Times staff
Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Autos

Sprint Cup: Pennsylvania 400 qualifying, 10:30 a.m., ESPN2

Trucks: Pocono Mountains 125, 1 p.m., Speed

American Le Mans Series: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge, 2 p.m., Ch. 28

Nationwide: U.S. Cellular 250 qualifying, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2

Nationwide: U.S. Cellular 250, 8 p.m., ESPN2

NHRA: Northwest Nationals qualifying (taped), 10:30 p.m., ESPN2

Baseball

Mariners at Yankees, 1 p.m., MLB; 820-AM

Marlins at Nationals, 7 p.m., FSN

Orioles at Rays, 7 p.m., Sun Sports; 620-AM

Pirates at Reds, 7 p.m., MLB

Angels at White Sox, 7 p.m., WGN

Boxing

Heavyweights: Wilder vs. Manswell, 10:30 p.m., FSN

Golf

WGC: Bridgestone Invitational, noon, Golf

WGC: Bridgestone Invitational, 2 p.m., Ch. 10

Web.com: Cox Classic, 2 p.m., Golf

Champions: 3M Championship, 4 p.m., Golf

PGA: Reno-Tahoe Open, 6:30 p.m., Golf

Lacrosse

MLL: Denver at Rochester, 7 p.m., BHSN

MLL: Long Island at Chesapeake, 7 p.m., CBSSN

Horses

Hambletonian, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN

Whitney Handicap, 5 p.m., Sun Sports

West Virginia Derby, 5 p.m., FSN

NFL

Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony, 7 p.m., ESPN, NFL

Olympics

4 a.m. – 7 p.m. NBC BASKETBALL

• Men's Basketball – Qualifying Round: Tunisia vs. France (LIVE), China vs. Brazil (LIVE), Great Britain vs. Australia (LIVE)

4 a.m. – 8 p.m. NBCSN

• Men's Basketball – U.S. Qualifying Game (LIVE)

• Women's Triathlon (LIVE)

• Men's Tennis – Doubles Gold Medal Final (LIVE)

• Beach Volleyball – Elimination Round (LIVE)

• Women's Field Hockey – U.S. vs. New Zealand (LIVE)

• Equestrian – Jumping Qualifying Round

• Cycling – Track Events

• Men's Weightlifting – Gold Medal Final

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. MSNBC

• Men's Soccer – Quarterfinals (LIVE)

• Men's Water Polo – Qualifying Round

• Women's Badminton – Doubles Gold Medal Final, Singles Bronze Medal

• Men's Track and Field – 20K Walk

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. TELEMUNDO

• Men's Soccer – Quarterfinals

• Beach Volleyball – Elimination Round

• Track and Field – Qualifying Rounds

• Boxing – Elimination Bouts

• Men's Basketball – Qualifying Round

7 a.m. – 7 p.m. NBC SOCCER

• Men's Soccer – Quarterfinals

8:30 – 11:30 a.m. CNBC

• Boxing – Elimination Bouts (LIVE)

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Ch. 8

• Track and Field – Men's 10,000M Gold Medal Final (LIVE), Qualifying Rounds

• Women's Tennis – Gold Medal Final (LIVE)

• Beach Volleyball – Elimination Round (LIVE)

• Men's Volleyball – U.S. vs. Russia (LIVE)

• Men's Water Polo – U.S. vs. Serbia (LIVE)

• Cycling – Track Gold Medal Final

• Rowing – Gold Medal Finals

• Women's Gymnastics – Trampoline Gold Medal Final

3:30 – 6:30 p.m. CNBC

• Boxing – Elimination Bouts (LIVE)

8 – Midnight Ch. 8

• Swimming – Gold Medal Finals, Men's and Women's 4 x 100M Medley Relay, Women's 50M Freestyle, Men's 1500M Free

• Track and Field – Gold Medal Finals: Women's 100M, Women's Heptathlon, Men's Long Jump

• Beach Volleyball – Elimination Round

• Women's Diving – Springboard Semifinals

Midnight – 2:30 a.m. TELEMUNDO

• Swimming – Gold Medal Finals

• Track and Field – Gold Medal Finals

• Women's Diving – Springboard Semifinals

12:30 – 1:30 a.m. Ch. 8

• Track and Field – Gold Medal Final

• Women's Badminton – Singles Gold Medal Final

Soccer

Mexican: Chiapas at Monterrey, 8 p.m., TeleFutura

Tennis

ATP: Citi Open semifinal, 3 p.m., ESPN2

ATP: Citi Open semifinal, 7 p.m., Tennis

WTA: Citi Open final, Rybarikova or Stephens vs. Pavlyuchenkova , 9 p.m., Tennis

Ultimate fighting

UFC: Light heavyweights: Shogun vs. Vera, 8 p.m., Ch. 13

TV: BHSN: Bright House Sports Network; CBSSN: CBS Sports Network; FSN: Fox Sports Net

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, August 3, 2012

LONDON — Some first steps are more painful than others. Some pioneers don't last long enough.

Witness the first halting steps of Wojdan Shahrkhani, a round-faced teenager in over her head. She wore a modified black head scarf — itself a subject of controversy — as she moved across the tatami, slowly approaching history. She bowed slightly toward her opponent, and her eyes were wide from the noise and the lights and the stage.

With her, Shahrkhani took the women of a nation.

She was not very good, and she did not last very long, and 82 seconds after she started, she lay prone in defeat. At this point in her judo career, Shahrkhani is more of a cause than a competitor. She never had a chance; she was at the Olympics only to make sure other women in Saudi Arabia might eventually get one.

History has to change sometime, however. Someone has to endure the insults to stop the indignity.

In this case, it was Shahrkhani, all of 16 years old, trying to change the thinking of a country that has oppressed women for centuries.

Can you imagine the pressure? Back in Saudi Arabia, many do not believe she should be here at all. The "Prostitute of the Olympics," she has been called by her critics. Shameless, say others.

After all, in Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to exercise. Or vote. Or drive. Or leave the house without an escort. Before Friday, the idea of a woman in the Olympics was too jarring for the nation to consider.

Can you imagine her return? Already there have suggestions that many may shun Shahrkhani. She not only competed, she did so in front of men.

Can you imagine the competitors' stares? There are competitors who did not think she was worthy of competing in the Olympics. She had never been in an international competition — for that matter, Shahrkhani had never been outside of her country before arriving in London. The 241-pound Shahrkhani, the daughter of a judo referee, has competed for only two years. She was a blue belt competing with black belts, a beginner against champions.

"I think she should start with some small competitions," said Urszula Sadkowska, a Polish competitor. "The Olympic Games are hard competitions. That was not a good idea to send her here without any preparations."

Eighty-two seconds? Given the circumstances, perhaps she should be proud for lasting that long against Puerto Rico's Melissa Mojica, ranked 24th in the world.

"I was scared a lot, because of the crowd," Shahrkhani said, speaking through an interpreter in the media zone, two barriers away from her questioners. "And (I) lost, because this is the first time. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a new era."

There is nothing new about symbolism in the Olympics, whether it is Jesse Owens running in the face of the Nazis or the closed-fist salutes of two black U.S. sprinters on the medal stand in Mexico City in 1968 or American basketball players refusing to accept silver medals in '72 when they believed they deserved the gold after a controversial loss to the Soviets.

This, too, was an important step. For the first time in Olympic history, every competing nation — 204 — has women. The last three holdouts were Qatar, Brunei and, you guessed it, Saudi Arabia. As recently as 1996, 26 nations had no female competitors.

As Shahrkhani competed, British judo competitor Chris Sherrington looked on from the tunnel. Good, he thought.

"The more the merrier," he said. "Besides, the women are more violent than the men."

It is not the stuff of movies, Olympic judo. It looks a lot more like a form of wrestling than the image most have of the sport. In Shahrkhani's match, the two women moved slowly around each other, Shahrkhani swatting away Mojica's hands as her opponent attempted to take hold of her. The two clenched briefly, and then Mojica grabbed her opponent and tossed her roughly onto the mat.

Shahrkhani lay there for a few seconds. She stood and walked off the mat toward her brother. She was reminded that she had forgotten to bow, and she returned to do that.

After that, she wept. Not from the pain or the defeat, but from relief. It was over. She had broken down a barrier, and she had endured the criticism.

"Hopefully, I'll do better next time," she said. "Hopefully, I'll achieve a medal next time."

Perhaps. But perhaps in that part of the Olympics that means something more than medals, the part that concerns ideals, this was enough.

It was a start.

It was the opening of an era.

It was a 16-year-old girl changing her world, whether it wanted to change or not.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 3, 2012

TAMPA — During the NFL offseason, you often will find Bucs great Ronde Barber on the golf course, pursuing his longtime passion.

It's a habit he picked up from an older teammate years ago, when cornerback Anthony Parker played for Tampa Bay.

"He was the guy who dragged me to the golf course when I first got here," said Barber, a third-round pick in 1997.

But Parker passed on lasting lessons of a different kind, too, such as how to approach football as a profession and the kind of work ethic needed to stick around in a cutthroat sport in which the average career length hovers around three years.

Little did Barber know he would be imparting similar knowledge on young teammates 15 years later. His latest project: first-round draft choice Mark Barron.

With Barber moving from cornerback to free safety, one of the NFL's oldest players finds himself next to a 22-year old strong safety expected to be a cornerstone of the franchise.

Barber, 37, was wise enough to know he should absorb those lessons from Parker and other elder teammates. And Barron, an All-American for national champion Alabama last season, recognizes the value of doing so, too.

"He's been through pretty much anything you can go through as an NFL player," Barron said. "I feel like if there's anything I need to know, I can go ask him."

Don't think it's a given a player grasps the value of that.

"I think (Barron) understands he's fortunate to have a guy like Ronde to mentor him," Bucs coach Greg Schiano said. "Sometimes, guys fresh out of college don't realize how fortunate they are to have that. It's come easy (in the past), and they think it's going to continue to come easy. But it's a different level of competition.

"Ronde, on the flip side, has been willing to help and share, which I think is great."

But here's the twist: Barber, the five-time Pro Bowl selection at cornerback who holds the franchise's interception record, said the learning goes both ways.

"There are definitely some things that I learn about the position from him," Barber said. "I've seen a lot over the years, and I've played with some great safeties. So I'm not worried about my confidence level back there. But it's good being out there with Mark. I'm figuring out what to do, and he's figuring out the defense. I'm trying to teach him to be a professional. There are definitely things that are beneficial."

It's an ideal relationship for the Bucs. They have the consummate professional in Barber — a player who has surprised even the team's first-year coaching staff with his uncompromising work ethic — teaming with a businesslike rookie they believe can be great.

"We've got a young group of (defensive backs) who are here in camp," defensive backs coach Ron Cooper said. "For them just to be able to sit in the meeting room with Ronde, who is a total professional, to watch how he studies and how he works and how he takes notes, how he works on the field, watch his attitude, it's a plus for everybody."

Assistant defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley watches in awe.

"One of the hardest workers I've ever been around," he said. "It's perfect for Mark. For a young guy to come and see how it's done, that's special right there."

Barber has never had a problem with his work ethic, but he seems to have turned things up a notch after his position change. The new position and Schiano's defense seem to have stimulated him.

"It's not very often you get to play 16 years, but to (also) find new challenges in your 16th year with new opportunities to challenge yourself," he said. "I'm very comfortable not staying status quo and finding ways to better myself and this football team."

And while Barber tries to improve on his potential Hall of Fame career, Barron would be wise to watch closely to see how Barber has pulled it off.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com. Follow him on Twitter at @HolderStephen.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 3, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Florida began fall camp Friday a few hours after losing receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Aubrey Hill.

But coach Will Muschamp insisted the Gators will be fine despite the departure coming about a month before the Sept. 1 season opener.

Hill, a former Gator receiver, resigned, citing personal reasons. He informed Muschamp on Thursday. Muschamp met with the players late Thursday night to inform them.

"I was very surprised," Muschamp said Friday. "It was all (his decision). Aubrey's a good guy, and it was disappointing that he felt like he needed to do this at this time."

Hill's resignation comes two weeks after a Yahoo Sports story implicated him in illegal recruiting at Miami. He was the Hurricanes' receivers coach/recruiting coordinator from 2008-10 and remained on Al Golden's staff for a brief time after Golden was hired in December 2010. But Hill joined Florida a month later.

Hill and several members of Golden's staff are alleged to have circumvented NCAA rules by using an equipment manager, Sean Allen, once a close associate of former booster Nevin Shapiro, to recruit players.

Shapiro is currently in prison for orchestrating a $930 million Ponzi scheme. In 2011, he said he gave cash and other favors to 72 Miami players and recruits.

According to Yahoo, Hill was present when Shapiro made illegal contact with three recruits.

The NCAA's investigation is ongoing.

Muschamp said Friday that Hill's decision had nothing to do with his job at Florida.

"We're obviously disappointed, but I really don't have anything more to say," he said. "It's a personal situation with Aubrey. It has nothing to do (with Florida)."

Hill, 40, could not be reached for comment but the Miami native said in a statement released by Florida that his decision was an effort to avoid distraction from the program: "I have too much love and respect for this program to become a distraction as I deal with some personal issues."

Offensive coordinator Brent Pease and graduate assistant Bush Hamdan will handle the receivers, with the majority of the duty going to Hamdan. Pease, a former Boise State offensive coordinator in his first season at UF, also coached receivers for five seasons at Boise State.

Hamdan and Pease have a relationship that dates to Hamdan's days as a backup quarterback with Boise State from 2005-08. He also was an intern at Maryland in 2010.

Muschamp will be the recruiting coordinator.

"I feel very comfortable with this situation," Muschamp said.

Some Florida recruits feel otherwise, including Lakewood High standout receiver Rodney Adams. One of the bay area's top players orally committed to Florida in February but said he will reopen his recruitment.

"I just want to see what's out there," Adams said. "I want to see how things shape up at Florida and how the receivers do this season. I don't think I'll make my decision for a while."

Times staff writer Bob Putnam contributed to this report.

By Seth Leto, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 3, 2012

What's hot: Redfish remain the most reliable fish to target with water temperatures pushing 90 degrees. Fishing cut pinfish and live, scaled sardines during a moving tide has produced the best bite. Remember, the water is very warm of late, so take care when handling and reviving fish. For more consistent action, head to deeper grass flats and rocky bottoms. This is a great way to introduce kids to fishing. The action is steady, and they get to see many species.

Tactics: Anchor up on spotty grass and a sand bottom in 6-8 feet and set a chum line. Hanging a chum block over the side and periodically tossing live and dead baits draw in trout, ladyfish, redfish, mackerel, cobia, sharks and grouper. The most productive areas have plenty of good water flow over those deeper flats.

Tips: Deeper waters between the barrier islands and the mainland are littered with small wrecks and areas of hard bottom that hold a variety of fish. They can be located while idling along and watching the bottom machine. You also can drift fish in deeper water. If a fish is hooked, toss a marker buoy in and concentrate on that spot. If more fish are caught in that area, you are likely over some kind of structure.

Seth Leto charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at capt.seth@yahoo.com and (727) 385-0382.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 3, 2012

Training camp

Where: One Buc Place, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just east of Raymond James Stadium, Tampa

Admission: Free

Et cetera: All practices are weather permitting and subject to change. For updates, go to buccaneers.com.

Schedules

Public practices

Tonight: 6:30 to 9 *

Monday: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday: 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

* Intrasquad scrimmage at Raymond James Stadium; free parking, autograph sessions, $1 hot dogs and soft drinks, and fireworks. Gates open at 4.

Preseason games

Aug. 10: at Dolphins, 7:30, Ch. 10

Aug. 17: Titans, 7:30, Ch. 10 *

Aug. 24: Patriots, 7:30, Ch. 10 *

Aug. 29: at Redskins, 7:30, Ch. 10

* Subject to blackout

Bucs interact with fans today

Bucs coach Greg Schiano has made connecting with fans a priority. That interaction will be ramped up today during the team's FanFest and night practice at Raymond James Stadium.

Gates open at 4 p.m., and players will sign autographs until 6. Practice is from 6:30 to 9.

Schiano and GM Mark Dominik will conduct interviews from the field, and assistant coaches will use the stadium's video­boards to explain drills.

Admission and parking are free, and there will be discounted concessions as well as a fireworks display after practice. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Defensive players will be located mostly in the east concourse for autographs, with most of the offensive players seated in the west concourse. Some players will be in Clubs A-D and the pirate ship. Former Bucs players will be on hand, and the Super Bowl XXXVII trophy will be on display.

"I'm looking forward to (tonight); a lot of things," Schiano said. "No. 1, a chance to connect with our fans. We're going to be over there at 4 o'clock and sign autographs for a good two hours, which hopefully, everybody will get everything they want after that. Then the guys will go downstairs and get ready to go. In the meantime, we'll have some stuff going on. Then we'll have a practice, and it will be a legitimate practice.

"A lot like (Friday's), where we have a little bit of a scrimmage with our younger players where we let them get after it. But in between, I think one of the things our fans will enjoy is we have our coaches on the big board explaining what the drills are. 'We're in seven-on-seven now.' We'll have one offensive coach and one defensive coach kind of describe what we're trying to get accomplished. So I think it'll be a fun, interactive evening. I'm looking forward to it."

Rick Stroud, Times staff writer

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

Nationals 7, Marlins 4

Game 1

WASHINGTON — Adam LaRoche homered and drove in three runs, Mark DeRosa added three RBIs, and John Lannan pitched into the seventh for the Nationals. LaRoche pushed his hit streak to 11 games with a first-inning RBI single, then added a homer and a bases-loaded walk.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 3, 2012

TAMPA — One day before training camp began, the Bucs approached RT Jeremy Trueblood and gave him a choice: take a $1 million pay cut for 2012 and his base salary becomes guaranteed or be released.

Trueblood took the pay cut.

After hitting his playing-time bonus last season, Trueblood could have earned as much as $5.25 million in salary and incentives this season. His deal now includes a guaranteed $4 million base salary and $250,000 in playing-time incentives, according to information on file with the players union.

Trueblood signed a two-year, $8 million deal before 2011 that included no signing bonus but incentives that could have increased his compensation by $1 million in 2012.

Trueblood, 29, can become an unrestricted free agent in March.

"I think when you're an offensive tackle, if it's uneventful, it's good," coach Greg Schiano said of Trueblood. "So if you're not getting called out for a holding penalty and you're not getting whooped on a pass rush, that's a good thing. I think what he's done has been steady. He's working his tail off; great attitude."

HOT STUFF: The Bucs flag that flies at team headquarters is almost large enough to be seen from space. But with no wind to speak of, it wasn't on full display Friday. Cloud cover was scarce, and Schiano said it felt like the hottest day of camp.

"It was without a doubt the toughest day physically since we've been here," Schiano said. "It was a good day. I was proud of the way they fought through it. It wasn't pretty, but we fought through it."

Schiano has said he wants to make the heat an ally, but it has been an enemy for numerous players as they enter the second week of practice. The former Rutgers coach knows how tough Raymond James Stadium can be on opponents, especially in September.

"I coached in that place when it was just unbearable as an opponent," Schiano said. "We need to get it back to that. I know our performance will help us do that; get fans in there. But get a day like today in September, get a packed house, and you'll see people crack.

"We've just got to make sure we're conditioned to handle it and we can take advantage of it."

Situational work: The Bucs finished practice with situational football during the team period, including several two-minute scenarios.

With the team needing to run out the clock to preserve a slim lead, TE Dallas Clark caught a pass from Josh Freeman, turned it into a big gain and remained inbounds. Then with the offense needing to convert a fourth and 1 near midfield, CB Myron Lewis laid a big hit on rookie RB De'Anthony Curtis, separating him from the ball.

Schiano said it was a clean hit by Lewis, but defensive players aren't supposed to take teammates to the ground.

"You love it because you love hitting, but we've just got to protect each other," Schiano said. "It's a long year, and I'd rather see that one against Miami than us."

Overall, Schiano liked the two-minute work.

"We're learning, staff and players," he said. "Those situations in four-minute and two-minute, we could spend a whole afternoon on that. We won't, but we could. That's what a coach has to do. He's got to shrink it down to a 20-minute presentation and move on. But it's good stuff."

Participation Updates: DEs Amobi Okoye (knee) and Michael Bennett (undisclosed) did not practice for the second straight day while safeties Ronde Barber and rookie Mark Barron (foot) were limited to individual work. A 16-year veteran, Barber is getting consecutive days with no work during the team period.

LT Donald Penn (strained calf), WR Arrelious Benn (right MCL sprain), CB E.J. Biggers (broken left foot) and DE Da'Quan Bowers (torn Achilles) remain on the physically unable to perform list.

Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

LONG POND, Pa. — Days after he was dumped by Penske Racing, AJ Allmendinger found plenty of support from the drivers in the garage.

The backing of his peers was the least of his problems.

The real issue is the prospects for a driver who has never won a Sprint Cup race in 169 starts and has now flunked a drug test. Trying to coax another major sponsor and owner to give him a second chance at Cup racing will be daunting.

"I think he'll be back in a Cup car. Will it be a good Cup car? I don't think so," driver Denny Hamlin said.

NASCAR banned Allmendinger indefinitely for a positive drug test in late June. Team owner Roger Penske fired him this week and gave Sam Hornish the keys to the No. 22 Dodge for the "foreseeable future."

"I can see a long time. But that doesn't mean my eyesight and theirs is the same," a smiling Hornish said.

Hornish, who drove from 2008-10 in Cup for Penske after coming over from "The Captain's" IndyCar operation, has an unexpected second act. He has been with Penske the whole time but mostly in the second-tier Nationwide series since 2011.

Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson said Friday that they were among the drivers rooting for Allmendinger's comeback. Tony Stewart said Allmendinger deserves another chance.

"I think people like a comeback story, and if AJ is committed to the process and getting back, I'm sure there will be some opportunities," Johnson said.

Allmendinger, who must complete NASCAR's rehabilitation program, can only hope this hasn't ended his career. But top NASCAR seats are scarce and the millions of funding dollars needed have tightened.

"These companies are just not willing to take the risks like they used to on a young driver, much less someone with a bad history," Hamlin said. "It's going to be a tough road."

NHRA: Spencer Massey led Top Fuel on the first day of qualifying at the Northwest Nationals in Seattle with a run of 3.837 seconds at 319.60. Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) also led their classes.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

Track and field begins with rare repeat

T omasz Majewski of Poland successfully defended his shot put title, winning the first gold medal of the track and field program Friday. He is only the second man to repeat in the event; the other was American Parry O'Brien in 1952 and 1956. Taking bronze for his first Olympic medal in three tries was American Reese Hoffa. Tirunseh Dibaba of Ethiopia became the first back-to-back women's 10,000-meter champion. She stormed across the finish line in a 2012 world-best 30 minutes, 20.75 seconds, and was running her victory lap before the final runners finished. Britain's Jessica Ennis electrified the crowd with the biggest first-day points tally in heptathlon history, 4,158. She had a 184-point lead over Lithuanian Austra Skujte. World champion Carmelita Jeter of the United States led six women under 11 seconds in the 100 meters into today's semifinals. Tahmiha Kohistani, Afghanistan's only female Olympian, ran a personal best 14.42. In the women's 400 heats, Brunei's first woman at the Games, Maziah Mahusin, had a national record 59.28. She didn't advance. Defending men's long jump champion Irving Saladino of Panama didn't qualify for the final, keeping Carl Lewis the only man to have won the title more than once. Qualifying for the 12-jumper final was former Gator Will Claye. In the men's 400 hurdles, former Gator Kerron Clement advanced to the semifinals.

Defending men's gold medalists out

Defending beach volleyball gold medalist Phil Dalhausser saw the Italian points pile up on the scoreboard and knew his and Todd Rogers' hopes for a repeat were over when Rogers' final touch fell short of the net. "It's a little bit different when you win. It takes about a month for it to sink in," Dalhausser, who grew up in Longwood, said after the Americans lost to Italy in two games in the round of 16. "When you lose, it smacks you right in the face the second the ball hits the sand." Americans Jennifer Kessy and April Ross beat Switzerland's Simone Kuhn and Nadine Zumkehr to advance to the quarterfinals of the women's tournament.

Mendelblatt in medal race; zach railey done

St. Petersburg native Mark Mendelblatt and Miami's Brian Fatih advanced to the Star medal race off Weymouth and Portland, but Clearwater's Zach Railey saw his Olympics end in Finn. Mendelblatt and Faith were third and 11th in their sailing races to sit sixth overall. The medal race is Sunday. Railey, the 2008 silver medalist, was 12th and 19th, finishing two spots out of the 10-boat medal race. "This week hasn't gone the way we planned," he told USA Sailing. "We prepared well. … To not do well here is very upsetting." His sister Paige went 21st and 20th to sit ninth, with two races left to secure a medal-race spot.

U.S. moves into semifinal matchup with Canada

Goals by former Gator Abby Wambach and Sydney Leroux lifted two-time defending gold medalist United States to a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the soccer quarterfinals at Newcastle. In Monday's semifinal, the Americans meet Canada, which defeated Great Britain 2-0. In the other semi, Japan faces France. Japan, last year's World Cup winner, beat Brazil 2-0, and France defeated Sweden 2-1. Wambach, 32 and playing in her third Olympics, has scored in every game at this tournament. "I'm playing pain-free for the first time in a while," she said. "It means everything." The Americans never looked to be in danger but were unable to put the game out of reach of hard-working New Zealand until three minutes from the end of normal time on Leroux's goal.

Familiar look for the finals

A month after they met in the final at Wimbledon, Roger Federer and Andy Murray meet on Center Court again Sunday for gold. Switzerland's Federer, the Wimbledon winner, played for 4 hours, 26 minutes to beat Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 19-17. Britain's Murray beat Serbia's Novak Djokovic 7-5, 7-5 in front of a roaring home crowd. "I'll be desperate to win on Sunday," Murray said. Del Potro and Djokovic play for bronze. The women's final has Wimbledon winner Serena Williams against Maria Sharapova. None of the finalists has won gold before.

Other sports

• Temple Terrace's Emil Milev was 13th after the second round of the 25-meter rapid fire pistol qualifications and didn't make the final. "I wasn't paying attention. I was missing a couple of details," the five-time Olympian said. "The result was very disappointing."

• A few hours after the U.S. men's boxing team thought it was done at the Olympics with its worst performance ever, Errol Spence got a reprieve. His loss to Indian welterweight Krishan Vikas was overturned by the sport's governing body after a U.S. protest. The body ruled Vikas had committed nine holding fouls in the third round and intentionally spit out his mouthpiece in the second, which should have resulted in point deductions.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

CYCLING

Governing body fights for Armstrong

NEW YORK — Cycling's international governing body is trying to block the case American anti-doping officials filed against Lance Armstrong, saying there might be a lack of due process and that witnesses were promised "advantages" in exchange for incriminating statements against the seven-time Tour de France winner.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency brought charges of performance-enhancing drug use against Armstrong in June, threatening to strip him of his victories. A federal grand jury investigation of the cyclist ended four months earlier without any indictments.

Armstrong repeatedly has proclaimed his innocence and sued in federal court in Austin, Texas, claiming USADA rules violate athletes' constitutional right to a fair trial.

In a testy exchange of letters made public Friday, the International Cycling Union (UCI) proposed that it appoint an independent panel to determine whether the charges against Armstrong have merit. UCI president Patrick McQuaid wrote to the USADA, claiming the Switzerland-based group has jurisdiction and USADA does not.

USADA CEO Travis Tygart responded in a statement: "UCI and the participants in the conspiracy who cheated the sport with dangerous performance-enhancing drugs to win have a strong incentive to cover up what transpired."

Boxing

Mayweather released from jail early

Floyd Mayweather was released from a Las Vegas jail after serving two months of a three-month sentence in a misdemeanor domestic battery case.

Mayweather, 35, said nothing but looked fit as he left the Clark County Detention Center with friends that included rapper 50 Cent. His lawyers and personal physician had said previously that jail food and water didn't meet the fighter's dietary needs, and lack of exercise space in a cramped cell of fewer than 98 square feet threatened his health and fitness.

Mayweather received about 30 days off his sentence for work time and good behavior after he pleaded guilty last year to reduced domestic battery charges stemming from a hair-pulling, arm-twisting attack on his former girlfriend.

Et cetera

NBA: Celtics captain Paul Pierce said he is "a little bitter" about Ray Allen spurning a Boston offer and signing with the Heat, according to his comments on the team's official website. Pierce added that it will be "weird" playing against Allen next season, "but he's still a brother of mine."

Soccer: Manchester United, the English Premier League club owned by the Bucs' Glazer family, will receive $559 million under its seven-year shirt sponsorship agreement with General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet division. Chevrolet takes over from the insurer Aon starting with the 2014-15 season. Man U said it will receive $70 million during the first season of the new deal. … Houston took first place in the MLS Eastern Conference, beating visiting New York 2-0.

MMA: Brandon Vera faces Mauricio Rua and Ryan Bader fights Lyoto Machida tonight in Los Angeles, with the winner judged most impressive becoming the No. 1 contender for the UFC light heavyweight belt.

Tennis: Top seed Mardy Fish, Tommy Haas, Sam Querrey and Alexandr Dolgopolov won in straight sets to reach Citi Open semis in Washington. Dolgopolov beat Tampa's James Blake.

Times wires

Times staff


Friday, August 3, 2012

Get used to seeing her

Gabby Douglas has her first official Olympic-champion-everyone-cares-about rite of passage: Kellogg's has her picture on a box of corn flakes to hit the shelves next month. The gymnastics all-around gold medalist's agent says she is working on other sponsorship deals. "We're just watching right now," Sheryl Shade says. "It is a short amount of time. You don't have the ability to sign Olympic sponsors (before the Games), but (Douglas) wants to do Rio (the 2016 Games), so we'll see." One list of possibilities was laid for Douglas on Twitter by David Schwab, managing director of Octagon First, which tells companies how to use celebrities in marketing campaigns: "Places you will see @gabrielledoug in the next 6 months. White House. Emmys. Macy's Parade. Super Bowl. Oscars. Grammys."

The science of usain bolt

Word from the track during Friday's first day of competition was the track surface is very fast and no one should be surprised if several records fall. That puts the men's 100 meters, which begins today with preliminary heats, and the anticipation surrounding the Usain Bolt-led field in a brighter spotlight. The 100 world record has dropped by 0.05 seconds every 10 years since 1968, when Jim Hines became the first man to break 10 seconds. It now stands at 9.58 seconds, set by Bolt in 2009, a year to the day he set it at 9.69 in winning the 2008 gold medal. Bolt has been performing at a level three decades beyond what should be achievable in the present era, astrophysicist Ethan Siegel says. Dr. Peter Weyand, an associate professor of applied physiology and biomechanics at SMU and an expert on the science of sprinting, says "Bolt is a freak. He defies the laws of biology." Bolt, who is 6 feet 5, takes 41 steps to complete the 100. His rivals take 44. "That's a big advantage," U.S. sprinter Darvis Patton says. Bolt has a high percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which produce explosive speed, and he can channel more than 1,000 pounds of force through each stride, double the human norm, Weyand says. Alan Nevill, a biostatistician at the University of Wolverhampton in England, suggests his height enables him to dissipate heat faster, so his muscles can work harder.

India's mystery woman solved

The mystery woman who crashed the opening ceremony by marching with India's delegation wearing jeans and a red jacket says she made an "error in judgment" and she's sorry. Madhura Nagendra told India's NDTV news channel she was a cast member in the ceremony and just got swept up in the excitement. Her appearance infuriated Indian officials, who demanded an explanation of how she was allowed into the parade of athletes. Nagendra, a graduate student living in London, said she was stung by the reaction and hopes she will eventually be forgiven.

Good citizens of phelpsavania …

Michael Phelps fun fact of the day: With his gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly Friday, Phelps had won as many golds, 17, as Argentina in its 112 years of Olympic participation.

Readers ask us

Why do some of the Olympic swimmers wear two swim caps?

For two reasons, mainly, says U.S. assistant women's coach and USC coach Dave Salo. The double cap ensures the swimmers' goggles stay on; swimmers put on one cap, then their goggles, then the second cap to secure them. Also, the pairing of specific materials helps reduce drag, the resistance the body encounters as it moves through the water. The first cap is generally latex, which stays on the head better; the second cap is usually silicone.

Compiled by staff writer Sharon Fink from the Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, @2010MisterChip, England's Telegraph, Sports Business Daily

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

AKRON, Ohio — Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods each carried momentum into the second round of the Bridgestone Invitational. That meant Furyk's best 36-hole score in his PGA Tour career, and a bad start for Woods.

Furyk made a few birdies early and saved par from the bunker four times on the back nine at Firestone for a 4-under 66 and a two-shot lead over Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain.

It helped that Furyk shot 63 Thursday afternoon, allowing him to turn around Friday morning and try to resume his good play. He did, starting with a tricky birdie on the second hole and following his lone bogey with a 20-foot birdie on the ninth.

"Just probably a little easier to keep the momentum going that way than having an early time on Thursday, having a good round and having to sit on it until Friday afternoon," Furyk said.

His 11-under 129 total was two shots clear of Cabrera-Bello (65). Louis Oosthuizen used his putter from just off the ninth green to finish with birdie and 65, leaving him three shots behind at the World Golf Championships event.

Woods, a seven-time winner at Firestone, started his second round by driving into a bunker, which led to bogey on No. 10. And the low point of his putting woes came on the seventh hole, when he stuffed his tee shot inside 5 feet and three-putted for bogey.

"I hit it good, made nothing," Woods said.

Woods had 72 and was at 2-over 142, 13 shots out on a course where he never finished worse than fifth the first 11 times he played.

Phil Mickelson switched putters and found moderate success. He had 69, ending a streak of 10 consecutive rounds without breaking par on the PGA Tour. He had rounds of 64-65 at the Scottish Open.

PGA: Alexandre Rocha opened birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle on the way to the top of the second-round leaderboard in the Reno-Tahoe Open in Nevada. He had a two-day total of 24 points in the modified Stableford scoring system. John Daly was seventh with 19.

CHAMPIONS: Gil Morgan was happy to shoot his age, yet slightly disappointed his score wasn't even lower. Morgan, 65, shot 7-under 65 for a share of the first-round lead with Chien Soon Lu, Steve Pate and Peter Senior at the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn. "I didn't have too many mistakes, I didn't miss many greens, but I had a few opportunities that kind of slipped away putting-wise," Morgan said.

JUNIOR PGA: Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn defended her title and Robby Shelton of Wilmer, Ala., won the boys' division in Fort Wayne, Ind. Jutanugarn, 16, shot 67 for 14-under 274 total, three strokes better than Windermere's Samantha Wagner, 15. Shelton, 16, shot 70 for 13 under total.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Antonio Cromartie meant no disrespect, but he meant what he said.

The Jets cornerback started a controversy earlier this week when he called himself the team's No. 2 receiver behind Santonio Holmes. Receiver Chaz Schilens called it "a slight." But coach Rex Ryan told his players to be "mindful" of what they say in public.

"I didn't mean anything by it," Cromartie said Friday, speaking about his comments for the first time. "My whole thing was I was just simply explaining why I said it; that I could be one of the No. 2 receivers on the team by my physical traits and my work ethic. That was my opinion. Of course, you (reporters) want to blow it up. But we're going to let that go."

Cromartie, who could play some receiver this season, stood by his comment after the former Florida State standout was asked Tuesday where he believes he'd rank on the team's depth chart.

"I didn't regret saying it," he said. "If the receivers felt like they were disrespected … at the end of the day, they can come and talk to me and I can explain to them exactly what I meant. At the end of the day, I'm a corner first. And whenever that time comes that I go out and play receiver, I'll go out and do it."

Officials lockout: No deal has been reached by the league and officials, meaning replacements likely will call Sunday's Hall of Fame Game between the Saints and Cardinals. The league has locked out the officials with the sides disagreeing about pay and benefits. A lockout also took place in 2011 with replacement officials working one regular-season game.

Bills: Free agent safety Jim Leonhard visited for a second day but left without a contract.

Chargers: Receiver Eddie Royal will miss about two weeks with a groin injury.

Cowboys: Guard Nate Livings is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Three other interior linemen also are out indefinitely: center/guard Bill Nagy (high-ankle sprain) center/guard Kevin Kowalski (undisclosed) and guard Mackenzy Bernadeau (undisclosed).

Eagles: Guard Evan Mathis, who has missed most practices this week, is dealing with an inner ear infection and vertigo. It said it hopes he can return soon.

Panthers: An MRI exam on linebacker Thomas Davis' right knee revealed no damage, and he was diagnosed with a strained right calf. Davis, out since Sunday and expected to return next week, sustained his third torn right ACL in September and missed all but two games.

Saints: Coach Sean Payton, suspended for the season for his role in a bounty scandal, received permission from the league to attend tonight's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which includes the enshrinement of ex-Saint Willie Roaf. But he cannot attend Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Titans: Linebacker Keith Bulluck signed with the team for whom he played 10 seasons in order to retire with it. Bulluck, 35, an All-Pro in 2003, spent 2010 with the Giants and sat out last season. He recorded 100-plus tackles in eight straight seasons.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — The Dodgers made attempts to get two Phillies pitchers in hopes of bolstering a postseason run and came away with one on Friday.

RHP Joe Blanton was traded from Philadelphia for a minor-league player to be named later after Los Angeles claimed him on waivers.

The Dodgers were also the mystery team that put in a claim on LHP Cliff Lee, multiple media outlets reported, but it appears he is unlikely to be moved. Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young winner who is 2-6 with a 3.73 ERA this year, was made available in hopes the Phillies could receive a big package in return, as teams often put players with big contracts on waivers after the trade deadline. If a player is claimed, a trade can be worked out or the team can pull the player back.

Though ESPN.com reported the Phillies pulled Lee back, GM Ruben Amaro would not confirm Lee's status other than to tell the Philadelphia Inquirer, "It is irrelevant because he is not going anywhere."

Blanton will join OF Shane Victorino, who was traded from Philadelphia to Los Angeles on Tuesday. The last-place Phillies also dealt OF Hunter Pence to San Francisco earlier this week.

"It was a little bit of a shock, especially since the trade deadline had passed," Blanton said. "But when you're in trade rumors, you've got to be ready to do whatever. And I was happy if I stayed. At the same time, it will be a new thing, a new adventure to go. And that's always fun."

Blanton, 31, is 8-9 with a 4.59 ERA in 20 starts and one relief appearance. He is making $8.5 million and can become a free agent after the season.

"He's pitched in a tough city like Philadelphia and pitched them to a World Series, so he brings us a quality guy," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "This is a move that makes us a little bit better because it gives our staff a little more depth."

Damon Cut: OF Johnny Damon, 38, was designated for assignment by the Indians after hitting .222 with four homers. A Ray last year, Damon needs 231 hits to reach 3,000 after also playing for the A's, Royals, Red Sox, Yankees and Tigers. Cleveland has 10 days to trade or release him.

Hamilton's bad habits: Attempting to clarify recent comments that he still had issues, slumping Rangers OF Josh Hamilton, whose past includes struggles with drugs and alcohol, said the trouble is discipline. "Professionally, it's been plate discipline. Personally, it's been being obedient to the Lord in quitting chewing tobacco," he said.

Ripken Kidnapping: Saying "it's bizarre in many ways," Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. told reporters his family and Aberdeen, Md., police still are searching for answers about the kidnapping of his mother last week. The former Orioles infielder doesn't know why his 74-year-old mother, Vi, was kidnapped at gunpoint, blindfolded and driven around for nearly 24 hours. She was found unharmed in her car early the next morning near her home. No arrests have been made. "Mom, by and large, is a tough, strong woman. She's been able to endure this," Ripken said.

Astros: RHP Francisco Cordero went on the DL with an inflamed right big toe.

Nationals: The team acquired C Kurt Suzuki from the A's for minor-league C David Freitas.

Red Sox: RHP Josh Beckett (back spasms) will skip his Sunday start, but the team has no plans to put him in the DL. LHP Franklin Morales will get the start. … After criticizing manager Bobby Valentine earlier in the day, former pitcher Curt Schilling received a standing ovation from fans when he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. On the radio, Schilling predicted Valentine's reign as manager will end like "Mount Vesuvius."

White Sox: LHP Chris Sale, who skipped a start with arm fatigue, is set to pitch Monday.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

LONDON — South Korea's Olympic Committee asked for an investigation into the defeat of a fencer who wept before the crowd while she waited for an appeal to be decided.

The committee said Friday that it wanted an investigation by the International Olympic Committee. It also wanted the governing body of fencing to apologize and "restore the honor" of fencer Shin A-lam.

Shin sat tearfully on the fencing strip Monday awaiting a decision after a chaotic end to her semifinal against Germany's Britta Heidemann. With 1 second left in the match, a timing malfunction seemed to keep the clock from restarting for about 3 seconds, during which Heidemann scored to win.

Olympic official Choi Jong-jun said the governing body acknowledged "mechanical errors." Shin later lost the bronze medal match.

Ratings still big: Thursday's prime-time coverage on NBC drew an average 36.8 million viewers, the most for a Thursday telecast on any network since the Friends series finale on May 6, 2004, NBC said.

Drugs: Russian track cyclist Victoria Baranova was expelled for testing positive for testosterone before the Games, the governing body said.

More fair play questions: An apparent deliberate crash by British track cycling gold medalist Philip Hindes for tactical reasons is not being investigated, the International Olympic Committee said, two days after four women's badminton pairs were disqualified for playing to lose. Hindes, 19, told reporters right after the race Thursday that he crashed on purpose to get a restart to help the British team, which went on to win the gold. Hindes modified his comments at the official news conference to say he lost control of his bike.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

Yankees 6, Mariners 3

NEW YORK — CC Sabathia pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10, dominating the Mariners as usual as the Yankees stopped Seattle's seven-game winning streak. Eric Chavez hit a two-run homer and Curtis Granderson had a two-run single off Kevin Millwood, sending the AL East leaders to their second consecutive win after a 3-9 slide. Pitching in the sort of thick humidity he enjoys, Sabathia improved to 8-0 with a 1.20 ERA in his past eight starts against the Mariners.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

Tigers 10, Indians 2

DETROIT — Prince Fielder homered and drove in four runs with his three hits, helping Anibal Sanchez win for the first time with the Tigers and sending the Indians to their seventh straight loss. Fielder also hit a two-run double to back Sanchez, who was acquired in a July 23 trade with the Marlins. Sanchez allowed one earned run in six-plus innings. Justin Masterson allowed seven runs and 10 hits in four innings.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

LONDON — Michael Phelps is turning his final Olympics into quite a victory lap, and don't worry about U.S. swimming after he's gone. The post-Phelps era looks like it will be in good hands.

Phelps won the 17th gold medal of a career that had 24 hours to go — he swears — as of Friday, Missy Franklin, 17, broke a world record in the backstroke, and Katie Ledecky, 15, took down a U.S. mark that was set nearly eight years before she was born.

"This has sort of turned into the youth Olympics," Franklin said. "There's so many members of the team that are coming up this year that are going to carry on this incredible generation."

In the 100-meter butterfly, Phelps became the second swimmer to win an individual event at three straight Olympics, a day after he became the first. "My start of the meet wasn't what we wanted, but I seemed to pick up some steam at the end of the meet," he said.

The guy who edged him in the 200 fly, Chad le Clos of South Africa, tied Russia's Evgeny Korotyshkin for silver.

Phelps has one event left, today's 400 medley relay.

Franklin swept the backstroke events by winning the 200 in 2 minutes, 4.06 seconds, eclipsing the record of 2:04.81 set by defending champion Kirsty Coventry at the 2009 worlds in a now-banned bodysuit. The Gators' Elizabeth Beisel got bronze. Coventry finished sixth.

Franklin is the first U.S. woman with three swimming golds at one Olympics since Jenny Thompson in 2000. It was her fourth medal overall.

Ledecky won the 800 freestyle in 8:14.63, crushing Janet Evans' U.S. mark of 8:16.22, set Aug. 20, 1989. It was the oldest U.S. record on the books by 15 years.

"I figured I was going pretty fast," Ledecky said.

Ledecky, the youngest U.S. swimmer, became the second-youngest U.S. woman to win an individual gold. Beth Botsford was 15 years, 62 days when she won the 100 backstroke in 1996; Ledecky is 15 years, 139 days.

Ledecky is the first U.S. woman to win the event since Tampa Bay area native Brooke Bennett won in 1996 and 2000. "Welcome to the gold medal club," she said on Twitter to Ledecky. "That was incredible to watch."

In the men's 50 freestyle, France won its fourth gold. Florent Manaudou shocked defending champ and world-record holder Cesar Cielo of Brazil, who was third. American Cullen Jones got silver. American Anthony Ervin, 31, the 2000 champ who came back from an eight-year retirement, was fifth.

Times wires
Friday, August 3, 2012

Reds 3, Pirates 0

CINCINNATI — Mat Latos pitched shutout ball into the eighth and hit a two-run homer as the NL Central-leading Reds opened a three-game series with a win over their closest pursuers. Chris Heisey hustled for an inside-the-park homer and Aroldis Chapman closed out the win that gave the Reds a 4½-game lead over the Pirates. Jonathan Broxton got a key double play to end the eighth inning before Chapman recorded his 24th save.