Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Padres 3, Cardinals 2
SAN DIEGO — Clayton Richard pitched seven strong innings and rookie Yasmani Grandal singled home the go-ahead run for the Padres, who handed the World Series champions their 11th loss in 15 games. The Cardinals, who begin a crucial four-game series at Los Angeles tonight, put a runner on third with one out in the ninth but failed to score.
By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
ST. PETE BEACH — World-renowned marine artist Guy Harvey spent Wednesday morning researching his next piece of artwork.
"Some people might call it fishing, but I call it catching," the 56-year-old said of his day on Tampa Bay. "I caught and released more redfish in three hours than I did in my whole life."
Harvey said he never had seen such a large school of redfish before. "It was like this great sheet of bronze," he said. "I can't wait to get to work. I'll need a big canvas."
The artist, in town for the opening of the first Guy Harvey Outpost in the United States on the grounds of the old TradeWinds Sandpiper Suites in St. Pete Beach, became the world's most famous marine illustrator by doing his homework.
"I think what makes my work unique is that I take great care in presenting the predator-prey relationship," he said. "You can paint a fish, but the action really sets it apart."
Harvey, who has formal training as a marine biologist, started his career illustrating technical texts.
"I saw that there was a market for something more," he said of his long, slow slog to fame. "It was a lot of hard work and a little luck."
Harvey, a native of Jamaica who now lives in the Cayman Islands, is best known for his realistic depictions of billfish. So it's no wonder that a couple of "granders," a name for 1,000-pound marlin, are the first things guests see when they arrive at the recently refurbished 211-room beachfront resort.
"I like big fish," he said. "There is nothing like 'em."
When Harvey, whose fishing T-shirts are worn by everyone from toddlers to retirees, first thought up the idea of an "outpost" bearing his name, he thought they would all be located in exotic locations such as Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela. But he decided on a new approach after he heard about the fishing here in Tampa Bay.
"Phenomenal," he said. "There is no other word for it."
The now-open resort is still undergoing more than $3 million in renovations, "but it will not impact our guests," spokeswoman Kelly Prieto said.
Harvey said he has a tremendous fan base in the Tampa Bay area, which buys more of his T-shirts than any other place in the country.
"This was a perfect fit for us," he said. "People come here to fish."
Harvey distinguished himself early in his career by capturing scenes previously unseen by anglers. He pioneered a diving technique that allowed him to photograph free-swimming billfish in the open ocean.
"We would troll along with teasers until we found the fish," he said. "Then I'd get in the water … and be waiting for the fish."
The process took years to refine. "It is not like you can just jump in the ocean and start filming a feeding billfish," he said. "The same thing holds true with sharks."
Over the years, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for marine research. After the Deepwater Horizon oil well disaster, Harvey's foundation organized a Save Our Gulf campaign that used profits from the sale of two collectors' T-shirts to raise $500,000 in four weeks for fisheries research.
"It was a very successful campaign," he said. "It is easy to sell a $20 T-shirt when the buyer knows that $10 of it is going directly to marine conservation."
The new outpost has plenty of Harvey's signature artwork throughout the public and exterior spaces, and is featured in guest rooms.
The former hotel's gift shop is now an outfitter shop, which features his clothing and marine-related goods.
The artist's latest passion is documentary filmmaking. On Saturday, he plans to show two of his most recent films, This is Your Ocean: Sharks and Mystery of the Grouper Moon at the TradeWinds Island Grand, the Outpost's sister property (5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach).
"We have another one in the works, the Tiger Shark Express, that we filmed in Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands," Harvey said. "I am particularly interested in the interaction of the sharks and sea turtles, which as you know, is their primary food source."
Harvey, whose properties will also host a Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Symposium on Friday and Saturday, clearly loves his work. When asked if he ever thought his art would bring him so much fame and fortune, he smiled said, "I had no idea."
By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
. tonight
Bears (1-0) at Packers (0-1), 8:20
When/where: 8:20; Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
TV: NFL Network
Line/OU: Packers by 6; 51
Only one team allowed more rushing yards in Week 1 than the Packers' 186 vs. the 49ers. Meanwhile, Bears RB Matt Forte had a leisurely day against the Colts, averaging 5 yards per carry. But a big night from Packers QB Aaron Rodgers can supersede all this. Expect that.
Stephen F. Holder's pick: Packers 31, Bears 27
Stephen F. Holder, Times staff writer
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
NBA
Kidd to contest crash charges
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Knicks guard Jason Kidd intends to fight a charge that he was drunk when he crashed his SUV into a telephone pole in the Hamptons, his lawyer said Wednesday.
When asked about the allegations after a brief court appearance, Edward Burke said, "We are defending that.
"He is taking this very, very seriously. He wants to get this past him as quickly as possible. The legal process takes some time, but he is ready for his season."
Kidd was arrested in July, a few days after leaving the Mavericks for the Knicks. He suffered minor injuries when the vehicle hit the pole and veered into the woods.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 7.
More NBA
Nets sign forward jettisoned by Wizards
The Nets signed F Andray Blatche. Terms weren't disclosed. The 6-foot-11 Blatche averaged 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 26 games last season for the Wizards. He missed the final 40 games with a calf injury. Washington waived Blatche in July, designating him as the amnesty player. The move enabled the Wizards to remove the $23 million remaining on Blatche's contract from their salary cap.
Autos
Hunter-Reay crashes before season finale
IndyCar title-contender Ryan Hunter-Reay crashed while testing at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Hunter-Reay, trailing leader Will Power by 17 points entering Saturday's season finale, was making a run when his car spun in the second turn and scraped the wall. His Andretti team began changing the engine after the crash, which will draw a 10-spot penalty on the starting grid.
Tennis
Del Potro practices, will play in Davis Cup
Juan Martin del Potro, slowed by a sore left wrist, is expected to play in Argentina's Davis Cup semifinal match against the Czech Republic this weekend. Del Potro, ranked sixth, is expected to play singles only.
Ferrero to retire: Juan Carlos Ferrero will retire after next month's event in his hometown Valencia Open. The Spaniard, 32, reached No. 1 in 2003 after winning the French Open.
Et cetera
Boxing: Manny Pacquiao will fight Dec. 8, likely against Juan Manuel Marquez. He hasn't fought since losing to Timothy Bradley June 9. Pacquiao won two of three fights with Marquez, the third a draw.
Cycling: Authorities are investigating the theft of Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong's two bikes. They were shipped from Germany, where they were on display for an event. But only empty boxes arrived at her house.
Times wires
Times staff, wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
NEW YORK — The NHL's collective bargaining talks resumed Wednesday with a sense of urgency and a flurry of activity, but one thing remained unchanged: the unmistakable gap between the sides.
With Saturday's midnight deadline for a lockout looming, players association executive director Donald Fehr and commissioner Gary Bettman each offered new proposals that highlighted the differing views still held by players and owners on core economic issues.
The current labor deal expires at midnight Saturday; Bettman says the owners will lock out the players if a new deal isn't in place by then.
The first formal session of bargaining between the sides since Aug. 31 kicked off with the union presenting a proposal with revenue-sharing changes from its previous offer.
"We did not make a proposal which mirrored the owners' proposal," Fehr said. "We did not say, 'Let's go back to when we didn't have a salary cap.' We said, 'Look, there is a meaningful disparity in revenue between the teams, and in recognition of that, there is a way we think we can fix the system so we don't end up in the same problem all over again.'
"Our proposal was made with the same principles that we have always had in mind, and those are that we didn't see any reason — given the seven years of record revenue growth and enormous concessions the players made the last time (in labor talks) — to have an absolute reduction in player salaries. They are prepared to have their share fall over time as revenues grow, and that we hope to partner with the large-revenue teams in terms of providing whatever assistance to franchises may be called for generally under revenue sharing."
Bettman said the offer represented "very little movement, if any," which prompted him to draft a new proposal on the fly with Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs and Flames owner Murray Edwards.
The proposal would see players receive more hockey-related revenue than in the previous two proposals it had offered and also took an important step by using the current definition of hockey-related revenue. It was handed back to the union with a shelf life: If it doesn't lead to a deal before the weekend, it will be taken off the table, Bettman said.
"(This proposal) had meaningful movement in it, and it was an attempt to engage the union, finally, in trying to make a deal," said Bettman.
However, Fehr characterized the change differently. He said the league had moved from asking for an "extraordinarily large" amount of money back to a "very big" amount.
The union later held meetings at a hotel with about 300 players who went to New York for the sessions. Today, the board of governors will convene with Bettman while the union holds a second day of discussions with the players.
Lightning tv schedule: If there are no lockout-related changes, the Lightning will get plenty of time on local television this season. Sun Sports announced it will telecast 70 games, and Ch. 44 will show two: Feb. 23 at Carolina and the season-ending game April 13 at Washington. Including seven games to be show nationally on the NBC Sports Network and three on the NHL Network (Feb. 28 game at Pittsburgh overlaps with the Sun Sports schedule), 81 of 82 regular-season games are scheduled to be on television. The exception is the Dec. 31 game at Winnipeg. To view the Sun Sports schedule, go to tampabay.com/blogs/lightning.
Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report.
By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
GAINESVILLE — Tennessee coach Derek Dooley is preparing his receivers for a physical battle with Florida's secondary on Saturday.
"They are going to put their hands on us, and they are going to try to deny the ball," Dooley said. "We've got to go out there and match it."
The Vols' Tyler Bray leads the SEC at 353.5 passing yards per game and has two big targets in Cordarrelle Patterson (6 feet 3) and Justin Hunter (6-4). That means CBs Loucheiz Purifoy (6-1) and Marcus Roberson (6-0) will be busy.
"When you play a lot of press and bump like we do, you want some guys who have some length when there are … 50-50 balls," Dooley said. "That's why with those two guys in particular, Roberson and Purifoy, with the length they have, we'll certainly get a lot of work at that."
GILLISLEE ready: RB Mike Gillislee's groin injury won't keep him out against the Vols. The senior was hurt in the first half Saturday against Texas A&M, then limped off after his 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth. He has 231 yards and four of UF's five touchdowns.
FSU: No overlooking
TALLAHASSEE — As he discussed Saturday's game against Wake Forest, FSU S Lamarcus Joyner said four words: "We overlooked those guys." The 35-30 loss in Winston-Salem on Oct. 8 capped a three-game skid.
"After that loss, we were kind of deflated," Joyner said. "But this year, we're ready. (Wake Forest is) our No. 1 priority."
Miami: DT returning
CORAL GABLES — The challenge continues for Miami's defensive tackles.
They'll have help Saturday against Bethune-Cookman with the return of Luther Robinson, who was suspended for a game for an undisclosed violation.
"There are a lot of reasons why we haven't made the plays we haven't made," coach Al Golden said. "One is strength. Those inside guys have to get off blocks and be more disruptive.
Golden said he liked what he saw from freshman Earl Moore in Saturday's loss to Kansas State.
"We need to keep developing them," Golden said. "But I know they're capable."
South Florida Sun Sentinel
UCF: Game not special
ORLANDO — UCF coach George O'Leary rejected the idea his players are more motivated for Saturday's game against Florida International, which upset UCF 17-10 last season.
"All losses should sting," O'Leary said. "I remember every one of them in 44 years. Name the game, and I can tell you what happened."
Orlando Sentinel
By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG — Hunter McCann already has mastered navigating urban clutter, from cars and crowds to stoplights and sirens. So he wanted to try something different.
Seeking variety and a break from the roads, McCann, a freshman, joined Osceola's cross country team. The transition in terrain has not been that difficult.
In his second race, McCann surged to the lead and never relinquished it, winning the boys title Wednesday at the Pirate Invitational at Walter Fuller Park in 17 minutes, 6 seconds. He improved his time by 50 seconds from his cross country debut last week.
"There are a few things that are different," McCann said. "I have to get used to running with a team as opposed to running on my own. And now I'm running on courses with grass and trails and trees. But I've had some good competition."
Through the first lap, McCann stayed with the lead pack before separating himself. "I was using the first lap more to get familiar with the course," he said. "After that, I was able to take it out a little harder."
Teammates Tom Grzesiakowski (third) and AJ Jimenez (eighth) finished in the top 10 as the Warriors won the team title, outscoring Clearwater 36-77.
Clearwater's Stephen Sawayda took second, and Admiral Farragut's Nima Behesti and Patrick McNamara finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
In the girls race, Northeast's Amanda Spring followed up a strong performance at last week's Green Devil Invitational by winning in 19:30. Summer Kaustoroon (fourth), Caroline Condon (sixth) and Courtney Condon (10th) also were in the top 10 for the Vikings, who won the team title with 41-67 over Largo.
"I felt pretty confident based on how I did last week," Spring said. "My time still needs improvement, but it's not bad for the second meet of the season."
Countryside meet: The host Cougars won the four-team meet on the boys side, beating run-nerup Palm Harbor University, 28-38. Countryside's Paul McKenna won the boys race in 17:12. The Hurricanes won the girls team title, 20-43 over East Lake. PHU's Sarah Raymond won in 18:41.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Nationals 2, Mets 0
NEW YORK — John Lannan pitched 5⅔ shutout innings in his first start since replacing Stephen Strasburg, and the Nationals lowered their magic number for clinching a playoff berth to six.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Rangers 5, Indians 2
ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre homered for the Rangers. Hamilton didn't take the field in the top of the eighth, and the Rangers announced just before the game ended that he had left knee soreness. Beltre hit a two-run homer in the first, his 13th in his past 20 games. Ryan Dempster won his fifth straight start and improved to 6-1 since he was acquired by Texas on July 31.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Reds 2, Pirates 1
CINCINNATI — Homer Bailey pitched seven solid innings and the Reds came up with just enough offense to finish a three-game sweep. Cincinnati (87-57) scored both of its runs on outs while moving 30 games over .500 for the first time since it was 96-66 on Oct. 3, 1999. The Reds reduced to eight their magic number for clinching the NL Central.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
BALTIMORE — Orioles RHP Jason Hammel will have an MRI exam today to determine the extent of damage in his sore right knee.
Hammel, a former Ray, left Tuesday night's game against Tampa Bay in the fourth inning. He was making his second start since having surgery on the same knee in July.
Hammel was originally slated to have the MRI exam on Wednesday but said the exam was pushed back a day because of scheduling issues.
"Hopefully by (this) afternoon we'll have an idea what we're dealing with," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't think we'll really know anything until we get the MRI back."
Hammel knows this much: His knee hurts too much to allow him to walk comfortably up a flight of stairs let alone face stiff competition in the middle of a pennant race.
"Basically, it won't allow me to pitch. That's the way I can put it," he said. "Getting on a mound right now and trying to throw a pitch, that wouldn't work."
Although there wasn't much swelling in the knee overnight, Hammel said, "That raises more questions for me, like, what's going on?"
Obtained in an offseason trade with the Rockies, Hammel was 8-2 with a 2.61 ERA on June 22. He lost his next four starts and went on the disabled list after making an early exit in Detroit on July 13.
PETTITTE EAGER: LHP Andy Pettitte said he feels he can help the Yankees right now. Sidelined since breaking his left ankle June 28, Pettitte, 40, threw a simulated game at Fenway Park and said he felt he could rejoin the rotation immediately. He said he could give the team "60, 65 pitches."
2013 SCHEDULE: The Reds will host the Angels on April 1, becoming the first teams to start their seasons with an interleague matchup. The Reds, the first professional team, celebrate opening day with a parade and have opened all but four seasons at home. With the Astros shifting to the American League, there will be 15 teams in each league, making interleague play necessary nearly daily.
BREWERS: 1B/OF Corey Hart will be fitted with a custom support and try to play through plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
DODGERS: SS Dee Gordon, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, likely will be used as a pinch-runner down the stretch, manager Don Mattingly said.
NATIONALS: LF Michael Morse was out of the lineup because of a torn cuff and a bone bruise in his left wrist.
TWINS: CF Denard Span, the Tampa Catholic product who hadn't played since Aug. 27 because of a sore shoulder and collarbone, was activated from the 15-day disabled list. … C Joe Mauer was out of the lineup for a second straight game because of back spasms.
RANGERS: 3B Adrian Beltre left after the fourth inning with a strained left shoulder.
WHITE SOX: LHP Francisco Liriano, who has a 5.09 ERA in eight starts since being acquired from the Twins, was bumped from the rotation. … DH Adam Dunn sat out a sixth straight game because of a strained right oblique.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
NEW YORK — Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun will retire today, several media sources reported Wednesday. Assistant Kevin Ollie is expected to be announced as his replacement during a news conference.
Between stints at Northeastern and Connecticut, Calhoun, 70, won 873 games, 625 at UConn, where he coached 26 years and won three national titles.
Recently, though, the Hall of Famer has struggled with health problems, including a fractured hip last month that put him on crutches.
Ollie will take over a Huskies team that is ineligible for the 2013 NCAA Tournament because of its failure to meet national academic standards, one of several off-court problems that hit UConn late in Calhoun's tenure.
The Huskies will open this season with just five players who saw significant playing time last season.
Before fracturing his hip, Calhoun fought off cancer three times and missed eight games last season while suffering from a spinal condition. He returned just four days after having back surgery to coach the Huskies in their regular-season finale and the postseason.
UConn finished 20-14, losing to Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to his medical leave, Calhoun served a three-game suspension at the start of the Big East season last winter for failing to maintain an atmosphere of compliance in his program with NCAA rules, an issued that dated back to recruiting violations in 2008.
Calhoun spent 14 seasons at Northeastern, leading it from a Division II program to a mid-major power with five appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Calhoun was hired by UConn in May 1986 and won an NIT title in his second season. He won 10 Big East regular-season championships and seven Big East tournament titles.
In 1999, he coached the Huskies to a 34-2 record and their first NCAA championship, a 77-74 upset of Duke at Tropicana Field.
In 2004, the Huskies started and ended the season at No. 1, beating Georgia Tech 82-73 in the NCAA title game. The Huskies, led by Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon, won their six tournament games by an average of about 17 points.
In 2011, UConn finished the regular season in ninth place in the Big East before reeling off 11 consecutive wins during the postseason, including a 53-41 victory over Butler in the national title game.
Calhoun's only loss in the Final Four came in 2009 to Michigan State in the national semifinals.
Football
Mississippi St.: A coach in Tennessee said he saw freshman defensive back Will Redmond receive money from a booster during the recruiting process. Byron De'Vinner, who coaches a 7-on-7 team during the summer in Nashville, told a radio show in Mississippi he witnessed a "handshake" worth about $200 and that former Mississippi State assistant coach Angelo Mirando knew about it. De'Vinner declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press. Mirando resigned as the Bulldogs receivers coach on Aug. 19. Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen declined to comment.
Nebraska: Starting defensive tackle Chase Rome left the program. Pelini said Rome's "personal goals and personal perception of where he should be on this football team doesn't match the team goals." Rome had four tackles in two games.
Penn St.: Starting receiver Shawney Kersey left the team for undisclosed reasons. He remains enrolled in school. Kersey was one of the most experienced returning receivers after the transfer of Justin Brown to Oklahoma and offseason departure of Devon Smith.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
BOSTON — Curtis Granderson hit two home runs, Robinson Cano also homered and the Yankees beat the Red Sox 5-4 on Wednesday night to remain tied for first place in the American League East.
The Yankees finished the game without shortstop Derek Jeter, who left in the eighth after pulling up lame running out a double play grounder to end the inning.
Manager Joe Girardi said Jeter wanted to stay in but he told the shortstop to put ice on his foot. Girardi said it was a bone bruise; Jeter said it was a sprained ankle.
A day after Jacoby Ellsbury's walkoff single dropped New York into a tie with the Orioles atop the division, the Yankees got all their runs on homers to remain there.
Former Rays closer Rafael Soriano got the final four outs but allowed a solo homer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia to lead off the ninth, followed by a fly that leftfielder Chris Dickerson caught at the base of the Green Monster.
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
AL East
Team W L Pct. GB
New York 80 62 .563—
Baltimore80 62 .563—
Tampa Bay 77 65 .542 3
Toronto 64 77 .454 151/2
Boston 64 79 .448161/2
AL race for wild cards
Team W L Pct. GB
Oakland 8260 .577—
Balt./N.Y. 80 62 .563—
Tampa Bay 77 65 .542 3
Los Angeles 77 66 .538 31/2
Detroit 75 67 .528 5
Top two wild cards make postseason; GB is games behind second wild card
Ticket deal of the deal
Under the heading #162STRONG, the Rays are offering special packages, starting at $25, with tickets to any three of the 10 remaining regular-season home games at a 10 percent discount plus 10 percent off concessions, 25 percent off merchandise purchased on the day of the game and a neon #162STRONG T-shirt. For details, see raysbaseball.com.
Stat of the day
3
Combined homers by Matt Joyce, Carlos Peña and Luke Scott since Aug. 19
Rays at Orioles
When/where: 12:35; Camden Yards, Baltimore
Radio: 620-AM
Probable pitchers
Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (8-10, 3.33)
ORIOLES: LH Wei-Yin Chen (12-9, 4.06)
On Hellickson: Has been pitching without much luck, for example posting a 3.21 ERA over his past 13 starts with four wins to show for it. Is 5-3, 2.70 vs. O's, beating Chen July 24 in Baltimore.
On Chen: Lost his past two starts to the Yanks and is 2-3, 6.55 over his past six, allowing 39 hits in 33 innings. Is 1-2, 3.72 in three starts vs. Rays, though allowing a .206 average.
Key matchups
Rays VS. CHEN
D. Jennings 0-for-6
B.J. Upton 1-for-8
Ben Zobrist 3-for-8
O's VS. HELLICKSON
Wilson Betemit 5-for-13
J.J. Hardy 5-for-22, HR
Adam Jones 8-for-25, 3 HRs
On deck
Friday: at Yankees, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (17-5, 2.54); Yankees — CC Sabathia (13-5, 3.56)
Saturday: at Yankees, 4:05, Ch. 13. Rays — James Shields (14-8, 3.71); Yankees — Ivan Nova (11-7, 4.92)
Sunday: at Yankees, 1:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (10-9, 3.66); Yankees — Hiroki Kuroda (13-10, 3.14)
Monday: vs. Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — TBA; Red Sox — TBA
Rays disabled list
(with eligible-to-return date)
*C Robinson Chirinos, concussion, 60-day, June 5
*OF Brandon Guyer, left shoulder surgery, 60-day, July 13
INF Sean Rodriguez, right hand fracture, 15-day, Sept. 15
* out for season
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
BALTIMORE — The ninth inning was certainly dramatic enough Wednesday, the Orioles first stymieing the Rays with a savvy defensive play, then stunning them with a rapid-fire rally for a 3-2 walkoff win.
But with the disappointment and frustration from the loss obvious in the clubhouse, the more telling Rays performance will be what happens over the remaining 20 games, starting with today's matinee series finale that suddenly looms extremely large.
"We've got to win (today)," centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "We felt like we had to win (Wednesday), but reality is we've got to win (today). We've got no choice. If we want to end up where we want to be, we have to win the game (today), and we have to win the series in New York."
Technically, there is a greater margin for error. At 77-65, the Rays are three games behind the American League East co-leaders, and sharers of the second wild-card spot, the Orioles and Yankees.
The most damaging Wednesday was how they lost: wasting repeated chances to score over the final four innings and coming up on the wrong end of a one-run decision for the 12th time in their past 15 games.
"We haven't found a way," third baseman Evan Longoria said. "We have not found a way. And it's going to keep going the way it's going if we don't."
The end came quickly.
The Rays had a chance in the ninth when Rich Thompson, on second after pinch-running for Jeff Keppinger and stealing with two outs, rounded third with the thought of breaking for home as O's rookie Manny Machado fielded Longoria's slow roller and looked to throw to first. But the 20-year-old Machado made a clever veteran move, faking his throw, which led to Thompson being caught in a rundown for the final out.
Thompson blamed himself for not considering the possibility, then not heeding third-base coach Tom Foley's warning. Rays manager Joe Maddon said there was no fault to be assigned: "Good play on our part, good play on their part."
Then Kyle Farnsworth threw only four pitches in the bottom of the ninth, giving up a first-pitch single to Machado, a bunt, and then a 1-and-0 single to Nate McLouth that sent the orange-clad crowd of 26,076 into full roar.
But the Rays lost it much earlier. Tied at 2 after an ineffective and abbreviated start by Alex Cobb, Upton's 22nd homer and a Ben Francisco RBI double, they had prime opportunities to go ahead in the sixth and seventh.
"That's the game that's pretty much put us where we're at right now," Maddon said. "That's typical of why we're several games behind first place right now."
With men on second and third and one out in the sixth, Ryan Roberts took a called third strike — "Pretty much the big play of that inning," Maddon said — and after struggling Matt Joyce was intentionally walked, Jose Molina, whom Maddon declined to pinch-hit for, grounded out weakly.
They had Upton on second with no outs in the seventh, but reliever Darren O'Day got Keppinger and Ben Zobrist to pop out, intentionally walked Longoria and, with Maddon again eschewing a pinch-hitter, struck out Francisco.
Maddon refuses to ever label a game bigger than another, but he agreed today will be a test.
"To this point of the season, we've been able to overcome a lot of really tough losses," he said. "So we'll see how good we are (today)."
By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
BALTIMORE — The Rays brought up OF Rich Thompson to provide speed on the bases.
But the 33-year-old rookie's aggressiveness cost them in the ninth inning of Wednesday's loss.
Thompson came around third hard on Evan Longoria's slow roller, figuring he'd break for home as O's rookie 3B Manny Machado threw to first. But Machado faked his throw and flipped the ball to SS J.J. Hardy, who had circled in behind Thompson and caught him off third to kill the Rays rally.
"I certainly didn't have that scenario in the back of my mind,'' Thompson said.
Third-base coach Tom Foley saw it developing, yelling, "Behind you, behind you," and pointing to the base, but it was too late for Thompson to adjust. "I couldn't break it down and get back quick enough,'' he said. "That was a pretty big point in the game. If I would have picked up Foley soon we would have had first and third.''
Machado, the 20-year-old promoted from Double A, said it was purely instincts taking over.
"I was trying to get Evan out to be honest, but then when I came up I saw I had no chance so I did a pump-fake and tried to deke the runner,'' he said. "It just came out. I didn't think about it.''
JENNINGS UPDATE: LF Desmond Jennings' previously stiff back is feeling better. That much he and the Rays agree upon.
Jennings showed up expecting to play Wednesday but instead sat out his fourth straight game as the Rays wanted him to instead go through a full workout and wait another day, with manager Joe Maddon saying he could be back in the lineup today.
"It's just a little bit of over-caution on our part," Maddon said.
MORE MEDICAL: 2B Ryan Roberts came in early to test the strained left forearm that forced him from Tuesday's game in a workout and felt good enough to be back in the lineup. … Maddon said he'll wait to see how Longoria feels this morning before deciding whether to use him at third or DH. … INF Sean Rodriguez (fractured right hand) is set to be activated off the DL when eligible Saturday.
PITCHING IN: LHP David Price felt good the day after his bullpen session and was officially named the starter for Friday; he missed his last start due to shoulder soreness. … Rookie RHP Chris Archer, being held out of action as a backup to Price, is in line to make a start on the next homestand, Maddon said.
CATCHING ON: C Jose Molina started his fourth straight game, behind the plate for the first time this season for such extensive duty. "He's playing really well, he's catching really well, his offense has gotten better, the off days have helped, the weather's been good," Maddon said.
MINOR MATTERS: Short-season Class A Hudson Valley beat Tri-City (Astros) 5-2 to send the N.Y.-Penn League championship series to a third and decisive game. … Per the Poughkeepsie Journal's Sean T. McMann, the Rays extended their agreement with Hudson Valley through 2014.
ON SCHEDULE: The Rays open the 2013 season at home April 2 vs. Baltimore, and under the revised format (with 15 teams in each league as Houston goes to the AL) play 19 games against each AL East opponent (up from 18) and 20 interleague games (up from 18). Though there is interleague play throughout the season, the Rays' first series isn't until May 3-5 (at Colorado) and their last is Aug. 9-11 (at Los Angeles, first ever trip to Dodger Stadium). See the full schedule at tampabay.com/blogs/rays.
MISCELLANY: B.J. Upton hit his eighth leadoff homer. … RHP Alex Cobb said he wasn't comfortable from the start and his pitches were up. … Sun Sports is not televising today's game, though the team is hosting a watch party (with the Orioles' feed) at Lykes Gaslight Square Park in downtown Tampa, starting at noon.
Times wires
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Brewers 8, Braves 2
MILWAUKEE — Rickie Weeks blasted a three-run homer and Travis Ishikawa smacked a bases-clearing double in an eight-run fifth inning as the Brewers (72-71) climbed above .500 for the first time since they were 4-3 on April 12. Milwaukee moved within three games of the Cardinals for the second NL wild card.
Times wires
Thursday, September 13, 2012
CHICAGO — Max Scherzer pitched six effective innings to earn his career-high 16th win, Prince Fielder hit a three-run homer and the Tigers beat the White Sox 8-6 Wednesday night to move within a game of the AL Central lead.
Scherzer struck out seven to increase his major-league-leading total to 220 and improved to 10-1 over his past 14 starts.
It was Detroit's second strong start in as many nights, following Doug Fister's winning performance. After dropping the opener of the four-game set Monday, the Tigers have won two in a row in their last head-to-head meeting with Chicago.
Tonight's series finale pits reigning AL MVP Justin Verlander against White Sox ace left-hander Chris Sale.
Fielder homered in the seventh off reliever Leyson Septimo, snapping an 0-for-18 slump and giving Detroit a 6-1 lead. The Tigers added two runs in the eighth on RBI doubles by Alex Avila and Austin Jackson.
Times wires
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Giants 8, Rockies 3
DENVER — Tim Lincecum pitched six effective innings to extend his road winning streak to a career-best five games, and San Francisco improved to 21-7 on the road since the All-Star break.
Times wires
Thursday, September 13, 2012
D'backs 3, Dodgers 2
PHOENIX — Justin Upton and Gerardo Parra hit consecutive RBI singles to support Trevor Cahill's seven strong innings for Arizona. Los Angeles, losers of six of its past seven, squandered a chance to pull even with St. Louis for the second NL wild-card spot. The defeat left the Dodgers a game behind the Cardinals. The teams begin a four-game series today at Dodger Stadium.
