Quantcast
Channel: Tampabay.com: Sports
Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live

Phillies 11, Mets 0

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Phillies 11, Mets 0

PHILADELPHIA — Roy Halladay allowed six hits and struck out seven over seven innings for his first win of the year and Wilson Valdez had a career-high four hits. Jonathon Niese got roughed up by an offense that's averaging 7.2 runs and 12.7 hits a game. "It's better than I expected," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "But at the same time, we played six games. … It's best not to talk about it and let it happen."


Brewers 4, Braves 2

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Brewers 4, Braves 2

MILWAUKEE — Nyjer Morgan jarred the ball loose in a collision at home to give the Brewers the lead in the second inning, and Ryan Braun hit his third homer for the Brewers, who took three of four. "Things can sure change in a hurry and hopefully this gets us rolling," manager Ron Roenicke said.

Up next auto races on major circuits

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Up next | Races on major circuits

Sprint Cup

What: Samsung Mobile 500

When/where: Today, qualifying (Speed, 6:30 p.m.); Saturday, race (Ch. 13, 7:30 p.m.); Fort Worth, Texas

Fast facts: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is winless in 99 races and has one victory — Michigan in 2008 — in 114 starts for Hendrick Motorsports. He had 17 victories in 291 starts in nine seasons for Dale Earnhardt Inc., winning six times in 2004. … Carl Edwards has a series-high three victories at the track.

Standings: 1. Edwards, 187; 2. Ryan Newman, 178; 3. Kurt Busch, 177; 4. Kyle Busch, 176; 5. Jimmie Johnson, 173; 6. Tony Stewart, 170; 7. Paul Menard, 164; 8. Juan Montoya, 161; 9. Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne, 157

Nationwide

What: O'Reilly Auto Parts 300

When/where: Today, qualifying (ESPN2, 5 p.m.), race (ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.); Fort Worth, Texas

Fast facts: Carl Edwards won the November race to end Kyle Busch's series winning streak at five at Texas Motor Speedway. … Kenny Wallace is making his 494th series start. Jason Keller is the career leader with 519.

Standings: 1. Ricky Stenhouse, 181; 2. Jason Leffler, 175; 3. Justin Allgaier, 156; 4. Aric Almirola, 155; 5. Reed Sorenson, 151

IndyCar

What: Grand Prix of Alabama

When/where: Today, practice; Saturday, qualifying (Versus, 6 p.m. taped); Sunday, race (Versus, 3 p.m.); Birmingham

Fast facts: The 17-turn course features 80 feet of elevation change.

Standings: 1. Dario Franchitti, 53; 2. Will Power, 40; 3. Tony Kanaan, 35; 4. Simona de Silvestro, 32; 5. Takuma Sato, 30

Formula One

What: Malaysian Grand Prix

When/where: Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 4 a.m.); Sunday, race (Speed, 4 a.m., 2:30 p.m. taped); Kuala Lumpur

Standings: 1. Sebastian Vettel, 25; 2. Lewis Hamilton, 18; 3. Vitaly Petrov, 15; 4. Fernando Alonso, 12; 5. Mark Webber, 10

Trucks

Next: Bully Hill Vineyards 200, April 22, Nashville Superspeedway, Gladeville, Tenn.

Fast facts: Kimi Raikkonen is testing well in NASCAR as the former F1 world champion prepares for his May 20 debut in a truck owned by Kyle Busch.

Standings: 1. Johnny Sauter, 150; 2. Matt Crafton, 145; 3. Timothy Peters, 143; 4. Cole Whitt, 143; 5. Ron Hornaday, 141

NHRA

Next: 4-Wide Nationals, April 14-17, zMAX Dragway, Concord, N.C.

Standings: Top Fuel — 1. Del Worsham, 265; 2. Antron Brown, 257. Funny Car — 1. Robert Hight, 289; 2. Cruz Pedregon, 241. Pro Stock — 1. Jason Line, 290; 2. Greg Stanfield, 221

Rockies 7, Pirates 1

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Rockies 7, Pirates 1

PITTSBURGH — Esmil Rogers allowed four singles while pitching into the eighth, Troy Tulowitzki hit his third homer and had three RBIs, and the Rockies wrecked the Pirates' home opener under new manager Clint Hurdle. After the first two hitters singled, Rogers retired 22 of 23, including 18 straight. "Any time a guy's throwing 94, 95 as a starter and he keeps it up the whole game, you know he's got good stuff," Tulowitzki said.

Astros 3, Reds 2

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Astros 3, Reds 2

CINCINNATI — Matt Downs doubled home the tiebreaking run with two outs in the ninth and the Astros, who were the NL's final winless team, topped the previously unbeaten Reds. Downs, who had struck out in all three of his at-bats this season, doubled off Nick Masset. "Obviously we needed to get one, get it off our back," Downs said.

Indians 1, Red Sox 0

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Indians 1, Red Sox 0

CLEVELAND — The Red Sox dropped to 0-6, their worst start in 66 years, when Asdrubal Cabrera squeezed home a run in the eighth, then the Indians trapped Darnell McDonald off second for the final out. David Ortiz drew a two-out walk and McDonald pinch-ran. J.D. Drew bounced a single off pitcher Chris Perez and the ball went to third baseman Adam Everett. McDonald rounded second and fell. Everett threw him out. "I was trying to make something happen and it didn't work out," McDonald said.

Athletics 2, Blues Jays 1

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Athletics 2, Blue Jays 1

TORONTO — Trevor Cahill, 0-2 with an 8.04 ERA in three previous starts vs. Toronto, pitched eight strong innings and Conor Jackson singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth as the A's avoided a three-game sweep. Cahill, a sinkerballer who has been developing his curve, allowed one run and three hits with seven strikeouts. "I used it a lot first pitch and then if I was behind I threw it in there for a different look," he said of his curve.

Sports in brief

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

nfl

players, owners posture over resuming mediation on labor deal

WASHINGTON — A day after the judge handling the lockout lawsuit urged the sides to go "back to the table," the players and owners expressed a willingness to do so. But each offered to meet for talks in a setting the other finds unpalatable.

A lawyer representing MVP quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and other players suing the league wrote to U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson on Thursday to say they're willing to engage in mediation overseen by her federal court in St. Paul, Minn.

The NFL sent a letter to Nelson and lawyers for the players proposing to resume talks at the Washington office of federal mediator George Cohen, who mediated 16 days of negotiations in February and March that failed to result in a new collective bargaining agreement. Neither side was interested in the other's conditions, the Washington Post reported.

mike pouncey predicts his draft: Former Florida center/guard Mike Pouncey posted on Twitter he "would be shocked" if the Cowboys didn't take him in the draft this month. The projected first-round pick made the comment Wednesday after leaving meetings with the team in Dallas. But, he also posted, "To all the steelers fans i would love to be playing for the steelers and if i had a choice i would." Pouncey's twin brother, former Gator Maurkice, started at center for Pittsburgh as a rookie last year and made the Pro Bowl. Dallas picks ninth in the first round, the Steelers 31st.

horses

Premier Pegasus out of Triple Crown series

Premier Pegasus was knocked out of Saturday's Santa Anita Derby because of a leg injury that will sideline him through the Triple Crown series. He was the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the $1 million prep for the Kentucky Derby.

Premier Pegasus sustained a hairline fracture in his left front leg and will be out three to four months, assistant trainer Maria Ayala said. He was galloping on the infield training track in Arcadia, Calif., when Ayala thought she saw him stumble. "Ten minutes later… he was walking bad," she said.

Santa Anita oddsmaker Jon White redid the Santa Anita Derby morning line, installing Jaycito as the 2-1 favorite.

soccer

Man U's Rooney has cursing ban upheld

The English Football Association upheld a two-match ban handed to Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney for insulting and abusive language.

Rooney cursed at a TV camera after completing a hat trick in a Premier League match Saturday. He appealed the punishment, calling it "clearly excessive."

Rooney will miss a league match vs. Fulham on Saturday and the FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City on April 16. "I have to accept that what's happened has happened and move on from here," he said.

match-fixing trial: The chief defendant in a trial in Bochum, Germany, admitted paying bribes to players in what has been called Europe's biggest match-fixing scandal. Ante Sapina, 35, of Croatia, and his five co-defendants are accused of fixing 47 matches.

et cetera

tennis: Tampa resident Mardy Fish beat Albert Ramos 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Clay Court Championships at Houston, and Pablo Cuevas beat Tampa resident James Blake 7-5, 6-1. … Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki defeated Zahlavova Strycova, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (11-9) in at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, S.C. Second seed Samantha Stosur, the defending champion, fell to Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-1.

Times wires


Yankees 4, Twins 3

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Yankees 4, Twins 3

NEW YORK — Two days after he surrendered a 4-0 lead in a Yankees' loss, Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless eighth to protect a 4-3 lead and Mariano Rivera closed for his fourth save. "… Everybody comes to me and say, 'Bad day, you know, it happen to everybody here. Come back tomorrow ready for the game,' " said Soriano, the former Rays closer, who walked three Tuesday.

75th Masters: Scorecard of the day

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Through Sunday, Augusta (Ga.) National GC. Today on TV: 3, ESPN Weather: High 82, 30 percent of rain late afternoon, wind 10-12 mph

Scorecard of the day

World No. 1 Martin Kaymer, right, had another miserable day at the first major of the year, struggling to 6-over 78, which sets him up for an early trip home again. Kaymer from Germany has missed the cut in all three of his previous Masters, and this was his worst score yet. "There's some golf courses that suit you, and some, they just don't," he said.

Rule change

In a change inspired by TV viewers who spot rules violations and report them, players who learn of a violation after they sign their scorecard now can be penalized without being disqualified. The Royal & Ancient and the USGA announced the change an hour before the first round began. It is effective immediately.

Game preview: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

0
0

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Reeling Red Sox to face fans, Yanks

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

BOSTON — Fenway Park, the historic home of the Red Sox, is ready for its 100th opener today.

The team, however, needs plenty of work. The high-priced Red Sox, a popular pick to win the World Series, are 0-6, their worst start since 1945, when they lost a team-record eight straight. The team batting average is .181. The ERA is 7.13.

The Yankees will be waiting, along with the home fans.

"The slate's not really clean," manager Terry Francona said. "The record is what it is, but I don't want us to have a hangover. We need to pick it up. We're going to play a good team now. We haven't done a very good job to this point."

There were no signs of panic from the players.

"We're going to score a lot of runs," said Jon Lester, who pitched seven shutout innings in Thursday's 1-0 loss to the Indians. "It's just a matter of time."

"There's not two Red Sox teams. There's only one," DH David Ortiz said. "You gotta cheer for this one if you are a Red Sox fan, right?"

"It can't get any worse than this, and there's only one way to go," 3B Kevin Youkilis said. "That's up."

Asked what type of reception he anticipates today, Francona said: "I don't know. I've got more important things to worry about than how the hell they're going to clap."

Jury to begin deliberation on Bonds

SAN FRANCISCO — The federal case against Barry Bonds is now in the hands of a jury.

Closing arguments in the former Giants star's 12-day trial wrapped up Thursday afternoon, and the eight-woman, four-man jury went home a few minutes later. They'll pick up with deliberations this morning.

"There's a real irony to this case," Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Parrella said in his closing statement. "These substances that the defendant took to make himself strong — he wasn't strong. He was weak. He was too weak to tell the truth despite all the anabolic steroids."

The major leagues' all-time home run leader is charged with three counts of lying to a grand jury in 2003 and a count of obstruction for denying that he knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs and for saying no one other than his doctors gave him an injection.

Cristina Arguedas, an attorney on Bonds' defense team, pointed contemptuously at Jeff Novitzky, the federal investigator at the prosecution table.

"They have the power to end careers and to ruin lives," she said to the jury. "And nobody gets to test that evidence unless they have the wherewithal and internal strength to come to a jury trial — to you."

If convicted on any of the charges, federal sentencing guidelines recommend a prison sentence of between 15 and 21 months, though the punishment for Bonds, 46, could be far less severe.

Twins player breaks leg: The Twins lost heralded Japanese import Tsuyoshi Nishioka to a broken left leg when the Yankees' Nick Swisher slid into the second baseman at the bag while breaking up a double play. The Twins said the play was clean, and Swisher apologized. Nishioka was put on the 15-day DL.

Dodgers security: Police will heighten security at Dodgers home games after a severe beating left a Giants fan with brain damage. "You're going to see a sea of blue, but it's not going to be Dodgers blue. It's going to be LAPD blue," police Chief Charlie Beck said. "This is going to be a game-changer." Bryan Stow, 42, remained in critical condition after he was attacked last week by two men because Stow was wearing a Giants jersey.

Phillies: Closer Brad Lidge (strained right rotator cuff) reiterated that he still hopes to return by the All-Star break.

Yankees: SS Derek Jeter went 2-for-3 to reach 2,931 hits, passing Hall of Famers Rogers Hornsby and Jake Beckley for 33rd on baseball's all-time list.

Calhoun: I offered to sit out games this season

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun said Thursday that he offered to serve his three-game suspension this past season instead of next but was turned down by the NCAA.

In February, the coach was suspended for next season's first three Big East games and the program was put on probation for several violations. The allegations stemmed from the recruitment of Nate Miles. An NCAA investigation found a former team manager helped guide Miles to UConn, giving him lodging, transportation, meals and representation.

Calhoun's revelation came Thursday during Dan Patrick's nationally syndicated radio show.

"I volunteered to sit out games this year," he said. "Their answer was no. And I said, 'All right, but I don't want to appeal anything.' They said no.

"The three games is fine. I would live with that. If they feel they need something that's penal, that's okay. But I would have liked to have done it at the end of this season, and I thought that would've been more fair. Because why start it up next year?"

Kansas twins to draft: Kansas twins Marcus and Markieff Morris said they will skip their senior seasons. The forwards also said they will hire an agent, meaning they cannot change their minds. Marcus, a second-team All-American, averaged 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds. Markieff, an honorable-mention All-American, averaged 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Fresno St.: Rodney Terry, an assistant at Texas the past nine seasons, was hired as coach. He replaces Steve Cleveland, who took a job in the school's athletic department.

Hockey: Shawn Hunwick made 40 saves to lead Michigan past North Dakota 2-0 in the national semifinals in St. Paul, Minn. Ben Winnett scored in the first, and Scooter Vaughan's empty-netter sealed it for the Wolverines (29-10-4), who go for their 10th title Saturday against Minnesota-Duluth. J.T. Brown had a goal and an assist to lead the Bulldogs past Notre Dame 4-3. In its only previously title game, in 1984, Duluth (25-10-6) lost to Bowling Green in four overtimes.

Women's basketball: Tuesday's title game between No. 2 seeds Texas A&M and Notre Dame drew 3.8 million viewers, up from 3.5 million for last season's between No. 1 seeds Stanford and UConn. Average viewership for the tournament was 1.9 million, up from last year's 1.6 million.

Football: Miami reinstated linebacker Ramon Buchanan about three weeks after his arrest. Buchanan, who had 54 tackles in 13 games as a junior last season, was charged with felony counts of resisting arrest and battery after allegedly spitting on and attempting to strike a police officer. A pretrial hearing is set for April 18.

Notebook: Tampa Bay Rays' David Price outdone by ex-Ray Edwin Jackson

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 7, 2011

CHICAGO — LHP David Price isn't used to this. Two losses as part of the Rays' 0-6 start this season, four straight going back to last year's playoffs, and feeling like he has been out-pitched each time.

"I know I have to pitch better, period," Price said. "I don't care if we're hitting or not. I want to pitch better than I'm pitching right now. It's something I have to work on and in five days get back out there."

Acknowledging the 39-degree first-pitch temperature was a factor, though his arms were mostly bare because he doesn't like pitching in long sleeves, Price didn't pitch badly. He allowed only three runs despite nine hits, a walk and two hit batters.

"He pitched well enough to win," manager Joe Maddon said. "I thought David was pretty good, but he was not as good as Edwin was."

That would be Edwin Jackson, the former Ray traded to Detroit for Matt Joyce then moved to the Diamondbacks and White Sox.

Leading with a nastier-than-normal slider, Jackson was sharper Thursday than when he no-hit the Rays on June 25, 2010, allowing one hit into the seventh and four total while striking out a career-high 13 (two in each of the first five innings).

"A beast out there," Rays DH Johnny Damon said.

Maddon said: "It does not surprise me that he's turning out to be this good."

Jackson improved to 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in three starts against the Rays since being traded, but he insists he treats them no differently. "I look at everyone the same, whether it was a former team or team I didn't play on," he said. "The main objective is to go out and win and try to dominate if possible."

MANNY MATTERS: Maddon said he was sure Manny Ramirez would rejoin the team today after missing Thursday's game due to a "family matter."

What Maddon didn't know is whether Ramirez, who skipped the exhibition finale to go home to South Florida for something he said involved his kids, would miss any other games.

"It's something we were aware of, and it just happened to be (Thursday) and it was unavoidable," Maddon said. "… It's one of those things, I think it might be over, but you'd have to ask him if he wants to speak to it."

COOL GUYS: Because of the cold, equipment/clubhouse manager Chris Westmoreland was handing out provisions: ski caps, gloves, sweatshirts, thermal underwear, ski masks and Maddon's favorite, the "Elmer Fudd" cap with ear flaps.

MINOR MATTERS: Triple-A Durham's Richard De Los Santos took a 2-1 loss at Gwinnett, allowing two earned runs on four hits over four innings. … Double-A Montgomery's Matt Moore allowed two hits and one earned run over five innings with seven strikeouts in a 1-0 loss vs. Birmingham. … Class A Charlotte's Jake Thompson went 4 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits, in a 3-2 no-decision vs. Bradenton. … Class A Bowling Green's Enny Romero struck out eight and allowed one hit over five innings in a 4-0 victory at Dayton.

MISCELLANY: B.J. Upton extended his career-best hitting streak to include all six games.

Tampa Bay Rays news and notes: Numbers on 0-6 start; Edwin Jackson's dominance since traded by Rays; finding not-so-good places in baseball history

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 7, 2011

The dish

Rays at White Sox

When/where: 8:10 tonight; U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

TV/radio: FSN; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

Rays: RH James Shields (0-1,. 2.45)

white Sox: LH John Danks (0-1, 3.00)

Watch for ...

Shields up: Shields, coming off a strong season-opening outing start in which he used a more compact delivery, is 2-2 with a 5.05 ERA in seven starts against the Sox, including 1-0, 3.48 in three games at U.S. Cellular Field.

Danks for nothing: Danks is what Rays manager Joe Maddon considers a "reverse-split guy," meaning he is tougher on righties than lefties, so expect the Rays to use more lefties. Danks is 5-2, 3.83 in seven starts against the Rays, including 1-1, 2.51 at home.

Key matchups:

Rays vs. Danks

Reid Brignac 2-for-3

B.J. Upton 2-for-14

Ben Zobrist 0-for-7

Sox vs. Shields

Paul Konerko 3-for-15

A.J. Pierzynski 5-for-21

Alex Rios 8-for-30 HR

On deck

Saturday: at White Sox, 4:10, FSN. Rays — Wade Davis (0-1, 5.68); White Sox — Phil Humber (0-0, 27.00)

Sunday: at White Sox, 2:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (0-1, 7.50); White Sox — Gavin Floyd (0-0, 5.14)

Monday: at Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (0-1, 4.76); Red Sox — TBA

Tuesday: at Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (0-2, 4.85); Red Sox — TBA

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Comparisons of the day

8 Runs scored by the Rays

9 Runs scored by the Reds' Brandon Phillips

4 Homers hit by the Rays

4 Homers hit by the Rangers' Nelson Cruz and the Yankees' Mark Teixeira

.364 Average by Rays CF B.J. Upton

.116 Average of the other 12 Rays hitters

Stat of the day

3-0, 1.44 Edwin Jackson's record against the Rays in three starts since being traded

Quote of the day

"This is stay-in-the-house weather."

RHP Jeremy Hellickson, an Iowa native, on the cold dreary conditions,

Historical note of the day

At 0-6, the Rays matched the 1997 Cardinals for the worst start by a defending division champion and the 1905 Boston Americans for the worst by a team that had its league's best record the year before.



White Sox 5, Rays 1

Tampa Bay AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

Fuld lf 3 0 1 0 1 1 .333

Damon dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 .053

Zobrist 2b 4 0 1 0 0 2 .190

D.Johnson 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 .043

B.Upton cf 4 0 2 0 0 0 .364

Joyce rf 4 0 0 0 0 3 .056

S.Rodriguez 3b 2 0 0 0 0 2 .222

a-F.Lopez ph-3b 1 1 1 0 0 0 .286

Shoppach c 2 0 0 0 0 2 .125

b-Jaso ph-c 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Brignac ss 3 0 1 1 0 1 .182

Totals 32 1 6 1 1 14

Chicago AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

Pierre lf 5 1 3 1 0 0 .357

Beckham 2b 4 1 0 0 0 0 .308

Rios cf 4 1 2 2 0 0 .214

Konerko 1b 4 0 2 1 0 0 .360

Quentin dh 2 0 0 0 1 1 .458

Al.Ramirez ss 4 1 2 0 0 2 .296

Pierzynski c 4 0 0 0 0 0 .261

Morel 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 .292

Lillibridge rf 3 1 2 1 0 0 .333

Totals 34 5 12 5 1 3

Tampa Bay 000 000 010— 1 6 0

Chicago 201 000 02x— 5 12 0

a-doubled for S.Rodriguez in the 8th. b-grounded out for Shoppach in the 8th.

LOBT.B. 5, Chi. 9. 2BF.Lopez (1), Rios 2 (2). RBIsBrignac (1), Pierre (4), Rios 2 (3), Konerko (8), Lillibridge (1). SBFuld 3 (4), Pierre (3), Al.Ramirez (1), Lillibridge 2 (2). SLillibridge. RISPT.B. 3; Chi. 5. DPT.B. 1; Chicago 1.

Tampa Bay IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA

Price L, 0-2 6 9 3 3 1 2 97 4.85

J.Cruz 1 1 1 1 0 1 14 3.00

McGee 1 2 1 1 0 0 16 7.71

Chicago IP H R ER BB SO NP ERA

E.Jackson W, 2-0 8 4 1 1 1 13 119 1.93

Santos 1 2 0 0 0 1 10 0.00

T2:30. A38,579 (40,615).

How they scored

White Sox first

Pierre singled to left. Beckham was hit by a pitch, Pierre to second. Rios doubled to left, Pierre scored, Beckham scored. Konerko flied out to center fielder B.Upton, Rios to third. Quentin walked on a full count. Al.Ramirez struck out. Pierzynski grounded out, shortstop Brignac to first baseman D.Johnson. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White Sox 2, Rays 0.

White Sox third

Beckham grounded out, shortstop Brignac to first baseman D.Johnson. Rios doubled to left. Konerko singled to left, Rios scored. Quentin was hit by a pitch, Konerko to second. Al.Ramirez infield single to third, Konerko to third, Quentin to second. Pierzynski hit into a double play, pitcher Price to catcher Shoppach to first baseman D.Johnson, Konerko out. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. White Sox 3, Rays 0.

Rays eighth

F.Lopez pinch-hitting for S.Rodriguez. F.Lopez doubled to center. Jaso pinch-hitting for Shoppach. Jaso grounded out, pitcher E.Jackson to first baseman Konerko, F.Lopez to third. Brignac singled to center, F.Lopez scored. Fuld struck out. Damon flied out to right fielder Lillibridge. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White Sox 3, Rays 1.

White Sox eighth

F.Lopez in as third baseman. Jaso in as catcher. Al.Ramirez singled to left. McGee pitching. Pierzynski flied out on a bunt to third baseman F.Lopez. Morel lined out to right fielder Joyce. Al.Ramirez stole second. Lillibridge singled to left, Al.Ramirez scored. Lillibridge stole second. Pierre singled to right, Lillibridge scored. Beckham grounded out, shortstop Brignac to first baseman D.Johnson. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. White Sox 5, Rays 1.


Rangers lose control of destiny

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

NEW YORK — Rob Schremp and Andrew Ladd scored 15 seconds apart in the second as the Thrashers hurt the Rangers' playoff chances with a 3-0 victory on Thursday.

New York could have earned a playoff berth simply by beating two nonplayoff teams. Instead, the Hurricanes can make the playoffs by winning their final two games, including Saturday against the Lightning, no matter what the Rangers do at home against the Devils on Saturday.

The Sabres are in if they earn one point either tonight against the Flyers or Saturday against the Blue Jackets.

Monday, the Rangers posted their most stirring win of the season, scoring three goals in the third to beat the Bruins 5-3. But Thursday, they looked flat without second-leading scorer Ryan Callahan, who broke his right ankle blocking a shot Monday. And they paid for it by losing for the third time in four games against the Thrashers.

Atlanta forced turnovers, controlled play and finally got the best of goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Once Schremp broke the seal at 7:42, Ladd followed at 7:57 to put the Rangers in a 2-0 hole.

On Atlanta's first goal, New York had multiple chances to clear the puck from its zone but failed. Thrashers defenseman Andrey Zubarev, in just his second career game, found Schremp in the circle with a pass. That led to a rising shot that beat Lundqvist.

On the ensuing shift, Ladd got behind Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi, shifted the puck to his backhand and beat Lundqvist.

The Rangers put pressure on Ondrej Pavelec, who made 29 saves, at times. And they received a power play when Zubarev was sent off for holding 45 seconds after Ladd's goal. But the advantage lasted only 21 seconds before Vinny Prospal was called for boarding.

Game highlights: Filip Kuba scored 1:16 into overtime to give the host Senators a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens. Michael Cammelleri's tying goal with 10.1 seconds left gave Montreal a point. A win over Toronto on Saturday gives it sixth in the East.

Foote to retire: Defenseman Adam Foote, 39, part of both of the Avalanche's Stanley Cup championship teams, will announce his retirement after 19 seasons today. Over 16-plus seasons with Colorado and two-plus with Columbus, he has 66 goals and 242 assists, and his 1,534 penalty minutes are fifth among active players.

Obituary: EJ McGuire, who spent about four decades in the game, died of cancer in Toronto. He was 58. Mr. McGuire had been the director of the league's Central Scouting Bureau (which evaluates draft prospects) since 2005. He also was an assistant coach for the Flyers and Blackhawks.

Around the league: Canucks wing Raffi Torres was suspended for four games — the final two of the regular season and first two of the playoffs — for an elbow to the head of the Oilers' Jordan Eberle on Tuesday. … Blue Jackets defenseman Kris Russell is out for the season with a broken left ankle sustained in a pileup Tuesday against the Stars. … Stars wing Adam Burish returned after missing 11 games with a stress fracture in his leg sustained while blocking a shot.

Thrashers0213
at Rangers0000

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesBoulton, Atl (interference), 12:42.

Second Period1, Atlanta, Schremp 13 (Zubarev, Stewart), 7:42. 2, Atlanta, Ladd 28 (Wheeler, Little), 7:57. PenaltiesZubarev, Atl (holding), 8:48; Prospal, NYR (boarding), 9:03; Girardi, NYR (tripping), 11:32; Antropov, Atl (tripping), 13:01; Byfuglien, Atl (interference), 19:32.

Third Period3, Atlanta, Boulton 6 (Oduya, Schremp), 4:19. PenaltiesNone. Shots on GoalAtlanta 8-12-6—26. N.Y. Rangers 10-9-10—29. Power-play opportunitiesAtlanta 0 of 2; N.Y. Rangers 0 of 4. GoaliesAtlanta, Pavelec 21-22-9 (29 shots-29 saves). N.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 35-27-5 (26-23). A18,200 (18,200).

at Senators00213
Canadiens01102

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesGreening, Ott (delay of game), 14:16; Kostitsyn, Mon (slashing), 14:22.

Second Period1, Montreal, Gionta 27 (Darche, Wisniewski), 13:12. PenaltiesBenoit, Ott (hooking), 8:11; Weber, Mon (tripping), 10:51.

Third Period2, Ottawa, Spezza 21 (Greening, Butler), :36. 3, Ottawa, Butler 9 (Spezza, Phillips), 17:11. 4, Montreal, Cammalleri 19 (Kostitsyn, Wisniewski), 19:49. PenaltiesLessard, Ott, major-game misconduct (check from behind), 2:32.

Overtime5, Ottawa, Kuba 2 (Butler, Shannon), 1:16. PenaltiesNone. Shots on GoalMontreal 12-5-12-0—29. Ottawa 8-12-9-3—32. Power-play opportunitiesMontreal 0 of 3; Ottawa 0 of 2. GoaliesMontreal, Auld 6-2-2 (32 shots-29 saves). Ottawa, Anderson 24-20-4 (29-27). A19,809 (19,153).

Playoff chase

With nonshootout wins (first tiebreaker in determining final playoff spots) and games left. Division winners get top three seeds:

East Pts. Wins GR

1. Capitals-y107431

2. Flyers-x103 43 2

3. Bruins-y 101432

4. Penguins-x102 38 2

5. Lightning-x99 38 2

6. Canadiens-x9440 1

7. Sabres92 36 2

8. Rangers 91 34 1

9. Hurricanes 89342

West Pts. Wins GR

1. Canucks-p *113 48 2

2. Sharks-y 103 42 2

3. Red Wings-y 102 42 2

4. Kings-x 98 36 2

5. Predators97 37 2

6. Coyotes 9737 2

7. Ducks 95 41 2

8. Blackhawks 95 37 2

9. Flames 93 32 1

10. Stars *91 35 3

p-Clinched Presidents' Trophy

y-Clinched division x-Clinched playoffs

* Late game

Seven Tampa Bay Lightning players get head shaved for a good cause

0
0

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 7, 2011

TAMPA — The thing about getting one's head shaved on a stage in front of a crowd of people is there is no mirror to view the process.

So when Lightning center Nate Thompson said he noticed people laughing, he thought, uh, oh.

But when Thompson and six teammates were done, domes glistening, there only was cheering.

"Bald," spectator Tracy Morrow shouted, "is beautiful."

Especially when it is for a good cause.

Thompson, Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Victor Hedman, Teddy Purcell, Ryan Malone and Mike Smith had their heads shaved Thursday night at the Pepin Hospitality Center as part of the Cut For A Cure program to raise money for pediatric cancer.

Proceeds will be split between the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation in Tampa.

Nancy Crain, executive director of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, said the event raised $161,000. The goal, she said, is $230,000, and donations can be made at pcfcutforacure.org and fastercure.org until the Lightning is out of the playoffs or May 6, whichever is later.

"It's huge," Crain said. "The players are concentrating on hockey, but they take the time to give back."

"When you see the smiles on their face, you know it made their night," Lecavalier said of the kids in the audience and who helped shave the players. "To know what they go through and how tough it is … the least we can do is things like this."

Actually, 31 people had their heads shaved, including Sun Sports reporter Paul Kennedy and former Lightning defenseman Stan Neckar. But it was the current players who commanded the attention.

"I'm becoming a Lightning fan," said Suzan Harrison of St. Petersburg, whose daughter, Emma, 8, a leukemia patient, helped shave Neckar.

It wasn't long ago Emma was bald because of her treatments.

"I told him," said Emma, in remission and now with a full head of black hair, "it was very fashionable."

That was a hard sell to the players.

"Did you see that head?" Smith said of Malone.

"I was very surprised with Nate Thompson," Lecavalier said. "He was the one I thought would look funny because he always has that, not Fabio, but slick-back hair. But he looked pretty good."

The most dramatic transformations were of Smith and Malone, whose long, curly locks tumbled down their smocks.

"It's a great cause," Thompson said. "We're happy to be part of it. This community stands behind us. We want to make sure we stand behind them as well."

The shavings were the end of a special day for Lightning players and coaches, who after practice hosted leukemia patient Joshua Gandy, 9, of Apollo Beach and his family. Joshua sat on the players' bench at the St. Pete Times Forum while players sang Happy Birthday. They also had cake.

"It's amazing the attitudes they have," Smith said of the kids with cancer. "They're all smiles. The least I could do is shave my head."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

2A-6 district tennis: Mitchell boys topple LOL for first title since '02

0
0

Andy Villamarzo, Times Correspondent
Thursday, April 7, 2011

WESLEY CHAPEL — The Class 2A, District 6 boys tennis tournament at Wesley Chapel was up for grabs going into the second day of play Thursday, but Mitchell made sure it stepped up to the challenge against perennial favorite Land O'Lakes.

And Thursday eventually became just a smooth day for the Mustangs as they edged the Gators by three points for the district title, their first since 2002. Mitchell (14 points) will host Crystal River on Tuesday and Land O'Lakes (11 points) will travel to Nature Coast.

"I changed my lineup the fourth match into the season because I lost my No. 2," Mitchell coach Carrie Page said. "So everybody had to move up, and it was even harder for my guys at that point.

"My guys stepped up and raised the bar and now look where we are."

Land O'Lakes No. 1 singles seed Collin Roller secured his third consecutive trip to state, making easy work of Wesley Chapel No. 1 Cameron Roth 6-2, 6-0. Roller would also help out the Gators' No. 1 doubles team, as he and teammate Harrison Luong defeated Wesley Chapel's Roth and Diego Armas 6-2, 6-3.

"It's nice to play at home because you know those courts, but it will definitely be a challenge playing away," Roller said of traveling for the playoffs.

In other matches, Gulf's Victor Cao defeated Mitchell's Hoang Nguyen 7-5, 6-2 in No. 2 singles, and Pasco's James Drewes and Alex Mitchell just got by Sunlake's Aaron Aucoin and Brandon Jungbauer 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in No. 2 doubles.

Nationals 5, Marlins 3, 11 innings

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Nationals 5, Marlins 3

11 innings

MIAMI — Adam LaRoche ended a 3-for-23 slump with a two-run homer off Edward Mujica in the 11th, ending a streak of 12 2/3 scoreless innings for Florida's bullpen in the series.

Orioles 9, Tigers 5

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 7, 2011

Orioles 9, Tigers 5

BALTIMORE — Adam Jones homered and drove in three runs, Mark Reynolds also had three RBIs, and the Orioles rode a five-run seventh to victory. Vladimir Guerrero hit his first homer with the Orioles, who trailed 2-0, 4-2 and 5-4. Baltimore, which took two of three after a sweep of the Rays, didn't win its second series last year until May 13.

Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images