By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 29, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — Rays manager Joe Maddon told his team in one of its first spring training meetings how important it would be to start the season off right, even with an April schedule filled with tough tests against several of the American League's best.

As the Rays return home to close out the month tonight against the Mariners, they like where they sit, at 14-8 and tied atop the AL East with the Orioles.

"We had a great April — not a good April, a great April," Maddon said Sunday, "based on the schedule, and not only the teams we played, but the schedule itself. I'm really pleased and proud of our guys."

Tampa Bay opened with three home games with the Yankees, navigated a 10-game, three-city trip filled with day games in Detroit and Boston, and tackled two of the expected top powers in the West, the Angels and Rangers.

And the Rays did so with closer Kyle Farnsworth (right elbow sprain) yet to appear in a game and CF B.J. Upton missing the first 13 games.

"I think we've done wonderfully," Maddon said. "I'd be hard-pressed to say that anybody would have predicted a better record than we have. I'll take it."

GOING LONG: The Rays acquired RHP Burke Badenhop from the Marlins because of his ability to induce ground balls.

This season, however, Badenhop has allowed more long balls than usual. He has given up three home runs in 10 games, including Adrian Beltre's three-run blast for the Rangers on Saturday, after surrendering one in 50 games last year.

"He's gotten some ground balls, and he's left some balls over the plate," Maddon said. "We're going to keep throwing him out there. I really believe he's going to be really good for us this season. He's just not as sharp as he's going to be."

Badenhop, who has been charged with at least one earned run in five of his 10 appearances, said he's not far off: "Everything I throw down in the zone, it's usually pretty good, it's just guys are laying off all those and waiting and waiting and waiting to get a good one. It's tough to be perfect all the time, but that's what I'm going to have to do."

CATCHING ON: With Triple-A Durham C Nevin Ashley on the disabled list with a broken bone in his right hand and expected to be out 4-6 weeks, it further depletes the Rays' organizational depth at that position.

C Robinson Chirinos (concussion) and C Jose Lobaton (shoulder) are also on the DL. Maddon said executive vice president Andrew Friedman has his eye on that spot, though he says it's one of the most difficult positions in sports to fill.

"We're okay up here, but you always look for depth," Maddon said. "That's a very difficult position to maintain with people that you like."

Maddon said Lobaton is getting work done in extended spring and is progressing in his rehabilitation. "I don't think he's really far off at this point," Maddon said.

A LITTLE MO: C Jose Molina is still learning the Rays pitchers, and vice versa, Maddon said. Though "there's certain things I know he'd like to have done better to this point," the manager said he is not concerned.

Molina, who is hitting .200 in 12 starts, has thrown out two of eight attempted basestealers.

"I think you're going to see a major impact from him in a positive way as we move this thing down the road," Maddon said. "He's a very proud man and expects a lot of himself, too, and I know if you talk to him specifically, he'll tell you he's not pleased with what he's done to this point."

When it comes to the number of passed balls/wild pitches Molina has been part of, Maddon said a reason is the veteran often doesn't give up on a pitch and "tries to hold it for a strike longer than most guys will."

MISCELLANY: Rangers OF Josh Hamilton left Sunday's game in the second inning with back tightness and is day to day … Triple-A Durham was no-hit Sunday 2-0 by three Indianapolis pitchers. Durham's 13th consecutive loss ties a franchise record.

Times wires
Sunday, April 29, 2012

DENVER — New Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning felt right at home with Todd Helton and the Rockies. Manning dropped by Coors Field on Sunday morning to visit his pal before the Rockies' game against the Mets.

Manning and Helton were quarterbacks at the University of Tennessee during the mid 1990s, and Manning supplanted him as the starter.

When Manning was going through his rehabilitation from neck surgery during the NFL lockout, Helton helped arrange for him to use the Rockies' facilities.

"He's a great friend for what he did for me last year, allowing me to use this facility, use the trainers to work out as part of my rehab process," Manning said.

"I've come a long way in a year. They were a big part of it. The whole Rockies organization, I can't thank them enough for opening their doors to me last year when I certainly was an outsider. I'll always be indebted to them."

Manning said he even had a locker now occupied by Rockies rightfielder Michael Cuddyer.

Manning also felt at ease in Denver.

"I've spent a lot of time here, so I knew how great of a city it was and what a great sports town it was," he said. "Todd didn't have to make a hard, hard sell."

From almost signed to being 'irrelevant'

Chandler Harnish said he almost was not Mr. Irrelevant — a.k.a. the last player drafted.

The former Northern Illinois quarterback said as the seventh, and final, round was winding down, the Chargers pressured him into signing once he went undrafted. When the Colts got wind of that, they took Harnish at No. 253.

"It looked like we were about ready to set up a free agency deal. I was ready to go to San Diego," said Harnish, who added he also talked to the Chiefs, Titans, Rams and Raiders.

"They wanted the decision 10 minutes after they could put the deal on the table, and this was still at Pick 240. "Well, my agent tells the Colts, 'Hey, he's going to San Diego if you don't draft him with your last pick.' So because of that, the Colts were like, 'We want him.' "

Bucs lose receiver: Toledo receiver Eric Page, who went undrafted, tweeted late Saturday he had signed with the Bucs. However, he changed his mind and signed with the Broncos. Page declared for the draft after his junior season, during which he caught 125 passes for 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Ex-Bull on the block: The Cowboys tried to trade former USF star cornerback Mike Jenkins over the weekend but failed to find a taker, ESPNDallas reported. Jenkins was the 25th overall pick by Dallas in 2008. But he had surgery on his right shoulder in January after separating it multiple times last season. And Thursday, the Cowboys drafted LSU star cornerback Morris Claiborne sixth overall.

Star QBs sign: Case Keenum, who set NCAA records for passing yards (19,217), touchdowns (155) and completions (1,546) while at Houston, signed with the Texans after going undrafted. Kellen Moore, also undrafted despite winning an NCAA-record 50 games at Boise State, signed with the Lions.

Chargers: Quarterback Jarrett Lee, who started nine games for LSU last season but went undrafted, signed as did Central Florida linebacker Josh Linam.

Eagles: Tight end Chase Ford, undrafted out of Miami, signed.

Falcons: Chris Polian, the son of former Colts executive Bill Polian and who was fired as Colts general manager in February, was hired in a personnel role, Profootballtalk.com reported. His role was not disclosed.

Ravens: Florida quarterback John Brantley and receiver Deonte Thomas, both of who were not drafted, signed.

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

Times wires
Sunday, April 29, 2012

LOS ANGELES — A day before Andrew Bynum produced one of the most eye-popping defensive performances in playoff history, he spoke up to his Lakers teammates about the importance of getting off to a good start in their championship quest.

With a league-record-tying 10 blocked shots, the 7-foot All-Star center put the Lakers on the good foot — and the Nuggets on their heels to start their Western Conference quarterfinal series.

Kobe Bryant had 31 points and Bynum posted the Lakers' first playoff triple double in 21 years and his first ever as Los Angeles controlled the tempo in a playoff-opening 103-88 victory Sunday.

The seventh-year pro capped his dominance with his record-tying block of Timofey Mozgov with 3:02 left. Bynum also had 10 points and 13 rebounds.

"It's the only way really possible for me to get a triple double — through blocked shots," Bynum said. "If I play good D, we'll win games. I think I'm just going to be as aggressively as I can defensively to contest their shots."

Just how dominant were Bynum and his tall teammates against the league's top-scoring team? Bynum blocked 11 percent of Denver's 90 shots, and Los Angeles had 15 total blocks.

Bynum had the Lakers' first playoff triple double since Magic Johnson in the 1991 Finals. He passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's franchise-record nine blocks and tied the NBA record set by Utah's Mark Eaton on April 26, 1985, and matched by Hakeem Olajuwon on April 29, 1990.

DENVER (88): Gallinari 7-14 5-6 19, Faried 4-8 2-3 10, Koufos 0-1 0-0 0, Lawson 3-11 1-2 7, Afflalo 3-11 3-4 9, Harrington 4-14 0-0 10, McGee 0-6 2-4 2, Miller 5-13 2-3 12, Brewer 3-6 3-3 11, Mozgov 2-5 2-2 6, Stone 0-0 0-0 0, Hamilton 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 32-90 20-27 88.

L.A. LAKERS (103): Ebanks 5-6 2-2 12, Gasol 6-14 0-0 13, Bynum 5-7 0-0 10, Sessions 6-11 0-0 14, Bryant 11-24 9-11 31, Barnes 1-6 0-0 2, Hill 5-10 0-2 10, Blake 3-7 0-0 9, Eyenga 1-1 0-0 2, Goudelock 0-0 0-0 0, McRoberts 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 43-86 11-15 103.

Denver 14 26 24 24— 88

L.A. Lakers 27 23 27 26— 103

3-Point Goals—Denver 4-14 (Harrington 2-4, Brewer 2-4, Miller 0-1, Lawson 0-2, Afflalo 0-3), L.A. Lakers 6-17 (Blake 3-6, Sessions 2-3, Gasol 1-2, Bryant 0-2, Barnes 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Denver 56 (Miller, Faried 8), L.A. Lakers 56 (Bynum 13). Assists—Denver 17 (Miller 7), L.A. Lakers 22 (Gasol 8). Total Fouls—Denver 18, L.A. Lakers 22. Technicals—Faried, Bryant, L.A. Lakers defensive three second. A—18,997 (18,997).

Rondo tossed in loss

ATLANTA — Game 1 of their East quarterfinal series was not pretty for the Celtics. It got downright ugly at the end.

Boston's star point guard, Rajon Rondo, was ejected in the final minute for bumping an official as the Hawks began the series with an 83-74 victory.

Josh Smith had 22 points and 18 rebounds for Atlanta, which led by four when Rondo lost his cool with 41 seconds left — and might have cost himself a chance to play Game 2 Tuesday night.

"I deserved the first tech," Rondo said. "I didn't intentionally chest-bump him, but that's what it appears to be. It's out of my control."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers doesn't think Rondo deserves a suspension: "I'm always worried, but I would be surprised if that happens," he said.

Brandon Bass was called for a foul on Smith. Rondo screamed at official Marc Davis, who quickly called a technical. Rondo then bumped Davis with his chest and was tossed out.

The Celtics were without guard Ray Allen (right ankle).

BOSTON (74): Pierce 5-19 2-3 12, Bass 3-7 2-2 8, Garnett 8-19 4-4 20, Rondo 10-18 0-0 20, Bradley 4-12 2-4 10, Stiemsma 1-2 0-0 2, Pietrus 0-2 0-0 0, Pavlovic 0-0 0-0 0, Dooling 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 32-82 10-13 74.

ATLANTA (83): Jo.Johnson 3-15 5-8 11, Smith 8-20 6-9 22, Collins 3-5 0-0 6, Teague 5-10 3-4 15, Hinrich 4-8 0-0 12, I.Johnson 2-4 0-0 4, M.Williams 1-5 0-0 2, Green 1-2 0-0 2, Pargo 2-4 0-0 5, McGrady 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 31-76 14-21 83.

Boston 18 17 18 21— 74

Atlanta 31 18 16 18— 83

3-Point Goals—Boston 0-11 (Dooling 0-1, Bradley 0-2, Pietrus 0-2, Pierce 0-6), Atlanta 7-20 (Hinrich 4-6, Teague 2-2, Pargo 1-2, Smith 0-1, Jo.Johnson 0-9). Fouled Out—Bass. Rebounds—Boston 47 (Garnett 12), Atlanta 58 (Smith 18). Assists—Boston 21 (Rondo 11), Atlanta 16 (Jo.Johnson 5). Total Fouls—Boston 24, Atlanta 18. Technicals—Rondo 2. Ejected—Rondo. A—19,292 (18,729).

Spurs off on right foot

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — In his best playoff game since 2009, Spurs point guard Tony Parker scored 28 and West top seed San Antonio erased four years of 0-1 holes to start the playoffs, beating the Jazz 106-91 in Game 1.

Last year San Antonio also entered as the No. 1 seed, only to be ousted by Memphis.

"I think everybody knows what happened last year," Parker said. "Everybody's motivated this year, but we don't even talk about it."

Utah had its first playoff game without Jerry Sloan since 1988.

UTAH (91): Hayward 2-6 12-12 17, Millsap 8-14 4-6 20, Jefferson 8-16 0-1 16, Harris 3-9 0-0 7, Howard 0-4 0-0 0, Carroll 3-8 0-0 7, Favors 3-5 1-4 7, Tinsley 3-8 2-2 9, Kanter 1-4 0-0 2, Burks 1-2 4-5 6, Ahearn 0-0 0-0 0, Evans 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 32-76 23-30 91.

SAN ANTONIO (106): Leonard 2-5 2-2 6, Duncan 7-14 3-5 17, Diaw 4-5 1-1 9, Parker 10-19 8-10 28, Green 1-3 0-0 2, Ginobili 3-10 1-2 7, Jackson 4-8 4-4 14, Bonner 3-5 0-0 9, Splitter 2-4 0-2 4, Neal 2-5 0-0 5, Blair 2-5 1-2 5, Mills 0-0 0-0 0, Anderson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 40-84 20-28 106.

Utah 22 25 23 21— 91

San Antonio 28 26 31 21— 106

3-Point Goals—Utah 4-13 (Tinsley 1-1, Carroll 1-3, Hayward 1-4, Harris 1-4, Howard 0-1), San Antonio 6-17 (Bonner 3-4, Jackson 2-4, Neal 1-2, Ginobili 0-2, Green 0-2, Leonard 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Utah 51 (Jefferson, Millsap 9), San Antonio 52 (Duncan 11). Assists—Utah 17 (Tinsley 5), San Antonio 25 (Parker 8). Total Fouls—Utah 24, San Antonio 18. Technicals—San Antonio Coach Popovich. A—18,581 (18,797).

Late Saturday: Durant beats buzzer, Mavs

OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant was determined not to let the Thunder lose another playoff game at home to Dallas.

He scored 25 and hit the winning jumper from the free-throw line with 1.5 seconds left to give the Thunder a 99-98 victory over the Mavericks late Saturday in a rematch of last year's West final.

The Thunder trailed by seven with 2½ minutes remaining before rallying to take the first step toward avenging a 4-1 series loss in 2011.

"It's the playoffs," Durant said. "No matter how it gets done, you've got to do it."

DALLAS (98): Marion 7-14 0-0 17, Nowitzki 8-18 9-10 25, Haywood 1-4 2-4 4, Kidd 2-8 2-3 8, West 2-5 0-0 5, Terry 8-10 0-0 20, Carter 5-14 3-4 13, Mahinmi 1-4 4-4 6, Wright 0-1 0-0 0, Cardinal 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-78 20-25 98.

OKLAHOMA CITY (99): Durant 10-27 4-5 25, Ibaka 9-12 3-4 22, Perkins 0-3 0-0 0, Westbrook 13-23 1-1 28, Sefolosha 2-2 0-0 5, Harden 4-7 9-10 19, Collison 0-0 0-0 0, Fisher 0-3 0-0 0, Cook 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 38-79 17-20 99.

Dallas 26 25 22 25— 98

Oklahoma City 22 26 21 30— 99

3-Point Goals—Dallas 10-22 (Terry 4-5, Marion 3-5, Kidd 2-6, West 1-2, Carter 0-2, Nowitzki 0-2), Oklahoma City 6-16 (Harden 2-4, Sefolosha 1-1, Ibaka 1-1, Westbrook 1-2, Durant 1-6, Cook 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Dallas 51 (Marion 8), Oklahoma City 42 (Perkins 8). Assists—Dallas 15 (Kidd, Terry 5), Oklahoma City 17 (Westbrook 5). Total Fouls—Dallas 20, Oklahoma City 22. A—18,203 (18,203).

Around the league: Magic confident

INDIANAPOLIS — A day after Orlando erased favored Indiana's homecourt edge with an 81-77 victory — without injured All-Star center Dwight Howard no less — the Magic's confidence was evident.

And this team always thought it had a chance in the series.

"I just think they're good and they believe they can win games," coach Stan Van Gundy said of his players. "I don't think that they're feeding off the underdog role. I think a little bit, it puts a little bit, maybe, a chip on your shoulder."

Magic players say they won't be satisfied with a road split heading into tonight's Game 2.

"I know that they're going to feel a lot of pressure to win this second game, and we don't want to let off at all," forward Ryan Anderson said. "We don't want to kind of just say we won and kind of give back that leeway."

LIN BACK QUICKER? Knicks guard Jeremy Lin said he might play against the Heat, perhaps in Game 4. Lin, whose emergence spawned the phenomenon of "Linsanity," had left knee surgery April 2 and was expected to miss six weeks. He hasn't been through a contact practice or scrimmage and said his knee was sore after a workout Saturday.

BULLS GM BACKS COACH: Bulls general manager Gar Forman supported coach Tom Thibodeau, saying he had no problem with the decision to keep Derrick Rose in the game with Chicago leading by 12 late in Saturday's 103-91 win over the 76ers. "There's absolutely no issue there," Forman said. Rose, the reigning league MVP, tore the ACL in his left knee with about 1:20 left and is out for the rest of the playoffs.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 29, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — Rays left-hander David Price entered Sunday's start well aware of the fact that the Rangers were the only American League team he has faced and never beaten.

After all, Price described it as having a piano on his back.

Consider it lifted. Price was impressive over 6? innings, carrying the Rays to a 5-2 victory in front of an ESPN Sunday Night Baseball audience.

"I can turn that page now," Price said. "It feels good."

But Price felt even better about how the victory helped clinch the three-game series from the previously red-hot Rangers, who had the best record in baseball and had not dropped a series this season. Tampa Bay (14-8) has won seven of its past eight and is tied for first place in the AL East, heading back to the Trop to begin a seven-game homestand.

"We need to be able to play these better teams like this in their building," manager Joe Maddon said. "The Rangers are really good, but I think the Rays are, too."

The Rangers (16-6) certainly made it interesting in the ninth, when rain and lightning began to fill the night sky. But after reliever Fernando Rodney loaded the bases, thanks to his error and a hit batsmen, he shut the door in catching Ian Kinsler's line out, preserving his seventh save in as many tries.

"I tried to make it quick," Rodney said. "But we got it done."

Price helped set the tone with a strong outing. He wasn't as sharp as he was in Tuesday's complete-game shutout over the Angels, but he held the Rangers to just two runs on six hits. Price is now 1-3 with a 5.22 ERA in 10 career starts against Texas, which he says "has the best lineup in baseball." The only AL team Price has not pitched against is the Mariners.

"I thought he pitched with a lot of composure," Maddon said. "And I thought his tempo got better as the game was in progress."

The Rays gave Price (4-1) plenty of support, with the most damage coming in the three-run second. Tampa Bay started with five consecutive hits off left-hander Derek Holland, including a triple by Ben Zobrist, one of three hits by the rightfielder. Jeff Keppinger had two hits of his own, and Desmond Jennings picked up an RBI triple as well as a sliding catch in leftfield.

Tampa Bay then caught a huge break early on when Rangers centerfielder Josh Hamilton, the league's leader in homers and RBIs, had to leave after the second inning due to back tightness. Hamilton had tagged the Rays for six RBIs in the series.

But Maddon said the key to the game was veteran Joel Peralta, who relieved Price in the seventh and threw 1? scoreless innings. The biggest moment came when he retired Kinsler to end the seventh in an 11-pitch at-bat. Peralta fell behind 3-and-1 but battled back. Kinsler fouled off five consecutive 3-and-2 pitches before he was caught looking on a split-finger pitch. Kinsler argued the call, and so did Rangers manager Ron Washington, who got ejected on his 60th birthday.

"It was a little high," Peralta said with a smile. "But it was a strike."

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

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 29, 2012

Rays vs. Mariners

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (3-0, 2.84)

Mariners: RH Felix Hernandez (2-1, 2.48)

On Hellickson: He has won his past two starts, including giving up one run over six innings against the Angels. He has dominated the M's, going 3-0 with a 0.81 ERA in three career starts (two runs in 22⅓ innings).

On Hernandez: He is coming off a strong performance against the Tigers, allowing one run over seven innings in a win. The 2010 AL Cy Young winner is 3-2 with a 2.42 ERA in nine career starts against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Hernandez

Carlos Peña 0-for-11

Evan Longoria 5-for-14

B.J. Upton 2-for-22

M's vs. Hellickson

Ichiro Suzuki 1-for-10

Dustin Ackley 1-for-6

Miguel Olivo 1-for-6

On deck

Tuesday: vs Mariners, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (0-1, 4.68); Mariners — Hector Noesi (1-2, 8.83)

Wednesday: vs Mariners, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (4-0, 3.31); Mariners — Blake Beavan (1-2, 3.60)

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

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Heads-up Hellickson

RHP Jeremy Hellickson, right, admitted being a little "gun-shy" when throwing his bullpen session Friday during Rangers batting practice, considering he was hit in the head a few weeks ago by a Delmon Young BP homer. "I told (pitching coach Jim) Hickey I wanted to be out there before BP, and he said, 'They can't hit it that far,' " Hellickson said. "I said, 'Have you seen that lineup?' I think they can hit it that far."

Ballot of the day

Tonight marks the beginning of All-Star Game voting at Tropicana Field. The Rays will continue their ballot contest, as each night fans who enter at least 100 ballots have the opportunity to win prizes such as tickets and memorabilia.

Number of the day

21 Triples for Ben Zobrist, below, tying him for third on the club's all-time list with Akinori Iwamura.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 30, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays made it official Monday, signing former All-Star OF/DH Hideki Matsui to a minor-league deal.

Matsui will be at the Trop on Tuesday for a media session, then on Wednesday report to the Rays extended spring camp in Port Charlotte. He is expected to eventually join Triple-A Durham, likely by mid-May.

"Over the past two decades, Hideki has been one of the most consistently productive hitters in the world,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said, in a team release. "We are happy to add his ability, approach and professionalism to our organization.''

Matsui, who turns 38 in June, has played nine seasons in the majors - seven with the Yankees, then one each with the Angels and A's, compiling a .285 average, 173 home runs, 753 RBIs and 248 doubles in 1,202. He was a nine-time All-Star in Japan, hitting .304 with 332 home runs, 889 RBI and 245 doubles in 1,268 games. He is the first player to hit a combined 500 home runs between the Japanese and major leagues.

With Oakland last season, Matsui hit .251 with 12 home runs, 72 RBIs and 28 doubles, starting 108 games at DH and 27 in leftfield.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 30, 2012

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released their full list of rookie free-agent signings:

WR Luther Ambrose, 5-8, 185, Louisiana-Monroe

LB Ryan Baker, 6-0, 236, LSU

QB Zach Collaros, 6-0, 183, Cincinnati

C Chaz Hine, 6-4, 295, South Florida

FB Cody Johnson, 5-11, 255, Texas

CB Leonard Johnson, 5-10, 196, Iowa State

DT Donte'e Nicholls, 6-2, 312, Tennessee State

WR Tyler Shoemaker, 6-1, 213, Boise State

T Bradley Sowell, 6-7, 316, Mississippi

S Tramain Thomas, 6-0, 204, Arkansas

TE Tyler Urban, 6-5, 249, West Virginia

G Michael VanDerMeulen, 6-7, 304, Toledo

CB Quenton Washington, 5-10, 195, South Florida

T Desmond Wynn, 6-6, 303, Rutgers

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

D'backs 9, Marlins 5

MIAMI — Left-hander Patrick Corbin pitched 5⅔ innings to win his major-league debut for Arizona, which was ahead 7-0 by the fifth inning. Miami, which lost for the eighth time in nine games, tapped into a 1-2-3 bases-loaded double play and made three errors.

By Dave Mistretta, Times Correspondent
Monday, April 30, 2012

What's hot: This past month was a promising indicator that red grouper fishing is going to be good for a while. Anglers going for red grouper in the near future should plan on numerous keeper fish in the box. We have reached the limit of four per person on most every recent trip. Their population seems better in 85 feet or deeper.

Hot spots: Last week many new locations were found by checking any flat, rocky bottom that looked like it had life on it. A small pod of bait fish, a few small fish along the bottom or any kind of show on the sonar often can become your jackpot stop. One memorable stop was in 86 feet. I noticed three small fish hovering a few feet off the bottom. After spinning the boat around and dropping anchor uptide, we caught 16 keeper red grouper. Many other new stops produced at least five keepers. The most important thing about looking for new locations is not to get discouraged if you strike out. I had dropped on three spots before the jackpot location without a bite. The key that the spot holds fish is if you hook a grouper immediately after dropping baits to the bottom. It doesn't have to be a large fish. Once a few undersized grouper eat, they attract the larger grouper to investigate. My rule this time of year is to give it two or three minutes. If you don't get a bite by then, move on to the next locations.

Extra bonus: Free-lined sardines off the back of the boat consistently lure kingfish and other pelagic fish. All the commotion of grouper being often entices onlookers to join the feeding frenzy.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 439-2628 or visit jawstoo.com.

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

HOUSTON — Overlooked again, Case Keenum will start his NFL career close to where he proved skeptics wrong in college.

The record-setting University of Houston quarterback said Monday that he will sign as an undrafted free agent with the Texans, the team he was hoping would give him his shot.

"It's really unbelievable," Keenum said Monday. "I'm extremely excited for so many reasons."

Keenum was disappointed that he wasn't drafted, but when the Texans called Saturday night, he immediately related it to his transition from high school to college.

Houston was the only school that offered him a scholarship after a stellar career at Wylie High in Abilene. Keenum rewarded Houston's faith by becoming the Division I career leader in yards passing (19,217) and touchdown passes (155), and he's the only D-I quarterback to throw for more than 5,000 yards in three different seasons.

SEMINOLES SIGN: FSU punter Shaun Powell signed with the Bills, receiver Bert Reed with the Browns and safety Terrance Parks with the Chiefs as undrafted free agents.

LIONS ADD QB: Boise State's Kellen Moore agreed to a free agent deal, giving the Lions someone to develop behind starter Matthew Stafford and backup Shaun Hill. Moore won 50 games, a D-I record for a starting quarterback.

bounty-gate INVESTIGATOR RESIGNS: Joe Hummel, one of the NFL investigators in the Saints' bounty scandal, resigned his post to take a senior security position at a major company, league spokesman Greg Aiello said. Hummel will continue to be involved in the investigation until June.

SURGERY FOR WR: Bills receiver Stevie Johnson is scheduled to have what his agent described as "very minor" surgery to repair a groin injury that nagged the player for most of last season.

HIT-AND-RUN TRIAL: The wife of a former Viking accused in a fatal hit-and-run said she wasn't trying to conceal evidence when she deleted text messages from her phone the night of the crash. Amy Senser, wife of former Vikings tight end Joe Senser, is charged with criminal vehicular homicide in Minneapolis.

BROWNS: Quarterback Colt McCoy participated in the team's voluntary offseason conditioning program just days after the club drafted his likely successor, Brandon Weeden, in the first round.

Jets: Former Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms, the youngest son of former Giants star Phil Simms, is among 23 players invited to rookie camp.

RAIDERS: Quarterback Jim Sorgi will come in for a tryout today.

REDSKINS: Free agent linebacker Jonathan Goff, who played three seasons with the Giants before missing last year with a knee injury, signed.

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

COLLEGES

HOKIES SELECT EX-ASSISTANT OF FIRED GREENBERG

Virginia Tech has chosen James Johnson to replace Seth Greenberg as its men's basketball coach.

Johnson takes over after serving as an assistant for five years, the Associated Press reported Monday. He left Virginia Tech on April 19 for a similar job at Clemson. A formal announcement was expected today or Wednesday, AP reported.

Greenberg, the former USF coach, was fired April 23 after nine seasons and one NCAA Tournament appearance.

MORE BASKETBALL: Kore White, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound power forward who is a graduate transfer from Florida Atlantic, said he'll start summer classes at USF on May 14, working on a master's degree in physical education. White, who has one year of eligibility, averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds last season for the Owls. … Bradley Beal, who last month left Florida for the NBA after his freshman season, is the No. 3 overall pick in ESPN.com's latest mock draft, behind former Kentucky freshman standouts Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. … Maryland guard Terrell Stoglin entered the draft after the school suspended him for a year.

BASEBALL: Florida State (36-7, 19-2 ACC) remained No. 1 in the latest Baseball America and coaches polls. Florida (33-12, 12-9 SEC) fell from No. 5 to No. 7 in Baseball America and from No. 2 to No. 5 in the coaches.

REALIGNMENT: Butler, which made the final of the men's basketball NCAA Tournament in 2010 and '11, is exploring leaving the Horizon League for the Atlantic 10, the Indianapolis Star reported.

FOOTBALL: Michigan reinstated safety Josh Furman a week after he was found not guilty of assault. … Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said he will allow running back Aaron Green to transfer. … Billy Neighbors, a star lineman on coach Bear Bryant's first national championship team at Alabama and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, died in Huntsville. He was 72.

OLYMPICS

Team USA faces tough Olympic test

The U.S. men's basketball team, reeling from major injuries to NBA stars Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose, drew what appears to be a difficult group for this summer's London Games. The defending champions face powerful Argentina, plus France and Tunisia, in Group A. Two more teams will be added from a qualifying tournament in Venezuela in July. Solid squads such as Lithuania, Russia and Greece — the last team to beat the USA — are favorites for those spots.

ET CETERA

TENNIS: After defending champ Novak Djokovic pulled out of his home tournament in Belgrade, Serbia, his brother Marko lost in the first round to Filippo Volandri.

PARIMUTUELS: The private group that runs New York thoroughbred racing put its top executive on leave after a state report said $8.5 million in winnings wasn't paid to bettors. The New York Racing Association executive committee said CEO Charlie Hayward, who earns $475,000 a year, and senior vice president Patrick Kehoe are on indefinite unpaid leave.

SOCCER: Tampa Bay Rowdies goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, a former Countryside High and USF star, was named NASL player of the week.

AUTOS: Richard Petty Motorsports named Mike Ford crew chief for Tampa's Aric Almirola. Ford was the crew chief for Denny Hamlin until this season.

Times staff writers Greg Auman and Antonya English, Times wires

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

CLEVELAND — Johnny Damon brings a presence to the top of the Indians lineup and professionalism to the clubhouse.

Big bonuses for the ballclub.

However, what the Indians are craving is some power.

In fact, any power.

Damon, the Rays' DH last season who has been at the Indians' facility in Goodyear, Ariz., warming up a swing that has produced nearly 3,000 hits and readying his legs for the grind of his 18th season, will join the AL Central-leading team today in Chicago when it opens a three-game series against the White Sox.

Cleveland signed Damon, 38, on April 17, a minimal-risk move made to upgrade the club's outfield and potentially ignite a sputtering offense.

The Indians have been wildly inconsistent at the plate and have gone 11 consecutive games without a home run. According to STATS LLC, Cleveland's homerless drought is the majors' third-longest since 2000. Only the Angels in 2007 (14 games) and Giants in 2008 (12) had longer gaps between home runs.

"We'll hit another one," deadpanned manager Manny Acta after Sunday's 4-0 win over the Angels.

PETTITTE FEELS READY: Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte said he's ready to join the major-league rotation after a 96-pitch outing at extended spring training in Clearwater. "I feel I'm strong enough and ready to make my next start with (the Yankees) … I feel like I'm ready to help the team," Pettitte said after yielding six runs against Phillies minor-leaguers.

In other Yankees news, RF Nick Swisher is expected to miss a week because of a strained left hamstring.

COGHLAN DEMOTED: For the second straight year, the Marlins optioned 2009 NL rookie of the year and former East Lake High standout Chris Coghlan to Triple-A New Orleans. Coghlan, 26, was hitting .118 in 34 at-bats, mostly off the bench.

D'BACKS CHECK ON VLAD: Diamondbacks vice president Junior Noboa said the team is taking a serious look at free agent Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero, 37, worked out at the team's Dominican complex.

ANGELS: Former Rays INF Jorge Cantu exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract and became a free agent.

A'S: The team finalized a deal with 3B Brandon Inge, who was in the starting lineup.

DODGERS: RH reliever Todd Coffey, out since April 14 with right knee inflammation, was activated from the disabled list.

MARLINS: With the team on the road for the next nine games, the grounds crew will use sun lamps to try to revive the fading turf at the new ballpark. The grass has been turning brown because the retractable roof was closed more than anticipated in April.

METS: RHP Mike Pelfrey will have elbow ligament replacement surgery today in Alabama, the team announced. … CF Andres Torres, out since April 6 with a strained left calf, was activated from the disabled list.

RANGERS: OF Josh Hamilton was held out because of a sore back sustained Sunday night against the Rays.

RED SOX: 3B Kevin Youkilis was scratched because of lower-back tightness.

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

NEW YORK — Hiroki Kuroda and the Yankees blocked off the Orioles again.

Kuroda pitched seven sharp innings and teamed with catcher Russell Martin to nab Nick Markakis at the plate in a key play, lifting the Yankees over Baltimore 2-1 Monday night.

Eric Chavez hit a two-run homer and New York made several sparkling plays, the best on Kuroda's final pitch.

"It came out right," Kuroda said through a translator.

Down 2-1 in the seventh, the Orioles used a single, a hit batter and wild pitch to put runners on second and third with two outs. Kuroda bounced a splitter and Martin blocked it, with the ball skittering toward Baltimore's dugout on the third base side.

Markakis broke for home.

"You don't really have time to think about much," Martin said. "It's just reaction."

Martin recovered and made a backhand flip to Kuroda, who planted his right foot in the runner's path. Markakis had to reach around Kuroda's leg, and the pitcher had plenty of time to make the tag.

"I was convinced I was going to get an out if I had a good throw from Russell," Kuroda said.

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

Phillies 6, Cubs 4

PHILADELPHIA — Placido Polanco hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth for the Phillies. Bryan LaHair hit a tying two-run homer off Chad Qualls in the eighth before Philadelphia responded. Pinch-hitter Juan Pierre was hit by a pitch and Jimmy Rollins singled before Polanco hit a hard liner to the wall in left.

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

MANCHESTER, England — With one thumping header, Vincent Kompany might have tilted the balance of soccer power in Manchester from red to blue.

The captain's goal in first-half stoppage time was enough to give Manchester City a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Monday in a mega-hyped rivalry game, putting his team in position to be champions of England for the first time in 44 years.

"I guess a lot of predictions go wrong, but I remember someone texting me today and saying 'You're going to score a goal today,' and I thought he was a lunatic," said Kompany, a Belgian defender who entered with just two goals this season.

It was a simple goal after a brief lapse from the United defense, but it could have long-lasting repercussions in Manchester — and English soccer. Especially for United, the world's richest sports franchise and owned by the same Glazer family that owns the Buccaneers.

City tied its much more storied crosstown rival for first place at 83 points with two of 38 matches left. But the blue-clad "Citizens" own the tiebreaker with a goal differential of plus-61 to plus-53 for United.

This was called the biggest Premier League game ever — one ESPN promoted to American audiences with commercials during the NFL draft, the NBA playoffs, SportsCenter and more.

It has been so long since Man City won a title that it was called First Division back then — the Premier League was more than 20 years away. And in the 1990s Man City, in major financial trouble, was relegated — then relegated again, playing in the third flight against the likes of Luton Town, Wrexham and York City.

Oh, and in that span since 1968, Man U has won 12 of its record 19 league titles, eight FA Cups, two European Champions League trophies and more.

Fast forward to now in the 131-year history of meetings between the two sides. City is owned by free-spending Sheik Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, brother of Abu Dhabi's crown prince. It has shelled out millions for top global stars such as David Silva, Carlos Tevez and Yaya Toure as well as Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, whose father-in-law Diego Maradona watched this game from the stands.

Paired with a 6-1 thrashing of Man U in October at its stadium, Old Trafford, Man City solidly owns town bragging rights.

Its goal now is more than that.

"We've been waiting for this moment," Kompany said. "It's far from over, and we know that, but just to give our fans two wins over Manchester United this season — we have to finish it off."

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

Pirates 9, Braves 3

ATLANTA — Pedro Alvarez and Yamaico Navarro hit two-run homers, and Pittsburgh enjoyed a long-awaited offensive breakthrough. The Pirates, last in the majors with 58 runs in 22 games, almost doubled their previous season high of five runs. It took them 22 games to score more than five, the longest streak since the 1972 Brewers went a major league-record 31 games without surpassing five.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 30, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays signed former All-Star OF/DH Hideki Matsui to a minor-league contract without any promises or guarantees of a promotion to the majors.

But manager Joe Maddon certainly sounded comforted, if not outright excited, by the possibility the soon-to-be 38-year-old lefty slugger could be available to help after a stint in the minors.

"He's a wonderful weapon for us to have," Maddon said. "I can't be very specific with you because I'm not sure how this is going to all play out. All I can tell you, very specifically, is I really love the idea of him being with us in this organization and getting him ready and seeing how this all plays out."

Matsui — who remains a major deal in his native country based on the 20-plus Japanese journalists on hand Monday — will have a news conference at the Trop today then report to extended spring training in Port Charlotte on Wednesday, with the plan to join Triple-A Durham by mid May.

Matsui was unsigned for this season after playing nine years in the majors, seven with the Yankees, then one each with the Angels and A's, compiling a .285 average, 173 home runs and 753 RBIs in 1,202 games, making the 2003 and '04 All-Star teams. Before that, he played 10 seasons in Japan, nine as an All-Star, hitting .304 with 332 homers and 889 RBIs. He is the only player to have a combined 500 homers in Japan and the majors.

"Over the past two decades, Hideki has been one of the most consistently productive hitters in the world," Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said in a team release. "We are happy to add his ability, approach and professionalism to our organization."

The Rays will have Matsui go to Durham with the idea that they'll see how he is hitting and how their team looks — who might be hurt, what their needs are — at the time.

"We'll just get him ready and see what it looks like at that appropriate moment," Maddon said.

Though he said there's no specific plan and stressed they are quite happy with Luke Scott as DH, Maddon twice brought up, unprompted, that Scott, as he completes his recovery from shoulder surgery, eventually will be able to play first and the outfield. When he does, the Rays could decide they'd rather have Scott and Matsui than Scott and Brandon Allen, presently the extra outfielder/backup first baseman.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said in New York the Rays are getting a good man: "They're getting a true professional, a wonderful teammate. … To me, he was a great player for the New York Yankees, and he had a pretty good second half last year."

Details of Matsui's contract were not immediately available.

MOORE IS LESS: Rookie LHP Matt Moore joked with RHP Jeff Niemann about "the goose egg" under the W next to his name, but he said he isn't too concerned about being winless as he makes his fifth start tonight. "It's going to be good pitching here at home," Moore said. "I like the energy here and the mound and everything is good. It's a real comfortable feeling for me. We've got two (starts) coming up; I'm sure something will happen there."

MINOR MATTERS: Durham snapped its franchise-record 13-game losing streak Monday with a 1-0 win over Indianapolis. A day after the Bulls were no-hit, Durham starter Matt Torra took a no-hitter into the eighth. … Durham put OF Brandon Guyer on the DL with a left ankle sprain and moved struggling LHP Alex Torres (1-3, 10.38, 19 hits, 21 walks in 17⅓ innings) to the bullpen.

MISCELLANY: The Rays are a major-league best 9-1 at home (with three walkoff wins) and 5-1 in one-run games. … Carlos Peña was 0-for-11 vs. M's starter Felix Hernandez and went 2-for-3. … OF Desmond Jennings, who was supposed to be off, came in in the 10th and was 0-for-2, snapping his hitting streak at 11. … Seattle C Miguel Olivo left with a groin strain.

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

TORONTO — Yu Darvish acknowledged it felt strange to face the Blue Jays. That didn't stop him from shutting down their lineup.

Darvish won his third straight start, Mitch Moreland and Craig Gentry homered and the Rangers beat Toronto 4-1 on Monday night.

Pitching against a Blue Jays team that reportedly pursued him when his rights went up for auction last December made Darvish a little uneasy as he took the mound.

"Honestly, it was kind of an awkward feeling because rumor has it that this was a team that might have posted for me and there was some chance that I might have played for this team," Darvish said through a translator. "Facing the Blue Jays, they could have been my teammates."

The Jays might have wished that themselves on this night, scratching out one run against the Japanese sensation, the first starting pitcher in Rangers history to win four of his first five games.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell said Darvish was "as good as advertised."

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

Red Sox 11, Athletics 6

BOSTON — David Ortiz finished the best April of his career with two solo homers, and Mike Aviles hit a three-run shot for the Red Sox. Darnell McDonald had a two-run homer and Marlon Byrd drove in two runs to support a decent start by Clay Buchholz. Ortiz hit .405 in April with six homers and 20 RBIs.

Times wires
Monday, April 30, 2012

Chart-topping climbs

Sunday night, the Clippers won after trailing by 21 to start the fourth quarter, tying the biggest comeback in an NBA playoff game in the shot clock era:

Source: Elias Sports Bureau

Rally by the numbers

The fourth-quarter difference Sunday between the Clippers and Grizzlies:

Source: ESPN.com

MEMPHIS — Chris Paul begged coach Vinny Del Negro to put him back into the game for the fourth quarter and not give up.

The result was one of the greatest rallies in NBA playoff history.

Paul hit two free throws with 23.7 seconds left, and the Clippers came from 27 down to stun the Grizzlies 99-98 late Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round West series.

"Unfortunately, that's how we play," he said. "We get killed in the first three quarters and in the fourth quarter we like to try to stand up for ourselves, and we found a way to win."

The Grizzlies saw a 24-point cushion vanish to end the game.

"It's still tough for me right now," Memphis forward Zach Randolph said Monday.

Even Los Angeles' Caron Butler enjoyed it despite breaking his left hand. He is out for about six weeks.

"It's deflating the whole city," he said of his team's win. "It was a concert when I came over and when I left, it ended early. I didn't hear no music. I didn't hear anything. Beale Street was kind of quiet, so it was something that affected everyone."