiple pit stops before the race was 10 laps old.

After Clint Bowyer spun and backed into the outside wall while racing for third, he tried to right the car and get moving again as the field closed in from behind. Instead, he pulled into traffic and stopped, causing a multicar pileup.

Hamlin's car hit the outside wall and sustained significant damage to the right side. He dropped to 40th place and went a lap down. Earnhardt sustained front-end damage that threatened his radiator cooling system.

Hours before the race, an enormous American flag rippled in the breeze as it hung from a fully extended crane on the frontstretch of Richmond International Raceway.

The flag served as a patriotic backdrop while police and military bands performed as part of a prerace Salute to America concert to honor the military and first responders on the eve of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Fans were given small American flags as they entered the track, and several drivers did away with their traditional sponsor paint schemes to race in patriotic colors.

Kyle Busch's Toyota, which normally features images of his sponsor, M&Ms, was painted to look like an American flag, and had the words "9-11. Never Forget" across the back.

Ryan Newman, whose team is sponsored by the U.S. Army, raced with a camouflage scheme and the names of all 75 people killed when a hijacked plane slammed into the Pentagon on the hood.

"To have those that were fallen soldiers in the Pentagon is something that is kind of a bittersweet thing to talk about because we want to give them recognition but they are no longer here to receive that recognition," Newman said. "So it's about the families and the idea that the people make a sacrifice and it's something we all need to be grateful for, to respect our freedom and things we can do in our country. To have 75 names of people that lost their lives in that attack on 9/11 (on the car) is something that is bittersweet to talk about."

The fans were encouraged to wave the flags during the prerace concert, as well as while New York City police officer Danny Rodriguez sang God Bless America and the U.S. Army Infantry Division Band performed the national anthem. Wounded Warriors led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Fans also were encouraged to go silent on laps 9 through 11 to honor the victims, survivors and those that served in response to the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Diamondbacks 6, Padres 5, 10 innings

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

D'backs 6, Padres 5

10 innings

PHOENIX — Chris Young and Lyle Overbay homered off Heath Bell in the ninth to force extra innings, then Joe Thatcher walked in the winner in the 10th to give the Diamond­backs their team-record 15th straight win at home.

D starts, offense finishes UCF rout

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Times wires
Sunday, September 11, 2011

ORLANDO — Central Florida used three fourth-quarter touchdowns and three field goals from Nick Cattoi to run past Boston College 30-3 on Saturday night.

Playing before a rowdy announced crowd of 45,671 at Bright House Networks Stadium, the stingy Knights defense held the Eagles to 141 total yards. Boston College was 1-of-12 on third down as quarterback Chase Rettig was sacked three times and intercepted twice.

UCF's Jeff Godfrey was active with both his hands and feet, completing 20 of 25 passes for 187 yards and rushing 13 times for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Latavius Murray carried 10 times for 72 yards and a score.

Rettig finished 10-of-23 passing for 70 yards. Andre Williams, who had 122 yards and two touchdowns last week against Northwestern, had 59 yards on 12 carries Saturday.

The Knights, 2-0 for the first time since 1998, won a home game against a team from an automatic qualifying BCS conference for the first time.

UCF clung to a 9-3 lead throughout the third quarter until Godfrey completed back-to-back passes of 17 and 28 yards in the final minute to get the Knights inside the 5.

Godfrey sneaked in from 1-yard out two plays later to put the Knights up 16-3 with 14:51 left in the game.

Rettig was picked off by A.J. Bouye on the ensuing possession, giving the ball right back to the Knights on the Eagles 49.

UCF's offense picked up where it left off, needing only six plays to get back into the end zone — this time via a 1-yard plunge by Murray — to extend its lead to 23-3 with 9:30 left.

Little bits of spread help Florida Gators offense find end zone

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By Tyler Jett, Times Correspondent
Sunday, September 11, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Apparently Florida's offense hasn't completely rid itself of the Urban Meyer era.

On an inefficient Saturday evening in the red zone, the Gators turned to an old favorite to break through near the goal line during its 39-0 win against Alabama-Birmingham. Leading 18-0 with less than two minutes left in the first half, sophomore Trey Burton lined up in Florida's wildcat formation.

Burton, who served as a change-of-pace quarterback in Meyer's spread offense last year, took the snap, faked a handoff to Chris Rainey and scooted untouched off right tackle for a score.

"It's pretty big," Burton said of the formation. "We have guys like Rainey and (Jeff) Demps that can sneak around and get in the end zone, and it's hard to defend."

Before Burton's touchdown, the Gators had only managed 16 points on four trips inside UAB's 20-yard line, with three of those drives ending in Caleb Sturgis field goals.

The Gators found themselves 4 yards from the end zone on their opening drive but were stuffed on a couple of runs and an incomplete pass. Field goal.

Florida reached the 16-yard line on its next drive, but Demps was brought down behind the line and quarterback John Brantley missed on a pair of throws. Field goal.

Midway through the second quarter, Florida again got inside the UAB 5-yard line. This time, Burton was stopped, the Gators couldn't get a play off in time, Brantley was forced to throw the ball away and Rainey came up short. Field goal.

"It's demoralizing for an offense to kick field goals in the red zone," Gators coach Will Muschamp said. "You want to leave with points regardless; that's the first thing. But when you get down there, you got to put seven on the scoreboard."

Last week, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis was critical of his team's performance against FAU. The Gators scored four times in five trips against the Owls, but only three of those drives ended with touchdowns.

"I don't consider a field goal in the red zone a conversion," he said Tuesday. "That's a win for the defense."

This week, Florida scored all seven times it reached the red zone, including second-half touchdowns from Rainey and Mike Gillislee. But the game was well out of reach at that point.

Freshman Hunter Joyer of Wesley Chapel also scored on his first career carry for UF, a 3-yard run in the first quarter.

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