By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

As Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano was preparing for the NFL draft, his thoughts kept drifting to Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed during a game in 2010 against Army.

"Leading up to the draft, I couldn't help but think that this should've been Eric's draft class," Schiano said.

So on Tuesday, the Bucs signed LeGrand to a contract as a gesture by Schiano.

"This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit, and perseverance,'' Schiano said. "The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men."

The release was distributed by the Bucs Tuesday morning and read the same as the signing of any college free agent.

"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that they signed college free agent DT Eric LeGrand. LeGrand joins the Buccaneers from Rutgers University, where he played in 31 games. During his time with the Scarlet Knights, he recorded 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries, before his playing career ended prematurely.''

LeGrand, who is finishing up his studies at Rutgers and hopes to become a broadcaster, was stunned by Schiano's decision to offer him a chance to sign with the Bucs.

He said a No. 52 jersey, Buccaneeres helmet and contract are being shipped to him in New Jersey. Not coincidentally, LeGrand was signed on May 2, or 5-2.

I said, "Are you serious?' LeGrand said in a conference call Tuesday. "You want do this for me?' He said, "It's the least we could do.' I said, "I don't even know what to say to you right now, coach. This is amazing. Thank you.'

"This is something I always dreamed about, to go to the NFL and retire and become a sportscaster. Dreams do come true if you really believe. If you do the right things in life, good things happen to you. He did this out of the kindness of his heart where he just wanted to do it. I had no idea, no idea this was going to happen. And look, just being the person I am working hard every day, just trying to help other people out, things like this happen to me. Honestly, it's amazing. It is, it really is.''

LeGrand's inspiring story is well documented and gained national attention. LeGrand fractured two vertebrae and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed. Doctors told him he would most likely be a quadriplegic and resigned to a ventilator, but only five weeks after the injury, LeGrand was able to resume breathing on his own. Eventually, he was able to stand upright with help from a metal frame.

On Oct. 29, 2011, one year after his injury, LeGrand led the Rutgers football team onto the field in the Scarlet Knights stadium. He also joined the team during Senior Day festivities prior to Rutgers' win that year vs. Cincinnati Nov. 19.

LeGrand was on the cover of Sports Illustrated's 2011 year-end issue and his return to the football field was voted the magazine's Moment of the Year.

After the injury, Schiano would coach his team at Rutgers during the day and make the more than one hour drive from Piscataway to Hackensack, N.J., to sit with LeGrand overnight at the hospital and relieve his mother, Karen. LeGrand considers Schiano a 'father figure.'

"You know, I was going into Rutgers as a little boy and I'm coming out a man,'' LeGrand said. "He's that type of person. When you're faced with adversity, he's going to say you're not going to back down at all. He's going to make sure you take it front on and deal with whatever the situation is. In life, you can't control what cards you're dealt and you've just got to deal with that card you're dealt. That's what helped me through my whole situation, just living on a daily basis.

"It's hard sometimes when you want to feed yourself or you have an itch and you want to scratch yourself, sometimes it's disappointing. Then you think about all the kinds of stuff coach Schiano taught us at Rutgers and you just kind of fight through it. It's not going to last long. Tough times don't last, only tough people do. That's why I do, I just stay on my daily grind. I take this as if I'm preparing for a football game. I don't know when that football game is going to be, but I'm preparing for it every single day as I'm going through my rehab.''

LeGrand beleived he was on the path as a player at Rutgers that would've eventually led him to a playing career in the NFL.

"Oh yeah, that was the whole goal,'' LeGrand said. "That's what you work for and dream for. Playing football, always wanted to get to the NFL and believed I had a good shot at it. Unfortunately, the injury happened but it was a fortunate thing that I was able to help a lot more people out there in the world not playing football than if I was playing.''

Now LeGrand's goals have changed. He said he's progressing with his rehabiliation and is able to sit up for 15 minutes at a time. He expects to graduate with a degree in labor studies at Rutgers next fall and has partnered with IMG to continue his broadcasting career. He recently helped call the Scarlet Knights' spring game.

Oh yeah, and he plans to walk again.

"My goal is to walk,'' LeGrand said. "I know it's going to happen. I believe this happened for a reason. My goal is to get back on my feet. That's what I'm going to keep on doing, I'm going to keep on fighting. I don't know when it's going to happen, but I know down the road that is going to happen because if you believe in yourself, if you believe in the Man Above, anything is possible.''

LeGrand's recovery can be followed through his Twitter feed, @EricLeGrand52.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

TAMPA — A former starting offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys was arrested Tuesday night and charged with felony drug and weapons charges after police say he sold an undercover officer $20 in marijuana in the strip club where he works.

Torrin Tucker, 32, who started 24 games for the Cowboys from 2003-05 and played last year for the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions, was charged with four felonies -— possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, delivery of marijuana and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony — along with a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana. After spending the night in the Hillsborough County jail, he was released Wednesday morning on $19,500 bail.

According to the arrest report, Tucker was observed selling a $20 bag of marijuana to an undercover officer at Hollywood Nites, a club located at 3003 N Howard Ave. where Tucker told police he works in "security." A subsequent search found 18 baggies of marijuana "packaged for sale" and nine capsules containing cocaine, all in a Crown Royale bag "stuffed down the front of (his) pants," according to the report. Tucker also was found to have a Smith & Wesson handgun loaded with 11 hollow-point rounds of ammunition holstered inside his waistband. He advised the arresting officers he was in possession of both the weapon and the drugs prior to being searched, according to the report.

Tucker, who is listed at 6 feet 8 and 350 pounds on the arrest report, also gave police a Tampa address for his home. He signed with the Bucs in 2006 after three seasons with the Cowboys, only to be cut in the preseason that year after being limited by a knee injury. He was in camp with the Houston Texans in 2008 but has since played in the Canadian and Arena leagues, then last fall in the UFL, where he is still listed on the Sacramento roster. Tucker joined the Cowboys in 2003 after playing collegiately at Southern Miss.

By Andy Warrener, Times Correspondent

TAMPA — When Gaither freshman Samson Moore and Hillsborough senior Evan Jennings line up in the 110-meter high hurdle at today's Class 3A State Track and Field Championships in Jacksonville, their presence will have as much to do with the competition they faced in their own district as it will their own ability.

"Last year, the regional competition wasn't nearly as tough," Jennings said. "I really was shocked when I got to states.

"I feel like I'm better prepared this year; I know what I have to do."

Moore and Jennings reached the top echelon because they were pushed. Moore picked up fuel in practice from his own teammate, Gaither senior Paul Barrett. In meets, the pair of Cowboys battled Jennings as well as Jefferson senior Charles Booth and Steinbrenner senior Raymond Simmons.

Interestingly, only one of the five entered the season highly touted. Booth and Barrett reached state last year in the 300 hurdles, but not in the 110. Jennings didn't break the 16-second mark as a junior. Simmons didn't even compete in the event in 2011.

"He's a quiet, soft-spoken kid and he's been an unknown all year," said Baldwin.

Moore was the opposite: a known quantity from his success as Junior Olympic champion, he set the tone early, taking first at the Charles Johnson Invitational in February.

From there, various combinations of the five hurdlers battled in various meets. Barrett claimed the county championship on April 4 with a time of 14.50 seconds.

In the Class 3A, District 8 meet at Gaither, all five made the finals. Jefferson's Booth burst out of his blocks in the lead; the field caught up until Moore pulled away over the last few hurdles to finish in 14.39 seconds. Booth (14.72), Hillsborough's Jennings (14.79) and Steinbrenner's Simmons (14.80) also earned a trip to the regionals.

Barrett ran a 14.88, but finished fifth and didn't advance in the 110 finals. Still, all five ran under 15 seconds, a feat unmatched by competitors at other 3A district meets around the state.

The regional meet also reflected the strength of the competition. Moore, with a relatively slow time of 15.30 in a preliminary heat, raced from Lane 7.

In the final, judges initially thought Jennings won, but that's because they didn't see Moore outrace the field from the outside lane and post a time of 14.36, setting a personal best and breaking the Gaither school record. Coaches and reporters near the finish line quickly made the correction.

Jennings ended up with a second place medal and a career-best time of 14.48. If Booth and Simmons had placed third and fourth, Hillsborough County could have swept the regionals.

Instead, Moore and Jennings enter today's meet as favorites to earn a medal. Only Miami Northwestern's Artie Burns ran a better time in all of Class 3A regional qualifying. They will wear the jerseys of their respective schools — Gaither and Hillsborough — but given how much they benefited from strong local competition, they will carry the Hillsborough County banner.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

TAMPA — What started out as a silly question blossomed into quite a career path.

Heather Werry graduated high school in Pennsylvania and enrolled at Florida State. Werry, who played lacrosse up North, was spotted one day carrying her stick around campus when someone approached her.

"Why are you carrying a snowshoe?" the person asked.

Needless to say, Werry was quite taken aback, considering she hailed from a part of the country where lacrosse is huge.

"So me and five friends decided to start a club team at FSU," she said.

Fast forward 15 years and Werry, now in her fifth season as the head coach of Plant High's club team, will be leading her team against host Wesley Chapel on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. for the West Florida Lacrosse League championship.

"This has been the best experience ever," she said. "It has been so rewarding."

Plant (13-2) advanced to Saturday's title game after an 8-5 win against Newsome last Friday in the district championship.

"This is the first year we have been super focused," defender Alex Mathews said. "We've had a sense since the beginning of the year that we can win the championship."

Wesley Chapel was one of two teams to beat Plant this year, but Mathews said that defeat was the catalyst for the rest of the season.

"Even though we lost I think that game really taught us a lot," she said of the 9-8 midseason loss to Wesley Chapel. "They played a style we hadn't really seen before. We learned a lot from that game."

Senior midfielder Caitlin Smith agreed, saying Plant will be much more prepared this time around.

"They run a lot of picks and move the ball around really well," she said. "We can't just stay in our triangle defense. You have to be able to get around those picks and slide the defense over."

She also said that loss to Wesley Chapel made the Panthers hungrier.

"It's tough when you lose a close game like that and you know you shouldn't have," she said. "We could have played much better but after that (loss), we really started playing with some much more enthusiasm and things just exploded."

Smith and Mathews are two of 11 seniors on Plant's team. Although she'll be losing a large chunk of the team next year, Werry pointed to the South Tampa Sticks as a reason for optimism.

"They are really an amazing feeder program for us and have done a great job getting these girls ready to play when they reach the high school level," she said.

Sofia Emond leads the Panthers with 24 goals while Sloane Henry tops the team in assists. Goalie Bekah Kleiner, who's started every game this season, also drew praise from Werry.

"She's been absolutely killing it this year," she said.

As of right now, Hillsborough County hasn't adopted lacrosse as a recognized sport though many counties throughout the state have. The School Board is, however, considering adding the sport as a fee-based pilot program next year.

"Lacrosse has just been growing and growing, and it's a sport people just fall in love with," Smith said. "I think adding it would be one of the best things Hillsborough County could do for high school sports."

Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

LOS ANGELES — Although the Southern California sun stayed behind the clouds, everything else about the Dodgers' introductory news conference for their new ownership group signaled the dawn of a new era for a beloved franchise.

Magic Johnson, Mark Walter and Stan Kasten stood on a stage Wednesday in centerfield at Dodger Stadium on what broadcaster Vin Scully called "a soft day," pulling on white jerseys and blue Dodgers caps for the club's third ownership change since 1998.

The new owners vowed to restore the Dodgers' dignity after Frank McCourt's stormy and sometimes questionable tenure. While outlining a long-term vision, they also offered an immediate carrot for their long-suffering fans: a $5 reduction in the $15 parking charges at the stadium.

"What we want to do is bring the pride back to this city and this organization," said Johnson, his voice echoing off thousands of empty seats in the iconic stadium. "It's going to take some time to get this franchise back to where Mr. O'Malley had it, but we're going to work, and we're going to do it. We're committed for the long haul."

CLEMENS Trial: In a blow to the government's federal perjury case against Roger Clemens, Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte testified that he might have misunderstood when he thought Clemens admitted to him that he had used human growth hormone. Clemens' lawyers moved to strike Pettitte's testimony about the 1999-2000 conversation as "insufficiently definitive."

BREWERS: 1B Mat Gamel tore the ACL in his right knee and likely will need season-ending surgery.

ORIOLES: Rookie LHP Tsuyoshi Wada is scheduled to have season-ending elbow ligament replacement surgery on May 11.

PADRES: LHP Cory Luebke went on the 15-day DL with a strained pitching elbow.

PHILLIES: 1B Jim Thome went on the 15-day DL with tightness in his lower back. C Erik Kratz was recalled from Triple-A.

RANGERS: OF Josh Hamilton sat out for a third straight game with a stiff back but is expected to return to the lineup Friday.

REDS: RH reliever Michael Wuertz, out much of last season with right thumb tendinitis, agreed to a minor-league deal.

RED SOX: 3B Kevin Youkilis went on the 15-day DL with a strained lower back. 3B Will Middlebrooks, one of the team's top prospects, was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. Also, RHP Aaron Cook was called up from Pawtucket and will start Saturday in place of RHP Josh Beckett, who has soreness in his right side.

YANKEES: LF Brett Gardner, out two weeks with a strained right elbow, is unlikely to come off the disabled list today, manager Joe Girardi said.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

What's hot: With an increase in tide levels around the last new moon, many larger redfish have showed up on the flats from Clearwater Bay north to the Anclote River. These fish are in schools of about 10 to 20 fish and moving in with the mullet as they flood the shallows. Most average up to 34 inches.

Technique: The most productive method of catching them has been placing a large pinfish under a cork and popping it to draw attention. Keep the bait closer to the cork (about 18 inches), and the pinfish will keep trying to swim down, thus staying in the strike zone longer without getting buried in the grass. As the tide floods the mangrove shoreline, the reds will hunt in the shade. This is where precision casts are necessary. Work the pockets in the trees where free-lined baits can get a couple of feet back under overhanging limbs. Once hooked up, keep the rod tip below the water surface to prevent the line from tangling in the branches.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at (727) 439-9017 and at jim@captainhud.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The NFL suspended Saints defensive captain Jonathan Vilma without pay for all of next season and gave shorter bans to three other players for their leading roles in the team's cash-for-hits bounty system.

Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, now with the Packers, was suspended for the first half of the 16-game season; Saints defensive end Will Smith was barred for the first four games; and linebacker Scott Fujita, now with the Browns, will miss the first three. They also were suspended without pay.

The league said Wednesday that its investigation showed "a significant number of players participated" in the bounties — by ponying up cash or collecting it — but noted that "the players disciplined participated at a different and more significant level." Commissioner Roger Goodell has come down hard on the Saints in this case amid rising concerns about concussions and player safety. He previously suspended coach Sean Payton (all of 2012), general manager Mickey Loomis (eight games) and assistant coach Joe Vitt (six).

The players have three days to appeal, and NFL Players Association head DeMaurice Smith said the union has "made it clear that punishment without evidence is not fair."

Vilma, a former University of Miami standout, said he was "shocked and extremely disappointed" by the penalty, denying he was a ringleader and saying he would appeal.

"I never set out to intentionally hurt any player and never enticed any teammate to intentionally hurt another player," said Vilma, whose ban, which will cost him $1.6 million in base salary, starts immediately. "I intend to fight this injustice."

Fujita could lose more than $640,000, Hargrove more than $385,000, and Smith more than $190,000. All three can participate in offseason activities.

Smith also denied a role, saying, "Through this entire process, the NFL never notified me of what I was being accused of, nor presented me with any evidence or reasoning for this decision."

The league said no player agreed to be interviewed in person and the NFLPA did not share information from its own investigation. According to the NFL, its investigation determined the Saints ran a bounty system orchestrated by then-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for three years..

According to the NFL, Vilma, a linebacker, offered $10,000 in cash to any player who knocked then-Cardinals QB Kurt Warner out of a playoff game at the end of the 2009 season, and the same amount for knocking then-Vikings QB Brett Favre out of that season's NFC title game.

Fujita and Smith, the NFL said, pledged significant sums of money to the pools, and Hargrove "actively obstructed the league's 2010 investigation."

While many players criticized Goodell's decision — former Saints running back Reggie Bush called it "outrageous" on Twitter — Giants quarterback Eli Manning said, "He's been harsh, to try to make a statement saying there is no place for this in the game of football."

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

College football

Shannon sues Miami over back payments

MIAMI — Former coach Randy Shannon sued Miami on Wednesday for back pay.

On Feb. 1, 2010, an employment contract and guarantee contract went into effect. The suit states because those were less than a year old when Shannon was fired the following November, the school prorated the amount owed. Exact amounts were not disclosed because of confidentiality terms in the employment agreement. The suit also alleges the school withheld a bonus for making the Sun Bowl after the 2010 season.

The school declined comment.

FSU: West Virginia will pay the school $500,000 for backing out of a game set for Sept. 8. In addition, the game set for 2013 won't be played.

More colleges: Butler is leaving the Horizon League for the Atlantic 10 starting in 2013-14. It replaces Temple, which is going to the Big East. … The NCAA turned down Notre Dame basketball star Tim Abromaitis' request for a sixth season of eligibility. He tore his right ACL after two games of his redshirt senior season. … Ex-North Carolina star Hubert Davis is leaving his position as an ESPN analyst to become an assistant for his alma mater.

Boxing

Health worries Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather cited health risks for not fighting Manny Pacquiao, reiterating his belief the Filipino uses steroids. Promoter Bob Arum has said Pacquiao will take tests leading up to a fight between the boxers whom analysts consider the best in the world. "Health is more important than anything," said Mayweather, who faces Miguel Cotto on Saturday. "When my career is over, if I'm hurt because of something that has happened in a fight, I can't come to you and say, 'I need (money).' You all think I'm scared, I'm a coward? Well guess what? I'm a rich, scared coward. I'm a rich coward."

Soccer

Hat trick gives Messi European goals record

Lionel Messi scored goals 66, 67 and 68 for host Barcelona to set a European season record. Gerd Mueller scored 67 for Germany's Bayern Munich in 1972-73.

Coach attacks player: Delio Rossi was fired as coach of Italy's Fiorentina for attacking one of his players. Adem Ljajic protested his substitution with a sarcastic thumbs-up. When Ljajic sat down, Rossi ran over and appeared to slap him in the face. As it appeared Rossi was lining up a punch, the coach was pulled away by his assistants and other players.

Rowdies: F/M Evans Frimpong signed. Frimpong, born in Ghana, starred at Delaware. He was picked by Chicago in January's MLS supplemental draft but released during camp. … D Josh Suggs, on loan from San Jose, was recalled to the MLS team.

Et cetera

Golf: Paul Lawrie will skip the U.S. Open. The 1999 British Open champion automatically qualified for the June event at the Olympic Club in San Francisco by virtue of being ranked 43rd in the world. But Lawrie said the course setups don't suit his game. The Scot has made the cut once in four appearances at the tournament.

Doping: Portuguese long-distance runner Helder Ornelas was banned for four years, the first track athlete caught via a "biological passport." The two-time Olympian did not test positive for a banned substance. Instead, tests over a two-year period showed blood abnormalities from a baseline level.

Autos: Heart surgery set for later this month will keep Jim Nabors from performing Back Home Again in Indiana before this year's Indianapolis 500 for only the second time since 2007. A video of him singing will play instead.

BOWLING: A day after his father's death, Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala won the PBA Senior Don Carter Memorial Open in Winter Garden for his third career Senior Tour title, defeating Bo Goergen 247-217.

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Astros 8, Mets 1

HOUSTON — Chris Johnson had homers in consecutive at-bats among his four hits and drove in a career-high six runs to back up another solid outing by Wandy Rodriguez, and the Astros completed a three-game sweep, their first series sweep of the season. "It was a special day," Johnson said. "This is probably my best day in the major leagues. This is something I'll never forget."

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Blue Jays 11, Rangers 5

TORONTO — Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer and Kelly Johnson added a two-run drive to hand the Rangers consecutive losses for the first time this season. Texas, which blew a five-run lead and lost 8-7 on Brett Lawrie's ninth-inning homer Tuesday, has not won a series in Canada since sweeping a two-game set in April 2008.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Padres 5, Brewers 0

SAN DIEGO — Jeff Suppan pitched five solid innings to win his first game since 2010 as the Padres earned their first series victory. Suppan, called up from Triple-A Tucson to replace injured Cory Luebke, had not pitched or won in the majors since Oct. 3, 2010, when he and the Rockies beat the Cardinals 6-1 on the final day of the regular season. The 37-year-old held Milwaukee to four singles and two walks.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Cubs 3, Reds 1

CINCINNATI — Bryan LaHair and Ian Stewart hit solo homers, a major outburst for power-challenged Chicago, and Jeff Samardzija pitched into the eighth inning. The Cubs opened the rain-shortened series with only their third multihomer game of the season. They managed nine home runs in April, the fewest in the majors. LaHair's shot off former Hernando High standout Bronson Arroyo gave him six overall.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Rockies 8, Dodgers 5

DENVER — Pinch-hitter Jason Giambi launched a three-run homer off Scott Elbert in the ninth inning, lifting the Rockies. With first base open and one out, the Dodgers elected to pitch to Giambi. Carlos Gonzalez, who had hit two homers off Clayton Kershaw, was on deck.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Royals 3, Tigers 2

DETROIT — Chris Getz's infield single in the ninth was the eventual winner as the Royals completed a 4-3 trip after losing 12 straight. The Tigers haven't won back-to-back games in two weeks and dropped to .500. "We're not happy with the way we've played, but that's part of baseball, and no one in this clubhouse is worried about it," Detroit catcher Alex Avila said.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — There was a lot that went into the Rays' major-league-most-matching 17th victory on Wednesday. An 11-strikeout performance from starter James Shields. A five-out save by Joel Peralta. Big hits from the bottom of the order, and a pop fly that hit a stadium wire.

But it was a helping hand from Mariners centerfielder Michael Saunders, who tried to make a leaping catch and instead knocked a Luke Scott fly ball over the fence for what ended up the decisive run, that made the biggest difference in the 5-4 victory.

"We got a little bit of an assist," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "You need that kind of break once in a while."

The win was the Rays' fourth straight and 10th in their past 11 games, matching the Rangers and Dodgers with baseball-best 17-8 marks. It was also their 11th in 12 games at the Trop, though it has hardly been an inspiring environment this week, with another small crowd of 9,837 pushing the three-night total to 29,267.

Shields delivered an interesting start as he logged his major-league-leading fifth win, striking out 11 — 10 in the first four frames — but lasting only six innings as he threw 119 pitches (38 in the first), allowing the four runs on a pair of homers by other­wise mortal Kyle Seager.

And Peralta provided the impressive ending, stepping in for closer-designate Fernando Rodney (unavailable after working three straight) to get out of a two-on, one-out jam in the eighth, then zipping through the ninth. "A real big-league save right there. That was spectacular," Maddon said. "It was all about him. He permitted us to win that game."

After striking out Chone Figgins to end it, Peralta pounced off the mound and did Rodney's now-signature bow-and-arrow move in tribute. "I planned that before I went out for the ninth inning, if I got the save, I'm going to go Kimbo Slice on him," Peralta said. "I did it for (Rodney).."

After the Mariners took the 3-0 lead, the Rays came back, with No. 8 hitter Jose Molina reaching on an infield — well, short outfield — single and No. 9 hitter Sean Rodriguez homering, his second extra-base hit of the season, in the third. They added two after Scott — joking, "that's living right" — hit a high pop-up that struck a wire hanging from the B-ring catwalk and dropped between first baseman Alex Liddi and second baseman Dustin Ackley for a single. No. 7 hitter Will Rhymes, in his first game since being called up, singled and Molina, who went in 0-for-10, delivered a two-run double. But Seager led off the sixth with his second homer to tie it at 4.

And that's when Scott's night got even better. The Rays have been frustrated that several well-hit balls to center have not gone out. It looked to be same when Scott crushed a 3-and-2 pitch to open the sixth, but as Saunders tried for the catch he knocked the ball, which would have hit near the top of the wall, over instead.

"I don't know what happened," Saunders said. "I don't know if I helped it. If I did, if it happened again, I'm going to do the exact same thing and try to go for it."

The Rays welcomed the assistance.

"Got a little help, and it was a big run," Scott said. "You take it."

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Orioles 5, Yankees 0

NEW YORK — Jake Arrieta pitched eight five-hit innings and the Orioles ended Ivan Nova's 15-game winning streak. Matt Wieters homered and had an RBI double, Nick Markakis also connected and the Orioles earned a rare series win in New York. The Orioles held the Yankees to two runs or fewer in three straight games in the Bronx for the first time since 1978, when Don Stanhouse joined Jim Palmer and Mike Flanagan in accomplishing the feat.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Junior Seau, the emotional leader of his hometown Chargers for 13 seasons, was found shot to death at his home Wednesday morning in what police said appeared to be a suicide. He was 43.

Police Chief Frank McCoy said Mr. Seau's girlfriend reported finding him in bed with a gunshot wound to the chest. He said foul play was not suspected and no suicide note was found at the home in a San Diego suburb.

"I just can't imagine this because I've never seen Junior in a down frame of mind," said Bobby Beathard, who as Chargers general manager took the linebacker out of Southern Cal fifth overall in 1990. "He was always so upbeat, and he would keep people up."

Mr. Seau's ex-wife, Gina, said he texted her Wednesday and each of their three children in separate messages: "I love you."

"We're beyond sad and beyond shocked," she said.

Mr. Seau's mother, Luisa, appeared outside his house, weeping uncontrollably. She said her son gave no indication of a problem when she spoke to him earlier this week: "He's joking to me. He called me a 'homegirl.' "

About 100 people gathered outside of Mr. Seau's home. Family friend Priscilla Sanga said about 50 friends and family members gathered in the garage where Mr. Seau's body lay on a gurney.

"Everybody got to see Junior before they took him away," Sanga said. "He looked so peaceful and cold. It was disbelief. We all touched him and kissed him."

Mr. Seau is among a few recent deaths of ex-players. Former Bear Dave Duerson and former Falcon Ray Easterling committed suicide within the past year. Both were part of concussion lawsuits filed by ex-players against the league.

Mr. Seau was not part of a lawsuit, and Gina Seau said she didn't know if the effects of concussions contributed to his death.

"We have no clues," she said.

Mr. Seau appeared in 268 games over 20 seasons, recording 56½ sacks, 18 interceptions and 18 fumble recoveries. He was voted to 12 Pro Bowls, named an All-Pro six times and chosen for the 1990s All-Decade.

Mr. Seau's greatest game might have been a 17-13 victory at Pittsburgh in the AFC title game in January 1995. Playing with a pinched nerve in his neck, he spread out his 16 tackles from the first play to the second-to-last. (San Diego lost to San Francisco 49-26 in the ensuing Super Bowl.

Mr. Seau left the Chargers after the 2002 season when they told him he was free to pursue a trade. He was traded to Miami, where he played from 2003-05.

The certain Hall of Famer retired a few times, the first in August 2006, when he said, "I'm not retiring. I am graduating."

Four days later, he signed with the Patriots. He was with them when they lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl following the 2007 season.

Mr. Seau's last season was 2009. And last fall, finally retired for good, Mr. Seau was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.

One team, eight early deaths

Eight members of the Chargers team that lost Super Bowl XXIX to the 49ers in January 1995 have died before turning 45:

Junior SeauLinebackerWednesday43Suicide *

Lew BushLinebackerDec. 8, 201142Heart attack

Shawn LeeDefensive tackleFeb. 26, 201144Heart attack

Chris MimsDefensive endOct. 15, 200838Enlarged heart

Curtis Whitley Center May 11, 200839Drug overdose

Doug MillerLinebackerJuly 21, 199828Lightning strike

Rodney CulverRunning backMay 11, 1996 26Plane crash #

David GriggsLinebackerJune 19, 199528 Car crash

* Police say an apparent suicide # ValuJet flight that crashed in the Everglades

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Nationals 5, D'backs 4

WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper made a tumbling barehanded catch in center then led off the ninth with a double to set up Ian Desmond's two-out home run that lifted the Nationals. In the sixth inning, Harper fell in the right-center gap while attempting to catch a fly ball off Jason Kubel's bat. As he landed, he secured the ball in his ungloved right hand.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Athletics 4, Red Sox 2

BOSTON — Brandon McCarthy beat an AL East opponent once again, pitching 6⅔ strong innings against the AL East last-place Red Sox. Seth Smith drove in two for the A's, who started the day with the fewest runs in the AL but took two of three games from the Red Sox. Boston has lost seven of its past eight games at Fenway Park. McCarthy improved to 8-0 with a 3.34 ERA since 2009 against AL East clubs.