Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

D'backs 5, Nationals 1

WASHINGTON — Trevor Cahill took a four-hit shutout into the eighth inning en route to handing the Nationals their fifth straight loss. Bryce Harper went 0-for-3 in his home debut for Washington. The No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft is 2-for-9 since being recalled from the minors Saturday. After Cahill's 7⅓ innings, Diamondbacks starters are 4-0 with a 1.30 ERA in the past five games. Justin Upton had two hits and two RBIs for Arizona.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

BUFFALO, N.Y. — When the Bills failed to land a quarterback in the NFL draft last weekend, general manager Buddy Nix hinted he already had one in mind in free agency.

That player apparently was Vince Young.

The 10-year veteran is traveling to Buffalo for a scheduled workout with the Bills today. It will be Young's first formal workout with a team this offseason after he was not re-signed by the Eagles.

Young, who turns 29 on May 18, has been biding his time to determine the next step of his career. The 2006 No. 3 overall pick by the Titans elected to wait until after the draft to start visiting teams to see which ones were still in need of quarterback help.

GAFFNEY CUT: The Redskins released 10-year veteran Jabar Gaffney. The former Gator was Washington's leading receiver last season with 68 catches for 947 yards and five touchdowns.

LEINART SIGNS: The Raiders signed quarterback Matt Leinart to a one-year contract to back up fellow USC alumnus Carson Palmer. Leinart has recovered from a broken left collarbone that cut short his 2011 season.

VIKING STADIUM: The drive to reach a Vikings stadium deal took a step backward at the Minnesota state Capitol. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton sharply rebuked GOP lawmakers for not taking the stadium debate seriously amid word Republicans are working out a deal to authorize a roofless stadium.

RAMS STADIUM: The Rams submitted plans to upgrade the Edward Jones Dome, a key step to making sure the team doesn't leave St. Louis.

SEMI-APOLOGY to Pats: Ravens coach John Harbaugh backtracked after saying on the radio that the Patriots' championships "got asterisks now; it's been stained," referring to the Spygate scandal of 2007. In a statement, Harbaugh claimed his "reference was to the perception out there that came as the result of the league's actions."

FAVRE SUIT: Brett Favre will have to testify in court about sexually suggestive text messages, a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled. Massage therapists Christina Scavo and Shannon O'Toole contend they were subjected to sexual harassment and job discrimination by Favre.

JETS: Veteran kicker Josh Brown was signed to compete with incumbent Nick Folk.

TEXANS: Receiver Jacoby Jones was released, saving the team about $2.5 million under the cap.

VIKINGS: Running back Caleb King was released three days after he was arrested in an alleged beating outside a birthday party. King was released from jail with no charges filed.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Phillies 4, Braves 2

ATLANTA — John Mayberry doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth as Philadelphia won the first meeting of the season between the NL East rivals. Facing Jonny Venters, Mayberry doubled to right with one out, moved to third on Jimmy Rollins' single and scored on Venters' wild pitch to Placido Polanco.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Tigers 9, Royals 3

DETROIT — Austin Jackson had four hits and Rick Porcello pitched eight strong innings for the Tigers, who scored five in the first and won for the third time in 11 games. Porcello took advantage of the support to snap out of his slump. In his previous two starts, the right-hander was 0-2 with a 15.26 ERA. Luke Hochevar allowed nine runs in four innings after giving up three in 11⅓ innings in his past two starts.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Blue Jays 8, Rangers 7

TORONTO — Brett Lawrie hit a walkoff home run in the ninth inning for the Blue Jays. After Francisco Cordero blew a save opportunity in the top half, Lawrie won it with a leadoff homer against Mike Adams, a shot that bounced off the top of the wall in left-center. Jose Bautista also connected for Toronto, which rallied from 5-0 down.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

LOS ANGELES — The $2 billion sale of the Dodgers was finalized Tuesday, ending the tumultuous era under former owner Frank McCourt, who took the team into bankruptcy and made his private life public through a nasty divorce battle with his ex-wife.

The closure of the deal was announced in a terse statement. The Dodgers were sold to Guggenheim Baseball Management, a group that includes former Lakers star Magic Johnson.

Mark Walter, CEO of the financial services firm Guggenheim Partners, will become the controlling owner, and the team will be run by former Braves president Stan Kasten. They plan to hold a news conference today at Dodger Stadium.

McCourt met with Dodgers employees Tuesday, expressing his appreciation and introduced Walter, said Howard Sunkin, a spokesman for McCourt.

BRAUN RIPS THREE: Reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun had his first three-homer game and added a two-run triple to tie his career high with six RBIs, leading the Brewers to an 8-3 win at San Diego late Monday.

"It's definitely special," Braun said. "It's an extremely challenging game we play. You're going to deal with a lot of failure, a lot of adversity, and when you have a special night like that you try to enjoy it, and it's that much more fun and enjoyable when your team wins the game. It was definitely a pretty cool night."

PUJOLS UPSET WITH COACH: Angels 1B Albert Pujols wasn't happy to learn that hitting coach Mickey Hatcher shared details of a players-only meeting with the media.

Pujols spoke to his teammates before Monday's game. Hatcher told Angels beat writers that Pujols promised he and the team would eventually break out of their slumps.

"Mickey should have never told you guys that," Pujols said, adding that he intended to speak with Hatcher. "That stuff needs to be private. He should have never told the media."

HONOR FOR LA RUSSA: The Cardinals are wasting no time honoring Tampa native Tony La Russa, announcing they will retire their former manager's No. 10 on May 11.

DAMON REPORTS: Former Ray Johnny Damon joined the Indians, and manager Manny Acta said he plans to put his new outfielder in the starting lineup today.

CLEMENS Trial: Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte testified that he used human growth hormone and that friend and teammate Roger Clemens told him he had as well. Pettitte took the witness stand on the third day of testimony in a surprise move by the government during Clemens' federal perjury trial.

BRAVES: RF Jason Heyward missed a second game with an oblique injury and is likely to sit out at least until Thursday.

CARDINALS: Reserve OF Allen Craig was activated from the 15-day disabled list.

GIANTS: LH reliever Jeremy Affeldt went on the disabled list with a sprained right knee.

ORIOLES: LF Nolan Reimold will miss the final two games of the series against the Yankees with a bulging disc in his back.

RED SOX: With 3B Kevin Youkilis hobbled by a sore back, SS Jose Iglesias was recalled from Triple A. Youkilis was out of the starting lineup for a third straight game. RHP Junichi Tazawa was demoted to Pawtucket.

TWINS: C Drew Butera was recalled from the minors to add depth behind banged-up starter Joe Mauer.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

COLLEGE REALIGNMENT

CONFERENCE USA ADDING SIX SCHOOLS

Conference USA, which is losing four schools to the Big East in the next year, plans to add six schools in 2013, CBSSports.com reported Tuesday.

According to the report, three current Division I-A football programs — Florida International and North Texas from the Sun Belt and Louisiana Tech from the WAC — would join C-USA along with Old Dominion, Charlotte and Texas-San Antonio.

The changes would expand C-USA to 14, though it was unclear when Charlotte and Old Dominion would join for football. ODU is in Division I-AA, and Charlotte won't play a game until 2013.

C-USA has lost UCF, Houston, Memphis and SMU to the Big East. Those schools will join the BCS conference in 2013.

Also, Texas State and Texas-Arlington — both yet to play a game in the WAC — will leave it for the Sun Belt starting in '13.

MORE COLLEGES

UF men and women hosting NCAA tennis

Florida was chosen as one of 16 hosts of the women's and men's first- and second-round matches, May 11-13, in the NCAA tournament. Florida State will be one of the women's teams the Gators host. The UF women's team, the No. 2 national seed, faces South Carolina State, and FSU plays Washington State in the first round. For the men, No. 12 seed UF plays Navy, and Harvard faces Virginia Tech in the first round. The FSU men travel to Athens, Ga., to face Boise State, and No. 2 seed Georgia faces South Carolina State.

GOLF: Big East champion USF and Florida State earned invitations to the field of 24 at the NCAA Women's Central Region, May 10-12, in Columbus, Ohio. Florida and UCF will go to the East Region in State College, Pa.

SWIMMING

Norwegian champion Dale Oen dies at 26

Alexander Dale Oen, a world champion who was one of Norway's top medal hopes for the London Olympics, died from cardiac arrest after collapsing in his bathroom during a training camp in Flagstaff, Ariz. He was 26. The president of the Norwegian swimming federation, Per Rune Eknes, confirmed the death to the Associated Press but said it was unclear what led to the cardiac arrest. The 100-meter breaststroke world champion was found collapsed on the floor of his bathroom late Monday.

OLYMPICS

WADA slams Britain

The World Anti-Doping Agency accused Britain's national body of "wasting a lot of time and money" in its failed attempt to uphold lifetime bans for drug offenders. WADA director general David Howman said the British Olympic Association should have dropped its rule months ago.

INTERNET: NBC will make each event available online live, a shift from making viewers wait until prime time — but the TV package will remain much the same. The online coverage of the Games will use the world feed instead of NBC camera angles.

SOCCER

England tabs Hodgson

England named Roy Hodgson national team coach, six weeks before its first match at the European championships. The 64-year-old coached West Bromwich Albion of the EPL this season.

HENRY INJURY: MLS star Thierry Henry of New York will miss four weeks with a strained right hamstring.

ET CETERA

TENNIS: Qualifier Robert Farah upset defending champ Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round of the BMW Open in Munich. … Racket maker Prince sought bankruptcy protection, citing as much as $100 million each in assets and debts.

Times wires

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Rays vs. Mariners

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 James Shields (4-0, 3.31)

MARINERS: RH Blake Beavan (1-2, 3.60)

On Shields: The Rays ace has been on a roll since his shaky opening day outing, going 4-0, 2.08 in beating the Tigers, Red Sox, Twins and Rangers. He has struggled vs. Seattle, 0-2, 8.21 in his past three, 3-4, 4.04 overall.

On Beavan: Acquired from Texas in the Cliff Lee deal, Beavan, 23, is a control freak, allowing only 1.39 walks per 9 IP in his 2011 rookie season. Has pitched well in losses to Texas, Chicago.

Key matchups

Rays VS. BEAVAN

Brandon Allen 2-for-5

Jose Molina 1-for-2

MARINERS VS. SHIELDS

Chone Figgins 11-for-29

Justin Smoak 3-for-9, HR

Ichiro Suzuki 12-for-27, HR

On deck

Thursday: Mariners, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (1-3, 3.86); Mariners — Kevin Millwood (0-2, 5.24)

Friday: A's, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (4-1, 2.67); A's — Tyson Ross (1-1. 6.48)

Saturday: A's, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (3-0. 2.51); A's — Bartolo Colon (3-2, 2.53)

Sunday: A's, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (1-1, 4.20); A's — Tommy Milone (3-2, 3.69)

Rays disabled list

C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 60-day

RHP Kyle Farnsworth, right elbow strain, 60-day

OF Sam Fuld, right wrist surgery, 60-day

C Jose Lobaton, right shoulder soreness, 15-day

3B Evan Longoria, left hamstring tear, 15-day

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Catwalkers of the day

Oh, those wayward Mariners. On Tuesday, relievers Charlie Furbush, Tom Wilhelmsen, Lucas Luetge, Steve Delabar and OF Casper Wells went on an expedition, because they could, to the top Trop catwalk. They stayed on the A-ring, close to 200 feet above the field, for about 15 minutes. Said Wilhelmsen: "We think outside the box in Seattle."

Stats of the day

52-32

Rays record without Evan Longoria in the lineup, 2008-12.

32-22

Rays record with Longoria on the DL.

Catwalk watchers of the day

Rays manager Joe Maddon was amused to hear of the Mariners' journey and figured former Ray John "Mikey" Jaso, now with Seattle, had to be involved. "I think Mikey's already had a tremendous influence on the Mariners," he said. "I really would have been even more impressed had they rappelled to the field. So Mikey still has some work to do."

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

NEW YORK — Buck Showalter sat by his desk as his cellphone beeped constantly, no doubt with texts and emails of congratulations.

He didn't want to think about his 1,000th win as a major-league manager. He already was focusing on No. 1,001.

"I'm very appreciative of the players making me feel really young tonight even though I'm an old goat," Showalter, 55, said after his Orioles beat the Yankees 7-1 Tuesday.

Brian Matusz ended his 11-month losing streak and Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy homered off Phil Hughes to give Baltimore its first win in five tries against New York.

Showalter's first win came April 7, 1992, at old Yankee Stadium when New York beat Boston ace Roger Clemens 4-3.

When this one ended, Showalter remained in the dugout for about a minute. When he came onto the field, Nick Markarkis pushed him into the center of players who mobbed him around home.

"It's kind of embarrassing quite frankly because it's about the players," Showalter said.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — Adam Larsson watched Game 1 from the press box, dressed sharply in a suit and tie. He sat helpless as he watched his Devils lose a tough road opener in the Eastern Conference semifinal series to the Flyers in overtime.

In Game 2, though, he received his chance to shed the suit and don a uniform.

And the 19-year-old rookie took full advantage.

Larsson scored the first postseason goal of his career off a wrist shot in the third, igniting a four-goal explosion in the period, as the Devils rallied to a 4-1 win over Philadelphia on Tuesday night. The best of seven series is tied at 1-1.

"I know how the playoffs (are)," Larsson said. "I watched all the games from the stands. I know that everybody steps up a little bit. I knew in my mind, if I wanted to stay in the lineup, I had to step it up."

Larsson and Clarkson scored consecutive goals in the third period to rally the Devils past the Flyers and make up for the absence of Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils played without their regular-season leading scorer because of a lower-body injury.

Travis Zajac added a late goal to make it 3-1, and Bryce Salvador scored a late empty-netter for the Devils.

Game 3 is Thursday in Newark, N.J.

Matt Read scored 2:53 in to give the Flyers an early jump. But the offense went into a funk and goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov couldn't protect the advantage.

Bryzgalov, who signed a $51 million, nine-year deal over the summer, was especially stout in the second when he bailed out the Flyers offense with a 12-save period. The Flyers went more than 18 minutes before taking a shot on Martin Brodeur.

"I didn't sense frustration. We were comfortable with how we played the first two periods," Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. "And it was just a matter of keeping it going in the third. And the goals came."

Bryzgalov had a brutal first five games of the postseason and allowed 20 goals against Pittsburgh. But he shut down the Penguins in the Game 6 clincher, a 5-1 win, and let in three goals in Game 1 against the Devils.

He appeared to have turned the corner.

Then came the final period.

Kovalchuk's injury opened a roster spot for Larsson, a rookie defenseman, to be activated. Larsson had two goals and 18 points in his first season but made his playoff debut Tuesday.

"Down a goal, third period, and it was huge," DeBoer said of the rookie's goal. "I feel great for Larsson. He's been out a few games, and he responded."

First Period—1, Philadelphia, Read 3 (Schenn, Simmonds), 2:53. Penalties—van Riemsdyk, Phi (slashing), 4:22; Timonen, Phi (hooking), 9:26; Gionta, NJ (slashing), 14:18; Salvador, NJ (interference), 20:00.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Briere, Phi (holding), 12:49; Henrique, NJ (slashing), 18:44.

Third Period—2, New Jersey, Larsson 1 (Zubrus, Harrold), 3:08. 3, New Jersey, Clarkson 1 (Parise), 11:17. 4, New Jersey, Zajac 5 (Gionta, Zubrus), 14:01. 5, New Jersey, Salvador 1 (Henrique), 17:09 (en-sh). Penalties—Zidlicky, NJ (elbowing), 1:39; Hartnell, Phi (holding stick), 1:52; Zubrus, NJ (interference), 15:35; Clarkson, NJ (roughing), 19:44; Lilja, Phi (roughing), 19:44; Talbot, Phi, misconduct, 19:44; Simmonds, Phi, minor-misconduct (roughing), 20:00. Shots on Goal—New Jersey 13-12-10—35. Philadelphia 9-2-9—20. Power-play opportunities—New Jersey 0 of 4; Philadelphia 0 of 5. Goalies—New Jersey, Brodeur 5-3-0 (20 shots-19 saves). Philadelphia, Bryzgalov 5-3-0 (34-31). A—20,131 (19,537). T—2:25.

PREDATORS SUSPEND TWO: Predators forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn have been suspended for tonight's Game 3 for violating unspecified team rules. General manager David Poile refused to specify what Radulov and Kostitsyn did, but called their behavior unfortunate and selfish.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Athletics 5, Red Sox 3

BOSTON — Jarrod Parker scattered four hits over 6⅔ innings and picked up his first major-league win for Oakland, which scored the first five and stopped a three-game skid. Jemile Weeks ended an 0-for-12 slump with a leadoff single and finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored for the A's. Last-place Boston dropped to 11-12 and again failed to climb above .500 for the first time this season.

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Astros 6, Mets 3

HOUSTON — Chris Snyder hit a three-run homer and Jed Lowrie had a two-run shot to lift the Astros. Lowrie's homer off Jonathon Niese hit the inside of the foul pole in leftfield in the first inning and got things going for the Astros, who have won the first two games of the three-game series. Houston had lost six consecutive series going in.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

CHICAGO — Jrue Holiday scored 26, Lou Williams added 20 and the 76ers beat Chicago 109-92 Tuesday night to even their first-round series in the Bulls' first game since Derrick Rose's season-ending knee injury.

The All-Star point guard received a standing ovation and waved to the crowd as he limped onto the court to present the game ball, then watched from a suite as the 76ers blitzed the Bulls in the third quarter in Game 2.

They outscored Chicago 36-14 in the quarter, turning an eight-point deficit into an 83-69 lead, and pulled even with the team with the best regular-season record.

"I can't tell you how exciting it is to come into Chicago and get a playoff win," said 76ers coach Doug Collins, who coached the Bulls early in the Michael Jordan era but before they began to win titles. "That third quarter we played was as good a quarter as I've seen our team play since I've been with them."

Former Florida star Joakim Noah led the Bulls with 21 points and eight rebounds. John Lucas III scored 15, but Carlos Boozer scored just nine and Luol Deng finished with eight. And the Bulls couldn't stop the Sixers, particularly in the third quarter.

Turner scored 11 in the third as Philadelphia wiped out a 55-47 deficit. The Sixers led 68-61 midway through the quarter after a 12-0 run that Elton Brand started with a jumper from the free-throw line.

"I thought the third quarter was the game," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "The first five minutes, they were into us. We took tough shots and didn't have floor balance. They got into the open floor, crushed us off isolation.

"You don't replace the individual greatness of Derrick with any one player," Thibodeau added. "We need to do that collectively."

PHILADELPHIA (109): Iguodala 5-12 0-1 11, Brand 5-6 2-2 12, Hawes 1-3 0-0 2, Holiday 11-15 1-2 26, Turner 8-15 3-3 19, Allen 5-7 1-1 11, T.Young 3-6 2-2 8, Williams 8-13 3-4 20, Meeks 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 46-78 12-15 109.

CHICAGO (92): Deng 3-12 1-2 8, Boozer 4-10 1-2 9, Noah 10-11 1-2 21, Watson 4-11 2-2 12, Hamilton 4-10 2-2 10, Gibson 3-9 2-4 8, Brewer 1-5 0-2 2, Lucas 7-12 0-0 15, Korver 2-4 1-2 7, Asik 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 38-84 10-18 92.

Philadelphia 25 22 36 26— 109

Chicago 28 27 14 23— 92

3-Point Goals—Philadelphia 5-12 (Holiday 3-3, Iguodala 1-3, Williams 1-5, Turner 0-1), Chicago 6-14 (Watson 2-4, Korver 2-4, Deng 1-3, Lucas 1-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Philadelphia 42 (Allen 9), Chicago 47 (Noah 8). Assists—Philadelphia 23 (Williams, Holiday, Turner 6), Chicago 23 (Noah, Hamilton 5). Total Fouls—Philadelphia 18, Chicago 11. A—22,067 (20,917).

Celtics tie series

ATLANTA — Paul Pierce hit the free throws to clinch it, then dropped to a knee near midcourt.

He wasn't planning on Tebowing, but it just felt right.

With a stunning performance, Pierce single-handedly led the Celtics to a playoff win — even without their floor leader.

Pierce had 36 points and Boston wiped out Atlanta's 11-point lead in the second half, stunning the Hawks 87-80 in Game 2 of the East series.

Boston heads home for Friday's game tied 1-1 Point guard Rajon Rondo will be back for the Celtics in that one, having served his suspension for bumping an official in Game 1.

Pierce outscored the Hawks all by himself over the last 15:08.

"I have a lot of experience, a lot of confidence from being in those moments," Pierce said. "You believe in yourself, your coach believes in you, your team believes in you, it's a combination of all those things."

Down the stretch, the Celtics simplified things: give the ball to Pierce and get out of the way.

"Paul was great," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "The only way we were going to win a game like this without Ray and Rondo was if Paul had a game like this."

Late in the game, Pierce paused on his way back to the bench to copy the move named after NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, sinking to a knee and bowing his head for a brief prayer in the middle of the court.

BOSTON (87): Pierce 12-26 11-13 36, Bass 3-7 2-2 8, Garnett 5-13 5-6 15, Bradley 4-8 6-8 14, Pietrus 0-3 0-0 0, Pavlovic 2-5 0-0 4, Stiemsma 0-0 0-0 0, Dooling 2-4 0-0 6, Hollins 0-1 0-0 0, Daniels 1-1 2-2 4. Totals 29-68 26-31 87.

ATLANTA (80): Jo.Johnson 7-17 5-6 22, Smith 8-21 0-0 16, Collins 1-2 0-0 2, Teague 6-18 4-4 18, Hinrich 3-7 1-1 8, I.Johnson 2-7 2-3 6, M.Williams 1-6 1-2 3, Green 1-3 0-0 2, McGrady 0-0 3-4 3, Pargo 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 29-83 16-20 80.

Boston 24 17 20 26— 87

Atlanta 24 20 22 14— 80

3-Point Goals—Boston 3-14 (Dooling 2-3, Pierce 1-5, Bradley 0-1, Pavlovic 0-2, Pietrus 0-3), Atlanta 6-22 (Jo.Johnson 3-8, Teague 2-5, Hinrich 1-3, Pargo 0-1, I.Johnson 0-1, M.Williams 0-2, Green 0-2). Fouled Out—Collins. Rebounds—Boston 54 (Pierce 14), Atlanta 48 (Smith 12). Assists—Boston 14 (Garnett 5), Atlanta 14 (Smith, Jo.Johnson 5). Total Fouls—Boston 24, Atlanta 26. A—19,308 (18,729).

Stoudemire's punch puts him out for Game 3

NEW YORK — Knicks star Amare Stoudemire will miss Thursday's Game 3 against the Heat after he cut his left hand by punching the case surrounding a fire extinguisher, the Associated Press reported.

Stoudemire apologized on his Twitter account for the act, which leaves the Knicks without another key player as they try to rally from a 2-0 series deficit. Jeremy Lin and Iman Shumpert (knee) are also out.

"I am so mad at myself right now, I want to apologize to the fans and my team, not proud of my actions, headed home for a new start," Stoudemire wrote on Twitter about two hours after Monday's game.

Late Monday: Thunder in tough command

OKLAHOMA CITY — All-Star Russell Westbrook had 29 points and hit a 3-pointer late Monday to give the Thunder an 89-88 lead in a chippy Game 2 victory for a 2-0 series lead over defending champion Dallas.

Shawn Marion fouled James Harden and the league's top scoring reserve — only eight days removed from a concussion suffered as the result of Metta World Peace's elbow to the head — hit both free throws in the final minute to give the Thunder the lead for good.

"We've just got to continue to take that punch from them and do a great job of sticking together," Kevin Durant said. "Games like this in the playoffs, they're going to get chippy and we know that. So, we've just got to play through it."

DALLAS (99): Marion 5-9 4-4 15, Nowitzki 10-19 11-11 31, Haywood 1-3 0-0 2, Kidd 2-10 5-5 10, West 5-12 2-2 13, Mahinmi 3-3 3-4 9, Terry 5-12 1-2 13, Carter 2-9 1-2 5, Wright 0-1 1-2 1, Beaubois 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 33-79 28-32 99.

OKLAHOMA CITY (102): Durant 5-17 14-16 26, Ibaka 1-2 0-0 2, Perkins 4-5 5-5 13, Westbrook 10-21 8-8 29, Sefolosha 0-1 0-0 0, Harden 2-7 10-10 15, Collison 2-4 0-0 4, Fisher 5-6 0-0 11, Cook 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 30-67 37-39 102.

Dallas 24 26 27 22— 99

Oklahoma City 32 25 22 23— 102

3-Point Goals—Dallas 5-23 (Terry 2-6, West 1-3, Marion 1-4, Kidd 1-6, Carter 0-2, Nowitzki 0-2), Oklahoma City 5-16 (Durant 2-6, Westbrook 1-2, Fisher 1-2, Harden 1-3, Cook 0-3). Fouled Out—Collison. Rebounds—Dallas 45 (Marion 8), Oklahoma City 44 (Durant 10). Assists—Dallas 13 (Kidd 7), Oklahoma City 13 (Harden 5). Total Fouls—Dallas 26, Oklahoma City 28. Technicals—Nowitzki, Perkins. A—18,203 (18,203).

Around the league: Magic seeks edge

ORLANDO — With their series even at 1, which team has established early postseason identity more between the Magic and Pacers?

Tonight's Game 3 in Orlando might help provide an answer.

"Obviously we want to go back home and play off the momentum of the crowd and just play better than we did (Monday)," Magic forward Ryan Anderson said after a 93-78 loss in Game 2. "We know that we can play better than this and play harder than this."

Glen "Big Baby" Davis maintained his consistency in Game 2 playing as an undersized center. New roles or situation aside, Davis said there continues to be a no-excuse mentality throughout the Magic.

"It's the playoffs, we got to go. We have to find it and regroup," Davis said. "I think we have to find our niche out there and get guys the ball at the right time."

POPOVICH HONORED: Gregg Popovich was named coach of the year after leading San Antonio to 50 wins and the West's top seed. He also won the award in 2003 when San Antonio won its second of four titles. Popovich received 77 first-place votes from a media panel; Chicago's Thibodeau was second (27) and Indiana's Frank Vogel third (seven).

BUCKS: Scott Skiles will return to coach next season, the final one of his contract, he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

NUGGETS: Forward Wilson Chandler is expected to be ready by training camp next season after surgery to repair a labral tear in his left hip.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Matt Joyce said Evan Longoria leaves some "very big shoes to fill," with different Rays having to rise to the occasion while the star third baseman is out six to eight weeks with a partially torn hamstring.

On Tuesday, it was Joyce's turn, filling Longoria's third spot in the order quite nicely in ripping a homer and an RBI triple to lift the Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Mariners in front of 9,972 at Tropicana Field. For Tampa Bay (16-8), it was its ninth win in its past 10 games.

And manager Joe Maddon said Joyce could see more time in the No. 3 hole against right-handers, against whom he entered Tuesday hitting .327.

"I feel very comfortable in the middle of the order, wherever it may be," said Joyce, who has a team-leading six homers. "I'm up for anything."

Joyce provided nearly all of the Rays offense, which mustered just three hits, none after the third inning; it was just the 10th time in club history that the Rays have won when recording three hits or fewer. But it was enough to help rookie lefty Matt Moore get his first victory of the season, albeit in an abbreviated five-inning outing.

Moore (1-1) looked sharp at times, striking out seven and walking just one, saying he felt some growth with his curveball. But he said he wasn't attacking — and finishing — hitters enough early in counts, with a lot of foul balls leading to a 101-pitch count.

Tuesday "was a shorter day for me, five innings is not the way any of us want to go," Moore said. "I think it's just a matter of me trusting the ball over the plate a little more. I don't know if it looks like I'm nibbling, but it feels like the ball is going over the plate and then it's just off the plate. But I feel like we're on the way up right now."

Moore credited the bullpen for picking him up, with Burke Badenhop throwing two scoreless innings, Joel Peralta taking the eighth and Fernando Rodney striking out the side in the ninth for his eighth save in as many opportunities.

"They were outstanding," Moore said.

Ben Zobrist might not be hitting the ball extremely well now (.198 average), but he has been able to find his way on base in the second spot of the order. And Zobrist started the Rays' first-inning rally with his AL-leading 20th walk of the season. Joyce followed with a triple off the centerfield wall.

"He understands to set the table is very important," Maddon said. "That's where the value is of a Ben Zobrist."

Joyce actually felt the triple was hit harder than his home run, which sailed 362 feet into the rightfield seats.

"It's weird how that works, isn't it?" Joyce said. "I told (hitting coach) Derek (Shelton) that I need to work out a little bit more or something. But it worked out well the next at-bat."

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

Times wires
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Cardinals 10, Pirates 7

ST. LOUIS — Adam Wainwright pitched seven solid innings for his first win since September 2010, and David Freese and Matt Holliday homered for the Cardinals. Freese hit a tiebreaking three-run shot in the fifth, and Holliday homered in the sixth to cap a three-hit night.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

White Sox 7, Indians 2

CHICAGO — Gordon Beckham snapped out of a slump with three hits to lift the White Sox. Beckham was mired in an 0-for-10 slide and was batting .153 before he belted a solo homer in the third to give Chicago a 2-1 lead on a rainy, overcast night at U.S. Cellular Field. He also singled in a run in the fifth. A.J. Pierzynski also homered for Chicago, 3-0 against Cleveland this season.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Dodgers 7, Rockies 6

DENVER — Ted Lilly pitched seven solid innings and Dee Gordon, Andre Ethier and A.J. Ellis homered for Los Angeles. The Dodgers got 11 hits off Jhoulys Chacin then held on despite a shaky bullpen performance to cap a day that saw the tumultuous Frank McCourt era come to an end.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Angels 4, Twins 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jerome Williams earned his second major-league shutout with a three-hitter, Torii Hunter homered for the fourth time in five games after a season-opening 18-game drought and Howie Kendrick also went deep against struggling Francisco Liriano to lead Los Angeles. Williams retired 18 of the last 19 batters while going the distance for the third time in 81 career starts. His other shutout was June 27, 2003, with the Giants, a seven-hitter against the Athletics.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Marlins 2, Giants 1

SAN FRANCISCO — Giancarlo Stanton homered for the second time in three games to back Ricky Nolasco's third straight win, and Miami won for the second time in 10 games but the sixth in eight games against San Francisco. Hanley Ramirez had an RBI single in the fourth that ended Matt Cain's home scoreless streak to start the season at 21 innings. Struggling Miami closer Heath Bell pitched a perfect ninth.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Padres 2, Brewers 0

SAN DIEGO — Pinch-hitter Mark Kotsay belted a two-run homer with one out in the eighth for San Diego. Kotsay, who played with Milwaukee last season, drove Francisco Rodriguez's 1-and-1 pitch to rightfield. Will Venable was aboard after a single. It was Kotsay's fourth career pinch homer and first since Aug. 9, 2002, at Cincinnati during his first stint with the Padres. He was signed as a free agent in the offseason for his left-handed bat and veteran presence.