By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 3, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — LHP Jake McGee didn't get too wrapped up in the impressive numbers from his 2⅓-inning relief outing that factored in Thursday's 4-3 win, retiring seven consecutive batters on only 29 pitches.

"I wasn't too good at math, but I know that's pretty good, especially when you get seven straight outs," McGee said. "That's always a good thing."

The entire bullpen has been a key reason for the Rays' recent run of success, allowing only one run over 15⅓ innings in the four-game sweep of Seattle and posting a 1.32 ERA (five runs in 34⅓ innings) over the last 11 games, and with 42 strikeouts.

"A little bit of a rugged beginning, but they're all settling very nicely," manager Joe Maddon said.

The success has been widespread, with RHP Burke Badenhop straightened out, RHP Wade Davis getting more comfortable, LHP J.P. Howell working on a streak of seven scoreless outings, RHP Joel Peralta back to his impressive 2011 form, and RHP Fernando Rodney handling the ninth inning. Rodney leads the AL with nine saves while posting a 0.73 ERA (one earned run in 12⅓ innings) and allowing only a .136 average (6-for-44).

McGee, 25, has again become a big part of it, overcoming his own shaky start, to run off eight consecutive scoreless appearances. He may have had his sharpest outing Thursday, with a fastball in the upper 90s and pinpoint control, a run that started against Minnesota's Justin Morneau on April 22.

"By far today," he said. "I located both sides of the plate with my fastball really well, and my velocity was consistent each inning I went out. … Ever since the Morneau strikeout I've been pitching really well. Going out from the first pitch and just letting it go and trying to hit the corners."

UPTON UPDATE: CF B.J. Upton said the right quad cramping and tightness that forced him from Wednesday's game had subsided enough that he was available to come off the bench Thursday and expects to be back in the starting lineup tonight.

BUSH BAIL REDUCED: A Charlotte County judge reduced bail for minor-league RHP Matt Bush from $1.015 million to $440,000 for his March 22 DUI hit-and-run case, but he likely will remain jailed. Bush's attorney, Russell Kirshy, said, "I don't think there's a chance" he can make bail. Judge John Duryea also mandated that if Bush did post bail, he'd have to have a global positioning system, alcohol monitoring and a curfew.

BUDDY BALL: RHP Jeff Niemann and 2B Will Rhymes grew up together and played on the same youth league and Lamar High School teams in Houston. They enjoyed their first big-league reunion Thursday.

"That was the first time since we played on the same field together since '01," Niemann said. "It was a lot of fun."

"That's pretty special, man," Rhymes said. "I was standing out there thinking about that today. We started playing together when we were like 13; we were on all the same teams, Pony League and all-star teams and all through high school and stuff. That was a while ago now, and it's pretty special to stand out there behind him and try to make plays for him."

ZIMMER RELEASED: Senior adviser Don Zimmer, 81, was released from Palms of Pasadena hospital after a weeklong stay due to kidney problems, his son Tom said, and was "happy to be home." Zimmer is expected to soon begin dialysis treatment.

MISCELLANY: The nine straight home wins match the Rays' second-best streak; they won 11 in a row in 2008. … Today is the annual Tampa Chamber luncheon at the Hyatt Regency; see tampachamber.com for info.

Staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The season, and possibly the career, of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera could be over as a result of a batting practice incident in which he tore his right ACL on Thursday.

Royals team doctor Vincent Key diagnosed the tear after looking at an MRI exam. Rivera, whose 608 saves are the most all time, is expected to get a second opinion.

"This is bad," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

Rivera, 42, was carted off the field after twisting his knee shagging fly balls. He was tracking and leaped for a ball hit by Jayson Nix in deep centerfield when his knee appeared to buckle just before the wall. He fell to the track and grabbed his knee.

3B Alex Rodriguez could be seen saying, "Oh, my God."

Rivera, 42, regularly catches balls during batting practice as a way to keep in shape. He has dealt with inflammation in his right knee in the past and hinted this could be his last season. ACL injuries take about a year to heal.

David Robertson is likely to get a shot at the closer role.

More Yankees: 3B Eric Chavez was released from the hospital and put on the seven-day concussion disabled list.

Late no-hitter: The Angels' commitment to Jered Weaver is paying off. Signed to a five-year, $85 million extension in August, the right-hander, 29, pitched his first no-hitter late Wednesday, dominating Minnesota 9-0. The Twins had one walk and one other base-runner when C Chris Iannetta allowed a passed ball on a swinging third strike.

"I've been close once in Seattle and had it broken up in the eighth," said Weaver, who struck out nine and retired 22 of his last 23 batters after Iannetta's miscue. "We were having this conversation about five days ago, and C.J. (Wilson) came up to me and said: 'Why don't you just go out there and throw a no-hitter?' And I said: 'There's no way. There's no chance.' So it's funny that it happened."

Clemens trial: The attorney for Roger Clemens attempted to cast doubt on the origins of the syringes, vials and cotton swabs that prosecutors say trainer Brian McNamee saved after injecting the former Cy Young award winner with performance-enhancing drugs in 2001. Rusty Hardin argued during his cross-examination of federal agent Jeff Novitzky that no one besides Clemens' former trainer knows how the physical evidence was stored before it was turned over in January 2008. "It all depends on the believability of Mr. McNamee," Hardin said. McNamee, who has said he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone, is expected to take the witness stand Tuesday. Clemens faces perjury, false statements and obstruction of Congress charges.

Buckner ball at auction: The ball that rolled through Bill Buckner's legs in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and Mets is part of an auction today in Dallas. Heritage Auctions said the ball is expected to bring in more than $100,000 as part of the memorabilia collection of songwriter Seth Swirsky.

Cubs: Carlos Marmol, who walked three of the five batters he faced in blowing a three-run ninth-inning lead, might lose his closer's job, manager Dale Sveum said after the 4-3 loss to the Reds. Marmol has blown three of his five save chances, walking 12 in 8⅔ innings. Sveum said he is considering LHP James Russell or RHP Rafael Dolis.

Giants: Slugger Pablo Sandoval will have surgery today on a broken bone in his left hand and is likely to miss four to six weeks.

Tigers: OF Delmon Young is eligible to return from his seven-day suspension today against the White Sox. Young was forced to sit by MLB after police say he yelled anti-Semitic epithets during a drunken tussle before he was arrested in New York last week.

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Michael Matz and his assistants are tired of the question — most trainers and riders are by this point in the week before the country's most talked-about horse race — and give mostly a perfunctory answer.

"He's just a really nice horse," exercise rider Peter Brette said of Union Rags, one of the favorites to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. "He's a nice, classy horse."

He's also the most scrutinized in a field that fascinates even the sport's longtime observers. Union Rags passes every look test and has failed to win only two of his five races, by a total of 1½ lengths.

The way he faltered in those races has been the topic of much discussion, though. Seemingly the best horse in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November at Churchill Downs and the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach in late March, he controlled neither race and, worse, appeared to shy from making his move when he needed to.

"We realize that what we see as real excuses other people might see it a different way," Brette said.

Matz and the rest of Union Rags' connections believe the horse was boxed in during the Florida Derby by a small field that conspired to hinder the heavy favorite (he finished third). At the Breeders' Cup, the colt fought traffic, then suddenly veered right when he should have been making his winning run (he finished second).

But Matz feels confident Saturday's race will break differently. Union Rags is the 9-2 second choice to Bodemeister (4-1).

"Every other horse here isn't going to be racing on one horse," Matz said. "We're going to have a chance to run our race."

Matz has acknowledged feeling nostalgic this week. He's back in the barn where Barbaro, whom he also trained, spent the days leading up to a runaway win in the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Injured in the Preakness, Barbaro — undefeated until faltering at Pimlico Race Course — died of laminitis eight months later.

"They're both big, good-looking, fast and athletic," Matz said. "(Union Rags) still has to live up to what Barbaro did."

Part of Barbaro's mystique came from Matz, a three-time Olympian who won a silver medal and carried the U.S. flag in the closing ceremony at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. His teammates chose him for the honor in part because of his heroism after a plane crash in 1989.

Matz and his now wife, D.D. Alexander, had missed their connection to Philadelphia and opted to take United Airlines Flight 232, which plummeted to the ground in Iowa after its engines failed. Matz survived, led three unaccompanied children to safety and went back into the wreckage to save an 11-month-old baby.

Since losing Barbaro, Matz, 61, has received few promising colts. He has had only one other Derby starter, 12th-place Visionaire in 2008. His career has come to be defined by Barbaro. For him to allow Union Rags to be mentioned with Barbaro signifies how strongly he feels.

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Trainer Larry Jones had little time to celebrate the last time he won the Kentucky Oaks, with Proud Spell in 2008. One day later, Eight Belles, his other top filly, broke down and was euthanized after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby.

Jones' focus this week is on Believe You Can in today's $1 million Kentucky Oaks (5 p.m., NBC Sports Network) after he pulled Mark Valeski out of contention for the Derby. He's hoping for success he can savor.

"The last time we (won) in the Oaks, we didn't get to enjoy it but one day, because what happened the next day took any of the Oaks enjoyment away," Jones said. "So that was the very first thing I thought when we took Mark out of consideration. I thought, well, if we win the Oaks this time, maybe we'll get to enjoy it for a while."

betting on borel: Betting on Calvin Borel has been one of the most lucrative Kentucky Derby handicapping angles in recent years. The jockey won aboard Street Sense (2007), who paid $11.80; Mine That Bird (2009), who paid $103.20; and Super Saver (2010), who paid $18.

This time Borel has the mount on Take Charge Indy, winner of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach in late March. His early odds are 15-1.

Having Borel in the saddle gives trainer Patrick Byrne added confidence.

"Everyone knows there is going to be a lot of speed," Byrne said. "Calvin can put his horse wherever he wants. It's all up to the jock. I've done my bit. … This is my first time here. I'm not going to tell him how to ride the race."

RIDING ROOKIES: Four riders are making their Derby debuts: Luis Contreras, Mario Gutierrez, Sheldon Russell and Colm O'Donoghue.

Contreras has the mount on Prospective (30-1), the winner of the Tampa Bay Derby in March at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar. I'll Have Another (12-1) is unbeaten in two starts, including the Santa Anita Derby, since Gutierrez became the regular pilot. Russell rides Done Talking (50-1), the Illinois Derby winner. O'Donoghue, like his horse Daddy Long Legs (30-1), is based in Ireland.

The last first-time rider to capture the Derby was Stewart Elliott with Smarty Jones in 2004.

farm sold: Calumet Farm, the Lexington breeder of a record nine Kentucky Derby winners, was sold for nearly $36 million to an investment group that plans to continue thoroughbred operations.

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Soccer

Rooney's goal voted EPL's best

LONDON — Wayne Rooney's overhead kick against Manchester City was voted the greatest goal in English Premier League history.

The award is part of the league's 20th anniversary celebration.

The goal by the Manchester United striker sealed a 2-1 victory in February 2011. It received 26 percent of the public vote. Dennis Bergkamp's flick and spin for Arsenal in March 2002 received 19 percent, and Thierry Henry's flicked volley for Arsenal in September 2000 received 15 percent.

Other finalists included David Beckham's goal from midfield for United against Wimbledon in 1996.

"I grew up watching the Premier League, so to be voted the best goal in the history of the Premier League is a great feeling," Rooney said. "There's so many good goals in that short list; goals that I watched in my living room as a kid."

World Cup: Egypt's government will allow its national team to host Mozambique in a qualifier June 1 despite the country's political unrest. But it held off on a decision on allowing fans to attend.

Et cetera

Tennis: Juan del Potro routed Rui Machado 6-1, 6-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the Estoril Open in Oeiras, Portugal. The Argentine, No. 12 in the world and 2009 U.S. Open champion, next faces Albert Montanes.

Weightlifting: Bulgaria's Galabin Boevski, the 2000 Olympic champ, was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison by a court in Brazil after 20 pounds of cocaine were found in his luggage. Boev­ski, 37, already is serving an eight-year ban for doping.

Times wires

NHL.com
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Phillies 4, Braves 0

ATLANTA — A night after a lengthy 11-inning affair, Joe Blanton pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout in five years and Shane Victorino hit a two-run homer. "I tried to use (Wednesday night) to my advantage a little bit with an early 12 o'clock start (Thursday)," said Blanton, who won in 2 hours, 2 minutes for his third career shutout. "I wanted to pound the zone a lot and hope that maybe they were coming out a touch lethargic. I don't know if that was the case."

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Pirates 6, Cardinals 3

ST. LOUIS — Erik Bedard struck out a season-high 11, including a team-record seven in a row, and the Pirates set a club mark by striking out 17 batters. "They were swinging through it," Bedard said. "I guess I was in a good groove. I don't remember getting seven."

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Marlins 3, Giants 2

SAN FRANCISCO — Hanley Ramirez drove in a pair of runs without a hit to back Anibal Sanchez's first win in four starts, and the Marlins finished a three-game sweep. "We're playing good as a team now," shortstop Jose Reyes said. "If we're able to do that, we're going to compete in our division."

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

WASHINGTON — Only five games into his major-league career, Bryce Harper is already an essential part of the Nationals' lineup.

The 19-year-old moved into the No. 3 spot and responded with a tiebreaking RBI double in the sixth, lifting the Nationals over the Diamondbacks 2-1 Thursday.

"I want to win every single game," said Harper, who hit seventh in his first four games. "I'm going to try to come up as clutch as I can in those kind of situations. I love those situations."

The new spot didn't seem to faze the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft. Manager Davey Johnson moved Harper up four spots a day after he went 3-for-4 with two doubles. He is 6-for-16 in his five games, with four doubles and three RBIs.

"If I'm hitting two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine, it doesn't really matter," he said. "It doesn't change the way I'm going to go up there and play."

Ian Kennedy lost for the first time in 13 starts, ending a personal nine-game win streak.

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Reds 4, Cubs 3

10 innings

CINCINNATI — The Reds scored three in the ninth off closer Carlos Marmol to tie it, and Scott Rolen hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th. "The key is to swing at strikes and make him throw balls," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of Marmol.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Big East outdoor track championships

When/where: Today-Sunday; USF track stadium

Event schedule: bigeast.org

Admission: Free today. $4 for adults and $2 for children and seniors on Saturday and Sunday.

Bulls to watch: David Aristil won the 400-meter hurdles last year. … CB Kayvon Webster (10.50 seconds) and RB Lindsey Lamar (10.54) have the conference's fastest times this year. WR Derrick Hopkins is the defending champ. … Jared Thomas (discus) and Marqueshia Stallworth (triple jump) have shots to win.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Kentucky-Indiana, one of college basketball's most storied rivalries, and Kentucky-North Carolina, one of its most high-profile rivalries, are over for now.

Indiana athletic director Fred Glass said Thursday that his school will not renew the contract to play Kentucky because of a dispute over where to play the games. The schools have met every year since 1969.

Also, North Carolina senior associate athletic director Larry Gallo said his school's series with Kentucky, played every season since 2000-01 and off and on since 1960, won't continue.

Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart issued a statement saying his school was "extremely disappointed in Indiana's decision" to end the series. He said the schools "verbally agreed in principle" to play the next two seasons at neutral sites (Indianapolis and Louisville) then consider a return to homecourts.

Glass disputed that.

"We considered it," he said. "We saw that it was quite lucrative. But when it was all said and done, we couldn't be comfortable taking it off campus away from our students."

Kentucky and Indiana have played 13 times in Bloomington, 10 times in Lexington, 10 times in Louisville and 10 times in Indianapolis. Barnhart said his coach, John Calipari, was adamant about neutral sites.

"I don't think he was really thrilled about going back to Bloomington," he said.

Dan Dakich, a former Indiana player and current ESPN analyst, blamed the coaches, Calipari and Indiana's Tom Crean, and athletic directors.

"I think the (school) presidents should tell Cal and Barnhart and Crean and Glass, 'We're going to figure this out, and you're going to do it,' " he said. "This game is bigger than anybody currently at either school."

Gallo did not specifically assign blame for the end of the Kentucky-Carolina series. But he did say Tar Heels coach Roy Williams wanted to continue it. He added he hopes it will be only a "one-year hiatus."

Football

Notre Dame: Quarterback Tommy Rees was charged with one count of battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of illegal consumption of alcohol after allegedly using his knee to knock the wind out of a police officer after an off-campus party early Thursday. Police said Rees, 19, was pepper-sprayed and later registered 0.11 on a blood-alcohol test. Linebacker Carlo Calabrese was arrested for disorderly conduct, police said, but prosecutors have not decided about filing a charge. Police said Calabrese became angry when it became clear Rees was being arrested and told officers, "My people will get you."

Michigan St.: Junior defensive end William Gholston and redshirt freshman linebacker Lawrence Thomas sustained only scratches and abrasions when their sport utility vehicle was cut off and rolled over near campus.

C-USA move: Charlotte is leaving the Atlantic 10 for Conference USA, the Associated Press reported. The school has scheduled a news conference for today. The 49ers played in C-USA from 1995-2005 but were forced out because they didn't have football. But they are starting a I-AA program in 2013 that is set to move up to I-A in 2015.

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Bubba Watson has decided to skip the Players Championship to spend time with his family, making this the second time in five years the Masters champion has not played in the PGA Tour's flagship tournament.

Watson announced his decision Thursday on Twitter, saying he needed to spend more time with his wife, Angie, and the 2-month-old son they adopted two weeks before he captured his first major at Augusta National.

"The Players is one of the best weeks of the year, but bonding with my son and wife is what it is all about right now," tweeted Watson, who is from Bagdad, about six hours west of Ponte Vedra Beach.

Watson played two weeks after his Masters victory, last week in New Orleans, because he was the defending champion. He said he planned to take at least a month off.

PGA: Webb Simpson said he was nervous playing with Tiger Woods. It didn't show. Simpson chipped in for eagle and holed a 60-foot birdie putt that might have rolled off the 12th green if the cup hasn't gotten in the way. It led to 7-under 65 and a share of the lead with Stewart Cink and Ryan Moore in the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C. Woods one-putted three of the last four holes for 71. Rickie Fowler, still searching for his first PGA win in his third full season, led a group of five players at 66 that included Patrick Reed, a 21-year-old from Augusta State who has qualified on Monday to get in the last two tournaments.

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

NEW YORK — LeBron James alternated fouls and fumbles, the crowd howling in delight with every one of his mistakes.

Finally forced to sit for most of the third quarter, James wasn't mad, and the Heat was not worried.

"We had the lead going into the fourth quarter on the road, and then we had the best player in the game coming in. So we were fine," Dwyane Wade said.

James scored 32, including eight straight to start the fourth quarter and break open the game, and the Heat took a 3-0 Eastern Conference quarterfinal series lead, sending the Knicks to an NBA postseason-record 13th straight loss, 87-70 Thursday.

"He had some turnovers, he had some mistakes but he was able to keep his head in it," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

James had 17 points in the final period, and the Heat held the Knicks to eight field goals in the second half.

"My mind-set was to make plays for our team to try and help us win down the stretch," James said. "I was able to come in and make some plays to help us win."

Teammate Chris Bosh had nine points and 10 rebounds hours after flying in from Miami after the birth of his first child.

Carmelo Anthony scored 22 for the Knicks, who broke the record set by Memphis (2004-06). New York hasn't won a playoff game since April 29, 2001.

MIAMI (87): Haslem 1-2 0-0 2, James 9-21 12-13 32, Bosh 3-5 2-3 9, Chalmers 7-11 0-0 19, Wade 8-17 2-3 20, Miller 1-5 1-2 4, Battier 0-6 0-0 0, J.Anthony 0-0 0-0 0, Cole 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 0-1 1-1 1. Totals 29-68 18-22 87.

NEW YORK (70): C.Anthony 7-23 7-9 22, Novak 0-2 0-0 0, Chandler 2-6 6-10 10, Davis 2-5 3-3 7, Fields 3-8 2-2 9, Smith 5-18 2-2 12, Bibby 2-4 2-3 8, Jeffries 0-0 0-0 0, Harrellson 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 22-69 22-29 70.

Miami 19 17 22 29— 87

New York 19 21 16 14— 70

3-Point Goals—Miami 11-29 (Chalmers 5-8, Wade 2-5, James 2-5, Bosh 1-1, Miller 1-4, Battier 0-6), New York 4-20 (Bibby 2-4, Fields 1-3, C.Anthony 1-4, Novak 0-1, Davis 0-3, Smith 0-5). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Miami 48 (Bosh 10), New York 49 (Chandler 15). Assists—Miami 11 (James 5), New York 8 (Davis 3). Total Fouls—Miami 21, New York 21. Technicals—C.Anthony, New York three second 3. A—19,763.

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

NEWARK, N.J. — Alexei Ponikarovsky scored on his rebound with 2:39 left in overtime, and the Devils beat the Flyers 4-3 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Flyers were caught on a line change, which allowed Ponikarovsky some open ice. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov stopped the first shot but couldn't handle the rebound.

"I didn't have time to celebrate because everyone jumped on me right away, but I had a great time in the pile," Ponikarovsky said.

The Devils killed off two penalties in overtime before Ponikarovsky came through with his first goal of the postseason.

Ilya Kovalchuk, who returned to the lineup after missing Game 2 with a back problem, set up the winner and also had a goal and three points total.

The Flyers scored the game's first goal, at 6:08 of the first by Brayden Schenn. They are 1-4 when they score first in these playoffs, 4-0 when they don't.

First Period—1, Phila, Schenn 3 (Briere, Jagr), 6:08 (pp). 2, N.J., Elias 3 (Zidlicky, Kovalchuk), 12:33 (pp). 3, N.J., Kovalchuk 4 (Zajac, Ponikarovsky), 12:53. Penalties—Henrique, NJ (tripping), 4:48; Coburn, Phi (tripping), 12:09.

Second Period—4, Phila, Carle 2 (Voracek, Hartnell), 4:44. Penalties—Larsson, NJ (high-sticking), 9:54; Kovalchuk, NJ (delay of game), 16:28; Schenn, Phi (goaltender interference), 17:52.

Third Period—5, N.J., Parise 4 (Elias, Zidlicky), 7:29. 6, Phila, Briere 8 (van Riemsdyk, Simmonds), 11:04. Penalties—None. First Overtime—7, N.J., Ponikarovsky 1 (Kovalchuk), 17:21. Penalties—Zubrus, NJ (boarding), 8:23; Salvador, NJ (delay of game), 12:29. Shots on Goal—Phila 7-9-6-6—28. N.J. 14-4-7-6—31. Power-play opportunities—Phila 1 of 5; N.J. 1 of 2. Goalies—Phila, Bryzgalov 5-4-0 (31 shots-27 saves). N.J., Brodeur 6-3-0 (28-25).

predators-coyotes: Nashville coach Barry Trotz said he didn't know if he would return forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn to the lineup for tonight's Game 4 after their suspensions for violating team rules (breaking curfew the night before Sunday's Game 2, a 5-3 Coyotes win, according to media reports).

Torres appeals suspension length: The Coyotes' Raffi Torres is appealing the length of his 25-game suspension for hitting the Blackhawks' Marian Hossa in the head when he left his skates for an open-ice check in their first-round playoff series. Torres and the players association will meet with commissioner Gary Bettman, who hears all appeals. No date had been set. Hossa was taken off the ice on a stretcher after the Game 3 hit April 17 and was briefly hospitalized. He didn't return to the series, which Phoenix won in six games.

Hossa 'feeling better': Hossa says he is "feeling better but still not feeling myself" after the hit but expects to be ready for training camp in September. Hossa also said on a conference call that Torres called him about a week after the hit. "It was nice he contacted me, but … I told him, 'I know you play that way, but the one thing that upset me (was) the jump; if you wouldn't jump, I wouldn't get hit in the head and you wouldn't have 25 games.' The phone conversation was pretty quick."

world championship: Lightning center Nate Thompson was named an alternate captain for the United States in the tournament, which begins today in Finland and Sweden. Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson was named captain and Jets center Jim Slater the other alternate captain.

Times wires

Times wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

Indians 7, White Sox 5

CHICAGO — Jason Kipnis hit a three-run homer and finished with a career-high four RBIs for the Indians. Kipnis, a native of suburban Chicago, also tripled in a run, walked and scored twice. Justin Masterson improved to 3-1 at U.S. Cellular Field and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his six career road starts against the White Sox.

Times staff, wires
Thursday, May 3, 2012

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs will have surgery for a partially torn Achilles tendon but insisted he will play this season.

The injury occurred in Arizona while Suggs, 29, was practicing for a conditioning test, he said Thursday in a text message.

"We're just waiting for Terrell to see a specialist on Tuesday," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "And then we'll go from there."

A torn Achilles tendon usually requires a lengthy rehabilitation. But asked if he would play in 2012, the 2011 defensive player of the year responded, "Absolutely" and projected his return for late October or November.

Suggs had 14 sacks last season and has a franchise-record 82½ over nine seasons. Barring a free agent signing or trade, the Ravens will turn to Paul Kruger or rookie Courtney Upshaw. Kruger had 5½ sacks last season. Upshaw, the 35th overall pick, had 9½ for Alabama.

Seau death a suicide

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office ruled Junior Seau's death a suicide. The autopsy says the former Chargers star linebacker died of a gunshot wound to the chest. He was found at his home Wednesday morning.

Seau's father, Tiana Seau, visited his home. He was too overcome by emotion to speak at length but did say his home was full of family members morning the loss.

The family released a statement: "We thank you for the outpouring of love from each and every one, near and far. We ask that you continue to pray for our family during this time as we will continue to pray for those Junior has touched. God bless you."

Concussions: More than 100 former players filed a federal lawsuit in Atlanta alleging the league didn't protect its players from concussions. Plaintiffs include ex-Falcons running back Jamal Anderson, ex-Saints receiver Lindsay Scott and former quarterback Don Majkowski. About 1,800 players are now included in 68 lawsuits. A hearing to consolidate them has not been scheduled.

Bucs moves: Defensive tackle Gary Gibson agreed to a two-year deal with the Bucs, his agent said. Gibson, 29, played for Bucs coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers. Last season, he had three sacks for the Rams as a reserve. He was born in Plant City but attended high school in upstate New York. … Defensive tackle John McCargo and receiver Raymond Webber were released. McCargo had five tackles over four games last season. Webber spent the season on injured reserve after hurting a hamstring during training camp.

Jaguars: Cornerback Drew Coleman was released. He had two interceptions and two sacks in 16 games last season, his sixth.

Jets: Receiver and second-round pick Stephen Hill agreed to a four-year deal worth $5 million ($2.9 million guaranteed), New York's Daily News reported.

Patriots: Receiver Tiquan Underwood, known for being released a day before February's Super Bowl then re-signed three days later, was released again. His roster spot went to Gerard Warren, an ex-Gator defensive lineman who re-signed.

Vikings: The Minnesota House and Senate will vote Monday on a stadium proposal that calls for $427 million in private financing and $548 million from gambling taxes. Leaders in both houses said the vote is too close to call.

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

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

Royals 4, Yankees 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mike Moustakas matched a career high with three RBIs and made a defensive gem in the ninth for the Royals. Danny Duffy pitched into the sixth before turning the game over to the bullpen, which held the Yankees in check until Jonathan Broxton came out for the ninth.

Times wires
Friday, May 4, 2012

Blue Jays 5, Angels 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Brandon Morrow pitched a three-hitter for his second career shutout and J.P. Arencibia hit a three-run homer for the Jays. Morrow won his third straight start, striking out eight and walking none as the Jays got their fifth win in their last six games. The only hits by the Angels were a pair of singles by Mike Trout and a leadoff double in the ninth by Mark Trumbo that ended a string of 14 consecutive batters retired by Morrow.