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Astros 6, Giants 3

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Astros 6, Giants 3

SAN FRANCISCO — J.D. Martinez's first grand slam helped the Astros avoid a sweep. Barry Zito walked the bases loaded in the third before Martinez made it 5-0. Since pitching 8⅓ shutout innings against the Cubs on June 3, Zito has allowed nine runs on 14 hits in his past 11 innings. And he has lost consecutive decisions for the first time this year.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano says he has plan if cornerback Aqib Talib unavailable

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 14, 2012

TAMPA — Greg Schiano said he's "concerned" about the status of CB Aqib Talib, who is scheduled to go on trial June 25 in Garland, Texas, on charges of assault with a deadly weapon. The Bucs coach also said the team has a plan in case Talib is unavailable.

Talib, who was suspended for the first game of 2010 for assaulting a St. Petersburg cab driver, faces 20 years in prison if convicted for the Texas incident involving a gun in March 2011. And the fifth-year player could face sanctions from the league even if he's not.

"Any time you have a guy where there's an off-the-field situation that could affect his on-the-field situation, you're concerned," Schiano said Thursday. "The thing that I can tell you is since I arrived here Jan. 26, he's been awesome. He's been here every day. He's been extremely focused, doing everything that we asked.

"So I'm pleased with that and hope everything can just kind of sort itself out and we can get back to life."

Schiano did not disclose specifics of his plans.

But the team has options if Talib misses games. Ronde Barber, who has moved to free safety, could return to cornerback opposite free agent Eric Wright. And the team has strong competition among E.J. Biggers, Anthony Gaitor, Keith Tandy and Myron Lewis.

"You always as a head coach have to have those plans just in case," Schiano said. "I hope like heck we don't ever have to dust them off."

Talib was not made available for comment during the three-day mandatory minicamp that ended Thursday.

more than a blocker: OT Donald Penn spent the past few months telling Schiano what a great athlete he is. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder got to prove it Thursday.

About an hour into the workout, Schiano told the players he would end it immediately if Penn could catch a punt from a Jugs Gun stationed near midfield.

The Bucs went home early.

"The rumors, they abound," Schiano said of Penn's athletic prowess. "He proved himself under pressure. He stepped up."

Penn has two career catches, a deflected pass in 2009 he advanced 15 yards and a 1-yard touchdown in 2010.

"I was joking around with Coach, talking about what a good athlete I am," Penn said. "I know I can catch. You (reporters) know I can catch. Since I caught it, we ended practice early, which is great. We've been working hard."

Penn said he had never caught punts before.

"It's a little different. He could have given me a little warning," Penn said. "I could've been talking to Preston Parker or Sammie Stroughter and gotten a little pointer. Everybody was all excited, and I was like, 'Calm down, calm down. I got it.' "

more than a runner: RB LeGarrette Blount has caught only 20 passes over his two seasons. It's not because he has bad hands, he said.

"I haven't dropped any passes this offseason," Blount said. "Also, when we have specialist groups, I go over with the receivers and the quarterbacks and catch extra footballs. That's another thing that helps me. I've definitely looking to be a receiver."

It remains to be seen if the team will use Blount in passing situations.

"Just watching what I saw here and on tape, does he have good hands? Yes, his hands are fine," Schiano said. "I don't know how that will transfer into our game plan and all that, but he can catch the football. That's a plus."

Recruits, get ready for text barrage

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Starting today, Division I men's basketball coaches can send unlimited texts and make unlimited calls to recruits who have wrapped up their sophomore year of high school. The NCAA will also allow coaches to send private messages to prospective players through social media sites.

The NCAA is allowing coaches to text, tweet and talk with no limits because, as Missouri athletic director Mike Alden put it, the organization "recognized the evolving nature of communication with students."

The new rule was adopted by the Division I board of directors in October after being recommended by its leadership council. The NCAA realized that coaches were having a tough time building relationships with recruits who know their way around social media and then some.

It was also worrisome that while coaches were limited, third parties were using technology to get to recruits.

"It's going to be good, more so than the texts, just the ability to call and making sure to have that direct verbal communication," Memphis coach Josh Pastner said.

paterno will released: Penn State Hall of Fame football coach Joe Paterno's will left his personal property to his wife, Sue, and established a trust for the remainder of his estate. The documents released by the family Thursday include the original seven-page will filed in 1997. The material did not state how much Paterno or his estate were worth.

Paterno died of cancer in January at age 85, less than three months after being ousted by university trustees as part of the fallout over child sex abuse charges filed against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. The will had been sealed in April upon request of the estate.

The family said it had sought privacy for Sue Paterno, the five children, 17 grandchildren and other family, then decided to release the will to ensure transparency and eliminate speculation. The family said it would petition to unseal all future filings.

uf honor: Florida's Mike Holloway was named the men's national coach of the year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. In his 10th year with the Gators, he led UF to its first NCAA outdoor national team title. The Gators also won the indoor title, only the sixth program to sweep the men's indoor and outdoor in the same year.

Baseball: Duke hired Appalachian State's Chris Pollard as coach.

basketball: Xavier and Cincinnati will play their annual game at a neutral downtown Cincinnati arena for the next two seasons because of a brawl last season.

Manning looks good, observers say

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — What Tom Moore saw this week was familiar. The throws were potent and precise, smacking sternums with a loud thwack.

Peyton Manning is most certainly back.

The Broncos wrapped up their three-day minicamp and offseason workouts Thursday with another practice marked by precision and power from their new quarterback.

"Watching these three days, he looked excellent to me," said Moore, Manning's offensive coordinator in Indianapolis who observed the workouts.

Manning, 36, who was unavailable for comment, showed no effects of the nerve issue that caused weakness in his throwing arm, required four surgeries and forced him to miss last season.

"We don't think about the injury anymore," said receiver Brandon Stokley, who played with Manning in Indianapolis, "and I'm not sure he does, either."

Earlier this week, Manning said he wishes he could have tripled the 13 offseason practices Denver was allowed to hold but cherished the time nonetheless. And he has given the Broncos no reason to hold back once training camp starts, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said.

"We're going full speed ahead. We're being aggressive with everything we're doing," he said. "He's fine. We have no concerns right now."

Browns: Team president Mike Holmgren said there are no plans to move either quarterback Colt McCoy or Seneca Wallace before training camp. Brandon Weeden, taken 22nd overall in April, is expected to start.

Rams: The city of St. Louis, which owns the Edward Jones Dome, and the team will go to nonbinding arbitration over improvements to the stadium. The lease requires the stadium to be among the top quarter in the league in 15 categories. If not, the team can break the lease after 2014. The city proposed $124 million in improvements. The Rams' proposal, according to the city, could cost $700 million. A date for the hearing has not been set. … Linebacker Rocky McIntosh, a starter for most of his six seasons with the Redskins, signed.

Seahawks: Coach Pete Carroll said he might not name a starting quarterback until a few days before the season opener. Incumbent Tarvaris Jackson, free agent Matt Flynn and third-round pick Russell Wilson each had a day with the first unit during this week's minicamp.

Texans: General manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak signed extensions through 2016 and 2014, respectively.

Arena Football League teams, including Tampa Bay Storm, prepared to play as union, league get closer

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By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Thursday, June 14, 2012

TAMPA — While nothing on the labor front has been resolved, the player's union and the league appear headed in the right direction as the AFL prepares for its upcoming weekend slate.

The Arena Football League Players Union submitted a counterproposal Thursday in response to the most recent offer by the league. AFLPU executive director Ivan Soto said the two sides are getting closer and he expects the league's response this morning.

"We have sent a counterproposal to the League and are waiting to hear back from them," Soto said in an email to the Tampa Bay Times on Thursday. "We are not very far apart on the numbers at all, but we do need to get through a few of the nonfinancial issues."

The labor impasse has being ongoing, starting with the season-opening game between Orlando and Pittsburgh that featured mostly replacement players. Cleveland players took part in a work stoppage last Friday that resulted in Pittsburgh being awarded a 2-0 win, the first forfeit in the league's 25-year history.

There had been speculation that tonight's Storm game at Orlando could be affected. But Soto has been encouraged by recent negotiations and said the chances of a work stoppage this weekend are dwindling.

"I would think that the deal is very close so the talk of a lockout or work stoppage and the actual reality of either of them happening this weekend is low," he said.

Tampa Bay is scheduled to play at 8 tonight at Orlando. The game was originally scheduled to be broadcast live on the NFL Network, but the network pulled the plug because of labor uncertainty. The game will air at 3 p.m. Saturday on tape delay.

Storm president Derrick Brooks said he is encouraged the 50th edition of the "War on I-4" will go off without a hitch.

"We are hopeful that the league and the players association can reach a permanent agreement quickly," he said, "one that allows us to focus on growing the game and entertaining our fans for a long time."

Soto said today's response could dictate if or when the AFLPU takes action before the weekend's games.

"We reserve our decision based on how the league responds to our proposal," he said.

Cain gives Giants their first perfecto

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain tossed and turned and managed all of about four hours of sleep after his history-making gem for the Giants.

Perfectly understandable.

Cain's perfect game will be remembered among the most masterful pitching performances in regular-season history.

San Francisco's right-hander dominated the Astros in nearly every way late Wednesday in a 10-0 win for the 22nd perfect game ever and the fifth no-hitter this year.

He struck out a career-best 14, making up more than half of his 27 straight outs and tying Sandy Koufax for most strikeouts in a perfect game. Cain threw 19 first-pitch strikes and never faced a 2-and-0 count in winning his career-high seventh straight start.

"I'm still pumped," said Cain, who was playing catch by 10:15 a.m. Thursday after a workout. "I haven't really had a ton of time to sit down and look over stuff, see how it all happened. I don't know that it has hit me yet, maybe when I can sit down and watch the highlights, go over the game."

Add a pair of improbable catches by Melky Cabrera and Gregor Blanco to preserve the bid, and Cain wound up with the first perfect game in the franchise's 130-year history and its 14th no-hitter.

Cain threw 125 pitches, the most ever in a perfect game, and 86 were strikes. Seven of his strikeouts were called. He didn't shake off catcher Buster Posey even once. They were in sync all evening.

"It's something I always wanted to do since I was little, but it's kind of a blur when it actually happens," Cain said.

Cain followed up Madison Bumgarner's 12-strikeout night Tuesday, and they became the first Giants pitchers to record consecutive double-digit strikeout games since Vida Blue and John Montefusco in May 1978.

"Things like this bring a team together even more," manager Bruce Bochy said. "That's the first one I've seen. It was an incredible night. Matt was going about it like a normal game. That last at-bat he sprinted to first base and I yelled, 'Hey, take it easy.' But he always plays the game hard."

The two-time All-Star was rewarded with a six-year, $127.5 million contract, the richest for a right-hander, days before the season began.

Cain, 27, showed glimpses of his potential for perfection in consecutive starts in mid April. There was a one-hitter against Pittsburgh in the home opener, then nine shutout innings against the Phillies in a 1-0, 11-inning Giants victory his next time out.

Yet even Giants Hall of Famers Carl Hubbell, Christy Mathewson, Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry hadn't accomplished what Cain did Wednesday.

Leftfielder Cabrera delivered the first save with his glove when he chased down Chris Snyder's one-out flyball in the sixth at the wall. Then, rightfielder Blanco sprinted into deep center for a diving catch on a hard-hit drive by Jordan Schafer for the first out of the seventh.

Blanco came up holding the ball for all to see.

"I have watched it a lot, and I still don't believe I made that play," Blanco said.

Up next for Tampa Bay Rays: vs. Miami Marlins

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By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 14, 2012

.Up Next

vs. Marlins

Today-Sunday

What's new: The Marlins lost two of three to the Red Sox, part of a 1-8 homestand that included three-game sweeps by the Rays and Braves. Former East Lake High standout Chris Coghlan will not be with the Marlins. He was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday after hitting .140 in 93 at-bats.

Key stat: Dating to last season, the Rays have won seven straight against Miami. In the three-game sweep in Miami, the Marlins went 2-for-30 with runners in scoring position.

Connections: Miami OF Justin Ruggiano, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Chad Gaudin and manager Ozzie Guillen are former Rays. Rays RHP Burke Badenhop is a former Marlin.

Series history: The Marlins lead 42-40 overall, but the Rays lead 20-17 in St. Petersburg.

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

Tampa Bay Rays: Draft pick heads to Class A; base coach shuffle with Foley out; Zobrist returns

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By Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Rays vs. Marlins

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

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

Promotions: Joe Maddon bobblehead to first 10,000 fans, and DJ Afrojack postgame concert

Probable pitchers

Rays: LH Matt Moore (3-5, 4.59)

Marlins: RH Carlos Zambrano (4-4, 3.55)

On Moore: With one win in his first 10 starts, Moore has now won his past two. In last week's win against Miami, he gave up five hits and four runs with nine strikeouts and two walks over six innings. He has a 3.44 ERA in his last six starts.

On Zambrano: He left last week's loss to the Rays with back stiffness. In 2⅓ innings, he allowed seven runs on five hits, walking three and striking out one. He has lost both career starts against the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Zambrano

B.J. Upton 2-for-6

Ben Zobrist 1-for-1, HR

Marlins vs. Moore

Justin Ruggiano 2-for-2, HR

Giancarlo Stanton 2-for-3

On deck

Saturday: vs. Marlins, 7:15; Ch. 13. Rays — James Shields (7-4, 4.06); Marlins — Anibal Sanchez (3-5, 3.40)

Pick receives assignment

Rays 2011 first-round draft pick RHP Taylor Guerrieri will make his professional debut with the short-season Class A affiliate in Hudson Valley, N.Y. Guerrieri, 19, signed in August for a $1.6 million bonus. He has since spent time in instructional ball, spring training and extended spring training. Rated the 10th overall prospect by Baseball America in 2011, Guerrieri was available for the Rays at No. 24. He posted a 6-1 record with a 1.10 ERA as a senior at Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.) High.

Base coach shuffle

Third-base coach Tom Foley missed Thursday's game due to personal reasons. He was replaced by first-base coach George Hendrick. Roving catching instructor Jamie Nelson coached first. Foley is expected back for tonight's game against the Marlins.

Return of the day

2B Ben Zobrist was back after a two-day absence (flu, sore right hand) and hit two doubles. "I was a little bit weaker because of the flu, but my hand is at about 90 percent," he said.


Orioles 12, Pirates 6

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Orioles 12, Pirates 6

BALTIMORE — Steve Pearce homered and drove in a career-high five and Matt Wieters had four hits and five RBIs as the Orioles capped a sweep. The only other game in which Baltimore had two players with at least five RBIs was June 13, 1999, when Cal Ripken had six and Will Clark five in a 22-1 victory over Atlanta. The 12 runs and 16 hits were season highs for the Orioles.

Tampa Bay Rays to send Luke Scott to DL as Evan Longoria and Jeff Keppinger near return

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By Rodney Page and Joe Smith, Times Staff Writers
Thursday, June 14, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays DH Luke Scott is headed to the 15-day disabled list, while 3B Evan Longoria and INF Jeff Keppinger are headed to Triple-A Durham.

Scott said he injured his back last Friday while trying to warm up for a pinch-hitting appearance against the Marlins. He said he woke up with a stiff lower back and put a heating pad on it while taking practice swings in the batting cage.

"I've been having really, really bad back spasms since Saturday," said Scott, who is hitting .220 with nine homers and 35 RBIs. "I've been trying to get them to go away, but they haven't so far. We have a plan and we'll keep to that plan. It's a difficult situation, but we'll have to make the most of it."

Scott's stint on the DL is retroactive to June 8. He will continue rehab work and said he should be ready to rejoin the team June 24. The Rays are expected to make a roster move today to fill his spot.

Longoria and Keppinger worked out before Thursday's 9-6 loss to the Mets but were en route to Durham before the game ended. Longoria has been on the DL since May 1 with a partially torn left hamstring. Keppinger has been out since May 19 with a broken toe.

Manager Joe Maddon said Keppinger will be the DH tonight, while Longoria will DH on Saturday for the Bulls.

"We'll adjust on Sunday because it's a day game after a night game," Maddon said. "We'll figure out what we are going to do with both of those guys depending on how they are feeling on Sunday."

No-hitter appeal: Mets manager Terry Collins expects to have an answer today on the appeal to have B.J. Upton's hit Wednesday changed to an error, which would result in a no-hitter for RHP R.A. Dickey. Collins acknowledged there's only a slim chance the original call will be overturned.

"It's something that you don't see very much, and if you can get something changed where a guy has a no-hitter, I think it's great," Collins said.

Collins said it was a "tough play," for Mets 3B David Wright, who tried to bare hand a chopper by Upton, one of the fastest Rays.

"It's not a reflection on David, because he's still in my book as good a third baseman as there is in this game," Collins said. "You get so used to him making all the plays that if he doesn't make one it's, 'Wow, that must have been an error because he always makes them.' "

Unhappy ending: Ben Zobrist struck out with the bases loaded and the Rays trailing by three to end the game. But Zobrist and Maddon weren't convinced about the call.

"At first I thought (plate umpire Laz Diaz) said I swung at it," Zobrist said. "Then Joe came out and (Diaz) said he called it a strike. I don't think that was his normal called strike. I think he was a little bit in between. Either way, (Frank) Francisco threw a fantastic pitch. It was a splitter. Got to hand it to him for throwing 3-2 splitter."

MORE MOORE: LHP Matt Moore knows it's a different challenge tonight facing the Marlins for the second consecutive start, but he doesn't plan to alter his approach.

"I had a good feel for my stuff last time, so hopefully it'll be a familiar thing getting after it and being at home," Moore said.

Moore earned a victory Saturday, pointing out he mostly went to a fastball-changeup mix after the Rays took a huge early lead.

"I think my last time, I only threw like three curveballs," he said. "So that'll be another thing to have (tonight). Hopefully I have the same changeup I had and not have to use too many pitches."

Moore has victories in consecutive starts for the first time in his career.

"I think I'm throwing a lot more quality pitches earlier in the at-bat, which is good for me to not throw as many pitches each inning," Moore said.

Long-simmering Baker-Lowe feud flares anew

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

CINCINNATI — An inside pitch to Indians starter Derek Lowe and comments he made afterward about Dusty Baker have the Reds manager riled up.

Cincinnati starter Mat Latos threw an inside fastball to Lowe during the fifth inning of Cincinnati's 5-3 win Wednesday. Lowe gestured toward Baker, who shook his finger back at him. Lowe hit Brandon Phillips with a pitch in the bottom of the inning, and benches were warned.

Lowe suggested afterward that the inside fastball was a payback for a personal issue with Baker from a few years ago. Lowe wouldn't talk about the issue.

Lowe said he has "zero respect for the guy."

Baker became angry Thursday, saying the pitcher had it wrong.

"He don't respect himself because the word was that whatever he did and said, there was probably a good chance he was drinking at the ballpark at that time three or four years ago, so he don't remember what he said or what he did, okay?" Baker said.

Baker acknowledged having Latos throw inside to Lowe, but said it didn't involve any personal issue. Rather, it was retaliation for Lowe hitting Joey Votto in the back in 2009, when Lowe was with Atlanta.

"I'm not denying nothing," Baker said. "I didn't order anybody to hit him, but I told him to buzz him and make him uncomfortable. That's what happened. … Nobody hit him. But then he hit our guy."

Torre back to dugout: Former manager turned MLB executive vice president Joe Torre, 72, will manage the United States at the World Baseball Classic that begins with qualifiers in September. Torre will keep his duties at MLB during the WBC.

Mets: The team is appealing to have B.J. Upton's hit Wednesday off knuckleballer R.A. Dickey changed to an error on 3B David Wright, but Dickey is not sure how he would feel if he gets the franchise's second no-hitter that way: "Part of me thinks it would be cheap," he said.

Pirates: RHP Charlie Morton is out for the season after surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Yankees: LF Brett Gardner, on the DL since April, will be out at least another three to four weeks because of his injured right elbow, ESPN.com reported.

Sports in brief: Drivers exceed 200 mph during testing at repaved Michigan track

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

autos

drivers exceed 200 mph at repaved track

BROOKLYN, Mich. — After four drivers posted laps of more than 200 mph during a morning test session, Greg Biffle was asked if the fast new track at Michigan International Speedway might be good for the sport.

"Certainly this doesn't hurt us," he said. "We don't want to kill anybody, either, so we've got to walk that fine line of killing people and creating excitement."

After being repaved in the offseason, the 2-mile track at MIS was the talk of the Sprint Cup drivers Thursday. Four drivers exceeded 200 mph in the morning, then seven did it during the second test session, including Tony Stewart, who set the day's standard at 201.896 mph.

The track record for qualifying is 194.232 mph, set by Ryan Newman in 2005. All 43 drivers surpassed that speed Thursday afternoon. Qualifying is Saturday for Sunday's 400-mile race.

No driver in the series has qualified at more than 200 mph since Bill Elliott in 1987 at Talladega. "It's been quite a rush for the drivers," driver Jimmie Johnson said.

gymnastics

Book questions Karolyis' methods

Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu no longer has a relationship with former coaches Bela and Martha Karolyi, and wishes USA Gymnastics didn't, either.

In her memoir, Off Balance, Moceanu repeats criticisms of the Karolyis and their training methods that she first made four years ago. She said she thinks Martha Karolyi should be removed from her role as national team coordinator.

"She's the maker or breaker of people's Olympic dreams," Moceanu said. "She holds unchecked power. The governing body has handed it to them."

The Karolyis retired from coaching after Moceanu and her teammates won gold in Atlanta in 1996. Martha Karolyi has overseen the U.S. women's team since 2001. The United States has won 59 medals in international competition under Martha Karolyi's guidance.

In her book, Moceanu, now 30, contends the Karolyis created a toxic environment that made training under them difficult and left her with issues that took years to sort out.

Et cetera

NHL: The Kings celebrated their first Stanley Cup at a packed Staples Center in Los Angeles. Coach Darryl Sutter pumped up the fans with out-of-character fist pumps, and forward Anze Kopitar riled them up even more. "It's too much fun not to win it again, so let's go get it," Kopitar said.

Tennis: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga might miss Wimbledon after injuring his right hand during a 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) third-round loss to Ivan Dodig at Queen's Club in London. Tsonga hurt the little finger on his dominant hand during the final set. "I think it's serious," he said. Last year, Tsonga upset Roger Federer in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. … Rafael Nadal defeated Lukas Lacko 7-5, 6-1 at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany. Federer downed Florian Mayer 6-4, 7-5. Also, Nadal will lead Spain's team at the London Games.

Horses: Churchill Downs simplified the path leading to the Kentucky Derby, announcing a new points system pegged to three dozen races that will set the field. Derby hopefuls can start accumulating points as 2-year-olds, but the greatest number of points will be awarded for the traditional prep races in the weeks leading up to the Run for the Roses. Those races include the Florida Derby, Louisiana Derby, Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass Stakes.

Times wires

Tiger Woods a rare constant in strange first round of U.S. Open

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — The first round of the U.S. Open had an upside-down feel to much of it.

The leader at 4-under 66, Michael Thompson, is playing his first Open as a pro and confessed to being "a little nervous … once all those cameras showed up.''

Meanwhile, many of the big names struggled. Phil Mickelson matched his worst opening round in a U.S. Open, 76. Masters champion Bubba Watson chopped his way through the rough to 78. Luke Donald, No. 1 in the world, made no birdies and shot 79. Rory McIlroy, the defending champion and No. 2 in the world, shot 77. No. 3 Lee Westwood was 4 over through six holes and rallied for 73. The top three in the world rankings combined for three birdies.

One thing that made sense? Tiger Woods.

As Thompson strung together four birdies on the back nine at Olympic Club, Woods put on a clinic on the other side of the course on how to handle the toughest test in golf.

He was never out of position, and he kept his tee shots away from the deep, nasty rough.

With consecutive birdies late in his round, including a 35-foot putt that banged into the back of the cup on No. 5, Woods shot 1-under 69 to raise hopes that he can end a four-year drought in the majors.

"I felt like I had control of my game all day," he said. "Just stuck to my game plan — and executed my game plan."

He was vague on the details of that plan, though it surely wasn't the one followed by the others in his group, Mickelson (who hit a wild hook for his opening tee shot that was never found, presumably lost in a cypress tree) and Watson.

Thompson's game seems to work on this quirky, tree-lined course. He was runnerup in the 2007 U.S. Amateur at Olympic.

After a roller-coaster front nine that featured consecutive bogeys and holing a bunker shot for birdie on the downhill par-3 third hole, Thompson hit his stride on the back nine.

He made five consecutive 3s — three of them birdies — and closed his dream round with a 10-foot birdie putt on the short, tough 18th for the lead. Thompson took only 22 putts.

"A lot of people don't know who I am, and I'm totally okay with that because I've always been a player that just kind of hangs around," said Thompson, 27. "I don't give up very easily and I'm very proud of that. Give Tiger the spotlight. I don't care."

Woods missed only four fairways — three of them that ran off the severe slopes and into the first cut, the other into a bunker on the 256-yard seventh hole, which is where he was aiming. The only glitch was failing to get the ball closer to the hole with short irons, including the 14th when a shot bounced off the base of the grandstand.

That led to one of his two bogeys, the other at No. 6 with a poor bunker shot.

Watson was asked about his strategy of hitting his pink-painted driver. "I shot 8 over, so not very good," he said. Then a question about how he played out of the rough with short irons. "I shot 8 over, so not very good," he said.

"You could answer these yourself," he said.

Steve Marino opened with 84. Zach Johnson didn't feel he played badly until he signed for 77. Padraig Harrington thought the course allowed for good scores. But he had two four-putts and a three-putt for 74.

"It just goes to show that firm greens scare the life out of pro golfers," Harrington said.

"It shows how tough it is," Donald said. "There aren't that many opportunities out there."

Woods is coming off his second win of the year at the Memorial Tournament, but recent history left some questions.

He won Bay Hill going into the Masters, then had his worst performance as a pro at Augusta National. But Thursday?

"Today, he was just the old Tiger," Watson said, emphasizing the "today" part.

Mickelson: "He's playing really well. It was impressive."

Leaderboard

Michael Thompson66-4

Tiger Woods69-1

David Toms69-1

Nick Watney 69 -1

Justin Rose 69 -1

Graeme McDowell 69 -1

Notables

Phil Mickelson76+6

Rory McIlroy 77 +7

Bubba Watson78+8

Luke Donald 79 +9

TV: Noon, ESPN; 3 p.m, Ch. 8; 5 p.m., ESPN

Weather: High 71, no rain chance

Phillies 6, Twins 1

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Phillies 6, Twins 1

MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Blanton pitched his second complete game of the season and Jim Thome homered for the second day in a row for the Phillies. Blanton went the distance for the sixth time in his career, ending a string of five straight starts with at least five runs allowed. Ty Wigginton also homered for the Phillies, who took two of three from Minnesota. Trevor Plouffe homered for the third consecutive day and fifth time in six games for the Twins.

Cardinals 5, White Sox 3

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Cardinals 5, White Sox 3

ST. LOUIS — David Freese homered, doubled and drove in three runs for the Cardinals. St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook retired the first 12 batters on 41 pitches before giving up a leadoff single in the fifth to Paul Konerko. Adam Dunn tied Texas' Josh Hamilton for the major-league home run lead with his 22nd.


Bad day for big names

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Times wires
Thursday, June 14, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — Phil Mickelson lost a ball in the trees on his first swing Thursday, hit a spectator on another and spent much of his time in the rough.

Playing partner Bubba Watson looked even more lost.

Lack of precision cost both in the first round of the U.S. Open. Five-time Open runnerup Mickel­son shot 6-over 76, and Masters champion Watson shot 78.

"It beat me up," Watson said of the course. "It's winning by eight right now."

Said Mickelson, who bogeyed the first three holes: "I didn't play well, obviously. You could see that."

It started with his first swing, when he hit 3-wood on No. 9 — his opening hole because of Olympic's logistics. He snap-hooked it right, and it quickly disappeared into the trees.

Fans gathered around one cypress and photographers took endless photos of a ball sitting in the tree like a bird's egg. But there was no way to determine if it was Mickelson's ball.

Mickelson abandoned his search after five minutes and went back to the tee. He salvaged bogey but couldn't recover.

"I just let it continue," he said.

Watson said before the tournament he wasn't sure about Olympic's setup, fearing he'd shoot 80.

He wasn't far off.

He hit only five fairways and eight greens, and made seven bogeys and a double.

On No. 14, Mickelson hit right into the gallery. When he got to his ball, he asked if he hit anyone and handed a souvenir ball from his bag to the spectator, prompting another fan to yell, "Phil, can you hit me next?"

A third fan chirped in.

"Just don't stand in the fairway (if you want to get hit)," he said.

defending champ at 77: Everything seemed effortless for Rory McIlroy last year in the Open. He opened with 65 and cruised to an eight-stroke win. This year, McIlroy might not even be around for the weekend. He shot 7-over 77 and was 11 strokes back. "I just too many times was in the wrong position off the tee or with my second shot and it makes it very difficult," McIlroy said. "When you're trying to play catch-up on this golf course, it's very hard … you have to be so precise. "

OH ZHANG: Andy Zhang, at 14 believed to be the youngest player in championship history, shot 9-over 79. "At least I broke 80," he said. "I'm actually okay with what I shot." He dropped eight strokes on the first five holes, making triple bogey on No. 1. "I was really nervous the first few holes," he said. "But then they started cheering for me."

ANOTHER ALBATROSS: Nick Watney holed out with a 5-iron from 190 yards for a 2 on the par-5 17th, the second albatross in a major this year. Louis Oosthuizen made an albatross on the second hole of the final round at the Masters. Others in U.S. Open history: T.C. Chen at Oakland Hills in 1985, and Shaun Micheel at Pebble Beach two years ago.

Royals 4, Brewers 3

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Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Royals 4, Brewers 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brayan Pena drove in the tying run in the ninth, and Jarrod Dyson scored the winning run on a misguided cutoff throw. Pena singled to left, allowing Mitch Maier to score from second, and shortstop Edwin Maysonet cut the throw from the outfield and fired to second, where Pena had started to go, allowing Dyson to dash home.

Diamondbacks 11, Rangers 3

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Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Diamondbacks 11, Rangers 3

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jason Kubel and Gerardo Parra homered to back Daniel Hudson's seven solid innings. Parra's three-run shot off reliever Tanner Scheppers capped a five-run sixth. Hudson struck out a season-high seven only six days after the shortest start in his four major-league seasons (six runs in 1 2/3 innings against Oakland).

Miami Heat beats Oklahoma City Thunder 100-96 to even NBA Finals at one game

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Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY — LeBron James scored 32, including the clinching free throws with seven seconds left, as the Heat beat the Thunder 100-96 to even the best-of-seven NBA Finals at one game apiece on Thursday night.

Dwyane Wade added 24 points for Miami, which hosts the next three games. Game 3 is Sunday.

Miami had lost four in a row in the Finals, including the final three games last season against the Mavericks.

It was the first home loss in 10 post­season games this season for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City rallied to win Tuesday's Game 1 after trailing by double digits in the first half.

It rallied Thursday after trailing by 13 in the fourth. And it had a chance to tie on Kevin Durant's 7-footer along the left baseline with 10 seconds left.

But James defended the shot, rebounded the miss, got fouled and made the free throws.

"We've been down. We've withstood rallies. The good thing about it, when they scored, we didn't get our head down. We just got back on offense and started to execute," James said. "It's a great team that we're going against. So we're going to need every effort, every play and it's going to take all the way down to zeroes on that clock to get a win."

Durant had 32 points and three rebounds while Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook had 27 and eight, respectively.

While the Heat was building the early big lead, Thunder coach Scott Brooks was caught on TV telling his players they weren't playing as hard as Miami.

All-Star forward Chris Bosh, back in the starting lineup for Miami, had 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Bosh had started every game he played in during the regular season and playoffs before missing nine games with a strained lower abdominal muscle during the Eastern Conference semifinals and final.

Upon returning, he came off the bench for the first four games. That included Game 1, when he scored 10. After which, coach Erik Spoelstra said the Heat "need more from him offensively."

On Thursday he replaced Udonis Haslem in the lineup. Haslem scored two, and Miami's entire bench scored only eight.

Shane Battier made 6 of 8 shots, including 5 of 7 3-pointers, to score 17 for the Heat.

James Harden scored 21, Oklahoma City's only other player in double figures.

MIAMI (100): James 10-22 12-12 32, Battier 6-8 0-0 17, Bosh 6-13 4-5 16, Chalmers 1-7 0-0 3, Wade 10-20 4-6 24, Haslem 1-2 0-0 2, Jones 1-1 0-0 2, Cole 1-3 0-0 2, Miller 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 36-76 22-25 100.

OKLAHOMA CITY (96): Durant 12-22 4-6 32, Ibaka 2-5 3-4 7, Perkins 1-5 2-2 4, Westbrook 10-26 5-7 27, Sefolosha 1-5 0-0 3, Harden 7-11 5-7 21, Collison 0-0 0-0 0, Fisher 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 34-79 19-26 96.

Miami 27 28 23 22— 100

Oklahoma City 15 28 24 29— 96

3-Point GoalsMiami 6-14 (Battier 5-7, Chalmers 1-3, Bosh 0-1, Cole 0-1, James 0-2), Oklahoma City 9-26 (Durant 4-10, Harden 2-3, Westbrook 2-6, Sefolosha 1-3, Fisher 0-4). Fouled OutNone. ReboundsMiami 49 (Bosh 15), Oklahoma City 46 (Westbrook, Perkins 8). AssistsMiami 13 (James, Wade 5), Oklahoma City 14 (Westbrook 7). Total FoulsMiami 21, Oklahoma City 22. A18,203 (18,203).

Dream Team movie gets huge ratings

OKLAHOMA CITY — Count Dwyane Wade among the biggest audience NBA TV has ever had.

The Heat guard set his alarm to wake up from his nap and watch The Dream Team, the documentary about the 1992 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team that won a gold medal. It was the first U.S. team to include pros.

Featuring previously unseen footage and recent interviews with all 12 players, it debuted Wednesday to an average of 847,000 viewers, becoming the most-watched telecast in the network's 13-year history.

"I wanted to see some of the behind the scenes of those guys together," Wade said.

Wade particularly enjoyed the footage of former Jazz point guard John Stockton walking unrecognized through the streets of Barcelona, Spain, and the relationships and rivalries between certain people. One stood out most to the Chicago native, who was 10 at the time of the Olympics.

"I think the biggest thing that surprised me was probably Michael Jordan and (coach) Chuck Daly," he said. "I knew the rivalry behind Chicago and Detroit. For those guys to go out and golf and have the relationship that they had, I found that very shocking."

Wade played on the past two Olympic teams, including the squad that won gold four years ago in basketball-crazed China. So he appreciated some of what his predecessors lived through.

Pressure only increases for Florida Gators baseball at College World Series

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2012

In a moment of candor shortly after the Florida baseball team earned a berth in the College World Series, coach Kevin O'Sullivan acknowledged it has been a pressure-filled, sometimes trying season.

The Gators opened the season ranked No. 1 in all four polls, and with a large group of returning players from last year's national runnerup team, the internal desire and outside expectations to get back to the World Series were sometimes a heavy burden.

"It was one of those things that was like the big elephant in the room that no one talked about," O'Sullivan said. "It was just there. It has not been an easy road. It's been an enjoyable one. I've learned things this year that I didn't know. These players handled the pressures and expectations extremely well."

And now that the top-seeded Gators have found their way back to Omaha, Neb., for the double-elimination tournament, the bracket has ensured that achieving that ultimate goal won't come without more pressure.

For the second straight season, Florida's road to the national championship goes through South Carolina. Last season the Gamecocks swept the Gators in the best-of-three championship series for their second straight national title.

"It's one of those … we've got to take it how the bracket worked out, and we've got to take it as another game," junior catcher Mike Zunino said. "We just try to play the best baseball that we can and not fall into that hype."

The Gators and Gamecocks have met four times this season, most recently in the SEC tournament. The Gators are 3-1, but seeing South Carolina again isn't all that unexpected.

"I was excited," Florida pitcher Greg Larson said. "They've had a great run, and just thinking back to last year, I thought we were going to run into them sooner or later. So why not the first game in Omaha?"

The Gamecocks know how to win in the postseason. They have won 21 consecutive NCAA tournament games.

Florida and South Carolina are the only teams to play in the final World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium and first two at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Each is familiar with the field (for example, centerfield is 408 feet away) and know what to expect, which could be an advantage over the other six teams.

"As a hitter, you have to take your singles," Florida pitcher/DH Brian Johnson said. "You're not trying to hit too big and hit the ball out.

"As a pitcher, you just want to throw to contact because you know if you can get the ball in play … it's a big field. It just plays big."

The Gamecocks aren't ready to let their run end. And although they began the season with a lot of inexperienced players, they now consider themselves an experienced team.

"Our guys don't think that they're unbeatable by any stretch of the imagination," coach Ray Tanner said. "They do think we have a chance. It's confidence, but it's not arrogance. It's respect for the other team and perspective.

"Have we been lucky? Has it been a tremendous run? Absolutely. But it's simple for our guys. It's about let's go play and get in position to win the game and keep it simple. That's kind of the way they are. We've been lucky."

Perhaps, but also very good.

Johnson (8-4, 3.56 ERA), who did not start in last season's World Series because of a concussion, will do so tonight. And he faces one of the SEC's best in Michael Roth (7-1, 2.50 ERA)

For Preston Tucker, the senior and former Plant High standout, this is the final shot at a title. The same goes for the many juniors drafted last week. Asked how he'd like to be remembered, Tucker, who holds numerous school records, thought for a moment then responded: "As a champion."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com. Follow her on Twitter at @gatornews.

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