Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 9, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Heading into its NASL season opener, FC Tampa Bay knew its new-look soccer team would get a quick gauge of where it stood. The club would receive an early assessment of its new home, a fledgling league, its realigned roster and its cutting-edge coach.

And the opposing Montreal Impact, starting its final Division 2 season before making the jump to the MLS next year, offered the perfect barometer on a humid Saturday night.

Tampa Bay had just completed an unbeaten preseason (albeit against mainly college competition) as seven new starters took the field at the team's new home — the transformed-for-soccer Al Lang Field.

Despite all the newness, two familiar faces — midfielder Takuya Yamada and goalkeeper Daryl Sattler — lifted Tampa Bay to a 1-0 victory over the Impact.

"We're all smiles right now," said Sattler, who made the majority of his game-high eight saves in the second half. "I think we dominated, especially in the first half. We trained. We've prepared for this. It wasn't just luck. We knew we were facing a good side. We came out buzzing. We were ready."

Just two minutes after Tampa Bay botched the game's only penalty kick, Yamada scored the night's sole goal, booting a right-footed shot from 35 yards over Montreal goalkeeper Bill Gaudette at the 86-minute mark.

"I hit it hard, but it was just a lucky goal," Yamada said.

At the 84-minute mark, Tampa Bay was awarded a penalty on a call even new Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill called "fairly harsh." But midfielder Tsuyoshi Yoshitake's attempt lazily rolled wide of the far post.

"It just shows the mentality of the side (that) they weren't deflated by that," Hill said. "They still kept going."

For a team that last year won just two of its final 21 games to end the 2010 season, it was the perfect start.

"That's hard to swallow," Sattler said. "Everyone's starting out first in the league, everyone's trying to get that first W. Today somebody was going to win and we felt we were the better team."

After Tampa Bay dictated the pace of the game for the first half, Montreal gained momentum after the break, outshooting Tampa Bay 8-5 in the second half.

Sattler kept his team in the game late, making save after save in the second half, including a diving right-handed punch on a rebound and a point-black sliding save on Montreal midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer.

Even though Saturday's announced crowd of 3,693 was less than half of last year's inaugural season home opener at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the atmosphere was cozier as the crowd filled the seating down Al Lang's first-base line along the near sideline.

"That bodes well for the future," Hill said.

"Hopefully we can maybe play a little more entertaining at times. It's something to build on."

Eduardo A. Encina can be reached at eencina@sptimes.com.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Saturday, April 9, 2011

AUGUSTA, Ga.

Turns out, history has a sense of humor.

And I'm guessing this morning, Tiger Woods does not.

For it was a day just like this 14 years ago that Woods made golf history. He was a 21-year-old playing in his third Masters when he blew the field away in 1997, entering the final round with the largest lead in tournament history.

It is not hyperbole to say Woods changed a sport that day. He took a game of country clubs and older men and introduced it to the masses.

That would include a 7-year-old boy in Northern Ireland who watched in fascination that Sunday afternoon with his working-class father.

And now it is 21-year-old Rory McIlroy who is playing in his third Masters and entering the final round today with the largest lead Augusta National has seen since that remarkable day 14 years ago.

"That's when Tiger sort of grabbed all our imaginations and won it by 12 and broke so many records," McIlroy said Saturday. "It was a huge moment in the game of golf."

And so the man who was once in charge of making golf history is looking more and more like a reluctant witness as he watches the aftermath of his own success.

For McIlroy entered the sport acting the same way Woods did nearly a generation ago. He talks of records. He focuses on majors. And he does not flinch in the face of older and more accomplished golfers.

Just like 23-year-old Jason Day, who is in a four-way tie for second. Day, the son of a shipping clerk and meatpacker in Australia, became obsessed with golf after reading a Woods biography as a teenager.

In some ways, this might be Woods' greatest legacy. That he introduced golf to a new generation of athletes while giving the sport a rock-star sensibility. Not that any of that was much consolation to Woods on Saturday.

Particularly when he had to watch McIlroy play the kind of round that Woods once made famous. McIlroy was steady. He was assured. He was completely unflappable.

The day was supposed to be about Woods continuing the charge that began late Friday afternoon when a string of birdies on the back nine brought him within three strokes of the lead.

Yet it was Woods who blinked when the weekend began Saturday afternoon. He had a bogey on the first hole and never seemed to right himself. Woods played fairly well but kept coming up a half-inch short of birdie putts.

And it was McIlroy who showed a steely confidence after briefly surrendering the lead to Day on the fifth hole. McIlroy, who blew a big lead in the British Open last year, did not get too aggressive, nor did he panic.

He got the lead back after one hole and then began to put some distance between himself and the rest of the field on the back nine.

"I've been talking about it with my little team all year, about playing stress-free golf," McIlroy said. "Last year, I had a chance to win a lot of tournaments, and I didn't do it because of a few little mistakes here and there. Patience was huge for me (Saturday)."

They might be linked by their talent — and later today by history — but Woods and McIlroy have little else in common.

Woods is famously single-minded when it comes to golf. His focus and determination do not seem to waver once he reaches the first tee on Thursday.

McIlroy is more of a loose cannon. He is sharing a house with a handful of friends from Ireland, and they have sampled what little nightlife Augusta has to offer.

Before he shows up for his final round today, McIlroy is planning to get up this morning so he can watch an Internet feed of his hometown Ulster playing Northhampton in the quarterfinals of the Heineken Cup rugby tournament.

His friends have been following him around the course, and they were joined Saturday by 2010 U.S. Open winner, and fellow Irishman, Graeme McDowell, who missed the cut.

"Actually, he just texted me and told me he loves me," McIlroy said of McDowell in his news conference. "I don't know what that means. I don't know if that's him or the beer talking."

McIlroy might have a little more free spirit in him than Woods, but he is very aware of his place in the game and understands the significance of winning a major at 21.

He was asked if winning the tournament today would mean as much for the sport as Woods' victory 14 years ago.

"Not really," McIlroy said. "You know, he's done so much more for the game than I ever could, or will."

McIlroy should know.

He's living proof.

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Saturday, April 9, 2011

Athletics 1, Twins 0

MINNEAPOLIS — Gio Gonzalez pitched six sharp innings and the Athletics' offense was just a little less futile than Minnesota's. Gonzalez allowed four hits with four strikeouts and two walks, which allowed the A's to overcome stranding 11 runners on base. The top four hitters in Minnesota's lineup went a combined 1-for-15 with a single and a walk. Minnesota has scored just 21 runs in its first eight games this season.

Times wires
Saturday, April 9, 2011

Marlins 7, Astros 5

HOUSTON — Greg Dobbs homered and drove in three runs as the Marlins rallied. The Marlins trailed by three in the sixth before an RBI double by Mike Stanton made it 4-2. Dobbs tied it with his two-out, two-run homer later in the inning. Dobbs then increased a Marlins lead to 7-4 with an RBI double in the eighth.

Times wires
Saturday, April 9, 2011

Rangers 13, Orioles 1

game 2

BALTIMORE — Adrian Beltre homered to cap a six-run third inning as the Rangers earned a split. Texas unloaded on starter Jake Arrieta (eight runs, six hits), including homers by Beltre and Mike Napoli. Matt Harrison allowed one run on two hits over seven innings. He retired 18 in a row after giving up a homer to Adam Jones in the second.

Times wires
Saturday, April 9, 2011

MIAMI — Somehow, after 79 games, nothing between the Celtics and Heat has been decided.

Boston, 55-24.

Miami, 55-24.

Tied for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference, one team will take a stranglehold on the race for homecourt advantage through at least the first two playoff rounds when the Celtics and Heat meet today in Miami. Boston is 3-0 in the season-series and has won 18 of its last 20 games against the Heat since April 2007. The Celtics won the season opener 88-80 then won 112-107 and 85-82.

But if Miami finds a way today, that Celtic dominance may be temporarily forgotten.

"Let's toss the ball up and play," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Saturday. "We think we're a different team than the last three times we've played them, but until we prove it in between the lines, it doesn't matter."

The Heat is understandably thrilled that this fourth game of the regular-season series is in Miami. That won't be the case if Game 4 of a potential Heat-Celtics postseason series is also in Miami.

The No. 1 seed in the East has been locked up by the Bulls, and in some order, seeds 2 and 3 will go to Miami and Boston. So that means the Heat and Celtics will be slotted to meet in the East semifinals — where Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 would be hosted by the higher seed.

"This is a big game for us," Boston forward Paul Pierce said in a story published on the team's website, Celtics.com. "That's what we are playing for, for the homecourt advantage. Not only for the first round, but hopefully we will see them in the second round. This is a big game for us when you are talking about seeds and trying to advance in the playoffs. It's huge."

For the Heat, there's more at stake than just homecourt.

This season began with great hubbub in Boston, the team that not only ousted Miami from the playoffs a year ago, but also knocked out Cleveland — and LeBron James — in the second round last spring. Simply put, the Heat players just want to prove to themselves that they can beat the Celtics.

"We're going against a team that we haven't beaten this year, that we kind of looked at before the season as needing to get to that point as far as chemistry, as far as what they do as a team," James said.

"There is not one guy on their team that you have to pay attention to — it's every last one of them. We're looking forward to the challenge."

Heat forward Chris Bosh said of fighting for seeding: "Our intentions were 1, but we have a chance to get 2. So that's not bad, and it's our first year together."

Today's winner will still likely need to post at least one more victory in the season's final two games to lock up the No. 2 spot. If the teams finish tied, Boston will take the tiebreaker.

"We control our own destiny," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

Game highlights: Andray Blatche scored 23, John Wall had 19 and the host Wizards dealt the playoff-bound Hawks their fourth straight loss, 115-83. The reeling Hawks, who are set to play Orlando in the playoffs, are heading into the postseason in less-than-ideal shape. The Wizards broke a 12-game skid against Atlanta with just 10 healthy players — including five rookies and three who played in the NBA Development League this season.

Late Friday: LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Gerald Wallace added 19 points with 13 rebounds and physical play as the host Blazers topped the Lakers 93-86 to prevent Los Angeles from locking up the second seed in the Western Conference. Kobe Bryant had 24 points in the Lakers' fourth straight loss. "These guys just don't want to play hard right now," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I hate to have this setup going into the playoffs when we're just not playing hard." Bryant said the Lakers would "have a talk."

Wizards 115, Hawks 83

ATLANTA (83): Williams 3-7 1-2 8, Horford 10-15 1-1 21, Pachulia 0-2 0-0 0, Hinrich 1-5 0-0 3, Johnson 7-15 0-0 16, Armstrong 1-4 0-0 2, Ja.Crawford 5-10 2-2 13, Teague 2-10 3-4 7, Wilkins 0-0 2-2 2, Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Powell 2-4 0-0 4, Sy 2-4 3-3 7. Totals 33-76 12-14 83.

WASHINGTON (115): Evans 5-5 0-0 10, Blatche 9-15 5-6 23, McGee 5-9 2-6 12, Wall 8-15 3-3 19, Jo.Crawford 3-9 0-0 6, Jeffers 4-7 5-6 13, Seraphin 2-3 0-0 4, Owens 4-8 0-0 10, Shakur 1-2 1-2 3, Yi 5-13 5-6 15. Totals 46-86 21-29 115.

Atlanta 18 28 26 11— 83

Washington 29 32 27 27— 115

3-Point Goals—Atlanta 5-9 (Johnson 2-4, Williams 1-1, Hinrich 1-2, Ja.Crawford 1-2), Washington 2-5 (Owens 2-3, Wall 0-1, Shakur 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Atlanta 38 (Horford 10), Washington 55 (Jeffers 11). Assists—Atlanta 20 (Teague 5), Washington 20 (Jo.Crawford 8). Total Fouls—Atlanta 20, Washington 16. Technicals—Washington Coach Saunders. A—19,771.

Times wires
Saturday, April 9, 2011

Mets 8, Nationals 4

NEW YORK — Carlos Beltran hit two homers but his routine fly in the sixth muffed by leftfielder Jerry Hairston sparked a three-run rally. Ike Davis hit a two-run triple for a 5-4 lead. The Mets had been 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position the previous two games.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 9, 2011

CHICAGO — The circumstances seemed incriminating, given the inside pitch and the staredown that preceded it, but Rays INF Felipe Lopez claimed innocence after flipping his bat toward the mound after his ninth-inning home run off White Sox reliever Chris Sale.

"It was unfortunate, but I wasn't trying to do that," Lopez said. "I wasn't mad at anything. The bat, it slipped, and it went over there. I think if I tried to do that, it wouldn't happen."

Sox C A.J. Pierzynski, obviously, believed Lopez did so on purpose given the words he had for Lopez at home plate, though he later feigned ignorance and told reporters: "I don't know what you are talking about. I just said hi. He lives down the street from me in Orlando, and I was asking how his house was."

Rays manager Joe Maddon acknowledged, "That's not something you really like to see."

Lopez called Sox manager Ozzie Guillen after the game to apologize, and Guillen appeared to accept, saying, "I don't think he meant to throw (the bat) to the pitcher."

Sale, a 2010 draft pick from Lakeland and Florida Gulf Coast University, wasn't sure what to think. His first pitch was down and in. Lopez quickly got back in the box, gave him a long stare then knocked the next pitch over the leftfield fence.

"I looked down, and there was a bat at my feet. I said, 'Hey, what's going on?' " Sale said. "I tried not to let if affect me. It happened. Words were said, and that was the end of it. I still had to go out there and get those last three outs."

Lopez said he had no issues with the inside pitch and didn't know whether to expect retaliation today: "It's baseball, man. I'm a … man. Whatever happens, happens. At least I know I didn't do it on purpose."

JAKE-BITTEN: Rookie LHP Jake McGee has had a rough start, allowing six of the 14 batters he has faced to reach base, including a three-run homer to the Orioles' Brian Roberts on April 2 and a walk followed by a two-run double Saturday.

"Overtly concerned? No," Maddon said. "But it's a young pitcher we're trying to get his feet on the ground, trying to put him in the right spots against good matchups. And to this point, it hasn't worked out. But no, I'm not losing confidence in him."

DESIGNATED: With Manny Ramirez, who was the 103rd DH in the Rays' inglorious history, now gone, most of the at-bats will be shared by Dan Johnson and Johnny Damon (who was the 104th on Friday).

"This position for us has been elusive, but we'll continue to try our best to get some positive production out of it," Maddon said. "We have a lot of different ways to go that could still be a very productive DH this year. I kind of like those two because I think they do it well."

As for the whole Ramirez issue?

"Honestly, I don't really see a big hangover from that at all, quite frankly," Maddon said. "Unless you asked me that question right now, I would not have even thought about it."

ABOUT FRIDAY NIGHT: The 9-7 win marked the first time in nearly five years Rays pitchers didn't record a strikeout, the eighth time in team history and third time in a victory. They were the first team to win without a strikeout since the Tigers on June 13, 2010, against Pittsburgh. … It was the sixth time in team history (and third on the road) they rallied from a deficit of three or more runs in the ninth to win, last on Sept. 27, 2009, at Texas. … RHP Kyle Farnsworth got his first save since June 13, 2008. … INF Elliot Johnson didn't know it immediately, but he was the emergency backup catcher with both Kelly Shoppach and Sean Rodriguez out of the game. Said bullpen coach Bobby Ramos, "That would be 911."

MISCELLANY: The Rays scored first for the first time this season. … CF B.J. Upton's hitting streak ended at seven. … The Rays issued six walks after just 14 in the first seven games.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 9, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — Lightning coach Guy Boucher was adamant Saturday his main concern going into the game with the Hurricanes was to keep his players healthy.

The season finale didn't mean anything in the standings, he noted. The playoffs against the Penguins start in a few days.

"So, we don't want any of our guys hurt," Boucher said.

Some gamesmanship, perhaps? Tampa Bay certainly didn't hold back in its 6-2 victory at the RBC Center, and Boucher didn't hold players out as he said he might.

He was stingier in the way he rationed minutes. Even so, Tampa Bay (46-25-11), which won seven of its last eight games and tied the team record for wins in a season, worked hard to knock its division rivals out of the postseason.

All that while digesting the news assistant coach Wayne Fleming is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

"I'm super proud of the guys," goaltender Mike Smith said. "It's a game that doesn't mean anything for us and is Game 7 for them to get into the playoffs. But the guys came out right from the first shift and gave their all."

It wasn't just being a spoiler, though center Steven Stamkos admitted there was some of that.

Players said they wanted to tie the record for wins in a season. Boucher wanted to maintain the team's 20-percent power-play efficiency, which it did at 20.5. He wanted to stay in the top 10 in penalty kill; check, after going 6-for-7.

Most important, though, was tuning up for the playoffs.

"We wanted to see where the team was at playing those type of games, playoff games," left wing Simon Gagne said.

What did he find out?

"It's good," Gagne said. "We got some good stuff going on. I think everybody is starting to be at their top."

Six Lightning players scored. Stamkos got his 45th goal and Vinny Lecavalier his 25th. Marty St. Louis scored his 31st and added two assists, and Smith made 42 saves as Carolina had a 44-35 shot advantage.

The team blocked 21 shots and 12 takeaways to the Hurricanes' three.

Right wing Steve Downie left the game in the third period after aggravating the high ankle sprain that has bothered him since December, though Boucher said he took the player out only as a precaution.

"It was a real team effort," Boucher said. "We played half the night on the penalty kill. They had all the chances in the worked to come at us. We played a game that was against all odds and played well.

"This," St. Louis said, "was a playoff game."

First Period—1, Tampa Bay, Moore 18 (Downie, Bergeron), 6:45. 2, Tampa Bay, Lecavalier 25 (St. Louis), 11:19. 3, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 45 (Purcell, Gagne), 13:17. Penalties—Pitkanen, Car (slashing), 4:29; Bergenheim, TB (holding), 8:03; Lecavalier, TB (cross-checking), 13:51; Lundin, TB (interference), 17:27.

Second Period—4, Tampa Bay, Clark 9 (Lecavalier, St. Louis), 10:53. 5, Carolina, Stillman 12 (E.Staal, Skinner), 13:31 (pp). Penalties—Moore, TB (interference), 12:19; Tyrell, TB (tripping), 12:23.

Third Period—6, Carolina, LaRose 16 (Bra.Sutter, McBain), 8:33. 7, Tampa Bay, Gagne 17 (Thompson), 17:44 (en). 8, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 31 (Purcell, Smith), 18:24 (en). Penalties—Kubina, TB (hooking), 5:25; Tyrell, TB (boarding), 15:44. Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 18-10-7—35. Carolina 12-15-17—44. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 0 of 1; Carolina 1 of 7. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Smith 13-6-1 (44 shots-42 saves). Carolina, Ward 37-26-10 (33-29). A—17,805 (18,680). T—2:25. Referees—Greg Kimmerly, Eric Furlatt. Linesmen—Tim Nowak, Michel Cormier.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, April 9, 2011

As opening weeks go, the Rays couldn't have had much worse. From April 1 through Friday afternoon, they lost their first six games of the season, set major-league marks for offensive ineptness, saw star 3B Evan Longoria go on the disabled list for at least three weeks with an oblique strain and were stunned by the "retirement" of DH Manny Ramirez after a positive drug test, leaving a major hole in their lineup. It was so bad, it would have to be considered among the worst weeks in the history of a franchise that, especially through its first 10 years, knew all about bad. For comparison's sake, here are a half-dozen others that were pretty miserable:

June 2005

Seven straight losses — the last 18-2 — were only the beginning. Their highest-paid player, Aubrey Huff, said, among other things: "I've never seen anything stink like this." And their manager, Lou Piniella, publicly ripped the incoming Stuart Sternberg ownership group, leading to his conveniently negotiated departure at the end of the season.

August 2008

Over seven games, Evan Longoria's right wrist was broken by a J.J. Putz pitch (he missed 30 games), Carl Crawford popped a tendon in his right hand that required surgery (he sat out until the playoffs) and Troy Percival limped off the mound with a right knee injury (he struggled for the rest of the season).

Late May 2009

Lost five straight games, sat through four rain delays and put five players on the disabled list: their closer (Troy Percival), No. 2 starter (Scott Kazmir), lefty reliever (Brian Shouse) and starting shortstop (Jason Bartlett) and second baseman (Akinori Iwamura).

May 1999

The reigning team MVP, CF Quinton McCracken, crashed into the outfield wall and tore his right ACL, All-Star RHP Rolando Arrojo went on the DL, and LHP Tony Saunders sustained one of the most horrific-to-watch injuries, breaking his left arm while delivering a pitch then crumbling to the ground.

April 2006

Five players left games with injuries, including Aubrey Huff, starting INFs Julio Lugo and Jorge Cantu plus reserve INF Luis Ordaz and reliever Jesus Colome (who was then released), joining two others on the DL.

May 2002

A losing streak reached a team-record 15 games, longest in the majors since the Orioles' 21-gamer to start the 1988 season, including 10 losses by one or two runs, three straight when they led with two outs in the ninth and one in which they were no-hit by Boston's Derek Lowe.

Rays Rumblings

Tim Dierkes, of the always informative mlbtraderumors.com, took off on last week's question of a long-term contract for David Price and, looking at his accomplishments and market comparables, came up with an interesting guesstimate: $95 million over seven years. … Wonder if 2010 top draft picks Josh Sale and Drew Vettleson will feel whatever extra money they got by holding out is worth it as they spend the next two months in extended spring training in Port Charlotte rather than playing A ball? … Advance scouting coordinator Mike Calitri, who compiles his reports from video and stats rather than in person, is traveling with the Rays this season, increasing communication with the coaches — and adding an extra batting practice thrower. … Ex-Ray Rafael Soriano, left, already caused controversy in New York, bolting the Yankees clubhouse without talking to the media after blowing a lead Tuesday, though manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman gave him a pass in part cause he came from lil' old Tampa Bay. Said Cashman: "He's new to this market, so like everything else, you live and you learn." … Latest addition to the Rays' collection of arms experts: Bob Cluck, former pitching coach for the Astros, A's and Tigers, who was hired as a pro scout. … Is it relevant that Mike Ozanian, the Forbes editor who wrote about the supposed push for contraction of the Rays (and personally endorsed it, adding "I could not agree more") does a show on the Yankees-owned YES Network?

Got a minute? Elliot Johnson

Must-see TV?

I really enjoy Family Guy. It's very fun.

Band you'd most like to be on stage with?

Nirvana. Though Dire Straits would be a lot of fun, too.

Big-night-out meal?

A very nice rib eye, medium, with a baked potato, everything on it, and some sort of greens.

Worst job?

Circuit City. It was awful. They treat you like dirt.

With your wife Nicole's permission, dream date?

Demi Moore.

Times wires
Saturday, April 9, 2011

Reds 6, Diamondbacks 1

PHOENIX — Former Hernando High pitcher Bronson Arroyo escaped jams in the first (second and third, one out) and fourth (first and third, one out) for the Reds. Cincinnati sealed it during a four-run ninth. The inning included pitcher Juan Gutierrez's throwing error that prevented a double play and Jonny Gomes' two-run double.

Times wires
Sunday, April 10, 2011

Indians 2, Mariners 1

SEATTLE — Justin Masterson took a shutout into the seventh, striking out nine, and the streaking Indians won their sixth straight and are alone in first place in the AL Central for the first time since May 2008. Cleveland got its only runs in the fourth, one scoring when Milton Bradley threw wildly on a sacrifice fly. Pitcher Doug Fister kicked a ball into the Indians dugout, allowing Shin-Soo Choo to score from second base on the error.

Times wires
Sunday, April 10, 2011

Giants 3, Cardinals 2

SAN FRANCISCO — Miguel Tejada hit a two-run double that glanced off the glove of centerfielder Colby Rasmus with two outs in the ninth and the Giants rallied late for the second straight day and a few hours after receiving their World Series rings. The rally came against closer Ryan Franklin, who blew his third save in four chances and second in two days. St. Louis lost 5-4 in 12 innings Friday.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 10, 2011

Rays Maddon ejected after very aggressive between innings argument. Went face to face with two umps, pointed at others, apparently ejecting them.

Maddon came back on the field after ejection to talk further with home plate ump Paul Nauert, not as aggressive.

He was upset when umps reversed a call at first base, Dan Johnson appeared safe when pitcher Gavn Floyd was juggling ball as he came off base. First base ump Doug Eddings called Johnson safe, but then after Sox manager Ozzie Guillen came out the umpires huddled and called Johnson out, taking a run off the board and ending the inning.

Maddon charged out, went face to face with both Eddings and DeMuth, then pointed at all four umps and was ejected by DeMuth.

It was the 17th career ejection for Maddon, first this season.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 10, 2011

CHICAGO — The Rays once again failed to do much with the bats Sunday, posting exactly just one run and four hits for a staggering fifth time in the first nine games of their season gone awry, in losing 6-1 to the White Sox.

And they didn't pitch particularly well either this time, Jeff Niemann getting pulled in the third inning — and being, at the least, surprised about it — after putting them in a five-run hole.

So manager Joe Maddon took it upon himself to provide the highlights, as well as the metaphor, charging onto the field for an aggressive, animated and — given how he pointed at each of the umpires — amusing tirade that led to his sixth-inning ejection.

And while Maddon insisted his response was specifically to the reversal of a call at first base, his players saw it — given their abysmal 1-8 start and the circumstances around it — for a bit more.

"It was a little bit of a picture of how frustrating things have become," infielder Sean Rodriguez said. "And he was showing his frustration."

"It's definitely frustrating," centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "I think Joe's kind of starting to feel it, too. That was … everything that's gone on up to this point. I don't think it was just that call. I think it was an accumulation of things that happened over the last nine or 10 days. He wants to win just like the rest of us do. So I don't know what else to say."

Maddon had plenty to say about the call. Dan Johnson was initially ruled safe at first when Doug Eddings ruled pitcher Gavin Floyd bobbled the ball thrown to him. But then Johnson was called out — after a visit by Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and a quick huddle — by second-base umpire Dana DeMuth, taking what would have been the Rays' second run off the board and ending the sixth inning.

Maddon raced out, getting in Eddings' face and going face to face extensively with DeMuth before being ejected. Then Maddon had his turn, pointing at each of the four umpires as if he was ejecting them, a maneuver he said he last used in the mid 1980s in the Texas League.

And he wasn't done, heading to the dugout then back out for further discussion — briefly about protesting the game, which he couldn't because it was a judgment call — with home-plate umpire Paul Nauert.

Maddon's complaint, simply, was it was Eddings' call, and only Eddings' call, and not one to be overturned by another umpire across the field. "I've never seen that call made before, where an umpire calls a bobble and then it's overturned from a great distance," he said. "I really did not like that — obviously."

Maddon said if that play could be overturned, then the other umpires should have stepped in last June after an obviously blown call at first cost Detroit's Armando Galarraga his perfect game. And further, if those types of calls are going to be overturned, it should be done with TV replays and indisputable evidence.

The umpires involved in the play left the stadium before they could be sought for comment.

Maddon wasn't in much of a good mood anyway after Niemann gave up a pair of homers in the first, two more runs (though unearned due to leftfielder Sam Fuld dropping a fly ball), and two straight walks to start the third leading to another run.

"He was not good," Maddon said of Niemann, who threw 46 pitches. "A lot of things were up in the zone. They jumped on him early. He was unable to make an adjustment. I didn't see it getting any better for him right there."

Maddon said he believes the issues are mechanical and said Niemann hasn't been in top form since the middle of last season, before he went on the disabled list for three weeks with a shoulder strain.

Niemann disagreed with the assessment — saying he felt great and "everything was sharp" — as well as the early hook: "(Wasn't) really out there long enough to get a true feel for it."

It was kind of a short day all around.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Sunday, April 10, 2011

Royals 9, Tigers 5

DETROIT — Wilson Betemit went 4-for-4 with two doubles, his first four-hit game since July 14, 2007, for the Royals, who took two of three. Kansas City's Luke Hochevar allowed three homers but only two other hits. The Tigers made four errors. Overthrows of second by leftfielder Ryan Raburn (third inning) and third baseman Brandon Inge (on a double-play grounder in the fifth) brought home runs.

Times wires
Sunday, April 10, 2011

Phillies 3, Braves 0

ATLANTA — Shane Victorino capped a big series with three hits, including his first home run of the season, for the Phillies, who took two of three. Victorino has five consecutive multihit games, including four hits in Saturday's 10-2 victory, and went 9-for-13 (.692) with five runs and three RBIs in the series. Victorino singled and later scored on Jimmy Rollins' double play in the fourth to make it 1-0. His home run to right to lead off the sixth made it 2-0.

By Rick Frazier, Times Correspondent
Sunday, April 10, 2011

What's hot: In April, when warm south winds blow and the barometer drops, it's a sure sign of an approaching cold front from the north. For savvy anglers, it's also a sign to head to the shallow grass flats for speckled trout action.

Such was the case recently when the Gerdes family— Charlie V., and his sons, John, Rob and Charlie W. — caught trout drifting a flat near Fort De Soto Park.

Technique: Drift fishing for trout on these shallow flats is the most productive technique during windy conditions. The more water that's covered; the more fish will be caught.

The same can be said about the rig used. All four anglers used a float and jig combination instead of natural bait. The rig is perfect for windy weather. It can be cast far downwind and retrieved so it will cover more water than floating live bait.

Another reason the combo is so productive is due to the splash and the popping sound created by the float being worked across the surface. Trout are territorial, and when they sense that presence in their back yard, it gets their attention quickly. Most strikes are reactionary instead of feeding, and that's why the color of the jig tail isn't as crucial as working the float correctly, though it is important. Motor-oil red glitter was the color of choice on this day.

Results: Numerous undersized fish were released but the group took home nearly a limit of keepers for a family fish fry.

Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 510-4376.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, April 10, 2011

NASCAR Now: 6 p.m. on ESPN2. Looking back at Saturday night's race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Gruden QB Camp: 7 p.m. on ESPN. The former Bucs coach works with University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker.

Sports Connection: 11 p.m. on BHSN. Rock Riley interviews Nick Schuyler, the former USF football player who survived a boat capsizing in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago while three of his friends perished.

Times wires
Sunday, April 10, 2011

Cardinals 6, Giants 1

SAN FRANCISCO — Nine days after an appendectomy, Matt Holliday scored the go-ahead run and had an RBI single for the Cardinals. He has four hits and three RBIs in two games. Teammate Albert Pujols went 0-for-5 and is hitting .143 with one extra-base hit. He hit into a double play in the third and was taunted before his next at-bat by fans chanting "one-five-six," his average at that point. San Francisco failed to complete its first three-game sweep of St. Louis since 2001.