Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012

Sunday's notable signings

PlayerOld teamNew team Terms

Goaltenders

Jonas Gustavsson Jets Red Wings 2 years, $3M

Chris Mason Jets Predators 1 year, $1.25M

Defensemen

Bryan Allen Hurricanes Ducks 3 years, $10.5M

Adrian Aucoin CoyotesBlue Jackets1 year, $2M

Sheldon Brookbank Ducks Blackhawks 2 years, NA

Matt Carkner Senators Islanders 3 years, $4.5M

Joe Corvo Bruins Hurricanes 1 year, $2M

Filip Kuba Senators Panthers 2 years, $8M

Jason Garrison Panthers Canucks 6 years $27.6M

Sheldon Souray Stars Ducks 3 years, $11M

Centers

Adam Burish Stars Sharks 4 years, $7.2M

Jay McClement Avalanche Maple Leafs 2 years, $3M

Torrey Mitchell Sharks Wild 3 years, $5.7M

Wings

Colby Armstrong Maple Leafs Canadiens 1 year, $1M

Arron Asham Penguins Rangers 2 years, $2M

Brad Boyes Sabres Islanders 1 year, $1M

P.A. Parenteau Islanders Avalanche 4 years, $16M

George Parros Ducks Panthers 2 years, $1.85M

Brandon Prust Rangers Canadiens 4 years, $10M

Mikael Samuelsson Panthers Red Wings 2 years, $3M

Jordin Tootoo Predators Red Wings 3 years, $1.9M

Ray Whitney Coyotes Stars 2 years, $9M

Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012

RALEIGH, N.C. — Less than two weeks after acquiring him, the Hurricanes signed center Jordan Staal to a 10-year deal worth $60 million on Sunday.

Staal, 23, had career highs of 25 assists and 50 points last season with Pittsburgh. (His 25 goals were four off.)

He turned down a similar offer from the Penguins two weeks ago, prompting a trade to the team that had brother Eric. Staal will make $4.5 million this season before the deal kicks in.

"The perception has totally changed about the Hurricanes since we've acquired Jordan Staal," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said. "This is really a game-changer for us; the fact that you get a young, elite player that can do so many different things in the game."

Big prizes still there

Predators defenseman Ryan Suter and Devils left wing Zach Parise, the top free agents, did not sign on Day 1.

Suter's agent, Neil Sheehy, said he fielded "countless phone calls, emails and messages. … I don't expect a quick decision."

But Parise said he believes he will decide today.

"I'm not at liberty to say right now who's in or anything like that," he said. "But by no means does that say that the Devils aren't one of my top teams."

Detroit, with about $18 million in cap space, is expected to go after both. Coach Mike Babcock traveled to Toronto to be part of a pitch to Parise.

Minnesota also has enough space to sign both. And its Twitter account said it made offers.

Re-signings: Kings left wing Dustin Penner got one year and $3.25 million. He had seven goals and 10 assists in the regular season but three and eight, respectively, in the playoffs. … Oilers left wing Ryan Smyth, 36, got two years and $4.5 million. He had 19 goals and 27 assists last season. … Florida's Scott Clemmensen, 14-6-6 with a 2.57 goals-against and .913 save percentage last season, got two years. Salary wasn't disclosed.

Sens-Jackets trade: Columbus sent Marc Methot, one of its top defensemen last season, to Ottawa for the rights to wing Nick Foligno. Foligno, 24, a restricted free agent, has scored at least 14 goals in each of his four seasons.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Seven months ago, center Dwight Howard and his agent told the Magic that Howard wanted a trade, preferably to the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets.

The Magic now faces a similar request, but there is one critical difference between the situations. This time, it appears the entire Magic hier­archy is prepared to trade the superstar.

After a face-to-face meeting Friday between Howard and new general manager Rob Hennigan in Southern California, the Magic has spoken to the Rockets, Lakers and Nets about a possible trade involving Howard, Yahoo Sports reported.

Hennigan and Magic CEO Alex Martins did not return messages for comment. Neither did Howard's agent, Dan Fegan.

Now, the situation could grow ugly. Either Howard or a member of his inner circle recently approached the players association to see if he might have a legal complaint against the Magic, ESPN reported. Howard reportedly has said team officials "blackmailed" him into agreeing to waive the early termination option in his contract that would have allowed him to become a free agent this summer.

The purpose of a complaint would be to eliminate his "opt-in," thus allowing the 26-year-old to become a free agent this summer. The union is considering whether to take up the issue, ESPN reported.

On March 14, during a conference call with Howard and his agent, Magic owner Rich DeVos told Howard the franchise would trade him before the trade deadline the following day if Howard didn't waive the early termination option.

In the early morning hours of March 15, after the team arrived in Orlando after a road game, Howard wanted to sign a document that would have waived the clause. But Otis Smith, the GM at the time, met Howard at the airport and told him to sleep on it.

Martins spent last season trying to get Howard to remain with the team. Smith, on the other hand, wanted to trade Howard in December.

Martins now maintains the team is prepared to trade Howard if he will not sign a long-term extension.

Most NBA observers and the Magic don't believe the Nets have enough assets. What also complicates the situation is that Howard has indicated he will not agree to an extension with any team other than the Nets.

Courting Top Guard: The Mavs will meet today with top free agent Deron Williams, ESPN.com reported. Later in the day, the Nets will make another pitch to try to keep their All-Star guard. The Nets can offer five years and nearly $100 million. The Mavs can go to four years and about $75 million. Williams, 28, hopes to make a decision by Wednesday.

Chasing Nash: The Raptors offered 38-year-old free agent point guard Steve Nash a three-year, $36 million contract, according to multiple media outlets. The Mavs, Knicks and Nets are reportedly also in competition against the Suns.

More in on Allen: Not only is the Heat after Ray Allen, but the Grizzlies, Hawks, Mavs and Clippers have shown interest in the 36-year-old Celtics shooting guard, according to various reports. Boston, which has reportedly reached a deal to keep Kevin Garnett, appears ready to offer two years at $12 million, ESPN.com reported, while Memphis has offered its full midlevel exception, worth $5 million, for two years. Miami can only do the mini-midlevel exception worth $3 million.

Max offer to Hibbert: The Blazers offered restricted free agent center Roy Hibbert of the Pacers a four-year, $58 million deal, SI.com reported. That dollar figure is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement. Hibbert, 25, is said to be considering signing the offer sheet. If he does, Indiana has three days to match.

Nets-Hawks talks: Brooklyn and Atlanta are discussing a deal that would send All-Star guard Joe Johnson to the Nets for the expiring contracts of Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Williams. However, the talks might hinge on Atlanta's insistence that Brooklyn include guard MarShon Brooks.

Paul balks: Point guard Chris Paul declined a three-year, $60 million extension from the Clippers, NBCSports.com reported.

Rockets after center: Houston reached agreement with Bulls backup center Omer Asik on a three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet, Yahoo Sports reported.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012

NFL

Suspended Saint files second suit against league

NEW ORLEANS — Saints LB Jonathan Vilma is suing the NFL, alleging commissioner Roger Goodell failed to make a timely appeal ruling regarding his seasonlong suspension for the bounty investigation.

The lawsuit, filed Saturday night, asks Vilma be allowed to practice until Goodell decides. It contends Goodell has undermined "the integrity of the NFL and the commissioner's office" by handing down punishments to Vilma and others based on flawed and unsubstantiated evidence.

Vilma, who in May sued Goodell for defamation of character, alleges the collective bargaining agreement requires Goodell to rule as soon as was practical after a June 18 appeal hearing. The latest, it says, is June 25.

He also alleges the punished players have seen less than 1 percent of 50,000 pages of documents the league said it has compiled. And of those, they include printed reproductions of handwritten notes.

Spokesman Greg Aiello said the league has not reviewed the lawsuit but, "There is no basis for asking a federal court to substitute its judgment for the procedures agreed upon by the NFL and NFLPA, procedures that have been in place, and have served the game well, for decades."

Colleges football

Boise finally makes MWC exit official

After last-minute wavering, Boise State told the Mountain West Conference it will leave after the upcoming season. The school had until Sunday to do so to avoid paying an increased fee ($7.5 million to $2.5 million) but had not despite saying Dec. 7 it would play football in the Big East. According to various reports, Boise State was worried about the Big East's lack of a high-priced TV deal and potential loss of automatic BCS qualifier status. The school still must find a home for its other sports, which were set to go to the WAC before departures left it near collapse.

UCF: G Marcus Jordan, son of Michael Jordan, was arrested early Sunday morning on charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstructing for an incident at a hotel in Omaha, Neb. According to Douglas County police, Jordan was "very animated, intoxicated and uncooperative" while arguing with two unidentified women. He was released on bond soon after.

Track

Bolt loses again at Jamaican trials

Yohan Blake beat Usain Bolt for the second time at the Jamaican Olympic trials in Kingston, this time in the 200 meters. Blake finished in 19.80 seconds, 0.03 ahead of Bolt. Blake beat Bolt by 0.11 in the 100 Friday. Bolt still made the Olympic team in both, for which he is the defending champion and world record-holder.

Et cetera

Autos: Erica Enders became the first woman to win an NHRA Pro Stock title when she took the Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill. She beat Greg Anderson in the final. Other winners: Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Jeff Arend (Funny Car) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Softball: Amanda Chi­dester's grand slam helped the United States past Brazil 9-0 and into tonight's World Cup final in Oklahoma City (9, ESPN2). The Americans (4-0), coached by USF's Ken Eriksen, face Australia.

Horses: Millionreasons­why, a 3-year-old that finished second at May's Ms. Preakness Stakes, died after crashing through a rail during training at a farm near Baltimore. She earned $223,340 over six races.

Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012

Dodgers 8, Mets 3

LOS ANGELES — James Loney had two RBIs, and the Dodgers parlayed three Mets errors into six unearned runs to back Clayton Kershaw. Last year's NL Cy Young Award winner overcame two errors by shortstop Dee Gordon in the third to improve to 5-0 with a 1.37 ERA in six career starts against the Mets.

Times wires
Sunday, July 1, 2012

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Gabby Douglas has impeccable timing.

The 16-year-old beat world all-around champion Jordyn Wieber for the first time Sunday night, winning the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials and the lone guaranteed spot for London.

Douglas, bolstered by a dazzling uneven bars routine, beat Wieber by a 0.1 points — 123.450 to 123.350 — after finishing a close second at last month's U.S. championships and the first night of trials Friday.

The scores were their combined all-around totals from both nights of trials competition.

Wieber, who won the all-around title at the world championships last year, later was named to the five-member team by a selection committee, along with McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Kyla Ross.

This is the strongest American team since 1996, one that will be not just favored but expected to bring home the second Olympic team gold. Maroney and Raisman were with Douglas and Wieber on the U.S. team that won the title at last fall's world championships.

Ross, 15, is a two-time U.S. junior all-around champion.

One gymnast who won't be headed to London, at least not to compete, is 2008 all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin.

Liukin announced her comeback in October, hoping to become the first reigning Olympic champion to return to the Games since Nadia Comaneci in 1980. But desire and grit were no match for shoulder problems and a three-year layoff, and Liukin's glittering career sputtered to an end.

Attempting to get selected for the team on the strength of her uneven bars and beam performances, she struggled at nationals and the trials.

Liukin's chances effectively were dashed Sunday when she fell off the uneven bars, her signature event, attempting a release move. Then on her dismount, she took a step back after landing on the mat's edge.

She regrouped with a nice beam routine. As she walked off the podium, her father and coach, Valeri, greeted her with a kiss, and fans stood to cheer. Tears filled Liukin's eyes as she waved and said goodbye, to the crowd, her comeback and a career that includes five Olympic medals and four world titles.

"Thank you to the 18,000 people that gave me a standing ovation tonight," Liukin, 22, wrote on Twitter. "I will remember this moment for the rest of my life."

Men's gym team completed: Jonathan Horton is heading back to the Olympics with a bunch of rookies in tow. The two-time 2008 medalist was picked for the U.S. men's gymnastics team, joined by Jake Dalton and Sam Mikulak.

Danell Leyva of Miami, 20, and John Orozco, 19, automatically qualified for the five-man squad Saturday with their performances over two days at the trials.

Horton, 26, gives a veteran presence to the deepest U.S. team in recent memory. He helped the United States win a team bronze four years ago and got a silver medal on high bar. None of the other four team members are older than 20.

"Super excited to be doing this again," Horton wrote in a text message to the Associated Press. "I was worried, but I think this team is going to be great."

Mikulak, 19 and the 2011 NCAA all-around champion at Michigan, earned a spot despite spraining his left ankle on vault during the opening night of trials Thursday. He likely won't be able to do full routines on floor or vault for two weeks. He will join the rest of the team at training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., from July 8-11.

Mikulak "has no doubts," he said, that his ankle will be 100 percent healed in time for the Games.

Dalton, 20 and the reigning NCAA all-around champion from Oklahoma, gives the U.S. team someone who can put up eye-popping scores on floor and vault.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, July 2, 2012

TAMPA — Eric Wright was among three high-priced free agents the Bucs said were a "perfect fit'' for the organization under new coach Greg Schiano.

But Wright's first few months in Tampa Bay have been anything but ideal.

Wright, who signed a five-year, $37 million contract with the Bucs in March, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI after an injury accident near the Staples Center early Monday in downtown Los Angeles, according to police.

The arrest adds another episode to Wright's rocky start with the Bucs. He missed most of the team's offseason workouts and minicamps with a non-football related illness.

Los Angeles police spokesperson Karen Rayner said Central Traffic Division officers responded to an injury accident at James M. Wood and Georgia streets at 12:20 a.m. (PST). Wright, driving a Mercedes XLS luxury sports coupe, was involved in a rear-end collision with a Chevy Silverado.

Wright told police he had been drinking at a friend's house near Hollywood, and refused a Breathalyzer or field sobriety test. He was charged with felony DUI because the accident involved injury, Rayner said. The other driver involved complained of pain but declined medical treatment. Wright was not injured.

Wright was released early Monday after posting $100,000 bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's on-line tracker. He has a court appearance July 23, three days before Bucs veterans are scheduled to report to training camp.

If convicted, Wright could be subject to sanctions by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

"We are aware of the arrest and are in the process of gathering information," Bucs director of communications Jonathan Grella said in a statement. "We take such matters very seriously and will handle it appropriately."

Wright, who has played for the Browns and Lions, was part of Schiano's first free-agent signing class, along with wide receiver Vincent Jackson and guard Carl Nicks. He is expected to start opposite cornerback Aqib Talib as Ronde Barber moves to safety.

Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik spent a good part of the offseason talking about filling the roster with "Buccaneer men.''

"At the end of the day, it's the tape that matters for us," Dominik said at the introductory news conference for Wright, Jackson and Nicks. "And you want to make sure the character of the man fit what he brings to the football team."

This was not the first time Wright has faced legal problems. While attending USC and before transferring to UNLV in 2005, Wright was arrested on suspicion of rape, the Los Angeles Times reported. Though police said they found 136 Ecstasy pills in Wright's apartment, Los Angeles County prosecutors did not file charges, citing insufficient evidence.

Around the league

BRONCOS: Kicker Matt Prater, who had the franchise tag placed on him in March, signed a new four-year deal. Terms were undisclosed.

SAINTS: General manager Mickey Loomis said the club has agreed to terms on four-year contracts with fifth-round draft pick Corey White and seventh-rounder Marcel Jones.

JURISPRUDENCE: Federal authorities say former receiver Johnnie Morton was sentenced to two years probation for lying to a grand jury during a criminal probe of his California business associate. The Internal Revenue Service said Morton, 40, conceded he lied during 2009 testimony by saying he did not have business dealings with Neang Chhorvann. Morton played 12 seasons with the Lions, Chiefs and 49ers.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent
Monday, July 2, 2012

What's hot: With some of the highest tides of the summer on this full moon, water movement around the passes will have tarpon and snook eager to eat on the falling tides. As the tides dump the flats and bayous, baitfish, shrimp and crabs get flushed out and carried past the sandy points leading to the gulf. These feeding stations are great spots to work thoroughly with different baits.

Tarpon are looking for an easy meal, and often a cut bait on the bottom can draw attention of fish cruising the sand bar edges. When sightcasting silver kings a large threadfin under a cork works best if a constant pattern is established and the boat is anchored.

This month's full moon is when most of the larger snook will move into the passes and feed heavily before the summer spawn. Pinfish and sand perch work well on the bigger fish; these baits hold near the bottom in a strong current. Many male snook will be aggressive and jump on a sardine freelined in the surf along the beach. Large threadfins can work when schools of linesiders are holding in a trough.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at (727) 439-9017 and jim@captainhud.com.

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

TOURNAI, Belgium — Mark Cavendish led a tight sprint to the finish Monday to win the second stage of the Tour de France, while Fabian Cancellara retained the overall leader's yellow jersey after the mostly flat ride across Belgium.

The top overall standings didn't change as defending champion Cadel Evans of Australia and fellow title contender Bradley Wiggins of Britain trailed close behind in the pack after the 129-mile ride from Vise to Tournai.

Cavendish collected his 21st Tour stage victory and proved he remains the rider to beat in Tour sprints. He also won three stages in the Giro d'Italia and two in the Tour of Oman this year.

The 27-year-old from the Isle of Man has been left largely to fend for himself this year because his Sky team is focusing on helping Wiggins become Britain's first Tour winner.

"It's quite nice. I came into this sprint day with really the least pressure I've ever had in a Tour stage," Cavendish said. "Normally in the past, I've had a full dedicated team. Normally I win by some bike lengths. Today I had to lunge at the line, so you see that it wasn't too easy."

Cavendish, known for his short fuse, rebuffed a reporter who suggested that Sky appeared to have two goals: success for him in the quest for the green jersey given to the best sprinter; and Wiggins' hopes for the yellow.

"There are not two objectives. There's one objective," Cavendish said gruffly.

He also sought to dispel speculation that he might be looking ahead to the London Olympics at which he will be a favorite to win gold in the road race.

"It (the Tour) is the most beautiful race of the year for me," he said. "Here, it's the Tour de France. … I can't say the Olympics are more important."

Wiggins trails Cancellara by seven seconds. Evans is 17 seconds back.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, July 2, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — RF Hideki Matsui left Monday's game with left hamstring tightness in the second inning.

Matsui said he may miss a few days, but he doesn't think he'll need to go on the disabled list.

Matsui, 38, starting in the outfield for the second straight day, said he thought he pulled something when chasing a Derek Jeter foul ball and came out for precautionary reasons.

"Right now, I feel like it's calmed down," Matsui said through interpreter Roger Kahlon. "I think it just tightened up."

He was replaced in the cleanup spot by Jeff Keppinger, who went to third base, with Will Rhymes going to second and Ben Zobrist to right.

Matsui, hitting .177 this season, had misplayed a Mark Teixeira fly ball in the first inning that dropped in and turned into an RBI double.

"Typically, when a right-hander hits a ball like that, it tends to drift into the foul area," Matsui said. "So I took my eyes off just for a moment, and then when I looked back the ball had actually come back and so by that time I couldn't react to it and missed the ball."

hellickson ready: RHP Jeremy Hellickson tested his bruised right shin in his usual between-starts bullpen session Monday afternoon, saying he felt good and expects to make his next start Thursday in Cleveland.

Hellickson used his full repertoire in a 40-pitch session, saying the injury didn't affect the way he threw.

"It was normal," he said. "It's still a little sore, but it's tolerable, and I threw my bullpen just fine."

Hellickson was pulled from Saturday's start in the third after getting struck with a line drive by Tigers 1B Prince Fielder. He felt lucky it didn't strike a bone and has felt better each day.

"It's night and day today than compared to yesterday," Hellickson said. "Hopefully, tomorrow it'll be even better."

Manager Joe Maddon said he'll wait to hear from head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield before saying for sure that Hellickson will start Thursday, but all signs are encouraging. The Rays must be confident, as Hellickson's potential replacement, RHP Chris Archer, started for Triple-A Durham on Monday night.

JOYCE CLOSE: OF Matt Joyce reported considerable improvement in his strained oblique and thinks he could return for the Cleveland series. Joyce hit in the cage Monday and felt good enough that he plans to take regular batting practice on the field today. If all goes well he'll start a brief rehab stint on Wednesday.

"I feel great, no issues," Joyce said. "That's good news, I'm excited. I feel like I could play today."

The question for the Rays will be whether it's worth bringing him back for two or three games in Cleveland or let him get four extra days of rest through the All-Star break. Joyce is confident he'll be ready to face the Indians. "I feel that way, it's just a matter if they want me to," he said.

MISCELLANY: OF Sam Fuld (right wrist surgery) will start a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte on Saturday in Jupiter. … Senior adviser Don Zimmer, feeling better now that he's on regular dialysis treatments, was at the Trop for a fifth straight day. … The Rays signed Venezuelan RHP Jose Mujica, the No. 3 international prospect, for $1 million. They also agreed to terms with C David Rodriguez (No. 14), according to Baseball America.

MINOR MATTERS: Triple-A Durham C Stephen Vogt (concussion-like symptoms) was placed on the disabled list, and RHP Jhonny Nunez was released by the Rays. Durham OF/1B Brandon Allen (family matter) returned from the temporary inactive list.

Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

NEW YORK — Commissioner Bud Selig welcomes the possible purchase of the Padres by the O'Malley family.

John Moores put the team up for sale in April, a month after his agreement for a sale to Jeff Moorad collapsed.

The O'Malley family owned the Dodgers from 1950-98. Walter O'Malley moved the franchise from Brooklyn to Los Angeles after the 1957 season and eventually turned the team over to son Peter. Peter put together a group that was among the failed bidders for the Dodgers this year, when they sold for $2 billion.

"San Diego fans and the club deserve a good ownership, great ownership, and assuming this deal goes through — and it hasn't yet — so we'll have to wait a little bit, but it's great," Selig said Monday. "The O'Malley tradition is remarkable, going all the way back to Brooklyn and to Walter and on to Peter, and now you're getting the sons and the nephews involved. Plus the San Diego club's minority partners in the last deal were a very solid group and all San Diego people, which means a great deal to us, are all going to be involved."

The sale is being negotiated with a price around $800 million, the Associated Press reported.

The failed deal with Moorad had been valued at around $500 million. The new sale price is believed to reflect the $200 million in upfront money the club received as part of a $1.2 billion, 30-year deal with Fox Sports San Diego.

KEMP TO START REHAB: Dodgers CF Matt Kemp, out since May 31 with a left hamstring strain, said he'll begin a minor-league rehab assignment tonight with Class A Rancho Cucamonga. Kemp said he hopes to return immediately after the All-Star break. He was batting .355 with a .444 on-base percentage and a .719 slugging percentage in 36 games when he was hurt.

WILLIS RETIRES: LHP Dontrelle Willis decided to retire following a rocky stretch with the Orioles' top farm club. Willis, 30, was the NL rookie of the year in 2003 with the Marlins and quickly became one of baseball's most popular players. But he has struggled since he went 22-10 with a 2.63 ERA seven years ago. He finishes a nine-year career 72-69 with a 4.17 ERA.

GATOR SIGNS: The Mariners signed first-round draft pick Mike Zunino, the University of Florida catcher who was taken third overall in June's amateur draft. Zunino won the Johnny Bench award as the top college catcher and is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award given to the top player in college.

GROUNDSKEEPER DIES: Longtime Brewers groundskeeper Jeff Adcock died after collapsing during Sunday's game. Adcock, 51, collapsed in the home bullpen and died at an area hospital.

ANNOUNCER RESTING: Rangers TV announcer Dave Barnett said he doesn't expect to return this season after an on-air incident in which he gave a rambling, incoherent description of a play. In other Rangers news, RHP Colby Lewis, on the disabled list since June 26 with tendinitis in his right forearm, said he expects to return immediately after the All-Star break.

ANGELS: All-Star CF Mike Trout was scratched from the starting lineup because of a bruised right pinky. X-rays were negative.

CARDINALS: 1B Lance Berkman, on the disabled list since May 20 after having surgery on a meniscus tear in his right knee, said he expects to return shortly after the All-Star break.

CUBS: 3B Ian Stewart is set to have exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist next week and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

ROCKIES: LHP Jeremy Guthrie, demoted to the bullpen in mid June, is scheduled to start Wednesday night.

YANKEES: RH reliever Joba Chamberlain, out all season with a dislocated right ankle sustained at a Tampa trampoline megaplex, said he is scheduled to throw a simulated game Friday.

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

Royals 11, Blue Jays 3

TORONTO — Mike Moustakas hit his first career grand slam, and Everett Teaford pitched seven innings for his first win of the season for Kansas City. Salvador Perez hit a two-run home run as the Royals snapped a three-game losing streak, matched their season high with 14 hits and beat Toronto for the first time in five meetings this season. The Blue Jays lost for the fifth time in seven games.

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

Cubs 4, Braves 1

ATLANTA — Jeff Samardzija had a career-high 11 strikeouts and Luis Valbuena hit a three-run double in the seventh for Chicago. Anthony Rizzo homered for the Cubs, who have won four straight and six of seven. Rizzo, one of Chicago's top prospects since being acquired in an offseason trade with the Padres, has two homers in six games since he was recalled Tuesday. Samardzija had gone 0-4 with a 12.27 ERA in his previous four starts.

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

CLEVELAND — Jered Weaver carried a shutout into the eighth inning, squirming out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, to lead the Angels to a 3-0 win over the Indians on Monday night.

Weaver allowed five singles and improved to 5-0 with 1.52 ERA in eight career starts at Progressive Field. Howard Kendrick homered in the seventh off Ubaldo Jimenez as the Angels improved to 16-3 on the road since May 22.

Weaver, who pitched a no-hitter against the Twins on May 7, allowed two hits through six innings before the All-Star went a little wild in the seventh.

He walked Jason Kipnis leading off and allowed Michael Brantley's single, giving Cleveland its first baserunner at second. Weaver walked Carlos Santana to load the bases and pitching coach Mike Butcher went to the mound to settle down the right-hander.

Weaver got former Ray Johnny Damon to ground to third baseman Alberto Callaspo, who fired home to force Kipnis. Weaver then retired ex-Ray Casey Kotchman on a pop behind the plate before fanning Shelley Duncan on a slider low and way outside.

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

Pirates 11, Astros 2

PITTSBURGH — Garrett Jones and Neil Walker hit back-to-back homers off the rightfield foul pole in the fourth to ignite Pittsburgh's offense, and James McDonald pitched seven sharp innings as the Pirates won for the fifth time in six games. Pittsburgh's 16-5 home record since May 12 is the best in the majors.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, July 2, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — So many times over the past few months, the Rays have been the ones making the crucial late mistake that cost them a game.

Monday, they were happily — and, given the sound of their postgame celebration, noisily — on the other side, taking advantage of a rare error by Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira to score a much-needed 4-3 win in front of 21,742.

In reality, it was a ground ball hit by Elliot Johnson that bounced past Teixeira, allowing Brooks Conrad, who had just pinch-doubled in the tying run, to race home and put the Rays ahead to stay in the seventh. "I just missed it," Teixeira, a four-time Gold Glover, said of his first error of the season. "I don't know what happened. The ball obviously didn't do what I expected it to do."

But in theory, or at least Rays manager Joe Maddon's theory, it was the reward for perseverance and the beginning of a long-overdue evening out.

"The only way that happens is if you don't quit, if you don't give up, then it comes back to you," Maddon said. "The moment you start to say, 'Here we go again,' 'Woe is me,' victims' complex, then it just piles on. You can't permit that to happen. You've just got to keep fighting, keep trying to do the right thing, and eventually baseball rewards you."

The reward, at least temporarily, was a halt to their freefall in the American League East standings. The Rays won for only the fourth time in the past two weeks, improving to 42-38 as they reach the season's halfway point tonight, and moving back within 6½ games of the division-leading Yankees and out of fourth place, the latest into a season they'd been that low since the Devil Rays' days of 2007.

"That was a big win," said Conrad, who got to lead the raucous clubhouse celebration for the first time.

The Rays weren't devoid of mistakes, Hideki Matsui failing to catch a fly ball in what became a two-run Yankees first, starter Matt Moore making a couple of rookie mistakes that gave the Yankees a run without a hit in the seventh.

Nor injuries. Matsui left with what was called left hamstring tightness that is expected to keep him out at least a few days, and Maddon sported a splint on his right pinky after some aggressive handshakes aggravated an old college football injury.

But what was different was how the Rays came through when it mattered. Moore battled through seven innings to improve to 5-5. All-Star Fernando Rodney got his 23rd save. And they got some big hits.

B.J. Upton and Carlos Peña homered to get them back to even. After Sean Rodriguez drew a one-out walk in the seventh, Conrad, who was hitless in his previous 24 pinch-hit attempts ("I had no idea," Maddon said. "I'm glad you didn't tell me that before"), stepped in against David Robertson and double off the slanted wall in the rightfield corner.

Also, the other team making the mistake. Johnson's ball was not hit sharply but fortunately, as it looked like it might hit the base but skipped past Teixeira's glove, ruled an error by official scorer Bill Mathews.

"It's nice for us to get on the winning end, of course, but it was a much more difficult play than it looked," Johnson said. "We're going to take it any way we can get it."

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

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, July 2, 2012

tom jones' two cents

Tiger Woods has won three PGA events in 2012, more than any other golfer. He has won three of the past seven events he has entered. He's No. 1 on the PGA money list for 2012 and first in the FedEx standings. Yet I'm still not convinced Tiger is "back.'' Here's why:

He won't be 'back' until he wins a major

Woods can win all the AT&T Nationals, Memorials and Arnold Palmer Invitationals he wants; it's not the same as winning a major. The majors offer the stiffest competition on the most challenging courses. You can't name who won the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but you know who won the Masters. Okay, so you can't blame Tiger for winning against a weak field. He doesn't control who plays in a tournament. Still, Woods' three victories this season have come on courses where he has won before and he didn't exactly have to beat a Who's Who of golfers this past weekend. The leaderboard included names such as Bo Van Pelt, Robert Garrigus, Billy Hurley III and Seung-Yul Noh.

There's no indication he's ready to win a major

Don't be fooled by Woods winning three tournaments in 2012. He won six times in 2009 and that didn't translate into any majors — and that was before his scandal went public. Bottom line: He hasn't won a major since that Thanksgiving night in 2009 when his car, golf game and life crashed into a tree.

The last time Woods won a major was the 2008 U.S. Open. So let's look at Woods starting with that 2008 U.S. Open and going back the previous 15 majors. In those 16 majors, Woods won a remarkable six times and finished second or tied for second four times. He also had a tie for third, a tie for fourth and a tie for ninth. He missed only one cut.

So what about the 16 majors since that 2008 U.S. Open? Well, he sat out four with injury. He missed two cuts. He did have a runnerup finish, as well as three tied for fourth-place finishes and two tied-for-sixths. But, the big number: zero victories. In the past three majors, he missed the cut, tied for 40th and tied for 21st.

We are looking at two completely different golfers. There's the pre-scandal Tiger, who intimidated other golfers into submission and closed out one major after another. Then there's the post-scandal Tiger, who doesn't scare anyone because he can't string together four consecutive good days at a major.

Maybe he can never get back

Perhaps Tiger Woods is chasing something that can't be caught. No one, including the modern-day Woods, can ever duplicate what Woods did from 1999 to 2002 when he won seven majors in an 11-major stretch. From 2005 to 2008, Woods won six majors in a 14-major span. Not even Jack Nicklaus, the all-time leader with 18 major victories, had runs like that. So to expect a 36-year-old Woods to be that golfer again is unreasonable. Perhaps winning just one major would be a big deal considering the past 15 majors have produced 15 different winners, including 12 first-time major winners.

In other words, not only is it unlikely Woods will win the next major, it's unlikely any golfer in particular will win the next major.

Final analysis

Here's the rub: Including injury, Woods has gone 16 consecutive majors without a victory. That's a fact. Is he good enough to win another? Yeah, probably. Will he win another? That remains to be seen. He needs to win a major to prove he can win a major. Then, and only then, we can say he is "back.''

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

WIMBLEDON, England — There was a frenzy of activity at a wet and windy All England Club on Monday.

Top seed and 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, a big hitter, was overpowered in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to No. 15 seed Sabine Lisicki. Four-time title winner Serena Williams needed three sets to oust 65th-ranked Yaroslava Shvedova, a wild card coming off of a rare feat. No. 8 Angelique Kerber ended Kim Clijsters' last Wimbledon 6-1, 6-1.

And on Centre Court, 16-time Grand Slam champ Roger Federer took a medical timeout to get a trainer's treatment for his aching back.

The start of Week 2 is dubbed "Manic Monday" at the only major that schedules all 16 fourth-round singles matches on one day. It sure lived up to that moniker this year, even if rain prevented five of the eight men's matches from finishing.

The most newsworthy result was the abrupt end of Sharapova's bid to become the first woman since Williams in 2002 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in one year. Less than a month after capping a career Slam to return to No. 1, Sharapova bowed out and will be replaced atop the rankings next week.

"Nothing is easy. Certainly not a Wimbledon title," Sharapova said. "So I don't know if it's easier or tougher now than it was years ago, but I don't think it's ever easier."

Lisicki used flat, powerful groundstrokes and had six aces. Dallas Mavericks star and fellow German Dirk Nowitzki cheered her from her Court 1 guest box.

"That's my game, to serve well and be aggressive. … I think it worked well," Lisicki said.

Federer, seeking a seventh title, beat Xavier Malisse 7-6 (7-1), 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to reach a 33rd consecutive major quarterfinal, extending his record. After the seventh game, Federer got help for his back. Afterward, the only noticeable difference was slower serves, though he capped the match with a 122 mph ace.

"Honestly, I'm not too worried. I've had bad backs over the years. I've been around. They go as quick as they came," he said.

Federer now faces No. 26 Mikhail Youzhny, against whom the Swiss star is 13-0. The only other man assured a spot in Wednesday's quarterfinals is No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who beat fellow Serb Viktor Troicki in straight sets.

Shvedova gave Williams, a 13-time major winner, all she could handle before losing 6-1, 2-6, 7-5. In the previous round Shvedova won every point — 24 of 24 — in the first set against Sara Errani, the first "golden set" by a woman in the 44-year Open era.

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

The Nets made a major move Monday, and it doesn't involve Dwight Howard.

In fact, it means the Nets likely are out of the Howard sweepstakes.

On the same day that Howard, the Magic's All-Star center, said he would only sign a long-term deal if he were traded to the Nets, multiple media outlets reported that the Nets acquired shooting guard Joe Johnson — and his whopping contract, with four years and more than $90 million left — from the Hawks.

That would mean the Nets, who are moving from New Jersey to a new arena in Brooklyn, would be unlikely to have enough money left to sign Howard, whose deal with Orlando expires next summer.

According to reports the Nets will send Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Jordan Williams, DeShawn Stevenson and a 2013 first-round pick to the Hawks. Stevenson is a free agent, so he'll go to Atlanta in a sign-and-trade.

The deal was agreed upon in principle Monday and can't be official until the NBA moratorium is lifted July 11. The Nets are also trying to retain guard Deron Williams.

New Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan said Monday that Howard asked for a trade last week. But Hennigan said he had not committed to honoring Howard's demand to go to the Nets.

Monday, Howard told Yahoo Sports that he won't sign long-term with another team if the Magic trades him somewhere other than Brooklyn.

"There's only one team on my list and if I don't get traded there, I'll play the season out and explore my free agency after that," he said before the Johnson deal was announced.

The Hawks also agreed to deal forward Marvin Williams to the Jazz for point guard Devin Harris, according to Utah CEO Greg Miller.

TOP PICK SPRAINS ANKLE: Anthony Davis, chosen No. 1 overall in last week's draft, has a left ankle sprain that is likely to keep him out of consideration for the Olympics, NBC Sports Network and Yahoo Sports reported. Davis hurt his ankle Saturday while training, and Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman said the club considers Davis day to day. USA Basketball is scheduled to announce its 12-man Olympic roster on Saturday.

NUGGETS: The Denver Post reported that point guard Andre Miller agreed to a three-year extension.

OLYMPICS: London-born Bulls star Ben Gordon told Great Britain coach Chris Spice that he won't play in this summer's London Games.

Times wires
Monday, July 2, 2012

Twins 6, Tigers 4

DETROIT — Trevor Plouffe hit a two-run single, one of six singles during a four-run fourth inning, and Minnesota's fourth straight win gave manager Ron Gardenhire his 900th career victory. Glen Perkins got his third save in five chances in place of injured closer Matt Capps. Detroit, widely considered the AL Central preseason favorite, was trying to get back to .500 for the first time since May 15.