By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 10, 2012

Relievers are the rock

The Rays bullpen came up big throughout the six-game road trip, allowing just three runs in 181/3 innings. Each member had his moment, from RHP Wade Davis' two-inning dominance Thursday in New York to RHP Burke Badenhop's win Saturday, with LHP Cesar Ramos throwing a combined five scoreless innings. RHP Fernando Rodney earned his 18th save Sunday. "They've all contributed and they're really feeding off each other," manager Joe Maddon said. "There's a lot of confidence going on among them, and I feel confident when we bring them in the game."

Quote of the day

"That was far — that was like Old Yankee Stadium far."

Rays manager Joe Maddon on RF Matt Joyce's fourth-inning home run to rightfield.

Today: off

Up next: vs. Mets, 7:10 Tuesday, Tropicana Field. TV/radio: Sun Sports, 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish). Rays — Alex Cobb (2-2, 4.13); Mets — Chris Young (0-0, 3.60)

On deck

Wednesday: vs. Mets, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (8-3, 2.40); Mets — R.A. Dickey (9-1, 2.44)

Thursday: vs. Mets, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (4-2, 2.65); Mets — Johan Santana (3-3, 2.96)

Did you know?

The Rays have won all five "getaway" games, the last days of respective trips before coming home. "They like that plane ride home," manager Joe Maddon said. "They like to be happy."

Pitcher on pitcher

RHP James Shields thought he had a sure single on his line drive up the middle in the fourth. But Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez quickly snagged it for the final out. "He threw me a little slider, I got it pretty good," Shields said. "I think I hit it right into his glove. Anywhere else, I think it's a base hit."

Number of the day

648 Dogs that attended Sunday's game through the Marlins "Bark in the Park" promotion.

Bats for bucks

The Rays wives raised $3,000 for Autism Speaks during their charity softball game with the Marlins spouses before Saturday's game. The Rays wives won 14-2, ripping 22 hits, with the Rays Baseball Foundation donating funds based on the number of hits and for the win.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Quote of the day 2

"I don't know if they understood the urgency. 'We'll get them for you.' Not for the Red Sox series, right now. But we got it done."

Manager Joe Maddon on his conversation with stadium security in trying to get walkie-talkies in the seventh when the dugout phone wouldn't work.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 10, 2012

MIAMI — INF Will Rhymes has proved to be versatile in his short time with the Rays, and Sunday he added a new skill: messenger.

With RHP James Shields in a seventh-inning jam and the dugout phone not working, manager Joe Maddon had trouble getting word to the bullpen to get LHP Jake McGee and RHP Burke Badenhop warmed up. He first asked security for walkie-talkies then told home plate umpire Chad Fairchild they needed time.

Rhymes raced to the bullpen and relayed the word, taking a bow as he re-entered the dugout, where he was greeted with high fives.

"It's hard work," Rhymes joked. "But somebody had to do it."

Maddon said they did end up getting walkie-talkies, but there was an initial scramble, and Rhymes made the most sense.

"He looked the fastest," Maddon said. "The pitchers are so disinterested at that point, been eating the whole game, not able to run down. He was eager, he had that look in his eye."

SS Elliot Johnson said he looked over at Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, who was "playing with Joe, acting like he had yanked the cord out." It was just one of the quirks of the Marlins' new $515 million ballpark.

"That kind of stuff does happen," Maddon said. "But you'd like to think they got it right here the first time. You know, when Fenway breaks down, you kind of expect it."

BIG BLAST: Johnson said he was trying to keep it simple in his fourth-inning at-bat, looking to hit a sacrifice fly — anything to bring 2B Ben Zobrist in from third.

He ended up ripping a two-run homer to rightfield, a big play in the Rays' 4-2 win. It capped a strong series for Johnson, who had a career-high four hits and three RBIs in Saturday's win.

What stood out to Johnson is that he hit an offspeed pitch out of the park.

"How many offspeed pitches do I hit for home runs? Not that many," Johnson said. "Only the guys that hit 300, 400 (homers) in their career are hitting offspeed stuff. He left a changeup up out over the plate and I got enough of it to get the job done. I was just trying to keep it as simple as possible, and it certainly worked out."

ON TRACK: LF Desmond Jennings has seemingly picked up where he left off since being activated from the disabled list Tuesday. Jennings, who missed about a month with a left knee sprain, has hit safely in each of his six games back, including two doubles and a triple. Maddon said Jennings is moving easily on the bases and in the field and likes his "quick bat."

"I'm feeling good, I don't really feel different from when I left to now," Jennings said. "I missed almost a month and I don't feel completely lost. I've had no problems, no issues, so hopefully I can keep it up."

REMEMBER ME?: Former Rays OF Justin Ruggiano has enjoyed his opportunity with the Marlins and made Tampa Bay pay Saturday night with a double and a three-run homer, tying his career high with three RBIs. Ruggiano pinch-hit Sunday and belted a double in the sixth.

Ruggiano, who spent 2007-11 in the Rays organization, has had a whirlwind offseason, getting designated for assignment by Tampa Bay in January, signing a minor-league deal with the Astros then being traded to Miami in late May. Ruggiano played a combined 98 games for the Rays, with six homers and 23 RBIs.

"He's a good hitter," Shields said. "It's definitely well deserved, he's in the big leagues with the Marlins right now, he's finally getting his shot. I knew when he was playing with us, it's kind of hard to break through that outfield. He's a good player."

Maddon said he's happy for Ruggiano. "He's a real nice player and sometimes the next organization that gets somebody benefits," he said. "He can do a lot of things, I know that."

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 10, 2012

Best comeback

NBC hockey analyst Pierre McGuire does his work between the benches.

A couple of weeks back, he was roundly criticized for not reporting exactly what he heard during a shouting match between Devils coach Peter DeBoer and Rangers coach John Tortorella even though he was literally standing between the two.

No such criticism could be made Saturday during Game 5 of the Devils-Kings Stanley Cup final, when the Devils' Patrik Elias limped to the bench and was insulted by several Kings players.

McGuire reported Elias looked over at Los Angeles' Justin Williams and said, "When did you become a tough guy?"

That's funny, and McGuire made the right call to pass along that info.

tom jones' two cents

Tampa Bay Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Worst decision

I don't want to hear Floyd Mayweather Jr. or anyone associated with him whining about missing out on a big payday with Manny Pacquiao now that Pacquiao's career is up in the air after losing Saturday to some guy named Timothy something or other. Same with the Pacquiao camp.

A Mayweather-Pacquiao fight should have happened long ago. Now is there anyone who even wants to see that fight? Whether Pacquiao was robbed Saturday night doesn't matter. The bottom line is the fight was close enough for Pacquiao to risk losing on the scorecards, meaning he's not the boxer he used to be.

Meantime, most of the public already believes boxing is corrupt, and gasoline was added to that fire with the controversial decision Saturday night. Check out these explosive comments by ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas:

"Boxing is a corrupt sport. Bottom line is if you're an honest man, if you're a confident person who knows what he's watching, only one man won that fight, and he doesn't get the decision. It's an injustice to the sport, an injustice to the fighters, an injustice to the fan base. It's one of the problems with the sport of boxing right now: The wrong guy wins sometime. So the criminals get rewarded, once again, for the incompetence and the corruption of the sport."

If a boxing insider thinks that way, how are the rest of us supposed to think?

Three things that popped into my head

1 Did you hear the Heat fans boo when Alonzo Mourning, who was presenting the Eastern Conference champion trophy, congratulated the Celtics for a great effort Saturday? Wait, you beat a team that played hard and gave you all you can handle and you boo? And you wonder why some folks don't like your team.

2 The good news about ABC carrying the NBA Finals is we get to listen to game analyst Jeff Van Gundy. The bad news is we don't get to hear TNT studio analyst Charles Barkley.

3 Speaking of the NBA Finals, with all due respect to the gritty Celtics, you have to know that, deep down, ABC was rooting hard for the Heat to win because the Heat and LeBron James, love 'em or hate 'em, are simply a better story.

Best analyst

For the second time this season, Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson joined Dick Stockton on Fox's Game of the Week regional coverage, this time for the Rays-Marlins game on Saturday. Stockton had a few bumbles and stumbles but nothing too bad.

Anderson, meantime, shined once again. And it's mildly surprising how comfortable he seemed with Stockton. That leads you to believe he could be comfortable with anyone. And that leads you to believe the guy is a flat-out good announcer.

His best moments Saturday were talking about struggling Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Anderson knows the Rays, but his sharp commentary about Zambrano — a guy who pitches in the other league and rarely against the Rays — shows how prepared Anderson was.

Best coverage

There were a slew of huge sporting events on TV over the weekend — NBA, NHL, horse racing, boxing — but best coverage goes to NBC for its work at the French Open.

Reasons No. 1 and 2 for that: analysts John McEnroe, top, and Mary Carillo.

Here's a little thing Carillo did Saturday that shows how good she is. During the women's final between Maria Sharapova and Sara Errani, there was a crowd shot of tennis legend Martina Navratilova.

Carillo immediately dialed up a story about how Navratilova predicted Sharapova would be a star when Sharapova was 6 years old and recommended that Sharapova's parents move her to America.

"That's how she got to Bollettieri's (tennis academy in Bradenton),'' Carillo said.

And how did Navratilova know Sharapova would be so good? According to Carillo, Navratilova said, "I liked the way she walked.''

What a fascinating story, and one viewers had never heard. Carillo dropped it in quickly and without notice. That's first-rate broadcasting.

Best switch

While most of us were sleeping Friday night/Saturday morning, the sports folks at NBC worked through the night to, essentially, rebuild the Belmont coverage that was destroyed when Triple Crown candidate I'll Have Another was scratched Friday afternoon.

NBC's two-hour pregame, which began at 4:30 p.m., was originally dedicated to I'll Have Another's quest for the first Triple Crown since 1978. NBC tried to salvage some of that original show, and for the most part, it succeeded.

A feature on Steve Cauthen, who was 18 when he rode Affirmed to the Triple Crown in 1978, was interesting but did seem slightly out of place without a Triple Crown at stake. A piece on horses that failed to win the Triple Crown after winning the first two legs held up.

NBC had to scrap Bob Costas' taped interview with controversial I'll Have Another trainer Doug O'Neill but replaced it with a live Costas interview with O'Neill and I'll Have Another owner Paul Reddam. Costas got in some hard-hitting questions for O'Neill, and the interview was solid.

In the end, NBC did a splendid job covering the Belmont. It wasn't as exciting as a potential Triple Crown. But considering the circumstances, NBC should be proud of its effort — especially knowing it was put together on no sleep.

Best show

Soccer fans surely are digging ESPN's Euro 2012 Tonight, which previews and reviews all the action from the European soccer tournament.

The reason? This isn't soccer for dummies. It's in-depth analysis and soccer talk. Host Bob Ley, top, is masterful at leading his capable analysts, former U.S. star Alexi Lalas, middle, and former German captain Michael Ballack.

ESPN has smartly figured out the only people likely watching the show are soccer diehards. So it makes the show for them, not the casual viewer.

Best point

Did you notice the Celtics' Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo walked off the court without congratulating the Heat after Game 7 on Saturday night? I don't have a problem with that, necessarily. But New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica made a good point during Sunday morning's edition of The Sports Reporters on ESPN.

"You know why Kevin Garnett has been such a great player for such a long time?" Lupica said. "Here's one reason: He didn't want to hang around after he lost (Saturday) night and hug it out with the Heat. But can you imagine if LeBron (James) had done the same thing in defeat?"

Lupica's right. James would have been slaughtered in the media.

Times wires
Sunday, June 10, 2012

SEATTLE — Amid the chaos of the starter leaving with an injury, a two-base throwing error, three walks and five pitching changes, Brian Runge wasn't paying attention to the history the Mariners were making.

When six Seattle pitchers tossed the 10th combined no-hitter in major-league history Friday night, Runge found his own chapter in the annals of baseball umpires.

Runge was the home-plate umpire for Friday's no-hitter in the Mariners' 1-0 win over the Dodgers. And he was behind the plate April 21 in Seattle when White Sox RHP Philip Humber pitched the 21st perfect game in history.

Runge is the first umpire since Drew Coble in 1990 to be behind the plate for two no-hitters in one season.

"It's an amazing story, just to be a part of it and be on the field, but then to be behind the plate both games," Runge said Sunday. "You can't really write that stuff. It was storybook."

He has now been behind the plate for three no-hitters, the first was LHP Jonathan Sanchez's gem for the Giants on July 10, 2009. Runge is in his 14th major-league season and is part of the only three-generation umpiring family in baseball history. His grandfather Ed and father, Paul, were both major-league umps.

And all three have been behind the plate for a no-hitter.

During Humber's perfect game and Sanchez's no-hitter, Runge said he didn't start grasping what was happening until about the eighth inning. It was the bottom of the eighth when Humber's perfect game started sinking in, leading to the "longest nine outs there was for me."

"I had to tell myself every pitch, call the pitch, watch the pitch, almost like umpire school-type thing, and I've been here 14 years now," said Runge, whose last call in the Humber game was a controversial check-swing strike on a 3-and-2 pitch.

Friday was different. Seattle RHP Kevin Millwood was perfect until he walked Juan Rivera to lead off the fifth. Runge said he was fully aware of what was happening and started keeping an eye on the scoreboard.

CHIPPER RETURNS: The Braves activated 3B Chipper Jones from the 15-day disabled list after he missed 14 games with a left calf contusion. He played two games with Class A Rome in a rehabilitation stint.

CARDINALS: RHP Chris Carpenter was transferred to the 60-day DL to clear a roster spot for rookie RHP Joe Kelly's major-league debut. … LF Matt Holliday was held out for a second straight game because of back spasms.

MARLINS: RHP Carlos Zambrano said his stiff lower back felt much better less than 24 hours after he left a loss to the Rays in the third inning.

NATIONALS: Rookie RF Bryce Harper was out of the starting lineup with soreness in his back.

ORIOLES: 2B Brian Roberts could be activated from the 60-day DL Tuesday. The two-time All-Star is rehabbing from a concussion sustained more than a year ago.

PADRES: RHP Andrew Cashner was optioned to Double A, where manager Bud Black said he would begin his transition from reliever to starter. RHP Brad Boxberger was called up from Triple-A Tucson.

RANGERS: RF Nelson Cruz is day to day with soreness in his right Achilles tendon.

RED SOX: LH reliever Rich Hill went on the 15-day DL with tightness in his pitching elbow.

TWINS: The club is close to a deal with Georgia high school OF Byron Buxton, the second overall pick in the amateur draft, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.

YANKEES: RHP Hiroki Kuroda has only a bruise on his left ankle after being hit by a line drive from the Mets' Daniel Murphy. Kuroda is expected to make his next start Wednesday.

Times wires
Sunday, June 10, 2012

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Shanshan Feng set two personal goals this year on the LPGA Tour. She reached them both with one memorable round.

Feng won the LPGA Championship on Sunday to become the first Chinese player to win an LPGA Tour title and a major event, closing with 5-under 67 for a two-stroke victory.

"I am so excited right now," Feng said. "I did it! I don't know how to celebrate. It happened too soon. I'm going to miss my flight (today). I might just go home. Who knows? I want to see my parents. I'm sure they want to see me."

More than likely.

Feng, 22, the only player from China on the tour, had the lowest round of the tournament at the right time and finished at 6-under 282.

Feng, who began the day three shots behind third-round leader Eun-Hee Ji, had a bogey-free round to etch her name in the record books. Her fourth top 10 of the year moved her to fifth in the world.

"I never thought, 'I must win.' I knew I was three behind (at the start), so I knew I had a chance," said Feng, who began playing golf at age 10. "I was focusing on every shot. If I win, I win. If I don't, I don't. It just worked out."

Stacy Lewis, bidding to win her third straight stroke-play event on the LPGA Tour, shot 70 to tie for second with Mika Miyazato, Suzann Pettersen and Ji. Miyazato shot 69, Pettersen 70 and Ji 72.

Karrie Webb, who started the day one shot behind Ji, had 72 to finish at 3 under.

Feng became the seventh player to earn her first career victory at the LPGA Championship. Anna Nordqvist in 2008 and defending champion Yani Tseng in 2009 were the last two.

"You knew it was coming at some point. I'm surprised she hasn't won out here," Lewis said.

Seminole's Brittany Lincicome finished with 2-under 70 to move up to a tie for 25th at 4-over 292.

PGA: Dustin Johnson won the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, Tenn., in his second event after a back injury cost him nearly three months away from the tour, shooting 4-under 66 to hold off John Merrick by a stroke.

"Well, it feels really good, especially having so much time off," said Johnson, who finished at 9-under 271.

Johnson pulled a muscle in his lower right back in early March lifting a jet ski at his home, and rest was the biggest part of his prescription for healing. He returned to the tour last week at the Memorial, where he tied for 19th.

He began the final round two strokes back and held a piece of the lead three times. He won his sixth career title with consecutive birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.

Johnson said he didn't look at the leaderboard, trying to stay focused on himself.

"And you know, I did that," Johnson said. "I had a lot of looks, lot of good looks and made a few putts coming down the stretch. Made great birdies at 16 and 17."

CHAMPIONS: Tom Lehman withstood rain and a pair of touch challengers to win his second straight Regions Tradition in Birmingham, Ala., finishing the tour major with 4-under 68 to take a two-stroke victory.

Lehman overcame a near-constant drizzle and occasional heavy rain plus hard charges by Bernhard Langer and Chien Soon Lu for his sixth tour victory. He finished at 14-under 274. Langer and Lu shot 66 to tie for second.

"I don't mind any condition other than rain," Lehman said. "(Sunday) was a real test of perseverance, just trying to move the ball forward. Don't try to bite off too much, don't get too aggressive. Just play shots I know I can hit."

Times wires
Sunday, June 10, 2012

MIAMI — Several weeks before this season started, LeBron James and Kevin Durant were competing against each other. Hell Week, they called it, a four-day series of workouts.

Starting Tuesday, they'll meet again. They'll call that the NBA Finals.

Neither was playing at the level he is now when James invited Durant to work out with him during the NBA lockout in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Now as James tries to win his first ring, it's Durant in his way.

"It's only right," James said. "We look forward to the challenge. It's going to be a big test for us."

James played at a rarely seen level in the Eastern Conference final against the Celtics. According to STATS LLC, James became the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in the 2000 finals to have six 30-point games in a playoff series. In the one game James didn't score 30 (Game 4), he had 29 and fouled out in overtime.

His series averages against the Celtics: 33.6 points, 11 rebounds and 53 percent shooting. He had five games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in the entire regular season, then did it five times against Boston alone.

"He was absolutely brilliant this series, and we all know it," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He's playing at an historic level during the playoffs, driving us with his will. We do not take his talent or his will or his competitiveness for granted. And we need every single bit of it."

There were many moments for the Heat to celebrate Saturday, when it ousted Boston 101-88 in Game 7. But not long after it was over, James was already thinking about what's next.

"I really thought he in particular played a very smart, aggressive game," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "He kind of let the game come to him, and then down the stretch he took the game over. That's what great players do."

They don't do it alone, though.

Criticized last season for deferring too often in crucial situations, James went into the offseason driven by the pain of failing in the Finals. During the lockout, he worked to improve: two-a-day workouts, studying with Hakeem Olajuwon, and asking Durant to come to Akron. In those sessions, they pushed each other.

"Me and KD, man, just trying to get better," James said in a video of a workout posted online.

Look at them now, two superstars set to fight for one ring.

"I envisioned it every day we worked out," James said. "I understood what his passion was. I understood what his drive was."

When the finals begin Tuesday, they'll each have a close-up view of how far the other has come.

"It's going to be a battle," Durant said.

Game 7 ratings record: The Heat's Game 7 win over the Celtics on Saturday night drew a preliminary TV rating of 9.1, the highest for an NBA playoff game on cable since records started being kept in 2003. The three highest overnight ratings for NBA games on cable came during this series. Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with TVs tuned into a program. Overnight ratings measure the country's largest markets.

Times wires
Sunday, June 10, 2012

NEWARK, N.J. — In the end, as the moments wound down on Game 5 on Saturday night, as was the case in Game 4, officials never had to think about pulling the Stanley Cup from its protective case.

The Kings, the team that was poised to parade it around a rink in celebration, proved in two straight losses after building a 3-0 series lead that they may still be the better team but they weren't ready to hoist the final prize.

They proved the theory that the final win is the hardest, and perhaps the Cup — on the line again in Game 6 tonight — cannot be won until a team has done something truly hard.

"It's disappointing, but they don't hand this thing out," Kings defenseman Andy Greene said. "It's difficult to do; it's a test. You're going to lose two games in the row. You're going to lose on the road."

The Kings had been trying to skip all that. They cruised through the first three rounds, losing only two Game 4s hardly qualifying as trying circumstances. Before Game 4 of this series, they were poised to match the matchless 1988 Oilers for the best record in winning the Cup. They had not lost a single road game.

But the hockey gods would have none of that.

The Kings are willing to take responsibility for their mini­slide. Defenseman Drew Doughty said Sunday that before Game 4, with a chance to win the Cup at home, they might have been looking past the game to a Cup-raising.

"I think a lot of us before Game 4 were distracted with family members and friends, the Cup coming in the building," he said. "All of us … were kind of frustrated that we were thinking about things ahead of time."

Coach Darryl Sutter has made sure that won't happen this time, Doughty said. "We'll be well-prepared for Game 6."

To their credit, the Kings did not appear frustrated or put-upon after the past two games. To a man, they talked about sticking to the approach that got them this far. They pushed away the idea that the pressure on them is mounting.

"If we play as well as we did (in Game 5), I like our team," Sutter said.

In the Devils, though, the Kings have encountered the terrier that won't let go of their pant leg. The Devils are a smart team with a level-headed coach in Peter DeBoer, experienced enough to know after it fell behind 3-0 that the deficit doesn't get made up in one game.

The Devils' game plan became much simpler. They just had to hang on, make the Kings work for their success, make them earn the Cup.

"I thought we survived out there," Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said after Game 5. "I don't think we played our greatest game, but we found a way to win."

Sunday, June 10, 2012

MONTREAL — The Formula One winners' club keeps getting bigger in an unprecedented season that has had seven different winners in the first seven races.

"I think this is going to be normal for this season," Lewis Hamilton said after winning the Canadian Grand Prix for the third time. "I think it's great for Formula One. It's great for fans."

Hamilton drove his McLaren Mercedes to a win in 1 hour, 32 minutes, 29.586 seconds Sunday, taking advantage of fresh tires he picked up during a second pit stop while the other contenders only made one. Hamilton finished 2.5 seconds ahead of Lotus' Romain Grosjean, with Sauber's Sergio Perez in third.

"I had so much traction with fresh tires," said Hamilton, who won here in 2007 and '10.

Defending F1 champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull was fourth and Fernando Alonso, who entered the week atop the standings, was fifth.

Last year, Vettel won five of the first six races and went on to win 11 races and the title in 2011.

But never before had there been even six different winners to start the season. Hamilton made it seven Sunday, taking an 88-86 lead in the standings over Alonso, of Ferrari.

Content in Texas: After much concern about pack racing and safety at Texas Motor Speedway, the return of IndyCar to a high-banked oval after the death of former St. Petersburg resident Dan Wheldon ended up as a safe event with an exciting finish. Justin Wilson got his first victory since 2009 when Graham Rahal brushed the wall with just over two laps left. "This is the best racing I've ever had on an oval," said Will Power, who applauded the new downforce packages that drivers lobbied for. "You had to lift, you had to look after your tires, you had to really drive the thing. … That is just the sort of racing that we need at these sort of tracks."

Times wires
Sunday, June 10, 2012

Track

World's fastest man suffers no injuries in car crash

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Usain Bolt, the defending Olympic champion in the 100 and 200 meters, escaped injuries when his car hit a guard rail shortly before dawn Sunday.

Bolt's publicist, Carole Beckford, said the sprinter was returning from a party when he was involved in a "fender bender … There were no injuries at all. He is fine and resting at home."

Police said they are investigating but that it appears Bolt lost control of his BMW and swerved into a guard rail. Fellow Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell was riding in another car and was at the scene.

"My friend and countryman is ok after a fender bender," Powell tweeted.

In 2009, Bolt crashed a BMW into a ditch along a highway. He required minor surgery on his left foot after stepping onto thorns while getting out of the wreckage.

A month after the accident, Bolt told reporters: "After something like that, you look at life through and over and look at what has gone wrong; where you should improve or should be careful."

Gymnastics

Wieber successfully defends U.S. title

Jordyn Wieber won her second straight all-around title at the U.S. championships in St. Louis. The reigning world champ earned 121.9 points, 0.2 more than Gabby Douglas, who fell off the beam. Both were among the 15 chosen to compete in Olympic trials this month. Also chosen were reigning Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin and 2008 Olympian Alicia Sacramone.

World champ hurt: McKayla Maroney, the reigning world vault champ, sustained a mild concussion and broke her nose at the national championships when she fell on a tumbling run during warmups Sunday. She didn't compete but still was chosen for the Olympic trials.

AAU

Report: Group to start background checks

The Amateur Athletic Union is expected to announce mandatory background screenings for all adult coaches, volunteers and staff as well as stricter training protocols to govern interaction with youth athletes, the Associated Press reported. A news conference is set for Tuesday. The AAU commissioned a review of policies in December, when decades-old allegations of sexual abuse against then-president Bobby Dodd were revealed.

Et cetera

Soccer: Mario Mandzukic scored twice to lead Croatia past Ireland 3-1 at the European Championship in Poznan, Poland. He made it 1-0 with a header in the third minute and 3-1 on a header in the 48th. In Gdansk, Poland, Cesc Fabregas scored in the 64th minute to give Spain, the defending European and World Cup champion, a 1-1 tie with Italy. Antonio Di Natale gave Italy the lead three minutes earlier. UEFA promised zero tolerance for breaking rules at Euro 2012 and now has acted against three of the 16 competing nations. Croatia likely will follow after a firework was thrown on the field from a section containing its fans. German fans threw crumpled paper balls at Portugal players during a victory Saturday. "The German Football Association is charged with the throwing of missiles by its supporters," UEFA said in a statement. "The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) faces proceedings for a delayed kickoff to the second half." Both teams face financial penalties.

Cycling: Britain's Bradley Wiggins became the favorite for the Tour de France by winning his second straight Criterium du Dauphine in the French Alps. The Tour starts June 30.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, June 10, 2012

LONG POND, Pa. — Joey Logano stood on top of the No. 20 high-fiving everyone he could reach in Victory Lane. Beverages were sprayed, fists were pumped and throaty shouts of celebration could be heard well down the 2½-mile track. It's what winning a Sprint Cup race is all about.

It's what Logano has waited years to truly experience. Not rain nor Mark Martin would deny him this feeling at the Pocono 400.

Logano gave Martin a nudge out of the way in the closing laps Sunday at Pocono Raceway to clinch his first victory since 2009 and become the first Cup driver this season to win from the pole.

The former prodigy and the grizzled veteran pushing hard down the stretch was a duel to remember at Pocono.

"I didn't stop screaming until I got to Victory Lane," Logano said. "You work so hard to do this."

This one felt like the first time for Logano after his only other career win in 125 Cup starts was a rain-shortened victory at New Hampshire. Wins count the same in the record book. But they sure do feel different.

"When you cross the line and you've won the race, to me, it's an amazing feeling," said Logano, who posted the fastest practice time Friday and took the pole Saturday.

Logano, once a much-hyped phenom when he broke in with Joe Gibbs Racing, was under pressure to produce victories in the final year of his four-year contract.

Sunday's win continues a recent uptick of solid results in the Cup series, and he hoped this victory sends a message to his critics.

"I hope it shuts them all up," he said. "It means a whole lot."

He shoved aside one of his earliest supporters to take the checkered flag. Martin saw Logano race at 11 years old and raved about his potential as future Cup champion. In 2005, Martin said Logano "can be one of the greatest that ever raced in NASCAR."

Logano signed a developmental deal with JGR and made his NASCAR national level debut at 18 in the Nationwide Series. He had the one victory and never finished higher than 16th in the standings in three full Cup seasons. He's 15th this year and has no deal with JGR for next season.

"Obviously, winning a race means a lot and it helps that out a ton," Logano said. "For sure, right now, my future's not set with anybody."

Pocono shortened the race by 100 miles and got a thrilling finish. Logano, 22, led a career-high 49 laps to become the youngest winner at Pocono.

The 53-year-old Martin, looking for his first win since 2009, took the lead with eight laps left. Logano, though, bumped Martin and zipped past with three laps remaining.

"It has been acceptable in this racing for a long time," Martin said. "It's not how I would have done it. Certainly, had I had a fast enough car, he would have gotten a return."

Tony Stewart was third, Jimmie Johnson fourth and Denny Hamlin fifth.

Matt Kenseth finished seventh and wrested the points lead from Greg Biffle, who finished 24th.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a dominant car most of the race but finished eighth to run his winless streak to 143 races.

He led 36 laps and was positioned well until crew chief Steve Letarte made a call for a late pit stop for gas instead of trying to stretch the fuel.

"The best car I've had at Pocono in a long, long time," said Earnhardt, who supported the call. "I'm just really trying not to be too upset about it because we did a lot of good things."

. FAST FACTS

Sprint Cup points

Through 14 of 36 races. The top 10 drivers plus two wild cards (based on wins) after 26 races make the Chase for the Championship.

Driver Pts. Back

Matt Kenseth 523—

D. Earnhardt Jr. 513 10

Greg Biffle 507 16

Denny Hamlin 504 19

Jimmie Johnson 493 30

Kevin Harvick 470 53

Martin Truex 465 58

Tony Stewart 448 75

Clint Bowyer 443 80

Brad Keselowski 426 97

Note: Unofficial; NASCAR posts official results today

Gearhead stats

Winner's average speed: 131.004 mph

Time of race: 3 hours, 3 minutes, 12 seconds

Margin of victory: 0.997 seconds

Caution flags: 7 for 35 laps

Lead changes: 19 among 10 drivers

Lap leaders: J.Logano 1-16; J.McMurray 17-22; D.Hamlin 23-31; McMurray 32; D.Earnhardt Jr. 33-43; M.Kenseth 44; G.Biffle 45-46; D.Ragan 47; Hamlin 48-59; Earnhardt Jr. 60-67; McMurray 68-74; Biffle 75-91; Kenseth 92-101; Logano 102-103; J.Montoya 104-106; D.Gilliland 107-108; Earnhardt Jr. 109-125; Logano 126-152; M.Martin 153-156; Logano 157-160

. FAST FACTS

Sprint Cup points

Through 14 of 36 races. The top 10 drivers plus two wild cards (based on wins) after 26 races make the Chase for the Championship.

Driver Pts. Back

Matt Kenseth 523—

D. Earnhardt Jr. 513 10

Greg Biffle 507 16

Denny Hamlin 504 19

Jimmie Johnson 493 30

Kevin Harvick 470 53

Martin Truex 465 58

Tony Stewart 448 75

Clint Bowyer 443 80

Brad Keselowski 426 97

Note: Unofficial; NASCAR posts official results today

Gearhead stats

Winner's average speed: xxx.xxx mph

Time of race: x hours, xx minutes, xx seconds

Margin of victory: x.xxx seconds

Caution flags: x for xx laps

Lead changes: xx among xx drivers

Lap leaders: J

New York Times
Sunday, June 10, 2012

PARIS — The Rafael Nadal on the court late Sunday afternoon at Roland Garros seemed more like an impostor, so unlike Nadal, on his favorite surface, at his favorite tournament, getting bullied around on clay. The snarl was still there, the face all twisted and contorted; however, it came not from the usual dominance but from anger over circumstance.

After all these years and six French Open championships for Nadal, the answer of how to slow him, how to make him look hapless on clay, finally arrived. It resulted from a combination of poor weather, a rejuvenated Novak Djokovic and Nadal's palpable frustration.

The more it rained, the more Nadal sprayed ground strokes, the more he stomped around the baseline. He complained often and loudly to the chair umpire. He threw temper tantrums. In the simplest terms, he came apart.

Fortunately for Nadal, weather and darkness conspired to cause the match to be suspended, if not as early as he wanted. Play was scheduled to resume this morning, though the weather forecast looked ominous again.

Djokovic, who lost the first two sets handily, 4-6 and 3-6, and threw two temper tantrums of his own, contributed mightily to Nadal's breakdown. Djokovic seemed to draw strength from the rain, from the odds against him and from the chance to win his fourth consecutive major championship and a career Grand Slam.

Down 2-0 in the third set, he won six straight games, mouth agape, fists pumping, then took the first two games to begin the fourth. Djokovic captured a compelling 44-shot rally. Nadal shook his head. Nadal missed a backhand wide. He shook his head again.

What once seemed so certain Sunday — Nadal's record seventh French Open championship — appeared in serious jeopardy. Nadal did scratch out a service game and trailed 2-1 in the fourth.

Out again came Stefan Fransson, the tournament referee. Nadal let him have it, the verbal equivalent of an emphatic service ace. Fransson started to walk away. Nadal stood and yelled again. "Now we can stop, after one set we cannot move the ball?" Nadal said, as picked up by the television cameras. "Because the balls did the same one hour ago."

After the one-sided, testy exchange, the tarp went back onto the court, the players went downstairs into the locker rooms, and perhaps three hours of daylight remained for the optimistic. As Fransson made his way down a staircase, Toni Nadal, uncle and coach of Rafael, swore at Fransson in Spanish and waved his hand dismissively.

The rain continued as officials announced they would attempt to play again Sunday, which fell closer to delusional than hopeful.

With history at stake, either the career Grand Slam for Djokovic or the Roland Garros record for Nadal, the pressure — and the players' reactions to it — seemed natural.

Djokovic entered Sunday having won 27 straight matches in Grand Slam tournaments, including three finals against Nadal. Yet Djokovic was not supposed to win at Roland Garros, not by a long shot. Roger Federer, who lost to Djokovic in the semifinals, called Nadal an "overwhelming favorite."

Nadal entered Sunday with a 51-1 record in this tournament. For two weeks at this French Open, Nadal buried opponents in topspin, battered them into submission, banished them in straight sets. He made some of the best players in the world look confused, angry and dismayed. The back of his shoes read "6," a reference to his championships, tied with Bjorn Borg for most in the tournament.

Sure, Djokovic stood on the brink of something — winner of four majors in a row — that had not been done in 43 years. But Federer had won three straight Slam events, too, in 2006 and 2007. Guess who ended his chances for a fourth? Nadal, at the French Open.

Washington Post
Sunday, June 10, 2012

BELLEFONTE, Pa. — He's just "Jerry" here.

The jurors are locals, and they have been familiar with Jerry Sandusky for decades. The former Penn State assistant football coach's trial on 52 charges related to child sex abuse is a big national story, as demonstrated by the satellite trucks surrounding the vintage courthouse just a 15-minute drive from the campus in State College. But in this close-knit community, Sandusky's alleged crimes are a local matter, and personal — an intimate tragedy.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin today. The trial could be wrenching: Some of Sandusky's alleged victims, heretofore referred to only by number ("Victim 1" … "Victim 2"), are expected to take the stand and add faces and voices and raw human emotion to the prosecution's case against him.

Sandusky, 68, has been accused of preying on 10 different boys over the course of 15 years. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

There are broader issues beyond the question of his guilt or innocence. It is unclear whether the trial will be the closing chapter of the Sandusky story or instead reveal deeper levels of dysfunction in the sometimes insular Penn State community.

The shocking grand jury report that set off this case last November, at the height of football season, declared that Sandusky had molested eight boys (two more alleged victims were identified later) and that university officials, including legendary head coach Joe Paterno, had failed to take enough action to stop him.

The scandal quickly cost the jobs of Paterno, the winningest coach in major-college football history, and Graham Spanier, Penn State's president of 16 years. Two administrators were charged with failure to report suspected child abuse and lying during the grand jury investigation.

Paterno died in January, still an icon but one whose final months were tarnished by the scandal.

Last week, the university released a statement expressing the hope that "the legal process will start to bring closure to the alleged victims and families whose lives have been irrevocably impacted and that they can begin the healing process."

Despite the psychological pain felt by this community, Sandusky did not want to be tried somewhere far away. He wanted to take his chances with people here in Centre County, where he worked nearly his entire life.

It took less than two days to assemble a jury that seems to mirror the community: 10 women and six men, all white by appearance, with more than half reporting a strong connection to the university, by far the county's largest employer.

"We're in Centre County. We're in rural Pennsylvania," Judge John Cleland said in court on Tuesday, when defense attorneys objected to a juror who knows the father of a potential key witness. "There are these (connections) that cannot be avoided."

The trial is expected to last as long as three weeks. As with other sex abuse cases, it will turn largely on the testimony of alleged victims of and witnesses to the abuse. A key witness may be Mike McQueary, a former assistant coach at Penn State who told a grand jury that more than a decade ago he saw Sandusky sexually assaulting a young boy in a locker-room shower.

Cleland last week denied requests by five alleged victims that they be allowed to testify in court using pseudonyms. All are now adults, and the judge said that there is "no support in Pennsylvania law for offering anonymity to an adult witness because the witness is one of a class of victims of a particular form of crime." He added: "While I will make every effort to be sensitive to the nature of the alleged victims' testimony, once the trial begins the veil must be lifted."

Still, the battalion of camera crews and photographers setting up Sunday afternoon faced the likelihood that they will not get a glimpse of jurors or witnesses entering the courthouse. Officials have constructed a tarp-covered walkway to shield people from view as they arrive in a vehicle at the rear of the building.

Also on the list of potential witnesses is Sandusky's wife, Dottie. Paterno's widow and son also were on the list, to their surprise.

The team of prosecutors is led by Joseph McGettigan, the senior state deputy attorney general, who is known for being aggressive and passionate in the courtroom. In 1997, McGettigan was the lead prosecutor in the case against John E. du Pont, the millionaire heir to the chemical fortune who was convicted of murdering an Olympic wrestler.

The defense is led by Joseph Amendola, a State College lawyer who loves to talk and has a history degree from Penn State and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Whether local jurors will be more sympathetic to Sandusky or more hostile — because of what the allegations have done to the university's reputation — is a matter of pretrial debate.

"We always held Penn State up because it was perfect. And it took just one person to ruin that," said Jeff Holter, 55, a Penn State graduate and education consultant who reported for jury duty Wednesday but was not selected.

Paloma Frumento, 24, who recently graduated and was called for jury selection but not picked, said, "In many ways, in public opinion, Jerry Sandusky is already guilty. But that's public opinion. There are facts. There's the law."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 10, 2012

GAINESVILLE — On Saturday, at the end of a 7-1 victory over N.C. State in the best-of-three NCAA Super Region, Florida baseball coach Kevin O'Sullivan made a promise: Getting another win over the Wolfpack would not be easy.

Sunday, it was a knock-down, drag-out, old-fashioned dogfight.

It took 6 hours, 8 minutes — including a rain delay of 2:23 — and 10 innings before the Gators earned a 9-8 win in front of 4,568 at McKethan Stadium that put them in the College World Series for the third consecutive season.

"It was one of those back-and-forth games, one that I know I won't forget," O'Sullivan said. "The momentum swings back and forth. Our guys battled. It may not have been our best day on the mound. But each guy did enough. It's not easy to get to Omaha."

The World Series, in Omaha, Neb., starts Friday. Florida's first opponent of the double-elimination tournament will be the winner of the rain-delayed South Carolina-Oklahoma Super Region that continues today.

The Wolfpack (43-20) took a 1-0 lead in the third, but the Gators countered with a four-run fourth aided by a leadoff home run from senior rightfielder Preston Tucker — the school-record 11th in NCAA tournament play for the graduate of Tampa's Plant High.

With the score tied at 7, the Gators (47-18) scored two in the top of the 10th. Daniel Pigott homered to lead off the inning, and Dunedin's Casey Turgeon singled and scored what proved to be the winner on Josh Tobias' single.

N.C. State answered with one run. But its season ended on a called third strike on shortstop Chris Diaz with a runner on second. Believing the pitch was outside, Diaz was restrained by his coach, Elliott Avent, as he screamed profanities at the umpire.

"My angle is the worst angle in the world," Avent said. "I'd like to grab 50 people behind home plate and ask them. I trust Chris Diaz. He's a (second-team) All-American for a reason. He has a good eye. He's not going to leave the bat on his shoulder if he's not 100 percent sure it's a ball."

The rain delay altered the game plan for both teams. During it, N.C. State argued not to resume the game, Avent saying afterward he was concerned about the condition of the field.

N.C. State starter Carlos Rodon, the ACC's freshman and pitcher of the year, threw just 40 pitches over three innings before the delay. Avent took him out when play resumed, saying he was "extremely disappointed" in having to make that decision.

Florida's Jonathon Crawford, who threw 17 pitches over two prior to the delay, returned, throwing 62 over 32/3 innings.

O'Sullivan said he is extremely protective of his pitchers' arms. But he felt with so few pitches, Crawford, who threw a no-hitter in the opener of the region tournament, could handle returning.

Karsten Whitson earned the win and Keenan Kish, Florida's seventh pitcher, got his first save of the season.

Avent said he was asked before the Super Region if he believed the team that won it had a shot at the national title. Sunday, he reiterated his belief — yes.

"I think if they reseeded things right now in the poll and they were honest about the last half of the season, Florida would be the No. 1 team and we're No. 2," he said. "I believe that."

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

.Fast facts

Florida baseball by the numbers

26 Combined hits Sunday (15 by Florida)

12 Combined pitchers Sunday (seven by Florida)

5:14 Combined time of the three rain delays during the two Super Region games

11 Home runs in NCAA play by former Tampa Plant standout Preston Tucker, his solo shot Sunday adding to his school record (he has 57 for his career)

10-0 Record against the ACC this season: 3-0 vs. Florida State, 3-0 vs. Miami, 2-0 vs. Georgia Tech (region tournament) and 2-0 vs. N.C. State (Super Region)

23 Come-from-behind victories this season

8 College World Series appearances: 1988, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012

0 National titles

Times wires
Sunday, June 10, 2012

BATON ROUGE, La. — Frankie Vanderka, the losing pitcher in Game 1 of the baseball Super Region, allowed three hits in a complete game as Stony Brook beat LSU 7-2 in Game 3 to reach the World Series on Sunday.

The Seawolves are the second No. 4 seed of a region tournament to reach the Series. The first, Fresno State, won the 2008 national title.

The America East conference champs beat Central Florida twice in the region final to get to Baton Rouge.

It then lost Game 1 in 12 innings after allowing tying homers in the ninth, 10th and 11th. In Game 2, it won 3-1 on Tyler Johnson's complete game. Sunday, Vanderka allowed a homer in the first then pitched 52/3 hitless innings.

Other games: Arkansas scored the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth on hit batters to beat Baylor 5-4 and even the series at 1 in Waco, Texas. Game 3 is at 7 tonight. … Game 2 between host South Carolina and Oklahoma was suspended by rain in the sixth with the score 0-0. Play resumes at 4 today. The Gamecocks won Game 1. Game 3, if needed, starts at 7.

Track: Gators have scary trip home

Florida's track team, which won the school's first NCAA outdoor championship on Saturday afternoon, experienced a scary plane trip that night, returning from Des Moines, Iowa, the Gainesville Sun reported.

The plane's windshield shattered at 37,000 feet, leading to a rough landing at an Alabama airport, according to athlete and coach's tweets.

The team eventually made it safely to Gainesville.

The plane landed in Alabama to drop off the teams the Gators shared the chartered flight with, Matt DeLancey, assistant director of strength and conditioning, tweeted.

"It was not a plane crash," DeLancey tweeted. "Pilots took it in stride and landed safely. It cracked at 37,000. Our pilots never seemed to panic."

Tweeted Tony McQuay, the 400-meter champ whose anchor leg of the 1,600 relay clinched the title: "My life just flashes b4 me!!!!!!"

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Let the Sunshine in yet again at the College World Series.

Florida and Florida State each completed sweeps of their NCAA Super Regions on Sunday, marking the fifth time the Gators and Seminoles have advanced to the eight-team College World Series in the same season. Neither school has won a baseball national title.

Top-seeded Florida earned its third straight trip to the CWS, and eighth overall, as Daniel Pigott homered to open the 10th and the Gators held on for a 9-8 victory over visiting N.C. State.

"This type of game … and how things worked out, that's what I came back for," Florida senior and former Plant High standout Preston Tucker said.

No. 3-seeded FSU earned its 21st trip to the World Series as former Alonso High standout Sherman Johnson's three-run homer sparked a four-run second en route to an 18-7 rout of visiting Stanford.

The double-elimination Series begins Friday in Omaha, Neb. FSU opens against Arizona; Florida opens against South Carolina or Oklahoma. UF and FSU are in separate brackets, making it possible for them to meet in the World Series finale.

Times wires
Sunday, June 10, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State coach Mike Martin is heading to Omaha, Neb., one more time in search of a national championship that has eluded him.

Sherman Johnson homered and drove in five runs to lead Florida State to an 18-7 victory over Stanford on Sunday to sweep the Super Region and earn its 21st trip to the College World Series.

The 20 World Series berths without a title are the most in the NCAA.

"My four favorite words: See you in Omaha," said Martin, 68, who is making his 15th trip to the World Series in his 33rd season at FSU. "I don't think that there's any club that I've wanted to go (to the World Series) more than this one."

Saturday, the No. 3-seeded Seminoles (48-15) hit Stanford starter Mark Appel hard. The eighth overall pick by the Pirates walked five and allowed five runs over four innings in a 17-1 loss.

Sunday, Brett Mooneyham, a third-round pick by the Nationals, was chased before getting an out in the second. He allowed three hits and five earned runs.

Two runs came in the first on Jayce Boyd's homer. In the second, he left after allowing a walk and two singles (one driving in a run). A.J. Vanegas entered and got an out before allowing a three-run homer to Johnson, a graduate of Tampa's Alonso High.

In games, Johnson went 6-for-9, scored six runs and drove in six.

"Two swings of the bat … five runs," Stanford coach Mark Marquess said. "We couldn't contain them."

The Seminoles added two runs each in sixth and seventh and eight in the eighth, highlighted by Seth Miller's grand slam. It was Miller's third homer of the season — all of them grand slams.

"It's just the way baseball works out," Miller said. "It's like (Martin) said: It's a crazy game. I like situations like that where you can put a team ahead. That happened to be a grand slam for me.

"If that's the way it works, I'll take them all day long."

Stephen Piscotty had four of Stanford's 18 hits. But with the Cardinal down 10-6 in the seventh, he hit into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded.

"I would have traded all four of those hits for that at-bat," he said. "It's tough."

Stanford (41-18) was outscored 35-8 in the two games.

Cardinal pitchers had trouble with control in both games, walking 21 and hitting six batters in all.

"They did it all. They pitched. They threw strikes, and they had timely hitting," Marquess said. "When we made a mistake, whether it was walking a guy or hitting a guy, or making an error, they'd come up with a hit. They were just a much better team than us this weekend."

Times wires
Monday, June 11, 2012

Tigers 7, Reds 6

CINCINNATI — Austin Jackson hit a two-run double off Aroldis Chapman during Detroit's four-run eighth, and the Tigers rallied to take two of three in the series. Cincinnati fell into a tie with the Pirates for first in the NL Central.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 11, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Manager Joe Maddon has lauded the "state of starting pitching" in baseball, the Rays having faced some great arms in the past few weeks.

And it won't get any easier during a three-game series with the Mets that begins Tuesday at Tropicana Field, with RHP R.A. Dickey (the National League leader in wins) starting Wednesday and LHP Johan Santana on Thursday.

Dickey, 37, is an intriguing story, having rejuvenated his career years back by developing a knuckleball that Maddon said is unique.

"It's been phenomenal," Maddon said. "It's ridiculously hard, and the command of it, too. I admire his catcher having been a catcher, to catch something so hard that can do all the different things, that's pretty good."

OF Desmond Jennings recalled when Dickey (9-1, 2.44), then with the Mets' Triple-A Buffalo, dominated Triple-A Durham during an April 2010 start. Dickey gave up a leadoff single, then retired the next 27 batters in order.

"Nobody could hit the ball," Jennings said. "He mixes it up, he throws hard, he throws soft. He's good."

So is Santana (3-3, 2.96), who missed last season because of shoulder surgery but looks more like he did in his days with the Twins, when he won two American League Cy Young awards.

"I think he threw a little bit harder back then, and he had that nasty changeup," Maddon said. "He's got a little bit more experience and a little more guile."

ON TARGET: Though the results haven't shown it, RHP Alex Cobb has been encouraged with how he has felt in the past two starts.

Cobb lost both but pitched well against the Yankees last week, allowing just one run until a three-run eighth. Cobb, who starts Tuesday, said he has figured out his mechanics a lot better than he did earlier this season.

"It's everything," Cobb said. "I'm able to throw any pitch in any count with conviction, and I feel confident with that pitch."

MIND OVER MATTER: C Jose Lobaton said a key for his improved play since coming off the disabled list is his mind-set.

Lobaton has hit safely in four of six games since returning from right shoulder soreness on May 28.

"I'm trying to relax," Lobaton said. "My first time in the big leagues, I know sometimes you want to stay here and I wanted to show a little more. But right now, I'm more like, 'Calm down, I know I can play, know I can hit.' Just keep doing your best every day. And thank God I've got the results."

Maddon has praised Lobaton for his blocking ability and defense, though the 27-year-old is trying to cut down on one thing: catcher's interference. The Rays have tied a major-league record with five catcher interference calls this season, and Lobaton has two of them.

Lobaton said Rays roving catching instructor Jamie Nelson told him he was reaching his glove out a bit. Lobaton said it happens when the Rays have a hard-throwing pitcher, such as LHP Jake McGee, on the mound and hitters try to catch up.

"If they're late, and they have a long swing, it's more chances it'll get interference," Lobaton said. "I've got to work on it."

STARRY NIGHT: 3B Evan Longoria remains in third place among AL third baseman in All-Star voting, according to Monday's latest update. CF B.J. Upton has moved up from 16th among outfielders to 13th.

MEDICAL MATTERS: RHP Kyle Farnsworth (right elbow strain) began his rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte on Monday. Maddon has said they're going to be cautious with Farnsworth, with no set date for his return.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 11, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Right-hander Wade Davis has had his share of success as a starting pitcher, including a complete game and a postseason win.

But manager Joe Maddon said Davis has never been as dominant as he was Thursday in New York, when he struck out four of the six Yankees he faced in a perfect two-inning relief stint.

"That was as good as you're going to see a relief pitcher throw," Maddon said. "I don't care if you're a closer, setup guy, whatever — that was outstanding. Anybody that comes out like he did in Yankee Stadium against that part of the lineup and throw like that, can pitch anytime, anywhere."

Davis, 26, a starter his whole career, has thrived in his first full season in the bullpen, boasting a 2.20 ERA while working into more high-leverage moments. A big reason is how quickly Davis accepted his new role, an unselfish move that helps the team and could make him more valuable — and a better starter — in the future.

"I didn't have any trouble with it," Davis said. "Yes, starting is what I want to do, I want to excel as much as I can in anything I do. But I'm not hurt about it, I'm not frustrated about it. I'm still pitching in the big leagues. I still want to be part of a team that's going to win. It was easy for me for some reason."

Davis said what helped ease the transition was a 30-minute conversation with senior adviser Don Zimmer the first week of spring training, long before his battle with Jeff Niemann for the fifth starter spot was dissected and determined. Zimmer told him about a position player he had with the Cubs who wanted to be starting shortstop, and the former manager told him that by being a utility player, he could add five years onto his career.

"It really helped me a lot," Davis said. "It was like, 'Hey, you may not be in the starting rotation this year, or you may, but if you're not you have to be able to just erase everything that you think you are, and accept what you're doing and get your mind and ego out of everything, and eventually you'll have success.'

"If I had a different mentality, I may not even be here anymore."

Maddon assured Davis, a fixture in the rotation the previous two seasons, that they still envision him as a starter, but by moving to the bullpen he could make the team better. Davis had to make adjustments, including lessening the intensity of workouts so his arm can be ready to roll once he comes into the game.

Davis' body is responding better, to where he has been able to pitch on back-to-back days twice and go multiple innings 11 times. He can dial up his velocity to the mid 90s off the bat and execute, holding hitters to a .167 average in pitches 1-25, an improvement from when he was an admittedly slow starter.

He has always loved the pressure-packed moments, and Rays broadcaster Brian Anderson, a former pitcher, said Davis has that mound presence that you need in the bullpen, seeming "unflappable." Anderson singled out Davis' bases-loaded, 11-pitch battle with Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus April 27, when he fired eight straight fastballs before retiring him on a flyout to help seal an 8-4 win.

"That," Anderson says, "was very impressive."

Maddon said the Rays thought all along that Davis could be "that kind of force" as a reliever, with a very good curveball, both in velocity and command, to go with his downhill four-seam fastball.

"You're seeing it right now," Maddon said.

Davis said there are still some ups and downs, but he has leaned on other members of the bullpen, several of whom — including Jake McGee and J.P. Howell — are former starters, too. Though righty Burke Badenhop said Davis is more reserved than some of the other relievers, he joked "he fits right in with the monkeys we've got running around." And Badenhop said Davis' "selfless attitude" is a "breath of fresh air."

"A lot of guys would have been maybe a little more stubborn," Badenhop said. "And while I'm sure he still feels like he's a starter, that hasn't been the feel anybody gets out in the bullpen. He's doing his best to fit in and help us win, and has done an awesome job so far."

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

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 11, 2012

TAMPA — Josh Freeman is slowly taking a firm hold of the new offense, but the Bucs quarterback also has to do a better job of grasping the football with both hands in the pocket.

He is becoming more familiar with the new terminology, but he has to avoid stumbling when re-setting his feet under pressure.

These are the kinds of things — some mental, some physical — that Bucs quarterbacks coach Ron Turner and offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan have spent the offseason working on with Freeman.

After throwing 25 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2010, Freeman's production regressed last season and he finished with only 16 TDs and 22 INTs.

The Bucs fall was just as dramatic, from 10-6 to 4-12, leading to the hiring of coach Greg Schiano and his new coaching staff.

The Bucs begin a three-day minicamp today (which is closed to the public) that will serve as the last opportunity for Freeman to demonstrate his improvement before training camp.

"I think at times, perhaps, Josh may have been trying to do too much," Sullivan said of Freeman's performance in 2011. "I think he's a very competitive young man, he's a very talented player, and I think coach Turner has done a phenomenal job this spring honing in on the specific fundamentals and some of the mechanics and so forth.

"We've talked about decision-making and the importance of it within our scheme and where we need to go with the football and if it's not there, taking a sack is not only okay, it can be a good thing. Throwing it away, an incompletion is not only okay, it can be a good thing."

Not all the results last season were bad for Freeman. He set single-season highs for completion percentage (62.8) and passing yards (3,592). But there are some fundamental improvements he is making. A year ago, Freeman fumbled nine times, losing seven.

"I think they're a couple of things that are really a combination that a player is aware of and something a player does subconsciously," Sullivan said Monday. "Specifically, a big one for the quarterback is keeping two hands on the football in the pocket.

"We're really trying to enforce over the course of the spring on of those details because it's so critical we maintain possession of the ball. ... That's something we continue to focus on and he's shown great development this spring."

Because Freeman was frequently under duress — he was sacked a career-high 29 times last season — he had many occasions when he couldn't step into his throws.

"It's very rare quarterbacks have a chance to take that nice five-step drop and gather and set their feet because of the rush and things that are going on at his feet," Sullivan said. "I think there are instances when he could've set a better platform and had better balance but I think it just comes down to when there are those opportunities, when a quarterback can set his feet, that he does so. And also, having drill work, having to make those off-balanced because I think that's when a lot of those throws occur."

Turner has been impressed with Freeman's work ethic. The fourth-year pro has dropped 15 pounds without being asked to do so. And Turner, who has coached quarterbacks in college and for the Bears and Colts, loves Freeman's desire to improve.

"I think physically, he's done a great job this offseason," Turner said. "It's well documented he's lost some weight. He's done a great job. And mentally, I think he's hungry. He's eager to learn what we're doing and what we're teaching and he wants to be good. He wants to get better and he is really working at it mentally and physically. I've really enjoyed him.

"I think his willingness to accept coaching is big. ... When you get somebody like that who is hungry and eager, it makes it fun."