Times wires
Saturday, May 19, 2012

WASHINGTON — Adam Jones and Nick Markakis hit two-run homers, and the Orioles matched a season high with their fifth straight win, 6-5 over the Nationals on Saturday night.

Jones had three hits as the American League East leaders improved to 15-5 on the road. Washington lost its third in a row.

Former Ray Jason Hammel allowed one hit through four innings for Baltimore before fading. Two of the four runs charged to him scored after he was pulled with one out in the sixth.

Orioles closer Jim Johnson allowed a two-out home run in the ninth to Ryan Zimmerman but struck out Adam LaRoche for his 23rd straight save dating to last season.

The Orioles scored two in the second off Ross Detwiler. Wilson Betemit led off with a single, Xavier Avery drew a one-out walk, Hammel sacrificed, and both runners scored on Robert Andino's single. Jones homered to left in the third.

Times staff, wires
Saturday, May 19, 2012

Soccer

antoniuk leads rowdies over atlanta 3-2

ATLANTA — Daniel Antoniuk scored twice and the Rowdies beat Atlanta 3-2 Saturday night.

Antoniuk had the Rowdies' first two-goal performance since Keith Savage on Aug. 6 at Atlanta. Both goals came in the first half and gave the Rowdies (3-3-2) a 2-0 lead.

Shane Moroney cut the Rowdies' lead to 2-1 in the 64th minute with a header past goalie Jeff Attinella. Mike Ambersley upped the lead to 3-1 in the 79th minute.

Champions League: Didier Drogba scored the decisive goal in a shootout as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich to win the European tournament final after a 1-1 draw in Munich.

Premiere League: West Ham's Ricardo Vaz Te scored with three minutes left to take his team into England's top league next season with a 2-1 win over Blackpool in the promotion playoff final in London.

MLS: Host D.C. United handed Toronto its league-record ninth straight loss to open the season, 3-1.

Hockey

Russia, Slovakia play for world title

Russia and Slovakia meet in the world championship final today at Helsinki, Finland, for the first time since the Slovaks won their only title a decade ago against the Russians.

The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin scored a hat trick to lead Russia to a 6-2 rout of Finland in the semis, and former NHL player Miroslav Satan scored twice to help Slovakia beat the Czech Republic 3-1.

Arena Football

Storm struggles, falls to 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 to bring it within 39-27.

Grothe was 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.

Et cetera

Tennis: Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer to set up a meeting with Rafael Nadal in the Italian Open final at Rome. The defending champion, Djokovic beat Federer 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). Five-time winner Nadal eliminated fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6 (8-6), 6-0. On the women's side, Maria Sharapova defeated rising German player Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-4 and defends her title against 2011 French Open champion Li Na, who advanced after Serena Williams withdrew before their semifinal with a lower-back injury. Williams said she would be ready for the French Open, which begins a week from today.

Track: Former Olympic and world champion Liu Xiang defeated current world champ Jason Richardson of the United States to win the 110-meter hurdles at the Diamond League meet in Shanghai. Jamaica's Asafa Powell held off American Michael Rodgers to win the 100.

Greyhounds: Flying Lone Wolf of McAllister kennel won the $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile Stakes at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. Trained by Barbara McAllister for owner Vince Berland, Flying Lone Wolf ($6.80) clocked 550 yards in 30.37 seconds. Call Me Ishmael and Backwood Alva were next.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires

Times wires
Saturday, May 19, 2012

Astros 6, Rangers 5

HOUSTON — Justin Maxwell hit one of the Astros' season-high three homers, a go-ahead shot in the fifth. Maxwell's first homer since his first at-bat as an Astro earlier this season came with one on and two outs to make it 5-4. Chris Snyder and Carlos Lee also homered for Houston.

Times wires
Saturday, May 19, 2012

CONCORD, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson used a calculated strategy Saturday to win NASCAR's Sprint Cup All-Star race and its $1 million prize for the third time in his career.

The five-time series champion won the first 20-lap segment, then rode near the back of the field for the next 60 laps around Charlotte Motor Speedway. His plan was to stay out of trouble and go forward in the fifth and last segment.

The new format this year set it up so that the winners of the first four segments would be the first drivers down pit road for a mandatory stop before the 10-lap final segment. Johnson's win in the first segment meant he was guaranteed to be the first driver down pit road, and he had the first stall — the reward for his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team winning Thursday's pit crew competition.

The nonpoints race was to beat everyone else off pit road, and Johnson edged Matt Kenseth across the line.

Johnson then had a great restart and pulled away to become just the third driver — joining the late Dale Earnhardt and teammate Jeff Gordon — to win three All-Star races. Johnson's other wins were in 2003 and 2006.

The win comes a week after his Darlington Raceway victory gave Hendrick Motorsports its 200th Cup win. This time Johnson celebrated by picking up team owner Rick Hendrick, who climbed halfway through the window of the Chevrolet for Johnson's celebratory lap.

"He said 'Come pick me up,' and once I got to him, he didn't want the ride," Johnson said. "I'm like, 'No, no, I came to get you, Get on the car.' It was great to take him around."

Hendrick, 62, waved to fans as Johnson slowly drove back onto the track with his boss in tow.

Brad Keselowski, winner of the third segment, had no chance to catch Johnson over the closing 10 laps.

"It's all about the restart," Keselowski said. "The high line on the restart just wouldn't go. I don't know if I would have been able to do anything, but I would have liked another shot. We got beat by a five-time champ and two-time All-Star winner, so I think we're doing pretty good."

Kenseth, winner of the second segment, finished third and was followed by Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who won the fourth segment and advanced into the main event by winning the qualifying race earlier.

Once again there was no repeat champion. Last year's winner, Carl Edwards, bowed out in the second segment after the engine in the No. 99 Ford blew up on Lap 25. He was looking to become the first repeat All-Star winner since Davey Allison in 1991-92.

Earnhardt raced his way in by winning the Sprint Showdown, leading all 40 laps. His exemption from his 2000 All-Star victory expired last year, and NASCAR's most popular driver needed fans to vote him into the All-Star race in 2011.

Pole-sitter AJ Allmendinger earned the second transfer position, and Bobby Labonte won the fan vote to get the third transfer spot.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

By JENNA FRYER

AP Auto Racing Writer

CONCORD, N.C. — It's not often a race car driver intentionally cruises slowly at the back of the field.

Jimmie Johnson did it for roughly 60 laps Saturday night, and it earned him a cool $1 million payday.

Johnson used a calculated strategy — he drove hard for the first and last segments, and coasted for the three in between — to join Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon as the only three-time winners of NASCAR's All-Star race.

The five-time champion won the first 20-lap segment of the Sprint All-Star race, then deliberately faded to the back for the next three 20-lap segments at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His plan was to keep the No. 48 Chevrolet out of trouble, then make his play for the win in the fifth and final segment.

"We did a strategy that we thought was best for our team," he said.

It certainly was, even if it was the antithesis of what race car drivers do for a living.

But it worked for this year's new format, which guaranteed the winners of the first four segments would be the first four drivers down pit road for a mandatory stop before the 10-lap sprint to the finish. Johnson's win in the first segment meant he was guaranteed to be the first driver down pit road, and he had the first stall — the reward for his Hendrick Motorsports team winning Thursday night's Pit Crew Competition.

His race, after winning that first segment, was simply to beat everyone else off pit road. Johnson raced Matt Kenseth down the lane, and edged him across the line.

He then needed a clean and quick restart, which he executed to perfection, to pull away for the win. This win comes a week after his Darlington Raceway victory gave Hendrick Motorsports its 200th Cup win.

"Man, I don't want this week to end," Johnson said.

He celebrated by picking up team owner Rick Hendrick, who climbed halfway through the window of the Chevrolet for Johnson's celebratory lap. It was Hendrick's seventh All-Star race win.

"He said come pick me up, and once I got to him, he didn't want the ride," Johnson said. "I'm like, 'No, no, I came to get you, Get on the car.' It was great to take him around."

It didn't look very comfortable — or safe.

"That was the dumbest thing I've ever done in racing," Hendrick said. "I thought I was going to be a busted watermelon."

Brad Keselowski, winner of the third segment, had no chance to catch Johnson over the closing 10 laps. The final segment was the shortest by 10 laps, but Keselowski didn't think it mattered.

"I don't think it was going to make a difference if it was a hundred laps at the end; Jimmie was just that fast," Keselowski said. "You can't really steal any of his thunder on that. I was doing all I could to get by, but wasn't meant to be."

But Keselowski, who won the third segment, wasn't all that disappointed.

"It's all about the restart," Keselowski said. "The high line on the restart just wouldn't go. I don't know if I would have been able to do anything, but I would have liked another shot. We got beat by a five-time champ and two-time All-Star winner, so I think we're doing pretty good. We didn't have enough to pull it off."

Kenseth, winner of the second segment, finished third. He had some tense moments after teammates Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle had engine failures — Biffle's exploded into a giant fireball — and initially wasn't all that comfortable following Johnson's lead of running around the back until the final 10 laps.

"I watched what the 48 did. They won the first one, so they didn't race until the last 10," Kenseth said. "They seem to know what they're doing, pretty smart. We watched that, kind of hung back. There wasn't any reward for racing up through there. You knew you were coming on pit road second."

And after losing the race off pit road to Johnson, and the restart, too, Kenseth knew he couldn't catch the winner. It was Kenseth's fifth top-five finish in 12 All-Star races.

"For me, you got somebody as fast as him out front, there was no way I was going to have a shot in 10 laps," Kenseth said. "Ten laps is kind of short, but yet the fastest car was out front. It was hard to beat that."

Kyle Busch finished fourth and was followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who won the fourth segment and advanced into the All-Star race by winning the qualifying race earlier Saturday night. Busch, the pole-sitter, wasn't surprised by the finishing order.

"It was exactly like everybody thought it would be; Anybody who wins the first segment will win the race," Busch said.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Dodgers 6, Cardinals 0

LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw outdueled Jake Westbrook with a six-hitter for his fourth career shutout. Justin Sellers triggered a four-run seventh with his first homer of the year for the Dodgers, who improved the best record in the majors to 27-13. Kershaw got the seventh complete game of his career and did not allow a runner past second base. He did not walk a batter for the third time this season and lowered his ERA to 1.90.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Padres 3, Angels 2

SAN DIEGO — Alexi Amarista scored San Diego's first two runs and then doubled in the go-ahead run off Dan Haren in the seventh. Erick Aybar tied his career high with four hits and had an RBI triple. He singled with one out in the ninth and reached third with two outs before Dale Thayer struck out Ryan Langerhans to earn his fifth save.

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Red snapper: June 1 marks the opening of the season. We will have about 40 days to harvest these delicious fish until the close on July 10.

Where: Look for them on just about any structure in depths of 120 feet or more, but larger fish will be on spots with little or no pressure from other anglers. We have fished these depths daily, targeting red grouper that often frequent the same spots. But there are many more snapper than anything else. Last week we released seven monsters between 22 and 24 pounds in depths as shallow as 110 feet. Average size was 8-10 pounds.

Bait: Just like all snappers they will eat just about any offering, but frozen sardines are hard to beat. There is no need to chum these fish into a frenzy. If you catch one, there are a ton of them on the spot. One great technique is to drop the bait as slowly as possible through the water column. This often results in catching larger, more dominant fish at the top of the school.

Tackle: Depending on depth, 50-pound tackle should usually work. But in the right place, with the right technique, you could drop down to spinning tackle and have a lot of fun. Leads should be as small as the current and depth will allow. These fish have a mouthful of teeth so use at least a 50-pound leader, coupled down to about a 8/0 circle hook.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 and fintasticinc.com.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

NEWTON, Iowa — Ricky Stenhouse didn't need a fortuitous push from a teammate to win at Iowa Speedway this time. His No. 6 car kept the drama and his foes out of reach.

He led 209 of 250 laps and won Sunday's Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 NASCAR Nationwide race for his third straight win on Iowa's 0.875-mile short oval.

Stenhouse won both Iowa races in 2011, including in August when he blew an engine and was pushed across the finish line by Carl Edwards.

"This is the way you want to win. You want to go out here and dominate," Stenhouse said. "We want to go out there and lead laps, stay up front and get the job done."

Elloitt Sadler was second but his No. 2 Chevrolet was found to be too low in postrace inspection. Michael McDowell tied his career best by finishing third.

Darrell Wallace Jr., a member of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program making his series debut, finished ninth for Joe Gibbs Racing.

INDY 500: Indianapolis Motor Speedway might have set a track record Sunday.

IndyCar levied $275,000 in fines to 13 teams, including pole-sitter Ryan Briscoe. There were 18 total infractions.

The three front-row starters — Briscoe, James Hinchcliffe and Ryan Hunter-Reay — must pay a combined total of $70,000 for six rules infractions.

None of the 13 drivers were assessed grid penalties, so their starting spots in Sunday's Indianapolis 500 will not be affected.

The steepest penalty was worth $65,000, issued to Fan Force United, which is fielding a car for ex-Formula One driver Jean Alesi. The team violated a weight rule.

Also, St. Petersburg resident Sebastien Bourdais set the fastest time on the final day of qualifying at 223.760 mph. Nobody was bumped out on "bump day" as only 33 cars made attempts.

ALL-STAR GRIPES: It didn't take teams long to figure out their best shot at winning the All-Star race would be in the first 20 laps.

Now fans are upset that winner Jimmie Johnson essentially sandbagged for 60 or so laps before turning it up to win Saturday's $1 million race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

"Everybody knew if you could win that first segment, you could control the night," said Johnson, who indeed won the first of four 20-lap segments.

Under the new format, that gave him the lead heading into the mandatory pit stop leading to the final restart. The four segment leaders got to be the first four drivers on pit road.

NHRA: Jack Beckman got his first Funny Car win this season, beating Don Schumacher Racing teammate Ron Capps at the Summernationals in Topeka, Kan. David Grubnic edged Spencer Massey for his first Top Fuel title since 2006 and Allen Johnson topped Pro Stock, beating points leader Greg Anderson.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, May 20, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays have lit a holistic candle, said their prayers, and jokingly referred to curses and demons when it comes to their recent stretch of weird injuries and occurrences.

But after the frustratingly maddening way Tampa Bay's final rally ended in its 2-0 loss to the Braves on Sunday, getting shut out for the first time this year, designated hitter Luke Scott had another suggestion.

"Let's find the witch doctor and behead him and throw his body into the bay," Scott quipped.

Scott thought he was going to tie the score in the bottom of the eighth, when the Rays (25-17) had the bases loaded with two outs. But Scott's hard-hit grounder, which appeared headed to rightfield, struck Carlos Peña's right ankle as he was racing toward second base, resulting in interference and the final out. Braves second baseman Dan Uggla didn't know if he would have gotten to the ball.

"I got lucky," Braves reliever Jonny Venters said.

Scott, who was credited with a single, never made it to first base, looking to the sky before tossing his bat in the air.

"If I didn't have that much pine tar on my bat, I probably would have hit the top of the roof," Scott said. "I just couldn't believe it."

Neither could Peña, who broke for second on Scott's two-strike swing and had no time to react as the ball hit him in stride.

"It's just a helpless feeling because I couldn't go anywhere; I was in the air when the ball hit me," Peña said. "It was a rocket. It's just bad luck."

The Rays have had their share, with nine players currently on the disabled list, infielder Jeff Keppinger arriving Sunday morning in a walking boot due to a right foot injury, and Jose Molina leaving in the seventh after taking a foul tip off his catcher's mask. Peña said his ankle was "throbbing" for a minute after getting hit, though he said he was fine later.

Tampa Bay, buoyed by an impressive start by left-hander David Price, was still in the game. Price mixed his pitches well, allowing just two runs in seven innings, keeping the Rays in it as Braves veteran righty Tim Hudson threw a gem, 7? scoreless. Third baseman Sean Rodriguez helped Price with a spectacular defensive play in the fifth, making a diving stab down the line and one-hop throw to Peña to retire David Ross.

"Sean has made some unreal plays," Peña said. "And (Sunday) was no exception."

The Rays had their best chance to crack Hudson in the sixth, thanks to a two-out rally that loaded the bases for Peña. Peña then thought he had a grand slam, but his long drive to center was caught on the warning track due to backspin.

"I crushed it," Peña said. "It just had the spin where it came right down to him. But I knew as soon as I made contact, it had a shot to first be out of the park, or least over his head. So I was very disappointed."

The Rays have lost three of their past four, remaining two games behind first-place Baltimore in the American League East. Peña said the team will be better when it overcomes its recent adversity, no matter what challenges or injuries come next.

Joked Scott: "I may have to play a little middle infield pretty soon."

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

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

DETROIT — Max Scherzer headed toward the dugout, where manager Jim Leyland offered a handshake.

After 15 strikeouts in seven innings, Scherzer's day was done, and the question was whether the Detroit right-hander's effort would go to waste.

"We're in this business to win," Scherzer said Sunday.

Alex Avila's tiebreaking, two-run single highlighted a three-run seventh that rallied Detroit to a 4-3 victory over the Pirates. Scherzer's 15 strikeouts were the most by a Tiger in 40 years, and his teammates wiped out a 2-1 deficit to get him the win.

Mickey Lolich had 15 strikeouts for the Tigers against Boston on Oct. 2, 1972, and set the club record of 16 in 1969, doing it twice in less than three weeks.

Scherzer's 15 strikeouts were the most by a major-league pitcher this year.

"We've wasted a few good performances this year already," Avila said. "Hopefully, that will kind of get us on a roll a little bit."

Scherzer allowed four hits, including two solo homers, and a walk in 115 pitches.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Marlins 5, Indians 3

CLEVELAND — Josh Johnson twice worked out of jams to earn his second straight win and Miami improved to 14-5 in May, the best record in the majors this month. A year ago, an inflamed right shoulder limited Johnson to nine starts. "It means a lot to have him back," said Greg Dobbs, who had three hits and an RBI. "He will flat out dominate again. He's a horse. And when he gets there — watch out."

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

White Sox 6, Cubs 0

CHICAGO — Jake Peavy pitched three-hit ball into the seventh and Adam Dunn hit his 14th homer to help the White Sox complete a three-game sweep. "We need some production," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "The bottom line is two months into the season, we have to start producing or we're going to have to start making some changes."

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

A's 6, Giants 2

SAN FRANCISCO — Collin Cowgill drove in the go-ahead runs and scored in a collision with pitcher Tim Lincecum, and the A's ended an 11-game skid in San Francisco. Lincecum tried to block the plate after a wild pitch, taking a helmet to the face and falling backward when Cowgill slid into him to score from second.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Mariners 6, Rockies 4

DENVER — Jesus Montero and Justin Smoak hit back-to-back homers, Blake Beavan struck out seven and the Mariners completed a three-game sweep. "Offensively a lot of these guys are headed in the right direction," manager Eric Wedge said.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Diamondbacks 2, Royals 0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Wade Miley pitched seven sharp innings and John McDonald drove in the first run with a bunt single as the Royals suffered their 17th loss in 22 homes games this year. Miley allowed five hits and lowered his ERA to 2.14. "That was an easy game to call for me because everything he threw was working," catcher Miguel Montero said. "He worked fast and stayed ahead in the count. I don't think those guys were too comfortable in the box."

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Brewers 16, Twins 4

MILWAUKEE — Jonathan Lucroy homered twice and had a career-high seven RBIs, and Zack Greinke went six strong innings to extend his unbeaten streak to 20 starts (14-0) as a Brewer at Miller Park.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, May 20, 2012

David Herman said when his son Chris first started playing tennis a year and a half ago, he hoped the Gulfport teenager would be able to hit a few back over the net.

Now the father is trying to keep up with the 14-year-old.

"It's amazing," David said. "He gets out there and his game has gotten to a level where he could beat a lot of able-bodied kids."

You see, Chris Herman is in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down since a car accident four years ago. But he hasn't let it keep him down, with his rapid rise in his favorite sport bringing him to Seoul, South Korea, today for the 17th annual Paribas World Team Cup wheelchair tennis tournament. The youngest of three teens selected for the junior national team, Herman is representing the United States in singles and doubles this week, with more than 160 players from 25 countries playing in the arena that hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics.

"I was kind of hopeful I might get on the team this year, but when we got the call, it was just incredible," Chris said. "I felt so happy. It's just amazing how I've gotten to be here."

David said he's impressed with how his son remained positive, even after his life changed in the September 2008 crash that resulted in a spinal cord injury. Chris doesn't remember much of it, keeping his focus on the future.

"In the beginning it was pretty rough, because I was just thrown into this," Chris said. "But I try not to think about it and tried to get through it. I just didn't want to sit at home. I wanted to go do something."

So Chris tried track and field, ice hockey and basketball. "But tennis was just the one that really clicked for me," he said.

Chris practices almost every day, hitting with his dad at the Pasadena Yacht and Country Club, where he works with a coach once a week. His brother Michael, 10, and sisters, Courtney, 16, and Teagan, 5, help shag balls for him.

But first, like most eighth-graders, Chris has to finish his homework. He's home-schooled, taking classes online through Florida Connection. He does three or four lessons each day, with his mother, Kristi, the learning coach. Next year, however, he plans to enroll at St. Petersburg Catholic.

"I'm looking forward to it," Chris said. "I'm going to try out for the tennis team and see how I do. I think I've got a good shot."

David said the main rules difference between regular tennis and wheelchair tennis is players get two bounces instead of one. But as far as skill level, Chris has a good knack for the game, and he impressed the junior national team's coaches enough in just one year of competing in tournaments to get the nod.

"He already possesses a big serve and forehand at a young age, and the future looks really exciting for him," said John Devorss, coach of the junior national team. "We are looking for Chris to gain some valuable experience to help further his development into a top open player in the future. He will be a big part of our junior team's success for years to come."

David said Chris, as well as the entire family, has come a long way in handling the adversity and making everything feel as normal as possible. After all, David said, it could have been a lot worse.

"That's what you keep saying over and over and over after it happens, but it's tough to get through," David said. "Our whole family was thrown into this world of paralysis and wheelchairs and stuff you don't really think about. Chris, the day before the accident, is out there doing everything other kids do, playing football. The accident happens and he's in the hospital for several weeks, and you're wondering how you're going to manage. But life goes on, and you figure it out. Chris never gave up."

Chris acknowledges he doesn't know if he will ever walk again, but he is still dreaming big, hoping this week's first trip out of the country won't be his last.

"I want to see how far I can get myself in this sport, and my goal for right now is in four years try to make it to the Paralympics in Brazil," he said. "Hopefully, I'll make it."

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

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Reds 5, Yankees 2

NEW YORK — Held to two singles through six by CC Sabathia, the Reds rallied on homers by Ryan Ludwick and Ryan Hanigan to tie it in the seventh. A single and three walks forced in the go-ahead run. "I felt like I let the team down," Sabathia said. "These guys are scratching and clawing and it's a great offense, but it's tough when you surrender the lead."

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Tennis

Sharapova overcomes li, rain for title

ROME — Maria Sharapova defended her Italian Open title Sunday, beating Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) after two rain delays that turned the red clay to mud.

"The match was a joke," said Li, who led 6-4, 4-0 when 24 unforced errors led to Sharapova taking the set. A third-set tiebreaker was delayed two hours, then Sharapova won it in five minutes. "It almost feels difficult to have a loser and a winner as it all came down to one game,'' Sharapova said.

The Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal men's final was postponed to today, angering fans.

Track

Forgotten hurdle negates big win

Jessica Ennis produced a career best in the 100 meters hurdles — until organizers discovered that only nine hurdles were set out instead of the regulation 10 at the Great City Games in Manchester, England.

Ennis called it a "massive, massive mess up" after clocking 12.75 seconds into a headwind to beat Olympic champion Dawn Harper and world silver medalist Danielle Carruthers.

Et cetera

Hockey: Russia won the world championship, defeating Slovakia 6-2 in Helsinki. Alexander Semin of the Capitals scored two goals and had an assist. Tournament MVP Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins was among other goal scorers.

NFL: Giants Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor's Super Bowl XXV ring sold for $230,401 at auction. The buyer was not named, but it wasn't Giants DE Osi Umenyiora, who had talked about buying and returning the ring to Taylor. … Bengals LB Dontay Moch reportedly was suspended four games by the league for using a banned substance.

WNBA: Seimone Augustus scored 19 before leaving with bruised ribs, and host Minnesota opened the season with a 105-83 victory over Phoenix. The Mercury was missing Diana Taurasi (strained left hip flexor). … Host Connecticut rallied past New York 92-77.

Soccer: Landon Donovan was among 11 added to the initial U.S. national team squad of 16 for training ahead of Saturday's exhibition against Scotland in Jacksonville. … Napoli beat Serie A champion Juventus 2-0 in the Italian Cup final.

Horses: I'll Have Another came out of the Preakness in "super" shape, and trainer Doug O'Neill said it's on to New York for a Triple Crown try in the Belmont. While O'Neill was heading back to California, a healthy-looking I'll Have Another was loaded onto a van for the trip to Belmont Park, where he will prepare for the June 9 race. "Bring it on," O'Neill said.

Ironman: Lance Armstrong (3:45:38) and Jessica Jacobs (4:24:30) won titles at the Ironman 70.3 Florida in Haines City. Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, posted the fastest bike and run splits of the day.

Sailing: Clearwater's Paige Railey, a 2012 Olympian, finished ninth at the laser radial world championship in Boltenhagen, Germany.

Cycling: Eight months after breaking his leg, Robert Gesink won the Tour of California. … Matteo Rabottini won the 15th stage of the Giro d'Italia in Lecco, Italy. Joaquin Rodriguez regained the overall lead.

Times wires