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D'backs 6, Giants 5, 12 innings

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

D'backs 6, Giants 5

12 innings

PHOENIX — Stephen Drew drove in Justin Upton with one out in the 12th, and the Diamondbacks rallied. Giants reliever Dan Runzler walked Upton and Chris Young with one out. Javier Lopez gave up Drew's grounder into right.


Nationals 5, Brewers 1, Game 2

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

Nationals 5, Brewers 1

Game 2

WASHINGTON — Danny Espinosa hit a bases-loaded triple in the seventh, helping the Nationals to a doubleheader sweep. Jerry Hairston homered, doubled and singled for Washington after entering the game with one single in 23 at-bats this season. Adam LaRoche also homered in the eighth, the fifth for the Nationals in the doubleheader.

Tampa Bay Lightning must maintain its composure

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2011

BRANDON — Veteran Lightning wing Ryan Malone acknowledged that with the heightened physicality, emotions and intensity in playoff hockey, keeping your composure is easier said than done.

"Sooner or later, you're going to get sick of someone in your face all night," Malone said. "I think it's just human nature. You try to get in their personal space as much as you can and make them feel frustrated, and maybe they'll do something stupid — if they punch you in the face or give you a cross-check."

Several Penguins said they fell victim to that in their 5-1 loss on Friday in Game 2. The resulting penalties allowed the Lightning's power play — the top unit in the Eastern Conference during the regular season — to get six chances, scoring twice.

And heading into tonight's Game 3, the battle of restraint vs. retaliation could play a big role.

"You've got to be the person getting under the other guy's skin or else you're not going to be successful," Lightning center Dana Tyrell said. "That's how you get the opportunities and the chances.

"I think the first game, they got under our skin a bit. And the second game, we took it back to them a bit. We're going to take it to them (tonight), and I think whoever is going to get under the opponent's skin is going to win."

Malone said the team realized after a 3-0 Game 1 loss in Pittsburgh that the officials were calling it tighter than at the end of the regular season. So the Lightning tried to do the little things to get an edge.

"A huge thing is just being first on the pucks," Tyrell said.

"If you're beating Pittsburgh to the puck all night, they're going to get upset, and they might take penalties. And that's how we're going to get our opportunities — finishing checks, just working hard and keeping our stick on the ice."

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said he was surprised how soon his team lost its composure Friday considering it was so disciplined in Game 1 (allowing just one power play). But even a team with several players from the 2009 Stanley Cup champion was "a little bit distracted by people and other events going on on the ice," Bylsma said.

Lightning center Dominic Moore caused a bit of frustration with his gritty play.

"We played against him in Montreal (in the playoffs) last year, and we know what he's all about," Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said in Pittsburgh. "You just have to take that and, hopefully, shake his hand at the end of the series."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

One rookie holds off another for PGA win

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

SAN ANTONIO — Rookie Brendan Steele shot 1-under 71 on Sunday, overcoming relentless wind and fellow first-year PGA Tour player Kevin Chappell to win the Texas Open by a stroke.

The leader by one heading into the final round, Steele stayed steady and finished 8 under par. He gave a small fist pump, then thrust his arm down and smiled broadly to celebrate his first Tour victory after holing out on 18.

"I was a lot more calm today," Steele said. "When you've got the one-shot lead it's not even your tournament. There's so many guys that could still win with a good round, without you even doing anything wrong, that I didn't feel as much pressure."

The tournament featured the Tour's highest scoring average, 73.665, this year and Steele's 280 was the highest winning score at the Texas Open since 1934, when Willy Cox shot 283.

Steele, 28, birdied the par-5 second hole, dropping his approach from a bunker to within 10 feet of the pin, then bogeyed par-4 No. 5, leaving a 12-foot putt from the fringe short. But Steele put his tee shot within 3 feet on par-3 No. 7 to move back to 8 under, and closed out with all pars.

Chappell had two birdies on the front nine, then put his second shot to within 7 feet on par-4 No. 10 to grab a share of the lead. The 24-year-old stayed tied until hitting his approach on the par-4 17th well right, then missing a 10-footer to save par.

"I'll be honest, I think I just fell asleep," said Chappell, who led UCLA to a national championship in 2008. "I felt the wind was dead into me … I should have known it was a little left to right."

It was the first time since the 2006 Phoenix Open that two Tour rookies finished 1-2 at a tournament.

TEEN WINNER: Italian teen Matteo Manassero won the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur for his second European Tour title, upstaging a remarkable recovery by Rory McIlroy. Manassero, two days before his 18th birthday, holed his approach for eagle on the par-5 10th and birdied the next hole to surge into the lead. He closed with 4-under 68 for 272 total and a one-shot victory over Gregory Bourdy. McIlroy, bouncing back from his final-round collapse last week at the Masters, needed birdie on the final hole to force a playoff. His putt never had a chance, and McIlroy wound up three-putting for a bogey that gave him 69 and third place alone.

Steven Stamkos practices with Tampa Bay Lightning's top scorers

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2011

BRANDON — Guy Boucher is so quick to change his lines, predicting what might transpire in tonight's Lightning-Penguins Game 3 is a sketchy enterprise at best.

But it is worth noting struggling star Steven Stamkos practiced Sunday at the Ice Sports Forum, at least for a time, on a line with C Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis.

Stamkos played on multiple lines in Game 2 as Boucher tested his battle level, rewarding him with spots on the top lines when it was good and demoting him to checking lines to make sure it stayed that way.

It is all part of the process to snap Stamkos out of a slump that has produced just five goals in 30 games and make him a more complete player.

"That's our coach's style. He moves guys all over the place," Stamkos said.

Even before the playoffs began, Boucher moved Stamkos to wing with Lecavalier and St. Louis to give him a different look and take some of the faceoff pressure off him.

After several games, he was back at center.

"We're going to go with what works and who is going," Stamkos said. "I think we've seen that all year. I got switched to wing and came back. That's kind of Coach Boucher's style. I think it helps in the playoffs when you can get guys moving around and maybe screwing up their D pairings."

And perhaps it is helping Stamkos, who did not get a point in Game 2 but was more active and involved and had a prime scoring chance stopped by Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury.

POWERLESS: The Penguins at Sunday's practice worked at least part of the time on their 0-for-13 power play, specifically their entries into the offensive zone and decisions with the puck once it gets in.

"They're a team that likes to pressure out initially," coach Dan Bylsma said in Pittsburgh. "Dealing with that pressure and then the opportunity to exploit the space they are creating underneath that pressure. A lot of it is execution more than certain positions."

How will Boucher counter?

"There's a lot of things, and I certainly wouldn't talk about it," he said.

TAKING SHOTS: It's nothing to be alarmed about, Boucher said. Still, Tampa Bay has taken just 53 shots in the first two games and been outshot by 26.

"Scoring chances have been the same," Boucher said.

The problem, Boucher and players said, was Pittsburgh's 13 power plays, on which the Penguins had a total of 18 shots, 10 in Game 1.

"So that's a lot," said St. Louis, who added about the disparity in shots, "I'm not alarmed by it."

TICKETS: A limited number of club level seats remain for Games 3 and 4 at the St. Pete Times Forum. Several hundred potentially unused team tickets for Game 3 might be released this afternoon to Ticketmaster.

ODDS AND ENDS: Boucher said D Randy Jones (ankle) and D Marc-Andre Bergeron (lower body) likely will be ready for Game 3, though he did not say if they will play. … The Lightning has increased to 15,000 the number of rally drums it will give out for tonight's game.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

Tampa Bay Rays' Johnny Damon says injured finger is "very sore"

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are hoping Johnny Damon's bruised left ring finger will not cause him to miss any games. But as he stared at a splint with tape wrapped around two fingers following Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Twins, the veteran didn't sound as optimistic.

"It's very sore," Damon said. "It's really tough to squeeze anything right now. Hopefully, I'll be ready to go as soon as possible. That's about all we know right now until probably (today). … It's pretty bruised. I've got it up in a splint right now just so I can't bang it on anything. It's just a very unfortunate thing."

Damon was injured on a foul bunt attempt in the third inning and finished the at-bat with an RBI single. He left after the fourth inning. The Rays took X-rays, called the injury a bruise and said he is day to day.

The Rays begin a four-game series with the White Sox tonight at Tropicana Field. Prior to Sunday, Damon had driven in the go-ahead run in five consecutive games, and he extended his hitting streak to nine games with his third-inning single.

"Huge. What he's been able to do the last few games for us, in the clutch, he's as cool as can be and he's really taken it over for us the last few games," SS Elliot Johnson said. "Hopefully, he can fight through as much as possible, from what I've been told, and get back in there and be part of our lineup."

Damon said the bruised finger may be a blessing in disguise because he was able to avoid more damage from an inside pitch by starter Brian Duensing.

"If it didn't hit my fingers, it would've hit my kneecap," Damon said. "I'm not sure what's better, the fingers or the knee cap. The pitch was coming right at me and I could not get out of the way at all. Maybe it's a blessing it did hit my finger instead of my kneecap because the ball was coming in pretty fast."

After a 1-for-15 start, Damon has batted .315 (12-for-38).

"I'm glad I had this week, especially how our team started," Damon said. "We needed a pick-me-up. But I just want to get back out there so I can continue helping this team win ballgames."

HELLICKSON UNDONE BY BIG INNING: RHP Jeremy Hellickson fell victim to a three-run fifth inning, betrayed in part by some Rays lapses on defense.

Hellickson allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings. It was the first time he has allowed more than three runs in seven career starts.

The defense didn't help him in the fifth. CF B.J. Upton overthrew the cutoff man to allow C Steve Holm, who had singled, to move into scoring position. After a single by CF Jason Repko, C Kelly Shoppach's throwing error allowed Holm to score from third.

"It went okay," Hellickson said. "I left a few balls up and they have good hitters.

"In the fourth and fifth innings, I kept falling behind guys 2-0 and 2-1. Like I said, they're good hitters and if they know what's coming, they're going to hit it."

IN THE DH FULD: LF Sam Fuld got a rest from his leftfield duties and went 2-for-5 as the DH. Fuld has hit safely in seven of his past eight games, batting .344 (11-for-32) during that span.

Manager Joe Maddon said Fuld will return to leftfield today. He said he has some options at DH if Damon is unable to play. The Rays have sometimes used Casey Kotchman at first base and Dan Johnson at DH.

"I do have different ideas if he's not available," Maddon said. "I've already been thinking about that. You'll see Sammy back out on defense (today). Sam's a good DH, too. He can do it all."

MISCELLANY: The Rays are averaging 6.8 runs in their six wins and 1.6 in their nine losses. … The Rays bullpen lowered its ERA to 2.77 with two scoreless innings from three relievers Sunday.

Tampa Bay Rays up next: Chicago White Sox

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2011

. UP NEXT

vs. White Sox

Tonight-Thursday

What's new: The Sox took three of four from the Rays in Chicago but have stumbled since, losing four straight and five of six at home. The bullpen has been a bust, blowing three ninth-inning leads and converting just one of seven save opportunities. … DH Adam Dunn is back in the lineup after missing the last Rays series while recovering from an appendectomy. … Ex-Rays RHP Edwin Jackson, who starts tonight, threw a no-hitter in his last game at the Trop, for Arizona in June.

Key stat: White Sox batters have been hit by pitches nine times; White Sox pitchers have hit one batter.

Connections: Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and Jackson are former Rays, C A.J. Pierzynski grew up in Hernando County, LHP Chris Sale in Lakeland. … Tampa Bay RHP Adam Russell and bench coach Dave Martinez played for the Sox.

Series history: Sox lead 62-43 overall, 30-24 at the Trop.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Shooting from the lip

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Worst participation

The NBA had a chance to send a strong message last week, but it opted not to. It should have suspended Lakers star Kobe Bryant for his gay slur directed at a referee but instead fined Bryant $100,000. That's not pocket change, unless you are Bryant, who makes $24.8 million a year. Even though it was the largest fine the league has ever handed out to a player for improper language, the NBA did not go far enough. Suspending Bryant for a postseason game would've shown that the league will not tolerate any hateful language toward any group. By not suspending Bryant, the league opens itself up to questions that it gave him special treatment because he is one of its best and most popular players. How can you not ask if the league allowed Bryant to play because it didn't want him to miss a nationally televised game Sunday and, quite possibly, hurt the Lakers' playoff chances? (As it turned out, the Lakers lost Sunday even with Bryant in the lineup.)

What if it had been a lesser player? What if the slur was about a race of people or a religious group? This is no different. It's hateful and disrespectful language about a group of people. And for a league and a commissioner (David Stern) so concerned with its image, it's surprising that it felt the fine was enough punishment.

As far as Bryant, there's no way to spin this where he comes off as anything but a bad guy. Bryant later apologized, but the apology was so weak that he had to apologize again. There was no excuse for his choice of words. Forget the whole heat-of-the-moment argument. Plenty of players get caught up in the emotion of the game, but they would never consider uttering such a word because it's not a part of their makeup, not a part of how they think.

Bryant has since said he wants to "kill" the word he used.

During Sunday's broadcast on ABC, sideline reporter Lisa Salters relayed a conversation from Bryant in which he said he used to beat up the kids in high school who teased his gay friends.

But the damage is already done. The league only added to that damage by allowing him to play Sunday.

Worst annoyance

Sun Sports sideline reporters Todd Kalas (Rays) and Chris Dingman (Lightning) do solid jobs on broadcasts and, yes, they are the home-team announcers. They are speaking to, for the most part, diehard Rays and Lightning fans. Those fans expect Kalas and Dingman to do their jobs from the perspective of the Rays and Lightning. Neither is calling the game for a national audience so, perhaps, it's unreasonable for them to be totally neutral. In fact, Tampa Bay fans probably want a little bias in their reports.

However, each does something that can be grating to some viewers.

Kalas, especially in his postgame interviews after Rays victories, has a tendency to refer to players by their nicknames or first names — "Longo" (Evan Longoria), "Zorilla" (Ben Zobrist), B.J. (Upton), "Shieldsy" (James Shields) and so forth. It's a little too-close-for-comfort for a reporter who is there to do a job, which is to interview the player, instead of seemingly taking part in a postgame celebration.

Dingman, meantime, has fallen into the pit that many former players fall into, and that's referring to the Lightning as "we" and "us." It's true that Dingman used to play for the Lightning, but he doesn't anymore. To him, the Lightning should be "they" and "them."

Look, both are good at what they do, and this might all seem to be a bit nitpicky, especially among fans who want to hear Kalas and Dingman show partiality and familiarity toward the locals. But, for many, that coziness becomes a distraction to an otherwise intelligent and insightful interview, report or analysis.

Best criticism

Sun Sports Lightning analyst Bobby "The Chief" Taylor is never afraid to be critical, but it's hard to remember him being tougher on a player than he was in Friday night's Game 2 of the Lightning-Penguins series. He tore into Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson for misplaying a puck that led to Pittsburgh's only goal in Tampa Bay's 5-1 victory. But it wasn't unfair criticism, and that's the key of a good analyst. He didn't take any cheap shots, he didn't avoid an obvious mistake and he simply did his job. Analysis like that gives Taylor more credibility than those announcers who only look at things through rose-colored glasses.

Best shout-out

Nice work by Fox to give some national exposure to Rays Spanish radio announcers Enrique Oliu, right, and Ricardo Taveras. During Saturday's Game of the Week at Tropicana Field, Fox dedicated a half-inning to the story of Oliu, who has been calling Rays game on Spanish radio since the team's inaugural season despite being blind. Fox even turned over a few pitches to Oliu and Taveras so viewers could hear their call. Oliu showed some humor when Fox announcer Dick Stockton explained that Oliu's wife often whispers into Oliu's ear on events he can't see.

"Yes," Oliu said, "she tells me things that are outside of my peripheral vision, so to speak."

Worst sense of direction

Add Fox baseball Game of the Week host Chris Rose to the list of those confused about exactly where the Rays play their home games. In the opening of Saturday's show, Rose said, "Down in Tampa," the Rays were hosting the Twins.

Best interview

Most in-game interviews in any sport don't do much. They are not very enlightening or interesting or even entertaining. Coaches aren't going to reveal in-depth strategy and most just want to get it over so they can go back to work. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau is one of the exceptions. When asked what his team needed to do better, Boudreau told NBC's Darren Pang, "We need to stay out of the penalty box."

Then came the boom: "Then again … some pretty ticky-tack calls for a playoff game."

Many don't like Boudreau because he seems full of hot air most of the time, but at least he made Sunday's in-game interview during the Caps-Rangers game worth watching.

Three things that popped into my head

1. Sports Illustrated media critic Richard Deitsch reports that Mike Mayock is going to replace Matt Millen and Joe Theismann as analyst on the NFL Network's Thursday Night Football broadcasts. There's also word that the network is considering replacing play-by-play announcer Bob Papa with Gus Johnson. I've never been a fan of Johnson's over-the-top style, but aside from that, removing Papa, who does an outstanding job, would be a mistake and a major disservice to Papa.

2. The last time the Lightning had a lead in a playoff series was four years ago, almost to the day. On April 16, 2007, the Lightning beat the Devils to take a 2-1 lead in the opening round of the playoffs. It then lost the next three to lose the series in six games.

3. Is it me or do the commercials during the Lightning games seem twice as loud as the volume on the game broadcasts?


Tampa Bay Lightning top defenseman Eric Brewer still deals with back injury

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2011

BRANDON — Picture a hose, Lightning defenseman Eric Brewer said.

Step on it, and it kinks. The longer you step on it, the longer it takes to regain its shape and water can flow freely.

The Lightning defenseman made the analogy Sunday at the Ice Sports Forum to explain why, two years after his second surgery on a herniated disc in his back, he still has a "pins and needles" feeling down his right leg.

"It's died down, and I can manage it a bit better," Brewer said. "I just have that one nerve path that's still pinching."

Coach Guy Boucher said he did not know Brewer still felt the effects of the injury that required surgeries in December 2008 and April 2009. That is because Brewer does not talk about it without prompting. He also has been Tampa Bay's best defenseman since being acquired in February from the Blues.

He solidified that in Game 2 of the East quarterfinals with a goal and three points in the Lightning's 5-1 victory that tied the best-of-seven series with the Penguins at one game apiece.

"Do you have a half-hour?" Boucher joked when asked about Brewer's impact. "Big guy with a long reach, and when you can move like that, you create space for yourself and your partner."

"He gets the puck, and he's confident and patient with it," said Mike Lundin, who has been Brewer's partner. "He's always talking, always calm. That helps calm the rest of us down."

Brewer, who turned 32 Sunday, also is measured talking about an injury that reports at the time in St. Louis called career-threatening.

"That was a bit much," the former Blues captain said. "At no point was I told it was going to be career-threatening.

"It certainly was career-delaying."

Brewer said the December 2008 injury resulted from wear-and-tear and the herniated disc basically splattered material onto the sciatic nerve, causing it to pinch.

Brewer wasn't cleared to rehab until June 2009 and two months later had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee that delayed his return until late October. He played 59 games in 2009-10 after just 28 the season before.

"I try not to think about it a whole lot," Brewer added. "But there certainly are days I look back and go, 'Holy smokes! It's come a long way.' "

Brewer, 6 feet 3, 220 pounds, still does between 30 and 60 minutes of exercises and stretching before every practice and game to strengthen his core.

"Stomach, lower back, the whole trunk area to keep anything from flaring up," Lightning head athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan said.

Brewer had a goal and an assist and was plus-5 in 22 games after the trade. His three points are tied for the team playoff lead, and his average 24:35 of ice time leads by almost two minutes.

"We've just got to wear him down," Penguins right wing Arron Asham said of the Game 3 strate­gy tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum. "He's a big guy. We have to chip the puck behind him and wear him down."

Getting the puck past Brewer is not easy. He did not get an assist on Vinny Lecavalier's Game 2 goal but began the sequence that led to it by batting down at the blue line a clearing attempt.

"That was a lucky play," Brewer said.

Or, more likely, skill.

Tampa Bay Rays: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire thinks team could have won all three; Rays have had a lead infrequently this season

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By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2011

Rays vs. White Sox

When/where: 6:40 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Probable starters

RAYS: LHP David Price (1-2, 3.92)

WHITE SOX: RHP Edwin Jackson (2-0, 2.89)

Tickets: $9-$210 at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa, $3 surcharge within five hours of game.

Watch for …

Famous Mr. Ed: Jackson makes his living pitching against the Rays. On April 7, he allowed one run and four hits while striking out a career-high 13 and walking one in eight innings of a 5-1 win. Jackson, who pitched for Tampa Bay from 2006-08, has a 1.44 ERA while winning all three starts against his former team. Included was a 149-pitch no-hitter June 25 at Tropicana Field.

Price winless vs. Sox: Price, a 19-game winner last season, has had no luck against the White Sox, losing all four starts with a 4.88 ERA. He was beaten by Jackson at U.S. Cellular Field less than two weeks ago, allowing three runs and nine hits in six innings.

Key matchups

White Sox vs. Price

Paul Konerko 2-for-3, RBI

Juan Pierre 2-for-4

Rays vs. Jackson

Reid Brignac 1-for-3, RBI

Johnny Damon 0-for-4

Felipe Lopez 1-for-1, 2B

On deck

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

Damon's hit list

Where Johnny Damon stands on the all-time list:

79t. Reggie Jackson 2,584

79t. Johnny Damon 2,584

81. Ernie Banks 2,583

82. Richie Ashburn 2,574

Manny Ramirez 2,574

Source: Rays



Quote of the day

"We actually played well enough in this series to win three ball games and we only came out of here with one. But we'll take the one today and get on the airplane and go up to Baltimore and just be happy with it."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire

Numbers of the day

Out of 136 innings played this season, the Rays have led after only 24 of them, including two innings Sunday against the Twins. Nine of those innings in which the Rays have led came in their 16-5 win at Boston. Of the 82 innings played at Tropicana Field, the Rays have led in eight of them.

Struggling Nathan out as Twins closer

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Matt Capps is taking over as the Twins' closer so Joe Nathan can work on regaining his form in non-save situations as he comes back from elbow surgery.

The change was made before Sunday's game against the Rays, when Capps got his first save with a scoreless ninth.

Nathan blew save opportunities Thursday and Saturday in games won by the Rays. The right-hander missed last season after having right elbow ligament replacement surgery and has been inconsistent this year.

"Until I start getting that back, and I know I will at some time, I don't want to put this team at any risk and cost them ballgames right now," Nathan said. "I just thought it was the right thing to do for the ballclub and myself. Give myself a chance to get out there and still pitch on a consistent basis. Getting away from where every pitch could cost us a game."

Nathan has an 8.44 ERA in six games. He had converted all three save chances before his last two outings against Tampa Bay.

"It's one thing to go through his process of coming back from Tommy John surgery and trying to finish ballgames," Nathan said. "Hopefully this move will help me get some consistency, get comfortable. I have to be fair to this team, to the staff, to myself."

ZITO TO DL: The Giants placed LHP Barry Zito on the 15-day disabled list a day after he sprained his right foot attempting to field a bunt. An MRI exam confirmed that Zito had a sprain of his right mid foot. He's scheduled to meet with a podiatrist today in San Francisco. The Giants purchased the contract of RHP Ryan Vogelsong from Triple-A Fresno to take Zito's spot.

VICTIM REGRESSES: The Giants fan who was assaulted March 31 at Dodger Stadium was placed back into a medically induced coma Saturday because of a recurrence of seizures related to his head trauma. Bryan Stow, 42, remained in critical condition, according to Rosa Saca, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County & University of Southern California Medical Center.

REDS STARTERS CLOSE: RHP Johnny Cueto, who opened the season on the disabled list with shoulder problems, threw 55 pitches for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, showing good control in his first game since spring training. RHP Homer Bailey, also on the DL with a shoulder injury, pitched five shutout innings for Louisville on Sunday.

BLUE JAYS: RHP Frank Francisco, a candidate to close before arm problems derailed him in spring training, is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday.

DODGERS: An MRI exam on setup man Hong-Chih Kuo revealed a strained muscle in his lower back, and the left-hander was put on the 15-day disabled list. Kuo hurt himself in March and tried to pitch through it but struggled.

MARINERS: Closer David Aardsma is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. The left-hander, who had left hip surgery Jan. 3 on a torn labrum, is scheduled to pitch Tuesday for Triple-A Tacoma.

NATIONALS: RH reliever Todd Coffey went on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf strain. RHP Collin Balester was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.

ORIOLES: LHP Brian Matusz, on the disabled list all season with an intercostal muscle strain, has not been cleared and appears to still be at least three weeks away from returning to the mound, the Baltimore Sun reported.

YANKEES: 3B Alex Rodriguez was out of the lineup because of stiffness in his lower back and on his side. Rodriguez still felt sore a day after having trouble getting loose in the cold weather and leaving in the seventh.

Conway's pain turns to triumph

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Mike Conway made a late pass on Ryan Briscoe to win Sunday's Grand Prix of Long Beach, earning his first career IndyCar victory in his third race since a horrific crash last year in the Indianapolis 500.

Conway, in his third race since joining Andretti Autosport, started third and hung around the leaders on the 11-turn, 1.968-mile circuit through the downtown Long Beach streets.

The 27-year-old Englishman passed runnerup Briscoe with 14 laps left and won by 6.32 seconds.

In May, with Dreyer & Reinbold, Conway sustained multiple leg fractures and a compression fracture in his back in the Indy 500 crash. The injuries ended his season.

"As soon as it happened, I wanted to know what the timeframe was until I could get back into the car," he said Sunday.

After a roundabout drive to Victory Circle, Conway celebrated a win that made drivers across the paddock smile.

"He deserved it today," said Franchitti, the series points leader after finishing third. "…It's really good to see from where he was this time last year."

FORMULA ONE: McLaren's Lewis Hamilton overcame prerace mechanical drama to win the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, passing Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel with five laps left. Red Bull's Mark Webber, who started 18th, charged late to finish third. Before the race, a fuel leak was found in Hamilton's engine. McLaren mechanics barely got the car to the grid in time; if they hadn't, the Englishman would have started from pitlane rather than in third.

NHRA: Del Worsham edged teammate Larry Dixon by 0.0048 seconds — about 6 inches — in the Top Fuel final of the Four-Wide Nationals in Concord, N.C. Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also won their classes.

MOTORCYCLES: James "Bubba" Stewart of Haines City won late Saturday's AMA Supercross event in Seattle. He has won twice in three events since his felony arrest last month in Orlando on charges of impersonating a police officer.

Somebody to shove

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Jimmie Johnson wins Talladega in record-tying close finish

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Jimmie Johnson won the race.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. got the checkered flag.

Maybe they should go in the NASCAR record as co-winners.

In a finish that matched the closest in Sprint Cup history, Johnson edged Clint Bowyer by about a foot to win a Talladega two-step Sunday — with huge thanks to a push by Earnhardt.

Junior gave up a chance to end a 101-race winless streak, selflessly agreeing to shove the No. 48 car of his Hendrick Motorsports teammate instead of vice versa in what was essentially a tag-team event.

"I can't thank Junior enough," Johnson said. "He made the decision that my car was faster leading. … He was more worried about the team having a good performance than anything."

The margin was 0.002 seconds, tying Ricky Craven's win at Darlington in 2003 for the closest since NASCAR went to electronic timing in 1993.

It came down to an eight-car sprint. Well, actually, four pairs of cars, with only the guys at the front of the duos having a chance to win the Aaron's 499.

After laying back most of the day, Johnson, the five-time defending series champion, hugged the yellow line at the bottom of the track — flirting with a penalty — for his 54th victory and first this season.

He couldn't have done it without Earnhardt, to whom Johnson gave the checkered flag.

"That just came to my mind," Johnson said. "He was like, 'Man, I don't want that.' But I told him, 'I have to give you something for the push and working with me.' He just said, 'That's what teammates do.' "

Though Earnhardt hasn't won since 2008, he said it was a no-brainer to push Johnson.

"If I couldn't win the race," Junior said, "I wanted Jimmie to win the race, because I had worked with him all day and he is my teammate."

There was a bit of dispute over Johnson's winning move. He clearly touched the yellow line with his left tires, but appeared to be forced low by his other two Hendrick teammates, Jeff Gordon and pusher Mark Martin. NASCAR officials ruled it was a legal pass.

Johnson got a huge run coming out of Turn 4 at Talladega Superspeedway, surged past Gordon and Martin through the trioval and edged Bowyer in a four-wide dash.

"What a bummer," said Bowyer, who led a race-high 38 laps. "I saw him coming."

Earnhardt was fourth. Kevin Harvick, who was Bowyer's pusher, wound up fifth. The top eight were 0.145 seconds apart.

Twenty-six leaders swapped the top spot 88 times, tying the Cup record set last spring at Talladega. Many of those changes were carefully choreographed by drivers who broke off into pairs then traded places so the car in the back half would not overheat.

"If you didn't like that finish and forget about the race, there's something wrong with you," Bowyer said. "It always seems to fix itself at the end of these restrictor-plate races. We always have a hell of a finish."

BIFFLE EXTENDS DEAL: Greg Biffle and main sponsor 3M renewed their contracts with Roush Fenway Racing through the 2014 season. Biffle, 41, has been with owner Jack Roush since 1998 — first in trucks, then the Nationwide series — and has 16 Cup victories.

FC Tampa Bay falls to Puerto Rico Islanders 2-0

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By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 17, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The opportunities were available for FC Tampa Bay to record its second win in two games to start the North American Soccer League season.

Much as it did in a season-opening victory against Montreal, Tampa Bay used rapid-fire passing to move the ball through the midfield and hold possession a majority of the time Sunday.

Tampa Bay fired 23 shots at Puerto Rico goalkeeper Ray Burse and held the Islanders to just 10.

The Islanders (2-0) capitalized on the few chances they had, scoring twice on Tampa Bay defensive lapses in a 2-0 victory before 2,913 at Al Lang Field.

"Goals change games. Goals win games," Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill said. "And unfortunately for us tonight, we didn't manage to take any of the chances we did create."

Tampa Bay (1-1) started sluggish and paid for it by giving up a score in the 35th minute. From his goal, Burse blasted a kick the length of the field over the Tampa Bay defense. Puerto Rico's David Foley corralled the ball on the right edge of the box and crossed to Jonathan Fana on the far post. Fana had trouble settling the ball but, with two defenders on his hip, he slipped a deflected shot past goalkeeper Daryl Sattler for a 1-0 lead that Puerto Rico took into halftime.

"We were just unlucky on that one," Tampa Bay defender Frankie Sanfilippo said.

Tampa Bay came out of the break with a higher energy level, sending wave after wave at Burse. In the 55th minute, Tsuyoshi Yoshitake got off a right-footed cross that Pascal Millien tried to bicycle-kick into goal. Millien's shot was deflected to Aaron King, who attempted a half-volley, but his shot was knocked away before it reached Burse.

In the 63rd minute, second-half substitute Warren Ukah just missed tying the score after his first touch on King's behind-the-back through-ball was too far in front and snared by Burse.

A minute later, King fought through three defenders to chase down a loose ball near the goal and fired a right-footed shot that forced a diving stop from Burse, who finished with six saves.

"Second half, totally different. Really enjoyed some of our play. Really enjoyed the tempo," Hill said. "… I was generally heartened by the second-half performance."

Puerto Rico scored in the 79th minute to add to its lead. Three Tampa Bay defenders surrounded Fana and stripped the Islanders midfielder of the ball. Miscommunication between the Tampa Bay defenders, however, led to Fana swooping in to retake the ball. He scored easily.

"With the goals, it was a mistake," Sanfilippo said. "They had an opportunity and they scored. They played off our mistakes."


Hornets ambush Lakers

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

LOS ANGELES — With their tumultuous regular season a memory, Chris Paul said the Hornets were almost unbearably eager for the playoffs to start.

Maybe that's why New Orleans got the drop on the defending champs.

Paul had 33 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds, leading the Hornets down the stretch of a 109-100 victory over the Lakers on Sunday.

New Orleans overcame Los Angeles' major size advantage with cagey defense and a disciplined offensive approach that led to just three turnovers, tying an NBA playoff record.

Paul scored 17 in the fourth quarter and led a decisive 8-0 run after the Lakers trimmed the lead to four. Repeatedly shredding Los Angeles' defense on pick-and-rolls, the four-time All-Star was at his playmaking apex.

"I've struggled all season long, trying to figure out where to pick my spots," said Paul, who inscribed his sneakers with the No. 30 of injured David West, New Orleans' leading scorer. "It's the playoffs. It's a whole other energy."

Los Angeles' 7-foot starters, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, were expected to be an awful matchup for smallish New Orleans but had little impact. Gasol had six rebounds, zero offensive: "That's something that I don't like at all."

"Our defense, I thought, was late," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I think we were late on everything. They were the aggressors, and they stayed aggressive."

Hornets 109, Lakers 100

NEW ORLEANS (109): Ariza 2-13 2-4 6, Landry 6-13 5-5 17, Okafor 2-4 0-0 4, Paul 11-18 9-12 33, Belinelli 4-9 0-0 10, Gray 5-5 2-4 12, Ja.Smith 1-3 0-0 2, Jack 5-6 5-7 15, Mbenga 1-1 0-0 2, Green 4-7 0-1 8. Totals 41-79 23-33 109.

L.A. LAKERS (100): Artest 4-8 6-6 16, Gasol 2-9 4-4 8, Bynum 4-7 5-7 13, Fisher 3-8 1-2 8, Bryant 13-26 7-8 34, Odom 3-6 2-4 10, Brown 4-6 0-0 8, Barnes 0-2 0-0 0, Johnson 1-2 1-2 3, Jo.Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Ratliff 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-74 26-33 100.

New Orleans 26 29 18 36— 109

L.A. Lakers 24 23 25 28— 100

3-Point GoalsNew Orleans 4-11 (Paul 2-3, Belinelli 2-4, Jack 0-1, Green 0-1, Ariza 0-2), L.A. Lakers 6-13 (Artest 2-3, Odom 2-5, Fisher 1-1, Bryant 1-2, Brown 0-1, Gasol 0-1). Fouled OutOkafor. ReboundsNew Orleans 44 (Ariza, Paul 7), L.A. Lakers 51 (Artest 11). AssistsNew Orleans 24 (Paul 14), L.A. Lakers 17 (Gasol 6). Total FoulsNew Orleans 22, L.A. Lakers 24. Flagrant Fouls—Ariza. A18,997 (18,997).

Grizzlies get milestone

SAN ANTONIO — Zach Randolph raised his fists above his head. Memphis carried the motto "Let's Make History" into the playoffs, and in a stunning Game 1 upset, it had done it.

Sixteen years after entering the NBA, the Grizzlies finally have a postseason win.

Randolph had 25 points and 14 rebounds and Shane Battier hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 23.9 seconds left to give Memphis a 101-98 victory over the top-seeded Spurs.

Memphis, which had been 0-12 in three previous playoff trips.

"It's nice from an annoyance perspective to have it out of the way, because I don't have to answer questions about being 0 and 13," coach Lionel Hollins said.

Playing without All-Star guard Manu Ginobili, who continued to rest his sprained right elbow, San Antonio had a chance to force overtime. Richard Jefferson missed an open straight-ahead 3-pointer as time expired then bit down on his jersey collar.

"I was wide open," he said.

Grizzlies 101, Spurs 98

MEMPHIS (101): Young 1-3 0-0 2, Randolph 10-15 5-8 25, Gasol 9-10 6-10 24, Conley 4-10 6-8 15, Allen 2-6 3-6 7, Battier 4-5 0-0 10, Mayo 5-13 0-0 13, Arthur 2-5 1-1 5, Vasquez 0-0 0-0 0, Haddadi 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 37-67 21-33 101.

SAN ANTONIO (98): Jefferson 4-6 3-4 13, Duncan 8-13 0-2 16, McDyess 1-5 1-2 3, Parker 4-16 12-16 20, Hill 2-7 11-13 15, Neal 4-10 0-0 10, Bonner 2-4 6-6 12, Blair 3-9 3-4 9, Green 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-70 36-47 98.

Memphis 27 18 25 31— 101

San Antonio 22 21 31 24— 98

3-Point GoalsMemphis 6-10 (Mayo 3-4, Battier 2-2, Conley 1-2, Randolph 0-1, Young 0-1), San Antonio 6-15 (Jefferson 2-3, Bonner 2-4, Neal 2-4, Parker 0-1, Hill 0-3). Fouled OutMayo. ReboundsMemphis 45 (Randolph 14), San Antonio 50 (Duncan 13). AssistsMemphis 22 (Conley 10), San Antonio 13 (Parker 5). Total FoulsMemphis 33, San Antonio 27. TechnicalsMemphis defensive three second, San Antonio defensive three second. A18,581 (18,797).

Allen rescues Celtics

BOSTON — Ray Allen hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, Paul Pierce shut down Carmelo Anthony and the Celtics rallied to beat the Knicks 87-85.

New York led 85-84 when Anthony was hit by an offensive foul for pushing Pierce with 21 seconds left. Allen, who led Boston with 24 points, hit the decisive 3 from beyond the left arc.

Anthony missed a long 3-pointer with two seconds left. The star forward went 1-for-11 from the field in the second half.

Amare Stoudemire had 28 points and 11 rebounds for New York.

Celtics 87, Knicks 85

NEW YORK (85): Anthony 5-18 3-4 15, Stoudemire 12-18 4-6 28, Turiaf 4-5 1-2 9, Billups 3-11 2-2 10, Fields 0-3 0-0 0, Walker 3-5 0-0 7, Jeffries 1-4 1-2 3, Douglas 3-8 0-0 8, Carter 1-4 0-0 2, Sha.Williams 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 33-78 11-16 85.

BOSTON (87): Pierce 6-16 4-5 18, Garnett 5-14 5-6 15, J.O'Neal 6-6 0-0 12, Rondo 5-14 0-2 10, Allen 9-15 3-3 24, Davis 1-8 0-2 2, Green 2-4 0-0 4, West 1-2 0-0 2, Krstic 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 35-80 12-18 87.

New York 23 28 13 21— 85

Boston 24 15 20 28— 87

3-Point GoalsNew York 8-23 (Douglas 2-5, Billups 2-6, Anthony 2-8, Walker 1-1, Sha.Williams 1-2, Carter 0-1), Boston 5-13 (Allen 3-5, Pierce 2-5, Davis 0-1, Green 0-1, Rondo 0-1). Fouled OutNone. ReboundsNew York 44 (Stoudemire 11), Boston 57 (Garnett 13). AssistsNew York 16 (Billups, Anthony 4), Boston 20 (Rondo 9). Total FoulsNew York 17, Boston 15. A18,624 (18,624).

WADE AILING: Heat guard Dwyane Wade did not practice because of symptoms of a migraine, and his status for tonight's game is unclear.

Canucks go up 3-0 on champs

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

CHICAGO — Mikael Samuelsson, who missed Game 2 with an illness, scored the tiebreaker 6:48 into the third as the Canucks beat the Blackhawks 3-2 Sunday and moved within a victory of sweeping the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Vancouver, which had the league's best record during the regular season, can finish off Chicago on Tuesday.

The Blackhawks eliminated the Canucks in six games in the second round in each of the past two seasons. And after not leading in either of this series' first two games, they went up 1-0 on Duncan Keith's power-play goal 6:54 in.

But it was a night of missed chances. The Blackhawks had seven power plays, including a five-on-three of 1:17 while leading 1-0 in the first.

Canucks0213
Blackhawks1102

First Period1, Chicago, Keith 1 (Toews), 6:54 (pp). PenaltiesEhrhoff, Van (tripping), 6:49; Torres, Van (roughing), 10:12; Bieksa, Van (elbowing), 10:55; D.Sedin, Van (holding), 17:20.

Second Period2, Vancouver, Ehrhoff 1 (H.Sedin, D.Sedin), 10:03 (pp). 3, Vancouver, D.Sedin 3 (Edler, Bieksa), 10:57. 4, Chicago, P.Sharp 1 (Toews, Kane), 12:40 (pp). PenaltiesScott, Chi (interference), 9:56; Torres, Van (interference), 12:14.

Third Period5, Vancouver, Samuelsson 1 (H.Sedin, Ehrhoff), 6:48. PenaltiesOreskovich, Van (charging), 3:39; H.Sedin, Van (hooking), 9:36; Campbell, Chi (elbowing), 10:46. Shots on GoalVancouver 10-9-7—26. Chicago 16-9-7—32. Power-play opportunitiesVancouver 1 of 2; Chicago 2 of 7. GoaliesVancouver, Luongo 3-0-0 (32 shots-30 saves). Chicago, Crawford 0-3-0 (26-23). A21,743 (19,717).

Rangers get bounces

NEW YORK — Brandon Dubinsky's goal — off Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner, goalie Michal Neuvirth and the stick of wing Alex Ovechkin — with 1:39 left gave the Rangers a 3-2 win and cut their series deficit to 2-1.

Neuvirth stopped 46 of 47 shots in the first two games.

"Bang bang … it was in the net," Dubinsky said. "You try to make a conscious effort to shoot, jam the net and make it tougher on Neuvirth. And we did that."

Rangers0123
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First PeriodNone. PenaltiesGilroy, NYR (holding), 15:01; Hendricks, Was (interference), 17:20; Knuble, Was (delay of game), 17:55; Christensen, NYR (goaltender interference), 19:43.

Second Period1, N.Y. Rangers, Christensen 1 (Wolski, McCabe), 5:30 (pp). 2, Washington, Ovechkin 2 (Arnott, Green), 19:00. PenaltiesGreen, Was (hooking), 1:13; Carlson, Was (cross-checking), 4:41; Ovechkin, Was (hooking), 8:50; Hannan, Was (holding), 10:41.

Third Period3, N.Y. Rangers, Prospal 1 (Staal, Dubinsky), 8:01. 4, Washington, Knuble 1 (Backstrom, Ovechkin), 14:48 (pp). 5, N.Y. Rangers, Dubinsky 1, 18:21. PenaltiesBackstrom, Was (tripping), 9:13; Gaborik, NYR (cross-checking), 13:38; Carlson, Was (roughing), 16:45; Boyle, NYR (roughing), 16:45. Shots on GoalWashington 7-7-11—25. N.Y. Rangers 8-11-16—35. Power-play opportunitiesWashington 1 of 3; N.Y. Rangers 1 of 7. GoaliesWashington, Neuvirth 2-1-0 (35 shots-32 saves). N.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 1-2-0 (25-23). A18,200 (18,200).

Predators take 2-1 lead

NASHVILLE — Mike Fisher's third goal of the series, with 9:39 left, lifted the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Ducks and 2-1 series lead. Nashville is 4-0 in Game 3s at home (though it has lost all five of its previous playoff series).

Nashville led 2-0 after the first and outshot Anaheim 37-16.

"That could've been a real dagger if we let that one slip away," captain Shea Weber said.

Predators2024
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First Period1, Nashville, Erat 1 (Franson, Ward), 15:00 (pp). 2, Nashville, Tootoo 1 (Smithson), 15:38. PenaltiesSmithson, Nas (tripping), 3:31; Sbisa, Ana (roughing), 13:08.

Second Period3, Anaheim, Selanne 3 (Perry), 18:10 (pp). 4, Anaheim, Selanne 4 (Perry), 18:40. PenaltiesGetzlaf, Ana (slashing), :22; Koivu, Ana (high-sticking), 8:19; Marchant, Ana (boarding), 10:42; Getzlaf, Ana, major (fighting), 16:55; Fisher, Nas, major (fighting), 16:55; O'Brien, Nas (elbowing), 17:29; Marchant, Ana (roughing), 19:48; O'Brien, Nas (roughing), 19:48.

Third Period5, Nashville, Legwand 1 (Suter, Erat), 5:25. 6, Anaheim, Beleskey 1 (Koivu), 6:48. 7, Nashville, Fisher 3 (Kostitsyn, Suter), 10:21. PenaltiesKoivu, Ana (hooking), 17:40. Shots on GoalAnaheim 4-6-6—16. Nashville 12-15-10—37. Power-play opportunitiesAnaheim 1 of 2; Nashville 1 of 5. GoaliesAnaheim, Emery 1-1-0 (37 shots-33 saves). Nashville, Rinne 2-1-0 (16-13). A17,113 (17,113).

Around the league: Flyers coach Peter Laviolette did not say which goalie will start tonight. Brian Boucher stopped 20 of 21 shots Saturday in relief of Sergei Bobrovsky, who allowed three goals on seven shots. … Bruins star defenseman Zdeno Chara, who missed Game 2 with dehydration, will travel for tonight's Game 3. But coach Claude Julien declined to say if he will play.

Yankees 6, Rangers 5

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Times wires
Sunday, April 17, 2011

Yankees 6, Rangers 5

NEW YORK — Eric Chavez, filling in for an ailing Alex Rodriguez, singled in the tiebreaking run in the eighth, and the Yankees hit three homers off Alexi Ogando. Robinson Cano, Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson all went deep to help New York take two of three in an early rematch of last year's AL Championship Series, which the Rangers won in six games.

Top junior college guard signs with USF women's basketball team

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 18, 2011

Big news for USF women's basketball and coach Jose Fernandez, as the Bulls have won a major recruiting battle, with junior college guard Inga Orekhova choosing USF over offers from national powers Oklahoma and Louisville. Her coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Jim Rowland, said that Orekhova signed with USF on Monday afternoon.

It's the second year in a row that USF has landed a top junior college player -- guard Andrea Smith was the team's leading scorer last year, and the Bulls could get an even bigger impact out of Orekhova, a 6-foot-2 guard who will have three years of eligibility at USF. She averaged a team-high 19.2 points for NEO while also leading the team in assists and steals and hitting 111 3-pointers.

Orekhova made an official visit to USF's campus and was won over by the Bulls' staff and players. Her path to Tampa is a long one -- born in the Ukraine and raised in Austria, she finished high school in California and was once headed to Northwestern and Southern California before landing at NEO this past season. She was rated as the No. 40 overall recruit in the nation by ESPN.com in 2009.

Orekhova's signing completes a four-player recruiting class for Fernandez, who signed 6-foot-4 Australian center Caitlin Rowe and guards Tamara Taylor and Shalethia Stringfield in the fall signing period. With Smith recovering from ACL surgery and only two seniors lost from the 2010-11 team, the Bulls will be in strong position to improve on a disappointing 12-19 record this season.

Tampa Bay Rays' Johnny Damon named AL co-player of the week

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 18, 2011

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter/outfielder Johnny Damon was named American League co-player of the week with Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Dan Haren.

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