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Tampa Bay Rays: Pitchers take swings with Yankees star's bats; Evan Longoria growing 'DL beard'

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Gifts of the day

With the Rays pitchers taking batting practice to prepare for the Marlins interleague series this weekend, Yankees 2B Robinson Cano gave them a handful of his bats Wednesday afternoon. RHP Jeremy Hellickson, right, said they appreciated the gesture but likely won't use Cano's lumber. "I don't think so," Hellickson said. "It's a little bigger than the one I've been using."

No razor needed

3B Evan Longoria has been extra scruffy lately, saying he's growing a DL beard and he'll shave it once he comes off the disabled list and joins the team. "It's past the itchy stage, but it doesn't look very good," he said, smiling.

Quote of the day

"We ain't going nowhere if we don't catch the ball like we can."

Manager Joe Maddon on the Rays' struggling defense, which leads the majors with 31 unearned runs

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Rays at Yankees

When/where: 7:05 tonight; Yankee Stadium, New York

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: LH David Price (7-3, 2.44)

YANKEES: LH CC Sabathia (7-2, 3.68)

On Price: He has lasted at least seven innings in each of his past six starts. He is 5-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 career appearances (14 starts) against the Yankees. And he's 3-1, 2.38 in seven matchups with Sabathia.

On Sabathia: He has won seven of his past eight starts, lasting at least seven innings in all but one. He's 10-7, 3.11 in 26 career starts against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

YANKEES VS. PRICE

Robinson Cano 10-for-38, HR

Nick Swisher 11-for-28, HR

Curtis Granderson

8-for-38, 3 HRs

Rays VS. SABATHIA

Carlos Peña 6-for-42, 3 HRs

B.J. Upton 13-for-49, 2 HRs

Luke Scott 2-for-11, HR

On deck

Friday: at Marlins, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (4-2, 2.69); Marlins — Ricky Nolasco (6-3, 4.35)

Saturday: at Marlins, 7:15, Ch. 13. Rays — Matt Moore (2-5, 4.45); Marlins — Carlos Zambrano (4-3, 2.81)

Sunday: at Marlins, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (6-4, 4.27); Marlins — Anibal Sanchez (3-4, 3.19)

Rays disabled list

(with eligible-to-return date)

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, 60-day, July 13

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

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

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

Joe Smith, Times staff writer


Indians 9, Tigers 6

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Indians 9, Tigers 6

DETROIT — Michael Brantley hit a three-run homer after a Detroit error kept a first-inning rally going, and former Ray Johnny Damon added a two-run single and a fine catch in left for Cleveland. Another ex-Ray, Seminole High product Casey Kotchman, hit a two-run shot for the Indians, 5-0 against the Tigers this season.

Reds 5, Pirates 4

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Reds 5, Pirates 4

CINCINNATI — Johnny Cueto pitched 7⅔ strong innings, leaving with a 5-1 lead, and Ryan Ludwick hit a bases-clearing double for the Reds, who won for the 12th time in 17 games and extended their NL Central lead over Pittsburgh to three games. The Pirates, in second place despite the league's worst offense, lost for only the third time in their past 11 games.

Orioles 2, Red Sox 1

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

BOSTON — Baltimore manager Buck Showalter decided it was time to let Wei-Yin Chen handle things on his own a little more.

The rookie left-hander passed the test.

Chen scattered seven hits over seven innings and the Orioles set a franchise record with their seventh straight victory in Boston, beating the Red Sox 2-1 Wednesday night and moving into sole possession of first place in the AL East.

Chen's most important inning was the seventh, when Boston had runners on second and third after two singles and a sacrifice. He struck out Marlon Byrd and got Mike Aviles to pop up to short right, escaping the jam.

"He'd pitched too effectively not to let him decide his own fate," Showalter said.

Chen, the first Taiwanese-born player in Orioles history, is slowly building a nice season. He understood the faith his manager showed.

"I really appreciate that Buck trusted me," Chen said through a translator. "That's the key point."

The Orioles have won 12 of the past 15 meetings with the Red Sox.

Nationals 5, Mets 3

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Nationals 5, Mets 3

WASHINGTON — Former Ray Edwin Jackson pitched seven effective innings and Adam LaRoche hit a three-run homer for Washington. Jackson earned his first win since April 14 against the Reds. The right-hander was 0-3 despite an impressive 3.33 ERA in his previous eight starts. LaRoche connected off Jeremy Hefner with one out in the first inning. Lucas Duda drove in a run and walked twice for New York, which has lost three straight.

Ex-Florida State Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden: Let ex-coaches pick playoff teams

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden said he is willing to be part of a committee that determines the participants of a four-team playoff.

"I think ex-coaches have a lot of wisdom," Bowden told ESPN.com. "I watch the games. And I watch the game films on my iPad."

Bowden currently is part of the Legends Poll, composed of former coaches whose votes don't count toward the BCS.

Conference commissioners are set to meet June 13 and June 20 to discuss the playoff, including sites and how teams are chosen. A committee of school presidents is set to meet June 26.

Other ex-coaches interested in taking part are Texas A&M's R.C. Slocum, Ohio State's John Cooper, BYU's LaVell Edwards and Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer.

Florida-Georgia set: The game in Jacksonville on Oct. 27 will start at 3:30 and air on CBS. Other times announced were Alabama-LSU on Nov. 3 (8) and LSU-Arkansas on Nov. 23 (2:30). They also will air on CBS.

More SEC: Alabama coach Nick Saban said he wouldn't mind playing nine conference games. He said with Texas A&M and Missouri giving the SEC 14 teams, "You've almost got to play more games to get a true indication of who's the best team in the league." Last week, the league decided to stay at eight games.

FLORIDA ST.: Incoming freshman Jameis Winston, one of the nation's top high school quarterbacks last season, was taken in the 15th round of the baseball draft by the Rangers, but they expect him to play football. "I don't think it's a situation where we expect or hope that Jameis is not going to play football," said Kip Fagg, Texas' director of amateur scouting. "There is a possibility that Jameis could come out and play baseball … in the offseason."

Oklahoma St.: Running back Herschel Sims, dismissed from the team last week, was charged with two counts of second-degree forgery. Prosecutors say he forged two withdrawal slips for a combined $700 to take money from a teammate's account.

USC: Su'a Cravens, the top safety and 14th-best prospect overall in the 2013 class, according to ESPN.com, orally committed.

Track: USF's Jared Thomas took fifth in the discus at the NCAA championship in Des Moines, Iowa. He threw 194 feet 5 inches, 11-7 behind first place Chad Wright of Nebraska. Florida's Marquis Dendy finished 10th in the long jump at 24-113/4, USF's Neamen Wise 19th at 23-91/2 and FSU's Stefan Brits 20th at 23-13/4. FSU's Chelsea Whalen took 12th in the javelin at 155-7 and Michael Fout 15th in the 10,000 meters in 29 minutes, 47.25 seconds.

Men's basketball: Forward Jarrod Uthoff, whose transfer became national news when Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan initially refused to let him speak to every Big Ten and ACC school as well as Iowa State and Marquette, will attend Iowa. Uthoff, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said he didn't talk to coach Fran McCaffery but Iowa's system will best utilize his skills.

Women's basketball: Florida extended coach Amanda Butler's contract by two years, through 2016-17. In five seasons, she is 98-67 with two NCAA tournament berths.

Dodgers 6, Phillies 5

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Dodgers 6, Phillies 5

PHILADELPHIA — Dee Gordon hit a go-ahead single to back Chris Capuano, and Los Angeles held on. Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Ty Wigginton homered for the Phillies, who have lost a season-worst five straight.

Brewers 8, Cubs 0

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Brewers 8, Cubs 0

MILWAUKEE — Zack Greinke had a season-high 12 strikeouts, and the Brewers scored their most runs in two weeks. Greinke won his 15th straight decision at Miller Park. Brooks Conrad, who went in batting .059, had a two-run single for the Brewers, and Ryan Braun and Cody Ransom had RBI doubles. Taylor Green hit his first career homer.


Tampa Bay Rays lose 4-1 to New York Yankees, fall to third place

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

NEW YORK — Right-hander Alex Cobb wasn't fazed in his Yankee Stadium debut Wednesday night, remaining calm and composed while allowing just two runs over the first seven innings.

But with how badly the offense has been struggling, pitchers have had little to no margin for error.

That was the case in the Rays' 4-1 loss to the Yankees as they were held to fewer than five hits for the sixth time in their past 10 games. As a result, Tampa Bay fell out of first place in the American League East and into third for the first time since April 23, having dropped seven of its past 10 in the midst of a frustrating scoring funk.

"I don't think anybody in here is really pressing," centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "We know it's a long year, we've just got to go out there and grind it out every day. We're pretty good at bouncing back, and that's just what we have to do right now.

"We're not swinging the bats the way we want, but we'll find a way. Hopefully we can turn it around sooner rather than later."

Yankees right-hander Ivan Nova continued his baffling of the Rays (31-25), allowing one hit (a Desmond Jennings leadoff single) through the first seven innings. Though he had allowed five earned runs in three of his four previous starts, Nova moved to 4-0 with a 2.82 ERA in six career appearances against Tampa Bay.

"You look at his numbers, and I can't believe they're accurate because every time we see him, he looks like that," manager Joe Maddon said. "He was outstanding."

So was Cobb (2-2), who pitched out of the stretch once in the first seven innings. He was, as Maddon called him, a "ground ball machine," locating his fastball well and mixing in his changeup, not using his curveball until the middle of the game.

"He pitched well enough to win that game," Maddon said.

In the first seven innings, the Yankees' only hits were solo homers by Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano, whose line drive in the fourth barely got over the rightfield wall. They were the first two homers Cobb had allowed in four starts.

"I definitely didn't think homer," Cobb said of Cano's blast. "But I've heard stories of the short porch out in right, and got a little taste of it."

Despite the Rays' lack of hits, they put runners on third base with two outs in the fourth and eighth, but they failed to score. In the fourth, Hideki Matsui hit a flyout to the centerfield warning track, one of several balls he has hit hard "without any real luck," Maddon said.

The Yankees added two key insurance runs off Cobb in the eighth thanks to three consecutive hits. That loomed large as Jennings led off the ninth with a triple and Upton followed with a triple to chase Nova and prevent the Rays' third shutout of the season.

But former Rays closer Rafael Soriano came in to shut the door, putting the Yankees (31-24) ahead of the Rays and just a half-game behind the Orioles (32-24) in the crowded AL East.

"It was an old-fashioned pitchers' duel for a while there," Upton said. "We tried to make a late charge, it just didn't happen."

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

Blue Jays 4, White Sox 0

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Blue Jays 4, White Sox 0

CHICAGO — Brandon Morrow pitched a two-hitter for his third shutout of the season, and Jose Bautista and Rajai Davis homered for Toronto. Morrow allowed singles in the second and the eighth to A.J. Pierzynski and retired 14 straight at one point. He gave up his only two walks in the ninth, to Adam Dunn and Alejandro De Aza, then struck out Dayan Viciedo to end it. Morrow didn't seem bothered by his bruised right shin.

Rebounding Thunder ousts Spurs

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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY— Kevin Durant had 34 points and 14 rebounds while playing all of regulation for the first time all season, and the Thunder claimed a spot in the NBA Finals by beating the Spurs 107-99 on Wednesday night.

Russell Westbrook added 25 points for the Thunder, which trailed Game 6 of the Western Conference final by 18 in the first half and erased a 15-point halftime deficit before pulling ahead to stay in the fourth.

Durant grabbed the final rebound, dribbled across halfcourt and raised his right fist to celebrate with the crowd. The franchise will play for the NBA title for the first time since 1996, before relocating from Seattle.

"We were just playing for each other," Thunder guard Derek Fisher said. "Good things happen when you're doing it for each other.''

Tony Parker had 29 points and 12 assists for San Antonio, but only eight of the points and two assists came in the second half, when the Spurs were held to 36 points, nearly what they scored (34) in the first quarter alone.

Tim Duncan chipped in 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Stephen Jackson scored 23.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals is Tuesday night in Oklahoma City against either Boston or Miami. The Celtics lead that series 3-2.

The Thunder took the lead for good early in the fourth quarter, getting nine of its first 13 points on free throws as fouls started to pile up for San Antonio; six on the defensive end and three on the offensive end in the first seven minutes.

Fisher and James Harden hit 3-pointers in a three-possession span to increase the lead to 99-93 with 3:13 remaining, and Oklahoma City held on from there.

Jackson, who had made his previous six 3-pointers, and Parker both missed 3-pointers that would have gotten the Spurs within 103-102 in the final minute.

Durant celebrated even before the final buzzer, hugging his family seated courtside after a foul was called with 14 seconds remaining. The Thunder became the NBA's 15th team to come back from an 0-2 deficit in a seven-game series, doing it against a team that had won 20 games in a row.

The Spurs put up quite a fight, at least for the first half.

Parker, who had been largely bottled up ever since the Thunder put 6-foot-7 defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha on him in Game 3, was back at his best. Parker made seven of his first nine shots, wiggling into the lane for runners and layups.

Parker had a hand in the Spurs' first 12 baskets, making seven on his own and assisting on the other five, before Kawhi Leonard and Jackson followed his three-point play by nailing back-to-back 3-pointers for a 34-16 advantage in the final two minutes of the first quarter.

The Spurs were 9-for-15 on 3-pointers in the first half and maintained their lead right up until Durant's 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left got Oklahoma City within 63-48 at halftime.

SAN ANTONIO (99): Leonard 2-7 0-0 5, Duncan 11-23 3-4 25, Diaw 0-1 0-0 0, Parker 12-27 4-5 29, Ginobili 4-12 0-0 10, S.Jackson 6-7 5-6 23, Splitter 0-0 0-0 0, Neal 2-6 2-3 7, Green 0-1 0-0 0, Blair 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 37-84 14-18 99.

OKLAHOMA CITY (107): Durant 9-17 12-15 34, Ibaka 4-8 2-3 10, Perkins 2-8 0-0 4, Westbrook 9-17 6-7 25, Sefolosha 4-5 0-0 9, Harden 4-9 5-6 16, Collison 0-1 0-0 0, Fisher 4-7 0-0 9. Totals 36-72 25-31 107.

San Antonio 34 29 18 18— 99

Oklahoma City 20 28 32 27— 107

3-Point GoalsSan Antonio 11-26 (S.Jackson 6-7, Ginobili 2-8, Leonard 1-3, Neal 1-3, Parker 1-4, Green 0-1), Oklahoma City 10-18 (Durant 4-8, Harden 3-4, Westbrook 1-1, Sefolosha 1-2, Fisher 1-3). Fouled OutNone. ReboundsSan Antonio 43 (Duncan 14), Oklahoma City 50 (Durant 14). AssistsSan Antonio 20 (Parker 12), Oklahoma City 18 (Westbrook, Durant 5). Total FoulsSan Antonio 24, Oklahoma City 18. TechnicalsS.Jackson. A18,203 (18,203).

New Jersey Devils stay alive in Stanley Cup, beat Los Angeles Kings 3-1

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

LOS ANGELES — Adam Henrique scored the tiebreaking goal with 4:29 left as the Devils beat the Kings 3-1 Wednesday to avoid a sweep in the Stanley Cup final.

Patrik Elias and Ilya Kovalchuk also scored third-period goals for New Jersey, which forced the NHL to put the Cup back in its crate for a cross-country trip. Los Angeles' next chance for the first title of its 45-year history is Satur­day in Newark.

The Devils became just the sixth of 26 teams in Cup final history to force a Game 5 after falling behind 0-3.

Only eight teams have forced a Game 7 after falling behind 3-0 in any round. And only three have won the Game 7: the Maple Leafs over the Red Wings in the 1942 Cup final, the Islanders over the Penguins in the 1975 quarterfinals and the Flyers over the Bruins in the 2010 East semifinal.

"It's a tough situation, but we live another day," said Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who made 21 saves. "We wanted to at least have one more game in our building for our fans. Hopefully, we'll make the best of it and come back (to Los Angeles)."

The loss was only the third of the postseason for the Kings. Like Wednesday's, the first two came after taking 3-0 series leads. And after each, they won Game 5.

"I think (wrapping it up) was definitely on our minds, but they found a way to get a late goal," Kings captain Dustin Brown said.

"We've just got to hit the reset button. We've always come back with a big rebound game."

After never trailing in the Cup final, Los Angeles never led in Game 4.

The game was tight-checking through two periods. But Elias' rebound goal put a hush over the Staples Center crowd. Drew Doughty tied it 60 seconds later during a power play.

But after so many minutes of tight defense, New Jersey won it with a goal in transition.

Ex-King Alexei Ponikarovsky got the puck to Clarkson, who found Henrique across the ice for a wrister that beat Jonathan Quick. For Clarkson, it was relief after being in the penalty box for Los Angeles' goal.

"That's probably the best feeling I've ever had in my whole career," Clarkson said. "I saw (Henrique) coming, so I got it to him. The shot was incredible."

For Henrique, a rookie, it was the third time he saved the Devils' season. He scored in double overtime of Game 7 to beat Florida in the first round. And he scored the overtime goal in Game 6 of the East final that eliminated the Rangers. Wednesday's goal was his first of the final.

Kovalchuk sealed the win with an empty-net goal.

"I think the last three games could have gone our way as easily as they've gone L.A.'s way," said Devils coach Peter DeBoer, whose team lost the first two games in overtime.

"We finally got rewarded."

Devils0033
Kings0011
Devils0033
Kings0011

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesParise, NJ (tripping), 3:02; Stoll, LA (hooking), 5:53; Brown, LA (tripping), 7:58; Salvador, NJ (interference), 19:15.

Second PeriodNone. PenaltiesSalvador, NJ (interference), 8:19.

Third Period1, New Jersey, Elias 5 (Salvador, Zubrus), 7:56. 2, Los Angeles, Doughty 4 (Richards, Kopitar), 8:56 (pp). 3, New Jersey, Henrique 4 (Clarkson, Ponikarovsky), 15:29. 4, New Jersey, Kovalchuk 8 (A.Greene, Salvador), 19:40 (en). PenaltiesClarkson, NJ (boarding), 8:52; Mitchell, LA (high-sticking), 17:10. Shots on GoalNew Jersey 8-3-13—24. Los Angeles 7-7-8—22. Power-play opportunitiesNew Jersey 0 of 3; Los Angeles 1 of 4. GoaliesNew Jersey, Brodeur 13-8-0 (22 shots-21 saves). Los Angeles, Quick 15-3-0 (23-21). A18,867 (18,118).

Twins 4, Royals 2

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Twins 4, Royals 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nick Blackburn shook off a slow start and pitched five effective innings, helping the Twins win for the fourth time in five games. Justin Morneau hit a go-ahead two-run single with two out in the fifth to back Blackburn, who was making his first start since coming off the disabled list following a left quad strain.

Cardinals 4, Astros 3

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Times wires
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Cardinals 4, Astros 3

HOUSTON — Allen Craig and Daniel Descalso homered to back Adam Wainwright and lift St. Louis. Descalso's homer came in a three-run first inning, and Craig connected in the third to make it 4-1. Craig also had an RBI single in the first. Wainwright improved to 5-0 in six career starts at Minute Maid Park.

Athletics 2, Rangers 0

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Times wires
Thursday, June 7, 2012

Athletics 2, Rangers 0

OAKLAND, Calif. — Yoenis Cespedes finished a home run shy of the cycle, drove in a run and scored and Bartolo Colon pitched eight strong innings, leading Oakland. Brandon Inge hit an RBI single in the second inning and Colon won for the second time in his past nine outings to improve to 18-6 in 28 starts against Texas, his most wins against any opponent The right-hander was backed by just enough run support in this outing after the Athletics were blanked his last time out at Kansas City on Friday, the third time Oakland hasn't scored in one of his outings.


Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 1

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Times wires
Thursday, June 7, 2012

D'backs 6, Rockies 1

PHOENIX — Paul Goldschmidt homered and drove in three runs while extending his hitting streak to 14 games, Wade Miley pitched eight sharp innings and Arizona rolled. The Diamondbacks, who had a season-high 17 hits Tuesday, scored five in the first three innings off Josh Outman on their way to 11 more hits. Goldschmidt hit two RBI doubles off Outman and a leadoff homer to right in the seventh.

U.S. men's soccer team prepares for World Cup qualifier at Raymond James

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By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Thursday, June 7, 2012

TAMPA — History will be made Friday night when the United States embarks on its quest to capture the 2014 World Cup with a qualifier against Antigua and Barbuda at Raymond James Stadium.

The match, which starts at 7 p.m. Friday, marks the first time Tampa has hosted a World Cup qualifier. The full men's national team has twice played at the stadium, defeating Ecuador 3-1 in an international friendly in 2007 and dropping a 2-1 result to Panama last year during Gold Cup pool play.

"We've had a great relationship with the men's national team over the years," Tampa Sports Commission executive director Rob Higgins said. "We expect a great night of action."

To prep the bay area's large soccer community, the Tampa Sports Commission has been aggressively promoting the historic match for the past few months.

"Our advertising campaign has been very grass roots," Higgins said. "We've reached out to all walks of the community, including our ties with former and current Rowdies, the Mutiny, the USF and UT community and local businesses."

One of the main targets of the advertising efforts has been local soccer clubs. Tampa Bay United coach Jim Cote said his club will be well represented at Friday's match.

"I believe there are about 600 to 700 players from our club who will be attending," Cote said. "If you include parents and coaches, the number is well into the thousands."

The men's national team has been steadily gaining international recognition during the past decade and, subsequently, raising its profile. The Yanks accomplished two major goals not seen since 1930 — reaching the World Cup quarterfinals in 2002 and winning their group in 2010. In addition, the U.S. owns wins against international heavyweights Spain and Italy over the past few years and one of its stars, striker Clint Dempsey, recently became the most prolific scorer in the prestigious English Premier League.

"I think the team is anxious," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "They want to get this whole thing started. World Cup qualifying is a long stretch. It's a marathon of 16 games to get to Brazil, and this is now the first one."

This, combined with a strong effort from the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association, gave Higgins reason to expect Friday's attendance to fall somewhere between the Ecuador (31,547) and Panama (27,731) figures.

"The attendance at both of those matches was great and we expect the same," he said. "And if the weather holds up, soccer traditionally is a big walk-up market."

The Antigua association blocked off 4,000 seats for Friday's match. Rupert Blaize, ambassador at large for Antigua and Barbuda, said he expects its section to fill up, and the number of fans could swell to 6,000.

"You will see an invasion of sorts from all around the U.S.," he said. "Antiguans are beyond excited for this opportunity."

If the Antiguans bring 6,000, it will be significant given that two-thirds of the tiny Caribbean country's entire population could fit inside Raymond James Stadium. Blaize said Antigua and Barbuda is eager to play its first national team match on American soil.

"Reaching this point has created a big forward movement for football in Antigua," Blaize said. "We are just thrilled to be in position to show our skills on this stage."

Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.

Hernando County youth sports camps begin; take your pick

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By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Thursday, June 7, 2012

Pasco-Hernando Community College is offering four summer sports camps for kids at the West Campus in New Port Richey.

Baseball, softball and volleyball camps begin Monday. Basketball camp will be offered the week of June 18.

The camps are directed by PHCC head coaches with assistance from the college's assistant coaches and athletes and high school coaching staffs. Sessions include fundamental skills, individual player development and team competitions.

The registration fee includes a camp T-shirt and instruction. All camps are open to the public.

The baseball camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Wednesday for boys age 7 to 13. Instruction will be led by PHCC coach Steve Winterling. The fee is $75.

The volleyball camp is open to girls age 8 to 18. There is an individual skill session from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Monday to Wednesday with a fee of $100. Instruction will be led by PHCC coach Kim Whitney.

The softball camp is open to girls age 7 to 17 and will run from 9 a.m. to noon Monday to Thursday. Instruction will be led by PHCC coach Tom Ryan, with a fee of $65.

The basketball camp is open to both boys and girls age 7 to 16. Instruction will be led by PHCC athletic director and boys basketball coach James E. Johnson and will run from 8 a.m. to noon June 18 to 21. The fee is $75.

For registration or information, visit phcc.edu/athletics/camps.

SPRINGSTEAD SOCCER CONDITIONING: Springstead High School girls soccer coach Scott Wern will hold summer conditioning work from 9 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, starting next week.

The workouts are open to all potential players, including incoming freshmen, who are zoned for Springstead. Each player should bring cleats, sneakers and plenty of water.

For information, call Wern at (352) 238-4230.

SPRINGSTEAD CHEERLEADING CAMP: The Springstead High School cheerleading squad will host its Little Eagles Cheer Camp today and Saturday.

The camp is open to students in kindergarten through Grade 5 and will be at the Springstead gymnasium, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.

The clinic for kindergarten through Grade 2 will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day; the clinic for grades 3 to 5 will be from noon to 3 p.m.

The entry fee is $35 per student, which will include a T-shirt and pompoms. Each cheerleader will learn the basic skills of the sport, including motions, jumps, dancing and simple stunts. There will be a performance for friends and family when camp members are picked up on the final day.

For information or to register, contact Springstead coach Heather Olejniczak at (352) 232-1169 or email hmbumet@mail.usf.edu.

YOUTH TENNIS CAMP: Junior Circuit Tennis will hold camps this summer for players age 10 and younger.

Three U.S. Tennis Association-certified professionals will teach fundamentals with courts, racquets and balls scaled down to fit kids. There are also different rules and slower, lower-bouncing balls.

The instructors will be Judy Jeanette from Glen Lakes Country Club, Lou Giglio from Southern Hills Plantation Club and Rick Scholl from Sugarmill Woods.

The program will include six meeting times. Each class will meet on Monday evenings starting at 6 p.m., then split into a 7-and-under group and an 8-to-10 group. The fee for each player is $85 if prepaid, or $15 per session.

On Monday and June 18, participants will meet at the Sugarmill Woods/Oak Village Tennis Complex in Homosassa. On June 25 and July 16, the site will be Southern Hills in Brooksville, and on July 23 and Aug. 6 participants will gather at Glen Lakes, north of Weeki Wachee. A tournament will be held Aug. 13 at Sugarmill Woods.

For information or to register, call Jeanette at (352) 232-0322 or become a friend of Junior Circuit Tennis on Facebook.

WEST HERNANDO COUGARS: The West Hernando Cougars youth football and cheerleading program will have registration for the coming season every weekend in June.

Officials will be at Delta Woods Park on Deltona Boulevard in Spring Hill for signups from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and on June 16 and 30. Coaches and officials will also be on hand from 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 23 for mini-camps.

Mini-camps will be free for youth who have paid in full for the upcoming season. Otherwise, the fee for the camps is $10 per player.

The registration fee for football or cheerleading is $195 per child. The fee includes full football uniform with a personalized jersey to keep or cheerleading top, skirt, bloomers and shoes. Divisions are open to youth age 5 to 15.

For information, call Bobby McFarland at (352) 585-6524 or visit West Hernando Cougars Football and Cheerleading on Facebook.

BATTERED MUG GOLF FUNDRAISER: The Battered Mug Saloon will host a golf tournament fundraiser June 23 at Seven Hills Golf Club in Spring Hill. Proceeds will benefit the family of Isaac Wetherington of Brooksville, who died recently. The 18-month-old was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a congenital heart defect.

There will be a shotgun start at 8 a.m. for a cost of $45 per golfer, which includes lunch at the Battered Mug, 2109 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. The deadline for registration is June 15.

For information or to register, call Kelley Rose at (352) 688-4077 or (352) 835-1320.

YOUTH SOFTBALL CLINICS: The Spring Hill Sting travel softball team is hosting a series of clinics for youth this summer, with proceeds benefiting the club.

The clinics are being organized to teach and emphasize the basics of the game. The girls will be divided by Dixie Softball age divisions (Sweeties, Darlings, Angels and Ponytails).

Sting coach Dianne McClellan will lead the instruction, with assistance from members of the Sting. Three camp dates are Wednesday to June 15; July 11-13; and Aug. 1-3. The registration fee is $25 per player.

For information, contact McClellan at (352) 442-3047 or dmcclellan105@tampabay.rr.com.

NATURE COAST BASKETBALL CAMP: Nature Coast Technical High School girls basketball coach Emily Gore will host the program's first summer youth basketball camp in the Nature Coast gymnasium from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday.

Registration will begin at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday. The fee is $50 per player, which includes a T-shirt. Early registration is preferred and guarantees the correct shirt size. The camp is open to children from age 6 to those entering seventh grade. Pizza and Powerade will be sold for $1 each day.

Several members of the Nature Coast basketball team and assistant Lori Cleary will help with the camp. The goal is to help each player have a fun experience while learning basketball skills, game situations and rules.

For information, contact Gore at (352) 535-5091; (352) 797-7088, ext. 228; emgore35@gmail.com or gore_e@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

NATURE COAST VOLLEYBALL CAMP: Nature Coast Technical High School volleyball coach Emily Gore will host the program's second annual summer youth volleyball camp in the Nature Coast gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Wednesday.

Registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. Monday. The fee is $60 per player, which includes a T-shirt. Early registration is preferred and guarantees the correct shirt size. The camp is open to children from age 6 to those entering seventh grade. Pizza and Powerade will be sold for $1 each, or participants can bring their lunch.

Several members of the Nature Coast volleyball team will assist with the camp. The goal is to help each player have a fun experience while learning volleyball skills, game situations and rules.

For information, contact Gore at (352) 535-5091; (352) 797-7088, ext. 228; emgore35@gmail.com or gore_e@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

FIRST TEE SUMMER PROGRAM: The Brooksville Parks and Recreation Department will begin a First Tee golf program starting Monday at the Quarry Golf Course in Brooksville.

First Tee focuses on golf and life skills instruction. The juniors program strives to instill in participants the organization's nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

The cost is $60 per child per week, with ages 9 to 17 eligible. Classes will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day, Monday through Friday. Students are encouraged to bring a bottle of water with them.

Donations are welcome, including youth golf clubs, bags and balls. For information, contact Miles Groff at (352) 540-3835 or mgroff@cityofbrooksville.us.

HYL FOOTBALL: Registration for the Hernando Youth League football season will be Saturday at Ernie Wever Youth Park in Brooksville.

Officials will be on hand from 9 a.m. to noon registering players. The cost is $128 per player, which includes a $3 county park usage fee. Payment may be made with cash, money order, debit card or credit card. All players must be present at registration so they can be fitted for equipment.

For forms and information, visit leaguelineup.com/hylfootball.

For more information, call (352) 346-0000.

Derek J. LaRiviere can be reached at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

Genetic tracking survey shows tarpon can be excellent long-distance swimmers

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By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Fitness Editor
Thursday, June 7, 2012

Nolan Sadorf didn't know what to think of the large school of fish skimming along the surface about 70 miles off Sarasota last month.

"They were swimming fast, real fast," said Sadorf, a 21-year-old freediver. "They weren't stopping for nothing."

Sadorf grew up on the Gulf of Mexico and has seen his share of unusual sights in the open ocean — sea turtles, sharks, even the occasional whale. But he wasn't prepared for what he found when he finally jumped overboard in 180 feet to swim with the fast-moving school.

"We went ahead of them in the boat and then dropped over the side," he said. "Then they were on us. Hundreds of them. Tarpon."

In June, most people look for tarpon along local beaches and in the sheltered waters of Tampa Bay. The prized gamefish, sometimes called the silver king, is usually thought of as an inshore species. Nobody would think to fish for them in 180 feet of water.

"They were headed due north," said Sadorf, who estimated the school contained more than 300 fish. "They stopped to look at us for a moment and then kept on swimming. There was no way we could keep up with them. They must have been moving eight knots."

Sadorf, son of legendary local tarpon angler Scott Sadorf, documented the unusual behavior in a series of photographs that prove tarpon — thick-bodied brutes known for their tackle-busting prowess — also turn out to also be excellent long distance swimmers.

"They do like to travel," said Kathy Guindon of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "We have documented fish swimming hundreds of miles."

Tarpon can grow to be 8 feet long and weigh 280 pounds. They are found throughout the estuaries and coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, and in the eastern Atlantic, as far north as Nova Scotia.

The migratory habits of this species, sought by sportsman here on Florida's West Coast since the 1880s, have been the subject of much discussion. For decades, anglers knew tarpon gathered during the summer months in places such as Boca Grande Pass to feed, but where they went afterward was anybody's guess.

Then in 2005, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Sarasota's Mote Marine Laboratory launched the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study, which enlisted the help of local anglers to gather DNA samples from fish that they caught and released.

To date, more than 100 of these genetically "tagged" tarpon have been recaptured by anglers participating in the study.

In the summer of 2010, anglers "sampled" two tarpon in Charlotte Harbor that were then caught again the following spring in the Florida Keys, more than 150 miles away. Another fish caught near Islamorada in July 2011 was then recaptured about a month later near Sarasota.

The research has also show that fish hooked on the Southwest coast of the state will travel as far as the Panhandle. A tarpon caught near Apalachicola in July 2007 was caught again near Captiva Island in May 2009.

So far, anglers have taken DNA samples from more than 13,000 tarpon. Last year was a banner year for the program with anglers turning in 4,000 samples.

"Using DNA samples is a less costly way to track tarpon," Guindon said. "It is also less invasive for a fish.'

An added plus: DNA "tags" don't fall out of the fish and will last forever. "As long as that fish is alive and swimming that unique DNA fingerprint will not change," Guindon said. "We hope everybody who fishes for tarpon participates. Getting a sample should be second nature."

Anglers interested in assisting in the study can obtain a free DNA sampling kit by emailing TarponGenetics@MyFWC.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-367-4461.

The process is simple. Anglers scrape the tarpon's jaws to remove some skin cells, dab the cells on a sponge, then store the sponge in a vial. The researchers do not care how big or small the tarpon is. Information gathered from baby tarpon is just as valuable as that taken from full-grown fish.

Getting a free sampling kit is easy. There are more than 165 bait shops and tackle stores that carry them, or anglers can get a kit through the mail by calling toll-free 1-800-367-4461 or by e-mailingtarpongentics@myfwc.com. Each kit contains a plastic bag and enough material to sample three tarpon.

As for the Sadorf's school, they had no time for sight seeing.

"We tried getting them to eat," he said. "We threw crabs, bait at them, but they wanted to part of it. They had someplace to go."

James Ramsey enjoys rewards of returning to Florida State Seminoles

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 7, 2012

When FSU senior centerfielder James Ramsey decided not to join the Minnesota Twins after being drafted last season, he didn't bypass an MLB career, he just relied on his strong faith and followed his heart. He had things he still needed to accomplish and he just couldn't walk away.

"I think instead of looking at it as forgoing the MLB draft, it was moreso returning for my senior year at Florida State," Ramsey said. "I had some unfinished business that I wanted to take care of, on and off the field, and so it was more just about me forging a legacy here that hopefully will leave a mark for years to come."

His legacy is firmly cemented. Ramsey graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in finance, has garnered numerous athletic honors including first-team All-ACC, and on Monday was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 23rd overall pick in the baseball draft. This weekend the Seminoles' captain is hoping to help lead FSU to a series victory over Stanford in the NCAA Super Region and into the College World Series for the second time in his career.

In last weekend's Tallahassee Region, Ramsey was named Most Oustanding Player for the second straight season after hitting a team-best .444 (4-for-9) with three runs, a double, home run, six RBI and four walks.

"He's the captain of this team, everybody knows it, and everybody loves it," said Sherman Johnson, an Alonzo graduate and the Seminoles' third baseman. "He's a great teammate, he's a spark plug and he really gets everything going."

In Stanford, the Seminoles will face a lineup that includes three touted pitchers — Mark Appel (No. 8 overall selection in the draft, 10-1, .227 ERA), Stephen Piscotty (No. 36 overall selection) and Brett Mooneyham (third round selection). Appel is scheduled to start tonight, and Mooneyham is slotted for Saturday's start.

"All three are great, it's pretty crazy to tell you the truth," Johnson said. "But we've been playing loose all year and we're not going to change anything now."

FSU's pitching staff includes Armwood graduate Robert Benincasa, who has emerged this season as one of the nation's top closers: He has a 4-1 record with 15 saves and a 1.29 ERA in 29 appearances. The junior has allowed just seven runs, five earned, in 35 innings of work. He credits this season's success to a newfound approach to consistency, but admits the postseason has taken his game to a new level.

"Throughout the course of the season, with our success and the way that I've been pitching, it's getting more and more exciting," Benincasa said. "My last outing when I got the save in the regional championship, that was probably the most exciting moment of my career. It was the first time I was pitching on the mound and actually felt my heart beat. It wasn't nerves, I think it was just pure adrenaline. That's definitely the first time I've ever felt that feeling, and any game from here on out, I'm ready for it."

FSU's starting lineup includes six players who were on the roster when the Seminoles went to the CWS in 2010 — experience they believe is invaluable.

"It's huge because it just lights a little bit of a fire in you," Ramsey said. "You know exactly what it's like to play under the lights in the College World Series and you know what kind of excitement that brings to you, to your family, to the fans. The chances are few and far between and when you get a chance, like we have at home, you really want to take advantage of it."

Benincasa said the team is focused on not wasting this opportunity.

"We are basically two wins away, and if I have anything to do with it, if I'm in the game late, I'm going to give my all trying to get outs," he said. "If I'm the one sending us to Omaha, I'm not going to let it slip out of my hands."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

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