Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

NEW ORLEANS — While state police and the FBI started a wiretapping probe into the Saints and general manager Mickey Loomis, assistant head coach Joe Vitt called allegations that Loomis had his Superdome booth wired so he could listen to opposing coaches "ludicrous."

"It's absolutely ludicrous. It's impossible," Vitt said Tuesday. "…That's something from Star Wars. When I first heard something about it being a wiretap, I thought they were talking about Sammy "the Bull" Gravano or something. I didn't even know what they were talking about."

Vitt spoke to the media for the first time since being named to serve in head coach Sean Payton's place during Payton's season-long suspension in connection with the NFL's bounty investigation. Vitt will serve a six-game suspension for his role in the scheme from 2009-11, and Loomis will be out for eight games.

The bounty probe is unrelated to the investigation a joint Louisiana state police and FBI task force opened after being made aware of anonymous allegations from an ESPN report that Loomis was able eavesdrop on opposing coaches' radio communications from 2002 to 2004. The ESPN report could not verify the system was used, and on Tuesday Robert Carroll, the audio engineer for the Saints' radio broadcasts, denied the report in an interview with New Orleans station WWL.

In other Saints news:

• Vitt accepted some blame for the bounty scandal, then sought to clear the names of his players. "At no time did any of our players ever cross the white line with the intention of hurting another player," he said. "That being said, I'm serving a six-game suspension for the spoken word, not the clenched fist." Vitt said he was "on board 100 percent" with commissioner Roger Goodell's safety goals.

• Goodell, in an interview with NFL Network's Rich Eisen, said he rejects the notion that players were doing what their coaches told them in the bounty case. "I don't buy that, because the evidence is quite clear that the players embraced this," Goodell said.

GM says LUCK AT TOP: Colts general manager Ryan Grigson, deciding there was no reason to delay the inevitable, confirmed that former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will be the No. 1 choice Thursday night to kick off the draft.

CONCUSSION SUITS: A group of former Cowboys including Hall of Famers Randy White, Bob Lilly and Rayfield Wright joined other retired players to file the latest concussion-related lawsuit against the NFL. The suit was filed in Houston's federal court and includes 28 former players. A similar suit filed in Philadelphia includes former Browns No. 1 overall picks Tim Couch and Courtney Brown.

CARDINALS: Linebacker Stewart Bradley, who signed a five-year, $25 million deal last year, took a 50 percent pay cut, to $2.5 million, for this season.

REDSKINS: Free agent linebacker Chris Wilson signed to return to the team after two years in the CFL. Also, Houston's Fox TV station reported that kicker Neil Rackers left the Texans to sign with Washington, where he'll compete against Graham Gano of Florida State.

JURISPRUDENCE: The man guilty of stabbing Redskins kick returner Brandon Banks and a friend outside a nightclub in February 2011 will spend three months in jail. Jason Shorter, 25, was sentenced in Superior Court in Washington.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Mariners 7, Tigers 4

DETROIT — Alex Liddi had a career-high three hits, including a solo homer, lifting Seattle. Miguel Cabrera and Alex Avila homered for Detroit, but it wasn't enough to overcome an early 4-0 deficit. Michael Saunders drove in three runs and Jason Vargas hung in for six innings for the Mariners, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Liddi's homer, his first of the season, made it 6-4 in the seventh.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Reds 9, Giants 2

CINCINNATI — Mat Latos finally got his first win for Cincinnati, pitching seven shutout innings against an old NL West nemesis, and Brandon Phillips homered and drove in three runs. Latos came to the Reds in a four-player deal with the Padres and acknowledged trying too hard to impress his new team. He was back on his game against the Giants, allowing only four singles.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Pirates 5, Rockies 4

PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen had three RBIs, and Casey McGehee drove in the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning single for Pittsburgh. McGehee's two-out single to right off Matt Belisle scored pinch-runner Nate McLouth. Clint Barmes had led off the eighth with a home run to tie it at 4.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

HICKORY, N.C. — Former Alonso High standout Jose Fernandez, the 14th overall pick by the Marlins in last June's MLB first-player draft, combined with two other pitchers for a no-hitter Tuesday night for the Class A Greensboro (N.C.) Grasshoppers of the South Atlantic League.

Fernandez (2-0) pitched the first six innings, walking two and striking out eight in the 6-0 win over the Hickory Crawdads. Gregory Nappo pitched two innings and Kevin Cravey one to complete the no-hitter.

"Everything" was working, Fernandez told milb.com. "My fastball, I had good command. My two-seamer was beautiful. My curveball, my slider, my changeup. The catcher (Wilfredo Gimenez) and me, we just pitched our game. That happens."

Fernandez, 19, brought his season ERA down to 1.57. The right-hander has 33 strikeouts, eight walks and nine hits allowed in 23 innings.

Last season, Fernandez helped guide Alonso to its second Class 6A state title in three years. The Ravens ace was 13-1 with a 1.35 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 93 innings. He had nine complete-game wins, including four shutouts. As Alonso's cleanup hitter, Fernandez hit .404 with nine homers and 35 RBIs.

His $2 million signing bonus was the largest given out to a Hillsborough County draftee, surpassing the $1.7 million received by former Tampa Catholic standout and current Twins CF Denard Span in 2002 and former Jesuit ace Geoff Goetz, the sixth overall pick in 1997 by the Mets.

ALL-STAR DEMOTED: Braves RHP Jair Jurrjens, an All-Star last season, was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after lasting three-plus innings Monday in a 7-2 loss to the Dodgers. Jurrjens is 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA in four starts. Last season, he led the Braves with 13 wins.

ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN: Tigers LH reliever Phil Coke is speaking out against bullying. A day after appearing before a task force in Detroit, Coke recalled some of his experiences growing up. "There's different things and different levels of, just kind of general picking on: 'Oh, your last name's Coke.' Little kids figure out ways to mess with your name all the time," Coke said. "It can get under your skin and provoke you into getting upset or being angry or being down, getting upset enough to be withdrawn."

WILLIS FILES GRIEVANCE: LHP Dontrelle Willis is filing a grievance against the Orioles, saying the club placed him on the restricted list and is preventing him from signing elsewhere even though he left Triple-A Norfolk with the consent of a team official.

CLEMENS SAGA: Lawyers for Roger Clemens, seeking to discredit a key government witness in the All-Star pitcher's perjury trial, contended that former trainer Brian McNamee is telling lies on which he is cashing in. McNamee has said he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone. Rusty Hardin, the lead Clemens attorney, said in his opening arguments that McNamee had become a celebrity as a result of the allegations.

BLUE JAYS: An MRI exam on LHP Sergio Santos' sore pitching shoulder showed no structural damage, but the closer will be shut down for 10-14 days anyway before beginning a throwing program.

BREWERS: LHP Chris Narveson, who was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff last week, will have season-ending surgery after a second opinion confirmed the initial findings.

METS: RHP Mike Pelfrey and LF Jason Bay went on the 15-day disabled list. Pelfrey has inflammation in his right elbow, but GM Sandy Alderson said the team hasn't ruled out a torn ligament, and Pelfrey will get a second opinion. Bay broke a rib on his left side trying for a diving catch Monday night.

NATIONALS: OF Brett Carroll was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.

ORIOLES: Closer Jim Johnson went to the hospital early in the morning with flu symptoms and was unavailable.

RANGERS: 3B Adrian Beltre returned after missing three games because of inflammation in his upper left leg.

REDS: LH setup man Bill Bray went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin that has bothered him since spring training. Closer Ryan Madson, out for the season with a torn elbow ligament, rejoined the team for a brief rehab on his rebuilt right elbow.

YANKEES: RHP Michael Pineda is scheduled to visit with orthopedic surgeon David Altchek today for a second opinion on his ailing right shoulder.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

NEW YORK — Johan Santana kept Jose Reyes off the bases and the Mets managed just enough offense to win a pitchers' duel.

Reyes went hitless in his return to Citi Field and Lucas Duda lined a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning that caromed off reliever Edward Mujica, sending New York to a 2-1 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday night.

Santana and Josh Johnson zipped through the first six innings in a matchup of healthy looking aces.

"When you have a matchup with Josh Johnson it always comes down to that, to one pitch or one play, and that's what it was," Santana said. "You've got to be on top of your game."

Reyes, a homegrown star during nine seasons with the Mets, was in New York for the first time since signing a $106 million, six-year contract with the Marlins.

"It was kind of weird for me a little bit," Reyes said. "But after the third inning, everything goes away and you just focus on playing baseball."

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

LOS ANGELES — Lakers forward Metta World Peace was suspended for seven games by the NBA Tuesday for swinging an elbow that hit Thunder guard James Harden's head Sunday.

World Peace will miss Thursday's regular-season finale and the first six playoff games, forfeiting $347,849 in salary.

It is the 10th time since 2003 the league has suspended World Peace, which commissioner David Stern alluded to in announcing the suspension.

World Peace was ejected Sunday when he aggressively thumped his chest after dunking and then threw a left elbow at Harden, who left with what was later determined to be a concussion.

Harden had limited participation in a shootaround Tuesday but was not cleared to play. He will be re-evaluated for tonight's regular-season finale.

World Peace hasn't answered media questions about his actions. In a brief statement on his website Tuesday night, he apologized to the Thunder and its fans, and said he looked forward to getting back on the court with his teammates.

"His most recent lapse in judgment is not to be condoned or accepted," Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said after praising World Peace as mostly a model citizen. "His actions could have seriously injured another player. … His absence during this suspension will hurt our team as well.''

World Peace has said the elbow was an accident. "What am I supposed to do, call him a liar?" Lakers coach Mike Brown said. "He said it was accidental. Now was it accidental or not? I don't know."

Los Angeles was already shorthanded at small forward with Matt Barnes (sprained ankle) out for at least Thursday's regular-season finale.

around the league: The Knicks promoted Glen Grunwald from an interim role to executive vice president and general manager. Grunwald acquired center Tyson Chandler to help a weak defense, and signed key players such as Jeremy Lin, Baron Davis, Steve Novak and JR Smith. His promotion could help interim coach Mike Woodson, who played with Grunwald at Indiana University.

Celtics 78, Heat 66

MIAMI (66): Battier 2-4 0-0 5, Haslem 3-4 0-1 6, Pittman 6-10 0-0 12, Chalmers 3-10 2-3 8, Miller 3-10 0-0 8, Harris 0-3 0-0 0, Anthony 2-5 0-0 4, Cole 3-11 0-1 6, Howard 2-9 2-2 6, Jones 4-7 0-0 11. Totals 28-73 4-7 66.

BOSTON (78): Pierce 4-7 0-0 8, Bass 4-8 0-0 8, Hollins 0-3 0-4 0, Bradley 2-10 4-4 8, Pavlovic 7-10 0-0 16, Daniels 5-11 3-4 13, Johnson 3-9 0-0 6, Dooling 3-5 0-1 7, Williams 1-5 3-3 5, Moore 3-6 0-0 7. Totals 32-74 10-16 78.

Miami 17 17 16 16— 66

Boston 10 18 22 28— 78

3-Point Goals—Miami 6-17 (Jones 3-4, Miller 2-8, Battier 1-2, Cole 0-1, Harris 0-1, Chalmers 0-1), Boston 4-12 (Pavlovic 2-4, Moore 1-2, Dooling 1-3, Bradley 0-1, Pierce 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Miami 50 (Haslem 13), Boston 46 (Bass 8). Assists—Miami 20 (Chalmers 5), Boston 15 (Daniels 4). Total Fouls—Miami 19, Boston 11. Technicals—Boston defensive three second. A—18,624 (18,624).

Thunder 118, Kings 110

SACRAMENTO (110): Outlaw 7-15 4-6 20, Thompson 9-11 4-6 22, Cousins 13-22 6-9 32, Thomas 3-10 4-4 11, Evans 8-13 2-2 18, Fredette 0-2 0-0 0, Hayes 1-1 0-0 2, Garcia 1-4 0-0 3, Greene 1-4 0-0 2, Honeycutt 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 43-82 20-27 110.

OKLAHOMA CITY (118): Durant 7-19 15-16 32, Ibaka 2-4 0-0 4, Perkins 4-8 2-2 10, Westbrook 4-13 5-6 13, Sefolosha 4-6 1-1 11, Collison 3-6 0-0 6, Fisher 4-6 3-3 11, Mohammed 2-3 0-0 4, Cook 6-11 3-4 19, Ivey 1-3 0-0 2, Aldrich 1-2 4-4 6. Totals 38-81 33-36 118.

Sacramento 40 19 27 24— 110

Oklahoma City 35 22 25 36— 118

3-Point Goals—Sacramento 4-16 (Outlaw 2-6, Thomas 1-4, Garcia 1-4, Evans 0-1, Greene 0-1), Oklahoma City 9-20 (Cook 4-7, Durant 3-6, Sefolosha 2-3, Ivey 0-1, Fisher 0-1, Westbrook 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Sacramento 45 (Outlaw, Cousins 7), Oklahoma City 47 (Durant 9). Assists—Sacramento 19 (Thomas 9), Oklahoma City 22 (Westbrook 6). Total Fouls—Sacramento 20, Oklahoma City 24. Technicals—Evans, Sacramento defensive three second. A—18,203 (18,203).

Hawks 109, Clippers 102

L.A. CLIPPERS (102): Butler 4-11 0-0 9, Griffin 17-23 2-4 36, Jordan 2-3 0-2 4, Paul 10-20 10-11 34, Foye 0-3 0-0 0, Martin 0-3 0-0 0, M. Williams 3-8 0-0 7, Young 2-5 0-0 5, Bledsoe 1-3 2-3 4, Thompkins 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 40-80 14-20 102.

ATLANTA (109): J.Johnson 10-17 2-3 28, Smith 8-17 2-3 18, Collins 1-1 0-0 2, Teague 7-12 6-6 21, Hinrich 3-5 0-0 8, I.Johnson 2-5 2-2 6, Ma.Williams 5-11 0-0 11, Pargo 1-7 0-0 2, McGrady 2-5 0-0 4, Green 4-6 0-0 9. Totals 43-86 12-14 109.

L.A. Clippers 28 22 22 30— 102

Atlanta 23 29 33 24— 109

3-Point Goals—L.A. Clippers 8-19 (Paul 4-6, Thompkins 1-1, Young 1-2, M. Williams 1-3, Butler 1-5, Foye 0-2), Atlanta 11-24 (J.Johnson 6-9, Hinrich 2-4, Green 1-1, Teague 1-2, Ma.Williams 1-3, Smith 0-1, Pargo 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—L.A. Clippers 40 (Jordan 9), Atlanta 51 (Smith 10). Assists—L.A. Clippers 18 (Paul 8), Atlanta 24 (Smith 5). Total Fouls—L.A. Clippers 14, Atlanta 17. Technicals—L.A. Clippers defensive three second, Atlanta defensive three second. A—18,223 (18,729).

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Indians 4, Royals 3

CLEVELAND — Derek Lowe allowed one run over six innings and Cleveland handed Kansas City its 12th straight loss. The Royals have been outscored 73-44 during the streak, which ties for third-longest in team history. They also lost 12 in a row in 1997 and 2008. Kansas City lost 13 straight in 2006 and had a team-record 19 consecutive losses in 2005.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 24, 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 5 hours of game time.

Probable pitchers

Rays RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 3.26)

ANGELS LH C.J. Wilson (2-1, 2.37)

Watch for …

Home boy: Hellickson has pitched very well at the Trop, with a 5-1, 2.31 mark over his past nine home starts. He struck out 10 but lost in his only previous start vs. the Angels, last April 6.

C.J. is OK: Wilson has been very tough on the Rays, with a 4-0, 2.25 mark in 17 career appearances, including 1-0, 2.29 in seven at the Trop, plus he's 1-1, 4.76 in two playoff starts.

Key matchups

Rays VS. WILSON

Desmond Jennings 0-for-10

Evan Longoria 3-for-20

B.J. Upton 0-for-17

ANGELS VS. HELLICKSON

Bobby Abreu 2-for-3, HR

Albert Callaspo 1-for-4, HR

Torii Hunter 0-for-4

*includes postseason

On deck

Thursday: vs. Angels, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (0-1, 5.12); Angels — Jerome Williams (1-1, 7.71)

Friday: at Rangers, 8:05, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (3-0, 2.76); Rangers — Matt Harrison (3-0, 1.66)

Saturday: at Rangers, 8:05, Sun Sports. Rays —Jeff Niemann (1-2, 4.11); Rangers — Neftali Feliz (1-1, 2.70)

Sunday: at Rangers, 8:05, ESPN. Rays — David Price (2-1, 4.20); Rangers — Colby Lewis (2-0, 2.03)

Rays disabled list

C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 60-day

RHP Kyle Farnsworth, right elbow strain, 15-day

OF Sam Fuld, right wrist surgery, 60-day

C Jose Lobaton, right shoulder soreness, 15-day

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"(If) their guy comes into the stands, go ahead and maul him; that's fine."

Rays manager Joe Maddon, on the proper fan "etiquette" when opposing fielders pursue balls in the stands.

Milestone of the day

1,000

Career hits for Carlos Peña — 513 singles, 202 doubles, 23 triples, 262 home runs

Longoria as … Spartacus

3B Evan Longoria and his girlfriend, model Jaime Edmondson, hosted a Halloween in April party on Sunday at their Tampa home, and shared this photo on Twitter. "It was good," Longoria said. "We really like that show, Spartacus, so that's we were going for."

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Rangers 2, Yankees 0

ARLINGTON, Texas — Yu Darvish had by far the best outing of his first season in the majors, pitching 81/3 stellar innings for Texas against hot-hitting New York. The former Japanese star struck out 10, most by a Rangers pitcher this season, and worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the third by striking out Curtis Granderson and inducing a double play from Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees had scored five or more in six straight games. Ian Kinsler hit a leadoff homer for Texas.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

GAINESVILLE — USF senior catcher Andrew Longley, a former Sickles standout, hit two solo home runs, and the Bulls held off a late rally to earn a 5-3 win over Florida on Tuesday night at McKethan Stadium.

The victory was the first for USF over Florida, ranked No. 5 by Baseball America, since 2005. UF had won the previous 12 meetings.

"It was a great win, a huge win for us and our program," USF coach Lelo Prado said. "I'm so proud of this team, so glad for the seniors, and I'm just glad for USF."

The Bulls (28-14) jumped to an early 2-0 lead on two unearned runs. Longley's homer in the top of the sixth gave the Bulls a 3-0 lead, before the Gators rallied in the sixth. Shortstop Nolan Fontana homered to open the inning, then catcher Mike Zunino's two-run homer tied it. That was the Gators' nation-leading 54th of the season.

But the Bulls, tied for first in the Big East with UConn and St. John's, took the lead again off an RBI single by Jimmy Falla to score Alex Mendez, who walked to open the inning. USF pitcher Matt Reed went 5 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and three runs.

"Matt Reed was the best guy to pitch tonight," Prado said. "He's been solid for us all year and he had another great outing against a great club."

The Gators (31-10) loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but it wasn't enough.

"We couldn't get things going offensively," UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "Matt Reed did a nice job. I think we hit 13 fly ball outs and we struck out four times so 17 of the outs were fly balls and strike outs. When you work with only 10 quality outs, it's tough to score runs."

Football

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — John L. Smith knows Arkansas, knows the expectations for a powerful program rocked by a scandal that cost Bobby Petrino his job. Smith intends to keep the Razorbacks in the thick in the SEC and national title races.

"Our expectations here are the same," Smith said at his introductory news conference.

Smith, 63, an assistant for Arkansas the last three seasons under Petrino, is back after leaving the school in December to become head coach at Weber State. Athletic director Jeff Long announced a 10-month, $875,000 deal. Petrino was fired April 10 for not disclosing an affair with a woman he hired as his assistant.

BCS MEETINGS: The conference commissioners in charge will meet today and Thursday in South Florida to weigh four options. A final decision isn't expected from this round.

FLORIDA: Starting linebacker Ronald Powell had knee surgery Monday for a torn ACL sustained in the spring game. Coach Will Muschamp said the surgery went well and Powell has a chance to return this season.

Basketball

BAYLOR: Freshman Quincy Miller changed his mind and is declaring for early entry in the NBA draft.

FIU: Forward Dominique Ferguson is entering the NBA draft, saying he's unhappy about the firing of Isiah Thomas as coach, and unable to get permission to talk to other schools.

NORTH TEXAS: Marquette assistant Tony Benford was hired as coach.

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com. Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Times wires
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

NEWARK, N.J. — The Panthers have waited nearly 16 years to win a playoff series. What's another two days?

Travis Zajac scored at 5:39 of overtime Tuesday night and the Devils won Game 6 and sent yet another Eastern Conference first-round series to a seventh game with a 3-2 victory over Florida.

"It's fun to be back competing and playing at this time of year," said Zajac whose season was limited to 15 regular-season games because of an Achilles' injury in August that required surgery.

Perhaps by Thursday night's Game 7 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, the Panthers will have their starting goaltender back. Last-minute replacement Scott Clemmensen turned in a sterling effort with 39 saves but couldn't eliminate the Devils in a sold-out Prudential Center.

Jose Theodore was scratched earlier in the day with what's believed to be a minor knee injury. Clemmensen started in his place, and the more desperate Devils outshot Florida 42-16.

"We expected it to be a tight game. We were in a position to win going into the third period and playing overtime on the road," Clemmensen said.

The Panthers, who tied an NHL record with 18 losses in OT or shootouts, fell to 2-4 in postseason overtimes, including the past four.

"It's probably their best game of the series," Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said. "They had a heck of a lot of desperation and they pushed hard. I thought the last 30 minutes were even, entertainment on both ends of the ice.

The Panthers' only Game 7 was June 1, 1996 when they beat the Penguins 4-1 in Pittsburgh to reach the Stanley Cup final. That was Florida's last series win.

Kris Versteeg and Sean Bergenheim tallied for Florida, which came back from 2-0 down to tie it in the second period.

Two other East series are also going the distance: Capitals-Bruins and Senators-Rangers.

"They are fun to be part of," Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said of Game 7s. "…You don't need to be nervous. You need to embrace the situation and make the best out of it."

First Period—1, New Jersey, Bernier 2 (Carter, Harrold), 16:37. Penalties—None.

Second Period—2, New Jersey, Kovalchuk 3 (Zajac, Sykora), 4:21 (pp). 3, Florida, Versteeg 3 (Weiss, Kulikov), 7:05. 4, Florida, Bergenheim 3 (Strachan, Goc), 12:49. Penalties—Kopecky, Fla (high-sticking), 2:25; Upshall, Fla (roughing), 18:34.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Campbell, Fla (delay of game), :06; Elias, NJ (tripping), 2:56; Versteeg, Fla (high-sticking), 14:31. First Overtime—5, New Jersey, Zajac 3 (Kovalchuk, Parise), 5:39. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—Florida 6-4-3-3—16. New Jersey 13-16-7-6—42. Power-play opportunities—Florida 0 of 1; New Jersey 1 of 4. Goalies—Florida, Clemmensen 1-2-0 (42 shots-39 saves). New Jersey, Brodeur 3-2-0 (16-14). A—17,625 (17,625). T—2:44.

Around the league

SENATORS: Captain Daniel Alfredsson said his uncharacteristic outburst in Monday's Game 6, when he smashed his stick over the boards, hurt Ottawa's chances of ousting the Rangers. "It was bad," Alfredsson said.

HURRICANES: Forward Jiri Tlusty signed a two-year contract worth $3.2 million to stay.

Playoffs

East

Rangers 3, Senators 3

Game 1: Rangers 4, Senators 2

Game 2: Senators 3, Rangers 2 OT

Game 3: Rangers 1, Senators 0

Game 4: Senators 3, Rangers 2 OT

Game 5: Senators 2, Rangers 0

Game 6: Rangers 3, Senators 2

Thursday: at New York, TBD, TBD

Capitals 3, Bruins 3

Game 1: Bruins 1, Capitals 0 OT

Game 2: Capitals 2, Bruins 1 2OT

Game 3: Bruins 4, Capitals 3

Game 4: Capitals 2, Bruins 1

Game 5: Capitals 4, Bruins 3

Game 6: Bruins 4, Capitals 3 OT

Today: at Boston, 7:30, NBCSN

Panthers 3, Devils 3

Game 1: Devils 3, Panthers 2

Game 2: Panthers 4, Devils 2

Game 3: Panthers 4, Devils 3

Game 4: Devils 4, Panthers 0

Game 5: Panthers 3, Devils 0

Tuesday: Devils 3, Panthers 2 OT

Thursday: at Florida, TBD, TBD

Flyers 4, Penguins 2

West

Coyotes 4, blackhawks 2

Game 1: Coyotes 3, Blackhawks 2 OT

Game 2: Blackhawks 4, Coyotes 3 OT

Game 3: Coyotes 3, Blackhawks 2 OT

Game 4: Coyotes 3, Blackhawks 2 OT

Game 5: Blackhawks 2, Coyotes 1 OT

Game 6: Coyotes 4, Blackhawks 0

Kings 4, Canucks 1

Blues 4, Sharks 1

Predators 4, Red Wings 1

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Already, the doubts had turned to whispers. Soon, the whispers would turn to moans. Eventually, those moans were going to turn into full-blown derision.

When a career seems to be going the wrong way, this is its soundtrack. One day, the talk was that David Price was promised tomorrow, and everyone agreed he was on his way to being another CC Sabathia. The next, he was yesterday's news, and he seemed to be stumbling down the Scott Kazmir career track.

As quick as a raised eyebrow, it seemed, Price had been marked down to half-price.

Then came Tuesday night, when a young pitcher restaked his claim as a one of the finest in the game.

For the Rays, it is difficult to imagine a finer sight than Price looking the way he used to look. He was explosive again. He was efficient again. He was there until the end again.

To sum it up, Price was dominant again in Tuesday night's five-hit shutout over the Angels, and it has been far too long since anyone suggested that of him.

Yeah, this is how he used to look — explosive and efficient, blistering and baffling. Once again, Price was in command of the game, of his fastball, of the altered perceptions of his place in the game.

"I needed that," Price said. "I needed to get that feeling back. It gets old coming out in the sixth inning."

As the words left Price's lips, you could imagine fans across Tampa Bay shouting, "Amen." In his three previous starts this season, Price had been pulled once in the seventh, once in the sixth and once after three innings.

The result was that unsettled feeling that Price was underachieving. After all, he was second in the Cy Young Award voting only two years ago. How could he have been only 12-13 last year? How had he been less than dominant this year?

Granted, that has been the cause of much of the grumbling about Price. He was so good so fast that, by now, some expected him to be unhittable. Finish second in the Cy Young voting and people tend to expect dominance every year.

Remember what a ball of fun Price was two years ago? Remember how good he was in the big moments? Remember how he etched the initials of former teammate Tyler Morrissey (who was killed in a car crash) on his glove? Perhaps it means something, but Tuesday was the four-year anniversary of Morrissey's death.

For the record, Price was aware of it, too. He talked to the Morrissey family before the start. Again. As he often does, he used Morrissey's memory as motivation. Again.

In other words, yeah, he's the same guy.

After the game, Rays manager Joe Maddon studied the Rays statistics and shook his head.

"He's 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA," Maddon said. "People have been, like, kind of criticizing him a little bit. Those are pretty good numbers right there. When you're that good, there are a lot of high expectations attached to that kind of skill level. A guy like that has a kind of a speed bump, and it's exaggerated a little bit."

Maybe. But Price is also as talented as any pitcher on the staff, and it's hard to imagine the Rays making a run at the postseason if he struggles. When a pitcher gets off to a slow start after an unsatisfying year, people are bound to notice.

"Absolutely, it's out there," Price said. "That's in all sports. Everyone has critics. But I'm my own worst critic, so it didn't bother me."

Tuesday night, nothing seemed to bother Price, least of all the Angels. Maddon has suggested before that Price was still learning which of his pitches to use when, but for a night, he seemed to have figured it out.

Even more important, Price didn't waste a lot this time. In his first three starts, Price would struggle through innings throwing 29-30 pitches. This time, he didn't throw more than 18 in any one inning, and he had six innings in which he threw 14 or fewer.

In all, it was a start that suggests a restart. If Price keeps pitching like this, yes, the Rays can contend. If Price keeps pitching like this, yes, the Cy Young voters may remember his name.

As for Price, yes, his expectations are as high as they have ever been.

"I don't see why they wouldn't be," he said. "I'm throwing the ball just fine."

Fine, he said. Finally, some might add.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — David Price had already done quite a bit Tuesday.

He battled through the ninth inning to complete a five-hit shutout in the 5-0 win over the Angels with 119 pitches. Did an on-field TV interview with Todd Kalas, then pulled on the headset to talk with radio guys Andy Freed and Dave Wills. He took a shaving cream pie in the face from James Shields.

Then when he finally made his way up the stairs and into the Rays clubhouse came the roughest part of the night. His teammates lined up in a combination gauntlet-receiving line, waiting for him to pull the cord on the Captain Morgan lamp in the corner of the clubhouse that signals the start of the victory party then pummeling him in celebration.

"They hit some balls hard today. I had some fortunate double plays and some line drives right at guys," Price said. "But I took a beating when I got in here. … Everybody starts jumping on me and pulling my clothes off. It's all in good fun. … And it was a pretty good day."

When Price was a few minutes late coming out of the trainer's room to address the media, reliever J.P. Howell joked aloud that it was because he was icing sore ribs.

"Definitely pitching was way easier than getting through that line," Howell said. "He's definitely bruised up, banged up now. … It's a good hurt though. It hurts so good."

The Rays had reason to be happy, winning for the fifth time in six games to improve to 10-7.

In addition to Price's stellar effort — "Best I've ever seen him," Carlos Peña said — they had their trademark handful of defensive gems (topped by Matt Joyce and Evan Longoria) and the added element of power, with four home runs, including the 1,000th hit of Peña's career.

Also going deep: Desmond Jennings (to start the game), B.J Upton (his first of the season), Luke Scott (for a team-high 15 RBIs).

Peña was emotional about reaching the milestone, humbled to have played that long and touched that a young fan returned the ball.

"It's a tale of a dream come true," Peña said. "I'm grateful about getting one hit. I dreamt about getting one hit. So for me to be able to get 1,000, I can't put it into words how special it is for me. The one thing that sticks out is that I'm grateful. Extremely grateful to be able to sit here and say, 'Wow, I've gotten 1,000 hits in the big leagues.'

"That's a lot to me. Maybe that mark is not as celebrated in baseball because we celebrate 2,000, we celebrate 3,000. I celebrated my first one. I celebrated the fact that I got one. So 1,000 is just icing on the cake — and a lot more icing on the cake."

Even more fitting for Peña, it was a home run, the 262nd of his 12-year career. "That makes it even more special, more dramatic," he said. "I cherish the moment. For me, it's something very special."

The milestones were less monumental for Price: His second career shutout and third complete game (second of nine innings).

But he felt pretty good, too, as manager Joe Maddon allowed him the opportunity for the complete game, and the crowd of 14,933 (back to midweek reality) roared as he finished.

"That's what a starting pitcher's goal is every time out," Price said. "It's not a quality start — you can go six (innings) and three (earned runs) all year long and have a 4.50 ERA and everyone's telling you you're a slob. Absolutely, nine innings is our goal every time out."

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

Times wires
Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Red Sox 11, Twins 2

MINNEAPOLIS — Josh Beckett had five strikeouts and one confrontation with an umpire in six sharp innings and David Ortiz homered for Boston. Beckett got through six innings despite a rough first, after which he jawed with home plate umpire Adrian Johnson over his strike zone. He finished his night by striking out the side in the sixth.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Cubs 3, Cardinals 2

10 innings

CHICAGO — Alfonso Soriano hit an RBI single in the 10th as Chicago ended St. Louis' streak of winning series at 13. Tony Campana hit a one-out single off Fernando Salas and stole second. After a strikeout and a walk, Soriano hit a full-count pitch off second baseman Tyler Greene and into the outfield.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Brewers 9, Astros 6

MILWAUKEE — Rickie Weeks capped a five-run sixth inning with a three-run homer, one of four Brewers homers in the game, and Randy Wolf picked up his first win of the season. Corey Hart, Travis Ishikawa and Carlos Gomez also homered for Milwaukee.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Phillies 8, Diamondbacks 5

PHOENIX — Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer, snapping an 0-for-16 slump for the Phillies, who ended a three-game losing streak. It was the most runs the Phillies had scored since an 8-2 win April 15 against the Mets. Philadelphia entered the game next-to-last in the majors with 48 runs.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Athletics 2, White Sox 0

OAKLAND, Calif. — Pinch-hitter Kurt Suzuki doubled in the go-ahead run in the eighth and Tommy Milone outdueled Gavin Floyd to lead the Athletics. Daric Barton drew a leadoff walk in the eighth and Luke Hughes struck out before Matt Thornton relieved Floyd. Suzuki doubled to left and Barton scored easily, then Eric Sogard added an RBI single as the A's ended a 16-inning scoreless stretch going back to Sunday's 5-1 victory against Cleveland.

Times wires
Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Braves 4, Dodgers 3

LOS ANGELES — Chipper Jones homered on his 40th birthday and Martin Prado had two RBIs, one on a triple in the ninth for Atlanta. Tyler Pastornicky greeted Dodgers closer Javy Guerra with a leadoff single in the ninth and advanced on a sacrifice. One out later Prado drove a 1-2 pitch to center over two-time Gold Glove winner Matt Kemp, who caught up to it but couldn't hold onto the ball.