By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

TAMPA — Gloria Milligan always seemed to know just what to say.

When her son, Bucs cornerback Myron Lewis was at his lowest — meaning inactive on game days — Milligan found the appropriate words.

"She sends me a text message every day: 'Be confident. Do your job. Believe in God. Trust yourself,' " Lewis said.

Often, he needed the pick-me-up. There was Lewis, a 2010 third-round pick, watching games from the sideline in gym shorts and a T-shirt — as opposed to locking down receivers as he regularly did at Vanderbilt.

In a league where time waits for no one, Lewis is running out of it. It matters not that his struggles are largely the result of hamstring and other assorted injuries.

That's why Lewis' performance in this training camp, by far his best showing since joining the Bucs, couldn't have come at a better time.

"I've been hurt so it's been kind of frustrating for everyone," Lewis said. "(The team) didn't know what I had (to offer) and I was just on the field sprinkled in here and there. I wasn't as productive as people expected. Just coming out here and being healthy and showing 100 percent effort, being able to put my hands on the ball, is a blessing."

Lewis has been active around the ball and showing coverage ability he has rarely displayed. At times, he has gotten the better of Pro Bowl receiver Vincent Jackson, though Jackson arguably is winning the duel.

With injuries to veteran third cornerback E.J. Biggers (broken foot) and starter Aqib Talib (hamstring), the Bucs have a sizable void to fill. Lewis, finally, has proven capable.

It hasn't been flawless. Coach Greg Schiano, a former defensive backs coach, strives for perfection from the secondary. Schiano says Lewis needs to brush up on his technique to really raise his game.

"Myron has improved every day. I do believe that," Schiano said. "He started slow, but he's better each day. Myron has a couple of little bad habits that if he can get them corrected, he can be an effective corner."

Lewis has prototypical size that gives him an edge. At 6 feet 2 and 203 pounds, he is no liability against the freakish receivers starring in the NFL these days. He's beginning to use that size more effectively, knocking down passes when in the proper position.

"The one thing you can't coach is his length," Schiano said. "He's got great length. When you do press (receivers) and when you (use) some techniques, there's a lot of plays that you miss by this much. Well, a longer guy maybe doesn't miss those plays."

Now that Lewis has made a few of those plays, he has a smile that has rarely been seen. He has a new self-assurance, too. There's a clear relationship between that and Lewis' recent surge.

"Once you make a play on the ball, that builds your confidence," he said. "I've been able to make a few plays and get back in that groove."

Lewis seemed to lose that after leaving Vanderbilt. There, he was impressive, starting 36 consecutive games and recording 10 interceptions, five sacks and earning second-team All-SEC honors as a senior.

But with Tampa Bay, he has been unable to shake injuries. He missed his rookie minicamp with an abdominal strain. And during the past two training camps, he battled injuries at a time when teammates were jockeying for spots on the depth chart.

When he did get rare opportunities, he was underwhelming. Case in point: Jordy Nelson's 40-yard touchdown catch against Lewis at Green Bay last season, with Lewis beaten soundly on a stop-and-go move.

But now, his slate is clean. More important, he's not in the training room. That — and his mother's timely advice — gives him a real chance to contribute.

"Being hurt on a consistent basis (set) me back and I was struggling," Lewis said. "It was frustrating. But I'm ready to play.."

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

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

LONDON — The wrestler who wasn't supposed to be here has turned into the wrestler who isn't supposed to win. Jared Frayer knows all about the doubts.

He simply disagrees with them.

Sunday, on the final day of the Olympics, he will get to prove his point.

There are underdogs, and there are dark horses, and there are athletes who beg the question of "Who is he?" Frayer, the 33-year-old Clearwater native who wrestled at Countryside High, isn't exactly the gold medal favorite in the 66-kilogram freestyle wrestling competition.

That said, it didn't seem to bother him after Tuesday's practice at the University of East London.

"I've done my best wrestling when I wasn't supposed to win," Frayer said Tuesday. "I don't think there is a journalist or a wrestling historian who gives me a chance. That's exciting to me. I enjoy being the dark horse. I have nothing to lose. I'm confident in all my abilities. I'm coming here to win.

"I've wrestled the best in the world. In the last two months, I've wrestled five guys who have placed in the last two, three world championships. I've lost one-point matches to them. It's just making that little switch be on that day to turn it around."

To many, it was surprising enough Frayer even qualified to get to the Olympics. In a field with Iran's Kermani Taghavi, a two-time world champion, and India's Sushil Kumar, a one-time world titlist, and Japan's Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu and Cuba's Lopez Azcuy, it's not surprising no one expects him to win.

"I expect me to win," Frayer said. "There is no doubt in my mind. I've made so much gain in the last month and a half."

Frayer seemed relaxed and happy. He spent much of Tuesday morning joking with Blake Chandler, a 19-year-old from Spring Hill who is attending the Olympics as part of the Children's Dream Fund. Chandler, a former high school wrestler at Nature Coast, had his left leg amputated in March because of cancer.

"This is incredible," Chandler said. "I've known who Jared is since my freshman year of high school."

Frayer isn't just adding fans. He has added a second daughter, too. Just before he left for London, Frayer's wife, Nicole Tycer-Frayer, gave birth to Beckett Olivia. Their first daughter, Chloe, is 19 months old.

It was fatherhood, Frayer said, that matured him to the point that he finally made it through the Olympic trials. He was fifth in 2008, sixth in 2004.

"I just wasn't mentally ready," he said.

Fatherhood will do that for a man. Frayer's older daughter, Chloe, has Down syndrome.

"She's a ball of fire," Frayer said. "Just hearing her when I'm calling my wife. I love Skyping her. She's nonstop smiling. She struggles, but she makes it work her way. She's just a joy, so easy to love."

Doctors had told Frayer there was a higher chance than normal his second daughter might have Down syndrome, too. That didn't deter him or his wife.

"If God wanted us to have a second child with Down's, we were willing to accept the responsibility," Frayer said.

Frayer was fortunate. He got to spend most of two days with Beckett before leaving. That isn't much time, but it beats the original plan, which was to watch her birth via Skype while at the Olympics.

Now, all Frayer has to do is win to give his newborn a very, very shiny teething ring.

"To everyone else, it would be a pretty big upset if I won," Frayer said. "To me, not so much. I've wrestled a million matches and won thousands of them. I just need to win four or five more."

By Rick Stroud, Times staff writer
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

One more practice opened to public

The Bucs planned on Tuesday's practice being the final one open to the public, but because of demand, the team changed its mind.

Fans can attend one more workout, Aug. 14 at One Buc Place, the team said. Practice will begin at 8:45 a.m. and gates open at 7:30.

The Bucs have two closed workouts this week and wind down training camp next week after Friday night's preseason opener at Miami.

The Bucs announced that about 30,000 attended the FanFest and/or practice Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. Players have signed autographs after every public practice.

INJURIES: CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) did not practice Tuesday, nor did. DT Gary Gipson (undisclosed injury). DE Michael Bennett, who missed several days with what looked to be concussion-like symptoms, returned to practice. S Ronde Barber was limited. Donald Penn (calf) and Arrelious Benn (MCL sprain) did not practice.

Coach Greg Schiano said Tallib is "going to be okay, we're just precautionary." He did every rep. … I want to make sure that he's going to be okay. I don't want to aggravate that thing. Then Gary has had a little thing where he felt better, then he tweaked it again."

Quote of the day

"The goal of this whole thing is let's come out with the best 53 for the Bucs. Not necessarily the best 53, but the best 53 for the Bucs."

— Greg Schiano, coach

Rick Stroud, 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

Regular season

Sept. 9: Panthers, 4:25, Ch. 13 *

Sept. 16: at Giants, 1, Ch. 13

Sept. 23: at Cowboys, 1, Ch. 13

Sept. 30: Redskins, 4:25, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 14: Chiefs, 1, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 21: Saints, 1, Ch. 13 *

Oct. 25: at Vikings, 8:20, NFL Network

Nov. 4: at Raiders, 4, Ch. 13

Nov. 11: Chargers, 1, Ch. 10 *

Nov. 18: at Panthers, 1, Ch. 13

Nov. 25: Falcons, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 2: at Broncos, 4, Ch. 13

Dec. 9: Eagles, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 16: at Saints, 1, Ch. 13

Dec. 23: Rams, 1, Ch. 13 *

Dec. 30: at Falcons, 1, Ch. 13

* Subject to blackout

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

LONDON

How do you sell her now?

How do you package fourth place? How do you market a pedestrian time? How do you place products in hands that did not grip a medal?

Lolo Jones, personality and performer, stood at the finish line, her shoulders slumped, her tears flowing. A few meters away, an Australian named Sally Pearson had just dropped to the track, amazed that she had won gold in the 100-meter hurdles Tuesday. Two other Americans — Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells — were draping flags around their shoulders and celebrating.

Jones watched for a minute and then walked slowly away. It was not her night. Again.

In fact, it has not been Jones' week. The American turned 30 on Sunday. Her critics seemed everywhere, especially in the New York Times, proclaiming that her fame off the track had grown out of proportion to her lack of success on it.

And now this: fourth place. More heartbreak. More tears.

Soon, perhaps, more critics.

"I can at least lift my head a little higher," she said. "When I tell my kids when their mom ran at the Olympics, it won't be a bittersweet memory. At least this time, it was a clean race. I would have liked a better result.

"It just felt hard this whole year. It's my season best (time, 12.58 seconds), so it's the best I could do for this year. Obviously, I'm crushed."

In some ways, perhaps an ordinary finish was to be expected. Jones had spinal surgery last year, and her recent times did not approach those of four years ago, when in the Olympic final she clipped a hurdle while leading and finished seventh. Those Games ended with her weeping, too.

Since then, Jones has become one of the most popular athletes on the United States team. She has posed, and she has pitched, and she has been on the late-night talk shows. When she announced that she was a virgin at age 29, her popularity soared. The female Tim Tebow, some said.

Then came the backlash. Suddenly, it wasn't so cool to be Lolo. The New York Times. Time magazine. The Sporting News.

There were comparisons to Anna Kournikova, the most famous of the pay-me-because-I'm-pretty-crowd. That was harsh because Kournikova never came close to winning anything major. But the message was the same, low and hard, and it seemed to blindside Jones.

"I heard it was quite bad," Jones said after the race. "I don't understand why (the New York Times) would want to rip a U.S. athlete two days before she competes. It was kind of difficult this year. You never know where these attacks come from.

"I'm really disappointed in myself, and I feel like I let a lot of people down. I guess all the people who were talking about me … they can have their night and laugh at me, I guess."

It is not new that celebrity seems to favor attractive athletes instead of accomplished ones. But let's face it: Sponsors aren't spending their money to reward the better athletes. They're trying to find the right one to sell their goods. It might not be fair, but it also didn't start with Jones.

Said the New York Times: "Essentially, Jones has decided she will be whatever anyone wants her to be — vixen, virgin, victim — to draw attention to herself and the many products she endorses."

Said the Sporting News: "If she wasn't H-O-T, she might as well be a rower from Burma."

Here's the money question, however: What was Jones supposed to do? Turn the money down? Refer the sponsors to Harper, to Wells, to any more accomplished Olympian?

Remember, we are talking about a woman who grew up in the basement of a Salvation Army, a woman who shoplifted as a child because she had nothing to eat, a woman whose father was in prison. Of course she took the money. Who wouldn't? If anything, perhaps we should praise her agent for putting so many products into her hands.

It is anyone's guess whether another disappointment at the Olympics will mean death to Jones' status as a saleswoman. She is still going to be attractive and charismatic. But sponsors seem to notice fourth place, too. If Jones had won, she would have been on every channel on your television. Now? Who knows?

Jones never had a chance in the event, not really. She barely qualified for the final, and once there, she never challenged. She seemed to lack the burst she had four years ago.

"I was just hoping I could squeak away a medal," she said.

There is always 2016, of course. Jones has long thought about Rio being her finale. After the race, she didn't sound as sure.

"It's just that having two bittersweet Olympics, it's like, man, I don't know. Like every time I come here, I get burned," Jones said.

After this, perhaps it will be Harper, a delightfully funny woman who captured the silver, who sells the cereal. Perhaps it will be Wells, a friendly sort with a splotch of blue in her hair and bronze around her, who sells cars. There should be enough products to go around.

And, yes, perhaps some businesses will still want Jones. Television has a lot of pitchmen who never won Olympic medals, either.

Don't blame Jones for that. Blame the sponsors.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Soccer's governing body is considering disciplinary action over blistering comments made by Canada's women's coach and players after their loss to the United States in the semifinals.

FIFA said Tuesday it would analyze the remarks by the Canadians, who were upset with the referee for making a rare rules-violation call. Goalkeeper Erin McLeod was whistled for holding the ball too long, starting a sequence that led to the Americans' tying goal late in the game. The United States won 4-3 in extra time.

Among the comments was forward Christine Sinclair saying. "The ref decided the result before the game started."

Canada plays France for the bronze medal Thursday.

cameroon athletes gone: Seven of Cameroon's athletes disappeared from their official residence and may be attempting to seek asylum in Britain, the chief of the African nation's delegation was quoted as saying. David Ojong told his government five boxers, a swimmer and a soccer player left the athletes village in Stratford, east London, over the weekend and had not returned, the British news agency Press Association said. The state-run Cameroon Tribune newspaper published a similar report.

Swim winner says he cheated: Men's 100-meter breaststroke gold medalist Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa said he cheated in the final, in which he set a world record. In the breaststroke, swimmers are allowed to take one dolphin kick — a whiplike motion generated from the hips — at the start and one after each turn before starting their breaststroke kick, which is like a frog's. Van der Burgh said he broke the rule and other swimmers do, too. Swimming doesn't have underwater video judging that would catch such a violation.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

A group that includes former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley and pro golfer Phil Mickelson reached agreement late Monday to buy the Padres from John Moores in a deal believed to be around $800 million.

Ron Fowler, chief executive of Liquid Investments, would become controlling owner if the agreement is approved by baseball owners and finalized, the Associated Press reported.

O'Malley is the son of Walter O'Malley, who bought the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and moved them to Los Angeles before the 1958 season.

"An agreement has been confirmed but is not yet finalized. It has to be voted on," Padres senior vice president, public affairs Sarah Farnsworth said.

U-T San Diego first reported Monday night that a purchase agreement had been signed.

The purchase price apparently includes the $200 million in upfront money the Padres received from Fox Sports San Diego in a $1.2 billion, 30-year TV deal.

The agreement came months after Jeff Moorad's attempt to buy the team on a layaway plan fell apart. Moores' deal with Moorad was valued at about $500 million.

BONDS AT PEACE: In an interview with MLB.com, home run king Barry Bonds said he believes he belongs in the Hall of Fame — "without a doubt" — but won't worry if he isn't voted in.

"If you want to keep me out, that's your business," Bonds said. "My things are here in San Francisco. These are the people who love me. This is where I feel I belong. This is where I want to belong. If (the voters) want to put me in there, so be it, fine. If they don't, so be it, fine."

Bonds will be on the ballot for the first time this year along with two other players connected to performance-enhancing drugs, OF Sammy Sosa and RHP Roger Clemens.

OSWALT, MANAGER CHAT: Rangers manager Ron Washington said he talked with Roy Oswalt about the right-hander's decision not to pitch a third inning Sunday, and the two have cleared up any differences.

BLUE JAYS: RF Jose Bautista, out since July 16 with what was called an inflamed tendon in his left wrist, continues to have pain and plans to have another MRI exam this week because of continued pain. … RHPs Drew Hutchison and Dustin McGowan are scheduled to have surgery Thursday. The rookie Hutchison, 21, will have elbow reconstructive surgery, and McGowan, 30, is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery to evaluate the right shoulder joint.

CUBS: Former Rays RHP Matt Garza went on the disabled list with a stress reaction in his right elbow and is out indefinitely.

D'BACKS: Backup C Henry Blanco is scheduled for surgery today to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb and could miss the rest of the season.

GIANTS: 3B Pablo Sandoval, out since July 25 with a hamstring strain, is tentatively scheduled to play rehab games Friday and Saturday at Class A San Jose and could be activated from the disabled list Sunday.

MARLINS: Giancarlo Stanton, who had arthroscopic right knee surgery July 8, was activated from the disabled list. INF Donnie Murphy went on the DL with a strained left hamstring.

METS: Jason Bay, who is batting .154 in 40 games, will no longer be the everyday leftfielder, manager Terry Collins said.

REDS: Hall of Fame SS Barry Larkin's No. 11 will be retired in a pregame ceremony Aug. 25.

RED SOX: DH David Ortiz, who has been out since July 16, received a pain-killing injection in his injured right Achilles' tendon and hopes to return to the lineup Thursday.

WHITE SOX: RHP Philip Humber, who has a 7.21 ERA in 14 starts since pitching a perfect game on April 21, was sent to the bullpen. … 3B Kevin Youkilis was scratched because of a sore right knee.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — One product of Evan Longoria's return to active duty will be a reduction in playing time for struggling 1B Carlos Peña.

With Longoria in the DH spot, manager Joe Maddon can — and, as he did Tuesday, will — use right-handed swinging Jeff Keppinger at first base in place of Peña against at least some left-handed pitchers.

"I've been all for giving Carlos a day off now and then more often, and I thought that might help him finish strongly, also," Maddon said.

Peña, a lefty swinger, is hitting .196 overall, the lowest of any major-leaguer with 400 plate appearances, and with a .680 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentages). He has been particularly bad against lefty pitchers — a .163 average, .596 OPS and 62 strikeouts in 151 plate appearances. He is hitting .213 with a .723 OPS and 76 strikeouts in 306 plate appearances vs. right-handers.

"(Peña's) been swinging the bat better lately, but primarily it's been against the righty," Maddon said.

Though Maddon has defended Peña's production as being more valuable than his statistics show, he also acknowledged there were now some better options against certain lefties, similar to how they handle OF Matt Joyce.

"It's not unlike Matt, where we give Matt days off against lefties and he really kills righties," Maddon said. "By giving Carlos the appropriate time off against certain lefties it might actually make him even stronger against righties."

Peña came in for defense in the seventh inning.

NO SWEAT: RHP Fernando Rodney ran off his 22nd consecutive scoreless inning (to break Joe Borowski's 2005 team relief record) and recorded his 33rd save, but not until after getting a talking-to from plate umpire Gary Cederstrom.

The issue was that Rodney was wiping his head then touching the ball; Cederstrom said he had to wipe his hand on his pants first. "I don't know if that's new, because I've been doing it that way all season long,'' Rodney said. "No big deal.''

CONRAD OUT: To make room for Longoria, INF Will Rhymes was optioned back to Triple-A Durham and INF Brooks Conrad, who had already been sent to Durham, was designated for assignment, giving the Rays 10 days to trade, release or pass him through waivers and keep him in the organization.

REHAB REPORT: RHP Jeff Niemann, out since mid May with a broken right leg, is set to begin a scheduled four-start rehab assignment tonight in Port Charlotte, pitching for the advanced Class A Stone Crabs against Bradenton. Niemann will be limited to 45 pitches. "I'm looking forward to it," he said.

Luke Scott, out since July 20 with a mild oblique strain, was sore Tuesday but will take batting practice on the field for a third time today and be re-evaluated, hoping to head out for a rehab assignment and possibly rejoin the Rays next week.

COMMUNITY CORNER: LHP David Price and LF Desmond Jennings will visit south St. Petersburg rec centers today, INF Elliot Johnson the Childs Park YMCA, Ben Zobrist the Sandlot Club at Northside Christian High and RHP Burke Badenhop youth patients at Tampa General Hospital. Also, OF Sam Fuld will sign autographs from noon-1 p.m. at the Sears Optical in Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg.

MISCELLANY: Since the All-Star break, the Rays have an MLB-best 2.28 ERA and .198 opponents average. … RHP Chris Archer had another strong start at Triple-A Durham, allowing one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out eight. … The Rays have won 15 consecutive home series (14 at the Trop, one at Disney) over the Jays.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Phillies 3, Braves 0

PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels pitched a five-hitter for his fifth career shutout, Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer and Philadelphia snapped a seven-game skid against Atlanta. Hamels recorded his 11th career complete game and his first win in three tries since signing a $144 million, six-year deal July 25. The All-Star left-hander is 4-5 since going 8-1 the first two months. The wild card-leading Braves had won eight of 10. Hamels last pitched a regular-season shutout Sept. 1, 2009, against the Giants.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

TAMPA — Carlton Mitchell had the jersey first, then Quenton Washington for two more years, but USF junior WR Sterling Griffin is proud to trade his No. 17 jersey for No. 2 this fall.

"I had to be patient and wait until my time came," said Griffin, whose father Steve wore No. 2 as a receiver at Purdue from 1982-85. "I wanted a new start — injured with 17, so I wanted to start fresh. Come back healthy, new number, new change, new focus."

Griffin missed the 2010 season after dislocating his ankle, then missed four games in 2011 with a broken foot, so it's understandable that he'd discard No. 17 for more than just family nostalgia.

"I feel faster. I look better, too," Griffin said, joking.

TICKETS UP: With the Sept. 29 matchup against Florida State perhaps the most anticipated home game in USF history, season ticket sales are up to 21,639, at a pace about 5 percent higher than 2011.

The Bulls released their first season-ticket update Tuesday, with 18,389 sold and another 3,250 reserved for staff, trade and other uses. The total is up from 20,712 at this point last year — USF hasn't made individual game tickets for FSU available, with the hopes that Seminoles fans will buy season tickets, which start at $75. USF-FSU tickets are commanding that much by themselves on the secondary market at sites like Stubhub.com and Ticketcity.com.

RAISES FOR COORDINATORS: As part of Skip Holtz's new contract, the coach has an additional $200,000 allocated for his nine full-time assistants, and coordinators Chris Cosh and Todd Fitch got the largest raises.

Cosh will earn $325,000, up from the $260,000 that Mark Snyder earned in 2011, according to figures released to the Tampa Bay Times by USF on Tuesday. Fitch will make $280,000, up $60,000 from last season. The next-highest raises went to two assistants held over from Jim Leavitt's 2009 staff, running backs coach Larry Scott and defensive tackles coach Kevin Patrick, who each moved from $135,000 to $170,000.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — He actually didn't do all that much, a bases-loaded sac fly, a single to lead off the eighth, a groundout and a strikeout.

But Evan Longoria — for the first time since April 30 — was back in the Rays lineup Tuesday. And with him, they hit a bit, they scored a few, and they won, 4-1 over the Blue Jays.

"There was nothing about today that was negative," Longoria said. "We get a win, which was most important. I get an opportunity with the bases loaded, have a good at-bat and come out with a good result. And no setbacks — felt great, nothing to say about that.

"It was a good day."

Longoria's return was the soundtrack of the night — complete with the Tantric violins and a standing ovation before his first at-bat from the Tropicana Field gathering of 13,823 — but it wasn't the whole story as the Rays snapped their scoreless streak at 22 innings and improved to 57-52 overall.

James Shields continued their MLB-best stretch of pitching with another dazzling performance, following his three-hit shutout with an eight-inning, two-hit, one-run outing. "Just staying aggressive with my fastball," he said.

There were actual key hits from up and down the lineup, Desmond Jennings with two and two runs, Sean Rodriguez and Ben Zobrist each with RBIs.

And Fernando Rodney, despite some interference from home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom, logged his 33rd save and broke the team record for consecutive scoreless relief innings with his 22nd.

But Longoria's return was the primary topic, and it came with two basic themes:

One, that expectations needed to be tempered — "I'm not the savior," he said — since he'd been out more than three months and still wasn't 100 percent.

And two, that just his presence in the lineup as the DH was a benefit, as it changed the way the other hitters around him were pitched.

While the first will be an ongoing discussion, the second seemed to be obvious truth.

"It seemed like the guys got a little different spark today," Shields said.

"Just a lot more confidence knowing he's in there," Rodriguez said.

Longoria, batting cleanup, grounded back to the mound leading off the second inning, drove a fly ball to the right-centerfield wall with the bases loaded in the third to make it 2-0, struck out swinging at a curveball in the fifth and singled up the middle in the eighth, then left for a pinch-runner. Most importantly, he said the previously partially torn left hamstring, and the rest of him, felt good after the game, and he expects to play again tonight.

There are still some things the Rays don't know.

Such as, how often he can be in the lineup? There is no set number, though Longoria, who played four straight games at Triple-A Durham and felt fine, is hoping it is greater than three. Manager Joe Maddon said the decisions will be made daily based on how Longoria feels and the schedule, with Thursday's 1 p.m. game following a night game a potential day off. "The point is to not break him," Maddon said.

Such as how much running he can do. Though there are no strict rules — such as not sliding — Maddon said they don't want any "heroic movements" on the bases, and Longoria will be cautioned against running too hard to first or trying to break up a double play. Longoria said he is confident he can handle the basics, such as going first to third or scoring from second on a single and will be smart about it.

Such as when Longoria could play third base, a bigger issue if Luke Scott comes off the disabled list next week. Longoria continues to take ground balls and said he hoped a return to the field was "right around the corner," but there is no time frame.

"It's just nice," Maddon said, "to have him back."

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

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Bubba Watson has been texting Olympic champ Michael Phelps and joking with Mets ace Johan Santana. Now, the Masters champion says it's time for more winning golf at the PGA Championship.

Watson believes the glow from his win at Augusta National in April is starting to fade as he enters the season's final major at the PGA Championship. He's focused on breaking through again this week at the Ocean Course.

Watson has played just 20 competitive rounds since winning the green jacket in a playoff. He missed the cut at the U.S. Open and his best finish the past four months was second at The Travelers in June.

Watson, 33, has a good excuse, though, as he and wife Angie finished the adoption process for son Caleb on Monday.

"Somehow it all worked out and now we're parents," he said Tuesday.

It has been a landmark year for the big-hitting Watson, who says his first major title ranks way down the list of what has driven him this season. Nothing tops the joy of seeing his 5-month-old son after a round, no matter how Watson finishes in a tournament.

"You know, if I never play golf again, I can still be a great dad," he said. "So that's the key and that's where my life stands. Golf is there, but I'm not going to pout when I go home."

Watson is ready to get serious about winning golf. He expects to have a shot at the Ocean Course, set to be the longest layout in major championship history at 7,676 yards. He excelled at PGA Championships over Pete Dye courses before, making the playoff in 2010 at Whistling Straits before losing to Martin Kaymer.

"Yes, everything about it, it feels like that," Watson said. "But I think here, it seems like the rough is not as demanding here as it was at Whistling Straits. Now that I've said that, I'll probably miss every fairway."

Watson played just once in July, finishing 23rd at the British Open. Last week he opened with 66 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational before fading to 19th.

Watson believes the pressure is off, particularly after completing the legal hurdles and paperwork to make Caleb's adoption complete.

"We got that done," Watson said. "And now we're on to trying to win this tournament, trying to play good golf, trying to get better in the game."

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The two Little League teams still alive in tournament play on the Suncoast finished their seasons Tuesday.

Largo, which reached the championship game of the Senior Baseball Southeast Region Tournament in Melbourne, fell 10-0 to the host team, West Melbourne.

This is the farthest any Greater Largo Little League team has advanced in any division during the organization's 52-year history.

While West Melbourne started its ace, Largo (12-4) was down to its fifth pitcher because of must-win situations the past three games. When left-hander Travis Carden took the mound, the team was already in a tough spot.

Amassing only two hits in the game, those baserunners were erased by double plays from the stellar West Melbourne defense. Largo hitters also struck out seven times.

"Their starter was pretty dominant," Largo coach Bob Gibree said. "Every time we had something going, their defense made a play. It was pretty deflating."

The Pinellas County All-Stars were built around pitching and defense, and playing from an early four-run deficit did not suit them.

Majors baseball: Plant City, eliminated from contention Monday, finished its season with a consolation game Tuesday in the Southeast Region Tournament in Warner Robins, Ga. The team ended on a strong note with a 14-6 win over Shinnston, W.Va.

The star of the game was catcher Tate Whatley Jr., son of manager Tate Whatley Sr. Whatley hit two homers, accounting for four runs. He finished 4-for-5 with four runs and four RBIs. His tournament totals were the best the region has seen in three years. With four home runs and 11 RBIs to go with a .714 average, he is the first hitter to finish above .700 since 2009.

His four home runs are more than the leader the previous two seasons. New Tampa's Aaron Guiang and Conor Grady, Alabama's Conor Schultz, North Carolina's Laney Orr, and Viera-Suntree's Anthony Castagnaro and Jackson Prater had three in 2010 and '11. The 11 RBIs beat the totals from Schultz and New Tampa's Clayton Coringrato, who each had 10.

All 12 members of the roster for Plant City (12-3) had a hit against West Virginia, including nine for extra bases. Benji Hidalgo (1-for-2, walk, run, double) joined Whatley as the only players to hit over .500 for the tournament.

Correction: Derek Gibree got the win for the Largo senior baseball team in Saturday's 3-0 win over North Carolina's Myrtle Grove in the Southeast Region Tournament. Incorrect information was provided to the Times.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 7, 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 Alex Cobb (5-8, 4.60)

Jays: RH Carlos Villanueva (6-1, 3.19)

On Cobb: Coming off strong back-to-back outings in which he allowed only four earned runs in 14 innings for a 2.57 ERA. Had a 6.93 ERA in previous five starts.

On Villanueva: Pushed back from Tuesday to go to the Dominican Republic for a personal matter. Former Brewer went 4-0, 2.54 in first five starts after joining rotation, then lost at Seattle. Is 0-1, 17.28 in limited action vs. Rays.

Key matchups

Rays VS. VILLANUEVA

Jeff Keppinger 5-for-12

B.J. Upton 2-for-6

Ben Zobrist 3-for-5, 3 HRs

Jays VS. COBB

None have faced

On deck

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 — Cole De Vries (2-2, 3.81)

Saturday: at Twins, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (14-4, 2.49); Twins — Nick Blackburn (4-7, 7.42)

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, Aug. 5

* out for season

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Telling stat of the day

3

Players who hit cleanup for the Rays this season and were designated for assignment: Brooks Conrad, Hideki Matsui, Drew Sutton.

Quote of the day

"The Brinks truck will be by to take the wine over."

Oenophile/manager Joe Maddon, who is moving from one Tampa house to another.

Numbers of the day

22

Consecutive innings without a run until the 2nd Tuesday.

38

Consecutive innings without multiple runs, until the 3rd Tuesday.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Players' names are being added to Penn State's football jerseys for this season, the university said Tuesday, along with blue ribbons to show support for victims of child abuse.

The team's generic look — blue-and-white, no names on jerseys — was long a trademark associated with the late Joe Paterno, who was fired last year after his former assistant Jerry Sandusky was arrested on child molestation charges.

The program faces a four-year bowl ban and loss of scholarships handed down by the NCAA over the school's handling of the scandal.

"We want our fans to know and recognize these young men," said coach Bill O'Brien, hired after last season.

Also, a group of former PSU players, led by ex-quarterback Michael Robinson, told the NCAA that it intends to appeal the sanctions. A school trustee has sent a similar letter to the NCAA, which says the sanctions are not subject to appeal.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Tanner McEvoy decided to transfer, less than two weeks after his arrest in North Carolina. McEvoy, from Hillside, N.J., was listed as the fourth-team quarterback coming into fall camp.

REALIGNMENT: Albany and Stony Brook accepted offers to join the Colonial Athletic Association for football beginning in 2013. Both won Division I-AA conference titles last season — Albany in the Northeast Conference and Stony Brook in the Big South.

OKLAHOMA: Former Penn State receiver Justin Brown had his first practice, completing the process of transferring. The senior is eligible to play this season because of the NCAA's penalties against PSU.

BASKETBALL: Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun was released from the hospital after surgery on a broken left hip. The school said Calhoun went home and will begin rehabilitation. The 70-year-old Hall-of-Famer was injured Saturday in a fall during a bicycle ride and had surgery that night. … Oklahoma State center Phillip Jurick was suspended indefinitely after he pleaded not guilty to charges that he possessed marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Tigers 6, Yankees 5

DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in three runs, and Detroit won its sixth straight. New York scored twice off closer Jose Valverde in the ninth and had runners at second and third when Curtis Granderson popped up for the final out. The AL East leaders have lost 12 of 18. Cabrera is hitting .333 since the All-Star break with 11 homers and 24 RBIs in 24 games.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

D'backs 10, Pirates 4

PITTSBURGH — Chris Johnson homered in the eighth and ninth innings, giving him five in eight games since being acquired in a trade, to lift Arizona. Johnson's homer in the eighth capped a four-run rally.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Marlins 4, Mets 2

NEW YORK — Jose Reyes extended his hitting streak to a career-high 25 games with an infield hit that set up Miami's big inning, and the Marlins handed New York its eighth straight home loss. Booed again at Citi Field, Reyes, the former Mets All-Star, beat out a trickler that helped the Marlins score four in the fourth.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

two more medals for raisman

A ly Raisman wrapped up her Olympics on Tuesday by winning gold on floor exercise — the first for a U.S. woman — and bronze on balance beam. Raisman leaves as the most decorated of the gold-winning U.S. women's gymnastics team with three medals. After winning the all-around, Gabby Douglas didn't medal in either of her event finals (she was seventh on beam after not medaling on bars). Jordyn Wieber was seventh on floor (her coach said she has a stress fracture in her right leg). "To say that I even almost had four medals, that makes me even more happy," said Raisman, referring to a tiebreak that snatched away a bronze in the all-around. She got her beam medal on a tiebreak after her coach appealed her score and it was raised. The six total U.S. medals for men and women are the fewest since 2000; Danell Leyva's all-around bronze was the men's only medal. Leyva was fifth on high bar and Jonathan Horton sixth Tuesday.

two u.s. teams meet for beach volleyball gold

In their first Olympics, April Ross and Jennifer Kessy will play for the gold medal in an all-American beach volleyball final. In their final Olympics together, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor are playing for something more. "We want to seal the deal that we're the best team that's ever happened," Walsh Jennings said after the two-time gold medalists advanced to their third consecutive Olympic final with a 22-20, 22-20 victory over China's Xue Chen and Zhang Xi. "I want to win (today) for us. ... This will be our last match together, so we want to go out on top." Kessy and Ross beat top-seeded Brazilians Juliana and Larissa 15-21, 21-19, 15-12.

britain gets first medals in triathlon

Alistair Brownlee grabbed a British flag, slowed to a jog and then walked across the finish line to win the men's triathlon. "I took my time, but I was really tired," said Brownlee, who added the Olympic title — Britain's first medal in triathlon — to his world and European titles. Brownlee pulled away from silver medalist Javier Gomez of Spain halfway through the 10-kilometer run. Brownlee's brother, Jonathan, took the bronze. American Hunter Kemper finished 14th and Manuel Huerta of Miami 51st.

brandon's colwill has sour end in semifinals

Brandon's Chris Colwill went for broke on his sixth and final dive in the semifinals of the men's 3-meter competition. The gamble didn't work. Colwill had slipped out of a spot for the final on his fifth dive when he failed to come all the way around on an inward 3 1/2 somersault and entered the water in way-less-than-perfect form. "I was already out of contention on the last round, and I think I tried to go for 100 points," said Colwill, in his second Olympics and who has said he would retire after these Games. "I went with the attitude of 100 points or no points. And I guess I got the no points." Colwill earned a score of zero from judges after executing none of the technical aspects required of the dive and fell into 18th and last place. In the final, Russian Ilya Zakharov took the gold. American Troy Dumais was fifth.

easy win puts u.s. women in semis

The U.S. women's basketball team cruised into the semifinals with a 91-48 rout of Canada with stifling defense. The four-time defending gold medalists harassed Canada into three shot clock violations in the first 7 minutes. "It's one thing to miss a shot, but to not be able to get a shot off says a lot about your defense," U.S. coach Geno Auriemma said. Diana Taurasi had 15 points for the Americans, who play Australia in the semifinals Thursday. Russia faces France in the other semifinal.

other sports

• Maggie Steffens and Kami Craig scored in overtime and the U.S. women's water polo team advanced to the final with an 11-9 victory over Australia. It faces Spain, which got past Hungary 10-9.

• The U.S. women's volleyball team made the semifinals with a sweep of the Dominican Republic. It plays South Korea in Thursday's semifinals. Japan and Brazil face off in the other match.

• Britain's Laura Trott won her second cycling gold medal with a withering ride in the final event of the multidiscipline omnium, overtaking American Sarah Hammer. Hammer got the first U.S. women's track cycling medal since 1988.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

NAPA, Calif. — Raiders running back Mike Goodson left the hospital and returned to training camp headquarters Tuesday night after he was injured in a helmet-to-helmet collision during practice earlier in the day.

Goodson was taken away from practice by ambulance with a possible neck injury after an on-field collision with teammate Philip Wheeler. The Raiders said in a statement that a CT scan and MRI exam both came back negative.

Goodson was trying to catch a pass from Carson Palmer during a passing drill when he was leveled by Wheeler with what appeared to be a helmet-to-helmet hit that could be heard at the opposite end of the field. Practice continued as workers removed Goodson's facemask, but left the rest of his helmet intact.

JETS PUNISHMENT: A day after a 20-player throwdown in practice, Jets coach Rex Ryan made his players run a series of sprints as punishment for a few minor scuffles in Tuesday's practice. "I think sometimes, you're trying to be physical but being physical is one thing," Ryan said. "Going past that is something else, and that's what I didn't like. That's why we stopped and had to remind the guys that the enemy is not in green and white." Ryan seemed most annoyed at cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who was involved in two incidents: "Apparently, someone didn't get the message," Ryan said.

GARRETT REID FUNERAL: Commissioner Roger Goodell, Browns president Mike Holmgren and Patriots coach Bill Belichick were among more than 900 who packed a Mormon church for the funeral of Garrett Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy Reid. Garrett Reid was found dead in his dorm room Sunday. He was 29.

DUMERVIL CLEARED: Broncos Pro Bowl defensive end Elvis Dumervil won't be charged in a road rage incident in Miami Beach. His lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, said the Miami-Dade County state's attorney told him Dumervil had been cleared. Dumervil had been arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

RULE CREDITED WITH fewer CONCUSSIONS: Changes to the kickoff rules appear to account for a slight dip in the number of concussions reported last season, according to a consulting firm's study of data provided by the NFL Players Association. Jesse David, senior vice president at Edgeworth Economics, said concussions reported on kickoffs fell by about 43 percent from 2010. That led to a slight drop in the overall number.

JURISPRUDENCE: Former Bucs and Vikings running back Michael Bennett pleaded guilty last week to his role in a South Florida tax refund and identity theft scheme. As part of a plea agreement, federal prosecutors agreed to recommend less than the possible 20-year sentence.

BROWNS: Running back Trent Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft, might miss Cleveland's preseason opener. His left leg was wrapped and he did not participate in practice.

CARDINALS: Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Kevin Kolb's bruised ribs were a minor injury and that he expects the quarterback to play in Friday's preseason game against Kansas City.

SEAHAWKS: Matt Flynn was named the starting quarterback for Saturday against the Titans.

Times wires
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

autos

adhd drug caused positive test, driver allmendinger says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Suspended NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger says he tested positive for a prescription drug typically used to treat attention deficit disorder.

Allmendinger said in an interview with ESPN that he took Adderall a couple of days before the race at Kentucky Speedway on June 30 because he was tired. He does not have ADHD or a prescription for the drug.

He says a friend gave him the pill and said it was a workout supplement that would give him energy. Two days later he was randomly tested at the racetrack.

Allmendinger told ESPN that he wasn't informed what drug triggered the positive test — only that it was an amphetamine — until after a B sample was tested July 24. He is now going through NASCAR's Road to Recovery program. He said he hopes to complete the program by the end of the month.

nba

Stotts tapped to coach Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers hired Terry Stotts as coach Tuesday, filling the NBA's last vacancy.

Stotts had a 115-168 record as coach of the Hawks and Bucks before spending the past four seasons as an assistant with the Mavericks.

He inherits a team that fell drastically short of expectations last season and heads into the new campaign with a roster that includes forwards LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, and a lot of question marks.

Stotts, 54, replaces Kaleb Canales, who went 8-15 in an interim role after Nate McMillan was fired.

Stotts and Canales reportedly interviewed with owner Paul Allen over the weekend at the London Olympics. Canales has been in the Trail Blazers organization since 2005. It is unclear if he will remain with the club.

"Terry is one of the elite offensive minds in the NBA, has extensive experience with multiple organizations and was instrumental in the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA championship," general manager Neil Olshey said.

Jazz: Dennis Lindsey, a former Spurs executive, was introduced as general manager. Longtime Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor relinquished day-to-day duties but will continue to oversee basketball operations as an executive vice president.

et cetera

Tennis: Milos Raonic defeated Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-4 in a second-round match at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey also advanced. Fish beat Matthew Ebden 6-2, 6-0 and Querrey ousted Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 6-2.

NHL: Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon and is out indefinitely. Meszaros was injured last week during summer training in Slovakia, and had surgery in Philadelphia, general manager Paul Holmgren said.

Times wires