Quantcast
Channel: Tampabay.com: Sports
Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live

Anthony, Knicks fend off the Heat

0
0

Times wires
Sunday, May 6, 2012

NEW YORK — Amare Stoudemire raised his hands, one covered in padding, as streamers fell from the ceiling. Finally, the Knicks could celebrate a playoff victory again.

Carmelo Anthony scored 41, Stoudemire had 20 points and 10 rebounds in his return from a cut hand, and the Knicks ended an NBA-record 13-game postseason losing streak by beating the Heat 89-87 Sunday in Game 4 of their best-of-seven first-round Eastern Conference series.

"I think it's the first of many," said Stoudemire, who played six days after he punched a fire extinguisher case. "Tonight was a great win for us, for our fans."

Anthony made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 54.5 seconds left as the Knicks overcame another serious injury to win a playoff game for the first time since beating Toronto on April 29, 2001. Point guard Baron Davis dislocated his right kneecap in the third, just as the Knicks were making a run.

"I'm just glad that we came together after that, kept our composure," Anthony said.

LeBron James scored 27 for the Heat, and Dwyane Wade had 22 but missed a 3-pointer on the last possession.

MIAMI (87): Haslem 3-5 0-0 6, James 9-21 7-8 27, Bosh 4-10 9-10 17, Wade 9-18 4-11 22, Chalmers 2-10 2-4 6, Miller 1-5 0-0 3, Battier 1-2 0-0 2, J.Anthony 1-2 2-2 4, Jones 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-73 24-35 87.

NEW YORK (89): C.Anthony 15-29 10-14 41, Stoudemire 8-13 4-7 20, Chandler 0-2 1-2 1, Fields 2-4 1-2 5, Davis 0-4 2-2 2, Smith 3-15 0-0 7, Novak 1-2 0-0 3, Bibby 2-5 0-0 6, Jeffries 0-0 0-0 0, Harrellson 1-1 2-2 4. Totals 32-75 20-29 89.

Miami 18 26 17 26— 87

New York 20 18 26 25— 89

3-Point GoalsMiami 3-19 (James 2-5, Miller 1-5, Battier 0-1, Bosh 0-1, Wade 0-3, Chalmers 0-4), New York 5-22 (Bibby 2-4, Novak 1-1, C.Anthony 1-4, Smith 1-8, Fields 0-1, Davis 0-4). Fouled OutHaslem, Chandler. ReboundsMiami 52 (Bosh 9), N.Y. 54 (Stoudemire 10). AssistsMiami 20 (Wade 6), N.Y. 16 (Smith, C.Anthony 4). Total FoulsMiami 26, N.Y. 29. TechnicalsMiami defensive three second, Chandler. A19,763.

76ers eye history now

PHILADELPHIA — Showing no fear after missing his first five 3-point attempts, Jrue Holiday hit consecutive 3-pointers that stretched a one-point lead into seven and helped the 76ers beat the Bulls 89-82 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round series.

Now the top-seeded Bulls suddenly fear elimination.

Spencer Hawes scored 22 points and Holiday had 20 to put the 76ers one win away from joining the short list of eighth-seeded teams that have won a series against a No. 1 seed. That list includes Memphis eliminating San Antonio last season. Golden State (2007), New York (1999) and Denver (1994) also pulled off the feat.

"I'm not worried about it," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We do have more than enough to win with."

CHICAGO (82): Deng 5-11 0-1 11, Boozer 11-24 1-1 23, Asik 0-1 1-2 1, Watson 5-18 6-6 17, Hamilton 3-9 1-1 7, Gibson 6-11 2-3 14, Brewer 0-2 0-0 0, Korver 2-4 0-0 5, Lucas 2-5 0-0 4, Butler 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-85 11-14 82.

PHILADELPHIA (89): Iguodala 5-11 3-4 14, Brand 3-7 1-4 7, Hawes 9-11 3-4 22, Holiday 7-23 4-4 20, Turner 3-12 3-6 9, Williams 2-10 2-3 7, T.Young 2-4 4-4 8, Allen 0-0 0-0 0, Meeks 0-1 2-2 2. Totals 31-79 22-31 89.

Chicago 15 27 21 19— 82

Philadelphia 24 20 20 25— 89

3-Point GoalsChicago 3-11 (Korver 1-2, Deng 1-3, Watson 1-5, Lucas 0-1), Philadelphia 5-19 (Holiday 2-7, Hawes 1-2, Iguodala 1-4, Williams 1-5, Meeks 0-1). Fouled OutNone. ReboundsChicago 55 (Gibson 12), Philadelphia 56 (Iguodala 12). AssistsChicago 21 (Boozer, Watson 4), Philadelphia 16 (Holiday 6). Total FoulsChicago 23, Philadelphia 18. TechnicalsPhiladelphia defensive three second. A20,412.

Celtics improve edge

BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 24 in 18 minutes and the Celtics opened a 37-point third-quarter lead before coasting to a 101-79 victory over the Hawks to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

Pierce limped off the court favoring his left knee midway through the second quarter, but he returned for the start of the third. He was on the court as Boston scored 16 of the first 18 points in the second half.

"We had a lot of things going on on our bench today with bodies," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "The whole game I kept looking down there (to see if) there were enough guys to put in the game."

ATLANTA (79): Jo.Johnson 4-8 1-2 9, Smith 5-13 5-6 15, Collins 0-0 0-0 0, Teague 3-9 1-1 7, Hinrich 1-3 0-0 2, Horford 6-10 0-0 12, M.Williams 2-6 3-3 8, McGrady 1-3 0-0 2, Pargo 4-11 0-0 11, Radmanovic 0-3 0-0 0, Dampier 3-6 2-3 8, Green 2-3 0-0 4, I.Johnson 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 31-76 13-17 79.

BOSTON (101): Pierce 10-13 0-1 24, Bass 3-9 4-4 10, Garnett 6-8 1-1 13, Rondo 8-11 2-5 20, Bradley 2-7 1-2 6, Allen 5-9 0-0 12, Stiemsma 1-1 0-0 2, Pietrus 0-2 0-0 0, Daniels 2-5 0-0 4, Dooling 4-6 0-0 10, Hollins 0-4 0-0 0, Moore 0-4 0-0 0, Pavlovic 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 41-80 8-13 101.

Atlanta 19 22 22 16— 79

Boston 32 32 26 11— 101

3-Point GoalsAtlanta 4-20 (Pargo 3-8, M.Williams 1-2, Jo.Johnson 0-1, Radmanovic 0-2, Hinrich 0-2, Smith 0-2, Teague 0-3), Boston 11-26 (Pierce 4-6, Allen 2-3, Rondo 2-3, Dooling 2-4, Bradley 1-5, Pavlovic 0-1, Moore 0-2, Pietrus 0-2). Fouled OutNone. ReboundsAtlanta 49 (Smith 13), Boston 44 (Garnett, Allen, Bass 5). AssistsAtlanta 18 (Smith 5), Boston 24 (Rondo 16). Total FoulsAtlanta 15, Boston 20. Flagrant Fouls—Teague. A18,624.

Lakers up advantage

DENVER — Kobe Bryant scored 22 and Andrew Bynum 19 as the Lakers beat the Nuggets 92-88 to take a 3-1 series lead and put Denver on the verge of elimination.

Late Sat.: Spurs 109, Jazz 90

SAN ANTONIO (102): Leonard 1-3 0-0 2, Duncan 7-15 3-4 17, Diaw 0-3 2-2 2, Parker 10-17 7-8 27, Green 5-12 3-4 14, Ginobili 2-6 2-2 6, Bonner 1-2 0-0 3, Jackson 5-9 0-0 13, Splitter 5-8 0-2 10, Neal 2-3 0-0 6, Blair 1-2 0-0 2, Anderson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 39-80 17-22 102.

UTAH (90): Howard 2-2 0-0 5, Millsap 4-12 1-4 9, Jefferson 10-18 1-2 21, Harris 8-15 2-4 21, Hayward 1-10 2-2 4, Favors 5-14 5-10 15, Tinsley 0-2 0-0 0, Kanter 1-3 0-0 2, Burks 4-10 3-4 11, Carroll 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 36-89 14-26 90.

San Antonio 30 22 23 27— 102

Utah 28 22 18 22— 90

3-Point GoalsSan Antonio 7-20 (Jackson 3-5, Neal 2-3, Bonner 1-2, Green 1-5, Leonard 0-1, Duncan 0-1, Diaw 0-1, Ginobili 0-2), Utah 4-13 (Harris 3-5, Howard 1-1, Burks 0-1, Tinsley 0-1, Hayward 0-5). Fouled OutNone. ReboundsSan Antonio 44 (Splitter 8), Utah 67 (Favors, Jefferson, Millsap 11). AssistsSan Antonio 21 (Ginobili 10), Utah 18 (Harris, Hayward 5). Total FoulsSan Antonio 20, Utah 18. A19,911.


Sweep puts Kings in second conference final

0
0

Times wires
Sunday, May 6, 2012

LOS ANGELES — Dustin Brown scored twice, including an empty-netter that sealed Sunday's 3-1 victory and four-game sweep of the Blues. The win put Los Angeles in a conference final for the second time since joining the league in 1967.

"It's a special group, and we knew that all along this season," said Anze Kopitar, who assisted on both of Brown's goals. "Maybe we didn't break out when we would have liked to. But I think we've peaked at the right time."

The Kings, led by Wayne Gretzky, lost to the Canadiens in the 1993 Stanley Cup final. They had won just one playoff series in the ensuing 17 seasons before beating the Canucks and Blues this year in the West to become the first No. 8 seed to oust its conference's top two seeds since the current playoff format was adopted in 1993-94.

The Blues, in the second round for the first time since 2001-02, led for only 7:42 of the series.

"L.A. plays the way you have to play to win the Cup now," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said.

"Over the disappointments of the last three or four years, they've figured it out."

Kings2013
Blues1001

First Period1, Los Angeles, Nolan 1 (Penner), 4:36. 2, St. Louis, Shattenkirk 1 (Jackman), 11:34. 3, Los Angeles, Brown 5 (Kopitar, Doughty), 18:17. PenaltiesStewart, StL (tripping), 2:06; Stewart, StL, major (fighting), 13:53; Nolan, LA, major (fighting), 13:53; Stoll, LA (holding), 14:14.

Second PeriodNone. PenaltiesNichol, StL (high-sticking), 4:48; Los Angeles bench, served by King (too many men), 6:04; Doughty, LA (interference), 8:03; Backes, StL (elbowing), 8:13.

Third Period4, Los Angeles, Brown 6 (Kopitar, Greene), 19:34 (en). PenaltiesD'Agostini, StL (boarding), 4:33; Brown, LA (slashing), 4:33; Nichol, StL, double minor (high-sticking), 8:00; Stoll, LA (high-sticking), 9:29. Shots on GoalSt. Louis 4-13-7—24. Los Angeles 10-2-7—19. Power-play opportunitiesSt. Louis 0 of 3; Los Angeles 0 of 5. GoaliesSt. Louis, Elliott 3-4-0 (18 shots-16 saves). Los Angeles, Quick 8-1-0 (24-23). A18,373 (18,118).

Devils take 3-1 lead

NEWARK, N.J. — Dainius Zubrus scored the go-ahead goal and an empty-netter as the Devils beat the Flyers 4-2 for a 3-1 East semifinal series lead.

The Devils outshot the Flyers 43-22, giving goalie Martin Brodeur an easy night on his 40th birthday after he allowed two first-period goals. He became the first goalie to appear in a playoff game as a teen and a 40-year-old. His debut came April 27, 1992, at age 19 in relief of Chris Terreri.

"It was a great effort from the guys," Brodeur said. "We started not the way we wanted to start the game. But we beared down afterward, and we dominated the game."

Devils2114
Flyers2002

First Period1, Philadelphia, Hartnell 3 (Giroux, Timonen), 11:50 (pp). 2, Philadelphia, Giroux 8 (Talbot), 13:40 (sh). 3, New Jersey, Sykora 2 (Zidlicky, Zajac), 15:14 (pp). 4, New Jersey, Zidlicky 1 (Salvador, Kovalchuk), 18:09. PenaltiesZajac, NJ (interference), 8:55; Zidlicky, NJ (interference), 11:43; Lilja, Phi (tripping), 13:27; Hartnell, Phi (interference), 18:32.

Second Period5, New Jersey, Zubrus 2 (Henrique, Sykora), 17:47. PenaltiesCouturier, Phi (delay of game), 5:12; Giroux, Phi (illegal check to head minor), 19:56.

Third Period6, New Jersey, Zubrus 3 (Fayne, Brodeur), 19:15 (en). PenaltiesTimonen, Phi (holding), 16:24. Shots on GoalPhiladelphia 7-5-10—22. New Jersey 16-16-11—43. Power-play opportunitiesPhiladelphia 1 of 2; New Jersey 1 of 5. GoaliesPhiladelphia, Bryzgalov 5-5-0 (42 shots-39 saves). New Jersey, Brodeur 7-3-0 (22-20). A17,625 (17,625). .

Coyote suspended: Phoenix defenseman Rostislav Klesla was banned for Game 5 tonight for Friday's Game 4 hit on Nashville's Matt Halischuk. Klesla grabbed the wing's jersey before slamming him into the boards, earning a boarding minor. Halischuk missed only a few shifts.

Phillies 9, Nationals 3

0
0

Times wires
Sunday, May 6, 2012

Phillies 9, Nationals 3

WASHINGTON — Cole Hamels gave up five hits in eight innings and Hunter Pence hit two two-run home runs to lead Philadelphia. The Phillies snapped a seven-game losing streak against Washington dating to last season. Nationals rookie sensation Bryce Harper stole home in the first inning.

Sports in brief

0
0

Times wires
Sunday, May 6, 2012

Soccer

MANCHESTER CITY CLOSER TO TITLE

NEWCASTLE, England — Manchester City stayed on course to win its first English Premier League title since 1968 by beating host Newcastle 2-0 Sunday behind two goals by Yaya Toure.

Manchester United defeated Swansea 2-0 to remain even with its city rival at 86 points, but it has almost no chance of winning the tiebreaker, goal difference. Man City is plus-63; Man U — owned by the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs — is at plus-55 with one match left. City hosts Queens Park Rangers as the league wraps up May 13 with all 10 matches happening simultaneously.

Also, American star Clint Dempsey scored his 50th league goal, and 17th this season, as host Fulham beat Sunderland 2-1.

MORE SOCCER

Juventus wraps up title, stays unbeaten

Juventus won its record 28th Italian Serie A title, extending its record, and first in nine years, defeating host Cagliari 2-0 to stay unbeaten. Second-place AC Milan lost 4-2 to city rival Inter. Juventus (22-0-15) has one game left, May 13 at home against Atalanta, to be Italy's first team with an unbeaten league season since AC Milan in 1991-92.

NFL

Seau's family rethinks donating LB's brain

Junior Seau's family is revisiting its decision to donate the former linebacker's brain for research into football-related injuries. Chargers chaplain Shawn Mitchell said the family, which is of Samoan descent, is consulting with a group of elders on a number of matters. Also, several hundred people took part in a tribute in front of his Southern California home to pay tribute to Seau, who committed suicide last week at age 43.

DOLPHINS: LB Cameron Wake's contract was extended through 2016. ESPN reported the extension was worth $49 million, with $20 million guaranteed.

REDSKINS: Coach Mike Shanahan said Robert Griffin III, the No. 2 overall draft pick, had already won the starting job out of rookie minicamp. "He's the starter. Period," Shanahan said.

STEELERS: Fifth-round draft pick Chris Rainey, a former Florida star, and fourth-rounder Alameda Ta'amu signed.

COLLEGES

UF top overall seed in lacrosse tournament

Florida (17-2), which won the American Lacrosse Conference title, was named the top overall seed for the women's NCAA tournament and will host Albany at 1 p.m. Saturday. Conference rival Northwestern, which has won six of the past seven national titles, is the No. 2 seed in the 16-team field.

SOFTBALL: USF, ranked 16th in the coaches poll, was no-hit by Jenna Caira in a 7-0 loss at Syracuse and will be the No. 4 seed in the Big East tournament. The Bulls (45-10, 17-5) face DePaul at 10 a.m. Thursday in the first round in South Bend, Ind. … Host Florida, ranked sixth, lost 5-3 to No. 3 Alabama and will be the third seed in this weekend's SEC tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Gators (44-10, 21-7) face LSU at 11 a.m. Thursday in the first game of the tournament, which will air on ESPNU.

TRACK AND FIELD: The USF men finished second and the women were third at the Big East meet in Tampa. Neamen Wise won the men's long jump at 26 feet for the Bulls, who had 12 total top-three finishes. Louisville won the women's title and Notre Dame took the men's championship.

TENNIS

No. 1-ranked Azarenka, Sharapova advance

Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka and No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova advanced to the second round of the Madrid Open with straight-set wins on the event's new blue claycourt. Azarenka beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in a tough opener. Sharapova beat Irina-Camelia Begu 6-0, 6-3.

BMW OPEN: Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (10-8), 6-3 in Munich to win the title for the second time.

ESTORIL OPEN: Former U.S. Open champion Juan del Potro won his second consecutive title in Oeiras, Portugal, defeating Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2.

ET CETERA

TRACK AND FIELD: In rain and wind, American Allyson Felix won the women's 100 meters in 11.22 seconds at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Kawasaki, Japan.

BOXING: In his homeland, Robert Stieglitz kept his WBO super middleweight (168-pound) title with a unanimous decision over Australian Nader Hamdan in Erfurt, Germany.

CYCLING: World champ Mark Cavendish won the second stage of the Giro d'Italia in a sprint finish in Herning, Denmark, and American Taylor Phinney finished fourth but kept the overall lead despite a broken bike chain.

TRIATHLON: Lance Armstrong was third in the St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands) Ironman. It was the latest effort by the 40-year-old in his return to the sport he competed in as a teen before turning to cycling, where he won the Tour de France seven times. American Andy Potts won.

Times wires

John Marinatto resigns as Big East Conference commissioner

0
0

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 7, 2012

The Big East, with so many new faces in its latest reincarnation, will have a new leader as well, as commissioner John Marinatto resigned Monday after three years marked by the chaos of conference realignment.

"All endings are sad," Marinatto told the New York Times. "But there's a beginning. I'm sure that it'll be positive in the end. I feel good about where we're leaving it after going through what we went through and proud of what we're able to accomplish in part over the last seven months."

In the past year, Marinatto has seen key league members Pittsburgh and Syracuse announce they're leaving for the ACC, West Virginia bolted for the Big 12, joining TCU, which was supposed to join the Big East this fall. He's added eight schools that will join the conference over the next three years, but won't be there to celebrate their arrival.

The Big East announced that Joseph Bailey III, a former CEO of the Miami Dolphins and executive with the NFL and Cowboys, has been named as interim commissioner as the conference begins the process of selecting a successor.

CBSsports.com, which broke the news, reported that league presidents asked Marinatto to step down Sunday night. Marinatto told the New York Times he had been in discussions with the presidents for a few weeks. The league's annual meetings are this month in Ponte Vedra Beach, near Jacksonville.

"I know I speak for the entire conference when I express my sincere gratitude to John for his leadership and dedicated years of service," USF President Judy Genshaft said in a Big East statement. "John helped build the Big East into what it is today and played a critical role in our successful expansion efforts, and for all of that we thank him."

Marinatto's successor will have the challenge of negotiating a new TV deal this fall, one expected to exceed $100 million a year. The Big East has scrambled to stay afloat in the past year with its own wave of expansion, with Temple joining in football this fall, then a larger group in 2013: Houston, SMU, Memphis and Central Florida in all sports and Boise State and an Diego State in football only. Navy will join the league in 2015.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign 13 tryout players from rookie minicamp, release 12 from roster

0
0

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 7, 2012

Thirteen players who tried out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the weekend earned a contract and an invitation to training camp.

The list is headed by LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson, Arkansas running back De'Anthony Curtis and Nebraska tackle Jermarcus Hendricks.

The Bucs also signed cornerback Derrick Roberson and defensive end Hilee Taylor, two veteran free agents who tried out over the weekend.

To make room on the roster, the Bucs released 12 players, including several signed last week as undrafted free agents, including South Florida center Chaz Hine and cornerback Quentin Washington.

Here is the list of tryout players signed from the rookie minicamp:

Wagner DE Quintin Anderson

Ball State S Sean Baker

Arkansas RB De'Anthony Curtis

Iowa P Eric Guthrie

Nebraska T Jermarcus Hardrick

LSU QB Jordan Jefferson

Henderson State FB Antonio Leak

North Carolina DT Jordan Nix

Toledo TE Danny Noble

Connecticut C Moe Petrus

Portland State DT Myles Wade

The players released include:

WR Luther Ambrose

LB Ryan Baker

LB Mike Balogun

QB Zach Collaros

S Ron Girault Rugters

C Chaz Hine

DT Donte'e Nicholls

T Trevor Olson

G Chris Riley

K Jake Rogers

CB Quenton Washington

T Rocky Weaver

Florida women's basketball assistant coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick to be named head coach at UNC Asheville

0
0

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 7, 2012

Florida Gators women's basketball coach Amanda Butler is in need of a new assistant.

Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick, who has been with Butler since her arrival at Florida five years ago, is expected to be named the women's head basketball coach at UNC Asheville this afternoon.

A 4 p.m. press conference is scheduled at the school.

Kirkpatrick, 34, is a native of Waynesville, N.C.

From 2005-2007, Mock Kirkpatrick was an assistant under Butler at UNC Charlotte. She also spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech (2002-04), and was a four-year letterwinner at Wake Forest (1997-2001).

Desmond Jennings travels with Tampa Bay Rays despite knee sprain

0
0

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 7, 2012

The Rays say an MRI on leftfielder Desmond Jennings revealed a left knee sprain, and that he'll be monitored daily.

The good news for Tampa Bay is that Jennings isn't going on the disabled list - at least, for now - and traveled with the team on its eight-game, three-city road trip, starting in New York tonight.

Jennings left Sunday's game in the second inning with what the team described as "left knee soreness." Manager Joe Maddon had said he thought the injury occurred on Jennings first-inning, head-first slide home, when the speedy leadoff man scored on a sacrifice fly.

Maddon said if Jennings can't play tonight, more than likely it'll be Matt Joyce in left, B.J. Upton in center and Ben Zobrist in right.

TOUGH TASK: The Rays have maintained a lead over the Yankees since their season-opening sweep at Tropicana Field, but head into Tuesday's series in New York wary of the task they face.

"They have good pitching, they have one of the best lineups in all of baseball," DH Luke Scott said. "They are a very good team. That's how we look at them. We respect our opponent, but we're also a very good team."

The Rays (19-10) spent the past few weeks facing every team in the American League West. But RHP James Shields said it'll be nice to get back into "familiar territory," with this trip featuring three AL East foes, including a Baltimore team that entered Monday with the best record in the majors.

"You look at Toronto, that's a first-place team in any other division, Yankees are a first place team, Boston, too" Scott said. "You've got five just dominant teams. There's no breaks."

STRONG SHIELDS: Shields, who allowed six runs in a no-decision opening day against the Yankees, has won every start since, carrying a major league-leading five wins into Tuesday's start in New York.

"Obviously you can tweak a few things here and there, but for the most part I'm feeling really good right now," Shields said. "I've had some pretty decent bullpen sessions, and I've just got to keep rolling."

NO SLOUCH: While the absence of Yankees legendary closer Mariano Rivera, out with a torn ACL, leaves a significant void, the Rays say RHP David Robertson is a formidable fill-in.

Robertson, an All-Star last year, has not given up a run in 27 consecutive appearances, dating to Aug. 29.

"I know from facing him, he's not a fun at-bat," Scott said. "He's got really good stuff. And he's got the longest stride of any pitcher in baseball. So when you see 94-96 (miles per hour) on the gun, it's more like 98-100."

ON THE MOVE: Scott

is working his way back into potentially being able to play in the field, saying he's 10-12 days into a throwing program as he attempts to strengthen his surgically-repaired right shoulder.

"I can play first base right now," Scott said. "I can probably get the ball into the cutoffman now, but I want to be able to put a little bit on it, where I can hold guys to a single."

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


Tampa Bay Buccaneers announce signing of two seventh round draft picks

0
0

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 7, 2012

Two weeks ago they were drafted, over the weekend they participated in a rookie minicamp and now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' two seventh-round draft picks have signed.

The club announced Utah State running back Michael Smith and Northwestern tight end Drake Dunsmore have each signed four-year deals.

Smith split time in the Aggies backfield with running back Robert Turbin, who was a fourth round pick by the Seattle Seahawks. Smith has legitimate 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash and is expected to be utilized as a third down back behind Boise State rookie Doug Martin and LeGarrette Blount.

"He is fast,'' coach Greg Schiano said of Smith. "And explosive. You see it out here, but when you watch the video, you really see it. He's moving at a high rate of speed.''

Dunsmore was the Wildcats' second-leading receiver as a senior and had 14 career touchdown receptions. He will be competing for the third tight end spot behind Kellen Winslow and Luke Stocker.

With the signing of Smith and Dunsmore, the Bucs have five draft picks who are not under contract. But with the rookie salary cap under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, signings could be fast and furious.

Tampa Bay Rays score with free agent bargain shopping

0
0

By Gary Shelton, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 7, 2012

Two teams. Similar dreams.

One team has a new stadium, and as a result, it had money to burn. The other wants a new stadium, but still, it was willing to spend a little more. Call it money to singe.

One team went into free agency shopping for stars. Almost two hundred million dollars later, it had the leading hitter in the National League, a proven closer and a veteran starting pitcher.

The other went into free agency, like always, sifting through the bargains. Fourteen million later, it had a designated hitter coming off shoulder surgery, a first baseman who strikes out too much and a relief pitcher the Angels threw away.

Score it Rays 3, Marlins 0.

Consider it the latest installment in the continuing commentary subtitled "And isn't Andrew Friedman smart?''

If you are looking for a reason why the Rays have won as many games as anyone in baseball, the best place to start is at the desk of Friedman, the Vice-President of Beating Opponents With a Medium-Sized Bag of Nickels. (Yeah, the print on his business card is a little crowded.)

He is the best shopper in baseball. Everyone knows that about Friedman by now. As much as a cleanup hitter, as much as a closer, he has become an impact player in Tampa Bay. He has helped turn the Rays into a mongoose of a team, maximizing dollars and driving the rich kids crazy.

Granted, it is still early May, and the season won't be 30 games old until tonight. Once again, however, it seems that Friedman has had a fine offseason.

Luke Scott? Check.

Carlos Pena? Check.

Fernando Rodney? Double-check.

This is what Friedman does. He plucks treasures out of the trash. He leads the league in value. Put it this way: If you need a preowned car that has some wear but still has tread left, if you can ignore a dent or two and concentrate on how far it can take you, then Friedman is the man you want to go shopping with you.

To the amateur general managers among us, free agency sounds easy, doesn't it? You study the statistics, you count the money in the till, and you add the best player you can imagine. It's as easy as reading the back of a baseball card.

Except for this: Sometimes, those pesky game results can make a perfectly reasonable decision look as stupid as throwing money into the street.

For instance, glance south toward Miami, won't you? Last offseason, the Marlins had money in their pocket and stars in their eyes. So they committed $191 million toward signing shortstop Jose Reyes, closer Heath Bell and starting pitcher Mark Buehrle. Even the hard critics were impressed ... right up until the season started and the Marlins came down with a nasty case of fourth place.

Bell? After signing a three-year, $27 million contract, Bell has lost the closer's job already by blowing four saves in seven chances. Odds are, he'll still wind up with the job — he does have 132 saves over the last three years — but that's a lot of money to wager on it. Meanwhile, his ERA is 11.42. Rodney's is 0.66.

Reyes? Last year, he was the best hitter in the National League at .337. After signing a six-year, $106 million contract, he's more than 100 points lower (.224), and he's already made six errors. His fielding percentage is a career low .950.

Buerle? After signing a four-year, $58 million contract, he's 2-4. To be fair, his 2.83 ERA suggests he's pitched better than that. On the other hand, are the Marlins paying him to be fair?

The Rays, meanwhile, have paid a combined $14 million for Pena, Scott and Rodney for this season. It's a much better deal, and as an added bonus, no one around here has to listen to Ozzie Guillen prattle.

This is the way the Rays have survived. By stretching a dollar from here to the postseason. By squeezing quarters until they leave a thumbprint. In baseball, most teams that search in the bargain basement finish in the basement, too. Not the Rays.

The point is this: Paying a guy a lot of money doesn't always mean a team is getting a great ballplayer. No one brings their wallets onto the field. In baseball, a little bit of smart can offset a great deal of payroll.

Ask the Yankees, who already regret the trade for Seattle pitcher Michael Pineda. "A massive decision gone wrong,'' is the way Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman put it.

Ask the Angels, who have paid a lot of money for the single home run of Albert Pujols. Of course, we all agree that Pujols will be a fine player this season, and that .196 average won't last long. But his start was troubling enough to make you wonder if his 10-year contract (for $240 million) might be about five years too many.

Ask the Red Sox, who are still paying Carl Crawford on a seven-year, $142 million contract.

In other words, this free agency stuff is harder than it appears. And the more the richer guys mess up, the wiser Friedman looks by comparison.

Around the league, this is no longer a secret. Friedman has been praised before. I suspect it will happen again.

No, he isn't perfect. The Pat Burrell signing, for instance, wasted everyone's time. And the Rays still haven't found a cure for the catcher's position.

Still, no one in baseball has maximized its payroll over the last five seasons the way the Rays have. Sometimes, you get the feeling that Friedman (and his scouts) can look at a photo of a thousand men and pick out the one relief pitcher in the crowd.

After a few years, it doesn't feel like luck anymore. It feels like smart shopping. Dollar-for-dollar, the Rays are as good as anyone.

Then again, it's the only chance they can afford.

Minor-league callups Chris Gimenez, Will Rhymes find opportunities with Tampa Bay Rays

0
0


Monday, May 7, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG – Manager Joe Maddon calls the Rays the "land of opportunity."

And both catcher Chris Gimenez and infielder Will Rhymes are grateful to be the latest examples.

When the two signed as minor league free agents in the winter, accepting an invite to spring training, it didn't make for headlines. Gimenez, 29, competing for the second catcher spot, and Rhymes, 29, hoping to land as a utility infielder, often played late in exhibitions, when the regulars had already hit the showers.

Neither made the Opening Day roster, starting the season riding buses in Triple-A Durham.

But both Gimenez and Rhymes were on the Rays team charter to New York Monday to start an eight-game road trip, having made some unexpected early impact due to injuries to catcher Jose Lobaton and star third baseman Evan Longoria.

Gimenez and Rhymes said they chose Tampa Bay because of its track record of non-roster invitees actually getting a shot in the majors, from Carlos Pena in 2007 to Eric Hinske in 2008, Joaquin Benoit in 2010 and Juan Cruz last season. And the Rays are now reaping the rewards of that reputation.

"We've had a lot of guys sign to minor league contracts .. that have gone on to help this team a long, and we speak to that when we talk to guys," executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "We don't try to sign 50 minor league free agents, we're very selective to what we do. And we hope that reputation spreads like wildfire, that what we say is genuine, and the opportunity is very real."

**

Gimenez found himself in limbo at the absolute worst time, the beginning of spring training.

He had reported to Mariners camp, unpacked and moved into an Arizona rental with his wife, Kellie, and three-month old son, Jace. But on Feb. 7, Gimenez was designated for assignment, and had to wait 10 days to be traded or clear waivers. He couldn't go to the complex, so he threw and hit at an area high school, anxious because he knew it was one of the tougher times to find a job.

"It was chaos," Gimenez said. "I just felt like, it's the worst thing that could have happened to me."

Gimenez was grateful to have a couple options, but the Rays were No. 1 on the list, sealed in a phone conversation with manager Joe Maddon. Maddon told Gimenez, who had played sporadically in parts of four big-league seasons, wouldn't ever go 4-5 days without playing.

"That's like, No. 1, the best thing ever," Gimenez said.

Gimenez has gotten his shot, splitting time with veteran catcher Jose Molina, playing 12 games since getting called up April 15. He's hitting .229, but Friedman has been impressed with his play defensively behind the plate, and how he works with the pitching staff.

Gimenez loves the loose and welcoming clubhouse atmosphere, saying he's never been on a team that's had so much fun.

"If I could stay here the rest of my life, I'd be the happiest man ever," he said.

**

Rhymes, the Tigers Opening Day second baseman last season, thought he'd be back in Detroit, at least at Triple-A.

But after spending parts of two seasons in Detroit, he was non-tendered at the deadline last fall, which, as Rhymes said, turned out to be a "great thing."

Friedman had liked Rhymes for his "elite contact ability" and versatility defensively. Rhymes said he had a few options, but sought advice from his Houston childhood buddy, Rays pitcher Jeff Niemann, who told him he'd get a "fair shake," in Tampa Bay.

"It was a tough decision," Rhymes said. "You never know, trying to weigh what's going to happen in spring, who are the guys in the mix? You don't really ever know what's going to happen. You just try to pick where you think profile best."

Having Rhymes play some third base in spring was fortuitous, as he's made his first three-big league starts there since getting called up last week when Longoria got hurt. He's hit .294 in five games, and showed his defensive ability, making a diving stop up the middle Sunday.

"So far, it's been incredible," Rhymes said. "I'm happy here."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com

Captain's Corner: Trout trail

0
0

By Neil Taylor, Times Correspondent
Monday, May 7, 2012

What's hot: Big numbers of large speckled trout are being caught easily with a mix of topwater plugs and jigs. A majority of the fish are more than 17 inches, so this is fun on light tackle.

Tackle and techniques: The basic equipment is medium to medium light spinning outfits with light main line and light leader line. Take multiple rods with your favorite "noisy, rattling" topwater lure on one and a 3/16-ounce jighead on another. Three-inch paddletails and five-inch jerkbaits are selections to put on the jigheads.

Tips: Target areas with significant seagrass bottom. Topwater lures can be used in depths of 3 feet or less. The biggest trout will likely be in about 2 feet. With warming water, 3 to 4 feet is about the optimal depth to search for trout. In midday, try even deeper water, use jigs and reduce the speed of a retrieve. With topwater lures, use short jabs and correct rod tip angle. With jigs, swim them slow and steady near the bottom. Enjoy this current barrage before summer commences and this action subsides.

Neil Taylor charters kayak fishing trips in the Tampa Bay area and can be reached at strikethreekayakfishing.com and (727) 692-6345.

Indians 8, White Sox 6, Game 1

0
0

Times wires
Monday, May 7, 2012

Indians 8, White Sox 6

GAME 1

CLEVELAND — Philip Humber failed to get out of the third inning as Cleveland pounded Chicago's right-hander, who pitched a perfect game April 21. Since then, Humber has allowed 20 runs in 131/3 innings and gone 0-2 in three starts. "I'm frustrated," he said. "I'm doing my best, it's just the last two or three times out there, it's been rough. I'm definitely hoping for better results."

Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields knows not to take Derek Jeter lightly; players taking advantage of rare off day

0
0

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 7, 2012

Rays at Yankees

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Yankee Stadium, New York

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

Probable pitchers

Rays:

RH James Shields (5-0, 3.05)

Yankees:

RH Ivan Nova (3-1, 5.58)

On Shields: He's tied for the major-league lead with five wins and has won his past six decisions, which matches his longest career streak. He's 5-11 with a 4.39 ERA in 21 career starts against the Yankees.

On Nova: He has struggled recently, allowing at least five earned runs in each of his past two starts. He is 2-0 with a 3.47 ERA in four career starts against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Nova

Matt Joyce 1-for-10

B.J. Upton 2-for-10

Carlos Peña 1-for-3, HR

Yankees vs. Shields

R. Cano 24-for-60, 4 HRs

M. Teixeira 6-for-32, 3 HRs

A. Rodriguez 13-for-41, 3 HRs

On deck

Wednesday: at Yankees, 7:05, Sun Sports/ESPN. Rays — Jeff Niemann (2-3, 4.05); Yankees — David Phelps (0-1, 3.74)

Thursday: at Yankees, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (5-1, 2.35); Yankees — CC Sabathia (4-0, 4.15)

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

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"He's a future Hall of Famer. No matter how many years he's been in this game, he's always going to hit. That's one thing he's done in his entire career, so you definitely can't take him lightly."

RHP James Shields on Yankees SS Derek Jeter, who is hitting a major-league best .397.

Plans of the day

With Monday the Rays' lone off day in a 30-day stretch (April 24 to May 23), several planned to rest before an early evening flight to New York. "Just relax," SS Sean Rodriguez said. "Go to my favorite vacation spot — my couch."

Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Joyce enjoys third grand slam as much as first two

0
0

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 19, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — OF Matt Joyce acknowledged that the first two grand slams of his career were "hard to top."

His first was a two-out, pinch-hit blast against the Twins on July 3, 2010, capping a seven-run eighth in a rousing road win. Later that month, Joyce broke up Tigers RHP Max Scherzer's no-hit bid in the sixth inning with a two-out grand slam, lifting the Rays to a win over his former team.

But while Joyce's third-inning grand slam against the Braves on Saturday wasn't as dramatic, it gave the Rays the lead for good in a 5-2 victory.

"It doesn't make it any less special, that's for sure," said the Armwood High grad. "It's been pretty fun. I'm really fortunate to be in such a good situation and to play at home and come up in some big opportunities and come through."

Joyce, who leads the Rays with eight homers, found himself in a hitter's count with one out in the third and got what he expected, a 2-and-0 fastball, ripping it 412 feet and over the centerfield wall. Manager Joe Maddon thought it was headed for the Rays tank; Joyce said it might have been the hardest he has hit a ball.

Said Joyce: "That's all I've got."

TV TIME: OF Sam Fuld admitted he was a little nervous for his scheduled appearance on today's Sun Sports broadcast, where he'll be in the booth with Dewayne Staats and Brian Anderson throughout the game.

"It's not my cup of tea," Fuld said, before joking, "there won't be much dead air, I'm a little worried about getting a few words in among the two of them."

But Fuld will be talking about a topic he's passionate about: statistics, going over acronyms such as WAR (wins above replacement). He has been interested in numbers since he was a child, when he would routinely check newspaper box scores.

"I had a little handbook when I was a 6-year-old I would carry around that had everybody's stats," Fuld said. "I was a nut, a baseball nut, from an early age."

Fuld, on the disabled list following right wrist surgery, hopes to return to baseball activities soon.

IDOLS TO FOES: LHP David Price grew up a diehard Braves fan, making today's start against them a little more special.

Price, 26, would drive with his family from its Nashville home to one game a summer. "I took the lineup card out (Friday) night and it was me and Terry Pendleton," Price recalled. "He sticks his hand out to shake mine, tells me he's a big fan of mine. I'm just sitting there thinking, 'I idolized you when I was a kid.' "

PENA POWER: With 1B Carlos Peña struggling, Maddon had him do a small-ball batting practice drill before the game, an exercise that makes a hitter use his hands more in his swing. Maddon believes Peña has been using too much of his body and has been expanding his strike zone, a reason why he entered Saturday hitting .131 with 24 strikeouts in May. Maddon said he wanted to see Peña accept his walks more, and he picked up two in the game. "I saw better patience," Maddon said.

MEDICAL MATTERS: OF Desmond Jennings (left knee sprain) was running around Saturday and could return close to the eligible date of May 27. Maddon said he's unsure if Jennings would need at-bats somewhere before he rejoins the team.

INF Will Rhymes returned to the lineup three days after getting hit in the right forearm with a pitch and fainting on the field. Rhymes went 0-for-3 with a walk and played well at second.

MISCELLANY: Braves 3B Chipper Jones (left calf bruise) was not in the lineup, and it appears doubtful he will play today. … Don Zimmer was at the game, saying he continues to feel better and drove himself to the park. The Rays senior adviser is undergoing dialysis treatments. … DH/OF Hideki Matsui went 0-for-4 in his fifth game for Triple-A Durham.

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


Royals 7, Diamondbacks 3

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, May 19, 2012

Royals 7, Diamondbacks 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas homered, and Bruce Chen won his third straight start for Kansas City. Butler homered to left-center in the third with Alcides Escobar aboard. He also drove in Jarrod Dyson with a sacrifice fly in a two-run fifth. Butler's eight home runs and 31 RBIs lead the Royals. Moustakas homered into the rightfield bullpen in the fourth.

Red Sox 7, Phillies 5

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, May 19, 2012

Red Sox 7, Phillies 5

PHILADELPHIA — David Ortiz homered, singled and drove in two runs as last-place Boston overcame a rocky outing by Jon Lester to snap Philadelphia's six-game winning streak. The Red Sox, who have yet to move above .500 this season, hit four homers in all to bounce back after losing two of their past three.

White Sox 7, Cubs 4

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, May 19, 2012

White Sox 7, Cubs 4

CHICAGO — John Danks took a shutout into the seventh inning for his first win in nearly a month, and Dayan Viciedo, A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Dunn homered to lead the White Sox. In three career starts at Wrigley Field, Danks has allowed two earned runs in 191/3 innings.

Tampa Bay Storm falls to Cleveland 53-34

0
0

Times staff
Saturday, May 19, 2012

CLEVELAND — Cleveland quarterback John Dutton was 22-of-41 for 254 yards and five touchdowns to lead the host Gladiators to a 53-34 win over the Storm.

With the Storm (5-5) trailing 33-13 in the third quarter, former USF quarterback Matt Grothe replaced starter Stephen Wasil. Grothe threw an interception on his first series but then led the Storm to two touchdowns bring it within in 39-27.

Grothe finished 7-of-13 for 85 yards. Wasil was 13 of 26 for 121 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Receiver Prechae Rodriguez had five catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

Spring football: Agape Christian 38, Cambridge 0

0
0

By Andy Warrener, Times Correspondent


Saturday, May 19, 2012

At Skyway Park

Score: Agape Christian 38, Cambridge 0

Spring game-breakers: The Lancers were stuffed at every attempt to run the football. However, their short passing game was effective, especially in the first half. Rising sophomore quarterback Garrett Young went 12-for-15 passing for more than 100 yards. He threw two interceptions, but they were late in the game when the Lancers were forcing the ball down the field.

"Garret has a tremendous amount of poise for a freshman," Cambridge coach Bob Dare said.

Rising junior Robbie Robertson is a two-way star on the rise for Cambridge. He caught eight passes for 84 yards and earned most of those yards after the catch. He also made several good plays on defense, extinguishing a two two-point conversions and getting several key stops.

Did you know? Young supplanted last year's starting quarterback in Phillip Johnson for the spring game. Dare has already anointed Young as his starter for the fall. … Agape Christian, only fielded 18 players, but it had two 300-pound interior linemen that Cambridge just had no answer for.

Audible 1: "The reason you play a spring game is so you know who you are. We know who we are now. We're young, there's no doubt about that. But that's how you get better." — Dare

Audible 2: "We're going to look at the film on Monday, and the film doesn't lie. We are going to see your first step, what you did and why you ended up on your back with a 300-pound guy on top of you." — Dare

Andy Warrener, Times correspondent

Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images