Tuesday, April 10, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas fired coach Bobby Petrino on Tuesday and dressed him down for hiring his mistress and intentionally misleading his boss about their secret relationship that was eventually revealed by her presence at a motorcycle accident that cost him his job.

At a news conference, athletic director Jeff Long laid out a list of misdeeds against the man he hired away from the Falcons four years ago.

They included ignoring multiple chances over the past 10 days to come clean about the relationship that had crossed the line from infidelity into workplace favoritism.

"Coach Petrino engaged in a pattern of misleading and manipulative behavior designed to deceive me and members of the athletic staff, both before and after the motorcycle accident," said Long, who fired Petrino by letter, per terms of his contract.

Petrino, a 51-year-old married father of four, maintained a relationship with Jessica Dorrell, 25, for a "significant" amount of time and had given her $20,000, Long said.

Petrino issued an apology, saying he was focused on trying to heal his family. "All I have been able to think about is the number of people I've let down by making selfish decisions," he said. "I chose to engage in an improper relationship. I also made several poor decisions following the end of that relationship and in the aftermath of the accident. I accept full responsibility for what has happened."

Dorrell, a former Arkansas volleyball player, worked for the Razorbacks Foundation before she was hired March 28, four days before the accident.

"Coach Petrino abused his authority when over the past few weeks he made a staff decision and personal choices that benefited himself and jeopardized the integrity of the football program," Long said.

Long added that Petrino was fired "with cause" — meaning he will not receive his $18 million buyout — and there were no talks about ways to keep Petrino, who was 34-17 in four seasons.

UF posts FSU sweep

TALLAHASSEE — No. 4 Florida rallied from a three-run deficit to beat No. 1 FSU 6-3 and complete a three-game regular-season baseball sweep.

Florida (26-7) beat FSU (27-6) previously in Gainesville 9-2 and in Jacksonville 4-1.

The Gators had not taken all of the regular-season meetings since 1958 (two wins that year). It was also Florida's first-ever sweep of both FSU and Miami in the same year.

Freshman infielder Casey Turgeon, a Dunedin High grad, snapped a 3-3 tie with a bases-loaded single in the sixth.

Coach found dead: South Alabama associate head football coach Kurt Crain was found dead at his home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities in Baldwin County said. An autopsy on the former Auburn linebacker, 47, will likely be performed today.

Staying, Going: Christian Watford and Cody Zeller, who helped turn Indiana basketball around, announced they would return next season, putting off the NBA and making the Hoosiers a Big Ten favorite. Duke forward Mason Plumlee said he will return for his senior year. Sophomore guard Jeremy Lamb, who led UConn in scoring (17.7), will enter the draft.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 10, 2012

MIAMI — Paul Pierce scored 27, Kevin Garnett added 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Celtics made their first eight shots of the fourth quarter to hold off the Heat 115-107 on Tuesday night.

Boston's Rajon Rondo had 18 points and 15 assists, reaching double-digit assists for the 18th straight game to extend the NBA's longest such streak in 20 years. The Celtics shot a season-high 61 percent.

"It took a while," Rondo said, "but we're peaking at the right time."

"We did a good job of holding their runs to a minimum," Pierce said.

LeBron James had 36 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Miami.

"That's a tough loss and none of us were expecting that," coach Erik Spoelstra said with the Heat in a 5-5 stretch. "We're being made to feel uncomfortable right now.''

The Celtics also beat Miami 91-72 in Boston on April 1.

wizardS topple magic: Kevin Seraphin took advantage of Dwight Howard's absence with career highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds to lead the host Wizards to a 93-85 victory over the Magic. Howard missed his second straight game due to back spasms, and fourth in Orlando's six April games. Coach Stan Van Gundy said he liked the effort, but "we looked very, very slow.''

kobe out tonight: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will sit out a third consecutive game tonight against the Spurs because of a sore left shin. He is improving, but missed practice Tuesday.

Celtics 115, Heat 107

BOSTON (115): Pierce 8-16 8-10 27, Bass 4-8 4-4 12, Garnett 11-14 2-2 24, Rondo 6-11 5-8 18, Bradley 5-8 0-0 11, Stiemsma 4-5 0-0 8, Allen 3-7 1-1 9, Pavlovic 2-2 0-0 6. Totals 43-71 20-25 115.

MIAMI (107): James 11-23 13-14 36, Bosh 5-13 3-5 13, Turiaf 2-5 0-0 4, Chalmers 6-9 3-4 18, Wade 9-21 2-4 20, Battier 1-3 0-0 2, Jones 2-4 0-0 6, Haslem 1-3 0-0 2, Cole 0-1 0-0 0, Miller 2-5 0-0 6. Totals 39-87 21-27 107.

Boston 33 32 24 26— 115

Miami 22 35 24 26— 107

3-Point Goals—Boston 9-14 (Pierce 3-5, Pavlovic 2-2, Allen 2-4, Rondo 1-1, Bradley 1-2), Miami 8-18 (Chalmers 3-5, Miller 2-3, Jones 2-4, James 1-3, Battier 0-1, Wade 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Boston 48 (Bass 10), Miami 39 (Bosh 9). Assists—Boston 23 (Rondo 15), Miami 19 (James 7). Total Fouls—Boston 21, Miami 21. Technicals—Boston defensive three second 2, Wade. A—19,954 (19,600).

Wizards 93, Magic 85

ORLANDO (85): J.Richardson 4-16 0-0 10, Anderson 2-10 2-2 7, Davis 5-13 2-5 12, Nelson 8-19 0-0 19, Redick 6-14 1-1 15, Q.Richardson 5-8 1-2 14, Clark 0-4 0-0 0, Smith 4-8 0-0 8, Orton 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 34-93 6-10 85.

WASHINGTON (93): C.Singleton 0-4 0-0 0, Vesely 2-5 1-2 5, Seraphin 11-16 2-2 24, Wall 5-10 5-5 15, Crawford 10-18 0-0 21, Martin 5-11 0-0 12, Mason 1-4 0-0 2, J.Singleton 5-6 2-2 12, Mack 0-4 2-4 2. Totals 39-78 12-15 93.

Orlando 29 12 20 24— 85

Washington 18 23 19 33— 93

3-Point Goals—Orlando 11-35 (Q.Richardson 3-5, Nelson 3-8, Redick 2-7, J.Richardson 2-7, Anderson 1-7, Davis 0-1), Washington 3-15 (Martin 2-6, Crawford 1-5, Mack 0-1, Mason 0-1, C.Singleton 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Orlando 53 (Davis 10), Washington 52 (Seraphin 13). Assists—Orlando 16 (Nelson 7), Washington 20 (Wall 7). Total Fouls—Orlando 16, Washington 13. A—15,355 (20,278).

Mavericks 110, Kings 100

SACRAMENTO (100): Evans 7-14 1-4 16, Greene 1-4 1-2 4, Cousins 11-21 3-4 25, Thornton 7-16 0-0 16, Thomas 7-15 0-0 16, Fredette 5-13 0-0 13, Thompson 2-5 4-7 8, Williams 1-3 0-0 2, Hayes 0-1 0-0 0, Whiteside 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 41-92 9-17 100.

DALLAS (110): Marion 5-11 0-0 10, Nowitzki 4-14 6-6 15, Haywood 4-6 3-5 11, West 5-10 2-2 13, Kidd 2-5 2-4 7, Mahinmi 1-1 0-0 2, Carter 3-9 0-0 7, Terry 4-8 2-2 13, Wright 4-10 1-4 9, Beaubois 5-13 5-5 15, Yi 4-5 0-0 8, Jones 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 41-92 21-28 110.

Sacramento 27 23 27 23— 100

Dallas 25 32 26 27— 110

3-Point Goals—Sacramento 9-25 (Fredette 3-7, Thornton 2-6, Thomas 2-7, Evans 1-2, Greene 1-3), Dallas 7-14 (Terry 3-4, West 1-1, Kidd 1-2, Carter 1-3, Nowitzki 1-3, Yi 0-1). Rebounds—Sacramento 52 (Cousins 18), Dallas 65 (Marion 14). Assists—Sacramento 24 (Thomas, Evans 5), Dallas 24 (Kidd 7). A—20,241 (19,200).

Cavaliers 103, Bobcats 90

CHARLOTTE (90): Brown 2-6 1-2 5, Mullens 0-3 0-0 0, Biyombo 4-6 4-6 12, Augustin 6-14 3-3 16, Henderson 9-14 3-3 21, Maggette 1-7 2-2 4, Thomas 3-8 0-0 6, Carroll 0-2 0-0 0, Walker 9-13 0-0 20, White 3-6 0-0 6. Totals 37-79 13-16 90.

CLEVELAND (103): Gee 5-9 2-2 13, Jamison 7-19 2-4 17, Thompson 3-8 0-0 6, Sloan 2-5 0-0 4, Parker 7-11 1-1 19, Hudson 9-18 5-5 25, Samuels 0-1 2-2 2, Harris 0-0 0-0 0, Walton 1-2 0-0 3, Casspi 5-8 0-0 12, Erden 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 40-83 12-14 103.

Charlotte 22 23 26 19— 90

Cleveland 30 19 23 31— 103

3-Point Goals—Charlotte 3-11 (Walker 2-5, Augustin 1-3, Mullens 0-1, Carroll 0-1, Henderson 0-1), Cleveland 11-19 (Parker 4-6, Casspi 2-2, Hudson 2-7, Gee 1-1, Walton 1-1, Jamison 1-2). Rebounds—Charlotte 40 (Biyombo 8), Cleveland 50 (Hudson 8). Assists—Charlotte 19 (Augustin 11), Cleveland 25 (Hudson 6). Total Fouls—Charlotte 14, Cleveland 16. A—13,576 (20,562).

76ers 107, Nets 88

PHILADELPHIA (107): Iguodala 4-11 4-4 13, Brand 3-8 3-3 9, Vucevic 2-5 0-0 4, Holiday 6-12 1-1 14, Meeks 2-8 0-0 5, T.Young 8-15 3-4 19, Turner 1-4 0-0 2, L.Williams 5-8 8-8 20, Hawes 7-11 4-6 19, S.Young 0-1 0-0 0, Allen 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 39-85 23-26 107.

NEW JERSEY (88): Stevenson 1-4 0-0 3, Humphries 7-18 6-7 20, S.Williams 0-1 0-0 0, D.Williams 5-12 3-4 14, Brooks 4-11 2-2 10, Green 4-11 0-1 8, J.Williams 3-6 0-0 6, Morrow 1-8 2-2 4, Gaines 2-5 3-3 7, Petro 5-10 2-2 12, Johnson 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 34-88 18-21 88.

Philadelphia 20 32 32 23— 107

New Jersey 20 23 25 20— 88

3-Point Goals—Philadelphia 6-17 (L.Williams 2-4, Hawes 1-1, Holiday 1-2, Iguodala 1-4, Meeks 1-5, Turner 0-1), New Jersey 2-11 (D.Williams 1-3, Stevenson 1-4, Brooks 0-1, Morrow 0-1, Green 0-2). Rebounds—Philadelphia 61 (Hawes, Vucevic, T.Young, L.Williams 8), New Jersey 45 (Humphries 10). Assists—Philadelphia 22 (Iguodala 7), New Jersey 17 (D.Williams 5). Total Fouls—Philadelphia 21, New Jersey 19. A—15,376.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 10, 2012

HOUSTON — Chipper Jones came off the disabled list and began his final season with a single and a two-run homer to help the Braves get their first win of the season, 6-4 over the Astros on Tuesday night.

The nearly 40-year-old Jones didn't look a bit rusty after missing Atlanta's first four games following surgery March 26 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The switch-hitter, who plans to retire at the end of this season, singled in his first at-bat and hit a left-handed homer — the 455th of his career — in the third inning to put the Braves up 3-1.

Braves rookie Tyler Pastornicky hit his first major-league homer, a solo shot into the Crawford Boxes in leftfield to push Atlanta's lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning.

The loss spoiled a special night for the Astros, who began as the Colt .45s and celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first game by wearing throwbacks fashioned after the original uniforms.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Brewers 7, Cubs 4

CHICAGO — Alex Gonzalez hit a three-run homer in Milwaukee's five-run first inning, and the Brewers had no problem adjusting to a 40-degree evening. They sent 10 batters to the plate in the first to back Chris Narveson, who is 7-1 with a 3.52 ERA against Chicago.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Yankees 5, Orioles 4

12 innings

BALTIMORE — Raul Ibanez doubled in the tiebreaking run in the 12th as New York overcame a three-run deficit and a shaky performance by starter Freddy Garcia, who threw five wild pitches, one shy of the major-league record.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

TAMPA — After grinding all season at small Hillsborough County high school parks, it's hard for local prep players to understand the magnitude of doing the same thing in a professional stadium.

Today, a number of those players will get that chance.

Sickles will meet Steinbrenner at 4 p.m. today at George Steinbrenner Field, spring training home of the New York Yankees.

"It's a big deal for both schools," Steinbrenner athletics director Eddie Henderson said. "The kids are very excited to be playing at a venue as big as this."

Veteran Steinbrenner coach John Crumbley said he broached the idea with Yankees executive vice president Felix Lopez after watching Jesuit and Tampa Catholic play at the stadium for the past two years.

"It's a great place to play, and I asked (Lopez) if it was just the private schools that could play there," he said. "He told me that as long as it was after (the Yankees) spring training was done then something could be worked out and to give him a call."

Steinbrenner Field also serves as the home field for the Tampa Yankees, the team's Class A minor league team. The stadium's named was changed from Legends Field in 2008 two years before Steinbrenner, the longtime Yankees owner, died. The stadium holds more than 11,000 fans.

"We're very fortunate to have a stadium like this in the area," Crumbley said.

The coach said that while most of the high school-age players aren't familiar with all of Steinbrenner's accomplishments, standing in the same batter's box as Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez will resonate.

"It's hard for these young kids on the team to fully understand who George Steinbrenner was and what he meant to so many people in this community," Crumbley said, "but they are excited to have a chance to play at this great facility."

The Warriors will have the added incentive of facing neighborhood rival Sickles today. Many of the players on both teams grew up in the same youth leagues.

"We have a neat little rivalry going on" with Sickles, Crumbley said. "It should be fun."

Steinbrenner High School opened in 2009, and Crumbley — the Warriors' only coach in school history — knows plenty about Steinbrenner Field. Crumbley led Jesuit to two of his three state titles at the facility (in 1997 and 2000), including a No. 1 national ranking in 1997.

"I've coached there plenty and lost there my fair share," Crumbley said of the park that hosted the FHSAA state Final Four from 1997 to 2004. "But it will be a first for these guys."

Crumbley is hoping it won't be the last time his Warriors play in a stadium of this size. The site of this year's Final Four will be Port St. Lucie's Digital Domain Park, spring training home of the New York Mets.

"We've been practicing and getting ready for (today)," he said. "With any luck, we'll be playing at a stadium like (Steinbrenner Field) a few weeks down the road."

Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson was hit on the head by a home run during Tigers' batting practice today in Detroit and taken to a hospital.

The Rays said Hellickson was taken to Harper Hospital but do not yet have an update on his condition.

Manager Joe Maddon said he thinks Hellickson will be okay. Maddon said Hellickson was not bleeding and did not lose consciousness and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Hellickson was throwing his between -starts bullpen session before today's 1:05 p.m. game when he went down, with trainers and paramedics racing to his aid.

Bullpen coach Stan Boroski said Hellickson had just thrown a pitch. Several Tigers yelled, "Heads up!" but as soon as Hellickson turned he was hit on the left side of the head, just above the eye, and "went down."

Hellickson was able to answer the paramedics' questions with no problem.

Pitching coach Jim Hickey said Hellickson went down after being hit, not from the force of the ball. The ball struck the bill of Hellickson's cap, Hickey said, which should have deflected some of the force.

Hellickson was two pitches from the end of his session.

Hickey said there were two contributing factors to the unusual incident: 1) The Rays normally wouldn't throw bullpen sessions during batting practice but have little choice with both teams hitting before a day game, and 2) the Tigers do not put up screens to protect pitchers in the bullpen, as they do in some other stadiums.

Obviously, it's early to speculate, but Hellickson's next start is Saturday. Maddon said he'd use Wade Davis in relief today if needed, so that could mean a call-up if Hellickson can't go.

Alex Cobb pitched Tuesday and Alex Torres today, so Chris Archer could be a possibility, or Davis could be used sparingly today and then held back Thursday and Friday.

By Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

DETROIT — Jeremy Hellickson had a lot to be thankful for after a scary pregame incident in which he was hit in the head by a ball during Detroit's batting practice and taken by ambulance to a hospital for tests.

And at the top of the list was the unstylish somewhat straight bill of his cap.

"I found my new lucky hat, I know that," he said.

Hellickson was doing his between-starts throwing in the visitors bullpen beyond leftfield when a home run ball, said to be hit by former Ray Delmon Young, struck Hellickson on the side of the head and knocked him down and, briefly, out.

A series of tests, including X-rays and a CAT scan, at Harper University Hospital were negative. Pending some follow-up concussion testing today, Hellickson, who had swelling near his left eye, plans to make his next start as scheduled on Saturday in Boston. "I'll be out there," he said.

Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays would make that determination today, with the options of having Wade Davis make the start or calling up a pitcher from Triple A.

Hellickson had just thrown a pitch near the end of his session with pitching coach Jim Hickey and bullpen coach Stan Boroski when Tigers players in the outfield yelled, "Heads-up." "I was turning and I heard the thud," Boroski said. "It was that fast."

"Thank God I put my head down and had my hat on," Hellickson said. "The ball hit the cap before it got me, and I just went down. … I think it was more scary than anything, and once I realized I was fine, it was all right."

Hellickson said he blacked out for a few seconds and had "a little headache and was a little dizzy" at the time, but he watched Wednesday's game from the clubhouse and said afterward he felt fine. "I feel normal now," he said. "It just feels swollen, but there's nothing (there). It just feels like it."

There were two contributing factors to the unusual incident: First, pitchers normally don't throw bullpen sessions during batting practice, but with the string of day games it was more convenient than trying to do so before the Tigers took the field. Second, there are no screens or netting at Comerica Park, as at some other stadiums during batting practice, to shield people in the bullpen. "That would help," Hickey said.

READY TO ROLL: RHP Jeff Niemann is eager to get his season started today, the last Ray to appear in a game.

Niemann said the blister on his right middle finger is all but gone and should not be an issue today in how he grips the ball or how long he can pitch. He had a light bullpen session Monday without the protective bandage he had been wearing and said he was able to throw all his pitches without limitations.

"It's just normal," he said. "It's good, and being in the cold will actually help because I won't get sweaty that much and create the softness in the skin. So it'll be dry and everything should be okay."

MEDICAL MATTERS: CF B.J. Upton (sore lower back) went 0-for-2 with a walk for Class A Charlotte in the second game of his scheduled 10-day rehab assignment. Maddon said Upton wants to accelerate the schedule but for now it remains the same, with a projected return during the April 20-22 home series. … DH Luke Scott was out again due to a mild strain of his left hamstring.

MISCELLANY: With the win over Justin Verlander, the Rays improved to 7-7 with six no-decisions with facing reigning Cy Young Award winners. … The balk that gave Detroit a fifth-inning run was the result of miscommunication on whether a pickoff play was on (as RHP James Shields thought) or off (as 3B Evan Longoria thought). … OF/C Stephen Vogt made his first major-league start at DH. … Tony Tufano, the 72-year-old victim in Matt Bush's March 22 DUI hit-and-run case, was released from a Fort Myers hospital Wednesday, using a walker.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

USF coach Skip Holtz addressed his name being mentioned as a possible hire at Arkansas, saying he appreciates the speculation but is focused on improving the Bulls this fall.

Holtz said he got home late Tuesday night from a booster gathering in Sarasota and was greeted by his wife Jennifer, who wondered, despite him living in Fayetteville for seven years while his father Lou was head coach at Arkansas, exactly why the Razorbacks would be interested in him after a disappointing 2011 season.

"My wife, who has a way of keeping me humble, said 'Why would anybody want to hire you? You were 5-7," he said. "It puts it all in perspective. I have not talked to anybody from Arkansas. We've been through this drill. It's flattering your name is floating around, but right now we have a job to do here. We're in the middle of spring ball and I don't want any distractions with his team as we're building this thing."

Holtz said he has fond memories of his time in Fayetteville, but when asked if he would listen if Arkansas came calling about their sudden opening, he reiterated that his focus is on his current job, not his next one.

"I am not looking to leave here. I am not calling anybody. I am not trying to put my name out there. I want to be the head football coach here," he said. "I enjoy it here. I like it here. I addressed this in the offseason when some other opportunities were open. I said then I think we have a lot of things we want to get done here. We've got a great senior class coming back, and the attitude and morale of this football team is my No. 1 priority."

Holtz has been mentioned prominently as a potential candidate at Arkansas, and he said he understands why, given his ties to the school, but he said that won't likely be a factor in the actual hiring.

"That doesn't have anything to do with who they're going to hire," Holtz said. "I keep going back to what my wife told me. Just put your head in the sand, put your nose to the grindstone and get done what you have to get done here. ...I'm sure there's going to be a long line of people that are going to be looking to be the next football coach there. I'm sure they've got a lot of great candidates in mind. It's a good place, and I have some great memories there. My home is in Tampa. My wife is here. My kids are here. This is where I want to be."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Florida Gators backup DT Nick Alajajian had surgery on his right wrist on Tuesday, which Florida athletic officials said was succesful.

Alajajian is expected to wear a cast for six weeks, but is expected to return for fall camp in August.

Alajajian, from Naples, made the swtich from OL to defense this spring.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Now that Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has declined the head coaching position for Team Canada at the World Championship, Plan B will have to be quickly devised. The question is, does Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher, who already accepted a spot on the team as an assistant, get the top job?

Boucher, 40, has plenty of experience with Hockey Canada. He was an assistant to Pat Quinn at the 2009 world junior championship at which Canada won gold. He also was an assistant three times for Canada's under-18 national team, winning gold in 2008. The other assistant that would be considered is Carolina's Kirk Muller.

Boucher would seem a good choice. He is popular in Canada. His communication skills with players and the media are exceptional. And he is a motivator. Granted, the Lightning missed the playoffs this season, but for the most part the team continued to play hard, even after it was clear it was out of the postseason chase and while it worked through the emotions of having three players -- Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina and Steve Downie -- traded on three consecutive game days.

It probably doesn't hurt either that Boucher works for Steve Yzerman, the Lightning general manager who is heading Canada's program for the 2014 Olympics but is also part of the management group for the 2012 project. That said, the 2012 team is headed by general manager Kevin Lowe and his aides, Peter Chiarelli and Dave Nonis.

Coaching at the World Championship will be a good testing ground for Boucher. As Canada prepares for the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the World Championship is one way both coaches and players will be evaluated, especially as the country has slipped to fourth in the world rankings behind Russia, Finland and Sweden.

Times staff
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today announced their finalized schedule for the 2012 preseason:

Fri. Aug. 10 at Miami 7:30 p.m.

Fri. Aug. 17 TENNESSEE 7:30 p.m.

Fri. Aug. 24 NEW ENGLAND 7:30 p.m.

Wed. Aug. 29 at Washington 7:30 p.m.

All games will be televised by Ch. 10.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

DETROIT — For eight innings Wednesday afternoon against Detroit ace Justin Verlander, the Rays didn't have much of anything, just a walk and a meager fifth-inning single on their way to what looked liked a certain defeat.

But by the end of the ninth inning, they had something special, an inspiring come-from-behind 4-2 victory over the Tigers that could become a signature moment in their season of great expectations.

"We're fighters until the end, that's what we're all about," starter James Shields said. "It's really good to see those signs early in the season this year. We didn't see that last year early in the season. Now we know what kind of team we have. We're going to fight one through nine. And that's good."

Realistically, they didn't show much fight early. Verlander, last year's Cy Young and MVP award winner, was in dazzling form, with only the two baserunners marring perfection, throwing just 81 pitches to get the first 24 outs. Despite a solid outing from Shields, the Rays' 2-0 deficit seemed huge.

"It's pretty easy," third baseman Evan Longoria said, "to just kind of roll over and die in that situation."

But not these Rays, at least not this day. They started the ninth with a pinch-hit single by Jeff Keppinger — on a curveball that buckled his knees — and ended up scoring four times, sending 10 to the plate in a sequence of can-you-top-this at-bats, chasing Verlander while pinning him with his first regular-season loss since July 15, a span of 14 starts.

"That's huge. That's a big comeback," Keppinger said. "He was cruising all game. He was going to throw the complete game right there and put us away. And he ended up losing the game."

Verlander was a co-conspirator, abandoning his off-speed pitches and going to pure heat in the ninth. While the 99 and 100 mph on the stadium board were impressive, especially for the ninth inning, they weren't nearly as effective, and the resulting loss of command worked to the Rays' advantage, including a wild pitch that scored their first run.

"I lost a little bit of my consistency that I had all day," Verlander said. "It's inexcusable. This loss rests solely on my shoulders today."

Several Rays put it there.

Keppinger's hit, on a 1-and-2 pitch, was key, since it gave them hope. "If he doesn't get on right there, I think ballgame is over," manager Joe Maddon said.

An out later, Desmond Jennings was next to deliver, fighting off a 100-mph fastball with a single to right that sent Keppinger to third. "The biggest hit in that whole inning," Ben Zobrist said.

Then Carlos Peña had a key at-bat, working back from 1-and-2 to draw a walk that ended with the wild pitch. And Longoria, singling in Jennings with the tying run and ending Verlander's day.

Next? How about Elliot Johnson, coming off the bench to face lefty Daniel Schlereth, falling behind 0-and-2 and drawing a walk to load the bases. The Tigers turned to closer Jose Valverde, and that didn't work either as Zobrist singled in two more.

"Phenomenal at-bats all the way through the lineup that last inning," Zobrist said.

But a win like this, which improved the Rays to 4-1, best in franchise history, is made of more than that.

"I think there's a confidence," said Maddon, admitting his thoughts drifted to last season's Game 162 comeback. "Once you've won, then you're confident that you can win again. Once you've been there, you feel you can get back there again. Before you've ever (played) as well as we have over the last couple of years, it's hard to imagine beating Verlander in the ninth inning the way we did today. It's almost impossible to imagine that."

"I like the word heart," Zobrist said. "Because it says a lot about all those things put together — determination, perseverance, just a not-give-up attitude. … We're going to do what we can do. This team, we just seem to have a lot of heart."

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

Comeback kings

Five games into the season, the Rays have rallied in the ninth to topple two of the game's best pitchers, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and Tigers ace Justin Verlander.

FRIDAY

Down 6-5, with Rivera 60-of-61 in saves against them, they tie it on Ben Zobrist's triple then, after loading the bases, win it on Carlos Peña's one-out walkoff single.

WEDNESDAY

Down 2-0 and held to one hit, they rally for four runs, with four of five hitters reaching off Verlander (three hits and a walk) then Zobrist delivering a two-run single.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Frank Pascarella rolled a perfect game on April 1 in the Sunday Night Mixed League at Spring Hill Lanes for his first U.S. Bowling Congress career 300.

A regular at Pin Chasers East Pasco in Zephyrhills, Pascarella, 22, averaged 207 in 102 games in the K&K Glass League at the center. His perfect game came in the second game between scores of 210 and 225 for a 735 series.

DUNES WOMEN'S LEAGUE: The Dunes Women's League had two major events over the past couple months. The league's version of the Ryder Cup was played over two days in February, and the annual club championship took place in March.

In the Ryder Cup competition, two teams of 20 golfers participated in nine holes of alternate shots, nine holes of best ball and 18 holes of singles matches.

The Red Team, captained by Joy Figueredo, played well, but it was the Blue Team, led by Louise Bury, that finished with the win. Members of the Blue Team were: Carol Allivato, Rita Ames, Eileen Ball, Eleanor Begraft, Neil Craine, Jane Elliott, Diane Flagg (Day 1 only), Valeria Harris, Kathy Howell, Elsie King, Jackie Mari, Rosalie Newsome, Doris Pearce, Karen Pilon (Day 2 only), Colleen Seabrook, Sue Smith, Kathy Staber, Karen Stacy, Marge Williams and Carol Van Den Berg.

The annual club championship was played using the best two games out of three. Barbara Breesmen was named the club champion, and there also were low gross and net winners in four flights.

Louise Bury won low gross in Flight 1, with Nancy Duckworth the low net winner. Karen Stacy won low gross in Flight 2, while Nancy Stewart took low net. Jackie MacDonald had the low gross score in Flight 3, with Sue Um the low net winner. Sylvia Butler won the low gross title in Flight 4, with Ruth Smith topping the low net standings.

JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE GOLF: The Junior Service League will host a golf tournament April 21 at the Dunes Golf Club, north of Weeki Wachee, to benefit Hernando County women and children.

There will be a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The format is a four-person scramble. Entry fees are $75 per person, $300 per team of four, or $350 for a team and hole sponsorship. Entry fees include golf, lunch after play and prizes.

For information, call (352) 596-7888 or email turnermelissa 0322@yahoo.com.

REALTORS GOLF TOURNAMENT: The WCR Realtor Golf Tournament will take place Saturday at Brookridge Country Club.

The event starts with sign-in at 8 a.m.; tee-off is at 9. The registration fee is $40 and includes golf, lunch and chances to win prizes on special holes. Hole sponsorships are available.

For information, email Barbara Hahn at a1barbara@yahoo.com or call (352) 596-1492.

QUICK START TENNIS: Ace Performance Tennis is holding Quick Start drills from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Delta Woods Park in Spring Hill.

The cost is $10 per player per week. Games are designed for beginners using the U.S. Tennis Association-approved strategies for players on 60-foot courts.

Ace Performance Tennis also is offering Ladies Night Out from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays at Delta Woods Park. The cost is $10. Women of beginning and intermediate skill levels will learn to play in a fun social setting.

For information, call John or Louise Downey at (352) 666-0658 or visit louisedowney .usptapro.com.

FIRST TEE SUMMER PROGRAM: The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department will begin a First Tee golf program starting the week of June 11 at the Quarry Golf Course in Brooksville.

First Tee focuses on golf and life skills instruction. The juniors program strives to instill in participants the organization's nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

The cost is $60 per child per week, with ages 9 to 17 eligible. Classes will run from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Students are encouraged to bring a bottle of water with them.

Donations are welcome, including youth golf clubs, bags and balls. For information, contact Miles Groff at (352) 540-3835 or mgroff@cityofbrooksville.us.

SOUTHERN HILLS 5K: The Red Mule Runners Club will have its fifth annual Run Through the Hills Southern Hills 5K on April 21 at Southern Hills Country Club in Brooksville.

The 5K run will begin at 8 a.m., while a 1-mile run will start at 8:45. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. Entry fees are $20 for the 5K and $10 for the 1-mile run. A $5 fee will be added for those who sign up the day of the race. T-shirts are guaranteed for everyone who preregisters.

Register online at raceit.com or visit redmulerunners.com for race information. All proceeds will benefit the Red Mule Runners Scholarship Fund and the Monique Burr Foundation for Children.

For information, call Chuck Boldt at (352) 688-6484.

HYL FOOTBALL: Registration for the Hernando Youth League football season will be May 5, 12 and 19 and June 9 at Ernie Wever Youth Park in Brooksville.

Officials will be on hand from 9 a.m. to noon each day registering players. The cost is $128 per player, which includes a $3 county park usage fee. Payment may be made with cash, money order, debit card or credit card. All players must be present at registration so they can be fitted for equipment.

Space is limited, so participants are urged to sign up early. For forms and information, visit leaguelineup.com/hylfootball.

For other information, call (352) 346-0000.

Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Dale Douglass knows he wasn't the one most Tampa Bay golf fans came to see when the Senior Tour first hit town in February 1988.

The tour, established eight years earlier, was still getting its footing. And the GTE Classic was being played on a course that opened only a few months earlier, Tampa Palms Country Club.

Fans were not only getting their first look at the course, but they were clamoring to get a glimpse of legends such as Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Raymond Floyd, Al Geiberger and Billy Casper.

Dale Douglass? Not so much.

Douglass was a grinder on the PGA Tour. He won three times, the last at the 1970 Phoenix Open. He was coming off a winless 1987 Senior Tour season in which he finished second six times.

That second week of February 1988 changed Douglass and the local golf scene. He got off to a hot start and had a four-shot lead heading into the final round.

Despite a closing 74, Douglass held off Orville Moody by two shots and Player by three to win the inaugural event.

"Hard to believe that much time has gone by," Douglass, 76, said.

Douglass never won again in Tampa. The Senior Tour never left.

The tournament remained at Tampa Palms until 1992, when it moved to the sleeker, brand new TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz. It has boasted champions such as Jack Nicklaus, Larry Nelson, Hale Irwin, Jerry Pate and Tom Watson.

But Douglass will always be the first.

The tournament begins its 25th year in Tampa Bay on Friday. Through the years, it has shifted courses, changed to a pro-am format, moved to April and, once again this year, changed title sponsors.

When they were called seniors

The tour changed its name to the Champions Tour effective the 2003 season. But in 1988, it was the Senior Tour.

Each year, the tour added tournaments. What started as a way for pros 50 and older to have fun and compete against each other turned into a way to keep playing golf for a living.

"Our sport is the only one where you can have senior players and it's still interesting," Douglass said. "You can actually sell tickets to it. Just about all of the players are well known by golf fans. You can turn on the TV and know who those guys are.

"That's not really the case on the PGA Tour. There are so many wonderful players out (on the PGA Tour) that it's hard to stay on top."

Combined, nearly 60,000 people attended the five days of the GTE Classic in 1988. They got to see players from their past — even if their games weren't in top shape.

Douglass' game was in shape. He opened with 5-under 67, then backed that up with 69 on Saturday. That afforded him some breathing room as players charged on Sunday.

"Somebody asked me who I beat, and I said, 'I beat them all,' " Douglass said. "I wasn't aware of who was behind me that day. I knew that Arnold (Palmer) and Gary (Player) were playing very well.

"It was a fun week for me. Winning at Tampa Palms kind of released me and allowed me to go win some more."

Douglass earned $45,000 for the victory. This year's winner will pocket $240,000.

Douglass won 11 times on the Senior/Champions Tour. His last appearance in Tampa was the 2007 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am, where he finished 73rd at 26 over.

Then and now

None of the players from that 1988 tournament are in the 2012 field. A new wave of former PGA players has taken the torch.

This is the 20th consecutive year the tournament has been played at TPC Tampa Bay, the longest span on the same course for a Champions Tour event. However, the streak could end if tournament officials don't find a title sponsor for next year's event by the fall of this year.

Douglass stopped playing full time on tour after the 2007 season. He lives in Phoenix and still plays about two to three times a week.

All totaled, he played in nearly 1,100 pro tournaments and won more than $7 million on the Champions Tour alone. He said he keeps up with the tour on television and likes watching the events he once won.

He also likes what the tour has become.

"You have more quality players now than when it started," Douglass said. "When it started in 1980, you had some guys who hadn't played tournament golf in 10 years or so. Now I think everybody has in their plans to go right onto the Champions Tour.

"Mentally, the games don't deteriorate because they have a plan to play when they are 50."

Rodney Page can be reached at page@tampabay.com.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

I no longer believe in apologies. If that offends you, as athletes often say, I'm sorry.

I no longer believe in the tear in the eye or the slump of the shoulders or the quiver in the voice. I do not believe in the fiction of a rehearsed repentance while the cameras are rolling. I do not believe in pardons simply because an athlete recites what his scriptwriters wrote in order to salvage his reputation, his career or his current employment.

Instead, I believe in what a person does.

Also, I believe in the science of "what he said the first time."

They run together, all these never-ending apologies in the aftermath of never-ending stupidity. They repeat the same phrases in the same practiced sorrow, and they all sound alike, and they all sound hollow, and they all sound insincere. Listen to enough of them and it will leave you hard-hearted, and it will leave you cold-blooded, and it will leave you deaf in case a legitimate apology comes along. As if that will ever happen.

So, no, I do not believe Ozzie Guillen is sorry about anything except the heat on his backside.

And, no, I do not believe that Bobby Petrino is sorry about anything except his sudden unemployment.

I don't believe Tiger Woods is sorry for throwing a tantrum, and I don't believe Sean Payton is sorry for the Saints' bounty program, and I don't believe the Bulls' Joakim Noah really felt bad about what he said to a referee recently. I don't believe in the recent apologies by either Ryan Leaf or the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It is all blather. These days an apology is not about regret. It's about an athlete or a coach or a team trying to hit reset in the days following a seismic brain cramp. Mostly it's about not getting fired or suspended or castigated.

For instance, wouldn't you have a greater appreciation of Guillen if, instead of trying to act as if his words had been a victim of a bad translation, he had sat down and said this:

"Good morning. I'm Ozzie. I said a very stupid thing at a very stupid time. It's no excuse, but I tend to do that. The problem here wasn't about language. It was about history. I had no idea of how many lives Castro has ruined or the depth of the passion that Cuban-Americans have because of it. From now on, I pledge to just shut up when someone asks me questions that are over my head. In the meantime, I am very, very lucky to get off with a five-game suspension. Thank you for not firing me. Yet.''

Then there is Petrino, who everyone knew wasn't a good guy when he arrived on campus at Arkansas. He got caught with a mistress on a motorbike. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think they were on their way to church.

Here's what Petrino should have said:

"Hi there. I'm a middle-aged man with a motorcycle and, as you all know, a complete lack of morals. She is pretty, and I am a pig, and frankly, I think you should applaud my recruiting skills. Now I have to go home and get really punished by my wife. I'll leave through the back door, and you can say hello to your new coach, former Sen. Gary Hart. Thank you.''

In other words, give us a little truth, okay? As far as changing minds go, it will do as much as one of these apology tours.

In recent years, there have been so many. Mike Tyson has apologized for biting, and Bill Romanowski has apologized for spitting, and Marion Jones has apologized for juicing. Pete Rose apologized for gambling once he could find a profit in it, and Serena Williams apologized for both times she verbally abused a referee, and Kobe Bryant apologized for cheating on his wife, although the rest of his statement was kind of muddled about what was consensual and what was not. Gilbert Arenas apologized for bringing guns into the locker room, Fuzzy Zoeller apologized for insensitivity, and Woods worked in an apology for chasing women while chastising the media for chasing him.

On it goes. Alex Rodriguez. Rafael Palmeiro. Randy Moss. Bill Belichick. Andy Pettitte. Ben Roethlisberger. Ben & Jerry's.

Let me ask you this: Did any of them apologize before they were caught? No, they did not. There wasn't a lot of guilt or shame. Many of them suggested they were sorry "if I offended anyone.'' Well, of course you did. You were offensive. I suspect that if he hadn't been caught, Petrino would be headed somewhere right now on his motorcycle, and he wouldn't be alone.

The amusing part of this is that no one else believes in these apologies, either. Not the fans and not the media and not the athletes themselves. It's all a big show. Disgraced athletes may be sorry they are in the headlines, and they're sorry they may lose their jobs, and they're sorry about the size of a possible divorce settlement. Anything else is just crisis management. Anything else is just a plea for an eraser.

Sorry? That's a word to describe the current state of a disgraced athlete's image. Nothing more.

By David Rice, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

NEW PORT RICHEY — Cody Lane has spent his life behind a steering wheel preparing himself for the opportunities that currently lay ahead.

The 16-year-old Fivay High School student has been crowned with Rookie of the Year awards, pushing himself to the limit while balancing a steady dose of good grades and extracurricular activities at times. But Cody, a Missouri native whose family moved to New Port Richey to care for his grandmother, always feels at his best behind the wheel.

"I think I'm a natural driver because when I get in the car I just know what to do," Cody said. "I'm in my zone there. It's been that way since a young age. I still have a lot to learn but that's why I watch the other drivers closely and just try to learn as much as I can while I'm out there. I would like to race NASCAR one day, but my real goal is to do the Indy Racing League where it's road courses."

His father, Kevin Lane, is the mechanic, pit chief, financier and coach. They are a two-man racing duo the whole way, sharing the sport that they love and getting Cody ready to move on to the next level.

"We started him out at 4 years old," Kevin Lane said. "We moved him up steadily from go karts to the NASCAR Bandolero series and on to late model stuff around the age of 14. Now he's in a super late model car and he's competing against the big boys. That's the money game and that's always pitted us against the odds. Just competing is a big deal."

Cody currently races in the super late model class calling Citrus County Speedway his home. That will soon change, when Showtime Speedway in Pinellas County opens at the end of the month, providing Lane with a series of races to be a part of and a chance to regularly show off his skill.

The biggest challenge for the teenager and his family is funding. With new tires running around $600 each week and regular car maintenance needed, the elder Lane has splashed the cash to keep his son on the track.

"To go buy one of these custom-built motors is about $32,000," Lane said. "The chassis is $22,000 and these guys we're racing against are changing the tires every week where we have to change them less often and rely more on our set up. We're racing about $10,000 worth of equipment between the car and everything while they're running $80,000 worth. It's a big money game, which makes it tough for us."

Inevitably, the Lanes have to make sacrifices on the track other than just the quality of the car. Cody Lane has adapted to racing on used tires and in the process has become one of the smoothest drivers on the track.

Off the track, the sport takes its toll on the family as it is a 24/7 hobby on top of the father's upholstery shop.

"He's just an incredibly smooth driver, which helps us keep the tires going longer," Lane said. "We go seven days a week at keeping the equipment kept up and working on getting the finances right. We ran hard last year and it really takes it toll on your parts and equipment as well as us. I don't get much sleep these days between getting him to school, opening the shop and everything else."

The father and son against the racing world story could potentially lead to them becoming reality television stars after being filmed by local aspiring producer James Sherry for a project called Blue Collar Racing. Sherry is trying to get the show aired on a major network after filming the Lane family for a year.

"I've learned a lot this last year about the racing world from watching them and following them around," Sherry said. "The kid can tear apart the entire car and put it back together by memory, it's really impressive. On the track, he is a very good racer for the budget constraints that the family has to deal with.

"The show is basically chronicling what they go through, from Cody's dual life as a driver and a student to Kevin's work with him and what the family has to go through to make it all happen."

By Larry Blue, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

What's hot: For more than a month, there have been schools of king and Spanish mackerel offshore. Every year, the mackerel migrate here to feed on the abundance of baitfish. And every year, there is the certainty of sharks following right behind. The vicious cycle of smaller fish being eaten by bigger fish makes saltwater fishing so exciting. Sharks are the top predator. They are known to seize any chance to take a meal when presented. But sharks sometimes can be finicky eaters while at others have voracious appetites.

Technique: Tossing out any old stinky bait isn't going to make sharks bite. One of the best baits is a freshly caught mackerel or, better still, a bonita. Recently, we hooked seven 350-pound blacktip spinner sharks, though only three were brought to boatside. The blacktip spinner is one of the hardest-fighting, fastest-running and most difficult to land of all sharks. When the spinner shark hits, it jumps like a tarpon and spirals like a corkscrew in midair. Most often, the leader is ripped to shreds due to it wrapping around the shark's fins as it goes airborne. There is almost no way to avoid the end result of broken leaders. Just getting one to strike is more than worth it. If you see them in action, I'm sure you'll agree.

Larry Blue charters the Niki Joe from Madeira Beach Marina. Call (727) 871-1058 or visit CaptainLarryBlue.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Times wires
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Reds 4, Cardinals 3

CINCINNATI — Joey Votto tied a career best with four hits and scored the go-ahead run on pinch-hitter Chris Heisey's ninth-inning single, capping Cincinnati's comeback from a three-run deficit. The Reds avoided a three-game sweep by the defending World Series champions, who were 1-5 in Cincinnati last season.