Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

AVONDALE, La. — Jason Dufner has another shot at his first PGA Tour title. He shot 7-under 65 Friday to take the second-round lead at the Zurich Classic.

Dufner, 35, has three runnerup finishes among 163 starts. Two came in playoffs last year.

Just in the past month, he shared the second-round lead at the Masters, was one back after the second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and shared the first-round lead at the Cadillac Championship.

Dufner birdied Nos. 5-7 Friday and finished with a 30-foot eagle to reach 12-under 132.

"I've been trying to think about what I can do better mentally, what I can do better emotionally out there," Dufner said. "Obviously, there's a lot of different things that go into winning besides hitting the golf ball."

Russell Knox (64), John Rollins (66) and first-round co-leader Ken Duke (68) were tied for second, one back.

Bubba Watson, in his first event since winning the Masters, shot his second 71 to make the cut by one stroke. His struggles included a tee shot at No. 2 that hit the back of a spectator's head, drawing blood. Radd Leonard, 52, said he is a huge fan of Watson and attended the tournament primarily to see him. "I wanted to see that big hook, and I got to see it," Leonard said. "It gave him a good bounce, anyway."

LPGA: Stacy Lewis birdied five of her final nine holes for 5-under 67 and a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic in Mobile, Ala. She was at 9-under 135. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (67) was tied for sixth, two back, and Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (70) was three back.

Pak out: Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak is out indefinitely because of a slightly torn labrum in her left shoulder sustained when she slipped on stairs Tuesday.

Tiger opens up: Instead of fielding media questions before next week's Wells Fargo Championship, as is usually the case before he plays a tournament, Tiger Woods will instead answer questions from fans, ESPN.com reported. Woods is expected to post a video Monday on his website in which he will answer selected fan questions submitted through Facebook and Twitter. "We wanted to have a little bit more direct interaction with fans, and they've been very good to him over the years," agent Mark Steinberg told ESPN.com. "We're probably a little bit behind with social media, and this is a way to do that."

By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 27, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale Strikers first played each other as members of the North American Soccer League 35 years ago.

Tonight, their tempestuous rivalry comes full circle.

For the first time since the reincarnation of the NASL, both teams will face off brandishing the nostalgic monikers that conjure images of their storied pasts. The Strikers were known as the Miami FC Blues until reverting back to their original name before the 2011 season. The Rowdies acquired the trademark to use the legendary name this past offseason.

"Strikers vs. Rowdies, historically, is the game," said Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill, who got his first experience with the game as a player/coach for the Rowdies in 1992 when both teams were members of the American Professional Soccer League. "There's no other game that will capture the imaginations, in my mind anyway."

Rowdies midfielder Keith Savage, who played with Portland before joining Tampa Bay, compares the Rowdies-Strikers rivalry to the one the Timbers have with Vancouver in the Major League Soccer.

"This (rivalry) feels similar," he said. "It's a local derby. It's fun. Fans are fired up, and you just get a sense from them and the environment and coaching staff that it's just a fun game to play."

Savage's father, Bruce, was a defender for the Strikers during the 1982 season. Rowdies forward Matt Clare also is familiar with the rivalry through family. John Clare, a Strikers defender, would often take his preteen son to training sessions and games, where Matt got a firsthand look at the vitriol between the clubs.

"You kind of learn the history of it just through that," Matt Clare said. "Every game between those two was always three or four sending-offs. There was always some pushing, some shoving. It's always been a battle between the two clubs."

A battle that should intensify as each team returns to its historic roots.

"The name changes only heighten the importance of the game," Hill said. "We have supporters here that can go back and reflect and recite games gone past years from the mid 1970s and so on."

Tonight, at Al Lang Field, the two sides vie for the Coastal Cup, a trophy given to the winner of the season series since the 2010 season. Tampa Bay hasn't lost to its rival in league play the past two seasons (four wins, four ties), capturing the Coastal Cup both times.

In 2012, the Rowdies hope to keep the status quo.

"We don't look at any one opponent different than the other," Clare said. "We know that every game is going to be a dogfight, but when Fort Lauderdale comes to town, you know it means more as far as the Florida pride goes."

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Tennis

Nadal in semis; murray upset in Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain — Rafael Nadal dispatched Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-2 Friday to advance to the Barcelona Open semifinals, and Milos Raonic served 14 aces and upset second-seeded Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) at the claycourt tournament.

Nadal faces Fernando Verdasco, who advanced when Kei Nishikori was forced to retire with an injury trailing 4-2 in the first set. Raonic faces David Ferrer, who saved three match points while rallying to beat Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (9-7), 6-3.

Porsche Grand Prix: Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka needed nearly three hours to overcome Mona Barthel 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5 for a place in the semifinals in Stuttgart, Germany. She faces fourth-ranked Agnieszka Radwanska, a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 winner over Li Na. Second-ranked Maria Sharapova outlasted Tampa resident Sam Stosur 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), 7-5. Sharapova faces third-ranked Petra Kvitova, who beat Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-4.

Boxing

Martin ex-husband convicted in attack

An Orlando jury convicted former boxer Christy Martin's ex-husband of trying to kill her.

The jury found James Martin guilty of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm and two other counts after more than four hours of deliberations.

Prosecutors say James Martin stabbed Christy in the chest, sliced her in the leg and shot her in the back during a fight in their home in 2010. He faces more than 25 years in prison when he is sentenced.

Colleges

SMU's Brown cuts players from team

New SMU basketball coach Larry Brown informed several players they were off the team after evaluating the roster. The school wouldn't say how many or which players.

Starting point guard Jeremiah Samarrippas told the school's student newspaper Brown, hired last week, basically told him he "wasn't good enough to play for him." The Dallas Morning News reported that three nonstarting forwards also were being removed.

MORE BASKETBALL: Wisconsin approved a five-year contract extension for coach Bo Ryan, entering his 12th season. His deal now runs through 2017. Terms were not disclosed.

Football: The NCAA ruled that South Carolina failed to monitor its athletic program, resulting in various rules violations, and has accepted the school's proposed sanctions to cut six football scholarships and slash its official recruiting visits by more than half in the coming year. No forfeiture of games and no bowl ban was attached to the penalties, which stemmed from athletes receiving $59,000 in impermissible benefits. The NCAA said South Carolina's cooperation went "beyond standard expectations."

Swimming: Hall of Fame and former Florida coach Ron Ballatore died at a hospital in Gainesville of bone cancer. He was 71. Mr. Ballatore, who coached the Gators in the 1990s, also coached at five Olympics, coached 28 Olympians and won the NCAA title at UCLA in 1982. He was inducted into the American Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

Track and field: Florida's Stipe Zunic won his fifth straight meet when he took the javelin with a throw of 244 feet, 9 inches, beating 2011 NCAA champion Tim Glover of Illinois State at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.

Times wires

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Athletics 5, Orioles 2

BALTIMORE — Brandon McCarthy won for the first time this year, pitching seven solid innings, and Eric Sogard hit a two-run homer in a three-run second as the A's won three straight for the second time this season. They moved a game over .500 for the first time since May 18, 2011. In McCarthy's first five starts, the Athletics scored 10 runs. Ryan Cook struck out four Orioles in the eighth, with Adam Jones reaching on a wild pitch.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Cubs 5, Phillies 1

PHILADELPHIA — Paul Maholm pitched 6⅓ solid innings, Starlin Castro had two hits and an RBI, and the Cubs beat Roy Halladay again. Maholm lowered his ERA from 8.36 to 6.20 against a Phillies team that has scored two runs or fewer in 11 of 20 games. Halladay retired 10 straight, with four strikeouts, but surrendered three runs on six hits in a three-inning stretch to fall to 1-5 lifetime against Chicago.

Friday, April 27, 2012

RICHMOND, Va. — Kurt Busch held on in a side-by-side, last-lap duel with local favorite Denny Hamlin to win Friday's NASCAR Nationwide series race at Richmond International Raceway.

Driving a car owned by younger brother Kyle, Busch passed Kevin Harvick on Lap 222 of the Virginia 250 after green-flag stops. Busch was well ahead until Hamlin pulled up on his rear bumper with a few laps to go and ducked inside him as they crossed the white line for the final lap. Busch, somehow, held off Hamlin on the outside to win by a nose.

"I've driven for guys like (Roger) Penske and (Jack) Roush, but when you're driving for a guy named Busch, you've got to be on it, and I was glad to be able to deliver," Busch said in Victory Lane, having given Kyle's team its first series victory.

Kyle Busch greeted his brother in Victory Lane before he even climbed from the car.

"This is the most emotional I've ever been for a win," Kyle said.

Hamlin rallied after an early mistake. Running third when he headed for pit road, he missed his stall and had to come back around. It dropped him to 24th place.

X Games star Travis Pastrana made his debut, finishing 22nd after starting 25th.

INDYCAR: Newman/Haas Racing withdrew its entry for the Indianapolis 500, and the pullout puts the race in danger of not having a full 33-car field. The team said over the winter that it would not field a team for the full season.

NHRA: Morgan Lucas had a run of 3.772 seconds at 327.74 mph to lead the first day of qualifying at the Spring Nationals in Houston. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car, 4.103 seconds), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock, 6.546) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 6.872) also led their classes.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Indians 3, Angels 2

CLEVELAND — Asdrubal Cabrera singled home the winning run with one out in the ninth , sending the Angels to their fifth straight loss. Aaron Cunningham opened the ninth by doubling. Michael Brantley lined out to center before Jason Kipnis singled. Shortstop Erick Aybar got a glove on the line drive, slowing the ball down and preventing Cunningham from scoring. Cabrera then singled to right, making the Indians 6-0 in one-run games.

Friday, April 27, 2012

NEW YORK — Tigers LF Delmon Young apologized Friday before his arraignment on a hate crime harassment charge after a fight at a hotel during which police say he yelled anti-Semitic epithets.

Young, a former Ray who had issues with attitude and behavior and was traded away in 2007, posted a $5,000 bond at a hearing in Manhattan court and was released. The 26-year-old faces a misdemeanor aggravated harassment charge that entails targeting someone for his or her religious beliefs. If convicted, he could face up to a year in jail.

In a statement, Young said: "I sincerely regret what happened last night. … I take this matter very seriously and assure everyone that I will do everything I can to improve myself as a person and player."

Around 2:30 a.m., Young was outside of the Hilton New York. Nearby, a group of tourists were approached by a panhandler wearing a yarmulke and a Star of David around his neck, according to police. As the group reached the hotel doors, Young started yelling anti-Semitic epithets, police said.

It was not clear whom Young was yelling at, but he got into a tussle with the group, and a 32-year-old man was tackled and sustained scratches to his elbows. Both Young and the group went inside the hotel and police were called. Young was first taken to a hospital because he was believed to be intoxicated, police said.

He is due in court May 29.

In 2006 while in the Rays' minor-league system, Young was suspended for 50 games without pay for throwing a bat that hit a replacement umpire in the chest.

Mistake on Pineda? Yankees GM Brian Cashman admitted that he is second-guessing his trade of Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda, who has torn cartilage in his shoulder and needs season-ending surgery.

"Right now, our hopes and dreams for this player are in jeopardy," Cashman told ESPN.com. "Hopefully, someday, our fans will get to see what we expected to see from him."

Pineda was acquired from Seattle in January after taking an MRI exam to make the trade official. "This is a massive decision gone wrong right now," Cashman said.

Nats prospect coming up: OF Bryce Harper, the No. 1 pick in the 2010 amateur draft, joins the Nationals today from Triple-A Syracuse and takes the roster spot of 3B Ryan Zimmerman (to DL with shoulder inflammation). LF Michael Morse is also out injured, so GM Mike Rizzo, who prefers players spend enough time at each minor-league level, makes this move ahead of his timetable. "It was expedited by the circumstances," Rizzo said. Harper, 19, hit .286 in spring training.

Long run by Marlin: Team president David Samson, 44, ran 52.4 miles Friday in his "Run to Honor the Workers," raising more than $550,000 for 10 charities. Samson began in Pompano Beach at 7 a.m. and finished inside the stadium at 6:40 p.m. to raise funds in honor of the workers who built the ballpark. "I didn't realize how long two marathons was; it's just long," he said.

Met hits for cycle: OF Scott Hairston became the 10th Mets player to hit for the cycle. He completed the feat with a two-run double in the sixth, after a single in the second, solo homer in the fourth and a triple in the fifth.

Angels: RHP Jordan Walden, who gave up a winning homer Thursday to the Rays' Brandon Allen, is out as closer and will be replaced by Scott Downs, manager Mike Scioscia announced. … Slumping OF Bobby Abreu, 38 and batting .208 in 24 at-bats, was released.

Obituary: Moose Skowron, a five-time World Series champion and one of two players to hit three homers in Game 7s, died of congestive heart failure in Arlington Heights, Ill. He was 81. He helped the Yankees win four titles in the 1950s and '60s.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

MIAMI — Joe Saunders pitched a three-hitter, Jason Kubel tied a career best with four hits and the Diamondbacks sent the Marlins to their sixth straight loss with a 5-0 victory Friday night.

Kubel extended his hitting streak to 10 games, his average over that stretch going from .200 to .333. Miguel Montero drove in three and Aaron Hill homered for Arizona.

Saunders struck out four and walked two, getting the third shutout of his career and dropping his ERA from 1.29 to 0.90. Emilio Bonifacio beat out an infield single with two outs in the ninth before Saunders struck out Donnie Murphy to end it.

The Marlins failed to get a runner past first base, and they have scored six runs during their losing streak.

"I guarantee they will score before I run another marathon," said Marlins president David Samson, who ran the equivalent of two marathons, 52.4 miles, Friday and raised $550,000 for charity.

"To be honest with you, everybody's struggling," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "But I know in my heart, in my brains, in my soul, we've got a great ballclub."

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Braves 6, Pirates 1

ATLANTA — Tommy Hanson allowed one run in six innings, Dan Uggla and Chipper Jones drove in two each in a four-run seventh, and the Braves won for the 13th time in 16 games. Hanson worked around six hits and three walks, the only blemish an RBI single by Garrett Jones in the fourth. Kris Medlen worked the last three innings, earning his first career save. A.J. Burnett went six innings but took his eighth loss in nine career decisions at Turner Field.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Astros 6, Reds 4

CINCINNATI — Jose Altuve drove in two runs with a triple and a double to back Wandy Rodriguez as the Astros won consecutive games for the first time since a three-game winning streak April 7-9. Rodriguez gave up two runs and six hits in six innings.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Mariners 9, Blue Jays 5

10 innings

TORONTO — Michael Saunders hit two home runs, including a grand slam in the 10th, and the Mariners rallied to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 27, 2012

TAMPA — Something has become crystal clear after Bucs coach Greg Schiano's first night helping direct the draft: He wants players for his style of football.

That was, perhaps, most evident when the Bucs drafted running back Doug Martin late in Thursday's first round. The role of Martin, the 31st overall choice from Boise State, was not hard to determine less than 24 hours later.

The first-team All-Mountain West pick will team with LeGarrette Blount to do what Schiano loves most: pound the rock.

"We have a guy like LeGarrette now, and to have Doug and LeGarrette, we can play a little bit of keep-away," Schiano said.

"I think our offensive line is going to be really, really good. (Running the ball is) not maybe what's en vogue in the National Football League right now, but I think it can be very successful. We have to grind it out and get tougher. But I think we're very capable of doing that."

Martin will be a big part of that effort. Although Schiano was quick to point to Blount and his expected contributions, the Bucs also are celebrating Martin's full complement of running back skills. That could eventually make him not only the starter but the one who gets a majority of the carries.

"He is a three-down back," Schiano said. "There's not a lot of them in college football. And he can catch the football. He can do it all."

It's something Martin takes pride in, but he hasn't become the player he is by accident.

"It's taking the time and working on each attribute of the position; the passing game, the blocking," Martin said. "It's taking pride in all aspects as a running back."

Pass protection is an area in which Blount has not excelled, making him a limited contributor on third down and in passing situations. But Martin embraces that part of the job.

"At Boise State, we had scans and reads and passes off of run (formations) and ran plays off of pass (formations)," Martin said. "It's kind of fun for me actually. It's like a puzzle."

Martin rushed for 1,299 yards and 16 touchdowns as a redshirt senior in 2011 and finished his career with 3,431 yards and 43 touchdowns. His production was consistent throughout his career, and his versatility includes time on special teams.

But if there's a concern, it's he rarely played against elite competition in the Mountain West. One of his least-impressive games came against Georgia in the 2011 opener for both teams. The SEC team held him to 57 yards on 24 carries.

Still, Martin's ability to use his size — 5 feet 9, 219 pounds — is something that gives the Bucs confidence he'll be a factor in the NFL. In part because he is well built, a Boise State teammate started referring to Martin as "muscle hamster," a nickname Martin doesn't exactly love.

Here's what Martin does love: Schiano's attitude toward running the football.

"It makes me real excited to know they're going to have a great emphasis on running the ball," Martin said. "We have a great (offensive) line this year, and I'm excited to start the season."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Friday, April 27, 2012

Yankees 7, Tigers 6

NEW YORK — Derek Jeter scored on a passed ball with one out in the ninth, handing the Tigers their fifth straight loss. Alex Rodriguez homered and drove in two runs. With Rodriguez up, Brayan Villarreal's 2-and-0 pitch went off catcher Alex Avila's glove and Jeter barely beat a play at the plate to rally the Yankees.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 27, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — C Chris Gimenez is getting used to seeing his name on the Rays' lineup card, having started four times in the past eight days.

"It's been awesome," he said.

It is, however, an unfamiliar feeling. Gimenez said he has never played this much over any stretch in his four big-league seasons. But it has allowed him to get into a rhythm, offensively and defensively. Gimenez has reached base in four of the six games he has played for the Rays since getting called up from Triple-A Durham on April 15 to replace injured Jose Lobaton (shoulder).

"I'm not saying I'm going to be an All-Star, but I've always felt like I could be a decent player if you get a chance to play a little bit," Gimenez said. "Because it's tough, tough at any level, not to get a chance to play very often.

"Baseball is all about timing and having that feel and that rhythm. And the more you can keep that in the game situations, the better off you're going to be."

Manager Joe Maddon said Gimenez has earned that opportunity, praising the way he has played defensively, including blocking balls and calling games, as well as improving his at-bats. Maddon told Gimenez when the Rays signed him to a minor-league deal in February he could get a chance to play.

Maddon did say the Rays plan to stick with the idea of a 50-50 platoon with veteran C Jose Molina, based partly on the opposing pitcher, but he has been impressed with Gimenez.

"He's not only won me over, but the players have been won over by him, too," Maddon said.

TOUGH TASK: RHP Jeff Niemann acknowledges he has had his share of struggles against the Rangers, going 0-2 with a 10.66 ERA in three appearances heading into tonight's start against the two-time defending American League champions.

"It's definitely a quality lineup one through nine," Niemann said.

But Niemann is encouraged with how he has improved in each of his three outings this season, including his first win, Sunday against the Twins. And Niemann said he plans to stick with what he does well and not try to do too much differently, even if Texas has had his number.

"I think, more than anything, you should stay within your game plan against a good team because, at the end of the day, your best chance to beat them is by being you first," Maddon said.

"If you go out there with a lesser version of you based on all these adaptations you want to make versus a better team, more than likely it's not going to be successful."

FOLLOWUP: 1B/DH Brandon Allen said he received a lot of text messages from friends and family in the hours after his Thursday walkoff homer against the Angels, the first of his career. The Elias Sports Bureau said Allen is first player to hit a walkoff homer in his first at-bat for a team since 1984 (Indians' Jamie Quirk).

"It's been a whirlwind," Allen said. "It's been fun."

Allen said his parents, Paul and Doris, and sister, Karissa, made the three-hour drive from Montgomery, Texas, to be here for the Rangers series.

LOOKING BACK: SS Sean Rodriguez, who made a rare baserunning mistake in Thursday's game against the Angels, said he "got caught being a little too aggressive," rounding third too wide after a force at second.

"I almost messed everything up," he said.

MISCELLANY: Maddon said there was nothing new to report on the potential signing of DH Hideki Matsui. "None. Zero." … Maddon said Texas LHP Matt Harrison is a pitcher DH Luke Scott could have played against Friday night, but he "wanted to run a good defensive team out there," which is a reason why 2B Elliot Johnson played.

By Greg Auman, Times staff writer
Friday, April 27, 2012

TAMPA — On Thursday, the NFL draft's first round came and went without any picks from Florida schools, something that hadn't happened since 1980. The drought continued Friday for another round, with the state's programs silent until Central Florida cornerback Josh Robinson went to the Vikings with the third pick of the third round, 66th overall.

How odd is it for the state not to have a pick in the first two rounds? A year ago, the state had six picks in the first two rounds, and in 2010, there were 10. On Friday, California punter Brian Anger was taken before any player from Florida, Florida State or Miami. It's hard to blame the dropoff on the recent coaching changes at all three schools — their talented 2008 recruiting classes, which yielded this year's fourth-year seniors, were ranked among the top 10 nationally: third (UF), fifth (Miami) and ninth (FSU).

The state's three traditional powers didn't have a player called until the Dolphins took Hurricanes defensive end Olivier Vernon with the 72nd pick. Vernon had only 1½ sacks as a junior in 2011, limited to six games by an NCAA suspension relating to accepting impermissible benefits from booster Nevin Shapiro. He had six sacks as a sophomore, second in the ACC. Hurricanes linebacker Sean Spence, a first-team All-ACC selection who finished his four-year career with 47 tackles for loss, went 14 picks later to the Steelers.

Florida International had its highest draft pick in its short history as receiver T.Y. Hilton went late in the third to the Colts, giving top pick Andrew Luck a promising target who can also help Indianapolis in the return game.

There was a former Florida standout taken in cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who went to the Rams in the second round out of Division II North Alabama after off-field problems led to his dismissal from the Gators.

In Robinson, Minnesota has another talented player to help the NFL's worst pass defense in 2011 (34 passing touchdowns allowed). The Vikings passed on LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne with the No. 4 overall pick but used a late first-rounder on Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith. Robinson had the fastest 40-yard time of any player at the NFL combine in February, officially 4.33 seconds.

The state's first-round silence was historic, but there were dubious individual honors as well — Florida didn't have a pick in the first three rounds for the first time since 1993, this after the Gators had at least one first-round pick in each of the previous five drafts. Today might be quiet for UF as well, with running back/receiver Chris Rainey and defensive end Jaye Howard as the best bets to be drafted.

The last time FSU went three rounds without a pick? That was 1987, when the first Seminole taken was defensive tackle Gerald Nichols in Round 7.

As for Miami, the Hurricanes should have a busy day today, with big names such as running back Lamar Miller, defensive tackle Marcus Forston and receiver Tommy Streeter still available.

Times staff
Friday, April 27, 2012

One in. One out?

Browns general manager Tom Heckert said Friday the team is considering trading quarterback Colt McCoy after using its second first-round pick on Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden.

"It's something we'll talk about tonight and tomorrow," Heckert told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Heckert said the Browns selected Weeden to be a starter. It's also worth noting that Weeden is 28 years old, mid-career age after pursuing a baseball career.

"I wasn't concerned about his age," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. "I was impressed with his maturity and production on tape. We became very fond of him."

Shurmur told ESPN he spoke to McCoy on Friday afternoon and he is "doing fine. … He gets it. We're all grownups."

Not stupid. Just indifferent

Cornerback Morris Claiborne, long considered among the Bucs' potential top choices before the draft, told the Dallas media Friday he basically blew off the Wonderlic test at the combine, and that resulted in him scoring 4 out of 50. "I looked on the test, and wasn't nothing on the test that came with football," said Claiborne, taken sixth overall by the Cowboys Thursday. "So I pretty much blew the test off." Scores on the intelligence test, which are given to all prospects, are supposed to be kept confidential but are occasionally leaked despite warnings by commissioner Roger Goodell of "significant discipline." Asked if he regretted not taking the test seriously, Claiborne said, "If I knew there was going to be this much heat about it, yeah."

Delayed gratification

Rutgers receiver Mohamed Sanu became a Bengal … eventually.

Sanu got a call Thursday from someone claiming to be with the Bengals, saying they were about to take him at No. 27. Instead, commissioner Roger Goodell called out the name of Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler.

Turns out, the team was right but the round wrong. The Bengals took Sanu in the third round. This time, it really was receivers coach James Urban calling.

"I said, 'You want to be a Bengal — this time, for real?' " Urban said.

Sanu let bygones be bygones.

"My agent said it was some kid playing a prank," he said. "The kid said he was very sorry, he didn't mean anything by it. (Later), once I saw that (incoming) number, I was like, 'I'm going to be a Bengal!' I'm hysterically laughing about it right now."

Who's laughing?

We like to make fun of the draft, considered sport's most overhyped nonevent. But there's little question it draws TV viewers.

ESPN averaged 6.661 million viewers for Thursday's first round for a rating of 5.1, according to the fast national ratings, which measure the biggest markets. That makes it the second-most-viewed since viewership numbers started being kept in 1983 — the 2010 first round averaged 7.2 million viewers — and up 16 percent from last year's 3.8.

Thursday's telecast peaked with a 5.8 between 8:30 and 9 p.m., meaning 5.8 percent of U.S. households with TVs were tuned in.

NFC South

Carolina

Round 2 (40): The Panthers, who took Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly in the first round, bolstered their offensive side by selecting Amini Silatolu (sill-uh-TOE-lou) of Midwestern State, a Division II school in Wichita Falls, Texas, that competes in the Lone Star Conference. Silatolu played tackle in college but at 311 pounds is projected as a guard in the NFL. He is a potential replacement for longtime starter Travelle Wharton, who was released in a salary cap move.

Round 3: Traded pick to the Bears for tight end Greg Olsen before last season.

New Orleans

Round 2: It was stripped of the pick by the NFL as part of its bounty program.

Round 3 (89): After trading down seven spots with the Ravens and picking up an extra fifth-round pick, the Saints selected Akiem Hicks, a defensive tackle from the University of Regina in Canada. Had 61/2 sacks last season but is considered to be a project.

Atlanta

Round 2 (55): The Falcons, who didn't have a first-round pick, beefed up their offensive line by taking Wisconsin's Peter Konz (6 feet 5, 314 pounds). A center in college, Konz is likely to play guard (at least initially) for Atlanta.

Round 3 (91): Atlanta went back to the offensive line, selecting Lamar Holmes, a tackle from Southern Miss. Holmes is huge (6-5, 323 pounds), strong and improved consistently throughout his college career.

Transactions

ROUND 2

Jets: Traded picks in the second (No. 47 overall), fifth (No. 154) and seventh (No. 232) rounds to the Seahawks for the No. 43 pick; took Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill. Bears: Traded picks in the second (No. 50) and fifth (No. 150) rounds to the Rams for the No. 45 pick; took South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery. Packers: Traded picks in the second (No. 59) and fourth (No. 123) rounds to the Eagles for the No. 51 pick; took Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. Bucs: Traded picks in the third (No. 68) and fourth (No. 126) rounds to the Texans for the No. 58 pick and a seventh-round pick (No. 233); took Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David. Packers: Traded picks in the third (No. 90) and fifth (No. 163) rounds to the Patriots for the No. 62 pick; took Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward.

ROUND 3

Bills: Traded picks in the third (No. 71) and seventh (No. 217) rounds to the Redskins for the No. 69 pick; took N.C. State receiver T.J. Graham. Chargers: Traded picks in the third (No. 78) and sixth (No. 183) rounds to the Dolphins for the No. 73 pick; took LSU safety Brandon Taylor. Ravens: Traded picks in the third (No. 91) and fifth (No. 164) rounds to the Falcons for the No. 84 pick; took Temple running back Bernard Pierce.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 27, 2012

Rays at Rangers

When/where: 8:05 tonight; Rangers Ballpark, Arlington, Texas

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Jeff Niemann (1-2, 4.11)

Rangers: RH Colby Lewis (2-0, 2.03)

On Niemann: He is coming off his first win, allowing just two runs over 5⅓ innings against the Twins. He has struggled against the Rangers, going 0-2 with a 10.66 ERA in three career appearances (two starts).

On Lewis: He has started strong, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his first four starts. He has fared well against Tampa Bay, going 3-0 with a 4.15 ERA in four appearances.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Lewis

Ben Zobrist 1-for-6

Luke Scott 2-for-5

Jeff Keppinger 1-for-11

Rangers vs. Niemann

Mike Napoli 5-for-12, HR

Adrian Beltre 6-for-19, HR

Michael Young 3-for-8, HR

Note: Includes postseason

On deck

Sunday: at Rangers, 8:05, ESPN. Rays — David Price (3-1, 2.63); Rangers — Derek Holland (2-1, 4.78)

Monday: vs. Mariners, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (3-0, 2.84); Mariners — Felix Hernandez (2-1, 2.48)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Review of the day

Manager Joe Maddon was glad to see some of his players packing light for the "minimalist" road trip, pointing out Ben Zobrist brought just a satchel of clothes. "Basically a pillowcase," Maddon said. But clubhouse equipment manager Chris Westmoreland joked several players "didn't get the memo." "It wasn't as minimal as I thought it'd be," he said.

Quote of the day

"It's like you're an outcast if you don't have fun. Literally."

New 1B/OF Brandon Allen, on how the Rays take fun to another level in their uniquely loose clubhouse environment

Guest of the day

RHP Jeff Niemann's dog Sadie, a Belgian Tervuren shepherd, was in the clubhouse and got many new fans after LHP David Price posted a photo on Twitter. "It was awesome," Niemann said. Sadie spends most her days on Niemann's ranch, which is two hours west of his hometown of Houston. "She goes out there and chases the cows," he said. "She doesn't know the boundaries yet."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 27, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — The moment Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus ripped a fly ball down the rightfield line in Friday's eighth inning, Rays reliever Wade Davis crouched down and waved his arm to the right, joking that he was "blowing" it foul.

With the Rays clinging to a four-run lead, the bases loaded with Rangers and two outs, Davis believed his 10th pitch to Andrus was destined for a tying grand slam.

"I thought it was gone," Davis said.

"It was really close," catcher Chris Gimenez said. "If he would have hit a home run right there, I might have just cried."

But Andrus' drive sailed a few feet foul, and Davis got him to fly out on the next pitch, helping preserve a heart-thumping 8-4 victory over Texas in front of a sellout crowd at Rangers Ballpark.

"I've never been to the playoffs, but I definitely imagine that's probably what it's like," Gimenez said.

Said manager Joe Maddon: "If you had a heart monitor on me, it would have gone through the roof. That's the most intense 8-4 game you're ever going to find in April."

The Rays (13-7), who picked up their sixth consecutive win, appeared headed for a rout over the Rangers (15-5), scoring four-first inning runs in a banner offensive day, racking up a season-high 16 hits. One of the biggest came from third baseman Evan Longoria, who smashed a three-run homer, one batter after first baseman Carlos Peña reached on an error by second baseman Ian Kinsler.

"That totally changed the game," Maddon said of the miscue.

Rays right-hander James Shields, who won his fourth straight start, wasn't at his best, but he battled through six innings, racking up a season-high eight strikeouts in giving up a season-high 11 hits. "I thought I pitched pretty well," he said.

But Maddon said the Rays' 7-1 lead was more like a one- or two-run lead because of the Rangers' potent offense. Texas chipped away with a two-run homer by former Rays prospect Josh Hamilton in the fifth, and a solo shot by David Murphy in the sixth.

But the key moments, and most of the drama, came in the eighth. The Rangers started with back-to-back hits off J.P. Howell. In came Davis, who was moved to the bullpen after failing to win the fifth-starter spot in spring.

Davis found himself facing the bases loaded on two occasions, with an error by Longoria part of it. But after a slider turned into a wild pitch, Gimenez hustled to retrieve it, throwing a one-hopper to Davis, who tagged Nelson Cruz at home.

"That was the biggest play of the inning," Davis said.

But it wasn't over. Davis walked Kinsler to load the bases again after an eight-pitch at-bat, then fell behind 3-and-0 to Andrus, with Hamilton on deck.

Davis worked the count full, and Gimenez went to the mound, telling the right-hander to stick with his strength: fastballs. Davis threw eight straight fastballs, including the near-miss grand slam, before getting him out.

"Player of the game," Shields said of Davis.

Maddon has said he believed Davis could morph into a key late-inning reliever, with Friday's heroics a big example.

Said Maddon: "I think a relief pitcher was born."

Times wires
Saturday, April 28, 2012

Cardinals 13, Brewers 1

ST. LOUIS — Jake Westbrook gave up one run over seven innings and the Cardinals scored eight in the third. St. Louis, which set season highs for runs in an inning and in a game, won for the eighth time in its past 12. Westbrook has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all four of his starts.