By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 15, 2011

Florida Gators WR Chris Dunkley and WR Javares McRoy are planning to transfer, Florida coach Will Muschamp announced Friday. Neither has seen action for the Gators.

"It's been a great learning experience being here at the University of Florida, but I feel like it's in my best interest to get a fresh start somewhere else, " Dunkley said in a statement released by the athletic department.

Dunkley, a 6-foot-2, 172-pounder from Pahokee High School, did not see any game action last year as a true freshman. McRoy, who is 5-foot-9 and 159 pounds, was an early enrollee in January from Lakeland High.

"I enjoyed my time at Florida, but I really want the chance to play with my brother Ben, who is at Texas Tech," McRoy said in a statement. "Florida has been very understanding and is giving me that opportunity."

"We wish both of these guys the best of luck in their future endeavors, both on and off the field," Muschamp said.

Times staff
Friday, April 15, 2011

Notre Dame Blue/Gold Game: 2 p.m. on Versus. For the first time, Notre Dame's spring practice game will be televised. Arkansas' spring game is on at 4 p.m. on ESPN.

Twins at Rays: 3:30 p.m. on Ch. 13. Take note that today's Rays game is a part of Fox's Game of the Week coverage.

Letters from Jackie: 6 p.m. on MLB Network. A special based on letters Jackie Robinson wrote from 1945 to his untimely death in 1972, focusing on his active role in politics and the civil rights movement.

By Bill Hardman, Times Correspondent


Friday, April 15, 2011

What's hot: Gag grouper are much more concentrated in the untouchable federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is driving divers crazy to pass up so many fish. The mangrove snapper and hogfish are still scattered on most ledges and wrecks out to 130 feet. Keeper-sized amberjack are being spotted and taken on wrecks beyond 80 feet. Cobia are starting to move onto the wrecks and artificial structure. They are still few and far between, but the move is on.

What's out there: At last weekend's Tampa Bay Spearfishing Challenge, 147 entrants sought their best spearfishing spots in the gulf. A list of the top gutted fish weights, with species and spear anglers, turned in at the event: grouper (black), A.J. Suarez, 75.6 pounds; hogfish, Joe Scozzafava, 13.8; amberjack, Anthony Vale, 45.35; cobia/barracuda, Trey Stickland, 33.45; snapper, Bill VanDeman, 7; sheepshead, Koa Viravong, 5.1.

Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg and can be reached at CaptainBillHardman@gmail.com or (727) 344-3483.

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, April 15, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — With his wife out of the country, Jim Abernathy had some anxiety before Derby Lane's richest race. The kennel owner didn't know what to wear, and he didn't eat.

Magic Finch made everything right as the greyhound used a determined stretch run to win the $80,000 Distance Classic on April 9. It was the second stakes victory since January for Abernathy, whose last major stakes win before this year was the 1996 Distance Classic with Husker Gazette.

"There's nothing like winning," he said.

Abernathy, 45, dedicated the victory to his wife, Kayruth, who returns in May from Venezuela, where she is visiting her mother. Kayruth, the kennel trainer, called moments after Magic Finch won her first stakes in a career-best time of 37.33 seconds at 660 yards. Kayruth watched the race on the Internet.

"Hey, baby," Jim said. "I've got a nice trophy for you when you come home."

He made no mention of his attire, a blue shirt and yellow tie.

"Whenever we're in a stakes race, (Kayruth) loves to get dressed up," he said. "She has her outfit and puts mine with it. With her not here, I didn't even know how to get dressed. I had a salmon-colored shirt on at first, but couldn't find a tie. I told my son (Daniel), we'll probably win this race because she's not here to get dressed up."

Daniel, 18, said Jim didn't eat on stakes night. But Magic Finch had the appetite to win, overtaking Uss Gazillionair near the wire after leading into the paddock turn. The race had seven dogs with the injury scratch of morning-line favorite Kelsos Ace High.

It was the first Derby Lane stakes win for Haber Kennels, a Summerfield-based operation owned by the Haber brothers, Terry and Scott. Magic Finch, a 23-month-old female out of a litter by Lonesome Cry and Bird A Flyin, had only 20 previous starts and lacked a Grade A win until the event's third round.

"I give Terry all the credit in the world," Abernathy said. "He could take Magic Finch to Wheeling (Island in West Virginia), where he could make $200 a point. He's running the dog here for $70 a point. … I appreciate that."

MORE DOGS: Flying Coal City, the 2010 All-America team captain and winner of the Rural Rube (sprinter) and Flashy Sir (distance) awards for McAllister kennel, will be honored at the National Greyhound Association spring meet Thursday in Abilene, Kan.

HORSES: Sam F. Davis winner Brethren runs in the Grade I $1 million Arkansas Derby (Race 11, 6:58 tonight) at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs.

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

No team seems to have Talladega Superspeedway figured out better than Richard Childress Racing. A year ago, Kevin Harvick won the spring race at Talladega, and teammate Clint Bowyer beat Harvick for a 1-2 finish in the fall race. Little wonder RCR drivers, including Paul Menard and Jeff Burton, like their chances Sunday in the Sprint Cup Aaron's 499 at the 2.66-mile oval. Bowyer won October's restrictor-plate race by passing Harvick as the caution flag waved on the final lap.

"I really did think when the caution came out that I was ahead of him, and I was," Bowyer said. " … When you're sitting in the equipment that we get to sit in at those superspeedways, it doesn't surprise me that I was racing a teammate for the win."

Harvick is the only two-time Cup winner this season and is ninth in points, but he blew an engine 22 laps into the first restrictor-plate race of the year at Daytona.

"In all of the practices and races leading up to the race in Daytona, our cars were fast, and then the bottom fell out, and we had a little problem with the engine," he said. "Those things are going to happen. I think we should be good at Talladega."

Bowyer led 31 laps at Daytona before he was collected in a wreck with four laps left.

"You have to be conscious of your surroundings," said Bowyer, who is 12th in the standings after consecutive top-five finishes, including second last week at Texas. "You can't put yourself in a bad situation. If they're racing hard in front of you, and you don't think you should be around, get out of there."

Menard is 11th in points and was second, his career best in the series, at Talladega in fall 2008. Burton won a 150-mile qualifying race at Daytona but has yet to win at Talladega in his 18-year Cup career.

"I feel like we have cars that can win races, run in the front," said Burton, who has gone 84 races since his last Cup win, in fall 2008 at Charlotte. "We have to miss the wreck. What happened in both of last year's races was me minding my own business, and the next thing you know I'm in a wreck."

The drivers are bracing for a repeat of Daytona and its two-car drafts.

"I think the two-car draft is something that everyone is going to try to use at Talladega, no question," Burton said. "The doors are open, and the only way to shut it is to change some rules. I don't even know how you can change the rules to make it so you can shut it. You would have to do something pretty radical."

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

Quote of the week

"Get wide, Kevin!"

A NASCAR fan at a Walmart in Florence, S.C., spotting NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick turning a corner while delivering beer in the store. Harvick's appearance was part of a promotional stop for sponsor Budweiser.

Photo op of the week

Last week, on the night NHRA legend John Force was inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame, a fan asked Force to pose for a photo. Force, who told the story later during his induction speech, was asked to take off his sunglasses for the shot. "Would you ask Richard Petty to take his shades off?" the 15-time Funny Car champion asked the fan. The fan's reply: "You're not Richard Petty." Force took the sunglasses off and posed for the photo.

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

What would Bear have thought?

TALLADEGA, Ala. — One car could spark some divided loyalties in Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway, and it won't have anything to do with who's driving.

Michael Waltrip will drive a No. 15 Toyota Camry decked out in Auburn's blue and orange, commemorating the school's national champion­ship in football.

That will certainly draw plenty of cheers in Auburn's home state. And, of course, a sizable share of boos considering the divided loyalties in these parts. Hard to imagine many Alabama Crimson Tide fans rooting for anyone bearing the Tigers' logo.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik, who played football at Clearwater High and once was an assistant coach at Seminole High, will serve as grand marshal for the race.

Hall in Alabama inducts five more

The International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum in Talladega inducted five members this week. Hall officials, knowing that the new NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., would grab most of the attention, added no inductees last year. The new members: NASCAR team co-owner John Holman, sprint-car driver Jan Opperman, NASCAR engine builder Maurice Petty, F1 and sportscar driver Brian Redman, and 1960 NASCAR champ Rex White.

Sorry, mom, it wasn't you

Carl Edwards has learned not to call out his mother over her culinary skills. After climbing from his car at Texas last week with an upset stomach, the Sprint Cup star blamed her for preparing a dish that made him ill. He's backtracking now. "It turns out, my motor home driver and his wife … they told my mom, 'We ate the rest of that food, and we're fine. So it wasn't the food,'" Edwards said, looking a bit embarrassed. "I had to apologize to my mom." Well, at least there have been some fringe benefits for his mother. "She thought it was pretty funny," Edwards said. "She won't have to cook for anybody anytime soon. She's been offering to cook for people and they're like, 'Uh, no, that's okay.' "

Sadler sets best time in Nationwide

Elliott Sadler earned the pole for today's Nationwide series race at Talladega. A lap of 179.558 mph around the 2.66-mile oval gave the former Sprint Cup driver his first pole of the year. His teammate, Sprint Cup regular Clint Bowyer, joined Sadler on the front row with a speed of 179.373 for the Aaron's 312, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. (179.115).

Elsewhere

This week, local radio personality "Bubba the Love Sponge" Clem, whose show is nationally syndicated, bought Ocala Speedway, a three-eighths-mile dirt track. He said in a press release that the track's name would change to Bubba Raceway Park. … Funny Car points leader Robert Hight took the provisional No. 1 qualifying position at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Concord, N.C. Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also topped their divisions after two rounds. The event features racing in four lanes instead of the traditional two. … Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, the defending F1 champion, set the top practice time at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Qualifying was held overnight.

Times wires

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — Negotiators for the NFL and its locked-out players wrapped up a second day of court-ordered talks Friday with no signs of significant progress.

The sides left the federal courthouse in Minneapolis after about four hours of talks, following nine hours of meetings Thursday. They will meet again Tuesday.

Hall of Famer Carl Eller, who is representing retired players in the antitrust lawsuit against the league, said he believes the sides are "moving forward" but the process "slowed a little bit" Friday.

"There is progress, but it wasn't like we're right around the corner," Eller said. "We could resolve it if we had met on the weekend, but maybe not."

U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, who is overseeing the sessions, assigned weekend homework, according to Michael Hausfeld, an attorney for the players.

"The judge has asked us to provide answers to over a half-dozen questions that he's asked," Hausfeld said, declining to provide details. "There's a lot of work."

Boylan is overseeing this round of talks after 16 days of mediated sessions in Washington.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, who ordered the mediation, is still considering a request from the players to lift the lockout imposed by the owners. After an April 6 hearing, she said she planned to rule on the injunction request in a couple of weeks, which would mean next week.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, four team owners and several league executives and lawyers left the building without speaking to reporters. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, via e-mail, declined to comment.

DeMaurice Smith, the NFL Players Association executive director, also refused to talk.

Bryant settles one debt: Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, who had a suit filed against him for nonpayment of $246,000 worth of jewelry, reached a settlement, ESPN.com reported. Terms were not disclosed. Bryant still faces another lawsuit that claims he owes more than $600,000 for jewelry, tickets, and repayment of loans.

Quitting on Russell: John Lucas, who works with athletes with drug and addiction problems, will no longer serve as former Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell's "life coach," Yahoo Sports reported. Lucas had been working to get Russell, released in May, back into shape since September. After some initial success, Russell lost motivation and reportedly ballooned to 294 pounds for a workout, then Lucas gave up on Russell.

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

ORLANDO — Magic guard J.J. Redick will be a game-time decision for tonight's Game 1 against the Hawks but said Friday that he feels healthy enough to play.

Redick missed the final 17 games with a lower abdominal strain. But he got through Friday's two-hour workout.

"I did the whole practice with no limitations, no issues," said Redick, averaging a career-best 10.1 points in his fifth season. "We're going to see how it responds. But hopefully, if all goes well, I'll be available."

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said he will "wait and see."

"I thought he looked good," he said. "He shot the ball well. It looked like he was getting up and down the floor well. If he can go, I'm going to go back to him."

New offer coming, commissioner says

NEW YORK — Commissioner David Stern said the league plans to submit to the union a revised proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement within the next couple of weeks.

Neither Stern nor deputy commissioner Adam Silver offered details of what would be in the proposal to replace the current CBA, which expires June 30. But Stern said during a conference call later that it would indicate to the players "some modicum of flexibility in our approach, and we're trying to engage the union in a dialogue."

Though Silver said there's plenty of time to reach a deal, he said fear of a lockout is "beginning to have an impact on our business."

"We are in discussions with sponsors and other partners about relationships for next year, and we can't assure them that we are going to have games," he said. "They, as you might imagine, began to pull back some of their spending on the NBA."

The league submitted its first proposal in January 2010. The union rejected it during the ensuing All-Star break. The union offered a proposal in July. The owners rejected it, and there has been no progress since.

Kings: Owners Gavin and Joe Maloof were granted an extension until May 2 to request a move to Anaheim, Calif. Stern said it also would give the relocation committee time to research aspects of a move, including a relocation fee. The committee is led by Oklahoma City owner Clay Bennett, who moved the Sonics from Seattle three years ago.

Lakers: Center Andrew Bynum said his right knee feels good. Bynum, who hyperextended it Tuesday when he stepped on the foot of the Spurs' DeJuan Blair, participated in a full practice. He missed the season's first 24 games after offseason surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee.

Ratings: The league said its national TV partners had their most viewers ever this season. TNT was up 42 percent, ABC 38 percent and ESPN 28 percent. Turner Sports also said its 1.6 average rating was its highest in 27 seasons of NBA coverage.

The Orlando Sentinel contributed to this report.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 15, 2011

PITTSBURGH — You could tell Marty St. Louis was tired of talking about his teeth, but the questions kept coming.

After taking a stick to the mouth in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Penguins — which caused him to have a double root canal and three damaged teeth cemented into his mouth — was he out for revenge in Game 2 on Friday?

When someone mentioned he might be perceived as inspiring for overcoming the injury, St. Louis had enough.

"It's just teeth," he said. "It's not a shoulder. It's not a knee. It's not an ankle. It's teeth. It's no big deal."

What was a big deal was St. Louis' goal in Tampa Bay's 5-1 victory in Game 2 at the Consol Energy Center that tied the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

It wasn't the winner. It made the score 4-1. And it wasn't particularly skillful. St. Louis simply zipped a sharp-angle shot at goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

But scored with 14 seconds left in the second period, it was the most important. It stopped cold a surging opponent that outshot Tampa Bay 14-8 in the period, cut into a 3-0 first-period deficit and continually pinned the Lightning in its end.

"That goal was big at the end of the period," coach Guy Boucher said. "It gives you some momentum and confidence."

"You're pressing for a good 10, 12 minutes, and we definitely could have had at least one more goal," said Penguins right wing Craig Adams, who scored his team's only goal. "For them to get that late goal, that was tough."

The Lightning tied a franchise record for goals in a playoff game. It also tied a team record with three goals in a period; Eric Brewer, Vinny Lecavalier and Nate Thompson scored in the first.

Brewer, who scored on the Lightning's first shot, added two assists for a three-point game. Simon Gagne had three assists. Tampa Bay had two power-play goals and a 7 for 7 penalty kill, and Dwayne Roloson made 35 saves as Pittsburgh had a 36-21 shot advantage.

There also was this: Mattias Ohlund scored a shorthanded empty-net goal with 2:05 left in the third period, his first goal since an April 19, 2009, playoff tally for the Canucks.

"I could care less, to be honest," Ohlund said. "It's a big win for us."

The tide turned 9:08 into the second period, when a turnover by Roloson led to Adams' goal.

Roloson said there was miscommunication between him and Brewer, who went wide instead of taking the puck from the goalie, who then backed away, allowing Pittsburgh's Arron Asham to capture it, starting a sequence that led to Adams' goal.

"We were talking, and things got changed up at the last second, and he went by," Roloson said. "I probably should have played it at that point."

The Lightning was on its heels.

"They stormed us," St. Louis said. But when Dominic Moore drew a cross-checking penalty on Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik, Tampa Bay had a chance.

"We use that cross-crease play many times," St. Louis said of his goal. "I was just trying to catch (Fleury) off-guard a little bit."

It worked. The puck squeaked by Fleury.

"That was a good stretch," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said of the second period, "and it goes away with one play."

One with some teeth in it.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 15, 2011

Round of the day

Jim Thorpe posted an opening-round 1-over 72, two weeks after serving a one-year sentence for tax evasion. Thorpe said he played well and feels even better: "I'm 62, but I feel like I'm 42. I'm hitting it longer than I ever have."

Number of the day

1 Time, out of seven chances, that Russ Cochran, left, has won a Champions Tour event when leading or tied for the lead after the first round. Since 1992 when the tournament moved to TPC Tampa Bay, Tom Watson (2008) is the only first-round leader to win.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer


Friday, April 15, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Joe Maddon is glad he didn't forget to bring his lineup card to the plate Friday. More specifically, the Rays manager carried it with him to the $60-a-dish Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel.

It was there, with players and front-office members seated at tables, that Maddon asked the attendees to choose the batting order for the game a few hours later against the Twins.

The biggest change was former Armwood High star Matt Joyce being moved up to the third spot in the lineup.

After the luncheon, the Rays feasted on Twins pitching for 13 hits, their second-most this year, while Joyce went 3-for-4 with a double for the second straight night in a 5-2 victory before 15,342 at Tropicana Field.

It was the fourth straight win for the Rays (5-8), who got a gritty performance on the mound by Wade Davis (1-2), who allowed four hits over seven innings and got help from five relievers.

"Today he really politicked his table … to get into the three-hole, and it worked and really paid dividends for us tonight," Maddon said of Joyce, who was among three players at lunch.

"I'm going to have to find another club to consult about tomorrow's lineup. I'll get up early tomorrow morning and go up and down Bayshore (Boulevard) and find somebody to choose tomorrow's lineup for us."

Joyce began the season 1-for-20 but is swinging one of the Rays' hottest bats. Over the past four games, the rightfielder's 9-for-17 (.529) with three doubles. Before Friday, he had batted sixth, seventh or eighth in 10 of his starts. When he heard Maddon asking patrons to fill out the lineup, he wasn't sure if he was serious.

" … Sure enough, he was being serious, and it worked out," Joyce said. "You know Joe."

Joyce wasn't the only player who had success against the Twins and starter Nick Blackburn, who cruised through five shutout innings before being roughed up for three runs and five hits in the sixth.

Leftfielder Sam Fuld went 3-for-4 with a double, third baseman Felipe Lopez had two hits and DH Johnny Damon delivered a two-run single, the third straight game he has driven in the go-ahead run.

Maddon didn't need help to pencil catcher Kelly Shoppach into the lineup. Shoppach has owned Blackburn in his career (8-for-13, three homers) and delivered a two-run homer in the seventh for a 5-1 lead.

"It was a big hit right there," Maddon said. "It was still a pretty close game. … You get that big blow like that and it kind of loosened things up a little bit."

Davis battled but admittedly didn't have his best stuff against the Twins. His fastball mostly topped out at 90 mph, but he had good command and mixed his pitches, walking two with only one strikeout.

"I would've loved for him to throw 96 right out of the shoot," Shoppach said. "But one of the beauties of Wade is his competitive attitude, his grit, really. Those are the things you can't teach."

After the game, Maddon tweeted that Joyce will hit third again today, also saying, "Thank you Tampa Chamber of Commerce."

Times staff, wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — College football could have a very different look next fall.

Teams can choose to shave 10 seconds off the clock for penalties called in the final minute of each half. They will contend with a more liberal intentional grounding rule and could have points taken off the scoreboard for taunting penalties.

The most sweeping change approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel is the 10-second runoff, something the NFL has used for years. College teams can take the yardage and the time, the yardage only or decline the penalty.

The committee also approved a change in intentional grounding. Previously, the penalty was called if the receiver did not have a "reasonable opportunity" to catch the pass. Starting this fall, the penalty will be called only if a receiver is not in the area of the pass — again more closely resembling the NFL rule.

And the panel adopted a rule allowing video monitors in the coaches' booths. The televisions will have access only to any live broadcast — no video recorders — to help coaches decide if they should challenge a call.

Those changes coincide with perhaps the biggest change of the season — implementation of the new taunting rule. Last April, the rules panel approved a decision to nullify a TD if a player is called for taunting before he crosses the goal line.

Two Gators transfer

GAINESVILLE — Florida wide receivers Chris Dunkley and Javares McRoy decided to transfer, coach Will Muschamp said. Dunkley, a 6-2, 172-pounder from Pahokee High, did not play last year as a freshman. McRoy, 5-9, 159, was an early enrollee in January from Lakeland High. Dunkley said in a statement that he believes it's in his best interest "to get a fresh start somewhere else." McRoy wants to play with his brother.

"I enjoyed my time at Florida, but I really want the chance to play with my brother Ben, who is at Texas Tech," McRoy said in a statement.

SPURRIER EXTENDED: South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier will earn $800,000 more next season after taking the Gamecocks to their first SEC title game. The former Heisman Trophy winner and coach at Florida, who made $2 million in 2010, will make $2.8 million.

ARKANSAS: Linebacker Ross Rasner, 19, was arrested by university police and booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and being a minor in possession of alcohol, according to police records. … Running back Broderick Green is expected to miss the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee Wednesday in practice.

FURMAN: Coach Bruce Fowler kicked three players off the team and suspended two more after drug arrests. University officials said sophomore defensive end Aaron Riley, junior cornerback Jordan Griffin and freshman linebacker Tim Lawrence were arrested Thursday. All three face distribution of marijuana charges. Fowler indefinitely suspended junior linebacker Sterling Johnson (charged with interfering with police) and sophomore safety Nathan Wade (cited for possession of marijuana).

LSU: The school's board of supervisors extended athletic director Joe Alleva's contract from June 2013 to June 2016. The other terms, including his minimum $550,000 annual salary, didn't change.

SMU: Two years after Mustangs special teams coach Frank Gansz died, his son is taking over the job. Frank Gansz Jr. spent the past three years in the same post at UCLA until leaving last month.

BASKETBALL: Josh Postorino, a former star player at Clearwater, was hired as an assistant at Georgia Tech. Postorino, 34, spent one season as director of basketball operations at DePaul. … Washington State junior forward DeAngelo Casto will pass up his senior season and declare for the NBA draft. … South Carolina extended the deal for women's coach Dawn Staley for three years at $25,000 a year more.

GYMNASTICS: Florida failed to reach tonight's finals in the NCAA women's championships in Cleveland. Oklahoma, Michigan, UCLA, Alabama, Nebraska and Utah advanced. Stanford won the men's crown in Columbus, Ohio, the school's 100th national title in all sports.

MEN'S GOLF: Phillip Choi shot 1-under 69 to help UF take first place after the first round of the SEC Championships at St. Simons Island, Ga. Florida was at 5-over 285, a shot ahead of Tennessee and Arkansas.

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 15, 2011

LUTZ — Jeff Kritsberg is cherishing every second at the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. He is one of 78 amateurs playing in the tournament, but he is the only one who is getting sent to war Monday morning.

A cyberspace communications operator in the Air Force, Kritsberg leaves MacDill Air Force Base on Monday for training in Wyoming. On April 28, his unit goes to Baghdad and the war in Iraq.

But today — and maybe Sunday if he and partner Leonard Thompson play well enough — Kritsberg, 38, will try to think only about golf, as he did Friday. He earned an amateur spot by being the low enlisted player at the MacDill tournament this year. He and Thompson shot a team score of 1-under 70, nine off the lead.

"It hasn't settled in yet," Kritsberg said of his deployment. "I think it will when I go home and see my bags packed. (Friday) I was just thinking about having a good time."

Kritsberg's father, Butch, came down from Syracuse, N.Y., to caddie for his son this week. He is a 20-year Air Force veteran who retired in 1990. Butch introduced his son to golf at age 11 and played with him at various base golf courses. And he isn't thrilled about his son leaving.

"I'm not comfortable with it at all," Kritsberg's father said. "He's excited. He thinks it's the right thing to do. He's still bulletproof and wearing a cape. But for dear old dad, getting into harm's way is not my idea of a good time."

Kritsberg said he had a good time Friday despite playing poorly. And he said he's not thinking about Iraq yet, but when the time comes, he's ready to go.

"I know my wife, April, is worried, and pops is worried and so is my mom," Kritsberg said. "I haven't done this yet, and I'm excited to get over there and do my part. There are people who have been there over and over again. I've been begging to go since I was a lieutenant. It finally worked out. I don't think it will hit me until we get into the theater and we're wearing helmets."

Butch is just glad he's by his son's side on the golf course before he leaves.

"I couldn't have asked for a nicer send-off," he said as he held back tears. "He's a father's dream. I'm very proud of him."

'Dream team': Kenny Perry is reunited with his old caddie, again. Fred Sanders is back on Perry's bag after a year-and-a-half hiatus while Perry's son caddied for him. This is the fourth time Sanders has left and come back. The duo has won nine times together.

"We've got the dream team back together, and it's working," said Perry, who was in fourth place. "I think I'm moving in the right direction."

Odds and ends: Tom Leh­man's streak of 12 Champions Tour rounds in the 60s ended Friday. Lehman, who has won twice this year, shot 2-over 73. … Derrick Brooks, who won the amateur championship in 2008, is in the lead again with a team score of 10-under 61. The former Bucs linebacker is paired with tournament leader Russ Cochran. They are tied with Tim Simpson and Jeffrey Leimbacher. The top 16 teams after today play in Sunday's final round. … While Cochran got off to a fast start, Dave Eichelberger had the opposite kind of day. He started with triple bogey on the first hole and double bogey on the second. Over the next 16 holes, he had 10 bogeys and finished with 15-over 86.

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

BOSTON — 1B Adrian Gonzalez signed a $154 million, seven-year contract with the Red Sox on Friday, then turned his attention to an elusive reward: winning. Boston hasn't done that much.

"We have faith in ourselves," said Gonzalez, whose new deal runs through 2018. "We're going to turn this around."

Gonzalez, who turns 29 next month, is making $6.3 million in the final year of the contract he had when the Red Sox obtained him from the Padres for three prospects Dec. 6. Boston went into Friday's play 2-9, the worst record in baseball.

"If you're going to make this kind of commitment, I think you have to be very comfortable with not only the player but also the person," GM Theo Epstein said.

Injured Mauer also ill

ST. PETERSBURG — Twins C Joe Mauer, who went on the 15-day disabled list with leg weakness on Thursday, is also sick.

GM Bill Smith said Mauer went to a hospital for evaluation and treatment late Thursday after the 4-3 loss to the Rays. Mauer received fluids and anti­biotics, and was discharged.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Mauer has a viral infection, which the team believes increased the catcher's body soreness. Gardenhire hopes Mauer will return in a couple of weeks.

Yanks' Hughes on DL

NEW YORK — The Yankees put RHP Phil Hughes on the DL with what the team calls a "dead arm."

Hughes, 18-8 last season but hit hard in all three starts this year, said there are no signs he is injured, and no medical tests are planned, but he has not been able to maintain his velocity. There is no timetable for his return.

"Something had to be done," said Hughes, 0-1 with a 13.94 ERA and yielding his rotation spot to Bartolo Colon.

Day for Jackie: Jackie Robinson's family, including his wife, Rachel, took part in a pregame tribute at Yankee Stadium on the 64th anniversary of the day he broke baseball's color barrier. Friday was Jackie Robinson Day, so all players, managers, coaches and umpires wore his No. 42 in memory of the Brooklyn star, who made his debut in 1947.

Mets-Braves rained out: Rain and a severe storm warning in north Georgia led to the Mets-Braves game being postponed. The teams will play a traditional doubleheader today.

Dykstra charged: Former Mets and Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra has been charged with embezzling from a bankruptcy estate. Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles allege that after filing for bankruptcy in 2009, Dykstra hid, sold or destroyed more than $400,000 worth of items from his $18.5 million mansion in Ventura County. Dykstra, 48, claimed he owed more than $31 million and had only $50,000 in assets. Authorities also say he was arrested Thursday in an unrelated grand theft investigation and remains jailed without bail. Local prosecutors haven't filed the latter case. After retiring from baseball, Dykstra was involved in various businesses and briefly was a stock-picks guru.

Manager returns: Luis Salazar, manager of the Braves' Class-A affiliate in Virginia who lost his left eye after being hit by a line drive at spring training, returned to the dugout for the Lynchburg Hillcats' opener. "To me, it's another challenge," he said. "They're not going to take baseball away from me."

Brewers: RHP Zack Greinke threw a 30-pitch simulated game, another step in his return from a cracked rib. He hopes to make his first rehab start Tuesday at Class-A Brevard County.

Mets: RHP Boof Bonser, a Gibbs High product pitching at Triple-A Buffalo, will have elbow-ligament replacement surgery next week, the team said. Bonser, who competed for a starting job in spring, left his last start due to right forearm discomfort.

Rockies: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (cracked cuticle on right thumb) had his return from the DL pushed back to Tuesday.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 15, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Wade Davis didn't have his best stuff Friday. But he ended up with one of his best games.

Rather than throw at maximum speed, Davis took a few miles per hour off his fastball and, working in the 88-90 mph range, pitched seven innings. He threw 100 pitches and struck out only one, but he held the Twins to one run on four hits and two walks in the 5-2 win.

"He pitched well," manager Joe Maddon said. "He made better pitches. He's much more effective with runners on base. He's quicker to the plate with a better delivery. He's making some adjustments. He's pitching right now; he's not just throwing."

Davis said the adjustments are part of an effort to get quicker outs by letting hitters put the ball in play rather than firing every fastball at 92-93 mph and racking up too many pitches.

"It was there if I needed it," Davis said. "I had pretty good movement on my ball, so I kind of stuck with that."

NINTH-INNING RELAY: The Rays needed four relievers to get the last three outs, as LHP Cesar Ramos (walk, flyout), RHP Juan Cruz (walk) and LHP Jake McGee (fielder's choice grounder) couldn't complete the job, leading to RHP Kyle Farnsworth's third save. "It's not optimal," Maddon said. "I didn't want to have to do that, but willing to do that if necessary."

SPECIAL GUEST: RHP Adam Russell was buoyed by a visit from his older sister, Tracy Galvin, who is battling Stage 4 breast cancer and has been undergoing chemotheraphy. "It's really good to see her, and I thought she looked good," Russell said. "She looked happy; she looked energized. The change of scenery and getting in some warm weather is good for her."

Tracy, her husband, Marty, and their two kids, Fiona and Tommy, made the trip from Cleveland thanks to the nonprofit group Memories of Love, getting to see a couple of games and visiting Disney World.

Their visit made a good birthday present for Russell, who turned 28 on Thursday. "Not being around her (stinks); I really want to be there for her," he said.

SPECIAL HONOR: All players and coaches wore No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier April 15, 1947.

The day is especially meaningful for Rays senior adviser Don Zimmer, who played with Robinson later in their careers with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1954-56). "He had to be a tough, tough man to do what he did," Zimmer said.

Also impressed is CF B.J. Upton: "He definitely was a pioneer for African-American players. We know what he went through. I don't think a lot of us today could deal with what he dealt with."

PITCHING IN: LHP J.P. Howell today throws the second of three planned batting practice sessions before going on a minor-league rehab assignment, possibly by next weekend, the last step in his recovery from shoulder surgery. "My fastball and changeup are game ready," he said. "My curveball, I've had a tough time locating it." … LHP David Price received his Players Choice Award as the 2010 AL outstanding pitcher, and a $10,000 charitable donation he had split between Miracle League and Shriners Hospital for Children.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: The Rays today are celebrating the 70th birthday of Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base. Master Sgt. Christian MacKenzie, a Navy Seal who sustained severe head and face injuries and lost his left eye when his helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq, will throw out the first pitch.

MISCELLANY: OF Sam Fuld was caught stealing twice after going 7-for-7. … With a homer Friday, C Kelly Shoppach is 8-for-15 with three homers vs. Twins RHP Nick Blackburn. … 3B Evan Longoria today will be presented his 2010 Gold Glove. … Thursday was the first time in the Rays' 2,114 games they won after trailing in the ninth inning and in extra innings.

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — PGA Tour rookie Brendan Steele wrangled the winds and nearly emerged at the Texas Open solely atop the leaderboard.

But on the tour's toughest day in years, no one got off that easy.

Steele carried the lead before double-bogeying the par-4 15th then blew a chance to reclaim it by missing a 6-footer for birdie on the final hole, keeping him in a rare seven-way tie atop the leaderboard at 3-under 141 on Friday.

That is tied for the second-most crowded leaderboard in the PGA Tour after 36 holes since 1970. Strong winds prevented anyone from breaking out, and Friday's average round of 75.289 was the highest on the tour since the 2008 British Open.

"I got pretty beat up out there," Steele said. "I think we all kind of did."

After missing what would've been his fifth birdie, Steele tapped in at No. 18 to finish at par 72. He shared the lead with Geoff Ogilvy (72), Rich Beem (70), Kevin Sutherland (70), Charley Hoffman (73), Brandt Snedeker (72), and Kevin Chappell (73).

A day that began with 5 under leading the pace was undone by winds that whipped higher than 30 mph. Players helplessly watched tee shots sail into the woods, and just 13 players shot under par Friday after 50 subpar scores in the first round.

Defending champion Adam Scott followed his opening-round 68 with 74. But on a day like this, 2 over was good enough to leave the Masters runnerup and three others a stroke back.

"I can't imagine anyone really running away with it," he said.

A seven-way tie after 36 holes hasn't been seen on the tour since the 1977 Westchester. The record was an eight-way tie at the 2001 Greater Hartford Open.

The cut was 4-over 148, tied for second highest on the tour this season. Among those cut was Kevin Na, who in the windy conditions never stood a chance at overcoming his 16-stroke meltdown on No. 9 in the first round. He finished at 13 over.

McIlroy rebounds: Rory McIlroy is rebounding quite nicely after his collapse in the final round of the Masters.

The 21-year-old from Northern Ireland shot 8-under 64 in the rain-shortened second round of the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur and shares the lead with Alexander Noren (69) at 11-under 133.

McIlroy said he's in "great position" heading into this weekend.

Play was halted for nearly three hours before it resumed, and it was suspended because of thunder and lightning.

Masters champion Charl Schwartzel was among 77 players who didn't finish their rounds.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 15, 2011

Rays vs. Twins

When/where: 4:10 today; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable starters

Rays

RH Jeff Niemann (0-2, 8.31)

Twins

RH Scott Baker (0-2, 6.55)

Tickets: $12-$255 at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa, $3 surcharge within five hours of game.

Watch for …

Standing tall: Niemann's command has been off in his two starts, and the Rays want him to throw less hard to see if it helps. He is 2-0 with a 3.05 ERA in three starts against the Twins.

Baker's act: Baker has already allowed four homers in two starts, ahead of the past two seasons when he gave up 28 and 23. He is 2-2 with a 3.21 ERA in six games against the Rays.

Key matchups:

Rays vs. Baker

Johnny Damon4-for-14

Matt Joyce 1-for-11, HR

Ben Zobrist 2-for-11

Twins vs. Niemann

Jason Kubel 0-for-9

Denard Span 4-for-11

Delmon Young 3-for-8, HR

On deck

Sunday: vs Twins, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (1-1, 4.09); Twins — Brian Duensing (0-0, 4.15)

Monday: vs. White Sox, 6:40, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (1-2, 3.92); Sox — Edwin Jackson (2-0, 2.89)

Tuesday: vs. White Sox, 6:40, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (0-1, 3.98); Sox — John Danks (0-1, 3.15)

Damon's walkoff list

Date Team Opp. Pitcher

4/14/11 TB Twins Capps

7/6/10 Det. Orioles D. Hernandez

5/1/10 Det. Angels S. Shields

5/17/09 NYY Twins J. Crain

8/26/01 Bos. Angels S. Shields

4/10/00 K.C. Twins L. Hawkins

Quote of the day

"We have more runs in them."

Kelly Shoppach, Rays catcher, when asked what was different from the team's last four wins to its first six losses

Damon's record of the day

LF/DH Johnny Damon didn't just win Thursday's game with his blast in the 10th, he made history, becoming the first player to hit walkoff homers for five teams (twice for Detroit). His secret? "I don't know," he said. "There's been plenty of times I've come up in that situation and failed. Just fortunately for me I've been able to do it a number of times." Six players share the all-time lead with 12, according to David Vincent of the Society for American Baseball Research, including Minnesota's Jim Thome. Damon is tied with 43 others.

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

Indians 8, Orioles 2

CLEVELAND — Justin Masterson went seven innings to earn his third win for the Indians. He went 6-13 last season and didn't get his third win until July 1 — his 16th start. Asdrubal Cabrera's two-run single highlighted Cleveland's four-run third off rookie Zach Britton, who allowed a combined one run to the Rays and Rangers in his first two starts. The Orioles have lost five straight since a 6-1 start. At 9-4, Cleveland is off to its best start since 2002.

Times wires
Friday, April 15, 2011

Nationals 4, Brewers 3

10 innings

WASHINGTON — Adam LaRoche's 10th-inning fielder's choice scored Jayson Werth with the winning run. With one out, Werth reached second on shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt's throwing error and stole third.