Capt. Dave Walker
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Cooler waters: Water temperatures have dropped by several degrees on the flats after the passage of our last tropical entity. Copious amounts of rain lately have rivers and creeks flowing at capacity into Tampa Bay, thus cooling things a bit. This is great news for anglers. After a string of nice days in a row, and the water settling down a bit, fishing has improved significantly since the recent storms.

What's hot: Mangrove snapper are really turning on the heat around areas of structure such as bridges and places with rock bottoms. They are tricky little rascals, but the fight is something else for a fish their size, not to mention they are equally as exciting on the dinner table. It is always a good idea to bring extra bait along when fishing for "mangs." You can burn through a bunch during a hot snapper bite.

Tip: With the passage of storms and eventual cold fronts, an easy and accurate wind check can be done from almost anywhere in Tampa Bay on a clear day. If the smoke from the stacks at the TECO Big Bend power plant in Apollo Beach is coming out at a 90 degree angle, go back to bed. If the smoke is going straight up, smooth sailing. The huge monoliths are way taller than any trees and therefore show what you can expect offshore as well.

Maintenance: Repair shops are relatively slow right now. It is a good time to fix things quickly, for we are rapidly approaching the fall fishing bonanza that we look forward to all year long.

Capt. Dave Walker charters out of Tampa Bay and can be reached at (813) 310-6531 or at www.snookfish.com.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

GAINESVILLE — The past is a constant reminder of what might have been lost and how far he has come, but Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd is now happily living in the present.

Last year at this time, Floyd was a spectator after being suspended for two games by the NCAA for violation of preferential treatment rules, including receiving $2,500 cash over several months from an individual not associated with the university. According to the NCAA, Floyd used the money for living expenses, transportation and other expenses.

"Mentally and physically, it was one of the hardest things that I had to do, sit and watch my teammates play, knowing I was capable of playing and couldn't," Floyd said. "You get knocked down, but you get back up."

It was an uncertain and difficult period for Floyd, which is why this preseason camp and start to the 2012 season has been his most rewarding.

"It feels really good," said Floyd, now at 6 feet 3, 303 pounds. "It's probably the first year going into a season I didn't have any controversy. So it feels good and I've been focusing on football since the bowl game and that feels great too. To know that I can just focus on one thing, and it's something I love."

Floyd joined the Gators in 2010 as the nation's No. 1 defensive tackle out of Philadelphia George Washington High. He started at defensive tackle that season, but when depth at defensive end became a serious issue, Floyd was moved in spring 2011 to help ease the burden. He played last season at end, where admittedly he was uncomfortable and struggled at times.

He finished with 6.5 tackles for loss and just 1.5 sacks — a total of 69 tackles in two seasons. Floyd got an opportunity to play tackle Jan. 2 in the Gator Bowl, but with depth still an issue he returned to end last spring.

Floyd dedicated himself to improving at both positions. He worked on his pass rush from the outside and the middle, versatility that will come in handy, second-year defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said.

"I think he's in a good spot there (inside)," Quinn said. "But he adds value for me for our defense because I know he can do it at end."

Floyd insists he'll do whatever is best for the team, but won't deny he's happiest — and most productive — at tackle.

"It feels great," he said. "It's like winning the lottery. I love it, but I love all that I can do for the team and the chemistry it brings, so I'm happy to be back where I'm comfortable and still do what's best for the team."

With Ronald Powell still recovering from an ACL injury, and the loss of senior Jaye Howard, the Gators have moved Dominique Easley — who played tackle his first two seasons — to end, which enabled Floyd's move.

Easley started 12 games at defensive tackle, and Floyd started 11 at defensive end last season, and the two combined for 83 tackles, 14 for loss, and three sacks.

"He's a bear, so it's good to have a bear in the middle," Easley said of Floyd.

Floyd had four tackles, including 1.5 for loss, in Saturday's win over Bowling Green. He expects, he said, to ultimately have a much greater impact this season. Part of a team-wide pledge.

"Besides the coaches holding us to a standard, we're holding each other and ourselves to a higher standard," Floyd said. "Because we know we're better than what we've been on film."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

SEFFNER — Skyler Clark said the reason he transferred from Armwood to Seffner Christian before the season was "strictly academic."

But it probably doesn't hurt that the senior instantly became a full-time player and likely the most athletic player on the field for the Crusaders.

"He's a pretty impressive athlete, isn't he?," Seffner Christian coach Steve Lewis said.

Indeed. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Clark stands out in the world of small school football. Clark started at quarterback on the junior varsity Hawks before being switched to defensive end last season.

"I always wanted to play quarterback, so I just kept working on that as well as learning (a new position)," Clark said.

That opportunity arose when Clark transferred. The Crusaders had a big hole to fill under center when Tanner Richardson graduated and Clark was more than ready to step in.

"It's a matter of getting more and more comfortable with the playbook every day," Clark said.

Clark also gives SCA something it hasn't had in its brief history: a legitimate throwing threat. Clark, who has a big-time arm and throws a pretty spiral, went just 4-of-13 for 43 yards in the opener but had a number of passes dropped, including a clear 40-yard TD.

Clark also is a threat on the ground, running for 31 yards on five carries. He also plays defensive end.

"Tanner was more of a scat back, whereas Tyler has a bruising style," Lewis said. "You can tell he's been well-taught before he got here and we are glad to have him."

Bishop McLaughlin probably won't be glad that the Crusaders have Clark when they face off tonight. It's one of eight games involving East Hillsborough teams. All kickoffs are 7:30 unless noted.

American Heritage (1-0) at Armwood (1-0)

Last Week: American Heritage def. Atlantic 29-0; Armwood def.Brandon 55-0.

Why You Should Go: To get a glimpse of what you will see at Florida Field next year. Alvin Bailey scored three TDs last week (two receptions and a 77-yard run) and then announced he would play for the Gators next year. But American Heritage may be one of the Hawks' tougher games.

Alonso (0-1) at Durant (1-0)

Last Week: Alonso lost to Gaither 24-21; Durant def. Freedom 57-7.

Why You Should Go: To see if Durant's Jarmarlon Hamilton will continue to shine. The senior tailback ran for 175 yards and five TDs last week.

Strawberry Crest (1-0) at Bloomingdale (0-1)

Last Week: Strawberry Crest def. Plant City 21-7; Bloomingdale lost to Chamberlain 27-13.

Why You Should Go: Because the Chargers' Karel Hamilton is bidding to become Strawberry Crest's first Division I signee. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior wideout caught three passes for 92 yards against Plant City last week, including TD grabs of 41 and 21 yards.

Lennard (0-1) at Gibbs (0-1)

Last Week: Lennard def. East Bay 43-9; St. Petersburg def. Gibbs 30-20.

Why You Should Go: Because Lennard's Victor Williams might take another one to the house. The senior took the opening kickoff back 90 yards and scored the Longhorns lone touchdown against East Bay.

Steinbrenner (0-1) at East Bay (1-0)

Last Week: East Bay def. Lennard 43-9; Steinbrenner lost to Sickles 34-10.

Why You Should Go: The East Bay backfield is loaded with explosive players and Chris Greene shredded Lennard on the opener to the tune of 127 yards on just six carries, including a 77-yard TD run.

Freedom (0-1) at Plant City (0-1

Last Week: Freedom lost to Durant 57-7; Plant City lost to Strawberry Crest 21-7.

Why You Should Go: To see if Freedom can solve Devyn Salmon. The 6-foot-1, 285-pound run stuffer recently committed to Michigan State after sorting through 15 BCS schools.

Seffner Christian (1-0) at Bishop McLaughlin (0-1)

Last Week: Seffner Christian def. Master's Academy 42-0; Bishop McLaughlin lost to Cambridge Christian 43-10.

Why You Should Go: To see if the Crusaders can cruise to 2-0.

Jefferson (0-1) at Newsome (0-1)

Last Week: Robinson beat Jefferson 58-21; Newsome lost to Tampa Bay Tech 34-10.

Why You Should Go: To see if two-way throwback Will Worth (QB, LB) can help the Wolves bounce back from a disappointing season opener. Worth ran for a team-high 70 yards and threw for 128 more in a loss to TBT last week.

Rod Gipson, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

CARROLLWOOD — It's only the second week of the season. But for some private schools, must-win games have already arrived.

Thanks to Class 2A, District 5's crowded nine-team alignment, league games come early and often. And this year, two Tampa schools have their eyes on being in the playoff chase after missing out to their Pinellas brethren in 2011.

Cambridge Christian and Carrollwood Day School both finished 6-4 last season and 4-4 in the district, out of playoff contention behind St. Petersburg's Canterbury School and Admiral Farragut (both 7-1 in the district). Indian Rocks Christian was third at 5-3.

Cambridge and CDS both got off to great starts last week with blowout wins. Now they will look to bring that level of play into league contests. Cambridge travels to face defending 2A-5 champ Canterbury, which is looking to rebound after an opening-week loss. CDS, meanwhile, begins league play hosting Keswick Christian.

In other contests involving North of Tampa-area teams, Sickles plays at Wharton and Gaither hosts Leto. Steinbrenner, Alonso and Freedom all travel to face eastern Hillsborough County foes. And after a season-opening win against Bloomingdale, Chamberlain is off this week.

All kickoffs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

St. Petersburg Keswick Christian (0-1) at Carrollwood Day School (1-0), 4 p.m.

Last Week: Keswick Christian lost to Landmark Christian 39-7; CDS defeated Imagine School of North Port 42-7.

Why you should go: CDS tailback Robert Davis is so talented he scored a touchdown before even going on offense last week. Davis returned a fumble 30 yards for a score while playing defense on the third play of the game. Then he ran for 136 yards and scored three touchdowns on offense. Also, this is the first Class 2A, District 5 game of the season for both teams and CDS is out to make noise in the playoff push.

Cambridge Christian (1-0) at St. Petersburg Canterbury School (0-1), 7 p.m.

Last Week: Cambridge defeated Bishop McLaughlin 43-10; Canterbury lost to Orlando Agape Christian 34-20

Why you should go: Coming off its winning campaign a season ago, the Lancers are already off to a good start this season. This Class 2A, District 5 opener for both teams should tell us a lot about both teams. Just how good is the Cambridge defense that forced four turnovers last week? And how good is Canterbury a year after winning the league crown?

Lakeland Victory Christian (0-1) at Berkeley Prep (1-0), 7 p.m.

Last Week: Victory Christian lost to Admiral Farragut 18-14; Berkeley Prep defeated Winter Park Trinity Prep 28-6.

Why you should go: If you didn't get a chance to see the Buccaneers' new triple-headed offensive monster last week, make this a must-do. QB Brad Mayes threw two touchdowns to wide receiver Bubba Olivera and tailback Chris Williams ran for 158 yards and a score in the Bucs' big opening night win. And going up against a Victory Christian defense that gave up scoring plays of 57, 69 and 65 yards last week, the Berkeley trio may have more highlights tonight.

Leto (0-1) at Gaither (1-0)

Last Week: Leto lost to Blake 37-6; Gaither defeated Alonso 24-21.

Why you should go: To watch one of the best young quarterbacks in the county. Gaither's Alex McGough led the Cowboys to a last-second win on opening night, completing 14 of 21 passes for 200-plus yards and a touchdown along the way. McGough may light up the scoreboard against the depth-challenged Falcons, who haven't won on the field (a forfeit win came last season), since the season finale in 2009.

Sickles (1-0) at Wharton (1-0)

Last Week: Sickles defeated Steinbrenner 34-10; Wharton defeated King 27-7.

Why you should go: To see an interesting quarterback matchup. Wharton's Chase Litton saw his string of three straight 200-yard passing games end in last week's opener, but he still posted 189 yards passing and a touchdown in a big win. Sickles signal-caller Nate Mills threw for 100 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground in the Gryphons' thumping of Steinbrenner.

Steinbrenner (0-1) at East Bay (1-0)

Last Week: East Bay defeated Lennard 43-9; Steinbrenner lost to Sickles 34-10.

Why you should go: To watch an East Bay offense that is hitting on all cylinders. The Indians scored 55 points in the exhibition game and 43 points in the season opener, mainly thanks to a trio of talented runners in Brandon Byrd, Chris Greene and Chris Carpentier.

Alonso (0-1) at Durant (1-0)

Last Week: Alonso lost to Gaither 24-21; Durant defeated Freedom 57-7.

Why you should go: To see how the Ravens bounce back from last week's last-second lost to Gaither. Why? Because tonight, the Raven defense has to face Durant's Jamarlon Hamilton, who ran for 175 yards and FIVE touchdowns in one half last week against Freedom.

Freedom (0-1) at Plant City (0-1)

Last Week: Freedom lost to Durant 57-7; Plant City lost to Strawberry Crest 21-7.

Why you should go: Because after its first-ever lost to neighborhood rival Strawberry Crest, Plant City is looking to take out its frustration on somebody. Enter Freedom, which despite managing some offense last week, gave up 200-plus yards rushing on defense and seven touchdowns on the ground.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

TAMPA — USF DT Todd Chandler hadn't played in a football game since 2009, so the sophomore's Bulls debut in Saturday's win against Chattanooga was everything he'd been waiting for, and then some.

"When we ran out of the tunnel, I just looked up to God and said 'Thank you, God,' because I've been waiting for that feeling for so long," said Chandler, one of 30 players to make their USF debut against the Mocs. "When I got out and turned around and saw my pastor and his wife, my mom and my daughter and all my brothers out there to support me, I was like, 'This is what I've been waiting for.' I was excited."

Chandler had a team-best three tackles for loss in limited action. He could barely contain his excitement after one sack, slapping his helmet wildly and jumping in celebration.

"It was a big ball of emotions," said Chandler, who redshirted the 2010 season and was ineligible last year. "I don't just want to limit myself to this game. I want to keep that emotion through this whole season, through my whole career. I know football can be taken away from me at any time. It's just seizing the moment."

USF has two solid starters in senior Cory Grissom (who had seven tackles in the first half Saturday) and junior Luke Sager, but coach Skip Holtz said a key will be developing Chandler into a force off the bench for about 20 snaps a game.

"If we can do that, we're a better defensive front," Holtz said. "He's strong, he's powerful, he has a low center of gravity. His leverage is so good. You look at what he did in that game, it's great to see."

UP TO NO. 2: The men's soccer team, coming off of an appearance in the NCAA Elite Eight and off to a 3-0 start, is ranked as high as No. 2 nationally, in the NSCAA coaches' poll and College Soccer News. It's the highest ranking in program history.

The Bulls play South Carolina at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Corbett Stadium in the USF Soccer Tournament, with another home game Saturday night against Iona.

Defender Ben Sweat, a junior from Palm Harbor, has two goals in three games, including the winner in USF's opener against Michigan. He was named this week's national player of the week by website topdrawersoccer.com after scoring the winner Friday against Tulsa.

THIS AND THAT: Want a sense of USF football's commitment to using key players on special teams? On the Bulls' opening kickoff, all three starting linebackers were on the coverage unit, as well as all four starting defensive backs. The two primary up-the-middle blockers on USF's first punt? Starting DEs Ryne Giddins and Tevin Mims. … There's a big USF presence on the coaching staff at Youngstown State, which upset Big East member Pittsburgh 31-14 on Saturday. Head coach Eric Wolford was a USF assistant from 1997-99, and his assistants include former Bulls defensive coordinator Joe Tresey and former USF player and graduate assistant Glenn Davis. … Former Bulls QB Marquel Blackwell is the offensive graduate assistant at Western Kentucky, which faces No. 1 Alabama's vaunted defense Saturday.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com and at (813) 226-3346. Check out his blog at tampabay.com/blogs/bulls and follow him at Twitter.com/gregauman.

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

What's hot: This past week our offshore trips were in what I call storm-fishing mode. During the winter we have cold fronts that pass by with blustery winds and big seas, and during the summer we have tropical events. When conditions are like this the bottom is just as tough of a place to be as the surface. Rolling currents and fast moving water make it very difficult for fish such as grouper to stay in one place without having to spend all of their energy swimming in place. This is when these fish will find the largest structure they can and hunker down, just like we do when conditions get bad.

Proof: The Saturday before Isaac, I hit a little area of ledges in about 90 feet. The fishing was average at best. The storm went by and seven days later I ran by the same area on the way offshore. I decided to test this theory and went right back to one of the same breaks. The catches began immediately. We ended with our limit of gag grouper to about 15 pounds and threw back nine legal gags on that same spot.

What else: Cobia are in the area a bit early. Typically we start seeing these fish around November along with the fall migration of king mackerel. Always have a rod rigged and ready for one of these bruisers. In most cases they will swim by, just to see if there is an easy meal for them. This happened Sunday and we were ready. We saw one fish coming in from the stern and by the time he was close enough we already had a pinfish secured to a spinning rod rigged with a 7/0 circle hook. As soon as the bait hit the water the fish was on. It pays to be prepared.

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

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays will add C/OF/1B Stephen Vogt and RHP Dane De La Rosa to their roster today, giving them 34 active players.

A 35th may be added eventually, and it could be interesting.

RHP Chris Archer may be of help to the Rays later in the month, especially as they are concerned with RHP Alex Cobb's innings total.

With off days coming up Thursday and Monday, the Rays don't need Archer right now, but they want him to stay sharp and game-ready if they do.

So they are looking into sending him down, from Triple-A Durham, which just ended its season, to Double-A Montgomery, which is in the Southern League playoffs. Doing so would require the permission of minor-league baseball officials.

Cobb, after Tuesday's win, has thrown 155 innings between Durham and the majors. Manager Joe Maddon said he and executive VP Andrew Friedman met to discuss scenarios, "looking at Alex Cobb's body of work to this point, what are we comfortable with going forward, number of innings, etc."

Archer was impressive in two starts with the Rays (0-2, 3.86) and was 7-9, 3.66 for the Bulls.

As of now, Jeremy Hellickson, David Price and James Shields will face the Rangers this weekend; Cobb, Matt Moore and Hellickson will start in Baltimore next week; and Price, Shields and Cobb or Moore will pitch against the Yankees next weekend.

CAUTIOUS HANDLING: Though Maddon insisted there was "no concern" over Evan Longoria's status, he acknowledged the Rays were playing it cautious after Longoria said his legs felt tired and fatigued Monday, leading to his early departure.

So Tuesday, the Rays had Longoria DH when, Maddon said, "in a perfect world" Luke Scott would have been the DH with Longoria at third. Also, Longoria did not join the team on the field for batting practice, though he hit early in the cage — and he did hit a two-run homer in the game.

"It's just staying with the program, making sure that we keep him well, guard against any problems and really listen to him conversationally," Maddon said. "I want to be very cautious with him."

Longoria started at third base four times in a five-game span. Also a factor, Maddon said, was playing on artificial turf in Toronto then at Tropicana Field. "This is the kind of a field that is not conducive to longevity of athletes in general," he said.

NIEMANNN UPDATE: RHP Jeff Niemann, diagnosed Monday with slight rotator cuff inflammation, will see noted doctor James Andrews today for further testing. A return this season appears unlikely.

MINOR MATTERS: Three Rays minor-league affiliates made the playoffs: Montgomery, Class A Bowling Green and short-season Class A Hudson Valley.

Bowling Green, which had four players suspended for failed drug tests, opens best-of-three Midwest League play tonight against Lake County (Indians) with RHP Parker Markel starting. OF Todd Glaesmann, who led the organization with 21 homers, was moved back from advanced Class A Charlotte to join the Hot Rods.

Montgomery opens best-of-five play against Mobile (D'backs) Thursday. Hudson Valley opens best-of-three play Friday, with its opponent to be determined.

MISCELLANY: The Rays have won Cobb's past seven starts, tying the team record. … Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected after a strike-three call in the fourth. … The Yankees were held to six or fewer hits for a fifth straight game, their longest such streak since 1990.

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Matt Kenseth opened this season with a second victory in the Daytona 500, and it didn't take him long to establish himself as a legitimate championship contender. But before the midpoint of the season, Kenseth had decided he no longer wanted to drive for Roush Fenway Racing.

Tuesday, nearly two months after RFR said Kenseth was leaving, the driver finally confirmed he's moving to Joe Gibbs Racing at the end of the season and started at least one more domino toppling in "silly season."

"Surprise," he said as he entered a JGR news conference, a dry quip at one of NASCAR's worst kept secrets.

Kenseth was vague as to why he's leaving RFR after 13 full Cup seasons. He never has driven for anyone else at NASCAR's highest level, and paired with Jack Roush won 22 races, two Daytona 500s and the 2003 championship.

"I knew it would not only be a good fit, but it's about winning races and winning championships and you want to put yourself in a position to be competitive going forward," Kenseth said. "I felt like this was it."

Kenseth, 40, is considered one of NASCAR's elite drivers. Pressed as to what JGR offered, Kenseth knew he wasn't going to give a clear answer.

"There's just a lot of different things that go into that. It's about 2013 and beyond," Kenseth said. "I felt like and I feel like (Gibbs) was the right place for me. I know without a doubt at all it's the right place for me to be."

Kenseth was in the final year of his contract with RFR, and every one of his previous deals with Roush were extended before he got to the final season. But he indicated Tuesday things "got cloudy" after his Daytona 500 victory.

Enter JGR, who has room for a fourth car but was also eager to add an upgrade to its lineup.

"When we realized there might be a possibility to get Matt, we realized it would be foolish not to do that," said team president J.D. Gibbs.

Kenseth will be the third driver in the Gibbs team's Sprint Cup lineup, which also includes Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Fans might notice one name missing in that list.

Behind the scenes, Gibbs officials were trying to figure out how to get Kenseth and also keep Joey Logano. But Penske Racing also announced Tuesday that Logano would drive the No. 22 Ford starting next season.

"I am very excited to join Penske Racing and begin the next phase of my career," said Logano, 22. "I am looking forward to the opportunity as it will be an honor to drive for Roger Penske and race for wins and championships."

UNIFICATION: According to speedtv.com, Speed Channel's website, the Grand-Am series is buying the America Le Mans Series, giving America one major sports car series starting in 2014. Grand-Am, owned by NASCAR, would also buy Road Atlanta and the unified series would run both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Teams also can still run in the sport's biggest crown jewel, the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. An announcement is scheduled for today at Daytona International Speedway.

FORMULA ONE: World sanctioning body FIA suspended Lotus driver Romain Grosjean one race for causing a multi-car accident in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix. He'll miss this weekend's Italian Grand Prix; test driver Jerome D'Ambrosio will step in.

Sprint Cup points

Through 25 of 36 races. The top 10 plus two wild cards (based on wins) through Saturday's race at Richmond make the Chase for the Championship.

# clinched Chase spot

* current wild-card holder

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Chargers LB has concussion; status for season uncertain

Strawberry Crest senior LB Andrew Zuluaga, who sustained a frightening hit that drew blood — and the paramedics — in the waning seconds of Saturday's win against Plant City, has a "slight" concussion, coach John Kelly confirmed Tuesday. Kelly said Zuluaga (6-1, 225 pounds) also sustained a broken nose on the play, which prompted officials to end the contest with 7.9 seconds remaining and the Raiders at Strawberry Crest's 1-yard line. The Chargers won, 21-7. Kelly said Zuluaga's status for the remainder of the season is unclear.

Send us your stats

Football coaches are reminded to update stats on MaxPreps — or email us at hometeam@tampabay.com — by noon Wednesdays. Volleyball coaches, same date applies. We'll start running volleyball stats in print next week (kills, blocks, aces, assists). Please include games played and totals.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Alex Cobb did some pretty good pitching for the Rays on Tuesday. And Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Desmond Jennings took care of the swinging.

But the bigger story at the half-empty Trop on Tuesday was the squirming taking place in the opposing dugout.

The Rays' 5-2 win completed the Yankees' staggering freefall, as what was a 10-game American League East lead on the morning of July 19 is now gone. The Orioles won again Tuesday to pull even, and the Rays (75-61) are just 1½ games back.

"You expect a team like that to get hot, but you also know they're going to cool down at some point," Longoria said. "You can't plan or expect they're going to cool down as much as they have."

With no other choice, the Yankees, mired in a 19-25 run, are hoping a turnaround is coming soon.

"Teams struggle at times, it's contagious, both in good ways and bad," captain Derek Jeter said. "We're slipping a little bit, but hopefully we'll be able to break out of it (tonight). We still have games left, we have to find ways to win."

The Rays, who have gone 28-16, are finding plenty.

Tuesday, one key was Cobb, the 24-year-old pitching in his first September and showing the Rays, at least on this night, they don't have too much to worry about with Jeff Niemann hurt again.

Cobb, as he tends to, struggled a bit early, giving up a two-out walk then a homer to Robinson Cano in the first.

But Rays manager Joe Maddon told catcher Jose Molina to force Cobb into a quick rhythm after that — so he wouldn't overthink things — and as also tends to happen, Cobb got better as the game went on, working seven solid before turning it over to Joel Peralta and Fernando Rodney, who finished for his major league-leading 42nd save.

After putting the first two on in the third, Cobb retired 14 of his 15 remaining batters, including his last 10. And he did so efficiently, throwing only 32 pitches over his final three innings (15-9-8).

"It's the closest thing I've had to a playoff game," Cobb said. "It was a lot of fun to go out in that environment and go out and pitch well."

His mates helped before 17,652 at the Trop. Upton doubled in a run in the first, swinging 3-and-0 to lace a double down the line to score Jennings. Then Longoria had the big hit, a two-out, two-run homer in the third, his fourth in his past nine games, to put them up 3-2. Then Jennings and Upton hit back-to-back homers in the fifth, Upton adding the team home run lead, at 18, to a stat line that also includes the most RBIs (63) and stolen bases (27). "He's just not missing on any pitches," Maddon said.

It was the fourth time this season the Rays hit back-to-back homers.

The Rays are familiar with big leads vanishing, having run down the collapsing Red Sox last September. And Maddon has seen it from the view the Yankees have now, as a coach on the 1995 Angels team that was caught by the Mariners.

"It's not easy to walk into that room when you've had that kind of a lead and it kind of goes away," he said. "Because you get to the point where you imagine the worst as opposed to the best."

Not, of course, that the Rays feel sorry for them in the least.

"We've got to get them while they're down right now," Longoria said, "because you don't want to wake a sleeping dog."

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

TONIGHT

Cowboys at Giants

When/where: 8:30, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

TV/radio: Ch. 8, 98.7-FM, 1010-AM

The Dallas defense was exposed against the Giants last season, giving up an average of 34 points in two meetings. Are the Giants just as lethal this season? And is the Cowboys' defense any better? Look for home field to be a considerable advantage as the Giants begin their Super Bowl title defense. A side note: New York's early start gives it 10 days to prepare for a Week 2 meeting against the Bucs.

Holder's prediction: Giants 27, Cowboys 23

Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

NEW YORK — In one of the few matches completed at the rain-delayed U.S. Open on Tuesday, Victoria Azarenka ousted defending champion Samantha Stosur 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) to reach the semifinals for the first time.

She will play the winner of the match between Maria Sharapova and Marion Bartoli, which was pushed to today with Bartoli leading 4-0 in the first set.

All action was ended shortly after 9:30, tabling — among other things — Andy Roddick's retirement. Roddick had just won the first point of the first-set tiebreak against Juan Martin del Potro when showers, which had allowed the completion of only one women's and one men's match all day, closed in again.

David Ferrer completed a 7-5, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 fourth-round victory over Richard Gasquet, but the Novak Djokovic-Stanislas Wawrinka and Janko Tipsarevic-Philipp Kohlschreiber matches, both moved from their originally scheduled courts in an attempt to accommodate Roddick-del Potro in the night session, had barely begun.

The Roddick match was halted after Roddick went ahead 1-0 in a first-set tiebreaker. The 2003 champion at Flushing Meadows announced last week the U.S. Open will be last tournament of his career.

Ferrer joined Rafael Nadal as the second Spanish player to make the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slams in one year. Nadal, not here in 2012 because of a knee injury, did it in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Ferrer was leading 4-3 when the rain came. When the match resumed, the players traded games before Ferrer broke serve, winning the fifth match point.

Azarenka, the top seed, was asked what went through her mind as the high-tension, high-quality match stretched into a third-set tiebreaker.

"You don't want to know what I kept telling myself," Azarenka deadpanned. "I would have to beep that, I think."

She went on to offer a cleaned-up version of what her thoughts had been — "Don't be a chicken" — while ensuring that she will retain the No. 1 ranking no matter what happens the rest of this week.

"Definitely I don't want to stop. I really want it bad," Azarenka said of possibly adding a second Grand Slam trophy to the one she earned in January at the Australian Open. "I'm going to do absolutely everything I have, you know, to give it all here."

Stosur never had taken a set off Azarenka in six previous tour meetings, including one match in qualifying. That changed in the second set. But in the end, Azarenka improved to 11-0 in three-setters this season, while Stosur, of Tampa, fell to 9-7.

"I think I'm capable of beating her one day," the seventh-seeded Stosur said. "Just would have liked it to have been today."

Said Azarenka: "She made me play my best tennis. She kept hitting the lines, making those first serves. I kept saying, 'Miss, miss,' but she didn't."

Serving at 5-all in the third, Azarenka faced a break point and responded with a 92 mph ace, her only one of the match.

Asked about that, Azarenka responded: "When did I hit an ace? Did I hit one today, actually?"

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he's optimistic running back Jonathan Stewart will play in Sunday's opener against the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium.

Stewart sprained his right ankle in the team's third preseason game Aug. 26 and hasn't practice since.

Though he was held out of practice, Rivera says Stewart "moved around very nicely" during a private workout Monday. Rivera said he hopes Stewart can practice today when the team continues game preparation at IMG in Bradenton.

The Panthers were scheduled to fly out of Charlotte Tuesday to avoid scheduling conflicts with the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

RAVENS REDO DEAL: Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie restructured his contract. At one point in negotiations, McKinnie walked away from the table and posted on Twitter that his time with the Ravens was over. But the 6-foot-8, 360-pound left tackle begrudgingly took a $1 million cut off of what had been a $3.2 million salary.

BENGALS: The team placed center Kyle Cook (right ankle) on the injured reserve list while giving him a chance to return if he heals. Under a new rule, a team can designate one injured player to return midway through the season if he heals. Otherwise IR players are out for the season.

BILLS: Rookie cornerback Ron Brooks (broken foot) will miss at least eight weeks.

DOLPHINS: Quarterback David Garrard, out since suffering a left knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery Aug. 11, was released. Also, guard Artis Hicks (neck) went on the reserve-injured list and tackle Ray Feinga was re-signed.

SEAHAWKS: Starting running back Marshawn Lynch (back spasms) might miss Sunday's opener against Arizona, ESPN.com reported.

STEELERS: Safety Ryan Clark is teaming with Pittsburgh hospital UMPC to raise awareness of sickle cell blood disorder. He is one of an estimated 2 million Americans who suffer from the disorder. He had his spleen removed after the disease was aggravated playing at high elevation in Denver in 2007. He'll travel but not play Sunday when Pittsburgh again plays at Denver.

BOUNTIES: The NFL Players Association asked a federal judge for a temporary restraining order that would let players suspended in connection with the league's bounty investigation join their teams. The union filed the motion on behalf of New Orleans defensive end Will Smith, Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita, and free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove. Suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma had already filed a similar motion.

OFFICIALS: The league will use eight-person crews, one more than usual, as replacement officials start the season in place of locked-out regular officials. An extra official will communicate with a supervisor from the league office, profootballtalk.com reported.

Week 1

Sunday

Indianapolis at Chicago, 1

Philadelphia at Cleveland, 1

St. Louis at Detroit, 1

Miami at Houston, 1

Atlanta at Kansas City, 1

Jacksonville at Minnesota, 1

Washington at New Orleans, 1

Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 1

New England at Tennessee, 1

Seattle at Arizona, 4:25

San Francisco at Green Bay, 4:25

Carolina at Tampa Bay, 4:25

Pittsburgh at Denver, 8:20

Monday

Cincinnati at Baltimore, 7

San Diego at Oakland, 10:15

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

golf

love adds ryder cup rookie to roster

NEW YORK — Davis Love III became the third straight U.S. captain to pick a Ryder Cup rookie, and the first captain since 1997 who had to spend a pick on Jim Furyk.

Love filled out his 12-man team Tuesday by selecting Furyk, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker, one of four Ryder Cup rookies who will be playing in a team competition for the first time as a pro.

Johnson and Snedeker, in effect, played their way onto the team the past two weeks as the only Americans to finish among the top six in both FedEx Cup playoff events. It was a performance that made it difficult for Love to ignore.

"I think we're extremely deep this time, deeper than we've ever been. … There was a lot of guys that played a lot of really good golf," Love said. "You can analyze the numbers up and down and back and forth. It was tough to leave really anybody off."

The Ryder Cup is Sept. 28-30 at Medinah outside Chicago. Though Europe has dominated this competition since 1995 — it has won six of the past eight times — it has won on U.S. soil only twice in the past 20 years.

soccer

U.S. women to face Germany for U20 title

The United States beat Nigeria 2-0 in Tokyo and will play defending champion Germany for the women's under-20 World Cup title.

Morgan Brian scored in the first half and Kealia Ohai added another goal in the second to send the Americans to the final for the third time. The United States won in 2002 and '08.

"It was a difficult match physically," U.S. coach Steve Swanson said. "Nigeria gave us all we could handle and a little more. Getting that first goal was key for us."

Germany, trying to become the first team to win consecutive titles, beat host Japan 3-0. Japan will face Nigeria for third place Saturday before the United States meets Germany.

Brian opened the scoring with a header in the 22nd minute. In the 70th minute, Ohai took a through ball from Samantha Mewis and sent a 12-yard, right-footed shot past goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte.

Nigeria pressed forward after the second goal but the Americans denied it a chance to get back in the game.

"I thought our back four did a very good job of keeping possession and allowing us to get out of our end," Swanson said.

et cetera

WNBA: Tina Charles scored 20 and grabbed 13 rebounds to lift visiting Connecticut over Washington 77-70. The Sun has beaten the Mystics nine straight times, including 5-0 this season. Washington lost its season-worst sixth in a row. … Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus scored 23 apiece to lead host Minnesota to an 88-77 win over Los Angeles. Lindsay Whalen added 12 points and Candice Wiggins had 10 for the first-place Lynx. With eight games remaining, Minnesota needs four more victories to clinch the No. 1 seed in the West. Augustus took over the top spot on the Lynx career scoring list, surpassing Katie Smith's 3,605 points on a 3-pointer with 4:11 left in the second quarter.

Soccer: Tampa Bay Rowdies defender Frankie Sanfilippo is the North American Soccer League defensive player of the week for the third time this season. Sanfilippo scored the Rowdies' second goal Saturday in a 3-0 victory against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, helping Tampa Bay clinch a playoff spot. It was the Rowdies' ninth shutout of the season.

Times wires

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A good start is what is on the line this time when the Giants host the Cowboys in tonight's NFL regular-season opener.

The stakes were much greater the last time the NFC East foes faced off to close the last regular season. New York won to claim the division title en route to the Super Bowl title. Dallas was left out of the postseason.

Tonight at MetLife Stadium — in a nationally televised game played a day earlier than in the past several seasons because of the Democratic National Convention, where President Barack Obama will speak Thursday to accept his party's nomination — the winner will take the early upper hand in the divisional race.

For Eli Manning and the Giants, this will be a chance to silence the critics and detractors who have sounded off repeatedly after they beat the New England Patriots in February to claim their second Vince Lombardi Trophy in five seasons.

The Giants heard it all: They were lucky to get into the playoffs at 9-7. They really didn't beat the Packers or 49ers, they were just handed the games.

There is a lot more, but that is the gist.

That is now over.

The goal for Tom Coughlin's players is to show they have constructed that bridge the 65-year-old coach urged them to build to link their late-season 6-0 run to the title to the 2012 campaign.

"The leadership we have on this football team, that's going to be the spine of the bridge, if you will," defensive captain Justin Tuck said. "I think we're in a good place as far as where we want to be coming into the game."

The Giants are confident, and they don't care what outsiders are saying about them.

"We've already showed people who we are," safety Antrel Rolle said. "We can care less about that. We leave that up to spectators. We're just going out there and playing ball. And that is what it is all about. We can care less about what kind of recognition we are getting or who is crowning us and who is not crowning us. None of that matters coming into the 2012 season."

Jerry Jones' Cowboys face a much different task after an 8-8 campaign that ended with an embarrassing 31-14 loss to the Giants on Jan. 1.

The outspoken owner, who boasted to fans that his team would kick the Giants' posteriors in Dallas when the clubs meet a second time this season on Oct. 28, knows the window for the aging Cowboys to return to the franchise's glory years is fading fast.

"It's a great opportunity for us is how I look at it," Jones said of the opener. "So very meaningful. Everybody has all the appreciation in the world for what we're up against here, the quality of the team, so to have success up there would be very meaningful."

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will again be under the spotlight. He has yet to win a title, and many wonder if he ever will after a late-season meltdown in which Dallas lost four of its final five, including two to the Giants.

"I think they always stick with you," Romo said of the last game. "That's what fuels you in the offseason and makes you … you want to remember those moments so you can improve from them. As a football team, we've taken an approach that we need to get better. I think we've done that with the personnel and our approach and the way the guys have been committed. It's been great to see. Now it's time to take it to the field."

There are a couple of key matchups.

Manning and receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks combined for 14 receptions for 237 yards in New York's 37-34 win in Dallas on Dec. 11, and they had 11 more catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the division-deciding game.

In the offseason, the Cowboys signed former Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr as a free agent and moved up eight spots in the first round of the draft to take cornerback Morris Claiborne of LSU.

The key to the Giants' success in the postseason was the defensive line. The assault will again be led by All Pro and former USF star Jason Pierre-Paul, Tuck and fellow two-time Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora.

One big area of concern for the Giants is tight end. Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum both sustained major knee injuries in the Super Bowl. Ballard gone and Beckum is still out injured.

Former Cowboy Martellus Bennett, who signed with the Giants as a free agent, will be Manning's big target at tight end.

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Rockies 6, Braves 0

ATLANTA — Carlos Gonzalez hit his second homer since July 23, Jordan Pacheco also homered and four pitchers combined on a nine-hitter for Colorado. Gonzalez snapped a scoreless tie with a one-out homer off Tommy Hanson in the fourth that landed deep in the centerfield seats.

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Indians 3, Tigers 2

DETROIT — Justin Masterson pitched six solid innings, and Cleveland won its second straight game over playoff-chasing Detroit. Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer for the Tigers, who missed another opportunity against a struggling team. The Indians had lost 29 of 35 before taking the first two games of this series.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Rays vs. Yankees

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

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

Tickets: $17-275, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within 5 hours of game time.

Promotion: Carlos Peña home run figurine to first 10,000 fans.

Probable pitchers

Rays: LH Matt Moore (10-8, 3.58)

YANKEES: RH Hiroki Kuroda (12-9, 2.98)

On Moore: Pitching on five days rest, which has been a good thing: He is 7-3, 2.47 in 14 starts with extra rest, 3-5, 4.85 on normal rest. Overall, is 9-3, 2.90 in past 16 starts, 4-1, 1.87 past seven. Is 2-0, 2.25 vs. Yanks.

On Kuroda: Coming off back-to-back losses for first time since mid May. In 16 starts in between was 9-2, 2.22. Lost to Rays in only career start, April 7 at Trop.

Key matchups

Rays VS. KURODA

Jeff Keppinger 4-for-18

Carlos Peña 2-for-5

Luke Scott 3-for-3

YANKEES VS. MOORE

Robinson Cano 2-for-3

Derek Jeter 1-for-6

Ichiro Suzuki 2-for-7

On deck

Thursday: Off

Friday: vs. Rangers, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (8-10, 3.41); Rangers — Derek Holland (10-6, 4.79)

Saturday: vs. Rangers, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (17-5, 2.54); Rangers — Yu Darvish (14-9, 4.29)

Sunday: vs. Rangers, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (13-8, 3.88); Rangers — Matt Harrison (15-9, 3.37)

Monday: off

Tuesday: at Orioles, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — TBA; Orioles — TBA

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

AL East

Team W L Pct. GB

Baltimore 76 59 .563—

New York 76 59 .563—

Tampa Bay 75 61 .551 11/2

Boston 62 74 .456 141/2*

Toronto 60 75 .444 16 * Late game not included.

AL race for wild cards

Team W L Pct. GB

Oakland 76 59 .563—

Balt/N.Y. 76 59 .563—

Tampa Bay 75 61 .551 11/2

Los Angeles 73 63 .537 31/2

Detroit 72 63 .533 4

Top two wild cards make postseason; GB is games behind second wild card

Number of the day

53 Innings pitched at home by Alex Cobb before allowing first homer.

Quote of the day

"He is crusty. He's definitely the crustiest. He's moldy."

Manager Joe Maddon on 32-year-old INF Jeff Keppinger's veteran-ness.

Replica of the day

1B Carlos Peña was eager to see the "Home Run Figurine" being given out tonight, excited when told it showed him patting his helmet, as he does after home runs and big hits. "It's a sign of good things," Peña said. "Every time I touch my head something good happens. It's perfect timing. This is when I want to touch my head the most."

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Reds 2, Phillies 1

CINCINNATI — Jay Bruce homered for the third straight game, a two-run shot that lifted Cincinnati. Bruce's homer in the sixth inning ended Kyle Kendrick's four-game winning streak. Mat Latos pitched seven strong innings for the Reds. Jimmy Rollins doubled off Latos in the fifth inning, making him the fourth Philadelphia player to reach 2,000 career hits.

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Brewers 8, Marlins 4

MIAMI — Norichika Aoki and Jeff Bianchi homered and drove in three runs each for Milwaukee, and Ryan Braun drove in the Brewers' other two runs to give him an NL-high 98 RBIs. The reigning NL MVP is looking for his fifth straight season with 100 RBIs.