By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

BALTIMORE — As Rays third baseman Evan Longoria packed Wednesday before leaving for a minor-league rehab assignment tonight with Triple-A Durham, he left his teammates with some encouraging news: "See you soon."

Longoria, out since May 1 with a partially torn left hamstring, isn't sure how long the stint will last but said he'll work extensively at DH, allowing him to rejoin the Rays quicker.

"Finally get to play baseball again," Longoria, 26, said, smiling. "I haven't had any competitive at-bats in a while, so it's really going to be about how I swing the bat, how I feel in there."

Manager Joe Maddon, who estimated a rehab assignment would last 3-4 games maximum, said it'll be based "entirely" on how Longoria feels. Maddon said tonight's first start, at DH, will be very telling. Longoria said doctors assured him he can't make the injury worse, and while he'll have to deal with some pain and soreness, he can push through and play with it.

Longoria cut his previous rehab stint short in mid June after feeling discomfort, but the three-time All-Star said he has come a long way, spending the past three weeks strengthening the leg. He said that, offensively, he's as "ready as I'm going to be," with the issues continuing to be defense and acceleration on the bases. He is going to "take it easy" during rehab — Maddon hopes he doesn't slide — and acknowledges he won't be full speed when he returns to the Rays: "I just got to the point where I felt I can contribute in an offensive way. But the defense part is something that I will continue to build toward. My goal is that a week to two weeks, three weeks from now I can work a day, two, or three days defensively."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com

Times wires
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Penn State's football program faced a historic death penalty of four years if the school did not accept the massive NCAA sanctions that were announced Monday, university president Rodney Erickson revealed Wednesday.

NCAA president Mark Emmert confirmed the remarks Erickson made on ESPN's Outside the Lines, saying a core group of school presidents had wanted football banned for four years — unprecedented in college sports — with other sanctions on top.

Erickson was told by Emmert on July 17 that much of the NCAA's leadership wanted to deliver the death penalty in the wake of a report that claimed school leaders covered up the child sexual abuse of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, according to an ESPN.com report.

"Well, that's a pretty tough number to swallow," Erickson said he remembers thinking of the four years. "It's unprecedented. It's a blow to the gut, there's no doubt about that. … I couldn't agree to that at all."

Talks between Erickson and Emmert then intensified for several days.

"There were figures that were thrown around that were quite large," Erickson said.

Newly hired coach Bill O'Brien said Wednesday that he told Erickson: "I want to play football, and I want to play football on television."

Then, rather than face a formal investigation, the possibility of that multiyear ban and other sanctions both "punitive and corrective" in nature, Erickson opted for the penalties that included a $60 million fine and a four-year bowl ban. The NCAA also erased 14 years of coach Joe Paterno's victories, stripping him of his standing as the winningest coach in the history of Division I-A college football.

Several members of the school's board of trustees were reportedly angry the board was not given a chance to vote on the agreement, which they say is bad for Penn State, and they confronted Erickson on Wednesday night.

University spokesman David La Torre said before that meeting that Erickson had the authority to act without the approval of the full board, CBSSports.com reported.

Some board members had expressed concern Erickson might have violated a board rule requiring that it authorize the signing of "contracts, legal documents, and other obligations." But in a statement after the board met Wednesday evening, no reference was made to that issue, and it said no votes were held.

"The board finds the punitive sanctions difficult and the process with the NCAA unfortunate," it said. "But as we understand it, the alternatives were worse as confirmed by NCAA president Mark Emmert's recent statement that Penn State was likely facing a multiyear death sentence."

The penalties came in response to the report by former FBI director Louis Freeh that concluded Paterno, former university president Graham Spanier, athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz concealed Sandusky's child sexual abuse for more than 10 years.

The NCAA penalties triggered a clause in O'Brien's contract that extends his deal the length of any sanctions handed down. Now O'Brien's deal runs through 2020.

Meanwhile, more than 30 football players, including quarterback Matt McGloin, announced they would remain.

But some players will weigh whether to transfer, with other schools wooing them. UCF's George O'Leary is among the coaches that have contacted the compliance department to receive clearance to speak to players.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

NASCAR

Allmendinger to do rehab program

Suspended driver A.J. Allmendinger said Wednesday that he will participate in NASCAR's substance-abuse recovery program. That means a substance-abuse professional will determines a path to reinstatement, for which there is no timetable.

NASCAR suspended Allmendinger, 30, indefinitely after a test of his backup urine sample conducted Tuesday confirmed his positive test in June. NASCAR did not identify the substance. But Allmendinger's business manager, Tara Ragan, confirmed multiple reports it was an amphetamine. Allmendinger has hired an independent lab to determine how he tested positive.

NASCAR applauded Allmendinger's decision to enter the program and said it "looks forward to the day when the program administrator recommends him for reinstatement." Penske Racing, which owns Allmendinger's car, said it plans to meet next week to discuss his future. And Ragan said Allmendinger is focused on getting back behind the wheel as soon as possible and a legal challenge is not being considered.

"I don't really see the necessity for it," she said.

NHL

League awaits union offer on labor deal

Having finished presenting "the vast bulk" of its proposals in labor talks, the NHL is waiting for the union to respond.

After a second straight day of talks in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman declined to speculate on if a deal can be reached by Sept. 15, when the current one expires. Talks are set to continue today, and the union previously said it plans a counteroffer in two weeks.

Bettman said Wednesday's issues covered nuts and bolts issues such as training camp and grievances. Union leader Donald Fehr said he doesn't expect many issues with those.

The big obstacles are revenue and free agency. Fehr said the league's recent offer included a paycut of more than 20 percent and a three-year longer wait until unrestricted free agency.

NBA

Lopez, Warrick head to Hornets in trade

The Hornets, Suns and Timberwolves agreed to a deal that sent C Robin Lopez and F Hakim Warrick from Phoenix to New Orleans and F Wesley Johnson and a first-round pick from Minnesota to Phoenix, the Associated Press reported. For cap purposes, Minnesota also gets two second-round picks and the contract of C Brad Miller, who announced his retirement last season, from New Orleans. On July 13, Minnesota sent the contract to New Orleans for a second-round pick.

Et cetera

Soccer: Seattle's Eddie Johnson scored in stoppage time to give the MLS All-Stars a 3-2 victory over Chelsea in Chester, Pa. D.C. United's Dwayne De Rosario tied it at 2 in the 73rd minute. It's the first time an MLS All-Star team has beaten an international team since 2008. … Michael Bradley and Alessandro Florenzi scored second-half goals to lift Italy's Roma past England's Liverpool 2-1 at Boston's Fenway Park.

Horses: Alpha, 12th at May's Kentucky Derby, was made the 5-2 favorite for Saturday's $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Derby and Preakness runnerup Bodemeister and Belmont winner Union Rags previously were withdrawn because of injuries.

Times wires

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Rays at Orioles

When/where: 12:35 today; Camden Yards, Baltimore

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH James Shields (8-6, 4.39)

ORIOLES: RH Chris Tillman (2-1, 1.15)

On Shields: He's coming off his best start in a month, allowing three runs while striking out 10 in 7⅔ innings in a no-decision against Seattle. He is 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA in 22 career starts against Baltimore.

On Tillman: He has won two of his past three starts, including against Cleveland last week. He is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays VS. TILLMAN

Ben Zobrist 3-for-13, 2 HRs

B.J. Upton 2-for-9, HR

Matt Joyce 2-for-6

ORIOLES vs. SHIELDS

Adam Jones 12-for-34, HR

Jim Thome 8-for-24, HR

Matt Wieters 5-for-19, 2 HRs

On deck

Friday: at Angels, 10:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (4-7, 5.05); Angels — Dan Haren (7-8, 4.76)

Saturday: at Angels, 9:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (6-7, 4.23); Angels — C.J. Wilson (9-6, 2.89)

Rays disabled list

(with eligible-to-return date)

C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 60-day, June 5

* OF Brandon Guyer, left shoulder surgery, 60-day, July 13

3B Evan Longoria, left hamstring tear, 60-day, June 30

RHP Jeff Niemann, right leg fracture, 60-day, July 14

* out for season

Quote of the day

"Even if we don't do anything, I believe the group out here right now can get to the playoffs again. I'm still going to stand by my stance from the beginning, we're going to get to the World Series this year. I'm not backing down from that."

Joe Maddon, Rays manager, on if the Rays need to make any more moves

Suiting up

Rookie LHP Matt Moore, right, has been the best-dressed Ray on this road trip, wearing a suit to and from the park. He has to do it for the first six days — 100-degree heat or not — as terms of a bet he lost to RHP Alex Cobb. Cobb said it was initially three days over a FIFA Soccer video game match, but Moore went double or nothing and lost. Cobb quipped: "He's been kind of slacking on the tie."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

BALTIMORE — For Jose Lobaton, his first career homer was special. But it was not as sweet as the celebratory treat.

Lobaton said Rays DH Luke Scott promised two weeks ago to reward him with ice cream once he got the milestone hit. The 27-year-old catcher finally earned his dessert in Wednesday night's 10-1 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards, ripping a three-run shot in the fifth inning of his 59th career game.

True to his word, Scott served Lobaton a bowl with four scoops of chocolate ice cream in the dugout. It took Lobaton a full inning, with a break to play defense, to finish it all.

"That was delicious," Lobaton said, smiling. "At that moment, I was so happy. I'll remember my first home run my entire life."

It was one of three homers hit by the resurgent Rays (51-47), who scored more than they had in their previous four games combined (nine) and three shy of their season high (13, against Miami on June 9).

Desmond Jennings hit the first pitch of the game into the leftfield seats, and third baseman Ryan Roberts, in his first official at-bat as a Ray, came through with a two-run homer in the third inning.

Roberts, 31, acquired Tuesday from the Diamondbacks, said it was a "crazy" 24 hours filled with mixed emotions for what he hopes is a "new beginning." After a cross-country flight, Roberts arrived in the Rays clubhouse at 5 p.m., introduced himself to his new teammates and then endeared himself to them by reaching base three times.

"I just wanted to come over and blend in," Roberts said. "And do my part."

And it was more than enough for All-Star left-hander David Price, who picked up his major-league-leading 14th victory of the season. In doing so, he became the first Ray to lead the majors in wins after the first month of the season. Price allowed one run, scattering seven hits over seven innings while striking out 10 and walking none to win his sixth straight decision.

"He was very sharp," manager Joe Maddon said. "He had everything going on."

Price has said the Rays always seem to play well on days he pitches, and he was given a five-run lead before he took the mound.

"Our offense has done phenomenal for me all year," Price said. "And we played great defense. It's good for me, and grows my confidence every time out. It makes it a lot easier."

Maddon has seen Lobaton's confidence rise, pointing out that he had to wait a while to get to this point; the Venezuelan logged nine minor-league seasons before making his debut last year. Lobaton reached base five times Wednesday, including getting hit by two pitches.

"He finally thinks he belongs here," Maddon said.

Whether an ice cream break belongs in the dugout is up for debate, but Maddon said it was just fine with him.

"It's okay to deliver the ice cream, it's kind of different when the guy actually eats it," Maddon said with a chuckle. "But there's no doubt in my mind Lobaton would eat a cup of ice cream if it was presented to him at any time of the day, especially following his first big-league home run."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

BALTIMORE — The Rays welcomed newest addition Ryan Roberts on Wednesday and started him at third base. And in doing so, they said goodbye to struggling veteran DH/OF Hideki Matsui, who was designated for assignment to make room and now is contemplating his future.

"I still see a life in him," manager Joe Maddon said. "And I don't think he's done."

Roberts, 31, acquired from the Diamondbacks on Tuesday for Double-A INF Tyler Bortnick, will play primarily third but also get time at second and "dabble" at short, according to Maddon. Roberts, a right-handed hitter nicknamed "Tatman" for all his tattoos, gives the team another option until 3B Evan Longoria (partially torn left hamstring) gets back.

"He's a very interesting player," Maddon said. "I think he definitely fits into our culture."

Maddon said Matsui was the odd man out because with Sam Fuld back, the outfield is pretty set, as are at-bats at designated hitter; INF Brooks Conrad, on the other hand, provides defensive versatility and is a switch-hitter.

The Rays gave Matsui, 38, who signed a minor-league deal in late April, plenty of chances (95 at-bats), but he struggled, with a .147 average that included a 1-for-16 skid. The team has 10 days to trade, release or put him on waivers.

Maddon gave Matsui the news after Tuesday's game, saying the two-time All-Star and former World Series MVP was stoic but handled the moment in a classy way. Maddon said Matsui understood the decision, was grateful for the opportunity and was upset he didn't contribute.

Maddon thanked Matsui and said he feels fortunate he got to manage the "Hall of Fame-caliber player based on the body of work that he's done, had he done all that in the United States."

"Beyond that, he's always had this way about handling himself that I've always found desirable," Maddon said.

Maddon said the team is amendable to what Matsui wants to do, and it wouldn't close the door on him remaining in the organization somehow. "You never know," Maddon said.

STAYING PUT: James Shields enters today's start with his name still swirling in trade rumors, the latest an ESPN report that had the Angels including CF Peter Bourjos and C Hank Conger in a deal for the Rays right-hander.

Maddon said he doesn't anticipate anything happening.

"Starting pitching is still probably our most strongest point," Maddon said. "To not have James in that mix would be very difficult to get back to the promised land."

Shields, 30, said he's not worried about any of the talk nor is he thinking about whether today could be his last start as a Ray. "I've been in the game long enough to realize this is a business," he said. "You just never know what's going to happen, so you just have to let it go."

Shields is focused on continuing the momentum from his last outing, when he allowed three runs over 7⅔ innings against Seattle. Maddon liked the way Shields pitched off his fastball, with the pitcher saying the key was his location.

"I felt really good," Shields said.

Shields, who might be pitching in 106-degree heat this afternoon, said he has had experience in high temperatures.

"In high school I pitched in 126-degree heat in El Centro, Calif., which is basically on the border of California and Mexico," he said. "That was probably the hottest ever."

MISCELLANY: Maddon said DH Luke Scott (rear external oblique strain) still is expected to have a minimal DL stint, due to come off Aug. 5. "Haven't heard anything contrary to that," Maddon said. … The team will have another Zim Bear giveaway Sept. 3 game against the Yankees.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

In the pink; lots of pink

Disney princess-loving girls will love the decor for the gymnastics competition. As will fans of Pepto-Bismol and bubble gum. Not many other people will. The carpeting for each of the four competition surfaces at the O2 Arena is pink, as is the banner that encircles the competition floor at the bottom of the first level of arena seating.

"It's definitely a little bit in your face," Britain's Sam Oldham said.

American Danell Leyva adopted the British "Keep calm and carry" on approach: "What's that saying, that real men wear pink? Well, real men compete on pink floors, too."

Ali is greater than brangelina

Muhammad Ali was the star of a London charity gala Wednesday that kicked off the Olympic party competition. The medal prospects for this were hurt when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie failed to put in a much-anticipated appearance at the Sports for Peace fundraiser ($3,900 a head). The star power was left to sports figures including Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, former tennis star Boris Becker and boxer Wladimir Klitschko, and Live Aid rocker Bob Geldof. In a rare public appearance, Ali, 70, was the guest of honor at the party and dinner at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The money raised will go to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky., and for research into Parkinson's disease, with which the 1960 heavyweight boxing gold medalist was diagnosed 30 years ago. British newspapers have reported Ali might play a role in Friday's opening ceremony. "There's a possibility," Ali's brother, Rahaman Ali, said. "He makes decisions at the last minute."

Times wires
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

CLEVELAND — Justin Verlander isn't the only hard-throwing pitcher in Detroit's rotation.

Max Scherzer allowed two runs and three hits over seven innings to win his fourth straight decision and the Tigers beat the Indians for only the second time in eight games this season with a 5-3 victory Wednesday night.

"Max's ceiling is very high," manager Jim Leyland said. "He has a chance to get better and better."

Scherzer, whose only mistake came on Casey Kotchman's two-run homer in the third, has won nine of his last 11 decisions and has struck out 35 in 32 innings during his winning streak.

Scherzer retired 13 of the last 15 he faced and needed only five pitches to get through the seventh.

"You can really judge your outing on your last 15 pitches," he said. "I finished the game really well."

Quintin Berry had three hits and drove in two runs for the Tigers, who have won 14 of 17 and are tied for first in the AL Central with Chicago. The Indians fell four back.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A's 16, Blue Jays 0

TORONTO — Coco Crisp hit two homers and Yoenis Cespedes had a pair of RBI doubles as the A's won their season-high seventh straight and handed the Blue Jays their most lopsided shutout ever. Blue Jays catcher Jeff Mathis pitched the ninth, giving up an RBI double and an RBI single.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

LATROBE, Pa. — Steelers receiver Mike Wallace failed to report for training camp on Wednesday.

Wallace, a starter in the Pro Bowl last season, is a restricted free agent who was offered a one-year, $2.7 million tender. He has not signed it and did not take part in any of the offseason workouts or minicamp.

Neither Wallace nor his agent, Bus Cook, had said if he intended to report in time.

"Obviously, we have a desire for him to be here," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We've been in negotiations with him."

Reed reports: Ravens safety Ed Reed arrived at camp on time. The eight-time Pro Bowl pick, 33, set to make $7.2 million in the final year of his deal, has talked about wanting a new one and skipped last month's minicamp.

Bengals: Corner Dre Kirkpatrick, taken 17th overall in April, will miss most of camp with a broken bone in his knee sustained during a workout this month.

Cowboys: The company that built the practice facility that collapsed three years ago under high winds knew it was dangerous and concealed the problem, company documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal. "The deeper we dig into it, the worse it appears to get," an engineer hired by Summit wrote in an email in April 2008, 13 months before the collapse. Debris severed the spinal cord of scout Rich Behm, leaving him paralyzed, and broke special teams coach Joe DeCamillis' neck. They received a combined $24 million from Summit and $10 million from companies controlled by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to settle lawsuits.

Jaguars: Owner Shad Khan said Maurice Jones-Drew won't get a new deal. He has two years left on a five-year, $31 million deal but recently said he wants a new one in light of ones signed by fellow running backs Matt Forte and Ray Rice.

Jets: Offensive tackle Jeff Otah failed a physical, putting a trade with Carolina on hold. Otah, who has missed 31 of his past 35 games with knee injuries, will take another next week.

Patriots: Ex-Colts running back Joseph Addai, 29, was released. He signed May 10. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, 32, signed after five seasons with the Vikings. And starting guard Brian Waters, excused from a minicamp for personal reasons, did not report to camp. He declined to say why.

Concussion suit: Ex-Raiders star quarterback Ken Stabler heads a group of 73 plaintiffs in the latest lawsuit alleging the NFL failed to act on medical evidence showing repeated hits to the head can cause long-term health problems.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Rangers 5, Red Sox 3

ARLINGTON, Texas — Elvis Andrus scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning on a wild pitch by Josh Beckett and Nelson Cruz hit his 13th homer for insurance in the eighth as the Rangers beat the Red Sox. With one out, Andrus was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a two-out single by Adrian Beltre before Beckett's mistake with Michael Young at the plate. An inning later, Cruz homered off Matt Albers.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

GLASGOW, Scotland — Four years ago, Carli Lloyd provided the climax to the women's soccer tournament with a wicked shot that was, for the United States at least, a truly golden goal. Wednesday, Lloyd produced another dazzling finish that the Americans can only hope will send them along a similar path.

In the Americans' opener against France, Lloyd — who was left out of the starting lineup and came on as a first-half substitute — unleashed a rising shot that zoomed past goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi and broke a 2-2 tie in the 56th minute.

Lloyd said she was not expecting to hit such a pure shot from distance because she and others had struggled to get comfortable with the Adidas balls being used. The balls are a little bit harder, Lloyd said, so "it's not very often you hit in the sweet spot. Fortunately on that one, I did."

Lloyd's magic was the final salve on a brutal beginning for the United States, which trailed 2-0 after 14 minutes. But the Americans said they were unmoved.

"We were ice-cold," goalie Hope Solo said. "We weren't even fazed going down two goals. We knew France was good, but we knew we were better."

Alex Morgan said she and former Gator Abby Wambach told each other, "All right, a goal each" and they delivered, combining to tie the score at 2 just after the half-hour mark.

Lloyd, who came on when midfielder Shannon Boxx injured her right quadriceps, gave the United States the lead for good in the 56th minute, and Morgan scored again in the 66th.

flag flap: Most of the soccer talk was about an embarrassing mistake by organizers who displayed the South Korean flag instead of the North Korean one before the North Korea-Colombia women's game in Glasgow.

The mistake happened when a North Korean player was introduced on the jumbo screen along with a picture of the South Korean flag. The team refused to take the field and delayed the game's start for more than an hour.

"If this matter couldn't have been resolved, then I thought going on is nonsense," coach Sin Ui Gun said through an interpreter after North Korea won 2-0. "We were angry because our players were introduced as if they were from South Korea, which may affect us very greatly, as you might know."

Organizers apologized, saying "clearly that is a mistake.

athlete out over tweet: A Greek triple jumper was removed from the team for posting a comment on Twitter that disparaged African immigrants in Greece.

The comment from Voula Papachristou, 23, in Greek on July 22 translated as: "With so many Africans in Greece, at least the mosquitoes of West Nile will eat homemade food."

Papachristou also retweeted messages from the extreme right Golden Dawn party, which has criticized Greek's prime minister and his stance on immigration.

When it was announced she was off the team, she posted an apology on her Facebook page and on Twitter, saying she made an "unfortunate and tasteless joke. … I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights." The Greek Olympic committee said Papahristou's comments "go against the values and ideals of Olympism."

DRUG outs and ins: Ten track and field athletes are out because of doping offenses, the sport's ruling body, IAAF, said. Six had suspicious results in their biological passport and four positive results in retests of samples from the 2011 world championships, IAAF said. … The latest marker tests for human growth hormone will be in use in London, World Anti-Doping Agency director David Howman said.

By Jay Cridlin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

In 2008, few were betting on Nastia Liukin.

Her American gymnastics teammate Shawn Johnson was the favorite to win the all-around gold at the Beijing Olympics. And yet it was Liukin, the 18-year-old daughter of Russian Olympic gold medalist Valeri Liukin, who prevailed.

Four years later, Liukin faced even longer odds as she tried to make the 2012 Olympic team at age 22. No all-around champion had returned for an Olympic encore since Nadia Comaneci in 1980 — and sure enough, Liukin fell short during Olympic trials earlier this month, dropping with a thud from the uneven bars. Like that, the competitive career of one of America's most decorated gymnasts was over.

But Liukin's still on her way to London.

See, a gold medal changes things. When Liukin won gold in Beijing, it opened up a world of new career options: celebrity spokeswoman, fashion designer, model, actress and even tabloid catnip, courtesy of her rumored romance with Olympic gold medal-winning ice skater Evan Lysacek. She'll do some television work in London but will also work behind the scenes as a go-between for gymnasts and their sport's governing body.

Last week, Liukin breezed through Tampa Bay to promote the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions, a noncompetitive exhibition that comes to the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Oct. 28. She and other Olympic gymnasts will take the floor in what she describes as a combination of traditional gymnastics and Cirque du Soleil. During a stop to speak with kids at LaFleur's gym in Tampa, we caught up with Liukin to talk about the London Games, which kick off Friday. Here are excerpts.

So you're going to London for the games. What's your itinerary?

I'm the athlete rep for the Federation of International Gymnastics. When I was competing, I didn't even know that we even had an athlete rep. But since 2009, I've gone to every world championship, and a lot of different meetings in Switzerland and Mexico and Korea. The athlete rep gets a vote for all the rules and everything that they do. So it's a really big position. I'll be at every training and competition for the women, and then doing some other work for TV. That stuff's getting finalized right now, just because we weren't sure if I'd be competing or not.

That seems even busier and harder than in Beijing.

It is! Oh my gosh, especially packing for it. (laughs) I was hoping to rely on just bringing leotards and sweats and two outfits. But packing three weeks of normal clothes, and not wearing sweats and tennis shoes? And it is a lot busier. Even just the daily requests for interviews and different things for the U.S. Olympic Committee — things that you couldn't necessarily do if you were a competing athlete.

But at the same time, it's fun for me to be on the other side of things. I was in Vancouver at the Winter Games, and that was my first time watching it from an outside perspective — but also still an inside perspective, knowing some of the athletes. I think it will be a cool experience for me. I did give it a shot to try and make an Olympic team, and I wasn't able to do that, but now I'm able to go to London and know that I have absolutely no regrets in trying.

Has the Olympic experience been changed for you? Do you think you'll be able to appreciate it as a fan, or will you be too attached to it?

I guess I appreciate it more and more every year. Growing up, the Olympics were always in my blood. My dad had gone to the '88 Olympic Games, and I was around Olympic gold medals growing up, so ever since I realized what that was, I wanted one of my own. And in 2008, I was 18, and achieving my ultimate dreams and goals at the Olympic games. I would have never thought I could win five medals, but being able to do that, of course I was over-the-moon excited. …

There's nothing that can compare to an Olympic Games. I competed in three world championships, and I'm very glad that I had that experience, but none of those worlds could compare to one Olympic Games. You always try to remind yourself that this is just another competition, but when you see the Olympic rings everywhere — and I mean everywhere, on chalk buckets and springboards, on beam bars, in the bathroom — it's hard to forget you're at the Olympics.

Do you pack your medals for a trip like London?

No. They'll stay.

That has to be the No. 1 question you get every day, right?

Yeah, where my medals are? They're at my parents' house.

Who's the most random person to have worn your gold medal?

Worn my gold medal? Oh my gosh, I don't know.

Are your friends too afraid to put it on?

Yeah, I guess. I wouldn't want to wear someone else's medal. I've never worn my dad's medals. Being an athlete, it's just something that you're like, "Oh, that's cool …" A lot of people like to touch them, but random people that have no connection to the world of gymnastics are like, "Oh, sweet, let me put that on!" I'm like, "Ooooh-kaaay … just be careful …" It's not just a medal; it's 20 years of hard work in that little piece of metal and ribbon. What lies behind it is more important than the actual medal.

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Reds 5, Astros 3

HOUSTON — Drew Stubbs launched a two-out, two-run double that rallied the Reds to their season-high seventh straight win. A night earlier, down a run, he hit a two-run homer in the ninth to rally against former teammate Francisco Cordero.

Times wires
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Rockies 4, D'backs 2

PHOENIX — Jeff Francis pitched 6 1/3 innings, his longest outing this season, and Wilin Rosario hit a two-run homer as the Rockies avoided a three-game sweep. Dexter Fowler went 3-for-4 with a triple, stolen base and two runs scored for Colorado. Jason Kubel and Miguel Montero homered for the Diamondbacks, whose winning streak ended at five. Arizona had won eight straight at home.

Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Donald Penn will miss several weeks of training camp with a calf strain, coach Greg Schiano said Thursday.

Penn became hurt working out in Los Angeles and notified the Bucs about his injury several days ago. He has been working with trainers at One Buc Place the past few days but will not be able to start training camp with the rest of the players.

"Not sure exactly how long that will be (or) keep him from participating,'' Schiano said. "...maybe a couple weeks and we'll play it by ear.''

Penn is not alone. Schiano said several players failed the Bucs conditioning test, which consists of 16, 110-yard sprints. The drive is designed to resemble a 16-play drive. He declined to name the players who did not pass, but said some won't be allowed to practice until they reach a certain conditioning level.

"I won't get into the specifics of exactly what is going to be done for guys who didn't meet the minimum standard,'' Schiano said. "Because we do, we have a minimum standard and if it's not met, then there's consequences. But until I talk to the players about it, it just took place, until I tell all the individual players about it, God-willing, I'm not going anywhere, I'll be here tomorrow and we can talk about it at length.

"That's something we do. I think you play your way into football shape once you get to training camp, but you have to have a base level of cardiovascular conditioning to be able to play your way into football shape. Body weight is another thing I think is important. We give goal weights that you come to that weight scientifically through body fat and those kinds of things. I think we're pretty good. You're never perfect, that's the nature of putting together 90 guys. But overall, I was pleased with the reporting weights.''

Demar Dotson and Jamon Meredith will replace Pann at left tackle.

Schiano said players are grouped by skilled positions, combo and line. "You have to make a certain time with a rest ratio,'' Schiano said. "It's not easy, it's not impossible. It's a test that allows us to get a clear measure of cardiovascular conditioning. You have to train for it or you're not going to pass it.''

"Really, what it does it that it makes training camp harder on those guys,'' Schiano said. "There's additional things they have to do. There's conditional things they have to do. Training camp is hard enough. Really, there's a limited amount of effort and energy that guys can supply so when some of it has to go to this extra conditioning or supplemental conditioning, it's not going to football. So that's what I don't like there.

Schiano said players were told of the conditioning test prior to Thursday. Schiano was asked if some players won't be permitted to practice until they pass the conditioning test.

"There will be some of that probably,'' Schiano said.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

TAMPA — The Bucs suffered their first concerning injury even before taking their first snap.

Earlier this week, starting LT Donald Penn told the team he strained his calf while working out at home in California.

Thursday, coach Greg Schiano said he couldn't be specific about how long Penn will be out but it will be weeks rather than days.

"We'll play it by ear," he said.

Penn has started every game over the past four seasons. His likely backup, Demar Dotson, has not started a game at tackle over his previous three seasons.

Huffing and puffing: Penn probably won't be the only player missing.

Schiano said several players failed the conditioning test Thursday. Players must run 16 110-yard sprints with 45 seconds of rest in between. Schiano declined to name who failed but indicated some won't be allowed to practice until they reach a certain conditioning level.

"We have a minimum standard," Schiano said. "And if it's not met, then there are consequences."

Schiano is expected to conduct a rigorous training camp.

"I think you play your way into football shape once you get to training camp," he said. "But you have to have a base level of cardiovascular conditioning to be able to play your way into football shape."

The conditioning test is a fundamental belief for the first-year coach, who is trying to set a tone this season for how he'll do things in the future.

"There will be a day when we show up here and on the first day and everybody passes," Schiano said. "I wanted it to happen (Thursday). We'll get there. There's no panic. We'll get our guys into shape.

"But that makes training camp harder on those guys. There are additional things they have to do. There are conditioning things they have to do. And training camp's hard enough."

Quotable: So how tough are 16 110-yard runs? See for yourself, CB Ronde Barber said: "I challenge anybody in (the media room) to go out and try it."

UP FOR GRABS: The defense isn't a finished product, especially after Thursday's trade of DT Brian Price.

Coordinator Bill Sheridan said the linebackers lineup isn't a done deal, either.

"I wouldn't say we've got all 11 positions locked down, especially in some of the linebacker positions," he said. "And those players know those positions are up for grabs.

"But I'm excited about it, and it's a real healthy competition. It's not like we're lacking for talent. Those guys have been told that those jobs are open and are being competed for during the preseason."

Though everything is subject to change, the Bucs have, for most of the offseason, used Lavonte David and Quincy Black as outside linebackers with Mason Foster manning the middle.

It's not clear what, if anything could change at linebacker.

Coaches have raved about David, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, while Foster, entering his second season, appears to be the best option in the middle. Black, entering his sixth season, could have competition, however.

MORE SHERIDAN: Sheridan said he sees the Bucs taking advantage of DT Gerald McCoy's athletic traits.

"He's got a ton of talent, and he's got great athletic ability and movement," Sheridan said of McCoy, who has missed 13 games over his two seasons because of biceps injuries.

"I think the defense that, with Greg, we've put together, (McCoy) is going to have a chance to highlight a lot of that. He's going to have a chance to do a lot of moving and stunting, and I think he's going to really have a dynamic year."

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Orioles 6-2 Thursday at Camden Yards, spoiling a chance to sweep and move into sole possession of second place in the American League East.

Righthander James Shields gave up five runs, all coming in the fifth inning, walking a season-high five and striking out 10 in six innings. The Rays offense, which exploded for 10 runs Wednesday night, couldn't muster much against Orioles righty Chris Tillman.

OF Sam Fuld had two hits, including a two-run double. But the Rays also hit into four double plays, killing several rallies.

The Rays continue their nine-game road trip in Anaheim Friday, where they begin a three-game series against the Angels.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer


Thursday, July 26, 2012

BALTIMORE — Right-hander James Shields and the Rays just couldn't finish Thursday.

With a chance to complete a three-game sweep over the Orioles and move into sole possession of second place in the AL East, Shields let the game get away in a five-run fifth that led to a 6-2 loss on a simmering, 100-degree day at Camden Yards. Instead, the Rays (51-48) packed their bags for Anaheim, Calif., trailing the Angels, one of the wild-card co-leaders, by 2 1/2 games.

"It's disappointing," Shields said.

With the game scoreless in the fateful fifth, Shields got ahead 0-and-2 to four of the first six batters he faced, but he gave up three hits, walked two and hit a batter in the Orioles' go-ahead rally.

"It came down to two hits, and walking too many guys," said Shields, who tied a career high with five walks in a six-inning outing. "That's pretty much what it came down to."

It started with Nick Markakis hitting a one-out single, and Shields hit the next batter, J.J. Hardy.

"That was big," Shields said.

Veteran slugger Jim Thome worked an 0-and-2 count into a walk, and Adam Jones hit an 0-and-2 pitch over the plate for a two-run single. Shields got ahead 0-and-2 on Matt Wieters, who is in a 1-for-30 slump, before walking him to load the bases.

Then Shields said Chris Davis "hit a pretty good curveball" to the leftfield wall for a bases-clearing double.

Maddon said it was a bit of a command issue for Shields, who had located so well in his last start against Seattle.

"He's throwing well," Maddon said. "It's just kind of exasperating for him, not being able to put hitters away in those moments, when he's normally able to do so."

But this loss doesn't fall entirely on Shields. The offense, which posted 10 runs in Wednesday's win, came back to earth Thursday, going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. The Rays had Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman, who walked four, on the ropes several times, but they couldn't capitalize.

In the first inning, Desmond Jennings and B.J. Upton led off the game with walks, but Ben Zobrist hit into a double play, one of four turned by the Orioles. Tampa Bay finally broke through in the seventh, when Ryan Roberts walked, and Carlos Peña and Sam Fuld followed up with back-to-back doubles.

But Orioles reliever Darren O'Day came in to retire three of the next four hitters to thwart any comeback.

"It felt like we had a little momentum there," Fuld said. "We put some good consecutive swings off Tillman, and you just have to give credit to O'Day for coming in and shutting the door."

The Rays did feel good about the momentum they built to start the nine-game road trip, both with their play on the field as well as getting Fuld back from the disabled list (and third basman Evan Longoria starting his rehab assignment Thursday night).

"We knew this was a big series, a win (Thursday) would go a long way," Fuld said. "But, ultimately, it's a series win, and we'll take that."

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 26, 2012

He has lost 20 pounds, dramatically altering his physical appearance, and has shorter hair. But Josh Freeman believes he has grown as a quarterback.

Along with his shrinking waistline, the 6-foot-6, 237-pound Freeman needs to reduce his number of interceptions and says he already has benefitted from a new head coach, offensive coordinator and supporting cast of players.

A year after throwing 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions, Freeman was intercepted 22 times and recorded 16 TD passes last season. The result was a 4-12 record, including 10-straight losses, and a hit to his reputation as one of the league's rising young quarterbacks.

"Last season, a lot of trhings didn't go our way,'' Freeman said. "Me personally, a lot of things didn't go my way. But in that, there's a lot to learn from the standpoint of trying to step out of the system, trying to make too many plays, trying to do things when in actuality, as a quarterback, the offense is going to get you there. You just have to man the ship.''

Shortly after the 2011 season ended, between the firing of coach Raheem Morris and the hiring of Greg Schiano, Freeman said he decided to rededicate himself to his craft. The first step was getting into the best physical condition on his life. In addition to cutting out the late-night runs to Taco Bell, Freeman hooked up with Grant Gregory, the former Kansas St. and Tampa Bay Storm quarterback who worked as a trainer in Harbour Island.

Gregory, who is desribed by Freeman as a guy who is always carrying Tupperware 'with vegetables, chicken, all that stuff,' taught Freeman how to eat properly. That combined with the workout regimen put in place by Bucs strength and conditioning coach Jay Butler enabled Freeman to go from 257 pounds tO 237 pounds.

"You know, it was a number of lifestyle changes,'' Freeman said. "It's interesting, because after the season last year, the time in between coaches, I had a good discussion with Greg Olson and we talked about a number of things, one of which was trying to be at your best, trying to be a pro at everything, not just football, but in your life, lifestyle habits. Just go about life and strive for excellence in everything. That's one area I never really, being young, you could eat whatever you wanted and do whatever. But it was something, yeah, I wanted to take the steps and be excellent with my diet, with exercise, with working out year 'round. That's about it, with a few simple changes, working out, playing a little soccer. It's good.

"Everybody is like, "Oh, did you get faster? Did you lose a little strength? No, really, I can't say I got noticeably faster. I can't say I got noticeably stronger or weaker. But I feel good. Flexibility, throwing the ball. I feel physically great.''

On the field, the Bucs filled a grocery list of needs on offense for Freeman, starting with the signing of Chargers free agent receiver Vincent Jackson, Saints guard Carl Nicks and selecting Boise St. running back Doug Martin in the first round of the draft to add to the Bucs' returning weapons.

"Each year, you constantly learn and grow,'' Freeman said. "Going into my fourth year, I feel like I've made improvements every year and that's what I've got to keep doing this year, finding ways whether it be in practice, in preparation, in footwork, throwing the ball -- constantly trying to improve.''