By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 1, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Standing 6 feet 6 on a 10-inch mound, pitcher David Price has a way of leveling the playing field for the Rays.

In Friday's 5-0 win over the Orioles, Price retired the first 13 batters he faced before catcher Matt Wieters bounced a seeing-eye single through the infield between first and second with one out in the fifth inning.

Price left in the eighth to a standing ovation from 17,224 at Tropicana Field after scattering four hits and throwing 113 pitches to snap the Rays' three-game losing streak.

Helped by outstanding defense from outfielders Matt Joyce and B.J. Upton, Price tied the Rangers' Yu Darvish and the Indians' Derek Lowe with an American League-leading seventh victory to lift the Rays (30-22) to sole possession of first place in the American League East. The Orioles (29-23) lost their sixth straight game.

"That's the last thing I'm thinking about out there," Price said of the no-hit bid. "I want to go out there and get as many innings as possible and put up as many zeroes as possible."

In the bash-for-cash division with the Yankees and Red Sox, the Rays have struggled to score, particularly with leftfielder Desmond Jennings and third baseman Evan Longoria on the disabled list.

The Rays' bats were mostly silent in managing only six runs in three games while being swept by the White Sox this week. But the Rays nearly matched that output in the first inning Friday against Wei-Yin Chen.

Tampa Bay sent 10 men to the plate in a five-run first that was highlighted by a monster two-run blast by Hideki Matsui, his second homer in two starts.

Designated hitter Luke Scott drove in the first pair of runs with a bases-loaded single to center, one of five hits in the inning. A sacrifice bunt by third baseman Sean Rodriguez plated another. Leadoff man Carlos Peña, who doubled, made the first out when he was cut down at the plate on a grounder to short.

"It was great to get that kind of offensive outburst, even after having Carlos thrown out at the plate," manager Joe Maddon said. "All of a sudden we did some really good things to follow, including how about Matsui's homer? That was pretty far."

In the fourth, rightfielder Joyce made a diving catch in the gap of a line-drive hit by shortstop J.J. Hardy. The next inning, Joyce made an over-the-shoulder grab near the foul pole to rob first baseman Mark Reynolds.

In the sixth, centerfielder Upton preserved the shutout by doubling up the Orioles with a pinpoint throw to second base to nail Steve Tolleson and negate an apparent sacrifice fly.

Price was charged with a fourth hit in a postgame scoring change that gave Wilson Betemit, his final batter, a single on a grounder that was first called an error on second baseman Ben Zobrist.

Though Price fell short of a no-hitter, Maddon believes it's only a matter of time.

"It's something I'm sure he probably thinks about in some quiet moments," Maddon said. "When you see that kind of ability, that kind of skill level, you almost automatically think that can occur for that guy at some point in his career. And it probably will."

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

Indians 7, Twins 1

CLEVELAND — Derek Lowe shut down the Twins for the second time this season and Jason Kipnis hit a grand slam as the Indians won for just the second time in seven games. Lowe, who pitched a complete-game shutout against the Twins on May 15, carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh. Lonnie Chisenhall hit a two-run homer in the second for Cleveland, and Kipnis connected in the fourth off Carl Pavano.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

DESTIN — SEC presidents and athletic directors voted unanimously Friday to support having the four best teams, and not necessarily conference champions, play in a football playoff.

"The fans would expect us to provide the best four teams in the country," commissioner Mike Slive said. "And if people aren't happy with the current system of how we rank them, then let's go back and look at the system."

The SEC has won six straight BCS titles. Last season, two of its teams met in the title game.

"I don't think that vote was taken because it's going to be best for this league," Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said. "It may turn out that way, but it all goes in cycles. There wasn't one comment, 'Well, this is best for us. This is best for the SEC.' "

The Big 12 agrees with the SEC. But the ACC, Big East, Big Ten and Pac-12 want conference champions guaranteed a berth.

Conference commissioners meet June 13 and June 20 and a committee of school presidents June 26 to discuss the playoff, which would start after the 2014 regular season.

Slive declined to say if the SEC would accept anything other than a best-four format.

"We know exactly what we're interested in doing," he said. "And as we move ahead, we'll make that clear at the appropriate time and the appropriate place."

More SEC: The league approved a 6-1-1 schedule starting in 2013. Each team plays six division games, one against a rotating team from the other division (next season's games haven't been determined) and one against a permanent team from the other division. Florida-LSU, Tennessee-Alabama, Georgia-Auburn, Vanderbilt-Mississippi and Kentucky-Mississippi State carry over. Missouri faces Arkansas, and fellow newcomer Texas A&M faces South Carolina. The format means UF plays Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Texas A&M once every six seasons and at home once every 12.

Oklahoma St.: Running back Herschel Sims, a 2011 U.S. Army high school All-American, was dismissed from the team for undisclosed reasons. Last season, his 242 rushing yards were third on the team.

Penn St.: Matt McGloin was named starting quarterback. McGloin, a senior in the fall, threw for 1,571 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games last season. He beat out Paul Jones, a sophomore in the fall, and Rob Bolden, a junior.

Nebraska-Oklahoma: Cornhuskers AD Tom Osborne said the former Big 12 rivals are talking about meeting in 2020 and 2021.

Softball: Sooners win

OKLAHOMA CITY — Keilani Ricketts struck out 16 as Oklahoma beat California 3-0 at the College World Series. Ricketts, who beat USF 5-1 Thursday, fell two shy of Cat Osterman's CWS seven-inning record of 18 set in 2006 for Texas. The Sooners have two chances Sunday to reach the championship series.

Men's basketball: SEC- Big East matchups set

USF hosts Georgia on Nov. 30 and Florida hosts Marquette on Nov. 29 as part of the SEC-Big East Challenge. Game times have not been determined.

Other games on Nov. 29: Kentucky at Notre Dame, South Carolina at St. John's and Seton Hall at LSU. Other games on Nov. 30: DePaul at Auburn and Tennessee at Georgetown. On Dec. 1: Mississippi State at Providence, Rutgers at Mississippi, Alabama at Cincinnati and Villanova at Vanderbilt.

Syracuse is scheduled to play at Arkansas on Nov. 30, but ESPN.com reported that Syracuse athletic director Daryl Gross emailed Big East officials saying his school is "overcommitted and can't play." In a statement released by the school, he said, "We hope to have a resolution very soon."

Kansas: Incoming freshman Perry Ellis was named player of the year by the National High School Coaches Association. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 25.8 points and 9.4 rebounds for Wichita Heights in Kansas.

Men's golf: Florida State lost a one-hole playoff to Kent State for the final spot in the match play portion of the NCAA championship in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

PARIS — Again far from his best, Roger Federer still managed to win at the French Open.

Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, the top-ranked man and woman, had easier paths.

Federer, the 2009 champion at Roland Garros, was pushed to four sets Friday for the second straight match, this time beating Nicolas Mahut 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the third round.

"I think for bigger guys it's about if you're able to move them around enough and they have to defend time and time again, this is maybe where you can expose some of their weaknesses," Federer, 30, said. "I thought he did well. (I) struggled a little bit, but overall obviously I'm happy I came through."

Federer improved his record number of Grand Slam match victories 235. The 16-time Slam champion is trying to become the first man older than 30 to win a major since Andre Agassi in 2003 at the Australian Open.

Djokovic also advanced, extending his Slam win streak to 24, beating Nicolas Devilder 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in a match that ended just as the sun was setting.

"Last 15 minutes was very hard," Djokovic said. "It was very important for me to finish the match today. I wouldn't like to come back tomorrow and play a few games."

Sloane Stephens of the United States reached the fourth round, beating Mathilde Johansson 6-3, 6-2. Of the eight teenagers in this draw, Stephens, 19, was the only one to make it to the third round.

"I'm excited because now I'm going to have more Twitter followers," Stephens said.

She plays No. 6 Sam Stosur, the 2010 runnerup and Tampa resident, who defeated Nadia Petrova 6-3, 6-3.

Azarenka advanced to the fourth round and Maria Sharapova to the third. But the big surprises came early in the day when third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska and 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic were eliminated.

Two days after beating Venus Williams, Radwanska was routed by 2009 French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 6-2. Radwanska didn't look anything like the player who overwhelmed Williams. "She was just playing very aggressive on both sides," Radwanska said. "She just had (an) answer for everything I was trying to do."

Radwanska has been having a stellar year, winning three titles and moving up to a career-high No. 3 ranking last month. But she is the only player in the top 10 who has never reached a Grand Slam semifinal.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

DUBLIN, Ohio — That other Rory — Rory Sabbatini — played his best golf in the worst weather Friday at the Memorial Tournament and made a surprising appearance atop the leaderboard. Right behind him was a Tiger Woods who looked all too familiar.

Sabbatini played bogey-free over his final 12 holes, and despite missing a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, put together 3-under 69 in the cool, blustery conditions at Muirfield Village to take a one-shot lead.

Woods looked strong for the second straight day, though he also had another double bogey that slowed his progress. What pleased him was controlling his ball in the wind for plenty of birdie chances that led to 69.

"I hit the ball well all day, and it was a day that I needed to," Woods said. "The wind was blowing out there, swirling in those trees, and it was just a tough day."

It was plenty tough for Rory McIlroy.

The U.S. Open champion missed the cut in his third straight tournament. McIlroy was in good shape until a shot just outside a creek hit the bank and went backward into the water, leading to the first of two double bogeys on the back nine. He shot 79 and missed the cut by three shots.

"It just seems like every time I go out there, I make one or two big numbers and that sort of throws me — a couple doubles on the back nine," he said. "Just those big numbers at the beginning are killing me, and I just need to get those off the card and I'll be okay."

Sabbatini was at 6-under 138, the highest score to lead the Memorial in 22 years. "We basically just kept the ball in play all day, and that's the challenge out there," he said.

Woods has 72 wins on the PGA Tour, one from tying Jack Nicklaus for second on the career list. What better place to catch him than on the course Jack built, though Woods wasn't ready to entertain such thoughts only halfway through the tournament. "The things that I'm supposed to be doing for the past few tournaments, I was able to do," he said.

LPGA: Stacy Lewis and Mika Miyazato are tied for the lead after the opening round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway Township, N.J. Each shot 6-under 65 at the Bay Course at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club. Paula Creamer and Mariajo Uribe are tied for third at 4 under. Defending champion Brittany Lincicome of Seminole finished with 72.

Champions: Mike Goodes opened the Principal Charity Classic with four straight birdies and shot 7-under 64 to take a two-shot lead at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa. Jay Haas, who won in Iowa in 2007 and '08, leads a group at 5-under 66 that includes David Frost and former Masters champion Larry Mize.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

NFL

Reports: league has bounty 'ledger'

The league has a copy of a "ledger" the Saints kept that detailed weekly earnings for players in their bounty program, according to media reports Friday. The ledger, first reported by Yahoo Sports, shows money earned for "cart-offs" ($1,000) and "whacks," or hard hits ($400), and deducted for "mental errors" ($100). It was shown during meetings with some of those who have been investigated, Yahoo Sports said.

Union spokesman George Atallah told Yahoo the league "made mention" of the ledger in an April meeting but the union had not seen it. As a result, Atallah questioned use of the ledger as "evidence."

Meanwhile, filmmaker Sean Pamphilon said he was encouraged by former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita to release an audio recording of former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams exhorting players to hurt members of the 49ers in a January playoff game. Pamphilon was working on a film with former Saint Steve Gleason when he made the recording, which was released during the bounty investigation. He said on his website players such as Fujita and quarterback Drew Brees and the union were attempting to push more of the blame onto Williams and the coaching staff.

Fujita is one of four players who have been suspended for participating in the bounty program. He did not return a text message from Yahoo Sports seeking comment.

More nfl

Giants, Umenyiora end deal squabble

The Giants and Osi Umenyiora ended a contract dispute when the Pro Bowl defensive end signed a restructured deal.

Umenyiora will make about $7.5 million this year, nearly twice the $3.925 million he was due to make, Newsday said. No years were added, so Umenyiora, 30, could be a free agent after this season, the newspaper said.

Umenyiora has contended for more than a year general manager Jerry Reese promised to renegotiate his contract and then reneged. "I'm happy all that's over with," said Umenyiora, who has not participated in spring drills.

Also, the league lifted its four-game suspension of running back Andre Brown for violating its performance-enhancing drug policy, Brown said on Twitter. He was banned in May after a report he tested positive for Adderall, which he takes for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Seau death: Friends of Junior Seau said the former linebacker had insomnia and he regularly took the prescription drug Ambien, USA Today reported. Seau, 43, was found shot to death at his home May 2. His death was ruled a suicide.

Et cetera

Boxing: Tampa's Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KOs) fights Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KOs) for the IBO cruiserweight title, the headline of a stacked card tonight in Carson, Calif., that includes a middleweight bout between St. Petersburg's Winky Wright and Peter Quillin (9, Showtime).

Olympics: Treasure Island native Josh Meyers was one of eight BMX riders chosen to compete for an automatic berth on the U.S. team this summer. The trials are June 16.

Times wires

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

NEWARK, N.J. — Meet Anze Kopitar, one of the best players very few know.

The All-Star center from Slovenia has led the Kings in scoring for the fifth straight season, getting at least 25 goals each time. His career-high 51 assists this season were eighth-best in the league.

But because he keeps a low profile and plays in Southern California, it's easy for the 24-year-old to avoid the spotlight. That is changing as the Kings try to win their first Stanley Cup title.

"When we're starting our games at 7:30 on the West Coast, a lot of people are sleeping," linemate Justin Williams said Friday. "In that aspect, he obviously flies under the radar. The important things are that we know how good he is."

Kopitar's overtime goal gave Los Angeles a 2-1 win over the Devils on Wednesday in Game 1 of the Cup final. Game 2 is tonight.

In 15 postseason games this year, Kopitar is tied with linemate Dustin Brown for the team lead with seven goals and 16 points as the Kings have gone 13-2. But Kopitar, 6 feet 3 and 225 pounds, has size and power to go with his skill.

"He doesn't get knocked off the puck easily," defenseman Rob Scuderi said.

Kopitar was ninth in the NHL with 76 takeaways this season.

"I've always had the mind-set of going out to perform to the best or to the potential that I have," said Kopitar, the No. 11 pick in the 2005 draft. "If people notice me or not, it doesn't really matter except for me knowing that I do lay out there every night and do my best."

Sabbatical for Thomas? Goalie Tim Thomas, the MVP of last year's playoffs as the Bruins won the Cup, told the team he is thinking about sitting out next season, general manager Peter Chiarelli said. "(Thomas) did give some reasons regarding family," Chiarelli said. Thomas, 38, could not be reached for comment. He has one year left on his contract with a salary cap hit of $5 million.

Around the league: General managers were told the salary cap will rise to roughly $70.3 million next season, but the new collective bargaining agreement — the current one expires Sept. 15 — could change that. … Rangers wing Marian Gaborik has a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder and will have surgery that is expected to sideline him about five months.

Lightning: The team declined to sign two 2010 draft picks, defensemen Adam Janosik (72nd overall) and Geoffrey Schemitsch (96th overall). They can enter the June 22-23 draft.

AHL final: The Lightning's Norfolk affiliate beat visiting Toronto 3-1 in Game 1 of the Calder Cup final.

Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 2

TORONTO — David Ortiz homered, Clay Buchholz won his sixth straight start in Toronto and the Red Sox got their fourth victory in five games. Daniel Nava had three doubles and Adrian Gonzalez had three hits for the Red Sox, who have not lost consecutive games since May 8 and 9 at Kansas City. Buchholz improved to 6-2 with a 1.72 ERA in eight career starts at Rogers Centre.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero is going to Las Vegas, moving him one step closer to a return to the majors with the Blue Jays.

Toronto assigned the 37-year-old to their Triple-A affiliate Friday. Guerrero, who signed a minor-league deal with Toronto May 10, is scheduled to play today against host Reno.

A 16-year veteran, Guerrero reported to extended spring training in Dunedin after signing with the Jays. He appeared in four games at Class A, batting .450 (9-for-20) with a double, four homers and eight RBIs. Jays manager John Farrell said Guerrero will be a DH and play the outfield in Las Vegas.

It's the first trip to Triple A for the nine-time All-Star and 2004 AL MVP. He jumped from Double A to the majors with Montreal in 1996.

RBI drought ends: Brewers OF Nyjer Morgan hit a solo homer in the first off the Pirates' Kevin Correia, ending his MLB-record run of 138 straight plate appearances without an RBI to start the season. The old mark was 125, by White Sox OF Herb Adams in 1950.

Nats-Mets Postponed: Rain in Washington kept the Nationals and Braves from playing Friday. No makeup date was announced. The Nationals had activated OF Michael Morse (strained back muscle) from the DL. He had been set to make his season debut.

Braun still bothered: Brewers OF Ryan Braun returned to the lineup, but lingering tightness in his right Achilles tendon remains an issue. Manager Ron Roenicke said Braun's status changes daily, "so it's hard knowing where we are with it." Roenicke said the problem won't keep Braun out of the lineup for an extended period of time.

Cardinals: 2B/OF Skip Schumaker (strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day DL and is expected to miss four weeks. 1B/OF Allen Craig (hamstring) was activated.

Indians: Manager Manny Acta says C Carlos Santana has made progress from his concussion and should be in the lineup next week.

Mariners: RHP Stephen Pryor was called up from Triple-A Tacoma, giving the reliever a chance at the majors after two dominating stops in the minors this season. In 28 innings for Double-A Jackson and Tacoma, Pryor allowed two earned runs and struck out 39. He has not allowed an earned run in his last 27 innings in the minors.

Padres: RHP Jeff Suppan, the 37-year-old who was out of the majors last season, was designated for assignment after six starts this year with a 2-3 record and 5.28 ERA.

Red Sox: Six years after he last pitched in the majors, RHP Mark Prior has been promoted to Triple A. The oft-injured Prior had been at extended spring training in Florida.

Yankees: C Russell Martin said he has spoken with MLB executive VP Joe Torre about his incident with umpire Laz Diaz, who would not allow the catcher to throw new balls back to his pitchers after fouls Wednesday. Martin said the plate ump was punishing him for arguing balls and strikes.

Trainer arrest: Edgar Mercedes, a trainer who helped represent Yoenis Cespedes, was arrested in the Dominican Republic on human smuggling charges for allegedly helping Cuban players illegally enter the country. A police statement says the three Dominicans and three Cubans transported potential players from Cuba in hopes of gaining major-league contracts. Mercedes, who is not a registered baseball agent, worked with Cespedes after he defected and later signed a $36 million, four-year contract with Oakland.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

Yankees 9, Tigers 4

DETROIT — Curtis Granderson hit a grand slam against his former team in the second inning, and CC Sabathia made the lead hold up after a shaky start for the Yankees. The game was tied at 1 when Granderson hit a drive just inside the pole in rightfield.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

Royals 2, A's 0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Felipe Paulino went six innings and the bullpen handled the rest as the A's suffered their season-worst ninth straight loss. Yuniesky Betancourt had an RBI double in the first, and Mike Moustakas added an RBI blooper later in the inning, helping the Royals win for only the sixth time in 23 games at Kauffman Stadium this year. Paulino held the opposition off the scoreboard through six innings for the fourth time in six starts.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

NEW YORK — Johan Santana pitched the first no-hitter in Mets history, helped by an umpire's missed call and an outstanding catch in leftfield in an 8-0 victory over the Cardinals on Friday night.

After a string of close calls in their 51-season history, Santana finally finished the job in the Mets' 8,020th game since the team was born in 1962.

"Finally, the first one," Santana, 33, said. "That is the greatest feeling ever."

He needed a couple of key assists to pull off this season's third no-hitter.

Carlos Beltran, back at Citi Field for the first time since the Mets traded him in July, hit a line drive over third base in the sixth inning that hit the foul line and should have been called fair. But third-base umpire Adrian Johnson ruled it foul and the no-hitter was intact, even though replay clearly showed a mark where the ball landed on the chalk line.

Mike Baxter then made a tremendous catch in leftfield to rob Yadier Molina in the seventh. Baxter crashed into the wall, injured his shoulder and left the game.

Making his 11th start since missing last season after shoulder surgery, Santana threw a career-high 134 pitches in his second consecutive shutout. He struck out eight and walked five.

"Amazing," Santana said. "Coming into this season I was just hoping to come back and stay healthy and help this team, and now I am in this situation in the greatest city for baseball."

The White Sox's Phil Humber pitched a perfect game April 21 at Seattle. The Angels' Jered Weaver no-hit Minnesota on May 2.

Santana got an ovation as he headed out to the mound for the ninth, and the two-time Cy Young Award winner quickly retired Matt Holliday and Allen Craig on shallow fly balls.

With the crowd of 27,069 on its feet in a frenzy, World Series MVP David Freese went to a 3-and-2 count before his foul tip was caught by Josh Thole, just activated from the disabled list earlier in the day.

Santana pumped his left fist and slammed it into his glove as Thole showed the ball to plate umpire Gary Cederstrom and went running to the mound.

The Mets rushed out and mobbed Santana in a raucous dogpile as security tackled a fan who ran onto the field near home plate. Moments later, the pitcher raised his right arm and saluted the crowd, which was chanting his name from the eighth inning on. The scoreboard in center flashed Santana's picture and read "No-Han."

"It was a crazy night — my fastball moving all over the place," Santana said.

In the seventh, Molina hit a one-out drive to deep left. Baxter, who grew up rooting for the Mets only 10 minutes from where Citi Field stands, raced back and made the catch before crashing into the fence. The Mets said Baxter has a bruised left shoulder and would have more tests.

"When I saw him running back onto the warning track and he made that play, it was amazing. An outstanding play and he saved the game," Santana said. "All these guys, I want to thank them for what we accomplished."

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

Reds 4, Astros 1

HOUSTON — Jay Bruce homered and drove in two runs to back a solid performance by Mike Leake, sending the Astros to their seventh straight loss. Leake had a season-high seven strikeouts in seven innings, yielding one run and four hits. Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for his fourth save. Joey Votto hit a two-out single in the first and scored on Brandon Phillips' double. Bruce then singled in Phillips.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 1, 2012

GAINESVILLE — You can't say Florida's Jonathon Crawford doesn't know how to make the most of an opportunity.

Nearly one year after he failed to be included on the College World Series roster, the sophomore pitched a no-hitter to beat Bethune-Cookman 4-0 Friday in the NCAA region tournament opener at McKethan Stadium.

It was the Gators' fifth solo no-hitter (eighth overall), first since John Burke against Furman in the 1991 East Region and only the seventh by any team in tournament history. Burke's also was the last in the tournament.

Crawford, who wasn't part of the three-man weekend rotation, threw 98 pitches (70 for strikes), struck out five and walked one (who was then caught stealing).

"My defense played really well," said Crawford, 20, a right-hander from Okeechobee who entered 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA this season. "I threw one changeup, but it was pretty much fastballs and sliders. When I came in after the eighth, it kind of hit me and I got really excited and nervous all at the same time."

Last season, Crawford pitched just 3⅔ innings and sat while Florida was swept by South Carolina in the World Series final.

"It was a very tough decision," Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "He went off to the Northwoods (summer) league. He never complained. He was much-improved this fall and very open-minded to some changes. Now 12 months later, he starts the first game of the regional and throws a no-hitter."

Among 27 batters, Crawford threw 20 first-pitch strikes.

"Crawford did an unbelievable job," Wildcats coach Jason Beverlin said. "That's probably an understatement."

Casey Turgeon drove in four, including a three-run homer in the fifth. And the Dunedin High grad made a leaping catch on a liner to second for the final out.

"I jumped as high as I could," he said. "And luckily, I got it."

Florida faces Georgia Tech, which beat College of Charleston 8-4, today. Jake Davies and Brandon Thomas each hit three-run homers for the Yellow Jackets.

FSU wins: James Ramsey drove in both runs as host Florida State beat UAB 2-1. He singled in Sherman Johnson, an Alonso High grad, in the third and doubled him home in the fifth. Gage Smith earned the win with 3⅔ scoreless innings of relief. Robert Benincasa, an Armwood High grad, got the save. FSU faces Samford, which beat Mississippi State 5-0, tonight (ESPN2). Charles Basford, a graduate of nearby Tallahassee Lincoln High, allowed five hits over eight innings for Samford.

Miami routed: Miami made three errors in losing to Stony Brook 10-2. The Hurricanes lost a home region opener for the first time since 1978, a span of 21 games, and face Missouri State in an elimination game today. Missouri State lost 2-1 to UCF. Ronnie Richardson homered in the first and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth on Chris Taladay's bloop single. Both hits came off Nick Petree, whose 0.92 ERA (11 earned runs over 107⅓ innings) entered Friday first in the nation.

marathon: Alex Miklos' triple in the 21st lifted Kent State past Kentucky 7-6 in Gary, Ind. The only longer tournament game was Texas' 3-2 win over Boston College in 25 innings on May 30, 2009.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 1, 2012

Rays vs. Orioles

When/where: 4:10 today, Tropicana Field

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

Promotion: Postgame concert by LL Cool J

Probable pitchers

Rays:

RH Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 2.83)

Orioles:

LH Brian Matusz (4-5, 4.82)

On Hellickson: He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts this year. He has fared well against the Orioles, going 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA in seven career appearances.

On Matusz: He has won three of his past four starts, allowing three earned runs or fewer in each of them. He is 4-2 with a 5.30 ERA in seven career starts against Tampa Bay.

Orioles vs. Hellickson

Adam Jones 6-for-16, 2 HRs

Mark Reynolds 2-for-10

Matt Wieters 2-for-10

Rays vs. Matusz

Sean Rodriguez 3-for-13

B.J. Upton 5-for-14

Ben Zobrist 4-for-14, HR

On deck

Sunday: vs. Orioles; 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (1-5, 4.76); Orioles — TBA

Monday: Off

Tuesday: at Yankees; 7:05, Sun Sports, MLB. Rays — James Shields (6-3, 3.95); Yankees — TBA

Rays disabled list

(with eligible-to-return date)

1B/OF Brandon Allen, right quad strain, May 25

C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 60-day, Tuesday

RHP Kyle Farnsworth, right elbow strain, 60-day, Tuesday

OF Sam Fuld, right wrist surgery, 60-day, Tuesday

OF Brandon Guyer, left shoulder strain, 60-day, July 13

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

INF Jeff Keppinger, right toe fracture, 15-day, Sunday

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

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

Rick Stroud, Times staff writer

Wild Thing appears at the Trop

Bucs coach Greg Schiano threw out the ceremonial first pitch, with Rays manager Joe Maddon squatting behind the plate as the receiver. But Schiano, who stood just outside the mound cutout, sailed the pitch well over Maddon's head and nearly struck the backstop on the fly.

"I should've gotten up on the mound I guess, huh?" Schiano said. "Too much strength. I've got to get out of the weight room.

"I said, "Coach, you've got to get out of your crouch."

Number of the day

30 Rays hitters have been hit by a pitch this season, tops in the American League. They're on pace for 95, easily surpassing the club record of 73 set in 2011.

Times wires
Friday, June 1, 2012

BOSTON — Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo combined for 68 points and the Celtics beat the Heat 101-91 Friday night to cut their deficit to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference final.

LeBron James scored 34, his third straight 30-point game, but 16 were in the first quarter.

Garnett had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Pierce 23 points, and Rondo 21 points, six rebounds and 10 assists.

James and the rest of the Heat went cold during a seven-minute stretch at the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second, when Boston outscored them 15-0 to turn a six-point deficit into a nine-point lead.

By the fourth quarter, the Celtics had a 24-point lead. The Heat cut its deficit to eight with three minutes to go. Then Dwyane Wade (18 points) missed a shot, and Ray Allen grabbed the rebound, sending Rondo on a fast break that made it a 99-89 with 99 seconds to play.

James threw the ball away underneath, then missed a 3-pointer the next time down, one of only four shots he took in the quarter. He had four points in the fourth.

Pierce found Garnett for a long jumper at the other end, and the teams began emptying their benches.

Down 2-0 when the day began, the Celtics remained emotionally between confident and defiant. They were emboldened by their Game 2 performance, despite the overtime defeat, and by the change in surroundings.

"We have not given our best shot yet," coach Doc Rivers vowed before tipoff.

MIAMI (91): James 16-26 1-5 34, Battier 0-6 0-0 0, Turiaf 1-1 1-2 3, Chalmers 5-11 3-6 14, Wade 9-20 0-0 18, Anthony 1-1 2-2 4, Miller 4-8 0-1 11, Cole 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 1-2 2-2 4, Haslem 1-2 1-2 3, Harris 0-0 0-0 0, Howard 0-0 0-0 0, Pittman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 38-77 10-20 91.

BOSTON (101): Pierce 7-21 7-7 23, Bass 1-3 2-2 4, Garnett 10-16 4-6 24, Rondo 9-16 3-5 21, Allen 4-8 0-0 10, Pietrus 0-2 2-2 2, Stiemsma 0-0 1-2 1, Dooling 3-4 0-0 7, Daniels 4-6 1-2 9, Hollins 0-0 0-0 0, Pavlovic 0-0 0-0 0, Moore 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 38-76 20-26 101.

Miami 28 14 21 28— 91

Boston 30 25 30 16— 101

3-Point Goals—Miami 5-17 (Miller 3-6, Chalmers 1-2, James 1-4, Jones 0-1, Battier 0-4), Boston 5-17 (Allen 2-5, Pierce 2-6, Dooling 1-2, Pietrus 0-1, Daniels 0-1, Rondo 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Miami 42 (James 8), Boston 51 (Garnett 11). Assists—Miami 20 (Chalmers 6), Boston 16 (Rondo 10). Total Fouls—Miami 24, Boston 24. Technicals—Garnett, Boston defensive three second. A—18,624 (18,624).

Spurs regroup for Game 4

OKLAHOMA CITY — After losing for the first time since mid April, it was time for the Spurs to face a different set of questions with their West final lead over the Thunder cut to 2-1.

No longer was the talk about whether the Spurs — riding a 20-game winning streak less than 24 hours earlier — were invincible. It was about how to regroup after a 102-82 loss for Game 4 tonight.

"Usually it's easier to refocus after a loss than after a win," said Manu Ginobili, held to eight points in Game 3 after totaling 46 in the first two games. "In the past, we've reacted really well to wins. We'll see now how we do against losses."

The Thunder limited the output of San Antonio's best backcourt players by deploying 6-foot-7 Thabo Sefolosha to use his 5-inch height advantage and wingspan to corral Tony Parker, and by changing its defense on the Spurs' pick-and-roll attack. San Antonio's 82 points were a season low.

Report: Phil Jackson bows out of Magic plan

ORLANDO — For a few days this week, Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson was interested in the possibility of joining the Magic's front office, the Orlando Sentinel reported. In the end, he decided he wasn't that interested.

Magic CEO Alex Martins was presented Wednesday with a scenario involving Jackson by former player and Bobcats coach Sam Vincent, who played for the Magic from 1989-92 and for Jackson with the Bulls in 1988-89, the newspaper said.

"It drew some interest from Phil," said Vincent. "But in the end, Phil decided to go with another opportunity."

Martins learned of Jackson's exit late Thursday. He wouldn't comment. "I have been consistent during the search that I won't comment on specific candidates," Martins said in an email to the Sentinel.

Vincent's plan would have involved Jackson, 66, as either the team president/general manager or in a consulting role. The coach would have been a former all-star player and Hall of Famer who has never coached before. The Sentinel said it knew the identity of the former player but wouldn't reveal it because he works for another NBA team.

Ex-player woolridge dies: Orlando Woolridge, the rugged forward who carved out a reputation over 13 seasons as a scoring specialist and one of the original alley-oop artists, died Thursday (May 31, 2012) at his parents' home in Mansfield, La. He was 52. Mr. Woolridge died in hospice care for a chronic heart condition, DeSoto Parish Chief Deputy Coroner Billy Locke said. Mr. Woolridge was the sixth overall pick by the Bulls in 1981 after starring at Notre Dame. He played for Chicago, the Lakers, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Denver, Milwaukee and Detroit.

Times wires
Saturday, June 2, 2012

Phillies 6, Marlins 4

PHILADELPHIA — Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer, Hector Luna had three RBIs and the Phillies won for the seventh time in nine games. Jonathan Papelbon got five outs for his 15th save.

Times wires
Saturday, June 2, 2012

White Sox 7, Mariners 4

CHICAGO — Alexei Ramirez drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out infield single in the eighth and the White Sox won their ninth in a row. With two outs and runners at the corners, Ramirez hit a slow grounder to shortstop Brendan Ryan and beat the throw as pinch-runner Brent Lillibridge scored. Alejandro De Aza added a two-run single.

Times wires
Saturday, June 2, 2012

Pirates 8, Brewers 2

MILWAUKEE — The Pirates scored six runs off Randy Wolf in the third and won at Miller Park, where the Pirates had come in with a 4-38 record since the start of the 2007 season. Kevin Correia gave up two runs and five hits in 5⅔ innings for Pittsburgh.

Times wires
Saturday, June 2, 2012

Padres 7, Diamondbacks 1

SAN DIEGO — Jesus Guzman's pinch-hit two-run homer ignited a sixth-run eighth inning for the Padres. Guzman's shot broke a 1-all tie as San Diego sent 11 batters to the plate against three pitchers. He connected on a 1-1 changeup off rookie Wade Miley into the leftfield stands to help the Padres snap a six-game losing streak. Miley allowed four runs on six hits in 71/3 innings as his three-game winning streak was stopped.