Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

LONDON — Tyson Gay was so choked up, he couldn't speak. Justin Gatlin was so happy he struggled to find the right words.

Once again, Gay walked away empty-handed from the Olympics when he finished fourth in the 100-meter final that was dominated by Usain Bolt on Sunday night.

"I tried, man," Gay said as tears streamed down his face. "I tried my best."

With Gatlin, it was never about effort, only whether he would get another chance. He made the most of it, chasing Bolt and his Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake to the wire before winding up with the bronze.

Eight years ago, Gatlin was on top of the sprint world after winning gold in Athens. But he tested positive for excessive testosterone in 2006, leading to a four-year ban that prevented him from defending his title in Beijing. At 30, Gatlin wasn't sure he would be in this position again.

"It just feels good to be back," he said. "To be honest, I went out there to challenge a mountain. I went out there to challenge the odds. Not just myself and everything I've been through, but the legacy of Usain Bolt. I had to go out there and be fearless."

He took third behind Bolt (9.63 seconds) and Blake (9.75) in a personal-best 9.79. He needed that, too, because Gay finished 0.01 seconds behind.

For Gay even to line up was something of a medical marvel. He had surgery on his hip last summer and was running on grass up until 41/2 months ago because his hip was still too sore to take the pounding of track workouts. He hardly raced at all leading up to the Olympic trials, where he finished runnerup to Gatlin to earn an Olympic spot.

"That's all I had, man," said Gay, who didn't make it to the 100 final in 2008. "I gave it my all. I feel like I ran with the field — came up short."

American Ryan Bailey was fifth in 9.88.

Sanya Richards-Ross won the first U.S. gold at the track. She erased the bad memory of her 2008 bronze-medal finish by accelerating down the stretch to win the 400 in 49.55 seconds.

"What I have learned is you don't win the race until you win the race," she said. "I knew I had to cross the finish line first to call myself the Olympic champion."

Nearly banging elbows with runners on both sides of her — and with defending champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain making up ground on the outside — Richards-Ross got stronger, not weaker, this time over the last 100 meters. She surged to the finish and won by about a body's length.

Ohuruogu finished second in 49.70, and American DeeDee Trotter got the bronze in 49.72.

Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee in his first Olympics, finished last in his 400 semifinal and said he's setting his sights on 2016.

"I'll probably be at my peak. … I'm looking forward to that more than anything," he said. He will turn 30 in November of that year.

The South African still expects to run the 1,600 relay, which starts Thursday.

The Gators' Tony McQuay of West Palm Beach finished fourth in that semifinal and didn't advance.

Times wires
Sunday, August 5, 2012

Cardinals 3, Brewers 0

ST. LOUIS — Kyle Lohse pitched six sharp innings for his 12th win as the Cardinals completed a three-game sweep. Daniel Descalso had a season-high three hits for St. Louis, which has won five of six and 12 of 16. It was the Cards' first three-game sweep at home against Milwaukee since March 31 to April 3, 2003. The Brewers have lost nine straight road games.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 6, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — RHP James Shields enters Tuesday's start with the tough task of topping his last outing, a complete-game shutout against the A's.

But Shields has previous experience providing encores, including tossing three consecutive complete games in June 2011 during his All-Star season.

"I've done it before, so I'm just going to go out there and try to get a quality start, and just try to get a win," Shields said. "Right now it's all about winning, go out there and just fight and give us a chance to win. This is kind of crunch time right now these last couple months and we're right in the thick of things, which is right where we want to be, so we're just trying to get a win."

Shields said what he liked the most about his last start — when he struck out 11 and walked none while throwing just 98 pitches — was his direction toward the plate in his delivery. It resulted in what he called his best fastball location in a while.

"I was really in control of my body throughout the entire game," Shields said. "I had a really good angle on my fastball, which I was very pleased with, and in this case a little more movement north and south. Hopefully I can go out and repeat that and have a good last couple of months here."

The Jays lineup will have a much-different look from the one that Shields faced in mid May, with slugger OF Jose Bautista and C J.P. Arencibia among the many players lost to injury. Toronto still ranks third in the AL in runs (522).

"I don't think there's an advantage, but they're probably a little more free-swinging I'd imagine," Shields said. "Losing Bautista definitely kind of puts a damper on their lineup, but they have some good guys that came up from Triple-A and they picked up. They're still a good team, they can bang, you've just got to keep them at bay."

LONGO WATCH: There's still no official word yet from the Rays whether 3B Evan Longoria (partially torn left hamstring) will be activated from the disabled list before Tuesday's game. Manager Joe Maddon had said Sunday there was a "50-50" chance Longoria rejoins the team Tuesday. Longoria, who hasn't played for the Rays since April 30, entered Monday having played eight games for Triple-A Durham on a rehab assignment, going 5-for-25 with seven walks as designated hitter.

TAKING STOCK: Maddon said last year's remarkable run, coming back from 9 1/2 games back in September to clinch the AL wildcard, can help the Rays this season as they battle with several teams for a playoff spot.

"It makes it more believable," Maddon said. "That's all it needs to be is believable. If you know we've done something in the past, and believe you can in the future, definitely I think it has a better chance to play out.

"Furthermore, I think other teams that are in front of us know that we're capable of doing this also."

OUT AND ABOUT: OF Matt Joyce went to Lakeland Monday to participate in a ribbon cutting for a new clubhouse at Florida Southern. ... LHP David Price, CF B.J. Upton and OF Desmond Jennings will wrap up the 2012 Rays Dugout Club today with a final visit to each of their six rec centers in South St. Petersburg.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 6, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays third baseman Evan Longoria will make his much-anticipated return tonight, activated from the disabled list after missing more than three months due to a partially torn left hamstring. Will Rhymes was optioned to Triple-A Durham to make room.

"Can't wait to be back in a Rays uni (tonight)," Longoria tweeted. "See you there."

Longoria, 26, is coming off an eight-game minor-league rehab assignment with Durham, where he served exclusively as DH and went 5-for-25 with seven walks. The three-time All-Star will be limited to DH duties with the Rays and probably won't be able to play every day as they ease him back in.

But while Longoria will need some time to reacclimate to big-league pitching, his return should boost an offense that has struggled to score and a team that went into Monday two games out of the second wild-card spot.

"He's the go-to-guy on this club," Ben Zobrist said recently. "Everyone looks to him to see what he does."

As much as Longoria will be a huge lift for the Rays, both in their lineup and in the clubhouse, manager Joe Maddon has said he doesn't expect him to carry them on his back.

"When he does come back, I think everyone is going to expect the skies to part," Maddon said. "He's going to need to come back and be patient, because major-league players are in August and have been playing all year."

Longoria started the first 23 games, with the Rays going 15-8, before injuring his hamstring April 30 on a slide into second. Tampa Bay has gone 41-44 since and has scored three or fewer runs in 11 of its past 14 games.

"In the beginning when this did happen, I said something to the effect that I felt these offensive players could withstand missing Longo in a better way where we could be more productive even without him based on the guys that are here," Maddon said. "There are some veterans and some young guys that are kind of veterans now that I thought would have had bigger numbers by now and absorbed the loss. That's the part that has not transpired like I thought."

Originally expected to be out six to eight weeks, Longoria appeared to be nearing a return in mid June but cut a rehab assignment short after feeling discomfort in the second game with Durham on June 18. Longoria spent the next several weeks trying to strengthen the hamstring, and feeling he could help the team at least offensively, he started another rehab assignment July 26.

Longoria, convinced he couldn't make the hamstring worse, has acknowledged he'll likely have to play through some soreness. Maddon said they don't want him to push it too much, such as running at full speed, and added they can back off if he feels something and use him as a pinch-hitter in certain games.

"We've got to make sure he's 100 percent, that's the biggest thing," centerfielder B.J. Upton said.

Though Longoria has said he hoped to work his way back to playing in the field at least a few times a week, that remains to be seen. Ryan Roberts, acquired from the Diamondbacks July 24, is the eighth Ray to play third base this season.

And with DH Luke Scott potentially returning from the disabled list next week, Maddon will have some options for when he rests Longoria during the stretch run.

"As a player on this team I just hope he's healthy — a healthy Longo is good, and a non-healthy Longo is not so good," starter James Shields said. "It will be really good to see him back in the clubhouse and just have that leadership and his presence in the clubhouse. I think once he gets here the first couple weeks, he's kind of going to be wondering if he stays healthy or not, and once we get past that point, I think it's going to be good for the rest of the season."

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

What they've missed

The Rays offense has struggled mightily this season without Evan Longoria:

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 6, 2012

TAMPA — CB Aqib Talib missed Monday morning's practice at One Buc Place with what coach Greg Schiano called a hamstring tweak.

"I don't think it's bad," Schiano said, "but (as a precaution) we put him on the (exercise) bike."

The injury occurred in Saturday night's practice at Raymond James Stadium, Schiano said. Talib has a history of hamstring injuries, including one late last season that put him on injured reserve.

Schiano did not clarify which hamstring was affected and Talib was not available for comment.

Myron Lewis took Talib's first-team place. The Bucs are still missing veteran E.J. Biggers, their third cornerback during the past two seasons.

Elsewhere on the injury front, SS Mark Barron (toe) and FS Ronde Barber (undisclosed) were back. Barron did not appear to be 100 percent, but was more active than in recent days.

Starting DE Michael Bennett (undisclosed) continues to be limited. George Johnson is taking first-team snaps in his place.

Schiano offered an update on starting LT Donald Penn, who continues to rehab a calf strain that will sideline him a few weeks.

"Penn is coming along well," Schiano said. "It's not a little thing. It's going to take him some time to get back. He is doing well but he's not ready to go."

Penn has ramped up his rehab in the past 10 days, and Monday he ran while dragging weights on a sled.

OPENING UP: Schiano has said he considered other jobs over the years before finally leaving Rutgers after 11 seasons to coach the Bucs.

Asked by Peter King of Sports Illustrated why Tampa Bay's was the right job for him, Schiano said: "I knew I wanted it when I heard (Oregon's) Chip Kelly got it, and I was p---ed. I wanted this job. So when he decided to stay, I was really happy. Guys like Josh Freeman, Gerald McCoy, I knew about them, and I knew they wanted to be great, and those are the kind of players I want to coach."

SHORTHANDED: The Bucs' pass rush has struggled for several seasons, and Schiano said they have their hands full with their current lineup, too.

Monday, he said the depth on a defensive line besieged by injury is a serious concern.

"I feel good about our (starters)," he said. "I'm worried about depth. … Especially in a late-game situation. Once (the opponent) makes that first first down, it's a lot easier to protect the passer than it is to rush the passer. So, when those D linemen get gassed, you need to be able to roll fresh guys at them.

"If the dropoff is so severe between your first- and your second-team rush group, that doesn't (bode) well for us in the two-minute drill. So we're working on it like crazy to try to develop some depth behind the first-line guys."

Injuries cloud the picture. Bennett, Amobi Okoye (knee) and Gary Gibson (undisclosed) have missed time in this training camp. Da'Quan Bowers' return from a ruptured Achilles remains uncertain.

TRANSACTION: TE Chase Coffman was waived, making room for long snapper Andrew DePaola to be signed.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3377. View his blog at tampabay.com/blogs/bucs.

By Tyson Wallerstein, Times Correspondent
Monday, August 6, 2012

What's hot: Inshore fishing has been good for bay tarpon and bull sharks. Targeting 10- to 15-foot deep dredge areas near upper Tampa Bay bridges can be excellent for both. Light winds make for perfect conditions when looking for rolling tarpon. Ease your way with the trolling motor on low speed, then either cast artificial lures such as slow sinking plugs or broadcast a spread of fresh dead bait such as mullet and shad. The latter will also attract the occasional 4- to 6-foot bull shark, so use a trace of wire.

Offshore: Shallow water gag grouper fishing remains good in depths as shallow as 30 feet. Live pinfish and frozen sardines are a great 1-2 punch. If the fish aren't very active or not where you anchor, the scent and activity created by the smaller fish picking at the sardine will draw the gags, then dropping the pinfish should entice larger fish.

What else: Bridges offer refuge from the heat and rain. Their shadow lines night and day make excellent ambush points for big predatory fish such as tarpon and cobia and their adjacent structures attract bottom dwellers such as snapper, flounder and pompano. The bottom line is, bridge fishing can be a productive way to put a few fish in the cooler while staying cool and dry.

Tyson Wallerstein runs Inshore Fishing Charters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area and can be reached at (727) 692-5868 and via email capt.tyson@hotmail.com.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 6, 2012

. Up next

vs. Blue Jays

Tonight through Thursday

What's new: The Blue Jays (53-55) are hanging in there despite having been decimated by injuries this season, including losing defending home run champ OF Jose Bautista to a sprained wrist in mid July. The rotation has been hit hard, losing RHPs Dustin McGowan, Brandon Morrow and Kyle Drabek, and the 4.50 team ERA is 12th in the American League. C J.P. Arencibia and closer Sergio Santos are also on the disabled list. The Jays expect 3B Brett Lawrie (rib cage tightness) and CF Colby Rasmus (strained groin) back tonight.

Key stat: The Jays entered Monday third in the AL in runs (522) and second in homers (151).

Connections: Jays third-base coach Brian Butterfield is a former Eckerd College assistant. Rays 3B Ryan Roberts and C Jose Molina are former Jays.

Series history: The Rays are 6-1 against Toronto this season and took two of three at Tropicana Field in May. Tampa Bay leads the overall series 128-118, 71-50 at the Trop.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 6, 2012

Rays vs. Blue Jays

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

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

Tickets: $9-$210, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within 5 hours of game time.

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH James Shields (9-7, 4.24)

Jays: LH J.A. Happ (0-0, 5.14)

On Shields: He's coming off a shutout in Oakland in which he allowed three hits and threw 98 pitches. He is 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA in 19 career starts against the Jays.

On Happ: He will make his first start for the Jays after four relief appearances since being acquired July 20 from the Astros. He has made one career start against Tampa Bay, allowing five runs in five innings June 26, 2011, in Houston.

Rays vs. Happ

Jeff Keppinger 3-for-8

B.J. Upton 1-for-3, HR

Ben Zobrist 2-for-2

Jays vs. Shields

Edwin Encarnacion 4-for-17, HR

Yunel Escobar 6-for-24

Brett Lawrie 2-for-7, HR

On deck

Wednesday: vs. Blue Jays, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (5-8, 4.60); Jays — Carlos Villanueva (6-1, 3.19)

Thursday: vs. Blue Jays, 1:10, no TV. Rays — Matt Moore (8-7, 3.84); Jays — Henderson Alvarez (7-8, 4.47)

Friday: at Twins, 8:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (6-7, 3.43); Twins — TBA

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

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

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

* out for season

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Fashion statement

Manager Joe Maddon has sported a new look during recent Rays home games, wearing a custom hoodie with the lower part of the sleeves cut off. He said it's more comfortable inside the dome. "It's the friar look," Maddon quipped. "So I wanted to introduce it as the 'Froodie.' "

Off-day plans of the day

While some Rays planned to relax during Monday's rare off day at home, manager Joe Maddon said he and his wife, Jaye, were going to move into their new Tampa house, formerly owned by the Bucs' first coach, the late John McKay. Maddon said he wouldn't do the heavy lifting, hiring movers. "It's 'Supervise Move Day,' " he said.

Times wires
Monday, August 6, 2012

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Ernie Els returns to Kiawah Island for the PGA Championship as a major champion, the same status he carried the last time he was there.

He was the U.S. Open winner in 1997, earning his second major at age 27. He came here that fall to represent South Africa in the World Cup. The rest week was a blur. He vaguely remembers the Ocean Course, that it was hard.

"I think they designed that course for match play," he said with a grin.

So much has transpired since. That '97 U.S. Open win came right after Tiger Woods won the Masters. Golf looked like it might have a rivalry to last a generation, only it didn't pan out that way.

Els was runner-up in three consecutive majors in 2000, won the 2002 British Open and had a chance to win all of them in 2004 in a most empty season.

Right when it looked as though his best was behind him, he won the British Open last month, when leader Adam Scott made bogey on the last four holes.

Els flew home to London, then missed the cut in Canada, threw out the first pitch at a Blue Jays game, headed to Firestone for a World Golf Championship and didn't break par until Saturday.

He was all smiles that day, not so much because of his 68, but because of the realization that, yes, he was the Open champion.

"I can't tell you how special it is," said Els, 42. "It's just hit me now. I've been reading up on what you guys have been writing, but it's been two weeks. Last week was a joke. The Canadians ran me around like you can't believe. But now, I'm breathing again. It's really setting in."

Els paused, adding, "I am very glad to have that jug. … It just shows you, man, you've got to keep going. You always have that belief. All the (stuff) that came my way … are you going to be that lucky again? This game can throw you some bones.

"I'm feeling like it's a new beginning. Nick Faldo, I had a little chat with him on the range. I really do feel I can win another couple of majors. He smiles at me, giving me that grin like, 'Keep dreaming.' But I believe there are plenty to come."

Times wires
Monday, August 6, 2012

LONDON —A man accused of throwing a plastic bottle onto the Olympic track seconds before the start of the men's 100-meter final pleaded not guilty Monday to creating a public nuisance.

Ashley Gill-Webb, 34, of Leeds in northern England, said he was "not guilty" during his brief appearance at Stratford Magistrates Court. He was granted conditional bail, with trial set for September.

Prosecutors asked that Gill-Webb be banned from all Olympic venues and Olympic Park. He also was charged with using threatening words, disorderly behavior and harassment. The race Sunday was not disrupted.

u.s. judoka fails drug test: American judo fighter Nick Delpopolo was expelled from the Olympics for doping, saying he unintentionally ate something before the Games that had been baked with marijuana. Delpopolo, 23, is the first of the approximately 10,500 athletes to fail an in-competition test. His case is the fifth positive for a banned substance reported by the International Olympic Committee since it started its testing program in mid July. The other four were caught before competing. The IOC said it disqualified him from the 73-kilogram class, where he placed seventh. The U.S. Olympic Committee said it supported the disqualification.

1972 memorial: British Prime Minister David Cameron and top Olympic officials gathered in London's Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary of the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes in a terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympics.

obama supports no-tax bill: President Barack Obama supports a measure introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., that would exempt U.S. medal winners from taxes on prize money they get, the White House said.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 6, 2012

Ex-Colt GM sees Clark's upside

Former Colts general manager Bill Polian, visiting Bucs camp Monday with Sirius NFL Radio, offered his sentiments while watching practice.

Polian is uniquely qualified to address free-agent signee TE Dallas Clark, who was a Colt until last season — also Polian's last with the team.

As he watched Clark, 33, have another good practice, Polian seemed convinced Clark could be an important asset if healthy.

"He's still as good a player as you can find," Polian said. "The Dallas Clark intangibles are off the charts. If you drew up a football player and said I want the guy to have a love for the game, great work ethic, smarts, cares about football and his teammates, tough — if you looked all of those up, his picture comes up. He's as good as it gets in that regard. And he is, and was, exceptionally talented. He's as talented as any receiving tight end as there's ever been in the league.

"The only question is his health."

It's a big question considering how much time Clark has missed in the past two seasons — 15 of 32 games — but Polian has a theory on why Clark looks so good.

"Maybe the fact that he had that layoff last year might actually be good for him," Polian said of Clark, who played six games in 2010. "The 100-catch season (in 2009) took a real toll. You don't catch 100 balls down the middle and not take a lot of hits. Hopefully he's back and feeling better and if he stays healthy, he's a great addition to the football team on and off the field. He's as good as it gets."

Polian also addressed coach Greg Schiano's heavy-handed approach.

"That's exactly what this team needed," Polian said. "This is a team that needs discipline. They have to cut out the penalties and the mistakes — all the things that don't help you win. He knows how to win and I don't doubt that he'll be successful."

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

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 practice

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

Preseason games

Friday: 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

Monday, August 6, 2012

flag etiquette lesson

Win a medal, grab a flag, pose for pictures. Oh, if that was only that simple. Part of the pre-Games training for U.S. athletes from the Olympic committee is on how to hold the flag: right hand on stars, left hand on stripes. The athletes are expected to do it right. "The (U.S. Olympic Committee) take the ambassador program very seriously," said Bill Mallon, a historian. "They try to avoid the ugly American image by doing proper things at the Games and teaching (athletes) the right things to do."

success sells and saves ad $$$

Usain Bolt is money in so many ways. His 100-meter win Sunday was the equivalent of $1.7 million worth of ad time on NBC for sponsor Puma, says Front Row Analytics, a product placement and sponsorship analysis firm.

readers ask us

Are the high school and college athletes who win a medal still eligible to play on their school teams in that sport? Since they win money for medals, it makes me curious.

Under NCAA rules, athletes who want to maintain eligibility can accept prize money as long as it does not total more than what they paid in travel, equipment, training, etc. for the event.

Compiled by staff writer Sharon Fink from the Associated Press, NBCOlympics.com.

A TV commentator said the face price for a swimming ticket was $700 and that scalpers were trying to get as much as $10,000 for the premiere events, like Michael Phelps races. What are the face prices for some of the various events? Is scalping legal in London?

The lowest ticket price for every event was around $31. Among the most popular events, swimming's top price was about $705, track and field's $1,133 and basketball's $235. Among other events, table tennis topped out at about $195, badminton $235 and taekwondo $150. Ticket scalping is illegal in England. At the beginning of the Games, London police said they had already arrested 18 people for scalping.

mess with bolt, you mess with him

Former FSU All-America shot putter and assistant coach Dorian Scott could be Jamaica's second most famous athlete at the Games. And not because he became the island nation's first shot put finalist. Scott is Usain Bolt's unofficial bodyguard. • "Usain gets harassed everywhere he goes," Scott says, telling the story of how he got the job. "We're just eating together, and people start coming over, and we just kind of tell them to stop. The next day an article comes out saying that I'm his bodyguard and that I used to be a bouncer in Jamaica. I'm from Springfield, N.J. I went to Seton Hall Prep. I don't know where that came from." • Scott, listed at 6 feet 1 and 291 pounds on his Olympic bio, earned a social science degree from FSU in 2007. He also was on Jamaica's 2008 Olympic team (he finished 15th); his experience with Bolt was quite different then. • "We just hung out in the cafeteria. We can't do that (in London)." • Scott, 30, is now an assistant coach at San Diego State. He made the Games by coming back from a 2010 Achilles injury. "This is just a dream," he says. • At the opening ceremony, he was fending off the Japanese and Italians while Kobe Bryant and LeBron James oohed and ahhhed at the sight of Bolt. • "I didn't really know (Bolt) blew up that big, to be honest with you," Scott says. "It's just nuts, man."

Times wires
Monday, August 6, 2012

BOSTON — Rangers manager Ron Washington insisted Monday he has put behind him RHP Roy Oswalt's decision not to pitch a third inning of relief Sunday and sees no need to discuss it with the former starter.

Assistant GM Thad Levine added Oswalt is "playing a very valuable role" coming out of the bullpen. He has pitched four scoreless innings in two appearances.

Oswalt told Washington after throwing 30 pitches in the seventh and eighth innings Sunday that he couldn't continue. The AL West leaders lost 7-6 in 10 innings at Kansas City. Oswalt, 34, in his 12th season in the majors, declined to comment Monday.

"Since I've been here (if) a player tells me he can't go, that's it," Washington said before Monday's game. "It ends right there and, for me, it ended right there."

Oswalt had a 6.49 ERA in six starts then went to the bullpen when Texas acquired RHP Ryan Dempster from the Cubs last Tuesday. Oswalt had thrown 150 pitches in seven days when he told Washington he couldn't pitch.

Since reaching the majors in 2001 with Houston, Oswalt has started 326 of his 339 games.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE: Red Sox owner John Henry backed Bobby Valentine, whose first season as manager has seen Boston hover around .500. Henry said management is not making a managerial change, and he cited numerous injuries as one reason for the team's struggles.

In an email to reporters, Henry said that it is "simply wrong" to blame Valentine for the team's troubles and "we all" share responsibility. He said there has been no lack of effort by players.

HELTON DONE: The Rockies said veteran 1B Todd Helton will have arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, ending his season. A career .320 hitter, Helton, 38, batted .238 this season, by far the worst of his 15-year career. He had seven homers and 37 RBIs.

SANTANA ON TRACK: Mets LHP Johan Santana, on the disabled list since July 20 with a sprained right ankle and shoulder fatigue, came through Sunday's rehab outing at Class A Brooklyn with no problems and is scheduled to return to the major-league rotation on Saturday.

THOME OUT FOR MONTH: Orioles DH Jim Thome is unlikely to return before September because of a herniated disc. Thome has been on the disabled list since Tuesday.

CUBS: Former Rays RHP Matt Garza returned to Chicago for an examination and is likely headed for the 15-day disabled list. Garza has not pitched since July 21, when he suffered a cramp in his right triceps.

D'BACKS: With backup C Henry Blanco out with a thumb injury, the club claimed C Wil Nieves off waivers after the Rockies designated him for assignment.

DODGERS: OF Tony Gwynn Jr., son of the Hall of Famer, was designated for assignment.

GIANTS: LH reliever Jose Mijares, who has a 2.56 ERA in 39 innings with the Royals, was claimed off waivers.

INDIANS: RHP Juan Nivar, 19, of the Dominican Summer League Indians was suspended for 50 games after a positive test under the minor-league drug program.

NATIONALS: Former Gold Glove-winning SS Cesar Izturis was claimed off waivers from the Brewers.

WHITE SOX: LHP John Danks had left shoulder surgery, and the team said he should be ready for the start of spring training. Doctors repaired a capsule tear and removed debris in the rotator cuff and biceps.

YANKEES: Minor-league LHP Manny Banuelos, 21, one of the team's top prospects who was limited to six starts this year because of an elbow injury, was shut down for the season.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 6, 2012

TAMPA — Demetris Murray hasn't been a team's primary ballcarrier since high school, but the USF senior is excited about that possibility as the Bulls' most experienced running back entering the 2012 season.

"I'm excited and eager to just really put it all on the line … and to win the Big East," Murray said Sunday. "I think I've really matured from last year to this year, really tried to understand more of the smaller things in the offense, every aspect of the offense rather than just one or two."

Murray has rushed for just more than 500 yards in each of the past two seasons, and had a team-high eight rushing touchdowns in 2011. He also excels in catching passes; he had 18 last season, the most by a USF running back since Ben Williams in 2007. After Darrell Scott left after his junior year to enter the NFL draft, Murray had an opportunity to take a larger role.

The Bulls also have converted WR Lindsey Lamar in the backfield, as well as less proven backs like Marcus Shaw, Bradley Battles and junior college transfer Mike Pierre. Murray sees an opportunity for leadership on and off the field, something he considers a strength for a team with a deep senior class.

"It seems like this offseason was a lot more important to guys than it was in previous years," Murray said. "When you have seniors, you have maturity and guys who have been in the fire. … Of course you want to go out with a bang. Who doesn't their senior year? But we're going to take it one day at a time and focus on the task at hand."

RAINED OUT: USF twice took the field Monday trying to get in its first practice of the fall, but lightning and heavy rains forced the Bulls to cancel. They'll go this morning instead, getting one practice in before the team goes to Vero Beach on Wednesday for 11 days of training at the former Dodgertown complex.

Athletic director Doug Woolard has said an indoor practice fieldhouse for the Bulls is on the radar as the next facility upgrade, though such a building would likely cost $12 million to $14 million. Bulls coach Skip Holtz referenced that on Twitter on Monday night, thanking the weather crew from WFLA for a weather update and saying his staff would be using their forecasts regularly "until the indoor is built."

WATCH LIST: B.J. Daniels is one of 29 QBs on the preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, joining Florida State's EJ Manuel as the only players from Florida schools on the list. Daniels, on pace to become the Big East's career total offense leader, is also on the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award.

THIS AND THAT: Reserve DB Spencer Boyd, who was suspended at the end of last season and had tried to rejoin the team as a walk-on, said Monday he's transferring to Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia. … USF will hold its Fan Fest event at Raymond James Stadium at 2 p.m. on Aug. 19, the day after the team has an open scrimmage in Vero Beach on its final day there.

Times wires
Monday, August 6, 2012

Braves 6, Phillies 1

PHILADELPHIA — Ben Sheets pitched into the eighth inning and Jason Heyward homered to lead Atlanta to its 11th win in 13 games. Sheets had his longest outing since joining the Braves rotation on July 15 after missing all of last season while recovering from elbow surgery. Philadelphia has lost seven straight games to Atlanta.

Times wires
Monday, August 6, 2012

Orioles 3, Mariners 1

BALTIMORE — Chris Tillman took a three-hit shutout into the eighth inning for Baltimore, which has allowed three runs in the past four games, including consecutive shutouts of the Rays. Nick Markakis homered and Mark Reynolds had three hits and an RBI for the Orioles, who have won six of eight to improve to 58-51. Last year Baltimore recorded its 58th win on Sept. 9, one day after its 85th defeat. Seattle scored in the eighth to end a streak of 28 scoreless innings by Orioles pitchers.

Times wires
Monday, August 6, 2012

Pirates 4, D'backs 0

PITTSBURGH — Erik Bedard allowed two hits over seven innings, and Pittsburgh opened a season-long 11-game homestand with its 23rd win in its past 29 games at PNC Park. Bedard faced one batter over the minimum and retired 17 in a row until his final batter, Paul Goldschmidt, singled. Goldschmidt was thrown out at second base trying to stretch the hit by leftfielder Starling Marte.

Times wires
Monday, August 6, 2012

Red Sox 9, Rangers 2

BOSTON — Dustin Pedroia had three of Boston's eight doubles and Aaron Cook pitched seven solid innings as the Red Sox got back to .500. Texas rookie Yu Darvish, who has lost four of his past five starts, threw 123 pitches and allowed 11 hits, both career highs. Jacoby Ellsbury and former Ray Carl Crawford doubled twice each as the Red Sox increased their major-league high total to 248.

Times wires
Monday, August 6, 2012

Twins 14, Indians 3

CLEVELAND — Justin Morneau homered twice and drove in four runs, Joe Mauer had three RBIs and Ryan Doumit hit a three-run homer as Minnesota handed Cleveland its 10th straight loss. The Twins hit three homers in a 10-run second, one run shy of the biggest inning in franchise history.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Monday, August 6, 2012

Largo has a major opportunity after winning its semifinal Monday in the Little League Senior Baseball Southeast Region Tournament in Melbourne.

With a 6-3 victory over South Carolina representative Darlington County, Largo (12-3) advanced to the championship game.

Chris D'Angelo, a standout for Largo High, took the mound for the All-Star team and was effective pitching to contact. Although he struck out only two, he was around the strike zone for his five innings and allowed only two runs.

He got run support the way Largo has been providing it throughout this postseason — with two outs. A two-out RBI single from Andy Weiss was followed by a two-out, two-run double in the fourth by nine-hole hitter Tanner Fields.

"This may not be the most talented group of kids, but it's the best team I've ever had," Largo coach Bob Gibree said. "They make so many two-out plays defensively and get so many two-out hits."

Tyler Short, another Largo High pitcher, finished off the game by tossing the final two frames, allowing only one run.

With a victory at 10:30 this morning against West Melbourne in the title game, Largo would become the first Suncoast team to advance to the Little League Senior World Series in Bangor, Maine, since Dade City in 2004. The teams squared off Sunday with the host winning 5-3, but the game was tied going into the fifth.

MAJORS BASEBALL: Plant City's run to reach Williamsport, Pa., for the Little League World Series ended Monday.

Plant City, which began its trip to Warner Robins, Ga., with a convincing win Friday, lost for the second straight game in the Southeast Region Tournament. North Carolina representative Tar Heel upended the Hillsborough County squad 6-4.

For the second straight game, poor defense and minimal production from the bottom of the order cost Plant City (11-3). While Tate Whatley Jr. hit the team's first home run of the tournament, a two-run shot in the third, the Nos. 6 through 9 spots went a combined 1-for-11.

Even with little production from anyone but Whatley and Austin Eldridge (1-for-2, RBI, walk), starter Benji Hidalgo (complete game, three earned runs, six strikeouts, one walk) was throwing well enough that Plant City held a 4-3 advantage going into the fifth.

Plant City will play a consolation game against Shinnston, W.Va., at 10 a.m. today.