Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

LONDON — Twitter is acknowledging a mistake in how it handled a tweet by a journalist that included the corporate email of the NBC Olympics president.

Alex Macgillivray, general counsel for the social media website, wrote in a blog post Tuesday the company's team working with NBC for their Olympic partnership "proactively" identified the tweet it said was in violation of its rules and encouraged the network to report it.

"This behavior is not acceptable and undermines the trust our users have in us," Macgillivray wrote. "We should not and cannot be in the business of proactively monitoring and flagging content, no matter who the user is — whether a business partner, celebrity or friend."

Guy Adams, a correspondent for British newspaper the Independent based in Los Angeles, tweeted several criticisms of NBC's coverage and in one included the email address of NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel encouraging people to complain.

Adams' account was suspended. He said Tuesday it had been reinstated.

head scarf compromise: A female judoka from Saudi Arabia will be allowed to compete wearing a form of the traditional Islamic head scarf after a compromise was reached that respects the "cultural sensitivity" of the Muslim kingdom. Judo officials had previously said they would not let Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani compete in a head scarf because it was against the sport's principles and raised safety concerns. The agreement clears the way for her to compete Friday in the heavyweight division. Her father declined to describe what changes, if any, would be made to the head cover.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Rays at A's

When/where: 3:37 today, Oakland Coliseum

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Alex Cobb (4-8, 4.93)

a's: RH Jarrod Parker (7-4, 3.38)

On Cobb: Has lost five of his past six with an ugly 6.25 ERA over that span but was better in last outing at Anaheim, allowing three runs in seven innings. Faced A's in his final start last season, leaving with arm issue that led to surgery.

On Parker: Acquired in offseason from Arizona, 2007 first-rounder stepped into rotation well after late April promotion. In past four starts is 2-1 but 6.46 ERA.

Key matchups

Rays VS. PARKER

None have faced

A'S VS. COBB

Coco Crisp 3-for-3

Kurt Suzuki 1-for-2

Jemile Weeks 1-for-3

On deck

Thursday: Off

Friday: vs. O's, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (7-7, 4.01); O's — Tommy Hunter (4-6, 5.72)

Saturday: vs. O's , 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (6-6, 3.23); O's — Wei-Yin Chen (9-6, 3.65)

Sunday: vs. O's, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (14-4, 2.64); O's — Miguel Gonzalez (3-2, 4.46)

Monday: Off

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Broken records

Monday's 4-3 15-inning loss led to five team records being broken, and another tied:

5:09

Longest road game by time

15

Longest road game by innings

21

Most strikeouts by Rays pitchers

33

Most strikeouts by teams combined

29

Most strikeouts by Rays pitchers, consecutive games

24

(Tied) consecutive scoreless innings by Rays pitchers

Numbers game

21

Teams (since 1918) to strike out 21 or more batters

8

Teams to lose the game, as the Rays did, all in extra innings

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

NBA

ROY AGREES TO DEAL, RETURNS WITH T'WOLVES

MINNEAPOLIS — Brandon Roy's retirement from the NBA last year wasn't intended as a final decision.

The Timberwolves were eager to help him clarify his status.

"After a few months of sitting out, I decided, 'Hey, I don't want to stop playing basketball,' " Roy said Tuesday after signing a two-year, $10.4 million contract. "I wanted to continue going forward."

Roy, 28, was the 2006-07 Rookie of the Year with Portland but he battled bad knees, which lacked cartilage after six operations.

CELTICS: Guard Keyon Dooling re-signed and three others were signed: free agent center Jason Collins and two guards who played in Europe last season, Jamar Smith and Dionte Christmas.

76ERS: Rookie free-agent guard Maalik Wayns signed to stay in his hometown, where he also went to college at Villanova.

BULLS: Point guard Nate Robinson agreed to a contract with his fifth team in the past four seasons.

WARRIORS: Forward Brandon Rush signed a two-year, $8 million deal to stay with Golden State.

JURISPRUDENCE: Former Lakers forward Matt Barnes was out of jail after being arrested on suspicion of threatening a police officer who stopped him for a traffic warrant. Barnes was walking when he was arrested on a $26,000 misdemeanor warrant for driving on a suspended license.

HORSES

Uncle Peter favored in Hambletonian

Uncle Peter, the 5-2 favorite in the morning line, drew the No. 1 post for Saturday's $1.5 million Hambletonian in East Rutherford, N.J. The rest of the field for the most prestigious event in harness racing: 2. Market Share, 4-1; 3. Knows Nothing, 7-2; 4. Archangel, 9-2; 5. My MVP, 15-1; 6. Prestidigitator, 12-1; 7. Guccio, 8-1; 8. Stormin Normand, 15-1; 9. Money On My Mind, 15-1; 10. Gym Tan Laundry, 30-1.

NHL

Alfredsson returns to lead Senators

Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, 39, said he is returning for his 17th season. Alfredsson, who has spent his career in Ottawa, hinted at the end of last season he might retire.

LABOR: Players began examining the league's proposed expansion of revenue sharing, but Players' Association executive director Don Fehr said he can't make a counterproposal on the full package until his group receives and examines requested team financial reports. The first batch — 76,000 pages — arrived Monday night.

SABRES: Right wing Patrick Kaleta, a restricted free agent, agreed to a three-year, $3.825 million contract.

ET CETERA

AUTOS: Giorgio Pantano will replace Charlie Kimball in Sunday's IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio. Kimball fractured the fifth metacarpal in his right hand last week in a testing accident.

TENNIS: Top seeds Mardy Fish (three sets) and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (straight sets) advanced out of the first round of the Citi Open in Washington.

CYCLIST KILLED: An avid cyclist and Port Charlotte resident died when a tractor-trailer rig hit him on a highway during a cross-country ride. The Albany Herald in Georgia reported Pete Cornell, 64, and two companions were struck around 6 a.m. Thursday near Dawson, Ga. Cornell's son Dan said his father, a Michigan native, completed about 2,700 miles of a 3,500-mile trek through Alaska and other states on his way to Key West.

Times wires

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Phillies 8, Nationals 0

WASHINGTON — Cliff Lee pitched seven strong innings and scored on Jimmy Rollins' inside-the-park home run to lead Philadelphia. Lee, who had been prominent in trade rumors, helped the Phillies snap a three-game skid. He hit a two-out single to drive in John Mayberry in the fourth inning. He then stole second, his second career steal, and scored on Rollins' fourth career inside-the-park homer.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

CINCINNATI — Bengals coach Marvin Lewis agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2014 season on Tuesday, giving him more chances to pursue the elusive goal of winning a playoff game.

Lewis, 53, holds the club record for tenure, entering his 10th season as coach. Owner Mike Brown offered the extension though the Bengals are 69-74-1 with three winning records and an 0-3 mark in the playoffs under Lewis.

Asked if he would still be head coach if he were the owner, Lewis laughed.

"Probably not," he said.

CARDINALS: Quarterback Kevin Kolb (bruised right thigh) sat out practice with a but said he will try to work out today. Kolb said the injury won't affect his ability to play in Sunday's Hall of Fame Game against New Orleans in Canton, Ohio.

COLTS: Offensive lineman Ben Ijalana and backup linebacker A.J. Edds are out for the season. Coach Chuck Pagano said both players have "significant" ACL injuries to their left knees.

GIANTS: Safety Tyler Sash was suspended four games for violating the league's performance enhancing drug policy. Sash, a rookie last season, can participate in all preseason practices and games and can return to the active roster Oct. 1.

JAGUARS: Left guard Will Rackley left practice with a right ankle injury.

JETS: The team will retire the jerseys of former running back Curtis Martin and defensive end Dennis Byrd. Martin will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. His No. 28 will be retired Sept. 9, at halftime of the regular-season opener against Buffalo. Byrd's No. 90 will be retired Oct. 28 against Miami. It hasn't been issued since his career-ending neck injury in 1992.

PACKERS: The league suspended linebacker Erik Walden for the regular-season opener for violating personal conduct policy. In February, he reached a deferred judgment agreement to resolve a disorderly conduct-domestic abuse charge without pleading guilty.

PANTHERS: Jeff Otah is heading back to Carolina after the veteran offensive tackle failed his physical again with the Jets, negating the teams' trade.

REDSKINS: The team signed offensive tackle Jordan Black and released linebacker Jonathan Goff.

SEAHAWKS: Former Browns and Jets receiver Braylon Edwards signed.

TITANS: First-round draft pick Kendall Wright agreed to a four-year deal. AP reported it's worth $8.2 million, with a signing bonus of $4.47 million.

VIKINGS: Running back Adrian Peterson returned after an allergic reaction sent him to the hospital. Peterson picked where he left off the day in rehabilitating his left knee a day after jambalaya in the team's cafeteria caused shortness of breath and a swollen face. Peterson said he eats jambalaya with seafood all the time, so he is not sure why his body reacted the way it did.

OBITUARY: Former Falcons and Eagles running back Art Malone died Friday. He was 64. His alma mater, Arizona State, made the announcement.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Reds 7, Padres 6

CINCINNATI — Ryan Ludwick drove in four runs with a homer and a single and Brandon Phillips hit a tiebreaking solo shot in the seventh inning for Cincinnati. The NL Central leaders blew a six-run lead before rallying a day after San Diego snapped their 10-game winning streak.

Times wires

Michael Phelps becomes most-decorated Olympian with help from his friends
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

LONDON — Michael Phelps lingered on the blocks, not wanting to make another shocking blunder. The 19th medal was his. All he had to do was avoid a DQ, then set off on what amounted to four victory laps.

When Phelps touched the wall, he finally had gold at his final Olympics. And a record for the ages.

Phelps swam into history with a lot of help from his friends, taking down the last major record that wasn't his alone. He took the anchor leg for the United States in a gold medal-winning performance of the 800-meter freestyle relay team Tuesday, earning the 19th Olympic medal of his brilliant career, and the 15th gold.

"I've put my mind to doing something that nobody had ever done before," Phelps said. "This has been an amazing ride."

About an hour earlier, Phelps had taken one of his most frustrating defeats, blowing it at the finish and settling for silver in his signature event, the 200 butterfly. That had tied the record for career medals held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, but it was hardly a triumphant moment. Phelps slung away his cap in disgust and struggled to force a smile at the medal ceremony.

But any disappointment was gone by the time he dived in the water on the relay, having been staked to a huge lead by teammates Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens.

Before the race, they had huddled together, aware of their role in history. "I thanked those guys for helping me get to this moment," Phelps said. "I told those guys I wanted a big lead. I was like, 'You better give me a big lead going into the last lap,' and they gave it to me. I just wanted to hold on. I thanked them for being able to allow me to have this moment."

Lochte, a former Gator, handed off a comfortable lead to former Gator Dwyer, who gave a bigger lead to Berens, who handed off a lead of nearly 4 seconds to Phelps, who was extra cautious with the exchange, knowing the only way he could ruin this one was to get disqualified.

He touched in 6 minutes, 59.70 seconds. France was second in 7:02.77.

Phelps had not lost a 200 fly race at either the Olympics or world championships since the 2000 Olympics. After leading the entire race, he tried to glide into the wall instead of taking one more stroke. South African Chad Le Clos took that extra stroke and beat Phelps by five-hundredths of a second.

In the first final of the night, American Allison Schmitt won the 200 freestyle in an Olympic-record 1:53.61. Missy Franklin was denied her third medal of the Games, finishing fourth.

In the women's 200 individual medley, China's Ye Shiwen set an Olympic record to win her second gold of the Games, adding that to a world-record performance in the 400 IM that sparked suspicions about doping (see top of page).

Ye, 16, took the lead in the final lap and clocked 2:07.57, shaving 0.18 off her mark set in Monday's semifinal. Alicia Coutts of Australia took the silver medal and Caitlin Leverenz of the United States the bronze.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Palma Ceia/Tampa Bay Junior softball team, the most successful youth softball or baseball club in the area over the past couple of seasons, had this season's run end Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Little League Southeast Region tournament in Fort Myers.

Palma Ceia lost 3-0 to a team from Daniel Boone Little League in Grey, Tenn. One season after reaching the finals of the Little League Junior (13-14) Softball World Series, the Hillsborough County team was 11-0 going into the semifinal.

Tennessee meets Virginia in today's final.

Two area teams won championships Tuesday as Land O'Lakes and Citrus Park captured Southeast Region titles.

Land O'Lakes (10-1) dominated the final of the Little League Minors (9-10) Softball Southeast Region tournament, defeating host Luray, Va. 11-1.

In pool play on Sunday, Luray became the only team to beat Land O'Lakes during this postseason run, but the Pasco County club avenged that loss with ease.

Citrus Park (9-1) cruised to a title game victory in similar fashion in the Little League Minors (10-11) Softball Southeast Region tournament, also in Luray.

The Tampa club knocked off Bridgewater, Va., 12-1. It was the second time in the event that Citrus Park had beaten Bridgewater handily, after winning 13-5 on Saturday.

LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL: It took extra innings, but Plant City (11-1) reached the championship game of the Little League Minors (10-11) Baseball Southeast Region tournament in Greenville, S.C.

Plant City went back and forth in its game against Virginia before tacking on two runs in the eighth inning for an 8-6 win.

The boys move on to face Tennessee in the final today. This is the second year in a row that Goodlettsville, Tenn., has reached the final of this tournament, losing in 2011 to North Carolina.

DIXIE LEAGUE SOFTBALL: Behind Abbey Primavera and Paige Pfent, the Spring Hill Dixie Ponytails advanced to the finals of the Dixie Ponytails X-Play World Series in Hartsville, S.C.

Spring Hill (10-1) had very little trouble in a 2-0 win over Turbeville, S.C. with Primavera on the mound. The ace threw a three-hit shutout with nine strikeouts and two walks.

The hurler ran into some trouble in the second inning, loading the bases with one out, but she worked out of it, and that was the last time South Carolina threatened.

At the plate, Pfent continued her torrid World Series, going 2-for-2 with a solo home run and two runs scored. The 225-foot homer she hammered in the second inning was her second of the tournament.

She is hitting .750 with five RBIs over her past four games.

Spring Hill moved on to play Fairview, La., in the championship round today. The Hernando County girls suffered their only loss of the postseason against Fairview in the second round.

Times staff, wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

is he the greatest ever?

It is a tribute to how great Michael Phelps has been that in the Games in which he becomes the most decorated Olympian of all time, he has been criticized for not living up to expectations. He is the victim of his success; he has made it look easy to pile up medals. His latest, No. 19 — a gold won Tuesday in the 800-meter freestyle relay — sends into high gear the debate about whether that makes him the greatest Olympian of all time. At right are some numbers, good through Tuesday, to include in the conversation.

Phelps by the numbers

55 Phelps' ranking on the all-time Olympic medal count if he were a country

15 Career golds won by Phelps, the most in history by six over Larisa Latynina (gymnastics), Mark Spitz (swimming), and Paavo Nurmi and Carl Lewis (track and field)

170 Countries of the current 204 participating in the Olympics that have won fewer gold medals than Phelps

5 Countries of those 204 that have won more swimming golds than Phelps (United States, Australia, Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands)

8 Gold medals Phelps won at the 2008 Games, breaking Spitz's record of seven in the 1972 Games

11 Medals Phelps has won individually in four Olympics; the other eight, including the one that clinched the record for him, have been won in relays

14 gold medals won individually in three Olympics by Latynina, whose career total Phelps eclipsed; the other four were in team events

48 Years that Latynina held the career medals record after winning Nos. 13-18 at the 1964 Games

6 World records Phelps currently holds, alone or in part, in Olympic events

22 Medals Phelps will finish with if he makes the podium in his final three events

readers ask us

I keep hearing for swimming that being in Lane 8 is a disadvantage. Why? Also, since Lane 8 is so bad, wouldn't Lane 1 be as much of a disadvantage since it's also on the outside lane?

Both outside lanes are considered the worst places to be by most swimmers because the water is less smooth — the swimmers in those lanes get the turbulence that works its way out from the middle — and they can't see most of the rest of the field to gauge pace and positioning. You hear more about Lane 8, usually for a final when a race favorite ends up there, because it's the lane designated for the swimmer with the slowest qualifying time.

readers ask us II

Who are the cyclists following the scullers, and what is their purpose?

Some of them are coaches who want to follow their team to observe and shout encouragement. Others are spectators who want to follow the race from start to finish.

drug rumors doG chinese champ

Two finals, two golds. And all anybody wants to know about Chinese swimming sensation Ye Shiwen is whether she's doping. After shattering the world record in the 400-meter individual medley Saturday, the 16-year-old broke her Olympic record to take the 200 IM title Tuesday. At a packed and hostile news conference, she faced one question after another about whether she is taking performance-enhancing drugs. "Absolutely not," Ye said in comments translated from Mandarin. Some eyebrows were raised by the 400 performance of Ye, who has never failed a drug test. Her winning time was almost 10 seconds faster than the one she recorded in finishing last in the final at the 2011 world championships, and she swam the last 50 meters of the freestyle leg faster than Ryan Lochte had in winning the men's 400 IM earlier in the second-fastest time ever. John Leonard, head of the American Swimming Coaches Association but not a member of the Olympic staff, was among those openly questioning Ye's legitimacy. The last 100 meters of her 400 IM were "reminiscent of some old East German swimmers," he told England's Guardian newspaper. Olympic organizers and others have defended Ye, saying the suspicions are "crazy" and motivated by jealousy. Said Michael Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, "People do amazing things sometimes.".

readers ask us II

How deep is the water polo pool? What are the dimensions of the goal? What's the significance of the 5-meter and 2-meter lines?

The pool at the Water Polo Arena is about 61/2 feet deep. The goal is 9 feet, 10 inches from inside post to inside post, with the bottom of the crossbar 2 feet, 11.5 inches above the water's surface.

The 2-meter line marks offside. No offensive player is allowed to swim inside the line unless he has possession of the ball. A 2-meter (or offside) call results in a change of possession.

If a defensive player commits a foul inside the 5-meter line that prevents a "probable goal," that player is charged with a penalty (or personal) foul and the opposing team is awarded a penalty throw (a "5-meter"). If an offensive player is fouled outside the 5-meter line, that player may pick up the ball and take an immediate shot at the opponent's goal.

Compiled by staff writer Sharon Fink from Times wires, NBCOlympics.com, the Guardian, Yahoo Sports, @2010MisterChip.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

4 a.m. – 7 p.m. NBC BASKETBALL

• Basketball (W) –U.S.-Turkey, Australia-Brazil, Canada-France, China-Angola, Great Britain-Russia, Croatia-Czech Republic (ALL LIVE)

4 a.m. – 8 p.m. NBCSN

• Basketball (W) – U.S.-Turkey (LIVE, 5:15 p.m.)

• Handball (W) – Qualifying

• Soccer (M) – Brazil-New Zealand, Mexico-Switzerland, Great Britain-Uruguay (ALL LIVE)

• Cycling (W) – Time Trial

• Beach Volleyball – Qualifying (LIVE)

• Field Hockey (M) – Qualifying (LIVE)

• Archery (M,W) – Individual Elimination Round

• Table Tennis – Men's Singles Quarterfinal, Women's Final

• Boxing – Elimination Bouts

7 a.m. – 3 p.m. BRAVO

• Tennis – Early Rounds (LIVE)

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. MSNBC

• Soccer (M) – Japan-Honduras, Senegal-UAE (ALL LIVE)

• Beach Volleyball (W) – Qualifying (LIVE)

• Fencing (W) – Sabre Final

• Handball (W) – Qualifying

• Water Polo (W) – Qualifying

9:30 – 12:30 a.m. NBC SOCCER

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

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. TELEMUNDO

• Soccer (M) – Mexico-Switzerland, Brazil-New Zealand, Great Britain-Uruguay (ALL LIVE)

• Swimming – Heats

• Tennis – Early Rounds

• Boxing – Elimination Bouts

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ch. 8

• Swimming – Heats

• Beach Volleyball (M) – U.S.-Latvia (LIVE, 11:30 a.m.)

• Volleyball (W) – U.S. vs. China (LIVE, 3 p.m.)

• Water Polo (W) – U.S. vs. Spain (LIVE, 1:20 p.m.)

• Cycling (M) – Individual Time Trial

• Rowing – Finals

• Canoeing (M) – Finals

5 – 8 p.m. CNBC

• Boxing – Elimination Bouts

8 p.m. – Midnight Ch. 8

• Swimming – Finals: Men's 200M Breaststroke, Men's 100M Freestyle, Women's 200M Butterfly, Women's 800M Freestyle Relay

• Gymnastics (M) – All-Around Final

• Beach Volleyball (W) – U.S.-Austria

• Diving (M) – 3M Synchronized Final

Midnight – 2:30 a.m. TELEMUNDO

• Swimming – Finals

• Gymnastics (M) – All-Around Final

• Diving (M) – 3M Synchronized Final

12:35 – 1:35 a.m. Ch. 8

• Rowing – Semifinals

• Cycling (W) – Time Trial

(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.

For a complete day-by-day TV schedule, go to tampabay.com/londonolympics.

All events are streamed live at NBCOlympics.com.

Country G S B T

China136423

U.S.98623

Japan 1 4 8 13

France43411

S. Korea3238

Italy2428

Russia2248

Germany2316

Australia1326

Romania1225

olympic spiritless of the day

Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang of China were booed off the badminton court after appearing to intentionally lose against South Koreans Jung Kyun-eun and Kim Ha-na in a preliminary women's match. The South Koreans also didn't look as if they were trying to win at times. The reason? Both teams had already qualified for the last 16, but the result ensured top seeds Wang and Yu avoided playing their No. 2-seeded teammates until the final. Yu said they were only trying to save energy for the knockout rounds, starting today.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

NEW YORK — Chris Davis could only watch as the Yankees teed off on Orioles starter Chris Tillman for five runs in the first inning.

In the second, Baltimore's DH did something about it.

He hit a go-ahead grand slam in a seven-run inning, and Baltimore beat New York 11-5 on Tuesday night.

"It felt like the first inning would never end," Davis said. "And then we were able to come out there and take back the momentum and really quiet the crowd."

Nick Markakis had a two-run homer for the Orioles, who have won four of their past six but were 13-14 in July, their first month below .500 all season. They'll start August 51/2 games behind the Yankees for the AL East lead.

Ivan Nova allowed a career-high nine runs in five innings for New York, which tied a season worst with its fourth straight loss. According to STATS, LLC, the Yankees haven't led by five or more after the first then trailed after the second since at least 1918.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

OAKLAND, Calif. — Just when the news was encouraging about Evan Longoria's potential return to the Rays lineup, he felt soreness in his left hamstring Tuesday and will take two days off before resuming his rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Rays manager Joe Maddon acknowledged the change in scheduling likely would push Longoria's return back into next week at the earliest, but he maintained it was not a setback.

"I'm not discouraged by the soreness," Maddon said. "I think that's natural. Sometimes soreness is a good thing. There's a part of soreness that means something's getting better, too. So as long as it's not pain and it's not pulling — those are the words I would not want to hear."

Maddon also revealed that the Rays aren't expecting Longoria to be in the lineup every day when he comes back, even when limited to the DH role. Twice since joining Durham, Longoria has played two games then reported soreness and needed time off, and Maddon said the Rays may have to follow a similar schedule, perhaps using him as a pinch-hitter along the way.

"If we could get him back where he could play for a couple, three days in a row and then you have to give him a day off, that'd be fine," Maddon said.

Tuesday was the 81st game the Rays played without Longoria, which is half a season, and they were 38-42 in the first 80. They were 15-8 with him.

CONRAD OUT: INF Brooks Conrad was a victim of Monday's 15-inning 4-3 loss, as the Rays optioned him to Triple A so they could add RHP Josh Lueke to bolster their bullpen, which was emptied to cover 72/3 innings.

Lueke, 1-3, 4.73, was probably not the first choice, but RHPs Brandon Gomes and Dane De La Rosa both worked multiple innings for Durham on Monday and LHP Cesar Ramos is now being used as a starter.

Conrad, 3-for-his-last-37 and hitting .172 overall, seemed the likely choice to go down when Longoria returned anyway. He has to stay in the minors for a minimum of 10 days (barring injury) so once the bullpen is back to full rest, Maddon said it's "logical" for the Rays to bring up another position player. INFs Will Rhymes and Reid Brignac would be among the candidates.

ABOUT MONDAY NIGHT: Maddon said there wasn't anything he would have done differently in the 4-3 15-inning marathon loss in which the Rays struck out 21 A's but managed only eight hits.

That included not bunting after the Rays opened the 14th with two singles, and having Conrad pinch-hit for Matt Joyce against LHP Jerry Blevins. Conrad struck out.

The A's broke through in the 15th against RHP Kyle Farnsworth when Brandon Inge singled and moved up on a bunt, Seth Smith was walked intentionally and Eric Sogard unintentionally and Jemile Weeks delivered a sac fly over the Rays' five-man infield.

MISCELLANY: The 230 July strikeouts by Rays pitchers through Monday were the most by an AL team since the 1964 Indians. … INF Jeff Keppinger said he warmed up well in the bullpen — with his fastball hitting 85 mph — and would have welcomed the chance to pitch had Monday's game gone on. … INF Elliot Johnson said he got hundreds of entries to the first of his weekly Tuesday Twitter contests (@ElliotJohnson9) to guess the lineup.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Angels 6, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON, Texas — Albert Pujols hit two home runs and Jered Weaver won his eighth straight start, leading Los Angeles. Rookie sensation Mike Trout also homered as the Angels, who entered the day in third place, beat the AL West leaders for the second straight day. Los Angeles and Texas have two games left in the series. Weaver pitched 61/3 solid innings and became the eighth AL pitcher since 1921 to win at least six games without a loss in July.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

White Sox 4, Twins 3

MINNEAPOLIS — A.J. Pierzynski hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, and Chicago held on. After Alex Rios singled off Jeff Gray, Pierzynski hit an 0-and-2 pitch into the rightfield bleachers for his second homer in as many nights. Addison Reed allowed an RBI single to Denard Span in the bottom half but earned his 17th save. In his first start with the White Sox, Francisco Liriano, who was acquired from Minnesota on Saturday, pitched six solid innings.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Royals 8, Indians 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Alcides Escobar drove in three runs, Luke Hochevar pitched six solid innings and Kansas City snapped a five-game losing streak. Escobar had two hits for his 34th multihit game, raising his average to a team-leading .307. The Royals scored all their runs in the first three innings. Hochevar settled down after giving up three runs over the second and third innings.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Pirates 5, Cubs 0

CHICAGO — A.J. Burnett took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, and Neil Walker drove in five runs for Pittsburgh. Burnett's bid for a second career no-hitter and the sixth in the majors this season ended with two outs in the eighth. He had already hit Darwin Barney in the helmet with one out before striking out Luis Valbuena, then rookie pinch-hitter Adrian Cardenas lined a 3-and-2 pitch to right for a clean single after two close pitches were called balls.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Brewers 10, Astros 1

MILWAUKEE — Aramis Ramirez and Corey Hart hit three-run homers for Milwaukee. Ramirez hit his in the third inning and Hart hit his in the fifth. Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo pitched seven strong innings and wasn't betrayed by the team's leaky bullpen, as Jim Henderson got out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth.

Times wires
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Other sports

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u.s. cruises into soccer quarterfinals

F or the U.S. women's soccer team, there was little drama in the first week of the tournament, which concluded Tuesday with a methodical 1-0 win over North Korea at historic Old Trafford in Manchester, England. The Americans scored a tournament-high eight goals in their three wins, did not allow a score after the 14th minute of their opener and won their group going away. Now the real work begins, starting with Friday's quarterfinal against New Zealand. "It's now or never. Lose and you go home," said forward and former Gator Abby Wambach, whose goal in the 25th minute gave the U.S. the win and gave Wambach a goal in each of her team's three wins. "But this is the fun part. We came here for the gold medal, and that's what we want to go home with."

royal family adds to medal total

The queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips added to the family silver, helping Britain to a second-place finish behind Germany in equestrian eventing. Her mother, Princess Anne, presented the medal. Britain went into the final hoping to win. But Phillips and Nicola Wilson knocked down fences, and the penalties added on to others accumulated by the team over the dressage and cross-country segments, dashing Britain's hopes for gold. "We wanted gold, but we made mistakes," Phillips said. Then holding her new piece of silver, she said: "When we got this around our necks, it was all worth it."

more u.s. skeet gold

Vincent Hancock nearly retired from competition a year ago, then decided to chase another gold medal. Now 23, Hancock is a two-time Olympic champion in men's skeet shooting. "Being able to stand back up there again and listen to the national anthem again, it's got to be better," said Hancock, an Army sergeant and the first skeet shooter to win consecutive Olympic titles. A year ago, Hancock had trouble being motivated to compete. "I wasn't enjoying myself going out there anymore," Hancock said. So my wife and I reassessed what we wanted to do. We prayed about it a lot, and we came up with, 'This is my passion. This is what I love to do.' "

after lackluster half, u.s. men pound tunisia

The U.S. men's basketball team needed a while but eventually put on the show fans came to see, beating Tunisia 110-63. Finally pulling away when coach Mike Krzyzewski started the reserves to open the second half, the Americans had six players in double figures and improved to 2-0 in the tournament. Krzyzewski insisted he planned to start the second unit even before a lackluster first half and said there was nothing bad about the Americans' performance. "It's not going to a perfect thing, you know?" he said. "But overall tonight was good. I mean, come on, it was 110-63."

more rough sailing

Clearwater 2008 silver medalist Zach Railey moved up to 12th in the Finn class after finishes of second and eighth in the racing off Weymouth, England. The top 10 advance to the medals race Sunday. His sister Paige was in ninth in Laser Radial after finishes of 12th and 17th. In Star, St. Petersburg native Mark Mendelblatt and Miami's Brian Fatih were in sixth after going eighth and ninth. "Today's wasn't a great day," Mendelblatt told USA Sailing. "We sort of made comebacks, but the final finishing positions weren't great. I didn't sail a good day tactically." The Finn and Star are off today.

Other sports

• Andy Roddick was outclassed by Novak Djokovic in the second round at Wimbledon, 6-2, 6-1. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France advanced by winning the longest set in Olympic history. He beat Milos Raonic of Canada 6-3, 3-6, 25-23. The final set lasted three hours and 257 points. Venus Williams swept two matches in less time. She won the first match on Centre Court in singles and teamed with sister Serena in doubles to win the day's finale on remote Court 12 before an overflow crowd. Also winning were Maria Sharapova and British hopeful Andy Murray.

• The United States survived some frantic final moments to topple Argentina 1-0 in women's field hockey to essentially keep alive the Americans' medal chances.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Red Sox 4, Tigers 1

5 innings

BOSTON — Clayton Mortensen pitched 22/3 shutout innings after Josh Beckett left with back spasms, and Boston beat Justin Verlander in a game halted by rain in the top of the sixth inning. Detroit had the bases loaded with two outs when the tarp was rolled onto the field. The game was called 1 hour, 45 minutes later, giving the Red Sox their fourth straight win and sending the Tigers to their fifth loss in six games.

Times wires
Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Cardinals 11, Rockies 6

DENVER — Matt Holliday homered, doubled and drove in four runs, and Kyle Lohse survived an erratic outing to win his fifth straight decision for St. Louis. Carlos Beltran and David Freese homered as the Cardinals rebounded from successive losses.