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

GAINESVILLE — The Florida men's basketball team will open its 2012-13 season in grand style by participating in the inaugural Navy/Marine Corps Classic against Georgetown on the deck of an aircraft carrier at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville.

This will be the second straight season that two major programs have played games on a naval ship. Last season, North Carolina and Michigan State played on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson Nov. 11 in San Diego Bay.

According to City of Jacksonville officials, all proceeds for the game will go to veterans' causes, including a transitional housing fund for servicemen returning from overseas deployment.

"We're honored to take part in such a special event, and one that brings recognition to the United States Navy and Marine Corps," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "The U.S. Navy has a long and storied history in the city of Jacksonville and this should be a truly special night. To be able to play an opponent and program the caliber of Georgetown in a city that means so much to the Gator Nation is something we're proud to be a part of."

Florida's non-conference schedule now includes Georgetown, Wisconsin, Marquette, Kansas State, at Arizona, UCF, at FSU and at Yale. The Gators' scheduled game against Richmond has been moved to 2013-14 so Florida could add the Georgetown game.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2012

The Lightning hopes it has found a big-time goaltender. Well, at the very least, he's big.

After stumbling through last season with goaltending woes, the Lightning sent three draft picks and journeyman goalie Sebastien Caron to Nashville on Friday for 6-foot-6 Swede Anders Lindback.

In other words, if you were waiting for the Lightning to address goaltending this offseason, this is the move.

"We're now set,'' general manager Steve Yzerman said.

However, Yzerman stopped short of naming Lindback, 24, the No. 1, saying he would compete with veteran Mathieu Garon.

"We think he has the ability to become a No. 1 goalie soon, but it would be wrong to sit here today and say he's our No. 1 goalie,'' Yzerman said. "We think he has really good potential, and we're going to let him develop at the right pace.''

Loaded with picks heading into next week's draft, the Lightning shipped three — Minnesota's second-rounder in 2012, Philadelphia's second-rounder in 2012 and its third-rounder in 2013 — along with Caron to Nashville.

The Lightning still owns two first-round picks, Nos. 10 and 19 overall, and one second-rounder, No. 40, and could, per last season's trade, get a second-rounder, No. 53, from the Panthers.

In addition to Lindback, the Lightning acquired center Kyle Wilson and a 2012 seventh-round pick.

The Lightning is banking on Lindback being the No. 1 soon, but his track record is unproven. Backing up Pekka Rinne, one of the NHL's best goalies, he has appeared in only 38 games over two seasons. His record, 16-13-2, is spotty, but his other key numbers, 2.53 goals-against average and .914 save percentage, are impressive.

"I had some great years with Nashville, but I was in a tough spot behind Pekka Rinne,'' Lindback said. "My dream all my life has been to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL, and I think I have a great opportunity to be that in Tampa Bay."

Last season, Lindback went 5-8 with a 2.42 GAA and .912 save percentage in 16 games. He's a restricted free agent, but the Lightning should be able to sign him to a new deal. He made $875,000 last season.

Lindback first appeared on Yzerman's radar in Oct. 24, 2010, when he stopped 42 of 45 shots in a 4-3 victory at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

"The big thing you first notice is his size,'' he said. "We like the way he moves. I like his athleticism. He reacts well. I think he has good, solid technique and an all-around structure.''

In 2011-12, just a season after Dwayne Roloson led the Lightning to within a victory of the Stanley Cup final, the Lightning struggled in goal, mostly with the 42-year-old Roloson and much-traveled Garon. The team's 3.39 GAA and .889 save percentage were both worst in the NHL.

Finding a goalie became Yzerman's top priority, and the rumor mill included Vancouver's Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo and several backups. Schneider has evolved into a No. 1 while Luongo's remaining contract, $47.284 million through 2021-22, is too bulky. And it was unclear if other goalies would become available.

"We do our best to research everything; to check around the league,'' Yzerman said. "We had an opportunity present itself with Anders, and we wanted him. We believe there were other teams in consideration for Anders."

Yzerman previously added depth by signing Riku Helenius from the Finish elite league, and minor-leaguer Dustin Tokarski just completed a sensational season capped by an American Hockey League championship.

"I think Yzerman's plan is in motion," wing Marty St. Louis said in a text message. "And it's exciting."

Wilson, 27, played in five games last season with no points. In 39 games (also with the Capitals and Blue Jackets), he has four goals and nine assists.

The Lightning signed Caron, who turns 32 on June 25, in March. In three games, he went 1-1 with a 3.11 GAA and .877 save percentage.

No Swiss: Damien Brunner, a star wing in the Swiss league and a free agent, won't sign with the Lightning. His agent said neither where he will sign nor why it won't be with Tampa Bay. Yzerman declined comment.

Re-signings: Forwards Adam Hall and J.T. Wyman re-signed for one year. Hall signed a one-way contract, Wyman a two-way deal. In 57 games last season, Hall had two goals, five assists and a 59.5 faceoff win percentage that was second in the league among those with at least 200 wins. In 40 games, Wyman had two goals and nine assists.

Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.

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

Junior catcher Mike Zunino became the first Florida player to win the Dick Howser Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate baseball player.

Zunino is a 2011 and 2012 All-American as well as the 2011 SEC player of the year and first-team catcher both years. He has helped lead the Gators to three consecutive World Series berths.

This season, he has started 64 games, with team highs of 28 doubles, 19 homers and 64 RBIs. The Cape Coral native is hitting .322 (just behind Daniel Pigott's .323), slugging .678 and has thrown out about a third of the runners who have attempted to steal. On June 4, Zunino became the highest draft choice in school history, No. 3 to the Mariners.

"Mike Zunino epitomizes the true qualities of Dick Howser: ability, leadership, character and courage," said Howser Trophy chair David Feaster of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, who presented the award Friday to Zunino prior to the CWS in Omaha, Neb., where the Gators open play today. "He has taken Florida to new heights in the past two years as well as being a tremendous team leader and go-to student-athlete in all areas."

The Dick Howser Trophy is given in memory of the former Florida State All-America shortstop, major-league player and major-league manager who died of brain cancer in 1987.

Zunino also is a finalist for the Golden Spikes, the player of the year award given by USA Baseball. That winner will be announced July 6.

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Cubs 3, Red Sox 0

CHICAGO — Ryan Dempster pitched four-hit ball over seven innings to stretch his scoreless innings streak to 22. Dempster also won a $500 bet with teammate Tony Campana when he tripled past a diving outfielder. The bet? Who would get a triple first this year. "I thought it was the easiest bet I ever made," said Campana, the majors' leader in steals with 23.

By Mike Gore, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 15, 2012

What's hot: This is the month of diverse opportunities. The choice of species is unlimited. You can target snook and tarpon in the morning, then Spanish mackerel, snapper, shark and cobia in the afternoon. Bait is loaded throughout the bay.

Technique: You can fish for tarpon a few different ways. At a bridge, use a threadfin or dead bait such as mullet or crab. If on the beach, set up in front of the rolling fish, use the same bait and let them come to you. Snook head toward coastal passes and adjacent beaches for the annual spawn this month. Big snook can be caught off the beaches. They eat most anything, including scaled sardines, threadfin, shrimp and most artificial plastics.

Tips: For constant action, go to the middle of the bay. Start around the shipping channel and markers. Spanish mackerel and sharks can be caught on almost every cast once chummed up. Make sure to use heavier leader with a long shank hook.

Mike Gore charters out of Tampa Bay. Call him at (813) 390-6600 or visit tampacharters.com.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2012

Biggest conversation

The media world still is buzzing over the contentious interview between NBA commissioner David Stern, top left, and radio's Jim Rome earlier this week. The problem started when Rome said, "I know you appreciate a good conspiracy theory as much as the next guy. Was the fix in for the lottery?"

Stern replied: "I have two answers for that. I'll give you the easy one: No. And a statement: Shame on you for asking."

When Rome argued that it was a legitimate question, Stern eventually shot back with: "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?"

Stern wasn't actually suggesting Rome had ever beaten his wife, but that it was an example of the same loaded question Rome had asked him about the lottery being rigged. Rome said he was stunned and upset over Stern's comment. Rome said he knew what Stern was doing but also was afraid that many listeners might not have understood Stern's analogy and might think that Rome has a history of domestic violence.

"A lot of people don't know that phrase," Rome said, "so they thought it was extremely out of line."

During an appearance Thursday on the 620-AM morning show I co-host with Tampa Bay Times writer Rick Stroud, longtime NBA columnist Peter Vecsey of the New York Post sarcastically said he was surprised that Rome didn't ask Stern for his birth certificate to prove he was American.

"It was not a legitimate question (that Rome asked); it wasn't appropriate," Vecsey said. "It's a stupid question from a stupid guy."

Meantime, another respected columnist, Adrian Wojnarow­ski of Yahoo Sports, suggested Stern's response and behavior during the interview is another sign that it's time for the commissioner to leave basketball.

"For all the young diva stars in the sport, no one has an entourage of yes men as deep as the NBA's commissioner," Wojnarow­ski said. "No one dares tell Stern the ultimate truth that his ego, his vindictiveness, is an embarrassment to the league."

As far as Rome, I have to think he doesn't mind his name and show being in the news.

Sport of the day

Gee whiz, ESPN is jamming soccer down our throats, isn't it? You might think you're watching something called ESPN Soccer with all the Euro 2012 games it is showing. And, so far, all the coverage is paying off. • Through the first eight matches it had shown, ESPN's English-language broadcasts averaged 1.26 million viewers, a whopping 183 percent jump from the 446,000 viewers it averaged through the first eight matches of the 2008 tournament. • Which markets have produced the strongest viewership? New York, Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles. • Meantime, ESPN Deportes also is seeing huge increases in viewers. An average of 157,000 Hispanic households watched the first eight matches, a 131 percent increase over 2008.

Best wishes

When ESPN announcer Sean McDonough says he has a hole in his head, he means literally. As first reported by USA Today, McDonough, 50, will have surgery in August to repair a small hole in the bone that separates his left inner ear from his brain. "When I'm in a real quiet place," McDonough told USA Today, "I can hear my eyeballs move." He is waiting until later this summer to have the procedure so he can call this weekend's U.S. Open and next month's British Open golf tournaments.

Three things that popped into my head

1. Golfer Sergio Garcia is no longer even good enough to be in the running of "best player never to have won a major."

2. Dustin Brown, the captain of the Stanley Cup-winning Kings, and Kings goalie Jonathan Quick recently were caught using big-time expletives on television after winning the Cup. Come on, use your head. The league is desperate for attention but not the kind you're giving it with potty mouths on regular television (read: not HBO).

3. That B.J. Upton chopper Wednesday that was ruled a hit instead of an error and, ultimately ruined R. A. Dickey's no-hitter? The official scorer made the right call. That's a hit.

tom jones' two cents

The latest from the world of sports.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 15, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Before Derby Lane kennel owner Malcolm McAllister submitted his entry last week for the $8,000 T.L. Weaver Memorial Challenge, two greyhounds were under consideration: Tiger Boy, the 2011 All-America team captain and winner of the Rural Rube award (top sprinter), and young star Flying Lone Wolf.

McAllister chose the latter. And for Flying Lone Wolf, no rain meant plenty of gain.

The 22-month-old male owned by Vince Berland entered the All-America team conversation for next year with his second stakes victory in 21 days. His win in the T.L. Weaver on June 9 came on the heels of a victory in the $20,000 Gold Trophy Juvenile.

It was only the fifth time in the past seven years that a greyhound had won back-to-back stakes within three weeks. The previous four — Flying Coal City (2010-11), Flying Mancini (2008-09), Flying Stanley (2008) and Extruding Dream (2006) — were All-America selections.

"It was my call," said McAllister, 65, who conferred with Berland and son Lance on which dog to start. "Tiger Boy had nothing to prove. I'm trying to make (Flying Lone Wolf) an All-American."

T.L. Weaver week was a rainy one, but McAllister hoped the weather would cooperate for Flying Lone Wolf, who prefers a dry surface.

"I told Lance that if it rains, Tiger Boy can win and Wolf would get beat," McAllister said. "But if it didn't rain, they wouldn't catch Wolf, and Tiger Boy might not get there (first). The Berlands promised me if I won the Weaver (with Flying Lone Wolf), he could stay here instead of going to Wheeling (Island in West Virginia)."

Flying Lone Wolf rushed to an early lead and held off Mrl No Access of Lester Raines kennel, clocking 550 yards in 30.63 seconds.

"If he wins the Fall Sprint (in October), he will be All-American," McAllister said.

Said trainer Barbara McAllister, Malcolm's wife: "Wolf has always had that great box break. But he's getting stronger as he gets older."

Entering Friday, Flying Lone Wolf, out of a litter by Lonesome Cry and Flying Argyle, had won 12 of 26 career starts. In every victory, he led at every call.

"He gives 110 percent and doesn't give it up until just before the wire," Malcolm said.

HOLLAND SERVICE: Brenda Holland, 64, wife of Tampa Bay Greyhound Association president and Derby Lane kennel owner Cal Holland, died Tuesday in St. Petersburg. A Celebration of Life will be from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday with a prayer service at 5 at Brett Funeral Home, 4810 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Ms. Holland, a St. Petersburg resident and native of Westbrook, Maine, died of undisclosed causes. Cal Holland Jr., one of three children, is the manager-trainer for Patriot kennel. Justin Holland, one of seven grandchildren, is the trainer for Cal Holland kennel.

By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — 3B Evan Longoria could return as early as the middle of next week if all goes well during his weekend rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham, manager Joe Maddon said Friday.

Longoria, who has missed the past 41 games with a partially torn left hamstring, is scheduled to be the DH tonight for the Bulls, then play third base Sunday.

INF Jeff Keppinger (broken right toe) started at DH on Friday and drove in a run in his first at-bat. He is scheduled to play the field today.

Maddon said both players will be re-evaluated Tuesday, when the Rays open a three-game series with the Nationals.

Maddon had said initially that Longoria would need a 7-10 day rehab assignment, but it appears it might not be that long.

"It could be sooner," Maddon said. "After Tuesday we'll know, and if there is any kind of hesitation, then it will be about seven days. It could be possibly less if everything goes well."

Maddon said he's not overly concerned with Longoria's number of at-bats or his throwing, since he has been doing baseball activities for a few weeks. Maddon said the key is Longoria being on his leg, running the bases and sliding.

"Those are the areas he needs to be tested in," Maddon said.

Maddon said it's similar for Keppinger, though he is "on a faster track."

BACK-TO-BACK MATCHUPS: RHP James Shields faces a tough task in tonight's start. He will try to duplicate Sunday's appearance at Miami — a 2-1 victory that gave him his first win in a month — against the team that just saw him.

"Hopefully I didn't throw all my bag of tricks at them last game," he said.

Shields faced the same team in back-to-back starts three times at the end of last season, against the Rangers, Red Sox and Yankees. His results were fairly consistent.

He allowed the same number of hits (17) in his first matchups with those teams as he did in the second, and the Rays were 2-1 each time. But he allowed two more runs and struck out five fewer batters in the sequels than he did in the first meetings.

GOMES RETURNS: The Rays recalled RHP Brandon Gomes from Durham to fill the roster spot of DH Luke Scott, who went on the DL (back stiffness) Thursday.

"I'm real excited to get the opportunity to come back up," Gomes said. "No matter how long it is, just help out any way I can."

Gomes was 4-0 with a 0.39 ERA in 18 relief appearances at Triple A. He credited a mechanical tweak to his back leg for his eight consecutive scoreless appearances. Before being optioned to Durham last month, he allowed four earned runs in five appearances.

Maddon said the Rays opted to replace Scott's bat with a pitcher to replenish a drained bullpen. Entering Friday, the starters had failed to last more than six innings in five of their past seven games.

MEDICAL MATTERS: RHP Kyle Farnsworth (right elbow strain) felt good after his second rehab appearance Thursday for Class A Charlotte, throwing one shutout inning on 10 pitches, including incorporating a few cutters. Farnsworth is scheduled to pitch again Monday for Charlotte and still expects to return for the start of the month's final homestand (June 28-July 4).

APPEAL DENIED: MLB upheld the official scorer's ruling from Wednesday, denying the Mets' appeal to have RHP R.A. Dickey's one-hitter against the Rays become a no-hitter. The Mets sought to have B.J. Upton's first-inning single changed to an error on 3B David Wright, who unsuccessfully tried to bare-hand the two-hopper. "I'm fairly relieved that it ended up the way it did," said Dickey, adding that there would have been "an asterisk by it bigger than the no-hitter itself."

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Soccer

England's late goal knocks out Sweden

KIEV, Ukraine — England's Theo Walcott came on as a substitute to score one goal and set up another Friday in a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Sweden at the European Championship.

The result eliminated Sweden and leaves England needing only a draw in its final Group D match against co-host Ukraine to ensure a spot in the quarterfinals.

England had wasted a halftime lead and fell behind 2-1, but Walcott came on in the 61st minute and made it 2-2 in the 64th. He then set up Danny Welbeck for the winner in the 78th. It was England's first win over Sweden in a competitive game in eight tries.

NFL

League shows bounty evidence

The NFL turned over some evidence to the four players suspended for the Saints bounty program, but lawyers for the players said they are seeking more information.

Current Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith, and former Saints defensive end Anthony Hargrove (now with Packers) and linebacker Scott Fujita (Browns) will have their appeals heard Monday by commissioner Roger Goodell. "We have followed the procedures set forth in the CBA on appeals of commissioner discipline," league spokesman Greg Aiello said.

Those procedures include parties exchanging "copies of any exhibits upon which they intend to rely no later than three calendar days prior to the hearing," Aiello added.

Evidence presented included some 200 pages of documents, with emails, power-point presentations, even hand-written notes, plus one video recording.

A ledger that reportedly documents payments of $1,000 for plays called "cart-offs" and $400 for "whacks" was not in the material.

Obituary: Jesse Powell, a linebacker for the unbeaten 1972 Dolphins, died at a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, on Thursday. He was 65. No cause of death was provided. Mr. Powell spent his five-year NFL career with Miami, including a 17-0 season leading to a Super Bowl victory over Washington.

Killer of Biletnikoff's daughter sentenced: A man has been sentenced to 55 years to life in prison for killing the daughter of former Raiders and FSU standout Fred Biletnikoff in 1999. Mohammed Haroon Ali received the sentence Thursday in San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City, Calif., after being convicted of first-degree murder in March for strangling his then-girlfriend Tracey Biletnikoff. The San Mateo County Times reported that at the sentencing the 69-year-old Hall of Fame receiver called Ali an "animal" and said his hatred for him would never go away.

Et cetera

Olympics: Long jumper Dwight Phillips will miss the trials because of a recurring injury to his Achilles. He won gold in the event at the 2004 Athens Games but finished fourth at the trials in '08 and was left off the U.S. squad. Phillips, 34, is a four-time gold medalist at worlds. … Kristin Armstrong and Taylor Phinney were among the 21 riders announced by USA Cycling for the Summer Olympics. Armstrong will defend her gold medal in the women's time trial.

Tennis: Rafael Nadal lost in the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open, beaten by Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-4 in Halle, Germany. The 34th-ranked German ended Nadal's 13-match winning streak. Roger Federer defeated Milos Raonic 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

Times wires

Friday, June 15, 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers OF Josh Hamilton was hospitalized early Friday after becoming dehydrated because of an intestinal virus that likely will keep him out of the weekend series against Houston.

The Rangers said Hamilton was receiving fluids because of a virus going around his family. He was expected to be released from the hospital by today.

Hamilton was replaced in the field late Thursday in an 11-3 loss to the Diamondbacks after telling manager Ron Washington he had a stomach ache.

Rangers LHP Derek Holland is still on the disabled list because of shoulder fatigue after losing about 15 pounds over a two-week period because of a stomach virus. OF Nelson Cruz was held out of the lineup Tuesday and Wednesday because of a virus.

"I've never experienced this in all the years I've been in the game," Washington said.

The Rangers said the cases weren't related, but that the clubhouse is sanitized periodically.

Leonys Martin was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock and played centerfield.

Collapse haunts Epstein: Cubs president Theo Epstein, who was the Red Sox GM last season, still can't erase Boston's 7-20 September collapse from his mind. Asked about Boston memories as the Sox visit Wrigley this weekend, Epstein said seeing Boston fall from a playoff spot was the "toughest of all of them."

"At the same time, you move on," he added. "You learn from it, try to get better."

Met conks head: LF Jason Bay left Friday's game with a possible concussion after crashing into the wall while trying to catch an inside-the-park homer by the Reds' Jay Bruce.

Bay raced back, tumbled to the warning track as the ball eluded him and then hit his head. Bay struggled to get to his feet and find the ball. He finally fired it toward the infield, but Bruce easily beat the relay.

Bay missed the final two months of his first season with the Mets because of a concussion he suffered slamming into the leftfield fence at Dodger Stadium.

Braves: RHP Kris Medlen was recalled from Triple A, and 17-year veteran RHP Livan Hernandez was designated for assignment. Hernandez, 37, was 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA and one save. He gave up seven hits and five runs in 1⅔ innings Sunday against Toronto.

Cardinals: OF Carlos Beltran became the first switch hitter in major-league history to record 300 homers and 300 steals when he stole second against the Royals. Beltran has 321 career homers, including an NL-leading 19 this season. He's the eighth player overall to achieve that 300-300 feat.

Blue Jays: RHP Kyle Drabek might require elbow surgery for the second time after an MRI exam revealed a torn ligament. Drabek, who had ligament-replacement surgery in 2007, will seek confirmation of the diagnosis next. He left Wednesday's start after a "popping" in the back of the elbow and was put on the DL. … Rookie RHP Drew Hutchison walked off the mound just nine pitches in against the Phillies, forced out by a sore right elbow.

Giants: 1B Aubrey Huff, who sprained his right knee jumping over a railing Wednesday to celebrate Matt Cain's perfect game, officially was put on the DL.

Phillies: RHP Roy Halladay threw off flat ground, the first time he has thrown since going on the DL last month with a strained muscle in his back. He will throw again Sunday and could increase his workload in a session set for Tuesday. Halladay, pulled from a start after just two innings because of shoulder soreness is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Red Sox: RHP Josh Beckett will miss Sunday's scheduled start because of inflammation in his right shoulder. He will stay on the roster for now and might have tests this weekend. LHP Franklin Morales will start in Beckett's place.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — As bad as the Mets made the Rays look during a recent three-game sweep, the struggling Marlins provided the perfect medicine Friday night.

Rookie lefthander Matt Moore deserves his share of the credit, too, delivering the best performance of the season in an 11-0 victory over Miami in front of 18,369 at Tropicana Field. Moore allowed just one hit through seven, picking up his third consecutive win, and looking a lot more like he did during his dazzling debut last fall than his early-season struggles.

And Tampa Bay's offense, which slumbered in three straight losses to the Mets, looked like they did in a three-game sweep in Miami last weekend. The Rays 11 runs were the second-highest total of the season to the 13 they scored Saturday against the Marlins.

Like Saturday, they beat up on Miami veteran righthander Carlos Zambrano, who was pulled in the third after allowing four runs on six walks. Carlos Pena, who matched a career-high with four walks (and four runs), and Ben Zobrist, who had his fifth consecutive multi-hit game (including a homer), were the offensive catalysts.

But Desmond Jennings also racked up four RBI, including a run-scoring single in the Rays three-run second, and a bases-clearing double in a five-run eighth. Will Rhymes had two RBI singles, and catcher Jose Lobaton got his first career RBI against a righthander, and B.J. Upton had a bases-loaded walk. All in all, the Rays (36-28) scored eight runs with two outs Friday.

That was more than enough for Moore (5-5), who struck out five in the first two innings and eight overall, walking just three. He was rarely in trouble, with the only hit he allowed coming on a single in the first by Donovan Solano, who was filling in for injured Hanley Ramirez. Moore stranded Solano on third by striking out Omar Infante to end the inning.

Moore entered Friday with some confidence, having won consecutive starts for the first time in his career. He had beat the Marlins Saturday, though said he didn't use all of his stuff considering the Rays had given him a big lead from the start in a 13-4 win. The last time a Rays pitcher allowed one hit or less through seven innings was righthander Matt Garza, when he threw a no-hitter July 26, 2010.

Relievers Burke Badenhop and recently-recalled Brandon Gomes helped make it hold up, throwing two hitless innings to shut it down; Gomes struck out three in his one inning. It was the largest margin of victory for the Rays this season, handing Miami its ninth loss in its last 10 games.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Manager Joe Maddon acknowledged the Mets made the Rays look bad during a recent three-game sweep, but he pointed out "24 hours makes a huge difference."

It certainly did Friday night, as Tampa Bay looked like world-beaters in an 11-0 whipping of the Marlins in front of 18,369 at Tropicana Field. The Rays (36-28) held Miami to just one hit for their largest margin of victory of the season.

"That's exactly the opposite game we've played the last three nights," Maddon said. "It was refreshing. This is more like what we normally do look like."

Left-hander Matt Moore was a big reason for the resurgence, delivering his best performance of the season in tossing seven one-hit innings. In picking up his third straight win, Moore was more reminiscent of the rookie who made a splash in September.

"It feels like it's been a while since I've had all three pitches throughout the night," Moore said. "It's a lot more fun to pitch like that."

Moore said the Rays offense made it easier, with the 11 runs the team's second-highest total of the season to the 13 they racked up in his last start, Saturday in Miami. They had scored just nine in three losses to the Mets.

Infielder Ben Zobrist was a catalyst with two hits (including a homer), tying his career high with five consecutive multihit games. "I am just a lot more comfortable at the plate," Zobrist said. "And I feel like my hands are working."

First baseman Carlos Peña tied a career high with four walks, leftfielder Desmond Jennings matched a career high with four RBIs, and third baseman Will Rhymes added two RBI singles. The Rays took advantage of six walks by right-hander Carlos Zambrano, who was pulled in the third inning, and had eight two-out RBIs.

"Everyone had good, quality at-bats up and down the lineup," Zobrist said.

That was more than enough for Moore (4-5), who settled in after throwing 45 pitches in the first two innings to go seven, striking out eight.

"Matty was unreal," Jennings said.

A main difference for Moore was his use and command of his curve, something he had only showed the Marlins three or four times last Saturday.

"There have been nights where I had good command of it, but I don't think I've used it quite like I threw it (Friday)," Moore said.

The Marlins' only hit was a one-out single in the first inning by Donovan Solano; it was the first time since Matt Garza's no-hitter July 26, 2010, that Tampa Bay held a team to one hit or fewer.

Maddon joked that the Rays would appeal the scoring decision on Solano's hit, much like the Mets unsuccessfully tried with R.A. Dickey's one-hitter Wednesday against Tampa Bay.

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Indians 2, Pirates 0

CLEVELAND — Justin Masterson pitched seven sharp innings as the right-hander and the Indians ended three-game slides. Masterson wriggled out of threats in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings before Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez finished. Carlos Santana hit an RBI double in the third and Michael Brantley extended his hitting streak to 22 games with a run-scoring single in the eighth. The Pirates have lost four straight.

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Blue Jays 3, Phillies, 0

TORONTO — Brett Lawrie hit two doubles and drove in a run, and five relievers finished a five-hitter after rookie starter Drew Hutchison left in the first with a sore elbow as the Blue Jays ended a three-game skid. Carlos Villanueva earned the win by going four innings, and Casey Janssen worked the ninth for his sixth save. The Phillies lost for the 10th time in 13 games.

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Kyle Busch is struggling a bit on the track, but at least he has stayed out of trouble this season, a big goal entering 2012.

Seven months ago, Busch was in the same position as his older brother Kurt — suspended a week for losing his temper and causing a confrontation.

Kyle was suspended from the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series races in November at Texas after he intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday in that weekend's truck series race. That continued a series of run-ins, including a feud with Kevin Harvick, who owned Hornaday's truck.

This season Kyle Busch is racing less. His Kyle Busch Motor­sports team fields entries in both the truck and Nationwide series, but he hasn't raced a truck in 2012 and cut back his Nationwide schedule. Team owner Joe Gibbs strongly encouraged Busch to curb his schedule after last season's problems.

"For us not being on the racetrack as much, maybe it alleviates extra opportunities (for problems)," Busch said Thursday during an appearance at Kentucky Speedway. "For us, we've just been concentrating on minding our own P's and Q's this year and figuring out what it takes to run better and not be chasing putting fires out."

Busch, 12th in Sprint Cup points, shares his Nationwide ride with older brother Kurt, who has had his share of problems this year. Kurt was placed and probation and fined $50,000 in May for a confrontation with Ryan Newman's pit crew at Darlington and was suspended last week for threatening a reporter after the Nationwide race June 2 at Dover.

Kyle declined to address his brother's suspension, but says having him has helped his Nationwide organization. "(He) has given us great feedback and given us great direction on our cars and things," Kyle said of Kurt, who will drive in today's Nationwide race at Michigan International Speedway.

Also, Greg Biffle hit 204.708 mph during Sprint Cup practice on the newly repaved MIS surface. The track qualifying record is 194.232 mph (Ryan Newman, 2005), but drivers have been routinely surpassing 200 this week.

24 HOURS OF LE MANS: Defending champions Andre Lotterer, Marcel Fassler and Benoit Treluyer will start the endurance classic today from the pole in an Audi, which has won seven of the past eight 24-hour races in Le Mans, France. St. Petersburg resident and Le Mans native Sebastien Bourdais, who had committed to the endurance classic before joining the Dragon Racing IndyCar team for this year, starts 10th.

INDYCAR: Dario Franchitti clinched the pole for today's race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis., with a two-lap average of 168.737 mph, edging Justin Wilson (168.287). Franchitti won the race from pole last year.

NHRA: Bob Tasca set the fastest Funny Car time on the first day of qualifying at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn., 4.063 seconds at 310.48 mph. Antron Brown (Top Fuel, 3.814 seconds, 319.75 mph) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock, 6.623, 207.75) also led.

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Reds 7, Mets 3

NEW YORK — Jay Bruce hit an inside-the-park homer that left Jason Bay with yet another injury (Notebook, 4C) and the Reds gave Hernando High product Bronson Arroyo his first victory in 5½ weeks. Arroyo was 0-3 in six starts since May 7 but pitched into the seventh, using his array of slow breaking balls and odd angles to strike out five and limit the Mets to four hits.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 15, 2012

Rays vs. Marlins

When/where: 7:15 tonight; Tropicana Field

TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Promotions: MLB Network drawstring backpack to first 25,000 fans

Probable pitchers

Rays:

RH James Shields (7-4, 4.06)

Marlins:

RH Anibal Sanchez (3-5, 3.40)

On Shields: He ended a four-start winless streak with a victory over the Marlins on Sunday, allowing just one run over 6⅓ innings. He's 6-2 with a 3.84 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against the Marlins.

On Sanchez: He has lost five of his past six starts, including giving up four runs in six innings against the Rays on Sunday. He is 1-1 with a 4.95 ERA in three career starts against the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Sanchez

Matt Joyce 3-for-6, HR

B.J. Upton 3-for-7

Carlos Peña 2-for-7, HR

Marlins vs. Shields

John Buck 4-for-14, 2 HRs

Gaby Sanchez 6-for-13, HR

Giancarlo Stanton 1-for-8

On deck

Sunday: vs Marlins, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (2-3, 4.70); Marlins — Josh Johnson (4-4, 4.27)

Monday: off

Tuesday: at Nationals, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (8-4, 3.01); Nationals — TBA

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

JACKSON, Miss. — An effort to enshrine an Old South mascot into the Mississippi constitution won't happen — for now.

Arthur Randallson directs the Colonel Reb Political Action Committee, a group pushing for a ballot initiative to make Mississippi revive the mascot it retired in 2003. He said Friday that his group won't meet the July 9 deadline for the November 2014 ballot.

Organizers must gather 89,285 signatures. Randallson said his group has about 41,000.

Ole Miss shelved Colonel Reb amid concerns the goateed old man resembled a plantation owner and the Confederate imagery hurt athletic and academic recruiting. Its teams are still called the Rebels, but students voted in 2010 to have a black bear as a mascot.

Randallson said he launched the effort because the colonel wasn't allowed as an option when students voted on a mascot.

Football: Gator can play

Florida said linebacker Neiron Ball has been cleared to play after a one-year absence brought on by a burst blood vessel in his brain that required surgery. Ball played in 13 games as a freshman in 2010, recording 10 tackles while playing mostly on special teams.

Cincinnati: Jeff Luc has enrolled after transferring from Florida State in April, according to Warchant.com. The top-rated inside linebacker in his class coming out of high school, according to Rivals.com, played in 19 games over two seasons at FSU and will sit out the upcoming season.

Clemson: Defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, the nation's top recruit, according to Rivals.com and Scout.com, orally committed. Commitments can't become binding until February.

Men's basketball: Dorian Finney-Smith has transferred from Virginia Tech to Florida, CBSsports.com reported. The 6-8 forward averaged 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds as a freshman last season. He won't be eligible till 2013-14 season.

Boston moves: Boston is leaving the America East Conference for the Patriot League in time for the 2013-14 academic year. The five-time champion hockey team will remain in Hockey East.

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

Braves 4, Orioles 2

ATLANTA — Rookie Andrelton Simmons made amends for his first career error by hitting a two-run, go-ahead homer in the sixth to help end the Orioles' five-game winning streak. The Orioles scored twice in the fourth as Simmons made a throwing error at short and Michael Bourn made a fielding error in center. Brian Matusz fell to 0-6 in seven interleague starts.

Times wires
Friday, June 15, 2012

WASHINGTON — Curtis Granderson hit his 20th homer and drove in three runs, and Phil Hughes pitched six innings to win his fourth straight start as the Yankees won their seventh game in a row, 7-2 over the Nationals on Friday.

Both teams entered with six-game winning streaks and leading their divisions. For the Nationals, the attention was unusual, the stands were packed, with many rooting for the Yankees.

Hughes allowed a run and six hits and walked two while striking out nine. Cody Eppley and Clay Rapada worked two scoreless innings. David Robertson allowed a run in the ninth.

Gio Gonzalez allowed three runs and five hits in six-plus innings as he fell to 1-5 against the Yankees. He left trailing 2-1 after allowing a single in the seventh.

New York's Alex Rodriguez singled in the third inning to score Derek Jeter, giving A-Rod 1,924 RBIs, tying him with Jimmie Foxx for sixth place on the all-time list.