Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. — It's the 20th anniversary of his Masters victory, but Fred Couples doesn't need to think back that long to find the last time he played this well at Augusta National.

Couples shot 5-under 67 Friday to head into the weekend tied for first place with Jason Dufner at 5-under 139. "I feel like I'm very young when I get here," said Couples, 52.

Dufner, who shot 70, nearly won the last major championship contested in Georgia, but he collapsed down the stretch at the Atlanta Athletic Club in August and eventually lost in a playoff to Keegan Bradley at the PGA Championship.

"It didn't quite work out but carried over, I think, into this year," Dufner said. "It gave me confidence that I can compete and play at a high level out here and do really nice things."

Five players were within one shot of the leaders, a group that included Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, and 30 players were within five shots of the lead.

Because of the Masters cut rule allowing any player within 10 shots of the lead to play into the weekend, 63 players made the cut, tied for the second-most ever. The other time 63 players made the cut, Couples won.

More Masters, 2C

By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 6, 2012

After a fairly successful campaign through the preseason schedule, the Tampa Bay Rowdies (yes, that's their name once again) open their third season tonight at Puerto Rico. Next Saturday, the Rowdies return to Al Lang Field for their home opener against Edmonton. But before the first kick, take a peek at the story lines that will figure prominently throughout the weeks and months ahead.

Formation change

With a glut of forwards on the roster — six total, including holdovers Mike Ambersley, Tsuyoshi Yoshitake and Matt Clare along with newcomers Daniel Antoniuk, Luke Mulholland and Fafa Picault — Rowdies coach Ricky Hill has decided to switch to his preferred 4-3-3 formation, abandoning the 4-4-2 and extra midfielder the team played with last season. "There's no point playing with two (forward) and having four in surplus," Hill said. "(I) … played all my career practically in a 4-3-3, and it is a very attacking formation." The key will be the forwards' ability to maintain possession in the final third and keep pressure on the opposing goal. Otherwise, the team could be stretched thin in midfield and vulnerable to a quick counterattack.

The ageless wonder

While most men his age have long ago traded in a pair of shin guards for a coach's whistle, 37-year-old midfielder Takuya Yamada — he'll be 38 on Aug. 24 — remains an integral component to the Rowdies' success. The versatile Yamada logged the sixth-most minutes (1,992) on the team last season and proved a capable alternative at defender when the team needed help in the back. He'll again fill a wild-card role for coach Ricky Hill. "His professionalism and appetite and determination and drive are exemplary," Hill said. "He's a credit to himself, and we're fortunate as an organization to have him as one of our leaders on the field." Assisting Yamada in the leadership department is England's Stuart Campbell, who takes over the David Hayes player/assistant coach role, with the emphasis on player. Hayes (no longer with the team) was brought in last season as Hill's assistant but was pressed into game action as early season injuries mounted on defense. Campbell, a 34-year-old midfielder, played for Bristol Rovers in Football League One (the third tier in England) in 2011. Said Hill: "His vast experience and ability can help with what we already have in place."

The MVP candidate

After joining Tampa Bay in 2011 from A.C. St. Louis, Mike Ambersley quickly established himself as the team's most dynamic player. An unselfish striker with a tireless work rate, the 29-year-old led Tampa Bay with 11 goals (tied for third in NASL) and seven assists (third in NASL) and was named to the league's Best XI. He enters the 2012 season as one of a handful of preseason favorites to win the Golden Ball award, given annually to the league's top player. Ambersley, though, isn't focused on individual awards. "If you have 20 goals and your team is 2-26, you're not going to win anything," he said. "The most important thing is just to win, and then from there, all the other outside things will take care of themselves."

Additions and subtractions

Besides Stuart Campbell, the most notable offseason addition for the Rowdies was Luke Mulholland — who, coincidentally, knocked the team out of the playoffs last season by scoring the lone goal in Tampa Bay's 1-0 loss to eventual NASL champion Minnesota. The Preston, England, native scored two game winners in the playoffs for the Stars. "He gave them the lift they needed in that latter part of last season, so I'm hoping he can do the same for us through our season," coach Ricky Hill said. Also, keep an eye on Fafa Picault, who wowed scouts at the NASL combine. The 5-foot-8 forward will spend a couple of weeks on the bench with a slight fracture of his big toe but offers a blend of speed and athleticism to the Rowdies' attack that was missing after the departure of Pascal Millien, a fan favorite. Millien joined the Sligo Rovers (in the League of Ireland Premier Division) during the offseason. Also gone is dynamic midfielder Mozzi Gyorio. Hill said the Rowdies had hoped to re-sign Gyorio but couldn't come to terms on a contract.

By Christina K. Cosdon, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 6, 2012

TAMPA — An international lineup of Olympians, past Invitational champions and some of this country's most celebrated riders will compete with their elite horses in tonight's $200,000 American Invitational under the lights at Raymond James Stadium.

It's the 40th anniversary of the prestigious show-jumping event named in honor of its late founder, Gene Mische. The Invitational, limited to 30 riders, is this country's only stadium setting for a major championship.

Riders can expect Olympic course designer Steve Stephens to create a course of Olympic difficulty — big, wide and colorful jumps arranged to test horse and rider individually and as a team.

Last year's champion, Kent Farrington, 31, of Greenwich, Conn., is returning to defend. He will attempt to be the third rider to win the event back to back. Michelle McEvoy Grubb took the title in 1974 and 1975 and Molly Ashe-Cawley won in 2001 and 2002.

Other past Invitational winners competing include Katie Prudent, who won the Invitational in 1983, 1985 and 1988 and Olympian Leslie Howard, who took the title in 1984.

Two-time Olympian Beezie Madden, who won Sunday's $50,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, will compete. Madden won the Invitational in 2005 and 2007. Florida native and Olympian Margie Engle, who took second place in Sunday's grand prix, aims for a first Invitational win.

Rookie Reed Kessler, a 17-year-old high school senior and student of Prudent, will be the youngest rider. After the recent selection trials, she is No. 1 on the United States Equestrian Federation's long list for the London Olympics.

Engle is in the No. 2 spot and Farrington is ninth. But the placements could change as those hoping to be on the U.S. team are required to compete in two more competitions; upcoming events are in California, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Canada.

Madden, Laura Kraut and McLain Ward (now recovering from an injured knee), who were on the 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medal winning team, have been given byes. Kraut plans to compete tonight.

Two other young riders among the list of veterans are 18-year-old Katie Dinan and Nicholas Dello Joio, 23, whose father Norman won the Invitational in 1978 and 2004.

Among the international riders are Venezuelan Olympian Pablo Barrios, Paulo Santana of Brazil, Angela Covert-Lawrence of Canada, Tina Fletcher of Great Britain, Darragh Kerins, Kevin Babington and Darragh Kenny of Ireland and Maria Hecart of France.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 6, 2012

. Tonight

Lightning at Jets

When/where: 7; MTS Centre, Winnipeg

TV/radio: Ch. 44; 970-AM

Key stats: Lightning G Dwayne Roloson is 5-2-0 in his past seven starts with a 3.33 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. … Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien is tied for second among league defensemen with 53 points. … Tampa Bay RW Teddy Purcell has one goal in his past 14 games. … The Jets have the league's second-best home power play at 22.3 percent. … Winnipeg's 14-6-3 division record leads the Southeast. … The Jets have been outscored 90-61 in the third period.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 6, 2012

WINNIPEG — You know something is a big deal if Marty St. Louis won't talk about it.

The Lightning right wing is superstitious that way — no need to jinx anything — so when asked what it would mean for teammate Steven Stamkos to reach 60 goals, the conversation was over.

"I'm not going to talk about this," St. Louis said. "I'm not. What's worth talking about?"

Just that with one goal in tonight's season finale against the Jets, Stamkos will reach a historic milestone that in an age of larger goalie pads, better scouting and stifling defensive systems is on the endangered list.

Not that it ever has been common; 19 NHL players — including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Phil Esposito, Mike Bossy and Brett Hull — have combined for 38 60-goal seasons. Stamkos, though, would be only the second player in 15 seasons to do it and the first since Washington's Alex Ovechkin scored 65 in 2007-08.

"It's big, a milestone in the NHL," defenseman Bruno Gervais said. "It's something we're pulling for. We're going to work even harder next game to get him that last goal."

Stamkos has asked teammates not to change their games to force-feed him the puck. But Gervais, who assisted on Stamkos' 59th goal Thursday at Toronto, basically said, "Yeah, right."

"We're human beings," he said. "And we're a team. He's been so great for the team, it's something you look for, for sure."

If Stamkos is nervous, anxious or feeling pressure to join the exclusive club, he is not showing it. He has even downplayed the milestone, saying it would mean more to him if Tampa Bay was in the playoffs. "I just have to play my game and not force things," he said. "It's tough. You do think about it when you're out there, but you just try to keep the same game plan you have through the first 81 games that has obviously worked. I'm not pressing it."

Neither is Stamkos' dad, Chris, who made the drive from the family's Unionville home to watch Thursday's game in nearby Toronto, but said he would not be in Winnipeg.

"If it happens, it happens," he said of his son reaching 60 goals.

If it doesn't? "It won't diminish his season."

Exactly the point coach Guy Boucher has tried to make. "The media, it's the 60 goals. The fans, it's the 60 goals. He doesn't care," Boucher said of Stamkos. "He really doesn't. He's an unselfish guy. He never cares about the numbers. That's one of his great qualities. He's a team player."

So, play a team game, Boucher said: "You want to give him a nice pass, but a nice pass is very difficult to make. And the problem is guys pass up shots. Shots are rebounds. It's an indirect pass, and that's how he scored most of his goals. Just play the game. He'll find a way."

Considering Stamkos has 10 goals in his past eight games, the odds are probably good he'll hit 60. "It's something that you never know if you're going to get that close again in your career," he said. "You might as well try to at least go for it."

Fine by St. Louis.

"We'll talk about it," he said, "when it happens."

streaking on: Host AHL Norfolk extended its league-record winning streak to 24 games with a 3-1 win over Binghamton.

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

ORLANDO — A day after he said his star player wanted him fired, Stan Van Gundy said he only has one regret.

Van Gundy said he regretted that what he regards as his larger point — that his job security and what Dwight Howard wants are "irrelevant" and are "not important right now" — didn't receive more attention.

"It's not important to me, I know that," Van Gundy said after practice Friday. "And I don't think it's important to our players. It's not important, so let's move on. That's what I wanted to emphasize."

Van Gundy started a circus Thursday when he revealed he was told by high-ranking team officials of Howard's request. Howard walked up and hugged Van Gundy during that media scrum, unaware what Van Gundy had just said. After the coach walked away, Howard was blindsided that reporters knew the truth about his firing request.

Hours later, the Magic lost their fifth straight, 96-80 to the Knicks, and dropped to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Van Gundy spoke to reporters for more than 30 minutes after practice Friday, with most of the questions focusing on his relationship with Howard. Van Gundy used the term "irrelevant" more than a dozen times.

"I answered the question honestly and let's move on," Van Gundy said. "That was my only intention.

"At least there's no more speculation. It's not going to go back and forth. It happened. To me, it'll go a day or two and then people are off of it, rather than it hanging out there and people bringing it up again."

Howard acknowledged that the team faces "a tough situation for everybody."

"We're capable of getting through anything," Howard said. "Right now, the leader is being attacked from all angles, and it's my job to stay strong for the team and not allow anything to break my spirit or break who I am as a person or a player. And the rest of the guys will follow."

To make matters worse for Orlando, forward Hedo Turkoglu will have surgery for a facial fracture and miss at least the rest of the regular season. Turkoglu was inadvertently hit by Knicks star Carmelo Anthony on Thursday during New York's victory.

Heat's 17-game home winning streak ended

MIAMI — Rudy Gay scored 17, Zach Randolph had 14 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, and the Grizzlies had seven players score in double figures to snap the Heat's 17-game home winning streak Friday night, 97-82.

Mike Conley and St. Petersburg native Marreese Speights each scored 15 for the Grizzlies, who have won six of their last eight games.

LeBron James had 21 points, six assists and six rebounds for the Heat, who never led and failed in a bid to match the franchise's longest home win streak, set in the 2004-05 season.

Dwyane Wade scored 20 points, Chris Bosh added 19 and Terrel Harris scored 10 for Miami, which had last lost at home Jan. 22 to Milwaukee.

Miami fell three games behind Chicago in the race for the No. 1 seed in the East. The Heat has 12 games left, the Bulls have 10, and the teams meet twice more.

The Grizzlies forced 11 turnovers in the first quarter — Miami's most in a quarter since Feb. 14, 2006 — and led 25-12 behind nine points from Gay.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Danny Granger had 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to help the host Pacers beat the Thunder 103-98 for their fourth straight win. Indiana overcame Kevin Durant's 44-point night, the most scored against the Pacers this season. … Jeff Teague tied a career high with 24 points and had a season-high 11 assists, and Josh Smith added 20 points and 12 rebounds to help the host Hawks top the Pistons 101-96.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: The Nets shut down Brook Lopez for the season after an injury-marred campaign in which he played in five games. The 24-year-old is eligible to become a free agent after this season. … The league fined Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins $25,000 for publicly criticizing officials after Thursday's 95-83 loss to the Clippers. Cousins, who fouled out in the closing seconds, called Blake Griffin an "actor" in terms of foul calls and said the league protects last season's Rookie of the Year and slam-dunk champion too much. The teams meet again today in Los Angeles.

Grizzlies 97, Heat 82

MEMPHIS (97): Gay 8-19 1-2 17, Speights 6-9 3-3 15, Gasol 3-7 4-5 10, Conley 5-8 2-2 15, Pondexter 2-4 0-0 4, Randolph 6-17 2-2 14, Mayo 4-10 1-1 10, Arenas 4-5 0-0 12, Cunningham 0-2 0-2 0, Haddadi 0-0 0-0 0, Pargo 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 38-82 13-17 97.

MIAMI (82): James 8-19 3-4 21, Bosh 8-15 2-2 19, Turiaf 1-1 0-0 2, Chalmers 0-4 1-2 1, Wade 8-18 3-4 20, Haslem 0-2 0-0 0, Battier 0-4 0-0 0, Cole 0-5 0-0 0, Harris 4-10 2-2 10, Anthony 3-3 1-2 7, Howard 1-1 0-0 2, Pittman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-82 12-16 82.

Memphis 25 23 25 24— 97

Miami 12 20 29 21— 82

3-Point Goals—Memphis 8-17 (Arenas 4-5, Conley 3-4, Mayo 1-3, Randolph 0-1, Pondexter 0-2, Gay 0-2), Miami 4-18 (James 2-6, Wade 1-1, Bosh 1-2, Cole 0-2, Harris 0-2, Chalmers 0-2, Battier 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Memphis 50 (Randolph 14), Miami 51 (Wade 7). Assists—Memphis 20 (Mayo 6), Miami 17 (James 6). Total Fouls—Memphis 17, Miami 16. Technicals—Memphis defensive three second, Miami Coach Spoelstra. A—20,008 (19,600).

Pacers 103, Thunder 98

OKLAHOMA CITY (98): Durant 15-24 11-13 44, Ibaka 3-7 0-0 6, Perkins 3-6 0-0 6, Westbrook 7-23 5-8 21, Sefolosha 1-1 1-1 3, Harden 1-5 7-8 10, N.Collison 4-6 0-1 8, Mohammed 0-1 0-0 0, Fisher 0-3 0-0 0, Cook 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 34-77 24-31 98.

INDIANA (103): Granger 11-23 3-3 26, West 5-8 4-4 14, Hibbert 7-14 7-9 21, D.Collison 3-7 4-4 11, George 3-13 1-2 8, Hill 2-5 2-4 8, Barbosa 3-10 2-2 9, Hansbrough 1-4 2-2 4, Amundson 0-1 2-4 2, Jones 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-85 27-34 103.

Oklahoma City 20 21 20 37— 98

Indiana 32 24 19 28— 103

3-Point Goals—Oklahoma City 6-19 (Durant 3-8, Westbrook 2-5, Harden 1-3, Cook 0-1, Fisher 0-2), Indiana 6-19 (Hill 2-4, D.Collison 1-2, George 1-3, Granger 1-4, Barbosa 1-6). Fouled Out—George. Rebounds—Oklahoma City 51 (Westbrook 11), Indiana 56 (George 16). Assists—Oklahoma City 20 (Westbrook 9), Indiana 13 (Hill 4). Total Fouls—Oklahoma City 25, Indiana 25. A—18,165 (18,165).

Nets 110, Wizards 98

WASHINGTON (98): C.Singleton 3-7 0-0 8, Vesely 2-6 0-0 4, Seraphin 6-13 3-4 15, Wall 7-15 4-5 18, Crawford 3-12 3-4 9, Martin 3-9 0-0 7, Cook 0-1 0-0 0, J.Singleton 5-8 2-2 12, Mack 3-4 4-4 10, Mason 6-9 1-3 15. Totals 38-84 17-22 98.

NEW JERSEY (110): Wallace 6-9 4-4 19, Humphries 3-10 2-4 8, S.Williams 1-1 1-2 3, D.Williams 7-15 2-2 19, Brooks 8-15 2-3 18, J.Williams 7-7 0-0 14, Green 4-8 1-2 9, Morrow 8-11 0-0 17, Stevenson 0-0 0-0 0, Horner 0-0 1-2 1, Petro 0-2 0-0 0, Gaines 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 45-80 13-19 110.

Washington 20 23 23 32— 98

New Jersey 33 24 26 27— 110

3-Point Goals—Washington 5-12 (Mason 2-3, C.Singleton 2-4, Martin 1-4, J.Singleton 0-1), New Jersey 7-18 (Wallace 3-5, D.Williams 3-6, Morrow 1-2, Brooks 0-2, Green 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Washington 47 (Seraphin, J.Singleton 9), New Jersey 45 (Humphries 12). Assists—Washington 22 (Mack 8), New Jersey 32 (D.Williams 13). Total Fouls—Washington 17, New Jersey 13. A—12,783 (18,711).

Hawks 101, Pistons 96

DETROIT (96): Prince 4-9 1-2 10, Maxiell 1-2 0-0 2, Monroe 3-7 2-6 8, Knight 5-8 1-1 13, Gordon 3-5 0-0 6, Stuckey 8-22 9-11 27, Wallace 0-1 0-0 0, Jerebko 4-9 1-1 10, Wilkins 2-3 1-1 5, Bynum 7-12 0-0 15. Totals 37-78 15-22 96.

ATLANTA (101): J.Johnson 6-16 2-2 16, Smith 10-20 2-6 22, Pachulia 2-4 0-0 4, Teague 9-16 5-6 24, Hinrich 1-4 0-0 3, Williams 2-5 8-10 12, I.Johnson 8-12 0-1 16, Green 1-3 0-0 2, McGrady 0-0 2-2 2, Pargo 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 39-81 19-27 101.

Detroit 20 23 25 28— 96

Atlanta 24 28 26 23— 101

3-Point Goals—Detroit 7-15 (Stuckey 2-3, Knight 2-4, Jerebko 1-1, Prince 1-2, Bynum 1-3, Wilkins 0-1, Gordon 0-1), Atlanta 4-15 (J.Johnson 2-7, Hinrich 1-3, Teague 1-4, Green 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Detroit 46 (Monroe 8), Atlanta 52 (Smith 12). Assists—Detroit 16 (Monroe 4), Atlanta 30 (Teague 11). Total Fouls—Detroit 28, Atlanta 18. A—15,143 (18,729).

Cavaliers 84, Raptors 80

CLEVELAND (84): Gee 3-10 2-2 9, Jamison 8-16 6-8 25, Thompson 2-6 2-3 6, Sloan 2-8 1-2 5, Harris 1-8 1-2 4, Casspi 0-2 2-2 2, Samuels 3-6 4-8 10, Hudson 6-14 11-13 23, Walton 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 25-73 29-40 84.

TORONTO (80): Anderson 0-4 0-0 0, Bargnani 8-22 2-4 19, Gray 2-3 0-2 4, Uzoh 4-8 1-1 9, DeRozan 10-16 7-8 28, Kleiza 2-9 3-3 8, Davis 3-6 0-0 6, A.Johnson 1-1 1-4 3, Dentmon 1-4 1-2 3. Totals 31-73 15-24 80.

Cleveland 20 19 12 33— 84

Toronto 22 20 21 17— 80

3-Point Goals—Cleveland 5-17 (Jamison 3-5, Gee 1-1, Harris 1-4, Casspi 0-1, Walton 0-1, Sloan 0-1, Hudson 0-4), Toronto 3-15 (DeRozan 1-2, Bargnani 1-5, Kleiza 1-6, Anderson 0-1, Dentmon 0-1). Fouled Out—Gray. Rebounds—Cleveland 50 (Jamison 8), Toronto 60 (Kleiza 8). Assists—Cleveland 16 (Hudson 7), Toronto 13 (DeRozan 4). Total Fouls—Cleveland 18, Toronto 29. Technicals—Cleveland Coach Scott 2, Kleiza. Ejected—Cleveland Coach Scott. A—16,565 (19,800).

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 6, 2012

TAMPA — USF football coach Skip Holtz took a big step toward creating his first depth chart of the spring Friday as his players went about 140 plays in their first full-contact scrimmage since last season.

"We're trying to evaluate personnel — what can we do, and who can we do it with?" Holtz said. "That's what today was all about. I thought the effort was excellent. There was a lot of hard hitting. They got after it today. It was a very physical day."

Starting quarterback B.J. Daniels looked sharp, completing seven of his first nine passes and converting three third downs on the first two drives, later adding a 52-yard touchdown pass to receiver Andre Davis.

Safety JaQuez Jenkins intercepted a Bobby Eveld pass on the first play for the No. 1 defense, and Mark Joyce and walk-on Zach Fisher added interceptions as the defense set the tone early.

The offense fared well in goal-line work with four running backs scoring in short-yardage situations. Eveld added a touchdown pass to Florida transfer Chris Dunkley, albeit against the No. 3 defense.

Running back Lindsey Lamar, who shifted back to his original position this spring after two seasons at receiver, had several solid runs, including gains of 29, 8 and 13 yards, the best showing among the running backs.

The Bulls, who have six practices remaining, will hold a Green and Gold Bowl at Corbett Soccer Stadium on April 14 then their annual spring game at Raymond James Stadium on April 21.

Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 6, 2012

WESLEY CHAPEL — Mitchell senior Garrett Kriston spent the first half of his spring break at a science fair in Lakeland.

He spent Friday night putting on a different kind of show.

The right-hander threw an 111-pitch gem to lead the Mustangs to a 4-2 win over host Wiregrass Ranch and give Mitchell the Pasco County spring break tournament championship.

"Good thing I got back so I can be here tonight," Kriston said.

The Covenant College recruit and the Mustangs (12-7) struggled early, leaving the bases loaded in the first inning. Kriston's wild pitch in the third scored the Bulls' Marcus Guzman, and a dropped third strike for the would-be final out set up an RBI single by Alex Goebel for Wiregrass Ranch (15-5).

But Mitchell wasn't worried after overcoming plenty of early deficits throughout the season.

"We do that all the time," said Kriston, whose science fair kept him out of the Mustangs' previous tournament games. "We're a team that always comes back."

Mitchell recovered one of those runs in the bottom of the third when a failed pickoff by Wiregrass pitcher Ryan Kopenski brought Joe Koehler home from first. The Mustangs took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Eddie Goscicki and another failed pickoff that scored Cobi Johnson.

"That's the way it works in games like this," Mitchell coach Scot Wilcox said. "And good teams take advantage of it."

The Mustangs tacked on an insurance run with Josh Lamb's RBI single in the sixth. That was plenty of cushion for Kriston, who allowed six hits in a complete game. Two of his nine strikeouts came in the final inning — his only 1-2-3 frame of the night.

Mitchell's championship seemed unlikely six weeks ago when the Mustangs were mired in an 0-4 start. Since then, they have adjusted to new faces from the junior varsity squad and jelled as a unit, just in time for a playoff run.

"We're unstoppable when we come together as a team," Kriston said.

And they have Pasco County's spring break trophy to prove it.

Earlier Friday, Land O'Lakes topped Sunlake 13-3 in the third-place game.

Pasco sophomore Robbie Hanlon won the home run derby, topping Koehler, Land O'Lakes' Joey Martinez and Ridgewood's Robert Anderson in the final. Hanlon homered on 13 of his 30 swings and hit five in the last round.

Times staff writer Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

Rangers 3, White Sox 2

ARLINGTON, Texas — Despite being unable to strike a new long-term deal before his deadline to end negotiations, Ian Kinsler homered, doubled and scored twice for Texas. "You play for your teammates, you don't play for yourself. This is a very selfless team," he said. Colby Lewis struck out nine in his first opening day start to spoil the managerial debut of Robin Ventura, who said: "I figured we'd lose a game at some point this year."

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

MILWAUKEE — For a day, at least, the Cardinals took a teamwide power approach in an attempt to replace slugger Albert Pujols.

David Freese hit a two-run drive for one of four homers off Yovani Gallardo, and the Cardinals spoiled the Brewers' opener 11-5 on Friday.

Yadier Molina, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday also connected for the Cardinals.

"That's where we're going to have to be able to overcome the loss of Albert, is finding ways to score runs, tack on runs," Holliday said. "You get the big four-spot, but we kept scoring."

Gallardo, chosen to start ahead of Zack Greinke despite Gallardo's career 1-7 record and 5.66 ERA against the Cardinals, struggled with his control from the start and lasted only 32/3 innings, giving up seven hits and six runs.

"I think he would tell you he probably didn't have his best stuff today," Holliday said. "We got his pitch count up and got him in some hitters' counts."

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

Rockies 5, Astros 3

HOUSTON — Eric Young, pinch running for the Rockies in the eighth, stole second then scored the go-ahead run when the throw went into the outfield. Troy Tulowitzki, starting five days after being hit in the left elbow by a pitch, added a homer in the ninth that sailed over the train tracks in leftfield and out of the stadium.

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

Orioles 4, Twins 2

BALTIMORE — Jake Arrieta pitched seven scoreless innings, Nick Markakis homered and drove in three runs, and the Orioles marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of Camden Yards with a win. "My mind-set was to just really set the tone for our team in front of a great crowd," said Arrieta, who allowed two hits. "As a whole, we take it personal that most people write us off from the get-go. We made a statement today."

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

Diamondbacks 5, Giants 4

PHOENIX — Chris Young and Paul Goldschmidt homered in the first off Tim Lincecum and Ryan Roberts' two-run double broke a sixth-inning tie for the Diamondbacks. It was Goldschmidt's third home run in 10 at-bats against the two-time Cy Young winner, who went 0-3 in four starts against Arizona last year.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, April 6, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG

Why, hello again.

Man, did the Rays miss you.

With one afternoon, with one game, with the simple act of pulling on the same suit he used to wear, Carlos Peña rekindled his love affair with Tampa Bay on Friday. Peña is back in town, and the good news is he seems to have brought the power back with him.

Ah, what a terrific homecoming this was. Peña had a grand slam against a pitcher who had made him look helpless. He had the winning hit against another who had made him look hopeless. The fans kept standing, and they kept cheering, and it was as if he had never left.

You will never see a finer return than Peña's. He faced three All-Star pitchers, and he got a hit against them all. Even better, he suggested there were moments to come for a team that was mostly powerless for much of last season.

The first baseman salvaged a game the Rays seemed intent on leaving on third base. He made his manager look like a genius despite that wacky eighth inning. He led his team to an exhilarating 7-6 victory over the Yankees.

In the end, it was Peña bounding around the infield, smiling and celebrating and soaking in the moment as his teammates rushed toward to celebrate.

In other words, it looked a lot like Peña's highlights used to look.

When you get down to it, wasn't the point of bringing him home so he could bring others home?

Somewhere in baseball, somewhere in life, someone might have had a better day than Peña had Friday, but it's doubtful. Not when you consider the restart. Not when you measure his moments. Not when you heard the ovations that seemed to come every time Peña's name was announced.

"I'm so grateful," Peña said. "I'll remember this for the rest of my life. It was just … special."

Special? You want to talk special?

For crying out loud, Peña was supposed to hit seventh on Friday. But 40 minutes before the game, manager Joe Manager nudged him up to sixth. Maddon said he had "an epiphany," which sounds a lot better when a player knocks in five runs from his new spot in the order, doesn't it?

That simple move set up Peña in the first inning, when Yankees manager Joe Girardi walked Sean Rodriguez to load the bases so he could get to Peña. And why not? Yankees starter CC Sabathia had gotten Peña out 32 of the 36 times he had faced him, including the last 14 in a row. Peña was hitting only .114 against Sabathia and last year hit only .133 against left-handers. In other words, it wasn't a pretty matchup for the Rays.

Once Peña hit a 3-and-2 pitch over the rightfield wall, however, it looked a little better.

"It was just heavenly," Peña said. "It was a majestic feeling. Words don't do it justice."

Yes, it looked a little familiar. You had seen him trot before. His teammates, too.

"When he circles the bases, there are usually a few things Carlos always does," said teammate Matt Joyce. "First of all, he looks good doing it. He's very graceful. Secondly, he pushes his helmet down when he circles first base. Third, he smiles when he gets to the dugout. It's a beautiful thing when he's on your side."

To many, Peña can be a frustrating player. Over the past five seasons, his home run totals are among the top half-dozen in baseball. But Peña strikes out more than 150 times a season, and he often hits into the shift, and his average suffers.

The Rays, however, lacked muscle a year ago, which is why Peña and Luke Scott replaced Casey Kotchman and Johnny Damon on the roster.

"We got our spirit back with Carlos," said reliever J.P. Howell. "For him to do that is so fitting. You couldn't write it better. He hits the grand slam, and you're pretty much just laughing because there's no one else you could see that happening to but him."

Tough as it was, the grand slam wasn't the most surprising swing of the day. After all, Peña had had four hits against Sabathia, and two of those were homers.

On the other hand, Peña, 33, had never gotten a hit off of Mariano Rivera. Few Rays had. Before Friday, the future Hall of Famer had saved 60 of 61 attempts against the Rays.

"He's the best closer in the history of the world," said Peña, who had faced Rivera 12 times. "I'm aware I hadn't sniffed the ball against him in the past. You know, he's one of those pitchers you come back to the dugout and say, "What was that?' It's one of those things where your eyes don't always tell you the truth. It's that illusion to his ball. You swear the ball is there, and when you swing, it's not there anymore."

This time, it was bouncing against the bottom of the centerfield fence, and Ben Zobrist was trotting home with the winner.

"I felt like I was going to explode," said Peña, who an inning earlier singled against All-Star righty David Robertson. "I felt like a little kid again."

This is what he brings. Power. Energy. Joy. Chemistry. Possibilities. Here in the ditto part of Peña's career, the Rays can take as much of that as possible.

You know, just like the old days.

By Marc Topkin and Joe Smith, Times Staff Writers
Friday, April 6, 2012

Recovered keepsake

Friday's first pitch, thrown by Jim Dundee in honor of father, Angelo, was even more ceremonial than usual: The ball was the one Evan Longoria hit for his Game 162-ending homer. The Rays worked out a deal to get the ball from the former concessions worker who had it, and they plan to display it in the new 162 Landing Area. Longoria caught the pitch.

Ceremonially speaking

American Idol 11th-place finisher Shannon Magrane, 16-year-old daughter of former Rays TV analyst Joe Magrane, will sing the national anthem before tonight's game. … Brad Snyder, a Northeast High grad injured while stationed in Afghanistan for the Navy, will throw out the first pitch.

Something grand

Carlos Peña's first-inning grand slam was only the second in Rays' opening day history (Fred McGriff, 2000) and first at Tropicana Field. It was the first time since the Marlins' Juan Encarnacion (April 5, 2005) that a player hit a grand slam in the first inning on opening day and the first opening day slam in the American League since the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez (April 3, 2006).

Meet the Rays at tampabay.com

Scan this with your mobile device to access our Meet the Rays video interviews.

Rays vs. Yankees

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

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

Tickets: Sold out tonight

Probable pitchers

Rays

LHP David Price (12-13, 3.49 in 2011)

Yankees

RHP Hiroki Kuroda (13-16, 3.07 in 2011)

Watch for:

Price check: Price, who was winless in his last six starts last season, is 4-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 13 career appearances vs. the Yanks.

New guy: Kuroda is coming off a career season with the Dodgers. He has never faced the Rays.

Key matchups:

Rays vs. Kuroda

Jeff Keppinger 4-for-15

Carlos Peña 1-for-3

Yankees vs. Price

Nick Swisher 10-for-22, 1 HR

Robinson Cano 7-for-31

Granderson 6-for-31, 2 HRs

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 6, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Carlos Peña was the biggest star of the Rays' 7-6 walkoff victory over the Yankees on Friday.

But an all-hands-on-deck effort by the bullpen helped save the day, six relievers combining for four hitless innings.

"That's who you have to give all the credit to," Rays shortstop Sean Rodriguez said. "Without them putting up those zeroes, we don't have a chance."

Said catcher Jose Molina: "That's why we won the game."

Starter James Shields, who allowed six runs over five innings, said the bullpen "picked up the slack."

Without closer Kyle Farnsworth, who is on the disabled list, the Rays went by committee. Every reliever except the recently called up Josh Lueke pitched.

"Down there, it's like everybody wants the ball, no matter the situation," veteran righthander Joel Peralta said.

Lefty J.P. Howell has said he finally has his confidence and health back after 2010 shoulder surgery, and it looked that way Friday. He retired lefthanded hitting sluggers Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano on infield popouts. Howell got Granderson on a curveball, Cano on an inside fastball.

"I felt really good," he said.

Wade Davis, moved to the bullpen after losing out on the fifth starter spot during the spring, then delivered a solid first appearance, retiring three of the four batters he faced between the sixth and seventh.

"It was good to get that first one in there," he said.

With one on and two out in the seventh, Rays manager Joe Maddon summoned sinkerballer Burke Badenhop, who was acquired in the offseason from the Marlins. Badenhop did his job, getting catcher Russell Martin to hit a grounder to third, but Evan Longoria bobbled it for an error.

That's when hard-throwing lefty Jake McGee came in to face the lefty Brett Gardner. Though McGee walked Gardner to load the bases, he bounced back to get Derek Jeter to ground out.

Each of McGee's three outs came on sliders, an encouraging sign for him as he tries to develop a secondary pitch to complement his mid 90s fastball.

"That's big," McGee said. "It's a difference from last year already."

Peralta took over for McGee with one out in the eighth but had a tough, 23-pitch outing, walking both Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixiera after getting ahead 1-and-2. He did the same with Nick Swisher before striking him out on a 90 mph fastball.

"I just kept battling," Peralta said.

Righthander Fernando Rodney, a former Tigers and Angels closer, picked up the win in his Rays debut, a 1-2-3 ninth.

"I loved the bullpen," Maddon said.

"I think the pen is going to be one of our strengths."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

Pro Football

Ex-Saint: no okay to release recording

NEW ORLEANS — A recording of then-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams urging players to deliver punishing hits on specific 49ers was released without approval from retired special teams standout Steve Gleason, who had helped a documentary filmmaker gain behind-the-scenes access to the Saints. "I feel deflated and disappointed," Gleason said on his website Friday.

Gleason has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and has allowed filmmaker Sean Pamphilon to document his life. He played for the Saints from 2000-07 and maintains a strong relationship with the club.

Gleason's connections allowed Pamphilon to be in the room with the defense before New Orleans' 36-32 playoff loss to San Francisco in January. Gleason said there was an agreement that he and his family would own the rights to recordings made of his interaction with the Saints and nothing would be released without his approval. "I did not authorize the public release of any recordings," he said.

Williams is suspended indefinitely for his admitted role overseeing a bounty system that rewarded defenders with cash for painful hits during his 2009-11 Saints tenure. He left after the playoff loss and was hired as defensive coordinator by the Rams.

Pamphilon said in an e-mail to the New Orleans Times-Picayune he felt a need to release the audio because he believes parents "MUST pay attention to the influence of men who will sacrifice their kids for W's."

seahawks: Ex-Bucs linebacker Barrett Ruud, agreed to a one-year deal. Terms weren't disclosed. He played nine games for the Titans last season before being placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.

storm falls: The Storm (2-2) lost to host New Orleans 66-47 in the Arena League. Tampa Bay's Prechae Rodriguez led all receivers with nine receptions for 121 yards and four TDs. He was knocked out of the game late when he was hit in the head by a defender. Storm QB Stephen Wasil was 25-of-47 for 310 yards and seven TDs. He threw three interceptions, one in the second quarter that was returned for a touchdown and put the VooDoo (2-2) up 30-14.

tennis

Isner wins to tie Davis Cup for U.S.

Tampa resident John Isner defeated Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 to pull the United States even with France after opening singles in the Davis Cup quarterfinals at Roquebrune, France. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Ryan Harrison 7-5, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 to give France a 1-0 lead. The doubles match is today.

Family Circle Cup: Tampa resident Sam Stosur got her first win over Venus Williams, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals at Charleston, S.C. Stosur meets Serena Williams in today's semis. Serena advanced when Sabine Lisicki twisted her left ankle and withdrew after five games. In the other semi, Lucie Safarova meets Polona Hercog.

Et cetera

College football: Gary Tinsley, a Minnesota linebacker set to earn his degree in a few weeks, was found dead in his Minneapolis campus apartment, university officials said. The Jacksonville native was 22. The cause of death wasn't released as authorities awaited autopsy results.

triathlon: Tammie Wonning, 40, of Tampa and Karen Alexeev, 59, of Gulfport were among 29 who finished the February Florida Double Ironman in Thonotosassa. Wonning was fourth in the women's field, Alexeev sixth.

Times wires

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

MILWAUKEE — For Ryan Braun, winning an appeal of a 50-game suspension was only his first step toward redemption.

Now the Brewers slugger is out to show fans that he can shake off what became a tumultuous offseason after a failed drug test tarnished his reputation and regain the form that made him the NL's MVP last year.

Speaking Friday before the Brewers' opener against the Cardinals, Braun said he's looking forward to proving he can handle what has transpired.

"It's not so much about proving anybody wrong as much as it is proving the people who all believed in me and supported me right," Braun said. "So I'm definitely excited. Very motivated."

Fans gave Braun an ovation during introductions and were even louder during his first few trips to the plate, chanting "M-V-P!" He went 0-for-5 in an 11-5 loss.

Braun's achievements came under suspicion when it was reported that he failed a drug test with a high testosterone level.

Braun won his appeal and avoided a 50-game suspension. Then he made his case to the fans upon arriving at spring training, saying that chain of custody issues with his urine sample cast doubt on the validity of the test.

More Brewers: Radio broadcaster Bob Uecker's son Steve died from complications related to San Joaquin Valley fever. He was 52.

mcCourt makes $1.5B: Outgoing Dodgers owner Frank McCourt will walk away with $1.588 billion from the sale of the team he ran into bankruptcy and leaves the new buyers to inherit $412 million in team debt, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Los Angeles Times reported. The sale was announced at $2.15 billion, a record for a sports franchise, and the team said it is on track to exit bankruptcy as planned on April 30.

Ventura, Ryan talk: Rangers president Nolan Ryan visited new White Sox manager Robin Ventura in the visitor's clubhouse Friday. Ventura and Ryan hadn't spoken since Ventura charged the mound in August 1993 and Ryan put the then-third baseman in a headlock and landed several blows. "We just talked," Ventura said after losing to the two-time defending AL champs. "I congratulated him on the last couple of years. He's done a great job." The Rangers don't plan to show the popular video of the fight while the Sox are in town, but fans booed Ventura during introductions.

Dunn ties HR record: Adam Dunn tied the majors' record for most opening day homers when he hit his eighth leading off the sixth inning for the White Sox against the Rangers. Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey Jr. also hit eight homers in openers.

Ticket prices flat: The average MLB ticket is $26.92 this year, up 1 cent from last season and the smallest increase in the survey's 21-year history, the Team Marketing Report said.

Cardinals: RHP Scott Linebrink went on the 15-day DL because of capsulitis in his right shoulder, a condition that can result from inflammation.

Orioles: The club marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of Camden Yards by having Rick Sutcliffe, who pitched a five-hit shutout on April 6, 1992, throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Times wires
Friday, April 6, 2012

NEW YORK — Rangers coach John Tortorella was fined $20,000 Friday for his comments after his team's 5-2 loss to the Penguins on Thursday night.

Tortorella called the Penguins "one of the most arrogant organizations in the league" during a profanity-laden tirade that focused on defenseman Brooks Orpik's knee-to-knee hit on Rangers center Derek Stepan late in the third period. "It's a cheap, dirty hit. I wonder what would happen if we did it to their two whining stars over there," Tortorella said, referring to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Orpik got a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. He wasn't fined or suspended.

Stepan didn't practice Friday. Orpik didn't speak to the media. Crosby called Tortorella's comments playoff-gamesmanship "garbage" not worth attention.

This is Tortorella's second fine this season for a postgame tirade. He was fined $30,000 after the Rangers' 3-2 Winter Classic win over the Flyers for ripping the officials and saying they had conspired with NBC to make the game more dramatic for TV.

game highlights: The Coyotes took the Pacific Division lead with a 4-1 win over the host Blues. Phoenix goalie Mike Smith lost his bid for a fourth straight shutout when Patrik Berglund scored in the first.

around the league: A few hours after his Union team lost to Ferris State in the Frozen Four semifinals in Tampa, forward Jeremy Welsh signed with the Hurricanes. He was expected to play tonight.

First Period—1, Pho, Yandle 11 (Langkow, Torres), 2:13. 2, St.L, Berglund 19 (Oshie, McDonald), 14:26. Penalties—Jackman, StL (high-sticking), 6:01; Sobotka, StL (interference), 7:30; Rozsival, Pho (high-sticking), 11:09; Oshie, StL (slashing), 12:13.

Second Period—3, Pho, Vrbata 34 (Whitney, Hanzal), 5:44. 4, Pho, Doan 22 (Vermette, Boedker), 7:54. Penalties—Whitney, Pho (tripping), 8:25; Vrbata, Pho (tripping), 13:54; Arnott, StL (trip), 14:37; Klesla, Pho (hooking), 17:11; Ekman-Larsson, Pho (high-sticking), 17:24.

Third Period—5, Pho, Boedker 10 (Vermette), 10:19. Penalties—Oshie, StL (high-stick), 6:45; Rozsival, Pho (roughing), 12:03; Langenbrunner, StL (roughing), 12:03; Torres, Pho, served by Boedker, minor-major-misconduct (instigator, fighting), 14:30; D'Agostini, StL, major (fighting), 14:30; Klesla, Pho, major (fighting), 16:09; Stewart, StL, served by Reaves, minor-major (slash, fighting), 16:09; Langenbrunner, StL (hook), 18:35; Pyatt, Pho (cross-checking), 18:45. Shots—Pho 6-13-13—32. St.L 12-12-8—32. PP opportunities—Pho 0 of 6; St.L 0 of 6. Goalies—Pho, Smith 37-18-10 (32 shots-31 saves). St.L, Elliott 23-10-4 (32-28).

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 6, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — No one was better than RHP James Shields in going deep into games last season, an All-Star year that earned him Friday's fourth opening day start.

That's why Shields' five-inning stint against the Yankees, allowing six runs and nine hits to blow a four-run lead, was disappointing to the ace.

"I didn't do my job," Shields said. "It was a tough one. I definitely wanted to be better. But the bottom line is we won."

Shields said he felt like he made good pitches, especially early in counts, but some close ball/strike calls "didn't go my way." Manager Joe Maddon said Shields was hurt by some awkward moments, including a run-scoring wild pitch and a throw home by 1B Carlos Peña in the third that was just off the plate.

But C Jose Molina acknowledged Shields was a "little off," with his command, and the Yankees made him pay, with the big blast a three-run homer by DH Raul Ibanez in the third.

It could have been worse, but Shields struck out CF Curtis Granderson with the bases loaded to end the third and stranded a runner at third in the fourth.

Said Shields: "I battled."

SAW THE SIGN: The Rays twice struggled with their bunt execution. In the third, Sean Rodriguez tried the safety squeeze with runners on first and third. But his bunt, barely in front of the plate, only advanced a runner to second.

In a similar situation in the eighth, Molina didn't follow through on a first bunt sign and swung away, fouling a ball back as Rodriguez charged in from third. Molina then bunted foul with two strikes for an out.

"The first time, it was my mistake," Molina said. "The second one, I didn't get it done."

LINING UP: INF Jeff Keppinger found himself in an unusual spot Friday, starting in the cleanup spot and at DH for the first time in the big leagues. He said he had never hit fourth, even in college and high school.

"I'd say that's probably two things I never envisioned I'd do," Keppinger said. "I guess I can add it to the resume."

Maddon said he liked Keppinger's contact ability hitting behind 3B Evan Longoria. Keppinger lived up to his reputation, going 2-for-3 with two singles.

Maddon said DH Luke Scott will play against some lefties, but with him coming off offseason shoulder surgery, he thought it was best to start him only in the next two games. Scott did make his Rays debut, pinch-hitting and going 0-for-1 with a walk and double play.

CLOSING TIME: Maddon said RHP Kyle Farnsworth (elbow soreness) likely will need 4-6 weeks of rest with the team going with a closer-by-committee approach until he returns.

LUCKY LUEKE: RHP Josh Lueke was on his way to sign his apartment lease in Durham on Thursday when he got the call at 1 p.m. he was coming to the majors. Lueke, taking Farns­worth's roster spot, drove 10 hours in his truck, facing some heavy rain, to arrive in St. Petersburg at 1 a.m.

"I was wide awake. It was no road rage or nothing," said Lueke, who was set to pitch at Triple A. "Just happy-go-lucky."

Lueke, acquired in the offseason from Seattle, was surprised considering his 5.40 spring ERA. Maddon said they picked Lueke over LHP Cesar Ramos and RHP Brandon Gomes, who still needs to regain velocity following offseason back surgery.

Maddon said they haven't seen the best of Lueke yet, encouraging him to use his changeup more.

"Hopefully, I can … prove I belong," Lueke said.

MISCELLANY: CF B.J. Upton (back) is likely to start a rehab stint Monday at Class A Charlotte. … C/OF Stephen Vogt won the Al Lopez Award, given to the top Rays rookie in spring training. Vogt made his big-league debut Friday, pinch-hitting and striking out in the eighth. … It was the Rays' third opening day walkoff win.