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

Phillies 3, Nationals 2

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Phillies 3, Nationals 2

WASHINGTON — At his dominant best until a shaky ninth, Roy Halladay pitched his first complete game of 2011 for the Phillies. Through eight, Halladay allowed only two Adam LaRoche singles. In the ninth, he allowed four hits, including RBI singles by Laynce Nix and Danny Espinosa. The two-time Cy Young Award winner ended the game by throwing six strikes in a row to fan pinch-hitter Matt Stairs and Ivan Rodriguez.


Softball: River Ridge freshman steps up vs. Brandt, Pasco

0
0

Andy Villamarzo, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

NEW PORT RICHEY — Riding an 11-game winning streak until Tuesday night's 4-3 loss to Sunlake, Pasco has been the hottest team on the North Suncoast with an 12-2 mark in its past 14 contests.

Add that Stetson signee Courtney Brandt was on fire during the run, going 7-0 and striking out 77 batters, and it seemed it would take a better-than-good effort for River Ridge to knock Brandt off her game.

The spark that stirred the Royal Knights' offense came from an unlikely bat, with freshman Morgan Toll stepping up and knocking out the first home run in her high school career to lead River Ridge (17-4) to a 4-1 victory Wednesday.

"This was a very big win for us," Toll said. "I'm leadoff batter so I had to start things off for us. I'm pretty comfortable at leadoff though; on my travel ball team I bat second. (Brandt) is a really good pitcher and she's going to go far."

The pitching matchup between Brandt (10 strikeouts) and River Ridge's Ana Alberti developed nicely through three innings, with the pitchers combining to allow only one hit and Brandt striking out five.

Toll's blast off Brandt to start the bottom of the fourth jump-started the Royal Knights' bats, as they put together four hits and scored three more runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Alberti pitched a gem, allowing eight hits and one earned run in 61/3 innings.

"I thought the girls stayed patient at the plate tonight," River Ridge coach Ernie Beck said.

Pasco (20-6) scored its lone run in the sixth, when sophomore Kelli Parker tripled to start the inning and later scored on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Lizzy Burchfield.

Brewers 6, Pirates 0

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Brewers 6, Pirates 0

PITTSBURGH — Shaun Marcum pitched seven shutout innings, Prince Fielder homered for the third time in four games and the Brewers won their sixth in seven games. Marcum was perfect through four and kept the Pirates off-balance with his changeup, allowing only four singles. Acquired in an offseason trade with the Blue Jays, Marcum improved his ERA to 2.55 through three starts.

Rockies 5, Mets 4

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Rockies 5, Mets 4

NEW YORK — Troy Tulowitzki hit a go-ahead homer through the thick fog to lift the Rockies, off to the best start in club history. Ryan Spilborghs also connected and Esmil Rogers won his second straight start as Colorado earned its fourth consecutive victory, all on the road. The NL West leaders improved to 8-2, with the losses coming in extra innings.

Yankees 7, Orioles 4

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

NEW YORK — A.J. Burnett improved to 3-0 by pitching effectively into the seventh inning, Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer and the Yankees beat the Orioles 7-4 Wednesday night to move into a tie for first place in the AL East.

Robinson Cano added a two-run double. Mark Teixeira had two hits and Jorge Posada homered as they ended slumps. Baltimore lost its third in a row on a misty, 48-degree night.

Derek Jeter matched Barry Bonds for 32nd on the all-time hits list with 2,935 with two singles. He has more hits (293) against the Orioles than any other team.

Matt Wieters and Brian Roberts hit two-run homers in the seventh to make things interesting. Roberts' one-out drive into the Yankees bullpen in right-center ended Burnett's night.

Chris Tillman gave up four straight hits to start the first inning. Teixeira snapped an 0-for-18 slide with a single, and Rodriguez lined a drive over the wall in rightfield for his 617th career home run and a 3-0 lead.

Angels 4, Indians 3, 12 innings

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Angels 4, Indians 3

12 innings

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jeff Mathis hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 12th inning that scored Vernon Wells, lifting the Angels. Mathis hit a fly to medium center, and Wells, whose one-out single was his fifth hit in 49 at-bats this season, streaked home ahead of Michael Brantley's throw.

Verdict: Bonds is guilty, a little

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO — After more than seven years and an untold amount of man hours and money, federal prosecutors failed to convince a jury that Barry Bonds lied about steroid use.

Bonds, the career and single-season home run king, was convicted Wednesday of a single count of obstruction of justice, but the jury could not decide whether Bonds lied about using performance-enhancing drugs during his career.

The conviction, rendered by a jury that listened to nearly three weeks of testimony, amounted to an extremely limited victory for prosecutors who had spent years trying to establish that Bonds, 46, used steroids during his career then lied about it under oath.

"We all agreed that he was using steroids," said juror Amber Reed, 19, a student from Pinole, Calif. "But the question was did he know he was, and on that we had no proof."

Still, the jury agreed that Bonds in 2003 had impeded a grand jury investigating performance-enhancing drug use by elite athletes. Jurors felt he went out of his way to not answer the question of whether his former personal trainer, Greg Anderson, had injected him.

The obstruction of justice charge was one of four counts he was facing in U.S. District Court.

Judge Susan Illston did not set a sentencing date, but Bonds likely will not face much, if any, time in prison.

Defense lawyers expressed confidence they would persuade Illston to set aside the conviction because of what they consider serious legal flaws in the obstruction count. Illston set May 20 for a hearing on the request.

Allen Ruby, Bonds' lead attorney, said it was significant the jury did not find Bonds lied about knowingly using performance enhancing drugs. "There was no finding adverse to Barry Bonds on those charges," he said.

Jeffrey Nedrow and Matthew Parrella, the main prosecutors, left in silence. Melinda Haag, the U.S. attorney in San Francisco who was in court to hear the verdict read, said in a statement that prosecutors "were gratified" by the lone guilty verdict and would decide whether to retry the other counts as soon as possible.

Bonds had been charged with one count of lying for saying he never knowingly used steroids. The jurors said they voted 8-4 for his acquittal on that count. On another charge that dealt with Bonds' lying about his alleged use of human growth hormone, the jurors voted 9-3 for acquittal.

Bonds had been charged with lying when he said he never was injected by anyone but his doctor. The jury voted 11-1 for conviction.

Former Tampa Bay Ray Akinori Iwamura moved by manager Joe Maddon's concern

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

BOSTON — Former Ray Aki Iwamura was watching Monday's Rays-Red Sox game in his native, and now devastated, Japan and was touched by comments manager Joe Maddon made on the NHK broadcast about him and his well-being.

So much so that he called his agent's representative and asked him to thank Maddon for his comments and to relay word to the Rays and the Tampa Bay fans that he and his family are safe, and he is working to help people in the Sendai area, which was severely damaged by the earthquake and tsunami.

Iwamura and his Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles teammates were not affected when the disaster struck. They were out of town for preseason training. Iwamura, who played for the Rays 2007-09, toured the Sendai area over the weekend and was shocked by the destruction, according to Yaoshi Hasegawa, a representative of agent Alan Nero.

"His motivation this season is to support people in the Tohoku area," Hasegawa said. "He really, really appreciates Joe's friendship and Joe's comments actually even encouraged him. Aki wants to thank Joe for caring about him. And he wishes them luck for this season."


Tampa Bay Lightning loses to Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 in opener of East playoff series

0
0

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

PITTSBURGH — One by one, Lightning players critiqued Wednesday night's 3-0 loss to the Penguins at the Consol Energy Center.

One by one, they came to the same conclusion.

"We dug ourselves a hole with too many penalties," center Steven Stamkos said. "We gave them momentum, and in the playoffs, that's something you thrive on."

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal had more to it, of course. The Lightning ran into super-hot goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who earned his fifth playoff shutout with 32 saves and kept his team in the game early when Tampa Bay had all kinds of scoring chances.

Pittsburgh got goals by Alex Kovalev and Arron Asham in 18 seconds to take a 2-0 lead 6:23 into the third period, and before Chris Kunitz scored an empty-net goal with 42 seconds left, Marty St. Louis and Stamkos missed shots at open nets.

But for Lightning players and coach Guy Boucher, Tampa Bay mostly did itself in by spending way too much time in the penalty box. Pittsburgh had six power plays for 9 minutes, 32 seconds, with the extra man.

The Penguins did not convert, but they clearly gained the initiative and ended with a 40-32 shot advantage, including 30-18 in the second and third periods.

"We lost momentum," Boucher said. "A lot of my offensive players didn't get on the ice because we were in the penalty box. We're a pressure team. We put a lot of pucks on net. To do that, we've got to be five-on-five or on the power play."

Instead, the Lightning had just one power play, though it could have had several others, including a five-minute major when Pittsburgh's Zbynek Michalek bloodied Marty St. Louis' mouth and loosened two teeth with a high stick that referee Wes McCauley looked at but did not call. (St. Louis had a double root canal after the game.)

"I'm never surprised by anything," Boucher said. "You have some games like that and have some others you hope will be the opposite."

The key penalty came 3:13 into the second period, when Steve Downie was called for hooking. It really wasn't hooking at all but a smart play by Pittsburgh's James Neal to chicken-wing Downie's stick and fool referee Eric Furlatt into making a call.

Tampa Bay goalie Dwayne Roloson, with 37 saves, was terrific on the power play as Pittsburgh peppered him with six shots. Still, the damage was done.

"That's when the momentum changed, when we had that power play," Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek said. "We didn't get the goal, but we got the momentum. Since then, we were the better team out there."

"You could hear the crowd get into it," Stamkos said. "You knew the tide was changing."

It was a great lesson for a team with nine players who had never been in a playoff game.

"We've got to be a little more disciplined with our stick penalties in the neutral zone and the offensive zone," captain Vinny Lecavalier said.

"I put myself in a situation where it can be called," Downie said of his critical penalty, "and that's what we're trying to get away from. We put ourselves in situations where we can be called, and we got caught."

All together now: It's just one game

0
0

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

PITTSBURGH — For four years, you had waited for this game. For 1,450 nights, through disastrous owners and disposable players and desperate trades that never seemed to work out, this was the game that was supposed to make the wait worthwhile.

As it turns out, it wasn't.

That game, we may assume, is scheduled for Friday.

How else can the Lightning treat a disappointing result? Yes, you have heard the mantra before because all losing teams have similar things to say. It was one game, nothing more. It was a single misstep in a thousand-mile journey. For a game that mattered so much, it turns out that it meant nothing at all. And so forth.

For almost as long as there has been ice, there has been hockey, and the team that has lost the first game of a series has shrugged the same and said the same sort of things. And much of the time, they turn out to be right. There is a great distance between an opening statement and a last laugh.

In other words, while the Lightning's 3-0 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday night was a huge letdown, it was not a catastrophe, and no, it is not time to crate up the pucks for the offseason. It was a loss, for all that it was and all that it was not. What? Did you expect the Lightning to sweep?

The Lightning got Fleuried. The Lightning got penalty killed.

No, it did not get eliminated.

Today, there may be some who will treat perspective like a pinata because this generation of Lightning players has not yet done enough to be completely trusted with something as precious as the postseason. And the historians among us might note that in every season in which the Lightning has been ousted from the playoffs (all four of them), it has lost the first game of that series.

On the other hand, the first playoff series the Lightning ever won — against Washington back in 2003 — came after it lost the first two games of the series. And the most important series the Lightning has ever won — against Calgary in the 2004 Stanley Cup final — came after an opening-game loss.

In other words, this is no time to surrender.

Fortunately, the Lightning players already seemed to know that.

"The reality is that it was only one game," said goaltender Dwayne Roloson.

Look, no one is saying you shouldn't be disappointed the Lightning lost because for the first half of it, this game was there to be had. Also, it would have been nice if the team could have tickled the net a time or two, for your confidence if nothing else. Also, giving up two goals in 18 seconds is never a good idea. Also, the Lightning needs to be a little more determined to stay out of the penalty box.

That said, there is also this: If the Lightning is going to outlast Pittsburgh in this series, it will take a blueprint fairly close to the way it played for the first half of Wednesday's game.

For much of the night, the Lightning had enough energy to win this game. It had enough defense. It had enough chances — especially early — and it got off enough shots. Except for the 18 seconds of misery in the third period, it had enough goaltending.

What it did not have is enough finish on its shots or in its game. Coach Guy Boucher talked about three open nets that his team missed. He also talked about how his team lost its momentum with its offensive stars on the bench watching the team chase Pittsburgh's power play. Perhaps that is why the Penguins were the stronger team, the more dominating team, in the last period and a half.

"We're a momentum team," Boucher said.

Give the Penguins credit for some of this loss, too. Since losing their pair of dazzling scorers — Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin — the Pens have transitioned quite nicely into a tighter, grittier team that plays like, well, the Steelers. They are an experienced, patient playoff team that doesn't seem as if it's asking Crosby to hurry back.

In the games to come, the Lightning has to do a better job of solving Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Again, the earlier the better. It would help if, somehow, Steven Stamkos could find his GPS again. It would help if Marty St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier could rediscover the touch they've always had in the playoffs.

Let's be honest. There have been opening-game losses (to the Devils in 2007, to the Senators in 2006) that suggested the Lighting might be in over its head. This loss wasn't like that.

This time, I'm not quite convinced. If the Lightning can win Friday, this can still turn into a long, contentious series.

Otherwise, you may proceed with the worry.

Tampa Bay Lightning playoff news and notes

0
0

By Damian Cristodero and Joe Smith, Times Staff Writers
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Friendly rivalry

Penguins equipment manager Dana Heinze, left, said it is difficult to face the Lightning, the team with which he spent six seasons as an assistant equipment manager and won the 2004 Stanley Cup. "Even after all these years," he said. He said he has swapped text messages with Lightning equipment manager Ray Thill and will be rooting for Tampa Bay if it gets past Pittsburgh. "We have a bond that will be there forever," Heinze said.

Dress code

Lightning founder Phil Esposito watched the Penguins go through their 30-minute morning skate at the Consol Energy Center and concluded "I don't see a purpose." Esposito said the first morning skates he recalls were started in the 1960s by coach Bill Reay, whom he had with the Blackhawks. "I went out there and took one shot and said, 'I'm okay,' " recalled Esposito, who also said skates took place in street clothes. "No sweaters, no jerseys," he said. "We took our jackets off and our ties and went out there." Esposito said the best part of the skates were the 15-minute scrimmages with lunch on the line. "Those games were tough," he said. "It's like we were playing for the Stanley Cup."

Three stars

marc-andre fleury: The Penguins goalie showed why he's a candidate for league MVP, wowing the crowd with 32 saves in getting his fifth postseason shutout, including several spectacular saves in a first-period flurry. His sprawled-out pad save on Ryan Malone in the first and stick save on Vinny Lecavalier in the second helped spark the crowd to chant, "FLEURY! FLEURY!"

Alex Kovalev: The Penguins right wing broke a scoreless tie 6:05 into the third with a one-timer from the right circle. Kovalev, 38, had scored just two goals in 20 games with the Penguins after being acquired in a February trade with Ottawa, but he had arguably the biggest goal Wednesday.

Jordan Staal: The Penguins center had just one assist but was an offensive force with five shots. He hit the post in the second.

Game 1 recap

The Lightning started strong in the physical, hard-fought game and had a 9-2 shot advantage 6:42 in. But beginning early in the second, the Penguins began gaining momentum. From that early shot disadvantage, Pittsburgh had a 38-23 edge. A little more than six minutes into the third, the Pens stung the Lightning for two goals in 18 seconds, from Alex Kovalev and Arron Asham. The outcome might have been different if the Lightning could have converted on some of its early chances. But goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was terrific to keep the Lightning at zero.

The series

Wednesday, Penguins 3, Lightning 0: Pens G Marc-Andre Fleury wows.

Friday: at Pittsburgh, 7, Sun Sports

Monday: at Tampa Bay, 7:30 #

Wednesday: at Tampa Bay, 7 #

April 23: at Pittsburgh, TBA * #

April 25: at Tampa Bay, TBA * #

April 27: at Pittsburgh, TBA * #

* If necessary # Sun Sports or FSN

Games 2, 3, 4 and 7 on 970-AM Games 5 and 6 on 620-AM

Tickets

$30-$220. Available at the St. Pete Times Forum box office and via Ticketmaster: ticketmaster.com, outlets, toll-free 1-800-745-3000.

Game 1 breakdown

Cubs 9, Astros 5

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Cubs 9, Astros 5

HOUSTON — Pitcher Carlos Zambrano extended a franchise record with his 22nd career homer and won his 10th straight game, leading the Cubs to a series win. Alfonso Soriano's homer off Wandy Rodriguez capped a five-run first. Zambrano's homer made it 6-0 in the sixth.

Capitals go to OT to take Game 1

0
0

Times wires
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

WASHINGTON — Alexander Semin had gone 14 playoff games without scoring.

Capitals00112
Rangers00101
It took almost 80 minutes Wednesday, but he ended the drought, his goal with 1:36 left in the first overtime giving the Capitals a 2-1 win over the Rangers in Game 1 of their series.

"We're not getting anywhere without Alex Semin scoring," said Bruce Boudreau, coach of the top-seeded Capitals. "We need him to go and create that other offensive threat."

Semin was shut out in seven-game losses to Pittsburgh in 2009 and Montreal in 2010 (in which the top-seeded Capitals lost Game 1 in overtime). His last goal came against the Rangers in Game 7 of a 2009 first-round series.

Wednesday, Jason Arnott intercepted defenseman Marc Staal's attempt to clear the puck. Arnott centered to Semin, who one-timed a shot past Henrik Lundqvist.

"Any time you lose in overtime you feel like it got away because all you have to do is get one goal," Staal said. "It's disappointing. It's the playoffs. We'll come back and try to win the next one."

Semin rarely speaks to reporters and didn't have much to say about his goal. But his teammates knew its significance.

"Last year he was little bit upset he didn't score a goal," said Alex Ovechkin, who tied it with 6:16 left in regulation. "And right now it's very important for him to score a goal, step up and show his leadership."

Capitals00112
Rangers00101

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesNew York bench, served by Prospal (too many men), 5:31; Zuccarello, NYR (boarding), 10:13; Semin, Was (hooking), 18:08.

Second PeriodNone. PenaltiesNone.

Third Period1, N.Y. Rangers, Gilroy 1 (Wolski, Prust), 1:56. 2, Washington, Ovechkin 1 (Semin, Green), 13:44. PenaltiesOvechkin, Was (roughing), 15:17.

Overtime3, Washington, Semin 1 (Arnott), 18:24. PenaltiesNone. Shots on GoalN.Y. Rangers 5-6-8-6—25. Washington 9-8-6-10—33. Power-play opportunitiesN.Y. Rangers 0 of 2; Washington 0 of 2. GoaliesN.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 0-1-0 (33 shots-31 saves). Washington, Neuvirth 1-0-0 (25-24). A18,398 (18,398).

Red Wings recover after a slow start

DETROIT — Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen scored midway through the second as the Red Wings overcame early problems to beat the Coyotes 4-2 in Game 1.

Kyle Turris scored 2:16 in to put Phoenix up. Over the rest of the first, Detroit committed four penalties. It killed them all, including a 91-second five-on-three.

"We weathered the storm," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said.

Datsyuk tied it 7:38 into the second on a wraparound. Franzen put the Red Wings ahead 4:24 later on a wrist shot from just inside the blue line.

"Once they got the momentum in the second period, we couldn't get it back," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said. "We hung around, but we're going to have to be much better."

Red Wings0314
Coyotes1012

First Period1, Phoenix, Turris 1 (Whitney, Doan), 2:16. PenaltiesV.Filppula, Det (tripping), 7:53; Lidstrom, Det (hooking), 8:22; Abdelkader, Det (high-sticking), 11:32; Schlemko, Pho (slashing), 12:54; Helm, Det (hooking), 18:49.

Second Period2, Detroit, Datsyuk 1 (Franzen, Holmstrom), 7:38. 3, Detroit, Franzen 1, 12:02. 4, Detroit, Rafalski 1 (V.Filppula), 18:16 (pp). PenaltiesEaves, Det (hooking), 4:12; Hanzal, Pho (holding stick), 5:30; Klesla, Pho, major (fighting), 10:44; Bertuzzi, Det, major (fighting), 10:44; Jovanovski, Pho (hooking), 16:54.

Third Period5, Detroit, Hudler 1 (Miller), 3:16. 6, Phoenix, Vrbata 1 (Hanzal, Korpikoski), 7:38. PenaltiesAbdelkader, Det (interference), 8:16. Shots on GoalPhoenix 11-8-9—28. Detroit 9-17-10—36. Power-play opportunitiesPhoenix 0 of 6; Detroit 1 of 3. GoaliesPhoenix, Bryzgalov 0-1-0 (36 shots-32 saves). Detroit, Howard 1-0-0 (28-26). A20,066 (20,066).

Around the league: Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger, out since March 8 with a broken right hand, will be a game-time decision for tonight's opener. … Red Wings center Mike Modano was a healthy scratch. "It's tough," said Modano, whose 561 goals are the most by a U.S.-born player. "I just need to continue to do what I'm doing, and you wait for the call. And then hopefully, you take advantage of it." Coach Mike Babcock said Modano, 39, simply was the odd man out.

Baseball: After Jefferson's 14-4 victory, coach frets

0
0

Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

TAMPA — Jefferson finished its district schedule with a six-inning, 10-run mercy rule win Wednesday night, but longtime coach Pop Cuesta wasn't in the mood to celebrate.

The Dragons beat Class 4A-9 foe Middleton 14-4, but after the game Cuesta could think only about missed opportunities. Jefferson will go into the district tournament as the No. 2 seed, but Cuesta said he's worried about his team's mentality.

"These kids don't realize it," Cuesta said. "They think you just show up and you're supposed to win. You've got to play when you come to the ballpark. A lot of times they're not into it. And the bench, instead of being alert, telling guys to go back (to the base), they're over there talking about their girlfriends and what we're going to do later."

Granted, the Dragons (17-4, 14-2) began the season winning their first nine games, but Cuesta knows it's more important to be playing at your best late. Many years, he has brought middle-of-the-road teams into the postseason surging and bent on upsetting top seeds.

"I worry because for years and years we would go into district play and we play teams that were No. 1 in the state and we beat them," Cuesta said. "If it happens to them, it can happen to us."

Jefferson was clearly the better team Wednesday, but the Dragons also took advantage of a Middleton team that issued 14 walks and left seven runners on base.

Dragons third baseman Corbin Olmstead was 3-for-5 with four RBIs, finishing with an RBI single in the sixth inning to give Jefferson a 10-run lead. Jefferson shortstop Steven Negron scored three times and was 2-for-3, hitting an RBI triple in the first, then stroking a run-scoring double in the right-center gap in the fifth.

Middleton third baseman Dexture McCall was 3-for-3, including a two-run homer that tied the game at 3 in the third inning.

Jefferson starter Jimmy Herget improved to 5-1 despite struggling. He left with two out in the fourth with a 7-3 lead and the bases loaded. But reliever Andy Vasquez quelled the threat and retired all seven batters he faced.

"Andy is perfect for that lineup," Cuesta said. "They love the fastball and Andy's fastball comes in slower and slower."

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Minnesota Twins series preview

0
0

Times staff
Thursday, April 14, 2011

. UP NEXT

vs. Twins

Tonight-Sunday

What's new: Despite the return of former MVP Justin Morneau, who missed half of last season with a concussion, the two-time defending AL Central champion Twins have the fewest runs in the majors with 33 and are in last place at 4-7. They've hit only three home runs, none by Morneau, Joe Mauer, Delmon Young or Michael Cuddyer. Atypically, their pitchers are having trouble throwing strikes: A year after walking an AL-best 2.37 per nine innings, Twins pitchers are averaging 3.71, 13th in the league.

Key stat: A first-inning run Wednesday marked the first time all season Minnesota has scored in the first two innings.

Connections: Young is a former Ray, and Twins CF Denard Span is a Tampa Catholic product.

Series history: The Rays won five of eight last season and split four games at home. All-time, the Twins lead 56-44; it's 24-24 at the Trop.


Cardinals 15, Diamondbacks 5

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 14, 2011

Cardinals 15, D'backs 5

PHOENIX — Lance Berkman hit a grand slam and drove in five runs for the Cardinals, who got their first series win this season. Every St. Louis starter except Matt Holliday had at least one hit.

Giants 4, Dodgers 3

0
0

Times wires
Thursday, April 14, 2011

Giants 4, Dodgers 3

SAN FRANCISCO — Pablo Sandoval hit a tying solo home run in the sixth and last-minute Giants fill-in Mike Fontenot homered two batters later. Jonathan Sanchez struck out a season-best nine in six innings and has 24 strikeouts in three starts. Aaron Miles had three hits, his first multihit game of 2011, for L.A.

FC Tampa Bay notebook: Hayes still playing field, waits for coaching opportunity

0
0

Eduardo A. Encina , Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 14, 2011

TAMPA — David Hayes joined FC Tampa Bay this offseason to begin his coaching career. But the 34-year-old assistant coach found himself on the field in the season-opening 1-0 win over Montreal, playing a full 90 minutes at left outside back.

With defender Andres Arango serving the second half of a two-game suspension Sunday against Puerto Rico, Hayes will be on the field again. But once Arango returns in Week 3, Hayes said he will return to the sideline.

The season-ending injury to defender Yendry Diaz as well as the late arrivals of Omar Jarun and J.P. Rodrigues left the back row's depth depleted, forcing Hayes onto the pitch.

"If everyone's healthy and everyone's here, I'm not out there," Hayes said. "Mentally, you're in a different state. When you're playing, you're in that player mentality. You don't want to yell because it's not a good vibe. If you're a coach, you can yell and they respect that, but on the field you're an equal. It's a fine line."

Once Arango returns, coach Ricky Hill said he might move away from the team's 4-4-2, possibly playing three defenders with Arango, Jarun and Rodrigues and adding a forward up top to give a more offensive-minded look.

Though the back row limited Montreal forward Ali Gerba, who scored nine goals in 13 games for the Impact last season, the defenders face a tougher task this week in the more mobile and quicker Nick Addlery, who scored 15 goals last season.

"It's going to be a good test," Hayes said. "Puerto Rico is very good on set pieces. They compete nonstop. … My passes need to be quicker and I need to get involved more."

Kickin' it with GK Daryl Sattler

If you weren't a professional soccer player, what would you be?

I would have a personal training business. I do that on the side. I run boot camps, one-on-one camps, speed-agility clinics in the offseason. I'm a fitness junkie.

What would be your dream team to play for?

I grew up watching Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish League first division. The biggest thing is that they had a goalkeeper named Andy Goram who I loved to watch.

What's your favorite opposing stadium to play in?

It was really a blast playing in Portland because of their fan base and their atmosphere there. It's exciting to see that Miami (Fort Lauderdale) gets more than 300 people to their games (this season). They just lacked the people (a year ago). It felt like a pickup game sometimes.

What's something few people know about you?

I like painting. I have a friend in Nashville who did it. She said she was too poor to buy her own art so she made her own. It's very therapeutic. I just put some music on and paint.

Out of the box

One of the little-known league rule changes this season will have a huge impact. Teams are allowed only three substitutions compared with five last year, which coach Ricky Hill said makes subs more "methodical" — meaning subs can't be eaten up early in case of injuries or a red card.

In the win over Montreal, second-half sub forwards Mike Ambersley and Warren Ukah entered in the 69th minute and provided a late offensive spark that led to the winning goal in the 85th minute.

"You have to err on the side of caution but at the same time you want to have whoever is coming in to impact the game right away," Hill said.

Midfielder Mozzi Gyorio also entered in stoppage time. Hill said Gyorio is still learning to play all four midfield spots.

"I see Mozzi as an additional creative element to the side," Hill said. "We're trying to teach him a general midfielder's role."

Number of the week: 4,161

Adjusted attendance for Saturday's home opener — 3,693 was announced at the game — after the team audited its new ticket system.

Up next

FC Tampa Bay vs. Puerto Rico

When/where: 6 p.m. Sunday; Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg

Tickets: fctampabay.com, (813) 287-1539

Tampa Bay Rays have 10 of first 60 picks in June draft

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 14, 2011

Mark June 6 down as one of the most important days in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise. The team plays at Anaheim that day, but the more significant news will be happening in New Jersey (and in the offices at Tropicana Field) as the MLB draft gets underway.

MLB released the official order on Thursday, and the Rays - as the payback for all the free agents they lost - have 10 of the first 60 picks. The first round and compensation round are held the first day, starting at 7 p.m. with coverage on MLB Network. Teh draft resumes June 7 with round 2, and will be completed on June 8 when teams either get to round 50 or pass.

Here is the rundown:

First round

No. 24. (from the Red Sox for Carl Crawford

No. 31 (form the Yankees for Rafael Soriano)

No. 32 (their original pick)

Compensation round

No. 38 (for Soriano)

No. 41 (for Crawford)

No. 42 (for Grant Balfour, who signed with Oakland)

No. 52 (for Brad Hawpe, who signed with San Diego)

No. 56 (for Joaquin Benoit, who signed with Detroit)

No. 59 (for Randy Choate, who signed with Florida)

No. 60 (for Chad Qualls, who signed with San Diego)

Also, the Rays have two picks in the second round, for 12 of the first 89 total.

No. 75 (from the A's for Balfour)

No. 89 (their original pick)

Out of prison, golfer Jim Thorpe gets good reception on return to senior tour

0
0

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 14, 2011

LUTZ — As Jim Thorpe hit some balls on the TPC Tampa Bay driving range Thursday, a few of his fellow Champions Tour players stopped by.

"Thorpey, how's it going?" Bobby Wadkins said.

"Good to have you back, Jim," said Bruce Fleischer.

The Outback Steakhouse Pro Am is Thorpe's first tournament since serving 10 months in federal prison for tax evasion. Thorpe was given the sentence for failure to file a tax return between 2002-04. Federal prosecutors said Thorpe earned more than $5 million during that time. He owed more than $2 million to the Internal Revenue Service, and began serving his sentence on April 1, 2010, in Montgomery, Ala.

After serving 10 months, Thorpe, 62, went to a halfway house near Orlando for the final two months. As part of his 200 hours of community service, Thorpe gave lessons at his home course, Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes.

On April 1 this year, Thorpe was free to pursue his full-time job as a professional golfer. He tees off at 7:37 a.m. Friday with Dana Quigley.

"Tuesday morning when I drove in (to TPC Tampa Bay) I've never been that nervous at a golf course in my whole life," Thorpe said. "I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know how the pros were going to receive me, and it turns out that I got a lot of hugs, a lot of 'good to have you back,' a lot of 'we missed you.' "

Thorpe, who has won 13 times in his Champions Tour career and has earned over $13 million, takes the blame for his tax problems. He said he trusted the wrong people and should have been more diligent with his finances.

He has dumped his old advisers and surrounded himself with new people, who he calls "Team Thorpe." His debt to the IRS is not paid back in full. He will continue to make payments until the debt is clear, although he did not say what the amount is.

"I apologize to everybody for the mistakes I've made," Thorpe said. "I blame no one but me. It just goes to show that sometimes in life you just make a mistake and trust the wrong people. I'm very, very happy to be back."

The closest Thorpe got to golf during his stay in the minimum security prison was watching it on TV. He didn't allow his wife and children to visit because he didn't want them to see him in that environment.

"They understood it," he said. "I just told them to let me do what I need to do and it will all be gone in 10 months.

"I did what I had to do up there. You don't want to be there, but I realized what I had to do so I just made it work. I've had guys say to me that they could've never done that. Well, you'd be surprised what you can do if you have to."

Thorpe also heard from plenty of fellow professionals during his incarceration. He said players such as D.A. Weibring, Jerry Pate, Andy Bean, Tom Watson, Quigley, Allen Doyle and Brad Bryant sent him letters.

"I requested to play with him," Quigley said. "I thought I could buffer anything that might happen, but it seems like everyone is happy to see him back. He's quite a personality out here. He's paid his dues and it's great to have him back."

The last tournament Thorpe played was the AT&T Championship in October 2009. His last win was the 2007 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. The only other time Thorpe has been away from a golf course this long was after he had wrist surgery in 1987. That kept him out for over a year.

Despite the layoff, Thorpe said his game is in good shape and he feels fine physically. But he's not sure if he can make it to the top of the leaderboard.

"I've never played well here," Thorpe said. "I love the golf course, and I don't remember the course playing as hard as it is. I'm just going to try to make birdies and see what happens."

The fact that he gets to make birdies again is a relief to Thorpe. He vows to never let anything like this happen again. And looking back, he thinks his time in prison actually had a positive effect.

"I think in my case that 10 or 11 months was good because it gave me a chance to really do some soul searching," Thorpe said. "I could clean out the closet a little bit and get rid of some people in my life. I know now with the team I have I can focus on golf and they're going to take care of things."

Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images