Times wires
Sunday, April 22, 2012

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Ben Curtis won the Texas Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title since 2006, holding off Matt Every and John Huh in a tense back-nine finish for a two-stroke victory.

Curtis birdied the par-5 18th for par 72 and a total of 9-under 279. It was a redeeming, emotional win for the 2003 British Open winner, whose long slump relegated him to a tour status so low that the victory came in only the fourth event he got into this year.

Curtis calmly hugged his caddie after coolly sinking the clinching 12-footer but fought back tears moments later while being interviewed.

"It's been a tough couple years just fighting through it," Curtis said softly and haltingly, after pausing for a few seconds to compose himself.

Curtis, 34, whose last win was at the now-extinct 84 Lumber Classic, wasn't close to the tour record for time between wins. Robert Gamez went 15 years, six months, from the Nestle Invitational on March 25, 1900, to the Texas Open on Sept. 30, 2005.

Curtis won $1.116 million and a two-year tour exemption.

"You think you're just staying positive and not worried about it, but I think deep down, you realize all the hard work you put in that, you know, finally paid off," said Curtis, who led after the third round.

Huh roared back with 69, but the Mayakoba Classic winner fell just short of completing what would have been an impressive comeback.

Huh nearly withdrew Thursday when he plunged to 5 over through his first three holes and finished with 77. But he rebounded with rounds of 68 and 67.

Four blown putts from 9 feet or closer, including a 6-footer for birdie, kept Every (71) a stroke back until Curtis birdied No. 18.

It was nonetheless a validating week for the 28-year-old former Gator from Daytona Beach, whose only name recognition in three winless years on tour is mainly from a misdemeanor marijuana arrest as a rookie in 2010, which earned him a tour suspension.

"A little bummed out," Every said of his finish. "Kind of a pillow fight there for a while between the three of us."

Curtis wasn't the only emotional player on No. 18. Scott Piercy walked to the final hole tied for fourth at 5 under but walked off snapping his putter in half with two furious strikes over his knee. That was after the tour journeyman quadruple bogeyed, finishing the round at par and eight back.

Champions: David Frost and Michael Allen shot a better-ball 10-under 62 for 29-under 187 and a one-stroke win over John Cook and Joey Sindelar in the Legends of Golf at Savannah, Ga. Three teams tied for third at 27 under: Andy Bean and Chien Soon Lu (62), Jeff Sluman and Brad Faxon (63), and Tom Purtzer and Brad Bryant (64). Allen won the 2009 Senior PGA Championship, then went winless in 40 consecutive events until winning the Encompass Insurance Pro-Am at TPC Tampa Bay last week. "I've never won two real tournaments in a row in my life," he said. "Now I know my kids will jump all over me and tell me how great I am."

Times wires
Sunday, April 22, 2012

SAKHIR, Bahrain — Bahrain got the incident-free Formula One race it wanted Sunday, and Sebastian Vettel got the result he needed to help his bid for a third straight championship title.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was held without a hitch as Vettel completed a wire-to-wire victory in a race that was unaffected by ongoing anti-government protests that escalated last week.

Vettel, who has struggled with the pace of his Red Bull car at the start of the season, held off charging Kimi Raikkonen to secure his first victory of the year in an event that was relatively free of on-track problems as well.

"It was an incredible race," Vettel said. "We had a very good start, which was crucial."

With layers of security checkpoints around the Bahrain International Circuit, there was no sign of protesters near the track during the 95-minute race, though smoke from burning tires several kilometers away drifted over the circuit at one point.

"The excitement and quality of the racing is a fitting conclusion to another enthralling weekend of racing," Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed Al Zayani said. "There are very few countries that can claim that almost 10 percent of its population attends its Grand Prix. Given these facts and the incredible atmosphere at the track, there can be no doubt in my mind of what Bahrain thinks about F1."

Demonstrators had threatened to march on the circuit. Heavy security kept protesters away, some more than 12 miles.

Times wires
Sunday, April 22, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The sun shined brightly on Denny Hamlin at Kansas Speedway.

At the most opportune of times, too.

Hamlin's car hooked up after the final pit stop Sunday, just as the sun broke through on an overcast afternoon, and he powered by Martin Truex for the lead in the STP 400. Hamlin then held off a late charge by Truex for his second win this season.

"Whether it was coincidence or not," Hamlin said, "our car definitely felt better when the sun came out. I felt the car lost a lot of grip, but I guess a lot of guys did."

It was Hamlin's first win at Kansas and gave his Joe Gibbs Racing team momentum heading to Richmond, where the Virginia driver has won twice in 12 starts.

"I felt all day I was behind the 56 and his car looked so superior to the whole field, and we just needed some kind of change — the weather, an adjustment — to make something happen," Hamlin said, smiling. "And we got both of them."

Jimmie Johnson was third for Hendrick Motorsports, which has failed in 14 tries to win the team's milestone 200th race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne also finished in the top 10.

"I was just watching from the third spot, hoping those guys would give me an opportunity," Johnson said. "I just wish I was closer to those guys to race for it."

Hamlin's best finish at Kansas had been third last year, and for most of Sunday's he was content to ride around during long green-flag runs out of the spotlight. His car kept getting better with each stop, and his Toyota finally took off at the end.

"They didn't panic," team owner J.D. Gibbs said. "They paced themselves, and I'm glad the sun stayed out a little at the end."

Truex dominated most of the afternoon, leading a race-high 173 laps, but he had to settle for second. It was his third top-five finish of the season, but he has yet to win in 175 races.

Truex said his final set of tires cost him. He was the loosest he'd been all race, and that allowed Hamlin to charge into the lead. Truex rallied within a car length with two laps to go, but he couldn't make a move on the bottom side stick.

Hamlin won this year at Phoenix, started on the pole at California, and led 31 laps at Martinsville before finishing sixth. He was 12th last week at Texas.

"We felt a lot like Phoenix in the sense we just hung around the top five all day, and at the end we just kind of make our charge, make our run," Hamlin said. "There were a couple things that had to happen the last run for us to work out, and those things happened."

Matt Kenseth finished fourth despite having a wild afternoon trying to get into the pits, often sliding across the commitment line. Greg Biffle was fifth.

"It was a tough day," Biffle said. "We were back and forth all day, and we were off just a bit."

Kevin Harvick was sixth, followed by Earnhardt and Kahne, giving Hendrick Motorsports at least three cars in the top 10 for the second straight week.

The 14-race drought for Hendrick is its longest since going 15 races without a win during the 2002 and '03 seasons.

"Everybody here needs a win for one reason or another," Earnhardt said. "Make your car faster, then the wins eventually take care of themselves."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 22, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays LHP Jake McGee knows his job is to get some of the toughest left-handed hitters out.

And though McGee has struggled this season against lefties, who entered Sunday 4-for-8 against him, manager Joe Maddon trusted the hard-throwing reliever with one of the biggest outs in the Rays' 6-2 win over the Twins.

With the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning, Maddon pulled RHP Jeff Niemann and brought in McGee to face Twins left-handed slugger Justin Morneau.

McGee responded by striking out Morneau swinging on a slider, which C Chris Gimenez said was the best one McGee has thrown all year.

"I felt really good," McGee said. "It was a good confidence boost."

Maddon said despite McGee's previous struggles there was no question who would get the ball.

"You've got to keep putting the guy out there. You can't walk away from that moment because he hasn't had success to this point," Maddon said. "That's his job. That's what he's supposed to do.

"So even though he's had a little bit of a problem, or it's not been successful to this point, he will be. That's what Jake is capable of doing, and he's going to do it a lot more often for us."

Gimenez said he liked how McGee, who has been working on his slider to add to his mid-90s fastball, trusted the pitch on a 2-and-2 count in a key situation.

"It's starting to really come around for him," Gimenez said. "He's starting to get confidence in that, and for him, that's going to be a big thing."

LONG GONE: 3B Evan Longoria thought he might have missed out on a homer in a strange play in the fourth. For the first Rays hit of the game, Longoria hit a towering fly ball to leftfield that Maddon said appeared destined for the seats. But it hit the B-ring catwalk, which is in play, and the ball bounced into shallow left-center. Longoria slid in for a double but asked umpires to check if the hit had been a home run. If a fair ball hits the C- or D-ring, it is ruled a home run.

"I thought I hit it good enough for it to be a home run, anyway," Longoria said. "I guess the good thing is it didn't get caught. If it gets caught, I get … everything taken away. That's the Trop for you."

It was the first time this season a ball hit a catwalk in play.

POWER TIME: Maddon said though LF Desmond Jennings initially surprised him with his power last year, when he racked up 10 homers in 63 games as a rookie, it's part of the leadoff hitter's game.

Jennings hit his second homer in four games Sunday, after totaling two in his previous 41, and he has hit safely in seven of his past eight games.

"When he hits them, he hits them really well," Maddon said. "Desmond is heating up nicely, working good at-bats."

LEANING LEFT: Though OF Matt Joyce has been hot at the plate, hitting safely in eight of his past nine games (.375), he was on the bench Sunday, when the Twins started LHP Francisco Liriano.

Maddon said a key part of keeping Joyce successful offensively is putting him in the lineup with the right matchups. He has hit .353 against righties, .222 (4-for-18) against lefties. Maddon believes Joyce could get on a strong streak, like last year when he led the league in hitting as late as June 2.

"I don't see why it can't happen if we keep putting him on the right guys," Maddon said. "There's certain lefties I might play him against, but to this point he's done a nice job, and he can get hot like that."

MISCELLANY: Elliot Johnson made a rare start, his first in the past 11 games, at second base, going 0-for-2, getting hit by a pitch and stealing a base. … The Rays have loaded the bases in each of their past five games and have gone 4-for-8 with one walk in that span.

Times wires
Sunday, April 22, 2012

Soccer

Player calls recovery 'more than a miracle'

LONDON — English Premier League player Fabrice Muamba calls his recovery "more than a miracle" in his first interview since going into cardiac arrest during a match. He doesn't know if he will play again.

The Bolton midfielder's heart stopped beating during last month's FA Cup match at Tottenham. Muamba, 24, was able to walk out of the hospital April 16 and return home.

"For 78 minutes I was dead and, even if I lived, was expected to have suffered brain damage," Muamba told Sunday's Sun news­paper. "Someone up there was watching over me."

Muamba collapsed 41 minutes into the match, and his heart stopped beating on its own for 78 minutes while doctors worked to resuscitate him.

"I felt very slightly dizzy. It wasn't normal dizziness. It was a kind of surreal feeling, like I was running along inside someone else's body," Muamba said. "I had no pain whatsoever, no clutching at my chest or tightness like you see when people have heart attacks in movies. Just an odd feeling that's impossible to explain. … It was almost like a dream."

English premier league: Manchester City relegated Wolverhampton and moved within three points of leader Manchester United with a 2-0 win. United — owned by the Glazers, who own the Bucs — tied Everton 4-4.

Tennis

Nadal triumphs over Djokovic

Rafael Nadal finally beat Novak Djokovic in a final, thrashing the top-ranked Serb 6-3, 6-1 to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the eighth consecutive year and end a run of seven straight defeats to his rival in title matches.

Nadal broke Djokovic's serve five times on clay as he won his first title since last year's French Open.

"Winning against Novak in (the) final after losing a few ones is important for me," Nadal said. "My level of tennis was high during the last four matches."

Djokovic, whose grandfather died Thursday, said he felt emotionally drained and was unable to summon the mental strength he needed to dig deep against Nadal.

Fed cup: Serena Williams defeated Lesia Tsurenko 6-3, 6-2 to send the United States back into the World Group by clinching a series victory over host Ukraine at Kharkiv. Williams made her first Fed Cup appearance in another country in more than a decade to become eligible for the U.S. team at this summer's Olympics.

Et cetera

Fishing: Team Sandman won the Key West World Sailfish Championship, earning $316,917 in the weather-shortened event. Team Sandman caught and released 34 sailfish. The Advanced Roofing team also released 34 but placed second based on time of the final release.

Beach volleyball: Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, the 2008 Olympic champions, defeated Matt Fuerbringer and Nick Lucena 21-17, 21-18 in an all-American final in the season-opening World Tour event at Brasilia, Brazil.

Sailing: American boat Puma took a slim lead as the Volvo Ocean Race fleet left Itajai, Brazil, for Miami on the 4,800-nautical-mile sixth leg of the nine-stage event. U.S. skipper Ken Read was just ahead of overall leader Telefonica of Spain.

Wrestling: Henry Cejudo, 25, the only American to win freestyle gold at the 2008 Olympics, retired after his comeback bid ended with a loss in the 121-pound semifinals at the Olympic trials at Iowa City, Iowa.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, April 22, 2012

VANCOUVER — Jarret Stoll scored 4:27 into overtime to give the Kings a 2-1 victory over the Canucks and a 4-1 series win in their Western Conference quarterfinal Sunday night.

Stoll, skating onto a loose puck after Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis was wiped out coming out of his zone, skated in on a 2-on-1 and snapped a wrist shot over the blocker of Cory Schneider.

Los Angeles faces the Blues in the West semifinals.

It was the first series win since 2001 for the Kings, who became the 10th eight seed to eliminate a No. 1 since the league went to its current playoff format in 1994. Los Angeles is the sixth No. 8 seed to beat the team that had the league's best record.

"Coming in with a lot of people probably not giving us much of a chance, it feels good," Kings captain Dustin Brown said. "And we'll enjoy the plane ride (home) and then refocus."

Coming off a trip to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final last season and a second straight Presidents' Trophy as the top regular-season team, the Canucks were knocked out in the opening round for the first time since 2004.

"You've got to give credit to the Kings," Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault said. "They played a great series. They were a real tough opponent. They made strong plays on the ice. At the end of the day, they deserved to win."

Vancouver's Henrik Sedin scored on a power play with 5:56 left in the first period for a 1-0 lead. Brad Richardson, playing his second game after an appendectomy on the eve of the playoffs, tied it 3:21 into the third.

Flyers take out Pens

PHILADELPHIA — Claude Giroux flattened Sidney Crosby five seconds into the game, buried his sixth goal of the series past Marc-Andre Fleury 27 seconds later and led a Flyers charge into the East semifinals with a 5-1 series-clinching Game 6 win against the Penguins.

"When the best player in the world comes up to you and says, 'I don't know who you're starting tonight, but I want that first shift,' that tells you everything you need to know about Claude Giroux," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said of Giroux, who also had two assists.

In a series where no lead was safe, the Flyers scored the first three goals and made them stand behind stout defense (40 blocked shots) and stellar play from goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, who made 30 saves.

The Penguins seemed to have pulled their game together after awful efforts in the first three games put them in a 3-0 hole in the series. But they regressed in Game 6.

"We needed to play perfect hockey to stay in this series, to win this series, and we didn't get the kind of start we needed (Sunday)," Crosby said. "We felt like we could get it back to Pittsburgh (for Game 7), and now we have some time to think about why we didn't."

Bryzgalov, who allowed 20 goals in the first five games, gave up only Evgeni Malkin's power-play goal in the second period. "He was our best player on the ice," Giroux said.

Bruins force Game 7

WASHINGTON — Tyler Seguin scored his first goal of the playoffs at 3:17 of overtime to give the Bruins a 4-3 win over the Capitals and force Game 7 in the East series.

"This series I've had a lot of chances and opportunities, and I haven't been finishing them off," said Seguin, who led the Bruins in the regular season with 29 goals and 67 points. "It's just really nice to get that feeling of finding the back of the net."

The Capitals rallied three times to tie the score, the last time off a faceoff in the Boston zone that led to Alex Ovechkin ripping a shot that skidded between goalie Tim Thomas' legs with 4:52 left in regulation.

The first six games of the series have been decided by one goal, three in overtime.

"The most important thing now is to be ready to play (in Boston on Wednesday)," Washington forward Mike Knuble said. "Guys are not happy. We had a chance to finish it off, but … we get another chance to win one game on the road."

First Period—1, Vancouver, H.Sedin 2 (D.Sedin, Hamhuis), 14:04 (pp). Penalties—Hamhuis, Van (roughing), 1:28; H.Sedin, Van (hooking), 4:08; Doughty, LA (holding), 9:10; Richardson, LA (roughing), 12:24.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Scuderi, LA (cross-checking), 4:47; King, LA (tripping), 7:04.

Third Period—2, Los Angeles, Richardson 1 (Doughty), 3:21. Penalties—H.Sedin, Van (hooking), :30. First Overtime—3, Los Angeles, Stoll 2 (Lewis), 4:27. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—Los Angeles 8-10-13-6—37. Vancouver 6-10-9-2—27. Power-play opportunities—Los Angeles 0 of 3; Vancouver 1 of 4. Goalies—Los Angeles, Quick 4-1-0 (27 shots-26 saves). Vancouver, C.Schneider 1-2-0 (37-35).

First Period—1, Phila, Giroux 6, :32. 2, Phila, Hartnell 2 (Giroux, Voracek), 13:01 (pp). Penalties—Briere, Phi (high-sticking), 2:08; Cooke, Pit (interference), 12:39; Despres, Pit (tripping), 16:15.

Second Period—3, Phila, Gustafsson 1 (Coburn, Giroux), 5:25. 4, Pitts, Malkin 3, 8:34 (pp). 5, Phila, Briere 5 (Voracek, Carle), 9:08. Penalties—Timonen, Phi (hooking), 6:57; Hartnell, Phi (tripping), 10:07.

Third Period—6, Phila, Schenn 2, 19:52 (en). Penalties—Niskanen, Pit (slashing), 1:45; Coburn, Phi (hooking), 8:06; Gustafsson, Phi (delay of game), 16:45. Shots on Goal—Pitts 9-10-12—31. Phila 10-10-3—23. Power-play opportunities—Pitts 1 of 5; Phila 1 of 3. Goalies—Pitts, Fleury 2-4-0 (22 shots-18 saves). Phila, Bryzgalov 4-2-0 (31-30).

First Period—1, Boston, Peverley 3 (Ference, Bergeron), 5:56. 2, Wash, Green 1 (Ward, Hamrlik), 9:47. 3, Boston, Krejci 1 (Lucic, Peverley), 16:48 (pp). Penalties—Bergeron, Bos (tripping), 10:01; Chimera, Was (hooking), 12:54; Semin, Was (hooking), 16:02; Kelly, Bos (holding stick), 17:18.

Second Period—4, Wash, Chimera 1 (Backstrom, Hamrlik), 19:18. Penalties—Ovechkin, Was, double minor (high-sticking), 1:57; Bergeron, Bos (high-sticking), 15:44; Pouliot, Bos (slashing), 19:22; Brouwer, Was (roughing), 19:22; Hendricks, Was (tripping), 19:39.

Third Period—5, Boston, Ference 1 (Seguin), 11:57. 6, Wash, Ovechkin 2 (Backstrom), 15:08. Penalties—Pouliot, Bos (roughing), 8:50. First Overtime—7, Boston, Seguin 1 (Lucic, Krejci), 3:17. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—Boston 11-5-12-3—31. Wash 10-15-13-1—39. Power-play opportunities—Boston 1 of 5; Wash 0 of 4. Goalies—Boston, Thomas 3-3-0 (39 shots-36 saves). Wash, Holtby 3-3-0 (31-27).

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012

PUNTA GORDA — Rays minor league pitcher Matt Bush broke down in tears Monday during limited testimony in a bail reduction hearing, which will be continued Thursday in Punta Gorda.

"I have no desire, will or want, to drink again," Bush told the court.

Bush, held in Charlotte County Jail on $1.015 million bail, was arrested March 22 when police said he hit the motorcyle of 72-year-old Tony Tufano and fled the scene. Police said Bush had a blood alcohol percentage of .180, more than double the level at which Florida considers a driver impaired. Tufano was in an intensive care unit at a Fort Myers hospital for a few weeks but is now at home, though attorney Paul Sullivan said he's clearly "not the same man," using a walker and unable to laugh, cry or pick up his grandkids due to 10 broken ribs.

Tufano's son, Tony, and daughter in law, Shannon Moore, were at the hearing, sitting barely 5 feet behind Bush, who was handcuffed and wore a brown Charlotte County jail uniform.

"We don't want him out, he's had many, many chances to go through rehab," Shannon Moore said. "Obviously he's failed."

Bush's attorney, Russell Kirshy, argued Monday for much lower bail, citing 10 similar cases in Charlotte County the past five years, where the highest — even in a DUI manslaughter case — was $96,000. The decision won't come until Thursday, giving the state and new judge John Duryea time to review them.

Kirshy brought in a witness, retired pastor Rafael De Armas, who said Bush could live with him and his wife in Port Charlotte. That would be if Bush posts bail and after he enters a local rehabilitation program, Mission Unity, which would be for 28 days, with 30 days of transition and up to two years supervision in sober housing. De Armas said he's worked with Bush and other Rays players at their spring training complex the past two years.

Bush could only testify in matters related to his bail hearing, from his previous arrest record to financial status. He was questioned for 20 minutes, spoke softly, and cried when he was asked about his family. Bush, who received $3.15 million as the 2004 top overall pick by the Padres, said he has $1,000 in the bank and no significant assets he could sell.

"It's kind of an amazing fall for a fellow who once had $3 million in the bank," Kirshy said. "It's a really shocking fall."

The Rays have put Bush on the restricted list, so he will not earn a salary. Bush said he's had no direct contact with the Rays, but when asked if he thought his status with the team could change if he gets out on bail, appeared optimistic. "I believe it's possible," Bush said.

Prosecutor Richard Simpson brought in three witnesses, including police officers who delivered more details on the chase involving Bush March 22, when Bush was linked to three hit-and-run accidents. In the 30-plus minutes it took for police to apprehend Bush following the Tufano crash, the officers described the Dodge Durango that Bush was driving reaching speeds of 80 miles her hour, weaving erratically, going on the shoulder and running a red light, refusing to stop when police sirens were on.

Simpson went over Bush's previous arrest record, which includes a DUI conviction, a reckless driving conviction, and a guilty plea for failure to appear in an excessive speeding case in Arizona in 2009. Simpson pointed out Bush had already been through a four-month rehab program in California, and the Winning Inning program in Clearwater in 2010 when first signed by the Rays.

Kirshy said alcohol addiction can be a long and painful process, and many don't do well the first time they get treated. Kirshy said he's spoken with Bush two or three dozen times since his arrest, with Bush mostly concerned with how Tufano is doing.

Kirshy said Bush's mental state is "terrible," but that's a small issue compared to bigger issues in the case, "like is Mr. Tufano okay, and is Matthew going to spend the next 15 years in prison." Kirshy said it's unclear when Bush's problem with alcohol resurfaced.

"There are people that have only known him since he came to the Rays, and those people would testify that ... they've never seen him drive a vehicle or seen him drink an alcoholic beverage in two and a half years," Kirshy said. "I'd say he was doing pretty well, but it's certainly not an easy thing."

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

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Angels slugger Albert Pujols has never been in this long of a longball slump, entering a three-game series with the Rays tonight without a homer in his first 65 at-bats.

As a result, Pujols, a three-time National League MVP with 445 career homers, is fighting off questions as much as fastballs, especially with the burden of a 10-year, $240 million contract.

But if you ask the Rays, Pujols, 32, is as dangerous as ever.

"He's Pujols," veteran reliever Joel Peralta said. "He's got a bat like everybody else, but he's just better. … He's just the greatest, the best hitter in the game right now. He can do everything. If you pitch him in, he can hit a bomb. If you pitch him away, he can hit a double. He's just too good."

Pujols hasn't been as good this year, his first in Anaheim, hitting .246, 82 points off his career average of .328, with four RBIs in 16 games. Tampa Bay, which hasn't allowed a homer in 43 innings, doesn't want Pujols to snap his streak at Tropicana Field.

"He's one of those guys that can have no home runs right now, and end the season with 50," starter James Shields said. "You can't take him lightly, that's for sure."

Peralta is one of a handful of current Rays who have faced Pujols, who spent his first 11 years in the NL with the Cardinals. But everyone is aware.

"I've seen enough," said starter Jeff Niemann, who hasn't faced Pujols. "He's probably one of those guys that, he (wasn't) in your league, but you know everything he does, what he's capable of doing. He's good at covering both sides of the plate, up and down. He can hit good strike pitches, and he can hit the good pitches, too, so that really complicates things as a pitcher."

Those Rays who have faced Pujols say there are a few ways to approach him. Just because he has very few weaknesses, you have to stick with your strengths and trust your stuff.

"You can't be intimidated either — because that's when you make mistakes," said injured reliever Kyle Farnsworth, whom Pujols is 8-for-21 with four homers against. "Just stay within yourself and go out and try to make a few quality pitches.

"If you're going to get beat, get beat on the pitch you want to throw."

Manager Joe Maddon puts Pujols in the same class as Blue Jays All-Star Jose Bautista, who is "always dangerous."

"I don't think he (Pujols) ever feels like he's really in trouble during the course of a game, whether it's offense or defense," Maddon said.

Though it's important to be careful, Peralta says you can't be overly cautious.

"Sometimes, it's throw strikes, and let him hit the ball, because if you start going away from him too much you fall behind in the count," Peralta said. "And then he'll get you."

Farnsworth said Pujols hits the ball out over the plate well but can be somewhat vulnerable inside, where you have to establish yourself.

"But if you miss that spot, it's a very small hole," Farnsworth said.

Tonight's starter, left-hander David Price, will have the first crack at Pujols. He said he grew up watching Pujols on TV and faced him once in the 2010 All-Star game, retiring him on a hard-hit flyout to Ichiro Suzuki.

"He's a good hitter and we'll attack him," Price said. "If he comes in with a goose egg (in homers), I want him to leave with one."

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

Times staff
Monday, April 23, 2012

Aaron Lynch, a freshman All-American who led Notre Dame in sacks last fall, will transfer to USF, the school announced Monday.

Lynch, a defensive end from Cape Coral, starred at Island Coast High School before heading to Notre Dame.

"With Aaron originally being from Florida, we're very familiar with the kind of player he is," Bulls coach Skip Holtz said in a statement. "Aaron had a great freshman season at Notre Dame and we're excited to welcome him into the Bulls family."

Lynch played in 12 games for Notre Dame last season and started six. He had 33 tackles, 5.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012

TAMPA — This is the week of the NFL draft when the trade winds start to blow. Is there a real deal stirring or is it just a lot of hot air?

At No. 5 overall, the Bucs are in a prime position to make a move — either up to No. 3 with the Vikings for Alabama running back Trent Richardson; or down if both Richardson and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne are gone by the time they pick in the first round.

Leaguewide, over the past 10 years, there's been an average of six draft-day movements in the first round.

In 2009, the Bucs moved two spots to No. 17 overall to select quarterback Josh Freeman, who remains the team's only starter from that class.

From a league perspective, the blockbuster trade already occurred when the Redskins sent the Rams their 2012, 2013 and 2014 first-round picks, as well as a 2012 second-rounder, for the rights to the No. 2 overall pick — Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will almost certainly go No. 1 overall to the Colts.

That takes some of the guesswork out of the equation for the Bucs, who know they stand to get a good player if they exercise their No. 5 overall pick. But general manager Mark Dominik said the Bucs will be ready to deal.

"I think it's a rare year where you know the first two picks," Dominik said. "I think we probably all know the order, too. I think it makes it a little different. But I don't think it makes it easy. I think there's a lot of work that goes into that to make sure you make the right pick. And the reality is you have to be prepared not only to move up, but to move back, and you can't all of a sudden say, 'What's that pick look like?' You can't sit there and just say, 'What are we going to do at 5?'

"You have to be ready to go to 6, to 18, hopefully to 24 if you had to or you wanted to. It's not just that pick. As crazy as it sounds, it's not an easy pick — ever."

Trades in the first round are a lot easier to pull off than they used to be. For starters, the new collective bargaining agreement has instituted a rookie salary cap. So moving into the top five is no longer so cost prohibitive.

"The top of the draft has changed dramatically," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "You know the price, the fixed cost that you have there, you know that you're going to be able to get a good player at a much different price than you had a couple of years ago."

Of course, any team that wants to do that dance has to have a partner and that's where the trouble lies.

"I think there's always a lot of talk right now about trading picks because nobody knows who's really going to be there so everyone's trying to cover all their bases," Roseman said. "So people will act like they want to trade back or up and then they get to their spot, there's some — I use this word loosely — insecurity about who's going to be at your pick. So you always want to cover back to make sure that if a good player's not at your pick you have those bases covered in advance."

With the Redskins having already pulled the trigger on the biggest trade in the first round, there's a general feeling that the only players who might entice a move up to the top five would be Richardson, Southern Cal tackle Matt Kalil or Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

The Dolphins, who are picking eighth overall, might want to make a move for Tannehill, who played collegiate ball for new Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman.

Selecting a quarterback in the top 10 picks can become costly in this sense: Each first-round pick can be signed to a four-year contract with a club option for the fifth year. If exercised for picks 1 through 10 in the first round, the fifth-year salary will be a transition number, the average of the top 10 salaries at the position in 2015.

For the Bucs, the intrigue of the first round begins at No. 3 with the Vikings, who say they've narrowed their choices to Kalil, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon and Claiborne. Browns GM Tom Heckert says his team will not deal the No. 4 overall pick.

And the Bucs?

"If no one calls, no one calls," Dominik said. "And then we're ready to pick because I do like where we're at at No. 5."

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Monday, April 23, 2012

What's hot: Bottom fishing offshore in depths of 120-150 feet has been pretty easy. Red grouper have been the main target on all of our trips. They are stacked on every rolloff and pothole in these depths. Typically the larger fish will be the first ones to eat and as the bite progresses the fish will usually get smaller, until you catch a non-legal size fish. The biggest problem at these depths is pesky red snapper. We have caught at least one true 20-pound class fish on every trip since grouper opened at the start of the month.

Tips: The trick to targeting grouper has been big live baits, such as grunts and large pinfish. Frozen sardines have been the old standby for red grouper for years but these smaller, soft baits usually get inhaled before reaching bottom.

Different tricks: Artificial baits such as large buck-tails and butterfly jigs have been getting even the most picky fish to bite. These baits draw a reaction strike. Drop the rig to the bottom and work it upward in a pretty fast motion to mimic a baitfish trying to get away. Red grouper are about the most aggressive of all grouper and will hit these baits not because they are hungry, but because they can.

Pelagic: During the next few months we can expect many other offshore species such as wahoo, mahi, and tuna to move into the bait-rich shallows in these same depths. Usually, a flatlined bait off the stern will pay off. A quick stop at the markers in the shipping channel will do the trick, securing sardines and cigar minnows. It is always smart to run a small trace of wire in front of the hook in case the predator that eats this bait has teeth.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 and fintasticinc.com.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012

. Up next

vs. Angels

Tonight-Thursday

What's new: The Angels made a major splash in the offseason, signing 1B Albert Pujols, (10 years, $240 million), and LHP C.J. Wilson, above (five years, $77.5 million), with the hopes of becoming pennant contenders. But they've been one of baseball's biggest disappointments, struggling to a 6-10 start and falling to last place in the AL West. Pujols is homerless, and the offense — despite a strong lineup that includes Mark Trumbo, Kendrys Morales and Vernon Wells — has been held to three runs or fewer in seven games.

Key stat: The Angels have 10 home runs, the fewest of any American League club.

Connections: RHP Fernando Rodney and RHP Joel Peralta are former Angels, and manager Joe Maddon is the former Angels bench coach who spent 31 years in their organization.

Series history: The Angels lead the overall series 78-49, including 36-28 at the Trop. The teams split eight games last season.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012

Rays vs. Angels

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

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

Tickets: $9-$210, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within five hours of game time

Probable pitchers

Rays:

LH David Price (2-1, 4.20)

Angels:

RH Ervin Santana (0-3, 6.75)

Watch for …

Price check: Price is coming off a win but hasn't gone as deep as he'd like, with his 19.7 pitches per inning the highest average in the American League. He is 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA in six career starts against the Angels.

So-so Santana: Santana has lost all three starts this season, allowing at least four runs each time. He is 5-5 with a 5.23 ERA in 12 starts against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Santana

Ben Zobrist 3-for-12

Evan Longoria 4-for-14

B.J. Upton 5-for-16

Angels vs. Price

Howie Kendrick 5-for-16

Vernon Wells 4-for-22

Torii Hunter 4-for-12

On deck

Wednesday: vs. Angels, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 3.26); Angels — C.J. Wilson (2-1, 2.37)

Thursday: vs. Angels, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (0-1, 5.12); Angels — Jerome Williams (1-1, 1.71)

Rays disabled list

C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 15-day

RHP Kyle Farnsworth, right elbow strain, 15-day

OF Sam Fuld, right wrist surgery, 15-day

C Jose Lobaton, shoulder, 15-day

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Geiger: 'I'm the idiot'

Retired NBA center Matt Geiger, a former Countryside High star, said he didn't mean to interfere with a foul ball in Sunday's game, which could have been caught by 1B Carlos Peña. Geiger, sitting near the front row on the first-base line, said he lost track of where he was and was trying to get a ball for his 4-year-old son. "I'm hearing the boos, I'm the idiot," Geiger told 620-AM Monday morning. "I get to the top steps and some old lady in a wheelchair says, 'You A-hole.' " Geiger said he was escorted to review the play, but because the ball was not in the field of play, he was welcomed back to his seats. "Once they got out of the inning, I felt a lot better."

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012

The situation

The Bucs are committed to surrounding quarterback Josh Freeman, top, with more weapons, and they proved it by signing Chargers free agent Vincent Jackson, bottom, to a five-year, $55.55 million contract. Jackson is a No. 1 wideout who can get vertical and force the defense to rotate in his direction, opening up other areas of the passing game. There's a pretty good chance that the best receiver in the draft, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, could be available with the No. 5 overall pick. The Vikings at No. 3 and the Browns at No. 4 will have to consider him. After signing Jackson, it seems less likely the Bucs will address wide receiver in the first round. Coach Greg Schiano has a run-first philosophy and adding Blackmon would make either him or Mike Williams the No. 3 receiver.

What they're looking for

Since we're combining the receivers and tight ends for this exercise, let's consider the latter position. Tight end Kellen Winslow will be 29 in July but has been very consistent, averaging 72 catches for 792 yards in three seasons in Tampa Bay. Luke Stocker, a fourth-round pick from Tennessee, struggled with injuries as a rookie and caught only 12 passes. Chase Coffman, Colin Franklin and Zack Pianalto are largely unproven. It's a deep draft for wide receivers, but quality tight ends are a little harder to find. In fact, only Stanford's Coby Fleener is expected to crack the first round.

Fitting the bill

Schiano has an eye out for Mohamed Sanu, his former Rutgers receiver who could add to the mix of young talent at that position for the Bucs. Schiano raved about Sanu's work ethic and he could be had in the later rounds. Despite serious off-field baggage, Georgia's Orson Charles, from Plant High, would have to be a candidate for a homecoming of sorts.

The top 10

Best guess

Because the Bucs lack depth at tight end, look for them to address that in the middle to late rounds. Sanu might bring a comfort level for Schiano as someone he has background with as a leader.

Rick Stroud, Times staff writer

Times wires
Monday, April 23, 2012

Giants 6, Mets 1

GAME 1

NEW YORK — Tim Lincecum posted his first win despite another uneven performance, and Nate Schierholtz and Buster Posey homered for San Francisco in a doubleheader opener before barely 10,000 fans on a raw afternoon.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Fernando Rodney said he has worn his cap tilted to the side ever since 2002, when he was playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic and wanted to do "something different."

But Rodney has never seen teammates respond to it like the Rays did Saturday, mimicking the style with their green Earth Day hats during batting practice. C Chris Gimenez called it "Rodney BP Day," pointing out even "country boy" Jeff Keppinger joined in.

"That's the first time I've been with a team like that," Rodney said, smiling. "That's something crazy."

Rodney is comfortable and confident in his first season with the Rays, and it shows. He has finished all but one of the team's nine wins, converting five consecutive saves while holding opponents to a .083 average. With Kyle Farnsworth injured, Rodney has returned to a familiar role closing games, just in time to welcome the Angels, who he felt gave up on him too soon last year.

"I'm going to be happy," Rodney said. "I'm in the ninth inning — to show them I can do that."

Rodney, who saved 37 games for Detroit in 2009, had a disappointing stint in Anaheim after signing a two-year, $11 million deal. He lost the closer's role early last season, injured his back and was barely used down the stretch. But having made some mechanical adjustments, Rodney has better command of his fastball and is thriving in a one-year, $2 million deal with Tampa Bay.

"I feel comfortable, they believe, they give you the ball," said Rodney, 35. "They trust you."

Pitching coach Jim Hickey is not surprised, considering Rodney's success with the Tigers. "There's nothing like a little bit of success to make you feel like you're bulletproof and 10 feet tall," Hickey said. "And hopefully, that's the way he feels right now."

Rodney has been loose since joining the Rays in spring training, sometimes dancing and cracking jokes. Teammates have called him Kimbo Slice, due to his resemblance to the famous mixed martial arts star. Rodney has a swagger, but, as reliever J.P. Howell says, "smiles during the ugliest moments and doesn't ever infect anyone with any negativity."

Rodney boasts a mid 90s fastball and what Evan Longoria describes as a "devastating" changeup, but it's his composure that stands out.

"He's got ice in his veins," Longoria said.

Howell was most impressed with Rodney when he closed out the Rays' 1-0 win in Boston on April 16. That's when Rodney first started his post-save routine of pretending to shoot a bow and arrow into the sky. Rodney says he does it because, like the Yankees and Red Sox, the Rays can play nine innings and "make something happen." "I love it, it pumps me up," Howell said.

Said Hickey: "It's like he's shooting an arrow up to the heavens. And he might be doing that, who knows?"

PRICE CHECK: LHP David Price said he physically feels good entering tonight's start with the Angels, another difficult challenge considering he has already faced the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays.

"That's what it's about, if you can get through this and put some good outings (together), it's good for your confidence," Price said.

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

Times wires
Monday, April 23, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — Ivan Rodriguez made one last throw from behind home plate to second base at Rangers Ballpark.

The 14-time All-Star catcher announced his retirement Monday, ending a 21-season career spent mostly in Texas. The Rangers then honored him with a pregame ceremony that ended with a unique first pitch.

Rodriguez initially went to the mound while Michael Young, the team's longest-tenured player, set up to receive the pitch. But that didn't seem right, so Young ran out to second base and Rodriguez, already wearing a catcher's mitt, went behind the plate to a huge cheer and made a familiar throw across the diamond.

Earlier, Rodriguez spoke slowly when he said he wouldn't play again. It came nearly 21 years after the fan favorite known as Pudge made his major-league debut as a 19-year-old with the Rangers and later played for five other teams.

"It's a very hard day for me," Rodriguez said. "It's been a great, great run. … It's been beautiful."

Rodriguez plans to remain in baseball in some capacity, and Rangers president Nolan Ryan said there have been discussions about making that happen.

In other Rangers news, 3B Adrian Beltre was out of the lineup for the third straight game. An MRI exam revealed some inflammation in his upper left leg but showed no problem with the bothersome left hamstring that forced him to miss six weeks last summer.

DONTRELLE GOES AWOL: LHP Dontrelle Willis was put on the Orioles' restricted list after leaving Triple-A Norfolk without permission. Dan Duquette, executive vice president of baseball operations, told CBSSports.com that Willis left because he didn't want to relieve but is welcome to return.

PITCHER'S HOME BURGLARIZED: The Lee County Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft of a 2004 Red Sox World Series ring and a gold World Series trophy from Indians RHP Derek Lowe's Fort Myers home, the News-Press reported. The ring and trophy, necklaces and women's shoes and purses valued at about $90,000 were reported missing.

BRAUN SAGA: The arbitrator who overturned the 50-game suspension of NL MVP Ryan Braun has been asked by the players' union and management to hold off giving his reasoning while they negotiate changes to their rules for collecting specimens, the Associated Press reported. If players and owners reach agreement, the Feb. 23 decision by arbitrator Shyam Das could stand without written explanation.

CLEMENS trial: U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled that Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens' former teammate, will not be allowed to testify that he got his human growth hormone from Brian McNamee, the former Clemens trainer who said he provided Clemens with steroids and HGH. The judge said that would be prejudicial toward Clemens.

A'S: INF Josh Donaldson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for newly acquired Luke Hughes in the team's continuing search for a starting third baseman.

CARDINALS: An MRI exam on OF Jon Jay's right shoulder revealed no structural damage, and there are no plans to put him on the disabled list.

GIANTS: 2B Freddy Sanchez, out all season after right shoulder surgery, began a rehab assignment at Class A San Jose and hopes to return to majors in mid May.

INDIANS: SS Asdrubal Cabrera was activated from the bereavement list. Cabrera left the club after the death of a grandfather in Venezuela.

METS: RHP Jeremy Hefner was sent back to the minors after he made his major-league debut. Reserve INF Ronny Cedeno went on the 15-day disabled list with a strain on the left side of his chest. INF Jordany Valdespin was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo.

ORIOLES: Reserve Bill Hall is close to agreeing to a minor-league deal.

TWINS: The team will skip LHP Francisco Liriano's next turn and give him eight days to refocus. Liriano is 0-3 with an 11.02 ERA after losing to the Rays on Sunday.

Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 23, 2012

For years, Jared Frayer had come tantalizingly — agonizingly — close to making the U.S. Olympic wrestling team, finishing one spot short three times.

Frayer, now 33, was on the downside of his career. The former Countryside High School standout also was down to his last attempt at the Olympic Wrestling Trials this past weekend in Iowa City, Iowa.

But the moment Frayer had longed for was as good as it gets. In the 66-kilogram final he beat Brent Metcalf, tournament favorite and the hometown hero who had never lost a match at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Frayer raised his hands in triumph, and his family and friends sensed his elation. The close calls and disappointments were things of the past.

"I had always had that dream up on a pedestal," Frayer said. "It had been knocked down so many times before. But I knew I had to keep going, keep trying. I keep having to replay everything in my head because it doesn't seem real. It's going to take a while for all of this to really sink in."

Frayer kept going in a sport most abandon after high school. After finishing fourth in the 2008 Olympic Trials, Frayer thought about ending his quest. He didn't know if he could continue to make the physical and financial sacrifices necessary to get to the London Games.

Frayer was set on moving back to Clearwater to become a teacher and possibly take over the Countryside wrestling program that his father, David, coached from 1980 to 2004.

"I was starting a family and needed to make some money and have some benefits," Frayer said. "Teaching and coaching at the high school level seemed like the most sensible thing to do."

In September 2008, Frayer got an offer to become the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Iowa. He jumped at the chance in part because his competitive blood was still boiling and the program was in a rabid wrestling environment that would help keep his Olympic drive alive.

"If I don't get that job with Iowa," Frayer said, "I probably don't go to the Olympic Trials. That dream would have become a distant memory."

One of the wrestlers Frayer worked with at Iowa was Metcalf, a junior at the time. In 2010, they faced off at the World Team Trials with Metcalf winning two of the three bouts.

That was the last year Frayer competed at the international level. He took the past year off to be with his family after the birth of his daughter, Khloe, who has Down syndrome.

"My daughter struggles throughout her life," Frayer said. "She helps put things into perspective. Sure, in the grand scheme of things, it's nice to be able to make the Olympics and the trials you have to go through help build character. But it's nothing compared to what she has to go through."

Still, Frayer could not stay away from wrestling long. The Olympics beckoned, and he put himself back on the road to London with no thought of turning back.

"I knew deep down that I was going to give it one more shot," Frayer said. "There would have been too many woulda, coulda, shouldas with me if I didn't."

At the trials, Frayer and Metcalf were on opposite sides of the bracket. In the final, they met in a rematch.

Metcalf was the favorite. He had an entire city behind him. Posters of Metcalf hung in the restaurants and on walls surrounding the arena.

Frayer was the sentimental favorite.

"Metcalf was the guy I wanted to face," Frayer said. "He was going to be tough, no doubt. But I was confident the entire time."

Before his championship match, Frayer pictured a moment on the wrestling mat that he believed would come true, a moment when he would make all the right moves to outlast Metcalf.

Frayer did, beating him twice.

Afterward, his family had a small celebration.

"The last time Jared was in the trials, we planned a big party afterward," said Jared's mother, Vicki Frayer. "This time we didn't want to plan anything at all. We didn't even know if we should go; we thought we might be jinxing him. It's a good thing we didn't do anything too elaborate because the whole town was behind his opponent. He almost felt bad for celebrating."

Now that Frayer has made the Olympics, his schedule has changed. He was supposed to attend a camp, but is traveling to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 2012 World Cup in freestyle wrestling.

Frayer's wife, Nicole, is expected to give birth to their second daughter on Aug. 7. Frayer will already be in London and will have to watch the birth via Skype.

"That was probably bad planning on our part," Frayer said. "But my wife wouldn't want me to be anywhere else. My dream has finally come to fruition. I'm truly blessed."

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Monday, April 23, 2012

NEW ORLEANS — The Saints denied an anonymously sourced ESPN report on Monday which alleged that general manager Mickey Loomis' booth in the Superdome was wired so he could listen to opposing coaches' radio communications during games.

ESPN could not determine if the system was ever used. The report on Monday's Outside the Lines said Loomis would have been able to eavesdrop on opponents from 2002 to 2004. The report said the system was disabled in 2005, when the Superdome was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Saints spokesman Greg Bensel called the report "1,000 percent false."

"We asked ESPN to provide us evidence to support their allegations and they refused," Bensel said. "The team and Mickey are seeking all legal recourse regarding these false allegations."

Loomis explained his use of an earpiece and described his game-day setup in the booth in an emailed statement.

"I have a monitor in front of me in my booth that provides the league issued stats for the game," Loomis stated. "I have a small TV with the network broadcast and I have an earpiece to listen to the WWL-AM radio game broadcast.

"To think I am sitting in there listening and actually … doing something with the offensive and defensive play calls of the opposing teams makes this story and the unnamed sources that provided the false information that much more less credible," Loomis' statement continued. "It just didn't happen."

Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was the Saints' coach from 2000-05. In a comment the Saints forwarded to the AP by email, Haslett denied knowledge of any system that would have allowed for eavesdropping on opponents.

If the Saints had a system letting them listen to opponents, it would have violated NFL rules and could have infringed on federal wire-tapping laws.

"We were not aware of it," league spokesman Greg Aiello said. FBI spokeswoman Sheila Thorne said the agency's New Orleans office was aware of the situation, but wouldn't comment further.

Also, Loomis said the club has signed 42-year-old kicker John Kasay to a one-year contract.

DAWKINS RETIRES: Brian Dawkins said his head told him to retire, not his neck. The veteran safety called Broncos coach John Fox on Monday to tell him that 16 seasons in the NFL was enough. Then, Dawkins, 38, announced his retirement on Twitter. "It's probably going to sound crazy, but you know the fact that I could play another year gave me a lot of peace to say that this is it," he said.

COWBOYS: Outside linebacker Anthony Spencer signed a tender worth about $8.8 million for 2012 after being named a franchise player.

DOLPHINS: The team waived defensive end Phillip Merling, the 32nd overall pick in 2008.

PACKERS: The team released left tackle Chad Clifton, who started 160 games in 12 seasons. Bucs fans might remember him as the player knocked out for the season when defensive tackle Warren Sapp nailed him during an interception return in 2002 — a play that drew the ire of Packers coach Mike Sherman and sparked a postgame confrontation between Sapp and Sherman. … Starting linebacker Erik Walden re-signed.

Times wires
Monday, April 23, 2012

Former USF coach Seth Greenberg was fired as men's basketball coach at Virginia Tech on Monday, a decision athletic director Jim Weaver said he and basketball administrator Tom Gabbard arrived at last week as they assessed the state of the program.

The discussion came after a second assistant coach in two weeks, and sixth in four years, announced he was leaving Greenberg's staff, this time to take an assistant's job at ACC rival Clemson. Associate head coach James Johnson, a five-year member of Greenberg's staff, was offered a salary matching the one he was to receive at Clemson but still declined.

"Coach Johnson came to my office Friday morning and told me that it had nothing to do with money," Weaver said.

Last week, Rob Ehsan left to become an assistant at Alabama-Birmingham, and he was accompanied by director of basketball operations Jeff Wulbrun, who got an assistant's position at UAB, leaving only John Richardson and Greenberg on the Tech staff.

Other factors, such as Weaver's perception of the way Greenberg and his staff fit into the family atmosphere Weaver tries to promote for all his coaching staffs, also weighed into the decision.

The firing was such a surprise to Greenberg that he was hosting a recruit Monday when the news conference was announced. Asked by the Washington Post what the conference was about, he joked, "I'm still employed, so I don't think it's about me."

Greenberg guided the Hokies to a 170-123 record in nine seasons. They were 16-17 this season, 4-12 in the ACC, and missed postseason play for the first time in six years. Greenberg, who had four years left on his contract, led Virginia Tech to the NCAA Tournament just once, in 2007.

Greenberg was USF's head coach from 1996-2003 before joining the Hokies. He was 108–100 with the Bulls, then a member of Conference USA, and led them twice to the NIT.

BROWN ERA BEGINS: Larry Brown, the only coach to win an NCAA and an NBA title, was formally introduced as coach at SMU, his first college job in nearly a quarter century.

The Hall of Famer, 71, joked about his age and said he looked forward to coaching "quality basketball with quality student-athletes" at a school that has struggled to be relevant. SMU has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 1988.

Brown brushed off questions about how long he would stay at SMU, saying he thought the Mustangs had the resources to compete in the Big East when it joins the conference in 2013.

"When I look in the mirror, I get kind of scared," Brown said. "But inside, I feel like I can do this forever."

UCONN: Michael Bradley and Roscoe Smith were released from their scholarships, allowing them to transfer.

MARYLAND: Prep guard Sam Cassell Jr. signed a letter of intent to play for coach Mark Turgeon. Cassell is the son of former FSU and NBA guard Sam Cassell.

XAVIER: Redshirt junior guard Mark Lyons won't return to the team, now missing four starters from its Sweet 16 squad.

Other sports

BASEBALL: USF (27-14) visits No. 5-ranked Florida (31-9) at 7 tonight in Gainesville. The game will be broadcast on 1010-AM.

FOOTBALL: The Liberty Bowl in Memphis is staying on New Year's Eve and will kick off in the afternoon. … Bail was set at $5,000 for former Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, an NFL draft prospect accused of punching a police officer in Lincoln, Neb., over the weekend. … Kansas sophomore linebacker Collin Garrett and freshman cornerback Chris Robinson were dismissed from the team for violating team rules.