Times wires
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

KISSIMMEE — Braves minor-league manager Luis Salazar was awake and able to respond to doctors Wednesday after being hit in the face by Brian McCann's foul liner while standing near the dugout during a game.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Salazar had multiple facial fractures and an eye surgeon was examining him to determine the extent of the damage to his left eye. Braves general manager Frank Wren did not have a report from the hospital on Salazar's condition.

Salazar, 54, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and expected to remain there overnight.

"We are just blessed that Luis is alive," Wren said. "The scans so far have been positive. … There is an eye surgeon looking at it now. It was a freak accident.

"He was unable to speak when the paramedics arrived. We were very concerned when he was on his way to the hospital, but we feel a little bit better now."

Wren said Salazar was unconscious when an ambulance drove onto the field in the first inning to help the former big-leaguer. Wren said Salazar was hit around the nose, toward his left eye.

"That was the worst thing I have ever seen on the field," Braves star Chipper Jones said. "He wasn't awake at all. He was out of it. I just looked at him to see if he was breathing. I thought his life might be in danger."

The game was delayed nearly 20 minutes while medical personnel tended to Salazar.

FELLER TRIBUTE: A public memorial service for Indians Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller is March 31 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Feller was 92 when he died Dec. 15.

ADD AN "S": Angels first baseman Kendry Morales revealed that his actual name is Kendrys Morales. The Los Angeles Times said Morales "just never bothered to correct it" when the "s" was left off the contract he signed in 2004.

RELIEVER RETIRES: Right-hander Brendan Donnelly, 39, announced his retirement after nine seasons. A key setup man for the Angels for much of the decade, he finished with a 3.22 ERA and 369 strikeouts in 3851/3 innings.

EX-NFL PLAYER RETIRES: Former NFL player Pat White told the Royals he is retiring from baseball. White, 26, signed a minor-league contract with Kansas City after being released by the Dolphins in September.

DODGERS: Right-hander Jon Garland left his start with pain in his left side. There was no diagnosis.

MARLINS: Rightfielder Mike Stanton, out with a strained right quadriceps, may be 10 days away from playing in a spring game.

METS: Left-hander Oliver Perez was removed from competition for a starting spot after a poor outing Tuesday and will be considered for a bullpen role.

RANGERS: Right-hander Brandon Webb, coming back from 2009 shoulder surgery, threw to hitters for the first time this spring and said he felt good.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

CLEARWATER — With 2B Chase Utley unable to play in any spring training game because of a right knee injury, the Phillies are exploring non-surgical options.

The Phillies said an MRI exam of the five-time All-Star on Monday revealed tendinitis, bone inflammation and chondromalacia, or pain caused by irritation under the kneecap.

"We're still doing and researching who exactly we want to get opinions from," GM Ruben Amaro said. "We're just trying to find the best people to treat this."

Utley wants to avoid surgery.

"I think that's the last resort at this point," he said. "We're going to try to exhaust every avenue prior to that."

Utley, 32, has had tendinitis in his knee at other times in his career, but the pain never persisted as long as it has this spring. He has been limited to pregame batting practice.

"Batting doesn't bother me. Playing catch doesn't bother me," Utley said. "The pounding on it — the jumping and the running — there's definitely pain there. Those are things that I've had in the past that have gone away with treatment, but right now it's not going away."

EXTENSION PENDING: Manager Charlie Manuel and the team are close to an agreement on a two-year contract extension through 2013 that reportedly will be worth $3.5 million to $4 million per season.

Yanks: Rivera throws

TAMPA — Yankees closer Mariano Rivera took another step toward pitching in his first spring training game this year.

Rivera, 41, threw 35 pitches during his first batting practice session. He didn't rule out pitching Sunday, while manager Joe Girardi said Sunday or Wednesday would likely be the right-hander's debut.

"It was good, very good," Rivera said. "I threw my pitches. Tried to hit my spots."

Rivera had a 1.80 ERA and 33 saves in 38 chances last season. The 11-time All-Star has 559 regular-season saves, second to Trevor Hoffman's 601.

Jays: Eyes on Slowey

On Tuesday, the Blue Jays had three scouts watching Twins RHP Kevin Slowey, who might be the odd man out in Minnesota's deep rotation, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

According to the paper, Toronto and Minnesota would be a good match, with the Jays well-stocked in the bullpen and the Twins bereft of relievers after the free agent departures of Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain, Brian Fuentes, Jon Rauch and Ron Mahay.

Slowey, 26, has never pitched more than 160 innings in a season and had arm problems last year but has a 4.41 ERA in 473 career innings. His walk rate of 1.50 per nine innings ranks second in baseball since his debut in 2007, behind Phillies RHP Roy Halladay (1.42).

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Making her pitch

Justine Siegal, right, threw a solid round of batting practice, part of her tour of six camps aimed at getting more women involved in baseball (see baseballglory.com) and honoring Christina Green, the 9-year-old killed in the Arizona shootings in January. "It was fun to throw," said Siegal, 36, a former college and independent league coach. Said OF Sam Fuld: "Overall pretty impressive."

Trot of the day

Capping a morning baserunning drill, some players broke into their most outlandish home run trots. Felipe Lopez took off his jersey. Matt Joyce went shirtless. Then Ray Olmedo rounded the bases with his pants around his ankles. "Next time I'll go naked," Olmedo said. "Got to keep it fun."

Coach of the day

Retired Rays star Rocco Baldelli got the biggest hand from the announced crowd of 3,003 at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg for a split-squad game with the Dutch national team, coaching first base in his new role as a special assistant.

Anniversary of the day

Sixteen years ago Wednesday the Rays and Diamondbacks franchises were awarded at an owners meeting in Palm Beach.

Rays vs. Red Sox

When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte

TV/Internet radio: Sun Sports; raysbaseball.com

Tickets: Reserved seats $19-$27, berm/boardwalk $10. raysbaseball.com, Ticketmaster, Tropicana Field and Charlotte box offices, Tampa team store.

Gates open: 11 a.m.

Directions: Driving time from bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), right 2 miles, complex on the left.

Parking: $10; lots open at 10.

Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297

Pitchers: Rays — Andy Sonnanstine, Mike Ekstrom, Matt Bush, Brandon Gomes, Alex Torres; Red Sox — Daisuke Matsuzaka, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Michael Bowden, Rich Hill

Heads-up

Brandon Gomes, acquired from the Padres in the Jason Bartlett trade, is making a run at a bullpen job. He hasn't allowed a runner in four appearances.

Who is this Ray?

He has pitched in the big leagues for five teams. He struck out six consecutive batters on opening day 2003. He was traded in a deal involving Tim Hudson. He signed with the Rays as a minor-league free agent.

On deck

Friday: Pirates, 1:05. Rays — Wade Davis; Pirates — James McDonald

Saturday: at Phillies, 1:05. Rays — David Price; Phillies — Kyle Kendrick

Sunday: at Blue Jays, 1:05. Rays — Chris Bootcheck; Jays — Brandon Morrow

Schedule

14: Off

15: Marlins

16: at Marlins

17: at Yankees, 7:05

18: Red Sox (ss), 7:05

19: at Twins

20: Orioles

21: Yankees, 7:05

22: at Red Sox, 7:05

23: Phillies

24: at Astros

25: Pirates

26: Orioles

27: at Pirates

28: at Yankees, 7:05

29: at Red Sox

30: vs. Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, 4:10

Who is this Ray answer: RHP Juan Cruz

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Times staff and wires
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

ACC men's basketball tournament

When/where: Today-Sunday, Greensboro, N.C.

Favorites: Duke and North Carolina. The Tar Heels (24-6) beat the Blue Devils 81-67 Saturday to win the regular-season title, but defending national champion Duke (27-4) has hovered around the top of the national rankings all season.

Dark horse: Clemson (20-10) could use a strong run to try to secure a spot in the NCAA field. To reach the final, the Tigers likely would have to knock off UNC in a semifinal.

What Miami has to do: The Hurricanes probably need to win their opener to make the NIT. Otherwise they're likely to be shut out of the postseason for the second straight season.

What Florida State has to do: The Seminoles need to win Friday night to avoid falling onto the NCAA Tournament bubble. A strong run in the ACC tournament could boost FSU's NCAA seeding because many project the Seminoles well behind Duke and North Carolina.

Times staff and wires

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — CF B.J. Upton has looked good much of the spring, but sometimes the sound of his at-bats can be more telling.

And after a 3-for-3 day that included two hits to the right side, a double walloped into the right-center gap and a single through the second-base hole, both he and manager Joe Maddon were excited by what they heard.

"That's me," Upton said. "That's something I've done my whole life, and to be able to do that felt good. … I haven't had that feeling in a while. That's a good sign."

Maddon said Upton, who hit .239 over 2009-10, still has some adjustments to refine, but he likes what the 26-year-old has done so far (while hitting .350 for the spring) after extensive winter work.

"He's still battling with a couple little things, but I loved it," Maddon said. "That's the loud sound we're used to, and I love it when he's in right-center hard like that. … That's the goal right there, that kind of approach. And if he does that, he's going to have a very good year."

RALLY RAYS: For the second day, the Rays (4-7-2) rallied to tie Toronto in the ninth then scored a walkoff win, this time 4-3 in 11.

INF Omar Luna, who with the rest of the Rays' minor-leaguers reported Wednesday for physicals and the first workout of the spring, ended up not only unexpectedly in the game but as the star.

Luna, 24, made a run-saving throw to the plate while playing shortstop in the top of the ninth, singled with two outs in the bottom and scored the tying run on John Jaso's double, then singled with two outs in the 11th to score Robinson Chirinos, who had doubled, with the winner.

"It's exciting," Luna said. "Elliot Johnson said I make it look easy."

CATCHING ON: The Jays stole eight bases against Jaso over the final four innings (and nine overall). Maddon said Jaso's problem was mechanical in getting the ball out of his glove. "He's got to be better with the transfer," Maddon said. "He's just making a little mistake with that. Very correctable — it's not awful." … Jaso and Kelly Shoppach each threw out a runner. … Maddon is sorting out playing time as he would in-season, with Jaso facing righties and Shoppach lefties.

GAME DETAILS: RHP Jeff Niemann was pleased with his four shutout innings, allowing four hits and a walk and throwing 59 pitches, 33 strikes. "That's how it's supposed to go," he said. … The Rays lost a 2-0 lead when Dane De La Rosa gave up three in a rough fifth, then rallied. … RF Matt Joyce made a nice running catch at the wall. … Maddon noted several mistakes, including missed signs.

AND IN ST. PETE: A squad of nonroster players beat the Nether­lands 4-3 in the Rays' first appearance at St. Petersburg's Al Lang Field since March 2008, with an announced crowd of 3,003 on hand. OF Chris Carter had two doubles, and INF Cole Figueroa, acquired from the Padres in the Jason Bartlett trade, had the biggest hit, a two-out, two-run bases-loaded single that put the Rays up 3-1 in the seventh. … RHPs and bullpen candidates Chris Bootcheck, Dirk Hayhurst and Cory Wade threw well.

MEDICAL MATTERS: SS Reid Brignac (groin tightness) is due to return today, having been out a week. … OF Brandon Guyer (groin tightness) will be out a few days. … INF/OF Ben Zobrist returned after missing a week with a sore right ankle. He went 0-for-3, made a nice play backing up a throw and said he felt fine.

MISCELLANY: The Rays today get their first look at ex-teammate Carl Crawford in a Red Sox uniform. … Today marks the first of five spring TV games. … Expect Manny Ramirez to play leftfield and Johnny Damon to DH. … St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster donned a Netherlands jersey and a pair of Dutch wooden shoes to throw out the first pitch at the Al Lang game, part of the International Baseball schedule… The frontline players will make the weekend trips to Clearwater and Dunedin. … Former Rays manager Lou Piniella made his first visit to Port Charlotte, scouting in his new job with the Giants.

Staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The area under a basket is a confined space where tall guys collide. That gave Okaro White a distinct advantage in high school. He dominated for three seasons at Clearwater as a post player because, at 6 feet 8, he was taller than everyone else.

But that wasn't enough for White to thrive once he got to Florida State. Playing against athletes who might have been linebackers or defensive ends in another era, the freshman knew his size would be just as important as his height if he hoped to score near the basket.

White has not turned himself into a copycat of his brawnier teammates, and he still looks like a pencil next to some of his opponents in the ACC, which starts its conference tournament today. The Seminoles, the No. 3 seed, face the Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech winner at 9 p.m. Friday.

But there is no question White has bulked up and begun to resemble what a modern-day college forward should look like. Through a strenuous weight-training program that had him lifting six days a week in the offseason, White has reached 201 pounds, 18 above his usual playing weight as a senior in high school.

"I knew I needed to get stronger, and I worked hard this summer," he said. "The coaches wanted me to get bigger, and I did, too. I'm never going to be that super big, massive dude. But the size has helped."

As White's shoulders, triceps and biceps have expanded, so has his role. In January he had a steal that sealed FSU's win over then-No. 1 Duke. Last month he tied for the team lead in points (17) and led the team in rebounds (seven) in a win over Miami.

"This season has been great for me," White said. "It's definitely more than I expected."

With injuries to the frontcourt, a more robust White has been the answer to the Seminoles' deficiencies down low. Another benefit of White's added upper-body strength is that he has been able to stay healthy. He was hobbled by an ankle injury his senior season at Clearwater.

"(White) has played well beyond his years this season, yet he still has so much to learn and so much room to grow," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "He has not even scratched the surface of where we expect him to be during the remainder of his career at Florida State."

To win the ACC tournament title, FSU will have to maneuver through a difficult schedule that could provide White with matchups against other former Tampa Bay area standouts.

Gabe Moton, from St. Petersburg, is a key reserve for No. 5 seed Boston College. Top-seeded North Carolina is led by John Henson, from Sickles High, who this week was named the ACC's defensive player of year.

Then there's Luke Loucks, a former Clearwater two-sport athlete who has been with the Seminoles three seasons. White played with Loucks for two seasons at Clearwater. Loucks got White interested in going to FSU. In 2009 White attended the ACC tournament to cheer on Loucks.

"Luke is a great guy and has been a real mentor for me," White said. "It was nice having somebody already up here who could show me where my classes were, basically just show me the ropes."

Still, having a former high school teammate around wasn't enough to keep White from getting homesick. As the grueling workouts stretched into the fall, White constantly thought about visiting his mom, Charmine, in Clearwater.

"My family has been up to see me, and my mom makes sure everything is straight where I live," White said. "But about three months out, I was really missing home. Then the season came, and that kind of went away, mostly because I was back on the court playing the sport that I love."

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

In a back-and-forth finish in the second-round game, Rutgers threw an inbounds pass with 4.9 seconds left. Replays showed that the Red Storm's Justin Brownlee stepped out of bounds with a loose ball with 1.7 seconds left, but no call was made. Rice initially disputed what he believed was a foul on the receiving end of the long pass, but officials left the court without reviewing the play.

"Was there a mistake made (by the officials)? I saw it on YouTube," Rice said. "There was a mistake made. There's no question. I'm sure they will admit it. I made several mistakes. My players made several mistakes. … We have the greatest officials in America. … There's going to be blood coming through my tongue right now, but it's what it is. We're going to control how we respond."

In a statement, the Big East acknowledged that two officiating errors occurred that "should have caused the game clock to stop and a change of possession to occur." Neither error is reviewable or correctable by NCAA rules, commissioner John Marinatto said in the statement.

"Not officiating to the end of a game is unacceptable," John Adams, who selects and manages the 98 officials for the NCAA Tournament, told ESPN.com, referring to the three-man crew of Jim Burr, Tim Higgins and Earl Walton.

The officiating took away from a wild finish. Rutgers took a 61-60 lead on Mike Coburn's three-point play with 57 seconds left, but St. John's (21-10) hit four free throws to lead 64-61 with 17 seconds left. St. John's immediately fouled Coburn, who hit both free throws, then the Red Storm turned it over on an inbounds pass with 14.3 seconds left.

Rutgers (15-17) couldn't convert, but St. John's hit just 1 of 3 free-throw attempts, giving the Knights a chance to win.

NO. 21 UCONN 79, No. 22 G'tOWN 62: Villanova isn't the only Big East team stumbling toward the NCAA Tournament. Georgetown dropped its fourth straight game since losing point guard Chris Wright to a wrist injury.

The fourth-seeded Hoyas (21-10) had 16 turnovers and were unable to contain guard Kemba Walker, who had 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting for fifth-seeded Connecticut (23-9).

"We miss Chris, absolutely … in every way," coach John Thompson III said. "That being said, the group that's playing right now that played (Wednesday) has to be better. Better than we've been showing."

MARQUETTE 67, NO. 20 W. VA. 61: Darius Johnson-Odom had 11 points, including two big 3-pointers in the final minutes for the 11th-seeded Golden Eagles (20-13). The sixth-seeded Mountaineers (20-11) were the third straight defending Big East champion to lose in the first game the next year.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

TAMPA — With the regular season one day away, first-year Tampa Bay coach Dave Ewart was noncommittal regarding which quarterback would be under center when the Storm travels to face New Orleans on Friday night.

"I just don't know as of right now," Ewart said.

Brett Dietz, who finished third in the AFL in passing last season, did not return this year, and Mike Potts, Grant Gregory and Jevan Snead struggled against Orlando in the Storm's 63-30 preseason loss to the Predators last Thursday.

Snead was cut Sunday, leaving Gregory and Potts as the two quarterbacks on the roster.

"Dietz isn't here anymore and everyone understands that," Ewart said. "But we have to find someone to step up in a hurry."

The Storm traded for former Dixie Hollins High star B.J. Hall this week, but he won't arrive in town until Sunday. Ewart said he will work out Hall on Monday and Tuesday before making a decision on whether to add him to the active roster. The Storm cut Hall during the preseason last year.

Hawthorne returns: On Tuesday the team signed Michael Hawthorne, who played a major role defensively last season. He split time between defensive back and jack linebacker last year, leading the defense with four forced fumbles and three touchdowns. Hawthorne also finished second on the team in total tackles (801/2) and interceptions (three).

"He's been here before and is one of those guys who we'll be counting on for leadership," Ewart said.

TV Schedule: The Storm will appear four times nationally on the NFL Network's Arena Football Friday. Tampa Bay will host games against Jacksonville (April 1) and Orlando (June 17) and will be on the road at Philadelphia (April 15) and at the Predators (May 6).

About the Voodoo: Friday marks the first time the AFL returns to New Orleans since 2008. The VooDoo played in the Big Easy from 2004-08 before the league suspended the 2009 season. The new VooDoo organization played as Bossier-Shreveport in 2010 before the Battle Wings moved to New Orleans for 2011.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

NFL

Report: sides agree on rookie pay

The owners and players have reached a compromise on a rookie wage scale, Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday. Neither side commented. The plan would limit guaranteed money and signing bonuses, the report said. Specifics were not reported.

Under the agreement, first-round draft picks would sign four-year deals, everyone else three-year deals. Currently, the first 16 players taken can sign for up to six years, the next 16 for up to five and everyone else three.

Players taken in the first round could be unrestricted free agents after the fourth year. Players taken afterward could be designated by teams as restricted free agents for the fourth year before becoming unrestricted.

Meanwhile, union leader DeMaurice Smith indicated the owners have lowered from $1 billion to $800 million the amount of additional revenues they want to take off the top of their $9 billion business. The NFL got $1 billion for operating expenses under the agreement being replaced. But he said he considers the new figure still too high because the league is not offering to turn over enough financial information. Smith said the union has asked for "fully audited financial statements" for all 32 teams since May 2009 but what the league has proposed to provide is "utterly meaningless."

"Has (the union) gotten everything it wants? Evidently not. Have we offered to provide more? Absolutely," the owners' lead negotiator, Jeff Pash, said. "And is it a subject that we're prepared to discuss? Absolutely."

Autos

Biffle has plane scare

No one was hurt when a plane carrying NASCAR driver Greg Biffle had mechanical issues while landing at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky. The right landing gear collapsed as the plane was taxiing, causing a wing to hit the runway. Biffle credited his pilots.

Et cetera

Iditarod: Kelley Griffin took the lead by being the first to leave Ophir, 444 miles into the 1,150-mile race in Alaska. Many mushers, including four-time defending champion Lance Mackey, rested for 24 hours at Takotna, 25 miles from Ophir. Rules require one 24-hour rest, which Griffin hasn't taken.

Skiing: Bode Miller will not race in the final four World Cup events in order to spend time with his daughter. The American, 33, has already missed two events.

Soccer: Host Tottenham, in the UEFA Champions League competition for the first time since 1961-62, tied AC Milan 0-0 to win the two-game aggregate 1-0 and reach the quarterfinals. Milan, a seven-time champion, has failed to reach the quarterfinals for four consecutive seasons since winning the title in 2007.

Surfing: Cocoa Beach's Kelly Slater won the opening event of the men's world tour in Gold Coast, Australia, beating defending champion Taj Burrow in the Quiksilver Pro final.

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former Ohio State player is the lawyer who sent e-mails to football coach Jim Tressel last spring telling him players were selling memorabilia, the Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday.

Columbus attorney Christopher Cicero sent the e-mails in April 2010, the newspaper said. Cicero lettered in football in 1983, when Tressel was an assistant coach, the Dispatch reported.

In December, the NCAA suspended quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four teammates for the first five games of 2011 for selling jerseys, championship rings and trophies to the owner of a tattoo parlor. The suspensions came 16 days after the U.S. attorney told the school of a federal investigation that included the players.

Cicero said in a statement he voluntarily cooperated when an Ohio State attorney asked him to meet with university representatives and the NCAA about e-mails he exchanged with Tressel. As part of that exchange Tressel wrote: "I will get on it ASAP."

But Tressel did not reveal that information to the school's compliance personnel or the athletic director for nine months.

The school on Tuesday suspended Tressel for the first two games of the 2011 season and fined him $250,000. He also will receive a public reprimand and must make a public apology.

The NCAA, which is investigating, could decide to reject Ohio State's self-imposed penalties and add sanctions.

"Obviously I'm disappointed that this happened at all," Tressel said Tuesday. "I take my responsibility for what we do at Ohio State tremendously seriously and for the game of football. I plan to grow from this."

UF to close practice

GAINESVILLE — Florida athletic officials announced that for the first time in program history all spring football practices will be closed to the public and media.

"With a new coaching staff here teaching our system, we feel like minimizing our distractions is important," new coach Will Muschamp said in a statement, adding that "this decision has been made in the interest of helping our program be successful on Saturdays this fall."

Also, Florida's pro day Tuesday will be closed to the public but open to the media.

The spring game is noon April 9.

Georgia: The Bulldogs acknowledged breaking NCAA rules in their recruitment of linebacker Ray Drew. The school sent a letter to the SEC saying two former players — identified by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as Randall Godfrey and David Pollack — attended a news conference in which Drew announced his commitment to Georgia, a violation of five NCAA bylaws relating to illegal contact before signing a letter-of-intent. Athletic director Greg McGarity wrote that one of Drew's high school teachers arranged for the ex-players to attend without the knowledge of the Georgia staff.

Gators finish baseball sweep of Bulls 8-1

TAMPA — Florida, ranked No. 1 in the Baseball America poll, beat USF 8-1 to complete a four-game sweep of the regular-season series in front of a sellout crowd of 3,211.

Alonso High grad Alex Panteliodis won his first start of the season for UF (11-2), giving up one earned run and five hits over five innings. He struck out four.

He was backed a season-high three home runs — by Mike Zunino, Josh Adams and Daniel Pigott — and seven extra-base hits.

Pigott has a 12-game hitting streak and is hitting .524 (22-for- 42).

Junior Carlin took the loss for the Bulls (5-7), allowing three runs on four hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Destiny Williams scored a career-high 21 and Brittney Griner added 19 points, eight rebounds and five blocks to lead third-ranked Baylor to an 86-51 victory Wednesday over Kansas, sending the Bears to the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament.

Top-seed Baylor (29-2) built a 43-19 lead at the break. The Bears will meet Kansas State (21-9), a 56-53 winner over Iowa State, in the next round.

"Our intensity in the first half was amazing," Griner said. "It wasn't in spurts. It was all the way through."

Baylor guard Melissa Jones, playing her second game with sunglasses to protect a right eye injury, had eight points, nine rebounds and six assists. Jones hit her head diving for a loose ball Feb. 27 and had swelling around the optic nerve.

No. 8 Texas A&M 77, Texas 50: Danielle Adams scored 23 as the Aggies cruised into the Big 12 semifinals.

The Longhorns committed 31 turnovers, one shy of the tournament record, and were held to their lowest point total of the season. Texas A&M (27-4), the No. 2 seed, plays No. 21 Oklahoma on Friday.

No. 21 Okla. 71, Texas Tech 69: Danielle Robinson scored 19 as the Sooners (21-10) ousted the Red Raiders from the Big 12 tournament. Tech's Chynna Brown lost the ball on a drive to the rim as Oklahoma held on.

No. 13 Wis.-Green Bay 89, Loyola-Chi. 41: Celeste Hoewisch scored 23 as the host Phoenix (30-1) rolled in a Horizon League quarterfinal. Green Bay, unbeaten in league play this season, hosts Wright State in a semifinal on Friday.

C-USA: Alabama-Birmingham (16-14) beat Marshall 56-45 in the first round of the conference tournament at El Paso, Texas. The Blazers advance to face UCF at 2 p.m. today.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

NEW YORK — One night after its biggest win of the season, USF found the other end of the spectrum, seeing its season end with a resounding 87-61 loss to seventh-seeded and 25th-ranked Cincinnati in the Big East tournament Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

"Today just wasn't our day, and Cincinnati had a lot to do with it," said coach Stan Heath, who midway through the second half picked up his first technical in more than two years and whose team took its most lopsided loss of the season and matched the largest in his four seasons at USF.

"I'm proud of this group. We showed resiliency. We showed resolve. We showed character, you know, winning a huge game (Tuesday). We just didn't have enough fuel in the tank."

Point guard Anthony Crater, who hit the winner in Tuesday's 70-69 upset of 10th-seeded Villanova, missed the second half with a shoulder injury, but that wasn't the only reason the Bulls (10-23) lost. Cincinnati's dominant post game was one, as 6-foot-9 forward Yancy Gates shot 10-of-11 for 25 points and the Bearcats outrebounded the Bulls 36-25.

"Whenever you can play USF and be the better interior team, you're probably going to win the game, because that is their strength," said Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin, whose team faces second-seeded Notre Dame tonight. "They did a great job all year beating people up with their big guys. Today, we had the best big guy, and it showed."

Gates had six quick points as the Bearcats (25-7) took an 8-0 lead. USF got within two late in the first half, but Cincinnati led by eight at halftime and extended that early in the second. Heath said the "emotional jolt" of not having Crater — who led the team in minutes played — was hard on the Bulls, who lost their school-record 23rd game, one more than in 2008-09.

Junior forward Augustus Gilchrist, who had 16 points, said Tuesday's win gave USF confidence, with so many players back next season. He has talked with Heath about putting his name in for early entry into the NBA draft but didn't want to talk about the chance that Wednesday could be his last college game.

"(The Villanova win) gave us some positive things to take with us this summer in a really bruising season for us," Gilchrist said. "I haven't thought about (the draft). I'm just looking at the game, reviewing it to see the things I need to work on this summer to try to become a better player."

Asked if he was returning, he was noncommital: "I'm going to work on being a better player."

Sophomore guard Shaun Noriega continued his strong play with 12 points, and the Bulls' only senior, center Jarrid Famous, had 10 points in his final college game, close to his home in the Bronx.

"(Villanova) was just a great win," he said. "The season could have been over yesterday. We were so excited waiting for the game today, but I don't think it carried over. We were still high off the win yesterday."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

TAMPA — With all the talk about C Steven Stamkos' scoring woes, those of LW Simon Gagne have gone relatively unnoticed.

Gagne's one goal in 16 games has been as much of a drag on a team that in eight of 10 games before Wednesday had just one or two goals. "It's frustrating, that's for sure," Gagne said.

With 10 goals and 22 points in 49 games, and at minus-18, it has been an underwhelming season for Gagne, a two-time 40-goal scorer making $5.25 million.

Coach Guy Boucher has been supportive. He praised Gagne's attitude, defensive awareness (he is plus-5 in his past 22 games) and increased physical play (eight of his 34 total hits were in his past five games). "He's battling," Boucher said. But he needs to score.

That seemed inevitable Monday when Gagne fired from the left post at what seemed an open net. But spinning Capitals G Braden Holtby lucked out and the puck hit his stick shaft.

"For whatever reason, that's the way it's been this year," said Gagne, who missed 18 games in October and November with a neck injury. "I can't do anything about what happened in the past. … The only thing I can control is to finish strong and have a good playoff."

STAMMER TIME: Stamkos' first goal in seven games, against the Blackhawks on Wednesday, was notable. But his backcheck on Chicago's Bryan Bickell helped Dwayne Roloson stop Bickell's breakaway with 1:42 left in overtime. "I turned it over a little bit at their blue line," Stamkos said. "So I knew I had to get back. I just put my head down and skated as fast as I could."

JONES OUT: The blue line continues to take a beating. D Randy Jones is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain of his left leg sustained late in the third against the Capitals. Jones declined to talk about it, saying, "I'll catch you next week." The loss is significant; he is a penalty killer and takes turns against top lines. He has a goal and 13 points and is minus-4 in 61 games while averaging 17:03 of ice time. He also is third on the team with 114 blocks. "It's one less guy who can give us a lot," Boucher said. "We can't have any more injuries on D or we're going to start hurting."

LUNDIN IN: The plan was to get D Mike Lundin in the lineup this weekend. But with Jones out and D Pavel Kubina (lower body) and D Marc-Andre Bergeron (back spasms) not 100 percent, Lundin, out 13 games with an abdominal injury, got the call against Chicago. The question was conditioning, and Boucher called Wednesday Lundin's "get-in-shape game." Lundin got 10:17 of ice time, 10:14 less than his average.

MORE INJURIES: The injury that has kept RW Steve Downie out for three games is likely a right knee problem sustained March 3 at Boston on a knee-to-knee hit with Shawn Thornton. The injury is the same leg as the high ankle sprain that has bothered Downie since December. There is no timetable for his return, Boucher said.

ODDS AND ENDS: Assistant equipment manager Rob Kennedy worked his 1,000th pro game. … Inside the Lightning: Physics of the Game debuts at 10:30 p.m. Friday on Sun Sports. … D Matt Smaby and F Mattias Ritola were scratched.

Times wires
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Cade Davis had 24 points and Oklahoma hit nine 3-pointers en route to an 84-67 victory over short-handed Baylor in the first round of the Big 12 tournament Wednesday.

A few hours before tipoff, Baylor's standout freshman, Perry Jones, was declared ineligible by the NCAA. The issue is whether he or his family received preferential treatment or improper benefits before he enrolled.

Carl Blair had 14 points and 11 assists and Clark Cameron had 10 points for 10th-seeded Oklahoma (14-17), which faces No. 10 Texas. Quincy Acy had 21 points and Anthony Jones 13 for Baylor (18-13).

Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn, the Big 12's all-time leading scorer, had foul trouble and scored 11 on 3 of 14 shooting. He extended his school record to 45 straight games with at least one 3-pointer. He needs two more 3's to set the Big 12 record.

The 6-foot-11 Jones was a starter and one of the nation's top freshmen, averaging 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Baylor immediately appealed to have Jones' eligibility reinstated.

"We are profoundly disappointed in the timing and determination in this matter," Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw said in a release from the school.

MISSOURI 88, TEXAS TECH 84: Marcus Denmon had 20 points for the sixth-seeded Tigers (23-9), who held on to end Pat Knight's time as coach of the 11th-seeded Red Raiders (13-19) after three seasons.

OKLA. ST. 53, NEBRASKA 52: Keiton Page had 16 points and the No. 8 seeded Cornhuskers (19-12) failed to get off a shot in the final seconds, allowing the No. 9 seeded Cowboys (19-12) to hold on.

COLORADO 77, IOWA ST. 75: Alec Burks had 25 of his 29 points in the second half, and the fifth-seeded Buffaloes (20-12) unleashed a 12-2 run in the final minutes to slip past the 12th-seeded Cyclones (16-16).

Around the nation

BIG SKY: Devon Beitzel had 13 of his 27 points over the final five minutes, helping top-seeded Northern Colorado (21-10) earn its first NCAA Tournament spot with a 65-60 win over Montana (21-10) in Greeley, Colo.

C-USA: Darrius Morrow had 18 points and 12 rebounds as eighth-seeded East Carolina (17-14) beat ninth-seeded UCF (19-11) 75-60 in the first round in El Paso, Texas. Also, fifth-seeded Southern Mississippi (22-9) beat 12th-seeded Tulane (13-17) 63-47, and sixth-seeded Marshall (22-10) beat 11th-seeded Houston (12-18) 97-87.

MEAC: Garrius Holloman had 15 points and top-seeded Bethune-Cookman (21-11) beat South Carolina State (10-22) 66-50 in Winston-Salem, N.C., to reach the tournament semifinals for the first time since 2000. Also, No. 6 seed Norfolk State (11-19) beat No. 11 seed Howard (6-24) 68-53, and No. 2 seed Hampton (22-8) routed No. 10 Maryland-Eastern Shore (9-22) 77-55.

NORTHEAST: Jamal Olasewere had seven of his 31 points in overtime, and top seed Long Island (27-5) earned its first NCAA Tournament bid in 14 years with an 85-82 victory over No. 3 seed Robert Morris (18-14) in New York.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011

TAMPA — For a few moments Wednesday morning, it was just Lightning teammates Marty St. Louis and Mike Smith on the ice.

St. Louis had a shootout move he wanted to try. Smith, Tampa Bay's backup goaltender, was, as he called himself, "the guinea pig."

"I was trying to do something a little more fun and not be afraid of not scoring," St. Louis said. "Just go after it."

The dry run worked as St. Louis used a backward backhander to clinch Wednesday night's 4-3 shootout victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks in front of an announced 19,912 at the St. Pete Times Forum.

"Oh, man, it's a huge win," St. Louis said. "We've played some pretty good hockey. We just haven't gotten the results. This time of year, it's all about results."

For the Lightning (38-21-8), it was about breaking a season-high four-game losing streak and staying two points behind the first-place Capitals (who beat the Oilers 5-0) in the Southeast Division.

There was a Steven Stamkos sighting as the right wing scored his league-best 42nd goal, his first in seven games and second in 13. Teddy Purcell scored, and St. Louis got his 25th as Tampa Bay had more than two goals for the first time in seven games.

Dwayne Roloson's stop of Bryan Bickell's breakaway with 1:42 remaining in overtime preserved the tie.

"I was just trying to focus on the puck and get my body in front of stuff," said the goalie, who had 28 saves and three more in the shootout, which, really, was the issue.

Tampa Bay months ago stopped using its top players during shootouts as St. Louis, Stamkos, Vinny Lecavalier and Simon Gagne were a combined 0-for-14 entering Wednesday.

The team won three straight without them but lost its past three, including Monday to the Capitals. So coach Guy Boucher told his stars it was again their turn.

"I even had them practice," Boucher said. "They were prepared for it, and they went to their best moves."

But after goalie Corey Crawford stopped Lecavalier and Stamkos hit the post, it was up to St. Louis, who started on right wing, turned backward and went to his backhand as he crossed the slot, stick-handled forward and back and shot.

He tried it once on Smith, scored and skated off the ice. Smith claimed St. Louis rubbed it in. St. Louis denied it.

"Marty's a creative human," Smith said. "He came up with that on his own. It's a good move. It gets the goalie out of position."

"It just worked. It was a lot of fun," St. Louis said. "It maybe looked stupid if I lost the puck, but at least I would have gone out being aggressive."

Instead, he and the Lightning went out winners.

First Period—1, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 42 (St. Louis, Clark), 11:07. 2, Chicago, Kane 23 (Toews, Sharp), 16:43. 3, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 25 (Stamkos, Hall), 19:44. Penalties—Stamkos, TB (delay of game), 12:20.

Second Period—4, Tampa Bay, Purcell 16 (Hedman, Gagne), 1:20. 5, Chicago, Sharp 34 (Toews, Kane), 9:39. Penalties—None.

Third Period—6, Chicago, Toews 28 (Hjalmarsson, Seabrook), 3:30. Penalties—Kopecky, Chi (hooking), 4:09; Hjalmarsson, Chi (delay of game), 19:03.

Overtime—None. Penalties—None.

Shootout—Chicago 0 (Toews NG, Kane NG, Hossa NG), Tampa Bay 1 (Lecavalier NG, Stamkos NG, St. Louis G). Shots on Goal—Chicago 5-14-10-2—31. Tampa Bay 10-7-9-4—30. Power-play opportunities—Chicago 0 of 1; Tampa Bay 0 of 2. Goalies—Chicago, Crawford 26-13-4 (30 shots-27 saves). Tampa Bay, Roloson 19-21-3 (31-28). A—19,912 (19,758).

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 10, 2011

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Arron Sears, who has shown signs of mental illness, was scheduled for a court hearing this morning in Hillsborough County.

But his appearance before Judge Kimberly Fernandez was waived after jail deputies had difficulty transporting him from the Falkenburg Road Jail to the courthouse. Sears was uncooperative after arriving by bus at the courthouse and deputies opted to return him to the jail.

Fernandez set April 6 as the next hearing date.

Sears, who appears to be mentally unstable based on police reports and court documents, is facing a felony charge of battery on a police officer stemming from a visit to Tampa General Hospital last June under the Baker Act. The law allows authorities to take into custody people who are deemed to be a possible danger to themselves or others.

Sears, 26, was a second-round pick of the Bucs in 2007 and immediately became a starter at left guard, where he played two seasons. But during offseason workouts leading up to the 2009 season, the Bucs began noticing irregular behavior from

Sears, who took a leave of absence from the team, ultimately was released by the Bucs last year and never played for the club again.

Sears has been in custody since last month after his second failure to appear for a court hearing. It's likely the outcome of this case will involve Sears receiving treatment for his psychiatric issues, although he's been hospitalized on multiple occasions and was sent twice ordered a mental health facility by judges.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer


Thursday, March 10, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE

There are still some moments, Carl Crawford admits, when things just don't feel proper, when he is "still trying to deal with the fact that I'm a Red Sox and not a Ray anymore." And there will be times, like the first glimpse in Thursday's exhibition, when he just doesn't look right, especially in that dark Boston blue and red. "Out of place," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Like a Crawford out of water."

Eventually, it all will seem normal, as Crawford got the big deal (seven years, $142 million) he sought after nine years with the Rays. What he doesn't want — his "my heart is in Boston" line at the Fenway Park news conference aside — is a bad reputation for signing in December with the rival Red Sox.

"I had a great time in Tampa; hopefully I won't be considered the villain, as some people try to make me out to be," Crawford said. "I had a lot of fun times here. I love the fans here. And those are still my boys in the other clubhouse."

Crawford said before the game that he expected it to be odd facing his old mates, but afterward, at least in a spring exhibition, that it really wasn't. "It didn't feel too weird," he said.

The Rays, though, couldn't say the same. "Yeah, it was different," shortstop Reid Brignac said. "Even talking to him before the game was weird." Though Evan Longoria, who has refrained from talking much about the players who left, said, "It's more strange for me seeing Manny (Ramirez) and Johnny (Damon) in our clubhouse."

The first of this year's 22 potential reunions was, relatively, uneventful, Crawford getting a mixed reaction from the sold-out Charlotte Sports Park crowd that had a large Boston bent anyway.

Crawford went 1-for-3, beating out an infield single his third at-bat but then getting thrown out at second on a great play by Brignac, his closest friend among the Rays. And he reminded the Rays of what they'll miss most, robbing Sam Fuld of a hit in leftfield with a running, diving catch of a sinking liner. "We got really spoiled with that," Maddon admitted.

Crawford was a foundation player for the Rays, but as much as his absence will be noted on the bases and in leftfield ("He probably saved every pitcher on our team one point on their ERA every year," starter James Shields said) his larger impact actually may have been in the clubhouse.

"It was the way he led without being vocal," centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "Just from sitting around him and everything that he does, you could learn a lot."

"There's a guy that brings it every day," Maddon said. "That's the best way to describe it with him."

In addition to the leadership and the fellowship (for example, he stayed in contact over the winter with Brignac and outfield prospect Desmond Jennings to keep them motivated about seizing their opportunity), Crawford brought something else.

"He is fun-ny," Upton said. "There was something every day we sat and talked about and laughed about."

"You know how he's an underrated outfielder?" Shields said. "He's an underrated comedian."

Crawford laughed that laugh when asked and said he didn't know what the Rays would miss most. He did say that what he was most proud of during his Tampa Bay tenure — more than his four All-Star appearances, three team MVP awards, his stolen base titles or his Gold Glove — was being part of the Rays' rise to prominence after so many years on the bottom.

"That was the one thing I was afraid of, that you knew they were going to probably start winning at some point, but I didn't know if I was going to be a part of it," he said. "So to be a part of it, that was one of the major things I was proud of."

Now that doesn't sound like such a bad guy, does it?

By Susan Thurston, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 10, 2011

When jockey agent Dan Mellul heads to Tampa Bay Downs for Saturday's Festival Day, you can be sure he'll have two felt pens in his pocket, and he'll watch the races from the same television.

Ask him to borrow a pen, and he'll refuse. Invite him to go to another TV, and he'll decline.

Call him quirky or superstitious, but both bring him good luck, he says. Do things differently, and who knows what might happen?

In a sport often won and lost by fractions of a second and the moods of large animals, it should come as no surprise that luck plays a significant role.

Jockeys have their racing rituals, owners have their lucky ties and gamblers have their favorite numbers.

Every bit can make a difference.

"There are a million ways to lose a race and only one way to win it — get there first,'' wrote Mellul, who represents two jockeys at Tampa Bay Downs on his blog, the Hustling Book (hustlingbook.blogspot.com).

A few horse-racing superstitions are universal, like hanging a horse shoe over a barn door. Always put the prongs facing upward to hold in the good luck.

But most traditions are custom-made based on an individual's experiences, whims and beliefs.

"It's such a personal thing,'' said Michael Compton, editor of Florida Horse magazine in Ocala. "Horse racing is so uncertain that I think a lot of people like to try to demonstrate control over that.''

Good luck can come in all forms, he said. Some owners wear the same tie every time their horse runs a particular race. Bettors often pick horses wearing their favorite colored silks. And gray horses? Bet them to win on rainy days.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., doesn't keep track of good luck charms and superstitions but occasionally hears of them. Some jockeys insist on using the same saddle, said historian Allan Carter. Among gamblers, some consider it bad luck to declare midrace that your leading horse is going to win.

Word around Tampa Bay Downs is that owners should never change a horse's name, and you shouldn't change your mind while placing a bet, said spokeswoman Margo Flynn. And, never, ever eat peanuts around the track, a widely held belief shared by the auto racing community. According to legend, peanut shells were found in a cockpit of a car that crashed in the '30s or '40s.

The Encyclopedia of Superstitions by Richard Webster devotes a short section to horse racing and jockeys.

• It's good luck to pick up a coin at a track with the heads side up and bad luck to pick up one showing tails.

• Like other athletes, jockeys have lucky clothing, such as a certain color of underwear.

• It's bad luck to tell a jockey break a leg before a race.

Of course, the validity of these beliefs is unproven. But many in the industry don't dare dispute them. With so many variables in each race, they need all the luck they can get.

By Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 10, 2011

CLEARWATER — Yankees icon Yogi Berra was hospitalized Thursday morning "as a precautionary measure" after tripping and falling in the clubhouse at Bright House Field, about an hour and a half before the first pitch of a New York Yankees-Philadelphia Phillies spring training game.

"He was alert, in good spirits," before he was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, said Yankees spokesman Michael Margolis.

Berra, 85, a Yankees legend who served two stints as team manager and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, tripped and fell backwards around 11:20 a.m., but did not hit his head and did not appear to be seriously injured, Margolis said.

Margolis said the team may put out an update later today about Berra's condition.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 10, 2011

Lightning GM Steve Yzerman repeated several times that the elbow with which D Pavel Kubina hit Blackhawks C David Bolland on Wednesday was "unintentional."

Kubina felt "really bad about it," Yzerman said. "He's not a dirty player." Kubina said in a statement released by the team he had "no intent to injure" Bolland with the hit that occurred 2:09 into Tampa Bay's 4-3 shootout win at the St. Pete Times Forum. Even so, on Thursday the league suspended Kubina for three games, costing him $60,096.76 in salary. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

"I didn't realize he was injured on the play until being notified by the NHL that a hearing would take place to review the hit," said Kubina, who will miss tonight's game against the Senators, Saturday against the Panthers and Monday against the Maple Leafs.

"I have played nearly 900 games in the NHL, and my history and my record demonstrate that I am not the type of player that ever attempts to injure other players. I am sorry David was hurt on the play."

Kubina, 33, who can return Thursday against the Canadiens, was suspended once before. He missed the first game of the 2006-07 season while with the Maple Leafs because of a cross-check to the head of Detroit's Jiri Hudler.

Thursday's incident occurred near center ice. Just after Bolland sent the puck into the Lightning zone, Kubina elbowed him on the side of the head. No penalty was called. Bolland left the game after the period and is believed to have a concussion, reports out of Chicago said.

Yzerman said he was notified during the game a phone hearing would be Thursday with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell. He also said he expected a suspension.

"We respect the decision," Yzerman said. "With blows to the head being a focus and getting a lot of attention from the league, you have to be aware of hits to the head more so than ever. There's more emphasis now than ever on players to check clean, to avoid the head."

About Kubina, he said, "He's a big, strong, powerfully built guy. He's not a mean guy. It was not in retaliation. It wasn't a vicious hit. He just got his elbow up and got him in the side of the head."

STABLE LINEUP: Yzerman said he will not call up a defenseman from AHL Norfolk to fill Kubina's spot. Still, with Randy Jones out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain, Marc-Andre Bergeron (back spasms) not 100 percent and Mike Lundin not in game shape after missing 13 games with an abdominal injury, the blue line is stressed.

RETURNING: Norfolk G Cedrick Desjardins is cleared to play, Yzerman said. Desjardins, who impressed in Lightning wins Dec. 30 and Jan. 1, has been out since Jan. 16 with a right shoulder injury. The goalie (14-6-1, 2.56 GAA, .906 save percentage for the Admirals) rehabilitated to avoid surgery.

PRAISE: Coach Guy Boucher called Chicago "the hardest team we had to defend against. … They're so evasive. You have them, they're not there anymore. … It's that mobility and vision at the same time and flare at the same time. I don't think anybody has got that, really."