By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays will spend the next few months sorting out how best to improve their needy offense and how much of their strong starting pitching to give up to do so.

On a shorter timeline, they should know who will be guiding them.

Manager Joe Maddon has one year remaining on his contract and is likely to be offered a multiyear extension. Contracts of all coaches are up now, with Maddon saying he didn't expect many changes.

But bench coach Dave Martinez is considered a top candidate for the White Sox manager's job, and possibly for the Red Sox job as well. Neither team requested permission to talk with Martinez on Wednesday, but it may not be long.

Maddon said losing Martinez would be significant, and cause some shuffling of the staff.

"I'd love for him to get that opportunity if that's what he would like to do; we would absolutely congratulate him and wish him well and it would be outstanding," Maddon said. "From our perspective with the Rays it would be a big loss for us, and for me personally. Because the job that he does, he really takes a lot off of my plate on a daily basis. He's grown into that position extremely well. He understands it, he gets it, he does it as good as anybody out there right now, I know that. So it would be a big loss for us and try to re-train or regenerate the position takes time."

NUMBERS GAME: Tuesday's crowd of 28,299 was the smallest for a postseason game in 30 years, since a 1981 strike-year division series afternoon game drew 26,375 in Milwaukee. … The Rays' 17 percent decrease in average attendance (from 22,759 to 18,879) was second largest in the majors, behind the Dodgers. They were 29th in the majors by average, 28th by total, at 1,529,188, their lowest since 2007. … The Rays also had the third largest decrease — 37.5 percent — in local TV ratings, per SportsBusiness Journal.

PITCHING IN: Maddon said he pulled RHP Jeremy Hellickson after only four innings on Tuesday because he was concerned that he gave up three homers to right-handed hitters, and suggested fatigue was an issue. Of the 26 homers Hellickson allowed in his career, 11 were to right-handers.

"If the homers came from the lefties, it wouldn't have bothered me as much," Maddon said. "This is a lot of innings (193) for Jeremy this season. It's above his threshold basically. I had to get him out of there, I thought."

MISCELLANY: Maddon and executive VP Andrew Friedman will hold a season wrap-up media session today. … MLB Network analyst Al Leiter said that expects rookie LHP Matt Moore to win multiple AL Cy Young awards within the next five seasons.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

BRANDON — Here's the thing about Teddy Purcell's shot:

"It's outstanding," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said.

But ...

"I don't think he knows how outstanding it is."

Same with Purcell's skating.

"We keep telling him he has great speed. He just doesn't know how much."

Same with Purcell's game.

"He just doesn't know," Boucher said, "how good he is."

It is time for the right wing and the Lightning to find out.

Purcell, 26, has an enormous opportunity this season.

He will be on a line with center Vinny Lecavalier and Ryan Malone in Friday's opener at Carolina. And with Simon Gagne gone as a free agent, Purcell is in line for more minutes and more chances to contribute and solidify himself the top-six forward Tampa Bay sorely needs.

If he plays like he did during last season's playoffs, when he had six goals and 17 points in 18 games, his new two-year, $4.725 million deal will be a bargain.

But if Purcell, acquired in March 2010 from the Kings for Jeff Halpern, falls into his old pattern of inconsistency, well, that will be a concern.

Consider that last season, despite career bests of 17 goals, 34 assists and 51 points, Purcell had stretches of 19, 15 and 14 games with just one goal.

"I was more consistent throughout the playoffs," Purcell said Wednesday at the Ice Sports Forum. "That's something I've tried to work on since I got to Tampa Bay. I've talked to the coaching staff, trying to be a more consistent player instead of having so many ups and downs.

"I want to be more of a complete player," he added, "and more of a go-to guy."

The starting point is his shot, a zippy wrister Lecavalier said is "one of the best on the team."

But Purcell admitted, "Sometimes I'm not as confident in it. Things happen quick in the NHL. If you hesitate that one second the shot isn't there any more."

He also admitted to a pass-first sensibility, something he said is from childhood and was reinforced when he came to a Lightning team with stars such as Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis.

"Not really knowing them you want to give them the puck," Purcell said. "But from getting to know them and being more comfortable, I'll have more of that shoot-first mentality, maybe not waste as many opportunities."

Boucher said he wants Purcell to play at a high tempo because "when he slows down the game he loses his assets."

Purcell said he will visualize before games shooting more.

Most of all, though, Purcell realizes his opportunity.

"You're never satisfied," he said. "You always want more. That's our team motto and it's what I want for myself, too."

Even so, "A leopard doesn't change his spots," Boucher said. "He's still the same person he was last year with a bit more confidence, but still not the confidence he will get eventually."

How good is Purcell?

"You haven't seen it yet," Boucher said. "You think you've seen it because he's played great, but he's even better than that. That's what I think."

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — Considering the number of rules and regulations passed to protect NFL quarterbacks, air travel has never been safer.

But twice in the last two games, Josh Freeman's biggest plays came on the ground after he tucked the football under his arm, lowered his head and risked the kind of bell-ringing, clock cleaning collision that doctors and scientists warn about.

There was the crash of helmets with Atlanta safety William Moore when Freeman gained enough yards to pick up a first down and preserve a 16-13 win over the Falcons. Late in the fourth quarter Monday night, he legged out a seven-yard run on third-and-6 near midfield against the Indianapolis Colts, diving to set up LeGarrette's Blount's game-winning touchdown run.

At 6-foot-6 and blessed with a strong arm, Freeman is never going to be known as a running quarterback. But last season, only the Eagles' Michael Vick had more rushing yardage among passers.

In fact, 12 of Freeman's 23 rushing attempts for 104 yards this season have resulted in first downs and two others were touchdowns.

"He's elusive, he's big, he's giant," coach Raheem Morris said. "He looks like he's lumbering. But he's pulled away from people when he starts to open up that stride. The other day, the best play of the game was that third-and-6 scramble after we jumped off sides. He broke a tackle and dove about seven yards, it seemed like, to get the first down.

"He embraces the hits. He gets up and throws down first down signs and he hurts people when they try to hit him."

Moore wasn't penalized or fined for his hit on Freeman, but it left some cobwebs to be cleaned.

"Of course I felt it!" Freeman said. "We're not allowed to comment on the officials. It's fortunate we got the first down." It's not that Freeman would prefer to run with the football than throw it. "But I'm good at it," he said.

While ranking as the Bucs' second-leading ball carrier with a 4.5 yard rushing average, Freeman said he is careful to diagnose which defense is best to run against.

"I'd say there are a few situations where you do run the ball," Freeman said. "Obviously, if there's a called play. Then there's the play where you do recognize the coverage where it's man-to-man they've got the rush lanes. You're going to take a peek downfield, but in the back of your mind, you've got to know if you get a good running lane and the coverage is tight downfield that you've got to take off.

"The other way is just kind of instincts. Dropping back, going through your progressions, the rush starts flowing around you, you see a lane, it just kind of pops and you know you can go and get some yardage out of it."

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson, who is known for his athleticism, says Freeman isn't nearly as elusive in practice.

"He's a lot more athletic than people give him credit for. I think it might be a game thing," Johnson said. "You see him on the practice field and Free is not that fast. But on Sundays, man, he turns into another guy. I think a lot of it has to do with his competitiveness."

Johnson said Freeman's scrambling ability is changing how teams defend the Bucs, either by incorporating a linebacker to 'spy,' Freeman or by not playing as many two deep safeties in coverage.

"Very Ben Roethlisberger-like, a physically strong man," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. Josh Freeman and coffee kind of make me nervous."

Watching Freeman run has quickened the heartbeat of Morris and the Bucs' coaches, who have encouraged him to slide and avoid unnecessary contact. But without those feats afoot, Tampa Bay might not still be on a collision course with the post-season.

"My mentality when I'm running is that I want to get as many yards as possible," Freeman said. "I mean, as of late, it's been about getting first downs. And when it comes to getting a first down or sliding short, I'm going to go for the first down every time. It's been put in my ear many times by many different people to slide, get down, it's a long season. So I'm going to start taking heed to their word."

By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

What's hot: Strong east winds the past few days have created a low tide situation for most of the day. Targeting the edges of the flats and casting out to deeper water has produced good catches of redfish, trout and Spanish mackerel.

What to look for: These outside edges have points, bends and cut-ins in which fish congregate. Find clean water, current flow and activity, i.e. mullet or raining bait and dipping turns.

Tactics: Fan cast these spots with a topwater plug first thing to see if predators are in the area. It's hard to beat a live well full of pilchards. There is so much bait, the fish are packing on protein for upcoming leaner times.

What's ahead: A major cooling of water temperature means more bait and predators will be here soon. Soon, thousands of baited stone crab traps will be dropped all along our beaches, creating a massive chum slick. Target kingfish, tarpon and bull redfish.

Tyson Wallerstein runs Inshore Fishing Charters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area and can be reached at (727) 692-5868 or via e-mail capt.tyson@hotmail.com.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — The Bucs enjoyed the big stage afforded them by Monday Night Football this week, but there's a downside to being featured in the prime-time game.

Now, Tampa Bay has fewer days of preparation and recovery ahead of Sunday's game, a task compounded by the challenge of flying cross-country for a game against the 49ers at Candlestick Park.

"It's difficult because it's a shorter week," LT Donald Penn said. "It's a real short week because we leave on Friday. I think the only good thing is (practice) is a little lighter. It helps your body recover faster. Usually, I would have had two days off before today.

"I'm hurting a lot more. I'm a lot sorer than I would be if we would've played on Sunday. People have to take care of their bodies, and we have to recover faster than we usually would, and we have to put in that extra work with the game plan."

The coaching staff was the first to be impacted. Coaches typically spend Monday mornings reviewing tape of Sunday's game, examining areas in need of fine tuning. Then, Tuesdays are spent working on the next Sunday's game plan, which they present to players and begin practicing on Wednesdays.

This week, coaches couldn't begin reviewing the game until Tuesday morning, with coach Raheem Morris arriving in the wee hours to get that process under way.

Then, game planning for the 49ers also had to be handled. Today's practice will consist of less physical work but a great deal of mental preparation for the game.

One thing working in the Bucs' favor: They've proven they can win on the West Coast after years of futility on western swings. Tampa Bay was 2-0 in trips out west last season, defeating the 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.

"It's going to be tough, but we had success on the West Coast the last two years," Penn said. "Hopefully we can make it three."

SAFETY PLAN: So, how did the Bucs do in their first game without starting FS Cody Grimm?

They ultimately decided to start Corey Lynch, who seemed to have a solid game, playing most of the snaps. He shared a few of his reps with Larry Asante, as expected.

The assessment from coaches was that it was a fairly seamless transition, even if SS Sean Jones did wind up playing near the line of scrimmage more than usual to compensate for Grimm's loss.

The Bucs, liking what they saw Monday, will take a similar approach against San Francisco.

"There were a couple of breakout runs that Corey Lynch made some good tackles on," defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said. "Nobody probably noticed because it didn't break out for a long run, but he made a nice tackle for a 10-yard gain. If he misses that tackle, (Joseph) Addai might go score a touchdown.

"Both those guys did a nice job for us, and we'll do the same thing this week. We'll have a rotation, let Corey go in there and let Larry go in there. I feel real confident about both of those guys."

RUN Stuffers: The Bucs face a significant challenge in attempting to run the ball against the 49ers' stout defensive front.

San Francisco ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 74 yards per game behind the likes of ILB Patrick Willis and DT Justin Smith. The 49ers have not allowed an individual 100-yard rushing performance in 26 games — most in the league.

The Bucs' LeGarrette Blount, coming off a 127-yard game against the Colts, rushed for 82 yards against the 49ers last season.

QUOTABLE: "We just kind of embrace wins. However we get them, we kind of love it." — Morris on whether his team's penalty-filled performance against the Colts was an ugly win.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Hockey's big three

Is there a better announcing crew in all of sports than, from left, Pierre McGuire, Mike Emrick and Ed Olczyk? No, we don't believe there is.



tom jones' two cents

The NBA season is in jeopardy because of a lockout. The Gators, Seminoles and Bulls are sputtering. So aside from the Bucs, who play just once a week, what do we have to follow for the next six months? Hockey, of course. Perfect timing now that the Rays are done. The Lightning drops the puck Friday in Carolina, but the NHL gets under way tonight with three games (including a doubleheader on Versus). Here are some reasons to be excited about the 2011-12 season:



The Lightning is the real deal

T he Lightning came within a game — a couple of measly goals, actually — of reaching the Stanley Cup final. Getting that far was a bit of a surprise. • Most believed the Lightning would be better last season. But who knew it would be that good? This season, big things are expected from the start. How big? NBC and Versus analyst Pierre McGuire believes the Lightning could break the Caps' four-year stranglehold on the Southeast Division. • "Part of the reason why is the (Steven) Stamkos factor," McGuire said. "The other part of the reason why is the (Guy) Boucher factor. I think when you do a tale of the tape and you break down coaches, you break down impact players, you break down depth on defense, they have a real chance of doing that."

Say again

Kick save and a beauty … Wicked wrister … Dumping it in … Cycling the puck … Top shelf … Five for fighting … One minute remaining in the period. … He shoots, he scores … Sin bin … Lighting the lamp … Dangling the puck … One-timer

­Just saying those phrases gets us ready for another hockey season

Richards to the Big Apple

Brad Richards remains popular in these parts, and it was disappointing for area fans that he didn't sign with the Lightning during the offseason. But Richards, left, signed with the next-best team, the Ran­gers. Not only is he reunited with former Lightning coach John Tortorella, Richards is now in a major market, where we can watch him play on a regular basis.

The outdoor game

For the fifth consecutive year, the NHL will stage the Winter Classic, this time on Jan. 2. The game features two marquee teams and rivals, the Flyers and Rangers, playing at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. But the best part is HBO has signed up for another 24/7 behind-the-scenes series leading up to the game. Last season's series featuring the Pens and Caps was excellent. But this season's show should be off the charts, especially with Rangers coach John Tortorella wearing a microphone. Tortorella, a microphone and no sound effect to bleep out the bad words? Sign us up.

The old guys

Ducks wing Teemu Selanne, left, is so old (41), he played for the first Winnipeg Jets. Devils goalie Martin Brodeur is so old (39), his second win came against the Quebec Nordiques. When Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson, center, was born (42 years ago next week), the NHL had 12 teams. And when Wings defenseman Nick Lidstrom (41), right, broke into the league, current Lightning GM Steve Yzerman was only 26. Yet all are not only still playing, but going strong.

The young guys

The Lightning's Steven Stamkos is only 21. Isn't that hard to believe? Carolina's Jeff Skinner, left, is only 19. Colorado's Matt Duchene, center, is 20. The Islanders' John Tavares just turned 21. These four centers averaged 33 goals last season, including Stamkos' 45.

Times staff, wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — In recent years, USF hasn't bounced back well from its first loss, with a second loss following in each of the past two seasons and worse skids before that. But QB B.J. Daniels said Wednesday this year's team has the focus to avoid such a snowball effect.

"We have a lot of guys who have seen it, been around a couple of years, like myself," Daniels said. "We're not going to be down just because we lost last week. And definitely, I can tell you we're not the old South Florida team to lose five or six in a row, whatever the case may be. We're working at it, making sure we're going to be ready."

USF's worst season losing streak is three, in 2007 and 2008 after promising starts.

The Bulls (4-1, 0-1 Big East) have this week off before playing Oct. 15 at Connecticut. Wednesday's practice, their second since last week's 44-17 loss to Pittsburgh, had an upbeat group of players who were shaking off the loss and getting back to normal.

"A lot of guys flying around," Daniels said. "Offense talking trash to defense. We're all getting at each other, but it's all in good fun. I enjoyed practice. If we can practice at this high energy, the game will be so much easier."

THIS AND THAT: Defensive coordinator Mark Snyder reiterated that he planned no changes in his starting lineup after giving up 24 second-half points to Pittsburgh, stressing that improved execution can solve many of the defensive problems from that game. … WR Terrence Mitchell, who sustained a concussion two weeks ago in USF's win against UTEP, remains in a holding pattern as he recovers, with no timetable set for his return to practice. Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch said he'd like to have Mitchell back for UConn but understands the need to be careful with a head injury.

UF: No QB decision

GAINESVILLE — Coach Will Muschamp has not announced Florida's starting quarterback for Saturday's game at LSU, but he created a pecking order Wednesday morning.

Asked what the depth chart would look like if Jeff Driskel started, Muschamp said Jacoby Brissett would be No. 2 and Tyler Murphy would be No. 3. All three are freshmen.

Though Driskel coming out ahead would not be a surprise — he has been John Brantley's backup since training camp — Brissett at No. 2 might turn heads. Of the inexperienced trio, the Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer product is the most green, first practicing with the team in August.

Brantley is out at least this week with what is reportedly a high ankle sprain sustained last week against Alabama.

WR Frankie Hammond said Brissett looks comfortable in the offense, and at 6 feet 3, 239 pounds, he has the strongest arm among the quarterbacks.

"I see a lot of good things out of Jacoby," TE Jordan Reed said. "He's got a real strong arm, and he's really athletic, as well. I think he could be a really good player."

Wenger apologizes to Brantley: RG Dan Wenger looked shaken up when asked Wednesday about Brantley's injury. Toward the end of the second quarter Saturday, Wenger was overpowered by LB Courtney Upshaw, whose sack on Brantley led to the injury.

"I apologized to him, and it's just one of those things where we have to come together, and he understands that it wasn't intentional and that I feel terrible about it," Wenger said. "But you've just got to move on."

Tyler Jett, Times correspondent

UM: DE battles back

CORAL GABLES — DE Shayon Green is expected to play extensively Saturday against Virginia Tech. He has overcome two major knee surgeries, the last coming less than six months ago. "An amazing story on his part," coach Al Golden said.

bad sign: The Hurricanes have recently struggled offensively against Virginia Tech, scoring 17 or fewer points in the past five meetings.

South Florida Sun Sentinel

Times staff, wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAMPA — Former Florida basketball star Dametri Hill was arrested Tuesday, accused of not paying child support.

Hill, 37, was detained at Tampa International Airport on a warrant of contempt of court. He was booked into the Orient Road Jail and was also charged with violating probation for two previous charges of marijuana possession.

Hill, a 1992 graduate of Dixie Hollins High, helped lead the Gators to the Final Four in 1994. The center's signature hook shot was coined "Da Meat Hook."

lavin surgery today: St. John's basketball coach Steve Lavin, 47, who announced in April he had early-stage prostate cancer, was scheduled to have surgery today at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He is optimistic about not missing any practices, which begin next week.

summitt at practice: Pat Summitt is glad to be back at practice with her Tennessee women's squad after revealing during the offseason she has been diagnosed with dementia. "That's what I want to talk about, basketball, not dementia," Summitt said as the Vols opened practice.

Football: Texas QB Gilbert to transfer

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert, who lost his starting job after two games and then had season-ending shoulder surgery, plans to transfer.

Given given an unconditional release from his scholarship, Gilbert did not say where he planned to go but indicated he has visited several schools. The junior would have two years of eligibility left.

boise state: Two of three players suspended at the start of the season were punished because of recruiting violations and for taking illegal benefits, including a car and payments to cover auto insurance, NCAA officials said. Safety Cedric Febis was suspended for one game, and receiver Geraldo Boldewijn was suspended for four games. An investigation into defensive tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe is pending.

sec update: SEC athletic directors and commissioner Mike Slive met to discuss the logistics of Texas A&M's entry as the 13th member even as No. 14 might soon be on its way. Tuesday, Missouri curators voted unanimously to consider leaving the Big 12. Kansas basketball coach Bill Self said the Jayhawks' annual border showdowns against Missouri might end if the Tigers leave. "I have no ill will toward Missouri at all, but to do something at a time that could be so damaging and hurtful to a group, I can't see us just taking it and forgetting," he said.

Times wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

HOUSTON — The Texans think they are well-equipped for life without Andre Johnson.

The All-Pro receiver will miss Sunday's game against the Raiders and an unspecified amount of time after a minor procedure Tuesday to repair a right hamstring injury.

Coach Gary Kubiak said the Texans will be "missing a heck of a player" against Oakland, but he is confident his team has enough offensive firepower to make due.

"When Andre's on your team, everybody tries to take him away," Kubiak said Wednesday. "Like I said, we can't replace Andre. We've got to, as a group, try to replace all the production that he adds on the field. That means everybody's got to pick it up, and we'll have a chance to prove it."

In 2007, the five-time Pro Bowl selection sat out seven games with a left knee injury that required offseason surgery, and Houston went 2-5. Last year Johnson missed three games with a sprained right ankle, and the Texans won twice.

RODGERS UNFAZED: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shrugged off Brett Favre's assessment of his success.

In a radio interview, Favre said he wasn't surprised Rodgers won a Super Bowl. "The biggest surprise to me would be that he didn't do it sooner," Favre said, and that Rodgers "just kind of fell into a good situation."

Said Rodgers, "I'm just going to say that I was really proud of our team. It takes 53 guys to win a championship, and we had the right recipe last year, and we're trying to do the same thing this season."

In other Packers news, wide receiver Jordy Nelson confirmed he signed a contract extension that will keep him on the team through the 2014 season.

BENGALS: Right guard Bobbie Williams returned to the team after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

BRONCOS: Rookie right tackle Orlando Franklin left the team to deal with a family matter.

BROWNS: Pro Bowl center Alex Mack was released from a hospital two days after having an appendectomy.

CARDINALS: Punter Ben Graham was re-signed, and cornerback Korey Lindsey was released. Starting punter Dave Zastudil has a sore knee, and his status is uncertain.

GIANTS: Cornerback Justin Tryon signed, and cornerback Brian Williams was released.

JETS: Receiver Plaxico Burress did not practice after his left elbow swelled up in the middle of the night but said that won't keep him out of his first game in the rivalry with the Patriots.

PANTHERS: Former USF defensive end George Selvie was released. … Tight end Jeremy Shockey was held out of practice with a concussion, and coach Ron Rivera said he will be re-evaluated today.

REDSKINS: Former Bucs cornerback Phillip Buchanon was reinstated to the 53-man roster after his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

STEELERS: Former Gator Max Starks, cut before training camp, was re-signed to provide depth on an injury-ravaged offensive line.

TITANS: Fullback Ahmard Hall said Adderall he borrowed from a friend to help him drive home to Texas caused his positive drug test and four-game suspension.

Times wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — Despite a poor start against the Rays in the AL Division Series, Rangers LHP C.J. Wilson will be on the mound when the Championship Series opens Saturday.

Manager Ron Washington said he would wait until he knew his opponent — either the Yankees or Tigers — before deciding on the rest of his rotation, ESPN.com reported.

Wilson was 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 2231/3 innings during the regular season. He was pounded by Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the ALDS, giving up eight runs, six earned, on seven hits, including three homers in five innings.

The eight runs allowed matched Wilson's season high, set Aug. 27 against the Angels.

CARDINAL HURT: Cardinals 2B Skip Schumaker left Game 4 of the NL Division Series on Wednesday after grabbing his left hamstring during an at-bat in the fifth inning. The team said Schumaker had a cramp.

ONE ACE IN, ONE OUT: The Yankees plan to have LHP CC Sabathia available in the bullpen for today's Game 5 of their ALDS against the Tigers, manager Joe Girardi said. Detroit manager Jim Leyland said RHP Justin Verlander likely will not be available.

DOWNER: Through five days, the ratings for the Division Series on TBS and TNT were down vs. last year. The first 14 games averaged a 2.3 rating, down 15 percent from a 2.7 for 13 games in a similar period last year. Average viewers per game declined 18 percent from 4,267,000 to 3,513,000.

Times wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

PHOENIX — The Diamondbacks put one rookie on the mound and another in the No. 5 spot in the batting order in a game they had to win.

Both seemed oblivious to the pressure. Both came through brilliantly. And Arizona lived to play another day.

Josh Collmenter, he of the unorthodox tomahawk-throwing pitching style, shut down Milwaukee for the third time this season, and Paul Goldschmidt hit the third grand slam by a rookie in postseason history in an 8-1 rout late Tuesday that cut the Brewers' lead in the best-of-five series to 2-1.

Wednesday's Game 4 had not ended by press time. For the result, go to sports.tampabay.com.

Neither rookie was on Arizona's opening day roster, Collmenter coming up from Triple-A Reno first as a reliever, then becoming a starter. Goldschmidt didn't arrive from Double-A Mobile until Aug. 1.

"They didn't break camp with us, but we tried to lay it out how we were going to approach this and expose them to as much as we could," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. "And then when they both came up, we put them right in the fire."

Collmenter, 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA in three starts against Milwaukee, went seven innings, giving up just two hits.

The raucous crowd of 48,312 at Chase Field was an obvious factor in Arizona's win, just as it was in Milwaukee when the Brewers won the first two games. "It was awesome," Goldschmidt said. "Now to be back home and hear almost 50,000 people screaming for us is awesome."

Times wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

PHOENIX — Ryan Roberts hit a grand slam, Chris Young had the first two-homer game in Arizona's postseason history and Diamondbacks beat the Brewers 10-6 Wednesday night to force Game 5 in the NL Division Series.

A day after rolling over Milwaukee 8-1, the Diamondbacks struck quickly and often in Game 4, scoring five in the first inning off Randy Wolf.

The Diamondbacks became the second team, with the 1977 Dodgers, to hit grand slams in consecutive playoff games.

Arizona evened the series at 2 and sent it back to Milwaukee for the decisive game Friday. Written off by many after being outscored 13-5 in the first two games, baseball's best rally team — 48 comeback wins during the regular season — has put itself in position to become the eighth team to win a best-of-five series after trailing 2-0.

Young had three RBIs and Aaron Hill hit a solo homer for Arizona's first four-homer game in the postseason. Pinch-hitter Collin Cowgill added a two-run single and the bullpen held on after a less-than-crisp outing by starter Joe Saunders to keep Milwaukee from winning a postseason series for the first time since reaching the 1982 World Series.

Paul Goldschmidt was the star in Game 3, becoming the third rookie ever to hit a grand slam in the playoffs. He strode to the plate against Wolf with the bases loaded in the first inning but struck out looking.

Roberts came through, lining his second grand slam in his past four home games over the wall in left.

Times wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

NEW YORK — All the months of preparation, all the millions of dollars, all the hopes of the Yankees and Tigers come down to this: Ivan Nova vs. Doug Fister for a berth in the AL Championship Series.

Three months ago, one had been demoted to the minors and the other was languishing with a 3-12 record for the last-place Mariners.

"Obviously it's not something I foresaw going on," Fister said Wednesday, about 15 hours after the Yankees stretched the first-round series to the limit with a 10-1 rout in Detroit.

On the first off day of a series interrupted by rain in New York last weekend, there was a cloudless blue sky over Yankee Stadium. But both teams decided not to work out ahead of tonight's Game 5, which determines who plays the defending AL champion Rangers for a berth in the World Series.

"(Today), I got the most important game in my life," Nova said, later adding: "I don't see the reason to feel pressure. It's another game. Of course, it's the most important game of the season now."

Both teams originally planned to use their aces for a Game 5, but those plans went down the drain when rain caused Friday's opener to be suspended after 1½ innings and pushed back New York's CC Sabathia and Detroit's Justin Verlander to Game 3.

Nova, 24, signed with the Yankees in 2004 and was still in Class A four years later when San Diego claimed him in the winter meetings draft. He didn't last long with the Padres, who returned him to New York near the end of spring training in 2009.

He was up and down during the 2010 season but, according to manager Joe Girardi, never complained. He developed a slider and started mixing his pitches better and went 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA as a rookie. In his postseason debut, he took over from Sabathia in the completion of Game 1 and pitched shutout ball until the ninth inning of the Yankees' 9-3 win.

"I think we really got out of the strike zone a little more in this series than I had hoped we would," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Fister, acquired on July 30, had the poorest run support of any AL pitcher at 1.97 runs per game at the time of the trade. He went 8-1 with the Tigers down the stretch.

"Yeah, I'm pitching with a different jersey on, but still approaching the game the same way," the 27-year-old old said.

Tigers 2, Yankees 2

Game 1: Yankees 9, Tigers 3

Game 2: Tigers 5, Yankees 3

Game 3: Tigers 5, Yankees 4

Game 4: Yankees 10, Tigers 1

Tonight, 8:37: Tigers (Fister, 11-13, 2.83) at Yankees (Nova, 16-4, 3.70), TBS

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Once again, a team owner has spoken out.

And, once again, a community of fans have shouted in return.

It is getting to be a tired story in Tampa Bay, and an unproductive one, too.

On the day his team fell in the playoffs, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg talked of his frustration that a remarkable season may have ended unnecessarily because a lack of revenues had gotten in the way.

Some have said Sternberg's timing was ill-advised. You could make that case, although I would argue it was not a premeditated event. He was in the clubhouse to share a final toast with the 2011 Rays and was questioned by reporters minutes later.

Even so, the timing is simply a detail. Even the exact words he chose are unimportant. It is the message that is key, and that message continues to be lost in a cacophony of insults, accusations, mischaracterizations and frustration.

For the record, I agree Sternberg has a right to be unhappy with Tampa Bay's support of a highly successful baseball team. And, for the record, I concede fans have a right to be annoyed with very rich people complaining about a community's spending habits.

Those two positions are not incompatible, and I think that's part of the problem. No one seems willing to acknowledge the other side might have a valid point.

Fans have to stop behaving as if Sternberg is standing in their driveway calling them deadbeats. He is not blaming teachers or truck drivers or retirees. He is saying his team does not generate enough revenue to keep up with 90 percent of the other major-league teams. And that's a legitimate complaint.

On the other hand, Sternberg needs to be clearer when framing his argument. He needs to spend more time in the community, and he needs to talk more openly so fans understand exactly what it is he is trying to get them to see.

Because this back-and-forth is getting us nowhere today, and somewhere down the road it could cost us dearly. That's what's being ignored in this silly game of finger pointing.

The issue is not whether the Rays were profitable with a $41 million payroll in 2011. (They may have been, although I'd wager it wasn't by much.) Sternberg isn't complaining about a few million dollars earned or lost this year.

His worries are larger, and they are long term. He is concerned about a team that won an AL East title and saw its attendance drop by 17 percent while winning 91 games the next season. He is perplexed that a team could reach the postseason for the third time in four years and see its TV ratings dip by an astounding 37.5 percent.

He is troubled by the thought that other owners will grow tired of seeing a portion of their profits funneled to the team with habitual attendance problems.

Mostly, he is fearful of what will happen when the onfield magic runs out and this team goes from 90-something wins to 70-something. And, believe me, that day is inevitable.

No matter how smart, opportunistic or lucky the Rays are, no one in baseball can field a winner year after year with payrolls vacillating between $40 million and $60 million.

That's what Sternberg is trying to say.

It's not really a complaint. It's not an insult.

It is, essentially, fair warning.

"We're getting to the point where we don't control our own destiny. This is untenable as a model going forward," Sternberg said. "You can look at us and Oakland as the only teams in that respect and I think at least Oakland, by hook or by crook, will have the situation clearer, I would imagine, well before we will. And we'll be last man standing. Or, in this case, lying down, I guess.

"I've done, and did, what I could here, and it's a bigger issue at this point. Clearly."

My guess is Sternberg feels he is in a bind. He once said he would never demand a new stadium, so he is careful not to sound as if he is giving ultimatums.

The problem is he thought Tropicana Field would work as a stadium as long as he turned the Rays into winners. He has done that, and the Rays still lag far behind in attendance.

Ironically, Sternberg is probably a Tampa Bay baseball fan's best friend this morning.

Other owners have no love for the bay area because we are baseball's welfare child. Commissioner Bud Selig has shown no inclination to fight for Tampa Bay, even if this market once helped get stadiums built in Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco.

Right now, Sternberg may be the only person in baseball who still has hope for this market. But his patience is growing thin, and he has no desire to fight.

If solutions are not found quickly, he will move on. And good luck if you think the next owner will graciously accept a postseason crowd of 28,000.

"I'm at a point in my life where I'm only going to play nice," Sternberg said.

"Or I'm not going to play at all."

Times wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Boxing

'Hit man' leads first-timers on hall ballot

Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns, a world champion in five divisions, leads the newcomers on the International Boxing Hall of Fame ballot. Voters began receiving ballots this week. The ballots are due back by Oct. 31; results will be announced before year's end.

Hearns (61-5-1, 48 knockouts), was part of a legendary foursome that included Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran, whose round robin of fights from welterweight to middleweight carried boxing in the 1980s. The other three were enshrined long ago.

To be hall-eligible, fighters must not have fought for at least five years. Hearns continued to fight through the 1990s. He fought once in 2000, and the clock for his eligibility started over when he fought once in 2005 and again in 2006.

Also on the ballot are Mark Johnson (44-5, 28 KOs), considered among the best pound-for-pound fighters from 1990-2006, and Dariusz Michalczewski, (48-2, 38 KOs), the light heavyweight champ from 1994-03. Star trainer Freddie Roach leads the newcomers on the nonparticipant ballot. Longtime broadcaster Al Bernstein is in the observer category for the first time.

Basketball

Spurs star signs with French team

Spurs guard Tony Parker will play for a French team during the NBA lockout, earning $1,995 per month despite his star power on and off the court in his native country. Parker will play for ASVEL, which is based in southeast France and for which he is vice president. "I'll be playing nearly for free," Parker said. "If I play the entire season, we'll go for the title." He expects to play his first game Oct. 14.

Tennis

Murray rallies in third for victory

Andy Murray overcame an early break in the third set to beat Marcos Baghdatis 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 in the first round of the Japan Open in Tokyo. Murray's only loss among his past 18 matches is to Rafael Nadal in the U.S. Open semifinals. Mardy Fish reached the quarterfinals by beating Ernests Gulbis 6-2, 6-4.

China Open: Ana Ivanovic, No. 18 in the world, reached the quarterfinals by beating No. 3 Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 6-1 in Beijing. Next is No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska, who defeated Zheng Jie 6-1, 6-4.

Et cetera

Soccer: The English Premier League said it likely won't be able to use goal-line technology until 2013. Tests on nine systems are about to start across Europe, and none will be approved until at least July. The sport's governing body has said it hopes to use the technology at the 2014 World Cup.

Autos: Formula One driver Jenson Button signed a multiyear extension with McLaren. Button, 31, who won the title in 2009 and is second this year, could have become a free agent after this year.

Gymnastics: Paul Hamm, the 2004 Olympic all-around champ, pleaded not guilty to assault and two other misdemeanors in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Hamm is accused of kicking a taxi driver, damaging a cab window and refusing to pay a $23 fare. He was heard on video telling police he had had about eight drinks. He was fired as an Ohio State assistant coach after the June arrest.

New York marathon: Edna Kiplagat won't defend her title Nov. 6. She injured her left knee in a fall during August's world championships and said she has not had enough time to train.

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

BOSTON — Most of the Bruins are looking forward to seeing the 2011 Stanley Cup banner raised tonight at the TD Garden. Coach Claude Julien is more concerned about what happens next, including the game against the Flyers.

"It's going to be an emotional night," Julien said. "And somehow, we're going to have to find a way to shift into gear and realize that we also have a game to win."

Julien added he is worried about how his team will respond to other teams getting up to face the champs. One team will be the Flyers, whom the Bruins swept in the second round last season.

"It's never fun when you have to go into the opposing team's building and there's a ceremony," Flyers captain Chris Pronger said. "You can use that to your advantage. You can look and see the emotions of what they're doing and hope you're doing the same thing next year."

Devils: Petr Sykora, out of the league last season, signed with the team he helped win the Cup in 1999-2000. Sykora, 32, who has 302 goals in 935 games, played in 14 games for the Wild in 2009-10 before being released and spent last season playing in Russia and the Czech Republic.

Rangers: Wing Sean Avery cleared waivers and was assigned to the AHL. The move clears his $1.93 million from the salary cap. He has not said if he will report to the AHL or try to join a European team.

Medicine: Researchers at Boston University studying the brain of seven-time All-Star Rick Martin found damage consistent with the trauma they found in other former players. One difference is Martin, 59 when he died of a heart attack in March, wasn't a fighter. Another is Martin was at Stage 2 while enforcer Bob Probert was at Stage 4, the most severe. Martin's only concussion came in 1977, when his head hit the ice while not wearing a helmet.

Times wires
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

ST. LOUIS — Big swings by a slumping hitter, clutch innings by a journeyman pitcher. Suddenly, the Cardinals are looking very dangerous.

As for the Phillies? Things have turned downright squirrelly.

David Freese, shut down by Philadelphia's aces the first three games, became a hometown star Wednesday night. He homered, doubled and drove in four runs as St. Louis defeated nemesis Roy Oswalt and forced a deciding fifth game in their NL Division Series by beating the Phillies 5-3.

"This is what you worked for," said Freese, a St. Louis-area prep star who came to the Cardinals in a trade for Jim Edmonds after the 2007 season. "Just to do this in front of the fans of St. Louis and a bunch of friends and family, it's amazing."

Centerfielder Jon Jay made a sliding catch on Placido Polanco's soft fly for the final out and was already pointing his index finger before he got to his feet.

"We're not looking at this like we're just happy to be here and it's David and Goliath," Cardinals slugger Lance Berkman said.

Now it's back to Philadelphia for Game 5 on Friday night.

"Might be fitting that it goes down to the fifth game," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "It's up to us to go get it."

The 102-win Phillies were picked by many to win it all. First they must dispose of the wild-card Cardinals, who clinched a playoff spot on the last day of the season and have gotten the best of two members of Philadelphia's star-studded rotation.

An omen, maybe: Right after Oswalt threw a pitch in the fifth, a squirrel darted across the plate.

Oswalt argued, unsuccessfully, that the creature's dash had distracted him on a pitch called a ball.

"I didn't want to stop in the middle of my motion, so I threw it," Oswalt said. "I was wondering what size of animal it needed to be for it not to be a pitch."

Manuel argued, to no avail.

"Of course, being from the South and being a squirrel hunter, if I had a gun there, might have did something," Manuel said. "I'm a pretty good shot."

Albert Pujols was 0-for-4 in what could have been his final home game with the Cardinals. He received thunderous cheers every time up from a standing-room crowd of 47,071.

Former Ray Edwin Jackson gave up two runs on his first five pitches but wound up pitching six solid innings to win his first playoff start. He outdueled Oswalt, who had been 5-0 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 postseason starts, the biggest closing out old Busch Stadium and the Cardinals in 2005 to get Houston to its first World Series.

"It's good to get some early runs, for sure," Oswalt said. "I felt pretty comfortable after that. Just two bad pitches."

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Rookie tight end Luke Stocker has made a big impact as a blocker in the running game, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers expect to be without their fourth round pick from Tennnessee Sunday at San Francisco.

Stocker, 23, is 'week-to-week' with a knee injury he suffered in the Bucs' 24-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts Monday night,'' Bucs coach Raheem Morris said.

"Luke Stocker will probably be a week to week guy,'' Morris said. "He got rolled up, I'm not exactly sure about the extent of the injury. I'm sure it's on there. But we have to practice without him and he'll be missed. He's a tough kid. He'll probably get back soon.''

The Bucs have had success running the football this season with Blount behind a two tight end set with Kellen Winslow and Stocker. Morris said the Bucs might have to lean more on their backup tight ends.

"We've got Zack Pianalto on our football team and Collin Franklin on our football team,'' Morris said. "If Kellen has to take a little heavier load, he's got to take a heavier load. We'll just get ready to go out there and run our plays and give the ball to LeGarrette Blount and put a little more weight on what (Erik) Lorig means to us and a little bit of Earnest Graham and some of those other guys and lean heavier on our tackles and get those guys going heavier on their double teams and make it happen. ... It's next man up. We really don't talk about injuries.''

By Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

TAMPA — Two years ago, midfielder Pascal Millien — a former University of Tampa standout who grew up in Auburndale — was one of the first players the new FC Tampa Bay club signed.

The plan then was to make the speedy player one of the cornerstones of the fledgling franchise. He was a talented, exciting player with local connections that the community could connect with.

But now, with the end of this soccer season following Saturday's 1-0 home playoff to Minnesota, it appears Millien's days with FC Tampa Bay are over.

Millien is now a free agent, and he told the Times that he would like to test the waters and pursue a pro deal in a top-tier league in Europe.

"You're always looking for different challenges," Millien said. "A couple years ago, I was looking for some more experience and I wanted to stay at home. I have two years experience now. Now, I'm just looking forward to showcasing my talent somewhere else. It's been a dream for me since I was a little kid. I always wanted to play professionally in Europe. I think now is the right time."

FC Tampa Bay owner and team president Andrew Nestor said the club tried to sign Millien to a long-term deal before this season, but Millien wanted to play the season out. Millien met with the team's front office Tuesday and expressed his desire to pursue other options.

The Haitian-born Millien had a breakout season in 2011, being named to the NASL's Best XI team. His 13 points (four goals, five assists) were third on the team and his five assists ranked second for the club and fifth in the league.

He was named the NASL offensive player of the week after scoring a goal and two assists in a July 4 win over Fort Lauderdale. He nursed several injuries this season, but he was also the only FC Tampa Bay player in 2010 to play in all 30 games.

In other team moves, the club picked up the 2012 options on defender Takuya Yamada and Matt Clare, while declining options for forward Aaron King. The club is in discussions with King on a new deal. King was second on the team in goals (nine) and assists (five).

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, October 6, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The doom-and-gloom future forecast by principal owner Stuart Sternberg following Tuesday's disappointingly early departure from the playoffs won't affect the Rays plans to improve their team for next season.

Or their optimism about it.

Executive vice president Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon made it clear Thursday they expect to continue their remarkable run of success in reaching the playoffs three of the past four years.

"I think the one thing we've learned about Stu is that things change," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "He likes to say, markets change. Things change. Before we got Rafael Soriano (in December 2009), he said there's going to be no $7 million closer coming, and five days later there was. I know he's frustrated, but on the baseball operations side of things we try to insulate ourselves from that. It doesn't do us any good to get caught up in that."

Friedman plans to go into this offseason as they have their previous six under Sternberg, with no set payroll figure and the possibility for an increase — or decrease — from this year's $41 million based on opportunities.

"I'd expect that it would have some flexibility up and down depending on how things shake out and what presents itself from a player procurement standpoint in terms of what we can get, what it means in terms of our other guys and how it fits," Friedman said. "But we're going to be a really talented team next year. We've proven time and time again it's not necessarily about the payroll numbers, it's about the talent we have. It's easy to use it an excuse, but the two of us refuse to do so."

Assuming the Rays retain their core players, they go into 2012 with more than $22 million committed in salaries (Wade Davis, Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist) and expected-to-executed options (James Shields, Kyle Farnsworth), and likely another $16 million-plus for arbitration eligibles Jeff Niemann, Joel Peralta, David Price, and B.J. Upton.

That's about $38 million without a DH and a first baseman, as incumbents Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman are free agents. Also, an experienced catcher, as they hold a $3.2 million option on catcher Kelly Shoppach, though could seek to bring him back for less if they can't find an upgrade as part of their projected tandem.

Their primary goal for the offseason will be improving their offense, with the most logical avenue trading from their stockpile of starting pitchers, eight deep with the emergence of Alex Cobb, Matt Moore and Alex Torres.

But Friedman said he's reluctant to dilute the depth (of course, he said the same thing before trading Matt Garza last year) or diminish their defense (a major-league co-leading .988 fielding percentage).

"I would love to maintain the caliber of defense we have and add offense, of course," Friedman said.

Another priority will be adding to the bullpen. As opposed to last offseason when it had to be totally rebuilt, Friedman said that with Farnsworth and Peralta returning and the development of their young arms, they'd be looking for just one or two additions.

"I'm definitely going to get a lot more sleep this offseason," Friedman said.

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