Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Marlins 9, Phillies 2
MIAMI — Greg Dobbs drove in Miami's first run in 31 innings, then hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth off Roy Halladay to help Mark Buehrle reach 10 wins on his sixth try. Buehrle has won in double digits for 12 straight years. The Marlins' franchise-record 30-inning run drought included three straight shutout losses.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Tigers 5, Twins 1
MINNEAPOLIS — Miguel Cabrera became the first player in Detroit history to reach 30 home runs in five straight seasons and Max Scherzer pitched seven scoreless innings. Cabrera also singled in the fifth inning off Cole De Vries to push his majors-leading total to 103 RBIs. Scherzer struck out 10 to give him 178 this season, passing teammate Justin Verlander for the American League lead.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Cubs 7, Astros 2
CHICAGO — David DeJesus hit two home runs and Justin Germano breezed through six innings for Chicago. Starlin Castro also homered among his three hits for the Cubs, who won for the third time in 15 games and avoided falling to a season-worst 26 games under .500.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Rockies 7, Brewers 6
DENVER — Tyler Colvin hit a two-run double in the ninth inning as Colorado rallied. After Wilin Rosario hit a one-out pinch-hit single and Eric Young singled, Colvin doubled down the first-base line to score Young from first and give the Rockies their first home sweep since May 28-31.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Nationals 6, Giants 4
SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Strasburg outpitched Tim Lincecum to win his third straight start, Danny Espinosa hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the third inning and Washington won its fourth consecutive series.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
OXNARD, Calif. — Cowboys star tight end Jason Witten sustained a "slightly lacerated" spleen Monday against the Raiders and is expected to miss the rest of the preseason, the team said Wednesday. His status for the regular-season opener had not been determined.
"We're taking this thing day by day," coach Jason Garrett said. "(Witten) has to be very still and idle for the next week to 10 days." Doctors will reassess Witten next week and surgery will be an option, Garrett said.
Dallas believes Witten, a seven-time Pro Bowl pick, got hurt after he caught a pass and was immediately hit from the side by linebacker Rolando McClain. John Phillips, a fourth-year player, likely will start for him.
"I can't replace a guy like that," Phillips said. "He's a leader of this team, a leader of this offense. He will be able to lead from the sideline, help us out in the film room."
Johnson tried to stay
DAVIE — Receiver Chad Johnson lobbied to keep his job when he was cut by Dolphins. His release came Sunday, a day after his arrest for domestic battery. His conversation with coach Joe Philbin was captured by HBO's Hard Knocks.
Johnson noted he had been scolded earlier by the coach for a profanity-laced session with reporters and had not done an interview since.
"Coach, I've never been in trouble before, ever," he said. "And I buy into your program, most definitely. Because after that talk we had, I was hushed from that point on. And I was going to stay that way the entire year. I let you down a little bit; a lot. I apologize for embarrassing you and our organization, my teammates."
But Philbin's mind was made up.
"It's not really just (Saturday) night," he said. "It's where we are as a program and where you are and where we're headed. I just don't see the mesh right now. … It's not like I'm trying to flex my muscle to say, 'I'm the head coach and let's make an example of Chad Johnson.' … But I'm certain you can overcome this thing."
broncos linebacker convicted: A Denver jury convicted Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams of driving while ability-impaired and without headlights for an incident in 2010. He had faced a charge of driving under the influence, among others. The jury returned verdicts on the lesser charges after a one-day trial. Sentencing has not been scheduled. Williams is suspended for six games for failing a drug test during the offseason, and he could face more punishment for the conviction. The league said it is reviewing the case.
more broncos: Denver starting defensive end Jason Hunter will miss at least two months and possibly the season after surgery for a torn triceps. He was hurt while hitting a blocking sled Tuesday. Also, starting right guard Chris Kuper will miss six weeks after breaking his left forearm Tuesday, the team said. It did not say how the injury happened.
Steelers star has surgery: Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison had arthroscopic surgery for lingering pain in his left knee. Coach Mike Tomlin called it a minor procedure. He didn't have a timetable for the return of the four-time Pro Bowl pick and 2008 defensive player of the year. Harrison is on the physically unable to perform list.
More Steelers: Running back Isaac Redman will have an MRI exam on his sore groin. He has been out since getting hurt last week against the Eagles.
Jaguars: Starting left tackle Eugene Monroe left practice after getting hit in the head. The team said it had not determined if he had a concussion.
Jets: Starting nose tackle Sione Po'uha is expected to miss the rest of the preseason with a stiff back. The team believes he will be ready for the season opener.
Lions: Running back Mikel Leshoure returned after missing most of camp with a sore right hamstring.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Reds 6, Mets 1
CINCINNATI — Scott Rolen and Todd Frazier hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning and Mike Leake pitched his second complete game of the season to help Cincinnati win its fifth straight game. Jay Bruce homered for the third straight game as the Reds improved to 21-8 without injured All-Star first baseman Joey Votto. New York's R.A. Dickey tied his season high for hits (10) and home runs (three) allowed.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
White Sox 9, Blue Jays 5
TORONTO — Adam Dunn hit his major league-leading 34th home run, Dayan Viciedo and DeWayne Wise also connected, and Chicago won consecutive games in Toronto for the first time in six years. Gavin Floyd pitched six innings to snap a three-start winless streak for the White Sox, who went in having lost 16 of their previous 20 games at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays have lost seven of nine.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Almost controversy of the day
Sean Rodriguez, the Rays' 27th hitter Wednesday, said he considered going against baseball's unwritten rule and trying to bunt his way on in the ninth inning because it was a 1-0 game. But once he got to a 2-and-0 count, he believed he had a chance to drive a fastball into a gap or out of the park.
AL race for wild cards
Team W L Pct. GB
Baltimore 64 53 .547—
Tampa Bay 63 54 .538—
Detroit 63 55 .534 .5
Oakland 61 55 .526 1.5
Los Angeles 61 56 .521 2*
* Late game not included
Accomplishment of the day
Joe Maddon is the first manager, winning or losing, to be ejected from a perfect game.
Perfect distinction of the day
The Rays became the first team to have three perfect games thrown against them in regular-season play. The Dodgers have also been on the wrong end three times: by Montreal's Dennis Martinez in 1991 (left), by Cincinnati's Tom Browning in 1988 and by the Yankees' Don Larsen in the 1956 World Series.
Rays at Angels
When/where: 10:05; Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM
Probable pitchers
Rays LH David Price (15-4, 2.50)
Angels: RH Dan Haren (8-9, 4.68)
On Price: Tied for majors lead with 15 wins, including seven straight, along with 10 consecutive quality starts. Is 3-2, 3.48 in seven starts vs. Angels, including April 24 complete-game shutout.
On Haren: Back issues have been a problem. Has allowed 174 baserunners in 125 innings, including 20 homers. Is 7-3, 2.60 in 12 starts vs. Rays, including a July 27 win.
Rays vs. Haren
Jeff Keppinger 7-for-14, HR
Carlos Peña 4-for-19, 3 HRs
B.J. Upton 9-for-29, 4 HRs
Angels vs. Price
Torii Hunter 6-for-16
Albert Pujols 0-for-4
Mark Trumbo 4-for-9, HR
On deck
Friday: at Angels, 10:05 p.m., Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (10-7, 4.02); Angels — Jered Weaver (15-2, 2.22)
Saturday: at Angels, 9:30, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (7-8, 4.08); Angels — C.J. Wilson (9-9, 3.32)
Sunday: at Angels, 3:35, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (9-7, 3.60); Angels — Zack Greinke (1-1, 5.54)
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Orioles 5, Red Sox 3
BALTIMORE — Held hitless by Aaron Cook through five innings, Baltimore sent 10 men to the plate in a five-run sixth and won its ninth in 11 games. Cook fueled the uprising with a throwing error on a potential inning-ending double-play comebacker. Boston lost for the sixth time in eight games and fell four below .500 for the first time since May 13.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Braves 6, Padres 1
ATLANTA — Dan Uggla's three-run homer in the third inning gave Atlanta the lead, and Paul Maholm pitched seven strong innings to help the Braves stay 41/2 games behind the NL East-leading Nationals. Jason Heyward had a two-run double in Atlanta's three-run fourth inning. San Diego's Edinson Volquez allowed four or more runs for the fourth straight start.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
PITTSBURGH — The Dodgers used their entire lineup to take over sole possession of first place in the NL West.
Clayton Kershaw won his fourth straight start, Matt Kemp drove in three runs and Los Angeles won its fourth straight game, 9-3 over the Pirates on Wednesday night. Eight Dodgers scored at least once, and seven had an RBI.
"We're a pretty dangerous ballclub right now," Kemp said.
The Dodgers, who beat the Pirates 11-0 on Tuesday, have scored 30 runs during their winning streak.
Kemp had a two-run double and scored during a three-run fourth against Wandy Rodriguez. Shane Victorino singled and scored in that inning, and Kershaw had one of his two singles.
"It was a great night," Kershaw said. "Anytime you get that many runs, you just try to attack the strike zone and make them beat you. Fortunately, tonight I didn't walk anybody."
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
SEATTLE — RHP Jeremy Hellickson couldn't do anything about how well Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez pitched. But Hellickson was quite upset at the couple of mistakes he made in an otherwise solid outing that led to the 1-0 loss.
First, he didn't pay attention as Seattle SS Brendan Ryan broke for second after a third-inning single. Then he bounced a pitch, allowing Ryan to get to third. Then he left up a two-out, 2-and-0 changeup to Jesus Montero, who singled in the only run.
"It's very frustrating," Hellickson said. "We should still be playing right now. I can't make that mistake in that ballgame."
Otherwise Hellickson, who was 3-0, 0.92 in four starts vs. Seattle, pitched well, allowing the one run on five hits.
"(Hellickson) was great," manager Joe Maddon said. "How about that — you have to wear a 1-0 loss like that."
SCOTT HELD BACK: DH Luke Scott felt good enough to come off the disabled list, but the Rays decided to wait through the weekend, having him stay with Class A Charlotte — where he went 0-for-2 with a walk as the first baseman Wednesday — to get more at-bats and some time at first.
The Rays' reasoning was twofold. Not only did they want Scott, out since July 21 with a mild oblique strain, to get more reps and make sure he is fully healthy, they really don't have much opportunity for him to play with Evan Longoria handling DH duties.
Scott was disappointed when Maddon called him with the news but professional in how he handled it.
"Just being honest with him. Right now there's not enough at-bats for him," Maddon said. "We'd like him to just sharpen the bat up a little bit, play a little defense, get stretched out there in case we need him there, too. So just based on what was coming up right now, we thought it was the right way to go about it."
If Scott is more comfortable at first base, he could get time in place of Carlos Peña, or at least be used more often as a pinch-hitter if he can stay in the game.
PERFECT POINTS: With Wednesday's 0-for-3 performance, CF B.J. Upton is 3-for-31 against Felix Hernandez, his .097 the lowest average of any major-leaguer with 25 plate appearances vs. the "King." … Seattle manager Eric Wedge said he was sure part of Maddon's prolonged seventh-inning protest after his ejection was to disrupt Hernandez's rhythm: "I was just yelling at Joe to get … out of there, so (Hernandez) could go back to pitching."
MISCELLANY: LF Desmond Jennings' seven-game hitting streak ended when he struck out as a pinch-hitter in the ninth. … Closer Fernando Rodney and setup man Joel Peralta were unavailable after working four straight games. … RHP Jeff Niemann came through his Tuesday rehab start with Charlotte fine and will move up to Triple-A Durham for two more, targeting a late August return from his mid-May broken leg. … Longoria is excited about going home to play in Anaheim, where he has a .426 average with four HRs and 13 RBIs in 13 games.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
soccer
u.s. earns first win at mexico
MEXICO CITY — Michael Orozco Fiscal scored his first international goal in the 80th minute, giving the U.S. men their first win at Mexico with a 1-0 victory in an exhibition Wednesday night.
"It's huge for I think all American fans, it's huge for the team, and it's historic," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "We were very well aware that we've never won here at the Azteca Stadium. This is an amazing experience for the all the players. We told them before the game: This moment is for you; go and grab it. We are all aware that it was a lot, a lot of work."
Goalie Tim Howard preserved the lead, changing directions to stop a deflected shot by Javier Hernandez in the 85th minute, then pawing away a 4-yard header by Chicharito in the 89th. The United States had been 0-23-1 against El Tri in 75 years of games at Mexico, including 0-19-1 in the thin air at altitude in Mexico City, where they have been outscored 81-14.
tennis
Murray feels fine in opening victory
Andy Murray ran down every shot in the afternoon heat, his troublesome left knee holding up fine.
Murray, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer won their opening matches in straight sets at the Western and Southern Open in Mason, Ohio. Murray beat Sam Querrey 6-2, 6-4, facing only two break points.
On the women's side, top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska advanced to the third round with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Sofia Arvidsson. Venus Williams moved on with her second three-set victory in two days. She defeated Chanelle Scheepers 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
nhl
Little progress after union counterproposal
The wide gap that existed in labor talks between the NHL and the players association was hardly bridged a day after the union presented its counterproposal and with the threat of a lockout a month away.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said the sides are "still apart, far apart," and "not on the same page" in making his first public comments since having a chance to read through the union's offer. He said the league isn't even at the point of making a counteroffer. The current collective bargaining agreement expires Sept. 15. The regular season is set to open Oct. 11.
et cetera
Golf: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will square off in China this fall in a one-day exhibition. The top two players in the world ranking will play an 18-hole match Oct. 29 at Lake Jinsha International Golf Club.
NBA: The Suns signed 16-year NBA veteran Jermaine O'Neal. O'Neal, 33, has career averages of 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
NEW ORLEANS — About 20 programs have asked LSU for permission to speak with All-America cornerback and punt returner Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu.
Herb Vincent, the university's vice chancellor of communications, provided the figure Wednesday. LSU considers granting requests only to schools Mathieu has approved, Vincent said.
Vincent said he could not release which schools have been in touch with LSU and which have been approved other than McNeese State, which had announced Mathieu visited its campus in Lake Charles, La.
Nicholls State officials said Wednesday they had received permission from LSU's compliance department but had not met with the 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist.
Officials at Jackson State and Prairie View said LSU rejected their requests.
Mathieu was kicked off the LSU team Friday, reportedly for the latest of several failed drug tests.
Officials at McNeese State, where classes began Wednesday, said there remained leeway for Mathieu to enroll within the next few days.
As for the possibility of Mathieu returning to play for LSU in 2013, Vincent reiterated that the university "will not speculate on Tyrann's future with the LSU football program at this time."
Bush's Heisman returned: Former Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush, who was stripped of the 2005 Heisman Trophy after the NCAA hit the Trojans with sanctions for multiple violations, said on a radio show he wouldn't return to campus even if he was allowed and his trophy is back with the Heisman Trust.
Heisman official Tim Henning confirmed to the Los Angeles Times the Heisman Trust has the trophy.
The Trojans were ordered by the NCAA to remove all references to Bush on campus.
Bush, now a Dolphins back, told the Dan Patrick Show, "I haven't wanted to go back" to USC.
Ex-nole Reid enrolled: Former FSU cornerback and return man Greg Reid, dismissed for continued violations of team rules, is enrolled at Division II Valdosta State and is practicing. By transferring out of Division I-A, Reid can play this season.
Curry to retire: Georgia State's Bill Curry, who also coached at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky, announced he will retire after this season. Curry, 69, was hired in 2008 to start the Panthers' program, which went 6-5 in its inaugural 2010 season.
Rebels expansion: Mississippi State will begin a $75 million expansion of Davis Wade Stadium that should be finished before the 2014 season. The project will add more than 6,000 seats and push the capacity to 61,337.
Illinois: Coach Tim Beckman said redshirt freshman Ryan Klachko, an offensive line transfer from Nebraska, is practicing with his team. Klachko must sit out this season and will have three seasons of eligibility left.
Maryland: Quarterback C.J. Brown will miss the season after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament during a noncontact drill, the Baltimore Sun reported. Perry Hills assumes the starting job over fellow freshman Caleb Rowe.
Texas A&M: Redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel was named the starting quarterback.
Other sports
Basketball: Touted Indianapolis recruit Ron Patterson will transfer from Indians after failing to meet the school's academic requirements. Patterson can sign with another four-year school, enter prep school or attend junior college.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 2
ST. LOUIS — Adam Wainwright pitched six strong innings, and David Freese and Allen Craig homered for St. Louis. Wainwright improved to 4-0 with a 2.04 ERA in his past five starts for the Cardinals, who are 5-0 against Arizona this season. The Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt hit a homer in the fourth estimated at 456 feet, longest by an opposing player at 7-year-old Busch Stadium.
Times wires
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Royals 3, Athletics 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rookie Will Smith pitched seven strong innings and Chris Getz doubled in the go-ahead run for Kansas City. With two outs in the seventh, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Getz hit consecutive doubles. Cain, who was in a 2 for 24 skid, doubled home Hosmer to tie the score. Facing Sean Doolittle, Getz fouled off five two-strike pitches before stroking an opposite-field double.
Times wires
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Yankees 3, Rangers 2
NEW YORK — Freddy Garcia worked around two homers by Josh Hamilton to remain undefeated against Texas for the past eight years, and New York beat the Rangers for the third straight night. Nick Swisher gave the Yankees the lead with an RBI double off Scott Feldman in a three-run third inning. Hamilton became the second player to reach 100 RBIs this season, after Detroit's Miguel Cabrera.
Times wires
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Angels 8, Indians 4
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout and Chris Iannetta homered to help the Angels build a big lead against Roberto Hernandez in his season debut with Cleveland. Ervin Santana allowed just a sixth-inning double by Asdrubal Cabrera and is now is 2-8 in 14 career starts against the Indians. Jason Isringhausen gave up a three-run homer in the eighth to Shin-Soo Choo.
By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, August 16, 2012
TAMPA — After last season, Mike Williams wants to save face. His is disappearing behind a bushy black beard.
But it is not thick enough to hide his talent.
After another solid practice this week, including Williams picking the pocket of rookie safety Mark Barron to turn an interception into a drive-saving completion, Williams was asked if he plans to keep his facial hair.
"It's up to (general manager) Mark Dominik," Williams said. "But he says it's looking like good luck right now, so I'm going to keep it."
Appearances aside, there's no disguising that last season, Williams, 25, didn't look like the player he was in 2010, when the fourth-round draft pick from Syracuse led rookies with 11 touchdown receptions. He caught 65 passes, the same as his rookie year, but for 771 yards, 193 fewer, and three touchdowns.
Bucs receivers coach P.J. Fleck said he expects Williams to bounce back.
"The first words I think about with Mike is his transformation and commitment," Fleck said. "That has a lot to do with (the arrival of free agent receiver) Vincent Jackson. It has a lot to do with him wanting to be great."
Jackson, 29, a two-time Pro Bowl pick with the Chargers who signed a five-year, $55.5 million free agent contract in March, immediately embraced his role as mentor to the Bucs' young wideouts.
Fleck ordered Williams to sit next to Jackson during meetings so he could get a bird's-eye view of his intricate note-taking.
"If you truly want it, there is a price to pay," he said. "And a lot of people will pay the price for a little bit. And when it gets uncomfortable, they'll stop. Mike, when it got uncomfortable, has found a way to break through the barriers that once were there and went to the next step on the mountain. And if keeps doing that, I think he's going to like what he sees at the end."
Williams already is enjoying his view of opposing defenses. In last week's preseason opener, the Dolphins, wary of Jackson's ability to stretch the field, rolled coverage to Jackson's side, sometimes leaving Williams one on one with the cornerback. Once in the Bucs' 20-7 win, Williams took a simple hitch, made cornerback Sean Smith miss and raced 18 yards to set up a touchdown.
"He's been a sponge," Jackson said of Williams. "He's taken to coaching. He's become such a better receiver in the last few months, watching him put in the work and buy in."
At 6 feet 1, 212 pounds, Williams relies on strength more than speed to get separation. Former coaches say he gained weight during the lockout last summer. There is debate about how much Williams weighed, perhaps as much as 218.
Williams disputes that, but there's no denying he wore down last season, averaging two catches for 26.2 yards over the final four games. He also was among the league leaders in dropped passes.
"The lockout killed us last year," Williams said. "We didn't have what we have this offseason, where we're all working with each other, running with each other, sprinting through the line. Instead of everybody going home, we're all up here running and working out."
Williams said he's in the best shape of his life and back to making circus-like catches.
"I remember Mike when he was at Syracuse," said Bucs coach Greg Schiano, previously at Rutgers. "He is a great hand-eye coordination guy. Then he's strong. Those acrobatic catches, you can train hand-eye coordination, but there's a certain level you can reach. This guy, he's been blessed that way."
Can Williams return to his rookie form?
"I want to be at a higher level," he said. "I feel like I'm putting the work in now, watching extra film, knowing what the coverage is, working with Vincent on extra things. I don't want to get to a level I've already been at. I want to exceed that level."
As Williams knows, the difference between success and failure is razor thin.
Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@tampabay.com and can be heard from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays on WDAE-620.
Locker gets his shot
QB Jake Locker, whom the Titans picked eighth overall in the 2011 draft, will start tonight against the Bucs. "It's great to have the opportunity," he said. Incumbent Matt Hasselbeck started last week, and Locker followed by going 7-of-13 for 80 yards against a mixture of Seattle starters and backups. Coach Mike Munchak said he hopes to make a decision about a No. 1 after this game.
