Times wires
Thursday, June 21, 2012

BOSTON — Daniel Nava singled in the go-ahead run to cap a three-run eighth inning and the surging Red Sox completed a sweep of the stumbling Marlins 6-5 Thursday night.

Boston tied it on a two-run homer by Will Middlebrooks, who drove in four runs. Ryan Kalish then singled, raced to third on a groundout to first and scored on Nava's hit up the middle.

Alfredo Aceves pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save in 21 opportunities. Scott Atchison allowed one hit over the seventh and eighth.

The Red Sox won their fifth straight and matched their season-best mark of three games over .500.

The Marlins took a lead in all three games but lost them all as they dropped their 13th in their last 15.

Jarrod Saltalmacchia started the winning rally in the eighth with a double off Randy Choate. Edward Mujica came in and served up Middlebrooks' tying shot.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, June 21, 2012

Rays at Phillies

When/where: 7:05 tonight; Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH James Shields (7-4, 3.72)

Phillies: LH Cliff Lee (0-3, 3.48)

On Shields: After going 0-3 with a 5.92 ERA in a four-game stretch, Shields has allowed one earned run in his past two starts. A problem is the majors-high 12 unearned runs he has allowed. He beat the Phillies in 2006 and in the 2008 World Series.

On Lee: One of the more amazing stats of the year is that Lee does not have a win through 11 starts. He has been tough on the Rays, going 6-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 13 regular-season starts, plus 2-0, 1.13 in the 2010 playoffs.

Key matchups

Rays VS. Lee

Hideki Matsui 8-for-29

Carlos Peña 8-for-42, 3 HR

Ben Zobrist 7-for-20, HR

Phillies VS. Shields

Placido Polanco 8-for-17, 2 HR

Jim Thome 8-for-27, HR

Ty Wigginton 5-for-12, 2 HR

On deck

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)

Political statement

LHP David Price visited the White House on Thursday to appear with Vice President Joe Biden for the announcement of a public-service announcement about dating violence against women, filling in for injured teammate Evan Longoria, who appears in the video. "Outside of political beliefs, I did this because I feel this is something everybody should abide by," Price said. "It doesn't matter who's trying to push this point across, this is something everybody should jump on board with."

Political favorites

LHP David Price, below right, on separate occasions has now met President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Biden, below left. He said his favorite was the first lady, who went to Baltimore's Camden Yards a couple of years ago to promote her youth activity program and received an impromptu pitching lesson from Price. "The coolest was meeting Michelle in my own environment," he said. "We weren't around a bunch of guys in suits with wires in their ears. We were on a baseball field. … It was fun to see her interact with the kids, and with us. That was a lot of fun."

Stat of the day

38

Unearned runs allowed by the Rays, one more than all last season

Times wires
Thursday, June 21, 2012

MIAMI — The decision is final: LeBron James made the right call coming to Miami.

Finally an NBA champion, it's all worth it now.

James had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists, and was named MVP of the Finals, leading the Heat in a 121-106 rout of the Thunder on Thursday night to win the title in five games.

"It's about damn time. It's about damn time," James said. "Happiest day of my life. It means everything.

"I made a difficult decision to leave Cleveland, but I understood what my future was about. … I knew we had a bright future (in Miami). This is a dream come true for me. This is definitely when it pays off."

James is the first league MVP in four major sports to win his league's championship that season since the Lightning's Marty St. Louis in 2003-04.

James left the game along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh for good with 3:01 remaining for a round of hugs and the start for a celebration he has been waiting for since arriving out of high school as the No. 1 pick in 2003.

James hopped up and down in the final minutes, shared a long hug with opponent Kevin Durant, and watched the confetti rain down from the rafters.

The Heat took control in the second quarter, briefly lost it and blew it open again in the third behind its role players.

Bosh and Wade, the other members of the Big Three who sat alongside James as he promised titles at his Miami welcoming party two summers ago, both had strong games. Bosh, who cried after the Heat lost Game 6 last season, finished with 24 points and Wade scored 20. The Heat also got a huge boost from Mike Miller, who made seven 3-pointers and scored 23.

The disappointment of losing to Dallas in six games last season vanished in a blowout of the Thunder, who got 32 points and 11 rebounds from Durant.

"We came here to get a championship,'' Bosh said. "And we got it done.''

James is only the fifth player in NBA history to have a triple double in a title-clinching game, and the Heat is the first team to win an NBA title after trailing in three different series in a single postseason, according to Elias.

James was the most heavily scrutinized player in the league since his departure from Cleveland, when he announced he was "taking his talents to South Beach" on a TV special called "The Decision" that was much criticized.

He found in Miami a team where he never had to do it alone — though he reminded everyone during his sensational postseason run that he still could when necessary. He got support in this series, from Shane Battier's 17 points in Game 2 to Mario Chalmers' 25 in Game 4.

In the clincher it was Miller, the former Gator who is so banged-up from recent injuries that he practically limps from the bench to the scorer's table when he checks in. He made his fourth 3 of the half right before James' fastbreak basket capped a 15-2 run that extended Miami's lead to 53-36 with 4:42 left.

Durant added 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who made a remarkably early trip to the Finals just three years after starting 3-29. With Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and James Harden all 23 or younger, the Thunder have the pieces in place for a lengthy stay atop the Western Conference.

But their inexperience showed in this series, a few questionable decisions, possessions and outright mistakes costing them in their franchise's first playoff appearance since Seattle lost to Chicago in 1996. Westbrook scored 19 but shot only 4 of 20.

"Thank your for your patience,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told fans afterward.

OKLAHOMA CITY (106): Durant 13-24 3-3 32, Ibaka 3-9 3-4 9, Perkins 1-4 0-0 2, Westbrook 4-20 11-13 19, Sefolosha 0-2 0-0 0, Harden 5-11 6-6 19, Collison 1-3 0-0 2, Fisher 4-7 0-0 11, Cook 1-2 0-0 2, Aldrich 1-1 0-0 2, Hayward 1-2 0-0 2, Ivey 2-2 0-0 6. Totals 36-87 23-26 106.

MIAMI (121): James 9-19 8-9 26, Battier 4-8 0-0 11, Bosh 9-14 5-5 24, Chalmers 3-6 2-2 10, Wade 7-12 6-9 20, Miller 7-11 2-2 23, Haslem 0-1 1-2 1, Cole 1-4 0-0 3, Jones 0-1 0-0 0, Howard 0-1 0-0 0, Turiaf 0-0 0-0 0, Harris 0-0 3-4 3. Totals 40-77 27-33 121.

Oklahoma City26232235—106

Miami31283626—121

3-Point Goals—Oklahoma City 11-28 (Fisher 3-6, Durant 3-6, Harden 3-8, Ivey 2-2, Sefolosha 0-1, Westbrook 0-5), Miami 14-26 (Miller 7-8, Battier 3-7, Chalmers 2-4, Bosh 1-1, Cole 1-2, Jones 0-1, James 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Oklahoma City 49 (Durant 11), Miami 48 (James 11). Assists—Oklahoma City 19 (Westbrook 6), Miami 25 (James 13). Total Fouls—Oklahoma City 29, Miami 21. Flagrant Fouls—Fisher. A—20,003 (19,600).

Changing perceptions?

LeBron James, much-criticized on a number of fronts, can change some perceptions with his first NBA title. A look at his numbers from the Finals this season:

LeBron James' averages in his three Finals appearances:

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 22, 2012

TAMPA — Taylor Burdge has embarked on the trip of her young lifetime.

The 2012 Tampa Prep graduate, whom the Tampa Bay Times profiled last month, has started her cross country journey by bike, pedaling to help raise awareness of affordable housing with a nonprofit called Bike and Build.

Burdge and 32 other 18- to 25-year-olds left Thursday from Portland, Maine, en route to Santa Barbara, Calif. The trip will take 75 days and cover nearly 4,000 miles.

The group will stop every fourth day or so to assist in building affordable houses in various communities across the nation.

"It's been absolutely amazing so far," said Burdge, who arrived in Maine last week for orientation. "I've met some great people so far that I can already tell are going to be friends for life."

The young adults dipped their back tires in the Atlantic Ocean to begin the journey, and will finish by putting their front tires in the Pacific Ocean upon completion of the trip. The group will rely on churches, schools and families for housing and food along the way.

Burdge, who recently finished sixth in the single scull at the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships in Tennessee, will continue her rowing career at Stanford. But in between, the Times will periodically follow along with Burdge's journey in her own words.

Kindness on a difficult day

Today (Thursday) was a ridiculously crazy day. I started out with Ryan, Kristen S, and Kristen G at a good clip through busy roads and across the New Hampshire border.

When we reached Durham, N.H., we stopped and enjoyed a DM (Donation Magic) smoothie at a local coffee shop. We then cruised into lunch and were the first to arrive. It was an absurdly hot day, and it only got hotter.

After lunch, I road with Josh because we both wanted to keep a similar speed. After climbing up a hill, we saw some other riders who had left lunch earlier, enjoying the shade in front of what can only be described as one of the most amazingly beautiful farm houses I've ever seen. They had beautiful horses and a most lovely garden — and a pool!

There we were, five riders on a cross country journey sitting in front of paradise. After struggling internally, I finally got the guts to knock and see if by any chance we could use their pool. The resident could not have been nicer. She welcomed us (with) a pitcher of cold (water) and we hopped into the most refreshing pool.

We were all revitalized. Eventually, all 33 of us took advantage of her kind hospitality. After about 45 minutes, I was ready to hit the road but most of my group wanted to stay, so I headed out solo. With 15 miles to go after I crossed the Massachusetts border, I met up with Kegan and Nick, and we found a great swimming hole to cool off.

By now, we were really feeling miserable. The rest of the ride was rough. We were on a busy road, it was over 100 degrees, I got a flat tire and my speedometer broke. But at last, at 5:30 p.m., we reached the school, the first to arrive.

Unfortunately, most groups got lost and the van had to go and pick up several riders. It was a hard day but we were rewarded when the Webber family opened up their home for us with a thanksgiving feast (turkey, stuffing, cranberry relish, mash potatoes).

The Webbers are an important family to the Bike and Build community as their son was one of the first program directors before he passed away. They could not have been more kind to all of us, and after such a difficult day, it was just what we needed.

We then went back to the Pike school where I fell fast asleep in the library amid talk with Caroline, Ryan, and Lauren.

To follow along with Taylor Burdge on her journey, visit taylorbikes.wordpress.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 22, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays made a series of moves today, topped by Joel Peralta dropping the appeal of his suspension and All-Star OF Matt Joyce going on the DL.

Also INF Brooks Conrad, claimed on waivers yestersday, was added to the roster, and RHP Brandon Gomes was called up.

Rich Thompson was optioned to AAA and Drew Sutton designated for assignment.

The Rays were able to bring Gomes back before the required 10 days since Joyce went on the DL.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 22, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — The Rays ended up all wet again in Philadelphia on Friday.

As if their misadventures in rain-delayed Game 3 and cold-weather-interrupted (for 46 hours) Game 5 of the 2008 World Series weren't bad enough, they sat through nearly three hours of a rain delay and one ill-advised attempt to start play before Friday's game was called off.

"This was a lot more comfortable standing out there waiting," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

The teams will play a split doubleheader Sunday, with the regularly scheduled game moved up to 1:05 p.m. and Friday's game made up at 6:35.

RHP James Shields, who went through most, but not all, of his usual warmup Friday for an attempted delayed start, will be on the mound today, certain he won't be taxed in any way.

"I'm good to go," Shields said.

The Phillies will stick with scheduled starter RHP Kyle Kendrick today, then likely use lefties Cliff Lee, who was to start Friday, and ace Cole Hamels on Sunday.

"Every time we come to Philadelphia it gets a little weird," Shields said. "But it's baseball; you've got to deal with it."

The teams discussed making the game up on one of two mutual off days, Sept. 6 or 24, but in both cases there would have been a violation of the rule prohibiting playing more than 20 consecutive games. The Phillies' decision to play the Sunday split-doubleheader did not require approval from the Rays or the players union.

The Phillies tried to start Friday's game at about 8:45 p.m. based on the forecast information they received, but umpiring crew chief Jim Joyce decided to wait, and rain began to fall again heavily, and there was lightning in the area.

JOYCE OUT: OF Matt Joyce said even he held out hope until trying a few swings Friday afternoon that he wouldn't need to go on the DL. But with what started as back stiffness turning out to be an oblique strain, caution became essential.

"It's just a case where I felt it a little bit swinging and felt like if I really let it go in the game … I could hurt it a lot worse and I'd be out six, eight weeks than to take two and really make sure it's good to go," Joyce said. "I really didn't plan on being on the DL and didn't think it was going to be that bad."

Joyce, who leads the Rays with 11 homers, will be eligible to return July 5.

CONRAD HERE: After spending three days not knowing where he was going after being put on waivers by the Brewers, INF Brooks Conrad was excited to join the Rays.

Though the switch-hitting Conrad hit only .075 (3-for-40) in part-time duty during two stints with Milwaukee, the Rays apparently view him as an upgrade over INF Drew Sutton, who was designated for assignment, and plan to give him an opportunity, including some starts at first base, which would give 1B Carlos Peña some days off . Conrad, who carries five gloves (including a catchers' mitt) will be used at second and third, Maddon said.

"Everybody knows Joe likes to mix and match everybody and move them all over, so it should be a good fit," said Conrad, who has also played for Oakland and Atlanta.

OTHER MOVES: INF Jeff Keppinger was activated off the DL and will get considerable playing time against all left-handers and some right-handers, getting time at first, second and third base. … OF Rich Thompson was optioned back to Triple A; the Rays needed a roster spot. … RHP Brandon Gomes said he was "surprised" to get called back up sooner than expected, which was only possible because the 10-day rule is waived if there is an injury to a player on the big-league roster and it doesn't have to be position-specific.

MORE MEDICAL: 3B Evan Longoria hasn't done any baseball activity since Monday's setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, and he probably won't until next week, executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. … RHP Kyle Farnsworth will test his elbow by pitching Sunday and again Monday for Class A Charlotte, and if all continues to go well, he could be ready Thursday.

By Dave Zalewski, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 22, 2012

What's hot: Summer is shaping up to be a banner fishing season. Spanish mackerel are within a mile offshore along the gulf coastline to the midwinter artificial reefs, about 10 miles offshore. Probably the easiest way to target them is to rig a pair of No. 1 planers with 20 feet of 30-pound leader attached to a size 00 or 0 spoon and troll at 6 knots looking for diving birds.

Tip: There's usually a no-wake zone before you enter the gulf. Deploy your lines because you will be at a trolling speed. We've been doing this for years and have made some surprising catches. Another way of targeting Spanish mackerel is to anchor and chum near a pass, especially on an outgoing tide, which sweeps all types of forage from the bay into the gulf. Putting out a frozen block of chum gets the water teeming with baitfish and their predators. Using a sabiki rig with the lower No. 2 hooks tipped with a small piece of shrimp or squid provides plenty of bait to fly line into the chum slick and also chop into small pieces to provide variety in the slick. Many believe it's necessary to use white bait to catch mackerel. One of the more effective baits is live shrimp hooked under the horn with a long shanked Nos. 1 or 1/0 light-wire hook and fly lined into the chum.

Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach. Call (727) 397-8815.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 22, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Goodbyes are never easy. And two prominent greyhound-racing families, the Hollands and the D'Arcys, bring heavy hearts into the start of the $40,000 St. Petersburg Derby qualifying tonight at Derby Lane.

Brenda Holland, 64, and Patrick D'Arcy, 93, died recently from undisclosed causes. Holland was the wife of Tampa Bay Greyhound Association president and Derby Lane kennel owner Cal Holland. One of her three children, Cal Holland Jr., is the manager-trainer for Patriot kennel, the track's top operation. Justin Holland, one of seven grandchildren, is the trainer for Cal Holland. D'Arcy was the uncle of Derby Lane kennel owner Mick D'Arcy.

Their memorial services were Tuesday, Holland's in St. Petersburg and D'Arcy's in Cashel, Ireland.

"It's definitely a sad time for all of us," said Catherine D'Arcy, Mick's daughter and kennel manager-trainer. "I think it has been one of the tougher times.

"The other kennel owners have rallied around Cal for support. I think he knows how much all of us care about him. Anybody who ever met his wife would have been enamored with her. She was lovely, very funny and always made you feel welcome. Brenda was Cal's biggest supporter."

Derby Lane racing secretary Jerry Miller said the loss of Brenda Holland will be felt by many. "When you consider these pioneers were rich in our history, and then to see them fall by the wayside … (The greyhound business) is not a job. It's a life."

Catherine D'Arcy was unable to accompany Mick and mother Frances to Ireland. Driving to Brenda Holland's service, Catherine spoke with her parents, who were just leaving the chapel.

"That was even more emotional for me," she said. "I'm thinking how bad I feel for the Holland family and Brenda, and I'm also thinking about … Patrick as well. He was a father figure to Dad, and he was like a grandfather to my brother (Michael) and I."

Cal Holland kennel also has lost its top greyhound, Kentucky Fire. A week ago, she sustained a career-ending broken hock in her 150th lifetime start. Kentucky Fire would have been one of the favorites for the Derby, which has 660-yard qualifiers in Races 4, 6, 8 and 10. She was the wins leader at the past meet and a three-time stakes runnerup. Kentucky Fire finished with 39 wins and $60,371 in purse earnings.

"I was devastated for (the Hollands) that Kentucky Fire got injured right before the Derby," Catherine D'Arcy said. "It just seemed so unfair for them."

Qualifying for the 86th annual Derby ends Wednesday. The Derby and Consolation finals are June 30. Nova kennel owner Hans Limmer, who celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with wife Elly on Friday, starts Angus Mcloud (Race 4, 8:18 p.m.) and Getso's Cindy (Race 8, 9:33). Derby favorite Tiger Boy (Mc­Allister) is in Race 10 (10:11).

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 22, 2012

tom jones' two cents

Tim Tebow

No matter what the former Heisman Trophy winner from Florida does in his NFL career, Tebow is always going to have those who criticize his game and question his abilities. Even as Tebow quarterbacked the Broncos to the playoffs last season and led them to a postseason victory over the Steelers, many still attempted to diminish Tebow's role in Denver's success. And now he is a Jet. Know what will shut everyone up? A trophy. Here's hoping Tebow — whether he is a quarterback, running back, tight end, hybrid or water boy — helps a team win a Super Bowl so he can have the last laugh.



LeBron James now has his championship. Who's next? Actually, a better way to phrase it is "Who needs to be next?" This season the pressure was on James to finally win an NBA title or keep the label of a guy who can't win the big one. Who is under the heat lamp now? Who are the next athletes who need to win a title?

Tiger Woods

Wait, what? Woods has won 14 majors, second all time to Jack Nicklaus' 18. So why is he on this list? He hasn't won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open. Then came the scandal that turned his life and golf game upside down. Forget about the four majors he needs to catch Nicklaus. The question is "Can Woods win even one more?" With each passing major tournament — and his win drought is 16 (he played in 12 and missed four) — the pressure builds and the doubts become stronger. He's on the list because it's like we're talking about two different Tiger Woods. There's the prescandal Woods, who was arguably the best golfer ever. And there's the postscandal Woods, who is still looking for a major win.

Mike Martin

It's difficult to criticize the job done by Martin, the 68-year-old baseball coach who has been at Florida State since 1980. He never has had a losing record in 33 seasons. He has won more than 1,700 games and has the second-highest winning percentage in NCAA history. He has taken the Seminoles to the College World Series 16 times. But — and it's a big but — he has never won it all. Martin's drought at the World Series reached 16 this week when the Seminoles came home from Omaha, Neb., once again without a trophy. Winning a College World Series is tough stuff, but his 0-for-16 streak is the first thing you think of when you think of Martin.

Tony Romo

You play one of the most high-profile positions in sports (quarterback). You play for one of the most famous team in sports (Cowboys). You've had relationships with famous women (Jessica Simpson, Carrie Underwood). You're married to a former Miss Missouri USA. Your life could be featured in Sports Illustrated, Southern Living, People and TMZ.com. So you've got everything you could want … except a championship ring.

Danica Patrick

The 30-year-old race car driver does have a professional victory, the IndyCar Japan 300 in 2008. And let's be clear about this: Patrick is a good driver. She once finished third at the Indy 500 and finished an American-best sixth in the 2008 IndyCar standings. That takes way more than luck. These days she is driving on NASCAR's Nationwide circuit and from time to time in Sprint Cup races. To expect a rookie driver to take home a checkered flag is probably unreasonable, but there is so much focus on Patrick that she eventually needs to win, even if it's in the Nationwide series, to get the detractors off her back.

Josh Hamilton

Back-to-back losses in the World Series, including last season when the Rangers twice were one out away from winning it all, has Hamilton itching for a championship. Considering where Hamilton has come from in his life with his battles against substance abuse, anything he does in baseball from here on is icing on the cake. Still, who doesn't like lots of icing on their cake?

Alex Ovechkin

The first overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft, Ovechkin was supposed to lead the Capitals to glory. It's true that he has turned around the franchise. Ovechkin joined the worst team in the NHL and catapulted it into a solid playoff team. The Caps have made the playoffs the past five seasons, winning four division titles. But Ovechkin is known more for his playoff failures than his playoff appearances. Ovechkin's Caps are 2-4 in Game 7s, and three of those losses came at home. Even worse, his nemesis, Sidney Crosby of the Penguins, has been to two Stanley Cup finals and has won a championship.

Don Mattingly

For a brief spell, Mattingly was known for two things. One was being one of the best players in baseball. Two was being one of the rare players to spend his career with the Yankees and not appear in a World Series. "Donnie Baseball" came just after the Reggie Jackson Yankees of the late 1970s and before the Derek Jeter Yankees of the mid 1990s. Mattingly's career began in 1982 (a year after the Yankees reached the World Series) and ended in 1995 (a year before the Yankees appeared in and won a World Series). But he might get his World Series ring as a manager. His Dodgers have the best record in the National League right now.

tom jones' two cents

Times wires
Friday, June 22, 2012

MIAMI — A year ago, with an easier path to the league championship, the Heat fell short.

This time things were much tougher, and that made the reward that much sweeter.

The Heat was down against Indiana in the second round, down and facing elimination against Boston in the Eastern Conference final, down against Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals. And when the Heat looked most vulnerable, it turned out to be at its best.

Down 2-1 to Indiana, the Heat won three straight. Down 3-2 to Boston, it won two straight. Down 1-0 to the Thunder, it swept the last four games.

"It was the hardest thing I've ever done as a basketball player since I picked up a basketball when I was 9 years old," said LeBron James, who got his long-awaited ring with a Finals MVP performance, referring to Miami's postseason run. "You just put a lot of hard work into it, and hopefully one day you hope that it pays off for you. This was a testament to that. I gave it my all, and it paid off."

Miami was rolling to the title a year ago, going 12-3 in the East playoffs and in the role of favorite heading into the Finals against the Mavericks. The Heat won Game 1, was cruising to a win late in Game 2, and then the wheels came off. Not only did Miami drop that second game, that started a stretch of four losses in five games to cost it the championship.

"Last year it wasn't as hard, and we lost the championship," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "(This year's) Celtics series, man, that was the most challenging series that I've ever played in. And I've played against the Detroit Pistons. … Our backs were against the wall many times. But I knew, when we went into Boston and won Game 6, at that point right there I knew we could be world champions."

The Heat's championship parade was set for 11 a.m. Monday.

cleveland's mixed feelings: There was no mass burning of jerseys or rioting. When James won his first NBA title Thursday, the city he scorned had a more subdued reaction. Cleveland seemed to sigh in acceptance.

Some remain bitter toward James, who played seven seasons for the Cavaliers before leaving two summers ago for the Heat and announcing his decision on national TV. A few callers to Cleveland sports talk shows vented about James, but other fans said they had moved on a long time ago.

"LeWho?" said Jimmy Pearl of Cleveland. "He left. Outta sight, outta mind, my man."

thousands greet thunder: Thousands of fans gathered for an impromptu celebration in a grass field near Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City on Friday, cheering as players took turns at the microphone thanking them for their support.

"I don't think any other NBA team has the support that we have, and it means a lot to us," Sixth Man of the Year James Harden said. "I know my teammates are definitely appreciative of you guys. Again, thank you."

ratings: Game 5 was the highest-rated program on TV on Thursday night, the Nielsen company said. It averaged 18.5 million viewers.

Times wires
Friday, June 22, 2012

HOUSTON — Indians closer Chris Perez said Friday he believes there are pitchers on every team who use pine tar and other substances to grip the ball.

"If before every game, if they stopped and checked everybody's gloves or something, there would be one or two guys on every team that would just get popped," he said.

Clarifying comments he made earlier on satellite radio, Perez, a former Cardinal, said he wasn't specifically calling out St. Louis for doing it. "I've only played for two teams, and more guys did it on the Cardinals than here," he said. "That's the only thing I was trying to say. It wasn't like an organizational thing."

Rays reliever Joel Peralta was suspended for eight games Thursday for having pine tar on his glove.

Perez believes one of baseball's unwritten rules was broken when Nationals manager Davey Johnson used inside information on a former player.

"I think the Rays are more mad about somebody calling them out," he said. "It had to be somebody that knew. that used to play with them. I have old teammates that I could tell (manager) Manny (Acta) to call out, but I'm not going to. It's not bush league, but it's still not on the up and up."

Perez said he only uses rosin, but he has seen players use pine tar, sunscreen, rosin, dirt and a mixture of those things. "My fingers would stick together because rosin with sweat and dirt is sticky," he said.

Ex-Alonso ace picked for Futures: Former Alonso pitcher Jose Fernandez, the Marlins' 2011 first-round draft pick playing in Class A, was selected for the July 8 Futures Game, part of the All-Star Game festivities in Kansas City.

Bat downs ump: Plate umpire Jerry Layne left the Reds-Twins game in the fourth inning and went to a hospital for tests after the broken barrel of a bat hit him on the side of the head on the follow-through when the Reds' Devin Mesoraco grounded out.

Phrase that pays: Nationals OF Bryce Harper, whose "That's a clown question, bro," response to a reporter has become a phenomenon, had his legal team apply to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for ownership of the phrase. Harper has an endorsement deal with Under Armour, which intends to sell T-shirts and apparel with the phrase, Comcast SportsNet said.

Schilling broke: Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling told a Boston radio station the collapse of his 38 Studios video game company likely has cost him his baseball fortune. He said he put more than $50 million of his money in the company and had to tell his family "the money I saved during baseball was probably all gone." Schilling, who made more than $114 million during his playing days, said he hopes to return to work soon as an analyst for ESPN. He took a leave of absence after 38 Studios filed for bankruptcy protection June 7.

Hamilton's life as movie? Rangers OF Josh Hamilton, the former Rays prospect whose career was nearly derailed by substance abuse, said his life story is being written into a script with the hope that it will become a feature film some day. Hamilton and his wife, Katie, said they were contacted by actor-director Casey Affleck and Thunder Road Pictures.

Brewers: The team signed 17-year veteran RHP Livan Hernandez to a one-year contract.

Indians: Team president Mark Shapiro, talking to fans from the team's social media program, said it is unlikely Manny Ramirez, who hit 236 homers for the Indians, will return.

Royals: RHP Felipe Paulino has a torn ligament in his right elbow and likely will become the fourth Royals pitcher to have season-ending ligament-replacement surgery this season. Paulino first will seek another opinion.

White Sox: RHP Philip Humber, who pitched a perfect game in April, went on the DL because of a right elbow flexor strain. He is 3-4 with a 6.01 ERA this year.

Times wires
Friday, June 22, 2012

SONOMA, Calif. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows exactly where he stacks up on road courses.

"I don't really take them lightly, but I know that's not my forte," he said Friday. "That's not really where my bread is buttered."

The statistics speak for themselves: In 12 career starts at Sonoma, Earnhardt has never finished higher than 11th. At Watkins Glen, the only other road course on the Sprint Cup schedule, he has three top-10s — but none since 2005.

But he's running so well this season, Earnhardt believes he has a shot Sunday on the 10-turn, 1.99-mile scenic Sonoma course.

"We have had such a good season, and we come in here and we want to continue that," said Earnhardt, who will start 19th on Sunday.

Earnhardt ended his four-year losing streak last weekend at Michigan. He had been steadily working his way toward Victory Lane all year, the most consistent driver through the first 15 races. He leads the series with 12 top-10 finishes, and he's the only driver to complete every lap this season.

He's wary, though, of what the good results mean.

"I don't know really, momentum, whether it's real or not," he said. "…If you have a bad week, you've got to put it behind you and focus on what's been working. We've got a lot of confidence and we are feeling really good about what we have been doing, and this is the best I've felt in a really long time."

He appreciated the visits to Victory Lane from other drivers last weekend. Earnhardt is NASCAR's most popular driver, and the pressure grew during his 143-race winless streak. His rivals seemed genuinely happy that the streak was over.

"I think it was good for us to see him in Victory Lane, and for him to get out of that media category of talking about losing more than (the) people who are winning is good," Kevin Harvick said.

Earnhardt said Friday there were several touching moments in the days following the victory. He was told a story by his brother-in-law, L.W. Miller, about a friend's father who is too ill to recognize his sons but was aware of Junior's victory.

"All he was talking about was the race and us winning," Earnhardt said. "That really kind of brings it home and makes you realize how something like that affects a lot of people you know and makes a big difference in a lot of people's lives. Pretty amazing to hear a story like that."

SPRINT CUP QUALIFYING: Marcos Ambrose had never earned a Sprint Cup pole before last week. Now he has two in a row. Ambrose took the top starting spot for Sunday's road-course race at Sonoma, Calif., with a lap of 95.262 mph. He waited as Jeff Gordon, who owns a record nine Sprint Cup road wins, could beat him. Gordon was the last driver to qualify and just missed the pole at 95.067 mph; he'll start second.

INDYCAR: Dario Franchitti won the third of the first three qualifying heat races in series history to take the pole for tonight's Iowa Corn Indy 250. The starting grid was set by three 30-lap heat races seeded according to practice times. The eight fastest in the last practice competed in the final heat, which set the first four rows. The opening two heats determined the rest of the grid.

By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 22, 2012

TAMPA — J.P. Rodrigues exited customs at Mexico City International Airport with teammates from the Guyana national team, opened an opaque glass door leading to baggage claim and was besieged by 40 or so journalists assigned to cover Guyana's 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Mexico.

As cameras clicked and video lights blinded, reporters shoved microphones and tape recorders into Rodrigues' face and — in Spanish — peppered him with questions.

"How will you compete with the mighty Mexican team?" "What do you think of Chicharito?" "Have you ever seen a stadium as big as (104,000 capacity) Azteca?"

The experience was surreal for Rodrigues, used to the anonymity of playing for the Rowdies in a second-level league in a country that considers soccer a mid-major sport. He had heard about the rock-star lifestyle players enjoyed in more soccer-mad locales.

Now he was living it.

"When we were walking through the mall (in Mexico City), people were asking for our autographs, taking pictures. It was crazy," Rodrigues said. "They respect you for being a soccer player, even if they've never seen you play. They just love soccer there. … It was neat to experience that."

Rodrigues left the Rowdies on May 26 and spent nearly three weeks playing for the Guyana national team as it began the third round of World Cup qualifying. After training in Bogota, Colombia, and scrimmaging the Colombian team in a closed-door meeting, the Guyanese traveled to Mexico City for their opening match against Mexico and played four days later at home in Georgetown against Costa Rica.

Rodrigues, who is allowed to play for Guyana because his father was born there, played a full 90 minutes in both matches as a central defender. Against CONCACAF favorite Mexico, Guyana performed better than expected in a 3-1 loss in front of more than 80,000. Rodrigues said prior to that he had never played before a crowd larger than 17,000.

"When we went back to Guyana, we were greeted at the airport," he said. "They acted as if we won, which was nice, but at the same time, we didn't. We gained a lot of respect to go into Azteca and not get blown out in front of that many people."

Guyana followed the Mexico defeat with a disappointing 4-0 loss at home to Costa Rica.

Rodrigues — who has 19 caps for Guyana dating to 2006, when he made his first appearance in a Gold Cup qualifier — missed four matches for the Rowdies but was back in time to start last Saturday's 2-1 victory at Minnesota, which snapped a three-match losing streak.

"J.P. definitely came back and brought us his verve and his spirit and his intensity and his desire to defend," Rowdies coach Ricky Hill said.

Guyana, a long shot to qualify for the World Cup, will have another chance to earn points when it plays at El Salvador on Sept. 7 and hosts the team Sept. 11.

"We played well in our first two games, and we learned a lot going forward," Rodrigues said. "We're not out of it by any means."

. Tonight

Rowdies vs. San Antonio

When/where: 7:30; Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg

Records: Rowdies 4-5-3 (15 points); San Antonio 6-1-4 (22)

Last time out: The Rowdies salvaged three points from an up-to-that-point disastrous three-game road trip by rallying to defeat Minnesota 2-1 last Saturday. The victory was the Rowdies' first since May 22. San Antonio moved into first place in the NASL after beating Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico 2-0 last Saturday. The Scorpions are unbeaten in their past nine league games.

Notes: Former Rowdies GK Daryl Sattler has been instrumental in San Antonio's surge to the top of the NASL. Sattler, who missed most of last season with Tampa Bay after tearing the ACL in his right knee, leads the league with a 0.37 goals-allowed average. … Current Rowdies GK Jeff Attinella is tops in the league for most saves with 49. … Rowdies M Shane Hill is suspended for tonight's match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the victory over Minnesota.

Times wires


Friday, June 22, 2012

EUGENE, Ore. — With water ponding on the track and the finish line in plain sight, 10,000-meter runner Galen Rupp waved to the crowd, smiled and stuck out his tongue.

Catching a bit of rain. And soon he'll be catching a plane to London. Running in pouring rain Friday, Rupp set an Olympic trials record, finishing in 27 minutes, 25.33 seconds to make his second Olympic team.

Rupp, who will be joined on the 10K team by Matt Tegenkamp and Dathan Ritzenhein. Amy Hastings won the women's 10K in 31:58.36. Joining her on the team are Lisa Uhl and Janet Cherobon-Bawcom.

Rupp's was the most impressive performance on Day 2 of the trials in rainy Eugene, save possibly for the effort decathlete Ashton Eaton put in. Eaton made it through the first five events on pace to break a 20-year-old American record held by Dan O'Brien.

The sprinters used the day to warm up.

Dawn Harper began defense of her Olympic gold medal in the women's 100 hurdles in earnest by winning her heat though she didn't have the ideal, track-grabbing spikes in her shoes.

"I actually change spikes" when it rains, said Harper, who won in 12.79 seconds. "Usually, the pointier ones grab the track. It was on my mind out there because I had the older ones in."

Also advancing to the semifinals, but not by much, was Lolo Jones. She finished third in her heat for the last automatic qualifying spot after running 13.01.

The wife of Bucs tackle Brian Price, Candice Price, also got a semis spot, finishing second in her heat in 12.98.

Defending men's 400 gold medalist LaShawn Merritt sidestepped a runner who fell in the lane next to him and finished in 45.36 seconds, the best time in the men's heats. Gators NCAA champion Tony McQuay won his heat, and Lutz native and former Gator Calvin Smith advanced.

In the women's 100, Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter won their heats easily. Also advancing were UCF's Octavious Freeman of Lake Wales and Aurieyall Scott.

Times wires
Friday, June 22, 2012

CROMWELL, Conn. — Defending champion Fredrik Jacobson is in a familiar spot at the Travelers Championship.

For the second straight year, Jacobson had a 9-under 131 total for 36 holes, following his opening 65 with 66 Friday. And for the second consecutive year, bad weather pushed back the completion of the second round to Saturday.

The Swede wouldn't mind if history kept repeating.

He's trying to join Phil Mickelson, the 2001 and '02 winner, as the only players to successfully defend a title at River Highlands.

"Any tournament is tough to win," Jacobson said. "To win two in a row is probably tougher. But you know, you have the thing going for you that you have some good memories to draw from, so hopefully that allows a little bit to increase your chances."

Charley Hoffman opened with par and birdied the next five holes to move within a stroke of the lead before rain suspended play for the day. Nathan Green also was 8 under when the horn blew. He finished nine holes.

It was the second weather delay of the day. The first lasted 70 minutes.

LPGA: Inbee Park birdied her final two holes for 7-under 64 and a one-stroke lead in the inaugural Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Waterloo, Ontario.

The 2008 U.S. Women's Open champion had 9-under 133 total at Grey Silo. She holed a 50-foot putt on the ninth hole for the last of her eight birdies.

"I played great today," Park said. "I hit the ball very well and especially hit my short irons really good, so I gave myself a lot of opportunities and obviously putted very good today."

Shanshan Feng (68) was a stroke back along with Brittany Lang (65) and Hee Kyung Seo (68).

Tampa resident Kristy McPherson shot 1-over 72 for par 142. Jennifer Gleason of Clearwater (71 for 3-over 145) and Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (75 for 8-over 150) were not projected to make the cut.

Seven players were unable to complete play Friday because of darkness. Rain Thursday forced the suspension of first-round play until Friday morning, delaying the start of the second round.

Champions: Russ Cochran shot 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Montreal Championship in Sainte-Julie, Quebec. Michael Allen, the tour leader, was tied for second with Jerry Pate, Rod Spittle and 2010 champion Larry Mize.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, June 22, 2012

TAMPA — After nearly a year of ongoing labor issues, Arena Football League officials and the players union had agreed in principle to terms of a multiyear collective bargaining agreement last weekend, and the signing of that deal and the release of its details were expected to be wrapped by Friday night.

None of that happened, but the two games that took place were played with the regular players.

The deal was expected to be signed Wednesday and wasn't. And the terms were to be announced during halftime of Friday's Orlando-New Orleans game televised on the NFL Network, but nothing in regard to the labor deal had been updated on the AFL website.

Arizona also played Milwaukee on Friday, and the Storm is set to take the field tonight against San Antonio.

Labor impasses caused the season-opening game on national television to take place with replacement players, and there was a forfeit this month.

Action Jackson: Former USF star Amarri Jackson was named the league's playmaker of the week after catching 12 passes against Orlando for 220 yards, tops in the league this season. Jackson also had four touchdowns in that game.

Jones retires: Former Bucs receiver Mark Jones retired last week. Jones, who also played defensive back for the Storm, caught 10 passes for 93 yards and one touchdown for the Storm this season.

Headed North: The Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts signed away receiver Chandler Williams and offensive lineman George Bussey before the Orlando game, but Bussey decided to returned to the Storm this week and was re-signed.

Williams caught 83 passes for 994 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first season with the Storm. He also ranks second in the AFL in return yards per game (23.0).

Transactions: The Storm placed defensive back Deonte Bolden (right knee) on injured reserve. Tampa Bay signed receiver Jonathan Lowe and released lineman Frisner Nelson.

Big Time: Former Storm star Sylvester Bembery was recently named No. 11 on the AFL's list of top 25 greatest players of all time. Bembery was a six-time All-Arena selection and won a pair of league titles with the Storm. The two-way lineman exited as the AFL's all-time leader with 43 sacks.

Bembery joined former Storm great Stevie Thomas (No. 12) on the AFL top players list. Thomas earned the first of his two Arena Bowl MVPs in 1991 and captured five league titles with Tampa Bay. Thomas also made his mark on the defensive side, retiring in 2001 as the league's all-time leader in fumble recoveries and interceptions returned for a touchdown.

St. Petersburg residents Bembery and Thomas, along with former Storm teammate George LaFrance, were among the AFL's 2011 Hall of Fame class.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 22, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — Initially, the Rays figured they had nothing to lose by having reliever Joel Peralta file an appeal to put his eight-game suspension on hold. But upon further reflection, they decided they had nothing to gain and had Peralta drop his appeal Friday and start serving his penance.

The decision, executive vice president Andrew Friedman said, was made for two primary reasons.

They "didn't feel confident" they'd be able to get the term reduced based on precedent. And they were concerned the issue "was kind of weighing on Joel" and could affect his performance.

"The quicker we can get this behind us I think is better for everyone," Friedman said.

Though the Rays are forced to play shorthanded during the suspension, the timing seemed to work out for them as well.

With All-Star outfielder Matt Joyce going on the disabled list, part of a busy day of transactions involving seven players, they were able to recall right-hander Brandon Gomes, who otherwise would have had to spend the required 10 days in the minors after being sent down Monday, to bolster the bullpen.

Plus, Peralta's absence will cover games against the Phillies, Royals and two against the Tigers, but he will be able to return in time (June 30) for the final two against Tigers and then face the division-leading Yankees. Also, doing it this way eliminated the possibility of a posthearing suspension spanning the All-Star break, which would have added four days of inactivity.

"I'm going to do whatever the team wants me to do, and I'm not going to even ask questions or anything," Peralta said. "They want me to do that, that's what's coming down. I'm okay with it."

Peralta was suspended Thursday after umpires, acting at the request of Washington manager Davey Johnson during Tuesday's game, found pine tar inside his glove.

Manager Joe Maddon said it was obvious to him Peralta was affected by the issue when he pitched, and he took the loss Thursday.

"It's probably impacting him or affecting him more than he wants to let on," Maddon said. "So let's just get it over with. Let's just do it right now and not permit it to fester because it's going to happen sooner or later."

Peralta, who is allowed to work out with the team but not stay for the games, said he looks forward to getting the incident behind him.

"They were a really bad three days, man," he said. "I hope these days get over, and I'll try to get my season straightened out and start doing better for this team. That's all that matters."

Maddon said the impact of having only 24 players (and thus a four-man bench) will be felt during this weekend's NL rules games, as he may have to wait later in the game to use a pinch-hitter, and he will consider using a pitcher as a pinch-runner.

"It's a really big issue," Maddon said. "It definitely handicaps what you can do and definitely alters the way you think."

With Peralta out, Maddon said he plans on splitting the eighth-inning duty among right-handers Burke Badenhop and Wade Davis and lefty Jake McGee.

Times wires
Friday, June 22, 2012

tennis

wimbledon draw announced

WIMBLEDON, England — Random as Grand Slam tournament draws are meant to be, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer keep bumping into each other in major semifinals, and it could happen again at Wimbledon.

The No. 1-seeded Djokovic, the defending champion, and No. 3 Federer — a six-time winner at the All England Club — were placed in the same half of this year's field Friday. They've played in the semifinals at five of the past seven Grand Slam tournaments, with Djokovic holding a 4-1 edge.

Similarly, No. 2 Rafael Nadal and No. 4 Andy Murray are making a habit of major semifinal meetings. Wimbledon could make the fifth time in nine majors they've played at that stage.

No. 1 Maria Sharapova and No. 6 Serena Williams, four-time Wimbledon champion, could meet only in the final, which would be a rematch of 2004, when Sharapova won her first major title.

Clijsters withdraws from tuneup: Kim Clijsters withdrew from the Unicef Open in Den Bosch, Netherlands, before the semifinals because of a stomach muscle strain, saying she did not want to jeopardize playing in her last Wimbledon before retirement.

Eastbourne: Andy Roddick claimed his 600th career singles win and reached the final in England when Steve Darcis retired after receiving treatment on his back. Roddick was leading 6-3, 3-1 when Darcis stopped, sending Roddick into his first final since winning Memphis in February 2011. On the women's side, unseeded Tamira Paszek rallied to beat defending champion Marion Bartoli 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

soccer

Germany back in European semis

Germany reached the European Championship semifinals for a record seventh time, beating Greece 4-2 in Gdansk, Poland.

Philipp Lahm put Germany in the lead in the 39th minute. Although Georgios Samaras equalized for Greece in the 55th, it was all Germany after that as Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus scored.

Fan gets four-year ban: A Liverpool fan has been banned for four years from Liverpool and England games after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United captain Patrice Evra. Phillip Gannon, 58, was seen on live television making a racially offensive monkey gesture during the FA Cup fourth-round match between the teams.

cycling

Armstrong lawyers file response

Lance Armstrong filed a response to the latest doping allegations against him, accusing the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency of violating its own rules and possibly breaking federal law during its investigation.

In their 11-page document, Armstrong's attorneys complained they still haven't been allowed to see the evidence against him, including witness names and any expert analysis to support USADA's claim that 2009 and 2010 blood tests are "fully consistent" with blood doping.

The letter said USADA's case is "long on stale allegations disproved long ago and short on evidence" and "offensive to any notions of due process."

The agency said Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France from 1999-2005. Friday was the deadline to respond to USADA's warning that charges were pending before the case moves to the next stage.

Times wires

Times wires
Friday, June 22, 2012

PITTSBURGH — Jordan Staal wanted a family reunion, and the Penguins obliged.

Pittsburgh traded the talented center to Carolina for two players and a pick in Friday's first round of the draft.

The move came on the day Staal was getting married.

Staal, 23, helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009. He has one season left on his current four-year deal and according to media reports balked at signing a contract extension this offseason. Now Staal will join brother Eric with the Hurricanes. Carolina also has their brother Jared, playing in the AHL.

Pittsburgh got center Brandon Sutter and defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the deal, and Carolina's eighth overall pick, which the Penguins used minutes after the trade was announced to select defenseman Derrick Pouliot.

The move came shortly after Washington dealt a second-round pick and center Cody Eakin to Dallas for center Mike Ribiero. The 32-year-old Ribiero tied for second on the Stars last season in points, scoring 18 goals to go with 45 assists in 74 games.

In other moves, the Flyers shipped backup goalie Sergei Bobrovsky to the Blue Jackets for three draft picks — a second-rounder and fourth-rounder in this draft and a fourth-rounder next year. And the Islanders got veteran defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky from the Ducks for New York's second-round selection in 2013.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero thanked Staal for his contributions to the franchise before taking Pouliot as the capacity crowd at Consol Energy Center roared its approval.

Carolina GM Jim Rutherford told USA Today that he would begin negotiating with Jordan Staal in July on a contract.

"When you're acquiring an elite player you have to give a lot for it," Rutherford said. "And we did. We paid Pittsburgh a good price."

Another Staal brother, Marc, plays for the Rangers.

DRAFT TIDBITS: The Oilers drafted No. 1 overall for the third consecutive year and chose Nail Yakupov, an 18-year-old Russian forward. He's the first Russian taken No. 1 overall since Washington drafted Alex Ovechkin in 2004. The Blue Jackets chose defenseman Ryan Murray of the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips with the second pick.

SWISS PROSPECT TO WINGS: The Detroit Free Press reported Swiss prospect Damien Brunner, who had drawn the interest of the Lightning, agreed to terms with the Red Wings. They can't sign the forward until July 1.

CAPITALS: The team has interviewed Jon Cooper, coming off a Calder Cup title with AHL Norfolk, for its coaching job, ESPN reported. Norfolk was a Lightning affiliate this season; Tampa Bay has since announced it is moving its affiliation to Syracuse.

DRAFT SITES: The 2013 draft will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and the 2014 edition will be at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Times wires
Friday, June 22, 2012

Blue Jays 12, Marlins 5

MIAMI — Jose Bautista homered and drove in three runs and Kelly Johnson also had three RBIs for the Blue Jays, who ended an eight-game losing streak to the Marlins. Miami has now lost five straight games and 14 of 16 overall.