Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

TORONTO — This is unfamiliar territory for the Orioles, and they're just trying to roll with it.

Mark Reynolds hit a three-run homer, Zach Britton won his fourth straight start and Baltimore moved into a first-place tie in the AL East with a 12-0 victory over the Blue Jays on Tuesday night.

Baltimore's third straight win coupled with the Yankees' loss to the Rays gave the Orioles a share of first place in September for the first time since 1997, the last time they won the division.

"We're just having a good time and we're not putting pressure on ourselves," Reynolds said. "Everybody knows the situation we're in but we're just taking it day by day and having fun."

Staying in the moment is something Orioles manager Buck Showalter has been preaching to his team.

"We've got too many bridges to cross, too many things to do, to accomplish the goal everybody had coming out of spring training," Showalter said.

Times staff, wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

TAMPA — Preparing for a new-age offense presents challenges, but it's another test entirely to do so against the coach who pioneered the offense.

That's the task USF faces against Chris Ault's pistol formation Saturday at Nevada. Wolf Pack QB Cody Fajardo will line up about 4 yards behind the center and will have RB Stefphon Jefferson about 3 yards directly behind him.

"Everybody around the country has gone and learned and implemented it in their offense," USF defensive coordinator Chris Cosh said. "But he's the guy that started it. He knows the ins and outs. It causes problems."

Last week Fajardo and Jefferson combined for 474 yards of offense in a win at Cal.

SHAW MIGHT BE OUT: Junior RB Marcus Shaw (ankle) missed his second straight practice. If Shaw isn't ready, coaches will have to choose a No. 2 running back quickly. Coach Skip Holtz mentioned senior Lindsey Lamar, who he had considered redshirting, and junior Bradley Battles, who was suspended from the opener.

WILLIAMS RETURNS: Sophomore LT Darrell Williams, who missed Saturday's opener with a sprained ankle, was back practicing. Senior Damien Edwards, who started in place of Williams, was still working with the first team at practice.

Joe Polito, Times correspondent

UF: Time will tell

GAINESVILLE — The Gators have been under quite a bit of scrutiny over whether they held back offensively in the Bowling Green game in anticipation of Saturday's SEC opener at Texas A&M. Offensive coordinator Brent Pease said too much is being made of the issue, and the offense will evolve all season.

"Well, I guess everybody's evaluation of what you're going to see and when you're going to see it — this is a growing process," he said. "I want it to be more than what it is right now. … You're always going to see different things. I want to be more productive than what we are. I want to be better on third downs, I want to score more points, we need to create more first downs. I want to be more balanced, run and pass. So, yeah, I think there's things (he wants to see more of), but is that all going to happen in the first game? I was hoping, but it didn't. That's one thing we've got to work to get better at. I guess it all can't be perfect in the first game."

Antonya English, Times staff writer

FSU: Werner honored

TALLAHASSEE — FSU DE Bjoern Werner, who had five tackles for loss and four sacks in Saturday's rout over Murray State, was named ACC defensive lineman of the week.

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

UM: Line intrigue

CORAL GABLES — Miami junior RT Seantrel Henderson is back on the two-deep depth chart after missing nearly a month. But freshman Ereck Flowers, who started in his place Saturday at Boston College, graded out at a 94 out of 100 and drew praise from coaches and teammates.

So, might Henderson move?

"We'll see," coach Al Golden said. "We're going to go with our best five."

Michael Casagrande, Sun Sentinel

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Nationals 11, Cubs 5

WASHINGTON — Adam LaRoche hit two of Washington's six homers, and the Nationals opened a season-high 71/2-game NL East lead.

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Royals 6, Rangers 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong innings and Alex Gordon and Johnny Giavotella homered for Kansas City. Gordon broke a tie at 2 in the fifth with a two-run shot off Matt Harrison, the third homer he has allowed to a left-hander this season. After Salvador Perez's RBI double with two outs, Harrison was replaced by Roy Oswalt. Harrison has pitched at least eight innings in eight starts.

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Florida A&M heads to fifth-ranked Oklahoma Saturday minus a few of its top players.

Coach Joe Taylor announced the suspension of four players Tuesday, including cornerback Devontae Johnson, who led Florida A&M last season with five interceptions.

School officials say the one-game suspensions are for a violation of team rules. Wide receivers Lenworth Lennon and Dewayne Harvey are also out as is Daniel Lennon, a backup offensive lineman. Lenworth Lennon led the Rattlers (0-1) a year ago with 45 catches.

AUBURN: Coach Gene Chizik said fullback Jay Prosch and suspended center Reese Dismukes will play Saturday at Mississippi State. Chizik suspended Dismukes following the sophomore's arrest on a public intoxication charge a week before the opener against Clemson. Prosch returned to school a day after his mother, Iris, died after a battle with brain cancer. Chizik said the 260-pound lead blocker will attend her funeral Thursday.

NOTRE DAME: The team's radio network suspended former Irish running back and analyst Allen Pinkett without pay for two more games after his comments last week that teams need bad guys to get an edge. Pinkett had already been pulled off of the opener against Navy in Ireland.

PURDUE: Quarterback Caleb TerBush will start Saturday against Notre Dame. He was suspended for the opener and replaced by former Plant High star Robert Marve, who passed for a career-high 295 yards in a 48-6 win over Eastern Kentucky.

RUTGERS: Former South Carolina safety Sheldon Royster joined the Scarlet Knights, the Newark Star-Ledger reported. Royster will sit out this season and has three years of eligibility left.

TCU: Starting receiver Skye Dawson was suspended for Saturday's opener against Grambling State for violating team policy.

TULSA: Top receiver Bryan Burnham, a senior, is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right knee.

JURISPRUDENCE: A 22-year-old man was indicted on capital murder charges in the killing of former Auburn players Edward Christian and Ladarious Phillips as well as a third person at a pool party. No trial date has been set for Desmonte Leonard.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Mississippi State dismissed Shaun Smith and Kristers Zeidaks for violating team rules.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Now the Yankees, led by super-cool captain Derek Jeter, will try to convince everyone that they are not in panic mode after dropping the first two games of a series against the Rays and coughing up what was once a 10-game lead in the American League East. It's hard, of course, to suggest that a team that has made the postseason 15 of the past 16 years doesn't have the stomach for this pennant-chasing business.

If anything, you wonder if the Yankees are a little too relaxed, a little too laid back. Maybe a little panic, a little urgency, might do them some good. Maybe they need to be a little more like the Rays.

So here we are. Nearly a month left. A big series in New York next week. The surprising Orioles right in the mix. And the possibility that neither the Rays nor Yankees will make the playoffs. But as the two get together tonight for the final time at Tropicana Field this regular season, I like the Rays' chances a tad better than the Yankees' based on what we've seen the past two nights. Here are some reasons why:

The Rays are treating these games like big games

And you get the feeling that the Yankees are not. There's something to be said for not getting too high or too low (a trait that has always served Joe Maddon's Rays well), but there also is something to be said for embracing the moment.

"I love the energy of these games," Maddon said after the Rays' 5-2 victory Tuesday. "Our players really thrive on the energy."

The Rays came into this series not afraid to admit that it was a big series, that it was more than just three games in a 162-game marathon.

"We know what's at stake," first baseman Carlos Peña said.

The Rays might be the better team

At the moment, that is. The Yankees were really good for one month this season. That was June when they went 20-7. Since then, they are a .500 team (29-29), and just 19-25 since July 19. The Rays, meantime, are 22-11 since July 31. Last year, the Rays needed the Red Sox to have an epic collapse to reach the playoffs. The Rays don't need any collapses this season.

The Rays' pitching is just too good

Line up the Yankees and Rays position by position and, arguably, other than a healthy Evan Longoria over Alex Rodriguez, there probably isn't one Rays player you would take over a Yankees regular. But that hardly matters when you can pitch like Tampa Bay. History suggests that the Rays' pitching not only will get Tampa Bay to the postseason but get it into the World Series.

The last five American League teams to finish a season with an ERA as low as the Rays have (3.26 going into Tuesday's game) all advanced to the World Series. Pitching makes up for a lot of weaknesses.

"We are who we are," Maddon said. "We have to play a complete game. We have to play our matchups. We have to platoon when necessary. We have to play with energy. We have to do the little things right all the time."

The Rays are used to this stuff

You know, for as often as the Yankees have been in the postseason, it's surprising how few big September games the Yankees have played in recent seasons. Last year, they won the AL East by six games. That was also the margin for winning the wild card in both 2010 and 2007. They won the division by eight games in 2009 and 10 games in 2006. Heck, in 2010, they were so in control that they LET the Rays win the division. Remember that?

Where are the white-knuckle rides and nail-biting finishes?

And now, the Yankees are in surreal territory: They have never — repeat, NEVER — missed the postseason after having a 10-game lead.

Meantime, it seems like the Rays are always playing those end-of-the-plank games, none more so than Game 162 last year.

"I'd like to believe what we learned last year was to never quit," Maddon said. "We were given up for dead. I kind of like that our guys are not affected by the moment."

Ben Zobrist already is planning on the season coming down the last day.

"It doesn't matter what happened yesterday," Zobrist said. "It only matters what happens today. Every game, each day, matters."

The way things are going, the last game will matter to the Rays … and not the Yankees.

tom jones' two cents

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Cardinals 5, Mets 1

ST. LOUIS — Jaime Garcia carried a shutout into the eighth and Yadier Molina got his 1,000th career hit with an infield single to start a three-run second for the Cardinals off of rookie Matt Harvey. Daniel Descalso had two hits and an RBI and stole third in the sixth, putting him in position to score on a groundout.

Times wires
Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Pirates 6, Astros 2

PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen had his major league-best sixth four-hit game this season and drove in three runs to help Pittsburgh snap a four-game skid. Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven shutout innings against his former team for the Pirates, who had lost 10 of 13.

Times wires
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Twins 18, White Sox 9

CHICAGO — Chris Parmelee homered to cap Minnesota's 10-run fifth. The Twins also batted around in a seven-run second, but first-place Chicago remained a game ahead of Detroit in the AL Central.

Times wires
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Angels 6, Athletics 1

OAKLAND, Calif. — Zack Greinke pitched seven sharp innings to win his third consecutive start for the Angels. Kendrys Morales had three hits and an RBI for the Angels, who remained 3½ games out of a wild-card spot in the American League. Los Angeles has won four of five on its six-game road trip and 11 of 14 overall. Brandon Moss homered for the A's, who have dropped two straight to L.A.

By Jay Cridlin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

J.C. De La Torre was all but out.

A Tampa Bay Buccaneers season ticket holder since 1998, De La Torre grew more and more frustrated watching the Bucs mail it in last season. Just as importantly, he said, it felt like the team was taking its dwindling fan base for granted.

"I was just really fed up with the organization and the direction they were going," said De La Torre, 39. "The fan experience had gotten kind of stale. With the stadium half empty and the team not performing on the field, it was one of those things where it just wasn't fun anymore."

Every year, more fans seem to agree. The Bucs drew 56,614 fans per home game in 2011, down from 65,316 in 2007. It's reflective of an NFL-wide trend — attendance as a whole is down 4.5 percent from 2007 to 2011, according to the Wall Street Journal — but Bucs fans feel it more acutely. Due to the NFL's attendance-governed blackout rules, six of the Bucs' home games last year were blacked out on local TV. All eight regular-season home games were blacked out in 2010.

Now, under rookie coach Greg Schiano, the Bucs have two goals this season: (1) Make the playoffs, and (2) win back fans like De La Torre.

It started this offseason, when the team laid out an incentive-laden package for season ticket holders. De La Torre, an IT worker from Wesley Chapel who writes about the team on BucsNation.com, says he received everything from VIP access during training camp to discounts on tickets, merchandise and food and drink. They even threw in a free Buccaneers flag.

"It kind of proved to the fan base that they actually did care," he said. "They're trying their best."

•••

Football is the most talked-about, over-analyzed and indisputably popular autumn pastime in all the land. But it's no mystery why league attendance has been on a downswing.

In 2011, it cost an average of $378.28 for a family of four to attend a Buccaneers game (along with food, drinks and souvenirs), according to Team Marketing Report. That's well below the league average of more than $427, but it still ain't cheap — especially when it costs virtually nothing to watch the game in high definition, while eating whatever you like, from the air-conditioned comfort of your couch. (De La Torre, for example, is frequently tempted to stay home and watch games on his 106-inch home theater.)

The Bucs can count on 35,000 diehard fans to come to every game, no matter what. It's those next 25,000 casual fans they now need to reach.

How are they doing it? By getting creative with ticket prices, technology and more at Raymond James Stadium. Among the new features fans can expect in 2012:

For the opener, an all-out blitz. The Buccaneers have gone all-out to try to ensure Sunday's season opener against the Carolina Panthers is a sellout. They'll offer free parking and half-price concessions (excluding alcohol), along with certain tickets discounted to $30 and $15 (for kids). It'll also be the 200th consecutive start by cornerback Ronde Barber, a milestone the Bucs will honor with a free gym sack giveaway.

Fewer blackouts. Well, hopefully fewer blackouts. In the past, the Bucs had to sell 100 percent of their non-premium tickets in order to prevent a home game from being blacked out. This season, they and a few other teams have lowered that threshold to 85 percent. However, this week, they were still short of meeting that goal for Sunday's home opener against Carolina.

Wireless Internet. The NFL has announced plans to outfit every stadium with free Wi-Fi by the 2013-14 season. The Bucs are jumping on the bandwagon early, offering free wireless Internet at RayJay starting this season. If you're logged onto the RayJay Wi-Fi network, you can use the official Buccaneers app to "view live streaming feeds of the game from multiple camera angles." Want to keep tabs on the rest of the league? Ver­izon subscribers with the NFL Mobile app can stream the NFL RedZone channel on gamedays.

More replays. The team brought in a Super Bowl-caliber production company to man its new replay system, featuring more cameras installed around the field so fans can get a better view of what just happened. And for the first time, the Stadium's big screen will show the same "under the hood" replays that referees see on sideline monitors during challenges.

A mini-Gasparilla. In a city that loves pirate parades, this almost makes too much sense. Prior to each home kickoff, the team will send a "Bucsparilla" float through RayJay tailgate areas. Look for mascot Captain Fear and his cronies to toss beads and other goodies to fans.

More customer service. The team is adding dozens of staffers around Raymond James, and adding new guest-relations stations in Quads A and C. Additionally, the club level will open an hour earlier and close an hour later than in 2011.

New social-media strategy. The Bucs turned to Mutt Industries, of Portland, Ore., to create a slick new social network called "It's a Bucs Life" (itsabucslife.com). The site allows fans to cluster together in "krewes," share photos and video on Twitter and Instagram, read stories and blog posts from both fans and the team, and more. It's a Bucs Life has only been around a few weeks, but there are already more than 30 krewes.

Chris Pribbenow was among the first to join from Atlanta's 800-member ATL Bucs fan club. "If it can get anybody from all over the world to bring us all together and get a big, strong fan following," Pribbenow said, "that's what we need."

De La Torre, for one, is excited by the changes he's seen so far. Re-energizing the Bucs' fan base may come down to wins and losses, he said, but all of these little touches are adding up.

"If they continue on this path, I think we'll come back," he said.

Information from the Wall Street Journal and tbt* files was used in this report.

By Darek Sharp, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

It's early, but for several Tampa squads the action becomes extra-meaningful this week. Due to the nine-team behemoth that is Class 5A, District 8, one that contains three Pinellas County schools, district play gets going in Week 2 for several schools.

That renders our first three matchups here a notch above the rest. But at the same time, this week also has Hillsborough and Plant taking interesting road trips.

Toss in a neighborhood rivalry and, well, Week 2 of the prep football season is pretty cool.

All games Friday at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Jesuit at Middleton

Last week: Jesuit lost to Plant 18-0; Middleton lost to Hillsborough 38-0.

Why you should go: To see a pair of Tigers' squads eager to find their way onto the scoreboard, and get a leg up in the 5A-8 race. Jesuit should find the going easier than against that brutish Plant defense.

Robinson at Dunedin

Last week: Robinson defeated Jefferson 58-21; Dunedin lost to Tarpon Springs 24-7

Why you should go: To catch one of the most, if not THE most, dynamite offenses in the bay area. Robinson's Zain Gilmore is a threat throwing the ball, but the Knights also compiled more than 250 yards on the ground in a beatdown of Jefferson. Martin Ruiz ran for about half of those. And the defense is good, too.

Blake at Lakewood

Last week: Blake defeated Leto 37-6; Lakewood defeated Seminole 46-0.

Why you should go: Lakewood is really fun to watch with QB Tracy Johnson and WR Rodney Adams, who unexpectedly played last week when he was supposed to miss time with an injury. Blake put up nearly 300 yards rushing with DeAndre James leading the way. The Spartans fully expect to make the postseason.

Hillsborough at Cocoa

Last week: Hillsborough defeated Middleton 38-0; Cocoa lost to St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.) 16-7.

Why you should go: Simple admiration for Hillsborough scheduling this tough of a game. In fact, these teams take the prize for scheduling. Cocoa had a "down" year last season, falling in the region finals after winning three consecutive state titles. The Cocoa team last week played a Philadelphia power, after taking on (and beating) last year's 3A champ American Heritage in the preseason.

Tampa Catholic at Zephyrhills

Last week: TC defeated Bayshore 31-6; Zephyrhills lost to Land O'Lakes 38-27

Why you should go: For Crusader fans who have never been to a game at Zephyrhills, this is a must. The Bulldogs have one of the most fervent home atmospheres, complete with literal tailgating as folks back up their rides (plenty of them pickup trucks) around the outside of the track to watch the game. On the field should be fun, too. But for the hosts, the going may be tough if injured RB Willie Williams (leg) can't suit up.

Tampa Bay Tech at King

Last week: TBT defeated Newsome 34-10; King lost to Wharton 27-7.

Why you should go: Anyone who knows anything about east Tampa geography realizes how close these schools are to one another. For the longest time, they did not meet up. But now, smartly, they're on each other's schedule. Should be plenty of TBT fans in the stands to see an impressive group that shut down Newsome last week. Deon Thompson ran for two scores but King should be more wary when it kicks the ball away, as the Titans ran a punt and a kickoff back for scores.

Jefferson at Newsome

Last week: Jefferson lost to Robinson 58-21; Newsome lost to TBT 34-10.

Why you should go: It doesn't make sense that these teams face off, considering they're not district foes. But it seems that when they do, a wild game always arises. Talented QBs Deiondre Porter (Jefferson) and Will Worth should have much better outings than their first, and something like a 35-34 final could be the result.

Plant at John Curtis Christian (La.), 8:30 p.m. Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Last week: Plant defeated Jesuit 18-0; John Curtis defeated St. Paul (La.) 26-7

WHAT'S IN STORE: Plant takes on a 24-time Louisiana state champ whose coach is so legendary, they named the school after him. John Curtis (the team, not the coach) had an interesting last week, having its Friday game scrapped due to travel concerns over Hurricane Isaac. But Covington school St. Paul agreed to play the Patriots last Saturday. After an understandably shaky first half, Curtis prevailed 26-7. The Patriots simply are sound, disciplined and athletic. Kinda like Plant.

By Eve Edelheit
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The challenges that a football team faces don't rise solely on the field.

First, Jesuit High's preseason game was rained out after they made the long bus ride to Miami.

Then came a real storm.

Assistant coach Frank Rose suddenly passed away. He was 38 years old.

But at Jesuit, the players call upon a strength that can't be honed by lifting weights to overcome obstacles.

Faith.

"The students know that their talents and opportunities they have to play come from God," said Father Richard C. Hermes, Jesuit High School president.

Before each game, the football team attends Mass, then has a pregame meal in the school cafeteria. They also pray in the locker room before and after the game. Hermes joins the team for their prayer after the game and stays on the sidelines throughout the game.

"There is a brotherhood and a sense of community at Jesuit High School," Hermes said. "That's especially intense in football."

Donations in Frank Rose's name can be made to the Jesuit Scholarship Fund, or sent directly to the family care of Regan Latson, 19123 Cherry Rose Circle, Lutz, FL 33558.

Eve Edelheit, Times staff

By Darek Sharp
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

PLANT CITY — It isn't like the sports programs at Strawberry Crest have already caught up to their rivals at Plant City.

Right?

The Chargers certainly are living up to their end, and to their nickname when it comes to fall sports. Strawberry Crest capped off a historic 72-hour stretch Tuesday night with the volleyball team beating Plant City just three days after the Chargers football team knocked off the Raiders.

In a highly intense match that went four games, the Chargers defeated Plant City for the first time in volleyball. From the crowd to the action on the court to the reaction after, it was a big deal.

"I even had my principal (David Brown) saying to me, 'Okay, we beat them in football, you guys are up next . . . let's get a clean sweep of Plant City,' " Crest volleyball coach Morgan Miltner said.

In its first three seasons, the Chargers volleyball team has made the playoffs twice, but that never translated into a win over the Raiders.

Certainly Plant City was ready for the challenge Tuesday. It came very close to taking the first game, then forced the Chargers to work by winning game three. But Strawberry Crest dominated game four, winning 25-15.

"We finally did it," said Crest senior libero Jamee Townsend. "This was the last chance for us seniors to beat Plant City. A lot of us went to middle school together so immediately they were going to be our rivals. In the past we were a little nervous against them but this time, it seemed like the seniors knew what we had to do."

And apparently so did the freshmen, with Alex Calescibetta and Terra Brooks prominent figures for Strawberry Crest.

Brooks, a towering and imposing figure who looks nothing like a freshman, took over the match at key moments and closed out the match with two kills.

"Terra is just an athlete," Miltner said, with big stress on that last word. "We're feeding everything up to the two freshmen, and they really came up big for us."

Jailene Caraballo, a sophomore, is also a big part of the Chargers' attack and controlled several key sequences with her serve Tuesday.

Plant City's roster is senior-less under new head coach Jessica Thornton. But the Raiders certainly have the look of an experienced group, and are a lot deeper. Thornton credits a recently opened volleyball club in Plant City for the progress.

"We have a few standouts but what I love is I can put anyone, anywhere on the court and feel comfortable," said Thornton, who most recently coach at Fort Myers Cypress Lake and was at East Bay before that.

Thornton has brought an energy and "want-to" edge to the team which was evident throughout Tuesday's match, but especially in the third game, when the Raiders won 25-22.

How close was the match to having a different outcome? Alex Arnold's angled shot, with the Raiders ahead 23-22 in the first game, landed just out of bounds. The Chargers took advantage and won the game 25-23, and then took the second game 25-19.

"We made a few rookie mistakes," Thornton said. "But if that's the worst problem we have, we're in good shape. That's something we can fix."

Junior libero Danielle Rodriguez's hustle sparked the Raiders. Teammate Kelly Drake's spectacular dig set up a Kellie Pernula kill that carried Plant City to victory in the third game.

Pernula, Michelle Daubach, Emily Fry, Kasi Maguire and Noelle Dietrich are all sophomores who look to be part of a strong foundation.

The teams won't meet again this season, but the Chargers, especially the seniors, will gladly take the result of their last matchup.

"I would have gone to Plant City had Strawberry Crest not opened," said senior setter Briana Sanchez. "So from the beginning the goal has been to kind of conquer our rivals. This was really special."

Darek Sharp can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

BRANDON — Concern and frustration and even some anger.

Those were the primary emotions in the Lightning locker room Wednesday as more players assembled for informal skates while stalled labor negotiations have put the Sept. 21 start of training camp in jeopardy.

"Usually time takes care of things like this," W Marty St. Louis said at the Ice Sports Forum. "But am I worried? Yeah, absolutely."

The league has said it will lock out players if a new collective bargaining agreement is not in place by Sept. 15, when the current agreement expires.

The sides are far apart on economic issues, and no negotiating sessions have been held since Friday and none are scheduled. Add to that a monkey wrench revealed by the New York Post: The league wants management rights that would give it unilateral power over issues such as realignment, scheduling and playoff format.

"There's not really a partnership. There's bickering back and forth, and that's what we're trying to get rid of," said RW B.J. Crombeen, part of the union's negotiating committee. "It's frustrating they're not willing to talk right now."

Players also are upset that the framework of the league's updated proposal cuts the players' share of hockey-related revenues from 57 percent to 46. Under the current agreement, players gave back 24 percent of salaries after the 2004-05 lockout.

"You can only … take so much," LW Ryan Malone said.

Said D Marc-Andre Bergeron: "It's frustrating. We gave them what they wanted, and all of a sudden it's not good enough. We're not the only one who should make sacrifices. It seems like we're too good of guys. They try to take advantage of us because they know what we gave the last time, I guess."

For St. Louis, the concern is an extended lockout would cost the league the steam that in the past seven seasons helped it increase revenue from $2.1 billion to $3.3 billion.

"We have so much momentum as a league," he said. "It didn't happen overnight. Players are working harder than ever off the ice, and I think there's a direct correlation with how good the product is on the ice and how much the game has grown."

Even so, St. Louis said, "Last time we lost a full season to get (the owners') deal. If we have to sit, we'll sit. That's how I feel."

FIXED: G Mathieu Garon, who missed last season's final 16 games with a groin injury, and Bergeron, who missed 39 of the final 40 games with a back injury that required surgery, said they have healed without limitations.

HAIRY COMPETITION: Malone's hair is almost down to his shoulders, part of what he called a "friendly wager" with Coyotes goalie and former Lightning teammate Mike Smith. Both have avoided clippers since March 2011, when they shaved their heads at the Tampa Bay Cut For A Cure charity event for cancer research.

"We pretty much look the same," Malone said of the contest for the longest locks. "Trim up the neck hair every once in a while, but that's it."

ODDS AND ENDS: Crombeen said he recently received a business degree from the University of Phoenix. … Captain Vinny Lecavalier's annual Texas Hold 'Em Charity Poker Tournament is Sept. 13 at TPepin's Hospitality Centre in Tampa. Proceeds go to the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at St. Petersburg's All Children's Hospital. For more information go to vinny4.com. … The team is scheduled for 10 national TV games. Go to tampabay.com/blogs/lightning for details.

Times wires
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

White Sox 6, Twins 2

CHICAGO — Alex Rios homered twice and drove in a career-high six runs to lead the White Sox. Rios hit a grand slam in the first inning and a two-run shot in the sixth for the AL Central leaders. Starter Jake Peavy won for the first time since Aug. 1. Rios gave him all the support he would need when he ripped P.J. Walters' 1-and-1 pitch over the leftfield bullpen for his second career slam.

By Dave Walker, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Finally a string of nice days has given anglers beautiful conditions on the water. Since Isaac has passed, Tampa Bay has had ideal fishing weather.

What's hot: Since the water temperatures have dropped significantly on the flats, redfish have become more cooperative. They are taking the usual live baits as well as time-tested artificial lures.

Tip: When handling a fish intended for dinner, do not let it flop on the bottom of the boat. Gently releasing the fish or quietly measuring it and then sliding it into a cooler will help with secondary catches. Loud noises startle redfish, especially in crowded places such as Weedon Island or Fort De Soto. Avoid dropping a tackle box, an anchor or stomping in anger.

Bait bonanza: Baitfish are back on the flats, and the bait shops have live shrimp again after all that rotten weather and a seasonal spawn.

Tactics: As fall gets closer, redfish schools will continue to thicken. A stealth approach always helps, as does putting out chum. One of the "time-tested artificial lures" mentioned above is the gold spoon. I pulled a rusty one from my tackle box and caught redfish with an old lure I have not used in years.

Dave Walker charters out of Tampa. Call (813) 310-6531, email captdavewalker@verizon.net or visit snookfish.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

. fast facts

This week on pro golf tours

PGA: BMW Championship, Crooked Stick Golf Club, Indianapolis. TV: Today-Friday, 3 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday, noon, Ch. 8, and 3:30 p.m., Golf; Sunday, noon, Golf, and 2 p.m., Ch. 8

LPGA: Kingsmill Championship, Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg, Va. TV: Today-Friday, 12:30 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday, noon, Golf; Sunday, 2 p.m., Golf

PGA Europe: KLM Open, Hilversumsche Golf Club, Hilversum, Netherlands. TV: Today-Friday, 8:30 a.m., Golf Channel; Saturday, 7 a.m., Golf; Sunday, 6:30 a.m., Golf

Times wires
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Mets 6, Cardinals 2

ST. LOUIS — R.A. Dickey became the majors' first pitcher to win 18 games this season, and Ike Davis hit a three-run homer for the Mets. The knuckleballer is the first Mets pitcher to reach 18 wins since Frank Viola (20-12) and Dwight Gooden (19-7) in 1990.

Times wires
Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Phillies 6, Reds 2

CINCINNATI — Erik Kratz hit a three-run homer and Chase Utley a two-run shot for the Phillies to back Roy Halladay. The right-hander is 110-0 when he is staked to a lead of at least four runs. All-Star first baseman Joey Votto returned to the Reds' lineup for the first time since July 15 and lined the third pitch he saw in 52 days to leftfield for a single with two outs in the first.