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Brickyard history for Keselowski

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Brad Keselow­ski planted an emphatic kiss on the yard of bricks at the finish line, becoming the first driver to celebrate a win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in NASCAR's Nationwide series.

Elliott Sadler was left fuming.

Keselowski took the lead when Sadler was penalized for jumping a late restart, then held on to win a controversial finish in Saturday's inaugural Indy 250 at the historic 2½-mile track.

Keselowski said winning at Indy was special because of the track's tradition.

"I'm glad to be some small part of that," he said.

Sadler passed Keselowski on a restart with 18 laps to go, but officials ruled Sadler went too early and black-flagged him.

Sadler stayed on the track for several laps, apparently hoping officials would reconsider the penalty, before finally coming in with 12 laps to go and giving up the lead.

An agitated Sadler said Keselow­ski spun his tires on the restart — a brief loss of traction that would slow Keselowski — and Sadler said he had to surge.

"You tell me what the protocol is if the leader beats me to the restart line — which he did and it's on video just as clear as day — and then he spins his tires," Sadler said. "Oh, yeah, by the way, I'm getting pushed by the No. 3 car, who's also getting pushed by the No. 43 car."

Sam Hornish was second, followed by Ty Dillon.

FORMULA ONE: Lewis Hamilton of McLaren starts from the pole position in today's Hungarian Grand Prix after easily holding off Lotus' Romain Grosjean and world champion Sebastian Vettel in qualifying in Budapest. Hamilton clocked a lap of 1 minute 20.953 seconds, 0.413 seconds faster than Grosjean. It marked the 150th pole for McLaren, which contested its first F1 race in 1966.

NHRA: Cruz Pedregon earned the top spot in Funny Car qualifying at the Sonoma (Calif.) Nationals with a track-record time of 4.028 seconds at 307.30 mph. Doug Kalitta led Top Fuel, Allen Johnson topped Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec led Pro Stock Motorcycle in qualifying for today's eliminations.


London Olympics: July 29 TV schedule

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Times staff
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Country G S B T

China4026

Italy2215

United States1225

Michael Phelps is back in the pool as part of the U.S. 400-meter freestyle relay team that tries to defend its gold (won with Phelps) today on Ch. 8 beginning at 7 a.m. and in prime time on Ch. 8. Women's gymnastics begins with qualifying for the team, all-around and event finals; see the Americans at 9:45 a.m. on Ch. 8. Men's basketball starts; the United States meets France at 9:30 a.m. on NBC Sports Network.

Best bets

4 a.m. – 7 p.m. NBCSN

• Basketball (M) – U.S. vs. France, Spain vs. China, Brazil vs. Australia, Argentina vs. Lithuania (ALL LIVE)

• Field Hockey (W) – U.S. vs. Germany, New Zealand vs. Australia (ALL LIVE)

• Beach Volleyball (M, W) — Qualifying (LIVE)

• Handball (M) – Qualifying

• Equestrian – Eventing dressage

• Shooting (W) – Skeet final

• Archery (W) – Team final

• Water Polo (M) – Qualifying (LIVE)

• Field Hockey (W) – U.S. vs. Germany (LIVE)

• Badminton (M) – U.S.-Malaysia

• Table Tennis (W) – U.S.-Luxembourg

• Weightlifting (W) – Final

4 a.m. – 7 p.m. NBC BASKETBALL

• Basketball (M) – Brazil vs. Australia, U.S. vs. France, Spain vs. China, Nigeria vs. Tunisia, Russia vs. Great Britain, Argentina vs. Lithuania (ALL LIVE)

7 a.m. – 3 p.m. BRAVO

• Tennis – Early rounds (LIVE)

7 a.m. – 5 p.m. MSNBC

• Soccer (M) – Brazil vs. Belarus, Senegal vs. Uruguay, Great Britain vs. UAE (ALL LIVE)

• Volleyball (M) – Qualifying (LIVE)

• Water Polo (M) – Qualifying

• Handball (M) – Qualifying

• Archery (W) – Team final (LIVE)

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ch. 8

• Gymnastics (W) – Team (LIVE)

• Swimming – Heats

• Cycling (W) – Road race (LIVE)

• Beach Volleyball (M,W) – U.S.-Japan, U.S.-Argentina (ALL LIVE)

• Volleyball (M) – U.S. vs. Serbia (LIVE)

• Water Polo (M) – U.S. vs. Montenegro (LIVE)

7 a.m. – 7 p.m. TELEMUNDO

• Soccer (M) – Mexico vs. Gabon, Spain vs. Honduras, Senegal vs. Uruguay (ALL LIVE)

• Swimming – Heats

• Basketball (M) – Qualifying

• Boxing – Elimination bouts

• Beach Volleyball – Qualifying

• Volleyball (M) – Qualifying

• Tennis – Early rounds

7 a.m. – 11 p.m. NBC SOCCER

• Soccer (M) – Egypt vs. New Zealand (LIVE), Brazil vs. Belarus (LIVE), Senegal vs. Uruguay (LIVE), Great Britain vs. UAE (LIVE), Mexico vs. Gabon, Japan vs. Morocco, South Korea vs. Switzerland, Spain vs. Honduras

8:30 – 11:30 a.m. CNBC

Boxing – Elimination bouts (LIVE)

3:30 – 6:30 p.m. CNBC

• Boxing – Elimination bouts (LIVE)

7 p.m. – Midnight Ch. 8

• Gymnastics (W) – Team

• Swimming – Finals, women's 100M butterfly, women's 400M freestyle, men's 100M breaststroke, men's 400M freestyle relay

• Diving (W) – 3M synchronized final

Midnight – 2:30 a.m. TELEMUNDO

• Gymnastics (W) – Team

• Swimming – Finals

12:35 – 1:35 a.m. Ch. 8

• Gymnastics (W) – Team

• Canoeing – Heats

(W)– Women's event; (M)– Men's event

Contact your cable or dish provider to see if it carries the NBC Soccer and Basketball networks.

London Olympics news and notes

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Times staff, wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Is she Vesper Lynd or m?

As debate raged over the most burning question to come out of the opening ceremony — does Queen Elizabeth's appearance with James Bond make her a Bond girl? — the monarch stepped out to see more of the Olympics. • The queen, 86, was accompanied Saturday by her husband, Prince Philip, and London Mayor Boris Johnson as she visited the athletes village and rode to the top of the 377-foot Orbit tower beside Olympic Stadium.

At the village, the queen met about 150 members of the British team and athletes from other countries. "She went inside one of the athletes' bedrooms and chatted to us," British basketball player Rose Anderson said. "It was just awesome." The opening ceremony Friday began with a film clip of Daniel Craig, the latest James Bond, going to Buckingham Palace in character to escort the queen to the event. Many in the audience were expecting a real actor to play the queen ("Helloooooooooooooooooo?" says Helen Mirren in her best The Queen voice, waving her Oscar), and thousands in the stadium — and surely millions watching on TV or online — gasped as the real one swiveled around in a desk chair and said: "Good evening, Mr. Bond." The queen, known to have a sharp sense of humor, was asked to participate last year and was "delighted," Buckingham Palace said. Filming was done at the palace in March and April. The queen also was happy that two of her corgis, Monty, 13, and Holly, 9, got cameo roles, the palace said. Johnson said Saturday that the queen told him she was "very, very impressed with the success of … her first dramatic venture."

So much for twitter rules

Despite many guidelines being issued on how athletes should use Twitter at the Games, the United States jumped out to an early lead in the "causing controversy" event.

After the Americans lost the men's archery final to Italy, hurdler Lolo Jones posted, "USA Men's Archery lost the gold medal to Italy but that's ok, we are Americans... When's da Gun shooting competition?"

Then after the U.S. women's 3-0 win over Colombia in soccer, goalie Hope Solo, above, voiced her displeasure with a mildly critical comment made during the game by NBC analyst (and former U.S. national team player and World Cup-winning penalty-kicker) Brandi Chastain:

Among Solo's comments:

"Its 2 bad we cant have commentators who better represents the team & knows more about the game @brandichastain! … Its important 2 our fans 2 enjoy the spirit of the olympics. Its not possible when sum1 on air is saying that a player is the worst defender!

"I feel bad 4 our fans that have 2 push mute … @brandichastain should be helping 2 grow the sport."

No qbs there, either

So this is why Gisele Bundchen left her native country for America and Tom Brady:

Brazilian rower Kissya da Costa put her modeling career on hold to focus on making the Games. Da Costa, 30, says she hasn't had a modeling job in two years but doesn't miss it. "In Brazil, it doesn't earn you much money."

Compiled by staff writer Sharon Fink from the Associated Press, the Telegraph, Reuters

'Benny hill' steals show

One of the ultimate un-British sports has adopted an iconic British theme. The beach volleyball venue has been playing the Benny Hill theme over the loudspeakers while the raking crew smooths the sand during timeouts. That inspired a couple of fans — one also may have been inspired by a pint or two — to mimic the show by running around the concourse chasing and being chased by two women in short skirts.

The flame has access problems

The Olympic flame, usually one of the most visible and free sights of the Games, has joined the list of things most people can see in person only if they pay for it. The cauldron will remain in Olympic Stadium, visible in person only to those who have a ticket to see something at the venue. Everyone else gets to see an image shown on video screens. Cauldron creator Thomas Heatherwick defended the setup, saying Games organizers had tried to resist the temptation of creating a cauldron that was bigger, fatter or higher than at previous Games.

London Olympics: U.S. women clinch quarterfinal soccer spot; U.S. men lead gymnastics qualifying

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

U.S. wins, clinches quarterfinal spot

Even with a black eye, Abby Wambach was able to keep her focus: another gold medal in soccer. After a punch from Colombian forward Lady Andrade blackened her right eye late in the first half Saturday, the former Gator delivered the punch that knocked the South Americans out in the second, scoring to break open a tight game and send the Americans on to next week's quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory. "She was taunting me the whole second half and, in fact, tried to punch me again in the face," Wambach said of Andrade after the game in Glasgow, Scotland. "So it was a clear tactic from them to try and get me to do something in retaliation." Andrade said the punch wasn't her fault: "I had my hands in the air. It was an accident." Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd also scored for the United States.

Archers give u.s. its first medal of games

The U.S. men's archery team experienced both ends of the Olympics' emotional spectrum. First, the three men were euphoric after upsetting world power South Korea in the semifinals. About an hour later, they were crushed in the gold-medal match when Italy beat them by a single point on the final arrow. The Americans were seeking their first team gold since 1996. "We're just up there and hoping for the best," Jake Kaminski said. "We're not really hoping negatively for anybody, because we don't like to do that. We were just waiting. Whatever happened, whatever fell into our laps, we were going to accept it." South Korea took the bronze.

Sluggish win for u.s.

The U.S. women had to overcome a sloppy performance before putting away Croatia 81-56 in their opener. "Everybody was a little nervous," coach Geno Auriemma said. The U.S. team, which got back to its hotel at 3 a.m. after the opening ceremony, struggled for the first three quarters before winning its 34th consecutive Olympic contest. Tina Charles had 14 points and 10 rebounds. "Defensively we were great in the first quarter," said Candace Parker, who had 11 points and 13 rebounds. "We were running, blocking shots. Just couldn't score, and that hurts. When you look up at the scoreboard at the end of first and it's 9-4, it's deflating."

U.S. tops team qualifying

While perennial gymnastics powerhouses China and Japan bobbled and wobbled their way through team qualifying, the Americans proved they've got the big skills to back up their gold-medal hopes. They didn't have to count a routine with a fall, and their final score of 275.342 was almost three points ahead of resurgent Russia. "Now is when everyone is finally, completely realizing how much we believe in it," said American Danell Leyva, who qualified for the all-around and high bar finals. Surprising Britain was third. Japan, the heavy favorite going in, was fifth and defending Olympic champion China sixth, with Ukraine and France rounding out the top eight for Monday's final. Scores don't carry over. The other four Americans also made at least one event final.

Ready to retire in style

Kazakhstan's Alexander Vinokourov defeated the British cycling "dream team" on his own, winning gold in the men's road race to crown the end of a 14-year career. The 38-year-old who served a two-year ban after testing positive for blood doping at the 2007 Tour de France, said he will retire after Wednesday's time trial. The British team was unable to set up a sprint for world champion and race favorite Mark Cavendish, who ended up 28th. Colombia's Rigoberto Uran took silver, with Norway's Alexander Kristoff winning a mass sprint to get the bronze, just ahead of American Taylor Phinney.

Other sports

Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Tampa resident Jon Isner won opening tennis matches at Wimbledon. Isner and Andy Roddick lost their opening doubles match; Americans Bob and Mike Bryan advanced.

• Malaysia's Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi, who is eight months pregnant, finished 34th in the qualifying round of the 10-meter air rifle. Yi Siling of China won the gold.

• American Ariel Hsing, 16, whose friends include Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, advanced in table tennis.

• Americans Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor, trying for a third straight beach volleyball gold medal, beat Australians Tasmin Hinchley and Natalie Cook in the their opener.

Tampa Bay Rays' Jeff Keppinger has simple hitting philosophy

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, July 28, 2012

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The repeated failures by the Rays batters make it seem as if hitting is a complicated and challenging concept.

Except that their best hitter makes it sound so simple.

"I just put the ball in play," infielder Jeff Keppinger said Saturday. "I just try not to do too much. Sometimes they're going to fall, sometimes they're not, and that's going to be the difference, I guess you'd say, where my on-base percentage is, where my batting average is, if you want to look at stats.

"To me, it's just hitting the ball. You hit it, you've got a chance to get a hit, you've got a chance to get on base."

Keppinger has done both better than any other Ray, who even after going 0-for-4 Saturday is batting .322, which would rank fifth in the American League if he had enough plate appearances to qualify (310), and has a .391 on-base percentage that would be eighth best.

Plus, he has struck out only 11 times in his first 202 plate appearances, the lowest ratio in the AL.

"The thing about Kepp is that he's really very skillful at swinging at strikes and taking balls," manager Joe Maddon said. "He just is. He'll battle off a tough pitch to get to the next pitch. He just has very good command of his strike zone, and he uses the whole field. …

"He just has a really bright approach to the plate. And also, a very simple swing — there's not a whole lot going on. He does a lot of things well at the plate."

The Rays signed Keppinger to be a bench player, starting against left-handers and filling in where needed. But with injuries, teammates' struggles and his own success, the 32-year-old has become a key piece of the lineup.

"He's at the point now where when there's people in scoring position, you want him to hit," Maddon said, "because you know he's going to put out a good at-bat, you know he's going to move the baseball. And that's very attractive because we have a tendency to not move the ball often with people in scoring position. So to this point in the year, I really appreciate his at-bats."

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

Tampa Bay Rays: Analysts put lots of thought into trade proposals involving Rays

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Rays at Angels

When/Where: 3:35 today; Angel Stadium of Anaheim

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

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (5-6, 3.42)

Angels: RH Zack Greinke (9-3, 3.44 with Brewers)

On Hellickson: Snapped a nine-start winless (and six-game losing) streak on Tuesday in Baltimore, working into the seventh for his first win since May 16. Is 1-1, 3.29 in three games vs. Angels, all at the Trop.

On Greinke: Acquired Friday from the Brewers, Orlando native jumps right into Angels rotation as hired gun. Former Royals ace is 2-4, 3.32 in 12 games (nine starts) vs. Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Greinke

Matt Joyce 4-for-10, HR

Carlos Peña 6-for-36, HR

Ben Zobrist 3-for-17

Angels vs. Hellickson

Torii Hunter 1-for-7

Howie Kendrick 1-for-5

Albert Pujols 0-for-3

On deck

Monday: at A's, 10:07, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (14-4, 2.57); A's — A.J. Griffin (3-0, 2.25)

Tuesday: at A's, 10:07, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (8-7, 4.52); A's — Tommy Milone (9-7, 3.51)

Wednesday: at A's, 3:37, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (4-8, 4.93); A's — Jarrod Parker (7-4, 3.38)

Thursday: Off

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

DH Luke Scott, oblique strain, 15-day, Aug. 5

* out for season

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Trade advice of the day

ESPN/Sirius XM's Jim Bowden — he of the creative mind, as Joe Maddon says — suggests this blockbuster deal: RHP James Shields, right, and CF B.J. Upton to Texas for OF Craig Gentry and prospects RHP Cody Buckel, SS Leury Garcia and RHP Luke Jackson.

Trade advice of the day, part II

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers put a lot of thought into this suggested deal: OF/DH Alfonso Soriano, right, 1B Bryan LaHair, C Geovany Soto and $22 million to the Rays for DH Luke Scott or 1B Carlos Peña, RHP Chris Archer, INF Tim Beckham and another two or three prospects.

Number of the day

95

Home runs hit and allowed by the Rays through 100 games.

Tampa Bay Rays say only they'll be talking about potential trades

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, July 28, 2012

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The likelihood of the Rays making a significant trade — whether involving James Shields, another pitcher or anyone else — before Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline remains the subject of intense speculation throughout the industry.

And according to the one man who would know best — Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman — the only certainty is they will talk a lot about the possibilities.

"We've been having a lot of different conversations with a lot of different teams, which is very typical for this time of year," Friedman said Saturday. "Our policy of not commenting publicly provides endless humor-filled fodder. A lot is made of things that are just not true.

"As always, we are looking for ways to positively impact our organization and make it better in the short term as well as the long term. If we're able to line up on a deal that does that, we're going to be very aggressive. As is customary this time of year, a lot of different things are being discussed, so it is difficult to accurately handicap the chances of a deal."

Shields remains the focus of most of the speculation, with the Braves, Dodgers, Indians and Rangers reported to be the most interested, and others likely. The right-hander has maintained that the rumors are neither a distraction nor a concern and — especially with the input of teammate David Price — has been joking about his status.

Approached by reporters before Saturday's game for an update, he pointed to the sign above his locker: "See, I've still got my number."

The Rays are in an interesting position, trying to gauge the likelihood of 3B Evan Longoria making an impactful return from injury, weighing their chances of making the postseason under different scenarios, and evaluating what offers are presented for their surplus of pitching.

Manager Joe Maddon, who said he doesn't think the team will make a major deal, reported there was "nothing new" on Saturday.

LONGO SORE: Longoria was "a little bit sore" after playing consecutive games at DH for Triple-A Durham and wasn't in the lineup Saturday, but Maddon said it wasn't a concern or setback, and Longoria is expected to resume playing today.

"He just felt a little bit sore but nothing abnormal," Maddon said. "He wanted to play. But (Longoria and head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield) talked it over and Ronnie felt, they agreed, it was just best to let him just sit (Saturday)."

Longoria is being used as a DH with the hope he can return to the Rays as soon as this week. He has been out since partially tearing his left hamstring on April 30.

PEÑA SITS: 1B Carlos Peña was not in the Rays starting lineup as Maddon used eight right-handed (or switch-hitting) batters, with Matt Joyce as the only left-hander. Also, Ben Zobrist was the DH in an effort to get him off his feet for most of a day.

That created an infield alignment with Brooks Conrad at second base and Jeff Keppinger at first, though Maddon said it was more palatable because they started LHP Matt Moore, who tends to be more of a fly ball pitcher.

Peña did come into the game for defensive purposes in the ninth inning, replacing Keppinger at first.

MISCELLANY: LHP Cesar Ramos is being used as a starting pitcher at Durham to provide depth in the event of an injury or trade at the big-league level. … INF Derek Dietrich, a 2010 second-round pick, was promoted to Double-A Montgomery after hitting .282 with 10 HRs and 58 RBIs in 98 games at advanced Class A Charlotte. … The Bulls — except for Longoria, who flew — took a nine-hour bus ride Friday night from Lawrenceville, Ga., to Norfolk, Va., only to find their hotel didn't have rooms ready. Tweeted INF Will Rhymes: "I'm pretty sure we are being punk'd. Where are the cameras?"

Athletics 6, Orioles 1

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Athletics 6, Orioles 1

BALTIMORE — Yoenis Cespedes and Chris Carter hit two-run home runs to back Bartolo Colon's effective pitching, and Oakland won for the ninth time in 10 games. Jemile Weeks had three hits and two runs for the Athletics, who are on course for the best July in franchise history. They're 18-3 (.857) and need one victory in the next three games to finish with a better winning percentage than the 1931 club (26-7, .788).


White Sox acquire Twins lefty Liriano

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Looking to bolster their starting rotation, the White Sox on Saturday acquired LHP Francisco Liriano from the Twins for SS Eduardo Escobar and LHP Pedro Hernandez.

Liriano, 28, is 3-10 with a 5.31 ERA this season. He was demoted to the bullpen in mid May after his ERA had ballooned to 9.45 through seven starts. Since his return to the rotation, he has a 3.68 ERA in 11 starts, and opponents have hit .190 off him.

Liriano, who pitched a no-hitter against the White Sox on May 3, 2011, is 50-52 with a 4.33 ERA in eight seasons. He has teased with his ability for years, alternating good to excellent seasons — such as 2010, when he posted a 3.62 ERA in a career-best 31 starts — with mediocre ones, such as last season when his ERA soared to 5.09.

Escobar, 23, batted .207 with three RBIs in 36 games this season with the White Sox. Hernandez, 23, is a combined 8-2 with a 2.94 ERA between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.

CRAWFORD RESTS: LF Carl Crawford was out of Boston's starting lineup against the Yankees and said his balky elbow might need ligament-replacement surgery.

After missing the first half of the season because of left wrist and elbow injuries, the former Rays All-Star returned July 16.

Manager Bobby Valentine said the team's medical staff had told him not to start Crawford more than four days in a row.

Crawford appeared in six straight when he returned.

"I did a manager no-no thing and went against what I was told to do. Never to be done again," Valentine said. "I kind of did the old veto power."

Crawford, 30, anticipates he will need elbow surgery at some point. "I figure one day it'll blow out, and when that happens, time to go," he said. "The later I wait to get it done, the more time I'm going to miss."

HAMILTON SITS: Slumping Rangers OF Josh Hamilton was out of the starting lineup because manager Ron Washington wanted to give him a mental break. The rest came one day after Hamilton, batting .145 in July, was booed by his home fans after striking out twice against White Sox LHP Chris Sale.

A'S PURSUING CATCHER: Oakland was close to acquiring C George Kottaras from the Brewers, according to several reports. The trade likely won't be completed for a day or two, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

BLUE JAYS: OF Jose Bautista is not expected to return immediately when his 15-day disabled list stint ends Wednesday. He swung a bat for the first time since injuring his left wrist July 16.

BRAVES: RHP Kris Medlen will move into the rotation and start Tuesday against the Marlins. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Medlen will replace RHP Jair Jurrjens unless the team adds a starting pitcher before Tuesday.

DODGERS: LHP Ted Lilly, out since May 23 with left shoulder inflammation, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment today at Class A Rancho Cucamonga.

GIANTS: Marco Scutaro arrived at the clubhouse two hours before gametime and was immediately put in the lineup at third base and batting seventh. The NL West leaders also activated former Rays INF Aubrey Huff from the disabled list. To make room on the roster, 3B Pablo Sandoval went on the 15-day DL with a left hamstring strain and INF Emmanuel Burriss was designated for assignment.

MARLINS: RF Giancarlo Stanton, who had arthroscopic right knee surgery July 8, is expected to begin a minor-league rehab Wednesday at Class A Jupiter.

NATIONALS: CF Bryce Harper was scratched from the lineup because of a stomach virus.

ROYALS: 3B Mike Moustakas sprained his right knee while diving for a grounder. He is day to day.

Marlins 4, Padres 2

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Marlins 4, Padres 2

MIAMI — Jose Reyes hit a two-run homer and Nathan Eovaldi won his Miami debut as the Marlins snapped a three-game skid. Eovaldi was acquired Wednesday in a four-player swap that sent Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers. Former Ray Justin Ruggiano also went deep and Steve Cishek earned his fourth save for Miami, which had scored three runs or fewer in nine straight games.

Nationals 4, Brewers 1

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Nationals 4, Brewers 1

MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin native Jordan Zimmerman pitched six solid innings in his first game against Milwaukee, and Washington backed him with three home runs. Zimmerman was born in Auburndale and played at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In the fourth, Corey Brown's solo homer to left — his first career hit — and Tyler Moore's two-run blast put the Nationals up 3-0.

Braves 2, Phillies 1

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Braves 2, Phillies 1

ATLANTA — Mike Minor struck out nine and combined with Craig Kimbrel on a four-hitter, and Jason Heyward had two hits and an RBI for Atlanta. Minor's strikeouts matched his season high. He retired the last 13 batters he faced. The Braves are 6-2 against Philadelphia with five straight wins in the season series. Philadelphia's only run came on Chase Utley's homer in the fourth. Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth and caught Utley looking at a 99-mph fastball to end the game.

Pirates 4, Astros 3

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Pirates 4, Astros 3

HOUSTON — Rod Barajas hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, and Pittsburgh rallied to send Houston to its club-record 12th straight loss. Wandy Rodriguez pitched six innings against his former team in his Pirates debut. The Astros, who have lost 25 of 27, traded the left-hander Tuesday for three minor-leaguers.

Twins 12, Indians 5

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

Twins 12, Indians 5

MINNEAPOLIS — Samuel Deduno pitched seven strong innings for his second major-league win and Josh Willingham hit his 27th homer for Minnesota. The Twins routed Cleveland for the second straight night after being swept in three games in Chicago. The Indians fell to 6-10 since the All-Star break. Deduno struck out a career-high six in his fourth big-league start.

Bosox win on Yankees' goof

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

NEW YORK — Boston had wasted a five-run lead by the time Pedro Ciriaco stepped to the plate in the ninth inning Saturday night and hit a hard fly ball toward centerfield. He thought Curtis Granderson would catch it.

Then Granderson went in on the ball, then sprinted back in an attempt to catch up.

"I thought I had a chance," Ciriaco said, "so I run like a hurricane."

The ball landed for a go-ahead triple as Granderson fell, and the Red Sox came away with a dramatic 8-6 win over the Yankees after Vicente Padilla allowed a tying two-run homer in the eighth to Mark Teixeira.

"We were good (Saturday), and we were lucky," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. "He hit that ball, a knuckleball, 380 feet. It's tough to catch. He's pretty hot right now, so I'd say he was good and we were lucky."

Granderson had expected to make the catch. "I didn't think it was hit as hard as it was," he said.


China gets two swim golds, two records

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

LONDON — On the first night of swimming, the big story was Michael Phelps failing to medal. But the biggest winner was China. Ye Shiwen, 16, set a world record in the women's 400-meter individual medley, and Sun Yang won the men's 400 freestyle in Olympic record time.

Also, Natalie Coughlin got a bronze medal as part of the U.S. 400 freestyle relay team, tying fellow swimmers Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson as the most decorated U.S. female Olympians in any sport. Australia captured gold in the relay with an Olympic record, and South Korea's Park Tae-hwan won silver in the men's 400, the 2008 gold medalist fortunate even to take part after initially being disqualified for a false start in the morning preliminaries.

Ye's winning time of 4 minutes, 28.43 seconds smashed the world record of 4:29.45 set by Stephanie Rice of Australia at the 2008 Olympics, and it was only the third mark to fall since high-tech body suits were banned at the end of 2009.

To show how much has changed since 2008, Rice could do no better than sixth Saturday. But it was still a surprise to see the ease with which Ye wrested command of the race from the favorite, American Elizabeth Beisel of Florida, in the closing freestyle leg. Beisel was second in 4:31.27, Li Xuanxu of China third.

Sun took gold in 3:40.14, just off the Olympic mark of 3:40.07 by Germany's Paul Biedermann in a rubberized suit three years ago. When it was done, Sun propped himself on the lane rope, pumping his fist and splashing the water. Peter Vanderkaay of the United States won the bronze.

Park was disqualified for a false start after leading his heat in the morning. However, South Korea filed a protest, which was rejected, then appealed to the sport's governing, which ruled in Park's favor after a video review.

Australia won the relay with an Olympic record of 3:33.15, rallying to pass the Americans and hold off the fast-charging Netherlands.

The Americans got off to a blistering start with Missy Franklin swimming leadoff under world-record pace. They were still ahead after Jessica Hardy went next. But the Australians rallied on the third 100 and held on at the end.

Coughlin, 29, swam in the morning prelims, then was reduced to the role of cheerleader in the evening as the Americans went with Franklin — set to swim seven races in all — Hardy, Lia Neal and Allison Schmitt. Everyone who swims on a relay gets a medal, though.

"I was a little bit disappointed just because I tend to get better as the meet progresses," Coughlin said, "but I don't envy the coaches, what they had to go through this morning. They really weighed the decision, and I think they made a good one."

Coughlin, whose six medals in 2008 were the most by an American woman at one Olympics, didn't qualify for an individual event in London. She finished sixth in the 100 free at the Olympic trials to put herself in the relay mix.

U.S. women's coach Teri McKeever, who is also Coughlin's personal coach, considered each swimmer's split times and their relay exchanges in deciding to leave Coughlin out.

"As the head coach, I think I made the right decision," McKeever said. "As her coach, it was difficult."

Manning takes his next step

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Peyton Manning's first full practice in pads in 18 months drew rave reviews.

The Broncos quarterback put on an aerial show Saturday in the latest step of his comeback from a nerve injury in his neck that cost him all of last season and prompted his release by the Colts.

Although Manning threw in full pads at Duke University for the Broncos and other suitors and at times while working out in Denver, this was his first real action in full pads since the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season.

Manning didn't address the media afterward. But Brandon Stokley, who played with Manning from 2003-06, said he looked as good as he did back then.

"He looks like he's just gotten better and better," Stokley said. "He looks normal."

The next step in Manning's comeback? Taking a hit, which was not allowed Saturday. When that happens remains unknown.

The Broncos open the preseason Aug. 9 but haven't said how much he will play.

"I have no concern (getting hit)," Manning, 36, recently said. "I'm not begging (Steelers linebacker) James Harrison to blindside me by any means. But I feel I'm going to be able to handle that."

Tebow hears jeers

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Tim Tebow got heckled during the Jets' first public practice. The ex-Gator quarterback, acquired in the offseason, and projected starter Mark Sanchez threw during 11-on-11 drills as rain fell.

Sanchez looked good. ("Mark can spin it in any conditions," coach Rex Ryan said.) Tebow was 3-of-8 with the second team. A few passes sailed over receivers, and an 8-yarder to running back Shonn Greene wobbled.

Later as Tebow sought an open receiver, an observer in the grandstand shouted, "Throw it, Tebow!" Later, when he connected with a receiver, the same fan yelled, "Wow, you completed one!"

After a wobbly toss, another fan shouted: "That's a Tebow ball!"

gators hurt: A pair of former Florida receivers sustained injuries. In Bethlehem, Pa., the Eagles' Riley Cooper broke his collarbone when he fell after going up for a pass. The length of the former Clearwater Central Catholic standout's absence has not been determined. In Pittsford, N.Y., the Bills' David Nelson missed the final hour of practice after hurting his right knee during a pileup. Coach Chan Gailey said the initial prognosis was only a bruise but hopes to know more today.

Miami signs Tannehill: The Dolphins reached a contract with quarterback Ryan Tanne­hill, the eighth overall pick in April. Terms weren't disclosed. Tannehill is expected to be at practice this morning after missing the first two days of camp. He is expected to compete for the starting job with incumbent Matt Moore and fellow veteran David Garrard.

Twitter Ban: Bengals coach Marvin Lewis banned players from using Twitter during training camp. Saying, "I don't see how tweeting is going to help us win a football game," and the ban is "part of being selfless," he imposed it after consulting team leaders. But left tackle Andrew Whitworth asked the union if it violates the collective bargaining agreement. He said he hasn't heard back yet. Lewis said he'll let the team leaders decide whether to extend the ban into the season.

QB retires: A day after signing with the Chargers, quarterback Kyle Boller retired. Boller, 31, who was unavailable for comment, was taken 19th overall in 2003 by the Ravens. He spent eight seasons in the league, the last two with the Raiders.

Cowboys: Ex-USF cornerback Mike Jenkins, out after offseason right shoulder surgery, will consult about his progress with surgeon James Andrews next week.

Seahawks: Receiver Sidney Rice, whose third concussion in 11 months came in November, was cleared to practice.

White Sox 5, Rangers 2

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

White Sox 5, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON, Texas — Adam Dunn hit his major league-leading 31st home run, Philip Humber pitched six solid innings and Chicago won its fifth straight. Paul Konerko added a two-run homer for the White Sox, who have won the first two in a three-game series between division leaders. Humber didn't allow a hit through three innings and won for the second time in three starts.

Sports in brief

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Times wires
Saturday, July 28, 2012

FOOTBALL

TOP PROSPECT COMMITS TO GATORS

Hillsborough High defensive end Jordan Sherit announced on Saturday via Twitter he has committed to Florida, becoming the second county player in three days to give a verbal pledge to the Gators.

"So blessed and privileged to announce that today I have committed to the University of Florida," tweeted Sherit, who attended UF's Friday Night Lights camp on Friday but didn't participate. "Go Gators!"

"He's not a kid that you worry about," ESPN national recruiting analyst Corey Long said. "He's a dedicated student-athlete."

Deemed a four-star recruit by both ESPN and Rivals, Sherit (6 feet 5, 234 pounds) becomes the fourth bay area player to say he'll join UF's recruiting class including Wharton's Vernon Hargreaves III, who announced his choice Thursday.

See tampabay.com/hometeam for more.

HORSES

Alpha wire-to-wire winner at Saratoga

Taking the lead from the start, Alpha cruised to a two-length, wire-to-wire victory in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for his first victory in nearly six months. Alpha won at Saratoga in his first career start and has been training at the Spa since mid June after missing the Belmont Stakes because of a fever. "He's really done very well since the Belmont incident, so we knew he was ready," winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. "He's been training great." Neck 'n Neck finished second with Liaison third in the field of eight 3-year-olds. Alpha returned $5.60, $3.70 and $3.20.

DIANA STAKES: Also at Saratoga, Winter Memories beat Dream Peace by 11/2 lengths in the $600,000 Grade 1 race for fillies and mares.

SOCCER

Veteran Ukranian star Shevchenko retires

Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko retired after 17 years and wants to pursue a career in politics. Shevchenko, who began and ended his career with Dynamo Kiev, told the club's website: "This time I'm certain. My future won't be tied with football. My future now is with politics." In June, Shevchenko, 35, headed in both goals in Ukraine's 2-1 victory over Sweden before a home crowd at the European Championship.

MLS: Marco Di Vaio scored his first goal this season to lead first-year expansion team Montreal to a 3-1 upset over Eastern Conference leader New York. French star Thierry Henry scored the lone Red Bulls goal.

EXHIBITION: Italian club Roma defeated El Salvador 2-1 late Friday in Harrison, N.J., in a match marred in the 81st minute when Roma's Panagiotis Tachtsidis was sent off and became enraged after being hit by what appeared to be a piece of fruit. … AC Milan defeated European champion Chelsea 1-0 before 57,748, the second-highest soccer crowd ever at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

ET CETERA

TENNIS: Ricardas Berankis reached his first ATP Tour final, beating Marinko Matosevic 7-5, 6-1 in the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles. Today, the 22-year-old Lithuanian faces the winner of the late match between Americans Sam Querrey, the two-time champion, and Rajeev Ram. … Defending champ Robin Haase rallied past top seed Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-2 to win the Bet-at-Home Cup in Kitzbuehel, Austria.

ARENA LEAGUE: Host Philadelphia scored 35 points in the second half to come back and defeat New Orleans 66-53 in the first round of the playoffs. Defending champion Jacksonville held off Georgia 58-56 and Utah won 35-34 late Friday at San Antonio.

Joey Knight, Times staff writer; Times wires

Tampa Bay Rowdies stay hot, top Edmonton 1-0

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By Bryan Burns, Times Correspondent
Saturday, July 28, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good.

Of late, the Rowdies have been both.

Tampa Bay turned in what coach Ricky Hill called a "sloppy" effort Saturday night against Edmonton considering the team's recent torrid play.

Yet the Rowdies won 1-0 for their seventh victory in eight matches and fifth straight at Al Lang Field. They were never really threatened by a team sitting next-to-last in the eight-team NASL standings.

"It's nice to win when you're not a full throttle as an offensive group, as a ball-retention group," Hill said. "Our possession game wasn't as great as it has been in recent times."

Against Edmonton, it didn't matter. The Rowdies (10-6-3, 33 points) scored their goal in the 44th minute on a fortuitous bounce after Edmonton (4-10-4, 16 points) won the ball near midfield and tried a pass forward that hit the referee in the back.

Tampa Bay's Luke Mulholland controlled the loose ball and advanced it with a pass to Mike Ambersley near the Edmonton goal. Ambersley lifted a well-placed cross into the box for hard-charging Daniel Antoniuk, who jumped high above his marker to head the ball cleanly past goalkeeper John Smits (seven saves).

The goal was Antoniuk's sixth of the season, tying him with Tsuyoshi Yoshitake for the team lead. Ambersley, with his team-leading seventh assist, has recorded a point in six straight games (three goals, five assists).

"It was a great ball," Antoniuk said of Ambersley's pass. "He put a little curl on it. He didn't crack it in there really hard and whip it so hard, but he put a nice curl on it where it was just me and the other guy who could win that ball."

Jeff Attinella (eight saves) earned his third shutout in a row, the longest streak of his professional career, though some of the credit for Saturday's clean sheet belongs to midfielder Stuart Campbell.

In the 31st minute, Edmonton nearly broke through against the Rowdies for the first time this season. Attinella punched away a corner kick and the rebound landed at the feet of Paul Hamilton, who sent a well-struck, right-footed shot at the open goal. But Campbell was there to head the ball off the line and over the goal at the last moment.

"If that would have gone in, it would have changed the outcome of the game," said Attinella, a former USF and Countryside High star. "That's big-time from (Campbell). That's why he's one of the leaders of our team."

The Rowdies, who next play next Saturday at Carolina, haven't been scored on since a 2-1 loss at Minnesota on July 12, a stretch of 315 minutes without giving up a goal.

A crowd of 3,149 was announced. The Rowdies are 3-0 against Edmonton this season, winning all three 1-0.

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