Tim Porson, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 23, 2011

HOLIDAY — Friday night's showdown between Anclote (0-3) and Fivay (2-1) didn't exactly start off with fireworks.

After two unsuccessful possessions by both teams, Fivay put the first points on the board when quarterback Tyler Degen connected with tight end Kevin Faulkner from 19 yards out to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

With just over six minutes to go in the first half, Anclote quarterback John Forgione was picked off by safety Charles Nickerson, who returned the ball to Anclote's 14. Three plays later, Degen threw another touchdown, this one to wide out Sean McKillen from 10 yards out to take a 14-0 lead into halftime.

The fireworks came out full blast to start the second half.

On the opening kickoff, Anclote's Chris Gregory returned it 95 yards for a touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Fivay erased what little momentum Anclote had when Willis Reeves went 85 yards for a touchdown, giving Fivay the lead, 21-6.

Anclote then capped a seven-play drive with a touchdown run from 14 yards out by Willie Barrett and converted the two-point conversion to trail 21-14, which was the final margin.

Forgione threw a late interception to end any hopes of completing the comeback.

Friday, September 23, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina president Harris Pastides would like to see the SEC cap expansion at 14 teams.

Pastides and the other SEC presidents voted to accept Texas A&M as the league's 13th member, once the Aggies resolve legal issues regarding their departure from the Big 12. The presidents have not decided whether to add a 14th team.

"I don't think 13 is a sustainable number, but I think 14 is," Pastides said. "I'm not in favor of 16, personally, right now. You begin to lose what is a very special quality."

Pastides said "14 works better than 13," and added, "but if it were Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech (together), to me, I'd be saying, 'What happened to the SEC?' "

Pastides understands he and other like-minded leaders might not be able to slow the expansion train once it leaves the station — as was the case with A&M — but he would like to limit how far it goes.

Big 12 leader: Needing someone strong and savvy to mend the Big 12, the league turned to a former Big Eight commissioner who helped usher in the era of college football as big business.

Chuck Neinas, known as a smart consensus builder, will take over the Big 12 as interim commissioner on Oct. 3. The Big 12 dumped former commissioner Dan Beebe on Thursday in a mutual agreement after the conference nearly fell apart for the second time in 15 months.

Neinas, 79, said he is going to the Big 12 to work, not just sit around until his successor is picked. He will not be considered for the permanent job.

"I am not a caretaker. My mission is to bring the conference closer together and move forward and make progress in all areas," Neinas said, adding he expects to be on the job six months or longer.

Player shot, killed in club: A Central State football player died after being shot at a Dayton, Ohio, nightclub, and an arrest warrant has been issued for the man suspected of shooting into the club, authorities said.

Defensive back Kordero Hunter, 21, died after he was shot in the abdomen and another male student was shot in the neck. That student was expected to be released from a hospital Friday. An arrest warrant was issued for Jason Dashaun Shern, 30, and police were searching for him.

Hunter and other CSU students were innocent bystanders, Dayton police Sgt. Moises Perez said. "When an argument broke out inside, the club owner broke it up and started escorting some of the people outside," Perez said. "The owner then saw a woman passing a gun to the shooter, who was outside, and he started shooting into the bar."

Favre on the mic: Former NFL and Southern Miss quarterback Brett Favre will be a color analyst for his alma mater's game against Rice on Oct. 1 at Roberts Stadium. Favre, 41, said he is not committing to a career in broadcasting but wants to "check out the view from the press box." The game will be televised on CSS, a regional sports channel.

Notre Dame: A student-athlete accused of sexually assaulting a Saint Mary's College student who later committed suicide was cleared in a campus disciplinary hearing. Elizabeth Seeberg, 19, died of a suspected drug overdose Sept. 10, 2010. Authorities have said Seeberg accused a student-athlete of touching her breasts on Aug. 31, 2010.

B-CU hangs on as replay overturns TD

DAYTONA BEACH — Jamarr Robinson ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, and host Bethune-Cookman (2-1, 1-1 MEAC) held on for a 35-31 victory early Friday when Hampton's apparent winning score was overturned by replay.

Isiah Thomas caught a 12-yard pass from David Legree on the final play for Hampton (2-2, 1-1), but officials ruled Thomas was bobbling the ball as he was tackled in the end zone. B-CU got its final score on a 13-yard pass from Jackie Wilson to Eddie Poole with under three minutes left.

The game started almost an hour late Thursday night because of lightning.

Basketball

East Carolina: The school extended the contract of men's coach Jeff Lebo through the 2018-19 season.

Friday, September 23, 2011

PROVO, Utah — A string of botched special-teams plays cost UCF another win.

The Knights, who traditionally have been strong on special teams during coach George O'Leary's tenure, made key mistakes that contributed to a 24-17 loss at Brigham Young on Friday night.

The teams were tied at 17 early in the fourth when redshirt freshman J.J. Worton muffed a punt. BYU recovered, ran it into the end zone and celebrated.

Muffed punts cannot be advanced, so the Cougars (2-2) were penalized and started their drive at the UCF 23. Within a minute, BYU was celebrating again after Bryan Kariya's 6-yard touchdown run with 10:29 left.

Worton was supposed to help solve the problem the Knights (2-2) have had fielding punts. Junior Josh Robinson botched three punt returns in the first three games this season, including one that set up Florida International's win last week.

BYU knocked UCF sophomore quarterback Jeff Godfrey out of the game with an apparent elbow injury. Redshirt freshman Blake Bortles took over.

He showed off his arm, moving the Knights to the BYU 26. The drive stalled and kicker Nick Cattoi missed a 35-yard field goal.

Godfrey returned late in the fourth quarter, hoping to lead a comeback win. However, Dontravius Floyd fumbled an 18-yard catch and BYU recovered with 8:46 left in the game.

Godfrey later had a pass intercepted by Joe Sampson.

Cougars senior receiver Cody Hoffman ran back a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 17 with 4:37 left in the third. It was BYU's first kickoff returned for a touchdown in 13 years and another botched special-teams play for UCF.

UCF had led after Godfrey hit senior A.J. Guyton for a 54-yard pass. Godfrey finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Times wires
Friday, September 23, 2011

NEW YORK — Red Sox manager Terry Francona is too busy worrying about his team to fret over his job status.

The Red Sox held a nine-game lead over the Rays in the AL wild-card race Sept. 4 and seemed set to glide into the playoffs. A 4-14 skid has left the Red Sox 21/2 games in front of the Rays.

Francona is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, and the Red Sox hold an option for 2012 and 2013. Some have suggested his job status is uncertain.

"I guess I better address that a little bit, so I don't have to address it more," Francona said before Friday's game against the Yankees was postponed by rain. "I don't feel any different than I ever have. The organization not only has the right, but it's their obligation to get the right person, the person they think is the best.

"If at some point they think it needs to be somebody else — other than that, I think it's disrespectful for me to spend one waking moment thinking about my situation. We need to win games, so that's how I intend to do it."

Francona was hired by the Red Sox for the 2004 season and managed them to their first World Series title since 1918. The Red Sox won another title in 2007.

After peaking at 31 games over .500 (82-51) in late August, the Red Sox have dropped seven back of the Yankees, who clinched the AL East.

"It doesn't really matter to me," Francona said of the job speculation. "I feel like I feel, and I won't change how I feel regardless of whether it's a story or not. I have a job to do that I care a lot about."

General manager Theo Epstein said Francona's status won't be addressed until the Red Sox are done playing for the year.

Meanwhile, the postponed game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader Sunday, with the games at 1:05 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The teams play at 4:10 p.m. today.

Times wires
Friday, September 23, 2011

Braves 7, Nationals 4

WASHINGTON — Dan Uggla and the Braves knocked around Stephen Strasburg in a three-run first inning and helped their bid for a playoff berth. Tim Hudson pitched into the sixth and Uggla had three hits and two RBIs for the Braves, who had lost eight of their previous 12 games.

Times wires
Friday, September 23, 2011

Rangers 5, Mariners 3

Rangers win AL West

ARLINGTON, Texas —The Rangers are AL West champions again. Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre hit long home runs and Craig Gentry had an inside-the-park homer to beat the Mariners. About two hours later, the Rangers had their second straight title and fifth overall after the Angels lost 3-1 to the visiting Athletics.

Times wires
Friday, September 23, 2011

Brewers 4, Marlins 1

Brewers win NL Central

MILWAUKEE — Ryan Braun hit a three-run, go-ahead homer in the eighth and the Brewers won their first division title since 1982. Prince Fielder also homered for the Brewers, who clinched the National League Central after waiting 20 minutes for the Cubs to defeat the Cardinals 5-1. The Brewers are 53-23 at Miller Park, one win from tying the most home wins in franchise history.

Times wires
Friday, September 23, 2011

DOVER, Del. — Attorneys for Major League Baseball asked a Delaware bankruptcy judge Friday to clear the way for a sale of the Dodgers, saying owner Frank McCourt is driving the team to destruction.

Attorneys for the league argued in a court filing that McCourt is using the team's Chapter 11 case to try to resolve his personal financial problems. They said he has methodically stripped the team of its revenue sources and is seeking to auction off the team's television rights without league approval, which could lead to its expulsion from the league and leave it in economic ruin.

League attorneys declared the proposed TV rights sale "dead on arrival." They argue that the only path for a quick and successful emergence from bankruptcy is a sale of the team. And they said such a sale would benefit the team, the league, fans and McCourt.

The Dodgers issued a statement dismissing the league's court filing as meritless and riddled with inaccuracies.

A hearing is tentatively set for Oct. 12.

Ex-Tiger McLain arrested: Former Tigers pitcher Denny McLain, 67, who won the 1968 AL MVP and Cy Young awards, was arrested Thursday at the Michigan border with Canada on a fugitive fraud warrant issued Aug. 26 in Louisiana. He was arraigned Friday and released on $10,000 bond with an extradition hearing set for Oct. 4.

Braves: RHP Tommy Hanson, on the disabled list since Aug. 7, felt pain in his right shoulder blade during a rehab appearance. … RH reliever Peter Moylan was diagnosed with a torn labrum and rotator cuff.

Diamondbacks: LH reliever Mike Zagurski was acquired from the Phillies for a player to be named, and RHP Esmerling Vasquez was designated for assignment.

Marlins: RH closer Leo Nunez admitted to using fake documents and a fake ID to sign a professional contract more than a year ago. Nunez returned to his native Dominican Republic on Thursday, and the Associated Press reported that his real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he is a year older (29) than believed. Dominican authorities arrested Hector Pena Diaz, who is accused of falsifying Nunez's documents.

Rangers: RHP Mark Lowe has a partial tear in his left hamstring, and manager Ron Washington said he is "gone for a while."

Reds: GM Walt Jocketty signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the club through 2014.

Twins: CF Denard Span, a former Tampa Catholic standout, and 3B Danny Valencia sat out against the Indians with general soreness and headaches after a minor traffic accident on the way to the airport Thursday in Minneapolis. Span's car rear-ended the car driven by Valencia's fiancee.

Rainout: The Phillies-Mets game was postponed because of rain, and it will be made up in a day-night doubleheader today (1:10, 7:10).

Obituary: Danny Litwhiler, who followed an 11-year major-league career in the 1940s with 28 years of coaching Division I college players, died at age 95 in Clearwater. Mr. Litwhiler, a two-time Gold Glove winner, played for the Phillies, Cardinals, Braves and Reds from 1940 to 1951 and was a member of the Cardinals' 1944 championship team. He coached at Florida State and Michigan State.

Daniel Feingold, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 23, 2011

CLEARWATER — Down 7-0, Pinellas Park scored 35 points in the second quarter to beat Clearwater.

Four of the touchdowns came on the ground, two by Marquis Samuel. He finished with 21 carries for 75 yards.

For Clearwater, undisciplined play stifled its offense. It tallied 327 yards, but eight penalties for 72 yards and five turnovers were the story of the game. Though Rob Yarbrough passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns, he was intercepted twice. Additionally, two fumbles and a botched punt led to all of the Patriots' points.

"Sudden change in high school football is huge," Pinellas Park coach Kenny Crawford said. "If you can capitalize on it … momentum in high school football is king."

Daniel Feingold, Times correspondent

Todd Foley, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 23, 2011

TAMPA — Jesuit coach James Harrell is as smash-mouth as they come, preferring the downhill running game to almost anything.

That's why his coaches almost had to convince him to come out throwing against Blake. Turned out they were right.

Tommy Eveld tossed a 73-yard TD on the opening play and finished with 288 yards and three TDs as Jesuit dismantled Blake 35-0.

"I like to come out and run the ball, but tonight we felt like we could throw it," Harrell said. "We were able to protect well and score some points."

Jesuit had 415 yards of offense and allowed 48. Blake had 86 passing yards but Jesuit's big defensive line held the Yellow Jackets to minus-38 rushing.

The Tigers had seven players combine for 153 rushing yards.

Todd Foley, Times correspondent

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 23, 2011

Rays vs. Blue Jays

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: MLB Network; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Tickets: $17-$275, available at the stadium box office, Ticketmaster and raysbaseball.com.

Promotion: Postgame concert by Miranda Lambert

Starting pitchers:

Rays:

RH Jeff Niemann (11-7, 3.95)

Blue Jays:

LH Ricky Romero (15-10, 2.98)

Watch for …

Standing tall: Niemann, whose start was pushed back two days due to upper-back soreness, has won his past two outings. He is 4-3 with a 5.03 ERA in 10 career starts against the Blue Jays.

Leaning left: Romero has been on a good roll, having won seven of his past 10 outings, and is coming off a complete game in his last start, a no-decision against the Angels. He is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts this season against the Rays.

Key matchups

Blue Jays vs. Niemann

Jose Bautista3-for-17

Kelly Johnson2-for-6

Mark Teahen3-for-10, HR

Rays vs. Romero

Johnny Damon9-for-20, 3 HRs

Evan Longoria5-for-16

Kelly Shoppach0-for-12

On deck

Sunday: vs. Blue Jays, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (10-10, 4.55); Blue Jays — Brett Cecil (4-10, 4.56)

Monday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (15-12, 2.84); Yankees — TBA

Tuesday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.90); Yankees — TBA

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Honor of the day

RHP James Shields will be recognized in a pregame presentation today for his second consecutive Roberto Clemente Award nomination, recognizing a player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field.

Flashback of the day

Cheryl Tiegs, 64, one of America's first supermodels, threw out the ceremonial first pitch Friday. Rays manager Joe Maddon recalled his "Cheryl Tiegs Moment" happened in the late 1970s while he was a minor-leaguer in Salinas, Calif. The team was raffling off a poster of Tiegs in a pink bikini, an iconic 1970s pop culture image, and Maddon's No. 20 was called. "I run from the bullpen, up the steps to the press box during the game and got my Cheryl Tiegs poster. So No. 20 was a lucky number. (The poster) was on the wall for many years."

Times wires
Friday, September 23, 2011

DETROIT — Wayne Simmonds should have been able to talk about what a fine first impression he has made on his new team.

After scoring in the final minute of the Flyers' game in London, Ontario, on Thursday night, Simmonds scored again in a shootout. But it was what happened to him in the shootout that got most of the attention. A banana was thrown from the stands as Simmonds, who is black, skated toward Detroit goalie Jordan Pearce.

Simmonds, 23, acquired from the Kings in a June trade, talked about it after the game, saying "I kind of just left things roll off (my back). I try not to think about stuff like that."

Condemnations of the act came from around the league. "The obviously stupid and ignorant action by one individual is in no way representative of our fans or the people of London, Ontario," commissioner Gary Bettman said Friday.

Norton Sports, a sports management group that does not represent Simmonds, offered a $500 reward for the identity of the banana thrower. The offer, made on Twitter, quickly drew others promising to add to it.

London Mayor Joe Fontana apologized to Simmonds and the Flyers on behalf of his city.

Flyers wing Scott Hartnell said he hopes the incident is isolated. "You never want to see those kinds of actions. (Simmonds) took it in stride. … Simmer's a character guy, and he just laughed it off."

Game highlights: Jaromir Jagr had a goal and an assist and the Flyers beat the host Red Wings 3-1. … Rookie Brandon Saad beat goalie Tomas Vokoun with 3:21 left in the third and the host Blackhawks beat the Capitals 3-2.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 23, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — CF B.J. Upton said he was trying to spark the Rays' offense when he tried to steal second base while down 5-0 to the Blue Jays in the eighth inning Friday.

Upton was thrown out — then tossed from the game — after vociferously arguing he was safe.

But manager Joe Maddon, who tells his team to err on the side of aggressiveness, thought Upton was out and said Upton didn't necessarily make the safe play.

"That's a situation where, if you're going to go, you have to be absolutely 100 percent sure you can do it," Maddon said. "I think if he really reflects on it, he'd probably want to take it back."

Upton, whose Rays were held to three hits, said that with 3B Evan Longoria up, he wanted to stay out of a double play.

"Maybe a base hit scores me and we kind of feed off that," Upton said. "Obviously, it didn't happen that way."

Upton paused about halfway to second, saying he was trying to pick up the ball. C J.P. Arencibia threw out Upton from his knees for the second out. Upton shared words, and glares, with second-base umpire Ed Hickox as he walked off the field before getting ejected. He then tossed his helmet onto the infield before leaving.

"Heat of the moment; we're in the middle of a pennant race," Upton said. "It just happened. It's not something I was really expecting to do. Just kind of the way it unfolded."

Ready to close: RHP Kyle Farnsworth, after missing about two weeks with a tender elbow, felt good and ready to go, and Maddon said the closer could have pitched Thursday. Farnsworth said he'll probably stop throwing his split because it's partly the reason the elbow started bothering him.

For firsts: Utility player Russ Canzler, whose first big-league hit came in Thursday's win over New York, said the moment was extra memorable because it came in Yankee Stadium.

"That's a special place to get your first hit, in that atmosphere, in that city," he said.

His teammates played a little joke on him. While the ball from the hit was retrieved and passed into the dugout, they pretended to throw it into the stands. (They tossed another ball.)

"That was funny," Canzler said.

With the hit, Canzler had a 1.000 batting average posted on the stadium scoreboard, an image he'll always have because DH Johnny Damon took a picture of it the next time the rookie came up. "I'll probably have to get that one framed," Canzler said.

Miscellany: RHP Jeff Niemann said the upper-back soreness that led his start to be pushed back two days is no longer an issue. … Maddon said rookie LHP Matt Moore will return to the bullpen but likely won't be available until Sunday or Monday after throwing 84 pitches in his first major-league win Thursday. Maddon said LHP David Price will start Wednesday's regular-season finale, following RHP James Shields (Monday) and RHP Jeremy Hellickson (Tuesday) in the Yankees series.

Steve Lee, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 23, 2011

WESLEY CHAPEL — Zephyr­hills overcame its underdog status — not to mention a slew of penalties — to trounce host Wesley Chapel 38-16 in Friday's Class 5A, District 6 opener for both teams.

"It feels great," Zephyrhills coach Reggie Roberts said. "This game was already given to them. We didn't even have to play this game. Well, this is Friday night football. You strap it up. My boys put it all on the field."

After Wesley Chapel (2-1) went ahead 8-7 on Keegan Tanner's 3-yard run and a two-point conversion by Devin Piper, the Bulldogs (1-2) reeled off 31 straight points. Piper added a 2-yard touchdown run and conversion in the fourth quarter.

Leading Zephyrhills' offensive charge was Jamal Roberts, who ran for four touchdowns and passed for another. The senior quarterback ran for 162 yards and passed for 52, accounting for 214 of his team's 292 yards. His scoring runs went for 67, 26, 7 and 69 yards; and he threw a 4-yard scoring pass to Josh Roberts.

"We all knew it was going to take a few games for this offense to click," Reggie Roberts said. "We put in a few more wrinkles."

The Bulldogs struggled with penalties, being flagged 17 times for 162 yards.

"We're going to correct that. We're going to be a better team," Reggie Roberts said.

Piper led the Wildcats with 116 rushing yards on 19 carries and Tanner contributed 61 yards. He gained 46 yards but struggled in the passing game, completing just 1 of 10 for 15 yards.

Allie Davison, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 23, 2011

WESLEY CHAPEL — In a cross-county district showdown, Gaither came out victorious, 39-0 over Wiregrass Ranch.

Sophomore quarterback Alex McGough connected with Mitchell McNall on a 66-yard pass to go up 7-0 on the first series.

Gaither's next two drives ended in touchdowns from Jamari Cord's 62-yard run and McGough's 9-yard pass to Carlo Perello, putting the Cowboys up 19-0 at the end of the first.

Before heading into halftime, the Cowboys defense caused five turnovers, converting one into a 22-yard fumble recovery touchdown from Nick Sampson, increasing their lead to 26-0.

"They are going to keep us in the game for a long time," Gaither coach Jason Stokes said of his defense. "We had some adjustments to the offense this season. So offense is going to take a little time to come around. We aren't purring yet, but thank Christ for our defense. They played awesome."

Wiregrass Ranch utilized three quarterbacks, totaling 55 yards passing with no completions in eight attempts in the second half.

McGough finished 6 of 13 for 131 yards.

"This is what we are supposed to do," Stokes said. "This is our first district game and we had to come out and play hard and try to be as mistake free as possible."

Miles Parks, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 23, 2011

LUTZ — A wet, torn-up field led to a sloppy game that included seven fumbles and an interception as Steinbrenner beat Freedom 13-6.

"When you're playing like that, in the mud, it just makes it extremely tough," Steinbrenner coach Floyd Graham said.

Steinbrenner's offense totaled just 96 yards and the Warriors (3-1) didn't attempt a pass in the second half.

Trailing after a Freedom (0-4) touchdown midway through the second quarter, Zack Jones fielded the ensuing kickoff at the 15-yard line and took it the distance. Cornerback Daniel Fernandez returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown in the third.

Freedom drove to the Steinbrenner 27 in the final minute but a false start and four incomplete passes sealed the win.

Miles Parks, Times correspondent

Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 23, 2011

TAMPA — Senior Nelson Agholor ran for 124 yards and three touchdowns as undefeated Berkeley Prep racked up a businesslike 35-0 non-district victory over Orlando Lake Highland Prep.

Berkeley Prep had 387 yards total offense, including 252 on 45 rushing attempts by seven Buccaneers. Berkeley Prep allowed 141 yards, forced two turnovers and stopped the Highlanders on downs at the Buccaneer 6 early in the fourth quarter.

Agholor, who had 18 carries, scored Berkeley Prep's first three touchdowns on runs of 52, 8 and 1 yard, the final one set up by Eric Massey's fumble recovery at the LHP 1 after a Berkeley Prep punt bounced off a Highlander player.

Senior Destin Nichols was 9 of 16 passing for 135 yards and threw a 7-yard touchdown to Christian Hardegree. Brad Mayes also scored on a 1-yard run.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent

The Ledger
Friday, September 23, 2011

LAKELAND — Big plays were in abundance Friday night for Lakeland Christian in its 49-14 romp over Bishop McLaughlin.

The Vikings had nine plays that gained more than 20 yards, four of them ending in touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Michael Wheary caught three touchdown passes from Christian Alexander (for 122 yards). He also had a punt return score called back on a roughing the kicker call.

Wheary added 41 yards rushing and a touchdown, while two of his touchdown receptions came on plays of greater than 50 yards.

The Vikings sacked Bishop McLaughlin quarterback R.J. Perciavalle five times. Junior linebacker Caleb Thomas was responsible for three of those. Lakeland Christian (2-2) had 10 tackles resulting in a loss and 14 quarterback pressures.

Lakeland Christian's T.J. Simmons rushed for 136 yards and a TD on 12 carries.

The Hurricanes scored twice in the fourth quarter — on a 19-yard pass from Perciavalle to Evan Barhonovich and on a 3-yard run from Jordan Betancourt.

The Ledger

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 23, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Though the odds are stacked against them in their playoff push, the Rays had a few things to feel good about heading into Friday's game.

They entered a season-ending six-game homestand knowing they would likely have to win out to catch the reeling Red Sox for the American League wild-card spot. They had All-Star left-hander David Price on the mound, closer Kyle Farnsworth back in the bullpen and the Yankees saying they were not going to let up against Boston this weekend in the Bronx.

But a 5-1 loss to the Blue Jays in front of 18,093 at Tropicana Field gave the Rays' playoff hopes a huge hit, putting them behind by 21/2 games — three in the loss column — with five to play.

"It's a pretty big blow," Price said.

The only positive was that the Red Sox didn't win — their game in New York was rained out, with a doubleheader set for Sunday.

But now, DH Johnny Damon said, the Rays have to win all five of their remaining games to have a chance.

"We're running out of time quickly," manager Joe Maddon said. "But there's time."

Said Price: "We're not going to stop. We're still in it; we know that. We've just got to win."

The Rays (86-71) gave fans free parking, hoping to help fill the Trop. Price gave away free bases, making two defensive miscues in the Blue Jays' three-run third.

"Those two plays pretty much undid us," Maddon said.

With one out and one on, Price tried to force J.P. Arencibia out at second on a David Cooper grounder but committed a throwing error. Mike McCoy followed with a single to right to load the bases.

Price then made a nice play, jumping off the mound to his left to snag a slow chopper by Eric Thames. But while on the run, Price's throw sailed high of catcher Kelly Shoppach, bouncing off his glove to the backstop, allowing a run to score. And since Price was out of position, nobody was covering home, and Cooper scored.

"I've got to make those plays in the third," said Price, who allowed five runs over six innings. "Those are both plays that I make. That's tough."

That was more than enough for Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow, who allowed two hits through seven scoreless innings. Maddon said Morrow was a "different cat" from the pitcher the Rays tagged for five runs in late August, pointing out he has added a cutter and had better velocity on his fastball.

"He was really, really good," Maddon said.

The Rays had 10 strikeouts, four times with a runner in scoring position. They didn't have a good night on the bases, either, with B.J. Upton getting caught stealing second with one out in the eighth before getting ejected for arguing the call.

"We did not play well (Friday night)," Maddon said. "We didn't hit well; we didn't do anything well (Friday night)."

After taking three of four from the Red Sox in Boston last weekend, the Rays have lost four of their past five, admittedly blowing golden opportunities. Only two teams in major-league history have advanced to the postseason after trailing by 21/2 games with five or fewer games to play (the 2009 Twins and 1951 Giants).

"The last couple days have really put a big damper on the way we think," Damon said. "But we know, mathematically, we're still in it, and we have to keep pushing."

Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 23, 2011

Ridgewood overcame four turnovers and a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to earn its first win of the season with a 16-10 victory over host Hudson on Friday in the 5A-6 opener for both teams.

The Rams (1-3, 1-0) trailed 10-0 heading into the final quarter but battled back against the ailing Cobras (0-3, 0-1).

"We didn't deserve to win that game," Ridgewood coach Kent Reed said. "They outplayed us."

Ridgewood broke through with a late touchdown, and its defense held on third down deep in Hudson territory with a little more than a minute left. Instead or risking a punt, the Cobras took a safety.

The Rams inherited a short field and made the most of it with tight end Max Livingstone. With 13 seconds left, quarterback Bob Peck hit Livingstone for a 30-yard pass that capped off the miraculous win.

Ridgewood faces Gulf next week, while Hudson will try to recover against Zephyrhills.

Matt Baker, Times staff writer