Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Marlins 5, Phillies 2
MIAMI — Hanley Ramirez hit his first home run since June 3, ending his drought at 89 at-bats with a two-run shot in the eighth inning to lift the Marlins. "We've been waiting for Hanley's big day," manager Ozzie Guillen said. Miami swept Philadelphia in three games for the first time since Aug. 7-9, 2009, at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have lost five straight.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Angels 10, Blue Jays 6
TORONTO — Mike Trout hit a tiebreaking homer and Mark Trumbo and Alberto Callaspo hit two-run shots for the Angels. Trout led off the eighth with a shot to center off Francisco Cordero as Los Angeles spoiled the Blue Jays' Canada Day party.
By Ron Gorta, Times Correspondent
Sunday, July 1, 2012
What's hot: Major tide levels this week will provide great action for redfish. Schools will congregate on top of oyster beds and underneath mangrove overhangs. These schools are sensitive to any kind of unfamiliar pressure, so use extra caution when approaching them. Use the lowest setting on the trolling motor when nearing a school. Set up the boat with the wind from the rear. This allows for longer casts and keeps the angler as far away as possible from the fish to prevent spooking them.
Bait: I use cut bait when the water temperature is above 80 degrees. The warmer the water, the less aggressive the fish are. Threadfins and pinfish make for good cut baits. Redfish forage on the bottom, so when they come across cut bait, they just seem to eat it every time.
Tackle: Long casts are necessary when redfish are spooky. I use 7½-foot-long graphite rods with smaller 30 series reels loaded with 10-pound braid. The light braided line combined with a longer rod with the wind at your back always produces casts that go farther. Tie on a 20-pound camouflage leader with a 2/0 circle hook to complete the terminal tackle.
Rob Gorta charters out of St. Petersburg. Call him at (727) 647-7606 or visit captainrobgorta.com.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Twins 10, Royals 8
MINNEAPOLIS — Trevor Plouffe homered twice, Josh Willingham and Drew Butera also homered, and the Twins rallied from four runs down to go up by five, then held on. Willingham hit a three-run homer in the sixth to tie it at 5. Two batters later, Plouffe hit his second solo shot.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Indians 6, Orioles 2
BALTIMORE — Justin Masterson pitched seven five-hit innings, Shelley Duncan homered and hit two doubles and Aaron Cunningham had a solo shot for the Indians, who won three of four in the series after losing five straight. Cleveland totaled 55 hits in the four games. "A nice bounce back to finish a road trip that started in such an ugly way," manager Manny Acta said.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Yankees 4, White Sox 2
NEW YORK — Phil Hughes pitched eight efficient innings on a 95-degree day, Robinson Cano hit a tiebreaking two-run homer after wasting a chance with the bases loaded his first time up and the Yankees earned a split of the series between division leaders. "He was throwing strikes, working quick," Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said of Hughes. "It was good for us because it was hot out there. He was in control the entire game." Eric Chavez hit a two-run drive for New York, which leads the majors with 124 home runs.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
SERAING, Belgium — Peter Sagan blushed, giggled and eventually brushed off comparisons to Lance Armstrong on Sunday after becoming the youngest rider to win a Tour de France stage since the American nearly a generation ago.
The 22-year-old Slovak gave a command performance in his debut in a full Tour stage by outsprinting Fabian Cancellara, who mounted a spirited, successful defense of his yellow jersey over a hilly ride in eastern Belgium in Stage 1.
The standings among the top contenders to win the three-week race didn't change much after the 123-mile loop from Liege to suburban Seraing featuring five low-grade climbs. Bradley Wiggins and defending champion Cadel Evans trailed close behind in a splintered pack.
Overall, Wiggins was second behind Cancellara, seven seconds back, and Evans was another 10 seconds slower in eighth.
Sagan became the youngest rider to capture a Tour stage since Armstrong got the first of his 22 career Tour stage victories at age 21, in Stage 8 in 1993. The youngest of all time is Italy's Fabio Battesini, who was 19 when he won one in the 1931 Tour.
Asked whether he has the potential to be the next Armstrong, Sagan said, "I would like to be, but I'm so young, it's impossible to know what the future will be."
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, July 1, 2012
. UP NEXT
Yankees
Tonight-Wednesday
What's new: The Yankees have been on a tremendous roll, 22-7 through Sunday, but their true test may be coming. They had to put starters CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte on the disabled list last week, and their rotation depth will be severely tested. The bullpen, led by ex-Ray Rafael Soriano, has thus far covered the loss of Mariano Rivera, but it also may be a concern. Ex-Ray Chad Qualls was added Sunday. The key to the Yankees' success has been offense. They lead the majors in homers (124 through 78 games, 23 in their past 11) and are on a team-record pace. All-Stars 2B Robinson Cano, OF Curtis Granderson and SS Derek Jeter have been hot.
Key stat: The Rays have won seven straight home games against the Yankees, never having won more than three in a row before that.
Connections: Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild was the first Tampa Bay manager; relievers Soriano and Qualls are former Rays. Cory Wade played at Triple-A Durham. Rays RHP Kyle Farnsworth, OF Hideki Matsui, C Jose Molina wore pinstripes.
Series history: Rays lead 5-4 this season; Yankees lead 154-93 overall, 69-54 at Tropicana Field.
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, July 1, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG — DH/OF Hideki Matsui might have had one of his best days as a Ray on Sunday.
Matsui, 38, who has struggled since joining the team in late May, came through with two hits, scored the tying run in the fifth and made a nice running catch in leftfield.
"He looked really good," manager Joe Maddon said. "He had a really nice day."
Matsui, off to the worst offensive start to any season in his career (.177), has been working diligently on his approach and mechanics at the plate. It paid off in the fifth, when he hit an RBI single to right, then came around to score from first on a double by C Jose Molina.
Matsui's single in the seventh gave him his second multi-hit game of the season and first since June 14.
"It was good," Matsui said through interpreter Roger Kahlon. "It's always nice to be able to come through and get some results, especially in key situations like that."
Maddon said Matsui looked a lot more comfortable at the plate, with his balance better and his hands "alive."
"I would like to think he's going to gain some confidence from that game," Maddon said.
Matsui also did his best impression of LF Desmond Jennings in the second inning, racing toward the foul line to grab a Prince Fielder liner.
Joked Matsui: "If that was Jennings, I think he would have gotten there earlier, stopped, then caught the ball."
MORE MOORE: LHP Matt Moore enters tonight's start against the Yankees having yet to face them this season, which he hopes is to his advantage as they haven't seen him much. The only time Moore pitched against New York was his first big-league start Sept. 22, when he picked up the win in a 15-8 victory in Yankee Stadium thanks to five shutout innings.
"It was pretty crazy, my first start being against the Yankees, at Yankee Stadium, it was very special," Moore said. "To have some run support like that, 12 runs, I couldn't ask for a better first start."
Better Price: LHP David Price, pulled from Friday's start due to lower-back tightness, felt good during his typical between-starts bullpen session Sunday and is in line to make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Yankees. "Absolutely," pitching coach Jim Hickey said. "No question."
MEDICAL MATTERS: Maddon said RHP Jeremy Hellickson, who was pulled from Saturday's start after suffering a right shin bruise on a Fielder line drive, was still "stiff" but walking around fine. But Maddon said a key indicator of whether Hellickson will be ready for his next start will be how he feels in today's bullpen session.
LINING UP: INF Sean Rodriguez returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Wednesday. Rodriguez, who is healthy, said it was a planned three days off so he could do an extra batting practice session each day, working specifically on his positioning in the batter's box and approach. Rodriguez played second and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, dropping his average to .211.
1B Carlos Peña and DH Luke Scott were given the day off against Tigers LHP Drew Smyly. Peña pinch-hit in the eighth and struck out swinging.
LEANING LEFT: LHP J.P. Howell has gotten into a groove, retiring 21 of the past 25 batters he has faced in his past six outings. This comes after a rough stretch in which he allowed 11 runs over eight innings in 11 appearances.
"As time goes, I just feel more confident in myself," Howell said.
MINOR MATTERS: RHP Taylor Guerrieri, the 24th overall pick in the 2011 draft, was scratched from his third pro start for Hudson Valley on Saturday due to general soreness.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
WIMBLEDON, England — Good thing Wimbledon schedules its middle Sunday as a day off. This year, that gave everyone a chance to catch their breath after an eventful Week 1.
As action resumes today with all 16 men's and women's fourth-round matches, what could Week 2 have that would equal the first six days?
First, there was two-time champion Rafael Nadal's loss in the second round. Then Roger Federer, owner of six titles at the All England Club, had to rally from two sets down. Five-time champion Venus Williams was ousted on Day 1, and her sister, four-time champion Serena, needed a tournament-record 23 aces to escape the third round.
And Serena's next opponent, Yaroslava Shvedova, did something no other woman had ever done in the Open era: a perfect set, winning all 24 points.
"Hopefully I'll be able to win a point in the set," Williams quipped. "That will be my first goal, and then I'll go from there."
Today, the focus of millions of local fans will get more intense, the expectation being that Brit and No. 4 seed Andy Murray, who has lost in the semifinals each of the past three years, should benefit most from Nadal's exit. Murray plays 16th-seeded Marin Cilic, and no other player in that part of the draw has reached a Wimbledon final.
"It will be important for me to try to get off to a good start in the match against him," said Murray, who is 5-1 against Cilic. "If you are feeling a little bit tired and you go behind, it can be tough to come back."
Brian Baker, who wasn't ranked a year ago because he was forced off tour for more than half a decade by a series of operations, is trying to become the third American qualifier to reach the men's quarterfinals at Wimbledon, joining John McEnroe (1977) and Paul Annacone (1984).
On the top half, No. 1 Novak Djokovic, seeking to win his fifth title in the past seven majors, and Federer, aiming for a record-tying seventh Wimbledon title, are on course for a semifinal clash. Only Djokovic and Federer have won majors; none of the other six has made a Grand Slam final.
On the women's side, top-seeded Maria Sharapova is trying to become the first woman to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year since Serena Williams did it in 2002. And No. 8 Angelique Kerber faces four-time major champion Kim Clijsters, who is making her last Wimbledon appearance.
"Everyone is playing everyone tough nowadays," Serena said. "You can't underestimate anyone."
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
KIEV, Ukraine — Certainly the best in the world, and maybe the best ever. Definitely not boring.
Spain opened a fresh debate on its place in world soccer history after a majestic 4-0 victory over Italy in the European Championship final on Sunday.
For the third consecutive major tournament, Spain's outstanding goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas was there at the end to lift the trophy. After Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, Spain completed an unprecedented hat trick.
"To win three titles is almost impossible. Congratulations to the players," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, who followed Luis Aragones as coach after Euro 2008.
After a six-game tournament in which they surrendered just one goal, these Spaniards — who until four years ago were thought of as talented but perennial choke artists — are discussed in the same breath as the World Cup-winning 1970 Brazil team that is widely considered the greatest ever.
And this was the same Spanish team that critics had called boring at Euro 2012?
Spain emphatically shut down that discussion with the most one-sided Euro final ever.
No team has won a World Cup final by four, either. Three times the World Cup final has been won by three, twice by Pele's Brazil — one of which was that legendary '70 team that also made Italy its victim, 4-1.
"It was more difficult when people didn't believe in us," Spain playmaker Xavi Hernandez said. "The bar was very high, but they are nice challenges."
Facing Spain with 11 players is tough enough. Trying it with 10 for much of the second half is almost impossible. With all three substitutes used, Thiago Motta was injured and unable to continue after the 64th minute, and an exhausted Italian side limped through to the end.
"This was a great European Championship for us," Italian coach Cesare Prandelli said. "Really the only regret is that we didn't have a few extra days to recuperate. When we see the lights of the Kiev stadium from the airplane, it will be painful, but (today) we'll have a new outlook. We have shown that you can lose with dignity."
Goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba in the first half gave Spain a convincing lead at the Olympic Stadium. Fernando Torres and fellow substitute Juan Mata scored in the last six minutes to turn victory into a rout.
Mata's goal came on a feed from Torres, his teammate with European club champion Chelsea. Torres passed on his own chance at a second goal but still won the Golden Boot for the tourney's top goal scorer. He and Germany's Mario Gomez had three goals and an assist, but Torres held the next tiebreaker, fewest minutes played.
Spain allowed Italy the majority of first-half possession, yet its trademark quick passing game was lethal when required.
And when called into action, Casillas kept Italy's attack at bay.
"These years have been the best of my life," Casillas said after his 10th consecutive shutout in tournament knockout matches. "I hope it can be matched in the future, but it will be hard."
Critics said Spain had become tedious — keeping possession with endless back-and-forth passes to stifle games, not to win.
But Spain answered by playing its best and slickest at Euro 2012 when the most was at stake.
"Tonight, there was no contest, they were too superior — so the bitterness at losing this final is only relative," Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said.
The debate over which team history says "were too superior" still isn't settled. Spain could slam the door shut on the argument in the 2014 World Cup.
In Brazil.
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Of those affected by the Lightning's signing of defenseman Sami Salo, perhaps none will be as excited than Salo's son, Oliver.
The 9-year-old is a huge fan of Tampa Bay star Steven Stamkos and patterns his game after him.
"He loves to score goals," Salo said.
But Oliver was sleeping Sunday night when his father, on the first day of free agency, signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal.
"He's going to be thrilled," Salo said by phone from his native Finland. "It will be like Christmas morning when he hears where we're going."
Salo, 37, is going to a team that has big plans for him.
General manager Steve Yzerman envisions Salo as a top-four contributor who plays 20 minutes a game and whose right-hand shot will be a formidable weapon on the power play.
"He is a good, solid player, a real pro, a high-character person," Yzerman said. "He'll be a good leader for our team."
The Lightning also signed left wing Ben Poulit, 25, to a one-year, $1.8 million deal that kept him from becoming an unrestricted free agent; defenseman Artem Sergeev, 19, from Val-d'Or of the junior Quebec league to a three-year, entry-level deal; and minor-league defenseman Evan Oberg, 24, to a one-year, two-way deal.
But for a team determined to replenish its NHL blue line, acquiring Salo, a three-time Olympian, was not only an important step, it might be just the first.
About $13 million under the $70.2 million salary cap (and with only restricted free agent goaltender Anders Lindback to re-sign), Tampa Bay is in position to acquire another high-profile defenseman.
Yzerman acknowledged he inquired about Ryan Suter, the top free agent defenseman available, but the price was too high.
Still available are Matt Carle, Carlo Colaiacovo, Bryce Salvadore and Michal Rozsival. The Lightning also would be interested in trading for Niklas Hjalmarsson if the Blackhawks make him available.
"We feel we're in a good position," Yzerman said.
The only question about Salo, 6 feet 3, 212 pounds, was his health. He has a long history of injuries. In 13 seasons with the Senators and Canucks, he has averaged just 59 games, though he played more than 60 in five of the past six seasons.
Salo has had more than 30 injuries, the Vancouver Sun reported.
"None of these injuries are really joint related or degenerative things that may limit a player's career," Yzerman said. "He's just banged up and missed games because of things. To the best of my knowledge, he's in good shape."
"I'm feeling great," said Salo, who in 69 games last season with Vancouver (he missed six for a concussion and four for a groin) had nine goals, seven power-play goals, 25 points and was plus-7 with an average 20:26 of ice time.
"Last year was probably my healthiest in a long time. I hate when everybody talks about the injuries. A lot of things have gone with bad luck."
Salo said he has "two or three or four years left in me. I feel really good."
But likely not as good as Oliver when he heard his father's new teammate is Stamkos.
"He doesn't have a Stamkos jersey yet," Salo said. "He'll get one, for sure."
Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@tampabay.com.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The All-Star rosters, as usual, feature some of the game's biggest names, such as the Rangers' Josh Hamilton, the Reds' Joey Votto and the Yankees' Derek Jeter.
And one of the most interesting: Cubs 1B Bryan LaHair.
The former St. Petersburg College star was one of the most unexpected selections, voted to the National League team by the players as a reserve.
"It gives you chills," LaHair said Sunday in Chicago. "You get a chance to quickly reflect, and I'm sure I'll reflect more later on, but you think about all the work you put in and the adversity you've been through and the different adventures you've had along the way to get your first opportunity in the big leagues, and now an All-Star Game is just incredible."
LaHair, 29, played at SPC in 2002, then was a 39th-round pick by Seattle. The Massachusetts native spent most of the next nine years in the minors before getting his first legitimate chance to play regularly this season, hitting .365 with nine homers and 20 RBIs through the first six weeks. He has cooled a bit and moved to rightfield to accommodate the promotion of 1B prospect Anthony Rizzo, but that didn't dim the accomplishment.
"It was a dream as a little boy to be an All-Star," LaHair said. "But to think it would happen this fast or if at all — it's really tough to get into that game."
Hamilton drew a record total of more than 11 million votes, and the slugger was among seven Rangers chosen. Three Giants and three Yankees also made the starting lineup.
Both Braves 3B Chipper Jones, who is retiring after the season, and Nationals rookie phenom Bryce Harper were left off the NL team but are on the ballot for the final spot. Online voting for the 34th man on both rosters continues at MLB.com through Thursday.
TORRE BACKS CLEMENS: Joe Torre said he believes RHP Roger Clemens belongs in the Hall of Fame even though the seven-time Cy Young Award winner has been connected to performance-enhancing drugs.
The former Yankees manager, at Yankee Stadium for Old Timer's Day, said Clemens was like a son to him. "I can't make other people look at him. I can just tell you the way I feel," he said. "I was proud to have him play for me."
BRAVES SIGN SHEETS: Atlanta signed veteran RHP Ben Sheets to a minor-league contract after the oft-injured pitcher passed a physical. Sheets, 33, who last pitched in the majors in 2010, plans to report Wednesday to Double-A Mississippi.
STRASBURG OKAY: Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg said he was feeling much better a day after lasting three innings in the record-setting Atlanta heat. Thanks to a good night's sleep at the team hotel, Strasburg looked rested and relaxed in the clubhouse. "Yeah, as soon as I got back, I just hit the mattress and passed out," he said with a smile.
YANKS ADD RELIEVER: The Yankees acquired RHP Chad Qualls from the Phillies for a player to be named or future cash considerations. Qualls, 33, a former Ray, was designated for assignment last week after posting a 4.60 ERA in 31⅓ innings.
NO DEAL: The Dodgers pulled out of a proposed deal for Astros LF Carlos Lee, who had indicated he would not waive his no-trade clause.
INDIANS: C Carlos Santana sat out for a fourth straight game because of soreness in his back and side.
MARINERS: RHP Erasmo Ramirez went on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain.
ORIOLES: LHP Brian Matusz was demoted to Triple-A Norfolk after losing his fifth straight start. Matusz has an 8.44 ERA over that span.
PIRATES: CF Andrew McCutchen sat out for precautionary reasons a day after injuring his left wrist.
Information from Times wires was used in this report.
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Rays vs. Yankees
When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Tickets: $17-$275, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within five hours of game time.
Probable pitchers
Rays: LH Matt Moore (4-5, 4.19)
YANKEES: RH Freddy Garcia (2-2, 6.39)
On Moore: Is coming off a strong month of June (3-0, 3.16 ERA) and went a season-long 7⅓ innings his last start in Kansas City. He hasn't faced the Yankees since his first career start Sept. 22, when he earned a win with five shutout innings in Yankee Stadium.
On Garcia: The 35-year-old veteran gets another chance in the rotation, filling in for injured LHP Andy Pettitte (fractured left leg). He has fared well against the Rays, going 9-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 17 career appearances (16 starts).
Key matchups
Rays VS. GARCIA
Carlos Peña 4-for-39
Jose Molina 10-for-26
Hideki Matsui 2-for-12
YANKEES VS. MOORE
Nick Swisher 1-for-1
Derek Jeter 0-for-2
Mark Teixeira 0-for-2
On deck
Tuesday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (7-5, 4.04); Yankees — Ivan Nova (9-2, 4.03)
Wednesday: vs. Yankees, 3:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (11-4, 2.92); Yankees — David Phelps (1-3, 3.16)
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
"Scoop" of the day
MLB put the teams and players under strict gag orders not to share the news of the All-Star selections until they were announced on the TBS show. But injured Rays 3B Evan Longoria broke the news of RHP Fernando Rodney's selection on his @Evan3Longoria Twitter account more than 15 minutes early: "Special congrats to Rays own Fernando Rodney. Well deserved selection."
Quote of the day
"He was okay. He wasn't great. He wasn't awful."
Rays manager Joe Maddon on RHP Alex Cobb, who was charged with five runs over 5⅓ innings Sunday
Numbers of the day
3-12 Rays record against the Tigers since Aug. 11, 2010, having scored 37 runs in those 15 games.
9-17 Rays record at Tropicana Field since starting the year 13-1 at home.
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, July 1, 2012
tom jones' two cents
Tampa Bay Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.
Best voice
The MLB Network picked up the Yankees feed of Saturday's Yankees-White Sox game. And if you watched, you heard a familiar voice: former Rays skipper and Tampa native Lou Piniella, who is working occasional games this summer for the YES Network.
Sweet Lou is really good on TV. He has interesting stories from his career as a player and a manager that he recalls quickly. But he doesn't spend the entire broadcast boring fans with, "Well, when I played … " His stories are topical and pertinent to what is happening during the game.
As I've written time and time again, I'm a fan of Rays TV broadcasters Dewayne Staats and Brian Anderson. But Piniella would make a good third member of the booth if the Rays ever went in that direction.
Best points
Whenever his team lost, former Lightning coach John Tortorella would be asked what went wrong. From time to time, Tortorella would say, "You know, there was another team out there, too."
His point? Sometimes, you just get beat by a team that played better than you did.
So while it's easy to get bogged down by what your team is doing wrong, sometimes one has to recognize other teams have good players and those players play well sometimes.
Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson is often quick to criticize the Rays. But Sunday, he astutely recognized there were moments when the Tigers just outperformed the Rays. When Detroit's Prince Fielder fought off a good Jake McGee pitch for an RBI single, Anderson gave credit to Fielder. When Detroit reliever Brayan Villarreal struck out B.J. Upton with a filthy slider, Anderson said so.
Anderson wasn't being an apologist. He was being a good analyst.
Three things that popped into my head
1. Too bad the Orioles, instead of the Rays, traded for Jim Thome. True, he can't do anything but DH at this point. But he looks like he has more left in his bat than Hideki Matsui, doesn't he?
2. Please, Orlando, just trade that whining, immature, egomaniac Dwight Howard already.
3. I jump on Tiger Woods a lot for being cranky on the golf course. But he was all class Sunday, especially when dealing with the crowd and honoring those in the military. Well done, Tiger.
Best silence
While flipping around the television on Saturday, I came across the X Games on ABC. BMX riders were doing various tricks on the park course. There were no announcers, and the viewers could hear only what the competitors were hearing — the cheers, the horns and the voice of the public-address announcer. I don't know if the absence of announcers was planned or a technical glitch, but it was nice. And this isn't to pick on the X Games announcers, who are both enthusiastic and authoritative. It is, however, an indication that sometimes it's just nice to watch a sporting event without listening to an announcer.
Biggest hire
Erin Andrews has a new home. Fox Sports announced Sunday it has hired the Tampa native and University of Florida grad to host a new 30-minute pregame college football studio show as well as work on its NFL and MLB coverage.
Andrews, the former Lightning television sideline reporter, joined ESPN in 2004 and was mostly known for sideline work on college football and basketball. Last year, ESPN increased her role, naming her host of the first hour of football's College GameDay. Her contract expired last week, and Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch broke the story that Andrews, 34, was not returning to ESPN and was in talks to join Fox.
Fox is beefing up its college football coverage and has long-term deals with the Pac-12 and Big 12. It will air a minimum of eight regular-season games, including four in prime time. There's also a thought that Andrews could end up doing work for Fox entertainment. It has long been rumored that Andrews would end up working on an Entertainment Tonight-type of show.
The other question that remains is how badly did ESPN want to keep her?
All along, ESPN's executives said they wanted Andrews to stay. But it might not have been able to offer her anything other than more money. Other than giving her the first hour of GameDay (which, by the way, aired on ESPNU, not ESPN) and a few other sideline duties, the network did not seem to be doing anything to give Andrews a higher profile. Most noticeably, she was not given any other hosting duties.
Fox is smart to take a gamble, and Andrews is doing the right thing by making the jump. Otherwise, she risks doing nothing in this business other than sideline reporting.
Second-best silence
What a surreal scene Saturday at Congressional, site of this past weekend's PGA event. A severe storm rolled over the Bethesda, Md., course Friday night and toppled trees and tree limbs, leaving the course a mess. Because of all the debris, spectators were kept away, leaving the players playing in front of almost no one.
It was weird listening to just a smattering of applause when someone hit a superb shot or sank a long putt. Know what was welcome, however?
Not hearing a numbskull yell, "Get in the hole!" as soon as a golfer hit his tee shot on a long par 5.
Best feature
ESPN's Outside the Lines attacked the long-overdue nuisance of tennis players, particularly women, who shriek, grunt and groan during matches. Apparently, the WTA is attempting to curb the problem, but the issue I have is I'm not really sure what the WTA is doing.
It says it recognizes fans are turned off by the noise. But the WTA's plan, as far as I can tell, is to work with young players to break them of the habit before they reach the major events. As far as today, the WTA believes it wouldn't be fair to suddenly penalize players who have been doing this all their lives.
To which I say: Phooey!
As the great Martina Navratilova said in the Outside the Lines piece, start giving point penalties and watch how quickly players get the message. At worst, give players a year to break their habit before the penalties start.
The two biggest things I got out of the story were:
• Top players such as screamers Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka have more power over the WTA than anyone.
• It was sad to hear Sharapova, above, say, "no one of any importance" ever told her her shrieking was a problem. Fans complain all the time. I guess fans aren't anyone of importance.
Best coverage moment
Spectacular work Sunday by CBS on its PGA coverage. Tiger Woods' second shot at the par-4 No. 12 had to be hit while he stood against a tree. Before Woods hit the shot, CBS microphones picked up him telling spectators to be mindful that his 9-iron might snap and fly at them when it hit the tree. Woods hit a great shot, and CBS's super-slow motion replays captured how the 9-iron flexed almost into the letter U and rode up the side of the tree. Good stuff.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
BETHESDA, Md. — The flight of his shot into the 18th green was so pure that Tiger Woods immediately started walking and twirled his club, knowing that it effectively wrapped up another win at the AT&T National. Making it even more special was the sound of thousands of fans at Congressional to see it.
One day after spectators were kept away from the golf course because of debris from a violent wind storm, they returned Sunday in full force and got what they expected: Woods in his red shirt, outlasting Bo Van Pelt in a back-nine duel and posing with another trophy.
"(Saturday) was a silent day," Woods said. "I think everyone saved up for (Sunday). What an atmosphere to play in front of."
Woods closed with 2-under 69, at one point going 41 holes without a bogey on a Congressional course that was tougher than when it held the U.S. Open last year. He finished at 8-under 276 to win for the third time this year. It was the 74th win of his career, moving him past Jack Nicklaus into second place on the PGA Tour, eight short of Sam Snead's record.
Not bad for a guy who only five months ago walked off the course at Doral with another injury to his left Achilles tendon.
"I remember there was a time when people were saying I could never win again," Woods said.
He stayed at No. 4 in the world but moved to the top of the PGA Tour money list and the FedEx Cup standings for the first time since September 2009.
And this win puts him in a position to reclaim No. 1 over the final two majors of the year. The ranking is based on points over two years. If it were a vote, Van Pelt knows how he would cast his ballot.
"I think he's the only guy to win three tournaments on tour this year, is that correct?" he said. "On three different golf courses. And he was leading the U.S. Open after two days. So I'd say that he's playing the best golf in the world right now."
Van Pelt made him work for it. Three times, Woods took the outright lead in the final round. Each time, Van Pelt made a birdie to catch him.
On the 17th, Van Pelt caught a flier from the first cut of rough and the ball shot over the green and near the grandstand, leaving him an impossible chip. He hit through the green and had to scramble to make bogey, and Woods took the outright lead, this time for good.
LPGA: Ai Miyazato shot 6-under 65 and hit a closing birdie to overcome a five-shot deficit at the NW Arkansas Championship in Rogers and hold off a crowded leaderboard for her second victory of the year and ninth overall.
Her 5-foot birdie putt on No. 18 sent Miyazato to 12 under for the tournament, and her victory at Pinnacle Country Club was secured one group later when Mika Miyazato missed a 15-foot birdie attempt on No. 18.
Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse shot 68 to tie for 28th at 2-under 211. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome shot her third straight 71 and tied for 43rd.
CHAMPIONS: Joe Daley won the Senior Players Championship in Pittsburgh for his first tour title, closing with 2-under 68 for a two-stroke victory over Tom Lehman.
Daley, 51, winless in 59 PGA Tour starts, had a 14-under 266 total at Fox Chapel. He earned $405,000 and full tour status for a calendar year.
Lehman, who was trying to win his second straight tour major, finished with 69. Mark Calcavecchia, tied with Daley for the third-round lead, had 72 to match 2011 winner Fred Couples at 10 under.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Red Sox 2, Mariners 1
10 innings
SEATTLE — David Ortiz hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and Boston split the four-game series. Pinch-hitter Ryan Kalish hit a one-out double off the right-centerfield wall off of Brandon League and Dustin Pedroia singled to right, putting runners at the corners. Ortiz hit a 2-and-0 pitch to right for the go-ahead run.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Giants 4, Reds 3
SAN FRANCISCO — Angel Pagan hit a game-ending double that Jay Bruce misplayed in rightfield in the ninth inning, giving San Francisco a four-game series split. Buster Posey hit a two-out ground-rule double and Pablo Sandoval was walked intentionally. Bruce drifted under Pagan's fly until the winds along the bay carried it over his head.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
EUGENE, Ore. — With a runoff in the women's 100 meters still looming over the U.S. track and field trials, Wallace Spearmon kept the men's 200 controversy-free with an easy victory.
Spearmon got off to a slow start but recovered in time to win in 19.82 seconds Sunday. His victory was an expected finish to what should have been the trials' conclusion. Instead, Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh will run today to settle a third-place tie in the 100 for the final spot on the U.S. team.
Spearmon gets a chance for redemption in London after losing the 2008 bronze medal to disqualification for stepping out of his lane.
"If I didn't make the team this year, that would've been on my mind the rest of my life," he said. "I don't take my second chances lightly. I'm going to go out there and leave it all on the track.'"
Second to Spearmon and also going to London was Florida State's Maurice Mitchell, the 2011 NCAA champion. The third Olympic spot went to Isiah Young.
In the men's 400 hurdles, reigning world champion Angelo Taylor was second to Michael Tinsley for a chance to defend his gold medal. Defending silver medalist and former Gator Kerron Clement was third for the final spot on the team.
London is Taylor's fourth Olympics. "Not many people make it to their fourth Olympic team, so this is something that I really wanted to do," he said.
In the 100 runoff today, Tarmoh will step into the blocks reluctantly for the winner-take-all race. She believes the result was determined in the final June 23, the trials' third day.
"In my heart of hearts, I just feel like I earned the third spot. I almost feel like I was kind of robbed," Tarmoh said.
Tarmoh was originally declared the third-place finisher by less than 0.0001. But after a long review, officials declared the result a dead heat.
Because the United States can't send more than three people to the Games for any race, USA Track and Field officials scrambled to adopt a tiebreaking procedure because none was in place.
The athletes were given a choice between a runoff and a coin flip. It was up to them to choose. They didn't want to decide until after Saturday's 200 final, in which both ran. Felix won to secure a Games spot; Tarmoh was fifth.
After six rounds of 100 and 200 racing, both have fatigued legs. Felix went so far as to say if she steps into the blocks today and doesn't feel right, she'll pull out of the competition. She said she won't risk her health with London so close. "We're both not feeling our greatest," Felix said.
Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Athletics 3, Rangers 1
ARLINGTON, Texas — Yu Darvish threw a wild pitch that let in the tiebreaking run and lost at home for the first time with Texas despite striking out 11 in seven innings. Brandon Moss homered for Oakland and left-hander Travis Blackley picked off two runners while holding a Rangers lineup filled with All-Stars to one run over seven innings. Darvish's fifth 10-strikeout game matched Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey for the most in the majors.
