Times wires
Sunday, August 19, 2012

ST. LOUIS — Even Pirates outfielder Pedro Alvarez was starting to lose focus late in a 6-3, 19-inning win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

"I was getting a little stagnant out there," he said. "It's one of those things where it's mind over matter. You've just got to fight and keep that desire going."

Alvarez played a big role in ending the marathon, hitting a homer that broke a tie at 3 as Pittsburgh won the majors' longest game this season.

It took 6 hours, 7 minutes to finish, tying a May 6 Orioles-Red Sox game for the longest contest by time. Both teams scored in the 17th, and both used eight pitchers.

Alvarez slammed the go-ahead homer off Barret Browning. Andrew McCutchen added a two-run single later in the inning.

"That was a backyard tug-of-war," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "We kept playing defense, we kept pitching. At the end of the day, we finally got some separation in the 19th inning.

About 9,000 fans from the original crowd of 43,412 stayed until the end.

Times wires
Sunday, August 19, 2012

ENDICOTT, N.Y. — Willie Wood finally worked his way back to the top.

Wood won the Dick's Sporting Goods Open on Sunday for his first Champions Tour title, beating Michael Allen with a par on the first hole of a playoff.

"It was quite exciting," Wood said. "I hung in there, hung in there, and things turned out great."

Wood made a 35-foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation to match Allen, a two-time winner this year, at 13-under 203 on the En-Joie Golf Course. Wood and Allen closed with 66.

In the playoff on the par-4 18th hole, Allen's drive that went way left in the water, essentially ending his chances. The playoff was the first in the event's history.

Wood earned $270,000 in his first victory since he won the 1996 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic for his lone PGA title.

RAIN DELAY: Sergio Garcia had a one-stroke lead at 15 under through four holes when the final round in the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C., was suspended because of heavy rain. After waiting roughly 2 hours, 20 minutes, officials decided to bring the golfers back to Sedgefield Country Club at 9 a.m. today (Golf Channel).

LPGA: Japan's Mika Miyazato won the Safeway Classic in North Plains, Ore., for her first tour victory, shooting 2-under 70 to beat Seminole's Brittany Lincicome and Inbee Park by two strokes. Miyazato finished at 13-under 203. Lincicome shot 67 and Park 70. Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (69) finished at 2 under and Tampa's Kristy McPherson (76) at 6 over.

U.S. AMATEUR: Steven Fox made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 37th hole, rallying to defeat Michael Weaver at Cherry Hills in Colorado.

Times wires
Sunday, August 19, 2012

Tennis

Big start helps Federer roll past Djokovic

MASON, Ohio — Roger Federer, ranked No. 1 in the world, won a record fifth Cincinnati title Sunday, defeating No. 2 Novak Djokovic 6-0, 7-6 (9-7) in the Western & Southern Open final.

Last week, Djokovic won the tournament in Toronto while Federer rested. Sunday, the first set lasted just 20 minutes, Federer losing 10 points.

"I was hoping for a good start," Federer said, "but not like that."

Federer didn't face a break point in the second set and converted his second match point in the tiebreaker.

"I had a fantastic week in Toronto," Djokovic said. "I came in here and didn't really expect to get this far; get all the way to the title."

Western & Southern Open women: Li Na, No. 9 in the world, rallied to win her first title of the year, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 over No. 7 Angelique Kerber. Li previously lost in three finals, including last week in Montreal. Li won a 24-point game to break and go up 5-3 in the second and broke Kerber to start the third.

NBA

Hornets give coach extension

New Orleans coach Monty Williams agreed to a four-year extension through 2016. It replaces his current deal, which was set to expire after this season. Financial terms weren't disclosed. In 2010-11, his first season, Williams went 46-36 and made the playoffs, losing in the first round. Last season, after trading star PG Chris Paul, New Orleans went 21-45.

Et cetera

Little League: Jayson Brown's two-run triple and Brock Myers' two-run homer in the sixth broke a tie as Goodlettsville, Tenn., defeated Petaluma, Calif., 9-6 in a matchup of first-round winners at the World Series in Williamsport, Pa. In other matchups of first-round winners, San Antonio, Texas, beat New Castle, Ind., 13-3; Panama beat British Columbia 8-3 and Japan beat Taipei 2-0 on Hajime Motegi's ninth-inning home run.

WNBA: Maya Moore scored 22 to help host and defending champ Minnesota beat Tulsa 83-59 and become the first team to clinch a playoff berth.

Horses: Favored Stephanie's Kitten rallied to beat Centre Court by a half-length in the $200,000 Lake Placid Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Times wires

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 19, 2012

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Heading home after playing in southern California to wrap a 10-day road trip, the Rays would typically have today off. Instead, they'll be hosting the Royals tonight.

That treat came courtesy of the MLB schedule-makers as part of a stretch of playing 19 consecutive days. The Rays did adjust their schedule at the end of the week to accommodate the Republican National Convention event, moving the A's series to Thursday-Saturday with Sunday off.

With the quick turnaround today, manager Joe Maddon is plotting ways to rest players (for example, Ben Zobrist and Jeff Keppinger were off Sunday) and will reduce the pregame workload, having the players report later, in what he has called "American Legion" week, where they just show up and play.

"The first two-three days back are a huge concern for me, based on a 10-day trip and then going home without a day (off)," he said. "And it's exaggerated, or exacerbated, by going West Coast to East Coast, which rarely or almost never happens."

Of specific concern will be DH Evan Longoria, who has played 12 of 13 games since coming off the DL Aug. 7 after missing three months with a left hamstring injury. Maddon said he likely won't play Longoria tonight.

Longoria said he understands the concern but is feeling good at the plate and would see how the leg is today. "If it's the smartest thing to do overall and I'm a little sore then it's a possibility," he said. "But there's a possibility my stubbornness might take over, too."

REHAB REPORT: Luke Scott went 2-for-3 with a double and two walks as the DH in his seventh and final rehab game for Class A Charlotte, finishing 8-for-26. Scott, out since July 21 with a mild oblique strain, will rejoin the Rays today and likely will be activated Tuesday. … RHP Jeff Niemann had a rough outing for Triple-A Durham in the third of four scheduled rehab starts, allowing 12 hits (though four runs) in 41/3 innings, throwing 76 pitches. Niemann, out since mid May with a broken leg, is targeted for a late August return, though it could wait until after the Sept. 1 roster expansion.

ABOUT SATURDAY NIGHT: The Rays matched their biggest comeback to win in franchise history, beating the Angels 10-8 after rallying from an 8-0 deficit. The Rays got even in the sixth then went ahead when Carlos Peña hit a two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth and hung on, after a bit of a shaky ninth by closer Fernando Rodney, when Peña made a nice scoop on SS Ben Zobrist's throw to first for the final out. For several players, it was somewhat reminiscent of their remarkable comeback in Game 162 last season. "We were talking about that during the game," Zobrist said.

MISCELLANY: The 37 runs were the most the Rays have scored in a series. … The eight wins matched their second most for a road trip, behind a 9-1 jaunt in 2010 and equal with an 8-1 journey in 2004. … The four-game sweep was their second this season (Seattle at home) and first on the road since 2010 at Boston. It was their first four-game sweep of the Angels. … C Jose Molina has a nine-game hitting steak.

Times staff
Sunday, August 19, 2012

TODAY

Baseball

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

Marlins at Diamondbacks, 9:30 p.m., FSN

Giants at Dodgers, 10 p.m., ESPN2

Cycling

USA Pro Challenge, Stage 1, 4 p.m., NBCSN

Golf

PGA: Wyndham Championship, 9 a.m., Golf

Little League World Series

Ramstein, Germany vs. Kearney, Neb., noon, ESPN2

Vancouver vs. Willemstad, Curacao, 2 p.m., ESPN

Parsippany, N.J. vs. Petaluma, Calif., 4 p.m., ESPN

Nuevo Laredo, Mexico vs. Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei, 6 p.m., ESPN2

Fairfield, Conn. vs. New Castle, Ind., 8 p.m., ESPN2

NFL

Preseason: Eagles at Patriots, 8 p.m., ESPN, ESPND

Soccer

Women's under-20 World Cup: Argentina vs. Canada, 6 a.m., ESPNU

EPL: Manchester United at Everton, 3 p.m., ESPN2, ESPND

Women's under-20 World Cup: United States vs. Ghana (taped), 9 p.m., ESPNU

TV: NBCSN: NBC Sports Network; FSN: Fox Sports Network; FSC: Fox Soccer Channel.

Times wires
Sunday, August 19, 2012

JACKSONVILLE — The preseason has been nearly perfect for the Jaguars.

Sure, star running back Maurice Jones-Drew is holding out in a messy contract dispute. But little else has gone wrong in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars are 2-0, and quarterback Blaine Gabbert, running back Rashad Jennings and wide receiver Justin Blackmon have been better than just about anyone expected.

"It's the preseason, so you don't want to call home and tell the wife that you've won the lottery and the whole family can stop working," cornerback Rashean Mathis said Sunday. "But it's definitely a great feeling to see the offense march the ball down the field and do the things they've done. It would be impressive no matter what emblem is on the helmet. I'm just glad it's a Jaguar."

Gabbert is 16-of-26 for 174 yards and three touchdowns, scoring on the opening drive of each game. Filling in for Jones-Drew, Jennings has 23 carries for 118 yards. And Blackmon, a first-round draft pick who missed 12 days of camp because of a DUI charge that hindered contract negotiations, caught four passes for 48 yards and a score in his debut.

Gabbert struggled in nearly every aspect of the game in 2011 as a rookie, ranking last in the NFL in passing, completing 50.8 percent of his throws for 2,214 yards, with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

"He's one of our most improved guys in training camp," new coach Mike Mularkey said.

BEARS: Safety Brandon Hardin was released from the hospital and, according to the Chicago Tribune, tests came back negative after he left Saturday's game against Washington with a neck injury.

CHARGERS: Receiver Vincent Brown has surgery on a broken ankle suffered in Saturday's 28-20 victory over the Cowboys.

CHIEFS: Starting safety Kendrick Lewis is out with a right shoulder injury sustained Saturday against the Rams. There was no timetable for his return.

COLTS: Andrew Luck shook off two early interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, to lead three second-quarter scoring drives in a 26-24 loss to the host Steelers. The No. 1 pick was 16-of-25 for 175 yards and had a 1-yard TD run. Receiver Austin Collie left in the first quarter with a possible concussion.

GIANTS: Running back Ahmad Bradshaw suffered a bruised right hand Saturday against the Jets but coach Tom Coughlin said X-rays showed no serious damage.

JETS: After two games, the team has nine points, all on field goals. "I don't think you can get frustrated," backup quarterback Tim Tebow said. "We haven't even played a real game." Starter Mark Sanchez has been knocked around, much as he was last season. And Tebow was visibly upset with the offensive line in Saturday's 26-3 loss to the Giants after taking one of his four sacks.

PACKERS: Receiver Greg Jennings returned to practice after missing more than two weeks following a concussion.

TITANS: Linebacker Gerald McRath will have season-ending surgery on a partly torn patella tendon in his left knee.

Times wires
Sunday, August 19, 2012

Yankees 4, Red Sox 1

NEW YORK — Ichiro Suzuki homered twice and Hiroki Kuroda pitched eight four-hit innings for AL East-leading New York, which took two of three from Boston despite playing the entire series without slugger Mark Teixeira. The Yankees won for the ninth time in 12 games and prevented the fourth-place Red Sox from winning their first series this month. Boston ace Josh Beckett dropped to 0-4 in his past six outings. He has served up seven homers in his past three appearances.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 20, 2012

TAMPA — When Bucs coach Greg Schiano put on the tape of tackle Donald Penn from last season, he saw two players. Penn played well early in the season then his performance diminished as his waistline increased.

"Some really good stuff and then some things that were and would be hard to overcome if it happens," Schiano said of his video evaluation. "You know, plays that are hard to overcome for offenses. You can't overcome that stuff in this league — sacks, penalties. I don't think teams are that good. Not consistently. Defenses are too good."

It's no wonder why, after Penn's calf injury felt healed enough for him to resume practicing last week, Schiano and the Bucs were cautious. They wanted to Penn to take an extra week to strengthen his legs, taking more of a load off them.

"I didn't want to rush something," Schiano said. "A calf is an injury that can really be lingering if you're not careful. Plus, we wanted him to be at a weight and a condition level we think he can be effective. It can be a silver lining in this whole thing."

Penn, a Pro Bowl selection in 2010, returned to practice Monday and took his spot as the starting left tackle, replacing Demar Dotson. Penn looked a little rusty, especially in some pass rush drills, but eventually felt his legs under him.

"When you play as much football as I have, being thrown in there should not be a problem," said Penn, 29. "There's still a lot of stuff I've got to get fixed. I've got a lot of catching up to do. I think I'm good on the protections and the run plays. I've been studying a lot in the meetings and stuff. It's just about getting my footwork together. I played super high, which happens everybody's first day. Feet everywhere, just like what happened with everybody's first day.

"But it was good to get some cobwebs off and it was great to be out here with these guys. They set a standard and now I've got to run and catch up."

Penn became injured a few days before training camp while preparing in Los Angeles for the impending conditioning run under Schiano — a series of 16, 110-yard sprints with 45 seconds rest in between.

"It was a freak accident back at home," Penn said. "I was running the conditioning test my last time before I came out here to run and I felt something pull in my calf. That next day, it swelled up real bad and I called the coach the first thing in the morning. Because I'm never hurt. I play through it, it was a little damper and I got through that real fast and am just trying to build on that. You can't be mad and down on yourself. That was one of the first games I missed in the whole year, high school and college."

Dotson, who played only one year of football at Southern Mississippi as a defensive lineman, did a credible job in Penn's absence. On Monday, Dotson also took reps at right tackle.

"Aside from a couple little mistakes, which happen, I thought he went out there and played great," Penn said of Dotson. "I kept teasing him, 'Are you trying to take my job?' I'm teasing because he did so well. He came out here and answered the call and did a great job."

Penn, listed at 6 feet 5, 340 pounds, spent last week dragging the blocking sled and other weights. Included in the six-year, $43 million contract he signed before the 2010 season is a series of bonus payments tied to staying under 330 pounds and subject to at least three weigh-ins, none in the final month of the season.

Schiano won't say what weight he wants Penn at, but clearly he believes less will be more.

"I don't know if I'm going to get into specific numbers," Schiano said. "He looks good, I think. It's the best I've seen him look by far."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer
Monday, August 20, 2012

TAMPA — The Bucs' running back battle will continue uninterrupted.

Incumbent starter LeGarrette Blount, who suffered what looked like a serious groin injury Friday against the Titans, returned to practice Monday and showed no limitations.

"I feel good," Blount said. "I just came out to practice (Monday morning) to see how it would feel, and it didn't feel bad."

Blount ran in full-team, contact periods with no obvious issues. That seemed unlikely when Blount was sprawled on the turf at Raymond James Stadium just before halftime during a loss to Tennessee.

He took a hit near the end of a 4-yard run and stayed down for quite some time. Trainers appeared to examine the area around his lower left thigh and knee.

"I've gotten a lot of feedback about it," Blount said. "I heard a lot of people say that they thought it was a really bad injury. But ultimately it wasn't, so I was blessed to come out of that with just a bruise."

Blount is in the thick of a starting battle with rookie Doug Martin.

In other injury news, TE Luke Stocker (concussion symptoms) returned to practice. CB Anthony Gaitor (hamstring) was limited.

SHIPLEY CLAIMED: The Bucs claimed former Bengals WR Jordan Shipley off waivers, likely to see what the former University of Texas star has left.

Shipley, Cincinnati's third-round pick in 2010, had a strong rookie season, catching 52 passes for 600 yards as the third receiver behind Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens.

But a season-ending left knee injury in Week 2 last season brought things to an abrupt halt, and it's unclear how healthy Shipley's knee is. The torn anterior cruciate ligament kept Shipley out of offseason workouts as he was not cleared to practice until training camp began.

Shipley is primarily a slot receiver, where the Bucs have Preston Parker and Sammie Stroughter. Despite past success playing in the slot, neither has distinguished himself during training camp nor the first two games of the preseason.

Claiming Shipley is a low-cost, low-risk move. He is halfway through his rookie contract, slated to earn $490,000 this season and $575,000 in 2013. The Bucs would have few, if any, financial consequences if Shipley fails to make their final roster.

TV STAR: S Ahmad Black's interception off Titans QB Jake Locker and near touchdown return was a return to his roots, Black said.

The second-year player from Florida always felt he had a nose for the football. He often gleefully told underclassmen at UF as much.

"I kind of kidded around with the younger guys during my senior year and I told them, 'I like to be on TV. The best way to be on TV is to be around the ball,' " Black said. "Good things happen around the ball."

In a group of safeties that features Bucs great Ronde Barber and seventh overall draft choice Mark Barron, it will take splash plays to get noticed. The Bucs could keep just four safeties, meaning they'll be choosing among Black, Larry Asante, Cody Grimm and rookie Keith Tandy.

"We have good depth at the safety spot," Black said. "Every day we go out and bust our butts and help each other in practice to get better."

ROSTER MOVE: The Bucs released CB Desmond Marrow, filling his spot with veteran CB Brandon McDonald, most recently of the Lions.

McDonald is a former fifth-round pick of Browns, starting 27 games in three seasons in Cleveland. In 2008, he had a career-high five interceptions.

McDonald has bounced around since, playing part of a season with the Cardinals and parts of two seasons for Detroit.

Tampa Bay currently is missing CBs Gaitor and E.J. Biggers (broken foot).

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

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Monday, August 20, 2012

What's hot: Grouper fishing in most depths has been very consistent. The shallower depths between 40 and 90 feet have held good numbers of nice gag grouper. Concentrate on ledges and have plenty of frisky, live baits. Red grouper are thick at 100 to 180 feet. Live and frozen baits are producing equally. Mangrove snapper fed aggressively during this past full moon and should do so during the next full moon cycle, even during the day. Smaller live baits such as pinfish, grunts or whitebait have been best. Tuna fishing has been hit or miss. Concentrate in depths of 160 feet or more. Start at a local bridge for a hefty live well of whitebait. Once on scene start a trickle of live chummers. Once anything is spotted feeding off the stern, use a couple of larger baits on spinning gear, with 20- to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader to a 5/0 circle hook. Fish are averaging 20-25 pounds.

What else: Scattered grass offshore in 130-200 feet have held small schools of mahi. Though they are a bit small now, they grow about an inch per week. Trolling small jet-head lures between 7 and 8 knots has led to a few catches for the fish box.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 and fintasticinc.com.

Times wires
Monday, August 20, 2012

ORLANDO — Central Florida basketball coach Donnie Jones received good and bad news about the quartet of seniors.

All-Conference USA forward Keith Clanton told Jones over the weekend that he would return for his final season. Meanwhile, guards Marcus Jordan and C.J. Reed and center Josh Crittle decided to leave, UCF announced Monday.

Jordan, a guard and the youngest son of NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, will continue to take classes at UCF. Reed, a former MEAC Player of the Year as a junior at Bethune-Cookman, sat out last year after transferring. Now he is transferring again to Georgia Southern.

The NCAA gave the seniors the option to transfer immediately after it hit UCF's basketball and football programs with sanctions for major recruiting violations. The punishment included one-year postseason bans in both sports. UCF is appealing its ban in football, but not basketball.

School officials said Jordan's decision was unrelated to the NCAA penalties.

OTHER MOVES: Former Iowa State forward Calvin Godfrey's plans to transfer to LSU fell through after he could not meet academic requirements. … Freshman guard Milton Doyle left the Kansas program. He originally committed to Florida International before Isiah Thomas was let go as coach.

LAPCHICK AWARD: Four members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame were chosen for the Lapchick Character Award — Cathy Rush, C.M. Newton, Morgan Wootten and the late Pete Newell. The awards will be presented Nov. 15 in New York.

Football

KENTUCKY: Coach Joker Phillips said sophomore Maxwell Smith will start at quarterback.

RUTGERS: New coach Kyle Flood named sophomore Gary Nova as starting quarterback.

WAC: Commissioner Jeff Hurd told the Denver Post the Western Athletic Conference is "unlikely" to have enough football members to play next season. He said the WAC is trying to keep enough members to remain a Division I non-football league. The league has seven football members but five plan to leave next year.

Times wires
Monday, August 20, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Rainy weather left Sergio Garcia stuck in central North Carolina for an extra day. Turns out, it was worth the hassle — because he's leaving with his first PGA Tour victory in four years.

Garcia claimed a two-stroke win Monday in the water-logged Wyndham Championship for his first victory on tour since the 2008 Players Championship.

He finished with 66 to wind up 18-under 262, claim $936,000 in prize money and maybe seal a spot on the European Ryder Cup team.

"I think there were a lot of things going on. It shows a lot to me," said Garcia, 32. "Hopefully, this will secure my spot on the Ryder Cup team, and winning is always nice."

Tim Clark was 16 under after his 67 in the final tour event before the playoffs, and Bud Cauley finished 15 under after his 68.

Garcia led both after the third round and when the fourth round was held up overnight because of a persistent downpour. He had three straight late-round birdies after bogey briefly dropped him into a tie for the lead, and cruised to his eighth career PGA victory.

The 10 automatic Ryder Cup qualifiers will be set after the Johnny Walker Invitational with Jose Maria Olazabal making two captain's picks.

"We'll see when the team comes out, but I think my chances are a little better now," Garcia said.

Heath Slocum was the only one to start outside the top 125 but play his way into the FedEx Cup playoffs. His final-round 71 left him at 7 under for the tournament and pushed him to No. 124.

Times staff, wires
Monday, August 20, 2012

TAMPA — Injured Yankees RHP Michael Pineda was arrested early Monday on a drunken driving charge.

Pineda, 23, was arrested by Tampa police shortly after 3 a.m. at Manhattan Avenue and Spruce Street, according to Hillsborough County jail records.

A police officer spotted Pineda's sport utility vehicle headed south on Dale Mabry Highway with no headlights, according to a Tampa police arrest report. The SUV then traveled west on Boy Scout Boulevard at a high rate of speed before turning south on West Shore Boulevard.

The officer pulled over Pineda and said the pitcher had "bloodshot" and "glassy" eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on his breath.

In two tests, his blood-alcohol level was .128 and .125 percent, records show. The state presumes impairment at .08.

He was released Monday on the misdemeanor charge after posting $500 bail.

Pineda went to the Yankees in the offseason trade that sent C Jesus Montero to Seattle. He remained in Tampa at the Yankees' spring training facility after hurting his shoulder in March.

Pineda has not pitched in a game this season.

Surgery for Crawford

BOSTON — Red Sox LF Carl Crawford will have season-ending reconstructive surgery on his left elbow Thursday.

The former Rays All-Star has been playing with pain since coming off the disabled list last month. He was a major disappointment last season, his first with Boston after signing a $142 million, seven-year contract. He missed the first 89 games this season while recovering from left wrist surgery.

He partially tore his elbow ligament in April while rehabbing, slowing his return. Crawford was activated from the disabled list July 16 and was batting .282 with a .306 on-base percentage and a .479 slugging percentage.

In other Red Sox news, pitching coach Bob McClure was fired after less than one season. Boston has a 4.30 ERA, 11th in the AL. Assistant pitching coach Randy Niemann was promoted to replace McClure.

DRUG TESTING: Baseball and its players' union said urine samples in drug tests may be subject to additional analysis even if the ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone is under the level that typically is considered a positive. The joint statement came five days after Giants OF Melky Cabrera, the All-Star game MVP, was suspended for 50 games for testosterone.

ATHLETICS: LHP Brett Anderson, who had reconstructive elbow surgery in July 2011, is scheduled to rejoin the rotation tonight.

BLUE JAYS: RF Jose Bautista, out since July 16 with left wrist inflammation, began a minor-league rehab assignment and hopes to be activated Friday.

METS: LHP Johan Santana, who has allowed six or more runs in his past five starts, will remain in the rotation but will be on a strict pitch count, manager Terry Collins told ESPN.

NATIONALS: RHP Lucas Giolito, the 16th overall pick in this year's draft, reinjured his pitching elbow in his minor-league debut Aug. 14 and is scheduled to be examined later this week.

PADRES: The team requested unconditional release waivers on former Rays SS Jason Bartlett, who has played in only 29 games this season because of a strained right knee.

PHILLIES: 3B Placido Polanco, out since July 26 with back inflammation, was activated from the disabled list.

ROCKIES: OF Michael Cuddyer, on the disabled list with an oblique strain, could be out for the season, manager Jim Tracy told the Denver Post.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 20, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — DH Luke Scott says he was ready to come back a week ago, but his time will likely come today, when he's activated off the disabled list.

Scott, recovering from an oblique strain, played in eight games on a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte, batting .308 with two homers. He stayed through the weekend to sharpen his hitting and get work at first base, as Evan Longoria was taking up most of the DH at-bats.

With manager Joe Maddon saying Longoria, who had a planned day off Monday, is "really close" to playing third base, Scott will get some opportunities at DH and first.

"Everything is feeling good, I'm ready to go," Scott said. "It's good to see the team is playing well and I'm excited to be back."

Even when Longoria returns to third base, it won't be on an everyday basis, so Scott will have to split DH duties. Scott said he feels comfortable at first base and can play some corner outfield, though Maddon said it's nice to be able to move around his DH game-in-progress.

"I'll do whatever they want me to do," Scott said.

UP NEXT: What the Rays will have to do today is decide which player to send down to make room for Scott. "A very tough call," Maddon said.

Though INF Sean Rodriguez would seem the likely choice (as he has minor-league options), Maddon has said he has been "doing really well" recently.

Another possibility is INF Elliot Johnson, though he is out of options and would have to go through waivers. The Rays could also demote INF Ryan Roberts, but Maddon has liked using him at second base.

Rodriguez, who is hitting .215 and has played in just 24 of the 35 games since the All-Star break, is taking the situation in stride. And, if sent down, he could be brought back from Durham with the Sept. 1 roster expansion.

"It's hard to say disappointing because of where the team is at right now," Rodriguez said. "But it would have been nice to obviously contribute more."

FOR SHORT: Ben Zobrist was at DH Monday, giving him back-to-back days off his feet, which Maddon thinks is huge. Maddon said Zobrist is likely to start the remaining of the five games at shortstop, where he has been impressive since moving there almost permanently this month.

It brought up the question of whether it could be a precursor to Zobrist playing short next season.

"I don't know," Maddon said. "If he can be the shortstop the rest of the year and do well, of course he could."

CATCHING ON: C Jose Molina has hit safely in nine consecutive games, the second longest streak of his career, and Maddon said a key is that he's organizing his strike zone (two walks Sunday).

Molina said he concentrates mostly on his play behind the plate, and Maddon believes he's playing as well defensively (blocking, throwing, game-calling) as he has all year.

And Maddon points out that Molina, who has already played in 72 games, is feeling good physically, with the ability to maintain the level of performance.

"I think he's going to continue," Maddon said. "He's a veteran, he has been through this before. He likes it, he knows what it feels like."

PRICE CHECK: Molina had a simple explanation for LHP David Price's recent roll, with an 8-0 record and 1.72 ERA in his past 11 starts: "He's been hitting his spots. I've always said when he hits his spots, he's going to be a great pitcher. This year it's been amazing hitting his spots with every pitch. If he continues that, he'll be right there in the Cy Young at the end of the year."

MISCELLANY: LHP J.P. Howell extended his club-record scoreless streak to 252/3 innings.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 20, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Desmond Jennings summed up his recent surge at the plate this way:

"You have phases where the ball can't miss your bat," he said. "It's just been like that lately."

That has certainly been the case for Jennings and the Rays, who carried their offensive outburst from their recent West Coast trip back home in Monday night's 5-1 win over the Royals in front of 9,913 at Tropicana Field.

Jennings had two extra-base hits for the Rays, who with Evan Longoria, Matt Joyce and Carlos Peña out of the lineup racked up double-digit hits. Tampa Bay (68-54), coming off an 8-2 road trip, has won five straight, tying a major-league record for the most after being on the losing end of a perfect game, staying atop the wild-card race and moving within four games of the Yankees in the American League East.

"There's always that danger of 'West Coast hangover,' and coming off a great series like that, there's certainly a danger of having a letdown," rightfielder Sam Fuld said. "But I think we were aware of the risk, and it helped we basically had all the bench guys in the lineup there today and you're always going to get good energy out of guys like that."

Fuld delivered a spark with two great catches and two hits, including stretching a single into a double in the eighth, then lighting the Captain Morgan lamp as the player of the game.

"Sammy does everything right," manager Joe Maddon said.

Maddon said it was right-hander Jeremy Hellickson who "set the tone" with another strong performance, allowing just one run over seven innings in picking up his first win at the Trop since May 16.

Hellickson got ahead of hitters, and had a curve that Maddon said was his best of the year.

"Once we got him a lead he settled right in and pretty much took over the game," first baseman Jeff Keppinger said.

Hellickson's biggest jam came in the sixth, when Alcides Escobar led off by reaching on a throwing error by shortstop Elliot Johnson. After Alex Gordon walked, Billy Butler appeared to hit into a double play, but second baseman Ryan Roberts' throw ripped through the webbing of Keppinger's glove at first base.

"I just broke it," Keppinger said. "I know (Royals first baseman Eric) Hosmer got on base later in the game and he's like, 'Man, that happens to me every two weeks, so be prepared for it to happen again.' "

Keppinger, who said it had never happened to him before, had to scramble, first borrowing Ben Zobrist's outfield glove then Luke Scott's before his got stitched up. It came in handy, as the Rays turned a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Hellickson, who was the hard-luck loser in Felix Hernandez's perfect game Wednesday in Seattle, finished with his second straight seven-inning outing.

"Really good changeup," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Hellickson. "I mean, really good changeup."

The offense got contributions from all through the lineup, with Jennings, Fuld, Jose Lobaton and Johnson each picking up two hits and Keppinger a solo homer to top the Royals, who had swept the Rays earlier this season in Kansas City.

"They took it to us at their place," Keppinger said. "So we kind of owe it back."

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

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, August 20, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — From here, you can see the playoffs. Can't you?

The Rays are the best they have been all season. They are hot, and they are hardy, and they are almost healthy.

All of a sudden, they can catch the ball again, which is no small thing when you consider how much of the season it was that they seemed to have forgotten how. They could always pitch the ball, of course, but lately, they have done it better than any team in baseball. And here's the wackiest part: It sounds as crazy as tin-foil hats, but lately, the Rays seem to have figured out the part about actually hitting the ball. Who saw that coming?

From here, you see confetti falling. Don't you?

Once again, the Rays are limitless. If they can pitch like this, if they can field like this, if they can hit anywhere close to this, what is beyond their reach? The playoffs? The division title? The World Series? As they approach the most important month of the season, the Rays are at their best.

From here, you see champagne. Squint, won't you?

This is what you have endured a gut-wrenching season to see. For all of the frustrations, for all of the at-bats by a motley collection of Triple A-quality infielders who seemed to be pretty much the same guy, the Rays have finally broken through the other side. Finally, they look like a team worthy of your consideration.

The new, improved Rays were at it again Monday night, winning their fifth straight 5-1 over Kansas City. Once again, they looked like a complete team on the way to somewhere.

It took long enough, didn't it? For months, the Rays looked like a team that should spend its mornings apologizing to its pitchers. The defense was lacking. The offense was an eyesore. The stars were bandaged. And no one watching seemed happy about any of it.

Then came last week's Seattle game, when Felix Hernandez threw a perfect game at the Rays. Face it: If a pitcher could hold a team to negative hits, Hernandez would have done it.

Of course, that's the time the Rays picked to get hot. The Rays are contrarians by nature, and they are never quite as good as in the moments when you have decided they are bad. An opponent turns out the light, and after a burst of convenient amnesia, the Rays find a way to shine.

Since that afternoon, the Rays have been silly good. Remember Misdemeanors' Row, that hitless bunch that drove you crazy? Since the perfect game, the Rays have 57 hits and 42 runs.

Do you know how good the Rays' hitters have been? They seemed to have their craft down pat enough that manager Joe Maddon called off batting practice for the week. Whee!

"It's starting to look like what we envisioned coming out of spring training," Maddon said. "Our pitching has really been unbelievable. Had we been able to score more runs since the break, we'd probably be in a tie for first place by now. We've been that good. Now the offense is showing up, and the defense has come back to us. I think our guys are starting to sniff it a little bit."

Maybe all of this is a reward for a season filled with flinging your remote control toward the screen. Remember back when the airlines used to give you a free ticket for a particularly turbulent flight? Think of it like that.

"I don't think there is any question we're playing the best we've played all year," said shortstop Ben Zobrist. "There is still a lot of season left to play, but we don't just want to be one of the wild cards. We want to win the division."

So how has this reassembling of a baseball team occurred?

Start with the return of Evan Longoria, who missed 85 games with a bad hamstring. Longoria still isn't completely healthy — he hasn't played third base in the dozen games since he returned — but the lineup is much more fearsome with him in it. The Rays are 12-2 since Longoria returned.

Then there was the move of Zobrist to shortstop. Short has been a very large headache for most of the season, but things calmed down once Zobrist moved in. At the plate, Zobrist's quiet success has continued. Since June 7, 62 games ago, Zobrist has hit a very nice .315.

What else? B.J. Upton has six home runs in August, and he has hit .317 over the past 10 games. Desmond Jennings is hitting .313 this month. For crying out loud, Jose Molina has a nine-game hitting streak. Jeff Keppinger is hitting .328 since the All-Star break.

Are the Rays healed? You know better. There is a quarter of the season remaining, and the schedule is hard, and there are more frustrations ahead.

These days, however, the Rays are a better team, and a bigger threat, than at any point this season. They no longer seem to be treading water until their stars heal.

From here, you can at least see an interesting September.

Times wires
Monday, August 20, 2012

cycling

dismissal allows case to move ahead

NEW YORK — A federal judge in Austin, Texas, threw out Lance Armstrong's lawsuit against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency on Monday, a decision that allows the agency's drug case against the seven-time Tour de France winner to move ahead.

Armstrong claimed that USADA lacked jurisdiction and its arbitration process violates his constitutional rights. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks dismissed the lawsuit as speculative.

"With respect to Armstrong's due process challenges, the court agrees they are without merit," Sparks wrote in a 30-page order. "Alternatively, even if the court has jurisdiction over Armstrong's remaining claims, the court finds they are best resolved through the well-established system of international arbitration, by those with expertise in the field. …"

Armstrong has until Thursday to appeal.

autos

Fox Deportes to air live Sprint Cup races

NASCAR announced a deal with Fox Deportes in which the Spanish-language network will offer live coverage of six Sprint Cup Series races next year and carry nine more on tape delay.

The deal will include what NASCAR said would be the first live Spanish-language TV broadcast of the Daytona 500. Other live races include those at Fontana, Calif., Bristol, Tenn., Charlotte, N.C., and Talladega, Ala.

Fox Deportes says it reaches more than 20 million cable and satellite households in the United States.

soccer

Everton upsets Man U in season opener

Marouane Fellaini headed in a corner kick from Darron Gibson in the 57th minute, giving Everton a season-opening 1-0 upset win over Manchester United in Liverpool, England.

After losing the Premier League title to rival Manchester City on goal difference in May on the final day of a trophyless season, United lost at Goodison Park for just the fourth time in 21 Premier League meetings. American goalkeeper Tim Howard got the shutout for Everton.

U20 world cup: Maya Hayes scored a hat trick to lead the United States over Ghana 4-0 in the Americans' opener at the Women's Under-20 World Cup in Hiroshima, Japan. Kinda Addai's own goal in the 20th minute put the United States ahead. Hayes doubled the lead five minutes into the second half, heading in a cross from Kealia Ohai, and made it 3-0 in the 74th. The United States plays China on Thursday and finishes the first round against Germany next Monday.

et cetera

Tennis: Four-time defending champion Caroline Wozniacki beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the New Haven Open (Conn.). … Two-time major champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and has pulled out of next week's U.S. Open. The U.S. Tennis Association gave no reason for the withdrawal.

NHL: The Flyers signed All-Star forward Scott Hartnell to a deal reportedly worth $28.5 million over six years. Hartnell is coming off his best season, scoring a career-high 37 goals.

Times wires

Times wires
Monday, August 20, 2012

Phillies 12, Reds 5

PHILADELPHIA — John Mayberry hit a two-run homer and Ryan Howard and Erik Kratz had solo shots to back Roy Halladay and lift Philadelphia to its seventh straight win over Cincinnati. Former Pasco High standout Domonic Brown hit a go-ahead two-run double off Mike Leake in a four-run fifth.

Times wires
Monday, August 20, 2012

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — They understand the public's concern over what might be seen as a hazing incident involving Prince Amukamara, but several Giants players say that throwing the second-year cornerback into a tub of ice water was a football tradition and not bullying.

Amukamara and Jason Pierre-Paul, a Pro Bowl defensive end and former USF star who threw him into the metal ice tub, said Monday that they're friends and there was nothing personal involved. Neither would say what triggered the obscenity-laced incident. Most players on the Super Bowl champion seemed more concerned that punter Steve Weatherford posted the video, and that it might give youngsters the idea that bullying and hazing are okay.

"First of all, absolutely none of us condone bullying," defensive captain Justin Tuck said. "We've heard that. … With that said, we just got to do a better job of being conscious of how that looks and how people can perceive it."

Pierre-Paul indicated his days of throwing players into tubs might be over. "I feel like me and Prince, we're cool," Pierre-Paul said.

Dolphins tab Tannehill

DAVIE — New coach Joe Philbin named Ryan Tannehill as Miami's starting quarterback, meaning the Dolphins will have a rookie QB start an opener for the first time.

Not even Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino or Bob Griese started the first game of their rookie seasons.

"We like the way he handles himself," coach Joe Philbin said of Tannehill, the No. 8 overall draft pick in April. "He's relatively mature. We like his poise."

Tannehill beat out Matt Moore, who started the final 12 games of 2011.

HALI SUSPENDED: Pro Bowl linebacker Tamba Hali will miss the Sept. 9 opener against Atlanta after being suspended without pay for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. Hali will be fined an additional game check and be eligible to return in Week 2.

LONDON GAMES: The Jaguars will play an annual game in London for four years starting in 2013, the Associated Press reported. AP said an announcement is scheduled today. The Rams were scheduled to play in London in 2013 and '14, but they pulled out last week.

SEAU AUTOPSY: No alcohol or illegal drugs were found in Junior Seau's system when he shot and killed himself at his home in May, the San Diego County medical examiner's office said upon releasing autopsy results.

EX-BUC RUUD DEALT: The Saints acquired former Bucs linebacker Barrett Ruud from the Seahawks for an undisclosed draft choice.

EAGLES 27, PATRIOTS 17: Quarterback Michael Vick left after a hit in the first quarter but X-rays on his ribs showed no breaks.

BILLS: In a surprise move, one-time star pass-rusher Shawne Merriman was released. The team will save a portion of his $4 million salary.

COLTS: Receiver Austin Collie could return this week after being diagnosed with a concussion.

COWBOYS: Receiver Dez Bryant had patellar tendinitis in his right knee after being hurt during a joint practice with the Chargers. The Cowboys said the MRI exam "revealed no tear to a ligament or tendon." Bryant will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.

RAMS: The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, which operates the Edward Jones Dome, submitted a revised renovation plan that it believes will put the 17-year-old stadium among the top tier. The stadium lease lets the franchise leave after the 2014 season if the facility is not deemed among the league's top 25 percent.

REDSKINS: Coach Mike Shanahan said neither linebacker Brian Orakpo (left shoulder) nor safety Brandon Meriweather (left knee) will require surgery, but said both will sit out the final two games of the preseason.

TITANS: Coach Mike Munchak said Jake Locker is the starting quarterback over veteran Matt Hasselbeck.

Preseason

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

East W L T Pct PF PA

New England 1 1 0 .500 24 33

N.Y. Jets 0 2 0 .000 9 43

Buffalo 0 2 0 .000 20 43

Miami 0 2 0 .000 2443

South W L T Pct PF PA

Jacksonville 2 0 0 1.000 59 55

Houston 2 0 0 1.000 46 22

Indianapolis 1 1 0 .500 62 29

Tennessee 1 1 0 .500 47 34

North W L T Pct PF PA

Cincinnati 2 0 0 1.000 41 25

Cleveland 2 0 0 1.000 54 27

Baltimore 1 1 0 .500 43 44

Pittsburgh 1 1 0 .500 49 48

West W L T Pct PF PA

San Diego 2 0 0 1.000 49 33

Denver 1 1 0 .500 41 33

Kansas City 1 1 0 .500 44 48

Oakland 0 2 0 .000 27 34

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

East W L T Pct PF PA

Philadelphia 2 0 0 1.000 51 40

Dallas 1 1 0 .500 23 28

Washington 1 1 0 .500 38 39

N.Y. Giants 1 1 0 .500 57 35

South W L T Pct PF PA

Tampa Bay 1 1 0 .500 27 37

Carolina 1 1 0 .500 36 43

New Orleans 1 2 0 .333 47 44

Atlanta0 2 0 .000 36 55

North W L T Pct PF PA

Detroit 1 1 0 .500 44 31

Minnesota 1 1 0 .500 42 31

Chicago 1 1 0 .500 36 62

Green Bay0 2 0 .000 23 56

West W L T Pct PF PA

Seattle2 0 0 1.000 57 27

San Francisco 1 1 0 .500 26 26

St. Louis 1 1 0 .500 34 55

Arizona 1 2 0 .333 58 71

Monday

Philadelphia 27, New England 17

Late Sunday

Pittsburgh 26, Indianapolis 24

Thursday

Green Bay at Cincinnati, 7

Jacksonville at Baltimore, 7:30

Arizona at Tennessee, 8

Friday

New England at Tampa Bay, 7:30

Philadelphia at Cleveland, 7:30

Atlanta at Miami, 7:30

San Diego at Minnesota, 8

Seattle at Kansas City, 8

Chicago at N.Y. Giants,

Saturday

Indianapolis at Washington, 4

Detroit at Oakland, 7

Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 7

Houston at New Orleans, 8

St. Louis at Dallas, 8

Sunday

San Francisco at Denver, 4

Carolina at N.Y. Jets, 8

Times wires
Monday, August 20, 2012

Rockies 3, Mets 1

NEW YORK — Tyler Colvin hit a tying homer off R.A. Dickey in the fifth inning then made a diving play in the eighth to preserve the lead and lift Colorado. Jonathan Herrera bunted for a hit in the top of the eighth and made his way around the bases with help from some inept defense to give the Rockies a 2-1 lead.