Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Mets 6, Blue Jays 5

TORONTO — Mike Baxter had a career-high three hits and came within a homer of the cycle for the Mets. Toronto's Henderson Alvarez equaled a career high by allowing six earned runs in a season-low five innings. "He was so strong coming out of the bullpen that he was almost throwing through his sink," Jays manager John Farrell said.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Nationals 9, Orioles 3

WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg hit his first major-league homer and struck out eight before leaving as a precaution with a tight biceps. Strasburg's shot came on an 0-and-2 pitch. "Shocking, that's for sure," Strasburg said. "I just somehow ran into one."

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

ST. PETERSBURG — While sitting in the dugout during Saturday's game, INF Jeff Keppinger was struck in the right foot by a foul ball off the bat of Braves LF Martin Prado.

Initially, manager Joe Maddon wasn't overly concerned. But Maddon said the injury worsened, and Keppinger showed up Sunday wearing a walking boot.

Maddon said Keppinger, who was unavailable for comment, would be sent for tests, and the Rays should have an update on his status today.

"We have to make sure exactly what it is," Maddon said.

Keppinger, signed in the offseason for his ability to hit left-handed pitching, is batting .295 in 29 games, including .417 against lefties. The 32-year-old has started at first, second and third, where he has helped fill in for injured 3B Evan Longoria.

An extended absence for Keppinger would take another right-handed bat from a lineup that's already missing Longoria and OF Desmond Jennings (left knee sprain).

SS Reid Brignac, who has the most big-league experience among infielders at Triple-A Durham, hasn't played the past three games due to a sore back.

CATCHING ON: The Rays say they removed C Jose Molina from Sunday's game as a precaution after the veteran was hit in the mask by a foul tip in the sixth inning. The team said all symptoms and signs are fine.

"He did get dinged a little bit there," Maddon said. "He came out and he was just not 100 percent right. I wasn't comfortable sending him back out there."

CLOSING TIME: RHP Fernando Rodney acknowledged the milestone of getting his 100th career save Saturday night, but he was happy to give the ball to 99-year-old fan Nathan Johnson, who turns 100 on June 16.

Rodney does have a ball in his locker, but it's from his first save as a Ray. He's now 13-for-13.

"I really don't count (saves), I don't have too many opportunities," Rodney said. "I don't worry too much about it. The only thing I think is keep working and keep continuing to do what I'm doing, stay healthy, and maybe get more opportunities (to) do something."

Rodney has made the most of his chances this season and is just one of three pitchers in the majors with double-digit saves and no blown saves (along with Orioles RHP Jim Johnson (15-for-15) and Phillies RHP Jonathan Papelbon (12-for-12).

ON A ROLL: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-0, 2.77 ERA) has been on a good roll recently, having allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his past six starts heading into tonight's matchup with Toronto.

"I really like where I'm at," he said. "My fastball command is better than it has been since I can remember,. The curveball has come along pretty good, and I've been saying it for a while, I just got to get ahead of guys and just throw strikes, and I've been doing that the last few games."

SWAN SONG: The Rays gave a video tribute to Braves 3B Chipper Jones, congratulating "one of Florida's favorite sons" on wrapping up his 19-year career this season. Jones, who didn't play for the second straight game because of a left calf bruise, came out of the dugout to tip his cap to the fans after they gave him a standing ovation. Rays players applauded from the top step of the dugout.

LEGAL MATTERS: The arraignment for RHP Matt Bush's DUI hit-and-run case is scheduled for this morning in Charlotte County, where he faces seven charges from his March 22 crash. Bush has already filed a written plea of not guilty. But his attorney, Russell Kirshy, will argue motions today to have an investigator and accident reconstruction specialist paid for by the state.

MINOR MATTERS: DH Hideki Matsui went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout as the DH for Triple-A Durham.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Best coverage, with one complaint

Sun Sports gets credit for trying something a little different for Sunday's broadcast of the Rays-Braves game. The broadcast was dubbed "Sabermetrics Sunday.'' The network spent most of the pregame show and game teaching fans about sabermetrics, the use of formulas and numbers to measure and, perhaps, predict what happens in a game. Many teams such as the Rays use these numbers to form lineups and rosters that they believe give them the best chance to compete.

Elaborate statistics such as OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage), WAR (wins above replacement) and FIP (fielding independent pitching) were defined and explained. Injured Rays outfielder Sam Fuld, who studied economics at Stanford, joined announcers Dewayne Staats and Brian Anderson in the booth to help put sabermetrics into perspective, and he had an absolutely great line about how it all works.

"It doesn't tell the whole story, but it helps to tell the story better,'' Fuld said. "There will always be a human element to the game.''

Many fans surely grew weary of all the complicated formulas and definitions during the broadcast, and even Anderson at one point joked that he needed a couple of aspirin. But dedicating one out of 150-odd broadcasts to this topic was a worthy idea.

However, there are times sabermetrics can get in the way of the game, and they briefly got in the way of Sunday's broadcast. During the sixth inning, while the announcers were sticking to the sabermetrics script, they didn't pay enough attention to some of the game's more critical moments.

Rays catcher Jose Molina had a costly passed ball that needed to be discussed, and calls on two borderline pitches went against the Rays. Those events happened just before a hit helped the Braves extend their lead from 1-0 to 2-0. A missed cutoff also allowed a runner to move into scoring position, another play that needed to be examined but wasn't because the announcers were knee-deep into sabermetrics.

It's hard to complain about anything on the Rays broadcasts because they are so solid, and overall, I liked Sunday's outside-the-box thinking. However, adding a twist to a broadcast — no matter how entertaining or informative — can never take precedent over what is happening in the game.

Best video

NBC showed some cool time-lapse video of how the Staples Center in Los Angeles kept changing the floor to host a Kings hockey game Thursday, a Lakers basketball game Friday, a Clippers basketball game Saturday afternoon, a Lakers game Saturday night and a Kings game Sunday afternoon. The floor then was changed again for a Clippers game Sunday night.

Worst anticipation

A cardinal rule in broadcasting: never miss live action because of a replay. NBC broke that rule Saturday and put a smudge on the Game 3 coverage of the Rangers-Devils series. During a scoreless game in the third period, when it appeared as if one goal was going to win the game, NBC was showing not one, but two replays of what was a fairly routine save by Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.

Because of it, NBC missed the Rangers winning a faceoff that led to a goal by Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi. The shot and goal was seen, but because viewers did not see the shot develop, they were caught offguard. Not a good moment for NBC.

Most complete coverage

NBC's Preakness coverage on Saturday, as expected, was outstanding even though normal host Bob Costas was absent to attend his daughter's graduation from college. The highly capable Tom Hammond filled in admirably, and NBC again showed that, to borrow a phrase from another sport, it covers all the bases.

The highlight of the broadcast, aside from the thrilling race, was Randy Moss' interview with I'll Have Another trainer Doug O'Neill (left). Moss pressed O'Neill on allegations of giving his horses improper drugs and injuries to his horses. O'Neill said, "Have I run some horses in spots I shouldn't have? Yes. But I am going to do better.'' Another highlight was replays of O'Neill and then Bodemeister trainer Bob Baffert as they watched the dramatic end of the race in which O'Neill's horse edged Baffert's.

Even if you're not a racing fan, check out NBC's coverage of the Belmont on June 9. You'll be glad you did.

tom jones' two cents

Tampa Bay Times staff writer Tom Jones offers up the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Best feature

Most enjoyable and surprising feature of the weekend? A CBS Evening News report on 16-year-old American table tennis star Ariel Hsing (left) who not only is a heck of a player but has become close friends with Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, or, as she calls them, "Uncle Warren'' and "Uncle Bill.''

Second-best coverage

You didn't have to be a soccer fan to appreciate how good Fox's coverage was of Saturday's European Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea, which won on penalty kicks (left). Fox has learned the secret to showing soccer in this country: show it like everyone watching is a diehard fan, just like networks do for baseball and football. That way, you don't insult the avid fans. The rest will catch up. After all, we're talking about sports, not brain surgery.

Best moments

Thumbs-up to Sun Sports for showing the crowd giving Braves star Chipper Jones a standing ovation before his first at-bat against the Rays on Friday and his reaction to a video montage shown on the big screen at the Trop on Sunday. Jones, a sure-fire Hall of Famer, has said he will retire after this season.

Best anticipation

Great work by ABC to have cameras on the ready as the Heat and Pacers went out to warm up some 90 minutes before Sunday's Game 4 of their playoff series. Turns out, Heat veteran Juwan Howard approached and exchanged heated words with Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (left), who flashed a choke sign to Heat star LeBron James during Game 3. Howard is a respected 18-year veteran and had every right to scold a 21-year-old kid who played all of one minute in the first three games of the series. Stephenson, however, could have told Howard the Heat brought this on itself, going back to that silly dance routine James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh performed prior to last season. Stephenson, for the record, did a apologize after Game 3 for his choke sign.

Biggest complaint

Fox kicked off this season's baseball game of the week in prime time Saturday with a slew of regional games. I understand why it would show the Phillies and Red Sox interleague game to most of the country, including Tampa Bay. Those are big-market teams with large followings all over. However, wouldn't you like to have seen Fox make the decision to show the Orioles-Nationals game, a matchup between two up-and-coming teams? Meantime, TBS also showed Phillies-Red Sox on Sunday afternoon.

Three things that popped into my head

1. Didn't the four-game suspension given to the Blue Jays' Brett Lawrie (left) for throwing a helmet that bounced up and hit umpire Bill Miller seem awfully light? Makes you wonder if Major League Baseball was cutting Lawrie some slack because Miller's calls were so terrible.

2. With the Braves in town this past weekend, it reminded me: Does anyone else miss the old days when the Braves were on the Superstation every night with Skip Caray on the play-by-play and, like, 7,000 people in the stands? I didn't even watch them every night, but I liked knowing they were there.

3. Does Spurs star Tim Duncan realize he's 36 years old?

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Red Sox 5, Phillies 1

PHILADELPHIA — Josh Beckett pitched 7 2/3 strong innings and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a three-run homer for Boston, which has won eight of its last 10 games. "I was keeping the ball down and I threw a few changeups, or I got ground balls," said Beckett, who had been under criticism from Red Sox fans for playing golf after missing a start with soreness. "It's nice to keep the ball in this ballpark."

By Laura Keeley, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, May 20, 2012

PORT ST. LUCIE — It was a remarkable run for Brandon, a team with no college commits or transfers that won 10 in a row to advance to the Class 7A state championship game. Of course the Eagles would have preferred to walk away with the first baseball title in the high school's 98-year history instead of a 4-2 loss to Venice on Sunday, but in the immediate aftermath, coach Matt Stallbaumer marveled at what his team had achieved.

"One unbelievable ride," Stallbaumer said. "They're probably not going to talk about it tonight, but we will all hang this medal in our house and show our kids one day."

Brandon (20-9) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third when Venice shortstop Dalton Guthrie dropped a ball at second, scoring Chris Toney. For the second straight day, though, Brandon committed three errors that led to unearned runs, three on Sunday.

"Instinct takes over, and you just go," Stallbaumer said of the defensive miscues. "After the fact, (if) you hesitate on those situations or you're not ready for it, it kind of jumps up and bites you."

With the score tied 1-1 in the top of the fourth, two walks by Eagles starting pitcher Eric Hinostroza, with a sacrifice bunt and an infield single—one of four in the game for Venice—sandwiched in between, loaded the bases for the Indians. Centerfielder Rex Ingerick drove in one run with another infield single. Two batters later, with the bases loaded and two outs, Brandon third baseman Tyler Raymond bobbled a grounder ,then threw it over the head of first baseman Alex Gittens as Venice (24-8) scored two runs to take a 4-1 lead.

Raymond had an RBI single in the fifth against sophomore Brandon Elmy, who made just his fourth start of the year. That single, one of 18 that Brandon collected in the state tournament (it had no extra-base hits) chased Elmy from the game. Reliever Tyson Albert bounced his first two pitches to the plate. One pitch later, Venice coach Craig Faulkner brought in Cooper Hammond with runners on second and third and one out.

Hammond, with a submarine delivery, had thrown fewer than 60 pitches in 5⅔ innings of relief Saturday but showed no signs of fatigue, striking out four of the nine batters he faced.

"Every pitcher we had seen threw up top," Hinostroza said of the traditional overhand delivery. "We tried to tell our guys to wait back and hit it the other way, but we still got caught up in that little slider that just floated."

Toney, who threw a 77-pitch complete game in Saturday's 7-4 semifinal win, threw 35 pitches in two scoreless innings of relief for the Eagles, who just couldn't wait on Hammond's pitches that come in at around 78 mph.

"I don't know the day before the state final game that's something you can prep for," Stall­baumer said of Hammond.

"That kid is unique."

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Rangers 6, Astros 1

HOUSTON — Colby Lewis allowed four hits in eight-plus innings and drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in Texas' five-run first inning. "I always like playing on the National League side and getting some hits in and hacks in, or whatever you want to call it," said Lewis, who has two of the eight two-hit, two-RBI performances by AL pitchers since interleague play began in 1997. "It was a lot of fun. It keeps me more involved."

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Padres 3, Angels 2

13 innings

SAN DIEGO — Pitcher Clayton Richard scored from first on an error by fill-in leftfielder Howie Kendrick with two outs.

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

Rays vs. Blue Jays

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

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

Probable pitchers

RAYS: RH Jeremy Hellickson

(4-0, 2.77)

Blue jays: RH Kyle Drabek

(3-4, 3.30)

On Hellickson: He has won a career-high six consecutive decisions, dating to Sept. 4, a span of 12 starts. He is 2-0 with a 3.93 ERA in three career starts against the Jays.

On Drabek: He broke a four-start losing streak last week with an impressive performance against the Yankees, allowing one run over seven innings. He has made one career start against the Rays, picking up the loss May 5, 2011, after giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Key matchups

RAYS VS. Drabek

Ben Zobrist 1-for-2

B.J. Upton 0-for-3

Sean Rodriguez 1-for-3

JayS VS. Hellickson

Jose Bautista 4-for-8, HR

Yunel Escobar 1-for-10

Colby Rasmus 1-for-6

On deck

Tuesday: vs. Blue Jays, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (1-3, 5.31); Jays — Drew Hutchison (2-1, 5.53)

Wednesday: vs. Blue Jays, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (6-2, 3.77); Blue Jays — Ricky Romero (5-1, 3.64)

Thursday: off

Friday: at Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (6-2, 3.10); Red Sox — Jon Lester (3-3, 3.95)

Saturday: at Red Sox, 7:15, Sun Sports. Rays — TBA; Red Sox — TBA

Rays disabled list

1B/OF Brandon Allen (right quad strain)

C Robinson Chirinos (concussion)

RHP Kyle Farnsworth (right elbow strain)

OF Sam Fuld (right wrist surgery)

OF Brandon Guyer (left shoulder strain)

OF Desmond Jennings (left knee sprain)

C Jose Lobaton (right shoulder soreness)

3B Evan Longoria (left hamstring partial tear)

RHP Jeff Niemann (right fibula fracture)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Guest of the day

Lori Fraser, a 45-year-old St. Petersburg teacher, has been to plenty of Rays games as a season ticketholder, but Sunday was a special experience for her. The breast-cancer survivor was honored in a pregame ceremony and threw out the first pitch as the team's honorary bat girl. Fraser was selected by a guest judging panel that included MLB players and celebrities, as well as fan votes. "It's an honor," Fraser said. "This is a huge treat for me and my family."

Taking to Twitter

RHP Jeremy Hellickson said LHP David Price finally talked him into joining Twitter on Friday. And while he has only tweeted a few times, Hellickson thinks it's fun. "It's kind of fast," he said. "It's hard to keep up."

Number of the day

44

Outfield assists by CF B.J. Upton since 2007, more than any other centerfielder in the majors

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, May 20, 2012

The athletic directors and football and basketball coaches from the Big East's current and future members are gathered in Ponte Vedra Beach for the league's annual meetings, but the chaos of more conference realignment continues to cast a long shadow.

The resignation of Big East commissioner John Marinatto two weeks ago leaves the league with an interim leader — former NFL executive Joe Bailey — and finding a successor will be a priority as the conference moves into position to negotiate a new TV rights package expected to top $150 million a year for as long as 15 years. There are billions of dollars at stake that could bring that rarest of comforts — stability — if the family can simply stay intact until a lucrative deal is signed.

Last week's news that the SEC and Big 12 have a deal that will match their regular-season champions — if they're not involved in a national playoff — in a New Year's Day bowl game has increased speculation that college football is establishing a new top tier, with those two conferences joining the Big Ten and Pac-12 as four power conferences in control of the sport's future.

"There's no question that the Big East is going to be an integral part of whatever the decision is going forward," said Bailey, a former CEO of the Miami Dolphins. "Obviously the Big East is awfully proud of being a founding member of the BCS (and) will not lose its influence in those decisions. We've got a meeting coming up … and a lot of those things are going to be discussed then."

One of the Big East's biggest allures in football has been the automatic BCS bowl berth for its champion, something that will disappear as the postseason gets a massive makeover. And the ACC and Big East, arguably the fifth- and sixth-best leagues in recent years, must decide where they fit in the new system, even as the conference picture threatens to change again.

All this comes just as the Big East has settled with a new lineup: Pittsburgh and Syracuse are soon off to the ACC, West Virginia and TCU (which never even played a game in the Big East) join the Big 12 in the fall, and eight new programs join the Big East over the next four seasons.

Temple joins in football in the fall and in all sports next summer. Four Conference USA schools — UCF, Houston, SMU and Memphis — join in all sports in 2013, along with football-only additions Boise State and San Diego State. Navy joins for football in 2015.

Even as Boise State has reaffirmed its commitment to the Big East as a football headliner next year, there is uncertainty. If the Big 12 expands, it could grab a school such as Louisville, or raid the ACC for schools such as Florida State or Clemson. If that happens, would the ACC seek a school such as USF to maintain an increased presence in Florida?

The league, too, must maintain the cohesiveness of its dual existence as a football league and a massive basketball power, with the commissioner challenged to serve two masters: a football entity soon to be dominated by recent and new arrivals, and a traditional basketball core built around smaller northeastern schools with little or no football presence.

There continue to be undercurrents of a potential split, though if the conference stays intact, it's hard to imagine the basketball schools earning as much revenue on their own as they could as part of a new TV deal for football and basketball.

"The reality of the situation is that there has been no indication from anybody that I have talked to," Bailey said. "I haven't talked to everybody, but from anybody that I've talked to (there's nothing) even close to this idea of any kind of split."

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

. Up next

vs. Blue Jays

Tonight-Wednesday

What's new: The Jays took four of five from the Yankees and Mets after losing a two-game set to Tampa Bay last week. Toronto will get 3B Brett Lawrie back today after a four-game suspension for his helmet-throwing incident against the Rays. The Jays optioned 1B Adam Lind to Triple A and reportedly put him on waivers. Home run champ RF Jose Bautista, though batting .217, has hits in five of his last six games, including three homers. DH Edwin Encarnacion has stepped up (.263, 13 HRs, 64 RBIs).

Key stat: The Jays rank third in the AL with 195 runs and third in ERA (3.61).

Connections: Bautista was a Ray briefly in 2004, 3B coach Brian Butterfield is a former Eckerd College assistant. … Rays C Jose Molina was a Jay in 2010-11.

Series history: The Rays lead 4-1 this season and 126-118 overall; the Rays lead 69-49 at Tropicana Field.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

LOS ANGELES — The Clarence Campbell Bowl was in Staples Center, waiting to be presented by commissioner Gary Bettman to the Western Conference champions. The Kings' fans gathered downtown shortly after dawn, eager to witness a series sweep.

And then Captain Coyote and his goalie crashed the party.

Shane Doan scored two goals, Mike Smith made 36 saves in his third playoff shutout, and the Coyotes avoided playoff elimination with a 2-0 victory in Game 4 of the conference final Sunday.

Phoenix snapped the Kings' eight-game winning streak and soundly outplayed an opponent that had been on an 11-1 run through the postseason.

"We recognize we put ourselves in a tough position, (but) we also know it has been done," said Doan, Phoenix's captain since 2003 and the sole remaining member of the franchise that left Winnipeg in 1996.

"I guess that's what sports are all about, trying to do something that someone hasn't done for a while, try to do things (when) the odds are kind of stacked against you."

Phoenix is trying to become the fourth team in NHL history to rally from an 0-3 series deficit.

Los Angeles was shut out for the first time in the postseason.

"I think (Sunday) was more about the Phoenix Coyotes playing a good game," Kings captain Dustin Brown said. "They executed really well, and that's the bottom line."

First Period—1, Phoenix, Doan 4 (Whitney), 14:19 (pp). Penalties—Whitney, Pho (roughing), 1:15; Stoll, LA (cross-checking), 6:52; Yandle, Pho (roughing), 8:12; Fraser, LA (slashing), 8:12; Aucoin, Pho (hooking), 9:24; Williams, LA (goaltender interference), 13:54.

Second Period—2, Phoenix, Doan 5 (Vermette), 11:10. Penalties—Doan, Pho (slashing), 4:09; Yandle, Pho (roughing), 13:09; Martinez, LA (holding), 14:26.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Doan, Pho (roughing), 3:49; Morris, Pho (roughing), 3:49; Richardson, LA (roughing), 3:49; Vermette, Pho (hooking), 19:53. Shots—Phoenix 5-9-7—21. Los Angeles 10-13-13—36. Power-play opportunities—Phoenix 1 of 3; Los Angeles 0 of 6. Goalies—Phoenix, Smith 9-6-0 (36 shots-36 saves). Los Angeles, Quick 11-2-0 (21-19).

Torts: Devils dive; Devils: Torts comical

NEW YORK — Rangers coach John Tortorella lobbed a list of complaints at what he considers to be the diving, pick-setting Devils in the wake of a one-game suspension the NHL levied on wing Brandon Prust.

Prust, penalized for throwing an elbow at the head of the Devils' Anton Volchenkov in Saturday's Game 3 win, will miss tonight's East final Game 4.

Tortorella began by accusing the Devils of embellishing to draw penalties. "We tell our players, 'Don't stay down on the ice. Get up.' I'll leave it at that. If we want to start discussing officials with the media, I have a long list here."

He then began to air it.

Tortorella said the Devils set picks during power plays to set up shots for Ilya Kovalchuk and prevent the Rangers from getting into position to block them. He also said forward Dainius Zubrus elbowed New York defenseman Anton Stralman and New Jersey captain Zach Parise launched himself into defenseman Michael Del Zotto. Neither of those players, nor Prust, was penalized.

"Comical," responded Devils coach Pete DeBoer, who irked the Rangers with his comment that Prust was "headhunting."

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

IRVING, Texas — A month ago, Jason Dufner was a single man in search of his first PGA Tour victory.

His life has changed dramatically since.

With a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the Byron Nelson Championship on Sunday, Dufner, 35, closed out a one-stroke victory over Dicky Pride to win for the second time in four weeks.

"You probably couldn't dream it any better than what's been going on here," Dufner said.

Dufner got his first victory April 29 at the Zurich Classic, then got married the following week. With this win, he earned $1.17 million and took over the top spot in the FedEx Cup standings.

His closing birdie wrapped up his 3-under 67 as he finished 11-under 269 and avoided a playoff with Pride.

Pride, whose only tour victory in a 20-year career was in 1994, was at 10 under with a par-saving 22-foot putt at No. 18 for 67 after hitting his drive into the water.

Slow play controversy at LPGA match play

GLADSTONE, N.J. — Azahara Munoz beat Candie Kung 2 and 1 to win the Match Play Championship, a title that was set up when Morgan Pressel was penalized for slow play while in control of their semifinal match.

Munoz and Pressel were warned about slow play after nine holes of their semi and put on the clock after No. 11. Pressel won No. 12 with a par to take a 3-up lead. Before she could tee off on No. 13, LPGA Tour official Doug Brecht informed her she was being penalized for slow play. She had taken 2 minutes, 9 seconds to play her three shots, 39 seconds over the 30-second limit per shot.

In match play, a time penalty is the loss of the previous hole. So Munoz was then 1 down.

"It was tough timing because it was a really big, I think, turning point in the match, going from 2-up to 3-up, and then all of a sudden back to 1-up," said Pressel, who was on the verge of tears several times in a postmatch news conference after she beat Vicky Hurst 2 and 1 in the consolation match.

"I think that slow play is one of our biggest problems on tour. I think that what bothers me the most is that we were given sufficient warning and (Munoz) really didn't do anything to speed up, and then I was penalized for it."

Munoz was apologetic and said she was surprised Pressel was penalized. "I know I was slow, and I really apologized for that … but I do feel both of us were slow, and she was the only one getting penalized, and that was not fair, and I know that. I would never make her lose a hole."

Pressel lost the match when she bogeyed Nos. 16 and 17, missing a 3-foot par putt at 17. Munoz won 2 and 1.

european: Nicolas Colsaerts handled fierce wind to top Graeme McDowell 1 up and capture the World Match Play Championship at Casares, Spain.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — The coveted NBA championship, the one LeBron James needs to validate everything, was vanishing.

With 18,000 towel-waving fans roaring like the engines at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Pacers had knocked the Heat to the floor and to the edge of elimination on Sunday.

James didn't panic. He simply picked up his teammates and carried them to a win.

And his time, Dwyane Wade helped.

James has 40 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists, and Wade scored 30 — 22 in the second half — as Miami evened its East semifinal series at 2-2 against Indiana with a 101-93 victory.

"I felt like I had to do whatever it took to win," said James, who played all but four minutes.

With All-Star forward Chris Bosh injured, the James-Wade tag team saved the Heat.

"Me and 'Bron had it going," said Wade, who bounced back from the worst playoff game of his career — five points on 2-of-13 shooting — with one of his best. "We played off of each other very well. We both were aggressive at the same time. That's beautiful basketball for the Miami Heat when we play that way."

The Heat heads home back in control of the best-of-seven series, which is down to a best-of-three with two on Miami's floor.

"It's still going to be a dogfight," James said.

Former Florida star Udonis Haslem, with a large bandage covering a nasty cut over his right eye that required nine stitches, added 14 points for Miami.

For a while, the Heat's season was slipping away.

The Pacers led by 10 in the third quarter and were threatening to run away as in Game 3. Then James and Wade took over. They scored 38 consecutive points in one stretch bridging the second and third quarters and combined to score 28 of Miami's 30 in the third when.

"LeBron had that look," Heat forward Shane Battier said. "And when he has that look and Dwyane has that look, you want to run through a wall."

Wade had nine rebounds and six assists, erasing the ugly memory of Game 3 when he also had a confrontation with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. The next day Wade visited his former Marquette coach Tom Crean, who is now at Indiana.

Wade — who had his bothersome left knee drained before Game 3, according to ESPN.com — said Crean had film for him.

"I was able to be a student of the game," Wade said. "Just figuring out what I needed to do differently to help our team get this win."

Danny Granger scored 20 and Paul George 13 to lead the Pacers. Center Roy Hibbert, so dominant at both ends in Game 3, had just 10 points and was in foul trouble in the second half.

Indiana coach Frank Vogel second-guessed his decision to keep Hibbert and David West on the bench for a long stretch after halftime. But it was the Pacers' inability to stop Wade and James that was the difference.

"You get the ball out of one of those guy's hands and it gets to the other guy's," he said. "It's not like one superhero and a bunch of role guys."

Granger's 3 had given Indiana a 61-51 lead and the Pacers, outhustling the Heat to loose balls, appeared poised to take a commanding lead in the series.

But that was when James and Wade put on a jaw-dropping spectacle, combining for all but two points in a 25-5 run that put Miami up 76-66.

MIAMI (101): Battier 1-7 0-0 3, James 14-27 12-16 40, Turiaf 0-0 0-0 0, Chalmers 3-9 0-0 8, Wade 13-23 2-6 30, Anthony 1-2 2-2 4, Cole 0-1 0-0 0, Haslem 5-6 4-4 14, Miller 1-3 0-0 2, J.Jones 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 38-80 20-28 101.

INDIANA (93): Granger 8-18 0-0 20, West 3-8 2-2 8, Hibbert 4-9 2-4 10, Hill 2-9 2-2 8, George 4-11 4-4 13, Hansbrough 2-5 4-4 8, Barbosa 3-10 2-2 8, Collison 6-7 4-6 16, D.Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Amundson 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 33-79 20-24 93.

Miami 18 28 30 25— 101

Indiana 25 29 16 23— 93

3-Point Goals—Miami 5-12 (Wade 2-2, Chalmers 2-5, Battier 1-3, Miller 0-1, J.Jones 0-1), Indiana 7-22 (Granger 4-9, Hill 2-4, George 1-5, Collison 0-1, Barbosa 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Miami 55 (James 18), Indiana 45 (Hibbert 9). Assists—Miami 20 (James 9), Indiana 17 (George 5). Total Fouls—Miami 24, Indiana 28. Technicals—Granger. A—18,165 (18,165).

Late Saturday: Thunder puts Lakers on brink

LOS ANGELES — With Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant engineering yet another late comeback, the Thunder pushed Kobe Bryant and the Lakers to the brink.

Westbrook had 10 of his 37 points during a stirring fourth-quarter rally and Durant scored 31 including the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 13.7 seconds left as Oklahoma City seized control of the second-round series with a 103-100 victory over Los Angeles late Saturday in Game 4.

Serge Ibaka scored 14 points and the second-seeded Thunder took a 3-1 lead in the West semifinal series with a rally from 13 down in the final 8 minutes.

"Everybody kept fighting," Westbrook said. "We all believed in each other. It's the playoffs. You can't afford to sit back and wonder about it."

Bryant scored 38 but was left lamenting the help he didn't get — particularly from four-time All-Star Pau Gasol, who made the unforced turnover that led to Durant's decisive 3.

"Pau has got to be more aggressive," Bryant said of Gasol, who had 10 points and five rebounds and committed three turnovers. "He's got to be aggressive, got to shoot the ball, drive to the basket, and he will next game. … (The turnover was) just a bad read on Pau's part. It happens."

OKLAHOMA CITY (103): Durant 10-18 8-10 31, Ibaka 7-11 0-0 14, Perkins 1-3 0-0 2, Westbrook 15-26 6-7 37, Sefolosha 1-2 0-0 2, Collison 0-0 0-0 0, Harden 2-11 7-8 12, Fisher 2-4 0-0 5, Mohammed 0-1 0-0 0, Cook 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 38-77 21-25 103.

L.A. LAKERS (100): World Peace 4-10 2-4 14, Gasol 4-10 2-2 10, Bynum 9-15 0-2 18, Sessions 4-9 2-2 10, Bryant 12-28 14-17 38, Blake 2-6 0-0 5, Hill 2-5 1-2 5, Barnes 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 37-86 21-29 100.

Oklahoma City 24 22 25 32— 103

L.A. Lakers 29 27 24 20— 100

3-Point Goals—Oklahoma City 6-16 (Durant 3-4, Westbrook 1-2, Fisher 1-2, Harden 1-6, Sefolosha 0-1, Cook 0-1), L.A. Lakers 5-18 (World Peace 4-8, Blake 1-4, Barnes 0-1, Bryant 0-2, Sessions 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Oklahoma City 46 (Durant 13), L.A. Lakers 54 (Bynum 9). Assists—Oklahoma City 16 (Westbrook 5), L.A. Lakers 19 (Sessions, Bryant 5). Total Fouls—Oklahoma City 23, L.A. Lakers 19. Technicals—Perkins, Westbrook. A—18,997 (18,997).

OBITUARY: Bob Boozer, an Olympic gold medalist and original Chicago Bull, died Saturday night in Omaha, Neb. He was 75. His wife, Ella, said he suffered a brain aneurysm. Mr. Boozer was also a member of the dominating 1960 U.S. Olympic team.

WARRIORS: The team is almost set to move across the San Francisco Bay from Oakland to San Francisco, ESPN.com reported. According to the website, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee sent a letter Friday saying the city aims to bring the team to a proposed new arena by the 2017-18 season.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — Phillies GM Ruben Amaro on Sunday defended the club's treatment of 1B Ryan Howard in response to a newspaper report that questioned the use of cortisone on the slugger last season.

The Phillies treated an injury to Howard's left foot Sept. 18 with a cortisone shot, an ailment the club termed as bursitis. Less than three weeks later, Howard tore his left Achilles tendon while running to first base after his final at-bat of the season.

That injury has kept Howard out all season.

"The cortisone shot was treated for some (other) issue he had. It was not part of the Achilles injury," Amaro said. "… One thing had nothing to do with the other."

Citing a doctor, a story in the Philadelphia Inquirer suggested the cortisone shot may have contributed to the Achilles injury.

Glovely inning: The Angels' Howie Kendrick switched gloves three times in the 11th inning of a 3-2 loss to the Padres. After LF Ryan Langerhans injured his right shoulder pursuing a double, manager Mike Scioscia moved Kendrick from second base to leftfield. Kendrick later came back in, leaving leftfield vacant, to create a five-man infield against Cameron Maybin. After Maybin struck out, Kendrick went back to leftfield.

Indian chides fans: RHP Chris Perez reiterated his disappointment in Cleveland fans for not packing the ballpark and booing him when they do attend.

He had blasted them Saturday after his 13th straight save and said before Sunday's game: "It's just a slap in the face when you're in first place and last in attendance. Last. Not 25th or 26th. Last."

Ruth Jersey: A jersey worn by Yankees legend Babe Ruth sold for more than $4.4 million, a record for any item of sports memorabilia, according to the buyer and seller. SCP Auctions says the circa 1920 uniform top fetched $4,415,658. SCP Auctions said that price broke the mark of $4,338,500 set in 2010 for James Naismith's founding rules of basketball. Lelands.com submitted the winning bid and the company plans to sell the jersey, which had been on display in the Ruth museum in Baltimore, privately rather than re-auction it.

Berkman to DL: Cardinals 1B Lance Berkman was put on the 15-day DL because of an injured right knee. He was hurt while stretching for a throw during a groundout play Saturday. Berkman, 36, will have an MRI exam today.

A's: RHP Brandon McCarthy went on the DL with a sore shoulder, the latest injury setback to the franchise's opening day starter. McCarthy moved to the DL almost this same time last season and took nearly seven weeks to return.

Giants: RHP Tim Lincecum, who collided with the A's Collin Cowgill at the plate, said he might have hyperextended his left thumb. He walked around for several minutes, finished the inning but was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fourth. "It rattled me a little bit, just the collision, nothing else," Lincecum said.

Marlins: OF Emilio Bonifacio (sprained left thumb) was put on the 15-day DL. … 1B Gaby Sanchez, an NL All-Star last year, was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.

Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg struck out eight in five innings before being lifted by manager Davey Johnson, who said the pitcher mentioned tightness in his biceps. Strasburg attributed the soreness in part to working too hard in the days after his previous start. "I just got a little tired, got a little tight, but that's nothing different than any other outing," he said.

White Sox: The team has not announced a signing yet, but manager Robin Ventura said veteran INF Orlando Hudson, who was waived by San Diego last week, is on his way. Hudson probably will play third, even though he has never played there in the majors, because Gordon Beckham has solidified his spot at second. 3B Brent Morel (lower back soreness) is likely headed to the DL.

Times wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

Dodgers 6, Cardinals 5

LOS ANGELES — Pinch-hitter Scott Van Slyke hit his first major-league homer, a go-ahead three-run shot in the seventh against his father's former team as the Dodgers completed a three-game sweep. Van Slyke, whose father is former All-Star Andy Van Slyke, drove Mark Rzepczynski's 3-and-0 pitch out to leftfield.

Times staff, wires
Sunday, May 20, 2012

GAINESVILLE — The USF softball team stayed unbeaten in the NCAA tournament, knocked out No. 5 seed Florida and reached the Super Region round on Sunday.

Sara Nevins struck out 12 as the Bulls (48-11) outdueled the host Gators 1-0 in the region final. USF went 3-0 to reach the 16-team Super Region for just the second time.

This week USF hosts Hofstra, the Los Angeles Region winner, in a best-of-three series for the right to go to the College World Series in Oklahoma City. The series starts Thursday or Friday.

In the sixth, Nevins loaded the bases on two hits and a walk, all with no outs, but the former Pinellas Park High standout struck out the next two and forced a grounder to short to escape the jam.

"I try not to let things faze me," Nevins said. "Definitely my stomach was tossing a little bit, but I try not to show anything."

The sophomore allowed just five hits in her seventh shutout this season.

"We've got a cool cat right there," coach Ken Eriksen said, pointing to Nevins. "I walked out to the mound with the bases loaded and pretty much she looked at me and says, 'I got it.' "

USF scored its run in the fourth. Former Chamberlain High star Stephanie Medina led off with a double to centerfield and scored on Kenshyra Jackson's two-out infield single.

Hannah Rogers took the loss for the Gators (48-13), last year's national runnersup.

USF's only other Super Region appearance was in 2006 when the Bulls lost to host UCLA.

BASEBALL: Florida State, the top seed in the ACC tournament, plays the opener at 11 a.m. Wednesday against Georgia Tech in Greensboro, N.C. The Seminoles (43-12, 24-6 ACC), ranked first by Baseball America, also face Clemson at 3 p.m. Friday and Virginia at 3 Saturday in Division A round-robin play. In Division B, No. 6 seed Miami (34-19, 16-14) faces N.C. State (3 p.m. Wednesday), North Carolina (3 Thursday) and Wake Forest (7 Friday). Group winners play May 27 in the final. … USF opens the Big East tournament at Clearwater's Bright House Field against Connecticut at 8 p.m. Wednesday. See below for a complete tournament schedule. … In the Division II South Region in Tampa, Delta State (Miss.) defeated Nova Southeastern 6-5 and Alabama-Huntsville 7-6 in 10 innings to reach today's final against Stillman (Ala.), which is unbeaten. Delta State must beat Stillman twice to reach the CWS; today's first game is at noon at the University of Tampa with the rematch to follow if necessary.

BASKETBALL: Michael Ojo, a 7-foot-1, 290-pound center from Chattanooga (Tenn.) Temple, became the sixth member of FSU's recruiting class. He's the third player of at least 6-11 on FSU's roster, which was the nation's second-tallest last season. Ojo averaged 15 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks as a senior.

WOMEN'S TENNIS: Defending champ Florida plays No. 3 seed Duke at 1 p.m. today in the NCAA semifinals at Athens, Ga.

FOOTBALL: Air Force running back Asher Clark, whose playing eligibility had ended, is out of the academy days before graduation, the Gazette of Colorado Springs, Colo., reported. The paper reported that Clark was removed as part of an investigation into drug use.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 21, 2012

TAMPA

Monday began with Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow dropping a bombshell, relaying a conversation in which coach Greg Schiano told him his days in Tampa Bay were over.

Shortly before midnight, Winslow was sent packing, traded to the Seahawks for an undisclosed 2013 draft pick.

Meanwhile, the Bucs acquired his replacement, signing former Colts star Dallas Clark, who teamed with Peyton Manning to help annually make Indianapolis an offensive juggernaut, to a one-year deal.

Winslow, the team's most consistent receiving threat during the past three seasons, said Monday on SiriusXM NFL Radio that Schiano told him the team planned to trade him.

Winslow, traded by the Browns to the Bucs in 2009 for a second- and fifth-round pick, said he was told his Bucs days were ending in a phone call Saturday evening.

"They're not looking for my services this year," Winslow said. "He said that he'd help me out with the trade. It's kind of shocking, but that's what it is."

A factor in the Bucs' move, Winslow said, was his decision to do his offseason preparation in his native San Diego, something he has often done during his tenure with the team.

"(Schiano) was kind of upset that I wasn't (in Tampa) working out with the team in the offseason," Winslow said. "But look, I've been there the last three years and I've had a successful career so far. You just don't get rid of one of your best players because of that."

Winslow, 28, has been productive since joining Tampa Bay, averaging 73 receptions for 792 yards. Despite chronic knee pain, the No. 6 overall pick in 2004 out of Miami never missed a game in his three seasons with the Bucs after doing so just twice in the previous five.

"I have nothing bad to say about Coach Schiano. It was just a disagreement on why I'm not there yet," Winslow said. "I was training in San Diego and I was going to start (practicing Monday)."

The Bucs began voluntary offseason activities last week, with three practices. Winslow did not attend, one of just three players known to be absent (another, defensive tackle Brian Price, was hospitalized). Schiano has used offseason workouts to set a tone for his new team, with intense practices and conditioning drills.

Winslow's absence only compounded other factors against him. Among them: his inability to practice consistently, mostly because of his knees; Winslow's habit of practicing on a limited basis runs counter to the relentless pace of Schiano's practices. Then there's the presence of Bucs special assistant Butch Davis, Schiano's most trusted advisor. Davis coached the Browns during part of Winslow's tumultuous tenure in Cleveland, a stint marked by a 12-day rookie contract holdout, a motorcycle accident that severely damaged his right knee and numerous losses.

The Bucs worked feverishly until late Monday before agreeing to the deal with Seattle. Concerns about Winslow's contract (he has three years and $13.3 million left) and knees likely complicated trade efforts. The deal creates $4.8 million in salary cap space for the Bucs.

Whether Clark, 32, is an upgrade is arguable, but the Bucs likely see him as a better fit under Schiano. An important potential role for Clark could be mentoring 2011 fourth-round pick Luke Stocker, a tight end who the Bucs think has significant upside.

It remains to be seen what Clark has left after missing 15 games the past two seasons because of various injuries. Since his release from the Colts during their purge of veterans in the spring, Clark visited the Chiefs and Patriots but wasn't signed. He also was considered a likely target of the Broncos, who now have Manning, but that never materialized.

Clark caught 34 passes for 352 yards last season in 11 games as the Colts struggled to cope while Manning was out with a neck injury. Clark only played six games in 2010. But in 2009 he had a career year, with 100 catches for 1,106 yards — the best numbers in his nine seasons in Indianapolis.

"Dallas Clark is a consummate pro and proven playmaker," Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said.

KELLEN WINSLOW

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 21, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — As crazy as it was for new Rays INF Drew Sutton to be traded twice in one day, he ended up in the big leagues, which is all that mattered.

"It was a really good surprise," he said.

Tampa Bay acquired Sutton, 29, a versatile switch-hitter, from the Pirates, for a player to be named or cash considerations. He helps replace INF Jeff Keppinger, who Monday went on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right toe. Manager Joe Maddon said Keppinger is likely out 3-4 weeks.

Sutton was playing for the Braves' Triple-A Gwinnett club in Rochester, N.Y., on Sunday when he got pulled in the fourth inning. He was told after the game he had been traded to Pittsburgh and should rent a car Monday morning to join the Pirates' Triple-A team in Buffalo. But at the hotel, around 11 p.m., he was told he was going to take a direct flight Monday to Tampa to get back in the majors.

"It's a little better than Buffalo," Sutton said, smiling. "It's exciting. It's a very wide range of emotions for about four hours, a lot of different phone calls."

Sutton, who has played parts of three seasons with the Red Sox, Reds and Indians, wasn't a stranger to the Rays, getting a locker next to good friend Ben Zobrist, who also was drafted by the Astros in 2004. The two were roommates then and have worked out together in the offseasons in Nashville.

Like Zobrist, Sutton has a handful of gloves, having experience at all the infield positions, with his best spot second base. Manager Joe Maddon said Sutton will be moved around, with the potential to get some outfield work.

Maddon said Sutton's ability to hit from the right side was a key factor.

"I've liked him from a distance," Maddon said. "And our friends in the front office liked him for a while."

To make room on the 40-man roster for Sutton, minor-league LHP John Gaub was designated for assignment.

WEB WEARY: The Rays' three errors against the Blue Jays gave them 38 on the season, their most through 43 games since 2007 (39). They are on pace for a club-record 143 errors.

RIGHT TRACK: LHP Matt Moore enters tonight's start encouraged by the steps he made in his last outing against Boston. Moore picked up the loss but settled in, retiring the final 10 batters in a six-inning outing.

"From a confidence standpoint, it did make me feel like when the bleeding started, I was able to stop it," he said. "We had a shot for at least a while, and it didn't downward spiral out of control like it could have."

MISCELLANY: Maddon said C Jose Lobaton (right shoulder soreness) is still a week away from joining the team. Maddon said CF Desmond Jennings (left knee sprain) could be activated Sunday, the day he's eligible to come off. … C Jose Molina, pulled as a precaution in the seventh inning Sunday after getting hit in the mask with a foul tip, was back in the lineup.

MATSUI WATCH: Though there's no official date for DH/OF Hideki Matsui to be called up from Triple-A Durham, Maddon said he and executive VP Andrew Friedman are monitoring him more closely. Maddon said part of the timing is Matsui being ready and the other is need, with the Rays having a lot of left-handed bats. Matsui hit an RBI single in the 10th Monday to lift the Bulls to a 3-2 victory.

LEGAL MATTERS: RHP Matt Bush, facing seven charges stemming from his March 22 DUI hit-and-run arrest, officially entered his plea of not guilty in Charlotte County. A judge also approved defense motions to have an investigator and crash reconstruction specialist paid for by the state.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 21, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired switch-hitting Drew Sutton from the Pirates for a player to be named later.

Sutton, 29, is here at the Trop and will be added to the active roster. The Rays have another move to make, potentially putting Jeff Keppinger (right foot) on the DL.

Sutton has played parts of three seasons in the big leagues, with a .258 career average in 86 games with Boston, Cincinnati and Cleveland. He's played second and short primarily. Sutton said it's been a whirlwind the last 24 hours, having been traded twice last night.

Sutton, 29, was playing for the Braves Triple-A team at Rochester, NY last night when he was pulled from the game in the 4th. They told him after he was traded to Pittsburgh, and he planned to rent a car and drive to Buffalo the next morning to join the Pirates Triple A team. Then, at 11 pm, he was told of the change in plans, being shipped to Tampa Bay to join the big league roster.

"It was a really good surprise," Sutton said, smiling. "It's a lot better than Buffalo.

Sutton said he's played all four infield spots, but is most comfortable at second base. He's also played some outfield, growing into a utility player like his good friend, Ben Zobrist, who was his old roommate in Houston after getting drafted together in 2004.

The Rays have yet to announce the corresponding move, though Jeff Keppinger is likely headed to the disabled list with a right foot injury.

Coincidentally, Sutton was once traded for Keppinger, back in 2009, from the Astros to the Reds.