By Doug Hemmer, Times Correspondent


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

What's next: After rough weather, search for clean water to catch fish. Inside Tampa Bay, look for backwater coves with thick trees that could block the wind. Most of these areas are on the east side of the bay. Close to the passes, the water will be dirty because the incoming tide is pulling murky water from the gulf. Areas on the flats with thick grass that filters the sand will be the first spots to have clean water. When the waters calm, target the artificial reefs inside the bay. Fish tend to move to large structure when the bay gets rough.

Tip: After a storm as strong as this one, there will be parts of docks and debris floating just under the surface. It's best to keep the boat speed slow.

Offshore: Head west until you find clean water. Most of the fish will be around the artificial reefs and the larger ledges. Try the well-known ledges that are 6 to 12 feet high. These overfished areas will hold good numbers of fish for a few days after the storm.

Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 347-1389.

By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Jagger Eaton will ride an elevator to the top of a skate ramp, plunge down an 80-foot roll-in at nearly 55 mph, soar over a 70-foot gap and ride up a quarterpipe that will send him as high as 50 feet in the air.

The MegaRamp is not for the timid. Velocity and precision go into landing tricks on a structure that is taller than an eight-story building and longer than a football field.

But soaring on his board over the ramp in the Big Air event is mere child's play for the 11-year-old Eaton, who will become the youngest competitor ever at the X Games, which start tonight in Los Angeles.

"I didn't know until a few days after I was invited that I was the youngest," Eaton said. "I'm psyched about that. I'm not nervous. I just want to go out … and have fun."

Some of Eaton's competitors are more than three times his age. But there is a preteen scene in the Big Air event. Of the 18 invited athletes, five are younger than 16.

Eaton, who lives in Mesa, Ariz., is two months younger than Trey Wood, also 11, and four months younger than street skater Nyjah Huston was when he competed as the youngest X Games athlete in 2006.

The proliferation of young riders in Big Air is due in large part to the opportunities to ride such a monolithic ramp. Most of the riders got their chops down on the MegaRamp at Woodward West, an action sports camp in Tehachapi, Calif. In November, Eaton and Wood tied for third at defending Big Air champion Bob Burnquist's Dreamland MegaRamp Invitational in Vista, Calif.

Eaton is an anomaly because he is equally adept at street skating and often uses street-riding tricks when he flies through the air on the MegaRamp. Eaton started skating seven years ago with his brother Jett, who is 13. They trained at the Kids That Rip Skateboard School, a skate park owned by their father, Geoff.

The brothers became so good they have appeared on Disney's Get'cha Head in the Game and have been featured in magazines such as Thrasher and Sports Illustrated for Kids' 20 under 20 issue.

Two years ago, the Eatons tried the MegaRamp for the first time.

"The first time I went with the boys to Bob Burnquist's ramp just to look at it," Geoff said. "It was an intimidating experience. We stood at the top of the deck and we were all shaking our heads."

The brothers started by riding a 25-foot section of the ramp before moving on to the full-scale version.

"The first time was more scary than anything I've done," Jagger said. "It would probably be as freaky as skydiving if I ever tried that. I just had to learn to get over the fear and get used to the speed."

Now the Eatons travel more than 460 miles to the Woodward West ramp twice a month and spend three to four days there practicing. The brothers look like road warriors in their protective padding, which includes vests, helmets, shin guards and a mouthpiece. They duct tape the top of their shoes to keep the laces from burning off whenever they fall off their board at such high speeds.

Still, the padding is not always enough to prevent injuries.

Three months ago, Jett crashed during his takeoff and slammed so hard into the ramp that his forehead went through the helmet padding and into the plastic shell. He ended up with a skull fracture and bruises on his frontal lobe.

Jett had qualified for the X Games' Big Air competition, but Geoff decided to pull him out and keep him off the MegaRamp for six months.

Jagger, though, has decided to skate despite his brother's injury.

"I kind of let my boys decide what they want to do," Geoff said. "I really thought Jagger would want to bail after what happened to Jett. But it was just the opposite. Jagger realized it was kind of a fluke with the way the crash happened during the takeoff. He said if it was okay, that he wanted to ride for his brother.

"I'm proud of my son. He didn't turn his back on something and faced it head-on."

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@tampabay.com.

. FAST FACTS

X Games 18

When/where: Today-Sunday; Los Angeles

TV: 21 hours live on ESPN, ESPN2 and Ch. 28

Tonight: 9, ESPN2

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

. UP NEXT

Tigers

Tonight-Sunday

What's new: The Tigers have been one of the season's biggest mysteries, if not flat-out disappointments, as they were expected to run away with the AL Central title but instead have a losing record (36-39) and are in third place. The offense, even with the dynamic duo of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder (a combined .303, 27 HRs, 110 RBIs), hasn't been as explosive, scoring barely more than the Rays (328-317) and hitting fewer homers (67-71). And the rotation, after ace RHP Justin Verlander, has been lacking. Animated closer Jose Valverde is back after a 10-day absence due to a wrist injury.

Key stat: The Tigers are on a streak of 143 games without being shut out, dating to July 17, 2011, the longest such streak in franchise history.

Connections: Detroit RHP Joaquin Benoit and OF Delmon Young are former Rays. INF Ryan Raburn is a Tampa native and Durant High product. … Rays 1B Carlos Peña, injured OF Matt Joyce and RHPs Kyle Farnsworth and Fernando Rodney are former Tigers.

Series history: Tigers lead 2-1 this year, 54-52 overall; Rays lead 27-25 at the Trop.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Rays vs. Tigers

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

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

Tickets: $9-210, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within five hours of game time.

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH James Shields (7-4, 3.99)

TIGERS: RH Max Scherzer (6-5, 5.12)

On Shields: Makes his 200th career start in a bit of a rut, going 2-4, 4.69 in his past eight starts after opening season 5-0, 3.05. Is 5-0, 3.51 in eight starts vs. Tigers, only AL team he hasn't lost to.

On Scherzer: Makes second start since unexpected death of his younger brother, then plans to fly home for Saturday memorial service. Is 0-2, 3.06 in three starts vs. Rays.

Return of the day

New INF Brooks Conrad has special memories of the Trop since he made his major-league debut there for Oakland in July 2008, though it wasn't a good one as he faced Rays starters Scott Kazmir, Andy Sonnanstine and James Shields and went 0-for-10 with five strikeouts. "I left the Trop thinking, man, I don't know if I'm ever going to get a hit in the big leagues," he said. "It was a rude awakening in the big leagues. But I'm excited to go back and be on the other side of that."

Weather numbers of the day

97/100

Temperature/heat index at first pitch.

101/106

Temperature/heat index in the 8th inning.

Weather quote of the day

"I felt like the second or third inning I was going to start drowning if I drank any more."

RF Ben Zobrist, on orders from the training staff to keep drinking water

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rays officials continue to maintain they have confidence in struggling OF/DH Hideki Matsui and expect him to help them win games.

But with a chance to do so in the eighth inning Wednesday, the go-ahead run on third with one out, manager Joe Maddon opted instead to use INF Will Rhymes, who'd had one plate appearance since Saturday, as a pinch-hitter for Sean Rodriguez.

Rhymes failed, as he hit a sharp ground ball to shortstop and Ben Zobrist, breaking for home on contact, was thrown out. But Maddon said Rhymes was still the better choice than hoping Matsui (hitting .162) would deliver a hit or a sac fly.

"I was looking for contact," Maddon said. "I thought with a runner on third base and less than two outs, among all our candidates (which were just Rhymes, Matsui and Jose Lobaton), Will had the best chance to make contact. His strikeout rate is among the lowest in baseball. We're just looking to have the ball moved right there, and he did."

Matsui was then used with two outs and two on and struck out.

Maddon admitted that the team's overall offensive struggles played into his decision. "Not wanting to keep waiting for the hit with two outs; that hasn't been forthcoming for us," he said.

BURKE'S BOMB: RHP Burke Badenhop had a fairly simple description of what happened on the game-deciding homer he allowed in the eighth to Billy Butler: "I got behind him, I threw a really flat sinker, he hit the crap out of it. That's it pretty much in a nutshell."

YOUNG GUNS: As disappointed as the Rays were in losing the three games, they got some satisfaction out of the performances of their young starters, from the way Alex Cobb battled to complete Monday's game to the good-enough-to-win outings they got from rookies Chris Archer on Tuesday and Matt Moore on Wednesday.

Moore worked a career high 7⅓ innings, allowing two solo home runs and two runs on a chopper over the infield, though 10 hits overall. "He pitched really, really well," Maddon said. "He kept his composure, he had great stuff. I thought he was outstanding."

Moore was pleased overall but frustrated by his mistakes, as he allowed his 12th and 13th homers. "Whoever said solo home runs can't beat you, that's just happened to me way too much this season," he said.

MEDICAL MATTERS: RHP Kyle Farnsworth (right elbow strain) threw a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out two, in the second of back-to-back rehab appearances for Triple-A Durham. After hitting 96 mph with his fastball and showing a sharp slider Tuesday, he was clocked at 95 Wednesday. He is expected to be activated by the weekend.

DH Luke Scott (back stiffness) returned to St. Petersburg to work out after a two-day rehab gig in Durham and is expected to be activated tonight.

RHP Jeremy Hellickson (right shoulder fatigue) threw a normal between-starts bullpen and pronounced himself ready to rejoin the rotation: "I'm good for Saturday."

OF Matt Joyce (left oblique strain) said he is feeling better and expects to start the progression back to active duty, with "dry" swings (no ball) in the next couple of days. He hopes to return when eligible July 5.

Suspended RHP Joel Peralta also has been working out with the team, throwing a bullpen session Tuesday and planning to face hitters today at the Trop.

MISCELLANY: LF Desmond Jennings was in the No. 7 spot again and got three hits, Maddon suggesting he appeared to have his confidence back. … The Rays hit into four double plays. … First pitch temperature was 97, and it climbed to 101, with a heat index of 106, during the game. … Sunday's game has been picked up and will be shown by Sun Sports; the Aug.  9 game vs. Toronto was dropped.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Braves 6, Diamondbacks 4

ATLANTA — Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward homered, and Atlanta withstood Arizona's comeback attempt. Jones' two-run homer off Trevor Cahill in the sixth inning was his first since May 4. The Braves led 6-0 before Ryan Roberts' three-run homer in the seventh knocked Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson out of the game.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — Tim Lincecum threw his 167-pound body in front of the plate to save a run. He pounded the strike zone like the Lincecum of old. More than anything, he pitched the Giants into first place.

Lincecum won for the first time in nearly two months to end the worst drought of his career, and San Francisco held the Dodgers scoreless for the third straight game in a 3-0 win Wednesday.

In the clubhouse, he joked with strength and conditioning coach Carl Kochan.

"I was, like, 'Winning,' and he goes, 'It's a lot better than losing,' " said Lincecum, who ended a careerlong 10-start winless stretch. "That's the easiest way to put it. … To be able to sweep the Dodgers, throw three shutouts and be in the position we're in says a lot about us."

Angel Pagan had an RBI single and drew a bases-loaded walk as the Giants tied Los Angeles for first place in the National League West by getting their second sweep of the season. They shut out the Dodgers in a three-game series for the first time, a run spanning 123 seasons.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Mets 17, Cubs 1

CHICAGO — Daniel Murphy homered twice, Scott Hairston hit a grand slam and David Wright had five RBIs for New York. Ike Davis had a three-run homer and an RBI double, and combined with Murphy, Hairston and Wright to drive in all 17 runs as the Mets snapped a four-game skid.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Brewers 8, Reds 4

CINCINNATI — Rickie Weeks and Cody Ransom hit two-run homers off Homer Bailey, and Milwaukee avoided a sweep. Zack Greinke improved to 4-0 in six starts against Cincinnati. Bailey fell to 0-5 in 10 starts against the Brewers.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

NEW YORK — The Yankees lost their ace for at least a couple of weeks and their most dependable veteran for perhaps a couple of months.

LHP Andy Pettitte fractured his fibula near his left ankle on the same day New York put LHP CC Sabathia on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin. "No one's going to feel sorry for us," manager Joe Girardi said.

The Yankees are a season-high 18 games over .500. But they now have to face at least two starts without Sabathia and possibly close to two months without Pettitte, the veteran who came out of retirement and filled in admirably for a pitching staff hit by injuries, including the loss of RHP Michael Pineda and closer Mariano Rivera.

"If we have to score some runs, we'll score some runs," Girardi said.

Pettitte, 40, was injured in the fifth inning of a 5-4 win over the Indians when he was hit on the leg on a line drive by former Ray and Seminole High product Casey Kotchman. Before the game, the Yankees announced Sabathia strained his groin against the Mets on Sunday and still felt discomfort after throwing in the bullpen Tuesday.

"I wanted to go out and pitch Friday, but it's early in the season and I want to be healthy," Sabathia said. "If Friday I got out there in the bullpen and couldn't go, that would put us in a really tough spot."

AREA STAR PROMOTED: Former Alonso High RHP Jose Fernandez, the 14th overall pick by the Marlins in the 2011 draft, was promoted to high Class A Jupiter and is set to make his Florida State League debut tonight. Fernandez, 19, was 7-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 14 starts for low Class A Greensboro.

HOWARD BACK ON FIELD: Phillies 1B Ryan Howard is set to begin a rehab stint tonight at Class A Lakewood, where he will serve as the DH. Howard hasn't played since tearing his left Achilles' tendon in Game 5 of the NL Division Series.

DRAFT DEALS: Florida State RHP Robert Benincasa (Armwood) High, a seventh-round pick of the Nationals, signed for a $145,000 bonus. And FSU INF Sherman Johnson (Alonso), taken in the 14th round, signed with the Angels.

MINOR-LEAGUER DIES: Twins minor-league LHP Paul Bargas died from brain cancer. He was 23. Mr. Bargas began having severe headaches last year and was diagnosed with primary nervous system lymphoma during spring training 2011.

D'BACKS LOSE STARTER: RHP Daniel Hudson was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, likely ending his season.

DODGERS: RF Andre Ethier strained a left oblique muscle in the first inning and is scheduled for an MRI exam.

REDS: 2B Brandon Phillips was pulled for precautionary reasons three innings after being hit in the head on an attempted steal of second by the Brewers' Aramis Ramirez.

RED SOX: RHP Clay Buchholz was in the clubhouse a day after being released from the hospital, where he was treated for a bout of esophagitis that caused internal bleeding.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Athletics 2, Mariners 1

SEATTLE — Jarrod Parker struck out a career-high nine in seven dominant innings, and Yoenis Cespedes and Coco Crisp homered for Oakland's only hits. Parker, a rookie, has allowed two earned runs over his past 20 innings and is 2-0 in those three outings. He gave up a home run to former Ray John Jaso in the second inning that tied the score at 1. Seattle starter Kevin Millwood left the game after 22/3 innings after again straining his right groin.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Red Sox 10, Blue Jays 4

BOSTON — Boston scored six in the first inning against wild Ricky Romero, David Ortiz hit his 399th career homer and the Red Sox won their fifth straight series. Adrian Gonzalez had three RBIs and Mike Aviles two as Boston won for the ninth time in 11 games. Jon Lester fell behind 1-0 in the first, but the Red Sox scored all the runs they needed in the bottom half as Romero threw 16 balls on his first 19 pitches.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

White Sox 12, Twins 5

MINNEAPOLIS — Chris Sale pitched seven sharp innings and Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer for Chicago. Sale, who leads the American League with a 2.27 ERA, improved to 5-0 in seven road starts. Dunn ended an 0-for-24 skid with his homer and had three hits and four RBIs overall. Kevin Youkilis went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Yankees 5, Indians 4

NEW YORK — Robinson Cano hit a go-ahead homer to help New York complete a three-game sweep. The Yankees lost starter Andy Pettitte to a broken ankle (see notebook, 4C). Former Ray Rafael Soriano put the first two batters on base in the ninth and walked in a run with two outs before getting Asdrubal Cabrera to fly out to left.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Angels 13, Orioles 1

BALTIMORE — Torii Hunter homered and scored four runs, Jered Weaver pitched into the seventh inning and Los Angeles completed a two-game sweep. One night after posting season highs in homers and hits, the Angels set a season mark for runs in their most lopsided win of 2012.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Marlins 5, Cardinals 3

MIAMI — John Buck and pinch-hitter Logan Morrison hit consecutive homers in the seventh as Miami ended an eight-game skid against St. Louis. After Buck's tying homer off Fernando Salas, Morrison sent a drive off Sam Freeman that hit the top of the rightfield fence, struck a railing and dropped into play. It was ruled a homer after a video review.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Six months ago, Florida's Bradley Beal was struggling to adjust to the college game midway through his freshman season. Now he is a few hours away from becoming a lottery pick in the NBA draft.

After impressive performances late in the regular season and an outstanding postseason run, Beal has skyrocketed to a projected top-five pick in tonight's draft.

"He's going to be (No.) 2, I wouldn't hesitate," ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said when asked where Beal could expect to be drafted. "I think he's the second-best prospect in the draft behind (Kentucky freshman) Anthony Davis. … Need, whatever, how could you not need a guard that's got that kind of ability? … There are very few teams that he wouldn't work well with a good point guard. He's tremendous."

In fact, the Thunder was looking for ways to move up from No. 28 to have a shot at Beal, ESPN.com reported. The Bobcats have the No. 2 pick and are said to be listening to offers.

Beal's rise is not necessarily surprising. The St. Louis native, who turns 19 today, arrived at Florida as a two-guard with a resume that indicated his stay might be short. He was the Gatorade national player of the year in 2011 and a McDonald's All-American, averaging 32.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists at Chaminade Prep in St. Louis.

At 6 feet 4, he's a strong defender, outstanding rebounder, can put the ball on the floor and pass in transition, and is a solid free-throw shooter. And by the end of the season, he was shooting 43 percent from the field.

"He has all the intangibles to be a great, great pro and to play a long, long time," UF coach Billy Donovan said. "He's a great teammate, he's really unselfish and works incredibly hard."

When Beal announced in April he was leaving UF, he called it "one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life." Analysts say it was the best thing he could do.

"The fact that he's a freshman and he's showing his potential now," CBS Sports analyst Seth Davis said. "If he was the same player as a senior, the perception would be completely different. So he was very, very smart playing into the psychology of the draft."

Analysts also say Beal's early college struggles didn't hurt him with NBA scouts. "People need to look at the situation that Bradley came into," CBS Sports Network analyst Jon Rothstein said. "He had to find a way to integrate himself with players like Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton that had already been deep into the NCAA Tournament. That's not an easy situation to find yourself in during your first year in college. … It wasn't like things were handed to him right away and he was the poster boy."

Magic is tight-lipped

ORLANDO — If the Magic plans to make a major move tonight, new general manager Rob Hennigan isn't saying.

Hennigan, who took over a week ago, and the Magic have the 19th and 49th picks tonight, but because center Dwight Howard has said he isn't committed beyond the upcoming season, other teams are working on their trade pitches.

"I don't want to comment on that," Hennigan said Tuesday when asked about trading Howard tonight. "We're going to continue to evaluate everything we can and analyze all the details and the options and the scenarios."

The Rockets are expected to tempt the Magic. After a trade Wednesday, Houston has the 12th, 16th and 18th picks and still is trying to move up. The Rockets could offer a package that includes at least one established player and multiple picks in exchange for Howard and perhaps another Magic player.

Rockets-Bucks: Milwaukee acquired veteran center Samuel Dalembert, the No. 14 pick tonight, a future second-round pick and cash considerations from Houston in exchange for forwards Jon Brockman and Jon Leuer, guard Shaun Livingston and the No. 12 pick.

Information from the Orlando Sentinel and the Associated Press was used in this report.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

WIMBLEDON, England — Roger Federer gave Prince Charles a bow, then gave Fabio Fognini a royal thumping.

With the Prince of Wales visiting Wimbledon for the first time since 1970, Federer was at his best Wednesday and beat Fognini 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

Federer, a six-time winner at the All England Club, won 37 of 41 points on his first serve and 21 of 23 points at the net against Fognini, an Italian ranked 68th.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall sat in the first row of the Royal Box as Federer walked onto Centre Court for the day's first match. He and Fognini stood side by side as they bowed awkwardly toward the royals, and Charles waved and grinned.

"They do brief you beforehand," Federer said. "I guess you don't do anything stupid. You behave. Obviously, we were asked to bow, which is obviously no problem to do."

Seeded third, Federer hopes to end his 2½-year title drought in major tournaments, and he's off to a good start, losing only nine games through two rounds. He seeks to add to his record total of 16 major titles, and he could match the record of seven Wimbledon men's titles set by William Renshaw in the 1880s and tied by Pete Sampras in 2000.

"I'm just happy overall with how I'm playing," Federer said. "I'm serving well when I have to. I'm moving well. I feel like my forehand and backhand are working well."

Shortly after Federer's victory, rain interrupted play, and the retractable roof on Centre Court was closed for the first time in the tournament. Defending champion Novak Djokovic won under the lights, beating Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the final match of the day.

Former women's No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki lost under the cover to Tamira Paszek, who saved two match points in the second set and won 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

Other Grand Slam champions advancing included Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick. Reigning U.S. Open champion and Tampa resident Samantha Stosur lost. More than a dozen matches on outside courts were postponed until today.

Top-ranked Maria Sharapova led 7-6 (7-3), 3-1 when her second-round match against Tsvetana Pironkova was suspended because of darkness.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. — Missy Franklin is heading to her first Olympics at 17, winning the 100-meter backstroke in U.S. record time at the swimming trials Wednesday and denying Natalie Coughlin a chance to defend her title.

Coming back 20 minutes after the 200 freestyle semifinals — in which she advanced to the final — Franklin chased down Coughlin, who also won the event at the 2004 Games, on the return lap to win in 58.85 seconds. "I have dreamed of this moment, but I never thought it would come true at 17 years old," Franklin said. "Dreams do come true."

Coughlin, 29, was under world-record pace at the turn. But she couldn't hold off Franklin or Rachel Bootsma, 18, who got past the 11-time medalist to claim the second spot for London in 59.49. Coughlin was third in 1 minute, 0.06 seconds.

St. Petersburg's Megan Romano, a Northeast High graduate now at Georgia, was eighth and last, 2.17 behind.

In other finals, Matt Grevers won the men's 100 backstroke with the world's fastest time this year, 52.08. Breeja Larson, 20, who started swimming competitively three years ago, upset defending gold medalist and two-time world champion Rebecca Soni and world-record holder Jessica Hardy in the 100 breaststroke. Soni got the second spot on the team. Hardy finished third.

In the women's 200 free semis, Romano made the final with the fourth-fastest qualifying time, 1:57.99. Allison Schmitt, who previously qualified for London in the 400 free, was the top qualifier in 1:55.59. The final is today.

Among other swimmers with bay area or state university ties:

•Florida's Conor Dwyer was fourth in the men's 200 free, behind Michael Phelps and former Gator Ryan Lochte, and Gator Elizabeth Beisel qualified for today's 200 individual medley final.

•Clearwater native Robert Margalis did not advance to the final of the 200 butterfly, finishing last in his semifinal.

• Tampa's Chelsea Nauta, a Tampa Prep graduate, did not advance out of the 200 freestyle heats.

• Countryside grad Melanie Margalis, now at Georgia, was disqualified in the 200 individual medley heats.

•Florida State's Elizabeth Pepper didn't advance out of the 200 freestyle heats, nor did FSU's Josh Friedel out of the 100 backstroke. Incoming freshman Sami Pochowski didn't advance out of 100 breaststroke heats.

Track and field: The dead heat between Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh for third in the 100 meters at the trials and the final Olympic berth will be resolved after Saturday's 200 final, USA Track and Field said. Both are entered in the 200. The governing body said it made the decision after talking to the runners and their support teams. It says a result must be determined by Sunday, the end of the trials in Eugene, Ore., so a team can be named.

Gymnastics: Those who will select the members of the U.S. men's and women's team have their work cut out for them at the trials, which begin today in San Jose, Calif. One guaranteed spot is available, with the other nine gymnasts — five women, five men — chosen based on what combinations the selectors think give the Americans the best chance for team medals. The women won silver in 2008, the men bronze.

The top two men, using combined scores from this month's national championships and the trials, could lock up spots but only if they also finish in the top three of each of the six events. Other­wise, two men will be named Saturday night and the others Sunday.

The winner of the women's all-around gets the guaranteed spot. For the first time since 2000, the others will be determined after the trials end Sunday.

Times wires
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Astros 1, Padres 0

HOUSTON — Rookie Lucas Harrell pitched his first complete game and leftfielder J.D. Martinez threw out a runner at the plate in the ninth inning to preserve the Astros' victory. Matt Downs homered and Harrell finished a six-hitter by striking out Nick Hundley with the bases loaded. Downs' drive was one of only two hits by Houston. Harrell allowed four hits through eight innings, then two hits and two walks in the ninth. He was bailed out when Martinez threw out pinch-runner Alexi Amarista trying to score on Logan Forsythe's one-out single.