By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Rays at Twins

When/where: 8:10 tonight; Target Field, Minneapolis

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (9-7, 4.24)

Twins: RH Cole De Vries (2-2, 3.81)

On Hellickson: He has had trouble with two outs, allowing 24 of his 50 runs this season in that situation. He is 2-1 with a 3.98 ERA in three career starts against Minnesota.

On De Vries: He is winless in his past seven starts, though he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of them. Right-handed hitters are batting .301 against him.

Key matchups

Rays vs. De Vries

Has never faced

Twins vs. Hellickson

Denard Span 1-for-6

Justin Morneau 0-for-3

Josh Willingham 1-for-2

On deck

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

Sunday: at Twins, 2:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (10-7, 4.08); Twins — Scott Diamond (10-5, 2.91)

Monday: at Mariners, 10:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (6-8, 4.32); Mariners — Blake Beavan (7-6, 5.12)

Tuesday: at Mariners, 10:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (9-7, 3.73); Mariners — Kevin Millwood (4-10, 4.38)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Reading program success

INF Elliot Johnson wrapped up his summer reading program with Childs Park YMCA in St. Petersburg on Wednesday and was impressed with how well the kids did, with one girl reading 20 books. The children, from third- to fifth-graders, had to do reports on the books, and the top achievers are set to receive prizes, including a Kindle. "It was a really ambitious goal, but a couple of them got there," Johnson said. "Everybody did a good job."

Quote of the day

"We're right where we want to be."

Evan Longoria, Rays DH, on Tampa Bay winning six of eight and gathering momentum

Number of the day

27-20

Rays record against the AL East, the best mark in the division.

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

UCLA coach Jim Mora created a stir with a controversial comment about campus safety during an interview Wednesday, and on Thursday he denied it was a dig at rival USC.

Asked how he sold UCLA to recruits, Mora said: "When you're talking about UCLA, it's one of the great schools in the world — not just America, but in the world. It's a safe, beautiful campus in a great area of town. I mean, we don't have murders one block off our campus."

In April, two USC students were killed near campus. Mora said Thursday that his comment had nothing to do with USC or any other school: "I didn't say anything about anyone else's campus. I just said it about our campus. We don't have anybody getting murdered a block off of our campus. If anybody, whether USC or Cal State San Bernardino, is offended … then that's their insecurity, not mine."

Tearful Petrino asks himself: Why?

Bobby Petrino regrets the affair that led to his April firing, and the former Arkansas coach said he hopes to return to the sideline.

Petrino, speaking publicly for the first time since his firing, teared up as he acknowledged to ESPN an affair with former staffer Jessica Dorrell and said he is in counseling with his wife, Becky. He was fired April 10 for misleading behavior after a motorcycle accident. Petrino, 51, initially said he was the only passenger but later admitted to Dorrell's presence and that he had given her $20,000 in gifts.

"How could I put what we had in jeopardy?" he said. "This is what I wake up early every morning thinking about, what I lay in bed thinking about. Why? I just don't understand how I could do it. You put energy into the people that love you, that count on you."

Alabama: Freshman Chris Black, the nation's No. 2 receiver prospect according to ESPNU, will have shoulder surgery and miss 3-4 months.

Penn state: The board of trustees will meet this weekend to consider ratifying a consent decree with the NCAA that imposed penalties for how the university handled the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal. Board chairwoman Karen Peetz told fellow trustees in an email there was confusion about how the school accepted the sanctions and whether it was the best course, but "it is now time to put this matter to rest and to move on." … Tight end Dakota Royer has become the 10th scholarship player to leave the team in the past two weeks, but the sophomore is the first to remain enrolled and plans to earn his degree.

Times wires


Thursday, August 9, 2012

SYLVANIA, Ohio — Pernilla Lindberg holed birdie putts of 40 and 50 feet and added three 25-footers in a round of 7-under 64 for a two-shot lead after the opening round at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic.

The Swede, who played at Oklahoma State, is in her third year on the LPGA Tour.

"That is one of my goals," she said of making it big on this side of the Atlantic. "If I can start showing my name on the leaderboard more often here, it's going to give me more confidence and that, of course, is what everyone wants."

Lindberg, 26, has not finished in the top 10 of an LPGA event in her 36 starts as a pro. She has missed the cut in six of her 10 starts this season.

Angela Stanford was two strokes back at Highland Meadows Golf Club along with five others. The 2008 champ Paula Creamer had 68, as did Stacy Lewis, the LPGA money leader.

Seminole's Brittany Lincicome and Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse shot 2-under 69. Tampa resident Kristy McPherson shot 1-over 72.

Times staff, wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State DB Lamarcus Joyner wants a championship ring.

The junior and his teammates are so motivated that they are brainstorming ways to end the disappointment of the last half-dozen, championship-free years. Joyner's belief is that in order for that to happen, the Seminoles need a change or departure from current reality.

This week, Mother Nature has obliged.

"We are trying to take this program in a different direction," Joyner said.

Daily afternoon rain showers and frequent thunderstorms this week have forced the Seminoles to alter their practice patterns. FSU is raising funds for an indoor practice facility, but for now it has to get creative. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Seminoles practiced at 5:30 a.m., and may do it again today.

"We're trying to win and whatever the head man wants, that's what we're going to do," Joyner said. "If that means coming in at 4:30, an hour earlier, then that's what we are going to do."

Coach Jimbo Fisher likes the effort but would prefer not to have the early practices.

"If it rains every day from 12-7, you've got to go at 5:30," Fisher said. "I hate it because of getting your kids in bed and your meeting times, and it does rearrange your whole schedule, especially when you're still in school. But, at the same time, you've got to practice."

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

UF: Compete, or else

GAINESVILLE — Competition among the Florida defense in fall camp is so intense it's almost like playing in an actual game every day, players said Thursday. Coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Brent Pease have said no starting spots have been nailed down, and Pease said this week "the depth chart is changing on a play-to-play basis."

Sophomore DB Louchiez Purifoy said he, Jaylen Watkins, Cody Riggs and Marcus Roberson are battling neck-and-neck for the two cornerback positions. DB Valdez Showers said the all-around competition on defense is "a battle all day, every day."

"Everybody is competing," Purifoy said. "There are no starters, everybody is competing for a job. Nobody has a job."

According to his teammates, DL Dante Fowler, a former Lakewood High standout, is spending time with the first-team unit while the Gators wait on Ronald Powell, who has no timetable to return from a torn left ACL sustained in April.

"He's coming into his role real well," Purifoy said.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

UM: OT in accident

CORAL GABLES — Hurricanes OT Seantrel Henderson was involved in a car accident last week in Miami. According to Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts records, Henderson was cited for three infractions by the Florida Highway Patrol during an accident Aug. 1: driving with an expired license, disobeying a traffic sign, and driving without a license unknowingly. He was fined $484. It's unclear if others were involved or injured in the accident.

Coach Al Golden said Henderson had a medical issue, believed to be a concussion, and is not cleared to practice.

Miami Herald

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — There are plenty of people rooting for John Daly to continue his latest surprise run at the PGA Championship, including another big hitter in Tiger Woods.

Daly dusted off his long drives and showed the touch around the greens that won him two majors, including his breakthrough victory in the 1991 PGA, shooting 4-under 68 Thursday to finish two strokes behind first-round leader Carl Pettersson.

Daly, 46, has lived off sponsor invites as he shuttles between the PGA and European tours. Recently, though, he has felt his game improve enough that he isn't that surprised by his round at the Ocean Course.

"I've been playing good, just trying to keep it at my own pace, just be myself and play golf," said Daly, coming off a five-place tie last week in the Reno-Tahoe Open.

That has always been good enough for some, like Woods, who was just 13 when he first played with Daly. Woods was in awe of Big John's power even then, sharing a story of a mid-iron, uphill, par-5 shot that Woods swore hit the center of the green and bounced out of bounds.

"I've never seen anybody hit the ball that hard," Woods said.

Daly used his length to navigate the 7,676-yard layout — by 2 yards the longest in major championship — and a short game that kept him near the top. He briefly gained a share of the lead at 4 under with eagle on the par-5 11th, then gave back a stroke a hole later.

Daly held firm with two more birdies on the way in.

"It's just a course I feel I've got to take it on," he said.

Playing through: Woods was in a tough spot in a bunker on the left side of the 13th fairway, needing to get it up quickly over a lip to cover the 178 yards remaining to the green. His caddie leaned toward him with one last reminder, and it had nothing to do with the yardage.

This really wasn't a bunker.

Because of the amount of sand and waste areas at Kiawah Island, the PGA of America has declared the entire course "through the green." That means players can ground their clubs in the sand and take practice swings — even in bunkers that look like sand traps found on any other course.

Woods set his club in the sand at address and let it rip.

"It felt a little weird to put my club on the ground," he said. "It just felt weird, it really does. Because then it gives a whole different perspective now. It feels like, 'Okay, well it's from the fairway, but it's not,' because the club settles and as you take it back, there's an imprint."

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Cardinals 3, Giants 1

ST. LOUIS — Adam Wainwright allowed one run over seven innings and Carlos Beltran hit his 27th homer to help the Cardinals rebound from a 15-0 loss, their worst home shutout defeat since 1961. "We needed this win," Wainwright said. "This is kind of what I live for. If there is a challenge out there, I'm ready for it. Not that you need more motivation but (the 15-0 loss) allowed me to focus a little bit more."

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Royals 8, Orioles 2

BALTIMORE — Billy Butler came within a single of hitting for the cycle, and the Royals ended the Orioles' five-game winning streak. Butler homered in a four-run first inning, doubled in the third and tripled in the fifth. Needing a single to become the first Royal to complete the cycle since George Brett in 1990, Butler struck out in the seventh and ninth.

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Yankees 4, Tigers 3

DETROIT — Mark Teixeira and Eric Chavez hit solo homers on consecutive pitches off Joaquin Benoit in the eighth, then Rafael Soriano escaped a first-and-third, no-outs jam in the ninth for New York. Benoit has given up seven homers in 10 games since the All-Star break. "He hasn't been keeping the ball in the ballpark very well," manager Jim Leyland said.

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Mets 6, Marlins 1

NEW YORK — Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey threw a complete game for his 15th victory, stopped Jose Reyes' 26-game hitting streak and halted the Mets' nine-game home skid. "That nine-game streak that was stopped today is more important than the 15 wins," Dickey said. Reyes went 0-for-4, ending the longest hitting streak in the majors this season. "Nothing close, nothing close," he said.

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Diamondbacks 6, Pirates 3

PITTSBURGH — Jason Kubel, in a 5-for-39 slump and nearly benched before manager Kirk Gibson reconsidered, homered twice and Joe Saunders pitched seven effective innings for Arizona. Both of Kubel's homers followed hits by Aaron Hill. Wil Nieves hit a two-run homer in his Arizona debut. "I said he was due, didn't I?" Gibson said. "I'm glad I had him in there. It was just a great performance from him."

Thursday, August 9, 2012

BALTIMORE — The Orioles unexpectedly promoted 20-year-old Manny Machado from Double-A Bowie and started him at third base batting ninth Thursday.

The third overall pick in the 2010 draft, normally a shortstop, went 2-for-4 and was flawless at third. He grounded out in the second inning, tripled in the fifth, beat out a slow roller to second base in the seventh and popped out to end the Orioles' 8-2 loss to the Royals.

"I've still got a long year and a lot more at-bats to go," Machado said. "But for the first night I think it went great."

"I thought Manny did well, presented himself well tonight," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "… There was a nice calmness about him and a good start. He handled the situation well, all things considered."

Machado was batting .266 with 11 homers, 26 doubles, five triples, 48 walks and 13 stolen bases for Bowie.

"He's been doing well down there since the second half started, in a good spot productionwise and swinging the bat," Showalter said.

Garza expects return: Injured Cubs starter Matt Garza said he hopes to pitch again this year. The former Rays right-hander hasn't pitched since July 21 because of trouble with his elbow.Garza, 28, wasn't put on the DL until Monday after a follow-up with doctors, and he won't be allowed to throw for at least two weeks.

Astros-Cardinals deal: The Astros acquired INF Tyler Greene for a player to be named or cash.

Blue Jays: 3B Brett Lawrie went on the DL with a possible rib cage injury. He had an MRI exam that showed inflammation in his side.

Marlins: OF Logan Morrison (right knee inflammation) was advised by a specialist to rest for three weeks and then rehab instead of surgery.

Yankees: Manager Joe Girardi was ejected in the fifth inning of the win against the Tigers. He argued with third-base umpire Tim Welke after Detroit's Andy Dirks hit a go-ahead double down the line and Welke put his hands up to indicate a foul ball, then signaled it fair. Replays weren't conclusive. "It's good that he's sticking up for us," said C Chris Stewart, whose team rallied in the eighth. "It fired us up." Said Girardi: "I'm going to get a fine for them making a mistake."

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Five years ago, a leading golf publication chose Kiawah Island as the toughest golf course in America. Some of the best players in the world made it feel like a walk on the beach Thursday in the PGA Championship.

There was no wind in the morning when Carl Pettersson made three birdies on the opening four holes, and not even a freshening breeze could keep the self-proclaimed Swedish redneck from a bogey-free 6-under 66. It was his first time in 21 tries to break 70 in the PGA Championship, and it gave him a one-shot lead.

Rory McIlroy was on the practice range in what he described as "flat calm."

"I really thought that I had to take advantage of the conditions," said McIlroy, who did just that with his bogey-free 67, fresh signs that the 23-year-old from Northern Ireland might be ready to end his major season on a high note.

A hot but picturesque day along the coast of South Carolina even brought John Daly back into the picture at the major where he first came to prominence 21 years ago. Daly, who hasn't had his PGA Tour card in six years, made an eagle putt and few mistakes for 68.

Pete Dye's intimidating Ocean Course might still get the best of them in the final major of the year. But for one day, it was there for the taking.

"There really wasn't much wind on the front nine, so I knew I had to keep going low because I figured the wind would get up," said Pettersson, who won this year down the coast at Hilton Head. "The wind started blowing a little bit on the back nine, and I carried on solid play. So it was a great day for me."

McIlroy, Gary Woodland, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Alex Noren each had 67.

It was a good day for Tiger Woods, nothing more.

Despite having to get up-and-down for bogey on three holes, he made enough birdie putts for 69, a reasonable start as he tries to end the longest drought of his career in the majors. This is his 14th major since he won his last one in 2008.

"Anything in the 60s is going to be a good start in a major championship," Woods said. "And I'm right there."

He had plenty of company, some players who had not been heard from in a while, others that were all too familiar.

Woodland, who started the season with a new coach (Butch Harmon) and injured himself working too hard on the changes, is feeling better and hitting it longer than ever.

"I drove the ball the best I've driven it all year," said Woodland, one of the most powerful players in the game. "And when I drive it like that, I'm playing a game that most guys can't play out here."

Adam Scott, in his first major since throwing away the British Open with four bogeys on his last four holes, also had 68 to quickly get back into the mix.

"So far, so good," he said. "It would be great to put two more rounds together and be coming here Sunday with a good look at the championship. If I don't, then I'll really feel like I've let it all slip this year for me."

Times staff
Thursday, August 9, 2012

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. NBCSN

• Basketball (M) – Semifinals, Spain-Russia (LIVE, noon), U.S.-Argentina (LIVE, 4 p.m.)

• Field hockey – U.S.-Belarus; bronze, New Zealand-Great Britain (LIVE, 10:30 a.m.)

• Wrestling – Freestyle qualifying

• Taekwondo – Qualifying

• Volleyball (M) – Semifinal, Brazil-Italy

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. TELEMUNDO

• Gymnastics – Rhythmic qualifying

• Boxing (M) – Semifinals

• Volleyball (M) – Semifinals

• Synchronized swimming – Team final

• Basketball (M) – Semifinals

• Soccer (M) – Bronze (LIVE)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ch. 8

• Gymnastics – Rhythmic qualifying

• Synchronized swimming – Team final (LIVE, 10 a.m.)

• Wrestling – Freestyle qualifying

• Swimming (M) – Marathon

• Canoeing – Sprint heats

• Track and field (W) – 5,000 final (LIVE, 3:05 p.m.)

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. MSNBC

• Soccer (M) – Bronze, South Korea-Japan (LIVE, 2:45 p.m.)

• Volleyball (M) – Semifinal, Bulgaria-Russia (LIVE, 10 a.m.)

• Water polo (M) – Semifinal, Croatia-Montenegro

• Handball (M) – Semifinals (LIVE)

5 – 8 p.m. CNBC

• Boxing – Semifinals

• Field hockey (W) – Netherlands-Argentina

• Taekwondo – Finals

8 p.m. – Midnight Ch. 8

• Track and field – Finals: Men's 1,600M relay, pole vault; women's 400M relay, 1,500M

• Diving (M) – Platform qualifying

• Cycling – BMX finals

Midnight – 2:30 a.m. TELEMUNDO

• Track and field – Finals

• Diving (M) – Platform qualifying

12:35 – 1:35 a.m. Ch. 8

• Track and field – Finals

• Water Polo (M) – Semifinal, Italy-Serbia

All events streamed live at NBCOlympics.com.

Country G S B T

U.S.39252690

China37241980

Russia12212356

Britain 25 13 14 52

Germany10161137

Japan5141433

France891229

Australia6131029

S. Korea127625

Italy76619

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Basketball

Report: NBA Players still in Mix for rio in 2016

The NBA's push for an age ceiling of 23 for all Olympic players is unlikely to affect the 2016 Rio Games, SI.com reported, meaning there should be at least one more of the Dream Teams that started at the 1992 Games.

The age ceiling will require the ratification of 213 national basketball federations around the world. If it follows the soccer model, each team could have three players of any age. And the involvement of the International Olympic Committee would further complicate the talks, SI.com reported.

In recent months, NBA commissioner David Stern had discussed a plan that would move all-age eligibility for NBA players to the FIBA World Cup, thereby potentially creating bigger profits for the league and its owners as the IOC is not involved in the event.

NBA

Lin to host four-day camp for kids in southern China

New Rockets guard Jeremy Lin says he hopes to boost young players' enthusiasm for basketball at a four-day camp he plans to host this month in southern China.

Lin said from Beijing that he expected 80 children to attend. Lin said, "I want every kid to leave the camp feeling like they had really fun time" and "they can't wait to go back home and continue to play."

Bucks: The team signed free agent center Joel Przybilla. He returns for his second stint with the Bucks after beginning his career with the franchise. Przybilla, 32, has averaged four points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 580 career games split among Milwaukee, Atlanta, Portland and Charlotte.

ET cetera

Tennis: Andy Murray withdrew from the Rogers Cup in Toronto because of a knee injury. The Olympic gold medalist hurt his left knee Wednesday night during the opening match against Flavio Cipolla. Murray, ranked fourth in the world, said he's unsure whether he can play in the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati next week or what his status is for the U.S. Open. Rafael Nadal dropped out of the Cincinnati tournament because of a sore left knee, which also forced him to miss the Olympics.

Horses: Santa Anita Park will host the 2013 Breeders' Cup, marking the fourth time in six years the Arcadia, Calif., track has been chosen as the site for thoroughbred racing's version of a world championship. The Breeders' Cup announced the two-day event is set for Nov. 1-2.

Times wires

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Indians 5, Red Sox 3

CLEVELAND — Ubaldo Jimenez struck out a season-high 10 for his first win in more than a month and the Indians handed the Red Sox their seventh loss in nine games. Jimenez had been 0-4 with an 8.41 ERA in five starts since beating the Rays on July 7. Chris Perez pitched a perfect ninth after blowing saves Sunday and Tuesday.

Times staff, wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Every little bit helps

It's not at Gabby Douglas levels, but the windfall coming to South Korea's first gymnast to win a gold medal include "limitless amount of instant noodles," says the company that makes Yang Hak-seon's favorite, Nongshim. But Yang will take anything he can get. He has been living with his parents in a polytunnel, a tunnel-like house made of thin wooden boards and plastic sheeting, in a rural area about 125 miles from Seoul. His father lost his factory job several years ago because of an injury, and the family has been living on Yang's modest gymnastics income and what his father makes farming part time. A construction company has said it will build the family an apartment, and a billionaire businessman is donating $444,000 to the family.

Readers ask us

Are Olympic team uniforms regulated? Does the American Olympic committee put restrictions on them?

Under International Olympic Committee sponsorship regulations, athletes are allowed to wear only uniforms and other apparel that are part of their country's sponsored apparel or from approved IOC sponsors. For example, Nike provides the competition uniforms and shoes for the U.S. track and field team, so the athletes can wear only Nike products. If a U.S. runner wanted to wear a big, gaudy watch in a race, for example, it would have to be from Nike or Omega, an IOC partner. The IOC was looking into a watch Jamaica's Yohan Blake wore in the men's 100 meters Sunday because it wasn't made by his team sponsor, Puma, or Omega, British media reported. Blake wore a custom $500,000 watch made in the green and yellow of the Jamaican flag by designer Richard Mille. Blake did not wear the watch in Thursday's 200 final. Some athletes have been campaigning on social media during the Games for reform of the sponsorship rules so they can advertise their personal sponsors, who often subsidize their training and competition travel, if those sponsors aren't Olympic partners.

New anthem, still queenlike

Britain's dream-scenario run of gold medals (25 and counting) has pushed some in the country to that jaded point where they wonder if they don't need a better national anthem than God Save the Queen. English musicologist Alisun Pawley, for one, isn't a big fan of God Save the Queen, saying it lacks a "climax where people feel compelled to join in or belt it out." She has conducted research in dozens of English pubs and clubs to identify the song most likely to inspire a sing-along. The winner was Queen's We Are the Champions.

Gold-medal behavior

The criers, the stoics, the lip biters, the anthem singers, the stoic lip biters, the criers while trying to sing the anthem — gold medal winners' behavior at their medal ceremony comes in many forms. The Wall Street Journal did a bit of behavior analysis by reviewing tape of the ceremonies of 129 gold winners through Tuesday.

• About 16 percent cried at some point during the ceremony.

• 25 percent of the women cried, compared to 8 percent of the men.

• 44 percent sang along with their anthem, sometimes through tears.

• Among the countries with the most golds at the point, Chinese athletes cried the least: 7 percent. More than 17 percent of American winners cried, and moved by the home crowd, 37.5 percent from Great Britain did.

• The Chinese also sang their anthem the most: 92 percent. The Brits did it 61 percent of the time, the Americans 44 percent.

• And though it seems like the most ubiquitous behavior around, only 16 percent either bit or kissed their medal on the podium

Readers ask us II

During weightlifting the competitors were sniffing from a small brown bottle. What is in it and why?

They were sniffing smelling salts, to create a stimulant effect to help them with their lifts.

Compiled by Times staff writer Sharon Fink, from Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, Wall Street Journal, CNN.

Times staff
Thursday, August 9, 2012

TODAY

Autos

Sprint Cup: Finger Lakes 355 practice, noon, Speed

Nationwide: Zippo 200 practice, 2 p.m., Speed

Sprint Cup: Finger Lakes 355 practice, 4 p.m., Speed

Baseball

Reds at Cubs, 2 p.m., WGN

Dodgers at Marlins, 7 p.m., FSN

Braves at Mets, 7 p.m., MLB

Rays at Twins, 8 p.m., Sun Sports; 970-AM

Boxing

Lightweights: Perez vs. Mamadjonov, 10 p.m., ESPN2, ESPND

Cycling

Tour of Utah, 4 p.m., FSN

Golf

PGA Championship, 1 p.m., TNT

U.S. Women's Amateur, 3 p.m., Golf

Little League World Series, regions

Mid-Atlantic semifinal: New Jersey vs. Pennsylvania, 11 a.m., ESPN

Great Lakes final: Kentucky vs. Indiana, 1 p.m., ESPN

Mid-Atlantic semifinal: Delaware vs. Maryland , 3 p.m., ESPN

West semifinal: Arizona vs. Hawaii, 5 p.m., ESPN2

Southeast final: Tennessee vs. Georgia, 7 p.m., ESPN

West semifinal: Northern California vs. Nevada, 9 p.m., ESPN

NFL preseason

Bucs at Dolphins, 7:30 p.m., Ch. 10; 620-AM, 103.5-FM

Jets at Bengals, 7:30 p.m., NFL

Olympics, 6C

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. , NBCSN

• Basketball (M) – Semifinals, Spain-Russia (LIVE, noon), U.S.-Argentina (LIVE, 4 p.m.)

• Field hockey – U.S.-Belarus; bronze, New Zealand-Great Britain (LIVE, 10:30 a.m.)

• Wrestling – Freestyle qualifying

• Taekwondo – Qualifying

• Volleyball (M) – Semifinal, Brazil-Italy

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. , TELEMUNDO

• Gymnastics – Rhythmic qualifying

• Boxing (M) – Semifinals

• Volleyball (M) – Semifinals

• Synchronized swimming – Team final

• Basketball (M) – Semifinals

• Soccer (M) – Bronze (LIVE)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Ch. 8

• Gymnastics – Rhythmic qualifying

• Synchronized swimming – Team final (LIVE, 10 a.m.)

• Wrestling – Freestyle qualifying

• Swimming (M) – Marathon

• Canoeing – Sprint heats

• Track and field (W) – 5,000 final (LIVE, 3:05 p.m.)

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. , MSNBC

• Soccer (M) – Bronze, South Korea-Japan (LIVE, 2:45 p.m.)

• Volleyball (M) – Semifinal, Bulgaria-Russia (LIVE, 10 a.m.)

• Water polo (M) – Semifinal, Croatia-Montenegro

• Handball (M) – Semifinals (LIVE)

5 – 8 p.m., CNBC

• Boxing – Semifinals

• Field hockey (W) – Netherlands-Argentina

• Taekwondo – Finals

8 p.m. – Midnight, Ch. 8

• Track and field – Finals: Men's 1,600M relay, pole vault; women's 400M relay, 1,500M

• Diving (M) – Platform qualifying

• Cycling – BMX finals

Midnight – 2:30 a.m., TELEMUNDO

• Track and field – Finals

• Diving (M) – Platform qualifying

12:35 – 1:35 a.m., Ch. 8

• Track and field – Finals

• Water Polo (M) – Semifinal, Italy-Serbia

All events streamed live at NBCOlympics.com.

Soccer

MLS: Houston at New York, 8 p.m., NBCSN

Tennis

ATP: Rogers Cup, 1 p.m., ESPN2

ATP: Rogers Cup, 7 p.m., ESPN2

., saturDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Autos

Nationwide: Zippo 200 qualifying, 9:30 a.m., ESPN2

Sprint Cup: Finger Lakes 355 qualifying, 11:30 a.m., ESPN2

Nationwide: Zippo 200, 2:15 p.m., Ch. 28

Baseball

Yankees at Blue Jays, 1 p.m., MLB

A's at White Sox, 7 p.m., WGN

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

Dodgers at Marlins, 7 p.m., FSN

Tigers at Rangers, 8:30 p.m., MLB

Golf

PGA Championship, 11 a.m., TNT

PGA Championship, 2 p.m., Ch. 10

U.S. Women's Amateur, 3 p.m., Golf

NFL preseason

Texans at Panthers, 7 p.m., NFL

Titans at Seahawks, 10 p.m., NFL

., sunDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Autos

Sprint Cup: Finger Lakes 355 , 1 p.m., ESPN

Baseball

Dodgers at Marlins, 1 p.m., FSN

Reds at Cubs, 2 p.m., WGN

Rays at Twins, 2 p.m., Sun Sports; 620-AM

A's at White Sox, 2 p.m., TBS

Braves at Mets, 8 p.m., ESPN; 1040-AM

Golf

PGA Championship, 11 a.m., TNT

PGA Championship, 2 p.m., Ch. 10

U.S. Women's Amateur, 3 p.m., Golf

TV: BHSN: Bright House Sports Network; CBSSN: CBS Sports Network; ESPND: ESPN Deportes; FSC: Fox Soccer Channel; FSN: Fox Sports Net

Times wires
Thursday, August 9, 2012

Nationals 5, Astros 0

HOUSTON — Michael Morse homered twice, Jordan Zimmermann matched his career high with 11 strikeouts and the Nationals completed a four-game sweep. Morse drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly and two solo homers to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 18 games.

Orlando Sentinel
Friday, August 10, 2012

ORLANDO — The Magic's Dwightmare appears to be nearing an end.

The Magic, Lakers, Nuggets and 76ers reached a deal in principle on a four-team trade that would send Dwight Howard to the Lakers, ESPN reported late Thursday night.

The Magic was set to receive Nuggets shooting guard Arron Afflalo and forward Al Harrington, 76ers center Nikola Vucevic and rookie small forward Moe Harkless and one future first-round pick from each of the three other teams.

The deal also would send Orlando swingman Jason Richardson and Lakers center Andrew Bynum to the 76ers and Philadelphia swingman Andre Iguodala to Denver.

ESPN reported that a trade call with the league office was scheduled today so the NBA could make the deal official.

Magic general manager Rob Hennigan and CEO Alex Martins did not return messages.

The deal, as reported, will leave many Magic fans underwhelmed. Earlier Thursday, it appeared the Magic might receive All-Star forward/center Pau Gasol from the Lakers, but Gasol is no longer in the mix.

Some NBA observers speculated that the details of talks with the Lakers, Nuggets and Sixers were leaked by the Magic in order to prompt Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to improve his offer for Howard.

In any Howard deal, the Magic wanted to trade away the long-term salaries of such players as Richardson and Chris Duhon.

The Magic would begin a full rebuilding project once its six-time All-Star center is traded, and it seems unlikely Orlando would want Gasol or Afflalo for the long term.

Afflalo, 26, is slated to earn about $31 million the next four seasons if he invokes his player option for the 2015-16 season.

Magic assistant general manager Scott Perry, a former Pistons executive, is familiar with Afflalo from Afflalo's tenure in Detroit.

Howard desperately wants to be traded, and he made that clear to Hennigan during a meeting in Southern California on July 25.

The Lakers have emerged as Howard's preferred trade destination, at least until the Brooklyn Nets can jump back into the picture when Brook Lopez becomes trade-eligible on Jan. 15.

Howard, 26, would not answer a question about the potential trade to the Lakers when a TMZ reporter confronted him Thursday afternoon.

The Magic had shown little interest in Bynum, arguably the NBA's second-best center. Magic officials were concerned about the health of Bynum's knees, and it's unclear whether Bynum would want to re-sign with the Magic in free agency.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, with the U.S. Olympic team in London, was reportedly pleased to have the deal completed without giving up Gasol.

ESPN reported that Howard plans to play out the upcoming season without extending his contract and become a free agent on July 1, 2013. He then could re-sign with the Lakers or join the Mavericks, who will have cap space and were one of his original preferred destinations, along with the Nets and Lakers. Los Angeles has believed that Howard will be won over by its championship culture.

Times staff
Thursday, August 9, 2012

TODAY

Autos

Nationwide: Zippo 200 qualifying, 9:30 a.m., ESPN2

Sprint Cup: Finger Lakes 355 qualifying, 11:30 a.m., ESPN2

Nationwide: Zippo 200, 2:15 p.m., Ch. 28

Baseball

Yankees at Blue Jays, 1 p.m., MLB

A's at White Sox, 7 p.m., WGN

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

Dodgers at Marlins, 7 p.m., FSN

Tigers at Rangers, 8:30 p.m., MLB

Cycling

Tour of Utah, 4 p.m., FSN

Golf

PGA Championship, 11 a.m., TNT

PGA Championship, 2 p.m., Ch. 10

U.S. Women's Amateur, 3 p.m., Golf

Lacrosse

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

MLL: Boston at Ohio, 7 p.m., CBSSN

Little League World Series, regions

Midwest final: N/S Dakota vs. Nebraska, 2 p.m., ESPN

Northwest final: Idaho vs. Oregon, 4 p.m., ESPN

New England final: New Hampshire vs. Connecticut, 6 p.m., ESPN

West final: Arizona or Hawaii vs. Northern California or Nevada, 8 p.m., ESPN

NFL preseason

Texans at Panthers, 7 p.m., NFL

Titans at Seahawks, 10 p.m., NFL

Olympics

4 a.m. – 6 p.m., NBCSN

• Men's Soccer – Gold Medal Final (LIVE)

• Track and Field – Men's 50K Walk (LIVE), Women's 20K Walk (LIVE)

•Women's Handball – Gold Medal Final (LIVE), Bronze Medal

• Taekwondo – Gold Medal Finals

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. , TELEMUNDO

• Men's Soccer – Gold Medal Final

• Gymnastics – Rhythmic Gold Medal Final

• Track and Field – Gold Medal Finals

• Women's Volleyball – Bronze Medal

• Boxing – Gold Medal Final

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. , MSNBC

• Women's Basketball – Bronze Medal (LIVE)

• Men's Field Hockey – Gold Medal Final, Bronze Medal

• Men's Modern Pentathlon

•Taekwondo – Qualifying Match

10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Ch. 8

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

• Gymnastics – Rhythmic Gold Medal Final

• Women's Cycling – Mountain Bike Gold Medal Final

• Women's Volleyball – Bronze Medal

• Wrestling – Freestyle Semifinals

• Canoeing – Sprint Gold Medal Finals

10 a.m. – 10 p.m. , NBC SOCCER

• Men's Soccer – Gold Medal Final

Noon – Midnight , NBC BASKETBALL

• Women's Basketball – Gold Medal Final

3:30 – 6 p.m. , CNBC

• Boxing – Gold Medal Finals (LIVE)

8 p.m. – Midnight, Ch. 8

• Track and Field – Gold Medal Finals: Men's 4 x 100M Relay, Men's 5000M, Men's Javelin, Women's 4 x 400M Relay, Women's 800M, Women's High Jump

• Men's Diving – Platform Gold Medal Final

• Women's Volleyball – Gold Medal Final

Midnight – 2:30 a.m., TELEMUNDO

• Track and Field – Gold Medal Finals

• Men's Diving – Platform Gold Medal Final

• Women's Volleyball – Gold Medal Final

12:30 a.m. – 1:30 a.m. , Ch. 8

• Wrestling – Freestyle Gold Medal Finals

Soccer

Exhibition: Real Madrid vs. Celtic, 2 p.m., ESPN2, ESPND

Exhibition: Dinamo Bucarest vs. Barcelona (taped), 4 p.m., ESPND

Mexican: Atlas at America, 5:30 p.m., Univision

Mexican: Tijuan vs. Pachuca, 8 p.m., TeleFutura

Softball

Senior League Championship, noon, ESPN

Tennis

ATP: Rogers Cup (taped), 4:30 p.m., ESPN2

ATP: Rogers Cup, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2

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