Times wires
Thursday, August 16, 2012

Tennis

Serena, Venus move on; Murray sent packing

MASON, Ohio — Serena and Venus Williams moved into the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open by handling the afternoon heat, humidity and wind. The conditions were too much for Andy Murray.

Murray's off-day turned into the biggest upset of the tournament, a straight-sets loss Thursday that left him with hardly any hardcourt time heading into the U.S. Open.

Murray lost 6-4, 6-4 to Jeremy Chardy, an opponent he had beaten easily the four previous times they played. Murray had trouble controlling his shots on a breezy, 85-degree afternoon.

"I was a little bit uncomfortable with those balls bouncing extremely high," said Murray, who left the court as soon as the match ended and headed directly to the interview room. "It was fairly hard to control."

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Mardy Fish and Juan Martin del Potro also reached the quarterfinals.

On the women's side, Serena Williams won her 19th straight match — her past 12 in straight sets — by beating Urszula Radwanska 6-4, 6-3. Williams hasn't lost a set since the Wimbledon final, which she won.

Top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska overcame an unexpected challenge from wild card Sloane Stephens before winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. Radwanska reached the tournament's quarterfinal for the first time in three appearances.

Rain forced the suspension of sixth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki's match — she trailed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 after one set — and postponement of ninth-seeded Li Na's match against Johanna Larsson. They will play this morning.

Soccer

Women gear up for under-20 World Cup

The United States, defending champion Germany and host Japan will be the leading title contenders at the women's under-20 World Cup, which kicks off this weekend.

The United States won the tournament in 2002 and '08. The roster includes former Berkeley Prep standout Bryane Heaberlin.

The United States opens group play against Ghana on Monday in Hiroshima and plays China three days later before wrapping up the first round against Germany in Miyagi on Aug. 27.

Maradona's son to join Argentine club: The son of soccer great Diego Maradona is close to joining a third-division Argentine club. Diego Sinagra Maradona — often known as Diego Junior — is expected to join the club El Porvenir. Diego Junior has had little contact with his father, and his career has been limited to lower-level clubs in Italy.

et cetera

NHL: After bringing grit and scoring punch in his first season in Philadelphia, the Flyers rewarded forward Wayne Simmonds with a six-year extension. Financial terms weren't disclosed. Simmonds, 23, was an instant fan favorite after coming from the Kings in a trade for Mike Richards. He had career highs of 28 goals and 49 points.

Diving: Toby Stanley and Gracia Leydon-Mahoney led their divisions after the semifinal rounds of the U.S. national championships in Greensboro, N.C. Stanley, from Conway, Ark., finished with 481.35 points in the men's 10-meter platform to top the 12 qualifiers for Sunday's final. Leydon-Mahoney, from Durham, N.C., had 312.10 points to top the women's 3-meter springboard semifinals. Leydon-Mahoney, who finished third in the event at the U.S. junior nationals last week, also had the semifinal round's best dive, scoring 71.40 points on a back 21/2 somersault tuck.

WNBA: Erlana Larkins scored a career-high 16 to help host Indiana defeat Washington 84-66. Tamika Catchings, fresh off winning her third gold for Team USA, had 14 points and 14 rebounds. The double double was the 76th of her career and tied her with Lauren Jackson for third in WNBA history. … Cappie Pondexter scored 24 to lead host New York to a 79-66 victory over first-place Connecticut.

Horses: Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags will begin his stallion career at Lane's End Farm, a 2,000-acre farm in Versailles, Ky. Union Rags, owned by Phyllis Wyeth, was retired last month because of a tendon injury in his left front leg. He had a record of five wins in eight starts and total earnings of more than $1.7 million.

Times wires

Times wires
Thursday, August 16, 2012

A's 3, Royals 0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Coco Crisp and Yoenis Cespedes homered for the A's, and Dan Straily picked up his first major-league victory. Crisp, who played for the Royals in 2009, was 2-for-27 this season against Kansas City before the homer. Straily, a 24th-round draft pick in 2009, held the Royals to three singles over 6 1/3 innings in his third major-league start. Straily, who struck out two, pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning.

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

Brewers 7, Phillies 4

MILWAUKEE — Corey Hart's grand slam with two outs in the eighth prevented the Philles' Cliff Lee from getting a win. Jim Henderson got the final two outs, getting Erik Kratz to ground out with the bases loaded to end the game. Lee allowed two solo home runs by Ryan Braun and a solo homer by Aramis Ramirez, but little else.

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

Rockies 5, Marlins 3

DENVER — Michael Cuddyer, who missed 11 games because of a strained right oblique, came off the DL and homered as the Rockies won their fourth in a row. The Marlins' Ricky Nolasco pitched his first complete game of the year but lost for the sixth time in his past seven starts.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 17, 2012

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Rays talked a lot Thursday afternoon about how they weren't going to let Felix Hernandez's perfect game the day before have any lingering effect.

Then they went out and showed it.

With homers by Ben Zobrist, B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria, the Rays rolled over the Angels 7-0, putting an end to the two-game skid that followed their season-high seven-game winning streak.

They improved to 64-54, moving back to within six games of the AL East-leading Yankees and into a tie for the AL wild-card lead with the Orioles.

"Getting one hit was nice early, and everybody just poured it on," said Zobrist, who got them started with a second- inning blast. "Definitely a good win after (Wednesday), and it helped us forget it a lot easier."

The Rays have had good experience in rebounding. They won eight of their next 12 games after Mark Buehrle's July 23, 2009, perfect game against them in Chicago, and 10 of 13 after Dallas Braden's May 9, 2010, feat in Oakland.

"We know how to bounce back, we've kind of been there before,'' Upton said. "I was kind of the joke around the clubhouse (Thursday). So I think we handled it pretty well and regrouped.''

It also helped that they had David Price on the mound. Price dominated for his seven innings, allowing only three hits and striking out eight, to log his team-record eighth straight win and major-league-leading 16th overall.

With 11 consecutive quality starts as well, Price seems to be in the best stretch of his career.

"I guess it has to be,'' Price said. "I feel like I've thrown the ball pretty well over the last however many starts it is.''

With Burke Badenhop and Wade Davis finishing, the Rays blanked the otherwise-potent Angels for a third straight time, and 32 innings overall.

"After (Wednesday's) difficult game, I was really proud of our boys," manager Joe Maddon said. "The thing I love about our group is that we don't let it bother us, and we shouldn't. And when David pitches a game like that, it permits you to get it going."

As quiet as the Rays' bats were Wednesday — and, actually, for most of Tuesday, as they had gone their last 17 innings in Seattle without a run — the story was how loud they were Thursday against Angels starter Dan Haren.

In his first at-bat, Zobrist homered on a 2-and-2 pitch. "We were glad to get a run on the board early for Price,'' Zobrist said.

After Zobrist's homer, which was reviewed by the umpires to make sure it went out, gave the Rays the lead in the second, they added four runs in the fourth.

Upton got them started with his fourth homer of the road trip and 14th overall, a loud blast to left. "B.J. really got into that one,'' Maddon said.

Longoria, playing before dozens of friends and relatives in his hometown stadium, singled and then tested his left hamstring a bit in going from first to third, albeit gingerly, on Zobrist's double.

Jeff Keppinger scored them both with a single to left, then came around himself on a Carlos Peña single and Ryan Roberts' sac fly.

Longoria saved himself any further running in the fifth by hitting a ball over the centerfield wall for a two-run homer, his first since coming off the disabled list Aug. 7. In 14 games at Angel Stadium, Longoria is hitting .431 with five homers and 15 RBIs.

Longoria said Zobrist's homer was key, but what they did after was better. "It takes all the pressure off us getting a hit, scoring a run, not getting beat 1-0,'' Longoria said. "But I was happy with the way we continued to put pressure on (Haren) and eventually knocked him out (in the fourth). We continued to pile on runs which was definitely something we needed after (Wednesday).''

So much for any carryover from the perfect game.

"I told you,'' Maddon said, "I really don't believe in that stuff.''

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

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

Diamondbacks 2, Cardinals 1

ST. LOUIS — Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Young homered on consecutive pitches from Jason Motte with one out in the ninth as the Diamondbacks rallied. St. Louis led 1-0 on Allen Craig's RBI single in the fifth, but Goldschmidt hit his 18th homer of the season and Young then hit his 12th.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 17, 2012

Lightning defenseman Matt Carle wanted it clear he did not request to wear jersey No. 25 on a whim. He understands what the number — worn for four years by revered captain Dave Andreychuk and by no one since his 2006 retirement — represents to the team and its fans.

So when Carle, signed in July as a free agent, asked for the number, it was done delicately.

"It started with some discussions with (GM) Steve Yzerman, and we got Dave's blessing as well," Carle said Friday. "That was a big thing for me."

"It's just a number to me," said Andreychuk, team vice president of fan and business development. "I know you relate the number to the guy, but … (Carle is) comfortable with that number. He had a good couple of years in Philly. I know how he feels."

Carle wore 25 in four years with the Flyers before becoming one of the summer's most sought-after free agents. He said he began wearing the number when he was 8 and wore it at the University of Denver. He gave it to veteran Mike Grier for two seasons with the Sharks, and during his 12 games with Tampa Bay in 2008-09 he wore No. 5.

The reason? "It did have something to do with Dave Andreychuk," Carle, 27, said. "They were going to do something to honor him, and back then I was a little bit younger."

Andreychuk, who said he originally wanted to wear No. 23 to honor Canadiens great Bob Gainey, wore 25 for 10 seasons with the Sabres through 1992-93.

He did not wear it again until 2001, when he joined the Lightning, which he helped to the 2004 Stanley Cup. He scored his 600th career goal with Tampa Bay and topped off his NHL-record 274 power-play goals.

So profound were his contributions, including helping a young team understand accountability and how to win, there was a belief No. 25 would be retired. It eventually could be, though the team was vague: "The organization fully recognizes Dave Andreychuk's impact as a Lightning player and as captain of the 2004 Stanley Cup champions," spokesman Bill Wickett said. "We look forward to properly saluting and celebrating him for his contributions to the franchise."

"Obviously, every player would love to have their number retired, but it's not a big deal," Andreychuk said. "When you think of (owner Jeff Vinik) and what (CEO) Tod Leiweke and (chief operating officer) Steve Griggs did and how they respected me, that to me is more important."

As for Carle: "I just want to reiterate what the number means to me and what an honor it is for me to be the first guy to wear it since him."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 17, 2012

TAMPA — The Bucs failed in their attempt to land Olympic silver medal-winning sprinter and former University of Florida running back Jeff Demps.

The Patriots announced Friday that Demps signed, reportedly for three years. No financial details were announced.

Demps tweeted Friday that "it's truly an honor."

Bucs coach Greg Schiano on Wednesday acknowledged the team's interest in Demps, saying the club had been in contact with him before Demps left for London, where he earned his medal for participating on the U.S. 4x100-meter relay team.

"If he wasn't a good football player, it wouldn't matter to me," Schiano said. "But he happened to be a good football player as well."

Demps in January declared he was giving up his football career to concentrate on track. But upon returning from the Olympics, he still had NFL opportunities, evidenced by teams that called after he retained agent Daniel Rose.

The Bucs were considered a finalist for Demps, Rose said this week, while noting the number of interested teams grew throughout the week.

Any team could have drafted Demps in April, but teams likely were dissuaded by his stance on continuing his track career.

It's unclear what role Tampa Bay had envisioned for Demps, 22, whose UF experience mostly came in the backfield. He also can play receiver and return kicks and punts; the Patriots need a kick returner.

"Florida has had a track record of some pretty good football players that have come out of there,'' Patriots player personnel director Nick Caserio said.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 17, 2012

TAMPA — The way David Prince figured, it was his last chance.

Prince was living in his mother's house in Georgia and even the bottom of the barrel looked a long way up. In 2002, Prince, a high school dropout, had recently lost his lower leg in a motorcycle accident.

Popping in and out of jail, he was addicted to drugs and fighting to stave off suicidal thoughts.

"My mom was going to call the sheriff and have me thrown out of the house," Prince said. "I was at rock bottom."

He convinced his mother, who had been a first-hand witness to Prince's destructive path, to give him another shot.

"I knew I had to make a change and show her, not just talk about it," Prince said. "She told me if I didn't (change), then she was washing her hands with me."

As it turns out, she used those hands to give him a second chance at life.

"She gave me a gym membership," he said. "And that's where this whole journey started."

Prince's next step in that journey will take place in London when the 28-year-old represents the U.S. track and field team Aug. 29-Sept. 9 at the 2012 Paralympic Summer Games. Prince, who has lived in the Brandon area for about two years, will run in the 400-meter race.

"From the day I got that gym membership," Prince said. "My addiction to working out replaced my addiction to drugs and the lifestyle I was living."

Prince had his motorcycle for all of five days when he decided to race another vehicle. He remembers looking down at the speedometer and seeing 160 miles per hour just prior to the crash.

"I hit a curb on a turn and flipped," he said. "I crashed into a guardrail and the lower part of my leg broke off right on the spot."

Prince said the person he was racing came back to the accident scene and used his belt to apply a tourniquet.

"I was bleeding out," he said. "He saved my life."

After spending five days in a medically induced coma, Prince found himself watching his life spiral out of control.

"I was totally immersed in the drug scene," he said. "I was down but getting into athletics gave me a purpose."

Prince began working out nearly every day, sometimes five hours at a clip.

"It consumed me like addiction to drugs did," he said.

Prince's new athletic regime eventually led him into triathlons, which soon led to sprinting. He began training with track legends Al Joyner and Joaquim Cruz, learning to transition from long-distance running to sprints.

"I had the endurance," he said. "I just had to learn how to maximize my energy in a short distance."

Prince, whose leg severed a few inches below the knee, worked with Tampa's Hanger Clinic to fit him with the perfect prosthetic.

"Because of the event he's running, we fit David with a more vertical device that has a smaller surface area than long distance runners would have," said Don Smith, a certified prosthetist who works with Prince. "Imagine more of a J shape than a C."

But just as Prince seemed to have things in order, adversity struck again in the form of another horrific injury in December. While playing on a trampoline with his son, Prince landed awkwardly and tore the ACL, PCL, the meniscus, hamstring and part of his LCL in the knee originally damaged in the motorcycle.

"I thought there was no possible way I could compete in London" Prince said.

But Prince said the troubles of his past help to conquer the obstacles of the present.

"I could definitely draw upon those experiences after the crash," he said. "And my wife kept pushing me. Eventually I began to realize it myself too."

Prince resumed training and finished second in the 400-meter trials, earning a spot on the team that will compete in London. When he gets to London, Prince will race against South Africa's Oscar Pistorius, who recently gained fame by running as a bilateral amputee in the Summer Olympics. Pistorius is the defending Paralympic champion in the 100, 200 and 400, but Prince has an interesting take on running next to the sudden star.

"More than likely I'll be running behind him than next to him," Prince joked. "But he's a good friend and a great athlete. A real inspiration to all of us."

Judging from his past, Prince has proven to be quite an inspiration himself.

Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@tampbay.com.

By Jim Huddleston, Times Correspondent


Friday, August 17, 2012

What's hot: During the hottest days, the best bite has been at daybreak and sunset. There is almost no pressure on game fish. Tides are a factor, though some will take advantage of an easy meal first thing in the morning even on slack water. Live bait will trigger a response from even the most weary fish that has not been pressured over the past 12 hours. The season's largest snook are more likely to eat at this time and will have plenty of energy upon release. Large pinfish and threadfins are good choices. On higher tides at daybreak, work the mangroves, where there is mullet, with a small pinfish under a cork to catch redfish. Every once in a while, give the cork a swift pop to alert reds in the area of the meal.

Release tip: After landing a fish that will be released, leave it in the net and water. It can oxygenate while another angler gets a camera or dehooking tool.

Jim Huddleston charters out of Tampa, Palm Harbor and Clearwater and can be reached at (727) 439-9017 and at jim@captainhud.com.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, August 17, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — One win, zero confidence.

Budz Crosby had little else on his profile in December when he arrived at Derby Lane. But kennel owner Jan Alderson was struck by what Arkansas kennel operator Randy Finegan said when he recommended the greyhound.

"He's got talent," she said.

Budz Crosby, an invader from Southland Park in West Memphis, has developed into one of Derby Lane's leading 660-yard performers. He is a blue-collar dog, purchased for only $1,500 at the National Greyhound Association spring meet in 2011.

"It took (Budz Crosby) a while to get his confidence back," Alderson said. "We're lucky he did, because a lot of times that doesn't happen."

Finegan believed Budz Crosby would be a good fit for the St. Petersburg facility, where Finegan once had a booking. Led by track top dog Extruding Dream, Finegan's Magic City kennel captured the 2005-06 win championship. Extruding Dream was an All-America first-team selection and winner of the Flashy Sir award (nation's top distance greyhound). Finegan's trainer was Doug Flint, now with Hambleton Racing at Derby Lane.

Alderson started Budz Crosby on the 550-yard course. After winning only one of his first nine starts, he was moved to 660.

"It looked like he had some finish," Alderson said, "and it gave him more time to get going."

Budz Crosby has since raced exclusively at 660. In 50 starts at that distance, he has 14 victories and placed in the money 33 times with top-four finishes for owner Richard Armington Jr. He has clocked the season's two fastest times, including a career-best 37.39 seconds on July 25. Budz Crosby has five victories from 13 starts this meet, and five of Alderson's seven Grade A wins.

After running eighth Wednesday, Budz Crosby is being given time off to rest for the $75,000 Holiday Distance Challenge (formerly called the 660-Yard Challenge) on Dec. 1-15. The 81-pound greyhound placed third in the $30,000 St. Petersburg Derby on June 30, losing to 2011 All-America team captain Tiger Boy.

"We're very happy with him," Alderson said. "Crosby wasn't sure about things at first. But he kept going, and then he finally started to see that everything was going to be okay. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of luck to get a dog like him back (to being confident)."

Budz Crosby is a 35-month-old male out of a litter by Kiowa Mon Manny and Craigie Maxi. Of his 15 victories at Derby Lane, he has come from off the pace 12 times.

"Just like any good dog, he's got a lot of heart," Alderson said.

Alderson's kennel is a four-generation operation. Greg Lesperance, her 30-year-old son, is the trainer. Jan's grandfather, Perry Alderson, started the kennel in 1939. Eddie Alderson, her father, took over in 1963.

"Greg really likes it and he takes a lot of pressure off me," she said.

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Some of NASCAR's biggest names are trying to keep their championship hopes alive with the Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship about a month away.

Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon would be on the outside looking in if the Chase started now. They have four races to change that, starting this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

"We don't feel there is a better race track on the circuit to come to when we need a win than Michigan," Edwards said of a track where he has won twice. "We have had a lot of success here."

The top 10 drivers, plus the two drivers from Nos. 11-20 with the most victories, make the Chase. Edwards is 12th but has no wins. Busch and Gordon have a win apiece but are 14th and 15th, just behind Ryan Newman, also with one win, for the second wild card spot. No. 11 Kasey Kahne has two wins and is in line for the first wild-card spot.

Newman said he still doesn't have any news on a new sponsor for next season, and missing the 10-race Chase would be tough.

"We've made it and we've not made it. When we don't make it, it's frustrating to go through those last 10 races," he said.

Gordon trails Newman by 10.

"We're just trying to race as hard as we possibly can for each position," Gordon said. "I don't get too far ahead. I really live in the moment."

GUARD ON CAR: The Army National Guard is staying as a sponsor of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 Sprint Cup team through 2013. Last month, Congress rejected a bid by Reps. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., and Betty McCollum, D-Minn., to trim $72.3 million for sports sponsorships from a $608 billion defense bill for fiscal 2013.

CUP QUALIFYING: Mark Martin earned his fourth pole this season and 55th career for Sunday's Pure Michigan 400. Speeds are down slightly from June, when several drivers cleared 200 mph; Martin's lap was 199.706 on the track's still-new surface.

NATIONWIDE QUALIFYING: IndyCar regular Alex Tagliani earned the pole for today's Napa Auto Parts 200 in his hometown, his lap of 96.688 mph at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal edging Sam Hornish. Jacques Villeneuve starts third, next to Danica Patrick, at the track named for his late father.

NHRA: Tony Schumacher, using a new canopy on his dragster's cockpit, led Day 1 in Top Fuel at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minn. Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also led in qualifying, which ends today.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 17, 2012

tom jones' two cents

The latest from the world of sports.

The ratings game

Tuesday's episode of HBO's Hard Knocks, which featured Chad Johnson being cut by the Dolphins, was the second-most-watched episode of the series ever, with 984,000 viewers. That was a 34 percent jump from this season's debut episode as the series features Miami. The finale of the 2010 series, which featured the Jets, drew more with 1 million viewers.

If you haven't seen the scene with Johnson being released by coach Joe Philbin, make sure to find it and watch. It's hard to watch but impossible not to watch.

No news is bad news

Another NFL season. Another NFL season without the NFL Network for Bright House Networks cable subscribers.

This week the NFL Network and Cablevision reached a deal, and the network now is being carried by eight of the nine largest cable/satellite companies. The one that doesn't carry it? Time Warner, which negotiates deals for Bright House.

It is believed Time Warner and the NFL Network were close to a deal last year, but talks ended. Time Warner says conversations are ongoing and it hopes a deal can be made. That sounds good.

This doesn't: The NFL says the sides are not talking and they are not close to a deal.

Making matters worse for those missing the NFL Network is the network is nearly doubling the number of games it is showing this season. It will carry 13 games on Thursday nights.

The Bucs play the Vikings on the NFL Network on Oct. 25, but that game is expected to be shown on a Tampa Bay area channel so even Bright House subscribers can see it.

Media tidbits

• Chucky alert: Former Bucs coach Jon Gruden will be profiled in the next Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel, which debuts at 9 Tuesday night on HBO. Gumbel traveled to Tampa hang out with Gruden, left.

• ESPN begins its fourth consecutive season of televising England's Premier League soccer at 9:50 this morning. Arsenal and Sunderland kick off the network's schedule of 15 live matches through Nov. 5. Play-by-play voice Ian Darke and analyst Steve McManaman return for their third seasons.

• CBS said Bill Macatee will be the lead play-by-play voice for tennis' U.S. Open. CBS's coverage begins Sept. 1. It's quite the coveted role. Macatee becomes the fifth lead U.S. Open announcer since CBS acquired the tournament's rights in 1968. He follows Bud Collins, Pat Summerall, Tim Ryan and Dick Enberg.

• Former Gators football coach Ron Zook has been hired by CBS Sports Network as a college studio analyst. He will work with another former SEC coach, Houston Nutt.

Best show

ESPN's College GameDay, pound-for-pound as good as any sports show on television, returns for its 26th season Sept. 1. The gang kicks off this season at the Cowboys Classic in Arlington, Texas, where Michigan plays Alabama.

The only change to GameDay is Samantha Steele hosting the show's first hour, which appears on ESPNU from 9 to 10 a.m. Steele replaces Erin Andrews, who is now at Fox. The regular 10 a.m. to noon show on ESPN is the same, with host Chris Fowler and analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack.

Three things that popped into my head

1. I don't care if Bobby Valentine is a bad manager or not. Any Red Sox player who sneaked into the owner's office and bellyached about Valentine was completely out of line. You don't do that.

2. Know what I'm tired of? Baseball teams that have adopted these hand gestures to celebrate after getting a hit and driving in a run. You drove in a run. Big deal. Act like you've done it before and expect to do it again.

3. Ever see ESPN's ticker on the bottom of the screen that says "No-hitter Alert'' when a guy is coming close to a no-no? Think maybe ESPN should put that up before every Rays game?

Times staff, wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

GAINESVILLE — When Florida sophomore QB Jeff Driskel sat out of practice one day this week with a bruised shoulder bone, it allowed Jacoby Brissett an opportunity to get more practice time.

But it didn't settle the quarterback battle, offensive coordinator Brent Pease said Friday. The injury hasn't adversely affected Driskel, and the competition is ongoing.

"I think (Brissett) got more reps while Jeff was out one day," Pease said. "So I think when you get more reps, it's going to make you better, naturally, because you are seeing more things. I don't think he gained any (ground) or went ahead, but he got more reps with it."

The competition has been "up and down," Pease said.

"I think the thing I've seen from both of them is this: They both have gotten better in all aspects of their game. And that's the main thing. If they can get better where they both can manage and make plays, then that's really what we're striving for."

When the time comes to decide a starter, Pease said he and head coach Will Muschamp will have about a 50-50 say in the decision. Then he hedged a little: "Well, 51-49 because (Muschamp is) the head coach."

The decision won't be made lightly, but it won't be difficult, he said.

"I say that because I think they are both capable," Pease said.

UCF: New return guy?

ORLANDO — UCF coach George O'Leary says junior WR Jeff Godfrey can make an impact on the punt-return game this season.

Godfrey, who started at quarterback the past two seasons, has been working with the second-string return team behind sophomore WR J.J. Worton and has impressed O'Leary with his quickness and his ability to identify gaps in the defense.

"I thought J.J. Worton did a heck of a job last year, minus a game, but I think Jeff has the real 'make a guy miss' and breakaway speed to take it the distance," O'Leary said.

Though Godfrey has never returned punts before, he's been catching on quickly.

"I'm learning to catch the ball when it's up in the air and looking at the pressure when it's coming down," he said. "I'm pretty good at it, and I'm trying to get a spot there."

line competition: Redshirt freshman OL Tarik Cook has received increased playing time with starters throughout the week. Cook is getting reps at left and right guard, and is holding his own while starting LG Theo Goins recovers from an unspecified leg injury. "I think he went over there and did a heck of a job as far as at the guard position," O'Leary said. "He has good hip strength, comes out of it, gets moving on the ball. But again, he's young."

Orlando Sentinel

UM: Role for fullback

CORAL GABLES— In the age of the spread offense, the fullback is going the way of lawn darts and VHS tapes. But not at Miami with Maurice Hagens in the backfield.

The 5-foot-11, 238-pound junior is a blocker who doesn't expect or seek the glory of the deep back.

"Yeah, there aren't too many fullbacks out there," he said. "So when I go out there, I try to make it a notable position when I step out on the field."

A running back in high school, Hagens added 20 pounds since coming to college. Hagens ran seven times for 21 yards a year ago, but said he's more in his element as a blocker.

Scrimmage Part II: The second and final full scrimmage of camp is this afternoon. Coach Al Golden said it will focus on sideline control and game tempo.

South Florida Sun Sentinel

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

Major League Baseball will install experimental replay systems at Yankee Stadium and the Mets' Citi Field to test their viability for reviewing fair/foul calls, Yahoo Sports and ESPN.com reported Friday.

The tests will be conducted during games in September.

Only home runs currently are subject to review. In July, commissioner Bud Selig said MLB would look into expanding review to catch/no-catch situations in the outfield and fair/foul issues down the lines.

"Hawkeye," used in tennis to determine if balls land in or out, will be tested at Citi Field. A radar-based system similar to the technology used to track shots during golf telecasts will be tested at Yankee Stadium. MLB also plans to test both during the Arizona Fall League and present the results at the owners meetings in November.

Valentine won't blame media for problems

NEW YORK — Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said his team's difficult season has not been caused by the media.

Team president Larry Lucchino said Thursday he blamed the media "a little bit" for the turmoil, which has included a clash between Valentine and since-traded 3B Kevin Youkilis and last week's Yahoo Sports report that players met with ownership to complain about Valentine.

Said Valentine: "The media had nothing to do with the season."

More Red Sox: RHP Mark Prior, once a touted prospect who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2006 because of arm injuries, was released. Prior, 31, a reliever at Triple A, had 38 strikeouts over 25 innings and an opponent batting average of .172 but walked 23. He also allowed seven runs over his past 10 appearances.

Angels: With Monday an offday, RHP Dan Haren will be skipped in the rotation. Over his past two starts he has allowed 12 runs in 10 innings, including a loss to the Rays on Thursday.

Cardinals: C Yadier Molina missed his third game because of a tight back. He and the team anticipate him returning today.

Nationals: All-Star SS Ian Desmond, out since July 22 with a strained left oblique, was activated. To make room, INF Cesar Izturis, claimed off waivers from the Brewers on Aug. 6, was designated for assignment.

Padres: C Yasmani Grandal, out since July 31 with a strained muscle on his right side, was activated. C Nick Hundley went on the DL with a bruised right knee.

Phillies: C Carlos Ruiz, out since Aug. 4 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, said he expects to return by early September after seeing doctors this week.

Rangers: RHP Ryan Dempster will miss today's start for undisclosed personal reasons. Texas placed him on the restricted list and said he's expected back Monday. RHP Roy Oswalt, bumped from the rotation when the Rangers acquired Dempster from the Cubs at the trade deadline, will start.

Royals: 2B Chris Getz is likely out for the season after breaking his left thumb trying to bunt.

Tigers: The team has given up hope of C/1B Victor Martinez playing this season. He tore his left ACL while working out in January; he recently began to run.

White Sox: INF Orlando Hudson (bruised left foot when he fouled a ball off it) and LH reliever Leyson Septimo (left biceps inflammation) went on the DL.

Yankees: 1B Mark Teixeira sat and is day to day with a sore left wrist. He had a cortisone shot two weeks ago and might get another.

Hall of Famer settles: Former Orioles star 1B Eddie Murray agreed to pay $358,151 to settle federal charges of profiting in stock trades by using confidential information. The Securities and Exchange Commission says a medical supplies company CEO it is prosecuting passed information about the company's sale to former Orioles 3B Doug DeCinces in 2009. DeCinces, in turn, informed Murray, who neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing, the SEC says. DeCinces settled the accusation last year by agreeing to pay $2.5 million.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 17, 2012

Rays at Angels

When/where: 9:35 tonight; Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Alex Cobb (7-8, 4.08)

Angels: LH C.J. Wilson (9-9, 3.32)

On Cobb: He makes his fourth start against L.A., most of any team, and is 1-1, 4.08. Over his past four starts overall, he is 3-0, 1.93 with 21 strikeouts and three walks.

On Wilson: He has a nine-start winless streak (0-5, 5.04). He has lost twice to the Rays this year despite a 2.63 ERA and is 4-2, 2.35 in 19 games (six starts) against them overall.

Rays vs. Wilson

Jeff Keppinger 5-for-19

Evan Longoria 3-for-22

Ben Zobrist6-for-24, 2 HRs

Angels vs. Cobb

Torii Hunter 4-for-7

Albert Pujols 3-for-3

Mark Trumbo 3-for-8

On deck

Sunday: at Angels, 3:35, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (9-7, 3.60); Angels — Zack Greinke (1-1, 5.54)

They'll party like it's 2002

Rays manager Joe Maddon, top, and C Jose Molina will be among the honorees tonight as the Angels celebrate the 10th anniversary of their 2002 championship team. For both, apparently, there was a lot of fun. "That group was a fun group," Maddon said. Added Molina: "I know it's been a long time, but I remember everything. It was a fun time."

AL race for wild cards

Team W L Pct. GB

Tampa Bay 6554 .546—

Baltimore 64 55.538—

Detroit 6455 .538—

Oakland 6355 .534 1/2

Los Angeles 62 58.51721/2

* Late game not included

Quote of the day

"Maybe he could go hog-hunting."

— manager Joe Maddon, on giving DH Luke Scott a day off from his minor-league rehab stint

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

Yankees 6, Red Sox 4

NEW YORK — Derek Jeter's 250th homer was one of five solo shots for the Yankees. Nick Swisher hit two and Curtis Granderson and Russell Martin one. All but Swisher's second, in the seventh, came off Franklin Morales. Jeter's gave New York 10 players with 10 or more homers, tying its record set in 1998. Outside of the third, when his throwing error led to four unearned runs, Phil Hughes retired 19 of 21 batters.

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

Nationals 6, Mets 4

WASHINGTON — Michael Morse hit a grand slam and Bryce Harper a two-run shot for the Nationals. Johan Santana, who has lost his past five starts, was perfect through three for the Mets. But he allowed four consecutive hits in the fourth, capped by Morse's 12th homer that put Washington up 4-2. Harper, coming off a 3-for-32 road trip, made it 6-2 in the fifth.

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Jimmy Walker left booming, highlight-reel drives to his playing partner. A low score was fine for him.

Walker shot 8-under 62 Friday to take the lead at 12-under 128 after two rounds in the Wyndham Championship.

Defending champion Webb Simpson (63) was one shot back. First-round leader Carl Pettersson (68), Tim Clark (67), Sergio Garcia (63) and rookie Harris English (64) were 10 under.

Tim Herron matched the tournament record at 61, but was still nine strokes back.

Play stopped for 1 hour, 17 minutes when a system of thunderstorms passed through late.

Walker, who began four strokes back, had eight birdies in his round to compile one of the best two-day scores in event history. Only Pettersson (125 in 2008) was better.

"I was playing with J.B. (Holmes, who missed the cut), and he was bombing the driver everywhere, and I was just kind of bunting the 5-wood around and hitting good approach shots," Walker said. "It was pretty boring-looking golf — not a lot of drivers, not a lot of 3-woods. There's a lot of 5-woods and some irons, and it's just kind of placement around the golf course."

Walker hopes to get back to his form from earlier this year, when the winless 33-year-old Texan finished in the top 10 in three of his first six tournaments.

Things went south when he tore his left meniscus, so instead of going to the U.S. Open, he went to the doctor for a cortisone shot to reduce the swelling.

Pettersson broke his driver on the next-to-last hole of the first round, used his backup driver Friday and will stick with it.

Herron rebounded from an opening 76. It might have been just the strong round he needed to secure a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Herron arrived at No. 133 in points and has to crack the top 125 to qualify for The Barclays next week. For others, there was bubble trouble. No. 121 Boo Weekley and No. 125 Jhonattan Vegas missed the cut of 1 under.

LPGA: Seminole's Brittany Lincicome opened with 5-under 67 at the Safeway Classic in North Plains, Ore., two strokes back of co-leaders Mika Miyazato and Sydnee Michawls after one round. Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse shot 1-over 73 and Tampa's Kristy McPherson had 75.

CHAMPIONS: The first round was suspended because of rain in the Dick's Sporting Goods Open in Endicott, N.Y., with 69 players on the course; only 12 players finished. Bernhard Langer led at 7 under through 15 holes and Willie Wood (5-under 67) was tops among those who finished. The first round will resume today followed by the second round.

U.S. AMATEUR: Steven Fox of Hendersonville, Tenn., faces Brandon Hagy of Westlake Village, Calif., and Michael Weaver of Fresno, Calif., faces Justin Thomas of Goshen, Ky., in today's semifinals in Cherry Hills Village, Colo. All four are in college — Hagy and Weaver are teammates at California, Fox plays for Tennessee-Chattanooga and Thomas is at Alabama.

Times wires
Friday, August 17, 2012

Blue Jays 3, Rangers 2

TORONTO — Edwin Encarnacion's 31st homer lifted the Blue Jays. Encarnacion, who became the first major-leaguer to homer off Yu Darvish on April 30, sent a blast to the second deck off him to make it 2-0 in the first. J.A. Happ, who didn't allow a hit until the fifth, struck out six consecutive batters over the second and third innings, matching the Toronto record set by Ted Lilly (in 2004) and Marc Rzepczynski (2010).