Times wires
Sunday, June 24, 2012

WIMBLEDON, England — As a reporter began to ask about the first time Kim Clijsters retired only to return to tennis, the four-time major champion cut off the query with a smile and a quick response.

"No, this is it," she said Sunday. "If that's where you're going, this is it."

No doubt at all?

"No, no, no," Clijsters repeated.

The Belgian, who turned 29 on June 8, is at Wimbledon, which begins today, for only the second time in six years — and, yes, the absolute last time. Clijsters has announced she's leaving for good after the U.S. Open in September.

Why?

"Too old. Too old to play the game that I want to play physically. I've put my body through enough strain and everything," said Clijsters, one of three mothers to have won a Grand Slam title. "It's been great. I wouldn't change it for a thing,"

The daughter of a pro soccer player, she has derived much of her success from athleticism that helped produce punishing groundstrokes and stretching-into-the-splits court coverage.

Those abilities allowed her to win the U.S. Open in 2005, 2009 and 2010, and the Australian Open in 2011, the last three after she gave birth to her daughter in February 2008.

"I naturally have that strong movement, powerful shots, and that's been able to have me … on the highest part of women's tennis, with Venus (Williams), Serena (Williams), Justine (Henin), to be part of that," Clijsters said. "So physically, I need to be thankful for that, but, yeah, it's normal that that's not going to last 20 years."

Clijsters pulled out of the semifinals at a grass warmup tournament in the Netherlands on Friday because of what she called a flaring up of an abdominal muscle tear from last season. And that was her first action in nearly three months because of hip and ankle problems.

She heads into Wimbledon unseeded and ranked 47th. This is the only Grand Slam where she has never reached the final.

That doesn't mean Clijsters can't appreciate the place.

"I love the atmosphere that hangs around the courts here — the history, the tradition," she said. "You don't feel that vibe in any other Grand Slam. I think that's what makes this so unique."

FEDERER'S AIM: Never accuse Roger Federer of being shy.

He hasn't been past the quarterfinals of Wimbledon (or any grass tournament) in two years, and he's 30. The last 30-year-old to win a major was Andre Agassi at the 2003 Australian Open.

But Saturday, when Federer went to his first 2012 Wimbledon news conference, he wore a long-sleeved cream sweater trimmed in purple (a Wimbledon color) and an "RF" insignia on the right arm in green (another Wimbledon color).

There's only one aim for the Swiss star: a record-tying seventh crown. Only Willie Renshaw, a player from the 1880s who often got a bye to the final as defending champ, and Pete Sampras have won that many.

"Over a two-, three-week period, a lot of things can go wrong for you or go right for you, and if you come through, it's a beautiful feeling," Federer said. "I am dreaming of the title. There is no denying that."

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, June 24, 2012

Rays at Royals

When/where: 8:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Alex Cobb (3-3, 3.82)

Royals: RH Luke Hochevar (4-7, 5.65)

On Cobb: Two days later than planned, Cobb will seek an encore to his dominating June 17 performance vs. Miami, when he allowed two hits in seven shutout innings, fanning 10. He beat the Royals in July with seven shutout innings.

On Hochevar: He is coming off his best outing of 2012, taking a no-hitter into the fifth Tuesday at Houston, finishing with 72/3 shutout innings. He is 1-2, 7.42 ERA in six starts vs. the Rays, though 1-0, 4.32 in three home games.

Rays vs. Hochevar

Carlos Peña 6-for-12

B.J. Upton 6-for-16

Ben Zobrist 3-for-12

Royals vs. Cobb

Billy Butler 0-for-3

Alex Gordon 0-for-3

Eric Hosmer 1-for-3

On deck

Tuesday: at Royals, 8:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Chris Archer (0-1, 1.50); Royals — Bruce Chen (6-6, 4.81)

Wednesday: at Royals, 2:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (4-5, 4.13); Royals — TBA

Thursday: vs. Tigers, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (7-4, 3.99); Tigers — TBA

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Historical note of the day

Jeff Keppinger, left, tied the Rays record and matched his career high when he got five hits Saturday. According to Stats Inc., he also was the second player — of the 808 times there were five-hit games in the past 30 years — to do so in his first game off the DL. The other? Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki in July 2008.

Stats of the day

3-9-8

Rays' record in doubleheaders, including 2-7-5 in split DHs

9-9 Rays' record in interleague play this season, including 6-3 in NL parks

Milestone of the day

David Price couldn't wait to share the news when Sun Sports' Todd Kalas told the pitcher he hit 100 mph on the network radar with a fifth-inning pitch in the opener. Standing at his locker, Price shouted to the rest of the clubhouse: "I hit 100! I hit 100 today in case anybody wants to know! I hit a hundo!"

Sunday, June 24, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — Konner Wade threw his third straight complete game, Robert Ref­snyder homered for the second game in a row and Arizona beat two-time defending national champion South Carolina 5-1 in the opener of the College World Series championship series Sunday night.

Wade (11-3) limited the Gamecocks to six hits to help the Wildcats (47-17) move within a win of their first national title since 1986 and their fourth overall.

"We understand where we're at. These guys understand who they're playing," Arizona coach Andy Lopez said. "They understand it's not a tournament somewhere in South Dakota."

The Gamecocks (49-19) swept UCLA and Florida in the best-of-three final the past two years but now need to beat Arizona twice to become the first team since Southern California (1970--74) to win three titles in a row. Game 2 is at 8 tonight (ESPN).

"So we have to come out (today) and pretend like nothing ever happened, and go out and hopefully get a win," Gamecocks outfielder Evan Marzilli said.

Refsnyder, batting .444 (8-for-18) in the CWS, hit a two-run homer off Forrest Koumas (2-3) in the first and scored in the fifth to make it a four-run game. His homer was the first allowed by South Carolina in 77 innings.

"It helped Konner's confidence to get him a few runs and helped the team," Refsynder said of Wade, 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA in four NCAA starts.

Lopez, who won a national title with Pepperdine, can join Augie Garrido as the only coaches to win Division I baseball national titles at two schools.

Honor for Gator: Catcher Mike Zunino was named the player of the year by Baseball America, the first UF player to receive the honor.

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

NEW YORK — Robinson Cano hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and the Yankees touched up R.A. Dickey for five runs in a 6-5 victory over the Mets on Sunday night.

Nick Swisher hit a three-run shot in the third against Dickey, who was coming off consecutive one-hitters, making him the first pitcher in 24 years to accomplish that feat. But in a much-anticipated matchup at sold-out Citi Field, both he and Yankees ace CC Sabathia were missing their best stuff.

Leading off the eighth, Cano drove Miguel Batista's 2-and-0 delivery over the home run apple in straightaway center for his fifth homer in seven games. Taking advantage of a shaky Mets bullpen again, the Yankees won the final two games of the weekend by one run to finish 5-1 against their crosstown rivals this season.

Including a sweep in the Bronx this month, the Yankees have won five straight series against the Mets.

By Dave Walker, Times Correspondent
Monday, June 25, 2012

The howling wind of the past few days is keeping most anglers in port.

What's hot: Mackerel, trout, cobia, and recently snapper have been cooperative lately. After things settle down for a few days, fishing should get back to normal and these species should be active again. Cobia seem to be more numerous this season. They are cruising around range markers, strolling along with big stingrays, or just swimming on the surface by themselves. These powerful fish go ballistic after capture, so use caution with a freshly caught cobia. Spotted sea trout are on the deep grass beds, as well as an occasional mackerel.

What's not: The weather has been very unfriendly for any outdoor activity, much less fishing.

Tip: Days like these past few are great for catching up on servicing reels or other equipment. When the weather breaks, you will be ready for action.

Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call (813) 310-6531, email captdavewalker@verizon.net or visit snookfish.com.

By Tom Jones, Times staff writer
Monday, June 25, 2012

As Tropical Storm Debby spins in the gulf, we have weather on our minds today. So here's a look back at our most memorable weather-impacted sporting events.

Ice Bowl

There was the Freezer Bowl between the Chargers and Bengals in the 1981 AFC Championship Game when temperatures dipped to minus-9, but the Ice Bowl is the most famous cold-weathered football game ever played. Played on New Year's Eve of 1967, the NFL championship game between the Cowboys and host Packers was held in temperatures of minus-13 and wind chills of minus-48. The officials' whistles didn't work and many players suffered frostbite. The Packers won on Bart Starr's 1-yard QB sneak in the waning moments.

Fog Bowl

Another infamous New Year's Eve game, this 1988 playoff game between the Eagles and Bears was a typical game until a dense fog started to roll into Chicago's Soldier Field in the second quarter. Visibility was cut to mere yards. Players couldn't find the sidelines. Fans couldn't see the field. The Eagles couldn't find the end zone and the Bears won, 20-12.

Rain Game

The most famous local weather game was the regular-season finale of the 1979 Bucs season. Needing a win to make the playoffs for the first time, the Bucs played the Chiefs under a torrential Florida downpour. Water rushed down the steps of Tampa Stadium like waterfalls. The field was a swamp. The lone score of the game was Neil O'Donoghue's 19-yard field goal with 8:50 left that sent the Bucs to the playoffs.

Heat Wave

Hard to believe an indoor hockey game could be affected by weather, but Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup finals was wiped out because of an unusually sweltering May day in Boston. Late in the second period, with the Oilers and Bruins tied at 3, fog began to rise from the ice because of the heat and humidity. Eventually, the creaky old Boston Garden had a power outage. Calling upon a rarely-used bylaw, then NHL president John Ziegler said the game would be skipped and the series proceeded to Game 5 back in Edmonton. The Oilers ended up sweeping the series, although the Cup-clinching victory technically came in Game 5.

Roof collapse

In December of 2010, more than 17 inches of snow fell on Minneapolis' Metrodome. That, along with high winds that prevented workers from clearing the snow, led to the roof of the dome collapsing the night before the Vikings were to host the Giants. That game was moved to Ford Field in Detroit, while a Dec. 20 game against the Bears was moved to the University of Minnesota's outdoor stadium.

An All-Star Rain

From 1934 to 1976, all-stars of college football played the NFL champs at Chicago's Soldier Field. The last game was played on July 23, 1976 when college stars like as Lee Roy Selmon, Chuck Muncie and Mike Pruitt took on the defending-champion Steelers. Late in the third quarter, with the Steelers well ahead 24-0, heavy rain began to fall. A delay was called and players left the field, but unruly fans stormed the field and tore down the goalposts. Commissioner Pete Rozelle decided to cancel the rest of what would turn out to be the last game in the series.

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

MIAMI — Mike Miller bowed to the NBA championship trophy. Udonis Haslem kissed it three times. Chris Bosh hugged it, and LeBron James strolled past before waving at the crowd. And in a nod to his postgame fashion style, Dwyane Wade emerged with a pair of faux eyeglasses and slipped the frames onto the neck of the trophy.

Heat president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and managing general partner Micky Arison donned similar pairs of the black spectacles Monday.

Hundreds of thousands filled the streets of Miami for a Heat championship parade, then 15,000 more got into the arena afterward for a reception.

"It's the best feeling I've ever had. This was my dream, right here, to be able to hoist that Larry O'Brien Trophy up, hug it, grab it, never want to let it go," James said.

Spoelstra said: "Every single one of these players had to sacrifice something. And it was all for a moment like this."

around the league: The Hawks hired Danny Ferry, 45, as president of basketball operations and general manager, replacing Rick Sund. Ferry spent the past two years as vice president of basketball operations for the Spurs. … The Celtics and Mavs will play exhibition games in Europe. On Oct. 5, Boston will play at five-time Turkish champ Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul, and Italian power EA7 Emporio Armani on Oct. 7 in Milan. On Oct. 6, the Mavs will play at eight-time German champion Alba Berlin, and will play in Spain, with details to be announced. … Ohio State center Jared Sullinger's stock has fallen to the point that he reportedly has not been invited to the Green Room at the draft, where players expected to be picked in the top 10 to 15 spots wait to be selected. … Knicks coach Mike Woodson said point guard Jeremy Lin is "doing great, fantastic," showing no effects from left knee surgery. Lin becomes a restricted free agent Sunday; the team plans to match any offers.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Monday, June 25, 2012

Debby cancels Derby Lane

ST. PETERSBURG — Derby Lane canceled its evening performance Monday because of inclement conditions related to Tropical Storm Debby. Racing secretary Jerry Miller said, "It is awfully windy and our parking lot is completely flooded. For everyone's safety, we decided it was better off to cancel." All but one of the 15 races were moved to the Wednesday matinee with identical post positions and races. Post positions also were drawn for Wednesday night's two qualifying races in the $40,000 St. Petersburg Derby on Saturday.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

NEW YORK — OF Marlon Byrd was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball on Monday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Major League Baseball said Byrd, 34, tested positive for Tamoxifen, which can reduce side effects of steroid use and increase testosterone. It is often used to treat breast cancer patients.

"I made an inexcusable mistake," Byrd said in a statement released by the players' association. "Several years ago, I had surgery for a condition that was private and unrelated to baseball. Last winter, I suffered a recurrence of that condition and I was provided with a medication that resulted in my positive test. Although that medication is on the banned list, I absolutely did not use it for performance enhancement reasons."

Byrd is a free agent and will be placed on the restricted list for the duration of his suspension, which began immediately.

In 2009, Byrd admitted using supplements provided by Victor Conte, the founder of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. BALCO was at the center of a wide-ranging investigation involving performance-enhancing drugs that enveloped several top-level athletes, including Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Barry Bonds. Conte pleaded guilty to steroid distribution in July 2005 and served four months in jail.

Byrd said the supplements were all okay to use under MLB rules. He had never been suspended for failing a PED test.

AL DOMINATES: The American League went 142-110 against the National League in interleague play, a .563 winning percentage. The AL has won the series for nine straight years and is 2,079-1,883 (.525) in that stretch.

TEJADA RELEASED: The Orioles released INF Miguel Tejada from Triple-A Norfolk at his request. Tejada, 38, a former AL MVP, batted .259 with no homers in 36 games while playing third base for Norfolk.

BLUE JAYS: 1B Adam Lind, who was demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on May 16 because of concerns about his conditioning, was promoted after batting .392 with eight homers in 32 games.

CUBS: 1B Anthony Rizzo, one of the team's top prospects, was promoted from Triple-A Iowa. Rizzo, 22, batted .345 with a Pacific Coast League-high 23 homers in 69 games for Iowa.

INDIANS: RHP Jeanmar Gomez, whose ERA went from 3.19 to 5.18 over his past six starts, was demoted to Triple-A Columbus. RHP Zach McAllister is expected to be recalled from Columbus on Thursday.

METS: Manager Terry Collins said RHP Bobby Parnell will serve as closer while RHP Frank Francisco is on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain. … The contract of LH reliever Justin Hampson was selected from Triple-A Buffalo, and OF Vinny Rottino was designated for assignment.

NATIONALS: INF Mark DeRosa was activated from the 15-day disabled list after missing two months with a strained oblique. OF Xavier Nady went on the DL with right wrist tendinitis.

PHILLIES: Backup C Brian Schneider, who sprained his right ankle in a collision with Rays INF Sean Rodriguez on Sunday, went on the 15-day disabled list. C Erik Kratz was promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

REDS: CF Drew Stubbs was activated from the disabled list, restoring the everyday lineup to full strength. Stubbs went on the DL June 15 after pulling muscles in his left side during a swing.

ROCKIES: Rookie RHP Alex White was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs one day after his third straight poor start. White was 2-6 with a 6.45 ERA in 10 starts.

TWINS: Closer Matt Capps went on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right (pitching) shoulder. LHP Glen Perkins and RHP Jared Burton will likely fill in for Capps.

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — Brandon Dixon's tiebreaking double started a three-run ninth inning for Arizona, and the Wildcats won their first national title since 1986 with a 4-1 victory over two-time defending champion South Carolina on Monday night.

James Farris and Mathew Troupe held the Gamecocks to three hits as the Wildcats won their fourth title overall. The others came in 1976 and 1980.

Dixon, who entered as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning, sent a grounder down the third-base line past LB Dantzler's outstretched glove for his first hit of the CWS.

Tyler Webb relieved Matt Price, and Trent Gilbert drove in his second and third runs of the game with a two-out single.

"We were extremely fortunate to get away with this victory," Arizona coach Andy Lopez said.

South Carolina had been trying to become the first team since Southern Cal in the early 1970s to win three national titles in a row.

Lopez, who won a national championship at Pepperdine in 1992, became the second coach to win a Division I baseball title at two different schools. Augie Garrido was the first, winning three at Cal State Fullerton and two at Texas.

Arizona rightfielder Robert Refsnyder was named CWS Most Outstanding Player.

Football

PLAYOFF MOVING FORWARD: The BCS commissioners will present their four-team playoff proposal to the 12 university presidents on the presidential oversight committee today in Washington. The committee is headed by Virginia Tech's Charles W. Steger and includes one university leader from each of the 11 major football conferences, and independent Notre Dame.

CITRUS BOWL UPGRADE: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs announced a plan that will finance a projected $175 million facelift for the 76-year-old Florida Citrus Bowl, which hosts the Capital One Bowl and Russell Athletic Bowl games annually. Orlando officials hope the renovated facility will be able to host a national championship game or one of the new playoff games.

MISSOURI: The school unveiled its long-promised plans to upgrade athletic facilities as it moves to the SEC. An athletics master plan released by the school calls for adding at least 6,000 seats at Memorial Stadium, which has a capacity of 71,004.

NORTH CAROLINA: The son of former coach Butch Davis will be a walk-on quarterback under new coach Larry Fedora. Drew Davis had planned to play for the Tar Heels before the school fired his father amid an NCAA investigation of improper benefits and academic misconduct within the program.

Basketball

OBITUARY: Former Houston star Ted Luckenbill, who played in Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point NBA game, died of cancer Sunday in Dallas. He was 72. Mr. Luckenbill played for the Cougars from 1958-61. In 1962 his two offensive rebounds in the final two minutes helped Chamberlain hit 100 for the Philadelphia Warriors.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 25, 2012

There is a certain risk in not extending a qualifying offer to Benoit Pouliot. If the Lightning's newly acquired left wing does not sign a contract by Sunday, he becomes an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any team.

But Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman and Pouliot's agent Kent Hughes said they are confident a deal will be reached.

"Couldn't think of a better landing spot than Tampa," Hughes said.

Qualifying offers — 10 percent bumps for players making up to $660,000 the previous season; five percent for those between $660,000 and $1 million — were due Monday to pending restricted free agents so teams can retain negotiating rights.

Tampa Bay made offers to defensemen Brendan Mikkelson ($757,969), Brian Lee ($971,250), Keith Aulie ($577,500) and Evan Oberg ($826,875), and goaltender Jaroslav Janus ($660,000).

Not qualified were Pouliot and defenseman Sebastien Piche.

In Pouliot's case, the move was strategic as withholding the offer prevents him from invoking his arbitration rights. In other words, Tampa Bay believes if Pouliot, 25, who had 16 goals, 32 points and was plus-18 last season for Boston, went to arbitration, he might get more than the Lightning wants to pay.

Tampa Bay wants Pouliot, who made $1.1 million last season and was acquired for minor-leaguer Michel Ouellet and a fifth-round draft choice, to compete for a top-six position.

"I'm confident we'll reach a deal," Yzerman said. "I had an opportunity to talk with Kent Hughes about it and I'm confident we'll have him signed prior to July 1."

MINOR MOVE: The Lightning renewed its affiliation deal with ECHL Florida. Tampa Bay is a secondary tenant as the Estero-based team is the primary affiliate of the Hurricanes.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Union executive director Donald Fehr said negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement will begin "very quickly" — perhaps this week — and didn't rule out talks stretching into the season. … Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec and the Jets agreed to a $19.5 million, five-year deal. … Devils defenseman Mark Fayne will be out up to four months after surgery on his left wrist.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

WIMBLEDON, England — Racket bag slung over her shoulder, resignation written across her face, Venus Williams weaved through fans milling about on the sidewalks that players must traverse to get from Court 2 to the Wimbledon locker rooms.

Williams, 32, had just absorbed a lopsided first-round loss at the Grand Slam tournament she once ruled, a poor performance that raised questions about how much longer she will keep playing tennis while dealing with an energy-sapping illness.

She trudged by as her hitting partner, David Witt, was saying: "It's tough to watch sometimes. I think everybody sees it. I don't know what else to say."

Looking lethargic, and rarely showing off the power-based game that carried her to five Wimbledon titles and seven majors overall, Williams departed meekly Monday with a 6-1, 6-3 defeat to 79th-ranked Elena Vesnina of Russia. Only once before, as a teenager making her Wimbledon debut in 1997, had Williams exited so early at the All England Club.

She hadn't lost in the first round at any Grand Slam tournament in 6½ years. Still, Williams said she'll be at the London Olympics next month and is "planning" to be back at Wimbledon next year.

"I feel like I'm a great player," Williams said, sounding a tad like someone trying to convince herself.

She repeated that affirmation as she continued: "I am a great player. Unfortunately, I had to deal with circumstances that people don't normally have to deal with in this sport. But I can't be discouraged by that. … There's no way I'm just going to sit down and give up just because I have a hard time the first five or six freakin' tournaments back."

Later, as part of a slightly testy and awkward exchange with reporters, she said: "I'm tough, let me tell you. Tough as nails."

Her loss, in her first match since a second-round ouster at the French Open, was part of an odd Day 1, even if the true tournament favorites in action won easily: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova. Among those sent home were sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych, the 2010 runner-up at Wimbledon; 11th-seeded John Isner of Tampa; No. 16 Flavia Pennetta; and No. 18 Jelena Jankovic, who was rather easily beaten 6-2, 6-4 by Kim Clijsters, a four-time major champion who has been beset by injuries in her last season on tour and, like Williams, is unseeded.

Other seeded losers: No. 23 Andreas Seppi, No.  24 Marcel Granollers and No. 27 Daniela Hantuchova, who was upset by 100th-ranked Jamie Hampton of the United States 6-4, 7-6 (7-1).

The biggest surprise might have been the way Isner, the highest-ranked American man, blew a match point, wasted a two-sets-to-one lead, dropped a tiebreaker on grass and lost 6-4, 6-7 (9-7), 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-5 in the first round against 73rd-ranked Alejandro Falla of Colombia.

Isner left his third consecutive major tournament after a five-set loss, including 18-16 at the French Open against 261st-ranked Paul-Henri Mathieu. This from a guy who's best known for winning the longest match in history, 70-68 in the fifth after more than 11 hours, against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010.

"I didn't put my opponent away. I had my chances, and I didn't do it. It's all on me. Was just not great on my part," said the 6-foot-9 Isner, who hit 31 aces to Falla's four. "I get out there sometimes, and lately it's happening quite a lot, and I get out there in the match and I'm just so clouded. I just can't seem to figure things out. I'm my own worst enemy out there. It's all mental for me, and it's pretty poor on my part."

Singles, Men, First Round — Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, d. Juan Carlos Ferrero, Spain, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Fernando Verdasco (17), Spain, d. Jimmy Wang, Taiwan, 7-6 (3), 6-4, 7-5. Michael Russell, United States, d. Adrian Menendez-Maceiras, Spain, 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (7). Julien Benneteau (29), France, d. Gilles Muller, Luxembourg, 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (4). Ryan Sweeting, United States, d. Potito Starace, Italy, 6-2, 2-0, retired. Richard Gasquet (18), France, d. Tobias Kamke, Germany, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Mikhail Youzhny (26), Russia, d. Donald Young, United States, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. Ruben Bemelmans, Belgium, d. Carlos Berlocq, Argentina, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (2). Janko Tipsarevic (8), Serbia, d. David Nalbandian, Argentina, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2. Grega Zemlja, Slovenia, d. Josh Goodall, Britain, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4. Benjamin Becker, Germany, d. James Blake, United States, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-0, 6-4. Gilles Simon (13), France, d. Paul-Henri Mathieu, France, 6-3, 5-4, retired. Fabio Fognini, Italy, d. Michael Llodra, France, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Radek Stepanek (28), Czech Republic, d. Sergiy Stakhovsky, Ukraine, 6-1, 1-0, retired. Roger Federer (3), Switzerland, d. Albert Ramos, Spain, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1. Inigo Cervantes, Spain, d. Flavio Cipolla, Italy, 2-6, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. Viktor Troicki, Serbia, d. Marcel Granollers (24), Spain, 7-5, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 2-6, 8-6. Jeremy Chardy, France, d. Filippo Volandri, Italy, 6-0, 6-1, 1-0, retired. Philipp Petzschner, Germany, d. Blaz Kavcic, Slovenia, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Florian Mayer (31), Germany, d. Dmitry Tursunov, Russia, 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-3. Martin Klizan, Slovakia, d. Juan Ignacio Chela, Argentina, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 11-9. Ernests Gulbis, Latvia, d. Tomas Berdych (6), Czech Republic, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4). Alejandro Falla, Colombia, d. John Isner (11), United States, 6-4, 6-7 (7), 3-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5. Ryan Harrison, United States, d. Yen-hsun Lu, Taiwan, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Xavier Malisse, Belgium, d. Marinko Matosevic, Australia, 6-2, 6-2, 7-5. Juan Monaco (15), Argentina, d. Leonardo Mayer, Argentina, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5). Igor Andreev, Russia, d. Oliver Golding, Britain, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7), 7-5. Jerzy Janowicz, Poland, d. Simone Bolelli, Italy, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Denis Istomin, Uzbekistan, d. Andreas Seppi (23), Italy, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 8-6. Paolo Lorenzi, Italy, vs. Nicolas Mahut, France, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, susp., darkness. Nicolas Almagro (12), Spain, vs. Olivier Rochus, Belgium, 6-7 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 2-2, susp., darkness. Guillaume Rufin, France, d. Steve Darcis, Belgium, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Singles, Women, First Round — Agnieszka Radwanska (3), Poland, d. Magdalena Rybarikova, Slovakia, 6-3, 6-3. Sam Stosur (5), Australia, d. Carla Suarez Navarro, Spain, 6-1, 6-3. Sorana Cirstea, Romania, d. Pauline Parmentier, France, 6-4, 6-1. Camila Giorgi, Italy, d. Flavia Pennetta (16), Italy, 6-4, 6-3. Li Na (11), China, d. Ksenia Pervak, Kazakhstan, 6-3, 6-1. Ayumi Morita, Japan, d. Jarmila Gajdosova, Australia, 6-4, 6-3. Sabine Lisicki (15), Germany, d. Petra Martic, Croatia, 6-4, 6-2. Anna Tatishvili, Georgia, d. Tamarine Tanasugarn, Thailand, 6-4, 6-2. Elena Vesnina, Russia, d. Venus Williams, United States, 6-1, 6-3. Andrea Hlavackova, Czech Republic, d. Chang Kai-chen, Taiwan, 6-1, 6-2. Hsieh Su-wei, Taiwan, d. Virginie Razzano, France, 6-2, 6-4. Arantxa Rus, Netherlands, d. Misaki Doi, Japan, 7-5, 6-3. Maria Sharapova (1), Russia, d. Anastasia Rodionova, Australia, 6-2, 6-3. Tsvetana Pironkova, Bulgaria, d. Vesna Dolonc, Serbia, 5-7, 6-0, 7-5. Bojana Jovanovski, Serbia, d. Eleni Daniilidou, Greece, 5-7, 6-3, 2-0, retired. Stephanie Foretz Gacon, France, d. Monica Niculescu (29), Romania, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Peng Shuai (30), China, d. Sandra Zaniewska, Poland, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3. Petra Cetkovska (23), Czech Republic, d. Vania King, United States, 6-4, 6-2. Sloane Stephens, United States, d. Karolina Pliskova, Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-2. Timea Babos, Hungary, d. Melanie Oudin, United States, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Angelique Kerber (8), Germany, d. Lucie Hradecka, Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-1. Kim Clijsters, Belgium, d. Jelena Jankovic (18), Serbia, 6-2, 6-4. Ekaterina Makarova, Russia, d. Alberta Brianti, Italy, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Nadia Petrova (20), Russia, d. Maria Elena Camerin, Italy, 6-0, 6-2. Lourdes Dominguez Lino, Spain, d. Naomi Broady, Britain, 6-4, 7-6 (4). Silvia Soler-Espinosa, Spain, d. Edina Gallovits-Hall, Romania, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. Maria Kirilenko (17), Russia, d. Alexandra Cadantu, Romania, 6-3, 6-1. Mathilde Johansson, France, d. Lesia Tsurenko, Ukraine, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. Heather Watson, Britain, d. Iveta Benesova, Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-1. Jamie Lee Hampton, United States, d. Daniela Hantuchova (27), Slovakia, 6-4, 7-6 (1). Christina McHale (28), United States, vs. Johanna Konta, Britain, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-7, susp., darkness. Vera Zvonareva (12), Russia, vs. Mona Barthel, Germany, 2-6, 7-6 (3), susp., darkness.

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

Reds 3, Brewers 1

CINCINNATI — Mat Latos struck out a career-high 13 in his second career complete game, leading Cincinnati. The NL Central leaders won for the second time in seven games. Milwaukee has lost eight of 13 to fall 71/2 games back, one shy of its season worst. Latos also singled twice, matching a career high. Norichika Aoki homered for the Brewers, making it 63 straight games at Great American Ball Park with at least one homer.

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

Phillies 8, Pirates 3

PHILADELPHIA — Joe Blanton pitched seven effective innings and Jimmy Rollins homered for the fourth time in five games for Philadelphia. Coming off a doubleheader sweep by the Rays, the last-place Phillies rebounded in the opener of a four-game series. They have won 15 of their past 17 meetings with the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 25, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Rays, and the rest of baseball, will find out Sunday who will be back here July 10 to play for AL team in the All-Star Game. But in their clubhouse, there doesn't seem to be any question that LHP David Price and RHP Fernando Rodney have to be included.

"Those two are no-brainers," veteran RHP James Shields said. "If they're not there, then something's a little wrong."

Price shares the AL lead with 10 wins (with Texas' Matt Harrison) and ranks eighth in ERA at 2.96, and has done so under challenging circumstances, facing the Yankees three times plus the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Angels. Also, his matchups have included Atlanta's Tim Hudson, the Yankees' CC Sabathia, the Mets' R.A. Dickey and Philadelphia's Cole Hamels.

Rodney is third in the AL with 21 saves (behind Cleveland's Chris Perez and Baltimore's Jim Johnson) and has blown only one, has held opponents to a .176 average and has given up four earned runs in 35 games.

"Those are the strongest candidates," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I think Price and Rodney probably are on almost everybody's ballots."

Eight pitchers (five starters, three relievers) are voted on by the players and coaches, and the AL manager (Texas' Ron Washington) will appoint the others.

Price is in line for a third straight All-Star selection; he started the 2010 game but sat out last year due to a minor toe issue. He is ready and will be rested this year, with his last pre-break assignment likely on July 4, though he says he isn't deserving of the start.

"It's definitely special to be named an All-Star, especially as a pitcher because it's chosen by the players and coaches," Price said.

FAMILIAR FACE: Dave Eiland, the Zephyrhills product who pitched for the Rays and spent last year as a front office assistant, said he is greatly enjoying his gig as Royals pitching coach.

Eiland liked working with the Rays after being let go as the Yankees pitching coach and appreciated the opportunity to see other parts of the business, but he relishes being back on the field.

"Absolutely," he said. "This is what I'm made to do, this is what I'm supposed to do. I'm in my element. This is a great opportunity, and a great situation."

MEDICAL MATTERS: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (shoulder fatigue) threw a 60-pitch bullpen session at about 80-90 percent effort and said he felt ready to rejoin the rotation, targeting a Saturday return.

"It went good," he said. "I probably threw a little more than was planned, but I felt really good." As important will be how he feels today, and how the Rays use their pitchers over the next couple of days.

DH Luke Scott (back stiffness) started his brief rehab assignment and celebrated his 34th birthday with a bang. Actually two, homering twice for Triple-A Durham, along with a sac fly and a hit by pitch. Scott will play for the Bulls again today, and possibly Wednesday, and could rejoin the Rays on Thursday.

RHP Kyle Farnsworth (right elbow) was rained out of his rehab appearance with Class A Charlotte for a second straight day and will instead join Durham and pitch there tonight and Wednesday. He could be back as soon as the weekend.

OF Matt Joyce (left oblique strain) said he is feeling much better and could start swinging again by the end of the week. MISCELLANY: Maddon said being back under AL rules helps since they are still down a man due to RHP Joel Peralta's suspension, but he will miss the challenge of the NL game. … RHP Chris Archer expects to be more relaxed tonight for his second big-league start. … Given afternoon temps in the upper 90s, Maddon canceled batting practice today.

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

NEW YORK — Robinson Cano homered and drove in three runs to extend his recent tear, Hiroki Kuroda took a shutout into the eighth inning and the Yankees beat the Indians 7-1 on Monday night.

Nick Swisher and Dewayne Wise also went deep for the Yankees, who opened a seven-game homestand against the top two teams in the AL Central with their third straight victory and 13th in 16 games. After winning an intense series across town against the Mets over the weekend, New York roughed up Josh Tomlin early and breezed.

Cano, who hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning Sunday night at Citi Field, smacked a two-run double in the first inning and a solo homer in the third to the short porch in right.

Cano has hit six of his 17 homers in the past eight games.

It was a painful night for catcher Carlos Santana and the Indians, who lost their third straight since a four-game winning streak. Santana drilled two foul balls off his right foot in a three-pitch span in the fourth.

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — Ryan Lochte still has Michael Phelps' number.

But Phelps has put himself in position to go for another eight gold medals at the London Olympics.

Lochte, a former college star at Florida, won his latest showdown with the most successful Olympian ever, beating Phelps in the 400-meter individual medley at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials Monday night.

In taking the first spot on the Olympic team, Lochte extended his dominance of Phelps that goes back to last year's world championships, where the 27-year-old Floridian won five gold medals and both of his head-to-head races against Phelps.

"The first race is always the hardest," Lochte said. "I can take a deep breath now, relax and whatever happens, happens."

Phelps started strongly on the butterfly leg, his strongest stroke, but Lochte took command when they switched to breaststroke. He built a lead of about half a body length and held off Phelps in the freestyle finish, cruising to the wall with one arm extended to post a time of 4 minutes, 7.06 seconds. He got a kiss from his dad, Steve, as he came off the deck.

Phelps claimed the second Olympic spot in 4:07.89.

"I was very pleased with that," Phelps said. "I said if I went 4:07, I'd be happy."

Tyler Clary, who took second at the 2011 worlds, won't even swim the event in London. He faded to third in 4:09.92 and was so upset he didn't stop for the media in the mixed zone.

Heading to his third Olympics, Lochte is determined to repeat his brilliant performance last year in Shanghai, where he surpassed Phelps as the world's top swimmer.

"I'm definitely ready to tear it up in London and show the world what the USA is all about," Lochte said.

Phelps, who owns a record 14 Olympic gold medals, plans to retire after the London Games.

Clearwater's Robert Margalis made the final but finished eighth.

In other finals on opening night, Peter Vanderkaay became a three-time Olympian by winning the 400 freestyle and Elizabeth Beisel, 19, who also swims for the Gators, earned her second straight trip to the Olympics in the 400 IM.

Vanderkaay won in 3:47.67 and Conor Dwyer took the second spot for London in 3:47.83.

Alex Katz of Tarpon Springs, Nick Alexiou of Clearwater High and Jason Taylor of Plant City and UF were eliminated in the heat races. Lochte pulled out of the event.

Beisel won her event easily in 4:31.74, more than 2 seconds ahead of Caitlin Leverenz.

Becca Mann, 14, of Clearwater finished fifth, in 4:41.61. Taylor Katz of Tarpon Springs and Melanie Margalis of Clearwater were eliminated in the heats.

Dana Vollmer set a U.S. record in the semifinals of the 100 butterfly in 56.42 seconds.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 25, 2012

Rays at Royals

When/where: 8:10 tonight; Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Chris Archer (0-1, 1.50)

ROYALS: LH Bruce Chen (6-6, 4.81)

On Archer: The second major-league start should be more comfortable for the 23-year-old, though the first one, after a rough opening frame, went pretty well as he allowed only one walk over the last five innings.

On Chen: Still hanging around at age 35, Chen has been impressive, with his six wins since May 9 matching the most in the AL over that span. He is 4-2, 3.75 in 16 appearances (11 starts) vs. the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays VS. CHEN

Hideki Matsui 5-for-26, HR

Carlos Peña 3-for-9, HR

B.J. Upton 1-for-12

ROYALS VS. ARCHER

None have faced

On deck

Wednesday: at Royals, 2:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (4-5, 4.13); Royals — TBA

Thursday: vs. Tigers, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (7-4, 3.99); Tigers — Max Scherzer (6-5, 5.12)

Friday: vs. Tigers, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (10-4, 2.95); Tigers — Justin Verlander (8-4, 2.52)

Saturday: vs. Tigers, 7:15, Ch. 13. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.45); Tigers — Rick Porcello (4-5, 4.95)

Sunday: vs. Tigers, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (3-4, 4.73); Tigers — Drew Smyly (2-2, 3.96)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

A few Sunday leftovers …

Sunday's doubleheader sweep of the Phillies was filled with interesting notes and oddities:

• The Rays were the first team since 2004, and third in the past 25 years, to win twice with no more than 10 hits, according to Elias, joining the '04 Pirates (9 hits vs. Mets) and 1992 White Sox (10 hits vs. Tigers).

• The Rays won two games while losing two points off their team batting average, which dropped from .236 to .234.

• RHP Brandon Gomes became the third AL pitcher in the DH era (since 1973) to draw a bases-loaded walk, joining the Yankees' Mariano Rivera (2009 vs. Mets) and the Angels' Jarrod Washburn (2000 vs. D'backs).

• The Rays were the second team in the majors this season to sweep a doubleheader; the Giants swept the Mets in April.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, June 25, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alex Cobb pitched badly in Monday's 8-0 loss to the Royals. So badly, that the only good thing was that he pitched the whole game, sparing the Rays' already shorthanded bullpen any further damage.

Cobb allowed 13 hits, one off the team record, as the Rays (40-33) quickly squandered any momentum they may have generated from Sunday's day-night doubleheader sweep of the Phillies. Compounding their woes, the offense couldn't do much of anything against Royals starter Luke Hochevar, who threw his second career shutout.

Cobb, whose start was pushed back two days after Friday's rainout and the subsequent shuffling, didn't make any excuses for the worst outing of his 129-game pro career. He said he felt good in the bullpen and bad once he got to the mound.

"The first few innings I just really felt uncomfortable out there," Cobb said. "It's my job to stay sharp and stay on top of things, and I just wasn't (Monday). Whether I didn't prepare good enough this week or stay as sharp as I need to, there's really no excuse to feel uncomfortable out there."

Cobb was coming off one of the best starts of his career, seven two-hit, no-run innings against the Marlins. But it didn't take long — specifically the 10-batter, seven-hit, five-run third inning — to realize it wasn't going to be the same.

Pitching coach Jim Hickey noticed that Cobb's arm slot was unusually low. Manager Joe Maddon thought his biggest issue was a lack of fastball command. Either way, it was a problem. He was the first pitcher to give up 13 or more hits and at least eight runs in a complete game since knuckleballer Tim Wakefield for Boston in 1996.

Knowing the Rays needed him to work deep into the game after using four relievers in Sunday night's win, Cobb said he changed his approach after the third, trying to pitch to contact and get quick outs.

Maddon was so determined to save the pen, he had infielder Will Rhymes "secretly" warming up in the batting cage to take over on the mound in the eighth.

"They asked me if I was comfortable with that; I was like, yeah, but I don't know if I can throw a strike, I haven't pitched since I was 12," Rhymes said. "I was pounding the zone in the cage. … Looking back on it, I'm glad it didn't have to happen, but it would have been a cool experience."

But Cobb managed to finish the game, with 113 pitches, and for that, Maddon said, he should be lauded.

"The fact that he saved the bullpen was outstanding," Maddon said. "The average fan may not understand exactly what he did (Monday) — it's heroic in a baseball sense. Because he gave up those five runs, they had a big lead, he did not cave in, he kept making pitches, he stayed on the mound. He preserved everybody else which preserves the integrity of the whole group for days. So in a baseball sense, that was an outstanding performance by Cobber tonight."

Maddon insisted the game easily could have been different, had Hideki Matsui, his average down to .159, not grounded into a rally-killing double play after the Rays got two on in the first, and had not every ball the Royals hit seem to drop in, including two that rightfielder Ben Zobrist couldn't get to in the first.

After the long Sunday in Philadelphia, a late-night arrival, oppressive heat (and faulty hotel air conditioning) in Kansas City, and a shorthanded roster, Maddon was not upset. "I'm proud of our guys, believe me," he said.

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

Times wires
Monday, June 25, 2012

EUGENE, Ore. — Alysia Montano won the 800 meters in 1 minute, 59.08 seconds at the U.S. track trials to make the Olympic team.

Geena Gall was second in 1:59.24, and Alice Schmidt was third in 1:59.46 on Monday night for the two other spots on the U.S. team for the London Games.

Montano, a three-time U.S. champion, led wire-to-wire while wearing her trademark flower in her hair.

Maggie Vessey, runnerup to Montano at the U.S. outdoor championships for the past two seasons, finished last in the field in 2:03.44.

Jesse Williams, the reigning world champion in the high jump, finished fourth but still made the team for London.

Third-place finisher Nick Ross did not have the Olympic "A" standard of 7 feet, 7 inches.

Jamie Nieto finished first with a height of 7-53/4. Erik Kynard finished second, followed by Ross and Williams, who all also cleared the height.

Williams, a local favorite as part of the Oregon Track Club elite team, will be joined on the squad by Nieto and Kynard.

Dwight Barbiasz of Florida tied for seventh at 7-01/2.

Sam Humphreys won the javelin with a throw of 268-7, but he doesn't make the Olympic team because he doesn't have the required "A" standard.

Runnerup Sam Crouser, at 265-1, also will miss out because he hadn't thrown the standard of 269 feet this season.

The United States will be represented in the London Games by Craig Kinsley, Sean Furey and Cyrus Hostetler, who all have the standard. Kinsley finished third with a throw of 262-2. Furey was fourth with 255-5, and Hostetler was fifth with 254-8.

Amanda Smock won the women's triple jump with a leap of 45 feet, 9 inches, followed by Sheena Gordon (45-41/2). Florida State's Michelle Jenije (42-6) missed out, finishing ninth.

Smock was the only athlete in the field with the Olympic "A" standard of 46-11, so she will be the lone representative on the U.S. team in London.

Also, USF's Jared Thomas was 15th in the preliminary round of discus at 190-2; he'll miss Thursday's finals.