Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Cardinals 3, Pirates 2
PITTSBURGH — Yadier Molina, in a rare start in a day game after a night game, hit a tiebreaking two-run double for St. Louis, which has won seven of eight and remained 41/2 games behind the Braves in the NL wild-card race. "I feel good, man. I feel healthy," Molina said. "When you're in the pennant race, you don't feel tired."
Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 4
BOSTON — Boston lost its sixth in seven games, wasting an eighth-inning lead when Adam Loewen's two-run single off Daniel Bard lifted Toronto. The Red Sox open a four-game series with the Rays tonight. "It's just another loss. I don't think it's any tougher than any other loss," Adrian Gonzalez said. "We've got to find a way in the next series to play better baseball."
Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
BOSTON — Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett, who missed his previous start with a sprained right ankle, will return to the rotation Friday against the Rays, manager Terry Francona said.
After a pain-free long toss session Tuesday, Beckett was given the option of starting tonight or Friday. Francona picked rookie RHP Kyle Weiland to start tonight's game for the struggling AL wild-card leaders, rather than LHP Andrew Miller.
Francona told NESN he had several reasons for choosing Weiland over Miller, despite Weiland's poor outing against the Rays on Saturday.
"I think we felt that with the righty against them (it would be better). He had a real good bullpen (session)," Francona said of Weiland. "We just think he can rise to the occasion and give us a chance to win."
RIVERA'S MILESTONE: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera became the second pitcher to reach 600 career saves late Tuesday in a 3-2 win over the Mariners. Rivera went into Wednesday's late game one save shy of Trevor Hoffman's career record.
"I don't know if we'll ever see it again," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "That's how much of an accomplishment this is that he and Trevor Hoffman have done. Simply remarkable."
POSEY PROGRESSING: Buster Posey is still on schedule to catch a bullpen session in Arizona before season's end, a goal established by the Giants training staff after the reigning NL rookie of the year sustained a season-ending broken left leg in May. Posey played catch on the field for the third time.
EX-PITCHER ARRESTED: Former reliever Curtis Leskanic faces charges of driving under the influence and child neglect without harm after his arrest Sunday in Altamonte Springs. Leskanic, 44, had a blood-alcohol level of .331, according to an arrest affidavit. He was found passed out at the wheel of his pickup with his 5-year-old daughter asleep and unrestrained in the truck, according to the report.
MCCOURT DIVORCE: Dodgers owner Frank McCourt will keep paying $225,000 per month to ex-wife Jamie, but money once used toward the mortgages of six luxurious homes will come from a $1.1 million escrow account, attorneys said.
ASTROS: OF Jason Michaels is out for the season after breaking his left hand making a diving catch Tuesday night.
BRAVES: RHP Tommy Hanson, on the DL with a slight rotator cuff tear, said he felt good after throwing 44 pitches in a bullpen session and hopes to pitch in a game before the postseason.
CARDINALS: LF Matt Holliday has an inflamed tendon in his right middle finger and will be shut down for at least 4-5 days.
METS: LHP Johan Santana, trying to come back from shoulder surgery last September, was scratched from today's scheduled rehab start at Class A Savannah. He will instead will throw a simulated game this weekend.
REDS: RHP Johnny Cueto left with two outs in the fourth inning with a strained muscle in the upper right side of his back.
ROCKIES: C Eliezer Alfonzo became the first player suspended twice under Major League Baseball's drug program and will serve a 100-game suspension. Alfonzo said he was surprised by the positive test and intends to fight the penalty in arbitration.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Casino tax revenue would be used to help buy the Blue Jackets' arena from Nationwide while the insurance company would become part-owner of the financially troubled team under a proposal announced Wednesday to keep the team in Ohio.
Team president Mike Priest said he was encouraged by the proposal. Under it, Franklin County would buy the arena for $42.5 million and get part of the city and county tax revenues from a casino being built in Columbus. Nationwide would buy 30 percent of the team for $52 million, and the Blue Jackets would agree to stay until 2039, 13 years beyond the current deal.
The Blue Jackets also would receive incentives to save them about $9 million annually. And Nationwide would buy arena naming rights for 10 more years, providing the team with an additional $28.5 million.
The proposal requires approval from public officials at several levels, for which there is no timetable.
The Blue Jackets have made the playoffs only once in their 11 seasons and seen attendance decline. A report commissioned two years ago by the city of Columbus warned the team might have to move because it was losing $12 million a season.
Isles lock up star: The Islanders agreed to a six-year, $33 million extension with star center John Tavares, TSN reported. Tavares, who turns 21 on Tuesday, was the first overall pick in 2009 and entering the final season of his entry-level contract. He had 29 goals and 38 assists last season.
Bruins: Wing Brad Marchand agreed to re-sign for two years and $5 million. The restricted free agent, 23, had 21 goals and 20 assists during the regular season and five goals during the Cup final, including two in Game 7.
Jets: Defenseman Zach Bogosian signed a two-year, $5 million deal. The restricted free agent, 21, had five goals and 12 assists last season.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
basketball
players to meet facing gloomy nba scenario
NEW YORK — Billy Hunter hoped to deliver good news when he meets with NBA players today in Las Vegas.
Instead, the executive director of the players association isn't even sure how he will answer their questions. No progress was made toward ending the 21/2-month lockout during a meeting with owners Tuesday, and Hunter might have to tell players to look elsewhere if they want to be paid to play basketball soon.
Tuesday's meeting between the union's executive committee and the owners' labor relations committee ended with the sides still divided over the salary cap system, despite a hint of compromise.
More than 40 players are in Las Vegas this week taking part in a basketball camp, so union leaders decided to go there to speak with them. Knicks guard and union vice president Roger Mason, who is in Las Vegas, said, "Unless some things change, we could lose the season."
Owners will meet in Dallas today. Commissioner David Stern has said no decision will be made at that session about whether to cancel training camps, which were scheduled to begin in less than three weeks.
European championships: Vlado Ilievski hit a 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining and Macedonia stunned host Lithuania 67-65 to reach the semifinals for the first time. Macedonia will play defending champion Spain, which beat Slovenia 86-64 behind the Lakers' Pau Gasol's 19 points and 16 rebounds. The Rockets' Goran Dragic led Slovenia with 14 points.
Crittenton case: Former NBA players Javaris Crittenton will be returned to Atlanta from Los Angeles today to face a murder charge, police said. Crittenton is accused of killing Julian Jones, 22, in a drive-by shooting last month. He denies involvement. Crittenton was suspended from the NBA with Gilbert Arenas for having guns in the Wizards locker room in December 2009. He hasn't played in the league since.
soccer
Former U.S. coach Bradley to Egypt
The Egyptian Football Association said it has reached a deal with former United States coach Bob Bradley to take over its national team, two weeks after Egypt failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations for the first time in three decades.
Association spokesman Azmy Megahed said Bradley was expected to arrive in Cairo this weekend to finalize the deal. He refused to disclose financial details. Bradley's agent, Ron Waxman, declined to comment.
Bradley was fired from the U.S. team in July and replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann.
european Champions League: Trabzonspor marked its debut by upsetting Inter Milan 1-0. Manchester United and Manchester City were held to 1-1 draws against Benfica and Napoli, respectively. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich opened group play with victories.
et cetera
cycling: Former Olympic champion Jeannie Longo of France withdrew from the Road World Championships following her husband's suspension pending disciplinary action over allegations he bought the performance-enhancing substance EPO.
tennis: Rafael Nadal said he is tired but ready to play for Spain in Friday's opening singles matches against France in the Davis Cup semifinals. Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final Monday.
Times wires
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
BALTIMORE — As the Rays head to Boston for a key September series, they're taking along their lucky charm.
Dan Johnson — whose list of key hits includes the monumental and momentous pinch-homer off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon on Sept. 9, 2008, with the bat mounted in his house as a memento — was called up from Triple-A Durham to provide an additional pinch-hitting option.
Obviously, he'd welcome the chance for history to repeat itself.
"I would love that," he said. "I would love to add a bat to the collection, no doubt."
Johnson, 32, was thrilled just to be back in the majors. He was the opening day first baseman but was sent down to Triple A in late May after hitting .115, a wrist injury — which included a bone bruise and nerve issues — contributing to the problem. He felt better near the end of the Triple-A season, having hit .273 with 13 HRs and 52 RBIs in 93 games, but he went home to Minnesota uncertain of the future.
The Rays told him Sunday there was a chance he'd be brought back, and he got a call at 7 a.m. Wednesday — having been up most of the night with his sick son — to get to the airport for a 10 a.m. flight.
"I don't care; I'm here now," he said. "You could have called me at 3 in the morning and I would have gotten a cab and drove."
Also recalled was LHP Alex Torres, the 23-year-old prospect who made one appearance for the Rays in July and was 9-7, 3.08 at Durham. Torres gives the Rays five left-handers in the bullpen, though neither he nor top prospect LHP Matt Moore is likely to be used on back-to-back days since both were starters.
Torres, who could take the open start following the Sept. 21 doubleheader, said he will do whatever is needed: "I'll be ready for any situation."
DAY OF REST: LF Desmond Jennings’ absence from the lineup was planned, related to his collision with the wall making a catch Tuesday. Maddon said he wanted to give Jennings — hitting just .138 over his past 14 games — a rest physically and mentally and get Sam Fuld a start, his first since Aug. 27. But Fuld left after two at-bats with a tendon strain suffered on a swing. X-rays for a fracture were negative, and Fuld is day-to-day. SS Reid Brignac made his first start since Friday.
ABOUT TUESDAY NIGHT: LHP David Price said the surprising decision to throw four cutters and a slider — and no fastballs — to pinch-hitter Jake Fox during the seventh-inning at-bat that cost the Rays the lead was his. "That was the pitch I felt comfortable with," he said. "That's how I wanted to pitch him; I didn't execute, and he beat me." … Maddon defended his decision to have Jose Lobaton pinch-hit with two outs it the ninth against Jim Johnson, saying he wanted to have Fuld hit with a man on and Lobaton was the best option of the remaining lefty swingers (Brignac, Elliot Johnson). He admitted that the situation was part of the reason Dan Johnson was called back up.
MISCELLANY: RHP Jeremy Hellickson flew to Boston Wednesday afternoon to get full rest for tonight's start. … To make room for Dan Johnson on the 40-man roster, RHP Jay Buente was released. … RHPs Rob Delaney and Mike Ekstrom, who were designated for assignment, both cleared waivers. … The Rays voted for the Players Choice awards, with a message on the clubhouse whiteboard: "Vote Hellickson ROY! Now."
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
BALTIMORE — LHP Matt Moore's much-anticipated debut didn't go too smoothly Wednesday.
And that was just getting him into the game at the right time.
Due to a miscommunication between manager Joe Maddon, pitching coach Jim Hickey and bullpen coach Stan Boroski, Moore started down the bullpen ramp for the beginning of the seventh only to see starter Wade Davis back on the mound. Two batters later, as Maddon planned, Moore walked back down and into the big leagues.
Moore, 22, started well, getting Robert Andino and Matt Angle out to end the inning, showing off an easy 96-97 mph fastball, then striking out J.J. Hardy and Nick Markakis to start the eighth. But Moore allowed a single to Vlad Guerrero then a costly two-run homer to Matt Wieters.
"I didn't really know what to expect," Moore said. "I went out and tried to feel comfortable. There was just a different feeling. … We'll do better next time.''
Maddon lauded Moore's effort, citing his "lack-of-effort" delivery and composure.
FULD DOWN: OF Sam Fuld, making a rare start, left after four innings due to a right wrist issue he said was a strained tendon that occurred on a swing and miss in his second at-bat. "Just kind of a weird thing,'' said Fuld, who is considered day to day. He was playing so slumping LF Desmond Jennings could get a mental and physical day off.
HE'S BAAACK: The Rays are bringing their lucky charm to Boston, having called up Dan Johnson, whose list of key hits includes the monumental and momentous pinch-homer off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon on Sept. 9, 2008, with the bat mounted in his house as a memento.
Johnson said he'd welcome the chance for history to repeat itself: "I would love to add a bat to the collection, no doubt."
Johnson, 32, was thrilled just to be back in the majors, having been sent down in late May and hampered much of the year by a wrist injury.
Also recalled was LHP Alex Torres, 23, who made one appearance for the Rays in July and was 9-7, 3.08 at Durham. Torres gives the Rays five left-handers in the bullpen, though neither he nor Moore will be used on back-to-back days.
ABOUT TUESDAY NIGHT: LHP David Price said the surprising decision to throw four cutters and a slider — and no fastballs — to pinch-hitter Jake Fox during the seventh-inning at-bat that cost the Rays the lead was his. "That was the pitch I felt comfortable with," he said. "That's how I wanted to pitch him; I didn't execute, and he beat me." … Maddon defended his decision to have Jose Lobaton pinch-hit with two outs in the ninth against Jim Johnson, saying he wanted to have Fuld hit with a man on and Lobaton was the best option of the remaining lefty swingers (Brignac, Elliot Johnson). He admitted that the situation was part of the reason Dan Johnson was called back up.
MISCELLANY: The Rays went 9-9 vs. Baltimore. … RHP Jeremy Hellickson flew to Boston Wednesday afternoon to get full rest for tonight's start. … To make room for Dan Johnson on the 40-man roster, RHP Jay Buente was released. … RHPs Rob Delaney and Mike Ekstrom, who were designated for assignment, both cleared waivers. … The Rays voted for the Players Choice awards, with a message on the clubhouse whiteboard: "Vote Hellickson ROY! Now."
Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
DETROIT — 49ers receiver Braylon Edwards is suing a suburban Detroit restaurant for $14 million, alleging its slander cost him a big contract.
Two members of Edwards' group were arrested after two bouncers were assaulted at the restaurant Aug. 1, police said. Edwards was interviewed by police but not charged.
The suit says Edwards had an offer guaranteeing him $15 million. Instead, he "was forced to take a contract … for only $1 million" guaranteed.
"The events of that evening in question, including the false and malicious allegations directed toward Braylon, have damaged his reputation and earnings potential," Edwards' agent, David Russell, said.
An attorney for the restaurant said it is confident the claims will not prevail in court.
Urlacher might sit: Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher left the team after the death of his mother, and it is not known if he will be back in time for Sunday's game.
Bengals: Quarterback Andy Dalton, who bruised his right wrist and forearm during the opener, did not throw passes during practice. His status hasn't been determined.
Broncos: Four starters — corner Champ Bailey (hamstring), receiver Brandon Lloyd (groin), running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and defensive end Elvis Dumervil (shoulder) — missed practice after getting hurt Monday. Their status has not been determined.
Cowboys: Receiver Dez Bryant (thigh) and corner Terence Newman (groin) did not practice. Their status is unknown.
Dolphins: Corner Will Allen, released at the end of training camp, re-signed.
Giants: Receiver Brandon Stokley, 35, agreed to terms, the Associated Press reported. He had 31 catches for Seattle last season, his 12th.
Jaguars: Tight end Marcedes Lewis missed practice with a sore right calf. He plans to test it Friday.
Packers: Corner Charles Woodson was fined $10,000 for throwing a punch at Saints tight end David Thomas in the opener, the Associated Press reported.
Rams: Three days after bruising an index finger, quarterback Sam Bradford practiced and expects to play Monday. He wore a glove that increased blood flow to the finger. … Running back Steven Jackson, who strained his right leg early in the opener, did not practice but has not been ruled out.
Saints: Receiver Lance Moore, who missed the opener with a pulled groin, likely will play Sunday.
Seahawks: Guard Robert Gallery (sprained knee) and linebacker David Hawthorne (sore knee) practiced and hope to play Sunday. Both starters sat out the opener.
Texans: Running back Arian Foster, who sat out the opener with a hamstring injury, practiced and hopes to play Sunday.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Rays at Red Sox
When/where: 7:10 tonight; Fenway Park, Boston
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Starting pitchers:
RAYS RH Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 2.96)
RED SOX RH Kyle Weiland (0-1, 6.75)
Watch for …
Jeremy the Kid: Hellickson, who has the best ERA of all rookies, worked six decent innings against the Sox in his last start Saturday. He is 1-1, 4.95 in four games against Boston.
Wily Weiland: Weiland, called up to bolster the battered rotation, lasted four innings (3 R, 6 H, 3 BB) vs. the Rays Saturday, fortunate the score wasn't worse. This is his fourth big-league start.
On deck
Friday: at Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (15-10, 2.70); Red Sox — Josh Beckett (12-5, 2.49)
Saturday: at Red Sox, 4:10, Ch. 13. Rays — Jeff Niemann (10-7, 3.97); Red Sox — Jon Lester (15-7, 3.07)
Attitude adjustment of the day
"Woke up bitter, changed to happy because we have life still."
LHP J.P. Howell on the morning after his tough game-losing appearance Tuesday night.
Quote of the day
"We do watch the scoreboard and we do watch TV and we are very interested."
Manager Joe Maddon, acknowledging the obvious
Number of the day
34
Players on the Rays active roster
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Rays at Red Sox
When/where: 7:10 tonight; Fenway Park, Boston
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Starting pitchers:
RAYS RH Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 2.96)
RED SOX RH Kyle Weiland (0-1, 6.75)
Watch for …
Jeremy the Kid: Hellickson, who has the best ERA of all rookies, worked six decent innings against the Sox in his last start Saturday. He is 1-1, 4.95 in four games against Boston.
Wily Weiland: Weiland, called up to bolster the battered rotation, lasted four innings (3 R, 6 H, 3 BB) vs. the Rays Saturday, fortunate the score wasn't worse. This is his fourth big-league start.
On deck
Friday: at Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (15-10, 2.70); Red Sox — Josh Beckett (12-5, 2.49)
Saturday: at Red Sox, 4:10, Ch. 13. Rays — Jeff Niemann (10-7, 3.97); Red Sox — Jon Lester (15-7, 3.07)
Attitude adjustment of the day
"Woke up bitter, changed to happy because we have life still."
LHP J.P. Howell on the morning after his tough game-losing appearance Tuesday night.
Quote of the day
"You could have called me at 3 in the morning and I would have gotten a cab and drove."
1B Dan Johnson, on getting a 7 a.m. call to catch a 10 a.m. flight to Baltimore for his callup.
Numbers of the day
34
Players on the Rays active roster
21
Strikeouts by Rays hitters the past two nights
Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Rangers 9, Indians 1
ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton's third career grand slam highlighted an eight-run fourth inning, and Derek Holland pitched seven effective innings for Texas. Hamilton and Mike Napoli both homered off rookie David Huff in the decisive fourth, the Rangers' biggest inning since an 11-run fifth against the Rays on Sept. 26, 2009. Holland won for the eighth time in nine decisions.
By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
TAMPA — Brian Price grabbed his right hamstring and froze like an ice sculpture, afraid to make another move for fear it would be his last.
Who could blame him? During the offseason, the Bucs nose tackle underwent surgery to essentially reattach both hamstrings to his pelvis, which also required a bone graft.
"I'm sure it was probably a cramp," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said of Sunday's injury. "But when you've had both your hamstrings hammered on and ripped out with construction tools and put back together over the summer, those cramps on Sunday seem a little more scary for you."
What the Bucs believe is scary is how good Price will be when he is completely healthy. But his play was so impressive in a limited role against the Lions, Morris said, he will start Sunday at Minnesota.
"He did a nice job," Morris said of the second-year lineman. "We'll still use our normal rotation because I want to keep those guys fresh, and I want those guys to have the ability to be strong and be tough and fight as a unit. But he's certainly earned the ability to go out there and play first. I'm really proud of where he's at and what he's doing for us, especially where he's come from."
Technically, Price's first start came Sunday because the Bucs opened with their nickel defense when the Lions opened with three receivers. He had two tackles, including one for a loss, before leaving in the second half. This week, he replaces Roy Miller in the base defense.
It's a significant step for Price and means the Bucs will finally have their 1-2 punch at defensive tackle: Price, a second-round pick from UCLA in 2010 who played in only five games as a rookie before going on injured reserve, and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy, who went third overall in 2010.
"His get-off was very noticeable," Morris said of Price. "He was very active, hands-on. He did things at a high level, and getting out there and having the ability to do a little bit more, I hope we can see a lot more from him."
The Bucs will need more than Price to slow down Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson, arguably the best ball carrier they will face this season.
"You can't let him get any breathing room because he'll absolutely burn you," Morris said. "I remember when I got to see Adrian Peterson for my first time. I believe he jumped over (Derrick) Brooks. He jump-cut (Ronde) Barber. He dragged another player for about 4 (yards). It was the best 6-yard run I've seen in my life."
As for Price, even though he will start Sunday, Morris said the Bucs have to be smart about how many snaps he plays.
"He's almost at that point we talked about a couple months ago when I said he had a couple weeks left and he's getting there," Morris said.
"The funny part with the young man is you really don't know. It's something new. I really lean on (trainer) Todd Toriscelli to let me know what we need to do with him and how we need to plan the week. He's been doing a nice job with Price, and Price has done a nice job of listening. And we've been fighting through it together."
Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A booster said he's responsible for envelopes containing $200 in cash given to three Ohio State football players that led the NCAA to suspend them for two games each, the Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday.
Robert "Bobby" DiGeronimo said he was behind former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor giving the three players the envelopes.
DiGeronimo said, "I handled it wrong."
The NCAA suspended the players — expected starters tailback Jordan Hall and cornerback Travis Howard, and backup safety Corey Brown — for accepting improper benefits. They were reinstated Tuesday and could play Saturday at Miami.
NCAA back on North Carolina campus
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The NCAA has returned to campus as part of its investigation of North Carolina's football program.
Team spokesman Kevin Best said in an e-mail that the NCAA returned for "follow-up work" related to the investigation into improper benefits and academic misconduct. NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn declined to comment in an e-mail.
The NCAA sent a notice of allegations in June outlining nine violations. The school's response is due Monday, and it is scheduled to appear before the infractions committee in October.
Tennessee: Coach Derek Dooley says he's unsure whether senior defensive end Ben Martin can play against Florida on Saturday. Martin suffered a sprained ankle last week. Junior offensive tackle Dallas Thomas is expected to start after hurting his knee last week.
MSU tries to end streak: For all the good third-year coach Dan Mullen has done since his arrival from Florida's staff, Mississippi State is just 2-9 against SEC West foes — with both wins against Ole Miss. The Bulldogs are winless against Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama and LSU.
But No. 25 Mississippi State could take a huge forward with a win against visiting LSU tonight in Starkville (8, ESPN). The Tigers have won 11 meetings in a row dating to 1999.
The Bulldogs feature a spread offense led by quarterback Chris Relf and running backs Vick Ballard and LaDarius Perkins. The trio was largely responsible for MSU gaining 333 rushing yards in last week's loss to Auburn, and the ground-based plan will be the same against LSU.
"Our people expect us to win games now," Mullen said. "Before, they were just impressed maybe we competed."
UConn women's coach not optimistic
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma says he doesn't think his Huskies will win an eighth national title this season.
Auriemma told a group of business leaders that while fans have come to believe that UConn should play for a championship every year, those expectations are not realistic for a team that no longer includes two-time national player of the year Maya Moore.
"Sorry, I would like to, but I don't think we are," Auriemma said.
"Now if the other guys (he later listed Notre Dame, Tennessee and Baylor) screw up, which they are capable of doing, then we've got a chance."
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
BALTIMORE — Gathered around TVs in the Camden Yards clubhouse, the Rays were cheering and chirping as the Red Sox lost their Wednesday matinee. Five hours and a significantly wasted opportunity later, that confident chatter was replaced by the sound of silence and frustration.
A second straight how-could-this-happen loss to the last-place Orioles, this one 6-2, kept the Rays four games back in the wild-card race and sent them off to Boston, in their team letterman sweaters, needing to win at least three of the four games to have any realistic chance of staying in the postseason race.
"These next four games are pretty much going to tell us whether or not we're going to be playing in October," outfielder Matt Joyce said. "I think this is where you find out what you're made of, what your team is capable of."
A sweep would pull the Rays even with 10 games remaining. Winning three out of four would leave them two out. A split doesn't change anything. And anything less, they can start making their offseason plans.
"I don't know that it's absolutely necessary to sweep, but winning more than half would be good," manager Joe Maddon said. "Time is running out, I will not dispute that. But I just want us to stay in the present tense. As long as we stay in the present tense, we have our best chance of pulling this off."
Maddon's mantra will be for the Rays to look only at tonight's game, with rookie Jeremy Hellickson facing Sox fill-in Kyle Weiland. While Maddon refused to label it must-win, the alternative is to have to beat Josh Beckett and Jon Lester the next two games just to get to Sunday with a chance.
Their biggest concern has to be their suddenly anemic-again offense. The Rays managed just four runs and 10 hits and struck out 21 times in the two losses, shut down Tuesday by Alfredo Simon and Wednesday by 17-game loser Jeremy Guthrie.
"We're just not hitting the ball again," Maddon said. "That's typical of what's happened to us this year where we played good baseball but our offense kinda goes away. And we just can't have that happen right now. … We can't permit that to happen anymore. It's just happened way too often this year."
The Rays scored their runs on a two-out double by Joyce in the fourth but couldn't do anything else. They got two on to start the seventh, but Casey Kotchman went down swinging, John Jaso flied out and Reid Brignac looked at strike three. And when B.J. Upton walked with one out in the eighth, Evan Longoria swung at the first pitch from Jim Johnson and grounded into a double play.
"It's not the good at-bat we were working before we got up here, I'll admit that," Maddon said. "I don't know if it's a product of their pitchers being so good or if we're trying a little too hard. It's hard to say. But I have full faith in our guys. We'll be fine by (tonight)."
"It's been off and on," Joyce said. "So maybe after these two days being off it will come back on."
Compounding the lack of offense was an unimpressive performance by starter Wade Davis. After the Rays gave him the 2-1 lead in the fourth, he gave it right back, allowing hits to Vlad Guerrerro and Matt Wieters then a three-run homer on a misplaced 0-and-2 fastball to Chris Davis.
The Rays are 4-1 at Fenway this season, and 39-29 over the past four, so they will take some confidence with them for what Maddon anticipates being raucous playoff atmosphere.
"We definitely missed an opportunity, no question. But that doesn't mean it's over and that doesn't mean you quit," he said. "Stay tuned, we ain't going away."
Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.
A Sunday free?
BALTIMORE — The Rays' 2012 schedule includes a season-opening series at home vs. the Yankees, interleague visits by the Braves and Mets and five extended three-city road trips.
But what's most interesting is what it does not have: A game on Sunday, Aug. 26.
To accommodate a Republican National Convention event at Tropicana Field, the Rays will make the unusual move of having a Sunday off. They will host Oakland on Thursday-Saturday, then leave on Monday for a seven-game trip to Texas and Toronto.
The Rays will open at home against the Yankees — for the second time — with a 3:10 start. They make interleague visits to the Marlins, Nationals and Phillies and host the Braves, Marlins and Mets, who make their first visit since 2001.
Most home games will start at 7:10; the 6:40 weekday times are gone.
For the full schedule, go to rays.tampbay.com
Times wires
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Rockies 6, Brewers 2
MILWAUKEE — Carlos Gonzalez homered and drove in three runs to help Colorado snap a six-game skid in Milwaukee. Kevin Millwood pitched six strong innings for the Rockies, who kept the Brewers from moving closer to their first division title in 29 years. Milwaukee's NL Central lead dropped to 5½ games over St. Louis.
Times wires
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Dodgers 3, D'backs 2
LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw was ejected along with manager Don Mattingly for hitting Gerardo Parra on the right elbow in the sixth, but got his 19th victory. On Tuesday, Parra had stood at the plate to admire a homer. Kershaw has the most Dodgers wins since Ramon Martinez went 20-6 in 1990; he tied Arizona's Ian Kennedy for the NL lead. His 236 strikeouts are two behind Detroit's Justin Verlander for the major-league lead.
Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Bourn cf 5 1 2 0 0 0 .302
Ja.Wilson ss 4 0 2 0 0 0 .250
McCann c 4 0 1 1 0 1 .277
Uggla 2b 4 1 1 0 0 3 .233
Diaz lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .268
Hinske ph-lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .244
Freeman 1b 4 1 2 2 0 0 .296
Prado 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .261
Heyward rf 3 0 1 0 1 0 .223
D.Lowe p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .184
Conrad ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .242
C.Jones ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .281
Totals 36 3 9 3 1 7
St. Louis AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Furcal ss 4 1 2 0 0 1 .221
Jay cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .304
Pujols 1b 4 1 1 1 0 0 .297
Holliday lf 4 1 1 0 0 3 .300
Berkman rf 3 1 2 1 1 0 .292
Freese 3b 4 0 1 1 0 2 .297
Y.Molina c 4 0 1 1 0 0 .291
Punto 2b 2 0 0 0 1 0 .264
J.Garcia p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .109
Craig ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 .321
Totals 31 4 9 4 2 8
Atlanta 000 210 000— 3 9 0
St. Louis 202 000 00x— 4 9 1
E—Y.Molina (6). LOB—Atl. 7, S.L. 6. 2B—Furcal (10), Holliday (35), Berkman (21), Freese (12). HR—Freeman (19), off J.Garcia. RBIs—McCann (66), Freeman 2 (70), Pujols (88), Berkman (85), Freese (47), Y.Molina (54). SB—Bourn (52), Heyward (8), Furcal (7), Y.Molina (4), Greene (10). S—Jay. RISP—Atl. 2; S.L. 5. DP—Atl. 1.
Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
D.Lowe L, 9-14 6 9 4 4 2 6 111 4.70
Varvaro 2 0 0 0 0 2 22 2.57
St. Louis IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
J.Garcia W, 12-7 6 8 3 3 0 4 74 3.68
Rzepczynski H, 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 17 1.72
Salas H, 5 1 0 0 0 0 2 11 2.41
Motte S, 4-7 1 0 0 0 1 0 20 1.64
T—2:31. A—40,689 (43,975).
Atlanta AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Bourn cf 5 1 2 0 0 0 .302
Ja.Wilson ss 4 0 2 0 0 0 .250
McCann c 4 0 1 1 0 1 .277
Uggla 2b 4 1 1 0 0 3 .233
Diaz lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .268
Hinske ph-lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 .244
Freeman 1b 4 1 2 2 0 0 .296
Prado 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 .261
Heyward rf 3 0 1 0 1 0 .223
D.Lowe p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .184
Conrad ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .242
C.Jones ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .281
Totals 36 3 9 3 1 7
St. Louis AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Furcal ss 4 1 2 0 0 1 .221
Jay cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 .304
Pujols 1b 4 1 1 1 0 0 .297
Holliday lf 4 1 1 0 0 3 .300
Berkman rf 3 1 2 1 1 0 .292
Freese 3b 4 0 1 1 0 2 .297
Y.Molina c 4 0 1 1 0 0 .291
Punto 2b 2 0 0 0 1 0 .264
J.Garcia p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .109
Craig ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 .321
Totals 31 4 9 4 2 8
Atlanta 000 210 000— 3 9 0
St. Louis 202 000 00x— 4 9 1
E—Y.Molina (6). LOB—Atl. 7, S.L. 6. 2B—Furcal (10), Holliday (35), Berkman (21), Freese (12). HR—Freeman (19), off J.Garcia. RBIs—McCann (66), Freeman 2 (70), Pujols (88), Berkman (85), Freese (47), Y.Molina (54). SB—Bourn (52), Heyward (8), Furcal (7), Y.Molina (4), Greene (10). S—Jay. RISP—Atl. 2; S.L. 5. DP—Atl. 1.
Atlanta IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
D.Lowe L, 9-14 6 9 4 4 2 6 111 4.70
Varvaro 2 0 0 0 0 2 22 2.57
St. Louis IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA
J.Garcia W, 12-7 6 8 3 3 0 4 74 3.68
Rzepczynski H, 5 1 1 0 0 0 1 17 1.72
Salas H, 5 1 0 0 0 0 2 11 2.41
Motte S, 4-7 1 0 0 0 1 0 20 1.64
T—2:31. A—40,689 (43,975).
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 15, 2011
For all the touching tributes to the late Lee Roy Selmon in Saturday's USF Bulls home opener against Ball State, the Hall of Famer's family members weren't able to see the support from the Tampa Bay community because they were attending Selmon's funeral services in Oklahoma the same day.
USF athletic director Doug Woolard has invited Selmon's family -- wife Claybra and their three children, Brandy, Lee Roy Jr. and Chris (all three USF graduates) to take part in the coin-toss ceremony before Saturday's home game against Florida A&M. It's one more fitting tribute to a man who helped bring football to USF and worked 18 years for the Bulls, including being the school's athletic director from 2001-04.
It's incentive to get to your seats a little early Saturday, saying thanks to Selmon's family. And Lee Roy Jr. has done his share of USF coin tosses -- the former defensive tackle was a team co-captain during his (second) senior year in 2004.
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 15, 2011
TAMPA — If one has to run after practice or put in extra work in position drills, it's understood that his brother will patiently wait at the corner of the field, helmet in hand.
They are nearly inseparable that way, but that's how it always has been for Keith and Kevin McCaskill.
"They wait for each other," USF assistant football coach Kevin Patrick said this week as the Bulls prepared for Saturday's home game against Florida A&M. "They walk on the field together. They walk off the field together. It's just part of their biological makeup."
The fifth-year seniors, identical twins who turned 24 on Sunday, line up on opposite sides of the ball — Keith is a starting defensive tackle, Kevin a top backup at guard — but even then, they're separated only by the line of scrimmage.
"It's neat to see the respect they have for each other, the care and the bond they have," coach Skip Holtz said. "They spend so much time together, but they cherish their time together. When they're done here at the end of this year, who knows where their career paths will take them."
When Holtz attended memorial services last week with his players for Lee Roy Selmon, he couldn't help but think of the McCaskills, hearing the brotherly love with which Dewey Selmon spoke of his younger brother. As Dewey told it, Lee Roy was 11 months younger, but when Dewey left for his first day of kindergarten, their mother saw how much his brother missed him and sent Lee Roy along the next day.
That's how Kevin remembers his childhood in Tallahassee, with his brother always at his side. "Our mama told us, if one goes, the other had to go," he says. "You keep each other out of trouble that way. When you're a twin, you're used to it. I'm not saying we don't fuss and fight, but we get along pretty well."
The McCaskills were a year apart in school for much of their education because Keith was held back in fourth grade; Kevin's enrollment at USF was delayed a semester, however, allowing both to join the program in 2007. They've stayed together ever since. They share a car, an apartment, and will graduate together in December with the same major, interdisciplinary social sciences. And neither can imagine the past four years any other way.
"That's my best friend, my twin brother," said Keith, older by a minute and about 30 pounds lighter than his brother. "We feed off each other. I'm his energy; he's my energy. It seems like we always have each other's back. I know it's not very common for twin brothers to play at the same university, but it's good to always have him around."
Keith has a beard and Kevin perhaps a bigger smile, and there are other traits to distinguish them from each other. Kevin is laid back and quiet, you'll hear; Keith has the nonstop motor and is more outspoken.
"I'm the loudmouth, he's the calm one. I'm more blunt," Keith says, laughing. "In reality, he's the loudmouth. He just doesn't do it in public."
Playing FAMU is special for the McCaskills, who grew up near the Tallahassee campus and regularly attended games there.
"I was a diehard Rattler fan," said Keith, noting that their mother, Phyllis, is a FAMU graduate, and their uncle Jimmy played for the Rattlers, earning All-America honors as a center in 1969. The twins' older brother Nevin, a lineman who was among the Jets' final cuts two weeks ago, played collegiately at Hampton, where his coach was Joe Taylor, now at Florida A&M.
The brothers see the game from opposite perspectives, so they constantly have someone scouting them in practice and in games, seeing things they might not notice themselves.
"Sometimes after practice, he'll tell me, 'You should have done this. If I was blocking you, I'd have done this.' " Keith said. "I'll tell him the same way. We give each other pointers, especially after a game on Saturdays."
Kevin likes when he hears fellow Bulls say that their teammates are like brothers to them. For him and his twin, the two terms are inseparable.
"You always have somebody to talk to, always have somebody there," he said. "You have someone who's always going to push you, no matter how good you feel or how bad you feel. It's weird to think about going through it without having your brother next to you. You can't think of life without it."
By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, September 15, 2011
TAMPA — It is too soon to expect much from the defensive line. Even Warren Sapp took a little time before becoming the most dominant interior lineman in the league.
And it is asking too much for the receivers to strike fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators on Sundays. Arrelious Benn is months removed from major knee surgery, and there is little experienced depth behind him.
And no matter how low you believe Barrett Ruud set the bar, it is still wishful thinking to expect a rookie to play middle linebacker without some growing pains along the way.
On the other hand, there is Tampa Bay's offensive line.
And there is no excuse for those guys.
Nowhere have the Bucs invested more money and effort than on the offensive line. They've spent millions. They've used draft picks, and they've expended faith.
They have four linemen (Jeff Faine, Davin Joseph, Donald Penn and Jeremy Trueblood) who have started at least 60 games. Three (Faine, Joseph and Penn) have multiyear deals for a combined $138 million, including more than $50 million guaranteed.
Two were high draft picks (Joseph and Trueblood), and Faine was the most expensive free agent center ever when he signed in 2008. The oldest of the bunch (Faine) just turned 30, and all five (including Ted Larsen) have been in the same huddle for the past year.
In other words, this unit should absolutely be considered one of the best lines in the NFL.
But is it?
"Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris and the organization have, obviously, made a commitment to the offensive line," Faine said. "We should be, if we're not already, at that point you would define as peak performance."
The Bucs offense might have been efficient last season, but it was nowhere close to dynamic. And when it came time to hand out credit for its accomplishments, most was heaped on Josh Freeman and others.
Now it's not unusual for offensive linemen to get overlooked when it comes to accolades. Their job is not glamorous, and it is not tied to easily recognizable statistics.
And to be fair, the offensive line appeared to be pretty good last season. Probably in the upper half of the NFL.
Still, considering the franchise's commitment, this line needs to be better than it was in 2010. And it needs to be a lot better than it was in the season opener.
"The biggest frustration is we came out with an L. It doesn't matter who you are — you can start with a whole new team — you still have to perform and execute. We didn't do that," said Penn. "If we had won, it would have been a totally different story. But we lost, and we're down."
Is it the line's fault that the Bucs were slow starters on offense last season? At least partially, sure. And the line certainly shared in the blame of Sunday's slow start.
The first two runs of the game went for zero yards. And on two of the first five passing plays, Freeman was either sacked or had to scramble for a 1-yard gain.
That's a pretty good formula for starting a game with successive three-and-outs.
Still, it is hard to quantify how good an offensive line plays without having access to assignments and videotape.
For instance, the Bucs had an effective running game once LeGarrette Blount started getting the ball regularly last season. But does that mean the line was playing well and just needed an above-average back to produce? Or was Blount so good that he made an average line look even better?
The same could be true for Freeman. He rushed for more yards than any quarterback not named Michael Vick last season, which is a tribute to his athleticism and skill. But it could also be an indictment of a line that forced him to scramble too much.
The website profootballfocus.com studied how many times a quarterback was pressured in 2010, and it determined Tampa Bay's line was 31st in the league in keeping pressure off Freeman. According to the study, Freeman felt pressure on 47.3 percent of attempts. The league median was about 36 percent.
Again, this is not an exact science. The fault could be on receivers who were not open. Or Freeman failing to read the defense. Or the defense being able to focus on pass rushing because of the score.
"It's a collective effort. It's a team effort," Faine said. "The running backs have to be on the page. The receivers have to be on the page. The quarterback, obviously, has to be on the page. Sacks are a team stat more than an offensive line stat, but it falls on our shoulders. I think we're in the upper third (of the league in offensive lines)."
There is no single statistic that will verify a line's performance. It is a subjective grade and, obviously, open to one's interpretation.
From here, the Bucs offensive line looks pretty good.
But there is no reason it shouldn't be better.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, September 15, 2011
BRANDON — For Vinny Lecavalier, the best part of his offseason workout program was it began a few weeks early.
He didn't do anything major, he said, just some extra skating. But given how his past few summers have been more about rehabilitating repaired body parts than preparing for a season, the quick start felt good.
"It was such a relief," the Lightning captain said, "not having to think about healing something."
There has been a lot of healing.
Tampa Bay's training camp opens today at the Ice Sports Forum, and for the first time in five years, Lecavalier comes in healthy.
"In five years?" exclaimed coach Guy Boucher.
In five years.
The center had arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist after the 2006-07 season to clean up cartilage. He had right shoulder surgery after 2007-08 for a torn labrum.
Cartilage in his right wrist was repaired just as the 2008-09 season was ending, and his right knee had arthroscopic surgery in August 2010.
"It just drains you," Lecavalier said. "Summer is a time to recharge your batteries. When you have surgery, they don't recharge."
Lecavalier, 31, never used injuries as an excuse for his statistics, which dwindled from 52 goals, 108 points in 2006-07 to 25 goals, 54 points last season.
Still, teammate Ryan Malone said, "for him to have short summers does have an effect."
"It just throws you off course," said center Dominic Moore, who added that a healthy summer "is a big head start."
The biggest head start might be how Lecavalier played the second half of last season: 18 goals, 37 points in his last 39 games, when, as Moore said, "he tapped into that love of the game. You could see his energy."
Lecavalier credits working with Chuck Lobe, then the team's strength coach, to get in better shape while missing 15 games from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11 with a hand injury. But it took until Jan. 9, another 13 games, before Lecavalier's scoring outburst began, so perhaps other factors also were at work.
"He just really started paying attention to the little details, getting the pucks in and making the right plays at the right time," Malone said. "He paid attention, and he got rewarded."
The question is, can Lecavalier, 6 feet 4, 208 pounds, regain more of the form that made him one of the best players in the world from 2006 to 2008?
And can he do it for an entire season?
"I want to produce," Lecavalier said. "I know if I played the way I played since January, things will come and the goals will come."
But, Boucher said, "the expectations are not in terms of a number of points. The expectation is he's going to be more in shape, more ready to start."
"We always downplay the effect of injuries, but they are devastating. The enthusiasm that comes from the fact that there's no injury and being able to train in the summer the way he wanted to train will be invigorating for him."
For a team counting on its captain, that may be the best part of all.
Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.
