By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

If Steve Yzerman trades one of his two first-round draft picks, it likely will be the 19th overall rather than No. 10.

Actually, the Lightning general manager said, "I think it's more likely we use both picks," but especially the 10th:

"I don't see us moving that."

What direction will the Lightning go with that pick Friday at Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center? Talk is of a defenseman.

Publicly, Yzerman's philosophy is to draft the best available players. But this draft is blue-line heavy — 17 of the top 30 skaters ranked by NHL Central Scouting are defensemen — and Tampa Bay's organizational depth at the position is chronically shallow.

In other words, if there is a chance to draft a puck-moving blue-liner projected to be a top-two player, it will be difficult to pass up. That is especially true in a salary-cap world where developing a top-end defenseman is a lot more cost effective than finding one through free agency, something Tampa Bay might have to do in July.

That said, Yzerman insisted he is "not necessarily" targeting a defenseman.

"It is not a position where we have a lot of guys coming up," he said. "But all things being equal, we're going to pick the best player available with the picks that we have."

"He's asked us to rank them as far as who the best players are for the National Hockey League and who will have the most impact going forward, and we've done that," said Al Murray, Tampa Bay's director of amateur scouting. "Certainly, the majority of the top skill, especially with the North American kids, is on defense, but with the top two picks we're going after who we think are the best players."

The junior defenseman ranked highest by NHL Central Scouting is Ryan Murray from Everett of the Western Hockey League who, despite an injury-shortened season, had nine goals and 31 points in 46 games and an even plus-minus.

Murray likely will not be available unless the Lightning trades up, something Yzerman did not dismiss but indicated was a long shot.

"It would really be hard to get into the top two or three," he said. "I don't know if (trading picks) 10 and 19 would get you that."

Besides, he added, "Sitting where we are there are a lot of players that we like."

One of the most intriguing is Red Deer's Mathew Dumba, a high-character player who offers offensive prowess (he led Western League defensemen with 20 goals) but is a wild card on defense. He is a right-handed shot, which is a bonus on the power play.

Another right-handed shot is Ottawa's Cody Ceci, second among Ontario League defensemen with 60 points on 17 goals and 43 assists in 64 games.

It is an interesting draft in that, as Murray said, "There is no superstar to hang your hat on like a (John) Tavares or a (Steven) Stamkos or a Taylor Hall."

Even so, Murray added, "There are between 12 and 15 elite prospects, and the way the numbers usually go, we can get two of those guys with picks 10 and 19."

Assuming, that is, the Lightning keeps both.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

WASHINGTON — The Monday night tweak and ensuing soreness third baseman Evan Longoria felt in his left hamstring Tuesday was obviously not good. But he and the Rays say they won't know for a couple of days just how bad of a setback he sustained.

Longoria said, "I really don't view it as a huge setback" and tried to frame it as a positive development in that he heeded the warning and didn't re-injure himself more severely. "That's my hope now, that it was just a little tweak and that the pain will subside in the next couple days and we'll be able to continue to move forward like we were," he said.

But Longoria, who pulled himself out of Monday's rehab game with Triple-A Durham, acknowledged he didn't know how much longer his return from the April 30 partial tear would be delayed: "I hate to put a time on it."

Manager Joe Maddon, who also took the "blessing in disguise" view, said it would take a few days for the Rays to assess Longoria's exact condition. "He didn't really pull it hard or anything like that, so let's just back off everything and see where it's at," he said.

Given that the discomfort was an indication he was trying to come back too soon, the Rays likely will be cautious.

Longoria joined the Rays on Tuesday but will head back to St. Petersburg today to continue his rehab there.

By Seth Leto, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

What's hot: The stronger tides surrounding this week's new moon will have fish feeding aggressively. Beach fishing is fantastic from the shallows to the deepwater passes. Tarpon, snook, redfish and trout can all be caught. All are cruising the swash channel between the beach and the first sandbar. Most of the tarpon are moving over the bars and in the deeper waters. Use a variety of baits to catch all four species on a single trip.

Tactics: Start the morning by filling the livewell with a variety of baits. Then slowly work the beach using a trolling motor or pushpole. Locate a pod of fish, and work that area until the fish move on. When the tide turns and starts to go out, fish around the passes. As the tide falls, fish drop off into the deeper water and wait to ambush baits that are flushed out with the tide.

Tackle: Most areas for beach fishing are void of structure that fish can break your line on, so lighter tackle can be used. When targeting snook, redfish and trout, use a medium spinning outfit spooled with 8- to 10-pound test mainline, a piece of 30-pound leader and a hook to match your bait size. When targeting tarpon, use 30- to 50-pound braid on a large spin or conventional outfit, a piece of leader from 40- to 80-pound test and a thicker gage hook.

Seth Leto charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at capt.seth@yahoo.com and (727) 385-0382.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

TAMPA — Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib on Monday cleared his biggest hurdle.

Now, he must wait and see if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will present another.

Talib's pending charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was dropped Monday by authorities in Dallas. Talib was scheduled to go to trial next week and faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

But the NFL has not ruled on possible discipline for his role in the shooting incident in March 2011. On Tuesday, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league office plans to review the case. It likely will decide on potential discipline before the regular season. Also, according to Talib's lawyer, the NFL requested a copy of the dismissal order, which is on file with the criminal district court.

Talib is still subject to discipline by Goodell under the league's far-reaching personal-conduct policy. It lets Goodell fine and/or suspend players regardless of the legal outcomes of their criminal cases.

These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. But there is relevant precedent.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for four games in 2010 after he was accused of — but not charged with — sexual assault in Georgia. After investigating, authorities said they believed something inappropriate happened, but they couldn't produce evidence to convict.

Talib's problem might be compounded by a previous visit to Goodell's office for a review of conduct — in 2009 when he was accused of hitting a St. Petersburg cab driver and last year after his arrest in this case. Talib was suspended for one game after the 2009 incident even though there wasn't an official finding of guilt (he agreed to a pre-trial diversion program).

In Talib's favor: Last year's incident occurred during the NFL lockout, when a collective bargaining agreement was not in place. That could be grounds for contesting Goodell's authority.

The players union's ongoing fight over the discipline handed down in the Saints' "Bounty-gate" scandal — which has created a debate over Goodell's unilateral ability to hand down discipline — could also help Talib.

Leaf must undergo drug treatment

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was sentenced to nine months of lockdown addiction treatment followed by time in a prerelease center after pleading guilty last month to breaking into a house and illegally possessing painkillers. District Judge Kenneth Neill of Great Falls sentenced Leaf to seven years with the Department of Corrections, with two years suspended.

BOUNTY CASE: Former Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove denied it was his voice saying "Give me the money" on a video clip used as evidence in the league's investigation into the team's alleged bounty scheme. "It wasn't me," Hargrove said in a statement outside league headquarters. "That's right. The NFL got their evidence all wrong." Hargrove, now with the Packers, has been suspended eight games. Also, the office of Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, said he and Goodell will meet for about 15 minutes today on the bounty case, then appear together at a news conference.

TEBOW HONOR: Tim Tebow won the 2011 Good Guy Award given by the Professional Football Writers of America, an honor presented for qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs.

COLTS: Running back Mewelde Moore signed after four seasons with the Steelers.

TITANS: Safety Michael Griffin agreed to a five-year extension reportedly worth up to $36 million, with $15 million guaranteed. He was tagged as the franchise player in March.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Former Florida pitcher Stephen Locke, whose 2009 arrest on charges of driving under the influence led to a 23-game suspension before the charges were dropped, filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Gainesville and the two police officers involved in his arrest.

According to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court, Northern District in Gainesville, the former Tampa King standout seeks more than $75,000 in damages.

The lawsuit alleges that GPD officers Joey Devore and Daniel Surrency pulled Locke over on the night of Jan. 24, 2009 without probable cause, then falsely accused Locke, 22 at the time, of driving across the double yellow line into oncoming traffic and nearly causing a head-on collision.

In May 2009, Gainesville State Attorney Bill Cervone dropped the charges, saying evidence from the officer's car video was "contradictory or uncorroborated" and did not show Locke was impaired.

The suit, filed by prominent Gainesville attorney Robert Rush, claims the suspension branded Locke, causing him to be selected in a much lower round of the MLB draft, which ultimately ruined his professional baseball career.

Locke had 12 starts for the Gators in his junior season, second on the team, and was 5-2 with a 3.17 ERA in a career-high 21 appearances. He was drafted by the Angels in the 22nd round and played three years of A-ball.

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

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — Phillies rookie INF Freddy Galvis was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for testing positive for a banned substance.

Galvis, on the disabled list with a back injury, will begin serving his suspension immediately and likely will be on the DL for the duration. MLB said Galvis, 22, tested positive for a metabolite of Clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance.

"A trace amount of a banned substance — 80 parts in a trillion — was detected in my urine sample," Galvis said in a statement. "I am extremely disappointed in what has transpired. I cannot understand how even this tiny particle of a banned substance got into my body.

"I have not and never would knowingly use anything illegal to enhance my performance. I have always tried to follow the team's strength and conditioning methods, listen to the trainers, work out hard and eat right. Unfortunately, the rules are the rules and I will be suspended."

Galvis, listed at 5 feet 10 and 170 pounds, had been filling in for injured 2B Chase Utley. He was batting .226 with three homers, 15 doubles and 24 RBIs.

BECKETT UNCONCERNED: Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett told ESPN.com that an MRI exam showed no damage to his inflamed right shoulder, and he expects to be activated off the disabled list when eligible just before the All-Star break. Beckett, 32, has a 4.14 ERA and a career-worst 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 12 starts.

In other Red Sox news, OF Cody Ross was activated from the 15-day disabled list after missing a month with a fractured left foot. OF Scott Podsednik went on the DL with a strained left groin.

EX-RAYS ACE HAS JOB: LHP Scott Kazmir, who pitched for the Rays from 2004-08 and was a two-time All-Star, agreed to a deal with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. The Skeeters play in his hometown of Houston. Kazmir, 29, last appeared in the majors for the Angels in April 2011.

CUBAN DEFECTS: OF Yasel Puig, 21, has defected from Cuba and is in the process of establishing residency in Mexico, the first step to becoming eligible for free agency, his agent Jaime Torres told MLB.com.

ANGELS: RHP Jerome Williams, who was hospitalized Monday night when he complained of shortness of breath after he left his start against the Giants, was resting at a hospital a day later after undergoing several tests.

BRAVES: RHP Brandon Beachy, who is tied for the major-league lead with a 2.00 ERA, is set to visit orthopedist Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on the partial tear in his right elbow.

ORIOLES: LF Nolan Reimold, who has been out since April 30 because of a herniated disc, won't return to the team until after the All-Star break, manager Buck Showalter said. The club is waiting to hear from a cervical specialist who examined Reimold over the weekend.

PIRATES: Hall of Fame 2B Bill Mazeroski will join the team on the bench during its three-game series with the Twins this week. Mazeroski, 75, who often advises 2B Neil Walker during spring training, accepted an invitation from manager Clint Hurdle.

RANGERS: CF Josh Hamilton returned to the lineup after missing four starts because of an intestinal virus.

ROYALS: CF Lorenzo Cain, who strained his left groin in April then tore a hip flexor during his minor-league rehab, has started a new rehab assignment.

TIGERS: RH reliever Octavio Dotel, out since June 3 with right elbow inflammation, was activated from the 15-day disabled list. RHP Thad Weber was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

WHITE SOX: LHP John Danks, who went on the disabled list May 20 with shoulder soreness, could begin a rehab assignment in three to four weeks after tests confirmed he has a mild muscle strain in his pitching shoulder.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Lightning star Steven Stamkos, whose 60 goals led the league last season, is one of three finalists for the Hart Trophy, the biggest honor to be handed out tonight at the NHL awards ceremony in Las Vegas.

Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin and Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist are the other finalists for the Hart. The awards show airs on NBC Sports Network starting at 7. The Professional Hockey Writers' Association conducted voting for the awards before the playoffs.

Lundqvist is also up for the Vezina Trophy as top goalie along with Stanley Cup winner Jonathan Quick of the Kings and Pekka Rinne of the Predators. Other major honors given out tonight are the Norris (defenseman), Selke (defensive forward), Calder (rookie), Lady Byng (gentlemanly conduct), Masterton (most inspirational player) and Jack Adams (coach of the year).

DOUGHTY ACCUSATION: A woman who accused Kings defenseman Drew Doughty of sexual assault has been "less than cooperative," Hermosa Beach (Calif.) police Sgt. Robert Higgins told the Los Angeles Times. The woman called police March 1, the day she said she met Doughty, and accused him of raping her. The newspaper reported that the district attorney is expected to decide this week whether to prosecute.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: The Senators agreed to terms with Norris Trophy finalist Erik Karlsson on a seven-year extension worth $45.5 million. … The Wild re-signed Josh Harding for three years, $5.7 million. … Center Darren Helm agreed to an $8.5 million, four-year deal to with the Red Wings.

Times staff, wires


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — Scott Sitz gave up five hits and struck out eight in a season-high 6 2/3 innings, and Florida State won a College World Series elimination game against UCLA 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Florida State (50-16) plays Arizona on Thursday, needing to beat the Wildcats twice to reach the championship round. Arizona defeated the Seminoles in the opening game of the CWS.

No. 2 national seed UCLA (48-16) was knocked out a day after No. 1 Florida was eliminated from the opposite bracket.

Sitz (4-3) had not made it through five innings in six of his previous seven outings. The junior allowed two singles through five innings and struck out the side in the sixth after UCLA loaded the bases.

UCLA starter Zack Weiss (3-3) was pulled after getting one out. Bases-loaded walks in the opening inning produced the Seminoles' first two runs. He came into the game having lasted more than five innings twice in his past eight starts. He threw 29 pitches, including 16 balls, in the shortest CWS start since TCU's Kyle Winkler left without retiring a batter in a 10-3 loss to UCLA on June 26, 2010.

Junior rightfielder Jeff Gelalich, the Cincinnati Reds' first-round pick and UCLA's leading hitter at .365 coming into the CWS, went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and an error Tuesday and was 1-for-12 with two errors in the Bruins' three games.

Tucker reflects: Preston Tucker hoped to be remembered differently. The Florida senior from Tampa Plant High had done so much to rewrite the school's record books wasn't concerned about his individual accomplishments.

It was an NCAA championship he wanted to add to his resumé. So when the Gators fell far short of that this week — going two-and-out in the CWS — it took some time to sink in that his career was over.

"Well, I wanted it to be a World Series champion. But obviously, I didn't get that opportunity this year," he said. "Not a lot of people get to say that. Obviously, I gave my best day in and day out. I've been here for four years working as hard as I could. Hopefully, I think it definitely paid off."

Tucker was a big part of the most successful four-year span in Florida history (189-78, missing only a national title). He is the UF career leader in games played (265), hits (340), doubles (70), total bases (596), at-bats (1,032) and RBIs (258).

Ex-UF pitcher Locke sues city, police

GAINESVILLE — Former Florida pitcher Stephen Locke, whose 2009 arrest on charges of driving under the influence led to a 23-game suspension before the charges were dropped, filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Gainesville and the two police officers involved in his arrest.

According to documents filed in U.S. District Court, Northern District in Gainesville, the former Tampa King standout seeks more than $75,000 in damages.

The lawsuit alleges that GPD officers Joey Devore and Daniel Surrency pulled Locke over on the night of Jan. 24, 2009 without probable cause, then falsely accused him of driving across the double yellow line and nearly causing a head-on collision.

In May 2009, Gainesville State Attorney Bill Cervone dropped the charges, saying evidence from the officer's car video was "contradictory or uncorroborated" and did not show Locke was impaired.

The suit claims the suspension branded Locke, causing him to be selected in a much lower round of the MLB draft, which ultimately ruined his professional baseball career.

Locke was drafted by the Angels in the 22nd round and played three years of A-ball.

ORLANDO bowl sponsor: Russell Athletic became title sponsor for one of Orlando's two annual bowl games in a deal running through 2015. Formerly named the Champs Sports Bowl from 2004 to 2011, the Dec. 28 ACC-Big East matchup has its eighth sponsor since it began in 1990 as the Blockbuster Bowl.

football: Former Auburn player Antonio Goodwin was sentenced to 15 years in prison for an armed home-invasion robbery. Three teammates from the 2010 team await trial — Mike McNeil, Dakota Moseley and Shaun Kitchens.

Basketball: Notre Dame announced a 10-year contract with men's coach Mike Brey, running through June 2022. Financial terms were not disclosed. Brey has been Big East coach of the year three times.

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

WASHINGTON — Rays reliever Joel Peralta was obviously guilty, ejected from Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Nationals and facing a suspension of potentially 10 or more games after being caught with pine tar in his glove.

But it was Rays manager Joe Maddon who was on the offensive afterward, accusing Washington manager Davey Johnson of a "real cowardly" — and another choice five-letter adjective — move in targeting Peralta as they did for something many others do.

"It's kind of a common practice that people have done this for years, and to point one guy out because he had pitched here a couple years ago, there probably was some common knowledge based on that, and so I thought it was a real cowardly — and I've used that word twice this year (also about Boston's Bobby Valentine) I guess, so it was kind of a (wimpy) move to go out there and do that under those circumstances."

Peralta's eyes were moist as he stood at his locker and said he was upset about what happened, but he didn't give much of a defense.

He acknowledged the pine tar was there, claimed it did not give him an advantage on the mound and wouldn't say how it got in his glove, other than a semi-explanation that it happened incidentally since he uses the same glove during batting practice.

"That's my BP glove, I'm out there every day playing catch with it, it's hot here," Peralta said. "That's what I've got to say about it."

Peralta, who pitched for the Nationals in 2010, entered the game to start the eighth but didn't get to throw a pitch as Johnson asked the umpires to check him, and after doing so they ejected him from the game and confiscated his glove.

Crew chief Tim Tschida said they found "a significant amount of pine tar" inside Peralta's glove "where the hand goes inside."

Johnson acknowledged he was operating with inside information — "it was a rumor that he liked a little pine tar" — but said he was still hesitant to proceed.

"I didn't just make it up or dream it up," Johnson said. "But I mean, there was conversations before the game. He was out there and I was talking to some of the guys and I said, 'How'd we let this guy get away?' I thought he pitched pretty good for us and I saw he's been a kind of invaluable setup man for Tampa Bay. One thing led to another and I got probably more information than I really needed. I don't know."

Maddon said he was concerned about Peralta's reputation.

"To single out Joel Peralta tonight, that is my concern," he said. "That Joel does not get vilified, that's my concern. Because this guy has done a great job. He's been an excellent relief pitcher. And to in any way tarnish what he's done to this point because there's going to be suggestions made based on what happened tonight, and I think that's wrong and inappropriate. Because it's been a common practice for many, many years for anybody to try to get an edge in many, many ways."

Maddon wasn't the only member of the Rays upset with the Nationals' actions. First baseman Carlos Peña said it was "not honorable" and "cowardly" for them to take such action against a former mate. "What hurts me the most is that someone betrayed an ex-teammate," Peña said.

Peralta seems certain to be suspended, and there is precedent for a 10-game ban. That's what Brendan Donnelly, then with the Angels (where Maddon was the bench coach), got in 2005 during a similar incident.

"I promise you one thing, you're going to see brand new gloves throughout the major leagues starting (today)," Maddon said.

The Rays (38-29) worked around the Peralta issue to hang on for an impressive 5-4 win. Peña and Elliot Johnson had big hits, and David Price pitched seven innings for his ninth win of the season.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

NEW YORK — No matter who goes first, Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey in succession has turned into a nasty combination for the Mets.

Santana pitched six sharp innings and Lucas Duda hit a two-run homer to help New York beat Baltimore 5-0 on Tuesday night for their second straight shutout of the Orioles.

Santana followed Dickey's second one-hitter in a row with his best outing since his no-hitter June 1. Jordany Valdespin had a two-run single for New York, which won by the same score Monday night in the rematch of the 1969 World Series won by the Miracle Mets.

"It's amazing. Dickey and now Johan (Tuesday). That's a good hitting ballclub over there, too," Duda said. "That's what they do. I just think they have to continue to be themselves and we'll be fine."

Santana and Dickey threw back-to-back shutouts for the second time this month. The two flip-flopped in the rotation to give Santana extra rest after he threw a career-high 134 pitchers in the franchise's first no-hitter.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Phillies 7, Rockies 2

PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels pitched eight sharp innings, John Mayberry and Carlos Ruiz hit two-run homers and Philadelphia won for the fourth time in 16 games to open a 10-game homestand. Colorado fell to 1-11 since June 4. Hamels improved to 7-2 following a Phillies loss with his best outing since he pitched eight scoreless innings against Washington on May 23. The left-hander had a 6.07 ERA in his previous four starts.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Braves 4, Yankees 3

NEW YORK — Chipper Jones atoned for a costly error by cutting down the potential tying run at the plate, and Atlanta held on to end New York's 10-game winning streak. The Yankees were trying to match their longest winning string in nearly a half-century. Instead, the Braves threw out two runners at home and won for only the second time in nine games. Jason Heyward singled home the go-ahead run in the sixth.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tigers 6, Cardinals 3

DETROIT — Justin Verlander allowed one earned run in seven innings for Detroit. The defending AL Cy Young Award winner and MVP retired 12 of the first 13 hitters and worked out of a seventh-inning jam to help the Tigers hold on, striking out Allen Craig with the bases loaded on his final pitch. Austin Jackson hit a two-run double for Detroit, part of its three-run second inning. Phil Coke earned his first save of the season.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Red Sox 7, Marlins 5

BOSTON — David Ortiz homered and Clay Buchholz won his fourth straight start for Boston, which won for the fifth time in six games and climbed above .500 for the ninth game this season. The win came at Fenway Park, where the Red Sox had lost their previous three and six of seven and are 15-19 this season.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Pirates 7, Twins 2

PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen had three hits, including his 12th homer of the season, and Kevin Correia earned his first win at PNC Park in nearly a year for Pittsburgh. Correia pitched 51/3 shutout innings and Josh Harrison and Clint Barmes added three hits each for the Pirates, who have won three straight.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Rays at Nationals

When/where: 7:05 tonight, Nationals Park, Washington

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Chris Archer (major-league debut)

NATIONALS: RH Stephen Strasburg (8-1, 2.45)

On Archer: The 23-year-old acquired from the Cubs in the Matt Garza deal makes his big-league debut after going 4-8, 4.81 at Triple-A Durham. He throws primarily a fastball, slider and changeup and allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his 14 starts.

On Strasburg: The 23-year-old whiz kid has been on a roll, winning his past five starts while posting a 2.79 ERA and striking out 44 in 29 innings. The Nats have talked of limiting his innings post-surgery, but he's making it a tough decision.

Key matchups

Rays VS. STRASBURG

None have faced

NATS VS. ARCHER

None have faced

On deck

Thursday: at Nationals, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (4-5, 4.16); Nationals — Gio Gonzalez (8-3, 2.52)

Friday: at Phillies, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (7-4, 3.72); Phillies — Cliff Lee (0-3, 3.48)

Saturday: at Phillies, 4:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (3-3, 3.82); Phillies — Kyle Kendrick (2-7, 5.29)

Sunday: at Phillies, 1:35, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (9-4, 3.08); Phillies — Cole Hamels (10-3, 3.25)

Stat of the day

232 Major-league record consecutive games started by pitchers drafted by the Rays, a streak that ends with tonight's start by Chris Archer, who was drafted by the Indians and acquired from the Cubs. (The last game started by a non-Rays draftee? Sept. 30, 2010, by Matt Garza, who was traded for Archer.)

Historical note of the day

In their tremendous pitching performance against Miami, the Rays became the first team to throw two shutouts allowing two or fewer hits in the same series since the 2006 A's (vs. Mariners), and the first with 10-plus strikeouts in each game since the 1986 Astros (vs. Giants).

Quote of the day

"That's incredibly cruel. That's ultimate cruel. That is grand mal cruel right there."

Manager Joe Maddon, on RHP Chris Archer having to bat against Washington flamethrower Stephen Strasburg in his big-league debut.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Indians 3, Reds 2

10 innings

CLEVELAND — Asdrubal Cabrera hit a two-run homer with one out in the 10th off hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman to lift Cleveland. Cabrera drove Chapman's 3-and-1 pitch into the rightfield seats. The second homer the left-hander has allowed this season scored Shin-Soo Choo.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Cubs 2, White Sox 1

CHICAGO — Travis Wood pitched six strong innings for his first win as a starter in more than a year, and the Cubs overcame a complete game by Jake Peavy. David DeJesus drove in two runs with a single in the third inning. He led off the ninth with a triple, but Peavy struck out Steve Clevenger looking at a 2-and-2 pitch with runners on second and third. The Cubs handed the White Sox their sixth loss in seven games.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Royals 2, Astros 0

HOUSTON — Luke Hochevar pitched into the eighth inning, two relievers completed the shutout and Billy Butler hit a solo home run to lead Kansas City. Hochevar pitched no-hit ball into the fifth and finished with a season-high 72/3 innings to earn his first victory since May 12. He had four losses and two no-decisions since his previous win. Houston's Wandy Rodriguez had his seventh start of seven or more innings this season.

Times wires
Tuesday, June 19, 2012

soccer

england, france reach euro quarters

WARSAW, Poland — England and France failed to impress but advanced to the European Championship quarterfinals Tuesday amid yet another goal-line controversy.

England striker Wayne Rooney returned after a two-match ban to score in the 48th minute and secure a 1-0 win over Ukraine in Donetsk, a result that eliminated the Euro 2012 co-hosts. Ukraine was denied an equalizer when the Hungarian match officials ruled Marko Devic's 62nd-minute shot had not crossed the line, despite replays indicating it had.

France progressed runnerup despite being beaten 2-0 by Sweden, which lost its first two matches. Forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored with a stunning volley in the 54th and Sebastian Larsson scored the second in stoppage time in Kiev, Ukraine.

horses

Winning time changed in '73 Preakness

Secretariat's winning time in the 1973 Preakness has been changed to reflect that the Triple Crown-winning colt's time was actually faster than the stakes record.

The Maryland Racing Commission voted 7-0 in a special hearing at Laurel Park in Baltimore to change the official time of the race from 1:54 2/5 to 1:53. That gives Secretariat records in each of his three Triple Crown races — the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes — that still stand.

The commission investigated the official timing of the Preakness at the request of Secretariat's 90-year-old owner, Penny Chenery, and Pimlico president Tom Chuckas.

"I didn't know if it was appropriate to cheer but I couldn't help myself," Chenery said. "This is a big day."

tennis

Tough outing for top seeds at tuneup

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was among the top three women's seeds to fall in the first round of the Eastbourne Championships in England.

Kvitova was the first to exit, going down 7-5, 6-4 to Ekaterina Makarova. She was followed out of the grasscourt tournament by top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, who fell 6-2, 6-4 to Tsvetana Pironkova.

Defending champ Marion Bartoli beat Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-2. Christina McHale upset third-seeded Caroline Wozniacki 6-1, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4.

Andy Roddick claimed his first win in seven matches when Sam Querrey retired because of a back injury with Roddick leading 5-2. Top-seeded Richard Gasquet was upset 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3) by Marinko Matosevic.

Unicef Open: Kim Clijsters advanced to the quarterfinals in Den Bosch, Netherlands, with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Kateryna Bondarenko.

olympics

McCrory holds slim lead at diving trials

Nick McCrory's consistency overcame David Boudia's perfection in the 10-meter platform preliminaries at the U.S. diving trials in Federal Way, Wash.

McCrory totaled 512.80 points over six rounds to narrowly stay ahead of Boudia (508.80). The duo partners on 10-meter synchro own a commanding lead going into Thursday's final in that event.

Thomas Finchum, who finished 12th on platform in Beijing, was third at 496.95.

In women's 3-meter springboard, Cassidy Krug was in first with 359.40 points during the five-round preliminary session.

Gymnastics alters tiebreak: The International Gymnastics Federation announced simplified tiebreak formulas that again allow for the possibility of shared medals. In event finals, for example, the execution mark would serve as the first tiebreak, followed by the difficulty score. If the gymnasts are still tied, that result will stand.

et cetera

WNBA: Kara Lawson had 22 points and four rebounds and host Connecticut outlasted Indiana 88-85 in overtime. Tina Charles had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Sun, which has won six of its past seven games. … Cappie Pondexter had 14 points and a season-high 13 assists and Essence Carson added 14 points in New York's 73-60 victory over host Atlanta.

Golf: The Principal Financial Group will remain the title sponsor of the Champions Tour event in Iowa through 2015, even though it needs to find a new course to host the tournament. Principal has signed a three-year deal to stay on as the main sponsor, but Glen Oaks general manager Bill Kirkendall said the club in Des Moines, Iowa, won't host the event in 2013.

Times wires