By Ed Walker, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

What's hot: Early summer is when schools of permit go to North Suncoast wrecks to spawn. Lately, big ones have been at large structures in water deeper than 50 feet. They do not eat fish, so they are seldom caught incidentally while fishing for other species.

Tips: Permit feed on crustaceans and mollusks almost exclusively. To coax them into biting, you need a small, live crab or live shrimp. Many times, we stumbled into them while fishing for other species and cast lures into schools that simply refused to strike. On subsequent trips to the same spots, using small, live crabs, the big permit gobbled the bait. Silver dollar-sized swimmer crabs, also known as pass crabs, are the best bait, followed by small, blue crabs. Live shrimp also can work but not as well as crabs.

Technique: Permit have keen eyesight and shy away from tackle they can see. I rig my rods with 25-pound test braided line and a 30-pound test fluorocarbon leader at least 20 feet long. This keeps the bait far enough away from the braid to make the presentation look natural. The daily limit of permit longer than 20 inches is one per person and two per boat.

Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs. He can be contacted at lighttacklecharters.com or at (727) 944-3474.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — This is who he can be.

This is why he is still here.

In what might be the last season of B.J. Upton, the controversial one, you can finally see the ability that the Rays have been talking about for years. He has rarely hit better. He has seldom run faster. And he has never looked more promising as he strides toward the plate.

Through all the strikeouts, through all the controversies, through all of the derision, this is the player you have waited to see. The Rays, too. Even at 27, there is a wide streak of stardom inside the guy.

Consider the moment Wednesday, when Upton came up in one of those is-anyone-ever-going-to-score-again matchups with the Blue Jays. Worse, Darren Oliver, who had retired Upton all four times he had faced him in his career, was on the mound.

Five pitches later, on a wicked cutter, Upton laced the ball into leftfield for a double, and Rich Thompson scored from first, and the Rays won. Easy as smiling. Yeah, Upton has done some of that lately, too.

For Upton, it continued an impressive streak at the plate. Over the past seven games, he is 13-for-29, a .448 average. Upton is now hitting .300, the first time it has been that high this deep into a season since June 8, 2008.

Considering the player, you probably have one of two questions about now.

One: Where has this been all along?

Two: How long can he keep it up?

Such is Upton's history. There are always a couple of ways to look at him. He has often been in the headlines, and he has eternally been on the trading block, and he has never quite matched the expectations the Rays had for him. He was supposed be an impact player, a rare talent capable of 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases and as many gold gloves as a guy can stuff into a closet.

It hasn't worked out that way. Upton has been a frustrating player for many. Too many strikeouts considering too little power. He hasn't hit as much as .245 over the past three seasons.

This? This looks different. Yes, manager Joe Maddon says. Upton can keep it up.

"Yeah, absolutely I do," Maddon said. "He's got a good look about him. His confidence is soaring. There is no reason he can't keep it up.

"I think he has a better understanding of what's going on. That's just part of the maturation process. He's a more knowledgeable hitter. That was a tough pitch by Oliver he handled. It was coming in on him so hard that if he hadn't hit it, it might have hit him in the thigh."

For all the talk about maturation, the Rays always have had these kind of expectations for Upton. Since he arrived, Maddon has talked about the particular sound of ball hitting bat when Upton was at the plate. Too often, however, the sound the fans heard was ball hitting catcher's mitt. The centerfielder never quite lived down the impression that he played too often on cruise control.

Sometimes, however, the light comes on late for some players. Other players, too, have noticed a difference in Upton.

"I told you guys in the beginning of the year, he's my click to pick, to surprise everybody," pitcher James Shields said. "He's been working really hard this year, his attitude has been phenomenal, and it's really showing out on the field."

"He looks great up there," first baseman Carlos Peña said. "His approach is so good. The kid is extremely talented. I'm still waiting for that year when he exploits all his potential and blossoms into the star I know he can be. He's already great, but I know there is still more in there."

Hitting coach Derek Shelton said most of Upton's success has to do with a new approach at the plate. Instead of trying to do too much with the pitch, which led to strikeouts, he is more patient.

"I've always believed I could be a very good player," Upton said in that hushed voice of his. "You go out on the field, everyone expects to do well. I don't think anyone expects anything less than to be a good player."

Ah, but can he be a .300 hitter?

"I've done it before," he said. "I don't see any reason why not."

You wonder. Is there a season in Upton that makes the Rays offer him a chance to stay? Is there a performance that makes him too valuable to lose? It would be nice to see. After all, he is in the final year of a contract that pays him $7 million.

Can the Rays afford to keep him?

Better question: If he hits like this, can they afford not to?

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

A nerd in paradise

So what does the poster boy of the Rays' "Ken Rosenthal/Nerd" themed road trip to Boston think of the plan? "I am totally cool with all of this," the Fox Sports baseball reporter said. "I'm really flattered. Honored is not too strong a word." The Rays fly north today wearing bow ties, as Rosenthal does on each telecast to benefit a charity, through former NFL linebacker Dhani Jones' bowtiecause.org. Rosenthal said manager Joe Maddon called last week to ask for his blessing, and the team will make a donation of $3,000 — $100 for each of 30 bowties — to spread over 18 organizations. Rosenthal was to do Phillies-Cardinals but will be in Boston and will greet the Rays on arrival to tape a segment for Saturday's pregame show and possible in-game use. "It's funny how things happen," he said. "The other night in Philly, the Phanatic came on camera with me wearing a bow tie. Joe talked about that, mentioned the thing with the Rays and some other stuff and said, 'You're like a Kardashian.' "

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

By Joe Smith and Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writers
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — James Shields had not lasted seven innings in a start in nearly a month and was determined to go deeper Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

The right-hander did just that with a stellar 7⅓-inning outing, allowing two earned runs and striking out 10. He got a no-decision in the Rays' 5-4, 11-inning win but said it was up there with his best starts of the year.

"I thought James Shields was really, really good," manager Joe Maddon said. "He deserved a better fate than that."

Shields (6-2) completed seven innings for the first time since April 21 against the Twins. Maddon said Shields (110 pitches) could have lasted longer had it not been for a couple of defensive mistakes that "cost him probably at least 10-15 pitches."

Shields said his changeup was his best pitch, and he located it as well as he can, but he set everything up with his fastball, issuing just one walk.

"I felt really good," he said. "It's nice to go out there and go deep in the game and do my part."

BACK UP: RHP Joel Peralta gave up the tying two-run homer to Edwin Encarnacion in the eighth, just the Rays' third blown save of the season. But RHPs Fernando Rodney and LHP Jake McGee backed him up, combining for three scoreless innings. Rodney allowed one hit over two innings, and McGee struck out two of the three hitters he faced to pick up the win. "I thought they were fantastic," Maddon said.

SUTTON'S PLACE: Newly acquired INF Drew Sutton said he knew when he saw Carlos Peña hitting leadoff Tuesday how creative Maddon would be with the lineup. But he was still surprised Wednesday when he saw his own name in the cleanup spot, the first time he has ever hit 3, 4 or 5.

But Sutton came through, going 2-for-4 with a two-run double in the first.

"It went as good as I could have expected it to go," he said. "And it makes Joe look really smart, doesn't it? I showed up with the lineup and was like, 'Are we trying to win today?' You'd think that me and Peña would be switched. But hey, it worked."

GOOD SAM: OF Sam Fuld said Tuesday's checkup in Cleveland on his surgically repaired right wrist went well. He could start swinging a bat in early to mid June and might be a little ahead of his projected mid August return. "It might be a little bit sooner now," he said. "Not surprisingly, the biggest test is going to come when I actually start hitting. It's easy for me to set a target date now, but I haven't touched a bat yet."

JENNINGS UPDATE: OF Desmond Jennings (left knee sprain) acknowledged he won't be ready to rejoin the team when eligible Sunday, but it shouldn't be far off and he expects to head out soon for a short minor-league rehab. Jennings will wear a brace on his left knee when he returns and expects to be "close" — though not quite back — to his previous speedy form. "From what I've heard it's probably going to linger a little bit, but it should be all right," he said.

MISCELLANY: Seems unlikely that OF/DH Hideki Matsui, hitting .133 (4-for-30) with Triple-A Durham, which was idle Wednesday, will be called up to start the weekend series in Boston. … 1B/OF Brandon Allen (quad strain) was to play for advanced Class A Charlotte on Wednesday and is eligible to be reinstated Friday.

CLOSING TIME: RHP Kyle Farnsworth threw off a mound for the first time since going on the disabled list in April with a right elbow strain. Though it wasn't from the full distance — the catcher was positioned in front of the plate — Farnsworth felt good after throwing 20 fastballs: "Everything went well. It felt free and easy." He said he'll throw his first bullpen session Saturday.

MINOR MATTERS: RHP Alex Colome (oblique) will be activated by Montgomery on Saturday; he'd been placed on the DL after two starts for the Biscuits this season.

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

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

CONCORD, N.C. — AJ Allmendinger landed the ride of his life when Penske Racing grabbed him during the offseason after Kurt Busch split with the team.

On paper, it doesn't seem as if Allmendinger has done much with his opportunity. But in the garage, everybody knows better.

Allmendinger has never been stronger in NASCAR, though he doesn't have the results to show for his improvement. He is 22nd in the Sprint Cup point standings after 11 races, and he has just one top-10 finish versus four finishes of 32nd or worse. But he also has led 99 laps, won a pole and qualified inside the top four four times. Last week he won the pole for the qualifying event before the All-Star race, only to get a flat tire in the warmup laps.

"A flat tire before we come to green? I mean, we've got to do something to change our luck up," he said.

Allmendinger had to pit for a tire change as the field went green, and it dropped him to last in the 22-car field. What happened next may be a sign his luck is about to turn. He drove his way into second place and transferred into the $1 million main event.

Though Allmendinger wound up 11th in the All-Star race, he was competitive and is looking ahead to the longest race of the season, the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night at Charlotte.

"We've had fast race cars. We just need a little bit of luck," said Allmendinger. The All-Star race "gives me a good amount of confidence. I'm excited to go to the 600."

Allmendinger was welcomed into NASCAR by rookie team Red Bull Racing. He was let go after two seasons, hired by Richard Petty Motorsports, then tried to keep moving forward despite three seasons of chaos at Petty. Allmendinger last season had a career-best 10 top-10 finishes and a 15th-place finish in the Cup standings.

Roughly a month after the season ended, Penske Racing called to offer him the No. 22 seat that had unexpectedly come open.

"We've had a lot of speed pretty much everywhere we've went, and even when we do struggle, our struggle is, I would say, 15th to 17th place," said Allmendinger, who is paired with crew chief Todd Gordon, promoted from the Nationwide series. "It's hard to look at the points and look at the results and take positives out of it. But ultimately this is more competitive than I've ever been. I'm up front a lot more than I've ever been, qualifying a lot better."

Team owner Roger Penske is impressed and believes the organization has played a role in the more difficult races. For example, Allmendinger won the pole and led 44 laps at Kansas, but he finished 32nd after a linkage broke.

"We believe we've let him down at times this season," Penske said. "But that team is showing every sign of being contenders here soon and capable of winning races."

Wallace leads five into the Hall of Fame

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rusty Wallace, who won 55 races and the 1989 Cup title and is now a broadcaster, heads the group of five picked for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Owner Leonard Wood and drivers Cotton Owens, Herb Thomas and Buck Baker are also in the hall's fourth class, which will be inducted in February.

Baker was tied with Fireball Roberts for the fifth spot, so a second vote was held for that slot.

"I'm just humbled, I really am," said Wallace, who was picked his first time as a finalist.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Today: off

Up next: at Red Sox, 7:10 Friday, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (1-0, 2.57); Sox — Jon Lester (3-3, 3.95)

On deck

Saturday: at Red Sox, 7:15, Ch. 13. Rays — David Price (6-3, 2.88); Sox — Josh Beckett (4-4, 4.38)

Sunday: at Red Sox, 1:35, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 2.73); Sox — Clay Buchholz (4-2, 7.84)

Rays disabled list

(with eligible-to-return date)

1B/OF Brandon Allen, right quad strain, Friday

C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 60-day, June 5

RHP Kyle Farnsworth, right elbow strain, 60-day, June 5

OF Sam Fuld, right wrist surgery, 60-day, June 5

OF Brandon Guyer, left shoulder strain, 15-day, Monday

OF Desmond Jennings, left knee sprain, 15-day, Sunday

INF Jeff Keppinger, right toe fracture, 15-day, June 3

C Jose Lobaton, right shoulder soreness, 15-day, April 30

3B Evan Longoria, left hamstring tear, 15-day, May 16

RHP Jeff Niemann, right leg fracture, 60-day, July 14

Did you know?

The Rays won their sixth consecutive series over Toronto and improved to 10-0-1 in their past 11 series, 19-1-1 in the past 21. The Rays' last series loss to the Blue Jays was Aug. 6-10, 2010 (a three-game sweep at Tropicana Field).

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Explanation of the day

"It barely grazed me. I might have imagined it."

Rich Thompson, joking about the first Darren Oliver pitch that hit him, which the umpire didn't agree with

Quote of the day

"We are funky, and funky's cool. Funky's always been cool since the middle of the '70s. I've always liked funky."

Manager Joe Maddon

Numbers of the day

10

Walks in the game for Rays batters, two off the team record.

12

Walkoff wins for the Rays in their last 54 regular-season home games.

Tough at Trop

The Rays now own the best home record (17-7) in the American League, second only to the Dodgers (19-4) in the majors. It's the best start in club history through 24 home games. One reason is the pitching as the Rays boast a 2.65 ERA at home, two runs better than their road ERA (4.65). "It has turned into more of a pitcher's ballpark over the last couple years," manager Joe Maddon said. "We're not going to score big points, but the Trop has become very friendly to us once again, and we have to continue that roll."

Rays 5, Blue Jays 4 (11)

Toronto AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

K.Johnson 2b 5 0 1 0 0 4 .250

Vizquel 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 .095

Y.Escobar ss 5 0 1 0 0 1 .258

Bautista rf 5 2 2 1 0 0 .230

Encarnacion dh 4 1 2 2 1 0 .269

Arencibia c 5 0 0 0 0 4 .246

Thames lf 5 0 1 0 0 2 .252

Lawrie 3b 5 1 1 0 0 1 .270

Rasmus cf 5 0 2 0 0 1 .216

Y.Gomes 1b 3 0 0 1 0 1 .294

Totals 42 4 10 4 1 14

Tampa Bay AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

C.Pena 1b 3 2 1 0 2 2 .217

B.Upton cf 6 1 3 1 0 2 .300

Joyce rf 3 1 0 1 2 1 .274

Sutton 3b-2b 4 0 2 2 1 1 .500

Scott dh 3 0 1 1 2 0 .243

E.Johnson ss 3 0 0 0 1 3 .276

Rhymes 2b 3 0 0 0 1 0 .250

Rodriguez ph-3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 .246

Gimenez c 2 0 0 0 1 1 .213

Vogt ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000

J.Molina c 1 0 0 0 0 1 .173

Thompson lf 4 1 0 0 0 2 .091

Totals 34 5 7 5 10 13

Toronto 100 010 020 00— 4 10 0

Tampa Bay 202 000 000 01— 5 7 1

E—E.Johnson (3). LOB—Tor. 7, T.B. 11. 2B—K.Johnson (3), Bautista (4), C.Pena (8), B.Upton 2 (8), Sutton (2). 3B—Rasmus (3). HR—Bautista (12), off Shields; Encarnacion (14), off Jo.Peralta. RBIs—Bautista (29), Encarnacion 2 (37), Y.Gomes (5), B.Upton (16), Joyce (24), Sutton 2 (3), Scott (31). SB—Rasmus (2), B.Upton (10). CS—Thompson (1). S—E.Johnson. SF—Y.Gomes. RISP—Tor. 1 for 7; T.B. 2 for 11.

Toronto IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA

R.Romero 6 2 4 4 7 7 105 3.86

FrasorM1 0 0 0 1 9 2.65

L.PerezL0 0 0 1 1 9 2.70

Cordero 1 1 0 0 0 0 20 6.11

Janssen 1 2 0 0 1 1 30 3.31

Oliver L, 0-2 1L1 1 1 1 3 36 1.80

Tampa Bay IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA

Shields 7L7 3 2 1 10 110 3.63

Peralta BS, 3-5M2 1 1 0 1 13 5.12

Rodney 2 1 0 0 0 1 25 0.40

McGee W, 1-1 1 0 0 0 0 2 14 1.84

HBP—by Oliver (Thompson), by R.Romero (C.Pena). T—3:57. A—11,471 (34,078).

How they scored

Blue Jays first. K.Johnson struck out. Y.Escobar grounded out, pitcher Shields to first baseman C.Pena. Bautista homered to left on a 3-1 count. Encarnacion walked on a full count. Arencibia struck out. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue Jays 1, Rays 0.

Rays first. C.Pena walked on a full count. B.Upton struck out. Joyce walked, C.Pena to second. Sutton doubled to center, C.Pena scored, Joyce scored. Scott grounded out to first baseman Y.Gomes, Sutton to third. E.Johnson struck out, catcher Arencibia to first baseman Y.Gomes. 2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 2, Blue Jays 1.

Rays third. C.Pena was hit by a pitch. B.Upton doubled to left, C.Pena to third. Joyce grounded out to first baseman Y.Gomes, C.Pena scored, B.Upton to third. Sutton walked on four pitches. Scott grounded into fielder's choice, second baseman K.Johnson to shortstop Y.Escobar, B.Upton scored, Sutton out. E.Johnson struck out. 2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 4, Blue Jays 1.

Blue Jays fifth. Lawrie singled to center. Rasmus safe on fielder's choice and E.Johnson's error, Lawrie to third. Y.Gomes hit a sacrifice fly to center fielder B.Upton, Lawrie scored. Rasmus stole second. K.Johnson struck out. Y.Escobar struck out. 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left on. Rays 4, Blue Jays 2.

Blue Jays eighth. Y.Escobar grounded out to first baseman C.Pena. Bautista doubled to left. Jo.Peralta pitching. Encarnacion homered to left on a 2-1 count, Bautista scored. Arencibia struck out. Thames singled to right. Lawrie grounded into fielder's choice, second baseman Rhymes to shortstop E.Johnson, Thames out. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Blue Jays 4, Rays 4.

Rays eleventh. Thompson was hit by a pitch. C.Pena struck out. B.Upton doubled to left, Thompson scored. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Rays 5, Blue Jays 4.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The players union sued the league for collusion Wednesday, alleging a "conspiracy" to impose a secret salary cap during the uncapped 2010 season that cost players at least $1 billion.

The collective bargaining agreement signed in 2006 included an uncapped 2010. But on March 12, the league lowered the Cowboys' and Redskins' caps by $10 million and $36 million, respectively, over the next two seasons. It said they undermined competitive balance by overspending in 2010.

The union was involved in setting the penalties, which allowed 28 teams to boost their caps for the two seasons. (The Raiders' and Saints' overspending was determined not to be as egregious but enough to cost them the increase.) It now believes Dallas and Washington were punished for exceeding a covert cap of $123 million, not undermining competitive balance.

"If we wanted salary cap increases for the (other 28 clubs), the price for doing that was doing this salary cap reallocation," union lawyer Jeffrey Kessler said. "Had the union known about prior collusion, the union would never have agreed to these cap reallocations."

The league called the claim of a conspiracy "totally unfounded" and said the CBA signed in August prohibited suing for "collusion with respect to any League Year prior to 2011." It added the union signed a separate agreement acknowledging that.

But Kessler said that agreement was rejected by the federal court overseeing the league's labor relations.

A pretrial hearing has not been scheduled.

Cowboys don't plan to trade ex-USF star

IRVING, Texas — Cornerback Mike Jenkins will remain with the Cowboys, coach Jason Garrett said.

The former USF player is entering the final season of his five-year contract and is missing this week's voluntary workouts while rehabbing — in Florida instead of Dallas — from January's right shoulder surgery.

According to multiple reports, Dallas tried to trade Jenkins after drafting LSU All-America cornerback Morris Claiborne sixth overall last month. In addition, it signed former Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr to a five-year deal worth $50 million.

"Mike Jenkins, we believe, is a big part of our football team right now," Garrett said. "He's making a business decision not to be here. But we're not going to trade him. We've got to get him healthy. We've got to get him back getting going."

Seahawk suspended: The league banned Seattle reserve offensive tackle Allen Barbre four games for violating its performance-enhancing substance policy. Details weren't disclosed.

Trade: The Broncos sent defensive back Cassius Vaughn to the Colts for fullback Chris Gronkowski. Gronkowski, brother of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, has appeared in 21 games for Dallas (2010) and Indianapolis (2011). Vaughn has 22 tackles and an interception over 22 games.

Bears: Receiver Johnny Knox, out since surgery to stabilize a vertebra, said he will play again but isn't sure when. While diving for a fumble on Dec. 18, Knox was bent backward by Seahawks end Anthony Hargrove. Knox is lifting weights and jogging.

49ers: Three-time All-Pro punter Andy Lee signed a six-year extension. Financial terms were not disclosed. Last season, Lee, 29, set a league record with a 44-yard net average.

Associated Press
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Some days are better than others for Susie Wheldon, and there's rarely any warning what will trigger the emotional roller coaster she has been on since husband Dan Wheldon's fatal crash in last year's IndyCar finale.

A familiar coffee shop brings a flood of memories; a song can make her sad. Most recently, it was a trip to the emergency room for a stomach bug 1-year-old son Oliver couldn't shake. In an instant, she was reliving the frantic efforts to save the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and St. Petersburg resident after the Oct. 16 crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"Almost immediately when I walked in, they brought me back to a room just to wait for a doctor, and I just sat there, and I instantly felt panic," she said. "I hadn't been in a hospital since, and I just saw all these machines. Something like that, that I didn't even think would be a big deal — it was just a really horrible thing.

"Took me back there again, just the panic of everything of that day."

Seven months after the accident, Wheldon heads to the Indianapolis 500 for ceremonies honoring last year's winner. She expected to arrive today and spend the weekend, accompanied by her and Dan's two sons. But she wasn't sure if she would attend Sunday's race. Wheldon said she's not sure how she'll handle the tumult of returning to the track her husband loved so much.

She couldn't do it in March, when she left town rather than face the pain of IndyCar's opener in St. Petersburg, where she still resides in the family home with Oliver and Sebastian, 3.

But Indy?

"I'm ready. I think I'm ready, or I have to be ready, because it's something that I want to do and I want to be able to be a part of that for Dan as far as having the boys there," she said. "His family is the most important part of his legacy, so we want to be there to honor him in that way as far as him being last year's winner and everything about that race that he loved so much."

Dan Wheldon, who also won the 500 in 2005, will be remembered on the race day ticket, which features him pouring the traditional winner's bottle of milk over his head in Victory Lane. His winning car will be driven by owner Bryan Herta in a lap of honor Sunday. Fans entering the track Sunday will be given a pair of white sunglasses, Dan's preference, to wear during tributes on the parade lap, Laps 26 and 98, which recognize the numbers of his winning cars.

Susie Wheldon is scheduled to participate in Saturday's public drivers meeting and will accept the Champion of Champions ring on behalf of Wheldon's 2011 victory in a ceremony this afternoon.

Emma Dixon, wife of driver Scott Dixon and a friend of Susie's, hopes Wheldon can manage the many emotions this weekend will bring.

"I am a bit nervous for her, worried it is really going to tear her heart out because it's such a special place for Dan," Emma Dixon said. "It held a lot of big memories, and I think it is going to be incredibly hard. But the one thing is, she wants to do what Dan wants her to do, and he'd want her to be holding her head up high and remembering the good times."

Wheldon does not discuss the events of that day in Las Vegas. And if she second-guesses Dan's participation, she doesn't let on.

"No, not mad that he did that race. No," she said quietly.

The race changed her life. She's now a 33-year-old widow, with two toddlers. His family is in England, her parents in North Carolina, and she's essentially alone trying to move forward.

Wheldon has been angry about different things during her stages of grief, but not at Dan, at least not yet.

"Maybe that will come later. I don't know," she said. "I get angry sometimes at that, that I wish we could have grown old together.

"I am thankful just for everything that we do have. Did have. Two beautiful children. We had an amazing life together, and I know most people don't experience that in a lifetime. That's something that I hold on to."

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Red Sox 6, Orioles 5

BALTIMORE — Daniel Nava and former Ray Kelly Shoppach hit sixth-inning homers to break a tie, and newcomer Scott Podsednik also connected to help carry Boston. The three combined to go 6-for-9 and help the Red Sox move back to .500 (22-22).

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Mets 3, Pirates 1

PITTSBURGH — Jonathon Niese pitched 72/3 strong innings to end a six-start winless streak and help New York to its third victory in four games. Niese gave up one run five days after matching his career high by allowing eight in a 14-5 loss at Toronto. "He was upset," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "It was human nature, but the thing is, he fought back and gave us a great game (Wednesday). That's what you've got to do. You've got to bounce back."

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Brewers 8, Giants 5

MILWAUKEE — Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run double in a six-run first inning, Jonathan Lucroy added a two-run homer in the second, and Milwaukee rocked Barry Zito again. The left-hander fell to 0-4 with a 7.67 ERA in eight starts at Miller Park.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Few teams have peaked in the postseason more perfectly than the Kings. After a regular season of struggles and big changes, they have turned into the power­house they expected to be.

Los Angeles needed only a record-tying 14 playoff games to reach its first Stanley Cup final since 1993, culminating in a five-game win over Phoenix in the Western Conference final late Tuesday. Its contentious 4-3 overtime Game 5 victory on a goal by Dustin Penner earned the team just its second conference title.

After firing their coach near midseason, swapping Terry Murray for Darryl Sutter; struggling to score all season; trading one of their top defenseman, Jack Johnson, to Columbus for disgruntled forward Jeff Carter hear the deadline; and not clinching a playoff berth until the day of their 81st game, the Kings will play for the franchise's first championship.

"Everybody came into the season thinking we could be the good team, the kind we are now," Penner said. "Especially the older guys thought the pieces to the puzzle were there. We just couldn't find a way to put it together. … Everything lined up, the stars lined, and it came together at the right point of the season."

For the Coyotes, in their first conference final, the end was bitter — not just to the series but Game 5 in particular.

Twelve seconds before Penner scored at 17:42 of overtime, Kings captain Dustin Brown hit defenseman Michal Rozsival knee-on-knee on an offside play in the Kings zone. Rozsival left the game, no penalty was called, and the Coyotes were livid.

Coyotes goalie Mike Smith said given that teammate Raffi Torres was suspended 25 games for his head shot on the Blackhawks' Marian Hossa in the first round, Brown "ought to be done forever."

Phoenix fans threw garbage on the ice as the Kings celebrated, and captain Shane Doan was among the Coyotes who had heated words with Brown in the handshake line.

"How do you miss that when it's after the (offside) whistle and it's a knee?" Doan said while venting his frustration with officiating throughout the series. "I'm sure (the officials) will have a great explanation for it."

Brown said he felt like he made contact from toe to shoulder. The league said it wouldn't discipline him.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Phillies 4, Nationals 1

PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels pitched eight scoreless innings, finishing up by retiring Bryce Harper on a grounder as Philadelphia snapped a season-long four-game skid. Hamels didn't allow a hit until Danny Espinosa doubled with one out in the sixth. The left-hander faced Washington for the first time since intentionally hitting the rookie Harper on May 6. The hit sparked a firestorm, with Hamels earning a five-game suspension.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Angels 3, Athletics 1

11 innings

OAKLAND, Calif. — Alberto Callaspo hit a go-ahead two-run double in the 11th inning for Los Angeles. Kendrys Morales drew a one-out walk in the 11th off Justin Norberto and was lifted for pinch-runner Peter Bourjos, who moved to third on Howie Kendrick's two-out single. Callaspo drove both home with a double to leftfield.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Mariners 5, Rangers 3

SEATTLE — Alex Liddi hit the first grand slam by an Italian-born player in a half-century, Kevin Millwood pitched six shutout innings, and Seattle took two of three. After Dustin Ackley was intentionally walked with one out in the fifth, Liddi lined Scott Feldman's first pitch just over the yellow line on top of the leftfield wall.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Yankees 8, Royals 3

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez gave Will Smith a rude welcome to the majors, hitting two homers off the rookie to back a second straight strong start for Andy Pettitte and lead New York. Rodriguez snapped a 52-at-bat homerless drought and drove in three runs for New York. Derek Jeter had three hits to tie Hall of Famer Paul Waner for 15th all time with 3,152.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Rockies 8, Marlins 4

MIAMI — Troy Tulowitzki homered and drove in four runs to help Alex White earn his first victory this season, and Colorado snapped a six-game losing streak. The Rockies, who blew early leads of 4-0 and 3-0 in the first two games of the series, won after trailing 3-0. Tulowitzki hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth off Carlos Zambrano and doubled in a run in the fourth.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Reds 2, Braves 1

CINCINNATI — Todd Frazier hit a one-out homer in the ninth inning, and Cincinnati won its season-best fifth in a row to move five games over .500 (24-19) for the first time. Frazier connected for his first game-ending homer on the second pitch from Cristhian Martinez, who came on to start the ninth. The teams combined for 11 solo homers in the three-game series.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

DE PERE, Wis. — Commissioner Bud Selig says he doesn't think more video review of umpires' calls is needed, at least not right now.

Selig spoke to a small group Wednesday at a sport and society conference at St. Norbert College.

Previously reluctant to add replay, Selig instituted it in August 2008 for boundary calls on potential home runs, such as whether balls went over the fence or were fair.

MLB sought to increase video review this season to include trapped balls, fair-or-foul rulings down the lines and fan interference all over the ballpark. But it requires approval of MLB and the unions representing the umpires and the players, and any expansion was delayed until 2013 at the earliest.

"I've had very, very little pressure from people who want to do more," Selig said.

Selig indicated adding replay for balls hit down the line — "bullets, as I call 'em" — and trapped balls may be ahead.

He again repeated his oft-spoken — and oft-ignored — intention to retire. Selig, who turns 78 in July, has been commissioner since 1992. His term was extended again in January through 2014.

MANNY SLOWED: Manny Ramirez might not be ready to play for the Athletics by May 30 when his suspension ends. Manager Bob Melvin said the A's want to make sure Ramirez, who started last season with the Rays, is fully prepared and comfortable with his swing before he plays in major-league games after his stint with Triple-A Sacramento.

CLEMENS Trial: Former major-league 1B David Segui may be called, reluctantly, to testify in the Roger Clemens perjury trial. Prosecutors want Segui to relate a conservation he had with Clemens' former strength coach, Brian McNamee, in 2001. McNamee supposedly talked to Segui about saving waste from injecting players in order to placate McNamee's wife.

BONDS APPEAL: Federal prosecutors have asked for a 45-day delay until July 19 to respond to Barry Bonds' appeal of his obstruction of justice conviction. The career home run leader filed a 60-page brief May 3 with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the government's response was due June 4.

ANGELS: RF Torii Hunter is expected to rejoin the team when it returns from its current trip, yet manager Mike Scioscia said he still isn't sure exactly when that might be. Hunter has been on the restricted list since May 14 after his teenage son was arrested in Texas.

BREWERS: RHP Marco Estrada left the game after injuring his right leg while running out a double. … INF Cody Ransom was claimed off waivers two days after the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment.

CARDINALS: 1B Lance Berkman, out at least six to eight weeks with a torn meniscus in his right knee, plans to have surgery this morning in Houston. … INF Matt Carpenter went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle. C Steven Hill was recalled from Triple-A Memphis. … OF Allen Craig, out since April 17, ran on his strained left hamstring and plans to take batting practice today.

MARLINS: RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo, the former Leo Nunez who was charged with identity fraud in the Dominican Republic, received his work visa. Oviedo will have to serve an eight-week suspension when he reports.

NATIONALS: OF Michael Morse, out all season with a torn right lat muscle, will "for sure" be ready to be activated by June 8, manager Davey Johnson said.

ORIOLES: 2B Brian Roberts played his first game since sustaining a concussion more than a year ago, walking twice in three innings for Double-A Bowie.

ROCKIES: INF Jonathan Herrera went on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring. INF D.J. LeMahieu was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

YANKEES: Manager Joe Girardi would not commit to using RHP David Robertson as his closer when he returns from a ribcage injury. Girardi said former Ray Rafael Soriano will close for now.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 23, 2012

CLEVELAND — Jason Kipnis had three hits and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the first-place Indians beat the Tigers 4-2 Wednesday night.

Kipnis singled off the glove of Phil Coke with one out and took third on Asdrubal Cabrera's double into the leftfield corner.

Travis Hafner then grounded to first baseman Prince Fielder, whose low throw handcuffed catcher Gerald Laird for an error as Kipnis dived into the plate. Carlos Santana's sacrifice fly scored Cabrera.

Cleveland has won two straight over the Tigers after Detroit took the final 10 meetings a year ago. The Indians lead the AL Central, while the third-place Tigers have lost five of seven.

Detroit stranded 10 and twice left the bases jammed.

Joe Smith got Miguel Cabrera to ground out to end the seventh with the bases loaded. In the eighth, Vinnie Pestano struck out Jhonny Peralta, got Ramon Santiago on a weak grounder that forced a runner at home and struck out pinch-hitter Alex Avila looking on a full count.